THE

HAMBLEDON
BEING
"

YOUNG

WITH

DRAWN

NEW

EDITION

OF

TUTOR,'

COLLECTION

OF

THE

BEFORE

GREAT

E. V.

at

Munday

Cricket, and

youre
came

TOGETHER
MATTER

SOURCES,

ALL

BATSMEN

AND

ROUND-ARM

EDITED

Last

NYREN'S

OTHER

VARIOUS

UPON

BOWLERS

'

JOHN

CRICKETER'S

FROM

BEARING

MEN

CAME

BY

LUCAS

Father
home

was

please anuf,

Extract

LONDON

FROWDE
1907

from

and

plaid

struck

the

Payn's

at Mr.

for he

best ball in the game,

and whishd
he had not
he
would
to do
play at Cricket all his Life.'

HENRY

IN.

an

anny

thing else

old Sussex letttr

HART
HORACE
OXFORD
!

UNIVERSITY

THE
TO
PRINTER

TO

MARY,

MISSES

THE

ALICE

ELISABETH,

NYREN

AND

GRAND-DAUGHTERS

OF

THIS

IS

RESPECTFULLY

JOHN

BOOK

DEDICATED

NYRBN

BALLADE

OF

where

AH,

That
And

and

drove

wild

Till

and

Booker,
Beneath

where

The
And
In

the

and

now,

where

Hogsflesh,

all bowlers

Small

And

Beldham

be

Barber,
Brett, of

CRICKETERS

DEAD

fleetest
bails

Brett,
be

they?

yet

disarray?
that
would, like Orpheus, play
bulls
followed
his minstrelsy ?
Quiddington, and May?
the
daisies, there they lie !
in

Lambert,

is

that

would

with
balls that
stumps
whose
balls would
Mann,
almost

get

broke

astray?

ricochet

unholy way
(So do baseballers
pitch to-day) ;
let a bye,
George Lear, that seldom
And
Richard
and
Nyren, grave
gray?
Beneath
the
daisies, there
they lie !
an

'

'

Tom

the

Sueter, too,
Brown

that

invincible

Walker,

of

(Tom,
Think

the

that

ye

These
With

would

Buck

Beneath

pet,

bravest
when

spider

hearts

affray;

set,
limbs

could

we

heroes

ladies'

and

match

splay);
them,

pray,

of

Broad-halfpenny,
Small
to
hit, and
stay?
daisies, there
they lie !

to

the

ENVOY

Prince,

canst

How

all

Of

Fry
'

and

Beneath

thou

moralize

things change
Hirst
the

shall

the
below

mortals

daisies, there

lay?
the

sky

say,

they

lie !

ANDREW

'

LANG.

CONTENTS
PAGE

BALLADE

DEAD

OF

CRICKETERS.

BY

LANG.

ANDREW

INTRODUCTION

ix
.......

THE

YOUNG

THE

CRICKETERS

JOHN

CRICKETER'S

NYREN.

TUTOR.

MY

OF

BY

TIME.

BY

JOHN

JOHN

JOHN

42
.

BY

OF

NYREN

EDITOR

THE

-97
.

REVIEW

NYREN.

NYREN'S

BY

BOOK.

REV.

THE

JOHN

MITFORD

.121
.

THE

HAMBLEDON
REV.

THE

CLUB
JAMES

AND

OLD

THE

LETTER

TO

BY

PLAYERS.

PYCROFT.

.133
.

CRICKETERS.

OLD

BY

CLARKE

.158
.

OLD

CLARKE.

BY

EDITOR

THE

.175
.

CONVERSATION
RIGHT

THE

MEMOIRS

OF

LORD

WITH

REV.

H.

H.

OLD

THE

BY

BESSBOROUGH.

PLAYERS.

D.

D.

MONTGOMERY,
BY

ARTHUR

HAYGARTH

.185
.

MR.

BUDD

.181

AND

HIS

FRIENDS.

BY

THE

EDITOR

220
.

PAST

ENGLAND,

AND

PRESENT.

BY

A.

COCHRANE

243
.

INDEX

245
.

PAGE

GEORGE

FROM

LORD'S,
LORD'S

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

LIST

SHEPHERD'S
1790

ABOUT

To
....

AN

EARLY

AT

Frontispiece

....

1833

IN

BOOK

SKETCH

face Page

GAME

58
....""

TOM

68

WALKER
.....""

DAVID

76

HARRIS
....""

MR.

W.

WARD

84
....""

JOHN

NYREN

97
"

"

'FlLL

THE
SETTING

AN
THE

BYRON's

TO

MATCH

EARLY

FIELD

JOHN

AGAIN/

GOBLET

ON

VERSES

NATURAL

To

PITCH

CRICKET

LORD

MATCH

FREDERICK

BAT

THE

WILLIAM
THE

AND

VINE

"

"

"

BALL,' HAMBLEDON

GROUND,

IN

OLD

AGE

"

"

"

LAMBERT
MATCH

,,136

FREDERICK

,,144
,,154

,,174
"

,,188

"

,,196
21 6

"

"

"

"

"

"

BEAUCLERK

222

OSBALDESTON

228
.

OLD

190

"

LEWES

AT

AN

"

1 84

LORD

124

SEVENOAKS

CRICKET

108

"

"

BEAUCLERK

BELDHAM

WTILLIAM

MR.

LORD'S

AT

"

CLARKE

OLD
'

face

BELDHAM
.

Page

130
.

WILLIAM

WICKET

SINGLE

FOR

NYREN's

CRICKETER

238
.

INTRODUCTION

THE

his

Gilbert

Rev.

nephew
:

is

Clement

Tom

plays much
bowls
grandmother
;
he

watches

!!

out

Little

was

young

England,

the

only

fallen

his

That
their
but

its zenith.

mother

of the

education

we

Clement's

in

hand,

on

'
"

and

these

ladies

it is time

were

that

think,

enthusiasm

in

the

burning

with

Petersfield

veins

when

noble

so

the

with

in

don
Hamblefive he

magic spell,and
his

is

(which

Although only
taking

of

Alton, also

from

the

was

the

cricket

burn

to

time

under

of

Book, with,

to

son

not

grandmother

him.

Graces

all knew

played
that

her

part in

is

History ;
grandmother bowling him
:

best,and his great-grandmother watchful

country
world,

at

bat

here

been

great-grandmother

little Tom

of her

the

was

came

himself, but

cricket

his

great-grandmother

Hambledon)

already

the

bats

Tom

typifiesthe

He

area,

at

was

fallen

his

has

from

enkindling

had

and

and

since.

walk

Club

and

just beginning

ever

easy

cricket

(who

for he

"

which

an

at

of this Hambledon

threshold

fire

script
post-

Petersfield,

visiting at

Jane) stands

niece

peculiarfitness

this

'

Clement

Tom

naturalist's
the

adds

to

"

'Little
where

Selborne, writing

1st, 1786,

August

on

of

White

hitherto

they

had

unknown
their

fame.

in the
to

the
But

INTRODUCTION

quoting the passage, together

(from Mary Turner of
title-page
East Hoathly in Sussex to her son at Brighthelmstone,
to show that cricket,
so
even
was
some
years earlier),
and claiming
its subtle spell
long ago, was exercising
for

reason
my principal
the
with that on

justas it does to-day and was not, as some

have
thought, confined to the few illustrious
may
playerswho in the pages of Nyren and Bentleyand
Lillywhiterepresentall the enterprisein the game
the
for so long a period. Beneath
shown
that was
surface on
which
performed were
they glitteringly
enthusiasm
depth on depth of that village-green
its slaves

"

which, for

us,

and

Turner

Mrs.

little Tom

Clement

symbolize.
My objectin the present book has been to bring
authentic
together as many
praisesof the early
cricketers first celebrated by Nyren as I could find
facts concerningNyren
together with a few new
himself: the whole
rather a eulogy of the
to form
fathers of the noblest of games
than a historyof its
rise or contribution
to the literature of its theory.
"

reader

The

virtues ;
I have

dates,but many traits and

enthusiasm.
well-ordered facts,but much

will find few

no

the introduction of round-arm

made

the end of what

in

cricket,for

fix upon
go

on

some

for

ever

be called the Hambledon

may
two

reasons

limit
;

and

or

"

