The Athletes and Athletic Sports of Scotland

124 ATHLETIC SPORTS OF SCOTLAND. as the shepherds, gamekeepers, and farmers' sons in the High­ land glens. The main reasons why the latter make so poor a show arelaziness andwant of pluck. COMBINED COMPETITIONS.—By making all classes of com­ petitors forwhom prizes are offered for any particular competition compete at the same time, spectators would never be wearied with a repetition of the same kind ofcompeti.tion. Much time would be saved, as no one would throw more than three times in the same kind of competition, whereas by making three or four separate competitions some of the competitors may throw the hammernine oreven twelve times, and, besides, much time is lost in starting andmeasuring in each throwing competition. Combined competitions would also be far more interesting to spectators and competitors. Spectators from a distance take an interest only in the performances of famous all-comers, and local spectators generally know beforehand the relative meritsof local competitors. But boththese classes of spectators would be inter­ ested in seeing how local competitors stood when pitted against all­ comers. To enable the spectators to know each class of competi­ tors, all-comers could have red paper or clothdiscs affixed to their breasts, local competitors blue, and white or yellow for other classes if necessary. In the throwing competitions small paper flags of corresponding colours could be affixed, by a gummed edge, on each peg inmarking the throws. In thisway the relative merits of all classes of competitors could be seen at a glance. The best amongst the local competitorswould notonly gethonour as such, but would bestimulated to gain additionalglory by getting a place amongst the all-comers. At any rate they would be enabled to judge howfar they neededto improve to get a place. If it be objected to combined competitions, that they would have the effect of keeping back local competitors, who would be afraid lest their efforts, when compared with the best athletes, would be laughed at, it is sufficient answer that local athletes of that stamp are too contemptible to merit consideration. An athlete of the right stamp, the farther he is behind the morehe