Chapter II: Part 2

Some, when in practice for high jumps, strengthen their muscles by standing on one leg and lowering the body down until the hams touch the heels, and then raising themselves up gradually again. This action, however much it may be beneficial to the sinews, cannot but give them a tendency to be slow, which should be avoided as much as possible. A heavy coat, with a weight in both pockets, is of some service to those athletes stripped and ready to compete, as a great sense of lightness and elasticity is imparted to the frame on its removal. The heavy coat should never be worn except in the few minutes preceding the trial, as by constant use the good effects wear off. Always have a soft place to alight upon, as it not only eases the jar of the jump, but gives a jumper more confidence when he feels secure from the chances of a twist of the ankles on touching the ground. Hard turf, with very fine ashes rolled in until the surface is quite level, makes the best fair taking-off place both for high and broad jumping.

BROAD JUMPING.

Begin with a few jumps about twelve feet or so, taking your run for them slowly, starting about twenty yards off and quickening in the last few strides. The great object to be guarded against is taking off to far from the mark, or getting out of step in the run; this can only be obviated by practicing at a certain distance until the necessary swing of the last few strides is acquired. The run to the jump cannot be too fast; in the air the legs should be raised as in going over a high jump, and thrown as far forward on landing as can be done with both heels close together. No fear need be entertained of falling back on alighting if the run is sufficiently fast and the landing place level and soft; the impetus derived from the run gives the heaviest part of the jumper, the trunk, sufficient momentum to carry itself forward when the progress of the feet and legs is arrested. The landing place should be soft to the depth of eight inches, and sufficiently binding to show the marks of the heels clearly on alighting; clay and mould mixed make the best landing ground. A soft place to jump on will prevent any jar to the knees, and will give the jumper more confidence. The concussion caused by landing on hard ground may sometimes cause a serious accident.

1. J. Dobler, 2. S. Merritt, 3. Geo. Hazael,
4. F. Khrone, 5. P. J. Panchott, 6. Wm. Dutcher,
7. Nick Murphy, 8. Norman Taylor, 9. George Guyon.]

HAMMER THROWING.

The muscles of the loins and back are the ones principally brought into play in hammer throwing, and by their development they become extremely serviceable in assisting the spine to bear the upper portions of the body. The practice of this kind of exercise must, therefore, be beneficial to those whose lungs and heart are too delicate to stand any of those sports, such as rowing, running, etc., which so particularly tax their working powers. Commence practicing with a hammer about 7lb., until the art of swinging while running is acquired; to learn this the run should be taken at first only six or seven yards from the scratch; before the run swing the hammer well, like a pendulum, in the direction of the mark two or three times, until it has acquired a good momentum, and then start, taking, at the first few attempts, one turn only in the run; afterwards, as the practice becomes easier, two turns can be made, and the runs lengthened in proportion. Some athletes, however, take three or four turns, but, as a rule, two will be found sufficient. Between the turns, run as far towards the scratch as possible, taking long, even strides to acquire a good impetus, and keeping up the centrifugal force of the hammer by swinging it well round low, and in a plane at right angles to the body. The arms should be kept quite straight the whole time, merely acting as if they were a prolongation of the handle. The work is done by the muscles of the back and loins, and in delivering the hammer at the scratch the athlete should, above all things, bear in mind that he does not lift it as if lifting to leg. The “devil” must be put into the swing as the hammer descends in the last half of the turn, so that the force has culminated by the time the hammer is crossing the line parallel to the scratch, where it must be let go, the body at the same moment being thrown back to counteract the impetus of the swing. The hammer should describe a curve at its highest point of not more than 11 or 12 feet from the ground. Avoid pulling at the handle in the run, and increase the pace and swing at each successive turn. The farthest throw of the 11lb. hammer, 3 feet handle, on record, is 176 feet. The 22lb. hammer has been thrown over 94 feet.

PUTTING THE STONE.

Balance the body on the right leg, the left side turned towards the scratch, the right foot being placed as near the seven-foot mark as possible, and the right hand balancing the weight, with the knuckles close to the shoulder; raise the weight up to the full stretch of the arm two or three times, till the muscles get into play, still keeping the weight of the body thrown on to the right leg, the left foot touching the ground slightly; when the balance of the body is obtained, hop three feet towards the mark, and then spring up sharply to the scratch line, throwing the weight away at the same moment, and bringing the right leg down, with the toe touching the scratch line and the right side of the body to the mark. By this means the follow of the body after the weight is prevented, and, by bringing the right leg forward at the moment of throwing, the whole force of the thighs are brought into play, and the muscles of the loins assist in the sudden turn of the body from left to right. The weight must be held on the lowest joints of the fingers and the palm of the hand, the wrist being kept as stiff as possible, and all tendency to throw it as a ball avoided. A heave is not so effective as a quick jump, with the muscles concentrated at the same moment. The quicker the hop and the throw are made, the further the distance put, provided that the balance is not lost. Any delay between the first hop and the final spring is fatal. In delivering the weight, let it be put upwards--that is to say, aim to hit an object about fourteen feet above the spot where the weight will pitch. The further the weight has to be put, the higher must be the elevation. No exercise is a greater proof of strength than this. Very little skill is required; and when once the way of putting is learnt, it seldom happens that a strong man gets beaten by the knack of a weaker antagonist.