I should

the

on

page

being that I had to

have been tempted to

other that

sturdilydisapprovedof
will be found

one

it.

bowling
period

Some

Nyren himself

so

of his strictures

40, while in Cowden

Clarke's

SEES

NYREN

words, written
read:

we

FUTURE

DARK

xi

after his old friend's

in 1840

death,

"

'What

regrettedwas, that the great beauty

and finessing
of the old stylehad passedaway with
the new
and which he
of throwing the balls,
practice
maintained
will eventually
change the character of
the game.
He
has given his opinionsin the Book
how the difficulties may
be multiplied
to the batter,
and thereby that the desired objectof shortening
the

he

contest

be

may

obtained

and, indeed, there is

great foresightrequiredto perceivethat the

present system of throwing,instead of bowling the
ball,will not remain long in its present rate of speed,
no

and

that

of

evasion

some

the

standing laws

whereby the ball shall be

suggest itself,
with

such swiftness that

no

will

delivered

batter shall have

time to

at
prepare for it ; and then, the great legislators
"
"
Lord's
of the
must
go back to the first principles

game.'
The

prophecy did not come

ruined by the new
bowling:
say

of Cotter

or

Mr.

Knox

conjecture.If injuryhas
way

of round-arm

Some
call for

daythe
a

or

come

true

cricket

was

not

Nyren would
one
can
only wincingly
to cricket it is not by
but

what

over-arm.

firstround-arm

celebrant

meanwhile

periodmay in its turn

I am
cluded
exnecessarily

graphic
praiseof such great and, to the biopareil,
the Nonas
mind, alluring
Lillywhite
figures
Fuller Pilch,Felix and, above all,
Alfred Mynn.
But an end must be made
with
somewhere, especially
a
subjectso rich in seductive by-pathsas cricket,
and particularly
be.
ancient cricket,
can
from

the

INTRODUCTION

xii

have
book
would
begin with Nyren's own
if not an impossibility.
To say that
been an injustice,
needed is perhaps too much,
another edition of it was
admirable
most
with Mr. Ashley-Cooper's
especially
reprint(in 1902) before me ; but with such an
and corroborative evidence
accretion of supplementary
and information
been able to bringtogether,
as I have
For
I hope that its reappearance
here is justified.
the
pocket Mr. Ashley-Cooper'sNyren remains
minutely
perfection.Since I have gone somewhat
Not

to

the

into

story of

John

his book

and

Nyren

little paper
in C. B.

Charles

Cowden

Clarke,

during the compositionof

however, be said.
almost

he

on

at his

was

to

came

John

as

scholar.
know

Nyren ;
Novello, who

He

this

the

word
a
classic,

born

was

held

who

should,

1787, and

in

pen

lived

Beldham, dying in 1877.

father's school at Enfield, where Keats

long

as

was

also

appeared
that subject

Of

He

the

first

printedon p. 97 (which
Fry'sMagazine), I say no more

here.

in

and

William

It
the

through Leigh Hunt

was

Novellos,and
he married

in 1828

survived

the

until

Lambs, and

Mary

1898.

that

Victoria

they compiledthe ShakespeareConcordance

Together
by which

their

known

name

lives.

him

Clarke

himself

became

all

throughoutEngland by his Shakespearelectures and

readings. He made friends all his life,and when he
died these lines,from
his own
placedon
pen, were
his tomb, at Genoa, by his own
wish :
"

LAST

HlC
Let

not

When
Let
Make
'Mid

bell be
I

JACET.

toll'd,or

dead

am

xiii

tear

be

shed

"

night-dog,with dreary howl,

Or ghastlyshriek of boding owl
harsh
a
change so calm, so hallowed.
Lay not my bed
cypresses ;
yews, and never-blooming

no

But
Of

WISH

under

trees

and

simpleflow'r
The

lime

"

and

odorous

breath,

and
dog-rose,

beneath

primrose-cupsgive up their honied lees

To
suckingbees ;
Who
all the shiningday, while labouring,
Shall drink and sing
A
requiem o'er my peacefulgrave.
cheerful quiet have,
For I would
noise ruder than the linnet's wing
Or, no
Or brook gurgling.
let me
In harmony Fve liv'd ;
so
die,
sounds this shell doth lie,
That while 'mid gentler
The
Spiritaloft may float in spheralharmony.
Let

"

The

Rev.

John

Mitford's

review

printedin the
p. 121, was
for Julyand September,1833.

on

Rector

of Benhall

in

and
Suffolk,

of

Nyren'sbook,
Gentleman's Magazine
Mr. Mitford

was

then

Urban1
'Sylvanus
He
had peculiar
of writingwith
too.
opportunities
knowledgeof the earlygame, for he kept a Nestor on
in the person of old Fennex, who had
the premises,
been an All England man
for years.
*Mr. Mitford,1wrote
Mr. Pycroftin his Oxford
was

INTRODUCTION

xiv

Memories^ 1886, ' related

Fennex

to William

been

of

one

much

to

his first introduction

me

follows

as

so
practising

to

One

"

our

had

satisfaction that

own

number, doing what

our

eveningwe

he

pleasedwith

the

bowling,fancied that for the time, with eye well in,

he could keep up his wicket at that moment
against
Lillywhitehimself. Just then it happened that
hale and heartyman
of between
I observed
a
fifty
and sixty years of age, leaning on his stick,with
of countenance
critical expression
which
induced
a
say, "I think from the interest you take in
our
game that you have been a playerin your day."
This led to a few observations about a defect in my
to

me

friend's

play,and eventuallyFennex,
bowl

offered to
he

rattled about

us

that

in

the

great deal

few

balls.

Much

for he

to

it was,

surprise

our

way that showed

of cricket there was, after all,
in

stumps

our

art

"than

more

dreamt

was

of

in

our

".
philosophy

had

Fennex

rather after the

by

John

Nyren,who

under

from

very high underhand

styleof David Harris, as

delivery,

seemed

to

described

force the ball forward

his arm,

pitchingwith great spin and

the bat, with a very abruptrise,and defying
very near
forward
play. That evening I had much talk
with Fennex

said, You
"

if I

much

were

a
as

about
can

the

see,

younger
it is the

old game

sir,my

man

and

rip up

the

new.

bowling would

fashion to

bowling,would

and

some

of

our

despisethe
your

old

He

be queer

bowlers,

fair underhand

in
present players

XV

time

no

Indeed, people have

the best of the old under-hand

what
*

all.

at

observation

This

said that

who

was

no

notion

bowlers could do".

confirmed

by Mr. Ward,
bowling was rendered

the round-arm

necessary rather because the old under-hand

used up, and that there were
were
many
bowlers he met in the counties who were
not

forward, and
chance.

In

the

case

to

of this view

of William

have
of

bowlers
difficult

brought
its fair
the

case,

Clarke.

result of this

meeting was that Fennex was

hospitably
appointedby Mr. Mitford to a sinecure
in his honour, in the beautiful
created expressly
office,
gardensof Benhall ; and Pilch \ and Box, and Bayley,
and all his old acquaintance,
will not be surprised
to
hear that the old man
would carefully
and roll
water
his little cricket-ground
on
summer
mornings,and on
wet and wintrydays would sit in the chimney-corner,
and over
dealing over
again by the hour, to an
'

The

styleceased

confirmation

cite the

I must

old

of

dark

and

dingy pack of
cards,and would then sallyforth to teach a longof
lesson to some
remembered
hob-nailed frequenter
the village
ale-house.'
does not occur
in Lillywhite's
Mr. Mitford's name
and I have no record
Cricket Scores and Biographies,
of his proficiency
in the field. But
he could write
imaginary partner,a

of cricket
He

died in

Fennex

very

gusto, and he reverenced

1859, aged seventy-eight.

with

claimed

to have

taught Fuller

the

past.

