New York Clipper (Apr 1856)

NEW YORK CLIPPER. THB CjESTUS. ii.7M< br <h« OlaiUton in Oenbtt ttftr* tb» Aadtata. Wi give lIlaBtntioni tolow of the Tarloas Usdi of Cotna, or Flgbtlng Olovei, as lued In uolent UmH, ind ihoH In an (or Boilng In the pniint day. SoTonl lorta bf cim'Wi or gaantleti, were known to the an- ient!, and were composed In general of strong Inter- roTeb leather ttisps, ^hlcb, embracing the flit and part of the tarft4, or mlat^'^And winding up lonnd the fore- Hffl, were fixed at tlie elbow. They appear to Im often been armed with nobs of hnia, blnnt point* of lion, plommets of lead, io. The following Unei from ])i7den'B YlrgU, beantlftiUy deacrlbei the taitui ued . —. "Ha (Bnt«Uu) Unw T vo ^Bd'rou fvutliu (lowii,lDopiikTl<w; 0MatI«t«, vhleh EiIe wont in fight to wl<M, And iliantli Ui htndi wttbin th* Uit«d fl«M, With fiki ul vonltr Nli'd, til* oovd Maldi The gloTU or doath,—with mt'o dlitlsfnlih'd foldi Of tongb bsU'a htdti; tho ipnc* within li ipiotd With Iton 01 with loidi of hMT7 Ittd. Sim blmMlf VM dnsatod it tho iliht, BonooDo'd bit ehiUtngo, ud nfuod to fight iitoniih'd it their wtlghl, tho horo itiadi, And poli'd tho pond'i on loglBH In bli hindj." Themibjolnedoatlaa repreeentatlon of the moat tremendoni Und of Ceestaa. The original, in bronze, waa found at Hercnlaneoii. It is of a proportion above the natoral alze; and ap- peara to have belonged to the Btatne of some gladiator, armed for the flght. This Ceestiu wai compoaed of several tUcknesaes of raw bidea, atrongly fastened together, in I clrcnlar fotm, and tied to the hand and part of the fore arm; and yet, to prevent its hartlng the metaear- 'ftu, a glove of Ihlok worsted waa naed for the ocoailon, ending in a aort of frange, called Velloa Thia Ccttoa, however tertlSo In Its operations, Is not ndeatmctlve and injarloas as the preceding one, ana 'a oopled from plate 20 of" Leon's Cottume de* Peupltt U FJlntiquite." There appears no regular data to de- toimlne the fket, whether. In the ezerolse of the Olroaa ((Bome, thepagUlats ever fonghtwlth naked hands ud aims; bnt as this nation, It seems, borrowed most of to arts Horn Greece, It Is probable that the boxers SKer engaged wlthont the eiirotheea, or gloves, stuffed Kith lead: more especially as the ancients were rema^ bkly fond of ehow In their pnblic exhibitions of vigor aii s'trengtb. The above cut represents a CKBtoa of nearly the same Uid, and capable of edminiaterlng the moat death-llke Wiihment. It will be seen la the llrat volome of Brmxi dtl JUuaeo Kirkeriano," where Amyons Is dls- iOTeied fighting with this armor. In his oonfllot with PoUox. I This sort of Cteitns, materially different f^om the tree preceding ones, though equally destructive In Ita VeraUon, la oopled flrom a bas-relief, found alao at Biroolueam. It Is alao engraved as a tall-pleoe In HiiBecoBd volome of "St. Non'e Voyage Pittttuqut k ffapln et it Sieile," p. 61, For farther parttoolars Wpeotlitg the nse of the Ceeatns, see pages 8, 4, 0, and (|0f the lesond volome of this work. TliB»kst07noaBin jnyentlon,* those weapons of em- tlty the Oostn. jjpfjgjQtjj preceding oats, Be not known Wheietlmea; and the above delinea. (fan polBlB out ejl^appjrtttusmad* use of in Sparring thlMUona at theV^.m day, wlthont any thing like tenor^r aooompapy,^ dlasolnUon. The • Mr. BronghlOB ta» Intiodv^ ginet, atalfed with wool, whereby Instnictton is re> oeWed by the nnlte, wlthont any hart oi IiOnry, and ftom the frequent use of which the more experienced iMxer obtains prMtlce and improvement. It Is tme, the noae may be clareted in a determined set-to, and the month tinged with vermllllon in what is termed " a glove fight;" bat in taking leasbna of the art of Self- Defenoe, the solenoe Is ooBmanioated bj all the teaohen of pngUIam, In a manner so light, playfU, and lnte^ acting, that the pnpil has nothing unpleasant to diead flrom its effects. BOAT RACING. .Training a Boat's Crew. 1. EtLumon orm Ifzir.