New-York tribune., 1901-07-06
SUMNER SPORTS.

LibraryJ i2mo, PIP. vii. 252 London: J. NJ. Dent
Management of Small Yachts Half Decked and
Open Sailing Boats OF Various Rigs; Sailing on
Knight. 12mo. pp. 1i. 2s7 E. p Dutton & Co
THE TRAINING OF. THE BODY. For Games.
Athletics. Gymnastics and Other Forms Of Ex-
BY F. a Schmidt, M D.. and Eustace H. Miles,
NJ. A. Octave PIP. xiv, $40 E P. Dutton & Co.
FLY RODS AND FLY TACKLE suggestions as
Wells. 12mo. pp. ii6. Harper & Bros
Mr. Walter ]. Travis takes a refreshing de-
parture from the usual course Of the golf writer
IN keeping his book comparatively free from dog
matism and in admitting that there may be more
than one way Of doing things. which the player
may find out for himself, and in the light Of his
own personal peculiarities. Like most OF the
older golfers in this country, he took up the
game comparatively late in life. and his
terry of it the result Of "a world OF expert
menting." as he calls it, which resulted in CIV
ing him fairly clear insight into the true rela-
ton Of cause and effect. The fact that he has
reached the position OF amateur champion OF
this country to show that there may be
some advantages in this method. He, neverthe-
less, thinks that for the general run OF begin
ners professional coaching is necessary for the
formation of a proper style. Mr.. Travis's own
explanations Of form clear and intelligent
and he is always careful to give the reader that
insight into the relations of cause and effect
that he himself found so valuable. He is not
committed to any rigidly exclusive style of play
AS TO stance and grip he is tolerant to a de-
gree; there are only some general principles
upon which insistence is laid. He even goes so
far to say:
Never mind if your grip or stance or swing
may be outside the pale of orthodoxy. so con-
sidered-if you can secure distance and rea-
AZ
fected. that is the style you should cultivate
provided il is easy and natural.
He is orthodox enough in insisting on the
superlative Importance Of skill in approaching
and putting: ''it is much better to be an adept
at putting than at driving''-good advice to the
ambitious novice vino rejoices in a new found
power Of annihilating distance. Mr.. Travis's
book is thai almost every golf player can
get something out of, because of his close ad-
herence TO the things Of practical value that
must come before every player of the game.
An altogether different kind Of interest at
taches. for the American player especially, to
Mr.. Lyttletons golf section of his book in the
Haddon Hall Library. 1t is a general disqusi-
tion the history, philosophy and tendencies
of the game and on its British players. He need
expect 10 obtain no points" as to the technique
Of the game. Mr.. Lytteton is of the opinion
that there too many minute rules in golf
Though he is never quite free from memories
of earlier glories of the game he is willing to
believe that Vardon's performances in 1898 and
1899 must give him the first place among
golfers Of all ages times. Medal play and
medal players come under his extreme displeas-
ure. The finer less selfish and higher game Of
golf is that played by holes and not by strokes.
Then toe, there is a tendency in these days TO
cultivate a brutal, effective style of play, just
ins," taught "a sorrowing English public" that
a fast hard, railroad game would win always at
tennis court tennis). So now everything in
gclf is sacrificed for length; the courses are
made long; the modern clubs, with their odd
shapes and sizes. and heavy bullet heads really
exist 10 satisfy the players TO whom length
seems everything" Those who like the lore of
golf will find entertaining matter in the book.
Mr. Knights book is an extremely convenient
and readable compendium of most of the things
the Corinthian sailor Of a small boat needs to
know He deals largely with English types Of
rig, and in so far appeals less 10 American boat
men than to his fellow countrymen; but much
Of what he says is OF universal application;
much of his advice on management and general
seamanship, for instance, may be taken to heart
by cis-Atlantic sailors. He gives the excellent
edvice never to cruise in a small boat without
g barometer. and. what is of equal importance,
the knowledge to interpret its readings. The old
sailors representations are all very well in
their way; but they should be used only 10
supplement the glass and the storm signals.
ThSse who m ean TO venture far out TO sea in a
seasil boat would do well take oil and the
means Of distributing II upon breaking waves:
To Judge from all the evidence that has been
collected Oh the subject, there can be little doubt
that. given plenty Of room, even quite a
small yacht-provided, of course, that she be
sound, not over spared and of the right build
ride out Atlantic gale in safety by EN-,
ploying drogue and oil bag; and one should
attempt a long cruise on broad seas with stch
q vessel without carrying these.
DR. Schmidt and Mr.. Miles between them have
presented most elaborate study of the inter
dependence between anatomy and physiology
and physical exercise The two authors are
not agreed on all points. and Mr.. Miles, the
expert In sports. does not hesitate to contra
dict over his own initials the statements of his
medical collaboration when the latter leaves
his special province to discuss practical details
Of exercising, etc. DR.. Schmidt gives a de-
tailed account of the bones and Joints. muscles
and various organs of the body, considered with
special reference to their cultivation by exercise
and TO the effect of different sports upon their
condition and development Mr.. Miles contrib
utes valuable discussions to how games
and exercises should be learned and practised
and as to food for training. He is an advocate
OF regular and systematic practice as prep
aration for all games. with foundation cxer-
cises'' TO begin with, part by part" that is, the
mastery of single elements OF movements and
strokes before the whole game is taken up.
Such a method, he insists, will not only make
the particular kind Of skill aimed at easier TO
obtain, but will make the player fairly good
all around for any game" Mr.. Miles's discus
~ he of