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368
IV. EDUCATION AND MENTAL CULTURE IN SWEDEN.
North to perfect themselves in strength, suppleness of limbs, and. courage,
just as the culture of the mind was promoted by exercise in the art of
poetry and in jurisprudence. Their principal sports consisted of racing,
either with or without armour; different kinds of running and leaping;
wrestling; tug-of-war and other contests and trials of strength;
skid-running, skating, swimming, riding, spear-throwing, archery as well as fencing
with sword and shield. Besides these, there were many throwing and
running games, principally at balls. Hunting and fishing were also highly
esteemed, not only as means of livelihood but also as a sport, when it
was the question about managing one’s way in the woods, in the field,
and on the water. The sea-faring Northener’s being a great sportsman
and warrior is attested not only by the history of the North, but also
by that of several other countries.
Winter Day at Rättvik, Dalarne. Photo, o. scndmbo,
3 Hedemora.
These sports are thus almost the same as those which have
remained practically unaltered through the centuries down to our
days, and we may therefore judge that the Scandinavians of olden
times had, by means of sport, attained the height of physical
development. That those Scandinavians who for centuries colonized England,
brought over with them their games and sports is beyond question, and
thus they have contributed towards the founding of English sports,
amongst which the athletic exercises mentioned above are to be numbered.
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