Athletics and Football (extract)

xxiv INTRODUCTION Before concluding, it is right that I should say one word upon that whichmaybe calledthe moral aspect of athletics. That their practice tendtos encourageself-con­ trol, self-reliance, withoutundue confidence, and aproper appreciation of other men'smerits, there can be ndooubt ; moreover, they promote that spirit of good-fellowship which enables the beaten man to go up and honestly congratulate the victor who has conquered him ; but, beyond this, as I have already said, the contests and gatherings offer the opportunity of making lasting friendships and connections which are often of the greatest value in after life. A reputation once earned by the boy or man in such pursuits followshim to other professions, and has more than once contributed in no small degree to early success in the work of life. To those who in the past or in the present have taken interest in athletic sports, orwish to know their history, or who feel, as I do, that they afford the opportunity of innocent and healthy pleasure, as well as of bodily development, I commend thestudy ofthese pages, com­ piled by one who has ample means of knowledge, and a ripe judgment with which to gauge the accuracy and authenticity of any records of the performances which he describes. RICHARD E. WEBSTER TEMPLE: October 1887.