—In direoting thecholoe of a boat's otew, itirtll bet«,be understood that the men to be seleoted firom, are all in good health; bat in the chapter on training for pedeatrlaii pniposes, which will be given hereaftWi hirther advice is given for pie- itaring a man out of health to undertake training of all kinds. At flnt sight, It may appear that in rowing all below the waist Is idle, bat this is by no means tme, for the legs and thighs take their ftill share in the mu- oular exertion going on. Hany mistakes have been nude In picking men, ftom this error in jndgment; fbr It has been fonnd, when perhaps too late, that good knees and thighs are reqnired u well as good arms and shoulders. This Is eaally explained by a reference to the work which is to be done, and bj examining the framework which hae to do it. Now, then, what la that work ? It consists in pulling an oar or scnll through the water, by tho muscles of the arms and back. Bat what enables the power called into play by the arms and baok to act upon the boat t Why, the resisting and pushing power of the legs and thighs, wlthont which the body would glide off the thwart, and tall helplessly into the boat Eenoe. it Is manifest, that jost as mnoh as the anna generate the power by pulling against the water, by so much ezaotly will the lege convey that power to the boat by poshing against the stretcher. In selecting men for this beantlfnl and healthy ezerolse. It should therefore be bomiTln mind that the following points are essential, thongh, of course, this, like all si* milar roles, admits of exception: First and foremost. I should look to the moving powers—the arms, shoulders and back. Thess should be muscular, with good bony wrists, straight elbows, powerfol and pliable shonlders, and, above all, a good, strong, mnicalar loin. Without this last point the strength of arm Is of no use; the bo> dy, Instead of drawing the oar to It by the masoles of the arm, Is itself drawn forward over the oar, and the stroke Is rendered Ineffective. Nothing is more difflcnlt than to foretel, by examination, the exsot degree of Btrength which any indlvldoal form is capable of display- ing ; bat, with regard to the baok and loin, it is almost Impossible to form any useftiljaJnim «iTi«hottt-a»tnai. Mil I for <w -muoiraependB npon early habits of varlons kinds, that no oonolnslon from the formation can poasl- bly be arrived at, It ie eeldonl that any one can say, with anything like certainty, that a particnlar Indlvlda. H ahall make a' good oar;' but the contrary may often be alflrmed, and It may generally be prognosttoated, that an awkward, alow, and very hlgh-shonldered man will prove nseleas In a boat. Next to these pchts, I shcnld see that the legs and thighs (wlthont being too heavy) ahonld be enfflolently well developed to do their work. If too mnaoular, it is only so maoh extra weight to carry, and they ahonld rather be below than above the proportionate Size, as oompared with the aima. Thia form has been apparent in most of onr best watermen, who have generally been remarkable for good npper worke, as compared with their lower extremities. After the moving powers, it Isneedfnl to consider the state of the longs and the heat. The wind shcnld be natu- rally good, ficee from wheezing or oongh; and the heart should be healthy, and tne from palpitation or excite- ment. This can only be ascertained by a trial; and, Indeed, that is the beat mode of arriving at an opin- ion on all the different essentials for this, as well as all other bodily exercises. With regard to size and weight, mnoh mnet depend npon what la to be done, I an now alluding to the choice of a boat's crew ; as for aingle contests saoh selection is generally made by the sculler himself, and after many and repeated trials. . It Is seldom, now-a-days, that a man more than ISst. in weight is found to "pall his weight;V and 12st. 71b. is generally the top weight in an eight- r. This Is the result of ezperienoe, as no theory on the sahjeot is worth a straw; bnt It has caitalaly been aseertsliied that all development of f^e above that wel^t Is accompanied with an increase of weight oat of all proportion to the muacnlar power. With the old tub-like bosti, which were formerly Invogae. It was ne- cessary to have more weight and