66 MY LIFE 



long, and then escape to a safe distance, and see it jump up 

 into the air with the force of the explosion. 



On the fifth of November we always had a holiday, and in 

 the evening there was always in the playground a large bon- 

 fire and a considerable display of fireworks by a professional, 

 some of the wealthier of the boys' parents contributing the 

 outlay. On these occasions almost all the day-scholars came, 

 their pockets more or less filled with crackers and squibs, 

 to occupy the time before the more elaborate fireworks. 

 The masters were all present to help keep order and prevent 

 accidents, and no boy was allowed to light squib or cracker 

 till about seven o'clock, when Mr. Crutwell himself lighted 

 the first squib, threw it in the air, and was immediately fol- 

 lowed by the boys in every part of the playground, which soon 

 presented a very animated scene. Many of the parents, rel- 

 atives, and friends of the boys were also present, so that the 

 playground was quite crowded, yet though the boys reck- 

 lessly threw squibs and crackers in all directions, no accidents 

 of any importance happened. Now and then a boy would 

 have the squibs or crackers in his pocket exploded, but I do 

 not remember any injury being done in that way. But shortly 

 after I left, I think, a serious accident occurred, by which 

 someone was permanently injured, and after that I believe the 

 miscellaneous fireworks of the boys were no longer allowed. 



Among our favourite playthings were pop-guns and minia- 

 ture spring-guns and pistols. Pop-guns were made of stout 

 pieces of elder-wood, which, when the pith is pushed out 

 has a perfectly smooth, glossy inner surface which made a 

 better pop than those bought at the toy-shop. Many a 

 pleasant walk we had to get good straight pieces of elder, 

 which, when cut to the proper length and a suitable strong 

 stick made to force out the pellets of well-chewed brown 

 paper or tow, would shoot them out with a report almost 

 equal to that of a small pistol. 



Far more elaborate and ingenious, however, were the spring- 

 pistols which my brother made so well and finished so 

 beautifully that he often sold them for a shilling or more, 

 and thus obtained funds for the purchase of tools or materials. 