The ankle is the part most likely to suffer, from the fact of having to spring with the whole of the body, and the addition of the weight. To practice, a cricket ball may be used instead of a heavy weight, and the spring made as before, with the delivery of the ball. After a little practice, a heavier weight may be tried until the one required can be put properly. The best “puts” on record are for the 22lb. weight over 36 feet, and for the 16lb. over 41 feet.

TRAINING FOR ROWING, ETC.

The present work is not intended for the guidance of professional oarsmen, or those who may row for large stakes, and who, when matched, leave their usual occupations and devote their energies to the better observance of the stricter rules of training. Such men invariably have a mentor worthy of following, and whose knowledge of right and wrong will lead them to success or otherwise, as the fates may dispose. The amateur, however, must be treated more gently and with more attention than the sturdier and hardier professional, or those who may have made the river and adjuncts their capital in their struggle through the world for a subsistence. The amateur, when he has an engagement before him, should take into consideration the time he has allowed him to train, and the mode of proceeding will depend in a great measure on the condition and previous habits of the man engaged. If a man is fleshy and of a full habit of body, a dose or two of mild purgative medicine should be taken, and slow walking exercise only taken on the day the doses have been administered. After the medicine has done its duty, if the amateur is very fleshy, a Turkish bath or two may be taken with advantage, the usual precautions against cold being used. The subject, after one or two of these sweats, is prepared for more arduous work, which may be taken at a fair pace in the form of good sharp runs and fast walks, which, like all other trainings, will become easier of accomplishment at each repetition.

The above work, with rowing exercise, will infallibly bring the practitioner, if continued for any time, into a proper condition to contend with confidence and success in any rowing contest.

He must rise at five in the summer, and after his bath (cold), and having been well rubbed down, a good sharp walk of about a mile out and a rattling spin taken by running home, when another good rub will be rendered imperative Should the run not be taken, a row of a couple of miles at three parts speed must be accomplished. When thoroughly cooled down, breakfast should be taken, which should consist of good wholesome meat (either broiled mutton-chops or steak, with no seasoning), stale bread or toast, and tea. When dinner can be taken at mid-day, say about one P. M., it is better, and should consist, like the breakfast, of good wholesome roast meat, with no vegetable except a mealy potato, stale bread, and not more than a pint of really good sound ale (old, if palatable to the drinker, the best); some prefer sherry, but, although agreeing with a few, the ale, as a rule, is more strengthening and wholesome. The row should be taken before tea, which should then be of the same viands and liquids as the breakfast. The above rules, of course, are open to alteration, according to circumstances, and the diet varied successfully by the introduction of fowls, either roast or boiled--the latter preferred--and when there is any indication of training off, a small portion of green-meat, in the shape of sound cabbage or any fresh vegetable in season. The last food before retiring to rest should be either about half a-pint of thin gruel or a glass of ale with dry toast. The other portion of the day’s training must be left to circumstances; but it must never be lost sight of that sharp work, regularity and cleanliness are the chief if not the only rules to be followed to produce thorough good condition. The use of the bath should never by any chance be missed. Nothing is more injurious to the wind, etc., than hard rowing on a full stomach, the ill effects of which, although scarcely felt at the time, have at a more remote time, in many instances, proved to be the germ of serious disorders.

In rowing, the legs, loins, trunk, arms, hands, the digestive organs and the lungs are made to perform their regular and legitimate functions simultaneously, and the danger of building up one part of the system at the expense of another thereby avoided, and to the recognition of these facts is ascribed the popularity of aquatic sports here and abroad. But it is not always convenient for large numbers of our people to indulge in this healthful pastime; the expense of owning and keeping a boat, the difficulty of reaching an acceptable place for rowing, no less than the dangers incident to inexperienced oarsmen upon the water, are drawbacks which can only be met by the substitution of a machine giving all the advantages without the disagreeable accessories; to this end several machines have been introduced to public notice, but none have filled all the requirements until by careful observation of the defects of former attempts the Eureka Parlor Rowing Machine was introduced, which gives an exact and perfect imitation of rowing. It teaches to feather the oar correctly, it gives the dip of the oar, it has the sliding seat, it can be regulated for heavy or light, short or long stroke, and is manufactured for either open or cross-handed rowing, and the pressure can be changed to suit the weak or the strong.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRAINING FOR ROWING.

For the further information of those who cannot have too much of a good thing as to the preparation for rowing a race, we subjoin the latest ideas of modern authorities upon the subject.

JOSH WARD’S SYSTEM OF TRAINING.

The following rules, from the pen of Josh Ward, ex-champion sculler and captain of the Ward crew, which among their other achievements won the International four-oared race at Saratoga in 1871, will be first-class authority:

First, be sure that the men are in perfect health, so that they will be able to stand the work which they are about to commence.

A mild medicine is usually required to cleanse the blood, as, unless the blood is in good order, and in very many cases it is in any other condition than a good one, the food taken will not digest well.

Upon getting up in the morning take a sponge bath, dry well with a coarse towel, after which walk about two miles before breakfast.

