rs, and you wid think that
the whole landed property about is theirs, even to Ibrox Park itself.
Crush up, Bob. We've paid our money as well as the lot, and must get
share of the view. Crush up." "Man, jock, they've got a new ile for
training and rubbin' up the fitballers noo. It's whit they ca'
herbuline, and it keeps out the cauld and warms ye unca' much; but the
smell's sae strong that it nearly blin's ye." No doubt some kind of
specific was required on such a trying day as Saturday, for it was
indeed a clear case of illustrating the old adage, when exclusively
applied to man, about the survival of the fittest. There is this about
Ibrox Park, however, which certainly recommends it to the impartial
spectator--fine even turf, without a flaw, and no advantage even to the
home club itself when playing matches. It is well sheltered, and the
arrangements for the big crowd were ample, and well carried out by the
Rangers' committee and the Scottish Football Association, for whom Mr
John M'Dowall, the secretary, acted with much credit. The Govan
policemen (at least most of them) love a good game at football as dearly
as the old Highland landlady lo'ed a lord, and what is more, their
respected chief shows them a good example, as he is generally to be
found at Ibrox Park, in company with other burgh officials, when there
is a good thing on. The early editions of the evening papers were
largely in request, not by any means for the purpose of reading, as all
attention was directed to the game, and in the anxiety to see the
players before the contest began, but for the sole purpose of being "sat
on." The supply was soon exhausted, and one speculative newsboy, taking
in the situation at a glance, disappeared for a short time, but came up
smiling towards the grand stand ten minutes afterwards with a bundle of
brown paper wrappers, which he disposed of like penny pies at twopence
per sheet. The judges of the game had very difficult duties to perform,
and to their credit be it said they did the work without fear or favour,
and we are quite certain gave general satisfaction to the players. The
spectators, however, treated the unfavourable conditions of the
atmosphere with indifference, and even contempt, and long before the
time announced for the kick-off they crowded around the pailing and
surroundings to get a good view of the game. In consequence of the wet
weather very few ladies were present compared with what has turned out
at pre