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308
Hereditary Genius
oarsman of the 377 men who are comprised in a crack rowing club,
means much more than to be the best of 377 men taken at
haphazard. It would be much nearer the truth to say, that it means
being the best of all who might have joined the club, had they been so
inclined and had appeared desirable members. Upon these grounds
(see also my remarks in p. 12) it is a very moderate estimate to
conclude that the qualifications for excellence as an oarsman, are
only possessed by 1 man in 1, 000.
The “very excellent” oarsmen imply, I presume, a much more
rigorous selection, but I really have no data whatever on which to
found an estimate. Many men who found they could attain no higher
rank than “excellence,” would abandon the unprofitable pursuit of
match rowing for more regular and, as some would say, creditable
occupations. We shall not be more than half a grade wrong if we
consider the “excellent” oarsmen to rank in at least class F of natural
gifts, with respect to rowing ability, and the “very excellent” to fall
well within it.
I do not propose to take any pains in analysing these relationships,
for the data are inadequate. Rowing was comparatively little
practised in previous generations, so we cannot expect to meet with
evidence of ancestral peculiarities among the oarsmen. Again, the
successful rowers are mostly single men, and some of the best have
no children. It is important, in respect to this, to recollect the frequent
trainings they have gone through. Mr. Watson mentions to me one
well-known man, who has trained for an enormous number of races,
and during the time of each training was most abstemious and in
amazing health; then, after each trial was over, he commonly gave
way, and without committing any great excess, remained for weeks
in a state of fuddle. This is too often the history of these men.
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