Boden and Bird were favourite opponents for 25 years and
though very opposite in styles were, in the long run, singularly
even in their series. It was the practice of both to resign
at the proper moment. Bird, once it was thought, gave up too
early. "Oh, it is hopeless," said he. "I have my misgivings,
I cannot contend against such forebodings, one Boden is too much,
for me."
One player, who rarely scored a game, was likened to a very
great musical composer--"Beethoven"--(Beat often)!!
The excuse made for our old friend L., the hatter, that he was
not playing in his best tile hardly applied. Buckle, with his
proverbially `bad hat', usually under the table, yet invariably
played superbly.
A man of leather found his efforts to excel, bootless. The
retired fishmonger Umpleby played but a (f) visionary game.
The tailor complained that he played more like a goose than a
bird.
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