A PRIZE FIGHTER AS AN AUTHOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

A PRIZE FIGHTER AS AN AUTHOR.

A prizefighter as an author —this is certainly a new and a bold departure, and it has been made by Mr. " Bob" Fitzsimmons, who has forsaken the prize ring to become the champion middle and heavy weight writer of the world.

He lias just produced a book on " Physical Culture and Self-Defence." In his address to women the author indulges in some caustic philosophy, which will be recognised as both jus* - and trenchant. " Muscle-building," he says, " brings beauty to woman. This brief statement is sufficient, I think, to make many women embark upon a physical development course. What will woman not do to become beautiful? They—some of them, at leastpowder and paint, and bleach their hair, anc do all kinds of other foolish things m an attempt to improve their appearance." For such unhappy creatures he endorses every healthy sport, with emphasis on golf, and avers that she who lives thus rationally "is the woman who is queen." His advice to parents is to train their children gently but steadily by exercise, enforcing his point with this terse epigram : — Get them up early in the morning and send them out into the fresh air. Even if you live in the city keep them outdoors when the weather permits. Better to have them dirty and healthy .than clean and sickly." In his book " Fitz." gives many literary jabs, swings, and upper cuts ; but £Eey are all in the interest of common sense, so none will regret them.