be very agreeable to a person not actually about to undergo fatigue, but it is a bad thing as provocative of thirst for a man on the morning of a cricket match. Thoroughly aware of all these little observances Mr. Welton was most cautious, and so was Jack Harding, whose surname has not previously transpired, inasmuch as by the familiar appellation alone is he known to his friends. Not that in general he is quite so careful as he might be, but the match now coming off had excited more than ordinary interest, and these two players were most enthusiastic in their desire to bring the game to a successful issne. One cigar after breakfast was the limit, which I left my friends to enjoy on the grass plot, while I gave some directions preparatory to leaving home. On rejoining them, I observed a cast of gloomy sorrow thrown over Jack's usually cheerful countenance, which I was at a loss to account for. It sometimes happens that a single word strikes on the chord of sadness and recalls melancholy reflections. So it was on this occasion. Jack was aware that I noticed his dejection, and subsequently took an opportunity of explaining to me the conversation which had produced the painful reminiscences. Their conversation had turned upon the surrounding scenery. Far in the distance stands an old oak-tree which calls to both our minds mingled feelings of delight and sorrow; and the remembrance of the beautiful words composing the popular melody which but two short summers since we both listened to with pleasure, as it was warbled by a lovely form now sleeping in her grave, add now more forcibly to the allusion.

"Woodman, spare that tree: touch not a single bough.
In youth it sheltered me, and I'll protect it now."

That tree has been the arena of many picnics-social festivities which add to the enjoyments of a country life. Two years ago, an invitation to join a party, and spend the day under the shade of the old oak, produced one of the pleasantest meetings I can recollect. It is sad to reflect that such a joyous occasion should be subsequently clouded by a melancholy result: but such is the destiny of the human race. One of the party, a young lady scarcely more than five-andtwenty, highly accomplished in every branch of education, and manners calculated to render her society charming, who had been married but a short time to one of the kindest and best-hearted fellows on earth, was the admiration of the then happy coterie. By her unrivalled vivacity and good humour she enlivened every person present, and her delightful warblings, in which she was accompanied by her devoted partner on the flute, imparted the sweetest melody. Dancing was introduced, with which the amusements of the evening concluded; and it is almost needless to add that this fair lady joined. The exertions were too great for her; she took cold, which ended in consumption, and I need not express the melancholy result. This was Jack's only sister.

It was a quarter before ten, and the players were to be on the ground ready for the fray at eleven; we had ten miles to travel, and consequently there was no time to spare. The horses were put to, and we made a start. Before we had proceeded far, "Jack discovered that the alteration of the reins from the check to the upper

H

bar was an improvement; at the same time it must be confessed he had a very difficult animal to drive; and had I been about to engage in a cricket match myself, I should have been much disposed to have left the leader at home; but he very justly remarked, four persons on a dog-cart, with any distance to go, are too many for one horse.

With the exception of one little incident, nothing occurred on the road worthy of notice; and that, which at the moment appeared likely to be rather serious, terminated in a manner calculated to produce mirth. On making rather a sharp turn in the road, we came suddenly upon a covey of young children, amusing themselves according to custom on Her Majesty's highway. Our sudden appearance scattered them in all directions, and the irate mother of one of the urchins, vowing vengeance on the poor little brat, headed him back actually against our leader's legs. In this instance the horse's quickness and tenderness of mouth were most fortunate, as he instantly sprang away from the child on their coming in contact, and very luckily no harm whatever was done beyond sending the little creature sprawling; but if the leader had been a resolute hard puller, he would inevitably have gone over the boy. Jack considerately pulled-up to ascertain that no bones were broken, for the youngster had a miraculously narrow escape from the wheel; but we found he was all right, though he got up with tears running down his cheeks, and, rubbing them with his hands, which were covered with the white dust off the road, gave his little ruddy countenance much the appearance of a pigmy clown. It is wonderful the propensity which little children of this order have for making turnpike roads on their faces, or otherwise disporting in mire and dirt.

