o credit to solving
a complicated problem in Euclid. It is all very well to talk about brute
force and lasting power, but unless these are accompanied by scientific
application, they are worth little, and cost much. "The race is not
always to the swift," says the old proverb. In at least eight cases out
of ten, the match is to the scientific and careful, but of this more
anon. There is one thing that can be said about football which in the
nature of things must recommend it to all lovers of out-door exercise.
Of late years bicycling has obtained a great deal of popularity all over
the three kingdoms, both for its usefulness as a speedy means of
conveyance, and exercise to the limbs, but that it has its drawbacks has
just been made apparent by undisputed medical authority. "The bicycle
back," the effect of hard work on the "iron horse," is beginning to
appear on the handsome young man who thinks nothing of doing his 50
miles a day, and while walking occasionally with the young lady with the
"Grecian bend," the contrast in his case is amusing. To say that there
are no dangers of any kind attached to football would be making an
assertion which I cannot substantiate, but these are comparatively few.
All sports, of whatever kind, have the elements of danger attached to
their pursuit, but, with great care, these can be reduced to a minimum.
Although I have certainly never observed the round-shoulders of the
bicyclist in the football player, I have not unfrequently seen the
"football leg." That is a series of cuts about the shin bone,
administered by a vicious opponent while (as it generally happens)
playing a "cup tie," and last season they were more plentiful than ever.
In fact, I heard from the lips of a member of one of the crack clubs
that in not a few of the ties they retired from the field "greatly
impressed with the unmistakable signs of muscular ability shown by their
opponents." This means most undoubtedly hacking and tripping, under the
guise of tackling, and if Association football is to go on and prosper
such disgraceful acts of tyranny on the football field must forever
cease. These "accidents" can, of course, be avoided, and as there are
distinct rules forbidding them, clubs would do well to see that these
are rigidly enforced.

_III.--A "SWEEP FOR THE CUP;"_

OR,

_HOW PATE BROWN KEPT HIS ENGAGEMENT._

"What do you say, old fellow, about a 'Sweep for the Cup.' Why, a 'sov.'
is nothing to the like o