The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-01

j took spin out TO the Narragansett
Boat club yesterday afternoon and was
surprised at the few oarsmen on the See
konk. AS general thing there are
always more or less aspirsnts for aquatic
honors at this season of the year on the
water going through preliminary course
OF training for the regattas, but this
spring there has been evinced general
tardiness upon the part OF the members.
This state OF affairs is not confined to
Providence alone.
have received similar reports from the
boat clubs which line the banks of the
Hudson, Harlem and Passaic and In look
ing for a reason for this lack of interest
in one OF the noblest sports known l have
come to the conclusion that the wheel
has TO degree supplanted the shell. Of
course, do not mean TO say that boating
is dying, for such is not the case. Take
the Narragansett Boat Club, for instance,
II Is thriving and growing stronger in
members year by year; still the point re-
mains that the number OF early rowers
is gradually diminishing.
The wheel offers them a form of health
giving pleasure during these days which
Is superior TO pulling an oar. Just as
soon as the cool spring days pass away,
heat, dustiness and general disagreeable-
ness comes upon MS then will the cycle
be laid aside for the more enjoyable pas
time of handling an oar or paddle.
While on my way TO the club yesterday
fell in with party of wheelmen and
party suggested climbing 1t. To my mind
thia is very poor practice. The strain re-
Quired g too much, IL directly affects the
heart end is liable TO do great injury.
Re guided by your honest feelings is the
rule which should be applied 10 ell exer-
cises, and when you are tired, STOP
there Is no cowardice in this, no ac-
knowledging yourself beaten; 1t is simply
the characteristic dougs OF a careful
rider, who realize the destroying effect
npon health and life which result from
over exertion. Many bicyclists ride too
fast and too long and as result the ma
1ority OF them are subjected TO an irri-
lated heart or heart enlargement.
1t occurs 10 me that another suggestion
might be made TO the wheelmen which,
IL II Is needed, will add TO their comfort
and pleasure. In rowing a shell every
man has to have his foot brace, seat,
rowlock and oar rigging to fit his build;
so In bicycle riding your machine should
be rugged 10 Mt your build OF body and
length OF limb. Take advice OF the dealer
from whom you purchase your mount
as he has everything to gain by putting
you on well rigged wheel and the pro-
liabilities are that your ride will not
leave you tagged out as Ii would II the
wheel was not fitted to your frame.
At Harvard lacrosse is again being re-
vived and judging from the excellent
practice work of the many candidates
who have been IN active training since
March the prospects for winning team
are promising. Some OF the old coaches
nave been giving the men the benefit OF
their experiences, but OF late great deal
of the time has been devoted to that all
important factor of the game, the team
work, which is gradually being acquired.
u was back In the Te's, IL / remember
rightly, that the game was introduced at
harvard by mum Der Of Canadian stu
dents, and after being on probation for a
couple of years gradually established a
firm foothold. In the early SOS the Grim
sons were very strong and in 'S4 's5 and
$50 held the championship OF the United
States. Shortly after 'S6, however, the
interest I'm the Canadian sport began to
fag and by 'S9 II was entirely dead. Last
year II was revived and by dint OF sshard
work team was at last made up. A
great part OF IT was composed of new
players, but Notwithstanding this disad-
vantage that made fairly good showing
losing. their two collegiate games by
only one goal. This year games have been
arranged with Stevens, Cornell, the Cres-
cent Athletic Club, Beachmont, Boston,
Johns-Hopkins, Princeton ana Lehigh,
last years champions, and as most of
last years team is on the present one the
supporters of the game are expectant of
seeing the Crimsons finishing somewh here
near the top.
Stanton Abbott, the lightweight cham
pion OF Enlgand, has made arrangements
to box Joe Burke, the Brooklyn light
wAicht, six rounds at the Olympic rink,
South Brooklyn on May 9. Should Burke
get the decision II is said that his hackers
will again make overtures to Young
Grino. Doc.