An Autobiography of an Ancient Athlete & Antiquarian

AUTOBIOGRAPHY year I was rowing aud running at Putney, the two Slaters and Pat Gadsden being my chief friends. On 21st May, 1867, I unexpectedly won the University College Strangers' quarter in ss½, beating E. Hawtrey of Eton, afterwards a champion, and others. I had only been down for practice, but Walter Chinnery asked me to give his friend Hawtrey, who was a slow starter, a lead in the race, and I did so, but finding myself still 20 yds. in front of the top of the straight for home concluded to go on and win, and did so! Two days after I journeyed to Norwich to take part in some open sports got up by Geo. M. Chamberlin, but I fancy the report of my recent win made them postpone the meeting on the pretext of a shower of rain! This was the first time I stayed at the "Maid's Head," which I afterwards owned and restored. Next month, on a Monday, I went again to Pulham, and heard of "pints of butter" for the first time. Next month I was beaten by Riches for the open half at the King's College A.C. Sports, and began to realize what I was long loth to admit, that I was not much good at running, being too heavy in the legs, as I said before. On 20th August I went to my elder brother's wed.ding at St. George's, Bloomsbury. I had won the London A.C. seven miles walking Challenge Cup on a date I now forget, beating J. Westell the holder rather easily, and walked over for it again on 30th August, r867, and next day went again to Pulham. All the summer I was rowing at Putney. My autumn I spent at Rainthorpeand at Hanworthwith the Rev. J. Bulwer, Cromer, and at working at the history of Cromer; and on 5th September I won the open steeple– chase there, over a very severe country. I bad been treated very badly by the local committee, who had adver– tised all the races as open and level, but who, when I entered for the half, at once made it a handicap and put me at scratch. Out of pique I entered for the steeple– chase, though no jumper, and came in alone, having the satisfaction afterwards of declining to take the money prize offered, stating that I preferred to remain an amateur. E. A. Sandford was the local favourite, but he was rather too heavy. All this year I was working with and making collec– tions for John L'E~trange, the great authority on Norfolk