size at the end of an oar than are now fonnd to be nsefol. The breadth of floor also was such that the increased weight did not buy the boat so mnoh as It now does, and, conseqaently, the attendantdtsadvanihgeB were not so great as at pre- sent. With regaid to the lowest weight whloh is desl- >rabie In a boat; I am iiolined to think 9at. 7Ib. Is the ^olnt which should not be passed without strong reason rbrit. The difference between the bew and the middle oarals now mnoh less than it used to be, and the weight ought, oonseqaently, to be much, nearer. Ky own belief Is, that a difference of two stone is qatte as much as ought to be allowed; and that if mora than that Is given, the oars will not be puUed through the water in the tame i)nie, and with the same power, without which no boat l^done justice to. 2. AfFODnmiHT of tbe Dat's Wobe.— After select- ing the men who are ts form the crew to be trained, it Is desirable, if by any means it can be accomplished, to keep them together day and night; at all events, they should take their nns and meals together, and should never, especially at night, be free from turtHVanee. In moat oases it Is better to take lodgings near the river; but when the banks are low snob a sltnation is not deal- rstble, and the nearest high and dry spot shcnld be pre- fenred. It is oommonly sapposed that, in training, ea^ ly hours are lequlsite, and with those who have bsM all theb lives aoonstomed to them, no doubt they are/ bat when thi habit has been different, I think it mnoh bet- ter to allow a moderate Indulgence in the morning's bed, rather than attempt to break through long-estab- lUhed fustom, to which the oonstitntlon hu beenlnnied. If the training Is in the height of snmmer, Itis deslraUe to get throngh most of this work In the cool of the morn- ing and evening] but If the weather Is not very oppress- Ive, the plan, In my opinion, Is not a good one. As a role, therefore, I should advise the fbUowlng, subject to variations, according to the lime of the year and the state of the we^er. All should turn oat of bed at 8 o'clock; they ahonld be well sponged all otsi with cold water, or they may take a mere plunge Into the river andont agaliL- On noaoooont sbonld they remain in the water even for five minutes, they shcnld then be well mbbed with a coarse towel, and be dressed by &80. From this time till breaklhst, at 9 o'clock, 1st all take a gentle run, or smart walk, and oome Into the meal with- out fatlgne, butprepared to eqjoy it. The best Und of food for the various meals is given under'the head of Pedestrianism, to which the reader is referred for full paitloolars on this subject. After breakfast, a oonple of hours may be passed In any Innocent, but not violent bodily amusement, such as billiard playing, bowling, qaolts, to., which will bring us up to 11,30 AJL, at which time the crew should be got together in the boat, and shcnld get their morning's praotloe, which will on the average take them till 1,30, On getting cut of the boat, all ahonld take a good run, varying In speed and distance according to the directions of the trainer. At 2 o'clock, or 2.80 at latest, after being rubbed dry and the linen changed, dlimer may be aiuonnoed, and this meal may occupy the time till 3 or 3.S0 P.H., according to circumstances. After dinner, a gentle stroll or a book may be Indulged in till S or 6 o'clock, when an- other hour may be consnmed In practising on the wa- ter. On coming in from this evening row, sapper may be got ready at 8 o'clock, and at 9 or 10 o'clock to bed. 3. Btnmraa Exracias.