Letters and Photographs of Pupils.

In the following pages will be found a selection from many thousands of letters which have been addressed to me by pupils who have already profited from my system of Physical Culture. Attention is specially directed to the measurements before and after training, showing the actual progress made in muscular development.

Vachwen,
Marlborough Road,
Watford,
March 11th, 1899.

Mr. Sandow.

Dear Sir,

I have just completed a course of lessons at your “School of Physical Culture,” from which I have derived untold benefit. Through the greater part of last year I was so ill that for some time it was feared I might go into consumption. I was medically treated, and at length permitted by my doctor to try what your exercises would do.

I entered your School with weak heart, weak lungs, digestion sadly impaired. After three lessons, with persistent home work, I began very slowly to gain strength and an appetite, and now, at the end of my course, I am quite a new creature—full of vitality and energy.

The upper part of the lung, which was the chief cause of my trouble, is quite healed and healthy. I never know now what it is to feel pain and tightness in the bronchial tubes, from which I constantly suffered in the past. My digestive organs too are quite well.

I have gained in weight	7 lbs.
I have gained round the neck	1 in.
I have gained in the chest (contracted)	3½ ins.
I have gained in the chest (expanded)	4 ins.
I have gained in forearm	2½ ins.
I have gained in upper arm	2½ ins.
I have gained in lung capacity	100 cbc. ins.

I should be quite pleased to be of use to you at any time in recommending to weak ones, who may be timid to commence the work, the immense benefit to be derived from it, by my own personal experience. I should like also to mention the very kind and careful treatment I have received both from your Manager, Mr. Clease, and the Class Instructor. They give the weak ones their particular attention, so that in working one is never over-worked.

I remain,
Yours gratefully,
Mary E. S. Adams.

EBURY STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—Miss Adams.

Address:—Marlborough Road, Watford.

Result of Medical Examination:—“Very Bad.”

Nature of Illness:—“The doctors say consumption.”

Remarks:—“This is the weakest case I have ever had to treat.”

	Before Training.	After 6 weeks.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	11	11¾	12	1
Chest Contracted	28	30½	31½	3½
Chest Expanded	30	33	35	5
Upper Arm, Right	8½	10	11	2½
Upper Arm, Left	8	10	10½	2½
Fore Arm, Right	8¼	9½	10¾	2½
Fore Arm, Left	8¼	9½	10¼	2
Waist	22	23	23	1
Thigh, Right	16	17½	18½	2½
Thigh, Left	16	17½	18½	2½
Calf, Right	10¾	11¼	11¾	1
Calf, Left	10¾	11¼	11¾	1
Height	5ft. 6in.	5ft. 6½in.	5ft. 7in.	1in.
Weight	7st. 2lb.	7st. 8lb.	7st. 9lb.	7lb.
Lung Capacity	100	170	200	100
Chest Expansion	2	2½	3½	1½

57, Gloucester Terrace, W.,
March 12th, 1899.

Dear Sir,

I am glad to take this opportunity of saying how very much my health has benefited in every way from your system of Physical Culture. It always gives me great pleasure to recommend the same to my friends.

I am,
Yours faithfully,
Julia F. M. Johnston.

E. Sandow, Esq.

EBURY STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—Miss J. F. M. Johnston.

Address:—57, Gloucester Terrace, W.

	Before Training.	After 6 weeks.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	12⅜	13	13¼	⅞
Chest Contracted	29½	31	31½	2
Chest Expanded	32	36½	37	5
Upper Arm, Right	10	12	12½	2½
Upper Arm, Left	10⅛	12	12½	2⅜
Fore Arm, Right	9½	10¼	10½	1
Fore Arm, Left	8¾	10¼	10½	1¾
Waist	24	24	24½	½
Thigh, Right	18½	19½	19¾	1¼
Thigh, Left	18½	19½	19¾	1¼
Calf, Right	12	13	13¼	1¼
Calf, Left	12	13	13¼	1¼
Height	5ft. 4⅜in.	5ft. 4¾in.	—	⅜
Weight	8st. 3lb.	8st. 4lb.	8st. 6lb.	3lb.
Lung Capacity	200	219	222	22
Chest Expansion	2½	5½	5½	3

Thos. A. Fox.

23, Church Row,
Limehouse, E.,
December 3rd.

Mr. E. Sandow,

Dear Sir,

I write these few lines to convey to you my thanks and gratitude for the boon you have given me and the public at large. I refer to your excellent book on how to gain health, muscle, and strength.

I procured one about two years ago, and have studied and practised the drills incessantly since. The result is far beyond my expectations. I am nineteen years of age and small of stature, being only five feet in height and seven stone in weight, yet, without exaggeration, I can say that my strength and muscular development would do credit to a man six feet high.

I have gained this solely by your system and cannot praise it too highly.

Another great advantage over other systems is the small outlay required, as I have obtained for a few shillings all that is necessary to train with, whereas if I had trained under another system I should have had to have made a much larger outlay for apparatus.

I enclose a list stating what I have gained in strength and muscle since I started training.

It will always be a great pleasure to me to answer any questions concerning your system, likewise interview anyone who might be desirous of seeing me.

I remain,
Yours truly,
Thos. A. Fox.

Name:—T. A. Fox.

Address:—23, Church Row, Limehouse, E.

MEASUREMENTS.

Before Training.	After Training.
Chest	29	inches	32½	inches
Chest (expanded)	30	”	34	”
Biceps	10	”	13	”
Forearm	9½	”	12	”
Thigh	16½	”	20	”
Calf	11	”	13	”
Waist	26	”	26	”

HEAVY WEIGHT-LIFTING.

Before Training.

From ground above head	Right hand	56lb dumb-bell.
	Left hand	46lb dumb-bell.
	Both hands	84lb bar.
Holding at arm’s lengthstraight from shoulder		Right hand	22lb weight.
Left hand	20lb weight.

After two years’ training under your system.

From ground above head	Right hand	100lb dumb-bell.
	Left hand	80lb dumb-bell.
	Both hands	130lb dumb-bell.
Holding at arm’s lengthstraight from shoulder	Right hand	40lb weight.
Holding at arm’s lengthstraight from shoulder	Left hand	30lb weight

John P. Peters.

John P. Peters. (After Training.)

Mon Repos,
66a, Herne Hill,
London, S.E.,
March 6th.

Manager Clease,

Dear Sir,

It is just over three years since I started to improve my physical power by means of the Sandow system, and I take this opportunity of forwarding some photographs taken at different periods. In what measure I have succeeded can best be seen by comparison of my original efforts and my present attainments, of which I also forward a list. Although they are as yet nothing to boast about or sufficiently great to be handed down to posterity, they are the result of close application to the system Mr. Sandow originated, and by means of which, in a few years, I hope to attain the culmination of human strength, and, if possible, to rival that of Sandow himself, for I am a firm believer in starting with an almost unattainable ideal, then gradually coming within measurable distance of it, and eventually, perhaps, to reach it. To do this will require the exercise of many mental qualities, determination, perseverance, and endurance. I suppose there are many young men like myself in whom Mr. Sandow has awakened a latent ambition to muscular prowess, and in doing so I state without any hesitation that he alone has done as much good for the country as any man of the present century.

I can only conclude with expressing my deep gratitude to Mr. Sandow for the splendid facilities he has offered to those who wish to be classed as nature’s men (which is indeed the duty of man), and in doing so I am but echoing the sentiments of many of his pupils.

I have the honour to be,
Faithfully yours, John D. Peters.

EBURY STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—John Peters.

Address:—66a, Herne Hill, S.E.

	Before Training.	After Course.	Increase.
Neck	16	18½	2½
Chest, contracted	38	40	2
Chest, expanded	44	47	3
Upper Arm, Right	15¾	17½	1¾
Upper Arm, Left	15	17	2
Forearm, Right	13	15	2
Forearm, Left	12¼	14½	2¼
Waist	30	30	—
Thigh, Right	23½	24½	1
Thigh, Left	23¾	24¼	½
Calf, Right	15½	16½	1
Calf, Left	15½	16	½
Height	5ft. 11in.	6ft. ⅜in.	1¼
Weight	13 st.	13st. 6lb	6
Lung Capacity	276	320	44
Chest Expansion	6	7	1

Mr. Peters is a fine weight-lifter, having accomplished the splendid feat of raising 210lb from the floor to arms’ length above the head, using one hand only. This is probably the amateur record. As he is only 23 years old there is yet plenty of time for him to far eclipse even this striking feat.

30, Guildford Street,
Russell Square,
W.C.,
13th March.

Dear Sir,

It affords me much pleasure in stating that since I commenced taking your course of instruction I have greatly increased in strength and physical development—my biceps having increased two inches, and my other muscles proportionately. I am convinced that a course of your instruction would prove beneficial to any one, whether naturally muscular or otherwise. Your system is one of such gradual progression that it cannot fail to strengthen the constitution of a person even in a delicate state of health. I shall have much pleasure in recommending your School of Physical Culture to my friends.

Yours sincerely,
Leslie Hood.

Eugen Sandow, Esq.

Leslie Hood.

EBURY STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—L. Hood.[2]

Address:—30, Guildford St., W.C.

	Before Training.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	15	16	1
Chest Contracted	35½	36	½
Chest Expanded	38⅝	42	3⅜
Upper Arm, Right	13⅞	15¼	1⅜
Upper Arm, Left	13⅞	14¾	⅞
Fore Arm, Right	12	13¼	1¼
Fore Arm, Left	11⅞	13	1⅛
Waist	28½	29½	1
Thigh, Right	22	22¾	¾
Thigh, Left	21¾	22½	¾
Calf, Right	14¾	15	⅜
Calf, Left	14⅛	14½	⅜
Height	5ft. 7¼in.	—	—
Weight	10st. 8lbs.	10st.9lbs.	1
Lung Capacity	281	—	—
Chest Expansion	3⅛	6	2⅞

[2] This pupil had been working three months before joining this school, hence the increases are not so marked as in the case of a beginner.

Roland Hastings

34, Duke Street,
St. James’s, S.W.,
March 4th, 1899.

Dear Mr. Sandow,

Not often is it given to us in this life to sow our seed and gather in the full fruits of the same. Therefore it is with more than ordinary pleasure that I write this letter to say that with your system of Physical Culture this extremely satisfactory result is to be obtained.