Pilch to bat.

INTRODUCTION

xvi
To

the

from

pass

Pycroftand

Rev.

James

easy

transition,for

(where
the

is it

older

now

enthusiast

the historical

The

Cricket
I

it

?) of

that

(1854)

Rev.

John

The
was

Cricket Field
the

upon

Fennex's
sent

Mitford

to

the

very
volume

MS.

younger
book was

Field, from the second

two

is

the

which
reminiscences,

part of that

quote the

to

in

1836,

founded.

edition of which

chapterson

the

Hambledon

with other matters

elsewhere in these
(together
pages),remains,after Nyren, the best book on the
of simplicity
blend
and
It has that
thusiasm
engame.
which
is essential to the good writer on
Mr. Pycroft
cricket and cricketers.
does not seem
to
have known
but he had the inestimable
Nyren personally,
advantage of conversing with William
Beldham, and these conversations,togetherwith the
with Mr. Budd (with
Fennex MS. and correspondence
whom
he had also played),
put him in a stronger
can
ever
positionthan any historian of the game
in its tenth
occupy again. The Cricket Field is now
more.
edition,and will,I hope, reach many
In 1836 James
Pycroftwas twenty-three years of
B.A. of Oxford, and in
a
age, and had just become
his memory
that same
viving,
by reyear he immortalized
with BishopRyle,the Oxford and Cambridge
men

later,in 1840, he took orders,

at Bath, played for the
and, subsequently
settling
Lansdown
Club, and spent most of his leisure in

match.

Four

years

preparing The
Tutor, 1862

Cricket

Field,

1851

Cncketana, 1865, and

The

other

Cricket

books,

AT

PYCROFT

MR.

MATCHES

SUSSEX

xvii

I should also remark

includinga novel or two.
that as earlyas 1835 he had put forth a pamphlet
The Principles
on
of Scientific
Batting.His last book
was
Oxford Memories, 1886, a work in which the
author

but

doubtless

in

which

again and
altogether.
was

be faithful to his theme,

to

bat beats

the

and

Like his

meant

at

the

length drives

John
greatpredecessor

Universityagain
it from

the field

Nyren,Mr. Pycroft

latter years he lived at

well his tall,
erect, clerical

left-hander.

During his

and I remember
Brighton,
clad alwaysin black,with a cape and a silk
figure,
of white whisker,
hat,his pure white hair and a fringe
his pink cheeks and brighteyes.
disliked to sit
He
formallyin the Pavilion ; but would walk round and
round the ground,pausing,
I might say, hovering,
or
closely.
every few steps,to watch the play more
He
died in 1895, aged eighty-two sharingsome
of the longevity
of his friends,
Mr.
Budd, who was
and Beldham, ninety-eight.
ninety,
"

Old

Clarke's letter I take

from

Cricket Notes,1851.

William

President of the I

Zingariand

Ponsonbys,with
he founded

whom

the Old

and

William

Bolland

Tom

was

Bolland's

Perpetual

great friend

of the

Taylor and

others

Club in 1842.
Dramatic
Stagers'
His other claim to memory
(couldthere be a better?)
is that he was
friend of Thackerayand the original
a
of Fred
William
Bayham in The Newcomes.
the son
Bolland was
of Judge Bolland, for whom
he acted as marshal, but he took his legalduties

INTRODUCTION

xviii

lightly.He was a better actor than cricketer,

Old Clarke,in
better companion than either.
a
point of years, is well outside the limits of this book,
since,althougha greatperformerat Nottingham from
1816 onwards, he did not play at Lord's in the firstclass game (as we say)until 1836, when he was
thirtyand was
not considered good enough for the
seven,
until ten years later.
Playersagainstthe Gentlemen
the date he belongedto the old
But in all respects
save
traditions,
bowlingunder-hand tillthe end. Caffyn,
very
and

who

was

member

excellent book

Club

Seventy,Not

what

'From

Clarke

"

of the

be

old

inclined

Hambledon

to
some

think

that

of them.

bowler,
ordinaryunder-hand
under-hand
as
bowling was understood both in my
bad
time and at the present. He was
a
by no means
bat, beinga hard and clean hitter ; but he was greatly
handicappedin this departmentthrough having had
at fives,
at which
the sightof his righteye destroyed
He

than

counterpart of

exact

an

was

should

Out

read

I have

bowlers

him, in his

of his team, says of

more

was

an

game he excelled almost as much

would play this game
for hours
such hard

work

when

of himself in

of silhouette

above

was

had

He

stoutness.

excellent

best end of

and
together,
he leaned

medium
a

kind

one.

He

was

wicket to bowl

He

made

exhausted
a

sort

the wall.
on
perspiration
to
height and inclining
of half-grim,
half-smiling
he was
getting wickets

when
especially
expression,
easily.The pictureof him
an

at cricket.

wall of the fives-court he often left

againstthe
Clarke

of it that

as

in The

Cricket Field is

get the
I'llhave this end,

alwayseager
on.

"

to

THE

AT

BISHOP

you can have which

his fellow bowler.'
and

Better counsel

Letter,I

never

on

THE

xix

WICKET

like !" he would

you

say to

in this
cricket than Old Clarke's,

read.

It is

so

wise and

so

racy too.

and, one feels,

by innuendo
thoughtof everything,
paidoff several old scores on the way. The reference
to the
funny man, for example,on p. 170 one
imaginesa distinct offender in the old man's eye.
The conversation with the Sixth Earl of Bessborough
of the author
I have extracted by the kind permission
and entertaining
from a little gossiping
History of
Bishop Montgomery, himself
Kennwgton, which
cricketer,wrote in 1889, with a very interesting
a
account of Old Cricket and SurreyCricket at the end
of it. Against the score
and Harrow
of the Eton
white's
match of 1864, Mr. Haygarth writes in Lilly
He

"

book

"

Mr. Henry Hutchinson

Montgomery'sfirst match
Is a fine free hitter,
combined with great
at Lord's.
steadiness ; and had he onlybeen able to participate
'

day, he would most

himself
in the
likelyhave highly distinguished
national pastime of Old England. As a field he
to
excels at point,standingup close and pluckily
the three occasions he
On
the opposing batsman.
Eleven againstEton, he
appearedin the Harrow
had the good fortune each time to be on the winning
side,and each time in a singleinnings. In May
the
200 yards)
1866, at Harrow, he won
(distance
Champion Ebringtoncup.'
in the

Lord

great matches

of the

Bessboroughis

better known
b 2

to

cricketers

INTRODUCTION

xx

Ponsonby,perhaps the best

judge of the game in his day. He was born in 1815,
against
playedhis first match at Lord's for Harrow
the I Zingariin 1845, sucEton
in 1832, founded
ceeded
as

the

peerage in 1880, and died in 1895.

within the scope of this book onlyby virtue
the

to

He

comes

of what

Frederick

Hon.

he had

Beauclerk and
was

to

heard

of Lambert

Frederick

and Lord

his recollections of Old Clarke

Ponsonby and

Grimston, whose

his

friend
life-long

life the late Frederick

and affection,
were
spirit

with such

cricket.

of Harrow

Lord

the

Gale

1879,

these

to

old

beneath

dedicated,

champions of
game', with this

that

"

Old Damon
Were
I

rare

friends,'once

guardians of

cricket, now

wrote

Russell's very

Charles

Bob

patron saints

little pamphlet of cricket recollections was

stanza

it

him, it will be noticed,that Old Clarke's letter

is dedicated.

in

and

never

and old

alwaysfound
saw

In smooth

Pythias
together:

those chums
or

apart

stormy weather.

But

Ponsonby and Grimston

Triumphantlycompare

With

that

sentimental

somewhat

Superannuatedpair.
"

I should

Grimston,

Harrow

Classic.

like to say much

of Ponsonby and
more
but, if at all,it must be in another book.

They belong to the great round-arm period

to Southerton,say,
of which there
Lillywhite
"

"

from
is

as

TAKING
much

to write

of

chance
The

as

OUT

THE

of the Hambledon

gettingfirst-hand

Memoirs

STING

of the

xxi
with better

men,

recollections too.

