Athletics

io6 ATHLETICS. FORMING AND MANAGING A CLUB. One caneasily understand the popularity of cross-country running. The outfit is of the cheapest, and(putting aside races) it is amore comfortablesport than ordinaryathletics. The surroundings are much more enjoyable than those of a cinder-path, and the exercise, by its charming variety, is more attractive and beneficial. By a good genuine cross-country run, taking hill andale, plough andturf, soft- going and hard-going as they come, avoiding street ani road running entirely, or as much as possible, the topo­ graphy of the district is learned, thesenses are quickened, the system set up, and endurance ofatigue mastered. Another great attraction about itis, that it serves as a stepping-stone to an athletic career. Many a man would like to test his powers on the track, but shrinks fromdoing so for fear of "making an exhibition of himself." But in this sport he can join in a paper-chase orordinary run of nearly any club. Visitors are always welcome; they can then make their debut comparatively in private, andif they join the slow division alaggard isnot noticed. Countless novices have come out in this way, and discovered that they could run; in fact, a number of noted athletes tracethe origin of their fameto exactly this procedure. Before actually affiliating himself to any particular club, the embryo paper-chaser ought to take a run with several in his neighbourhood in order to find the one most suitable to his needs, requirements, and social position. There are clubs and clubs; and a man who rushes into a club with­ out first investigating its personnel may repent ofhis hasty judgment. Forming a Club. —Most districts arepretty well provided with clubs; but, should there be a vacancy for so de irable an