When first I joined your school some four or five months ago I was a very fair average specimen of a young Englishman (and our national thews and sinews are by no means to be despised), but owing, in a great measure, I suppose, to my city life, I had run a little to seed, and more than once had required the aid of doctors and tonics. The advice of the former invariably ended with the same formula, “take more exercise.”

I was quite ready to agree with them, as during my holidays in the country, when I was exercising in one form or another nearly the whole day, I felt quite a different man and as fit as possible.

But work in the city is a little difficult to reconcile with plenty of exercise. Some time previously Mr. Sandow had opened his school for Physical Culture, and having often admired him and his feats from afar, I resolved to go to him.

I am a business man, and from a business point of view I never did a better stroke of business in my life.

I am a mortal being, and speaking from a human point of view I never in my life came to a happier conclusion than when I resolved to become a pupil of the School of Physical Culture. I have increased in girth and weight without scarcely a superfluous ounce of flesh.

My working capabilities and staying powers are all doubled, and what before was an effort has now become a pleasure. Indigestion, torpid lassitudes, rasped nerves, and jaded appetite, are to me now unknown quantities.

With splendid appetite, long peaceful nights, and wondrous powers of vigour and vitality, I can face the world and with a deep sense of gratitude say, this is what Mr. Sandow and his system of Physical Culture have done for me.

Yours sincerely,
Roland Hastings.

P.S.—I may add I am a pupil at the St. James’s Street School.

St. JAMES’S STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—Roland Hastings.

Address:—Southsea House, Threadneedle St., E.C.

	Before Training.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	14½	16¾	2¼
Chest Contracted	34½	36	1½
Chest Expanded	36½	43¼	6¾
Upper Arm, Right	11¾	15	3¼
Upper Arm, Left	11⅝⅝	15	3⅜
Fore Arm, Right	11⅞	14	2⅛
Fore Arm, Left	11⅞	14	2⅛
Waist	29¼	30¾	1½
Thigh, Right	20½	22½	2
Thigh,	Left	20½	22½	2
Calf, Right	13½	14¼	¾
Calf,	Left	13⅝	14¼	⅝
Height	5ft. 7½in	5ft. 7½in	—
Weight	10st. 4lbs	11st. 4lbs	1st.
Lung Capacity	255	—	—
Chest Expansion	2	7¼	5¼

A. Foulkes.

18, St. Stephen’s Road,
Bayswater, W.,
March 10th, 1899.

Dear Sir,

Your system has certainly done me a lot of good and freshened me up, although I can hardly claim to have tested it fairly, as I must plead guilty to having done none of the exercises out of the school during the three months’ course that I have just concluded there.

Attending the school obviates three defects in working by yourself:—

(i.) You learn—not merely the exercises—but the way to do them.

(ii.) You get an instructor who knows his work, and keeps you at yours.

(iii.) You are stimulated by seeing others working in the same room.

The only disadvantage I can see in the system is that, if rigidly followed, you would soon be driven to patronise a fresh tailor.

I was warned not to get muscle-bound by taking the course; I now cannot see how this can happen, unless you neglect some of the exercises entirely. I hope, at some future date, you will receive a better account of your system with regard to measurements and developments from

Yours truly,
Arthur Foulkes.

St. JAMES’S STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—A. Foulkes.

Address:—18, St. Stephen’s Road, Bayswater.

	Before Training.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	14⅞	17¼	2⅜
Chest Contracted	34½	33½	—
Chest Expanded	38½	42¼	3¾
Upper Arm, Right	12½	14½	2
Upper Arm, Left	11¾	14¼	2½
Fore Arm, Right	11¾	13	1¼
Fore Arm, Left	11¾	13	1¼
Waist	30¼	31½	1¼
Thigh, Right	22½	24	1½
Thigh, Left	22½	24	1½
Calf, Right	14⅜	14¾	⅜
Calf, Left	14¼	14¾	½
Height	6ft.	6ft.	—
Weight	12st. 1½lb.	12st. 7lbs.	5½
Lung Capacity	320	340	20
Chest Expansion	4	8¾	4¾

3, Burlington Road,
Bayswater, W.,
March 10th, 1899.

F. A. Hansard, Esq.
Dear Sir,

With regard to my opinion of Mr. Sandow’s system I cannot speak too highly of it.

I commenced the three months’ course when in poor health, brought about by malarial fever, but after attending Mr. Sandow’s school for two months I felt better than I had ever done previously.

The increase in measurements which you have recorded is the result of two hours’ conscientious work a week only.

It would be fair to mention that when only 6 lessons remained before the completion of the course, my exercises were interrupted owing to a broken collar-bone. With better luck, these increases would possibly have been greater.

I am, Sir,
Yours truly,
C. Foulkes.

C. Foulkes.

St. JAMES’S STREET SCHOOL.

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—C. Foulkes.

Address:—War Office, Pall Mall.

	Before Training.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	15	16¾	1¾
Chest Contracted	33	35	2
Chest Expanded	38	43	5
Upper Arm, Right	12⅝	14½	1⅞
Upper Arm, Left	12¼	14	1¾
Fore Arm, Right	11½	13½	2
Fore Arm, Left	11	13⅛	2⅛
Waist	30½	31	½
Thigh, Right	21	23	2
Thigh, Left	21	23	2
Calf, Right	14¼	14¾	½
Calf, Left	14¼	14¾	½
Height	5ft. 9½in.	5ft. 9½in.	—
Weight	11st. 1½lbs.	11st. 4lbs.	2½
Lung Capacity	310	373	63
Chest Expansion	5	8	3

J. A. Sinclair.

York Place,
Manchester,
February, 1899.

Mr. E. Sandow.
Dear Sir,

I have much pleasure in enclosing a copy of my measurements taken at the end of last December. I am a pupil attending your Manchester School, and cannot speak too highly of your system, or the manner in which it is taught by your instructors.

Wishing you every success,
Believe me,
Yours very sincerely,
J. A. Sinclair.

OXFORD STREET SCHOOL (MANCHESTER).

Copy of Measurement Sheet.

Name:—J. A. Sinclair.

Address:—York Place, Manchester.

	Before Training.	After 3 months.	Increases.
Neck	14½	15⅞	1⅜
Chest Contracted[3]	35½	35	½
Chest Expanded	37	41¼	4¼
Upper Arm, Right	14	16⅜	2⅜
Upper Arm, Left	14	16¼	2¼
Fore Arm, Right	11⅞	14	2⅛
Fore Arm, Left	11⅝	13¾	2⅛
Waist	31	31	—
Thigh, Right	22¼	24¾	2½
Thigh, Left	21¾	24¼	2½
Calf, Right	14	14⅞	⅞
Calf, Left	13¾	14¾	1
Height	5ft. 5¼in.	5ft. 5½in.	⅜
Weight	11st. 6½lbs.	12st. 0lbs.	7½
Lung Capacity	240	275	35
Chest Expansion	1½	6¼	4¾

[3] It will be noted that the size of the Chest when contracted is slightly smaller than before training; this is not unusual, and denotes that more control has been obtained over the muscles of the chest, and consequently its walls can be drawn closer together.

Harold L. Butler.

High Lawn,
Bolton-le-Moors,
March 16th, 1899.

Dear Mr. Sandow,

After six months training as a pupil at your School of Physical Culture (Manchester), I now feel qualified to judge as to the merits of your system.

For the perfect and symmetrical development of the human form I can conceive of nothing which rivals the dumb-bell and rubber exercises as taught and practised in your gymnasia.

For the promotion of lost health, due to bodily neglect; as a cure for insomnia, and many abdominal disorders, it needs no recommendation.

Concerning my personal improvement, little need be said, sufficient to say I never felt better in my life, and recent weight-lifting tests have proved me to be possessed of nearly double my former strength.

Nor has my speed or activity suffered in the least (which so many, erroneously, consider to be the inevitable result of such training). On the contrary, I feel as capable of doing my 10⅖ for the 100 as ever I did.

Believe me,
Yours very truly,
Harold L. Butler.

Casteluan,
Wimbledon Hill, S.W.,
March 8th, 1899.

Dear Sir,

Having been under your system for a little over a year, I should like to add a few words in praise of your system generally. I hardly think that actual figures as to measurements and weight-lifting, give any adequate idea of the general benefits received by anyone who takes up Physical Culture thoroughly and puts his back into it.

If figures are any guide to you, however, I may quote the following, which were all taken at your School in Ebury Street.

My lung capacity has increased from 283 to 417 cubic inches, my chest expansion from 39½ to 42¼, thigh from 20½ to 22⅝, and calf from 13⅞ to 15¼.

In weight-lifting I can raise 125 lbs. from the ground with my right hand above head by means of the body-press, instead of 60 lbs. With two hands I can jerk 165 lbs. instead of 85 lbs., and I can hold out at arm’s length with my right hand 45 lbs. instead of 20 lbs.

Your system has so generally benefited my whole physique, however, that I consider my health has improved to an extent far beyond any actual increase in figures.

One of the grandest benefits of Physical Culture is, to my mind, the increase of will power and general concentration, which can never be measured in any actual way, but which is bound to appear in after life, in short becomes an integral part of his character.

Yours truly,
Claude Barton.

26, Gordon Mansions, W.C.,
March 21st, 1899.

Dear Mr. Sandow,

I am glad to be able to say a few words about your system of Physical Culture. I write feelingly, for I can scarcely express how grateful I am for what it has done for me. A few years back I became unpleasantly conscious that a careless disregard for my health was beginning to unfavourably affect my work before the British public. Notwithstanding the indulgence shown me by audiences in all the musical centres, I could not disguise from myself the unpalatable fact that, as a result of neglecting a cold and getting generally “run down,” my singing voice was becoming seriously impaired. And so it remained until chance led me to your school of Physical Culture, and to renew the active bodily exercise which I had dropped for so long. The result was eminently satisfactory; I was soon once more able to fulfil my public engagements with reasonable satisfaction to myself and, I trust, some pleasure to my audiences. I entirely attribute the return of my powers to the course I went through on your system.

