As a sporting town Reading has maintained its early character, since the day when Henry II., after a day's hunting, claimed hospitality at the Abbey. The Abbot, not knowing his visitor, exclaimed "that he would give 200 marks to be able to make so hearty a repast," and the King, willing to oblige him, ordered his confinement in the Tower, where, after a fortnight of prison diet, the Abbot was able to do equal justice to a sirloin of beef, and the King, who appeared on the scene, claimed his 200 marks. Cricket, football, lawn-tennis, and boating are all heartily supported at Reading, and no less than three packs of hounds are within an easy canter of Reading, meeting always in the vicinity. A fox is always to be found in the preserves of Mr. T. Garth, of Haines Hill, who has been so long master of the hounds that his name is a home word among sportsmen. Mr. J. H. Hargreaves, master of the South Berks, is becoming equally popular, and his liberality and love for sport knows no bounds. A very good day may be had with the harriers, and otter hounds have this season been working the Kennet. They were, however, baffled by an old dog otter at Midgham, who, after an open fight in the stream, ducked for the season. As a military town Reading has always been to the fore, and a new military station was completed in 1877, and occupied, Jan. 28, 1878, as a recruiting centre and for training the Berkshire Militia. It is at present occupied as depots of the 1st (late 49th) and 2nd (late 66th) battalions of the Berkshire regiment, and contains 154 officers and men. The building consists of the keep, officers' quarters and mess, stores, stabling, cook-houses, &c., two blocks of buildings capable of holding 228 unmarried men, together with thirty-one married quarters. The commanding officers are Colonel J. Jordan, C.B., Major Temple, Captain Bogue, Captain Evans Gordon, Lieutenant Fitzgerald, and Captain D. C. 0. Spiller, paymaster. The situation of the barracks is to the west end of Reading, with ample space as drilling-ground.
Source: The Illustrated London News, July 8, 1882, p.45