“He was never much inclined, I believe, to take an active part in athletics, though his simple, normal habits of life kept him always in excellent condition physically and mentally. He proved the enduring sturdiness of his frame by his hard service in the Civil War and by the tremendous amount of labour which he afterward put into the study and presentation of public questions. He was, of course, interested in the notable athletic contests that the college boys held, but it was as late as 1894 that he and I witnessed together our first game of football--a Princeton-Yale game at New York. “It was a drizzling, cold day, but he watched every movement of the game from the clubhouse with as keen an interest as he gave to a debate in Congress. “When some mysterious movement in a ‘pile up’ was made, he would turn and ask me about it, but I had to shake my head and confess it was my first game and that it was all Greek to me. “He told me how he felt like the country boy who went to a college football game for the first time, to see the ‘real thing.’ When asked how he liked it, the country boy naïvely replied: “‘They didn’t have no game; they got into a scrap and kept fightin’ all the time when they ought to have been playin ball.’ “At this football game there was little to foreshadow what was written on the political horizon two years later, but I do recall that he seemed to be especially popular with the sturdy young collegians, one of whom remarked to his companion as they passed by us: “‘Who is that distinguished-looking man--the one that looks like Napoleon?’ “The late President was particularly fond of a good play, and when he would come to stay with me at Cleveland overnight, he would always inquire: “‘Is there anything good at your opera house to-night, Mark?’ “We enjoyed many pleasant evenings together. He delighted in meeting the prominent actors and was very fond of Joseph Jefferson. Many an hour have they chatted together, and Jefferson never failed to call and see him when in Washington. Sol Smith Russell was another friend. The drama of high standard was to him a relief from worriments of the day and thoroughly enjoyed as a relaxation. He delighted to discuss with these play folks their art, and how actors, like men in public life, had to cater to public wishes, and how much their influence meant in producing plays of healthful purpose and moral teaching. Mrs. McKinley was also very fond of the theatre; he always delighted to indulge her, and they spent many happy evenings together witnessing the best plays that were on the boards. “He never tired of seeing Jefferson in ‘Rip Van Winkle’ and ‘The Cricket on the Hearth,’ which were undoubtedly his favourite plays.