Page:Athletics and Manly Sport (1890).djvu/19

xii past; the world has grown too intelligent for these idle games and exercises; we, who know what life is, know that athletic sports are only symptoms of questionable tastes."

The pride of knowledge is bad, but the pride of ignorance is worse; together, they are almost hopeless. The truth is, there is more need to-day for physical development, for play, for sport, for athletic exercises and amusements of all kinds, than there was during the Greek Olympiads, or at any other period of human history. Strange, that this obvious truth should call for public statement. "On old and young," says a great modern philosopher, "the pressure of modern life puts a still increasing strain. In all businesses and professions, intense competition taxes the energies and abilities of every adult; and, with a view of better fitting the young to hold their place under this intenser competition, they are subject to a more severe discipline than ever before."

"We have not holidays enough," says an eminent American physician. "Five days a year is our allowance, a scanty one indeed, that seems ridiculous to our quieter neighbors across the water, who, needing rest less than we, get four times as much. But there is no time for relaxation; we must only do our best to brace up and stand the drive."