Muscular Christianity.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 204, 25 July 1884, Page 2

Muscular Christianity.

The European Mail says : — <c The art of boxing is, for the future, to form a part of the regular course of instruction to every French soldier. In England, unfortunately, owins* chiefly to the abuses of the prize ring, boxing m far less general than it was a generation back. At that time, if two men quarrelled over then drink or otherwise, they fought it out with fists, the extent of thd damage given and received being, for the most part, and black eye or two and a few bruises. Now, says a facetious contemporary, they catch up a pewter poo, a knife, or any other Weapon \yhieh, may be handy. On failing*, th£y. endeavop to get each other down, aud then to bring, the heavy boots into play. Boxing give's quickuess both to the eye and limbs, sets up the figure, teaches a man to beai 1 hard knocks with good temper, and induces m a high degree, that spirit of fair play for which the English, when they were a nation of boxers, were distinguished, Taking it altogether, it is questionable whether any accomplishment that a young man embarking upon the career of a colonist, or any other calling which may take him through foreign or colonial countries and a rough life, is as valuable as a thorough training m the use of hi« fis'-s. It would be as well were the English Minister of War to imitate the example set him m Franco, and ty issue," an p/rder, that a {ihQSOugh course of instruction m boxing should form part of the regular routine of training m the British army."