Actors and singers do not need great muscular strength, but they do most emphatically require health, and, of course, health and reasonable development go together. No man is such a slave to his physical condition as the actor or lyric artist. However great his talent, he cannot give expression to it if the machine be out of repair; his physical health is obviously his most valuable asset. For this reason alone I am sure that every member of my profession would be well advised to get into the way of devoting a few minutes every day to your exercises. The lyric artist especially would find his voice improve, his spirits be more exuberant, and his general vitality at a very much higher level. In addition he would in most cases discover in a very short time that his figure and limbs were so much improved that his former expenditure upon lambs-wool tights, padding, &c., would be entirely obviated.

I am,
Yours very faithfully,
Alec Marsh.

Martinus Sieveking.

PART II.
INCIDENTS OF MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

Sandow at the age of ten.

INCIDENTS OF MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER.

CHAPTER I.
MY CHILDHOOD AND BOYHOOD.

It is not necessary, as some may think, to be born strong in order to become strong. Unlike the poet, who, we are told, has to be born a poet, the strong man can make himself. As a child, I was myself exceedingly delicate. More than once, indeed, my life was despaired of. Until I was in my tenth year I scarcely knew what strength was. Then it happened that I saw it in bronze and stone. My father took me with him to Italy, and in the art galleries of Rome and Florence I was struck with admiration for the finely developed forms of the sculptured figures of the athletes of old. I remember asking my father if people were as well developed in these modern times. He pointed out that they were not, and explained that these were the figures of men who lived when might was right, when men’s own arms were their weapons, and often their lives depended upon their physical strength. Moreover, they knew nothing of the modern luxuries of civilization, and, besides their training and exercise, their muscles, in the ordinary course of daily life, were always being brought prominently into play.

The memory of these muscular figures were ever present, and when we returned home to Konigsberg I wanted to become strong like them. But though I used to try my strength and attend the gymnasium, nothing came of my desire for some years.

So until I was eighteen I remained delicate. At that age I began to study anatomy. It was thus I ascertained the best means of developing the body, and invented the system of giving each individual muscle a movement, and of so arranging the form of the exercises that when some muscles are brought into play others are relaxed and left without strain.

About fifteen minutes every day was the average time devoted to special exercise at this period. It may be useful to remark here that no particular form of diet was adopted. I ate and drank in the ordinary way. It may be said at once that I have no belief in special diet; I have always eaten and drunk that which my fancy dictated, but I have always taken care to avoid anything in the nature of excess. There is no better guide to good living than moderation. That is a fact I am always anxious to impress upon my pupils. Let them be moderate in all things, and they need fear no interruption in gaining strength by my system of training.

CHAPTER II.
HOW I CAME TO LONDON AND DEFEATED SAMSON.

The years of my life between eighteen and twenty-one may be passed over with the remark that they saw a steady gain of strength and some occasional performances as an amateur athlete and wrestler.

In 1889 I made the acquaintance of Aubrey Hunt, the artist, who was then at Venice. One of the most charming views in the neighbourhood was to be gained from the grounds of my villa near Ledo. Naturally Mr. Hunt wished to paint it, and it was a pleasure to be able to afford him the facility. One result of our acquaintance was that Mr. Hunt painted me in the character of a gladiator in the Coliseum at Rome. This picture, which I prize very highly, is to be seen in the reception room at my St. James’ Street school. I am told that it is a very striking likeness.

It was from Mr. Hunt that I learned that Samson was offering, at the Royal Aquarium in London, £100 to the person who could perform the feats of his pupil, Cyclops, and £1,000 to anyone who could beat his own. Mr. Hunt suggested that I should accept the challenge, and it was my original intention to come to London with him. It was ultimately decided, however, that I should start without delay, and the journey to England was made on the same day that I first heard of the challenge.

Arriving in London at six o’clock in the evening, I went to Mr. Attila, a friend whom I had previously met at Brussels, to ask him to act as interpreter, for at that time I was unable to speak English. Mr. Attila not only promised his services, but gave me fresh hope by expressing his assurance that everything that Samson and his pupil could do I could accomplish easily.

We determined that the challenge should be accepted that night. With Mr. Albert Fleming to act as agent, we went at once to the Aquarium. When Samson appeared on the stage he gave the usual challenge. Apparently to his surprise, Mr. Fleming accepted it, asking him if he had the £100 at hand. Samson replied that there would be no difficulty about the money, but Mr. Fleming insisted on seeing it, and the note was accordingly produced. Samson was then asked if he had the £1,000 ready, and he promised that it would be forthcoming in the event of the defeat of his pupil.

The preliminary arrangements having been completed, and the note for £100 handed to Captain Molesworth, the manager of the Aquarium, I walked up to the stage. Seeing me in evening dress, the audience were unable to realise that I stood the slightest chance of defeating the strong man and his pupil. They even shouted to Samson not to heed me, but to get on with his performance. It seemed evident to them that I was unequal to the task that had been undertaken, and Samson himself burst out laughing when he saw me. The coolness and indifference of this first reception in London were not, perhaps, unnatural, for in evening dress there was nothing, as everyone said at the time, specially remarkable about my appearance. But when I took off my coat, and the people could see the muscular development, the tone of indifference changed immediately to surprise and curiosity. Samson and Cyclops themselves shared the general astonishment, though they did not allow their surprise to be shown for more than a moment, Samson being heard to remark, “We will beat him, anyhow.”

The first feat which Cyclops performed was to lift over his head two weights of 56 lbs. each, lowering them with arms fully extended. This performance I repeated. Cyclops next took the bar bell, weighing 240 lbs., and with two hands lifted it from the ground over his head. When the audience saw that for the second time the same feat could be accomplished with ease they began to cheer; and I repeated the performance, after Cyclops, using only one hand.

All this time Samson, anxious of the issue, kept asking me in asides in French to let him know my history. As, however, he did not, or would not, speak in German, he had to remain in ignorance.

The performance proceeded, and now Cyclops took with one hand a dumb-bell weighing 210lbs., and extending it at arm’s length, bent down and raised over his head with the other a second dumb-bell, of 100lbs. weight.

When I repeated this feat, it was thought that the challenge had been won, for this was the end of the performance for which it was understood it was offered. Mr. Fleming, accordingly, asked for the £100, but Samson refused, saying that the whole performance would have to be repeated and continued until one of the two competitors gave in. Nothing less would satisfy him as to which of the two was the stronger. On this point the audience disagreed, and called on him to hand over the money. Appeal was made to Captain Molesworth, who addressing the audience, promised to see fair play. He could not agree, he said, with Mr. Samson that it was fair that the performance should be continued until one of them dropped from sheer exhaustion, but he suggested that Cyclops should introduce two fresh feats, and that if I could repeat them the money should be mine without further question.

Although the audience still maintained that the challenge had been won, I expressed, through my interpreter, perfect willingness to perform not two only, but twenty more feats, should Cyclops wish to try them.

The first of the two extra feats was then taken: Cyclops lying on his back, raised a weight of 240 lbs. with two men sitting on it, and when the men jumped off he himself stood up, raising the weight with him. This performance I also repeated.

Now came the final effort. At the side of the stage stood a great stone, weighing, I should think, about 500 lbs. On this stone were secured the two 56lb. weights. Two chairs were brought, and Cyclops, standing on them, in order to get a position above the stone and its weights, raised the whole load with his middle finger some four inches above the ground.

When this performance had been repeated by me, Samson acknowledged that that part of the challenge relating to Cyclops had been won, and offered to hand over the £100.

My interpreter then explained that I had not come to London to win merely the £100; I had come for the greater sum, the £1,000, in fact, which had been offered to any person who should defeat Samson himself.

Samson, who was clearly surprised at the issue, replied that he was not prepared to meet me that night, and though the public disapproved of the postponement, it was eventually decided with Captain Molesworth that the test should be made on the following Saturday evening.

The eventful evening which was to decide the issue between us fell on the 2nd of November, 1889. Never, it was said, had the Royal Aquarium been so densely crowded. The people began to arrive as early as two o’clock in the afternoon. When I reached the building, in company with Captain Molesworth, Mr. Attila, and Mr. Fleming, twenty minutes before the hour announced for the challenge to be taken up, it was literally impossible to get through the crowd.

Here, at the very outset, was a difficulty of a new and an unexpected character. What was to be done? To try to get through the enormous throng in twenty minutes was obviously hopeless. Willing as the crowd might be to let us pass it was beyond their power to make way for us. We determined, therefore, to go to the stage door, and here a further difficulty presented itself. We could not gain admission; no one would open the heavy door. The man behind had received the strictest orders to prevent anyone from entering. In vain did Captain Molesworth implore him to let us through, explaining who we were. The man was obdurate. He said that he was very sorry, but he failed to recognise Captain Molesworth’s voice, and he could not disobey explicit instructions.

All the time the precious minutes were flying, and the hour when the challenge was to be met had actually arrived. It was, indeed, an anxious and a trying moment. We heard afterwards that when the hour of the challenge came and Samson saw that I was not there, he strutted up and down the stage, exclaiming: “Ah! see, he does not come! I thought he would not meet me. I will give him five minutes, nay, ten minutes more.” He took out his watch, the minutes were speeding, and still Samson stood alone.

Meanwhile, resolved not to be baffled by this absurd mischance, it was determined that, as fair words would not open the door, strength should smash it open. A blow well directed, and the door was burst from its hinges. The man inside was slightly injured by this rough method, but a ten pound note served to solace Ins feelings, and to heal his wounds. And we—well, we just managed to save the challenge by the space of half-a-minute.

The Marquís of Queensberry and Lord de Clifford were appointed judges, and they examined closely all the bars, bells, weights, and chains that were to be used in the performance. Samson first desired that I should follow him in some juggling feat with a water bottle, but the judges decided that this was not in the order of the performance. Only such tests of actual strength as Samson was in the habit of displaying could now be allowed. Samson, abiding by this decision, took a large iron bar and bent it over his calf, his arms, and his neck, just as, in a similar way, by striking it on the muscles of the arm, one may bend a poker. The thing is little more than a trick. Of course, muscle is essential to its successful performance; for if you have no muscle you will hit the bone, with the danger of breaking it. Such a performance, although there is a certain knack in doing it gracefully, and with ease, was not difficult to follow.

