New-York tribune., 1908-08-01
OF Interest "
" to tUomer1.
PLAY FOR GR0WN-UPS
Without 1t american Physique Is
Deter1Orating. Saus DR.. BOzcen.

Since the captains OF industry have thrown the
human body the scrap pile. along with street.
car horses and things like that. IL becomes very
necessary that Americans should develop their
physique through play Our work doesn't do II
now and probably never will. But, unfortunately,
Americans like to take their play vicariously-
Thousands Of people Will sit watching handful OF
men play football, thus getting the excitement OF
the game without the trouble and exertion OF play
ing II, which exertion they sorely need"
This the keynote of Professor Wilbur P
Bowen's lecture American Recreation and
American Physique at Columbia University
yesterday afternoon. The lecture was Illustrated
by views showing popular forms of play Adults
play. DR.. Bowen said, great deal more than they
willing to admit even to themselves
There is q great deal of msconception in the
minds of grown-ups TO what constitutes play,
he said. Very many people fancy that play is a
trivial thing which belongs to children only. But
the truth is that play is, DR. Griggs defines 1t,
anything We do because we like to 90 IL; and the
individual young old, who doesn't play is very
abnormal being Now we'll have some pictures
showing ideal kinds of play and the reverse.
One picture of an excursion boat crowded
with people. That" said the lecturer, is play ac-
cording the American conception OF getting all
they can without giving for 1t. The people on this
boat get excitement. change, without the slightest
exertion-nerely by sitting still. This"-as motor
car flashed the screen-'is very popular
form OF amusement: II gives immense e1hilaration
without e1ertion.
ond hand by going the theatre and seeing
dramas enacted, or by going to hear concerts-haf
the time not much because they care for the
music as for the variety and interest of being
there In fine, of amusement is purely
sensory and emotional. But If you excite
ment. here is real excitement" he added, as the
screen showed a clinging to the mast of yes
sci in a binding snowstorDl. There is more ex-
hiiaretion n moment OF that than in whole
evenings at the theatre
Then the screen showed series Of pictures which
made the blood leap pictures OF play which de-
veiops the body and is not out Of the reach of
many people-a party Of boys and girls scranbing
up rocky hillside; people rowing IN rough water
canoeing playing ice games, golf, hockey, running
or lea ping fences on horseback.
TT is not that We are devoid OF the play in
stinct" Dr.. Bowen resumed We show 1t every
where IN our home life. perhaps. most Of all How
many of the things in houses strictly uti-
tartan7 Don't we all want live in houses as
beautifully decorated as we can anordg We want
musical instruments in our parlors-many of us
deening that more important than the few dollars
needed to give city children Fairgrounds When
we go 10 church for one reason another. don't
we want to see the altar lavishly trimmed with
fewers?"
One of the pictures showed scene in the regu-
lar routine of play in the English capitaT'-Ameri-
can women being presented al court. And here is
one said the lecturer showing the effect of this
sort of play the physique" II showed a woman
having gloves fitted the counter Of q shop.
Here is a woman" said DR.. Bowen, like so
many women, beautiful, refined but with no
strength Here by way of contrast is the picture
OF primitive woman-a face not refined, though
it has the germ OF refinement; but what splendid
body, II shows what the modern woman has
gained-and lost.
Il repeat work in these modern times does not
develop the physique; ought. then, to do it by
play. As instance of what modern occupation
is doing for let me tell you of man 1 saw
downtown yesterday This had inherited from
his ancestors a magnificent body. seven feet tall
large and braWny- And what was he doing? de
was standing inside the Of a department store
telling shoppers which way to go. That was what
he was doing with his strength.