EUGENE SANDOW.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 11

EUGENE SANDOW.

Sandow’s first puuiic appearance ;n Britain took place 11 years ago. Saudow was 23 years of age, and had. since he entered his teens, been an intelligent disciple of what he himself always designated physical .culture, by which lie meant t~e study ol means whereby, without undue strain, or painful or uncomfortable muscular exertion, any set of limbs, muscles, or functions of the human body could be neatly, naturally, or abnormally developed. He was posing to Mr Aubrey Hunt, R.A., in Venice for the now well-known picture of the Coliiseum at Rome, when he heard of a strong man known as Sampson challenging the whole world to trials of strength* The challenger was at that time appearing nightly at the JRoyai Westminster Aquarium, London. Sampson had with him a” pupil whom he styled Cyclops, and he worded the cnaflenge to include himself and pupil, or anyone of the two. He offered the sum of £IOO ta anyone who would perform the, feats shown by himself or pupil. Sandow, it may be here mentioned, is a Prussian by birth and was born m Ivonisberg on the second day of April, 1567.

Coming to Londion, he visited the Aquarian*, saw the performances of Sampson and Cyclops, and determined to earn that £IOO note. His friend, Atilla, went on the stage at the Aquarium, and on behalf of Sandow accepted the challenge, and the newcomer was invited to come forward, which lie did, clad in well-fitting aress suit. He partly disrobed, and performed every feat set him with an ease and grace that quite dwarfed the efforts of his two opponents. He earned and was paid the £IOO after much quibbling on the part of Sampson. He also offered to perform any of Sampson’s wire-breaking, cable stretching, or chain-snapping tricks or feats, also volunteering to break two steel chains with his naked fist that Sampson did with gloved hands, if the latter would give him the £SOO he was accustomed to offer to anyone who would perform the feat. A The young athlete’s success fairly folk London by storm, and his performances were recorded in every part of the world. A successful, and to Sandow fix ancially happy, engagement followed at the Aquarium, where for months lie continued to delight and surprise the large body of spectators.