Old

Cricketers

which

come

broughttogetherhere from the firstvolume

of Lillywhite's
Cricket Scores and
to
Biographies,
contributed
which they were
by the late Mr. Arthur
Haygarth, after years of patienttoil. It would be
to praisetoo highlyhis efforts towards
impossible
commemorating the earlyplayersof the great game
next

It

are

his life-work in the fullest

was

Mr.

Haygarth

1825, and

was

born

at

sense

Hastings on

educated at Harrow.

was

of that term.

August 4th,
the account

From

in Vol.
probablyby Fred Lillywhite,
Scores and Biographies,
againsta match in

of him,

iii of

the

1842

between
passage
*

As

and

Harrow

Harrow

Town,

take

to

be

this

"

batsman

the steadiest there

he has

provedhimself

one

of

and
been,forward in style,
has made many
a
long inningsas to time,especially
in 1846, 1855,
in the Gentlemen
matches
v. Players
and 1857, having been chosen to play in this,the
ever

has

of the season, no less than sixteen times before

he had completedhis thirty-fourth
ever,
Has, howyear.
match

and

very littlehit except the drive,but his patience

when
at the wicket (likethe late
perseverance

Walker, of Surrey)have proved very tiringto

He
his adversaries.
generallywent in early(first
wicket down), and often took the
sting out of the
bowling,by gettinghis runs remarkablyslow on an
Tom

"

"

"

not more
average, perhaps,
hour.
Guide
Lillywhite's

of him:

"

"Is

terror

than

ten

of 1856

or

twelve

has the

to the bowlers

in

an

following
opposedto him.

xxii

INTRODUCTION

commanding as he
patienceof Job."
"

defence

His

best
will

1860

of

Guide

very strong defence and the

Edition of the
In the Autumn
also the followingremarks:

does

are

"

and
really
perfect,

is

he

will

play the

bowlingwith the greatestscience and ease.

take a long time to get an
and
innings,
of

He
is in

his

opponents."
fifteen seasons
(being very active)he
always took long-leg(Pavilionend at Lord's)and
He
middle-wicket,but afterward generally
short-leg.
from first to last for twenty
in the game
participated
and, curiouslyenough, during his whole
seasons;
he never
hit his wicket or was
career
once
caught at
consequence
about
For

!!
cover-point

to

great annoyance

'

Haygarth brought to a close the

Biographiesin 1895, with volume xiv.
Mr.

and his great task,it is there written

'

He

devoted

himself

"

compilerof the whole of the Cricket

and
work
he has
to which
a
Biographies,
his entire life,
commencing at sixteen years
and he has spent a small fortune in collecting

of age,
the materials and
has loved

that

Of

and

is the sole

Scores

and

Scores

facts contained

his arduous

task with

in the
an

same.

He

abidingaffection,

weary in seekingout unexploredfields

promised to contain any records or novelties

was

never

connected

with

the

"

noble

".

game

He

ever,
wishes,how-

observe,and to call to the notice of all true

that the statement
made at the beginning
cricketers,
of vol. i,that the late William
Lillvwhite,or his son
Frederick, had any thing to do in the slightest
degree
to

with
That

the

false.
is totally
and completely
compilation,
son
paragraphwas inserted by W. Lillywhite's

(F.) to

suit his

own

ends.

compiler(A. H.) always has

great wish of the

been, and still is, to

The

LABOUR

his work

bring up

OF

LOVE

date, and

to

xxiii

he

though

and
opposition

has

had

to encounter

much

he

It may
also be mentioned
succeed.
worked
at the Scores and
Biographies

hopes yet

that
"

has

he

obstacles,

numerous

to

"

and gratuitouslythroughout, and solely

entirely
of his love for the game,

account

on

reason

or

and

for

no

other

object.

batsman, his defence duringthe twenty years

he appeared at Lord's, on
the rough, bumpy, and
often dangerous wickets, as used in his time, was
4

As

considered

been

equal to any other cricketer

of his day, especially
against fast bowling,though
his hitting
was
through lack of physical
poor, entirely
strength. From the age of eightto twelve (1833at Temple Grove
School, East Sheen,
1837) he was
Surrey,being part of that time under the care of
Doctor
Pinkney,who was succeeded by Mr. Thompson
as

to have

head

September,1839,
and

in 1842

Lord's

v.

that

Lord's

he

went

Eton,

"

July,1843,

during the twenty

was

also

at
victoriously

and
in

in

of the Eleven

one

contended

1843, which

School

to Harrow

havingformed

cricketers

added
He

and

Winchester

of amateur

He

master.

he left that

and

years

"nursery

it may

he

be

played at

late.

never

once

claims

for

the

Scores

and

Biographies

fact, and that no learned and

verbose dissertations,
or
arguments, or tedious and
minute
theories,or penny a-line writing or averages,
have a place in any part of the work
of fourteen

that

every

volumes.

line is

He

has

written

several thousand

letters

for the necessary materials,his chivalry

always was
".
cricket,and in his day there were "no paidamateurs
in
Discrepancies,

the

all matches, combined

accounts

of

scores

different
with

publishedversions of
illegible
writingin many

obtained, have

been

the

cause

of

INTRODUCTION

xxiv

great additional trouble

to him

duringthe lengthened
compilation.He also collected and arranged,entirely
for the late F. Lillywhite,
the full
and gratuitously,
of the matches
and
scores
played between Harrow
and
Winchester, Eton and Harrow, and Winchester
Eton, they being first publishedin 1857, and there

subsequentlyseveral

were

manual.

other papers
of

with

our

received kindness
of materials

the

"

or

H.

E.

W."

first have

alwaysbeen
will apply to few
in his old age (69)

that

he

number

has

saved

from

of

facts
interesting
national sport; and though he has
from many
in the shape
cricketers,

asked

for and

contributed,he has also,

far

much
tude,
ingratilargernumber, experienced
oppositionand neglect. He intends,however,
(1894) being in his seventieth year, to follow
same
plan,method, and arrangement as he did in
a

1842, when
arduous
work

",

remark

truth

immense

an

connected

now

the

small

Life and
and paragraphs
under the signature

be found

Harrovian

writingsfrom

affirm with

oblivion

from

can

that

in Bell's

that
compilers.He rejoices

can

of

of letters

of love ", which

labour

other
he

Old

An

"

cricket

His
a

dozens

many

which
suggestions,

and

"

also inserted

has

He

editions

at the age

of sixteen

task of

on

as

compilation; and
long as he can hold a

he

commenced

his

he will continue
pen

or

see

to

line of

is now,
after a cruel delay of
fifteen years, presented
to the cricketing
world, and it
will be followed as soon
as
by others,if due
possible

writing.

Vol. xiv

support is accorded.
'Tis not
But

and

in mortals

we'll do

his motto

more

"

to command

success,

deserve it ;

verba ".'
Facta non
alwayshas been
The first volume of Lillywhite's
Cricket Scores and
in 1862 ; the last,xiv, in
out
Biographies came
"

'THE

OF

END

MAN'S

DESIRE1

xxv

only to 1878, but to

this volume
(publishedunder the auspicesof the
M.C.C.) was added a biographical
appendixcarrying
the record to 1894.
My set belongedto Bob Thorns
the umpire. Mr. Haygarth died in 1903 at the age
1895.

of

The

EVERY

seventy-seven.
The

paper on
follows I have

Budd, who

Mr.

as
recently

as
a

down

went

scores

playingat

was

to thank

for

know

To

1875.

his friends which

various

Lord's
him

sport and

in

to find so
surprised
have no portrait.

Cochrane

and

put together from

liberal education

I have

Budd

Mr.

in

must

writers.

1802, died
have

manliness.

few records of him.

The

been
I

am

M.C.C.

Lang and Mr. Alfred

possibleto round off this

Mr. Andrew

making

it

book with poetry. Both

have written classicalballads

the game : it was

Mr. Lang who firstcalled cricket
the end of every man's desire ',and Mr. Cochrane
who fittingly
the wretch ' who snicketh
stigmatized

on
'

the

Mr. Lang's introduction

to Dafl's
length-ball'.
Kings of Cricket contains,in my opinion,the best
writingthat we have on the fascination of the
game.

