(Applause.) They all had read of the Olympic games of the ancient Greeks, and the kindred sports indulged in by the Romans of old.

Their athletic contests being conducted in the presence of immense crowds of spectators naturally stimulated the athletes to distinguish themselves; the applause of their fellow-citizens urged them on to strive with might and main to win the crown of laurel or ivy leaves with which the brow of the victor was decked.

He well remembered an incident recorded in Grecian history, where two brothers had been engaged in an athletic contest and been victorious.

When they came forth to receive the crown which rewarded their victory, their aged father--who himself, in his younger days, had been an athlete--was present, and the sons placed their crown on his venerable head.

He was sorry that the father of the young heroes whom they were then entertaining was not present to witness the reward freely bestowed upon his sons by their fellow-countrymen.