Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-01
Women and Sports.

- ~ NN'iNtiN any KIM OF attn
ietic sport in which women do not
actively participate. and in Society
thefe is probably not a day on which
there is not a discussion whether this
IS good or bad. right or wrong. There
rs no lack of arguments pro and con in
thlS discussion. Ethical, psychical and
phySical reasons are advanced by
friends as well as by opponcnts OF
sport for women. 1t is but another
demonstration of the feminine charac-
ter that pending this seemingly end
less discussion and apparently entirely
obliviouS of ii. the number of female
devotccS to athletic sports is steadily
increasing.
a recent interesting contribution to
the discussion of this topic is furnished
by the Revue dcs Itcvucs of Paris in a
number Of interviews with poets
noVclistS, physicians. scientists and
philosophers. ana ii is interesting TO
witness in these interviews. for the
most part at least. the legend Try
French politcness toward the fair sex.
which in some cases affects To see in
woman nothing but the toy Of man.
despite social experiences of recent
times.
The sole exception to this French
aifcctation is Emile lola, who treats
the problem in his usual vigorous style.
not from the view point of the salon"
but from that of everyday life. He
says:
"of course in this passion for sport.
which shows Itself With all the svmp
toms of a contagious fever FOR aiI in
novatiors in locomotion. there is
something of snobism and something of
vanity. Despite this fact | am great
friend Of all physical DEVELOPMENT of
woman. Of course on condition that
this sport is not abused In this respect
l have in mind not only the physical
development. the plastic beauty which
the ancient Greeks sought to achieve
in cayoring the Olympic plays. but
rather the moral development. the
manifestations of individuality which
must result from the participation of
younC girls in sports.
enc ought to observe the young
daughters Of the bourreoise, educated
BY the mother after ancient prccepts.
how they walk on the streets under
continual directions of the mamma.
who guides them through the city
with 4 discipline like that Of a cor
?cral applied to his squad: Right left.
front. cast the eyes down. turn your
nothing but annoying direc-
tons for the growing girl still subject
to maternal tenderness. And this
tyranny of the Conventionality of
pre- judiCe which with touching care is
transmitted from one general ton 10 the
other. increases from day to day. so
that one may say that young French
girl is completely under guardianship
until she is married.
The bicycle, which may be con-
sidered the type par excellence Of the
most popular sport undoubtedly for
the reason that it is the most accessi-
BILE for all seems to me TO be pre-
eminently called upon TO contribute
to the development of individuality Of
which | have spoken. For is it not
true that the young girl on the wheel
is compelled to think independently
and to make quick decision at every
street corner to avoid an obstacle. to
take one or the other directiono The
proximity of more or less danger has
the result that the girl becomes less
tmd. and if the mother, who cannot
follow this exercise step by step. ne"es-
sarily must have confidence in the
young girl. the latter in the conscious
ness of her individuality and proud of
this first emancipation, must gain that
srif-consciousneeS which is necessary
in life.
"Conccrninc the comradcship be
ftween the young people Of both sexes
(which is furthered by this sport. ]
tthinl it can but lead to closer ac-
uuaintance desirable fo; marriage. In
this respect | have always advocated
co-education. " HIGH in England and
America is productive of such excellent
results.
II do not find the costume Of sport
women 50 abomina bile as it is gen
orally considered. 1t is. above al, com
| Portable and practical. and a woman of
| fine bodily form will always know how
| to show it OF, even if she wears a
| masculine sport costume. This is in
| reality q question of style which may
| change every tWcnty-four hours. aC-
/ cordinG to the dictation of fashion
able tailor. confess that the young
| English women have won me over 10
| the bicycle costume. The DEMONS 81
| ;he smiling cottages in the suburbs
! are compelled ON account OF the great
| distances to purchase household sup
plies with the aid of the wheel. ana II
Z pedestrian English woman generally
is unntcrestng. | have always liked to
see them peGalng to market.
N ne CO.. ..--. time is sometimes not
sufficiently aesthetic. but it is never
unfit the wcarer is built accord
ingly. However. one has only to look
At a family album. or. still better. at Il
collection of fashion plates from ~"
DAYS of the restoration, or OF Louis
Philippe. to near the young ladies' OF
today ask how anyone could nave
dared to appear in such costume. MS
reminds me of an apt remark OF
famous actor of the Palais Royal WIG
ALWAYS secured the most remarHaoe
hats if he had 10 play q role only ten
wear old How DO YOU succeed in OBJ
tanning such Improbable hats? ne Wa
asked oh. just save them was ms
reply.
In another direction it il feared tha'
in consequence of the Amerlcahisih
which is introduced by modern SPoI
ing exercises in habits as well as II
language the woman will hecone ,
masculine that her play fellows WI