Athletics

to ATHLETICS. sities took up athletics, and inaugurated a contest, foot racing became a matter of real interest, and it became possible for gentlemen of refined taste and ladies to look on with pleasure." A special train brought over a crowd of Cantabs; and about one o'clock, by word of mouth, the TOO yards was started, B.Darbyshire winning for Oxford; which also took the high jump with the fine leap of 5 ft. 6 in. by F. H. Gooch, and the third event, 440 yards, in 56 sees., by the "century" winner, Darbyshire. Cambridge took her first honours inthe 120 yards hurdles, A. W. Daniel winning by 10 yards in 17! sees. Gooch added the long jump (18 ft.) to Oxford's trio. The Dark Blues had now won four out of five; but Cambridge secured the next three.The 200 yards hurdles byFinch, in26! sees. The milebrought C. B. Lawes (winner of the Eton School mile in 1861, who figured a few years ago in the great artistic "duel" of Belt v. Lawes), to the front in 4 min. 56 sees. The last of the eight events, a miles steeplechase, never again figured on the programme. It was won by R. C. Garnett, with R. E. Webster (the present, 1891, Attorney-General) second; over a genuine bit of cross-country work,with the brook-jump swollen by floods. The sports thus ended in a tie. It is amusing to read at the tail of the first report the italicized suggestion, which is still urged year after year, and doubtless will be for a generation or two, " During the day it was reported on the course that the next year's gathering wouldtake place at Cambridge, and be held in the summer term ; " so there is nothing new in the idea. Another notable annual feature was established the fol­ lowing month. To celebrate the ter-centenary of Shake­ speare, the CivilService Athletic Sports were organized, and held on 22 and 23 April, 1864, upon a recently constructed