Holbein, the famous long-distance cyclist, has this week made a gallant attempt to repeat Capt. Webb's great feat of swimming across the channel between England and France; and those who saw it declare that although he failed his was really finer display of skill, strength and endurance than Capt. Webb's. It is, of course, only when all the conditions of weather and water are quite exceptionally favourable that such an effort, even of the strongest and ablest swimmer, could possibly succeed; and in Holbein's case the favourable conditions which encouraged his start did not last. Moreover he injured
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