232 THE SPORTING WORLD. 



would be difficult to rouse them into action to 

 which they have been unaccustomed ; still there 

 are in all villages some of more active habits 

 than the rest. These would engage in such 

 sports, and probably the more, lethargic would be 

 stimulated by emulation, and seeing another carry 

 off the prize; but I would do far better than 

 this. Young boys are easily excited, and as we 

 have for colts, so I would have races for boys, 

 under and over certain ages — say fourteen. These 

 races would bring up the young ones in active 

 habits, by preparing themselves for the coming 

 contests ; and by the time they grew into men 

 they would, more or less, become good runners 

 or walkers. Far better this than fre:}uenting the 

 ale-house to see nine-pins or skittles played. 

 Such races, and the preparation for them, would 

 produce alacrity in the youth and aid in pro- 

 ducing a race of active young men, instead of 

 the usual plodding clodhopper we witness in 

 most men who hitherto have had no induce- 



