The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-19
ENGLISHMEN'S ADJUSTMENTS.


DOWh
Spectator in the Outlook.
The Spectator had an hours amusement
in learning what amuses other folks, as de-
scribed by themselves in the pages Of
who's Who" In the first place he no.
tices international difference. The En-
glish book of that name. which is the one
here referred to, apparently regards a mass
or woman's recreatiOns as matter OF
special significance; the American who's
Who does not report them Probably most
Americans are still somewhat reluctant TO
admit in print that they have any amuse-
ments; it would seem that they did not take
life seriously enough. An occasional Amer
lean. however, finds his way into the pages
of the transatlantic who's Who" and is
not unwilling to let his English cousins
know that he. too, can unbend. One no
tees that many Americans find it difficult
to sink the shop" even in their recreations.
That dean of American printers, for in
stance, Mr.. Theodore De Winnie, has for his
recreations Books and prints!' Another
American, Edgar Saltus, gives as his only
recreation Work How much more pleas
anter is it to read of the habits of athletic
Englishmen, such as, for instance c. ].
Longman, of the well-known publishing
firm, who is put down as the champion of
England at archery and as a devotee of
football; Arthur J. Balfour, Captain Royal
and Ancient Golf Club, president Cyclists
Union, motorst;". John Burns, the labor
member of Parliament, whose recreations
are cricket, skating, rowing, boxing" But
as boxer John Burns might not be in the
same class with our own DrexeI Biddle,
Philadelphia publisher, whose only recrea-
ton is given as "boxing-boxed exhibition
| bouts with many of the leading professional
pugilists; encountered Robert Fitzsimmons,
ex-champion heavyweight pugilist of the
world. for three rounds at the Pen and Pen
Gil Club, Philadelphia, 1884,
Some of the more amusing or character
| istic of these entries under the head Of
'RecreationS'' the Spectator notes at ran
dom as follows: Israel Zangwill, all forms
| of locomotion except baflooning; Lord Rob-
erts. hunting. bicycling; Herbert Spencer,
was given to salmon and sea-trout fishing
| until prevented by i'll health; Sir Robert
| Giffen, whist and chess; Julia Ward Howe,
| reasonable society. music, club meetings;
| George Meredith, great reader, especially
| Of French literature, has In his time been
a great walker; George Bernard Shaw.
anything except sport (this should perhaps
be accompanied by the preceding sentence
| as an explanation, diet, vegetarian
Tommaso Salyini, very fond of billiards;
| indoor sports; Sir Henry Irving, acting (an-
other illustration of mans inability to
| get away from his work.; Thomas Hardy,
i ~. II
| services day ir Llanthony Abbey Church
| Miss Jeanette Glider, loafing in Europe;
John. Burroughs, walking. fishing; Sir
/ Charles Dixie, napier fencing, light-pair
rowing, best-boat sculling, riding; Lady
| Dixie, riding, book collecting. Mrs. Hum
phrey Ward seems to have no recreations,
| but her husband is addicted to shooting,
| formerly cricket" The Countess of War
| wick has the encouragement of gardening
| as hobby, is an expert horsewoman, hunts
with Warwickshire and Essex hounds; both
| at Warwick Castle and Easton Lodge has
| established a complete organization for well
| fare Of poor and nursing of sick; is a great
reader; reads every important new book.
| Major General Eardley- Wilmot, polo, crick-
| ct, shooting, fishing, pig sticking, tent peg
| ging, lime cutting. The two last-named
| amusements seem to have the flavor of nov
| city to American. But they are a long
| way of from seradipity.
| One of the strangeSt revelations of char
| acter here given is That of General Weyler,
| formerly of Cuba, now of Madrid. His
| gentle spirit finds refreshment in country
| life, and (most favorite) riding; he does
| not smoke nor drink spirits he is not fond
of bull-fghting. very little of music theater
| and all public recreations." A Spaniard,
| and not a smoker or drinker, A Weyler
| and not found of the bull-ight Perhaps
| IL is true, however, that soldiers like to get
recreations; it seems to be so in the case
| of another soldier OF better reputation
| namely. General Baden-Powell, who amuses
himself with 'ballooning. yachting, and
syeling as , well with shooting The
note. Mr.. Charles Williams who recreates
himself with FISHING, photography, ritual
may ritual mean in that connection:
unsolved problems suggested by his search
for the elusive amusement.