Men of Muscle, and the Highland Games of Scotland, etc.

JAMES FLEMING, OF BALLINLUIG. T HE " men of muscle " dealt with up till now* are still on this side of the dark and mysterious river which, sooner or later, we all must cross, but James Fleming has gone beyond into the shadowy dreamland whence no traveller returns. Fleming was a man-we may not look upon such a man again. Handsome in appearance and polished in manner-a man of many parts-he was an ornament to Scottish athletics, and his name will long be remembered as one of Scotia's most famous sons. James Fleming was born at Ballinluig, in Perthshire, in I 840, and was first employed at a farm where, like Burns, he followed the plough. Athletics soon became a part of his existence, and by the time he reached the age of 25 he was well to the front. About this time he took employ– ment with the Duke of Athol at the Duke's country seat, the Castle of Blair-Athol. Here Fleming discharged the duties of brewer and butler to the entire satisfaction of his Grace, with whom he soon became a great favourite. While with the Duke, Fleming improved much as an athlete, and, in fact, he was at his best during the term of employment in this service. The year after donning the Duke's livery Fleming pushed Dinnie hard with the stone and caber, and in 1867 still further improved, while Dinnie seems to have lost form, as during the whole season Fleming was champion at hammer, stone, and caber. Dinnie was suffering from illness at this time, but the fact remains that Fleming de- * Fleming's career appeared before the Ta.it's. 33 c