Athletics

HISTORICAL II gravel path in Beaufort House Grounds, North End Road, Walham Green. The eventswere all confined tomembers of the Civil Service, butit was the first important athletic meeting heldin the Metropolis. None ofthe performances were notable, butamongst the competitors wasGuy Pym, afterwards the best athlete of the day, now known in the golf world, and C. M. Callow (Admiralty), third in the 440 yards. Although now (1891) over fifty-five years of age, Callow is still on the path, and even occasionally wins open events—notably the Ranelagh Harriers two miles' walk, June, 1890. Another linkof the past with this meet­ ing—the Countess of Albemarle, mother of the present Earl (better known by his old title, Viscount Bury, President of the National Cyclists Union) distributed the prizes. It is impossible to estimate the good this meeting did; about five thousand fashionable spectators attended, and the elite of society for the first time had a chance of seeing what the newdeparture in sport was like, and could bearwitness to the fact that gentlemen mightengage in athletics without losing caste, and that athleticism was a manly, invigorating, and exciting sport that deserved to be encouraged. Open athletic sportscontinued rare, however. For the second meeting between the rival Blues the interest increased a hundredfold, both within and without the 'Varsities. Cambridge University " selection " sports were held on 16, 17, and 18March, 1865, and werechiefly notable for the grand form shown by R. E, Webster, who won the halfin 2 min. 7^ sees., themile in 4 min. 36^ sees., and two miles in10 min. 5 sees,—all about record; but in those days "best" performances w re often passed overwith­ out comment. Purists of to-day, who are trying to purge athletics fromthe evil associations ofbetting, would not be comforted by the important feature it formed atthe Oxford