GIANTS OF THE LINKS 317 



everything on the golf-links with the politeness of a 

 Brummell and the policy of a Talleyrand." He died on 

 1st September 1859, and it was a surprise to many to learn 

 that he was but five-and-forty. 



At the age of 16 Young Tom Morris burst like a meteor 

 on the golf world, beating all comers in a professional 

 tournament at Carnoustie in 1867, He followed up that 

 triumph by defeating Willie Park for the Championship, 

 and was victorious on every green on which he appeared. 

 For three years in succession he won the Challenge Belt 

 at Prestwick, and when, in 1871, a handsome Cup was 

 substituted for the Belt, he won that too. His score of ']'] 

 for the 18 holes round at St Andrews remained till quite 

 lately the record. Old Tom died full of years and honours 

 on 24th May 1908. He was %J. How vigorous he was 

 in his old age may be gathered from the fact that on his 

 eighty-fourth birthday he went over the St Andrews course 

 in the same number of strokes as the years of his life. 



But Young Tom was one of those whom the gods love, 

 and his brilliant career was suddenly cut short when he 

 was but four-and-twenty. On Thursday, 2nd September 

 1874, father and son went together to North Berwick 

 to play a match. Tommy left his wife perfectly well. 

 She was a remarkably handsome and healthy young 

 woman, most lovable in every way. But on Saturday 

 that fine girl had her first child and died. A telegram 

 was sent to Tom, who told his son they must leave at 

 once. A fine yacht was put at their disposal, and without 

 the weary journey to Edinburgh they were brought across 

 the Firth of Forth. Tom did not tell his son that all was 

 over till they were walking up from the harbour. Poor 

 Tommy went about for a little while, but his heart was 

 broken. On the morning of Christmas Day they found 

 him dead in his bed ; and so Tommy and his poor young 

 wife were not long divided. 



It has been objected that golf is trying to the temper 

 of even veteran players and sorely provocative of profane 

 language. Dr Boyd of St Andrews tells the following 

 story illustrative of this peculiarity of golfers : — 



" On a day in April I walked round the Links with a 