Samson next took a wire cable, winding it round his chest, under his arms, and then breaking it. This feat, which is performed by inflating the lungs and at the same time contracting the muscles of the chest, I was also able to repeat.

By the third item in the display it seemed that Samson desired to leave the issue of the challenge in doubt, for it consisted in snapping a chain which encircled his arm. This armlet, which fitted Samson well enough, was too small for me. Fortunately I was prepared for the emergency. I had ascertained where the chain was bought, and had got the same firm to make me an armlet of exactly the same strength, of a size suitable to my larger development. When I produced it, Samson at first refused to be satisfied that it would be a fair test, but a representative of the firm who made it stood up in the auditorium and assured the public that it was of the same strength as that of the chain made for Samson. The judges examined it, together with the paper which testified to the equality of strength, and decided that the test would be perfectly fair and that the performance was to continue. I placed the chain on my arm and broke it.

Samson was still dissatisfied, and I made the offer that if either he or his pupil, Cyclops, could repeat my performance with a dumb-bell which I had at hand, we would declare the result a draw, and he could keep his £1,000. The dumb-bell, which was then brought on to the stage, weighed 280lbs. With one hand I lifted it up, then laid down, and finally stood up with it. After that feat I fastened some chains round my arms, then took a dumb-bell weighing 220lbs., raised it to my chest and burst the chains before releasing it.

“I have had enough of this,” now exclaimed Samson. “It’s all humbug, I don’t call this fair play at all.”

The judges, however, were sufficiently satisfied, and Mr. Fleming asked for the £1,000. The reply was that it should be paid in the morning, but it remains to be added that I never received that £1,000. It was stated that Samson had taken his money away, and in the end I agreed to accept £350 from the management of the Aquarium in settlement of the challenge.

When we left the Aquarium after the contest the great crowd followed us cheering, and the four-wheeled cab into which we got, was lifted up by these enthusiasts. The crowd cheered us all the way to my rooms in Leicester-square; newspaper men poured in to interview me; and though I had then no intention of giving performances in public, I was induced to accept one of numerous offers, of £150 a week, made by a syndicate of the members of the Lyric Club, and I commenced an engagement at the Alhambra, giving Mr. Attila £30 a week to assist me.

I spent three months at the Alhambra, and three months in the provinces, and entered into engagements for some years to come.

The reader will probably ask if special means were adopted during this and succeeding engagements to maintain my strength. The answer is very simple: The performance itself provides the necessary amount of daily training. I eat, drink, smoke, and sleep quite in the ordinary way, taking care to observe in all things that guiding rule of moderation to which reference is made in the preceding chapter. I only practice, in order that grace and perfection may be attained, when some new feat is introduced. Personally it may be added, I find that the best time for a performance is about three hours after a meal.

CHAPTER III.
I MEET GOLIATH.

At the end of my first engagement in London and the provinces, I went to Germany for a holiday. Driving out one day at Aachen, I met a veritable giant. He was a quarryman, and he was engaged in loading stones. So huge and extraordinary was his appearance that my horse positively shied at him.

Imagine, if you can, this tremendous fellow: his head as huge and grotesque as that of any pantomime mask, with a nose the size of an ordinary fist. As for his own fist, it would have made more than three of mine, and when a five-shilling piece was placed beneath the ball of his finger, believe me, it was impossible to see it. So large were his boots that not only could I get both my feet into one, but I could turn entirely round inside. And yet, strangely enough, despite his immense limbs and body, he was not an extraordinarily tall man. A little more than six feet; six feet two-and-a-half inches, in fact, was his height. His chest measurement was about eighty inches and his weight 400lbs. He was not a fat man in proportion to his size. Quite the contrary. He was bony and muscular.

The thought occurred to me as soon as I saw him that to give him a part in a performance as a modern Goliath would be, from a popular point of view, eminently attractive. I asked him what wages he was earning. “Five marks a day,” he replied. It appeared that he was given nearly double the pay of an ordinary labourer because he could lift heavier weights and load the carts more quickly. I told him that if he liked to accept an engagement with me I would give him twenty marks a day, whether he worked or not. A German mark, as everyone knows, is equivalent to an English shilling. The giant quarry man could scarcely credit such good fortune, and eventually it was agreed that he should come to my house to talk the proposal over, and have his strength tested. When he came it was found that he could do nothing more than lift heavy weights from the floor. He had never put himself into training, and his exceptional proportions, which, under different circumstances, might have been turned to good account, were of no special use to him. However, it was settled that he should come with me, and I brought him to England.

Well do I remember our arrival at Charing Cross. The huge size of Goliath, whose real name, by the way, was Karl Westphal, attracted the most pronounced attention. It was impossible to think of taking a cab, for no cab would have held him, even if he had been able to get inside it. There was, therefore, nothing for it but to walk to my chambers, which were then in Rupert-street, Piccadilly. Thousands of people followed us the whole way, and Rupert-street was blocked. A giant, when you have got him, is rather like a white elephant. He is a rare creature, but it is difficult to know what to do with him. It would have been clearly unwise to let him go into the streets, and accordingly he had to be kept indoors. For seven or eight weeks I tried to train him, but he proved an idle fellow, and it became evident that nothing much could be done with him.

I had an engagement at that time at the Royal Music Hall, and a performance was arranged in which Goliath had to surprise me, lumbering after me across the stage, and trying to hold me in his grip.

We wrestled together, and it was his business to make himself the victor. Then, in order to finish me, he took a cannon, weighing 400lbs., and placing it on his broad shoulders, prepared to fire. In a moment or so I returned with the clubs. It was now the turn of the giant to show alarm, and gradually he had to retire, with the cannon still on his back, into a frame of refuge. I at once climbed to the top, and getting into a position above my antagonist, I lifted him, his refuge, and his cannon, with one finger, a few inches off the ground. During this part of the performance we fired the cannon, and the whole display was brought to a conclusion by placing my arm through a leathern belt which girt his waist, and carrying him at arm’s length off the stage.

What became of him after he left me I never heard. The last report was that he had carried off his own landlady, and that the two had started some sort of show together.

CHAPTER IV.
A PRESENTATION UNDER CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

After my engagement at the Royal came a holiday in Paris. It was there I met a very dear school friend, whom I had not seen since I was about ten years of age. My friend’s father was at this time German Consul at Paris. The incident which followed our meeting will be better explained by prefacing the story with the statement that as boys we were great billiard players. We were continually playing at each other’s houses, and, though we were such mere lads, we could even beat our fathers at the game. Nothing, therefore, was more natural than that, when we met, my friend should ask me if I was still a good player. As a matter of fact I was not in practice, but that did not deter us from deciding to try our skill. So we went to a room which he selected, and started a game. He did not know then that I had made my strength a profession; he was rather under the impression that I had followed my father’s desire and studied medicine. However, the game began, and, as we talked a good deal over old times and spoke in German and played rather slowly, I suppose we unconsciously annoyed a party of Frenchmen. At any rate they made unfriendly remarks, and before we had finished our game they marked on the slate that they had engaged the table. Wishing to play again, we were not disposed to give it up to people whose manner was obviously offensive. As our right to continue was disputed, the attendant was called, and it was pointed out that, according to the regulations of the establishment, we were perfectly within our rights in playing a second game. So we played on, and whilst we were joking and laughing about old times they, it seems, thought we were making fun of their discomfiture.

When the game was finished we ordered two steaks, which were served at a table behind the players. We were still laughing over old times when one of the party came up, saying angrily, “I’ve had enough of your laughter; if you don’t stop be sure I’ll make you.”

I told him that I was very sorry that my mood offended him, and if I could not laugh at our own personal jokes I should be sorrier still. It was added that I did not wish to interfere with him, and it was suggested also that he should attend to his own game and leave us alone.

It was evident that he wished to pick a quarrel. Nor would hot words suffice him. Vowing that he must give me something to remember him by, he struck me across the face. Beneath this fresh insult I tried to remain quite calm, telling my assailant that it would be certainly better for him to take himself off and leave me alone. But at such times, when the temper is quick, good advice is not heeded; moreover, he probably thought he had to deal with some one of poor spirit.

Whatever may have been in his mind the facts are plain: finding that I took one blow calmly he struck me another and called me coward. My friend, who had hitherto kept quiet, now attempted to interfere, but I held him down, nearly wrenching his wrist round. The force which was exerted must have given him an idea of the strength that was ready to be used if it were needed, for looking first at his wrist and then at me, he exclaimed in English, “Why don’t you knock the fellow down?”

“So you speak English,” said the Frenchmen, “Why don’t you get up and fight me?” With these words he struck me fiercely on the nose. The blood streamed down my clothes, which were spoilt besides by the gravy that was splashed on them in the disturbance from the dishes. My appearance must have been deplorable, and as I was that morning wearing a new suit, I lost my patience with the man. I walked slowly towards him, and with a quick grip of his neck and knees, I picked him up, knocked his head and knees together, and banged him down in the centre of the table. The table broke through, and he fell to the ground. You can imagine, I daresay, the scene of wreckage and consternation—the smashed table, the man dazed, lying in a heap on the floor, his friends around him open-mouthed with amazement. In the midst of this scene I sat down with my friend and smoked a cigar.

A gendarme was fetched. He entered the room and wanted to arrest me. The proprietor caught hold of him, saying, “Be careful, he is an awful man, he will kill you. You must have some assistance.” Four more gendarmes were summoned, and, refusing to take me in a cab, they marched me along to the police station. Some of the friends of the man who was hurt accompanied us and explained to the authorities that the regrettable affair was not my fault. They were sorry at what had happened, and I was liberated on bail.

Meanwhile they took their injured comrade to the hospital. He was still unconscious, and in that condition he remained a day and a half. Being sincerely sorry for the injury I had caused, I called at the hospital and asked to see him, but he refused.

As soon as he recovered, which was not for some weeks, I left Paris to return to London to fulfil an engagement at the Tivoli.

One night, whilst I was performing there, the porter brought me a message asking if I would step up to see a gentleman and a party of friends in a private box. When I went up I seemed to recognise the face of the person who wished to see me, but I could not recall where I had seen it before. The party invited me to take wine with them, and nothing would satisfy them but my consent to be their guest at supper.

When we reached the hotel, my host said: “I perceive, Mr. Sandow, you have only pretended that you know me. You do not really recall my identity.”

