FOOTBALL

seems to become more popular every year, especially the A ociation game. In the latter, England in 1896 beat Ireland by 2 goals to o, and Wales by 0 goals to 1; Scotland drew with Ireland, and beat England by 2 goals to 1, and Wales by 4 to o. In the International League match England beat Scotland by 5 to 1. The A ociation Cup was won by the Sheffield Wednesday, who beat the Wolver hampton Wanderers by 2 to 1. Oxford beat Cambridge by 1 to o. The Amateurs drew with the Profe ionals. The Amateur Cup was won by Bishop Auckland, who beat the Royal Artillery (Portsmouth) by 1 to o. The champion club in Division I. was Aston Villa with 45 points, Derby County having 41; and in Division If. Liverpool and Manchester City drew with 46 points each. In the Rugby game, Scotland beat England by 11 to o, and drew witli Ireland. Ireland beat England by 10 to 4, and Wales by 8 to 4. England beat Wales by 25, and Wales beat Scotland by 8 to o. North beat South by 13 to 4, and Cambridge beat Oxford by 5 to o. It is estimated that £1,coo,000 is spent every year on profe ionals in the country.