A Sportsman at Large 35 



ultra studious, with the happy result that, the very first week, 

 I came out head of the coalition. I was immediately raised 

 a peg, and at the end of the term, was only beaten a short 

 head by a little pal of mine called Wells. The next term 

 we were both honoured with " a double remove." 



This placed us in " The First Fourth " then handled by the 

 benevolent, but somewhat eccentric Rev. John Smith, whom 

 all Old Harrovians of his time will bear in reverent and 

 affectionate remembrance. 



John was of a highly religious turn. It was his custom 

 to interview new boys in the school library, there to warn them 

 against the wiles of the devil and the temptations of the flesh. 



For some reason or other, he hit upon me as a " sub " who 

 should act as guide, philosopher and friend to shy and diffident 

 new boys. I am afraid his confidence in " Little Father Cox " 

 (as he had dubbed me) was sadly misplaced ; for my doctrines 

 had more to do with the evasion of discipline and the revela- 

 tion of discreditable methods of outwitting authority, than the 

 inculcation of those tenets which dear old John held so dear 

 and desirable. 



If one was late for school, one had to stand on a form, 

 cor am populo, and repeat a hundred times : " It is as easy 

 to be a minute too soon as a minute too late," and if, on the 

 inevitable morning inspection, one's finger nails were found 

 to be in deep or even half-mourning, one had to recite " Cleanli- 

 ness is next to Godliness " a like number. 



I had only one term with John Smith, for the previous 

 " running " came out to the tick, according to book form 

 (rather neat quip this) ; for Wells and I finished first and 

 second. Once more he pipped me on the post by a short 

 head. Again we went up two places in the form schedule ; 

 but now we were separated, for I found myself in " The First 

 Shell B " of which my house master, the much beloved 

 " Boz " (Bosworth Smith) was in command ; whereas my rival 

 was allocated to "The First Shell A" ("Billy" Mutton's). 



I was rather a favourite with Boz, both in the house and 

 in form ; I think because I professed a profound interest 

 in Gibbon's " Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," which 

 classic work was a second Bible to my house master. 



3* 



