Repository: UIHistories Project: Sophograph - 1889 [PAGE 26]

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rheumatic old men. In more than half the cases this settles the matter for good, and the youth settles down, for the time being, to al ife of comparative inertness. At the end of a four years course, when thrown upon his own resources. in what condition is he to begin his battle with the world ? His muscles are soft and flabby, and if he has to attack any hard manual labor, he finds himself sadly deficient. And a graduate cannot always count upon getting at once into his chosen profession. Indeed, it is often the case, that a person, even with his diploma, has to accept the first chance offered him, no matter what it is. Open air sports in America have heretofore been less popular than in England, but of late years the athletic cause seems to be steadily gaining ground in this country. The great standpoint for objection to the cultivation of the sports is, that those who are deeply interested in their out-door work hold an inferior rank in their books. Occasionally, but only occasionally, in the old history of Oxford, did the athletes hold high rank in their chosen studies. But in late years, the athletic spirit seems to crop out in almost all the leading scholars. In Yale and Harvard, in the last few years, almost every one of those who were graduated with honors were athletes. Last year, the captains of the ball nine and boat-crew stood the very first in the large classes of their respective colleges. How much better impression does the straight, muscular, ruddy-faced man leave, than he who is weak, stoop-shouldered, and apparently afraid of being stepped on ? Good athletic exercise will woik ten times the effect that a person unacquainted with the actual facts would think. It is simply wonderful, the way that some boys can be improved by training in the right direction. After it is all too late many a man wishes that he had taken more care of his physical welfare. But how often do you find a graduate who is sorry that, in his youth, he put part ot his time on his body, instead of putting it all on his books? Again let me say, that year by year, the best scholars show more and more physical training. Here in our own school, at our last commencement, the best general athlete among us was graduated with the first honors. And it is not only here, but in every college fh the land, that this matter of physi< I trainii is receiving careful attention. Gymnasia are being furnished, and eventual!) as much care will be taken of the body as of the mind, and the oner th< better. Young men cannot afford to get even an education at the expen their bodily health, and nothing appears more against a man than the drawn ui look caused by "all work and no play." If you can do anything in the sporting direction lo it, and help keep UI

your school's reputation. If it has no reputation, help to mak me i t. I h things r JOI bly, and don't be too much carried away, and you will nevei < r< t what you have fl mplishi