Athletics now are regarded in a different light. Very few of us go through the tedious systematic drill necessary to a perfect physical condition. By many, indeed, the exercise of the entire year is crowded into the short space of a fortnight, and then it is taken only as recreation. A better form of the practice is found in what we might term team athletics, but even here we lack the wise purpose of the ancients. The object in this case is to develop a squad of athletes, generally those already well gifted by nature, to compete with and defeat another such team of picked men. As a consequence, in the great effort to produce a winning crew or eleven, the especial needs of the individual are forgotten. So, notwithstanding the fact that every one is welcomed as a candidate for these teams, the final result is to turn out, perhaps, a score of exceptionally well drilled men, while hundreds of others, who, in reality, most need the exercise thus afforded, are content to fill the grand stands and cheer their men to victory. Undoubtedly, team athletics does much good. It stimulates a greater interest and brings more men into the field than any other influence; but it still falls short of the ideal purpose of athletics--to get everyone, gymnasts or invalids, to develop their bodies with the same systematic care with which they train their minds. Physical exercise must not be considered merely as a form of recreation or a detail in the making of an athletic team, but rather in the light of a training which, in the future, will have a very telling effect upon our lives. Even if we can never hope to lower a track record or win a place upon the gridiron, we should not wholly surrender the field to those who already excel: but see that a corner of it, at least, is left for those who are not born athletes--those who, in fact, are most in need of exercise. Event and Comment The King’s Illness Almost on the eve of the coronation in London came the announcement of the serious illness of King Edward. Falling suddenly upon the people, as it did, the news put a stop to the preparations for a spectacular display seldom, if ever, equaled. Thousands of carpenters, painters, and decorators were putting on the finishing touches all along the path of the triumphal procession. Sixty thousand troops had received orders to guard the route, while at Spithead an immense fleet was preparing for a grand naval review. For a time following the announcement the world waited anxiously for news. Happily, the worst anticipations were not realized, and the recovery has been so speedy that already the time for the coronation has been decided upon. It will take place between August 12th and 15th of this year. * * * * * In comment of the occurrence we quote the London _Spectator_ as follows: