walter cooke (1 Ergebnisse)

Two volumes, 4to, engraved portrait frontispiece and pp. [xxviii], [ix]-xlv, [i], 335; xvii, [i], 387, [1] errata and advertisement; a good clean copy in contemporary tree calf, with gilt spines (spines worn and missing labels, joints cracked but holding); marbled endpapers, yellow edges. First edition. Samuel Bishop (1731-95) was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, and after taking a degree at Oxford, and ordination, returned to his old school as a teacher. By 1783 he had risen to the position of headmaster, where he had mixed success in controlling boys and teachers (he had to abolish flogging after his undermaster, John Rose, took things too far), but was regarded with affection by many. This collection of his poems was compiled by Thomas Clare, and published by subscription: the list of those who put their names down for copies includes a few distinguished names, such as Beilby Porteus (Bishop of London) and Shute Barrington (Bishop of Durham), as well as numerous fellows of St John's Oxford (where Bishop had also been a fellow), and the current Headmaster of Merchant Taylors', Thomas Cherry. At the end of the first volume are about 25pp of Latin poetry; and on I pp. 95-98 is a poem titled 'The Game of Cricket', which describes the game in colourfully 'poetic' language, and seems to want to draw a parallel between the game and the boys' future lives: Yet vain it's speed, yet vain the Bowler's aim, The wary Bat's-man watches o'er the Game; Before his stroke the leathern circle flies, Now wheels oblique, now mounting threats the skies. Emblem of many-colour'd Life! The state, By Cricket laws, discriminates the great: The Outer Side, who power and profits want, Watch to surprise, and labour to supplant; While those, who taste the sweets of present winnings, Contend as heartily, to keep their Innings. (pp. 96-97).