On reaching the ground most of the players had arrived, and while some were "buckling on their armour,' others were taking a few balls for practice at single stumps pitched beyond the boundaries. The heterogenous display of colours sported by divers gentlemen on these occasions at any rate adds variety to the exciting scene, and however appropriate the flannel shirts now in fashion are for the purpose, it cannot be gainsaid that an attractive costume has not yet been devised for cricketers. A scarlet shirt does not harmonize with a blazing sun, a pink one looks faded, a light blue produces a similar effect, and a dark blue inculcates the idea of a seaman having just come from his ship without changing his toggery. Then there are some shades of such doubtful hue it is impossible to define themwhether they be brickdust red, salmon colour, or chocolate. I am almost disposed to award the preference to a very light grey. And then the caps; they are neither becoming nor do they afford any shade from the scorching rays of the sun on the face; and it is by no means uncommon to discover that the nasal organ of a cricketer has thrown off its cuticle, with a rubicund accompaniment. Something after the form of a racing cap would in my humble opinion be far more conducive to comfort and appearance. There is much anomaly connected with this. It is universally admitted that cricketers rank very high in the estimation of the fair sex; and, as a body, there is certainly no class of men more ambitious of their smiles. The importance attached to becoming costume is acknowledged on all occa

sions; and it appears contrary to the usual order of things that a more attractive attire is not adopted in the cricket field.

The wickets were pitched, umpires and scorers appointed, together with the preliminaries of tossing for choice of innings, when the Scoreall Club sent two good men and true in with their bats. Mr. Welton was chosen as bowler at one wicket, and Jack was placed as long-stop. At the opposite wicket a portly gentleman, radiant in a bright scarlet shirt, practised the underhand style of slow bowling with remarkable precision; while Welton's round-hand bowling was true and terrific. The first batsman on the Scoreall side, after making seven, by two twos and three singles, was splendidly caught at point from one of the slow deceptive balls of the gentleman in scarlet. Another, clad in an indescribable coloured shirt, something the hue of a salmon and dingy red, was sent in; and it really appeared as if he and his companion would maintain their wickets for the remainder of the day. The contrast between the two was remarkable: the first, a slender young man, a member of one of the colleges at Oxford, appeared as if he had scarcely stamina to bear up against fatigue; but his pluck was indomitable. The latter looked as if he had been regaling on the most luxurious fare, and, figuratively speaking, was as fat as a porpoise, and blew like a grampus; but he had a good eye to the ball, and defended his wicket most courageously. When he did get a chance of hitting, he sent the ball a journey which enabled him to score threes and fours in profusion; but he was evidently not in condition making his runs distressed him, and he was compelled to resort to frequent sips of weak brandy-and-water. After scoring thirty-five, his stumps were hurled in the air by a terrific ball from Welton; and on retiring to the tent he was vociferously cheered. The next man who went in was singularly unfortunate. Although a batsman of acknowledged repute, his wicket fell to the first ball given by Welton-such is the uncertainty connected with this exciting game. Whether he had not taken the precaution of ascertaining the proper guard of his wicket, or whether he held too cheaply the bowler's talent, I cannot state, as I heard him make no excuse for his ill-success. The assemblage on the ground had by this time become very numerous, most of the families resident in the neighbourhood had arrived, and the courtesies due between friends divided the attention of spectators from the game. It was highly amusing to hear the criticisms on some of the fielders, especially those made by a young lady, whose delight appeared to be excessive when she could raise a laugh at the expense of her two brothers, one of whom was wicketkeeper, the other long-leg, a description also remarkably characteristic of his proportions, while his arms appeared particularly short. He was certainly not the best fieldsman, as he had not the power to throw the balls in, and, as his sister observed, he threw them as though he had his arm in a sling. Two more wickets were lowered in quick succession, the respective players adding only two and five; but the Oxonian still maintained his place, and in order to deprive him of it, the bowlers were changed, though not with any favourable result: indeed, it was quite the reverse, as the inferiority gave him renewed confidence. After giving the fielders considerable trouble

and it is due to them to state that they kept the places assigned to them most admirably--three more wickets succumbed in various ways, when Welton and the gentleman in scarlet resumed their positions. This was fatal to the gallant Oxonian, one of Welton's balls glanced from the top of the bat, and was cleverly caught at mid wicket. He had made the glorious score of 57, and the applause he received from all quarters, on making his way to the tent, was truly deafening. There was now only one wicket to go down, and after considerable exertion and some very admirable play, a ball from the gentleman in scarlet was hit away in the direction of long-leg, who, running in with great activity, made a truly splendid catch-thus finishing the first innings, at which no one appeared more delighted than the young lady, whose encomiums on her brother's success were now unbounded. It is but justice to her to declare that the mischievous little jests which escaped her during the game arose not from the intention of ridiculing her brothers, and by so doing lowering them in the estimation of their friends; but really from the most affectionate anxiety to behold in them superiority above all others. Perhaps if her expressions had been less energetic, and confined more exclusively to a confidential friend, her real sentiments would have been better understood.

