From the Academy

The Playing Fields of Saginaw

Waterloo was won on the playing- fields of Eton, according to Wellington; but Wellington himself, when an Eton boy, played only croquet. Although athletic habits may have something to do with military prowess, even in the twentieth century, nevertheless the American soldier is in need of an accomplishment a good deal simpler than skill at football or cricket: he needs to learn how to walk. The average American civilian, except for the shopping housewife, scarcely walks three or four miles a week, nowadays; and if he realized he walked even so much, he would think himself abused. Our infantrymen in Korea were at a dread disadvantage before the guerrillas in the Korean hills. Without jeeps or command-cars, they were immobilized, at least until bitter experience had taught them how to use their legs.

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Russell Kirk

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The Playing Fields of Saginaw

Waterloo was won on the playing- fields of Eton, according to Wellington; but Wellington himself, when an Eton boy, played only croquet. Although athletic habits may have something to do with military prowess, even in the twentieth century, nevertheless the American soldier is in need of an accomplishment a good deal simpler than skill at football or cricket: he needs to learn how to walk. The average American civilian, except for the shopping housewife, scarcely walks three or four miles a week, nowadays; and if he realized he walked even so much, he would think himself abused. Our infantrymen in Korea were at a dread disadvantage before the guerrillas in the Korean hills. Without jeeps or command-cars, they were immobilized, at least until bitter experience had taught them how to use their legs.