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"Be it a weakness, it deserves
some praise,
We love the play-place of our early days."
- COWPER.
1858
ON my return from abroad I
began to realise the change that had taken place n the provision of
reasonable sport for the young—a change of which I took full advantage in my
leisure hours while I was studying for the Bar. I found my old school, the
Edinburgh Academy, in possession of a splendid cricket field, and the boys
turned out in white flannels. Matches were regularly played, and the Academy
elevens went often long distances by rail to contend with other schools at
games. Such a thing was unheard of in my boy days. I think I can hear my
father, if such a proposal had been made for his sanction, and the producing
of the necessary railway fare, say in decisive tones: 'The match of that for
absurdity I never heard." there was not much of the "nos mufamut in him, and
there were, I know, many others who thought as he did. I think improbable
that if they had had any say in the matter, there would have been no Academy
field. "What was good enough for me, must be good enough for you," was the
feeling. However, the innovation was accomplished while I was absent from
Edinburgh, and looking back now on the effect of .It, I am satisfied that IT
was for good. It brought about the recognition that those to whom parents
handed over their sons for long hours daily had a responsibility to give
attention to bodily development, both for its own sake, arid because without
it the general powers of life might be deficient and under the mental
advance, both by bad effect on the body, and the body reacting on the mind.
I threw myself as a former
pupil into the activities of the cricket and football field. As regards
football, we then played twenty a side, and a scrum was a scrum
indeed—fifteen pushing against fifteen in a tight maul, which often was
immovable for several minutes. The steam rose from the pack like the smoke
from a charcoal-burner's pile. It was much more straining and fatiguing than
the more open game of to-day. During_ the years of my football work I never
was able to cross one leg over another on a Sunday if I had been playing a
match on the previous Saturday, and as for shins, the breaking-up of a maul,
when it came, meant vigorous kickjng ahead, on the chance that ball and toe
might meet. I bear the marks yet.
We had not much luxury. A
small loft over an outhouse in the garden of a villa in the corner of the
field, approached by a wooden ladder—which is still visible—-was our only
pavilion. We played in old clothes of any sort, and coming off the ground we
had no basins, and no lockers. We used to sit and chat till it was dark
enough to go home, without observation. But I know that we enjoyed ourselves
thoroughly, and did not miss the luxuries of to-day, for we had no example
of them. Even the Grange—the most prominent cricket club of Scotland at that
time—provided nothing for us, except a very squalid room with one corner
basin, in the house of the professional, he Grange Pavilion (!) was a wooden
shed with gravel floor, a bar, and a wretched small room for a visiting
team. On great match occasions, marquee tents had to be erected to give the
visitors accommodation.
The public interest in
outdoor games was at that time very small. Unless an All England or a United
All England Eleven was to be seen, scarcely a visitor came to the recreation
fields in the cricket season, and football matches of importance were
unknown. No one came to see the ordinary school or old pupil contests. But
gradually the organisation of outdoor sports of all kinds progressed, and
the estabhshment of annual games created an interest, and led to parents and
Mends assembling in large numbers.
I would here call attention
to the fact that the Academy field contains an erection of historic
interest. In early days Scotland played football vigorously, as well as
golf, the rulers of the time found that the defence of the country was
neglected, and an Act of Parliament was passed in the reign of james IV
which is a model of brevity and pointed injunction, so tersely put that it
can be quoted in small space:
"It is Statute and ordained
that in no place of the Realme there be used fute-ball, golfe, or any other
siiklike unprofitable sports." This followed on a previous Act,
declaring, "The fute-ball and golfe to be utterly direct down and not to be
used. ... That all men busk themselves to be archers." And both statutes
direct the making of "bow markes," at which the citizens were called on to
practise archery.
Fancy what would be said if a
Government enthusiastic for home defence were to bring in a Bill in modern
English to the same effect as the statute of James! "Foirbid Foiotball"
"Forbid Golf" There wpoul;d ne strong cries of a General Election, to test
whether His Majesty's Government had the confidence of the country. The R. &
A.G.C. and the Football Unions would present Brobdingnagian petitions, and
thousands of condemnatory meetings would be held, at which the Iron Duke's
statement as to where the country's battles were, won would be quoted.
Resolutions would be passed, with vehement acclamation, worthy of a
constitutional revolution.
In the Academy field there
stands one of these bow marks for archery practice, in preparation for
meeting the country's enemies. In the neighbouring field, now occupied by
the Grange Cricket Club, stood the other butt, completing the range, and it
is to be regretted that the size of that field made the removal of the butt
necessary if the area was to be used for cricket. Fortunately the Academy
has now a second large field, so that there is no temptation to remove the
remaining butt—a silent record of the patriotism of the ancient Scot. Is
there not a lesson to be learned from that simple symbol of national detence?
Although no such statute could be passed now, is an appeal to patriotism to
be ineffective to-day when our land defences are by no means in a state to
give public confidence that we are prepared for contingencies which may
arise, a fact which it is fatuous for us to ignore with the optimism which
says: "No one will ever desire to attack us. The strong man Is not truly
strong if he is unarmed or inefficient In preparation in time of peace. But
this is trite—pity 'tis that as is trite because :is true, it appears to be
treated as trite—in the sense of "not worthy of consideration."
The butt in the Academical
cricket field forms a grand-stand for viewing the annual games, and for
occasions when a match is so attractive that the spectators at the fences of
the football ground stand three or four deep, and therefore it is not easy
to see. Although it is a silent witness for obedience to the ancient
statute, it must be confessed that football races all around it every
winter. But I am inclined to believe that the keen footballers are not as
neglectful of drill and rifle-shooting as many others. Many a former pupil
of the Academy has done his duty when called on, not a few have fought, and
a few have died, when their country called on them. But the butt pleads
silently for preparation, and preparation in time.
The Academical Cricket Club
held a high placei n the Fifties and Sixties. Although I did not shine as a
bat, I was generally good for some runs, but where I did strong work was in
fielding. Having by nature fairly good juggler's hands, it was not a labour
but a pleasure to me to practise "holding the ball." My mediocrity at run-
getting was, I think, compensated by the prevent: of other people in their
efforts to make runs. It is my experience that there are more matches lost
by inferior fielding than by failure in batting. A man who makes a
moderately good score does more than neutralise it by a catch or two
dropped. One miss may—often does—cause the loss of a match. Too often we
read: "After being badly missed in the slips, Slogg increased his score from
11 to 117." The Records of the last season give many instances of fielders'
failure, and consequent defeat. Therefore I say to the young cricketer: "Do
not think that because you swipe away at the nets chat you are making a
cricketer of yourself, but practise catches and fielding. Without skill at
them, no wise selector will put you in a team. And remember that the
training of the eye in such work counts for much in quick eye action when
batting.
In football the Academy, and
the Academical Club, have always held a high place, although at times they
have temporalily fallen under eclipse. Rut the Academical footballers have
one record which, so far as known, is unique. It may be equalled some day,
but that may safely be said not to be a likely event. In one year, never to
be forgotten, not only did they win all their matches, but never once during
the whole season did they have to time out for a try obtained by their
opponents.
Since this chapter was
written the dogs of war have been suddenly let loose once more, and the face
of Europe presents a scene more awful than history has known. What will come
out of it, who can tell. But it is to us once more a warning that the duty
of being ready is imperative, and that it is vain to trust in treaties or
diplomatic assurances, if unprincipled ambition is allowed to override truth
and honour. Also we have been told of the implacable hatred which we have
earned by faithfulness to our solemnly pledged word.
We must make certain that
this obsession of hatred s met firmly, and at all costs. |
