Three Hundred Things
A
Bright Boy Can Do

BY

MANY HANDS

FULLY ILLUSTRATED

LONDON

SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO., LTD.

1914

CONTENTS

PREFACE

The Editor hopes that this volume will be the means of inspiring boys to adopt some hobby and to follow it diligently. At any rate he has arranged that they shall be able to have a wide choice of occupations, and shall begin with expert assistance. Too many youths fall into mere aimless dawdling, and waste the golden years of their life loafing about smoking cigarettes, watching others play, chattering endlessly about games, but never engaging in them. Though this book is written for the boy’s play hour, it will not be without value in aiding him upon the sterner side of his career, if it shows him how to train hand and eye, how to strengthen his will and muscles, and if it inculcates patience, exactitude, and perseverance.

THREE HUNDRED THINGS A BRIGHT BOY CAN DO

CHAPTER I.
IN TRAINING

There are few things about which so many mistaken notions exist as about training. There are several reasons for this, but most of the erroneous ideas may be traced back to the days when professional pugilists and runners were the only men who ever entered on any athletic exercise with any sort of organised preparation. For them a severe course of training was possibly a necessity. They were for the most part men well advanced in years and naturally fleshy; and to achieve the feats which they accomplished they no doubt found it necessary to reduce their weight, and for this purpose to take a great deal of exercise and to avoid all food tending to the formation of flesh; but for the average school-boy who plays football or fives, or goes paper-chasing, or, in fact, takes the ordinary amount of boy’s exercise, training, as it is generally misunderstood, is quite unnecessary, even if not harmful. He has no superfluous fat of which to rid himself, so any sweating which he may do only weakens him and renders him liable to cold. His lungs are in proper order and therefore his wind is good, and so there is no need for him to deprive himself of vegetables or his favourite pies or puddings. All he wants is to lead a healthy active life, and to do a fair amount of practice in the particular branch of athletics in which he hopes to excel.

If a boy be accustomed to walk to and from school, or even a part of the way, or to take his place regularly in the school games, he will already be in proper condition of wind and limb. He will now only require to develop the muscles which, in his contests, he will find it most necessary to use. These vary in nearly every branch of athletics; so his practice must be specially directed to the races or events in which he intends to take part. Now this practice is often as much overdone as in the old days the dieting and sweating used to be. I remember that when I was at school and training for a mile race, I was seldom content unless I had run two or three miles each day. Since then I have found out the error of my ways. The result of my long practice run was that when the day came for the sports I was much over-trained, and in the state usually described as “stale.” I could have pounded along for miles, but I was as slow as the proverbial cart-horse, and when it came to hard racing I was beaten by boys who had practised less persistently than I had, and whose limbs and muscles were therefore lissom and pliant.

The exact amount of practice required depends a good deal on the stamina and build of each particular boy. Big, muscular boys can undergo far more work than lightly-strung ones of less robust constitution; but it may be taken for granted as a general rule that it is better to do too little than too much. Practice should never be continued after one begins to feel tired; and if one is still feeling the effects of the previous day’s practice, it is always a good thing to rest for a day from active work, and instead to take a good sharp walk of four or five miles. When your muscles are stiff, as they are bound to be at the beginning, never force them. Get them gradually into working order, and never hesitate to rest entirely if you feel disinclined for exercise.

Rest, in moderation, is always good, and for this reason I advise boys of all ages who may be training, to make a point of going to bed early. To get up early is another aid to leading a healthy life, but I would especially warn my readers against taking any violent exercise before breakfast. Have your bath, followed by a brisk rub down with a rough towel; dress quickly, and then, if you like and can manage it, go out into the open air for a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes. Put on plenty of clothes, and eat either a biscuit or a piece of bread and walk quietly about, breathing freely. In the same way never do any practising immediately after a heavy meal. An interval of at least two hours should elapse to allow of the digestion of food.

Remember that your one object in training is not to force your powers, but to so increase and nurse them, that when the day for the sports comes you will be able to do your very best without fear of hurting or over-straining yourself.

Before entering for his school sports a boy must realise the important fact that it is given only to a few to excel at everything. The majority must be content to discover the branch of sport for which, by their natural abilities, they are most suited, and then to practise quietly and persistently so as to gain the best possible results.

School games and odd trials of skill will probably give the aspiring athlete some idea of the direction in which he is better than, or as good as, his fellows. In running races it is generally found that the heavily and powerfully-built boy is best suited by short-distance races, that is from a hundred yards to a quarter of a mile; but a long, loosely-knit lad usually excels at distances from half a mile to a mile. A short, sturdy boy, as a rule, develops into a long-distance runner, but as events above a mile are generally excluded, and very wisely too from the programmes of school sports, he has very little chance of distinguishing himself until later years, when his frame is set, and his heart and lungs are in a fit condition to withstand the strain caused by prolonged contests.

The prime object of the boy who desires to train for short-distance running should be to improve his speed. With this purpose in view, he should practise running from thirty to fifty yards at a time—running hard from the very beginning, and going at his fastest possible pace the whole of the way. He should do this three or four times each day, occasionally—that is, once or twice a week—running the full hundred yards. Races of two hundred yards and a quarter of a mile in length may be prepared for in just the same way, except that for the latter, a practice-run should seldom exceed three hundred and fifty yards. A quarter of a mile is a very fatiguing distance, and although it may be run in practice at a moderate speed, it should not be taken at racing pace, except in an actual race. In the intervals of training it is a good plan to obtain the assistance of a friend, and practise starting. In a short race so much depends on the start, that one who is able to go right away directly the signal is given possesses a great advantage.

“HE SHOULD JUMP CLEANLY.”

The boy who intends to take part in the half-mile and mile races must pursue a somewhat different method, but he also must make a point of practising for speed. Most of his work must consist of running a quarter of a mile, or six hundred yards, with an occasional spin of half or three-quarters of a mile. The former distances must be accomplished at almost top speed, but without quite exhausting oneself; the latter must be taken at a regular, steady gait, bringing the legs out well to the front, but not carrying the knees too high. One run a day is quite sufficient, and perhaps once before the sports the full mile may be run, but this should not be done within a week of the eventful day.

Walking races are sometimes included in the sports’ programme, the distance usually being one mile. The best training for this is to walk half a mile, or sometimes three-quarters, at one’s best pace, taking great care to be perfectly fair, to keep the head erect, and to avoid all semblance of wriggle or shuffle.

For the hurdle race and steeplechase the beginner should practise persistently over obstacles similar to the ones which are to be used on the day, but never going the full distance, and occasionally running fifty yards or so on the level with a view to an improvement in speed.

Of jumping competitions there are usually two kinds—the high jump and the long jump, and much the same kind of advice applies to both. In each instance practice should be daily, with an occasional rest for a day, and taking great care to leave off always at the first symptom of fatigue, coupled with the feeling that what has already been done cannot be improved upon. In the high jump a beginning should be made at a height well within reach, the jumper going gently and lightly over so as to gradually extend the muscles. Then as he approaches the summit of his powers, he should pull himself together so as to put full force into each effort. He should jump cleanly, and start facing the bar. He should avoid all contortions and straining of the body, and above all things, refrain from the somewhat enticing-looking practice of jumping from one side—a practice which I once heard described as “putting one leg over the bar, and then going round and fetching the other.” It may pay up to a certain point, but after that point is reached it is absolutely useless.

The best and most successful jumpers have been those who have depended entirely on the spring from the hips. It is thence that all the power is obtained. Byrd Page, the famous American jumper, who often cleared 6 ft., and once reached 6 ft. 4¼ ins., was a thorough believer in the straightforward method. To show what persistent practice will do, I may mention that when he was very young, his legs were so weak that he was compelled to wear irons to support them. One day the doctor told him to attend a gymnasium and practise jumping in order to strengthen his limbs. He did so, with the result that his weakness was entirely cured, and that he became, as well as an expert bicyclist, the most famous jumper the world has ever seen.

To long jumping many of my previous remarks apply. In preparing for the jump, too long a run should not be taken, and in making the spring, the feet should be placed firmly together. The whole of one’s force should be put into each effort, and care should be taken to avoid making false attempts. When once he has started, the jumper should make up his mind to go right through. Both the jumper and the short-distance runner will find that a few minutes’ daily practice with a skipping rope will greatly strengthen the legs and the fore part of the feet, on which much of the strain is placed.

To all aspiring young athletes I would say: Be moderate, and take care not to overdo it; lead healthy, active lives; and avoid stuffing yourselves between meals with pastry and sweets.

CHAPTER II.
HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST

Much benefit can be derived from gymnastic appliances if they are used understandingly. No advantage is to be gained by exercise that is carried on in a careless manner. Neither too much nor too violent exercise is beneficial, though constant and regular work is necessary. It is better to work for a certain length of time every other day than to devote all of one week to exercise, and not go near the gymnasium the next.

To use any apparatus carelessly is to use it dangerously. The writer has had many of his worst falls in doing some of the simplest tricks, because he was careless, and did not put his entire mind upon what he was doing. There is something besides and beyond the mere pleasure of being able to perform tricks in a gymnasium; there is a lasting benefit to be obtained in careful gymnastic exercise.

