the Eleven at any time, and consequently Strachan, Myers and Wood ran in it, and came in first, second and third; not a very close race for either first or second place. The second race was exceedingly good as a race, Harrison, Holderness and Mellor coming in as close together as possible. Finally, the last heat went as expected, Myers being a yard or so behind Strachan, who would have made better time had he not slackened his pace rather just on the post.

2.- Flat Race, under 16.

Half-a-mile. 28 entries.-I. J. Blandy.
Filgate. Time 2 min. 23 secs.

2. R.

The remarkable thing about this race was the great number of competitors. Out of 28 entries 26 came to the scratch, a most commendable thing. The time was good for under 16. Allen was third.

3-Walking Race. Open. One mile. Pakenham.-I. R. C. Hadow. Time, 8 min. 7 secs.

29 entries. Prize given by Captain 2. H. Laming. 3. W. C. Langley.

Here began the rain, but Hadow's scarf was the only thing about him that minded it, as he walked most gallantly, most ind.sputably fairly, and most fast, and won with considerable ease. Second was Laming and third Langley, who made a fine race of it home, and ran as fast as exhaustion would let them. Gibson would insist on running, and it therefore became the painful duty of the referee, Mr F. G. Bullock, to cut him out after the usual cautions. This is much the best walking ever made here, both as to time, and, we should think, as to form.

4.-High Jump under 15. 4 entries.-I. C. Strachan. Height, 4ft. 7in.

A very short run was allowed the competitors, and we are sure Strachan would have done more had he had the usual advantages. However, there was a choice between short run and bad ground, and the competitors chose the short run. His very good jump under any circumstances, is therefore the more worthy praise under these. The best jumping ever made here, as far as we know, under 15. G. Porter a good second.

5.-Grand Steeple Chase. Open. 440 yards. 24 entries. Prize given by Henry James, Esq., M.P.-1. C. Wood. 2. G. Strachan. 3. E. Harrison. Time, I min. 13 secs.

There was great excitement about this race, as it was felt that it was of the utmost importance in the contest for the Ladies' Prize. Wood got off well, and Strachan badly, but despite this everyone must agree in saying that the best man won and that in most superlative style. We suppose a better run Grand Steeple has never been witnessed on the ground, and the time would have been remarkably

quick, we believe, had Wood not run considerably farther than there was need for. Hamilton took 1 min. 7 secs. about this race in 1867. 6.-Old Collegians' Race. 220 jards, over 4 flights of hurdles.-1. F. S. Bullock, Esq. Time, 27 secs.

This is a peculiar style of race, but that did not much matter to the winner, who was very much 'there'; C. Atkins, who was second, ran exceedingly well, but superior length and strength won.

7.—Sack Race. Open. 100 yards. 33 entries.—I. A. Phillips. 2. A. E. Riddle. Time, 16 secs.

There was no doubt about the winner here. We imagine Phillipps to be the best sack racer we have had here for a very long time; his pace and precision are absolutely wonderful, and he won, justly, with hardly a falter, in time which deserves attention.

8.-Flat Race. Open. One Mile. 48 entries. Prize given by Rev. T. W• Jex-Blake.-1. W. Bullock. 2. B. Gibson. 3. A. Hopkinson. Time,

5 min. 4 secs.

The winner ran thoroughly well and skilfully, and won well; considering the course and the state of the ground he must be congratulated on the excellent time of the race, which was surpassed only by Godfray last year, and that only by a single second; Kinloch in 1867, took the same time as Bullock this year. Gibson ran manfully, as did Hopkinson, but there was no doubt about the winner.

9.-Race under 12. 200 yards. 17 entries.-I. Young. 2. Elliot. 3. Arnott. Time, 25 secs.

Young, whom last year had raised to notice, ran fast; three seconds faster than he did last time.

10.-Pole Vaulting. Open. 25 entries.-1. H. Smith. 2. K. Smith. Height, 8ft. 9in.