Breakfast should consist of a good tender porterhouse steak, broiled rare, and thoroughly masticated before swallowing. As a drink, a cup of black tea. Drink no more than absolutely necessary either at meals or any other time.

After breakfast, eaten slowly, no exercise should be taken for about an hour; at the expiration of which time, the crew can get in the boat and row the same distance expected to be rowed in the race, and at a good pace.

After returning from the row, a rub down and then a moderate walk, until shortly before dinnertime. Dinner should consist of roast beef or broiled chicken, with soft boiled eggs, etc.

If any drink is taken, tea or water, in moderate quantity, should be used. After dinner no exercise for about two hours, when the crew take the afternoon pull, which should be over about the same distance and at the same pace as that of the morning.

After coming ashore, rub down as in the morning, with a coarse towel, and then take a moderate walk, returning home about an hour before supper, which, when eaten at all, should be a light one, composed of a little broiled meat, with a piece of dry toast and a cup of tea.

Two meals, at the least, should always be taken; and where only two are taken, they should, in all cases, be what is known as breakfast and dinner, as both these meals, or rather either of them, are more essential to the man in training than supper, particularly if he, as I would advise him to do, rises with the sun and retires at about nine o’clock, or half-past, in the evening.

After a night’s sleep, and after having left the bed at five in the morning and walked or ran two, three or four miles, as well as taking a bath, the system is generally quite importunate for sustenance by seven o’clock or half-past.

This is not always the case, however, in regard to supper; as, after having eaten a hearty dinner, at 1 o’clock, without any other exercise thereafter than the afternoon row, a man with very little practice can accustom himself to doing without more food until the following morning, if he retire at about nine o’clock.

Up with the sun in the morning and pursue the regular plan of bath, walk, etc., unless stormy, in which case exercise indoors should be substituted for the walk.

The dumbells and clubs are proper implements to use for this purpose, and every man in training, whether amateur or professional, should have one or other, or both.

The man in training should always have plenty of exercise given him at regular and proper intervals. By plenty of exercise I mean just enough, neither too much nor too little; and to be able to tell just when a man has just enough belongs only to those who have had an extensive experience in preparing men for aquatic or other contests.

His habits must, of necessity, be very regular, otherwise the course which he is pursuing will result in very little good.

1. Cora Cushing. 2. Mary Marshall. 3. Exilda La Chapelle.
4. Fanny Edwards. 5. Bertha Von Berg. 6. Fanny Rich.
7. Bella Kilbury. 8. Madame Tobias. 9. Madame Franklin.]

In regard to the oars which myself and brothers--the Ward crew--generally use, they are sweeps, about twelve feet long and five inches wide. A boat for our crew of four would be forty-six feet long and twenty inches wide. In pulling we use the legs, and in a four or six-oared boat pull forty and forty-two strokes per minute. In pulling a pair of sculls, I pull about thirty-eight strokes to the minute, and use the legs.

We used spoon oars, and our boats were constructed with the stroke on the starboard side.

In sculling, I have always pulled open-handed, but I think cross-handed is the better style.

To make a successful rower great practice will be required, although in this, as in everything else, some learn much more rapidly than others.

* * * * *

Benjamin F. Brady, ex-president of the Amateur Rowing Association, furnishes the subjoined:

Coxswains are carried in the gigs and barges only; all the shells being constructed to dispense with them, and it is safe to predict that they will soon come to be a thing of the past in all American shell races. Whether with or without a coxswain is the more practical or scientific, depends, in a great measure, upon the nature of the course pulled, and the efficiency of the bow oar; but an experienced crew can well get along without one. While the fact has been several times proven that a good coxswain has been the means of winning a race with an acknowledged inferior crew.

COXSWAIN’S ORDERS

Among the Clubs of the Association, are given as follows:

1st. “Oars.”--The crew raising their oars to an angle of forty-five degrees and then placing them in the thole pins.

2d. “Out.”--The crew running their oars out to the proper distance for rowing, the blade being parallel with the gunwale of the boat.

3d. “Give-way.”--At the word “Give” throwing the handle of the oar forward well over the toes, the blade being at a proper angle to strike the water; and at the word “Way” dipping the oar in the commencement of the pull.

4th. “Weigh.”--To stop rowing.

5th. “Weigh-starboard,” or “Weigh-port.” To turn right or left.

6th. “Easy-all.”--To slacken speed.

7th. “Oars-apeak.”--To salute when at rest. The oars to be raised perpendicularly, the handles resting on the floor, and the blades running fore and aft.

8th. “Weigh-across,” “Apeak.” To salute when under headway. Running the oars across both gunwales.

9th. “Let-fall.”--To regain former position. At the word “Let,” raising the oar about four inches, and at the word “Fall,” throwing it into the thole-pins, the blade “first” touching the water.

10th. “Across-ship.”--To get the oars in the boat. At the word “Ship,” raising the oar at a distance to clear the heads of the crew, and dropping it lightly in the centre of the boat.

11th. “Trail-oars.”--In passing through bridges, culverts, etc., unshipping the oar and trailing it at the side of the boat.

12th. “Recover-oars.”--To regain former position.