In beginning your exercises there are two points that you must bear in mind always. Stand erect, and before beginning any work draw a long deep breath. Breathe from the abdomen, so that the lower parts of the lungs are expanded. You will find by following this simple advice that anything you attempt will be much easier for you than if you go about your exercises in a careless or slouchy way. There should be no round-shouldered gymnasts. There is no one who has achieved distinction as a gymnast who is not as straight as an arrow, and across whose shoulder-blades a yardstick could not be placed without touching his back.

In your exercises avoid devoting too much time to one kind of work. Do not spend all your time, for instance, on the horizontal bar, or on the parallel bars. What all would-be gymnasts should strive for is a symmetrical development of their muscles. You do not want to have legs like a piano, hard and knotted with muscles, and arms like pipe stems. Nor do you want to have the arms and chest of a blacksmith, and legs like those of a crane. You want to have all your muscles developed alike, not one at the expense of another. To avoid this lop-sided kind of growth is the reason that gymnasiums have such a variety of appliances.

Now for the apparatus, and how it should be used. What boy, especially if he has lived in the country, has not tried to climb a rope, or go up a ladder hand over hand, and then, for the first time in his life, realised how heavy he is? Perhaps no form of exercise develops so quickly the upper arm and the chest as work on the rope and ladder in a gymnasium. In practising on the ladder, first try to pull yourself up until your chin is even with the rung. Keep at this exercise until you can repeat it three or four times without tiring yourself; then try to reach the rung above. Do not go up too far at first, for you may find yourself many feet from the floor without strength enough to come back as you went up. That, it is almost needless for me to remind you, means a fall—and a hard one too it may be. The same advice applies to the rope.

Almost as quick results may be obtained by practice with the dumb-bells, with which it is possible to exercise almost every muscle in the body. The dumb-bells should be light. Too heavy dumb-bells are apt to make a boy slow and sluggish in his movements. The proper weight for a beginner is half a pound, and under no circumstances should a boy use for regular exercise bells that weigh more than two pounds. Indian clubs are valuable, chiefly in strengthening the muscles of the arms and wrists.

Exercises on the rings are divided into two classes—stationary and swinging. In the former the rings are not swung. In the latter the tricks are performed while swinging. There are two ways of grasping the rings with the hands. In “single grip,” the rings are clasped as a boy grips his base-ball bat when he is ready to strike. It is used chiefly in swinging tricks. In the “double-grip,” the thumbs are kept close to the palms, and the hands rest on and over the rings.

The first trick on the rings, and the one that must be mastered before anything else is attempted, is the “breast-up.” This consists in taking a double-grip, and raising the body so that the chin is even with the hands. The hands and wrists should be over the rings, and the elbows straight out from the shoulder. Now, by leaning forward you necessarily bring your hands under your armpits, and you find yourself in such a position that you can push down on the rings and raise your body erect by simply straightening your arms. You must not expect to be able to do this the first time. It will take many efforts before you can accomplish it. The best way to learn it is to hold your weight with one hand, after you have raised your chin even with the rings, while you practise pulling the other in and under your armpit. When a boy can do this trick easily he will find that he has strength and skill enough to learn the other feats, of which this is the foundation.

In horizontal bar exercises the “breast-up” is executed in the same way, but it is seldom used in getting up on the bar. A much prettier way is the trick called the “circle.” This is done by clasping the bar with the double-grip—which, by-the-way, is the only one used on the bar—and raising your body as high as you can. If you can raise your chin above the bar, all the better. Now raise your legs in front of you as high as possible, and lift them over the bar, letting your head drop back. This will bring your legs and body down on the other side. If a boy can do this with a fortnight’s hard practice, he is doing remarkably well. In learning this trick lower the bar to the height of the shoulder and start the “circle” with a jump, which materially assists your progress during the revolution.

All boys who practise on the horizontal bar probably have in mind the “giant swing,” the hardest and most daring feat on the bar; but that is a long way in the future, and many other tricks must be mastered before it should even be attempted. Perhaps the best of these intermediate exercises is the “hook swing.” This is a very neat trick. You sit on the bar, apparently fall backward, catching the bar in the knee joints, and swing around, until you come up in your original position without touching your hands to the bar. It is not so hard as it looks if you go about it in the right way, and this is the proper way:

First practise by hanging head downward from the bar by the knees. Any boy can do this; but to learn the rest of the trick you need two assistants, who take hold of your hands and swing you gently at first, gradually increasing the swing as you gain confidence. When you can swing easily and safely without losing your grip and falling to the mattress as you swing backward, straighten your knees, and you will leave the bar and alight upon your feet. Your assistants will save you from falling on your head should you happen to let go with your knees too soon, which you would certainly do more times than once should you attempt the trick alone. Practise this until you can do it without help.

The next step is to sit on the bar, which should be lowered to within four feet of the ground, and fall backward. When you come to the end of the swing, let go with your knees and alight on your feet. At first you will need help in this, as in the early part of the practice.

When this is learned you can go half-way around. The object now is to come back to the position you originally had on the top of the bar. The mistake that nine boys out of ten make at this point is in thinking that all that is needed to complete the revolution is to give the body a harder swing. When you dropped from the bar in the way I have just described it was because you straightened your knees. If you bent your knees more at this point in the swing, and at the same time threw your head back, you would have found yourself on the bar instead of on the mattress. To prevent accident at first, you should have an assistant stand in front of you, so that in case you should pitch forward the moment you reach the top of the bar, you will fall into his arms. In case you should swing so hard that you cannot stop when your body becomes erect, you will simply make another half-revolution backward, when you can straighten your legs and come down on your feet in the way described already.

The most important exercises on the parallel bars are called the “dip” and the “grasshopper.” To do a “dip,” stand between the bars, placing your hands upon them, and raise your body to arm’s length. Then lower the body and raise it again by bending and straightening the arms. To do a “grasshopper,” begin in the same manner, but as the arms are almost straight make a little forward jump, lifting your hands from the bars, and bringing them down a few inches in advance of their original position. In this way you can travel from one end of the bar to the other, as this trick can be done equally well forward and backward. The jump may be combined with a swing in an exercise called the “pump.” These tricks are easily learned; they are very safe and make muscle fast. The chief danger in their use lies in their over-indulgence. In this, as in all other gymnastic exercises, enough is as good as a feast.

The flying trapeze is the most difficult of all the apparatus, and feats on the double trapeze are dangerous even to the trained gymnast. After you have mastered the exercises already described, it will be time enough for you to think about the trapeze.

Do not practise just before your meal hour, nor directly after it. The best time is from an hour and a half to two hours after eating. Do not practise for over an hour a day at first; that is sufficient for any boy provided he does not waste his time. It should be remembered that gymnastic feats are not necessary for health. It is quite possible to exercise all the muscles without an indulgence in dangerous displays; but many boys have the courage, the desire, and the skill to pass from exercises to gymnastics.

We may supplement our remarks by adding some observations upon how he became a gymnast by a writer who chooses to be known as “An Ex-Little Fellow.” He says: I have no doubt at least one of the readers of this book is a little fellow. He has just as much pluck as his bigger brother, his eye is as true and his mind as quick, but he does not weigh enough to be a success at athletics. His arms are too weak to knock out home-runs; his legs are not strong enough to carry a football through a rush line; and as for his back, the muscles are not hard enough, and the other fellow always turns him over when they are wrestling on the grass.

This little fellow doubtless thinks he is made that way, and cannot help himself. No matter how much he dislikes it, he feels that he will have to go through life watching bigger and stronger fellows playing all the games and having most of the fun. Now this is all a mistake, that is, if the little fellow has as much pluck and perseverance as little fellows generally have.

The writer of this sketch was a little fellow himself not many years ago. He remembers how he used to look with complete and absolute disgust on his bony little arms and thin pipe-stem legs. He used to look at the big muscles of one or two companions with hopeless envy. In fact, it got so bad that this particular little fellow determined to get strong, if it took years to do it.

The first thing was to get a bar. I selected a nice spot in the garden, planted deep in the ground two heavy timber uprights, and fastened firmly across the top, with mortised ends, a long heavy pitchfork handle, which was purchased at a village store, at a cost, I believe, of tenpence. When the turning-pole was finished, the next thing was to learn to do something. The first thing I learned was to hang on the pole. This may not seem like a very exciting trick, but the fact is my muscles were so weak that it took all my strength to hang there.

After hanging awhile I learned to swing a little back and forth, working up higher and higher, and it was a proud day when I was able to swing my body up over the bar, and rest my stomach on the top of it. Then I had to learn to “chin myself.” This came more slowly; but daily practice at dumb-bells and constant tugging at the bar gradually hardened the biceps and back, until on one happy day my arms bent to the strain, my head went up, and my chin projected triumphantly over the bar.

