ABSTRACT
Throughout the nineteenth century, particularly during the latter decades, the question of the future composition and usefulness of the British Empire was widely debated. The long reign of Queen Victoria had been an era of world domination by the British, a time when the supremacy of the Royal Navy and advances in transportation allowed a tiny island to expand its influence into distant parts of the globe. It is evident that Cooper’s scheme had caught the interest of many individuals, but he had presented just enough information to cause considerable confusion and speculation as well. Cooper stressed his wish that formality should be kept to a minimum, and that the proposed festival should be staged in a spontaneous and natural way. Despite a lack of detailed information made available to them, the athletic association in Australia and New Zealand proceeded to plan for a trip to compete in the home country.