The number of strokes pulled by the association crews it would be impossible to designate, with any degree of accuracy, as all rowers have their own peculiar styles; and in many cases a man, or a crew, may start at the rate of thirty-six to the minute and increase to forty, and finish at, or near, thirty-two. In practicing a crew, a “pull,” and “tire out,” is certainly detrimental to proper training, as a crew should “never” be over-worked.

The mode of dipping the oar among the association crews is, as a general rule, to immerse about one-half the blade; row with the back straight, elbows well at the sides.

STEPHEN ROBERTS’ SYSTEM.

In training a crew for a race, the habits and mode of living of a man are to be consulted more than any set of rules. If he is used to eating meat well cooked, it will not do to give him meat cooked rare, as this is apt to produce a looseness in his bowels. A man must eat according to the state of his system, and if he trains hard, eats meat, and is troubled with loose bowels, he should train light and live on toast, bread, and coffee or tea, for a few days, with puddings, or bread and milk; and if he is used to drinking, good fresh ale will not hurt him, but no liquor stronger than porter or ale should be used. On the other hand, if costiveness is present, no longer than forty-eight hours should be permitted to elapse without a motion, and this should be brought about, if possible, by making use of the suitable food and drink; such, for instance, as the veal steaks cooked rare, with cider or water as a drink.

The main thing, in training a man or crew, is to give him or them plenty of the same kind of work performed in the race. Be careful, however, not to put on too much at first. If a mile race is to be pulled, twenty days’ training will be required.

The first day, row, say one mile; the second and third day, about the same, or a little more, not too hard. After this, increase the distance half a mile every day, until five miles are gone over at each row. Then, if there are no blisters on the hands, row the whole distance at racing pace. Every other day, row eight or ten miles, up to within twenty-four hours of the race. Less rowing than this should not be taken; more will not hurt.

Clerks, bookkeepers, etc., generally require two weeks more of training than men who have been always used to heavy lifting; but, when a man once does get into good training, his race becomes an easy matter for him.

THE HARVARD SYSTEM.

Broiled steak or chops, potatoes in almost any style, without grease, bread nearly fresh, tea if desired, water, or milk if preferred, oatmeal porridge or gruel, and eggs poached or boiled--not very hard--render the breakfast of a Harvard student in training palatable and even attractive.

The best roast beef or mutton procurable, potatoes, bread, cracked wheat, rice, oatmeal gruel, and the various vegetables in the market, often, if not regularly, make the dinner inviting; and a piece of salmon or a dish of poultry or game is an occasional visitor, aiding to vary yet more the programme. Tapioco, farina and other vegetable puddings make an admirable substitute for heavy puddings as a desert. Milk, water, and tea again, and also butter and salt, in reasonable quantities, are permitted.

Bread and milk, or tea, butter, oatmeal gruel, dry toast and crackers, are the chief and often only articles taken at supper.

About a half hour’s careful rowing at a tolerable pace, with an occasional stop or “easy,” for instruction and rest, in the morning.

In the afternoon, an hour’s rowing, with not more than two or three rests, will complete the day’s water work.

The rate of speed in the afternoon should go up from thirty-five strokes a minute when commencing training to racing gait during the last two weeks, and pulling over the proposed course once “on time” will be plenty of work for this last period.

A three or four mile walk, at a four-mile gait, starting an hour after breakfast, will not, unless in extremely hot weather, prove too much for a vigorous young man with ordinarily good legs. The speed of this walk should be reached gradually, and after, perhaps, if a man in the start is much out of condition, say two weeks slower going.

A thorough rubbing of the entire body, until the skin is absolutely red, should “immediately” follow each row, and then a dry suit should be donned. Flannel is the best material for it.

Eight hours should seem a good medium for sleep. If a man feels all right with a less amount than this, he should regulate his own hours; but if he is nervous and excitable, he should have more. He should never lie abed awake in the morning, but spring up at once, and take his sponge bath, or in warm weather, if convenient, a plunge into cold water.

HARRY CLASPER’S SYSTEM.

Rise between 6 and 7 A. M., walk four or five miles. Breakfast at 8 A. M.--Chop or couple of eggs, bread, tea, Rest for half an hour, and then a brisk walk or run. If morning exercise has not been heavy, a row, terminating about 11 A. M. Dinner at 12 M.--Beef or mutton, broiled; egg-pudding, with currants in it if desired, or other light farinaceous pudding; old ale, one glass; wine, one glass, (port); or ale, two glasses, without wine. Rest for an hour, and then on the river again for a hard row. “Rowing exercise should be taken twice every day.” Tea, with toasted bread sparingly buttered, with one egg only--more has a tendency to choke the system. Supper, not recommended. When taken, to consist of new milk and bread, or gruel, with raisins and currants and a glass of port wine in it. Bed about 10 P. M. _Summary_: sleep, between eight and nine hours; exercise, walking and rowing about four or five hours; diet, limited.

CHARLES WESTHALL’S SYSTEM.

