A Cosmopolitan Camp.
The Overseas Dominions and Foreign Countries were invited to send two patrols to the Exhibition, and took up the idea with great keenness.
Austrian Poland came first as regards numbers, sending a contingent of over a hundred sturdy lads; while for long distance the Dragon Patrol beat all the rest, for they journeyed for six weeks from Shanghai in order to be present.
There were also Patrols of Scouts, or representatives from—
- Canada,
- Australia,
- South Africa,
- India,
- Gibraltar,
- China,
- France,
- Poland,
- Hungary,
- Spain,
- Norway,
- Denmark,
- Holland,
- United States,
- Belgium,
- Sweden,
- Italy,
- Bohemia.
The Camp was indeed a cosmopolitan spot, but to the casual observer there was little difference between the boys—the uniform was the same, they all wore the same Scout badge, although in some cases the familiar Fleur-de-lys had somewhat assumed the shape of the German Eagle, or some other emblem denoting the nationality of the wearer. Above all, there was the all-pervading Scout spirit of cheeriness and comradeship, which was common to Scouts irrespective of their nationality, language, or creed.
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
The electrician, the Engineer, and the Plumber Sections
Wireless.
Boy Scouts have taken up Wireless Telegraphy with great keenness, and there are now a large number of troops with their own wireless apparatus and a staff of operators. Some have fixed stations, while others take about with them portable apparatus which they can erect and get into working order in a wonderfully short time. Several troops in various parts of the country brought their apparatus to Birmingham, and stations were erected at Bingley Hall, at the Edgbaston Reservoir two miles away; at Perry Hall Park which is about four miles from the Hall, and at various other places in the neighbourhood. These were all in touch with one another and messages and orders were sent between these places by the Scout operators.
◇◇
The Inquisitive Newspaper Man.
A newspaper man in search of a story lighted upon the Perry Hall camp, and thus describes his encounter with a Scout from north of the Tweed, who, like most of his countrymen, was sparing with his words. However, this does not seem to have affected the length of his story, for he dragged a few words out of the canny Scot and filled up the remaining space at his disposal with his soliloquies on them.
"I approached a boy who was leaning on a railway bridge at Perry Hall Park where thousands of Scouts are encamped. He had a dozen or so badges on his arm, shields as I thought for his vaccination marks. I asked him politely what they signified, and with a diffident air and a Scots accent, he explained that the badge bearing a cock's head meant he was proficient in the management of poultry; the forked-lightning badge signified an acquaintance with electricity; the grill denoted his talent for cooking; the rose, his knowledge of horticulture; the crossed guns, his ability to score 60 out of a possible 100 at 50 yards with a miniature rifle; the harp, his musicianly achievements; and the—but there I interrupted the Napoleonic narrative.
"'You seem to know a great deal," I said. 'Perhaps you can tell me the true story of the Boy Scouts.'
"'Weel, sir, I canna tell ye; on'y it's just g-r-rand.'
"So I left him watching and waiting to do a good turn to the railway points.
"All the same. I think I got the story of the Boy Scout from him. If you take his phrase. 'It's just grand,' and you apply it to the motives and the growth of the Boy Scouts, you will not be far wrong."
◇◇
A Bold Experiment.
Those responsible for the Imperial Scout Exhibition made a bold experiment when they persuaded a large number of people in the neighbourhood of Birmingham to allow Boy Scouts to the total number of over a thousand to be billeted them for the week; but the experiment proved successful in every way, practically the only complaint being that of a hostess who regretted that the boys did not eat as much as she had expected. Tents, summer arbours, lofts, coachhouses, and many other places were called into use to house the boys, and among the whole of the contingent receiving hospitality, there was not one boy left behind on account of ill-health.
Message from the Spanish Scouts.
"The Spanish Scouts feel great pleasure in being among their brothers, the splendid English Boy Scouts.
"At this great meeting of boyhood we feel that there is something grand, something really inexplicable, something of which the purpose will be to contribute materially towards universal fraternity.
"The work commenced by the celebrated General Baden-Powell is so great, that we—the most modest of all in numbers—fired with his grand idea, have given a great proof of energy unknown up to now in our country, by creating in less than one year our patriotic association, and coming to this great Rally in Birmingham to represent 8,000 Spanish Scouts.
"Spain and the whole world owe an immense debt of gratitude to the illustrious creator, Baden-Powell, and to the great British Empire which has so magnificently followed his lead.
"In the name of Spain we cry with enthusiasm, 'Long Live England!'"
◇◇
A Cambridge Scout's Account of the Event.
"The camp was at Perry Hall Park, two miles from the city, and what a grand sight it presented, with its rows on rows of tents. It was fine. On our arrival, after putting our beds right, my chum and I went to a large tent and wrote post-cards home. Then we found the canteen and had some tea. It was the largest tent I have ever seen, and they gave us a splendid tea—plenty both to eat and drink. "The Exhibition at Bingley Hall was very interesting. The boys printed a paper called 'The Daily Scout," which gave a record of events at the Exhibition, including reports of speeches at the opening ceremony, results of sports, etc. I brought a copy home with me. The concert given by the Lord Mayor's own troop was very good. Every badge was represented by a stall. The 'Daily Mirror' elephant was there, and we saw, too, the Chief Scout's wedding present, a beautiful motor-car.
"What fine trams there are at Birmingham! They are electric, and go very quickly. I had a lot of rides on them, and I wished we had some like them at Cambridge.
"The review on Saturday was the greatest thing of all. Prince Arthur and B.P, inspected 25,000 of us. I shall never forget how we all put our hats on our staves and cheered till we were hoarse.
"In the evening we went in the Exhibition and saw the displays and the fountain. We got back to camp at half-past ten, after an interesting and jolly day. We met several Birmingham boys, and, although they talk rather funny, they were very friendly, and if they ever come to Cambridge we will give them a good time. I like Birmingham; it must be nice to live in a busy city.
"I was sorry when Sunday morning came and we had to say 'Good-bye.' We gave them a good cheer when the train steamed out. Half-way home we sang hymns to the accompaniment of a comb and paper. We kicked up a big noise. I arrived home at half-past one. It is good to be a Scout."