It had to be confessed that he was right.

“If you really knew me,” he proceeded, “you would probably not speak to me.”

“Why not?” I asked. “I speak to you because I seem to like you, surely that is sufficient.”

“We will see,” he added; “I have come a long way to see you. I have come from Paris. I am an amateur in your own line, performing feats of strength myself. Of all my friends I have the reputation of being the strongest. Having read of your performances in the French and English papers, I was determined to come to London to see you. I saw the whole programme at the Tivoli to-night, waiting impatiently for your display. When you stepped on to the stage I nearly dropped to the ground.”

“Why!” I asked, growing curious.

Tears stood in his eyes, as he exclaimed earnestly, “Will you promise to forgive me, promise me that or I cannot tell you.”

I told him that I did not know what I had to forgive, but at any rate I promised to forgive him in advance.

“Well,” he went on, “if I had known you were Mr. Sandow I would never have struck you that blow in Paris;” and then in enthusiastic French fashion he clung hold of me and kissed me on the cheek—on the cheek that he had previously smacked—before all the people.

Of course, why had I been so blind? This was my assailant of the French billiard room. All, however, was now forgiven and forgotten, and as a token of our good understanding he presented me with a handsome gold watch. To-day we are the greatest friends, and, whenever I go to Paris, I stay with him. He is a French Count, but for obvious reasons, not the least being that he is my friend, despite the hard knocks which came of our first meeting, it would not be fair to disclose his name.

CHAPTER V.
THE LIVING WEIGHTS.

About this time there were many strong men. Each hall in London could boast of at least one. It was also a great weight lifting period. When I lifted my heaviest bell, 280lbs., the other strong men put out a placard stating that they were lifting 300lbs. By the time I had practised sufficiently to raise the weights I was lifting from 280lbs. to 300lbs., they came out with the statement that they were lifting 320lbs., and so their little game went on.

For my part I was determined to introduce a novelty. Henceforth, there should be actually living weights. I started, therefore, at the Tivoli with a new display, lifting a horse at arm’s length above my head, and marching with it to musical accompaniment.

This was followed by a display with human dumb-bells. Taking a long bar with a large ball at each end, I placed in each ball a man, and I raised bar, balls, and men, slowly over the head. After putting them down the balls opened and the men rolled out. This performance I accomplished in order to equal the feat of lifting 300lbs. dead weight.

Further, I lifted, and supported on my chest, a grand pianoforte, with an orchestra of eight performers on top of the instrument.

There was still a fourth feat which I performed, knowing that no one could equal it, and that was to turn a somersault whilst holding a weight of 56lbs. in each hand.

These performances I repeated in the provinces. During this tour I had the pleasure of visiting not only many of the chief cities of England, but also Edinburgh and Glasgow. Who can fail to be deeply impressed by the grandeur and magnificence of the scenery of Scotland? Certainly I was not proof against it. Never have I visited a more beautiful city than Edinburgh, and the Scottish people themselves I found exceedingly kind and agreeable. Since then, I have been to Ireland, and can testify that its people are as frank, generous, and warm-hearted, as they are always represented to be. Certainly, some of the happiest days of my life were those spent in the Emerald Isle.

At the end of my first provincial tour I returned to London to fulfil an engagement at the Palace Theatre. Here I introduced another novelty. In place of the orchestra I held three horses on my chest. These animals stood on a plank, one at each side and the third in the centre, holding the balance in a game of see-saw. Included in this performance was the feat in which a Horse Guardsman on his horse rode over me, thus completing at that time the chapter of living weights.

CHAPTER VI.
ON THE “ELBE”: BOUND FOR NEW YORK.

We come now to the year of the Chicago Exhibition,when I entered into a contract for an engagement in America, with Messrs Abbey, Scheffel, and Grau.

An old friend and famous pianist, Martinus Sieveking, whom I knew years before in Belgium and Holland, accompanied me to the New World. Sieveking was a brilliant artist, but as a man he was exceedingly weak and delicate. He had no powers of endurance, and it was difficult for him to remain at the piano long at a time.

“If I had only your strength,” he used to say, “I think I might become almost the greatest player in the world.”

I suggested that he should come with me as my guest to America, guaranteeing that in nine months or a year, under my personal supervision and training, he would grow so strong that his best friends would scarcely recognise him.

Agreeing to come, he travelled with me all through America. The result of my system and supervision was that his strength grew marvellously. Within the year, weak as he was at the start, he became the strongest of all my pupils, and the most redoubtable amateur I have ever met. The portrait, which is printed on an earlier page will speak for itself when you remember that a year before it was taken the sitter had a gaunt, slim, delicate figure, with narrow chest, sloping shoulders, and no muscles worth speaking about.

But I am going ahead too fast. Let us revert for a moment to our departure from England. We sailed on the Elbe, the vessel that was afterwards wrecked. There was a good deal of bustle in getting on board, and some curiosity, I suppose, amongst the passengers, when they saw the sailors straining beneath the weight of my luggage and apparatus, and got to know that a strong man was to sail with them. With the captain and the first engineer I became very friendly, giving them, during the voyage, lessons in my system.

Somehow I used to feel that the ship we were on was a doomed vessel. I am not ordinarily superstitious, and it is not necessary to attempt to account for the feeling, but do what I would I could not shake off the dread impression that one day that ship would go down. I became so friendly with the engineer, whom I used to visit in his own cabin, that I advised him to give up his appointment and go to sea no more.

Some time after that, whilst I was in America, the world was startled by the news of the Elbe’s disaster. My friend, the engineer, was amongst the few who were saved. He wrote me a letter telling me of the tidings. This letter touched me very deeply,and, seeing that it contains a story of singular bravery, it may not be inappropriate if I introduce here so much of it as I remember.

Having commented on the strange fulfilment of my prediction, he described how, when the boat was going down, the captain lashed himself to the bridge, saying he would never leave his ship. From the engineer’s boat they called to him to come on, but he would not stir. Then they sent back the pilot, but still to no purpose. By the faint glimmer of a lantern he pencilled a note which he asked might be sent, if the bearer should be saved, with his heart’s love to his dear wife and children. For the last time the pilot left the ship, and as the boat bore away from its now fast sinking sides the captain from the bridge, immovable from the post of duty, waved his long farewell.

CHAPTER VII.
MY FIRST HOUR IN AMERICA.

First experiences are occasionally curious. You shall hear one of mine.

Although the day we reached New York was the hottest that had ever been known in that great country of wonderful records, no heat, however extreme, could detract from the glories of New York Harbour, certainly the finest harbour I have ever seen. Numerous people, including, of course, the ubiquitous newspaper men, came on board to welcome me, bands were playing, and there was a gay and busy time generally.

Having landed, I entered a cab. Everyone, I suppose, has a vivid recollection of his first cab in America. The independence of the American cab-driver is sublime. It is something too great for words. You can only draw a long breath—and admire it. The particular journey which I was undertaking would have been in England something considerably less than a shilling fare. Hoping to be generous I proffered the driver an equivalent in English money to two shillings. To my surprise he said, “I guess, Colonel, that’s for myself; your fare is four dollars”—just eight times as much as I had offered. Of course, I could not argue with the man. He knew better than I, and there was nothing for it but to pay promptly what he demanded. Moreover, in America, it must be remembered, they charge, not for the drive, but for the cab.

Mr. Abbey, who met me on the boat, accompanied me to the hotel at which I was to stay. At the office his attention was called away for a moment, and I was left to the tender mercies of the bell boy, a nigger, who was asked to show me the rooms.

“Come along, sir,” the boy drawled. And along I went, making my first acquaintance with an American elevator, in which we were shot up heavenwards.

“How high are we?” I asked, as we got out.

“Oh, this is the sixteenth floor,” replied the boy, in an off-hand manner, “you can see if you look down.” I did look down. By Jove, the depth down that staircase was tremendous.

Having selected my apartments, the boy coolly stood beside me in my own room rolling a cigarette and lighting it in my presence. This action seemed a little impudent, but it was nothing to that which was to come. Remarking that I desired to wash, I also asked the boy if he would clean my boots.

“Clean your boots?” he exclaimed, in blank astonishment, “we don’t do that in America, we (speaking of course for himself and the niggers like him) don’t clean boots here.”

“Who then,” I asked, “does clean them?”

“Oh, you must go down stairs for that.” And with these words he reclined on my sofa, rolled another cigarette, and calmly smiled at me.

This was really too much for white flesh and blood to bear. I said to him sharply, “Look here, young man; I may be a stranger in this country and ignorant of some of its ways, but I know enough of Americans to be quite sure that it is not right for you to conduct yourself in this way. If you don’t promptly clear off I will report you!”

But the boy was not easily to be moved. Instead of taking himself off he squared up and wanted to fight me. So I just took hold of that boy, and testing his jacket and trousers to be sure that they would bear the strain, I swung him over the sixteenth floor staircase. And there for a few moments I held him, just to give him a view of the depth, which was so tremendous.

My word, didn’t that boy shout and scream! I assured him that he was quite safe in my hand so long as it was closed, but if he ever attempted his impertinences again I would bring him to the same spot and open it. And I reminded him that a drop through sixteen floors would not be good even for nigger boys who smoked cigarettes in private rooms and affected to be indignant at the suggestion that they should clean a visitor’s boots.

The boy’s cries drew a small crowd, including Martinus Sieveking and the manager of the hotel. The manager fully agreed with the warning I gave the boy, and was profuse in his apologies, saying that such conduct from a bell boy was unprecedented.

CHAPTER VIII.
INCIDENTS OF THE AMERICAN TOUR

A fortnight after my arrival in New York I commenced an engagement at the Casino, and after each performance, whilst I was still stripped to the waist, I gave lecture on anatomy and my system of physical culture in my dressing-room. These lectures were attended by many of the most notable people in America, the crowded audiences including several ladies. I demonstrated how each feat was accomplished, and let the people feel for themselves my muscles, to prove that whilst, when they were relaxed they were as soft as butter, when contracted they were as hard as steel.

