Cricket 1905

SaPT. 21, 1905. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 423 CR ICK E T W O R SH IP . We take the following from a long and most interesting article in the National Review, by “ An Old Harroviiu,” who is a sad pessimist. But while we entirely agree with much that “ An Old Harrovian” says, we would strongly advise him to take an extended tour in France, Germany and Holland. He would find that in France the authorities are doing all they know to encourage hoys to play games in order to improve their physique, which is at present an objfct-lesson. In Germany he will find the same thing, for the authorities now recognise that the gymnasium is not all that is required to improve the race. He will learn that although cricket has not yet made much headway, lawn tennis has developed during the last ten years to simply an enormous extent. In Hol­ land he will see the boys and young men taking enthusiastically to cricket and football and lawn-tennis. For all these countries are at last beginning to recog­ nise that “ all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and that it is far better that he should play games in his few leisure hours than discuss the Con­ stitution in a beer garden. “ It would scarcely be an exaggeration to say that nowadays sport is the only thing taken absolutely seriously in Eng­ land. The unfortunate practice of insti­ tuting international competitions in almost every branch of athletics is having the worst possible results. It is not to be wondered at that athletes take them­ selves and their pastimes in such deadly earnest, when they are for ever being reminded that they are the champions of England against the foreigner and the colonial. It would seem that the public are more jealous that the athletic pre­ eminence of the country should be main­ tained against all comers than her com­ mercial supremacy. The rival merits of cricketers and other athletes are discussed with as much eagerness as was the rela­ tive prowess of gladiators in ancient Rome, or of matadors in Spain. The names of prominent cricketers are house- household words. Every one has heard of Maclaren, Jackson, or Fry, but how few people could give without hesitation the name even of the Admiral who com­ mands the Channel Fleet, or of the General commanding in South Africa ? The composition of the Australian Cricket Elevf n is critically discussed by the man in the street who, needless to say, has not the vaguest idea regarding the con­ stitution of the Australian Common­ wealth. “ The Press, far from attempting to make the nation realise tbe more serious duties of life, does all in its power to pander to the popular craze for athleti­ cism. Almost every athlete is now his own reporter. The most eminent exponents of all games are apparently only too anxious to advertise themselves, and at the same time eke out a modest livelihood by writing in the public Press. There is scarcely a newspaper published which does not contain a signed article written by some distin­ guished plaver, describing in a language peculiarly his own his personal triumphs, his failures, and his petty quarrels. “ At a time when the struggle for existence alike amongst nations and individuals is each day becoming more severe, it is not surprising that the extra­ ordinary mania for sport which exists in this country should strike foreigners with astonishment. “ In the June number of the National Review a German resident in England, in an extremely candid article drew atten­ tion to the desire for amusement and disinclination to work which, he main­ tained, are the characteristic faults of the modern Englishman. It is, unfor­ tunately, impossible to deny the accuracy of much of his criticism. It is un­ doubtedly true that a great maj ority of all classes of the people of this country do not take a sufficiently serious view of their responsibilities. They have been taught to believe that, although English­ men may not be brilliant, they have always succeeded in “ muddling through” their difficulties. They are not unpa­ triotic, but have never learned by experience the horrors of invasion. They are content to believe the pleasing tale of the politicians who assure them that they are safe so long as they can pay to keep up a powerful fleet—politicians who have not the courage to tell their country­ men that the first duty of every citizen is to be able himself to help in the defence of his native land. The stock phrase, “ The country will never stand conscription,” is always certain to be received with a sympathetic cheer in that home of mediocrity, the House of Commons. “ To a foreigner, particularly to a Ger­ man, new to the burden of Imperial responsibilities, such a peculiar view of the duties of citizenship must naturally appear amazing. Few foreigners can understand how an Englishman can talk so glibly of the greatness of an Empire which he is not trained to defend, nor can he believe in the patriotism of a people with whom, apparently, sport and amusement come before the performance of their duty to their country. “ The invariable answer to all such criticism is that foreigners do not under­ stand us, and therefore cannot appreciate the mysterious value of our educational system, which, if it neglects the mind, at any rate forms the character. But even if the battle of Waterloo was really won in the playing-fields of Eton, no one will seriously deny that far more is required from both officers and men in modern warfare than can ever be learned at games. Perhaps Colenso was lost in the playing-fields of Eton. Physical endur­ ance and courage by themselves are of little avail against scientific training and organisation. If Great Britain is to hold her place amongst the great nations of the world, her people will have to take life more seriously. “ It is sometimes said that it is more healthy for the public to flock in crowds to gaz3 at cricket or football matches than to spend their time in other and more questionable amusements. It is rather difficult to answer an argument of this kind, which leaves so much to the imagination. But it is not so necessary to conjure up visions of the many dis­ reputable forms of amusement in which the people might indulge, as to find out and encourage recreations from which the country may derive the most practical advantage. In this article an attempt has been made to show that the great objection to games as they are now played is that, although so few com­ paratively can take part in them, they occupy far too large an amount of public attention, to the detriment of the more serious duties of life. If it were possible for every individual himself to play games, it might be urged with some truth that the advantage to the public health compensated to a great extent for the waste of public time. But it is difficult to see what physical advantages can be derived by those who are content to sit still and watch other people exerting themselves. If only a tenth part of the thousands who spend their time at Old Trafford or the Oval could be induced to join the Volunteers, to form shooting clubs, or to take any kind of healthy exercise, how much batter it would be both for the national physique and also for the country’s safety ! ‘ ‘ This would be no new departure in the history of England. In the Middle Ages archery was practised in every village. It was to the national pastime that the country in a great measure owed its military success. The recreati m of its people ensured the safety of the father­ land. “ There is, however, little chance of any such wholesome revival in public taste unless the lead is given by the rich. In social matters, as in politics, the signal for reform must come from the upper classes. It is for the boys in the great public schools, by displaying more keen­ ness in their work, by encouraging the volunteering movement, and—last, but not least— by remembering that every form of sport is a recreation and not a business, to set an example which cannot fail to have the most excellent effect throughout the country.” A FINAL “ TEST.” [A love of Fielding we have always re­ garded as a test of true literary instinct.— “ Academy.” ] Away with sad complaining, The cricket season’s waning, I calculate The wicket gate Is closed against your training. The skies to Gray are yielding, The Caine we have been wielding Is put away, And thus we may Dismiss the thought of Fielding. A winter’s respite snatching From being match and matching, We place our Green In quarantine, For its complaint is—catching ! —Daily Chronicle.