—The spsed and length of run which are to be dally maintained in order to obtain that condition of the lungs and heart which shall enable the -oarsman to go through his task, most In great measure depend upon the state of the IndlvIduaL In these di- rections I am asanmlng that the health is good, that a fair amount of exercise has been habltnally taken, and that the body isprepared to go through lis task wlthont risk, I have already directed that all should take a walk or run for half an hour before breakfast; In most instances a smart run of three miles will be d)cut the best distance; and two or three running together will add to the eioitem^nt, and take off from the weariness of the task. I think a short spin across the country, with moderate fences or ditohes, or small towing-path gates, better thana dull steadymn; and the pace shcnld vary from five miles per honr to an occasional spirt at the top speed. It is never, however, to be maintained at snoh a ji.ace as to prodnca tiersplration tttany.extent; anu'irlhe weather is very warm, the hours should be early in proportion. The dress should be the usual boating flannel trowaera, with a light woollen Jacket, and should never be ao heavy as to weigh down the anl< mal spirits. Nothing is of more Importance than this, for much depends in training npon keeping up that buOyanoy of feeling which man In a state of high health ought alwayi to experience. This quantity of roimlng exerolse.wUl In most oases be enough; bnt sometimes when the wind Is thick, with a veiy strong constltntlon, a longer and slower walk or nin Sliuuld bo taken In ad- dition, beginning an honr after breakfast, and keephig It up till the time for praotloe at 11.80, but faking great care to be cooled down before.getting Into the boat, ConilllVID KtXt will. THE GAME OF BAOEGAMBfOV. This Is a mixed game, being a combination of chance and oaloulatlon; The word is Welsh, and signlfles "Little Battle." Backgammon is played by two per- sons, with two boxesand two dice, npon a quodrangnlar table er board, on which ore figured 24 points oifteeehei, of two colors, placed alternately. The board Is divided Into four compartments, two inner and two outer ones, each containing six of tbe 24 points (alternate colors). The players are eaoh forjiebed with fifteen men or counters, black and white (nsnally dranghts). These are arranged upon the board. In the following manner. To play into the left hand table, two of yonr men are placed upon the ace point of your opponent's Inner table, five upon the sixth point In his oater table (numbered 12 In onr diegram), three upon the olnqne-polnt in yonr own outer table (numbered 8), and five upon the sixth point, in your own Innet table. The advenary's men are to be placed in corresponding order, In a position directly opposite. All this is shown in the diagram an- nexed, and to fikcilitate reference the pohits or fieeohes aria numbered flrom 1 to 12 of eaoh color. BLACK, Bliek'i Hobo, or Innti Tiblo, Blatk'i Oat4r TaM«, Wblt«'aBcnit,orIaurTtbl(. Whlto'i Qatar Tiblo. WBITB. The game consist In moving yonr men from point to point, so as to bring them round into yoni own inner table (■'. e,, that on yonr left hand), and then moving or bearing them off the board. The player who first dean off his men wins. The moves of the men are detennlned by the throws of the dice, aoooiding to the foUcwing directions for playing at setting out the thirty-six ohanoes of dlo«, for a gammon, or for a single hit I. Two aces (the best of oil first throws), t4 be played two on your olnsae polnt, and two on. the bat point fci g gunmen, or for a hit IL Two sixes (the seoond best throw), should h« played two on yonr adversary's bar point, and two oa yont own bar point, for a gammon, or a hit' III. Two trois, two to be played on yonr olnqna polntj and tho other two on yonr tnispoint In yonr own tableiir for a gammon only. IV. Two denoee, to be played on the qooti* point ta yonrow^Ues, vid two to be bronght over flram thi five men plaoed In )onr. adveraaiy't enter taUei^ for a gammon only. y. Two fonrs, to be bronght over tnm the five Bsa placed In yonr adversary's anttr^tables, and to be put upon the cinque point In your own tahles, for a gammoB onl/. : . ' YI. Two flves, to be brought over fromthe five men plaoed In yonr adversary'soatertables,aDd to be pat oa the trois point in your own tables for a gammon, orliUltf YIL Size ace, yon are to make year bar point, tm • gammon, or for a hit Vni. Site deuce, a man to be bioaght from the flv« men plaoed in your adversary's outer tables, and to he placed on the cinqne point In yonr own tables, f« t gammon, or a hit. IX, Six and three, a