Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/331

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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL.
309

matches. The score with Charterhouse is given under Charterhouse. Other matches are with I Zingari, the Free Foresters, the M.C.C., and the Staff College.

The following are among famous Wellington cricketers: Prince Christian Victor, G. F. H. Berkeley, G. J. Mordaunt, R. O'H. Livesay, G. J. V. Weigall, H. M. Braybrooke, A. C. M. Croome, E. C. Mordaunt.


XV. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL.

(Colours—Pink blazer, cap, and sash.)

A history of the Westminster cricket-ground, now known as "Vincent's Square," would be too long for this work, though full of interest: suffice it to say that it has belonged to St Peter's College, Westminster, for over two centuries, and, known originally as Tuttle (Tot-hill) Fields, received its present name from William Vincent, Dean of Westminster early in the present century, and Head-master of St Peter's College, who insisted that the present plot of ground should be reserved for recreation at a time when the surrounding fields were sold for building purposes. The total area is about 10 acres, and has been steadily improved, so that at the present day, instead of a piece of rough meadow-land, the Westminster boys have a good tract of turf, part of which is never desecrated by football, whereon to play cricket, and this tract is known in the school argot as "Fields" or "Up-Fields." It is now one of the driest grounds in England, and rapidly recovers after rain.

Time was when Westminster produced her full share of great cricketers, but in later days competition has somewhat crowded her out, and not merely competition but the fact that she is largely a day-school as opposed to a boarding-school; and all those who have any knowledge of boy-life know how hard it is to inspire day-boys, full of home interests, with the zealous keenness which alone leads to that persistent practice from which true cricketers are bred. When "water"—Westminster for "rowing"—was abolished, it was hoped that cricket would have a larger amount of prosperity in consequence, and there are now signs that the wished-for improvement is not far off, and that Westminster cricket may rise once more to its old level; but till the "Home-boarders" show the same enthusiasm as the "Queen's Scholars" and "Boarders," no great things are pos-