Impressions of Northern Athletes and Athletics

precision when starting. Endeavouring to adjust everything to suit oneself without first consulting other participators. Taking advantage of a competitor when opportunity occurs. When leaping straight designedly bringing the upright poles very close together so as to embarrass “side” leapers, who essentially require more space whilst clearing the transverse lath. Eulogising original and unfavourable methods, so as to entrap inexperienced novices; and many other insidious acts which characterise some “pros.” Shrewd Pupils of the Ring. None of the numerous aspirants to whom I have had the pleasure to convey a few practical hints were of the lethargic nature which some whimsical individuals erroneously, if not ludicrously, maintain to be the dominant feature of the athlete. As a matter of fact, their movements although to influenced by the brilliant techniques essential to the champion athlete, were comparatively adroit. The hints given did not fall upon “stony ground,” but were appreciated and rehearsed with an assiduity and cheerfulness that surprised me. Their interest and demeanour in athletics I clothe in the appropriate word “enthusiasm.” In no other place have I seen athletics cultivated in such an enthusiastic and rational manner. Not only were “the young” interested in matters concerning “wrastling,” the “bool,” hammer, cycling, and athletics generally, but also comparatively aged but apparently rejuvenated, men, who indulged in the various many exercises with a natural hilarity which was eminently calculated to do one’s heart good. The Happy Medium of Athletics Now, I am aware that some disconsolate beings labour under the hallucination that most athletes think and talk about nothing but athletics; and that they are somewhat narrow-minded. The fact is that athletes in general favour athleticism chiefly on account of its influence on the human faculties, but nevertheless recognize it purely as a secondary consideration in no way prejudicial, but on the contrary, incalculably beneficial to their well-being irrespective of their social sphere of life. In all things there is a line of demarcation – a natural limit, which when encroached upon, signals “danger.” Happily, I have never seen this signal metaphorically hoisted in Caithness, as everybody acted naturally. Although a reasonable degree of manual work is indispensible to the athlete, being peculiarly conducive to health and promoting the bodily configuration, metrically averse to reason, as it dissipates the spirits, distorts and debilitates the body, and degrades the human accomplishments to a low level. Hence the essentiality of discrimination in this matter. The northern athlete apparently strikes the happy medium which entails the highest pleasure of