By this time the other boys became interested. They began to put bars in their own yards, and the little fellow had to superintend the operation and give instructions. The uprights should be about three by three, and planted with side braces. The post-holes should be at least three feet deep, and after the posts are set, filled in with stones and earth firmly stamped down. The bar must be just a couple of inches out of one’s reach standing under it flat footed. Half a dozen private bars resulted in a gymnasium in an empty stable loft, equipped with a bar, a ladder, and two trapezes. The little fellow watched his arms and legs with great concern, and could not for the life of him see that they were getting any bigger.

“OTHER BOYS BECAME INTERESTED.”

It did not take many months for the breeze to blow over with the other boys, but the little fellow kept on. When the weather got too cold for the out-door bar, he read Blaikie’s How to get Strong, and went through the prescribed dumb-bell exercises every night before going to bed. Then two pairs of cleats were put in the door-frame, as Mr Blaikie directs, and a short bar cut to fit them. It did not improve the looks of the bedroom door, but the little fellow was determined to have muscle at any cost, and swung on the high bar, and pushed on the low one every night for the whole winter. The next spring he was happy. His chest was beginning to stand out in front of his shoulders, and his biceps were swelling a little. He and his chum purchased a boat that summer, and rowed on the river every day, until they were brown as Indians, and could beat most of the light craft on the river.

The following year the little fellow went to the city, and joined a Y.M.C.A. gymnasium. There was plenty of good apparatus here, and he watched the other fellows and tried their tricks. A year or two in this gymnasium, with daily rowing in the summer, began to tell. The little fellow stripped at 123 pounds now; his arms were brown and sinewy; he could hold a good steady stroke for ten or fifteen miles in a working boat; could run several miles at a dog-trot; and had learned to “handle his body” on the bar.

Then he went to college, and in the gymnasium his arms, brown to the shoulders from rowing in the sun, won him among his classmates the sobriquet of “Athlete.” This was very agreeable to the little fellow.

Four years of work and practice in a college gymnasium could have only one result. At the end of that time the little fellow was no longer a little fellow. He weighed in his clothes 150 pounds, and every muscle in his body was hard and well trained. The friends who came down to college to see him get his diploma were greatly surprised to see him on the programme as Captain of the Gymnastic Team, and still more astonished to see him no longer a little fellow, but a stout gymnast circling the bar, swinging gaily on the trapezes, and building pyramids with his nimble confreres. That is not very long ago, and now the little fellow is surprised to find himself spoken of as about the best gymnast in one of the largest amateur athletic clubs in the country.

So much for our “Ex-Little Fellow”; and now we may recount how Mr. E. Lawrence Levy became the amateur champion weight lifter of the world. Although when a boy at school he was proficient in nearly every branch of athletics, and an adept at all games, it was not until later years that he turned his attention to gymnastics. It came about in this way. When twenty-five years old, Mr. Levy, having passed from school-boy to tutor, started a school of his own, and with a genuine love of athletics and a knowledge of the benefit which boys may gain from them by following them within reason, he had fitted up in his school-room a trapeze on which he was wont to practise with his pupils. Finding that it was scarcely safe to do this without skilled tuition, he sent for Professor Hubbard, the instructor of the Birmingham Athletic Club. The result was that the trapeze was removed from the school-room to the playground, where other appliances such as horizontal and parallel bars were also fixed. Here Mr. Levy again joined his pupils, and then, after three or four lessons, he, to the instructor’s surprise, accomplished several feats which are, as a rule, only achieved by practised gymnasts. Finding that he was outstripping his boys, he determined to join the Birmingham Athletic Club. Here he was able to measure himself against men of his own age and strength.

It was at the club gymnasium that he one night saw the heavy dumb-bells belonging to two professional “strong men.” He tried to lift the bells, but failed. This seems to have shaped his future course. Instead of being discouraged by failure, he determined to overcome all obstacles and go in for heavy dumb-bell exercise. He began with comparatively light bells, and with these he practised in the solitude of his school-room for hours at a time. Then he bought two new bells weighing 28 lbs. each, using them assiduously until he could do almost anything with them—holding them out at arms’ length, bringing them down to the sides of his legs and up again.

When he had thoroughly mastered the “twenty-eights,” he tried two “fifty-sixes.” These he retained for months, being determined not to attempt the heavier bells until he was quite perfect with the lighter ones. At length Mr. Levy was able to put up the 112 lb. dumb-bell. This was more than any member of the Birmingham Gymnasium had ever done, and it then became necessary to add two 84 lb. dumb-bells to the collection. With these Mr. Levy began quietly practising, one at a time. Then he took to using them together, and gradually overcoming the difficulties of the harder work, succeeded one evening in putting them up simultaneously.

From that point he never went back. Having done as much with the dumb-bells as at the time seemed possible, he decided to add the lifting of bar-bells to his exercises. He bought three, weighing 140 lbs., 165 lbs. and 180 lbs. He practised assiduously with these, but all the time he was yearning to do still bigger feats with dumb-bells. At last his opportunity came. One Friday evening, on visiting the Gymnasium, he found a dumb-bell weighing 150 lbs. It had been sent there for exhibition by some professionals who were visiting the city. He tried to put it up, and failed; but the dogged perseverance which marked his whole career came once again to his aid. Finding that the huge plaything was to be left at the gymnasium till the following Tuesday, he began practising indefatigably, and on the Tuesday evening, in the presence of his club fellows, he achieved his self-imposed task. The next week a dumb-bell of the same weight (150 lbs.) was added to his private collection, and he used it regularly. This private collection now consisted of two 28 lbs., two 56 lbs., two 84 lbs., two 100 lbs., one 112 lbs., and one 150 lbs. in dumb-bells, the three bar-bells already mentioned, and two iron bars, one 70 lbs. and one 120 lbs.—all these, together with two ring weights of 56 lbs. each, representing a total weight of nearly sixteen hundred pounds.

Mr. Levy appeared constantly in public. In 1891 he won the contest, held then for the first time, for the amateur weight-lifting championship, and afterwards he succeeded, at Northampton, in establishing a new record by putting up above his head no fewer than ten times a bar-bell weighing in all 170 lbs.

Of the recognised records for weight-lifting he held as many as nine; but Mr. Levy did not confine himself to one branch of gymnastics, nor made gymnastics his only athletic exercise. Each year at the grand “display” of the Birmingham Athletic Club he figured as a leader in exercises on the horizontal and parallel bars and on the rings. He was also an enthusiastic and expert cyclist, and took an intelligent interest in nearly every form of manly sport. He was, too, a busy brain worker.

His height was 5 feet 3½ inches; his chest measurement 41 inches; he weighed 11 st. 4 lbs., and had biceps measuring 16 inches and a forearm of 12¼ inches. At twenty-five years of age, before he took to gymnastics, his chest measurement was 34 inches, and the circumference of his biceps was twelve inches.

“ACHIEVED HIS SELF-IMPOSED TASK.”

To my readers I commend Mr. Levy as an example of what pluck and perseverance will do when used to a rational end. For the benefit of those who may wish to follow in his footsteps, I will quote some advice from his own pen:—

“In gymnastics it is never too late to begin. There may be some who may want, like I did, to emulate the deeds of the strong men whom every age supplies; to them I would say, give yourself up to your favourite exercise as you would to music if you would excel in it. Athleticism is as jealous an accomplishment as any art you would acquire. Excel in it and you will find your reward in that rough physical vigour which the world has not ceased to admire. In order to gain it you will go through a course of training which will lay the impress of health on all you do. Instead of defying nature you will learn more readily to obey her, and your obedience will be gratefully, cheerfully accorded, for you will realise how magnificent it is to be strong yourself, and by your example and your deeds inspire others to dignify their physical powers.”

It would be difficult to say which ranks the higher in the estimation of modern boys—brain or muscle. Certain it is that in these days boys of “grit” feel a contemptuous pity for the youth who is “all head and no muscle.” Possibly most readers will admit that muscular and mental development should go together, and that modern athletics are the necessary adjunct of school life for the building up of a “sound mind in a sound body” (Mens sana in corpore sano).

Of the ancients it may be said that their faith was in “muscle.” Even old Homer, philosopher and poet, goes so far as to say, “There is no greater honour for a man during his life than that he should be accomplished in the use of his hands and feet.” It was the “man of muscle” who in ancient Greece received the highest honours and rewards; it was for him that breaches were made in the city walls that he might pass through in his triumphal march. It was he who was relieved from the payment of taxes, whose statue was erected at the public cost, and whose praise was sung by the poets.

In ancient days leaders and rulers were selected simply on account of their development of “muscle.” Hence we read of Caius Maximinus, who from the lowly position of herdsman, was raised to the dignity of a Roman Emperor on account of his physical strength. This Maximinus, it is said, could squeeze to powder the hardest stone with his fingers, and history tells us that on one occasion he “knocked down six men without drawing breath!” Those fingers of his must surely have been moved by muscles of iron, and his “biceps” must have appeared a veritable mountain! A consideration of the fact that Maximinus was upwards of eight feet in height renders these feats less surprising, but to most beef-eating British boys it will perhaps be a “staggerer” to learn that the mighty deeds of Maximinus were performed on a vegetable diet.

MILO OF CROTONA.

