Scientific Athletics

CHAPTER VIII. THRO\\TN :r THE HA:\Il\IER. W E have now arrived at th r markable f at of Throwing the Hamm r. It i unneces ary to formally introduce thi f at, for we know that it was originated v ral enturie ago. But th preci e manner and dat at whi h it wa first r cognis d a an athl ti feat , w cannot accurately d t rmin ; for, in all probability, it wa crudely in lulged in by th aboriginal Briton . But ,vh ther th actual origination of thi p culiar feat can b attribut d to the aborigin of thi ountry, or not, i immat rial, for our claim to the initiation of th f at ar unqu tionable. one whi h n c itate tr ngth, vitality, and techniqu , hammer-throwing, along with that of hot– putting, i po itivcly unrivalled. 1 Tot only i thi feat pl a ant to watch, hut it i, al o impl and pl a urabl to I rform. t Highland Gathering it i almo t inva– riably a igned a fir t, if not the v ry fir t place, on the gam s' programme ; b au, it i an ev nt which univ r all command o-r at attention but never w arie th p tator. \ h n we ar daily mployed in a trenuou pur uit, w hall find that oon r or lat r th mu les which u. - tain th pr ur will at 1 ngth d v lop th ms lv in enormou. li proportion to the r t of the body, ecuring, it i true, a va t ac ion of trength, but by the a rific of 'mm try and b auty. Th ex rci ·e of hamm r-thro\\'ing, how ,T oon eradi at 93