Rise at 6 A. M. or earlier in the summer; cold bath and rub down; sharp walk about a mile out, and run home; or a row of a couple of miles at three-parts speed; a dry rub down. Breakfast at 8 A.M.--Mutton chop or steak, broiled; stale bread or toast, tea, half a pint. Dinner at 2 P. M.--Meat as at breakfast with a mealy potato, stale bread, old ale, one pint. Rowing. If dinner be late, luncheon to be taken, to consist of beef or mutton, hot or cold; bread, old ale, one glass. If dinner be early, “tea with viands and liquids as at breakfast” to be taken. Supper--Half a pint of thin gruel, or dry toast and a glass of old ale. That the above rules are of course open to alteration according to circumstances, and the diet varied successfully by the introduction of fowls, either roast or boiled--the latter preferred; and it must never be lost sight of that sharp work, regularity and cleanliness are the chief if not the only rules to be followed to produce thorough good condition. _Summary_: sleep, about eight hours; exercise, four or five hours; diet, limited.

H. F. WALSH’S, OR STONEHENGE’S SYSTEM.

Rise at 8 A. M. According to season and weather, cold bath. Exercise, 8.30 to 9 A. M.--Let all take a gentle run or smart walk. In most instances a smart run of three miles will be about the best distance.

Breakfast; 9 to 9.30 A. M.--Oatmeal porridge, with beef or mutton broiled, and bread; tea or coffee, or old ale, one pint. Tea is preferred to coffee. Cocoa is too greasy.

Exercise, 9.30 to 11.30 A. M.--Billiards, skittles, quoits, or other light exercise. 11.30 A. M. to 1.30 P. M.--Rowing. 1.30 to about 2.30 P. M.--Running, rubbed dry and linen changed.

Dinner, 2.30 to 3 or 3.30 P. M.--Beef (roast) or mutton, (boiled mutton occasionally), roast fowl, partridges, or pheasants (allowed), or venison (nothing better); bread, puddings occasionally, made of bread, eggs, and milk, and served with preserved fruits. Vegetables--Potatoes (one or two only), cauliflowers and broccoli (only as an occasional change). Old ale, from a pint to a pint and a half; wine, a glass or two, port or sherry. After dinner, until 5 or 6 P. M., a gentle stroll. Rowing 6 to 7 P. M.

Supper, 8 P. M.--Oatmeal porridge, with dry toast, or chop, with glass of port. Bed at 9 or 10 P. M.

_Summary_: sleep, ten or eleven hours; exercise, say four hours (exclusive of billiards, etc.); diet, varied.

WINGATE’S SYSTEM FOR A MONTH’S TRAINING.

Rise at about 7 A. M. (Glass of cold water recommended). The crew meet at 7 A. M., walk and run for four or five miles; or, in later practice, quick run of two miles. Wash and dress.

Breakfast, 9 A. M.--Meat (broiled), bread (brown) and butter, tea, two cups. Cocoa made of the nibs boiled for four hours is better than tea for breakfast.

Luncheon at 1 P. M.--Beef sandwich, with half a pint of old ale, or biscuit and glass of sherry, or egg in sherry. At 2.30 P. M. row about four or five miles. This altogether depends on the state of the crew.

Dinner at 6 P. M.--Wash in tepid water. Meat (roast, broiled or boiled). Vegetables--“The green foods permissible contain in their list spinach--the very best of all; sea-kale, asparagus, but without melted butter; turnip-tops, young unhearted greens, but not solid cabbages; broccoli, carrots, parsnips, and cooked celery. Turnips are also favored, and peas condemned, also cucumbers, and all salad mixtures. But boiled beet-root is good, and Jerusalem artichokes; and French beans stand next to spinach in virtue.” “Any kind of wholesome meat thoroughly cooked.” The course is varied daily, so that no two days together shall see the same articles on the table. “Light puddings may be eaten.” Old ale, one pint. Wine, two glasses of old port or sherry, or three of claret. Biscuits and dried fruits, as cherries, figs, etc., allowed. “All fresh fruits are avoided. Plain jellies are innocuous. As much spring water as they have a mind to.”

Supper, 9 P. M.--Oatmeal gruel, if desired. Bed at 10 P. M.

_Summary_: sleep, eight or nine hours; exercise, about three hours; diet, varied.

TRAINING FOR LONG-DISTANCE GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE CONTESTS.

About the first recognized legitimate contest of this kind was originated by Sir John Astley, a Crimean veteran and general athlete, giving a valuable gold and silver belt, open to the world, to the one who should cover the greatest distance, in whatever way he chose, unassisted, on his legs, for a period of six days. Long distance feats were not in themselves new, by any means, Capt. Barclay, Foster Powell, George Wilson, and others in auld lang syne figured conspicuously in England and Scotland, their journeys being traveled out of doors, on the roads, similar to the long walks of Weston, Sergeant Bates, Wm. Gale, and others. The athletic mania, which had lain dormant for so many years, was suddenly revived in this country, and spread like an epidemic far and wide, bringing with it a healthy reaction. The saloons and viler resorts began to lose caste for the running and walking match. Street cars and stages, and elevated railways complained of lack of patronage on fine days, as old and young, rich and poor, fell into the walking rage, and amateur spurts from home to place of business and _vice versa_ became visible on every few blocks. Even the working girls caught the health imparting habit, and stepped out as jauntily and with as much snap as your La Chappelle or Fannie Edwards. Dailies, weeklies and monthlies saw increased interest and patronage by devoting space to athletics, while Beecher, Talmage, Moody, and other lesser lights mixed athletics up with their dogmas, until at the present time it is the fashion, and with us style is everything. True, druggists, doctors and undertakers found their business falling off, but we are candid enough to admit feeling pleased at this state of things, as, from being looked upon as a nation of tobacco-chewing, nervous, dried-up, money worshipers, experience has proved that Americans now, instead of following, take the lead in everything worth speaking about.

