THE VALKYRIES AT DAY'S BAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 2

THE VALKYRIES AT DAY'S BAY.

[To tho Editor.] Sir,—l am au individual who has seen much of this world, and the harshness thereof, but as a man I still have tho instinct of my ancestor, Adam—the revorntioii of the opposite sex. To a mail, woman is the refiuiug infiuence, tho counter to the brute in the male. He has always looked to find in her that which is lacking in his own rough composition. She is of infinitely finer fibre, warmer impulse, more subtle refinement, ami, above all, greater gentleness. I sav "is" reservedly. After the spectacle 1 witnessed on Saturday afternoon at Day s Bay, I feel constrained to substitute the word "was," for 1' can no longer see in her the ideal qualities which compelled my reverence. 1 saw her stripped of her womanliness, madly chasing a hockey ball. I saw her in all her untidiness, ruitled, flushed, and wulvcmpt, with wisps of hair clinging dank to her perspiring face and neck. She rushed franbeallv hither and thither, emitting squeaks and squeals, whether of pleasure or pam_ 1 could not guess. Judging by her facial expression, I should say pain. An mspiiitig subject for a lovo-poem. Dignity and decorum east to Ihe winds. The Yalkvries—perhaps, but without the gracc aiid pnclry of those mythological maidens. The Valkyries of Days Bnv might provide a suitable theme lor a comic song. Tliev would scarcely inspire Wagner. At "half-time" it was a sight for tho gods to see our \ alkjrie* voraciously rceuiie.rating themselves with onwiges—regardless of peel, pips, or appendicitis. Surely, sir, there are more refined forms of exercise for ladies than hockey. o regard liockev, football, etc.. in our men a/ail outlet for superfluous animal spirits and natural inherent brutality; hut can the same excuse be put forth for our women? Exerciso is all vcr\ well, and to a certain extent very necessary, but the line must be drawn somewhere, n.nd I think it should lw drawn before "hockey" is reached. In one of tho games o-i" Saturday I saw a lady player receive a blow in the eye. I saw the same lady the same night in evening dress, and a lovely black eye. (iNico game for the girls—hockey.)

I venture to nsscrt that if most of those 300 lady hockey players were asked to put into the using o! a scrubbing-brush a similar amount of energy I hoy expend on tho wielding of a hockey stick, tlicy would start for lira veil—noso foremost. It would be most "infra dig" and liesides, their delicate constitutions would succumb to the strain. It probably liaa not occurred to them that far morn valuable hints for their future matrimonial duties are to be obtained from a cookery book than from a hockey manual. It is from these girls that we seek our wives, and if tlieir accomplishments avo confined to the wielding of a hockey stick, it is indeed a poor look-out for us men iu more wavs than one. 1 should liko to call the 'attention of fellow-bachelors to this grave danger. Would it not be liioro laudable in tho ladies under discussion to employ their time assisting their wearied mothers in I heir arduous household duties? They would find plenty of healthful excrciso in. performing domestic offices which would bo more in keeping with tho sex they represent than making exhibitions of themselves in the unladylike gamo of hockey. I think my bachelor friends will all agree that tho embodiment of _ true womanhood is tho domesticated girl.—l am, ctc., LOST IDEALS.