Athletics

12 ATHLETICS. University sports. To quotethe Field (25 March, 1865,p. 198), "There was much betting onthe results of the races. . . .The Earl of Jersey was heavily supported at 3 to 1," etc. The Earl of Jersey (now Governor of New South Wales, andPresident of the A.A.A.) scored amost popular win in the mile, 4 min. 52^ sees.; Jackson, a future record holder (now occupying an important official position at Oxford, andTreasurer to the A.A.A.), ran unplaced in the hurdles. The Inter-'Varsity sports were held at Fenner's Ground, Cambridge, on25 March, when the home teams won six out of nine events. R. E. Webster won the mile, Earl of Jersey second)—and the two miles (which sup­ planted the steeplechase); but as a storm of sleet and rain prevailed the timeswere slow. Throwing the cricket- ball was for the only time introduced. With the excep­ tion that throwing the hammer replaced the cricket-ball, and the conversion of the two into four miles, effected the next year, the Inter-'Varsity programme has remained the same throughout. Of course the fact that an earl had taken so prominent a part in the sports was made the most of by the press of the period, and, althoughit may flavour of snobbery, the fact drew additional attention to athletics, whichwere given a considerable lift thereby. He was not alone, however, asamongst those competing athe various collegemeetings, thenregular features at Cambridge and Oxford, were the Duke of Hamilton, Marquis of Queensberry (now the great authority on glove-fighting), Lords Caledon, de Broke, Downe, Melgund, etc. Most colleges gave asemi-open event, i.e. confinedto University men. The hardyband of athletes multiplied quickly, and training was carriedout with vigour. The " amateur " difficulty continued to crop up, and pro­ moters ofsports hadbut a very vague notionas to what the