I repeated at the Casino the performances that I had been giving at the Palace Theatre in London. As my engagement lengthened I grew better acquainted with the American people, whom, let it frankly be admitted, I liked immensely. They are wonderfully nice fellows, these Americans. The only fault that is to be found with them is the too generous length to which their hospitality is liable to go in the direction of cock-tails. They like to give you a bath of cock-tails, and if a bath should not suffice, they would think nothing of making a river for you. For a moderate drinker like myself, their generosity is a little embarrassing, but as the point was emphasised that I could never have the assurance to say that I had been to America without tasting a cock-tail, I at last yielded to their persuasions, and, judging from the samples of Manhattan, Martini, and Oyster, which I tried, I am hound to confess that these drinks are exceedingly nice and that there is little to beat them. Another striking feature of life in America is to be found in the trotting horses. They are simply marvellous creatures, moving with the ease and almost with the speed of a railway engine.

From New York I went to Boston, where my system of physical training became very fashionable; and after the Boston visit came Chicago, Mr. Sieveking always accompanying me.

When I arrived at Chicago I went to the Trocadero, where I was to appear, and inquired for the manager. A tall slim fellow made his appearance in answer to the inquiry, and for some minutes a game of cross purposes ensued. For whilst I was not sure whether he really was the manager, he doubted whether I was the strong man whom he expected. At last, however, I ascertained that he was Mr. Ziegfeld, or at least Mr. Ziegfeld’s son, and he was assured that I was Sandow. He showed me round the theatre, which was a tremendous place, with accommodation for fully six thousand people. It had been originally an armoury, and was used more for concerts than variety entertainments. Mr. Ziegfeld had taken it because his other theatre, two days before the opening of the exhibition, was burned down. At the time of my arrival it was proving too big, but, as good luck would have it, such was the popularity of my performances, the building, despite its huge size, was filled nightly.

In the exhibition grounds one morning shortly after my arrival, Mr. Ziegfeld suggested that I should drive round in one of the hand wagons.

“My dear fellow,” I said, “it would never do for a strong man to be pushed round like that, what would the people say?”

“Oh, they don’t know you yet,” replied Mr. Ziegfeld, “you get in and try it.”

It was no use for me to chaff him by saying that these wagons were more suitable for idle fellows of his slim proportions, for inside he would have me get. Who of all people in the world should come to push me round but an unfortunate hunchback! The result was that next morning the papers came out with illustrations of the ludicrous scene, with the heading “The strong man too strong to walk.”

At the termination of the World’s Fair, Mr. Ziegfeld proposed that I should prolong my tour. I accepted his suggestion, engaged him as my manager, and he booked a tour for me, including all the principal cities. Throughout this tour I offered at each performance ten thousand dollars to any person who could duplicate my feats of strength or even do anything that could be said reasonably to approach them.

At St. Louis, one of the greatest beer brewing districts in the world, the challenge, I was informed, was to be accepted. The youth who was prepared to meet me, explained that he was somewhat too stiff to accomplish all my feats, and I accordingly promised that if he could repeat one of them, that was to lift with one hand over his head my heaviest dumb-bell weighing 300lbs., I would consent to give him the money.

When the time came for him to take up the challenge, he grew alarmed at the prospect. In answer to my manager’s announcement from the stage that we were ready for him, and that the money had been duly deposited, he stood up in the auditorium to remark that the challenge was made only as an advertisement, he did not believe in it, and he refused to come to the stage. With these words he rushed out of the building. His friends, who had a good deal of faith in his physical powers, rushed after him, and succeeded in bringing him back. In order further to encourage his drooping spirits my manager offered him the ten thousand dollars if he would lift the weight over his head with both hands. But still he did not like to attempt the task he had before rashly undertaken. We then reduced the conditions still further, promising that if he would lift the weight with two hands even as high as his shoulders we would still give him the money. His friends now chaffed and now rallied him, and at last he put his strength to the test; but lo, this vaunted strong man was a very weak man, for so far from being able to raise the weight to his shoulders, he succeeded scarcely in moving it from the ground.

CHAPTER IX.
MY LION FIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO.

Perhaps the greatest, certainly the most thrilling, of all my experiences is that which I am about to relate. It is the story of my lion fight in San Francisco.

I was performing in that western city at the time of the mid-winter fair, which followed the Chicago Exhibition. In connection with this fair Colonel Bone was exhibiting a great menagerie. One day he advertised a fight to the death between a lion and a bear. A tremendous tent, with accommodation for twenty thousand people, was erected for the occasion. Thousands and thousands of persons had bought tickets, when the police issued an order forbidding the performance, and the proposed spectacle had to be abandoned.

The thought occurred to me that I should take the bear’s place, and measure my strength against the king of the forests. Of course there is always between the unarmed man and the beast this disadvantage, that the beast has natural weapons in his teeth and claws, whilst a man has nothing to help him in the fight. This lion, moreover, was a particularly furious animal. Only a week before he made a meal of his keeper. I have met many lions in various places, and this beast was certainly the largest and finest of them all. I was fully prepared to meet him as he was, provided I could have an equivalent for his claws in a short dagger or some similar weapon; but the law in America, as in England, is rightly very stern against cruelty to animals, and the dagger, of course, could not be allowed. If I desired to meet the beast the only way was to fight him as I would box a man, completely unarmed. As there is no law to prevent cruelty to men, there was no objection to this method, though Colonel Bone, as well as my own friends, insisted that if there was to be a fight it must be a struggle between brute strength and human strength. In short, mittens would have to be placed on the lion’s feet to prevent him from tearing me to pieces with his claws, and a muzzle would have to be placed over his head. Even with these precautions I was advised not to proceed with the contest. “With his strength,” said Colonel Bone, “he’ll knock your head off.” But, personally, I had no fear, I was only anxious for the contest to begin. The engagement was accordingly made, and “A lion fight with Sandow” was boldly advertised. The announcement sent a thrill through the cities for hundreds of miles around, and in order fully to be equipped for a performance which would be bound to attract thousands and thousands of people, I decided to rehearse my fight with the lion beforehand.

Accordingly, preparations were made, and with much difficulty the lion was mittened and muzzled. It took several men with lassos and chains some hours to perform this operation, for not only had they to guard against the animal’s overpowering strength, but they had to proceed cautiously in order not to injure him. A great cage, measuring seventy feet across, was brought round, and into it Colonel Bone, one of the most experienced of lion tamers, let the animal enter. Few people were present, but amongst them was my manager, that tall, slim, great, little Ziegfeld, with a face white as snow. There is no doubt that Mr. Ziegfeld and the small company felt the position acutely, for, though personally I had confidence in myself—and confidence of victory is always half a battle won—yet those around were by no means sure of the issue, and there was some fear that my first fight with a lion might be my last.

However, my purpose being fixed, I entered the cage, unarmed and stripped to the waist. The lion, with fury in his eyes, crouched down ready to spring. Having read a good deal of the methods of the lion I was not unprepared for this form of attack. As he made his last strain for a tremendous leap I stepped sharply to the side and he missed his mark. Turning quickly before he had time fully to recover, I caught him round the throat with my left arm, and round the middle with my right. By this means, though his weight was 530lbs., I lifted him as high as my shoulder, gave him a good hug to assure him that it was necessary to respect me, and tossed him on to the floor.

Thus outdone at his first attempt, the lion roared with rage. Rushing fiercely towards me he raised his huge paw to strike a heavy blow at my head. For the moment, feeling the swish of the lion’s paw as it passed my face, I really thought that Colonel Bone’s remark that he would knock my head off would prove true. Luckily I dodged my head just in time, and got a good grip round the lion’s body, with my chest touching his and his feet over my shoulders. Now came the tussle; the more I hugged him the more he scratched and tore, and, though his feet were mittened, he tore through my tights and parts of my skin. But I had got him as in a vice, and his efforts to get away were fruitless. Choosing an opportune moment, I flung him off me, Colonel Bone and my manager shouting to me to come out of the cage, as I had done enough, and the lion’s rage was unbounded.

I was determined, however, before I left to try just one other feat. Moving away from the lion, I stood with my back towards him, thus inviting him to jump on me. I had not to wait many moments. He sprang right on my back. Throwing up my arms I gripped his head, then caught him firmly by the neck, and in one motion, shot him clean over my own head to the ground before me. Colonel Bone rushed into the cage, snapping two revolvers to keep the lion off, and I came out, my legs torn, my neck bleeding, and with scratches all over my body; but I felt that I had mastered that lion, and that I should have little difficulty in mastering him again at the performance that was to be given next day in public.

When the hour for the fight came, the huge tent which held twenty thousand people was literally packed in every part. The cage with the lion was outside, and whilst he was being mittened and muzzled he became so furious that he broke two iron chains that bound him, and got loose. The people shrieked, the very men who a moment before had been boasting of their bravery, were the first to fly, and there was a general stampede. But the moment the lion saw my eyes fixed fearlessly and firmly on him he seemed paralysed. Colonel Bone came up and pulled out his revolver, telling me not to take my eyes off him, as I had him in my power. Whilst we both remained motionless, the cage was brought near his head, and by a dexterous movement I had him over on his back, and once more he was a prisoner. The keepers tried again to mitten him, and after a great struggle they succeeded.

Then came the scene in the arena. The lion appeared first, and as I entered the whole place shook with cheers and applause. Through the whole of that vast assembly ran a thrill of great excitement, and photographers were there ready to take instantaneous pictures of the various positions of the fight with the lion. But no sooner did I enter the cage than the animal cowered down. He knew that I was his master: and he refused to fight. Feeling that the audience would be sadly disappointed, I tried to goad him on, but nothing would move him. Most beasts are cowards at heart, and this lion having met his match at the rehearsal, refused to budge.

At last I caught hold of his tail and twisted it. This was the only thing that moved him. As he made a bound towards me I dodged, swung round and picked him up, and then tossed him down. The fight lasted scarcely two minutes. The lion, recognising that my strength was too much for him, would fight no more. Though I lifted him up and walked round the arena with him on my shoulders he remained as firm as a rock and as quiet as a lamb. The fierce fight at the rehearsal had subdued his courage. He was clearly conquered. I was afraid that my audience would be disappointed with the comparative tameness of the proceedings, but, on the contrary, everyone seemed thoroughly satisfied, and “the lion fight with Sandow” was long the talk of the day in San Francisco.

CHAPTER X.
FURTHER INCIDENTS OF THE TOUR.

