GREECE AND THE OLYMPIC GAMES. [To THE EDITOR OF.TIIIC "SPECTATOR.")
STR,—Some passages in the interesting article on "The
Heritage of Greece" in the Spectator of May 5th recall to me a broad statement made by Mill in his essay on " Early) Greek History and Legend " :—
" The battle of Marathon, even as an event in English history, is more important than the battle of Hastings. If the issue of that day had been different, the Britons and the Saxons might have been still wandering in the woods."
I remember, by the way, that in my early youth a farcical story was current, which was told me as true, and which at the time I firmly believed. It was said that two measures had been proposed in the first Greek Parliament. One was for promptly renewing the Olympic Games ; the other was for reversing the judgment which condemned Socrates to death ! Would not this have been an extreme illustration of the Shakespearean phrase, "a pardon after execution" P—I am, Sir, &c.,
Liormx, A. TOLLEMACHE.
Athenzeutn Club, Pall Mall, S.W.
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