1. J. M. Ward, Pitcher.
2. Ed. N. Williamson, 3d Base.
3. Fred. Dunlap, 2d Base.
4. Jas. O’Rourke, Right-field.
5. Geo. Wright, Short-stop.
6. P. A. Hines, Centre-field.
7. Joe Start, 1st Base.
8. Chas. N. Snyder, Catcher.
9. Joseph Hornung, Left-field.

CELEBRITIES.]

The Distinguished Amateur American Champion Bicyclist.]

It is not every boy or man who will make a Rowell, an O’Leary, a Blower Brown, a Frank Hart, or whoever happens to be the head of the class when this meets the reader’s eye--neither must a young lady expect to become a Madame Anderson, a May Marshall, or a Von Berg. Both sexes can, if they have the will, in time, accomplish what now seems an utter impossibility. Does any one suppose that Daniel O’Leary walked his square heel-and-toe contests, Madame Anderson her great accomplishments, Captain Webb his swimming across the English Channel, Ed. Hanlan conquering all the world as an oarsman, by saying “I can’t,” and making no further effort? To become adept at anything, perseverance is the keystone, as “Little by little great oaks from small acorns grow,” and constant dripping even wears stones away, so that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.” If necessary, commence by walking only a block at a time, Madame Anderson used to tell her lady admirers, increasing to two, four, eight, and so on, doubling and doubling until it will be found as easy to go miles as it was before the length of a single row of houses. Youth is the best time for practice, and the smallest, sickliest looking boy or girl will, with one or two companions, manage to cover an amount of ground that would make ordinary grown-up people very much inclined to doubt, and very loth to attempt. The youth has ambition in this direction, not having yet got into politics, money worshiping or being addicted to chewing, smoking, drinking, etc., which to many men are considered absolutely necessary. A party of boys with jackets on their arms will walk and run eight or ten miles, on a Fourth of July day, cutting up, prattling away, whistling or singing, with no other refreshment than a little water or fruit. They fix upon a certain place to go to, may be an orchard, or to hunt bird’s nests, or to a place to swim, row or fish, and get there, whereas a man or party of men, unless conveyed straight to the spot, would probably consume half a dozen lagers at least, and smoke as many bad cigars, pipesfull of strong tobacco, or chew a paper of so-called solace. We have tried both, and found out we could travel twice the distance on a few oranges or a mouthful or two of spring water, a biscuit or sandwich, than all the lager or tobacco taken in our life.

Presuming the individual to be in good health, the walks, trots, or runs must be gradual at first, and increased daily, not exactly in the order laid down in previous chapters, for the six-day business is more a trial of endurance than speed. It is not necessary to measure the distance between meals, but keep on the go until pretty well tired, rest at intervals, then buckle to again. The “Rowell trot” won him the belt and drew a $50,000 gate, his share the first time he came to New York, after all expenses being over $20,000. It has been proved beyond all argument that trotting or running beats walking, and when once acquired the dog trot will come as easy to a man (if not easier) as a fast walking gait. In practicing long-distance running, style is nothing--wind and freshness everything--let your arms, therefore, swing easy which ever way comes most natural, as the legs are the motors for this kind of work. Neither attempt long or short strides, no matter what your gait, clumsy or otherwise, for it is the distance to be got over that will land you a winner, not your shape or traveling on your “pretty,” however people may criticise. An old car-horse will keep up the same jog-trot nearly all day apparently undistressed, while a terrible three-mile dash at full speed will perhaps use the fast horse up. It was not natural for the car-horse to go that gait at first, but he was broke to it, and men are pretty much like horses in this respect, except that they can endure more in the long run. You will doubtless have “bellows to mend,” stitches in your side, etc., but stick it out and they will not come again probably twice the same day. A short stick, easy-fitting clothes, light head cover, well-seasoned and easy fitting laced-up shoes, seamless, woolen stockings, and a cheerful companion are all necessary. If troubled with sore feet the pedestrian should follow Dr. Parks’ advice to the British Army, viz.: Before setting out dip the feet for a minute or two in very hot water, wipe them quite dry, and then rub them with soap (soft soap is best) till there is a good lather; then put on the stockings. If, notwithstanding, they are yet foot-sore, at the end of the day wipe the feet with a damp cloth, and rub them with a mixture of tallow and spirits of wine. Besides this, great attention should be paid to the stockings, which should be constantly washed. Worsted and merino stockings are preferable to cotton ones.

