Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/69

50 game: I only say that if I had the charge of boys I should only encourage golf to the extent of allowing just enough to implant a proper style and swing into the youth, and then I should stop it; he can always take it up later. The proper games for schoolboys are cricket and football. Rowing would also be included, but this is only practicable in a few schools; wherever it can be carried out, it ought to be, as in regard to unselfishness, esprit de corps, and pluck, rowing leaves nothing to be desired.

I am willing to admit that, the chief object of games for boys being what I have said, cricket is not absolutely perfect. It is quite impossible for a boy to be a selfish oarsman, it is difficult to be a selfish football player, but it is easy for a boy to be a selfish cricketer. It is possible that a boy or man should prefer to get 50 runs and lose a match than to get 10 and win it; and if this is the case the captain of the eleven, or anybody who has any management or guidance of games, should do his utmost to rid the eleven of such a member. But in cricket and football, as compared with golf, racquets, and other games, there is a side