“THE GREAT COBDEN”

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3598, 2 April 1924, Page 7

“THE GREAT COBDEN”

SOME CRICKET ANECDOTES, To-dav is the 59th anniversary of the death of Richard Cobdcn, the great “Free-trader." Born in ISO 4, he died on 2nd April, 1865. In a “Pocketful of Sixpences" the Right Hon. George W. E_ Russell tells the following clever little story in tho chapter on “Lords" the headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club: — "In 1866 Mr F. C. Cobden, (who afterwards howled memorably for Cambridge University) was performing the same good service for Harrow; and a benevolent onlooker, observing the raptures of a little Harrovian, enquired paternally, . “Is your Cobden any relation of the great Cobden?" The urchin, who knew nothing of fiscal controversies, replied with conviction, “He IS the great Cobden.” There spoke tho true spirit of Heroworship. Eton Produces Gladstone, An Harrovian Disclaimer.

At the match of 1888, soon after Doctor Welldon became head master of Harrow, the school won the great match of the year_ A small Etonian, in the bitterness of 'defeat, said to an exulting Harrovian of similar dimensions, "well, you Harrow fellows needn’t b e so beastly cocky. When you wanted a headmaster you had to come to Eton for him.” To which the Harrovian replied, with deadly sarcasm, “well, at any rate, wo never produced a Mr Gladstone." L.h.w. "A Blessing in Disguise.” In 1851 the present Master of Trinity enjoyed a singular experience of what is meant by a blessing in dis. guise. When batting for Harrow he received a blow on the knee so violent' that play was stopped, and tho opposing side crowded round with sympathy and remedies.. When play was resumed tho umpire whispered in Butler's oar: “It’s lucky for you, sir, that you was ’it so ’ard, as tho bowler forgot to ask for log before, and you was clean out. “The Irony of Fate.” In the same chapter is the following interesting note: —“In 1841 the Eton captain, Emilius Bayley—who was named after a winner of the Derby, and became an Evangelical preacher of great renown, made 157, and beat Harrow off his own bat. “The Sporting Spirit.” It is a commonplace of oratory in the moutlhs of those who profess what they call the "sportsmanliice spirit” to express a hope that the better side may win. Much more human, and more appealing, was .me manly declaration of the Hon. a. S. Jackson (the All England and Yorkshire giant of the game) at a recent Harrow dinner: “I like my side to win whether it’s tho best or tho worst.”