If thirsty, one or two oranges will quench that, and be most agreeable to the stomach, as well as being of more benefit than anything else. When in-doors, light dumb-bells and the skipping-rope may be used vigorously to improve the wind, but nothing heavy or too violent, as in this branch of athletics the muscles to be controlled are those of the legs instead of the arms; change of flannels, socks, shoes, a salt water sponge-bath, rub down; then apply a little bay rum, mouth rinsed out, and a pleasant chat with a friend will make you feel like a new man, and after meals, before alluded to, ready and willing to tackle hard work again. If the pedestrian’s appetite falls off, whether from nervousness, sleeplessness or whatever causes, a preparation of iron and gentian may be taken, say a teaspoonful about ten minutes before eating, until his natural appetite returns, when it should be discontinued. If, on the other hand, the food taken does not digest readily, and symptoms of dyspepsia follow eating, then a tablespoonful of wine of pepsin a quarter of an hour after meals will soon bring that trouble over, discontinuing when it does. When sickness at the stomach succeeds, a tablespoonful of prepared lime water, taken in a little milk, when the feeling comes on, acts like a charm. When the bowels are lax, thickened flour and milk are good. If costive, rhubarb preserves, or prune tea, or a mild injection of soap and warm water will be found to answer every purpose.

Some enterprising Knight of St. Crispin, with a view to increase their trade by working on the feelings of pedestrians and others, introduced the old-fashioned piece of steel under the instep, between the welt and the sole, and designated them spring walking-shoes, for which there used to be quite a demand. Experience, however, has proved that the only spring likely to lead to the winning-post is what nature gave, and that all artificial appendages are more likely to do harm than good. The shoe best adapted for a walker of from one to ten miles is a low-cut shoe, laced nearly to the toe, with low heel, broad instep and plenty of room for the toes, and light as possible and of the best seasoned leather. Ordinary shoemakers can no more make professional running or walking shoes than an ordinary blacksmith can turn out a razor or set of chicken-gaffs, and, therefore, the business should be entrusted to those who make a specialty of it.

The most successful and tractable of modern pedestrians, Charles Rowell, has made more money in his two six-days’ contests in New York than he would have in fifty years at a trade or in his own country. Here we are carried away with almost anything of an international character, both press and public. When Rowell made his 500 miles in the first visit and 524 on his second, it was generally conceded that he performed the distance on the square, and hence the patronage bestowed. Other six-day contests have been given with nearly 40 more miles tacked on to the winner ahead of Rowell’s time by the black-board, but the receipts were as quarters to dollars in comparison. There appears to be a weakness for figures not altogether warranted by the financial results at the end of the week.

To all, therefore, who compete in long distances for love or money, do not worry about the score, but _keep ahead all the time_. A gain of ten miles on the first day, when honestly made, and with the intention of staying on the track through the competition, will be pretty sure to find the leader far enough ahead to carry off the lion’s share, for, as the veteran Jack Goulding’s logic proves, if there is a dollar at the end of every mile it is surprising how many miles a man will go. The practice of the crack flyers competing on the first day, with no idea of going the week more by preconcert, may suit the betting ring and the book-makers, but it has hurt the business more than can ever be patched up again by the most adroit, self-interested parties.

In addition to Rowell, Brown, Hazael and others have been brought out, but they either went wrong or could not be managed by their trainers. Self-reliance is very well, but an ungovernable temper or dissipated habits are sure to be left behind when opposed to tractability and abstemiousness. The English peds used to say there were lots of better men than Rowell over there, but John Astley knew he was unapproachable and as honest as they make them, and, whether the best or not, he carried off the belt against all competitors.

The advantage of an intelligent, capable trainer cannot be over-estimated, and, one who can satisfy his protege of his superiority in his business, as well as a man of nerve, is what is required. When Dan Donnelly, the champion pugilist of Ireland, was trained by Capt. Kelly for his fight with George Cooper, he was in magnificent condition, but when he met Tom Oliver, having had men to look after him whom he considered only his equal or perhaps inferior, he was in no condition at all. We are of the opinion that John Ennis but for James Cusick would never have got second place to Rowell, or Nick Murphy, Steve Brodie, Hart, Panchot, etc., made the time they did but for men of superior qualification.

It will be interesting to the young athletes to know the length of time taken for rest by the six-day men, and therefore supply this information so as to be easy of reference. We allude to the contest from April 5th to 10th, 1880, inclusive: Hart, 23 hours 2 minutes 59 seconds; Pegram, 31 hours 30 minutes 53 seconds; Howard, 30 hours, 50 minutes 39 seconds; Dobler, 22 hours 37 minutes 12 seconds; Allen, 34 hours 24 minutes 49 seconds; Krohne, 27 hours 18 minutes 15 seconds; Williams, 28 hours 52 minutes 33 seconds, and Hanwaker, 27 hours 58 minutes 21 seconds. Hart’s actual time on the course was 118 hours 20 minutes and 1 second, and his average walk in that time was at the rate of 4 7-10 miles per hour.

Rowell’s regular food when on a six-days march is beefsteak, chops, bread, vegetables, tea and coffee; occasionally he takes a little pudding and cheese. Guyon feeds on beef tea, chops, potatoes, toast, tea and coffee, but no stimulants. Weston, beef tea, custard, lime water and tea, beefsteak and no stimulants. Ennis, oatmeal, beef tea, rare beef and oysters. Hazael, chops, steaks, crackers, toast and lemon soda. Merritt feeds on jellies, fruits, beef, mutton and vegetables, with tea and coffee. Hart eats chops, chopped eggs, toast, corn bread, tea and coffee.