The history of another muscular leader, Milo of Crotona, may possibly have some elements of truth in it, and we can quite imagine his marching with his countrymen against an army of Sybarites, clothed in a lion’s skin and brandishing a tremendous club; but it will take more than the proverbial “grain of salt” to enable us to swallow the story of his running a mile with a four-year-old ox on his shoulders, killing the animal, and eating the carcase, every inch, in one day!

It is not the way of modern athletes to show their strength by killing four-year-old oxen, or knocking men down like ninepins. They let us see their development of muscle at the wrestling match, at the oar and the wicket, at swimming and cycling, at their walking, running, and leaping performances, and one great advantage of this is that the ladies, who were excluded from the ancient “gymnasia” on pain of death, can in these days, by their presence, not only secure enjoyment to themselves, but give pleasure and encouragement to many an aspirant for athletic fame, who, if for no other reason, would endure the hardest training to “win the plaudits of the fair.”

In the matter of training and developing the muscles, the old Italian proverb will, as in so many other cases, apply, “Chi va piano va sano e lontano,” or, as we should say, “He that goes gently and steadily goes safely and far.” There must be moderation in the commencement, or there will be a “breakdown” in the end. No youth who doubts the soundness of his heart and lungs should go in for muscular training—for heavy work with the dumb-bells, for instance—without medical advice. To weakly constitutions training may be injurious—even fatal. In developing the voluntary muscles, as of the arm and leg, the growth of which we can measure, we must be careful of the involuntary muscles—those regulating the heart and lungs, and which are naturally and unconsciously brought into use. Of course, those muscles most brought into play by special exercise will be most developed—of the legs and thighs, for instance, in walking, and those of the arms, legs, and loins in rowing. For the general development of muscle, it is, of course, well to “take on” those sets of muscles not used in one’s ordinary occupation. Thus a youth who is sitting the greater part of his time at study or work should walk, swim, and row; one who has a walking occupation would do well to take both to rowing and swimming; whilst a “waterman” would do best to go in for hard walking.

Every one knows that diet has a great deal to do with the development or deterioration of “muscle,” and that meat, vegetables, and drink should be very judiciously combined. Weston—whose great walk, in 1884, of 5,000 miles in 100 days, was spoken of by Dr. Andrew Blyth as “the greatest recorded labour, if its continuity be considered, that a human being has ever taken without injury”—dieted himself as follows:—

Breakfast (6.30 a.m.).—Porridge, eggs or fish, bread and butter, toast or mutton, and coffee.

Lunch (11 a.m.).—Bread and butter, and coffee.

Dinner (2 p.m.).—Mutton broth, meat, potatoes, cabbage, bread pudding, and soda water or ginger ale.

Tea (7 p.m.).—A little toast, and tea or coffee.

Supper (10.30 p.m.).—Toast, figs, sponge cake, pudding, and milk or soda water.

It will be thus seen that alcohol formed no part of Weston’s diet, and that his principal drinks were tea, coffee, and milk.

This says much for the advantage of the practice of total abstinence, especially in view of the fact of the continuity of muscular exertion. The number of steps taken in Weston’s great walk has been calculated at about 11,000,000, and the daily work of the muscles equivalent to that of raising 793 tons one foot.

Another testimony to the advantage of abstinence from stimulants in the development of “muscle” is given by Louis Cyr, the Canadian athlete, who secured the title of, “Strongest Man in the World” at a Paris Exhibition. He weighed 315 lbs., and mentioned, among his feats, that he could break with his bare fist a stone two inches thick, four inches wide, and six inches long. He took his wife (who weighed 110 lbs.) and balanced her on the top of a 12-ft. ladder, resting on his chin. Cyr said that the great secret of his strength was his total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, and this bears out Dr. B. W. Richardson’s statement that “the idea of alcohol giving force and activity to the muscles is entirely false.”

CHAPTER III.
WALKING, RUNNING, AND JUMPING

Walking.—As a rule, the walking of long distances in a short time is a sad mistake. There is little or no pleasure in it, and the injury it may do you quite counter-balances the satisfaction you may feel in having accomplished it. I wouldn’t give a pin to be able to do my three miles in 21 min. 28 secs. like Webster, because I know perfectly well that my mind would gain nothing, or my body either from such an achievement. Every day of the year, unless specially hindered, I walk between eight and ten miles, and I am always discontented if anything stands in the way of my walk. From my own experience, I feel sure that boys, whether training for football, or school examinations, cannot do better for themselves than walk whenever they have the chance. You never know what call may suddenly be put upon the muscles of your legs. A life may depend upon your ability to sprint seven or eight miles in the hour. And if you can walk as many miles straight off and enjoy every yard of it, you may rely on being able to walk and run the distance in the time.

A few words may be said on style in walking. It is simply wonderful how people differ in this respect. Hardly two persons walk alike. They either carry their heads, or bodies, or arms differently, or there is a distinct difference in the way they use their legs or feet. However, there is nothing very sad about this. Variety is charming, even in pedestrianism, though in professional walkers this variety is apt to show itself in a walk that is almost twin brother to a trot. The following words of the once celebrated Westhall are valuable for boys and men who walk for health and pleasure, as well as professionals who walk for pots or purses:—“To be a good and fair walker the attitude should be upright, or nearly so, with the shoulders well back, though not stiffly so, and the arms, when in motion, held well up in a bent position, and at every stride swinging with the movement of the legs well across the chest, which should be well thrown out. The loins should be slack, to give plenty of freedom to the hips, and the leg perfectly straight, thrown out from the hip bodily and directly in front of the body, and allowed to reach the ground with the heel being decidedly the first portion of the foot to meet it.” Some people insist on the toes being turned out in a most unmistakable way when walking. It is not at all a pretty sight, and much more suggestive of a duck waddling out of a pond than a well-trained human being. Besides, it throws an undesirable and harmful amount of strain upon the smaller toes. Better to point the toes downwards and forwards, never outwards; spring sharply towards the tiptoe, straightening the knee. Learn also to hold the ground with the great toe at the beginning and at the end of each step. We cannot grasp the ground; good foothold is only to be obtained by pressure of the toes against it. This may, at first reading, seem rather strange counsel; but if we have any physical relationship with monkeys, the strangeness of it is at once removed. Mark how the monkey holds with his feet. Perhaps a million years ago we also (or rather our prototypes) held the ground with our feet in like manner.

One thing is certain, that bad walkers (bad in style, I mean) are very ugly to see, whereas there is something majestic about the carriage of a good walker.

Sprinting.—Not many athletes can excel in all kinds of running, and the champion sprinter is not generally a winner of long-distance races. Moreover, it is necessary for each runner to decide which he will be, for the training for each is different. Train gradually. At first take sharp walks of three or four miles. This will make the muscles begin to harden. Then run steadily for a quarter of a mile at a time, not troubling much about the speed. Cultivate the use of the toes and stride straight forward. Towards the end of the run the speed may be increased, for the muscles will then be in working order. Even now, however, the young sprinter should not tire himself. A week should be employed in this way before the more severe training is undertaken. Never begin to run violently at first, and this rule should be observed particularly in cold weather, for until the muscles have warmed to their work they are liable to strain, or even to suffer more severe injury. Practise starting. If you have a friend ask him to act as starter, and start over and over again, going to the mark and putting yourself in position time after time. In a short race like this a good start often makes all the difference, for it means sometimes a gain of a yard.

Middle Distance Races.—Speed wins short-distance races; endurance wins long-distance races, but a combination of each is needed in the medium distance contests.

Long Distances.—The training for long-distance races needs patience and endurance, for the tax upon the runner is great. Boys should not compete in long distances. No one under eighteen years of age should run a mile. The method of training is to run a quarter, or half a mile, according to the strength of the runner, and then each day to increase the distance or to run the same distance at a greater speed. Gradually by this process the lungs, the heart, and the muscles are strengthened until feats hitherto impossible become easy. In a long-distance race judgment must be exercised whether to go the distance rapidly and trust to endurance or to run warily and win by a spurt at the end, when it may be that your opponent is exhausted.

The Long Jump.—Speed is an important element in this feat, more important indeed than the spring. Experts take a run of from a hundred to two hundred feet as though they were running a sprint race and are going at their highest speed when they rise from the ground. When they are coming to the ground again they thrust their legs forward as far as they can, and so gain a foot or even more. This needs practice, however, for if the leaper loses his balance and falls backward his jump does not count. To start from the mark also needs practice, and one of the methods of mastering this feat is to run slowly to a point about nine paces short of the starting place. In training this point may be marked by a piece of paper. Then sprint from the paper to the starting place. Experts are able to jump twenty-four feet, and a leap of twenty-two is excellent, but not many can hope to reach these lengths.