man to be brought flrom your id* versary's ace point, as fhr as he will go, for a goquooOi orahit X. Six and four, a man to bs bronght bom yonr ad- versary's ace point, as fiir as he wUl go, for a ganmoni orahit XL Six and five, a man to be oarrled from your ad- versary's ace point, as far as he can go, for a gammon, crahiiti XIL Cinque and qnatre, a nun to be oaiiied frcn your adversary's ooe point, as far u he can go, for a gammon, orahit XIIL Olnque-trols, to make the trois point in yow table, for a gammon, or a hit XIV. Cloqae-deuce, to play two men from the five placed In yonr adversary's outer tables, for a gammrai orahit XY. Oinque-ooe, to bring one man flrom the five placed in yonr adversary's outer tables for the ctnqne, and to play one man down on the cinque point In you own tables for the ace, for a gammon only. XYL Qoatre-trols, two men to be bronght fhim the five placed in your odversary's outer tables, fbr a gam- men, orahit XYIL Qnatre-deuoeto nuke the qnatre point In you own tables, for a gammon, or a hit XYIU. Quatre-ace, to play a nun ftom the five placed InyouradvenwrylBonterJables t»t the qnatre, and fin" the ace, to pUy a man down npon the cinque point la yonr own tables, for a gammon only. XIX. Trols-denoe, two men to be bronght bom ih« five plaoed in your adversary*! tables, for a gammoa only. XX. Trole-aee, to make the oinqne point in you om tables, for a gammon, or a hit. XXI. Deuce-ace, to play one man ftom tbe five plaoed . in yonr adversary's tablss for the dence; and for the aoe, to play a man down upon the oinqtie point In you own tables, for a gammon only. THB LAWS or BAOKOAIOfOV. 1. If yon take a inan ftom any point, that nun mnsl be played; the same must be done If two men are token. from it IL Ton ore not understood to have played any maa, till yon have placed him npon a point, and qnltted>hlffl.: IIL If yon play with fourteen men only, there Is no! penalty attending it, beoanseby phkying wlih aleiNt' number than yon are entitled to, >oa play, to a disad- vantage, by not having the additional man to nuke op ' yonr tables. ^. lY. If you bear any nnmber of men, before yon havo entered a nun taken up, and whloh consequently yba . were obliged to enter, snoh men, so bome, must be ea* tered again in yonr adversary's tablss, u well as tht man taken tp.. Y. If yon have mistaken yonr throw, and played, sad If yonr adversary has throws, it Is not In you or Us oholoe to alter It, unless both parties agree. FEliALE SKATEBS. liir Frlesland the women are as fond of skating ss tbs . men, and frequently have raess. At one of these nm, " whloh took plooe some time since, on a pleee of Im b the outer difh of tbe town of Lenworden, tluNwtif thirteen competitors for the priie. They skated two and two, and after Mh heat, she who arrived lost at thi goal qnltted the odniM. The seventh and list trial WM between the two remaining winners, one of whom WM twenty years of sge and the other sliteeB. Tlis (omli ga)ned the prlndpsl prise, eonslsting of a gold orasmat for .the head, and the other the seooad,'which was a coral neeklaee, with a gold clasp. Ose of the oonped* tors en .this coeasloa was post fifty, and many of thMI' only flfleen. To afford some idea'of their swiftBi^;U; Is stated'that one young female passed over th'e'eMHi|ii>' which wu.6h9 hundred and flftjr yards loii|, in tblfiiitt seconds, or 'a mile in less than two mhiotei attd a halt . INSTINCT OP BIRDS. . Wksw the lapwing wants to procure food, it s«du / a worm's cut, and■ stamps the ground by the sldedf with his feet: somewhat In the moaner we havs cm*r donewhenaboy.inordertopro«nrewormsforfishUf> , n a short time, the bird waite lifiti After doing this for issue of the worm firom the hole, who, shaking of the ground, endeavors to whsn he is immediately ieised, end' this ingenious bird. Tie lapwing alftf haunts of moles. These animals, wbn worms OB which they feed,; fHght^n them, hnd the worms, ia sttefflptlog to esM^e, ooaiete lhesnrfl«e«r the gronad, where they ors'iielied bj the lapwbg, tM, s4me mode of olanting Us prey his been related of tli#' eqneaii th< . in pufsntt of I