The

which
illustrations,

multipliedby ten,
Miss

have

might easilyhave
been

drawn

from

been

various

indebted for the

Nyren I am
of her grandfather
and the score
of Byron's
portrait
convivial song.
Mr. Lacey,on behalf of the M.C.C.,
kindly allows me to reproducecertain picturesat
Lord's ; and the rest of the plates
from the colare
sources.

To

INTRODUCTION

xxvi

lection of Mr.

Of the Lord's

Gaston.

First is the sheet of sketches

mention.
requirespecial
cricketers

of

made

from

(1770P-1842) which

three
pictures

life

by George Shepherd

piece,
give,both in full as the frontisand in detail,opposite
pages 68, 76, 136, and
valuable.
154. This pictureis
extremelyinterestingand
and has
It was
acquiredby the M.C.C. quiterecently,
been reproducedbefore ; and but for it we
never
record whatever
of David
should have no pictorial
Beldham
Whether
Harris bowling,
at the wicket.
or
not
or
Shepherd has quite carried out Nyren's
of either is unimportant ; the important
description
thing is that here are sketches from life. Shepherd
himself a cricketer and playedfor Surrey : his is
was
beneath Harris's. Of the others represented
the figure
Lord
the Middlesex
was
here, Tom
player who
the old ground in Dorset Square when these
preserved
sketches were
made.
Later, he opened a ground at
North
Bank, Regent'sPark, where the Paddington
1814* he opened the
Canal now
runs
or
; and in 1813
presenthistoric ground that bears his name, carrying
each

at

Yorkshire

his turf with

remove

and, like Nyren,was

fielded well at the

slow
a

bowler.

farmer

and

was

Tuftons

at

In

1830

the Hon.

who

He

Roman

the

Catholic.

bat, and

left London

from

came

was

and

John

the Hon.

lived

till

He

good

became

Hampshire,where he
The
1832, aged seventy-four.

and
onlytwenty-six,
of Thanet,

he

in

Westmeon

buried in
were

pointof

him.

died
two

died in 1799, aged

who

Henry, afterwards Earl

1849
a
good amateur
"

HANDKERCHIEB^

LONG-STOPS

batsman.

and
wicket-keeper
have
played after
Lennox

also

was

duel

with

is

Earl of Winchelsea

dog,in

in 1819.

he

who

in

his second.

Charles

all-round

an

for

fighting

1789, with

Duke

became

He

the

in

He

Of

man.

of York

to

seem

Col.

Hon.

better known

even

as

not

1806, and died from the bite of a fox,

Canada, of which he was Governor-General,

of Richmond
or

does

and
wicket-keeper

Duke

the

The

1801.

sportsman ; but he
a

He

xxvii

was

fine cricketer and

Captain Cumberland

stands

between

I know

Harris

and

very genial
little. It is

Lord.

He

Avas

regularperformer at Lord's in his day, and was

playing in the match illustrated in the picture
oppositep. 144. The other figureneeding mention
and
here (for we
and
Beldham
Harris
to
come

Tom

Walker

and

Lord

Frederick

in due

course)

Captain (afterwardsGeneral) the Hon. Edward

of the present Earl of Darnley,
Bligh,great-uncle
is

who

is better

Hon.

Ivo

known

to

modern

cricketers

as

the

Bligh.
The next picture
attention
to which I would draw
is the match
oppositep. 58. The curious thing
about
this plate is the handkerchief
worn
by the
is bowling he whose
playerwho at the moment
ordinarypositionin the field is,on the evidence of
this same
known
to be that of long-stop.
handkerchief,
The long-stop
is supposedto have worn
it in order to
fasten up the trouser
of his left leg(as navvies use
thus to enable him
to drop more
string),
easily,
"

and

without

strain,on

that

knee to stop the ball.

xxviii

INTRODUCTION

cricketers1

As

trousers

went

it

looks

almost

The

last

238

p.

if

as

odd

the

of

old

house.

his

have

fashioned

Hampshire

peculiar

so

little

of

to

play

that

The
the

sign-board

in

picture,
of

the
is

inn.

that

on

So

when

cricket
could

gentlemen
well

wood,

middle

past

M.C.C.

much

catalogue
was

the

once

better.

E.V.L.
KEXSINGTON

April,

1907.

with

consort

time

when

of

which

Sussex

it

matches

conjecture

down

old-fashioned

this

with

old-

an

grass

to

it,

obviously

so

smooth

with

about

fever

painted

is

me

the

on

pleasant

scene

to

seems

dealing

book,

continue

age.

it

who

so

the

appropriateness

Hampshire
had

that

the

(with

Sussex

or

behind),

rising

it, and

about

air

and

opposite

hand,

in

is, and
is

too

that

is

bat

there

kerchief
hand-

him.

note

this

the

gone

follow

gentleman,

but

has

to

special

Who

notion

no

is

point
of

picture

wider

long-stop

now

"

lawn
I

and

made

were

is

the

"

THE

YOUNG

CRICKETER'S

TUTOR;
COMPRISING

DIRECTIONS

FULL

FOR

PLAYING

MANLY

ELEGANT

THE

GAME

AND

OF

CRICKET;
WITH

COMPLETE

VERSION
REGULATIONS

AND

Player in

the

Mary-le-Bone

"

""e

Hambledon

Old

celebrated

TO

LAWS

NYREN,

JOHN

BY

ITS

OF

WHICH

IS

Cncfeeters

Club, and

in

the

Club.

ADDED,

of qpg

Ctme,"

OB,

OF

RECOLLECTIONS

MOST

THE

PLAYERS
BY

THE

BY

WHOLE

CHARLES

THE

SAME

AUTHOR.

COLLECTED

AND

COWDEN

EFFINGHAM

EDITED

CLARKE.

LONDON
PUBLISHED

FAMOUS

BY

WILSON,

ROYAL

1833.

EXCHANGE.

OLD

NYREN'S

DEDICATION

DEDICATION
WILLIAM

TO

WARD,

ESQ.

$c. $c. fyc.

DEAR

SIR,
have

You

kindly consented

dedicatingmy little book

pleasedthat you have done

to

you,

to

and

wish

my
I

am

of

much

because you are

first,
a
shire
countryman of my own
having lived in Hampand
because, as a
secondly,and chiefly,
;
of
CRICKETER, I consider you the most worthy man
so

"

the
a

present day
patron.
It would

to

reflect credit upon

ill become

me,

choice

my

as

Sir,in this placeto allude

other

for congratulating
weightyreasons
myself
book of instruction
upon this point an insignificant
to the best mode
of excelling
in an
as
elegant
medium
for
relaxation,not being the most fitting
digressing
unquestionedly
high public worth
upon
and integrity,
condescension and amenity:
or
private
at the same
time,I cannot but feel how happilysuch
of qualities
in a patron must
redound
a combination
to my own
advantage.
I have not seen
of your playing certainly
much
to

"

"

"

not

my

so

much

as

I could

observation and

pronounce
I remember
to have

risingso

much

have

wished; but

so

far

as

fidently
judgement extend, I may conplayers
you to be one of the safest

seen.

above the

The

circumstance

standard
ordinary

of your

in stature

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

beingsix feet one inch),

(yourheight,if I recollect,
lengthof limb, your power and
your extraordinary
activity;to all which, I may add, your perfect
judgement of all points in the game ; have given
advantagesin play,and entitle you
you the superior
I have given. As
to the character
a
proof of its
correctness,the simplefact will sufficeof your having
of any player
hands
gained the longest
upon record.
'

This

occurred

circumstance

upon

the 24th

and

25th

Mary-le-bone,when the great

number
of 278 runs
appeared againstyour name,
108 more
than any playerever
gained: and this,be
it remembered, happened after the increase of the
of

July, 1820,

at

stumps in 1817.
May you long live,Sir,to foster and take your
; and may
part in our favourite amusement
you never
the game
relax your endeavours
to restore
to the
from which, I regret to say, it
good old principles
instances departedsince the time I used
has in some
to be

member

of the

fraternity.You are
allude to the practicethat
that I principally
aware
bowlers have introduced of throwingthe
the modern
ball,although in direct infringementof a law prohibiting
an

active

that action.
I

subscribe

beg to

Dear

Your

Sir,

faithful

And

myself,

Countryman,

obedient humble
JOHN

BROMLEY,
MIDDLESEX,
1833.
March,

Servant,
NYREN.

