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I have as yet found only one letter written by Fisher himself. It appears to be written to a bishop, perhaps the Bishop of Winchester, on some matter relating to the Lady Margaret's estate. The letter is torn and the words in brackets are only conjectural.

Nunc pater si non a[? diuer] is quam primum vereor ne res domine nostre tui am[? antissime] magnam iacturam acceptura sit. Sic sane [Paliquib]us elapsis diebus misi quemdam ad Compton qui [] satis vicinus est. Illum oraui ut curaret [? litteras] quasdam in causa domine manu Regia assigna[? ri]. Quod et recepit facile se facturum. Sed quum vetus exemplar earum non satis responderet, immo discreparet non nichil, vt pote per summam sex librarum, Id vbi Regia maiestas intellexerit, noluit apponere manum. Quamobrem nisi tua paternitas opem tulerit, in hac re desperamus penitus. Misi igitur ambas litteras dominacioni tue ut per spicere posses vnde sit natus hic error. Non enim exspectamus ex eis plures patentes litteras ex hanaperis quam tres quas et Rex ipse ab initio promisit ut constare potest sua manu. Error itaque si quis fuerit, in nobis certe non est sed in Episcopo Dunelmensi solum, cuius iussu littere priores confecte sunt. Tua paternitas felix valeat. Ex Lamhethe

NOTE.-Contarini Paleologus p. 142.

Jo. Roffensis.

Our Sub-librarian, Mr Sayle, inserted a 'Query' in Notes and Queries, as to the identity of this nobleman. Mr Thos. H. Baker, writing from Mere Down, Mere, Wilts, replies as follows (Notes and Queries, Ser. 7, X. Sep. 27, 1890):

"In the churchwardens' accounts of the parish of Mere, amongst the payments to briefs &c, in the year 1622/3 is the following entry 'To Contarini Paleologo at two sev'all collec'cons iiijs.' From this it would appear that a collection was made for him throughout the country."

R. F. S.

VOL. XVI.

A A A

THE FIRST ATHLETIC SPORTS IN CAMBRIDGE.

THLETIC Sports were formally introduced into

the University of Cambridge in the year 1855. If it be asked, "what brought them?" the answer is this: In that year the late Prince Consort visited Cambridge, as its Chancellor, and some Johnian Undergraduates, while waiting about to give him a welcome, indulged in foot-racing in their College grounds. The winner, speaking perhaps a little too boastfully of his success, was challenged and beaten next day by a member of the College. Rumours of this spread beyond the College walls, and a few days later on the Johnian was invited to try conclusions with a Trinity man who enjoyed a reputation for great pace. The two met in a hundred yards' spin in the Trinity backs, and the Johnian won. St John's now got up what was facetiously called a “Johnian Derby," to be held on Fenner's ground. A programme of "Events was drawn up. Entries (limited to the College) were invited, and competitors were soon forthcoming and in training. This programme consisted of

(1) A Flat race of 100 yards, for which there were 32 entries (run in 5 heats: the 1st of 16 pairs, the 2nd of 8, and so on, the 5th heat being the "Final”). (2) Throwing the Cricket Ball.

(3) A Hurdle race, 200 yards, 12 flights, for which there were 12 entries (run in 3 heats of 4 each heat, with a final heat for the 3 previous winners).

(4) Sixteen Hops. (5) Putting Stone (14 lbs). (6) High Jump. (7) Long Jump. (8) Mile Race.

The Sports took place on Fenner's Ground on the afternoons of the 19th and 20th November 1855; and the winners of the several events were

The following is a copy of some "impromptu" lines written for the occasion by a member of the College, an imaginary betting list accompanying his verses :——

THE JOHNIAN DERBY.

I've something now to tell you, Sir,
I've something to tell you:
'Tis all about the Derby, Sir,

For Wednesday at two.

The Derby do you cry, Sir,

The Derby do you say?

Aye! Epsom Downs have come, Sir,

At the 'Varsity to stay.

The sun sees no new thing, good Sir,
So pray do not complain:

For did not Birnam wood, good Sir,
Once go to Dunsinane?

I'll promise you good sport, Sir,
Of every kind. They'll run
The hundred yards, as lightning, Sir,
Just greased, to help the fun.

* Now Vicar of Hull and Canon of York.

The mile, the Malt and "Hops," Sir,

With which to wash it down:
And e'en encased in Sacks, Sir,
They'll stumble on a Crown.
All these and many more, Sir,
Of our old English sports,
Will draw a "wapping" lot, Sir,
Within great Fenner's Courts.
Here is a list of all, Sir,

The "running horses" then ;
With all the latest odds, Sir,
Upon the leading ten.

And if you'll back my tip, Sir,
1000-1 you'll get:

For certain 'tis, the winner, Sir,
Will be the "Johnian pet."

LATEST BEtting.

Hundred Yards Race,

Even on Lord John.*

3-2 against Tony Lumpkin.+

The Nigger (by Dred out of Master of Maudlin).

The Ditton Publican.

Frosty Headed B.

Blue Peter.

4-I

La Maison Blanche.

By Electric Telegraph. 5-4 against Welsh Rabbit.‡‡

John Russell Jackson.
† Anthony Wilkinson.
Nigel Neville.

** Williams.
††D. De Castro.

O. J. Owen.

Thus the 19th November 1855 is the birthday, and St John's College is the birth-place of Athletic Sports in the University of Cambridge. This College held its second meeting in 1856; and other colleges held their first. In this same year "University Sports: were promoted and held. Nor had Cambridge long to wait for a worthy rival, for Oxford was soon busy on similar lines, and in due course matters ripened for those popular inter-university meetings at Lilliebridge or the Queen's Club, which assist in giving healthful exercise and pleasure to so many, year by

year.

J. R. J.

* J. C. Harkness.