Note 212 — 1856. CONCLUDING SERVICES IN THE CRIMEA.

On that day foot races and games were carried on at Chatham, which drew thousands of holiday people to the lines to witness them. The races were so arranged that each of the principal services in garrison should win a prize. These were the royal sappers and miners, provisional battalion, royal marines, and medical staff corps. Each corps in turn ran its own approved racers, and the best man among them received a reward. The successful competitors afterwards drew up on the course in aerial costume—the representatives of their regiments—whose athletic reputation seemed to depend on their energies and success. With significant but pardonable conceit and confidence they took their stations, all certain of winning. They started—their pace was beautiful. Well together, it was difficult to say who would first reach the goal, but corporal Pennington of the sappers, rushing ahead with the swiftness of the wind, flew past the winning post cleverly by several yards and bore away the “Champion’s belt,” thus inaugurating by his conquest the altered designation of the royal sappers and miners.