INFLUENCE OF FIELD SPORTS ON CHARACTER. 105 



no pleasant chats over a social pipe for the rowing man, no din- 

 ners at the Mitre or the Bull, no recJierche breakfasts with his 

 friends ; the routine of training must be strictly observed, and 

 everything must give way to the paramount necessity of putting 

 on muscle. In the race itself, too, what a desperate strain there 

 is on the powers ! How many times has some sobbing oarsman 

 felt that Nature can resist no longer the tremendous demand 

 made on her, that he can go on no longer ; and then has come 

 the thought that others are concerned besides himself, that the 

 honour of his university or his club are at stake, and has lent a 

 new stimulus and made possible that final spurt which results in 

 victory ! 



The habits taught by boating, whether during training or 

 after the race has commenced, lead to regularity of life, to 

 abstemiousness, and to the avoidance of unwholesome tastes, 

 and their effect is seen long after the desire for aquatic glor)- 

 have passed away. 



Such are some of the most prominent influences of English 

 field sports ; and as long as amusements requiring such energy, 

 such physical or mental activity, and such endurance as fox- 

 hunting, stalking, and cricket, are popular, there is little fear of 

 the manly character of the English nation deteriorating, or its 

 indomitable determination being weakened. 



