OUR SPORTING COLUMN.

Columbia. - The Columbia Four and one substitute sailed for England on the 23d inst. It is criticised as being a fair crew, about on a par with the Dublin Four which came over here to row in the Centennial Regatta.

That Amateur Definition. - If the English adhere strictly to their new definition of an amateur, not one of our crews - not even the Columbia Four - will be qualified to start in an amateur race on the other side of the water. By the rule no one is an amateur who has "worked in or about boats for hire," etc., etc. Now one Smith, of the Emerald Boat Club, we think, did once upon a time, for hire, catch some fish for a gentleman from a boat. Hence, he is no longer an amateur by the rule. Now almost all our amateur fours, including the Columbia Four, rowed last year in races against the crew in which Smith pulled. Therefore, having competed with one who was not an amateur by the rule, by the rule they too are disqualified and cannot row as amateurs. Columbia may win in England, but by the rule she can be disqualified, as can almost any other of our amateur fours.

Silver Lake. - We were glad to see the name of Mr. W. N. Goddard, '79, among the entries for the amateur scullers' race at Silver Lake. He will have to meet some very queer "amateurs" in his race, but all will wish him success in his plucky undertaking.

Cornell. - The Freshmen crew's average is : height, 5 ft. 10 1/2 in.; age, 20 2/5 years; weight, 160 2/5 pounds. They are being coached by Ostrom and others, and will make a good fight for their race. In view of this, it is to be hoped that no man of our Freshman crew will throw a chance away.

ATHLETICS.

School Athletes. - We see by yesterday's New York World that an athletic meeting is to be held at Mott Haven for school-boys only. Each boy entering must show a certificate of good standing signed by the master of his school. This scheme, properly carried out, should be a grand success, and will prove to be a long step in the right direction. If such schools as Exeter, St. Paul's, etc., would make more of a feature of athletic outdoor sports, - make it a part of the course, in fact, - and provide proper instructors in running, walking, etc., the advantage would be incalculable; the gain would be not merely physical but also mental, and the good effects of such sports would be felt all through life.

City of New York. - This college held its annual games on May 25, in New York, and the following is a summary: Hundred-yards, Palker, 10 7/8 sec.; quarter-mile run, Collister, 1 min. 5 sec.; half-mile run, Bomeister, 2 min. 22 sec.; mile-walk, Smith, 8 min. 57 sec.; five-mile walk, Boggs, 47 min. 11 sec.; running long-jump, Stuart, 17 ft. 11 1/2 in.

Trinity College. - The first meeting of the Athletic Association of this college was held on May 25, and we append the results of the different races. Hundred-yards, J. D. Cheever, 10 3/4 sec.; mile-walk, L. Webster, 8 min. 46 sec.; running broad-jump, R. M. Campbell, 20 ft. 11 in.; half-mile run, F. G. Russell, 2 min. 33 sec.; three-legged race, Wilcox and Camp-bell, 16 1/4 sec.; quarter-mile run, E. D. Appleton, 58 sec.; running high-jump, F. G. Russell, 5 ft.; three-mile walk, L. Webster, 36 min.; 100-yard hurdle-race, F. D. Wilcox, 18 sec.; standing long-jump, R. M. Nelson, 9 ft. 5 in.; mile-run, R. M. Nelson, 5 min. 57 sec.; 100-yards sack-race, R. M. Campbell, 20 sec.; pole-vaulting, F. L. Wilcox. 8 ft. 10 in.; 220-yards, J. D. Cheever, 25 1/2 sec.; tug-of-war, Class of '80.

Yale. - The Athletic Sports of this college came off, on May 29, at New Haven. F. W. Brown, '78, won the 100-yards dash in 10 1/4 sec, which is wonderfully fast time. H. L. Livingston, '79, won the half-mile run in 2 min. If this time is correct, and the distance run was 880 yards, it is the fastest amateur time in America by some seconds; and we think, although we have not the records at hand just now, that it is very nearly the best amateur time ever made. Mr. Livingston also won the quarter-mile in 54 3/1 sec. O. D. Thompson, '79, and J. Jewett, S. S., '79, were tied in the running high-jump at 5 ft. 2 in. Dorshimer, '78, won the mile-walk in 8 min. 38 sec. J. Jewett, '79, won the mile-run in 5 min. 45 sec.

BICYCLES.

At a meeting of the Cambridge University Bicycle Club held in the first part of this month near London, Eng., the three-mile race was run in 11 min. 31 sec. Of course this time, although only fair for the other side of the water, was made by men who were thoroughly trained and who rode over a cinder path. When our University Bicycle Club is organized, and a good track has been laid on Holmes or Jarvis, we have no doubt that 11.31 will be equalled and beaten. The race at Beacon Park last week shows that we have the material for fast time; careful training will do the rest.