The High Jump.—Here the athlete begins his run to the centre of the bar slowly, then he increases his speed a little, finishing with a quick run and a bound. The spring is taken in something like a crouching position with the head drawn in, but in the air the shoulders are lifted and the arms and legs jerked upwards. As the jumper crosses the bar he shoots out his legs, raises his shoulders still higher, and twists his body until he faces downwards. In fact he is then nearly horizontal, and an amateur champion of the world has likened his position at this stage to that of an arrow crossing a bow. When he comes to the ground he faces the bar. Some jumpers rise from the right foot, some from the left. The young athlete should find for himself which method suits him best. It is usual to take the leap as far in front of the bar as the bar is from the ground. Thus, if the bar is four feet high the leap would begin four feet from a point on the ground directly under the bar. The run usually begins twelve good paces from the bar, and consists of one bound after another, concluding with three short energetic ones. Then comes the spring from a crouching position. If the start is from the right foot, this foot should be almost parallel to the bar, and the heel of this foot should be the last to leave the ground. A run would carry you far, but in this feat it is the vigorous spring which carries you high. There are those who can jump more than six-feet high in this way, but they are among the champions.

CHAPTER IV.
HOCKEY AND INDIAN CLUBS

Hockey.—Hockey is a game which has become very popular in England during the past few years. It is generally believed to be a southern form of the Highland game of shinty, the great game of the clansmen in years gone past, and still played in many of the northern glens, notably on the Dumbartonshire side of Loch Lomond. The hockey of the North is not played according to any scale of points, the winning team being that which secures most goals; in the South, where it is frequently played on ice as well as on terra firma, certain marks of merit are awarded, after the style of Rugby Union football.

The modern hockey stick is to some extent an artificial contrivance after the style of the driver or play club of golf. Indeed, to golf it bears some little semblance, and strangers frequently confound the two pastimes. The Scottish school-boy, when hockey comes on in its turn with other recreations of the playground, sets out for the woodlands with a strong, sharp pocket-knife. He examines carefully all the hedge-rows to see if there is any young plant which has a natural turn at the end. If he can find such with a three feet shaft and a four-inch crook at the end he sets to work there and then, and in due time his “shinty” or hockey stick is pruned and ready for the game. The full-grown Highland player will possibly provide himself with a very heavy oak sapling, and with this he will strike powerful strokes, with his right hand, or both hands if required, when in a close contested maul or fray in front of the goal. These naturally-grown clubs have more spring in them than those of artificial make, but unless they are carefully bound with cord the head is apt to give after a little hard play.

Full Drive
The Cut -- The Poke
Corner Sweep

Foul Stroke -- The Poke

Full Drive -- Stopping

A good deal of the art of the game consists in passing or nursing, as in Association football. A novice would strike the knag or knob away from him as soon as he had obtained his opportunity. Not so the adept, who would “dribble” it forward, to use a football phrase, a few yards at a time, work it on to his partner, back up, and keep following it, then, with one swinging blow, make a shot for goal. In hockey on the ice the dribbling game is seen to most advantage, as the skilful skater can take the knag a hundred yards or more by adroit nursing or passing; were he to strike it away with the first blow the chances are that it would be immediately returned with interest, and a goal scored to the opposite side.

A “Throw In”

In the Highlands it is a grand sight to see two opposing bodies of clansmen—met as of old they met with targe and claymore—to fight out a friendly game. Everything is cast aside but shirt and kilt, and bare-headed and bare-legged the contestants seem to have walked out of the picture of some ancient Highland foray. Striking off in mid-ground the welkin soon rings with their shouts in Gaelic, their cheers and expostulations. Blows that were meant for the knag sometimes fall heavy upon an opponent’s knees, and soon legs are to be seen streaming with blood. In the heat of the play they feel it not, though next day they will possibly not have a part of their under limbs without bruises between ankles and knees. With terrific swing Donald or Duncan, who stands six-feet two in his socks, will drive it like a cannon ball through the air; and arrested by Malcolm’s head in its flight the latter drops like a stone, only to recover his senses in a minute again and go off in wild pursuit. When the sun sinks, the game is proclaimed over, and both sides shake hands, dress, and depart homeward, well pleased with their sport, no matter whether they may have won or lost.

A Corner Cut

Hockey Field

Indian Clubs.—Club swinging, if carried out in the correct style, brings almost every muscle into play, develops the chest and arms, imparts an easy carriage to the figure, and, if persevered in, under proper conditions to be hereafter mentioned, will ultimately enable the most round-shouldered individual to assume that lissom and perpendicular attitude which is the characteristic of the finished athlete.

First let me impress upon you the importance of avoiding heavy clubs when you commence the exercise, or even after becoming moderately proficient. Difficult feats are not easy to accomplish with very heavy clubs, besides the latter, instead of strengthening the muscles, are more likely to produce the opposite effect. Directly the club is heavy enough to sway you about on your feet, the exercise is doing you harm, and your attitude will appear ungraceful. Should you be ambitious to swing very heavy clubs, be advised to proceed cautiously, and gradually increase the weight at long intervals. Clubs recommended for ordinary use should weigh between 1½ and 2 lbs. each, as that weight affords plenty of muscular exertion to strong and comparatively weak men alike, especially in difficult exercises. After becoming fairly proficient with the lighter weights, heavier clubs might be used with advantage, say three or four pounds each, but a practised athlete of great muscular power may safely swing clubs of twenty pounds or more. A club, say twenty-two inches in length, made of willow which should weigh about 1½ lbs., is the most suitable for young boys or ladies. The club should be well tapered towards the top and artistically shaped: an ill-shaped club is a very awkward and unsatisfactory instrument. In nearly all exercises the feet should be some distance apart in proportion to your height: for a man of five feet nine inches, about the proper distance between heels would be seventeen inches. For many exercises the shoulders should be kept square to the front, while in others it is necessary to turn more or less to the right or left. If the shoulders are turned through half a right angle, reckoning from the position with the shoulders square, the shoulders are said to be half-right or half-left; if the shoulders are turned through a complete right angle, the shoulders are considered full right or full left as the case may be. Style is a most important item to be considered, not only for the sake of appearance, but also in order that the utmost physical benefit may be derived from the exercise. An eminent authority, in speaking of style, remarks: “If you swing clubs without regard to style, you will naturally contrive to cast almost all the labour upon your strongest muscles, so that the exercise, instead of searching out and strengthening your weak points, will merely tend to increase the muscles which are already disproportionately developed; whereas, if you attend carefully to style, you will be compelled to bring a great variety into play, so that your weakest muscles will be at first most severely taxed, and will gradually become developed in proportion to those which are naturally strong.”

It is necessary that the knees be kept straight and the muscles of the legs well braced, as there is a tendency at first, especially with heavy clubs, to let the knees bend in the course of certain movements; the head should be carried erect, and should turn with the shoulders, so that you always look in a direction at right angles to the line of the shoulders. The best way to keep the head steady and in its proper position is to fix the eyes on some point a trifle above their own level, in a direction at right angles to the line of the shoulders for the time being. Should you allow your eyes to wander, you will find it impossible to keep the head steady. In summing up the chief points relating to style, the following should be kept in view, viz.:—

(1) All unnecessary movement of the body should be avoided, the head should be carried erect, and the feet firmly placed at a distance apart in proportion to your height.

(2) In swings, keep the arm as nearly straight as possible; in twists, the hand should be kept almost in the same place throughout the movement.

(3) The movement of the club should be kept even, and avoid all abrupt or sudden changes of pace.

(4) The clubs should be kept in accurate turn with each other.

In order to correct your own style, a good plan is to practise before a looking-glass.

The proper position for holding the club before beginning an exercise is called “the carry.” Stand erect and grasp the club with the right hand, lift the club and hold it up vertically, with the hand just in a line, and not raised higher than the shoulder.

Fig. 1.

Club exercises are divided into four series. The first, called Outward, are those in which the right club moves in the same direction as the hands of a clock facing you, whilst the left club moves against the hands of the clock.

Inward exercises are those in which these conditions are entirely reversed, and parallel exercises are those in which both clubs swing with or against the clock. Windmill exercises are explained at Fig. 2, the subject is made clear in Fig. 1, where, for the sake of simplicity, both hands are holding the same club; the right hand, which is travelling in the same direction as a clock facing the athlete, is making an outward circle, as the left hand is working against the clock, the left hand is making an inward circle, and as both hands are swinging with the clock, a parallel exercise would be in progress, if there were two clubs instead of one as shown in the illustration.

The outward front swing follows “the carry” as a natural consequence. Straighten the arm completely till the hand is above and about three inches in front of the shoulder; the point of the club should then be allowed to move slightly forward, with the wrist turned in, then let the hand and club move to the right, the arm being kept straight, and the club being kept in a straight line with the arm throughout the movement. A circle can then be described and a return made to the initial position.

To make this description more easily understood, I have a capital illustration in front of me, and I cannot do better than quote it.

“If you were to stand with a wall about ten inches in front of you, the point of the club, would, in the preparatory position, just touch the wall at the highest point you could reach with the club; and as you did the swing, the point of the club would always touch the wall, and, if it were chalked, would draw a circle on the wall, of which the radius would be as nearly as possible equal to the length of your arm and the club together.”

This is one of those simple-looking movements which are by no means easy of accomplishment. The arm should be kept straight with the arm and the club in a line, and avoid stooping as the club passes in front of the legs. Beginners should practise front swings, and follow them up until they are done with before attempting anything else.

