NO “FEELING” EITHER WAY.

On Clapham-common the most noticeable feature was the absence of “feeling” either way. It almost amounted to apathy. Possibly the dull, damp weather had something to do with it, or it may have been that the “idea” was still too new; at any rate, the common may be said, on the whole, to have maintained a large element of its Sabbatarian aspect. The powers that be had prescribed that bowls, tennis, and net-ball could be played from two o’clock until dusk, but only the tennis enthusiasts had seized their opportunity. No net-ball games were being played, and the bowling-green was deserted.

Twenty tennis courts are available on the common, and early in the afternoon half of these were in use, and players were still arriving. The keeper in charge of the ground expected a big clientèle if the weather kept good. “But they have been saying that these Sunday games were for people who couldn’t get recreation on week-days,” he protested. “These people,” indicating the players, “are here every night of the week. I’m not a religious man,” he added, “but I like my Sunday free. Sunday’s Sunday, after all, and a day off in the week isn’t the same.”

Of course there were those who had interpreted the privilege too liberally. On the stroke of two o’clock several sets of youths with footballs arrived on the scene and began playing a game, which is not authorised until the football season begins.