Why should not these and jumping competitors have three tries, instead of two? We are convinced Onslow was worth more than what he did. Two Smiths; and the commoner initial won, vaulting very well. He was second last year, when Elliott did the same as the winner this time. Dickson, the single competitor under 15, cleared 7ft. 2in., and received a prize.

11. Steeple Chase for Visitors. 120 yards and two wet ditches.

Did not come off, as there was no one present who had complied with the entrance conditions.

12.-Flat Race. Open. Quarter of a Mile. 35 entries.-1. C. Wood.

Strachan. Time, 58 secs.

2. G.

Without doubt the most exciting race of the day, as the final decider for the Ladies' Prize. The course was hideously inconvenient, and apparently unnaturally so. Coming up the hill, and for the

first 250 yards, St. George was seen to be leading, but the pace was too hot, and on the level, opposite the Gymnasium, Wood put it on, and shaking their men clear the former won easily, running strong. Of this we must say what we said of the Mile and Steeple, that the time would assuredly have been remarkable had the ordinary advantages attended us.

13.-Steeple Chase under 15. 440 yards. 18 entries.-1. J. Julian. 2. G' Porter. Time, I min. 28 secs.

This was a strange race, and positions changed in a bewildering way in the last 80 yards. Julian had much the most stamina and therefore won, getting over the last ditch better than the rest.

14.-Consolation Handicap. Innumerable entries.

A big fellow won as usual, and another big fellow was second. G Bullock ran very fast and won with ease.

Then there was a rush and some whipping, according to the inviolable custom, and finally, the prizes being put out in all their glory on a table, and the winners being photographed twice and quickly, the clerks of the course and the winners got inside the enclosure, and Mr. Jex-Blake mounted the table. Then, when silence was restored, our Principal made some remarks nearly to the following purport:

He said that, at the close of two very successful days' sport, they could not but feel that they owed a great deal, a very great deal of gratitude to their old friends Mr. Southwood (cheers), Mr. Porcher (cheers), and others, who had so admirably conceived and so excellently carried out the arrangements, without which they could have had little enjoyment. There was another old friend whose cheering presence and fine voice they would all miss. He need not say that he wished Dr. Barry were there, and that he would have heartily welcomed him to-day. (Loud cheers.) He could only promise that in what he might say he would be very brief, and whatever might be the case with his young friends outside [alluding to the almost continual cheering kept up at some distance from the enclosure,] he could throw himself on the patience of those who surrounded him. (Cheers.) He thought these athletics were a cheerful break in the course of a long half-year. Apart from the pleasure of seeing so many happy faces, it was pleasant to have an occasion on which parents and teachers and pupils might meet together on common ground, and in which their friends might show their interest, not merely in the College, for that they always shewed, but show by their presence their sympathy and interest in its enjoyments. (Cheers.) He was sure he was not the man to overrate the importance of athletic sports; it was quite possible that they might be overdone, and that they might consequently cease to be the great success which they had always been in connection with that college. (Cheers.) But neither, on the other hand, should he undervalue athletics, knowing, as he did, how important it was for boys to have their bodily faculties well under command, and knowing, what long experience had shewn him, that there were things even worse than excess of athletics. (Cheers.) He had never found that the fellows who took the lead in athletics were those who got into trouble, or got any public school into disgrace. (Loud cheers.) It was your lazy, idle, lounging fellow who did that (laughter and cheers); and he therefore welcomed athletics, and did not know that even their excess was a bad thing for the order of a public school. (Cheers.)