Circles, Swings, and Twists.—It should be noted that circles are divided into “swings” and “twists”. The club and forearm acting in a straight line during the movement would come under the heading of “swings,” whilst circles swung from the wrist with the hand as a centre point are reckoned as “twists.” Some of the very advanced movements, however, unite the characteristics of both swings and twists, and it is difficult to say under which heading they should be classed.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 illustrates the outward front swing with both clubs. The exercise shown is a cross windmill, the performer with both clubs straight above the shoulder swings the left club outwards; so soon as the left club points downwards he will swing the right club outwards, and it will arrive at the lowest point just as the left club has completed its circle.

The Outward Back Twist.—From “the carry,” raise the hand a little above the shoulder, passing it slightly to the rear, so that the forefinger is level with and within two inches of the lobe of the ear, the elbow being raised to the right till it is nearly as high as the shoulder, allowing the club to slope a little backwards from the hand. From this preparatory position, let the point of the club move to the right, and, keeping the hand close to the ear throughout the movement, a circle can be described by the point of the club.

In this twist get the point of the club sufficiently to the right and to the rear as the club descends, in order to avoid letting the point of the club pass too far to the rear as it ascends. Care should be taken to keep the hand in the same place throughout the twist, and don’t duck the head forward during the ascent of the club. This tendency is produced by the fear of a blow on the head while the club is travelling in its upward course.

Windmill Exercises.—The exercises known as windmill are very interesting. As in parallel exercises, the one club does outward circles and the other inward circles, keeping exact pace with each other, the one being always half a circle ahead of the other; therefore, when one club points straight up, the other points straight down, so that when viewed from the front, the clubs appear always to point in exactly opposite directions. A windmill exercise is difficult to learn, but when grasped, you should at once tackle the corresponding form on the other side.

Fig.3.

Fig. 3 shows the inward back twist being cross windmilled.

Fig. 4.

The Outward Cross Front Twist.—In this twist the hand should be kept close to the left breast throughout the movement, and as the club descends, turn the wrist out and bend it over, the while turning the wrist out as the club ascends till it is horizontal on the left, again turning it sharply as the club finishes its ascent. Twists similar to the cross front twist may be performed with the hand above or below the height of the shoulder, also a cross front twist may be done with the hand at the height of and in front of either the right or left hip. Avoid letting the clubs go too far forward while they are below the horizontal, and too far back during the higher part of the movement. Each front swing should be done in good style, and endeavour not to stoop as the clubs pass each other when they begin to ascend.

Fig. 4a.

Fig. 4 shows the outward cross front twist with the right hand at arm’s length, whilst the left club is simultaneously making an outward back twist at arm’s length, it must be noted, that although the right club is moving towards the performer, yet as it is moving in the same direction as the hand of a clock, parallel, and in front of the twist made, it is called an outward twist.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 shows an outward back twist at arm’s length with the right club, the left club is making an outward front twist, the only difference being, that the circle is made with the left club entirely in front of the left arm, instead of in the rear of it.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 shows an inward swing with the right club done simultaneously with an inward swing with the left club. This exercise can be made into a cross inside windmill in the same way that Fig. 2 can be made into a regular outside exercise, instead of being a cross outside windmill.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 shows an inside back twist at arm’s length above the head and an inward cross front twist at arm’s length downwards, the connecting inward front swings being also shown. This is very difficult.

Parallel Exercises.—These consist of an outward circle with one club and an inward circle with the other, in which the two circles are begun together, and in which the two clubs keep exact pace with each other throughout, consequently both clubs appear to be always parallel to each other. This is called a “parallel” combination. When the various parallel combinations have become familiar to the learner, he may continue such combinations in succession to each other and profit thereby. Parallel exercises are considered the greatest test of proficiency with clubs, as the slightest error will cause a divergence of the clubs and be at once detected.

Endeavour to master a parallel combination thoroughly, and then the combination on the other side will come easy enough.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 shows a parallel exercise, an inward front swing with R. being done simultaneously with an outward front swing with L.

Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 shows an outward back twist with R. and an inward cross twist with L.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 shows an inward back twist with R. and an outward back twist with L., followed by an inward front swing with R. and an outward front swing with L.

Fig. 11.

Fig. 11 shows an inward back twist with R. and an outward front swing with L.

Fig. 11a.

Fig. 11a shows an outward front swing with R. and an inward back twist with L.

Fig. 12.

Fig. 13.

Fig. 14.

Figs. 12, 13, 14 show some of the movements of clubs as generally practised on the Continent, but we consider dumb-bells more suitable for lunging movements.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Figs. 15, 16 show some wrist exercises, which are sufficiently plain to need no explanation.

Fig. 14 shows the outward cross front twist with the R. hand near left breast, while the left club is making an outward front swing; the corresponding movement would be an outward cross front with the L. whilst the R. made the outward front swing.

Miscellaneous Circles.—Circles which may be done with the arm passed behind the neck, and the hand brought forward over the left shoulder, require extraordinary length of arm and elasticity. Circles are sometimes done in which the centre of gravity of the club is caused to remain stationary while the hand moves in a circle, which conveys the impression that the club is revolving about an axle through its centre of gravity. These are difficult movements, and very attractive.

Throwing the Clubs.—These exercises require great dexterity before satisfactory results can be obtained. To let go the club and cause it to turn twice or more in the air and catch it again, is a feat that entails endless practice. Dealing only with the right club, a few brief notes regarding some of the simpler movements must suffice. (1) Perform an outward front swing, and as the club approaches the horizontal in its ascent let it go, and after it has made one revolution in the air catch it again; this is the outward throw. (2) The inward throw is an exact counterpart of the outward throw, but done by an inward swing. (3) “The double outward throw” and “the double inward throw” are done by allowing the club to turn twice before catching it. There are endless varieties of other throws, all of which allow unlimited action, as the shoulder cannot be kept strictly in position, because the clubs have to be carefully watched while they are in the air.

Without doubt, Indian club exercise is an attractive pastime, and entails no strain on the system, unless by the foolish practice of using too heavy clubs.

CHAPTER V.
SWIMMING, ROWING, AND WATER POLO

Swimming.—A glance at some books of instruction conveys the impression that swimming is difficult and complicated; but many boys learn in three or four days, and we know a timid boy who had much to overcome in fear of the water who learnt in fourteen without more aid than he obtained from reading directions in books. It is easier to learn in a tepid indoor bath, because the novice is not worried by having to keep himself warm, and he has the rail, a sure bottom, and the side of the bath to help him. A friendly companion who will support his chest with one hand at first, especially if he can instruct him too, will shorten the period of learning. There is no need to go into deep water, nor to run any risks in learning to swim.

The action of the arms may be practised in or out of the water. Draw the arms to the chest with the elbows touching the sides. Close the fingers and thumb of each hand, and make the hands slightly hollow. The hands will be under the chin and the hollowed palms downwards. Push them out in front of your nose, not vigorously, but quietly and steadily, for so far the action is one that retards the swimmer rather than advances him. Once at their full extent, however, the hands should be turned almost back to back, and then each should be swept away from the other in a semi-circle, something like the action of the oars when a boat is being rowed. When the elbows touch the body the stroke ends, and the hands should go back to their position under the chin ready for another stroke.

More important than the arms in swimming are the legs, but their movements are very simple and easy to learn. Grasp the rail that runs round the bath with one hand and place the other hand flat upon the side of the bath about a foot below. Draw the legs up to the body, with the heels touching each other, toes of each foot turned outwards, the toes of the right foot to the right, the toes of the left foot to the left. Keep the knees wide apart and turned outwards. When the legs have been drawn up as far as possible the soles of the feet should be only just under the water. Now shoot both legs out vigorously, not only as far as they will go, but as widely asunder as you can spread them. Then bring the heels smartly together so that the legs return in a line with the body again. This last movement is very important, for it is in displacing the wedge of water between the widely opened legs that the body receives its forward impulse. Writers upon swimming have likened this action to the flight of the slippery orange pip when it is squeezed in the fingers of the school-boy.

When the use of arms and legs is practised together the legs are drawn up and the hands are placed under the chin at the same time, and the hands and legs are sent out from the body together. The head should be thrown back well, and it will help the learner to do this if he looks at the sky or at the ceiling of the bath when he is learning.

It is easier to swim upon the back than upon the chest. The movement of the legs is the same, and the movement of the hands not very different. Lie backwards upon the water and with the hands together stretch the arms behind the head, palms upwards, thumbs touching. Then sweep the hands away from each other, using them like oars, and so bringing them back with a wide curve to the hips. Upon the back it is possible to swim without the use of the arms at all.

Learning to swim makes one sadly out of breath, but with practice the art becomes easy, and we swim with almost as much ease as we walk. Having learned plain swimming it is not difficult to add gradually the numerous other methods of propelling the body through the water.

