420 



ordinary concerns — became ot a sudden, so to speak, regenerated. And 

 although the effort was necessarily attended with much trouble and 

 great care, I derived not alone interest, but absolute pleasure, in 

 making the vast and important calculations which I now put before 

 the public. Assuredly no statistics upon any subject other than Sport 

 could, by any possibility, enlist my feelings to the degree which those 

 under notice have done. 



After having arrived at the results I freely confess I was astounded 

 at the totals. Men whose knowledge is confined to their own surround- 

 ings may cavil at some of the estimates, but I don't think those who 

 enjoy widespread and varied experience will do so, for they will 

 know how to take the average. At all events no very serious mistake 

 can be found except that the totals are under the real figures. To 

 prove them otherwise I defy anyone ! 



No doubt I hit hard at times, but, as I say in the preface, I do so in 

 the interest of my magnificent subject, and if I may, unfortunately, 

 hurt the feelings of some people I cannot help it, but assuredly I do 

 not mean to give offence. What I desire is to see recognised by all, and 

 effect given to by sportsmen, what I convey in the following couplet: — 



Ah, Sport is the pride of the nation ! 



It made Britons the men that they be ; 

 It does good to the whole population. 



And knows neither class nor degree. 



Therefore let us all pull together, 



And in harmony give it support ; 

 Around the one standard we'll gather, 



And manfully stick by our Sport. 



And now, my readers, be ye who ye may, 



" Vale, vale, — si quid novesti rectius istis 

 Canditus imperti ; si non his ut^re mecum." 



WHOO WHOOP ! 



