The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-11
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ing and diversion, if we remember also
that nothing offers them in such
agreeable form as this, that or the
other game.
The first settlers in this country
needed no sports for their training or
for their diversion. Building their own
houses, their own roads and bridges,
and defending the same from their saw
age neighbors, were enough. Civiliza-
ton in those rough years was a gym
naslum in itself, a gymnasium, too, that
every citizen was obliged to attend. But
increased prosperity, and, above all.
steam and electricity, not only in
America, but in Europe, have done
away with the necessity for daily dar-
ing and for constant physical exercise
Mankind, however, knows intuitively
that luxury is his most insidious foe. If
we are no longer obliged to ride or to
walk. in order to see our friends or to
attend to our business then we turn
to and make a business of riding or
walking, Of shooting and fishing, Of
climbing mountains and hunting Wild
game, to keep alive in us the harder
virtues, which in the beginning made
our forefathers capable of winning a
place for us in the world. AS the neces-
sity for physical eXertion lessons among
us, the artificial incentives to physical
exercise Increase, and make ever more
and more disciples. AS wars become
less frequent gymnasiums and field
sports increase in number and popu-
larity.
1t is oftc-. said, as an objection to
this argument, that a man can learn
self-control and show high courage
just as well by Going his duty what
ever and wherever it happens to be. It
is not necessary that we should have
wars, or rough games like football or
mol fn CT DIV hn of n1IV-
men, to give them courage and to teach
them to take car of themselves. The
controversies and temptations and hard
tasks of daily life are enough. This is
quite true. Taking care Of a sick and
peevish child is a tremendous test Of
patience and gentleness Bearing the
frowns of fortune with cheerfulness and
in silence shows courage. Keeping
oneself well in hand through the vari-
Gus worries of daily life, in business,
profession, or in the home, is a con-
slant schooling of the nerves.
Riding a horse over a f1ve-barred
gate or across a water-jump is a test
of horsemanship, but before these can
be successfully negotiated it is neces-
sary to have soma training at simpler
feats of riding. Thus it is with those
other matters The lad who has learnt
self-control, fair play and good temper
at his games finds 1t easier to exercise
these same high qualities in the more
complicated emergencies of daily life.
The boy who has ridden about the pad
dock on his pony with blanket for a
saddle will take the Water-jump just so
much more easily.
There is a German proverb which
runs, When the devil cannot go him
self he sends an old woman" There is
just enough Of truth in this old-woman
argument against our rougher games
to lead one to believe that the devil
sent her.
The nation which governs almost
one-fourth of the earth's population,
and upon the whole governs well,
spends over two hundred millions an
nually upon sport, and has invested in
the same way an even greater sum.
Perhaps there is no higher test of a
mans all-round abilities than his power
to govern wisely; at any rate, it is a
truth to be borne in mind, in this con-
nection, that the governing races to-
day are races of sportsmen.
The peoples who play games are in
heriting the earth, perhaps because it
makes them meek. AS a matter of fact,
we think it does just that, among other
things.
The French do not play games, and
Benjamin Kidd has shown how the
population of France is steadily de-
creasing, the deaths having outnum-
bered the births there for several years
past.
The Spaniards do not play games,
and travellers in and students of Spain,
and the Spanish, agree that their two
most salient characteristics are oyer
weening personal pride and cruelty
The Chinese despise unnecessary
physical exercise, and can scarcely be
driven to fight, even for their country,
and their lack of decision and their
PUPPY condition of dependence are now
all too manifestation Outing.