[To THE EDITOR OF THE "Spzeriros.") Sin, —The article in
the Spectator on "Games as Mathematical Problems," with its quotations from Mr. Schmidt's explana- tion how to win golf matches, or rather how to cause opponents to lose them, raises a broad question of principle. Do we play games to win somehow P Or do we play games and indulge in sport to amuse ourselves and to develop that sense of chivalry which holds a game better lost than won by any offence against its spirit? It is pleasant to be a good winner, but it is finer to be a good loser. To a real sportsman it would be detestable to feel that he owed success not chiefly to his own skill and courage, but to incidents or methods that put his opponent off. Let me give two examples, both supplied by American sportsmen, of the different spirits, beneficial or demoralizing, in which games may be played. When the fikst Philadelphian XI. played at Lord's in 1884, against rather an overwhelming team of English amateurs, a fine incident occurred. In the opinion of the umpire and of the batsman at the other end (the writer of this letter), Mr. G. F. Vernon was caught low down—at third man, I think—by Mr. Thayer. It was the fieldsman who announced, before Mr. Vernon could start on a depressing walk to the pavilion, that he had not made a fair catch, that the ball had touched the ground. According to the strict rule of the game Mr. Vernon would have had to go, on the umpire's decision being given. According to the noble spirit of the game it was Mr. Thayer who triumphed in the promptness of his decision as to the only course permissible to a good sportsman. There was not the slightest hesitation in his mind whether to accept the applause, on both sides of the Atlantic, for making "a gallery catch" and gain a great advantage for his side, or to do the right thing. It was a fine instance of instinctive rectitude. The other example shows a different spirit. Some years ago I was consulted by a hard-riding American who, unluckily, could afford horses that enabled him to over-ride bounds. "You know all about hunting," he said; "can you tell me some good country in England where if I pay a big subscription I shall be permitted to ride as I please? I don't mind what I pay, but I can't stand all this damned nonsense about over-riding the beastly hounds." My only answer—the only possible one for me, an M.F.H.—was, "I know no country in England or Ireland where one man will be permitted to spoil the sport of the whole field." To a certain extent, does not my answer to the American " thruster " apply to Mr. Schmidt's argument to play golf as slow as he pleases, and to cut as many divots in the preliminary swings. In order that one player may indulge in tedious methods, which he wrongly imagines may help him to victory, is it in the spirit of the game that he should be permitted to spoil the sport of his immediate opponent and all the players behind him P If the highest success had been achieved at golf by such slow thinking methods as Mr. Schmidt advocates, some excuse might possibly be made for them. But with the example of all the leading professionals before him, we hope that such a sound and courageous young player as Mr. Schmidt may live to achieve the speed as well as the success of a Duncan, a Vardon, a Massey, &c. In the interests of the cheerfulness and camaraderie of sport it will be a thousand pities if so good a player should continue to seek success on lines that must annoy other players and spectators. As one old enough to be Mr. Schmidt's grandfather, I wish him greater success and speedier methods.—I am, Sir, &c., The Rims, New Romney, Kent. F. W. MAITDE.
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