CLARKE'S

COWDEN

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
all the

Englishathletic games, none, perhaps,

presents so fine a scope for bringinginto full and
and
both of the mind
constant
play the qualities
who is essentially
body as that of Cricket. A man
stupidwill not make a fine cricketer; neither will
he who
is not essentially
He must
be active
active.
OF

in all his faculties

he

"

must

be active in mind

to

and active in eye and

for every advantage,
limb,to avail himself of those advantages. He must

prepare

be

and, in
cool-tempered,

MANLY

for he

the best

of the term,

and
fatigue,

be able to endure

must

to make

lightof pain; since,like

Cricket

is not

unattended

from inattention

sense

all athletic

with

sports,

danger,resulting

inexperience
; the accidents most
commonly attendant upon the playersat cricket
arisingfrom unwatchfulness,or slowness of eye. A
a cricketer,
short-sighted
person is as unfit to become
as

deaf would

one

gradationsand
he must
It is

found
the

hoped
useful

was

varieties in tones

held in
the

that

jeopardyof

the

well

added

serious

delicate
to

which,

injury.

present little work

will be

entertaining
companion to
in this gracefuland very
practitioner

exciting
game.
he

be to discriminate the most

be in constant

young

years

or

as

The

as

name

of NYEEN

was

for many

world ;
high estimation in the cricketing
father and generalof the famous
old

THE

6
Hambledon

to

used to hold

Club, which

and
Broad-Halfpenny,
near

MEN

HAMBLEDON

Hambledon,

afterwards
in

on

its

meetingson

Windmill-down,

Hampshire.

While

old

Nyren directed their movements, the Club remained

unrivalled,and frequently
challengedall England.
The

polishedplayersthat

most

producedwere members
John Nyren, the son
of

this country

Hambledon

of the

ever

Club

"

if

and
good old patriarch,
father of this little manual, be worthy of credit ; and
eminent
members
of the Mary-le-boneClub,
many
both
ment,
gentleand simple',can attest his solid judgehis regardto truth and plaindealing.
as well as
Of the former
of LORD
class in society,
the names
the

FREDERICK

BEAUCLERC, with Mr. WARD,

and

Mr.

LAD-

ample testimonyto his fitness

structi
such points; while his first-rate into speak upon
and superior
accomplishment,
longpractice,
will qualifyhim
to impart his half a century's
experience
to the young
practitioner.
The papers entitled The Cricketers of My Time \
conclude the work, have alreadyappearedin
which
a
weeklyperiodical.
They have been collected at the
If they
desire of a few friends,
and publishedhere.
will alone form

BROKE,

afford any amusement

to the young
reader,it is to
be wished that he may
time be led to
at the same
recorded
emulate the skill of the most
eminent men
different papers, and not whollyto disregard
the sterling
of integrity,
qualities
plaindealing,and
in the

good

old

of
Englishindependence the independence

native worth

"

and moral rectitude,

not of insolence and

which signalized
effrontery,
many

of their characters,

COWDEN

and

endeared

them

the

their

to

while

equals,

their

of

respect

INTRODUCTION

CLARKE'S

it
rank

in

superiors

manded
com-

and

fortune.
All

or

players

the

of

companions

plan
will

to

include

been

included.
their

little

chronicle,
of

ancestors

those

These

with

favour

to

if

any

in

fate,

part

other
of

Nyren's
reader

the

date,

equal,

have

veterans,

future
the

Mr.

recent

be

possibly,

some

and

of

their

or

society,

eminent

may,

members

Club,

no

players

several

skill

in

perhaps,

of

either

were

Hambledon

formed

those

why

perceive

the

it

As

opponents.

recorded

there

not

installed

edition

of

our

decree

Cricketers,

in

reprint.
c.

c.

c.

THE

YOUNG

THE

CRICKETER'S

BEGINNING

OF

OF

IN

steps will be found

two

of

in

eleven

men,

OF

complete

the

followingpreliminary

THE

PLAYERS,

should

game

each

on

different

their

GAME

requisite; first,the

NUMBER

which

THE

CRICKET

the game

commencing

TUTOR

side.

stations

comprise twentyfuture description

The

in

the

field, and

of

the

the
importance of each in his station, will convince
has
arrangement
young practitionerthat the whole
been the result both of judgement and experience.
would

He

find

Upon

occasions

number

will

of

mere

field

enrol

the

answer

and

himself

for
as

late increased

The

say no
spacious and

be

will

he

more

kept well
sheep. The

will

the

OF

smooth,

and

adapted

rolled, and
nearer

THE

the

fewer

I would

mend
recom-

club, which, from

this very

elegant and
complish.
difficultyto ac-

no

will be

the

GROUND.

head, than
the

to

them.

opportunities
complement in
must
necessarily

consider

to

this

yet

he

have

step

on

of

one

many
full

purpose
member
of some

next

it be

with

as

this

CHOICE

I need

spare

popularity of

manly recreation,

better

to

practice,however,

possible of playing

the

the

difficult

purpose
himself
of
availing

his
as

it

shorter

the
if

that
the

purpose.

possible fed

centre,

if

the

the

more

turf, the
It should
down

by

ground

b"e

10

THE

good, the

better will be

wickets.

HAMBLEDON

MEN
the

spot for pitchingthe

the
beingarranged,
preliminaries

These

UMPIRES

for the

questionsin

be final.

decree must

be

all
chosen, to whom
be referred,and whose

partiesmust
disputemust

two

These

should

be

of known

men

competence to judge all pointsof the game, also of

free from prejudice
good reputefor honestyof mind
"

and

partiality.
The
umpires take

their post, one

at each wicket :
behind it,
he where the striker is should be partially
not to interfere with the fieldsmen ; and the
so
as
umpire at the bowler's wicket should placehimself
in a line behind
it, in order that he may
directly

perceivewhether
leg; for if such
ball have

the ball be

should

accident

delivered

been

stoppedby the
happen,

have

not

been

strike the
Cricket

'

he should

delivered

batter, he

be out

or

straightto

is not

out.

his

THE

the

bat, any

umpire to

not.

the
The

of

nounce
pro-

If the ball

wicket,and
Laws
of
'

will describe the other duties of the

PITCHING

and

the wicket,and

straightto

the batter not have touched it with

the adverse party may
requirethe
whether

striker's

umpire.

WICKETS

point of consideration. When

matches
two
are
played to decide the questionof
allowed the
the party leavinghome
are
superiority,
of pitching
the first wickets,also the choice
privilege
of going in first or not. The wickets must be pitched
within thirtyyards of a centre that has been previously
selected by the opposing party : but if one
match only,or even
two
matches, be contested upon
the same
ground,then it devolves upon the umpires
It is the duty of these to
to pitch the wickets.
will be

the

next

THE

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG

11

such ground as
choose, to the best of their ability,
will be convenient to, and for the advantageof, the
two parties.
The

again referred for farther provision

positionof the wicket, to the Laws

reader is

the
respecting
of Cricket \
THE

ARRANGEMENT

last

is the

head

attended

be

point to
commencing the game.

