Dr. Sargent on Boxing.

The following opinion of Dr. Sargent on boxing as exercise was read by Dr. Abbott last Sunday to the congregation of Plymouth Church:-

"It is needless to tell those who have thought intelligently of the problem of physical development that Professor Sargent approves of boxing in its place and in moderation for certain people. It makes slow and heavy men active and energetic, improving 'the functional capacity of heart and lungs and stimulating the nervous system.' It makes non-combative men self-reliant and self-respectful. We might add to the professor's statement that boxing brings a large number of muscles into play, and is a good strengthener of the arms, back, and, above all, the legs; that it deepens the chest and strengthens in only a less degree the abdominal muscles.

"Prof. Sargent, however, believes that the chief end of exercise is harmonious development, and the difficulty with boxing is that it has a tendency to interfere with other forms of physical activity. The intellectual pleasure which is derived from a glove contest is very keen, both to the participants and the spectators. The alertness demanded and exhibited, both for defence and attack, is absorbing, and, therefore, an interest in boxing is very likely to destroy all pleasure in other exercises that are essential to producing that harmonious development at which Prof. Sargent aims. A young man who devotes himself exclusively to boxing, develops his legs somewhat at the expense of the rest of his body, and, in order to compel a uniform growth of his physical powers, he should row, wrestle, run, swing on the bars, and, by all means, use dumb bells and Indian clubs. It was Dr. Franklin's opinion that walking is the best form of exercise, but the doctor was not familiar with the light shells and the sliding-seat of the modern art of rowing. Moreover he was merely recommending to his son, the governor of New Jersey, a course of life that would make his heart and stomach perform their functions healthily. Whatever may be the one best form of exercise, if a person is to have only one, it is certainly not boxing.

As to pugilism, we are sure that every man with a healthy mind will agree with Prof. Sargent that exhibitions of pugilism are degrading. It has come to pass that the efforts of the boxers are directed to hard hitting rather than to the practice of the nice points of attack and defence. The fighters and the spectators are more delighted by a blow that draws blood than by the most skilful pass or parry. Slugging is the modern art. Boxing in public is not an exhibition of the art which gentlemen practice for the development of the body and to stimulate the energies of the mind. In slugging matches two brutes stand up and try to disfigure each other, and when the blood flows or when a man is knocked out the spectators cheer. Any one who says that this is an exhibition of a fine exercise, or that it is anything but brutalizing, looks at the show with the eyes of his imagination.- N. Y. Mail and Express.