“Whose age is as a lusty youth,
Frosty, but kindly.”
Lawn bowls resembles curling somewhat. In fact it consists in trying to do on level grass what it is the object of curlers to accomplish on smooth ice, i. e., to get one side’s bowls near a central object and to cut out those of the other side. Another point of resemblance is that the “in-turn” or “out-turn” of the curling-stone is initiated by the “fore-hand” or “back-hand” bias of the lignum-vitæ bowl. There is, however, no sweeping at bowls, so that the assistance, real or imaginary, toward the progress of a stone that a roaring and perspiring curler derives from his efforts with the broom, is denied to the bowler.
In former days the game was played, in Canada, at least, with balls much biased, so as to draw as much as six to ten feet in a run of sixty. The best players in Scotland, however, have discarded these extremely weighted bowls. The Pioneer rink of Toronto was the first to import bowls of the best Glasgow make, notwithstanding that a very fair article is made in Canada. Since Scotland has been mentioned, it may be as well to say just here that a correspondent, Mr. Samuel Gunn, of Glasgow, a fine bowler, and an undeniable Scotchman, inveighs, in a recent letter, against those who term bowls an English game, and declares that Scotland is its great exemplar to-day. This probably may be the case; but even Mr. Gunn will admit that the cyclopedias call it “a British game,” and they are not particular to say anything about North Britain either. He should also remember that in the fine picture illustrative of the game in the time of Elizabeth, it is Sir Francis Drake and a group of Englishmen whose game upon an English green was sought to be interrupted by a messenger bringing tidings that the Spanish Armada was in sight.
Be it Scotch or English, it is a good game.
IS HE A 9 4-5 MAN?
THE St. Louis Globe-Democrat writes in the following way of the performance of Schifferstein, the Californian sprinter:
“At the meeting of the Missouri Athletic Club, at St. Louis, September 9, the feature of the day was the performance of Schifferstein, the Californian, in the 100-yard race. He won away off in the world’s record time of 9 4-5s. The amateur record is 10s., and the Californian lowered this. The professional record of 9 4-5s. is held by H. M. Johnson, who was one of the timers. The performance will go on record, and Schifferstein will receive a handsome medal for lowering the record. There can be no doubt of the performance, as he beat Joe Murphy, who is a 101⁄4. man, three yards. In the second heat Schifferstein, O. J. Fath and Geo. M. Fuchs, of the M. A. A. C., and Eli Thornish, of Chicago, competed. Schifferstein raced away from his field in the first fifty yards, and won easily by four yards of Thornish, second. Time, 13 1-5s. The Californian has the easiest of styles. He much resembles Sherrill, the champion, in his style of movement, and does not seem to exert himself a bit when in motion. He will win the national championship. In the final heat a good start was effected, but Schifferstein opened up a big gap on his field in the first fifty yards as before. Murphy then held him even, but could not gain an inch, and the Californian won by three yards in the record time of 9 4-5s.”
A PLEA FOR THE WHEELMEN.
AS the days shorten, and the hours available for outdoor exercise grow fewer, more wheelmen are anxious to use the daylight they have at their own disposal for a reinvigorating run. No city is better provided with an exercise ground for cyclers than is New York with her beautiful park; but, nevertheless, there is a hitch. As things stand at present, one has, in order to reach the park, to take a car from the business parts of the city, and undergo all the tedium of the trip; then, hastily donning cycling clothes, take a hasty spin, a hurried bath, and resuming the garments of every-day life, run the risk of cold or pneumonia by taking a car down-town while still warm from the vigorous exercise.