ty. The vagaries of the game admit of no
distinction of class. The crack player is, in fine, found among all
classes--in the gentleman's son, in the clerk at the desk, and the lad
in the workshop. There may be different ways of working out the latent
ability, but sooner or later it begins to show itself. Some thought it
was scarcely fair in the Duke of Wellington to say that "Waterloo was
won at Eton." There is not the least possibility of doubt such a remark
might be misunderstood, and many feel inclined to charge the "Iron Duke"
with ignoring the services rendered by the non-commissioned officers and
men of the British army, for everybody knows that none but the sons of
the opulent class can ever gain admittance to Eton. It looked, in fact,
very like the credit being given to the officers for winning that great
battle. Wellington, however, had his eye on the football and cricket
grounds when he spoke these words, and no doubt intended to convey the
idea that these games went a long way in bracing up the nerve which
served so well on the battle-field. Close adhesion to the practice of
any game really and sincerely creates fresh possibilities of that
perfection and discipline. And why should this not be so in football,
particularly as it is a game regulated by sharply-defined maxims?
Everyone can't be the captain of an eleven; and as for Wellington's
remarks, the most humble member of the team may show the greatest
ability. You may belong to the most "swellish" of clubs, and have a fair
reputation, but you are not chosen to play in the International. Your
father may be the "Great Mogul" himself, but that has no effect. The
coveted place can only be attained by merit, and this is one of the most
successful and meritorious traits in Scotch Association Football. You
don't, as a rule, even get a place now by reputation, and so much the
better. When clubs were few and good players fewer, you were not
unfrequently favoured with one, whether you deserved it or not, but now
the matter is different, and justly so, since we cannot go into a single
town or village in Scotland without seeing the practice ground and
goal-posts of the now omnipresent football club.

_IX.--A DREAM OF THE PAST._

I am getting old and stiff now, at least in a football sense, but have
seen and played in, perhaps, more big matches in my time than many will
be inclined to give me credit for now. Somehow or other the modern
player does not seem to