FIELDSMEN

THE

OF

previouslyto
under this
particulars

Full

to

the reader will find

both in the frontispiece

detailed,

and

instructions.

in the

body of

Accordingwith the Revision of them

Mary-k-Bone Club, in 1830
BALL

THE

must

not

exceed

in

weight five

quarters, or be less than

demand
Either party may
of each

not

be

more

five
new

and

ounces

ounces

and

ball at

three
a

half.

the

mencement
com-

innings.
THE

must

the

by

than

BAT

four inches and

quarter in

width at the broadest part. There are no restrictions

be made
to the heightof the bat ; it may
as
as
tall,
the playerchooses ; twenty-one
as
short, or narrow
or
twenty-two inches,however, will be found the
convenient heightfor it,independently
of the
most

handle.
THE

must

the

STUMPS

stand twenty-seven inches

stems

must

also be

of

above

the

ground;

sufficient substance

to

THE

12

MEN

HAMBLEDON

The
bails,
prevent the ball passingbetween them.
when united, must not exceed eightinches in length.
THE

be

must

yard in lengthon

and be drawn
of

BOWLING-CEEASE

in

line with

be

the

wicket,and extend

WICKET-KEEPER

at
quietly

remain

reasonable space behind the

stir tillthe bowler

not

If any

beyond,or

portionof

has delivered

body, limbs,or

his

also is not allowed

wicket-keeper
striker,either by noise, uncalled-for

not

to

annoy

the

remarks,

or

action.
WICKETS

THE

be

be

out, althoughthe ball hit the wicket.

The

must

the

head

wicket,the batter shall

the

over

even

considered

unnecessary

return-

it.
THE

ball.

also be

rightangles.

be four feet distant from

wicket,and

at

stumps,
each extremity

POPPING-CREASE

THE

with
parallel

must

the bowler at

towards

crease,

must

them

there
bowling-crease

the

must

each side of the

pitchedoppositeto

distance between

them

each

other, and

at the

of

twenty-two yards.
It is not lawful for either party,during a match,
of the other,to alter the ground
without the consent
watering,covering,mowing, or beating.
by rolling,
This rule is not meant
to prevent the striker from
where
he
beating the ground with his bat, near
to prevent the bowler
stands,duringthe innings,
or
the holes,watering the ground,or using
from filling
sawdust, "c., when the ground is wet.
After
consent

rain the wickets

of both

may

parties.
.

be

changed with

the

THE

YOUNG

CRICKETER'S

THE

shall deliver the

shall bowl
he

four

shall be

13

BOWLER

ball with

and
bowling-crease,

TUTOR

foot

one

within

behind

the

the

return-crease,and
balls before he changeswickets,
which
do

permittedto

but

once

in the

same

innings.1
may order the striker at his wicket to stand
side he pleases.

He

which

If the bowler
bowl

or

be
to

it

so

toss the ball above

on

the striker'shead,

wide that it shall be out

of distance to

playedat, the umpire (evenalthough he attempt

ing
receivhit it)shall adjudgeone run
to the parties
the innings,either with or without
an
appeal
them

wide

and such ball shall

balls,

which

put down

from

shall be

not

to the

of

score

be reckoned

as

any

of the four balls.

If

ball.r2 be called

No

by

umpire,the

the

hitter

he can, and
strike at it,and get all the runs
may
shall not be out except by running out.
In the
of

event

then

one

When

no

run

by

any other

means,

shall be scored.

run
a

being obtained

fresh bowler

takes the

ball,before

he

can

than two balls for

proceed,he is not allowed more
to continue the next four in
practice
; but is obliged
the game, before he can
change for another better
approved of; but when six balls are agreed to be

bowled,then
The

continue

ball shall be bowled.

if any

or

he must

part of the hand

at the time

of

the six instead of four.

If it be thrown
or

arm

be above

or

jerked,

the elbow

the umpire shall call No

delivering,
'

ball'.
1

Formerly it was customary to

and, by the mutual consent
over,

bowl six balls before changing

of the parties,
this may still

be done.
3

law is bindingin singlewicket, unless the

This same
decide otherwise by mutual consent.

parties

14

THE

HAMBLEDON

THE

out

of the

If the
upon
the

STRIKER

bail be bowled

if the

ground ;

ball from

MEN

IS

OUT,

the

off,or

be bowled

stumps

or
a

stroke

over

under

or

his bat

or

his hand

(but not wrists)be held before it touch

ground,although it be hugged to the body of

the catcher ; or
If in striking,
at any other
or
shall be in play,both his feet be

and

crease

his wicket

time, while the ball

the

over

popping-

put down, except his

be

bat

groundedwithin it ; or
If in striking
his wicket ; or
at the ball he hit down
If under pretenceof running,or otherwise,
either
of the strikers prevent a ball from beingcaught,the
striker of the ball is out
If the

ball be

; or

struck,and

he

strike
wilfully

it

again; or
If in running,the wicket be struck down
by a
throw, or by the hand or arm
(with the ball in hand),
the
before his foot,hand, or bat be grounded over
But
if the bail be off,the stump
popping-crease.
be struck out of the ground ; or
must
If any part of the striker's dress knock down
the
wicket

or

take up the ball while

play,unless at the request of the oppositeparty ;
If the

striker touch

or

in
or

part of his person he stop the ball

which, in the opinion of the umpire at the bowler's
line to
wicket,shall have been delivered in a straight
the striker's wicket,and would have hit it.
If 'Lost
Ball' be called,the striker shall be
If with

allowed
been

run

any

six

runs

but

more

than

before lost ball shall have

the striker shall have

In

if

all which

singlewicket,the

have

six shall have

been

been

then
called,
run.

striker shall be entitled to

YOUNG

THE

if

for

notches

three

ball be

lost ball

stoppedwith

bowler

The

CRICKETER'S
and

the

15

number

same

hat.

striker

or

TUTOR

claim

may

minute

one

ball,after its beingdead.

crossed each
If the batters have
other, he that
for the wicket that is put down, is out ; and if
runs
they have not crossed,he that has left the wicket
which is put down, is out.
each

between

When

ball is

When

striker is

running for
When

off

go

out, the notch

run

been

in

they were
or

wicket-

longerin play,
keep within their ground
Play ; but if the player

not

umpire has called

the ground with an

bowler's

it is considered

strikers need

the

till the

has

ball

shall be reckoned.

run

to be reckoned.

is not

keeper'shand,
and

caught,no

as

no

'

'

intent

to

before

run

the

ball is

delivered,the bowler may put him out.

If the striker be hurt, he may
the
retire from
wicket, and have his innings at any time in that
be allowed to stand
innings. Another
person
may
for him, but not to go in.
No substitute in the
out
field shall be allowed to bowl, keep wicket,stand at
middle
the point or
wicket, or stop behind to a
of the opposite
fast bowler, unless by the consent
party.
If any person stop the ball with his hat, the ball
shall be considered dead, and the opposite
party shall
add

five

they shall
If the

wicket

have

it have

striker
he

his bat
hit

the

is off his

touched
previously

fieldsmen's

if any

should

struck, the striker may

either with
when

score

be

run,

five in all.

ball be

If the
wicket

their

to

runs

hands, but

not

guard

his

his

body.
ball against his partner's
ground, it is out, provided
or

the bowler's
otherwise.

or

any

of the

16

HAMBLEDON

THE

THE

sole

the

are

wicket

own

fair and

be determined

but in

of

case

bowled

the wicket

at

UMPIRES

judges of

disputesshall

MEN

unfair

by them ;
catch,which

from, cannot

see

decide upon, he may applyto the other

opinionshall be conclusive.

umpiresin all matches

shall toss for
the parties

They shall allow two

fifteen minutes
in,ana

each

at

all
his

the

umpire
to
sufficiently
umpire,whose

shall

The

and

play,and

the

minutes
between

pitchfair wickets,
choice of innings.

for each

man

to

come

innings; when
to
party refusing

each

umpire shall call Play', the

playshall lose the match.
They are not to order a playerout, unless appealed
to by the adversaries.
But if the bowler's foot be not behind the bowlingthe

'

within the return-crease, when he delivers

the ball,theymust, unasked,call * No ball '.
and

crease,

If the
'One

strikerrun

short run, the

umpire must

call

short'.1

The

umpire

at

the bowler's wicket

is to

be first

appliedto, to decide on all catches.

