So in a sudden moment I was shot Back to my boyhood and the highly Instructive works of HOMER, long forgot, And with the late _Odysseus_ (wily) Ploughed once again the wine-red deep On drawing Polumetis in a sweep. Oh, "many-counselled" hero! if a horse Your attributes may also borrow, Lend him your cunning round the Derby course, Teach him a thing or two to-morrow, That at the end it may be said: "He did a great performance with his head." As you contrived by tricks of crafty skill Ever to down your foes and flatten 'em, So may he lie low going up the hill, Secure the inside berth at Tattenham, And do a finish up the straight Swift as your shafts that sealed the suitors' fate! Fortune attend his name, though some deplore Its pedantry, and I assume it is Likely, from what I know of bookies' lore, That on the rails he'll be "Poloometis"; For me, I do not care two pins How they pronounce him, if he only wins. O. S. * * * * * THE SERENE BATSMAN. It is a common fallacy among cricketing coaches and their pupils that when the young batsman has mastered all the strokes that can be imparted to him at the nets his education is complete. So far from that being the case, it has barely begun. Under the prevailing system, the psychological factor, the most important of all, is entirely neglected. The most trying moment of a cricketer's life is when he first steps forth alone from the pavilion of a public ground. In that moment all that the old pro has taught him of cuts and drives, forward play and back play, will not prevent his knees from weakening as he totters to the wicket, whereas the following hints may enable him to face the occasion with confidence if not contempt. Remember that for a public performer a good entrance is more than half the battle; the first impression on the spectators is the most lasting. Nothing looks worse than a batsman hurrying out at a furtive trot, as if he were going to pawn his bat. When your turn comes to go in, take care to be just within the regulation two minutes, but school yourself to emerge from the pavilion at a leisurely stride with more than a suspicion of swagger in it. The bat should not be carried as a shy curate carries a shabby umbrella, but either boldly across the shoulder, like a rifle, or tucked under the armpit, so that you may do up your batting-gloves in your progress across the greensward. An excellent effect will be produced if you pause half-way and execute a few fancy strokes at an imaginary ball. Besides, you may not have another opportunity of displaying your accomplishment.