The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-07-18 00:00:00

E4e sStottrbribge Obsertnr,

SATURDAY,. JUI4Y 18th, 1885

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ONE year more than a quarter of a century
has elapsed since the white tents of tho
volunteers were first pitched on Wimbledon-
common, and the members of the National
Rifle Association, considering the great
stlecess which has attended their efforts
rni.g•ht well have comznemoratrd that occa-
sion by a banquet, in accordance with the
time-honoured custom of the country. There
are silver celebrations as distinguished from
half century golden jubilees, when twe
sty-
Live years have passed away in happy wed-
• Ica, and a precedent thus afforded might
have been followed with advantage in this
ease. It may be taken for granted that
old campaigners, whether they now put in
an appearance at the butts or otherwise,
-would have heartily approved of a commem-
orative banquet. In order that the House
of Commons may preserve a certain unbroken
continuity of aspect, it is always desirabla
that a considerable number of old members
should be re-elected when dissolutions of
Parliament take place, and in a similar
.manner it is the annual presence of a goodly
.sprinkling of old campaigners that sustains
the character and enhances the attractions

of Wimbledon Camp. Marked changes in
the general occupants of the tents, not less
than in the weapons of precision and the
methods of handling them, have indeed
occurred since the inaugural shot was
fired on the heath, this ceremonial feat having
been performed by the Queen in person, who
has invariably taken a deep interest in the
steady increase and growing efficiency of the
volunteer force. But while the names of

many notable marksmen who attained cele-
brity in former years like those of Colonel
Horatio Ross and his son Edward, who were
practiced deer-stalkers, have disappeared
from the list of competitors, it is satisfactory
to find that such experienced members of
the executive am Captain E. St. Mildmay
secretar, and Mr. John Rook-e, chief
accountant, whose services are invala-

able to the association, still remain stead-
fastly at their posts. A new generation has
risen since the tents were first pitched, and
many volunteers take part' in the competi
tions who had not seen the light of day
when her Alajest:y- inaugurated the yearly
rifle meetings on the now famous common.
Those constant visitors to the camp, who
make a point of renewing their acquaintance
with it every season, may feel saddened
when they miss old familiar faces and stal-
wart forms, yet they must also be cheered
by the appearance in ever-growing numbers
of fresh faces, and also by the increase in the

average excellence of the firing in all the
varied and annually-augmenting competi-
tions. In addition to its main object, which
is the development of highest skill in marks-
manship, the yearly July gathering exer-
cises beneficial influences in other ways. It
creates wholesome rivalries, which gives a
stimulus to persevering rifle practice be-
tween nationalities, counties, the regular and
volunteer services, and local corps in all parts
of the land from Cornwall to Caithness.
Keen though the struggle for victory may
be when best shots of Engish and Scottish
corps contend for the Queen's Prize, it is al-
ways conducted in a friendly and chivalrous
spirit, highly creditable to both nationalities
There is whol also in the local
popular enthusiasm which welcomes home
the fortunate winner of the gold medal and
the badge, who receives an ovation from all
classes that is sure to remain treasured up in
his memory throughout the remainder of his
life. He is the hero of the hour, and the
appropriate air of "See the Conquering Hero
Comes," played with remarkable vigour, is
never omitted on the eventful occasion. The
corps, whose champion carries off the highest
and most honourable of Wimbledon prizes,
feels proud of his success, and shares in the
distinction he has achieved. The camp like-
wise snbserves a beneficial purpose by mak-
ing volunteers from widely separated parts
of the country acquainted with each other,
establishing a general esprit de. corps, and
promoting good fellowship which expands
and thrives wonderfully under canvas.
There are some who ever that the proverbs;
ho3pitality of the Arabs is largely owing to
the circumstance that they dwell in tents,
and there is probably something in this, as
hospitality is unfailing in the camp when
the competitions are over for the day.
Several corps, whose head-qu irte:s lie in or

near the metropolis, are so largely repre-
sented that their tents with distinguishing
colour,: flatter in the breeze, are grouped in
some selected spot, and it is there that camp
aportiveness most abounds. Moderation,
however, now characterises the amusements,
a marked change in this respect having
taken place within the last decade. Frolic-

- - -
&oneness used to be indulged in to a some-
what extravagant extent when the curfew
boom, signalling the cessation of firing, had
spread silence over the butts, but long be-
fore the camp attained its majority the busi-
ness aspect of thing became paramount
everywhere. An earnestness of purpose,
partaking of eager anxiety, is perceptible in
the faces of all the volunteers who have
entered the first stage for the Queen's Prize,
nd who are keenly desirous of finding a
place among the sixty competitors in the
second stage. This eagerness is likely to be
increased by the new graduated scale of
money prizes which can be won by those
who fail in making scores high enough to
gain the solid sum of £250, accompanied by
the gold medal and badge of the associatior.
Improvements in the construction oF rifles
may be said to have kept pace with the in-
creasing skill in handling them displayed by
the experts at Wimbledon. The first pat-
tern in use, when the competitions began,
was the Whitworth ; this was followed by
the Snider, long a favourite ; and now it is
he Martini-Henry which, in steady, practised
hands, runs up marvellous scores of bull's
eyes that would count for something on the
battlefield if eve, y bullet found its billet in
a human body. Lord. T.ennylson,s spirit-
fairing lyric, with its "Riflemen, yitlemen,
riflemen, form !"Itelpel to give a stimulus to
the volunt-er movement at starting; but
the striking success o the Wimbledonmect-
ings, and the unflagging interest manifested
in the competitions, show that no stimulus
Of the kind is now ne,,ded to sustain tile en-
tinuilusin or tb.3 proficiency of o',l \ ( lunt:er
D'qemiive Force.

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