Perhaps, looking at the array of prizes which they saw on the table before him, some of their friends might imagine that it was the value of the prizes that excited the interest; but he could tell them it was not so. (Cheers.) Cheltenham College did not need the mere value of the prize to excite its competition. There was still, he hoped, enough of that old classic spirit amongst them to make the crown of olive leaves or of parsley, though of no intrinsic value, beyond all price for the victory it celebrated. (Loud cheers.) But he also cautioned their friends from thinking that this exhibition in the play-ground was the sum of their work; for forty weeks they were hard working people; and because they worked at play, it by no means followed that they played at work. (Laughter and cheers.) But he need not longer delay the real finale of the work of the day. The winners had won not only the prizes which they would receive, but also the enthusiastic approval of the spectators of both sexes (laughter and cheers); while those who had happily run, but not as happily won, had at least received their sympathy. (Cheers.) Those who had run but not won, would feel that they had contributed to success; that they had gained some profit; that they had enjoyed the energy and excitement of the struggle, and if they received no other prize, they had at least gained the thanks of the spectators. (Cheers.) He reminded such that "Tis better to have run and lost,

Than never to have run at all. (Cheers.)

Then began the business of giving away the Prizes; and besides those won at the Races were given the Gymnasium Challenge Vase, to Trevithick, representative of Bayly's; the Gymnasium Champion Medal to L. Young; the Football Challenge Cup to Ellershaw, representative of the A Dayboys; the Gold Racquet and Silver Racquet and Cup to Myers, representative of the College and self; the Rifle Corps Challenge Vase to W. H. Sim; and, if there be any others, others; and most of all, Cricket Challenge Cups were given, second elevens to Cooke, representative of Brooksmith's, first elevens to the representative of Boyce's as of the College, T. Wise.

Finally the Ladies' Prizes were given by Mrs. Jex-Blake, Mr. Jex-Blake announcing, amid most hearty rejoicings, that the ladies, in their munificence, had thought fit to give so much of their money that there was sufficient for two cups, without the slightest detriment to the Great Cup. Accordingly, Wood and Strachan mounted the Grand Stand and got their prizes with great cheering, the list of the marks being as follows:-Wood, 46, Strachan, 38, Young, 18, W. Bullock, 16, Harrison and Hopkinson, 13.

Lastly, cheers were given for the Ladies, Mr. Jex-Blake, and Mr. Southwood, and some of the first-mentioned having retired, the Boarding Steeples began and ended. Notable facts: Wyatt ran fast and won his; Guthrie ran really well and, under disadvantages, was second in his. We regret to add, L. Young injured his ancle rather severely. Lastly, there was not nearly enough water in the ditch.

Of the running of the year we ought to say something for the sake of those old Cheltonians who do not live at Cheltenham.

'Then must we tell' of two very successful days' athletics, and of general happiness and comfort at the end. Briefly to sum up remarks, readers must throughout these notes remember that the ground, especially on the second day, was very heavy and bad for racing and jumping. Despite this we have had good times in many races, and several very exciting events; in Wood we have a Ladies' Prizeman who runs steeplechases in really faultless style, and all races with real intelligence, confidence and skill. We have to offer him our heartiest congratulations in the name of the College for his achievements, and to remark two things-first, he has not got a single prize that was not a first prize; second, he has scored a larger number of marks than anyone for the last four years-of more we cannot speak. In Strachan we have a singular phenomenon, a great scurry-racer, and a great steeplechaser, and not only this but a great thrower both of cricket and cannon ball; in fact the unexpected turn of fortune between him and Wyatt in the throwing the cricket ball, went far to reduce Strachan's chance of the Ladies' Prize. It will not be the lot of ourselves, or of future editors, to chronicle the successes of these two athletes at future College sports, unless it be as old boys, but the generation that passes away will remember the close contest for the Ladies' Prize of 1869, and we shall have more to say of both our champions before the half is over in the wider world of Cricket fame.

We must remark, too, that many improvements were effected in the arrangement of this year's races. We hope they will continue. Representations and suggestions only require to be made public to meet with the prompt attention of the authorities. To them is due our last word, and we would again thank both them and all concerned in the matter for the success of the meeting; the spectators for their general readiness to oblige; the competitors for their exertions on whosesoever account; lastly, surely the ladies, whose attendance has made the Races what they are, and whose generosity has decorated with glory two whom the College delighteth to honour.