Rowing.—To watch and imitate a good rower is the best way to acquire a good style, but a few hints will help. Sit squarely upon the seat and stretch your legs straight before you, but with your toes turned out slightly. Rowers are not agreed about the knees. Some keep them together; others have them apart, and they will tell you that this arrangement permits the body to come further forward over the knees. Your feet should be placed firmly against the stretcher, and this must be let out or shortened, to suit the length of the rower. One foot may be placed in the strap which is often attached to the stretcher. The outside hand is placed upon the handle of the oar, with the thumb as well as the fingers above it, while the other hand grasps it firmly lower down, keeping the nut towards you. The arms are now quickly thrust forward till they are quite straight at the elbows, after which the back follows the arms by bending forward at the hips. Be careful, however, to avoid round shoulders. When your hands have reached their full stretch raise them, and the blade will drop quietly into the water. Then with the water just covering the blade, the body is brought back with a strong but not clumsy movement, till it reaches a little beyond the perpendicular of the back of the seat, when the hands are brought back to the ribs, the elbows gliding near the hips; and at the last moment, as the hand touches the ribs, the wrist of the inside hand is lowered, the knuckles being at the same time brought against the chest, and the oar is made to revolve in the rowlock. This is called “feathering” the oar, a process by which it is brought neatly out of the water. Now push the oar rapidly forward again, first, however, restoring it to its original position in the rowlock. This is done by raising the wrist, and then darting the arms forward till the elbows are quite straight. Now the rower is at his starting point. To “back water” these actions are reversed. The oar is first reversed in the rowlock, and then it is pushed through the water with as much power as is needed, and pulled through the air. When the oars on one side are pulled, and those on the other are backed, the boat is made to turn round completely in a small space. Expert rowers have arrived at the following maxims: Straighten the arms before bending the body forward; drop the oar neatly into the water; draw the oar straight through at the same depth; feather the oar cleanly, and without bringing the oar out before doing so; use the back and shoulders freely, keeping the arms as straight as possible; keep your eyes fixed on the rower before you. By this means the body is almost sure to swing backwards and forwards regularly in a straight line. If you look out of the boat you will probably lose this rhythmic motion.

Sculling.—This process is different from that of rowing in that the sculler has a scull for each hand, whereas the rower uses both hands for one oar. The rower sits near the side of the boat, the sculler in the centre of the seat. The sculls are lighter than oars, the action quicker. There are from thirty to forty strokes a minute in sculling, but the average is about thirty-two. The boy who goes out sculling alone is often his own steerer, and so needs to keep a sharp look-out over his shoulder. Having taken a seat in the centre, stretch out your legs to their fullest extent and adjust the stretcher. Grasp the sculls, one in each hand, by the handles, and bend your body forward until your head is well over your knees. Throw your arms well forward, and straight, so that the sculls will be thrown well backwards. Then dip the sculls, try to keep the dip uniform, and pull hard.

The stroke comes to an end when the elbows are brought to the top of the hips, and the hands to the chest, with the body well back as a result of the strong pull. The sculls are “feathered” as they leave the water by the depressing of the elbows and the bending upwards of the wrists, as the back of the hands are turned towards the forearms, an operation which offers the least resistance to the water when releasing the sculls to obtain the position known as the return, that is, the position to begin again. To turn a boat in the water the sculler must back water with one scull and pull with the other. To do this one scull is reversed, its rounded face being towards the rear as the sculler pushes it from him. At the same time pull sharply with the other scull until the boat’s head has been turned round completely. Boats without rudders are managed in the water, either by pulling both sides alike, in which case the boat moves in a straight line, or by reversing the action of the oars, equally on both sides, pushing them through the water instead of pulling them, and called backing water. In this case the boat recedes. By pulling one side only, the boat describes a part of a circle, which is made smaller by pulling one oar, and backing the other. By means of a rudder the boat may be made to take almost any direction without reference to the rowers.

A few experiments with a rudder will soon demonstrate what its powers are.

Water Polo.

Water Polo.—Boys who can swim will find this excellent sport. Each player should provide himself with a sound cask. Place it upon its side and weight it with lead or other material, making this ballast fast so that it cannot move about. Now make the cask quite water-tight. Upon one end fix a horse’s head made of wood, upon the other a tail. These features may be made as extravagant and comic as the owner pleases. Get a paddle like a canoe paddle, and astride of this horse take to the water. Choose sides as at football and have for goals stakes driven into the bed of the river or floating objects moored into position. The ball should be a light hollow india-rubber one, or a bladder from the butcher. Some players use the inner part of a football. The paddle both strikes the ball and propels the steed. This game should never be played unless the players are accompanied by a capable person in a boat who can go to the assistance of those who may be in difficulties.

CHAPTER VI.
PAPERCHASING, FOOTBALL, GOLF, AND BOXING

Paperchasing.—This may be practised with more or less success all the year round, but it is in the winter time that it can best be enjoyed. It is then that the air is cool and invigorating, and that the fields, being unoccupied by crops, may be run over without any very great damage being done. For boys it is a grand game; it affords a welcome change from the scrimmages and knocks of football and fives; and if the distance run be not too far, nor the pace too fast, there are few who cannot take part in it with pleasure.

An important point in its favour is that the expenses connected with it are small. The paperchaser wears jersey, knickerbockers and stockings as at football, with the addition, in very cold weather, of woollen mittens to keep the wrists warm, and the substitution of light leather or rubber and canvas shoes, for heavy boots. For each of the “hares” there must be provided a bag in which to carry the “scent.” These bags should be of stout linen or canvas and shaped like a life-buoy, so that they go round the runner—under the left shoulder and over the right—with a hole in the under-side, by means of which they are filled and emptied. Time was when the “scent” consisted of paper torn up very small, the preparation of which afforded almost as much fun as the chase itself; but nowadays we have grown luxurious, and fill the bags with the paper shavings which may be purchased for a very small sum from any bookbinder or printer.

Much of the success of a paperchase depends on the choosing of the hares. Of these there are generally two or three—more often the former—and it is necessary that one of them should have a good knowledge of the surrounding country. The time of their departure having been noted, they start off and lay a trail as they go. Sometimes one will lay for a while, and then the other will take a turn; occasionally one will lead and lay his trail, and the other following some little distance in the rear, will look out for gaps and fill them in. It is not necessary to lay a continuous trail, but care should be taken that it is quite easy to see from one patch of scent to the next. When the wind is high, it is always well in crossing from one field to another, to sprinkle some scent on the hedge itself.

The laying of an occasional “false” scent adds to the troubles of the hounds, and gives the hares a chance of regaining some of the advantage which they naturally lose in choosing their course. A “false” is usually managed by the hares separating, and each laying a trail in different directions; then one ceases laying, and makes his way straight across country to join his companion, and they go on again together as before. In laying a false trail, much ingenuity may be shown. One way is to make the wrong one much the more distinct of the two; but this must not always be done, or naturally it will soon cease to have any effect. In selecting a course, it is well to choose a circular one, so that in case of accidents, the distance from home is not very far; and it is a very good plan, and one which is likely to be of advantage to all, to start out against the wind and to return with it. The reason for this is that it is easier to face the wind when starting out fresh than when returning home fatigued at the end of a run.

The hounds, or pack, must be provided with a captain and a “whipper-in”—the former to set the pace and generally take command, and the latter to look after the stragglers and see that none are left behind. Both should be good runners, and if possible should have had some experience of the game. After an interval—the length of which is arranged with the hares before they start, and depends chiefly on the distance it is proposed to travel—the pack set out on their journey. The pace should be a steady jog-trot, especially at the beginning; afterwards, if all goes well, it may be increased. It is a rule that so long as the hares are not in sight, all must follow the trail; but if once they are seen, it becomes a case of “catch who can,” the scent is ignored, and all go off straightway in pursuit. If the hares are not seen and there appears to be no likelihood of their being caught, it is usual for the captain on getting within a mile or so of home, to give the word for a race and for the hounds to set off then to compete among themselves for the honour of being the first to reach the goal.

Carried out on these lines, paperchasing provides plenty of fun, and is as healthy a pastime as can be found. Now and again there will be a ducking caused by a failure to clear a brook, or a stumble at a fence; but if the victims of these mishaps keep moving, and immediately they reach home, change their clothes, little harm will be done. Two warnings may be given: Do not go too far; and when feeling tired, do not strain yourself by trying to race. A six or seven miles spin is quite long enough for any one; and it is better to go all through at a jog-trot, and even to walk occasionally, than to sow the seeds of future ills by striving to outdo fleeter rivals.

Hints on Football.—Football is one of the games which cannot be learned from books. Its best lessons are those taught by hard experience, and as much may be learned in an afternoon’s play and in watching a match between two good teams, as by a diligent study of all the books on the game that have ever been written; but at the same time there are a number of unwritten rules which, although they often take years to learn, are of service to every player; and I have therefore deemed it wise to collect them and put them down here in black and white in the hope that they may be of use to many who, with some experience of the game, and eager to improve their play, have no opportunity for seeing big matches, and no one whom they can ask for advice. These rules are fourteen in number, and should be learned by heart by every player. They apply specially to the Rugby game, but some of them are of use also to those who favour the Association pastime:—

1. Never play immediately after a meal. It is best to have dinner two hours before the game begins.

2. In passing a ball to a comrade send it smartly and quickly straight into his hands.

3. Never pass the ball when you are near your own goal line, and never pass straight back except when opposite your opponents’ goal, and the player to whom you pass is well placed for dropping a goal.

