Athletics and Football (extract)

XX INTRODUCTION if its growth be accompanied by a proportionate physical development than in the case of thebrain over-developed without any corresponding bodily improvement. I desire here to say a few words upon the subject of the best methodof athletic trainingin schools. I am of course aware that superlative excellence and cases of remarkable prowess are to a great extent inborn—or to put the converse, that some boys and men, however much they practise, will never succeedin reaching the standard readily attained by born athletes. But superlative ex­ cellence in special cases is by no means that which is most to be aimed at. Innate talentfor any pursuit will as a rule develop itself whatever be its surroundings, but I think at all public schools boys should be taught to run properly. There is as much difference between good running andbad running as there is between good rowing and bad rowing, and the standard of excellence will be certainly increased by a high normal standard among theaverage boys. To mention one other point, it will be admitted that no boy is more likely to do harm in a school than the loafer. Ask the masters of any public school what class of boys cause them the most anxiety, orbring the least credit on a school ; they will tell you the boys who loaf, and have no zest for play or work. Numbers of boysare not strong enough toplay foot­ ball, or are not successful at cricket, and cannot afford the expenseof racquets. To many of thesethe incentive to exercise by the prospect of being able to compete in races and other athletic tests isan incalculable benefit,