Athletics

HISTORICAL. 19 interested thereinknows the progress of the last few years; how Myers, the modern " American deer," made his memor­ able visit in 1881, and won the quarter championship at Aston, Birmingham, on 16 July, 1881, in 48I sees.; how W. G. George set the mile amateur record at 4 min. i8| sees, (21 June, 1884) ; and howthe last-named, on 11 Nov., 1882, put the American record at 4 min. 2if sees., and later beat the bestprofessional everseen in the marvellous mile time of 4 min. i2f sees. (Lillie Bridge, 23 Aug., 1886) —the finest performance witnessed in the authenticannals of athleticism, irrespective of distance or class of contest; in fact, a performancebeside whichthe picked feats of cycling, swimming, andall other sports pale their ineffectual fires. Gratifying as it may be to those who cry "Liberie et Egalii'e" as the watchword of the "republic of sport," the fact that sporting proclivitieshave permeated every section and class of the community isnot without its seamy side. In manyquarters the type and morale of competitors have deteriorated alarmingly. Consequently some of the leading clubs have narrowed the entry for their open events to "members of the Universities, Hospitals, Civil Service, Public Schools, L. A.C., and officersof the Army and Navy." Outside this an introduction is required, andeven then all names have to be scrutinized by the committee of the promoting club. Of course, anyclub has a perfectright to be as exclusive as it likes, but fortunately forthe rank and file of competitors it is only a select circle of clubs which work on these lines, or there would be comparatively little sport. At the same time, an influx of the gentleman- amateur element, more especially in the provinces, would improve mattersall round. Finally, itmust be pleasing to those who fought hard for the sport in its early days, nearly thirty years ago, to see