Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-28
SOMETHING ABOUT ARCHERY.
A Recreation Which is of Great
Physical Value.
From Recreation.

In the choice of a mans recreation one
should choose that which not only gives
him sufficient muscular exercise and full
respiration. but which will give him, also.
as large an amount of pleasure possible:
for the pleasurableness of an exercise is
one test of its value. During his period OF
recreation a mans care and worry should
be completely submerged by the guSh OF
youthful enthusiasm. Only under these con-
dittons does physical exercise yield even
its full physical value. But there should
be more than the physical consideration
entering into the matter of recrea ton.
Ones recreation should possess something
OF an artistic and esthetic value. 1t should
be OF such a nature that through parttci-
pating in 1t and through love for IL one
will become a more cultured gentleman.
All of these requirements are ideally met
in the most historic of games-archery. As
to muscular exercise and respiration arch
cry is fully adequate. and especially so be-
cause IL be followed to old age As the
muscles strengthen the bow can be adjust
ed to the increasing strength. AS old
age approaches and the muscles begin to
tire under the arduous work of the younger
man. the bow again be fitted to the
man. while the muscles themselves and the
eye need not lose their cunning. Indeed,
1t is a noteworthy fact that many of the
leading archers of all times have been men
of advanced years. In fact, the fascna-
ton of the long bow seems to grow stronger
in the faithful archer as his years advance.
even as Robin Hood through the lattice
of his chamber. shot his last arrow to
mark the spot of his grave.
But to Illustrate the nature of the physi-
cal exercise which Is involved in the pur-
suit of archery 1t might be said that In
shooting single York round, which Is
~ arrows at 100 yards. As arrows at 50
yards. and "a arrows at GO yards. the archer
must walk 1850 yards II he uses two tar
gets, and twice that II he has only one tar
get. II he uses bow which pulls forty-five
pounds, which is the ordinary weight for
then, he has drawn, in all. 6.4S0 pounds
This work has been done by direct pull
across the chest, an exercise which puts
all the muscles of the back and shoulders
In most perfect tonus. and forces the most
perfect respiration. In fact, no form OF
exercise could surpass archery for the pur-
pose of Strengthening up stopped shoulders
and expanding the collapsed chest and
lungs. Nothing can take the place of arch
cry for the man who is confined over
desk in his daily work.
But there are other important features OF
archery from the purely physical point OF
view To make a successful shot with the
bow. one must bring every muscle of the
body under most perfect control and into
most perfect coordination with the eye
This factor itself Is of important education
al signihcance-the factor of self-control at
a trying moment. When the bow Is fun
drawn, every muscle must be In the high
est tension, the body in absolute equili
brium the bow held as f in a wise, and
the point of the arrow on the mark. Then
the string must bound from the fingers
without a wayer or jerk. These are only
some of the elements of archery, and there
is lifetime of study in them.