At the end of my engagement in San Francisco I organised my own company for a holiday tour in California. What a lovely country is that; a country of perpetual summer and blue sky, of bright flowers and delicious breezes. Well do I remember our arrival in Los Angeles. Thousands and thousands of people came to meet our coach, the children smothering us with roses as though it were some battle of flowers.

But, of course, there were rough journeys in America as well as pleasant ones. On the way to Omaha, for example, we had an experience of the wilds. At the small villages at which the train stopped it seemed to be the custom to adjourn for the fifteen or twenty minutes to the gambling dens that adjoin the stations. Gambling has never had any attraction for me personally, but “In Rome one does as Rome does;” and so in America. Accordingly, we visited one of these gambling houses. There is no question about the gambling. You play with dice. Everything is conducted at lightning speed, and before you know where you are high stakes have been lost or won—usually, it may be said, they are lost. In our case we started, in the few minutes at our disposal, by winning a good deal. Then we lost, and we left that place with our pockets practically empty. I had lost three hundred dollars, another lost four hundred, and a third eight hundred.

During the next part of the journey we heard that there was another gambling house at the station at which we should stop on our way. It was in connection, we understood, with that at which we had just lost our money, and no doubt the manager would be informed by telegram of the easy manner in which we had been duped, in order to be prepared for our arrival. But we were determined to be even with those gambling house keepers. We agreed at the start not to risk more than five dollars, and if we won we would depart with our winnings before the luck, as in the last case, set in against us. For once expectations were realised. Precisely the same thing happened. At the beginning we had all the luck; we not only recovered what we had previously lost, but each of us had a few hundred dollars to the good. Then of a sudden our luck began to turn. That was the signal. There was six or seven minutes to spare before the train started, and the manager and his friends said “You have lots of time, gentlemen, they will tell you when the train’s ready.” Much to their astonishment, however, we insisted on leaving, and as we walked out with our pockets fairly full the faces of those men were a study. I think on this occasion we had turned the tables successfully.

CHAPTER XI.
MY DOG SULTAN. END OF THE TOUR.

At this stage of the tour I will introduce, with the reader’s permission, my dog Sultan, the holder of seventeen first prizes. This dog, a handsome boar-hound, standing about thirty-four inches high at the shoulders and weighing some two hundred pounds, had been presented to me as a puppy by Prince Bismarck. Though I have never specially trained him, the dog has remarkable intelligence. My companion throughout my tour in America, he used to jump into the luggage van at every journey’s end to find my trunks, and those that were not too heavy for him to lift, he would bring out of the van. A similar performance would be repeated when we reached the hotel. Sultan would himself carry a good deal of the luggage upstairs, taking it up piece by piece, and disdaining the assistance of the niggers who would sometimes offer to give him help. Not unnaturally, he became a great favourite wherever we went, and, though it was against the regulations, the hotel managers would allow us to have him in our rooms. He would never go out without carrying a satchel containing his chain and muzzle, a box of pills, two brushes, a tooth brush, a comb, and a few pieces of flannel, which were used for rubbing him down and keeping his coat in careful condition. He seemed to know perfectly each of these contents, and if one was ever missing he would not be satisfied until it was found or replaced.

Sultan can carry me very easily. Once in America I sprained my foot. I happened to be staying at the time at about the only hotel in the country which is not furnished with elevators. My rooms were on the second floor, and that faithful and devoted creature would carry me up and down stairs before and after each performance, for I was still able to fulfil my engagements despite the sprain.

It is a peculiar thing about Sultan that, though he will not hurt you, yet if you enter a room whilst he is in it alone he will never let you leave until someone has attended to you. As a thief catcher, he is, for this reason, unequalled. On one occasion, as you shall hear, during my American tour, he saved my watch—that watch which was presented to me by my friend the French count. Whilst I am at the theatre I usually leave my coat and vest hanging on the wall of my dressing-room, Sultan being left in charge. One night we missed for more than an hour one of the stage assistants. When I returned to my dressing-room I was unable for the moment to enter. Sultan, it appeared, was blocking the door. Pushing it open I found the missing assistant at the other end of the room in a state of some uneasiness. I asked him what he was doing, and he explained that he had come to see if he could offer me any assistance. Having entered the room, the dog would not let him move, and altogether he made out such a piteous tale that I sent him off with half-a-dollar. When, however, I came to look at my things I found that my watch, instead of being where I left it, in my vest pocket, was lying on the table, together with some money which had been taken from my pockets. It was then clear that the man’s real object in entering my room was not that of assistance, but of robbery. I called him back, verified my suspicions, and had him immediately discharged. For that night’s work we treated Sultan to a special steak for his supper.

This unfortunately was not the only adventure which I had with this watch of which I was so proud. My friend’s gift seemed to be doomed. Whilst we were at Omaha there was a ball given in the city, and Mrs. Sandow and I were invited to be present. As we should be late in returning I told my valet to give Sultan his walk and then to take the dog home with him for the night. We reached home about half-past two in the morning, and being tired we went straight to bed. It may be explained that our bedroom stood behind the drawing-room, from which it was entered. Beyond the bedroom was the bathroom, in which I hung my clothes, leaving my watch and chain in my vest pocket.

I felt that night, as I felt on the “Elbe,” that something was going to happen. Owing to this feeling I took the precaution to lock the drawing-room door. No one could enter the bedroom without coming through the drawing-room first. We felt, therefore, reasonably secure. In addition to my watch and chain, there was Mrs. Sandow’s jewellery, which she had worn at the ball, whilst, amongst other special things, I had five twenty dollar pieces, which I had bought because of their rare dates. These gold pieces I left in my clothes in the bathroom; Mrs. Sandow’s jewellery remained in a drawer in the bedroom.

Through the night we slept without disturbance. In the morning the servant who came to look after our clothes noticed that my watch chain had been broken and that my watch was missing. The five twenty dollar pieces were also gone, but Mrs. Sandow’s jewellery was untouched.

Questioned as to how she got into the room, the girl said that the door was open. Someone had evidently broken into our rooms whilst we slept and had worked so quietly that they had not disturbed us.

A detective was called, and it was ascertained that shortly after we returned from the ball two well dressed men entered the hotel and asked for rooms on the first floor. It was then between two and three o’clock. Before five o’clock they left. The detective remarked that about that hour two men answering the description that was given had been seen to enter a train, and he thought he would be able to succeed in tracing them. I told him that if he brought my watch back he should be well rewarded.

When the rooms were examined it was found that the door had been opened by means of an instrument which was pushed through the keyhole to turn the key. The gas had been half turned on during the night, and no doubt they saw my watch-chain shining in the uncertain light, and decided to take those things that they could lay their hands on most easily without fear of waking us. It might have been supposed to be risky work to rob a strong man; but, on the other hand, it was found afterwards that the burglar was a desperate fellow, who had just completed nineteen years’ penal servitude for shooting a man who was unfortunate enough to wake up whilst he was rifling his room.

During the day the two men were arrested. Four of the twenty-dollar pieces were found on them, but the watch was still missing. The men were taken before the police authorities, but on the ground that the case was not fully proved they were dismissed. After this decision, the detective came to me to ask what the watch was worth. Five hundred pounds I told him, in actual money, but for me it had a priceless value, and not for five thousand pounds would I willingly part with it.

“Seeing that it is worth so much,” he said, “I will try to get it for you if you will promise to give me £800.”

At this moment I realised the situation; at any rate I felt justified in believing that this so-called detective was in league with the burglars, who had themselves owned in court that they knew where the watch was, though they refused flatly to give the information. Feeling disgusted with a man who could thus play so false and mean a game I took him by his neck and trousers and sent him flying through the door.

From that day to this I have never seen anything of my watch. It is, no doubt, lost to me for ever. If I had had my dog with me that night it would never have been stolen, for no burglar would have got past Sultan, however clever he might be at picking locks.

Throughout my tour I offered medals to those of my pupils who were able to show the highest developments under my system of physical training. Thousands of applications were received, and the amount of my correspondence was enormous. In the end I arranged a meeting, at which the pupils stripped for my personal examination, and there the awards were made.

I received also several challenges during my tour. These challenges were frequently made after I had left a city, and as it came to be clear that those who made them merely sought advertisement by associating their names with mine, I deposited ten thousand dollars with the “New York Herald” on the understanding that anyone who seriously meant business should also make a deposit as a guarantee of his good faith. If he duplicated my feats of strength the money would be his. But though this sum was deposited for about nine months I never received an answer. No one ever attempted to win that ten thousand dollars and I have the original cheque, made out to James Gordon-Bennett, to this day. I have had it framed and preserve it as a memento.

At the end of my first tour in America I returned to England, engaged fresh talent for my company, and invented and practised some new feats of strength, including that which I have entitled the Roman horse exercise, and that in which two people drive over me with a horse and chariot. Afterwards I paid a short return visit to America, to fulfil certain engagements, and then came back again to London.

CHAPTER XII.
MY PERFORMANCE AT THE PRESENT TIME.

It may be useful, as a record, to indicate briefly the nature of the salient features of my recent performance at the London Pavilion, and since in the provinces.

To begin with there is a tableau, arranged for the purpose of showing muscular repose, with all the muscles relaxed; muscular tension, with all the muscles as firm as steel; the abdominal muscles; the biceps, muscles of the inside of the upper arm; the triceps, muscles of the back of the upper arm; the deltoid, muscles of the shoulders; the trapezius muscle, which raises the shoulders; the muscles of the back; the action and uses of different muscles; and the chest expansion, from 48ins. normal to 62ins.

The tableau curtains are drawn, and the scene changes to the arena. Resting with my neck on one trestle and my heels on another, I hold a 56lb. weight in each hand at arms’ length and support four men simultaneously on my body. For the performance of this feat it may be mentioned that exceptionally strong neck and abdominal muscles are necessary.

Taking a pack of ordinary playing cards I tear them first in half, then in four parts, and finally into eighths. Next I tear two packs, and finally three packs, each pack containing the ordinary number of fifty-two cards. The feat of tearing in half one pack of cards was originally shown to me by the late Emperor of Russia. My reputation as an amateur had reached his Imperial Majesty, who paid me the honour of commanding my presence. During that interview his Majesty, as a test of his own manual strength, took a pack of cards and tore it, as I have said, in halves. He had never tried more than the one pack, but as is apparent I have succeeded with three, the torn cards being distributed each evening amongst the audience.