4. Never be too eager to pick up the ball and run with it. A neat dribble with the feet is often most effective, and it is generally very difficult to stop.

5. In collaring an opponent always keep your eyes open, and always go hard and low.

6. Never “speculate” or take flying kicks at the ball.

7. When fairly held by an opponent, do not waste your strength by useless struggling, but at once cry “held,” and put down the ball.

8. When you have the ball in your possession, and find it impossible to pass it to advantage or to proceed, always punt into touch.

9. In handing off an opponent, turn your thumb inside your hand and turn the palm outwards with the fingers held together.

10. When one of your own side is running with the ball, always follow up close behind, but a little on one side of him. When passed by an opponent who has it, try to get round again to meet him before he reaches your goal line.

11. In your spare time practise punting, drop-kicking, and place-kicking, with both feet. An otherwise good player is often left out of a team in order to make room for one who is not quite so good, but is able to kick.

12. Study the laws of the game whenever you have an opportunity.

13. Always keep your temper and do not talk. Obey your captain at once, and unhesitatingly accept the decision of the referee.

14. Change your clothes as soon as possible after playing, and in going home be careful to wrap up well.

In conclusion, I would point out that if properly played Rugby Football is not dangerous. The great majority of accidents which occur are due to the neglect of one of the simple rules here laid down—through useless struggling, loose collaring, wild kicking, or blind rushing. The rules for the Association and the Rugby game may be obtained for one penny each, so we have refrained from reproducing them here.

Driving

Golf.—This is another of those games well learned on the field, by observation of the best players, and by hints from friends. We have, however, compiled a series of injunctions based upon long experience.

Driving.—Lower your left shoulder. Stand still and do not see-saw with your body. Plant your feet squarely. Grasp your club lightly yet firmly in the hollow of your fingers. Slowly swing well back and complete your stroke well through, pushing to the very end with your right hand. It is a disadvantage to try to get under the ball.

The Brassy.—In using this club swing as far back as you can, slowly.

The Mashie and Iron.—Swing back very slowly and have the forefinger of your right hand well down the club, which should be held lightly. Go well through with the stroke and rise slightly off your left heel.

Putting.—Grasp the club firmly, swing back very slowly, and go well through with the stroke.

Out of the Furze

Out of a Bunker

Putting

General Advice.—In all kinds of strokes swing back slowly with your left shoulder down and the forefinger of your right hand well down the club. Ever have your eye upon the ball, and finish every stroke to the very end. In all your strokes let your arms go well out from your body. Your hands should be close together on your club and the right hand well round to the left but not under the club. Press the ground with your feet and stand well back upon your heels.

Hints on Boxing.—It is true that boxing has become associated with all manner of ruffianism, but it is true also that it is one of the most effective forms of physical exercise, and that low life and brutality need no more enter into this pastime than into cricket. All the muscles are exercised, and dexterity, nimbleness, prompt decision, quickness of sight and many other admirable qualities are promoted.

The right arm is held across the body so as to protect the pit of the stomach. The elbow of the left arm is held to the side. This position enables the boxer to hit from the shoulder, an important matter in boxing. The right leg bears most of the weight of the body, an arrangement which permits rapid movement backwards and forwards as occasion demands with a minimum of exposure. The left side should be towards your antagonist, the left hand has the principal part of hitting allotted to it, the right stops, parries, and at close quarters hits too.

Study all these things carefully before a mirror, noting what parts are exposed and the manner in which the exposure may be remedied.

Throw your head well back, and watch your opponent’s eyes, for there you get the earliest indication of his intentions, and therefore you are able to make your arrangements for circumventing his plans. When you strike let it be from the shoulder and with all the weight of your body pressing the right foot upon the ground and making a kind of spring. Do not draw back your hand to make a stroke, because that gives your adversary warning. Come upon him unawares and then recover your position immediately. Generally the time to strike is when your left toe is level with his heel, but if his reach is longer or shorter than yours this rule may need modification. Remember that a curved blow is longer on its way than a straight one.

If your adversary strikes at your face or the upper part of the chest, do not retreat from the blow, but fling your right arm sharply outwards and upwards, catching your opponent’s arm by the wrist, and throwing it out of the direction in which it was aimed. This generally lays open your opponent’s head, and gives opportunity for a smart return blow with the left hand; it is then near his head, and has only a short distance to go. This return blow is called the “counter,” and is very effective, as it arrives when your opponent is expecting to give rather than receive a blow. This plan of campaign may be practised before a mirror.

“Stopping” comes in where this parry is impracticable. If your adversary strikes at your body you must either get away, stop, or suffer the blow in hopes of being able to hit him in return. In stopping you receive the blow on your arm, and break its force.

CHAPTER VII.
ON THE ICE

Figure Skating.—As soon as the skater has gained confidence and can skate in the ordinary way, he should begin to master the art of skating upon the outside edge. Put upon the ice a small stone, piece of wood, or any other object to serve for a centre. From this stand three yards with your right side towards it. Leaning a little in the direction of this centre and pressing your weight upon the outer edge of the blade of the skate, push yourself round and round the centre with your left foot. Then practise going round on the outside edge of your left skate in a similar way. Difficult as these movements will be at first, they become easy like other hard tasks by practice, and they open the way to graceful figure skating.

When the two circles have been mastered it is quite easy to cut a figure 3 upon the ice. Begin on the outside edge of the right skate as though you meant to go in a circle, but allow your left foot to hang behind your right foot. There it will act as a kind of weight, your body will tend to swing round and you will cut the second part of the 3 travelling backwards, and upon the inner edge of the skate. The impetus gained in cutting the first part of the figure will carry you to the end. Going in the other direction cut another Ɛ with your left foot, and when you can do these you are on the high road to complete success as a skater.

Fig. 1. and Fig. 2.

Sailing on Skates.—Boys who are so fortunate as to live where there is a large sheet of ice will find much fun in sailing. If you have the money the draper will supply you with calico, or sheeting, or other similar material, two yards wide, and a journey to the joiner will be necessary, as we shall see. A B in Figure 1 is the yard made of wood, one and a half inches thick in the middle, tapering to each end to five-eighths of an inch. At C and D holes are bored for the lashings of the sail. E F is the sprit, and we get its length by measuring the boy who is going to use the sail from his neck to his ankles. This gives the length of the sprit, and the yard should be made twice as long. We have given the longest that the sprit should be. It may be shorter, and then, of course, the yard would be shortened in proportion. The sprit is tapered towards F and a hole is bored at G for lashings. The sprit is connected with the yard by what sailors call a crotch. We have given a representation of it in Fig. 2. The cord is used to lash the sprit to the yard. C D G in Fig. 1 shows the sail. It is cut to allow a broad hem, and may be sewn rapidly with a sewing machine. A strong loop of tape or cord should be sewed at each corner of the sail C D G, and at the head of the sail, that is from C to D, eyelets should be made six inches apart. At each of these the sail is tied to the yard and also at G. A reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 will show how the sail is used, but practice will be needed and much studying of the effect of wind upon the sail before the art of sailing on skates has been mastered. A wooden rod may be attached to F, Fig. 1. This will aid in the management of the sail, as is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 5. and Fig. 4.

Curling.—Like most other pastimes, curling is best learned when you are young. Your good golfer, who “swipes” clean and clever from the tee, picked up that draw and swing which the able golfer so much prides himself upon, in youth. It is quite true that laddies in Scotland first learn to skate; yet many of the best hands at “the roaring game” have learned to throw a “stane” ere fifteen. You cannot learn young enough at anything, a true sportsman will tell you. That little, bare-legged herd laddie, who sits on the banks of the Ettrick or Yarrow, will laugh at the middle-aged tyro who vainly tries to fling a fly where there is no fish lying. The young yachtsman gets his tiller hand in his first matches in an open boat; the trigger finger of the crack shot is made over his early successes at rooks or rabbits; and the good seat in the saddle on the back of the Shetland pony; but our boys are ready for their bonspeil, which means a good spell or game. Before giving a description of an actual game, the writer will endeavour to give some idea of what curling is like. In Germany it has been successfully introduced by Sir Edward Malet, the English ambassador, and there is every reason to believe that in a few years it will take as strong a hold of the English people, as already golf has done.

Pennant, in his Tour of the North (1792), writes of it as follows:—“Of all the sports of these parts, that of curling is the favourite, and one unknown in England. It is an amusement of the winter, and played on the ice, by sliding from one mark to another great stones of from forty to seventy pounds weight, of a hemispherical form, with an iron or wooden handle at the top. The object of the player is to lay his stone as near the mark as possible, to guard that of his partner, which had been well laid before, or to strike his antagonist’s.”

The Roaring Game

“The game is played on a carefully-chosen piece of ice called the rink, which should be forty-two yards long, unless special circumstances, such as thaw, and consequently dull ice, require it to be shortened. This piece of ice should be as level, smooth, and free from cracks as possible. There is usually a trifling bias, which however to the skilled curler rather adds interest to the game, as it calls forth additional science in the play.”