6
THE II ESTER I AN.
torical associations, and arc in this one respect ahead of the
eastern schools. But these last few years have made several
changes in our western institutions which ate not for the
best. Many of our colleges arc withdrawing from the asso
ciations, and many others are thinking of it. But they had
better think twice before they decide to drop by the wayside.
Which is the better to sec a rising young man's name in the
papers as the first orator of Harvard or to sec it in the papers
as the noted man of muscle, the great player on the Harvard
foot-ball team?
Tho Comlnjj ofThc Storm.
What darkens in the West?
(Hark, how the gulls arc caBing!)
The spread black hand of the storm
That grows with twilight's falling.
What gathers in the east?
(Hark, how the beeches rattle!)
The march of the columned clouds
That gather to the battle.
Dark and slow, row on row.
The ranks of the east assemble,
And under line the sea's ranks shine.
And the long shores quake and tremble.
The swift scud streams, the white foam gleams,
And fierce shall the onset be;
And God be his help that strives to-night
With the armies of the sea.
Black ridges wiih white mad manes,
Iteaches that war and rattle,
And a wind that ranges the wild sea line,
Driving the waves to battle.
Hkkmkkt Baths.
This poem first appeared in the January number of the
Harvard MoiithJy. As Mr. Bates is now an instructor in the
University of Nebraska we thought all Uni. of N. students
would like to read one of lus poems. The poem is full of
merit; not only is the form excellent but the poem depicts a
very true and vivid picture. It is full of spirit and is fai
above the poems usually found in the college paper. Mr.
Bates is getting quite a widespread reputation, and what is
said in compliment of his wotk js well deserved.
ATHLETICS.
Foot ball In Kngland.
England has the honor of being the birth-place of foot-ball,
and it has long been the favorite sport throughout that coun
try. It was from England that the American colleges bor
rowed the game, but it has undergone swell marked changes
since in our possession that it is not now recognized by the
English as the same game. In England thr cities of Kugby
and Eaton lead in this sport, consequently what are known
as the Rugby rales arc, with flight modification, in vague
throughout that country.
Foot ball in Engand, enjoys in England the same position
as a national game, as that held by base ball in the 'United
States.
The team consists of professional athletics, who are buried
for the season, as are the ball players of the United States.
The players are scattered over the field at regular distances,
a superior player placed to guard goal and play begins. The
game is essentially kicked through the goal, not struck, or
batted through; nor must the ball touch any parr of any
player, other than the foot of him who kicks it through. This
is a distinct deviation from our method of play, in which the
ball kicked or passed through the goal counts nothing, but
it-must be kicked over the goal cross-bar or carried over the
goal line to score.
At no time must the ball be touched by hand or arm while il
This play merits the
push and pull plays
is on the ground, such a piny counting as a foul; but if a catch
may be made it entitles the player to a hand or punt kick. If
the ball, instead of Wing kicked through the goal, passes over
it, or to one side, it must lie brought to the center of the field
and play resumed. When the ball comes too high for the
plavcr to return il by a kick he bunts it with his head, not
being allowed to stop it with his hands,
applause it generally receives.
The game is strikingly free from the
in which the American game nlounds. It affords opiortuni-
ties for the display of more skill: and a man of normal frame
can compete favorably in game with the heaviest rushlinc man
in the American teams. We hope the season will come, when
the great college sport of America will cease to be a game
open only to a few over grown men, and that skill and science
will be substituted for brute strength. l E. W.
Ilas Ball in The University.
An important meeting of the base ball players was held
Friday evening, February 5. Mr. Holmes who has consented
to coach the university nine, and also to act as catcher, was
called upon for information and instruction. The gentleman
said in part: Enthusiasm and training arc two great factors
toward the success of a Iwsc ImII club. With respect to both
of these requisites, Nebraska's university has heretofore been
strikingly deficient. In eastern colleges the campus and halls
continually ring u ith organwaiion yells. This has its effect
upon making student enthusiastic, and their entering with
spirit into any deserving college movement and especially so
with athletics. In theast there is the strongest kind of com
petition in securing a position on the college clubs, but here
in the western colleges we have but little competition and
often men must be begged to play in a club. This can be
remedied only by exciting such enthusiasm that one feels it is
an honor to represent a large college in some special line of
athletics. Students, turn loose your class and athletics yells,
wave the "old gold" in your neighbors face, show .the people
you have some spirit, and that you can raise some enthusiasm.
In this way you will aid in organizing and supporting a ball
club of which the university will be proud. Mr. Holmes cited
instances, when catching on the Yale nine, where the wild
enthusiasm of the supixnters of that club held the secret of
their victory.
Some pointers were then given as to the February and
March training, and the restrictions the players arc to be
placed under.
Mr Holmes has kindly offered lu give his time to aid In
raising the university ball club on a level with those farther
cast; and the students at large and the liali player, in partic
ular will assist him to the lest of their ability. It wai. decided
that the club should go into training from 7 'to S each evening
in the gymnasium under the instructions of Messrs Holmes
and Bowcn. Charles C handler wju elected captain of the
club. The selection was certainly a wise one, for Mr. Chand
ler has demonstrated in the ,ut, through his connection with
foot hall, base lull and tennis, that he is the man for the
place. A committee as instructed to draw up regulations
with respect to practice and training, to be signed by all mem
bers of the club.
leges.
The Ann Arbor ball club logins indoor work this week.
thletics sports are now at their heights in California cob
The highest ball player's salary for the coming season is
$6,000.
Arrangements for Omaha's western league ball club have
been completed. Dave Rowc Vd manage the team.
H
