HOW TO GET STRONG
the interest among the students themselves was well-nigh universal, and many fathers expressed misgivings about sending sons to institutions where the regular curriculum seemed a secondary matter, and performance in athletic contests the chief thing.
Yet, strange as it may seem, this whole idea is a mistake. Most of the students do take some interest in these contests, but it goes no farther than talking somewhat about them, and viewing them when they come off, and perhaps betting the amount of their term-bills on them. The number who actually take part, either in the racing or the ball matches, or in trying for any length of time for a place are not ten per cent. of the whole number of students—often not five per cent. of them—and they the very ones who are already strong and need athletic work least—chance in them, is ridiculously small. Indeed the number fit to take part, or rather to do high-class work in them is anything but large. In rowing, for instance, England has preparatory schools which, for half a century, have turned out youngsters for the seven-and-a-half-minute dash on Henley water; who have more than once made the great Oxford, Cambridge, London, and Leander Eights very uneasy before a race; and very uneasy all through the race till well over the finish-line—until Eton and Radley are as well-known names on that famous course, and wherever the English tongue is spoken, as are those of their senior sisters, by the Cam, the Thames, and the Isis. But where are the great American preparatory schools? Our Etons and Radleys? Did you ever hear of a Boston Latin School four, or eight? Or of a St. Paul's School one? Or a Hopkinson School, or a Cutler, or a Berkeley? Yet which of all these has not better water near by to-day than either Eton or Radley? Yes,
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