at man he was.

The pointed beard, the courteous mien,
The equal port to high and low,
All this they saw or might have seen--
But not the light behind the brow!

The doublet's modest gray or brown,
The slender sword-hilt's plain device,
What sign had these for prince or clown?
Few turned, or none, to scan him twice.

Yet 'twas the king of England's kings!
The rest with all their pomps and trains
Are mouldered, half-remembered things--
'Tis he alone that lives and reigns!
THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH.

CHAPTER X

REPORTING GAMES

"It is not strength but art obtains the prize,
And to be swift is less than to be wise."
_Iliad._

I. Assignment

If it is fall, report a football game; if winter, a basket-ball game; if
spring or summer, a baseball game.

II. Material

In order to be able to report a football game, one must understand the
rules of the game, be familiar with the _personnel_ and history of the
opposing teams, and know the names of the officials. The task therefore
resolves itself into three parts:

1. Learning the rules of the game.
2. Studying the teams and officials.
3. Attending the game and taking notes.

Those members of the class who are familiar with the rules may be
assigned the task of explaining them to the others; this is an excellent
exercise in oral composition. It should include: (1) A short history of
football; (2) A description of the field; (3) a description of the
equipment of a team; (4) an account of the organization of a team; (5) a
description of the way a game is played; (6) an explanation of the
rules. _Spalding's Football Guide_ contains all of the information
necessary, though it may be supplemented by encyclopaedias. It is
suggested that this exercise be organized for presentation as a
program.

The study of the opposing teams may be managed in the same way. It
should include: (1) Their past history; (2) their _personnel_; (3) some
account of the officials and their qualifications.

Quick and accurate observation of what happens during a game is
essential. A good scheme for recording everything as it occurs is to
make a chart of the field in a notebook, and, as the game progresses, to
mark on it the progress of the ball, using a blue pencil when it is in
the possession of one side and a red pencil when the other has it. On
this chart brief notes of the methods by which the ball