Pedestrianism

10 ancient gymnastics. then uniting in bonds of friendship, inter­ changed those favourable impressions which tend to humanize the rough nature of man; and that asperity of temper, or animosity of heart, so characteristic of rude nations, was thus softened or lulled. The Sacred Games of the Greeks, were composedof the exhibitions of the Stadium and Hippodrome ; and the charms of poetry and music were added, to gratify the more refined taste of the lovers of these exquisite arts. Philosophers, poets, historians, orators, and every descriptionof people, assembledto witnessthe exertionsof the combatants, and to enjoy the variedpleasures of the festival. The Olympic games claimed precedency over all others; and to Iphitus kin,g of Elis th,ey owe their revival—for their origin is lost in the obscurity of remote ages. The Eleans obtained the direction and manage­ ment, by the united consent of Greece ; and their territory, on this account, was deemed inviolable. They founded their prosperity on the cultivation of peace j and, on sacred tmlf ground*