Another feat is performed lying prone on the ground. From this position I lift with one hand a Roman chariot, rising upright with it and afterwards lying down again. This feat brings the whole of the muscles into play.

I also introduce my Roman horse exercise. Sitting on a horse and so bending my back as to throw my head over the animal’s tail I raise at arms’ length heavy weights from the ground. Next I pick up two men, one after the other, raising them over my head and seating them in the saddle.

Another interesting feat consists of lifting a man from a prone position on the ground to the horse’s back, using one hand only.

As a concluding feat, I support on my chest a bridge weighing 800 lbs. Over this bridge two persons drive a horse and chariot, making a total weight of about 3,200 lbs.

Sometimes, however, I conclude my performance by lifting with one hand at arm’s length a platform upon which rests an ordinary piano, with a man seated playing upon it. Having lifted it, I march off the stage with the lot, the musician playing a lively tune as we go.

I have not attempted to enumerate all my feats here; of course my performance has been varied from time to time. But a number of other feats have been referred to in the body of the book.

It may be interesting, perhaps, to add that I have recently composed a musical march, entitled “Marche des Athlètes,” as well as a waltz, “Sandowia” and other pieces, which musicians have been kind enough to commend for their brightness and originality.

CHAPTER XIII.
MY MEASUREMENTS.

As a supplement to the previous chapter it may be stated here, in answer to many inquiries, that my own measurements, etc., at the present time are as set forth below. The first edition of the book was written rather hurriedly, and consequently one or two trifling inaccuracies crept in. These are now corrected:—

Age	32	years.
Weight	14	stone 6lbs.
Height	5	feet 9¼ inches.
Neck	18	inches.
Chest	48	”
Chest expanded	62	”
Waist	30	”
Hips	42	”
Thigh	26	”
Knee	14	”
Calf	18	”
Ankle	8½	”
Upper arm	19½	”
Forearm	16½	”
Wrist	7½	”

My strength, it may be added, is steadily increasing. If some one had told me two years ago that I should be able to perform the feats of strength that I now accomplish I would not have believed it. I feel sure, moreover, that in the natural course of things, my strength will continue to increase. With careful training the bodily strength ought to increase steadily until the forty-fifth year is reached.

The above appeared in the first edition. Pupils will be glad to hear that my belief has been fully justified, and that even since the book was first published, some eighteen months ago, there has been a very material increase in my strength.

THE THEORY
OF
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
IN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
BY
THOMAS CHESTERTON,

Organizing Teacher of Physical Education to the London School Board.
LATE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR AT THE ALDERSHOT GYMNASIUM.
Author of Manual of Drill & Physical Exercises, &c., &c.
First-Class (Advanced) Certificates for Physiology and Hygiene from the
Science Department, South Kensington.
Founder of the British College of Physical Education.

WITH A PREFACE BY
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Late Inspector of Military Gymnasia in Great Britain.
Examiner in Physical Education to the School Board for London.

Revised Edition now Ready THREE SHILLINGS.

MANUAL OF DRILL
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For the use of Teachers and Instructors of Physical Exercises, Students in Training Colleges, &c., as taught in the London and other Board Schools, all Army Schools, Principal Public Schools, Civil Gymnasia, Polytechnic Institutions, and Evening Classes throughout the Country.

COMPILED AND ARRANGED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES BY
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ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS.

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The ordinary Dumb-bell, though excellent in itself, has one great defect, which I have been conscious of for years. In prescribing exercises for my pupils I am compelled to trust entirely to them as to the amount of will-power used whilst exercising. They may work energetically or slovenly according to their condition, but how they work is beyond my knowledge or control.

How to combat this has long engaged my attention, and after long years of study and experiment I have at last discovered a Dumb-bell which absolutely compels the pupil to throw the necessary amount of will-power into his work.

This appliance is very simple, and cannot go out of order. It consists of a Dumb-bell made in two halves, separated about 1½ inches from one another, the intervening space being occupied by small steel springs, which may be of any strength.

When exercising, the springs are compressed by gripping the Bells, and bringing the two halves close together, in which position they are kept until the exercise is over.

The pupil who possesses these Bells will find that instead of having to be continually buying heavier Dumb-bells, one pair will suffice him for all time. All that it will be necessary for him to do will be to purchase, at a small expense, new springs from time to time. All pupils are advised to use the “Grip” Dumb-bell upon the merits of which I need not enlarge.

I have always taught that muscle is developed by will-power, not by mechanical movement, and the simple principle of this latest invention is, by calling forth a continual exercise of will-power to obtain results impossible with any previous Dumb-bell.

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See Figure on page 39.Date............................
Name..............................................
Address...........................................
Heart........................
Lungs........................
Digestion....................
Age..........................
Occupation...................
Nature of Illness, if any.............................
How long ago?.........................................
Physical Peculiarity, if any..........................
Medical Examination...................................
Result................................................

Neck.	Chest contract’d.	Chest expanded.	Upper right arm	Upper left arm	Forearm right.	Forearm left.	Waist.

Thigh Right	Thigh Left	Calf Right	Calf Left	Height.	Weight.	Measur’d by

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THE “HOUSE” ON SPORT.

The Work consists of 41 Articles, written by members of the Stock Exchange on the branch of Sport with which they have particularly identified themselves. For full list of contents see next page.

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WHAT THE PRESS SAYS.

From the TIMES, January, 1899.

Not the members of the House of Commons but those of the Stock Exchange are responsible for the collection of articles upon sports and pastimes and the collection of records published under the title The “House” on Sport and edited by Mr. W. A. Morgan. Of its success the names of the contributors are almost a certain guarantee, for the greater number of them are, or have been in their day, among the most celebrated exponents of the sports and pastimes upon which they discourse. It is impossible to name all the writers, but a selection will serve the purpose of showing the authority and experience with which these gentlemen write. Mr. W. M. Chinnery treats of Athletic Sports and Athletes—his achievements on the running path in the ’sixties were great. Mr. B. J. Angle, a veteran enthusiast, contributes a very interesting article on “The Noble Art,” in which will be found not only the records of the prowess of fighters of old time but also the keen criticism of an expert upon the modern style of boxing as compared with the old time method. * * * Of Cricket, Messrs. Gregor MacGregor and C. Carlos Clarke write; and of Cycling Mr. G. Lacy Hillier, acknowledged to be the highest authority, gives the history, to which he adds useful suggestions. * * * The various epochs of Rugby Football fall into the hands of Messrs. W. Maclagan, G. L. Jeffery, and A. Spurling, and Mr. S. Mure Fergusson has a useful little essay on Golf. Still one well-known name follows another until the reader begins to think that the Stock Exchange is the very home of sport. * * * The articles likely to attract the greatest share of attention are those dealing with Metropolitan and University Rowing and on Sculling. Mr. Morgan had, no doubt, plenty of talent to choose from. But to have been able to collect in one volume the views of Messrs. S. Le Blanc Smith, F. I. Pitman, S. D. Muttlebury, Reginald P. P. Rowe, and Guy Nickalls is a real triumph. That which they do not know of oarsmanship is not worth knowing. * * * Many articles have been passed over of necessity, but enough has been written to show that this is a pleasant and useful book, the work of men who speak from experience; it is generously illustrated, mainly with good reproductions of photographs.

CONTENTS.

		PAGE
ARCHERY	By F. L. Govett	1
ATHLETIC SPORTS & ATHLETES	By W. M. Chinnery	9
BOAT SAILING ON THE UPPER THAMES	By W. F. Jackson	17
BOXING. The Noble Art	By B. J. Angle	37
CANOE CRUISING. A Month in a Canoe Yawl	By Geo. A. Rushton	66
COACHING	By W. R. Faulconer	57
COURSING	By T. W. Lang	79
CRICKET in 1898	By Gregor Macgregor	89
CRICKET	By Charles Carlos Clarke	100
CYCLING	By Geo. Lacy Hillier	108
FENCING	By Godfrey R. Pearse	121
FISHING, Salmon—Trout	By Ernest M. Bristowe	128
FOOTBALL, Association	By J. L. Nickisson	142
FOOTBALL, The Different Epochs of the Rugby Game	By W. Maclagan G. L. Jeffery	150
FOOTBALL, Rugby	By Aub. Spurling	164
GOLF	By S. Mure Fergusson	171
HOCKEY	By Stanley Christopherson	182
HUNTING	By Philip G. Barthropp	190
HUNTING	By Lord Alwyne Compton. M. P.	195
HUNTING	By A. J. Schwabe	202
LACROSSE	By H. E Byers	206
MOUNTAINEERING	By J. Oakley Maund	259
POLO	By E. B. Sheppard, Walter S. Buckmaster	221
PUNT RACING	By W. Colin Romaine	236
RACING	By A. J. Schwabe	287
RACKETS	By F. S. Cokayne Henry D. G. Leveson Gower	243
ROWING, Metropolitan and General	By S. Le Blanc-Smith	293
ROWING, Cambridge	By By F. I. Pitman S. D. Muttlebury	313
ROWING, Oxford	By Reginald P. P. Rowe	325
SCULLING	By Guy Nickalls	341
SHOOTING, Pheasant—Partridge	By Percy Laming Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart.	385
SHOOTING, Wood-Pigeon	By H. F. Lawford	401
SKATING, Bandy	By G. E. B. Kennedy	349
SKATING, Figure	By Roger H. Fuller	356
STEEPLECHASING	By Cecil Grenfell	363
SWIMMING	By R. G. F. Cohen	377
TENNIS	By A. E. R. Kennedy W. H. Cohen	408
TENNIS, Lawn	By H. F. Lawford	424
WALKING	By Fred. A Cohen	432
WILD FOWLING	By W. A. Beauclerk	438
YACHTING. Corinthian Yachting and Corinthian Yachtsmen	By Augustus G. Wildy	442

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Military College, Guatemala
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Egyptian Army.

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Cornwall L.I., 1st Bn. 32nd Rgt.
Devon Rgt., 11th Rgt.
Derbyshire Rgt., 45th & 95th Rgt.
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Yorks Rgt., E., 15th Rgt.
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