1936 On the Continent

stand on a car, or some other elevation, and signal to their masters from the distance after a code that suggests intense excitement, but otherwise conveys nothing to the uninitiated. Naturally, society has reserved places at Epsom too, but the Derby days are nevertheless an almost purely sporting event and do not compete with Ascot.
Coronation Cup
    A characteristic side of Epsom Races is the fact that they are visited by entire families, who arrive by every possible and impossible conveyance, heavily equippedwith picnic baskets and thermos flasks. Luxury cars, motor lorries, crowded buses and horse carriages, are all to be seen at Epsom. The latter include picturesque stage coaches.
    The principal event, of course, is the Derby, the most famous race in the world, which this year will take place on June 2nd. On June 3rd a special race, the Coronation Cup, will be run. The Oaks will be run on June 4th.
    What Ascot and Epsom are to racing, Wimbledon, a residential district south of the Thames, is to tennis. At the English Championship, contests and the Davis Cup games, tennis lovers from all over the world congregate, and in addition to the excitement of the games the human scene is also striking. The English Championships are competed for by the best European and Overseas players. They will take place between June 21st and July 3rd. The Davis Cup competition will be played on July 17th, 19th and 20th, then July 24th, 26th and 27th.
Henley and Cowes
    Henley and Cowes are place-names that are well known all over the world. Henley is a beautifully situated town on the Thames, between London and Oxford. Henley Regatta takes place between June 30th and July 3rd. Many visitors rent some of the old houses in Henley for the Regatta, and during. Regatta Week the otherwise quiet town is all colour, gaiety and animation.
    Cowes, Isle of Wight, which is easily accessible from all the South Coast resorts, and is also connected with London by a regular air service, has become famous for its exclusive Regatta, in which the late King George V usually participated with his yacht. Cowes Week is from August 2nd to 7th, and is an important social event.
    Cricket, the English national game, plays an immensely important part in the, summer. The game is played and watched with equal enthusiasm by young and old. The Eton and Harrow match, which is played at Lord’s Cricket Ground, St. John’s Wood, on July 9th and 10th, shows the immense importance that is attached to cricket in England. The spectators include not only the young sisters of the players but also the older generation of Eton and Harrow “boys,” who sometimes appear with their whole families.
Cricket
    In June this year the New Zealand cricketers will come to England for the Tests, which will last till August, and will be followed with immense interest by the whole of England. The Australian lady cricketers will arrive somewhat later.
    Other sporting events include the University Athletic Championships on May 14th and 15th, and English Championships on May 16th and 17th.
    The Chess Congress at Blackpool in which the leading English and foreign masters will participate, is one of the most important events in the chess world.
Other Sports
    England, being essentially a sporting country, facilities for indulging in or watching all kinds of sports are available to all. For instance, there are so many golf courses in all parts of the country that the total number is practically incalculable. There are courses within London, as for instance at Holland Park, while Richmond, Surrey, has municipal courses, which are accessible at low fees to everyone. However, the countless golf clubs in and around London welcome visitors, and accept temporary members. The golf course of the Royal Automobile Club is one of the many that is available to visitors on such terms.
    Polo is played on the courses of the Ranelagh and Hurlingham Clubs, both near London and easily accessible.
    As regards tennis courts, too, London is probably ahead of any other city in the world. Many suburban hotels have their own grass or hard courts. There are also tennis courts at some of the parks, as at Regent’s Park, Richmond and Battersea Parks.
Riding
    Richmond Park, the more distant Windsor Great Park, and Wimbledon Common, are also open for riding, though the most popular riding course is Rotten Row in Hyde Park, where hundreds of riders congregate in the early morning. Horses may be hired from one of the many