As usual after the first innings, lunch, or, as it is emphatically termed dinner, was proclaimed in readiness. Cold beef, lamb, veal, chickens, ham, tongues, lobster salads and all such delicacies were displayed in profusion-sufficient for the camp accompaniment of a regiment, and greatly exceeding the requirements of two-and-twenty cricketers, who, however, seemed determined to do justice to the commissaries' stores. Malt and porter disappeared in quick succession; much to the future discomfiture, as I should conceive, of those who indulged in copious libations. Weak brandy-and-water is, on such occasions, the most refreshing beverage, to which may be added without impropriety a single glass of champagne. No time was lost at the repast; and that over, the Markwell side sent two batsmen to the wickets, one of whom, the portly gentleman in scarlet who had distinguished himself as a very superior slow bowler, took his position with a stately air of dignity and confidence. Opposite to him was a tall, sinewy man, in dark blue, who had given evidence of much skill in fielding. Our scarlet champion played with the greatest caution, and it was quite certain that nothing but an accident would quickly deprive him of his innings. On the other hand, his companion was a slashing hitter, and rather wild. The bowling on the Scoreall side was by no means so fast as that of Mr. Welton; but being true, nearly every ball was dangerous, so that the scientific batting at one wicket and the slashing hits at the other produced an extraordinary amount of excitement among the spectators. Having scored 11, the "man in blue" was caught out by the wicket-keeper, the ball having struck his wrist and spun up in the air, not without inflicting much pain on this dashing batsman. Mr. Welton now takes his place, and a real treat was in store for the lookers-on, with plenty of work for the fieldsmen. Having played two more overs, the bowlers were changed, one of whom delivered his balls in such a

manner as to occasion an appeal to the umpires, who, however, gave a verdict in the bowler's favour. There were now many wide balls, and it is almost needless to add very many which were not true to the wicket; and these Mr. Welton played with great determination, often sending them for four, and once for five. The fielding was truly splendid, and after adding the respectable number of 23 to the score, the scarlet batsman unfortunately ran himself out; for, however good he was with his bat, he was not remarkably quick upon his legs. Jack then supplied his place, and the fieldsmen prepared themselves for the encounter, well knowing that their utmost exertions would be called into effect to keep down the score. The bowling was steady and cautious: three overs were bowled without a score, when a tremendous drive from Jack sent the ball whizzing to the tent. This was the prelude to some splendid play on both sides. Mr. Welton and Jack, by their steady mode of batting, had gained confidence, at the same time that it made the bowlers more desperate, and as a general sequence their balls less straight. Runs followed each other in quick succession, although the excellence of the fielding restricted them to singles. Two more overs, and the bowlers were changed. "A little farther out," and "A little nearer in," addressed to the respective fieldsmen at the commencement of nearly every successive over, increased the nervous temperament of the bowlers. A tremendous hit from Welton in the direction of long-leg created "the sensation" of the day. The ball rising high in the blue firmament, offered a chance to the fieldsman of a glorious catch, and every eye was directed towards the spinning missile with intense anxiety. Running back with celerity commensurate with the occasion, the active fieldsman prepared to catch the rapidly descending ball; but the sun was in his face and deceived him as to distance, and the treasure fell just beyond his reach. How many little hearts fluttered in this brief space of time with hope and fear, as their affections led them to wish success to the batsman or the field! and the event was hailed with rounds of applause from every side. Welton's wicket fell at last, to a ball which by some misadventure he did not appear to have sighted. There were yet several wickets to go down, and the Markwell score was nearly approximating that of their opponents. The great events of the day, however, had transpired, and as the élite of an audience usually withdraw from a theatre after the performance of a star," so did most of the spectators depart from the ground. Other players were sent in, and having headed the score of their adversaries with only one wicket in reserve, the equality and excellence of the play on both sides requires no comment, and the return match is anticipated with universal interest.

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