66 



MY LIFE 



[Chap. 



so that we could lay a train of powder to it about two feet 

 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 

 bonfire and a considerable display of fireworks by a profes- 

 sional, 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 fire- 

 works. 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 followed by the boys in every part of the play- 

 ground, which soon presented a very animated scene. Many 

 of the parents, relatives, and friends of the boys were also 

 present, so that the playground was quite crowded, yet though 

 the boys recklessly 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 some one 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 



