CALEDONIAN GAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 608, 21 December 1871, Page 2

CALEDONIAN GAMES.

Manly games have undergone quite a ressurreetion' within the last few years. Our ancestors in days of yore, practised them to their fullest extent, and many of the " sumptuary " laws, were especially directed to enforce the excercise of outdoor recreations, and feats of strength and skill, and to make provision for their being carried out in a proper manner. Gradually, however, they fell in to disuse, and the 17th and 18th centuries found them totally neglected, and to make way for brutal sports, such as bull-baiting, cock-fighting, et hoc genus omne. The morality of those ages is well known to have been of a very low kind. After the numerous wars, civil and foreign, which had kept the people of England in a state of ferment and disquiet for many year 3, were put an end to at Waterloo, people were able to give greater attention to home affairs ; and it was soon found, that to cultivate the mental faculties and neglect to train the bodily powers, tended in no slight degree to weaken the the mind. It was observed also that the mostvigouruos minds were possessed by those who had paid proper attention to the healthy development of the body. A re-action took place, and by degreos the example of a few sensible men affected the mass, and now the vast use of athletic exercises is acknowledged by all. Not only are they essential to the well-being of the human frame, but a certain delight, such as that experienced by musicians, is felt by those who practise them. Emulation, too, has its share in rendering them pleasant; and the fair sex join in the advantage by the open air and exercise they take in witnessing the feats of the rougher section of the human race divine. The inhabitants of the northern portion of Great Britain deserve great praise for never having suffered manly games to fall into disuse; and to the credit of Scotsmen, Caledonian games have since the oldest times continued (o be an institution. There are many ways now of bringing the latent vigour of youth into full play, and not the least of these is the regimental drill to which volunteers are subjected. But the return of the annual Caledonian games is always looked forward to with pleasant anticipation, and our friends, the Scotsmen, bear the palm for pleasing both themselves and their spectators to the utmost. A few years ago saw the institution of these games in this city, and each year they have been a greater success. Wo believe next New Yare'sDaywillseethemlproducedontxjmore brilliant scale than heretofore, and as they will be held in the heart of the city, they will, without doubt, be an immense success. We do not wish to disparage other athletic sports to benefit those of Caledonian origin, but there are peculiarities in these which always render them peculiarly interesting.-

The regular monthly meeting of the Prince of Wales Lodge 1338, E. C, will be held this evening, at the Masonio Hotel.