The Politeness of Princes, and Other School Stories

In Short

A collection of seven early public-domain stories, this volume follows the mishaps and triumphs of British public schoolboys as they navigate housemasters, rivalries, and absurd personal crises. From a late sleeper using desperate measures to catch breakfast to an overlooked house winning a cricket cup through unorthodox bowling, the narrative captures the chaotic innocence of Edwardian school life. Filled with clever schemes, quick-witted dialogue, and youthful bravado, the collection endures as a lighthearted display of early comedic prose that lays the foundation for Wodehouse’s later legendary satire.

The Story

The book opens with "The Politeness of Princes," following G. Montgomery Chapple, a boy whose specialty is arriving late for breakfast. Tired of master Seymour’s reprimands, Chapple sets his watch ahead and strips his bed of blankets to force an early rise, only to find his watch stopped and himself late for both breakfast and school. He receives punishments from his form-master Dexter and Seymour alike, discovering that elaborate schemes rarely outsmart house discipline.

In "Shields' and the Cricket Cup," the inconspicuous Shields’ house absorbs Clephane, a day boy disgruntled at leaving his former house. Partnered with Mansfield, Clephane turns Shields' into an aggressive cricket contender. Facing Appleby's, Clephane scores heavily, eats vanilla ice cream to improve his bowling momentum, and bowls so erratically that he smashes the opposition's stumps and demoralizes their team, securing an improbable victory.

"An International Affair" introduces Mr. Oliver Ring, an American entrepreneur who opens a branch of his "Up-to-date Stores" in Wrykyn to draw away schoolboy custom from the traditional local tea shop run by Cook. Strategist Dunstable feigns illness after consuming Ring's public-school teas, prompting his friend Linton and others to feign or suffer similar ailments. The school doctor and headmaster declare the shop's offerings unwholesome, prompting the headmaster to put Ring's out of bounds and sending the boys happily back to Cook's.

"The Guardian" centers on Thomas B. A. Shearne, a new boy with an angelic face who quickly proves he can defend himself. After throwing a Latin book back at the bully Burge, Thomas fights a drawn seven-round match with Spencer. Spencer receives a postal order from Thomas's mother for being a "decent chap," which he initially returns out of pride before the two form an enduring friendship.

In "A Corner in Lines," Dunstable and Linton establish "The Locksley Lines Supplying Trust, Ltd." to sell pre-written Greek and Latin impositions to classmates. The business thrives until a jealous rival named Merrett intentionally exposes the prospectus in class to master Appleby, ruining the venture.

"The Autograph Hunters" shows Dunstable trying to trick author Montagu Watson into giving an autograph to satisfy master Day, ultimately persuading Linton to write a letter pretending to be a grieving widow.

Finally, "Pillingshot, Detective" features a junior forced by prefect Scott to investigate the loss of Evans's sovereign. Pillingshot interrogates his peers, only to discover the matron found the coin on the floor days earlier, allowing him to claim his reward while outwitting Scott's pompous game.

How It Unfolds

The late sleeper struggles Chapple tries to cure his habitual lateness by removing his bed blankets and moving his clock forward. His watch stops, causing him to miss both breakfast and chapel to the dismay of master Seymour.

The underdogs take the pitch Clephane leads the quiet Shields' house against Appleby's in a cricket match. He bats aggressively and bowls wild full-pitches that shatter stumps and rout the opposing team.

The town shop war Mr. Ring opens an American store that threatens Cook's traditional tea shop. Dunstable coordinates a wave of fake illness that forces the headmaster to declare Ring's store out of bounds.

The new boy stands firm Thomas Shearne arrives at Eckleton looking like a choirboy but quickly fights Spencer to a draw. A returned postal order leads to mutual respect and a lasting friendship.

The imposition market collapses Dunstable and Linton launch a profitable commercial syndicate selling pre-written lines to students. The bitter classmate Merrett deliberately flaunts the prospectus in class, forcing masters to bust the ring.

The detective solves the mystery Prefect Scott forces Pillingshot to play Sherlock Holmes and interrogate suspects over a lost sovereign. Pillingshot discovers the matron already recovered the coin, using the fact to earn relief from his fagging duties.

The People

• G. Montgomery Chapple: A student who loves hot breakfasts and hates waking early. He tries to outsmart his housemaster Seymour with intricate morning routines, only to land double punishments.
• Clephane: A day boy transferred to the quiet Shields' house. Driven by a desire to make his mark, he uses wild bowling and aggressive batting to turn his dormant house into cricket champions.
• Dunstable: A clever strategist who orchestrates schemes ranging from store boycotts to fake widow letters and an imposition trust. He seeks independence from master authority, though his plots frequently crash.
• C. J. Linton: Dunstable's loyal conspirator who helps write impositions and letter hoaxes. He provides physical support and enthusiasm, often getting bruised in defense of their joint schemes.
• Thomas B. A. Shearne: A new student whose innocent looks belie a tough spirit. He resists day-room bullying, fights Spencer to a standstill, and earns genuine respect.
• C. F. Spencer: A senior boy who initially clashes with Thomas but learns to respect his toughness, eventual exchange of letters cementing their friendship.
• Pillingshot: A serious junior forced by prefect Scott to play detective. He uses basic common sense to outwit his elder.
• Scott: A prefect and self-appointed humorist who uses Sherlock Holmes tropes to tease Pillingshot, ultimately losing the battle of wits to his junior fag.

In Its Own Voice

"Your amateur slinks in with blushes deepening the naturally healthy hue of his face, and, bolting a piece of dry bread and gulping down a cup of cold coffee, dashes out again, filled more with good resolutions for the future than with food."

This sentence captures Chapple's refined approach to lateness, contrasting hesitant amateurs with his deliberate commitment to a proper hot breakfast.

"There are few more disturbing sensations than that of suddenly discovering that one has no means of telling the time."

Here the narrative reflects Chapple's sudden panic upon realizing his watch has stopped, leaving him completely detached from the school's strict routine.

"A head-waiter at a fashionable restaurant is cordial in his manner compared with a boy who has been at a public school a year, when addressed familiarly by a new boy."

This line highlights the rigid social hierarchy among public school students when the experienced Gorrick reacts coldly to a suggestion from newcomer Thomas.

What It's Really About

Beneath the playful banter and classroom antics, the stories examine how young people establish autonomy within rigid institutional boundaries. School masters, clock schedules, and house rules represent an immovable framework, yet the boys constantly find inventive, harmless ways to assert their individuality. Whether through establishing a underground line-writing syndicate or forcing an intrusive American business out of bounds, the characters create their own codes of honor and commerce.

The text also highlights the shift from superficial impressions to genuine merit. Characters who look weak or innocent, like the angelic Thomas Shearne or the quiet boys of Shields' house, prove unexpectedly formidable when tested. Mutual respect is rarely granted by authority; it is earned through physical resilience, fair play, and clever self-reliance among peers.

Why Read It Today

This collection provides a charming look at the early development of one of the twentieth century's greatest humorists. Readers who enjoy light social satire will appreciate the sharp timing, inventive phrasing, and warm characterizations that foreshadow Wodehouse's famous Jeeves and Blandings sagas. The stories move quickly, filled with gentle wit and low-stakes drama that make for an effortless, comforting read.

Modern readers should note that the book reflects its period background, using archaic British school slang, references to classical impositions, and traditional Edwardian customs. The focus rests entirely on cricket pitches, study rooms, and minor rivalries within an all-male boarding environment. However, the core dynamics—outwitting authority, standing up to bullies, and forming bonds through shared mischief—remain universally recognizable and delightful.

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