TRAINING FOR BASEBALL.

It is well known that an athlete desirous of excelling in any special sport or game must be trained only to the extent to suit the requirements of the sport he desires to become an expert in. To train young men in a gymnasium alike for rowing, running or for field work in baseball, cricket or lacrosse, putting them through the same routine of exercises, is simply to unnecessarily overwork them for one particular sport, and to give them insufficient exercise for another. Of course, to a certain extent, all kinds of gymnastic exercises, if moderately engaged in, tend to develop a healthful physique, if gone through with under the rules of an intelligent system; but the indiscriminate way in which baseball players enter a gymnasium and go through with what they call their training is ofttimes worse than useless work in preparing them to sustain the fatigue incident to their game. What is necessary for a baseball player in gymnastic exercise is to take only that exercise which makes him agile and quick of movement, and which trains the eye to judge the ball, or the arms and chest to wield the bat, or the legs to run the bases. Lifting heavy weights or exercise which is calculated to develop strength for such purposes is useless. Swinging clubs, if carried to excess; jumping is unnecessary; work on the parallel bars, the trapeze, etc., is needless. In fact, a ball player can find far better training for quick movements, gaining keen sightedness and endurance in a handball or racket court than is possible in a gymnasium. Exercise in short-distance running is good, and all exercises which tend to strengthen the muscles of the ankles--such as skating, for instance--help to train a ball player. But what is particularly required in the system of training for professional ball players is that very activity which handball yields. This game strengthens the hands, trains the sight, and especially gives a player endurance in the very fatigue he has to undergo on the ballfield. A skillful handball player, when he be comes accustomed to baseball field work, will always excel in picking up hard-hit ground balls.

The Renowned American Runner.]

The Irish Giant, Joe Coburn, Ed. James, J. C. Heenan.]

ADVICE TO BUSINESS MEN AND OTHERS.

The majority of our readers are doubtless young men having in view perfecting their frames for some muscular feat, and the bulk of this work was written principally for their benefit. There is still another and larger class for whom no author seems to have troubled his head about. We allude to those compelled by circumstances to spend their time in sedentary occupations, and are not likely to get time or means to pursue a regular course of training.

It would be simply ridiculous to advise a letter-carrier to take exercise after going his rounds of forty or fifty miles a day, as physicians sometimes do without being aware of the calling of their patient, or to suggest fasting forty days and nights for dyspepsia because Dr. Tanner did it, giving no impossibilities or absurdities, but such as we are willing to practice and carry out. As a general thing, to keep down flesh, if inclined to corpulency, avoid sugar, salmon, eels, herrings, pork, potatoes, beer, bread, butter, milk, champagne, port and anything calculated to create bile. It would be well to dispense with fat meats, eggs, pastry, new bread, cheese and whatever else may produce nausea or indigestion after eating.

Before making your morning toilet, a sponge saturated in tepid salt water should be applied to all parts of the body, and then rubbed dry with a Turkish towel. If too much of a shock to the system, apply a flesh-brush or the palm of your hands vigorously to the skin, after which the sponge bath, and when dry the brush or hand, as before. When the shower-bath is used, and a person feels exhilarated from its effects, it is better than the sponge bath; but when it produces a shiver or weakness, it should be discontinued until strong enough to indulge in this great summer luxury.

The mere fact that millions of human beings are strong and healthy upon a purely vegetable diet should of itself suggest that, although animal food, as more concentrated, and yielding more force with less expenditure in its digestion, is superior to vegetable food, yet there is excellent nutriment to be extracted from vegetables. The anatomical indications of man, being omnivorous, should also point in the same direction, and the need of vegetable acids, no less than the advantages of variety, at once disclose the error of banishing vegetable food. The chief mistake lies in the cooking. The water in which green vegetables are cooked is poisonous. There is not one house in fifty where the vegetables are not cooked in small vessels, containing very little water, which is never _changed_, and where the greens are sent to table with the water properly squeezed from them. Let any person unable to eat broccoli, or greens cooked in a quart of water, try the effect of having them cooked in a gallon of water, or of having the quart changed three or four times during the process, and he will soon discover the difference. If potatoes are “watery,” it is because they are ill-cooked. No Irishwoman serves up watery potatoes.

Veal and pork are rigidly excluded by the trainer, which some will hear it with amazement, and will ask how it was that the ancients gave the athletes nothing but pork. Would the old hen be thought nutritious, and the chicken injurious? Would the sheep be tender, and the lamb tough? And why is the calf to be blooded, and the ox not? Yet, so long as this practice continues, no one should indulge in veal, unless his digestion be vigorous. Fried dishes, rich gravies and pastry should also be avoided, because of their tendency to develop fatty acids in the stomach. Some cannot endure fat; others cannot get on without it. Some cannot touch mutton; others are made ill by eggs. Let each find out his own idiosyncrasy. The only thing the trainer teaches us is to take abundant exercise in the open air, and to be simple and moderate in our diet, with regularity in hours. If neither time nor strength permits our abundant exercise, and if our avocations prevent regularity, what remains but moderation in diet?