The Cruise of the Branwen

THE OLYMPIC GAMES was remarkable that Greece should have produced six out of the first thirteen to finish, and when they can breed a veteran like Mr. Fowler Dixon, who at the age of fifty-six can run a mile in nine seconds less than six minutes before Prince George, they may hope to find another winner who will do the Marathon course in less than 2 hours 50 minutes. The generous way in which both the public and the Press of Athens swallowed their disappointment after their first shock and, ap– plauded Sherring's victory on every possible occasion, will not be easily forgotten, even by those who are most sceptical about the educa– tional value of athletic meetings. The winner of 1906 could, no doubt, have done two hours and three-quarters had it been necessary, for he did it under z hours 52 minutes, which is 4 minutes better than I 896, and walked a long distance in the last half, and he finished as fresh as a daisy. That an American should be third will be a revelation to those who believe that the Yankees have no long-distance runners. Svanberg, the Swede, who ran in excellent form, gave promise of his admirable second when he ran so well in the five miles against Hawtrey ; and France, after getting eighth in this race, and pro– viding first, second, and third in the 84 kilo– metres bicycle race, over the same course, has fairly proved her right to an athletic distinc– tion hitherto monopolised by the northern races. Moved by a generous desire to give all their visitors a chance of knowing one another well, 94