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

JOHN GEORGE OF CRO!\L\R. 39 be compared to the present swing-around-the-head method. In putting, an iron ball seems to have suited George better than a stone, as at Johnstone we find him putting a genuine 22lb. ball 38ft. The ball and ground here are vouched for by Bailie Aitken and other gentlemen in Johnstone. This was in 1870. On the same day George also won at throwing the hammer. Peter M'Hardy being second, and William Tait third. George had many victories at this gathering, but the 38 feet with the heavy ball is his best performance, and is, in fact, the farthest putt we can find in the record of Johnstone games made by any one. This seems to have been George's last year at Johnstone, as his name does not appear again in the lists of competitors. George competed successfully at all the principal games at throwing, putting, leaping, and jumping, and was also a fairly good wrestler in Scots style. He had an elder brother named Alexander, who, by the way, was the first to initiate Donald Dinnie into the art of athletics. Alexander was a famous prize-winner at the local games in Aberdeenshire, and he doubtless gave John his first lessons, which ultimately placed him in the front rank among the athletes of Scotland. In appearance George was a figure not easily forgotten. He stood six feet in his boots, and weighed about 14st. 7lb. stripped. He was square built, and very broad across the shoulders, with red rosy cheeks, and although not exactly coal-black hair near that colour. Having been at college he was gentlemanly in manner and polite in conversation, and eminently suited to the higher walks of life had he so wished. He was a fine figure of a man, and a worthy opponent to the other "men of muscle" of his time with whom he competed in friendly rivalry. He is still alive, or at least was living a year ago, but whether he has gone to join Fleming, Duffy, and the Taits, or does he still remain in this world of strife, his name will always stand among the best of Scottish athletes.