The
umpires are not to be changed during the
matches,except by the consent of both parties.
BETS

playerbe laid againstthose of

unless
another,the bets depend upon the first
innings,
otherwise specified.
If the bets be made
and one
upon both innings,
If the

are

In

runs

of

one

wicket match,
playinga single-

engaged

at

the
play,

strike the ball shall not

unless

an

arranged.

agreement

to

batter who
be allowed

the

if fewer

than five persons

shall leave his ground to

for such stroke,
to score

contrary have

been

previously

THE

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG

17

TUTOR

in the
the runs
party beat the other in one innings,
first inningsshall determine the bet.
if the other party go in a second time, then
But
the

bet

must

be determined

by

number

the

on

the

cricketer with

the

score.

INSTRUCTIONS

Having providedthe young

to prepare
requisite
preliminaries
game,

also with

him

for

playingthe

code of the laws, the next stepwill

than fifty
the result of more
years1

give him
the finest
experienceand actual practiceamong
Without
farther
saw.
playersthe country ever
with
preamble,therefore,I shall commence
be

to

THE

BOWLER

in this importantperson
qualities
in the game
an
upright body,
are, a high delivery,
and for his balls to be pitched a proper
length.
Without
be an
effective
these requisites
no
man
can

The

three best

bowler.
RUNNING

IN

TO

DELIVER

BALL

THE

the proper distance to run

will
By a little practice
easilybe discovered. The bowler should make a
in the ground from which he intends to start.
mark
This mark
will facilitate his treadinguniformly in
the same
to deliver his ball ;
stepseach time he runs
increase
he should commence
at a gentlepace, and
his speedtillthe ball is delivered.
The
of the old cricketing
followingverse
song,
written for the Hambledon
Club in the year 1776,1
and which will be found in another department of
this little work, expresses in few words the chief
in a bowler :
excellence to be required
"

See footnote

on

page

50.

18

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

Ye

bowlers,take heed, to my

On

you

the whole

preceptsattend,
the game
must
depend.

fate of

vigour at first,now
strength,

Spare
But

each

measure

The

step,and be
of

thumb

the

pitcha length.

sure

holdingthe ball to bowl, is

and fingers,
firmlyenough to

best method

between

all your

exert

your

steadyit,yet that it may leave the hand with ease.

When
let the bowler always use,
practising,
a ball of the
requiredweight,and measure
possible,

if

wicket to
the exact distance that is settled from one
the other; viz. two-and-twenty
yards. If his pace
be

moderatelyfast,he should
ball about four yards and a
if it be

slow,somewhat

farther off than

not

ground

at

accordingto
and
In

to aim

and

the

The

yards.
to

young

bowling
tioner
practi-

mark

placea

upon

the

wicket,
which he intends to bowl,

speedat

at that

pitchthe

in swift

the stated distance

from

mark.

running to bowl, he

match, when

nearer,

five

to

half before the wicket

do better than

cannot

the

endeavour

should

fix

he is desirous the

his eye upon

certain spot where
a
ball should pitch: there will be no

ing
in selectdifficulty
an
objectfor the purpose of a guide; either
difference in the colour of the grass, or a slight
a
his purpose.
in the ground,will answer
unevenness
This

is

rule from

the finest bowlers

which

he should

I have

known

plan; for, if the lengthbe

rate of bowling,he can
do

deviate

all

"

have

correct
no

not

pursuedthis
accordingto his

better than

adhere

to

that distance.
He

should

equal ease

on

also habituate
either

side of

the advantageof
experience
will

notice
frequently

that

himself
the

bowl

wicket ;

he

with
will

practice;for he
ground on one side

such

the

to

THE

YOUNG

will prove

CRICKETER'S

TUTOR

19

favourable to his play than on the

other; it may happen also,that upon tryingthe
two, he will perceivethe ball to rise better on one
side than the other of the wicket. All these things
will turn

more

the young
bowler's account, if he play
with his head as well as his hands.
Besides,
changing
the side of the wicket is never
man.
agreeableto the batsto

will
quickeye, with practised
observation,
induce the bowler early
to detect the weak pointsin
his adversary
not neglect
this and then
; let him
his balls accordingly.
regulate
A good length-ball
and then pitcheda little
now
wide of the off"
tage,
stump, will often turn to greatadvanfor it may produce a catch,when a straight
one
would be stoppedwith ease.
In his little book upon cricketing,
LAMBERT
has
useful instruction on bowling; I canlaid down some
not,
however,approve of his recommendingthe young
playerto givea twist to his balls : for,in the first
chances againsthis
place,there are a hundred
the art, and ten hundred in favour
accomplishing
of the practicespoilinghis bowling altogether.
I never
own
perceivedany twist in Lambert's
unless
indeed
the ground were
in his
bowling,
favour.
If the young
have once
practitioner
gained
let him never
the risk of
a
run
good high delivery,
losingit; for in this departmentof the game it is
the greatestgift
he can
possess.
A

"

IN

PITCHING

THE

WICKETS

the bowler.
The chief
art is,to select a situation that will suit your own
and at the same
time prove disadvantageous
styleof bowling,
much

lies upon
responsibility

adversaries ; as these two

be accomplished,
however,can rarely
you can
events
pitchthe wickets in such a manner
to your

points,
at

all

as

to

HAMBLEDON

THE

20

benefit

MEN

this head

yourself.On

I would

refer the

artist to that portionof this little work, in

young
of the
The Cricketers ofmy Time \ where the practice
and LUMPY
celebrated old bowlers,HARRIS
two most
'

pitchingtheir wickets,is described, and

in

mented
com-

on.

It is the

duty

keeperat his
bowling. He
and
field,
and
to

the

of the

the

wicket-

wicket,during the intervals of his

will have many
balls to stop in the

own

strugglewill

many

batsman, one

I shall conclude

start

be

to

to

get

the

between

ensue

run,

and

him

the other

it.

save

chief

bowler

this article

in a bowler.
requisites
and increase your
gently,

delivered.

Fix

your

on

eye

the
by recapitulating
In beginningto run,
till the ball be

pace

the spot where

you

wish

the ball to

pitch,keep your body upright,deliver

to the
straight
your ball high,pitcha good length,
succeed in them all,
these points,
off stump ; practise
and you will be

both

the bat, near

The

young

the utmost

hands
to

from
batters,
valuable

become

on

each

BATSMAN

the middle

other,yet

not

of the handle
so

as

of

to touch.

playerwill find this simpledirection of

of my experience,
importance; for,in the course

I have
this

first-rate bowler.

RIGHT-HANDED

THE

Place

noticed

their

many

instances of failure in

ignoranceof, or

rule, and

who

would

inattention

otherwise

to,
have

promising players.Let the learner

make the trial of the two modes
of holdinghis bat,
and he will prove that when the hands are placedfar
apart,the one will act againstthe other,and that
his playingwill be feeble.
very

THE

HOW

YOUNG

THE

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

BATSMAN

SHOULD

TAKE

HIS

STAND

21

THE

AT

WICKET

First walk

of
up behind the wicket,and inquire
from which side he will deliver the ball.

the bowler

take

Then

the ball is

where
show
to

direct view

the exact

cover

or

from

should

the wicket to the place

be delivered. This will

spot for you

the middle

spot, upright,and

stump.
make

to

placeyour bat, so

Place
mark

bat

your

in the

as

this

on

ground

in

know
it again. This mark
is
may
your rightfoot at a proper
your onlyguidefor placing
distance from the wicket,behind the popping-crease.
order

that

you

should be
oppositewicket ; and
The

toes

inclined
slightly
the

short distance before the

towards

left foot extended

the
to

In taking
popping-crease.

your situation at the wicket,be careful to observe

that you can
the off stump with an
with ease
cover
uprightbat,and at the same time leave a clear view
of the wicket

The

to the bowler.

depend upon

batsman

should

be

very, particular
will
at the wicket,since much
position
with
that.
He should be able to move

young
his
respecting

and placehis
in any direction,
described,in a proper direction for
ease

should

be extended

power

for

feet,as already

hitting. These
enough to givehim full

onlyfar
striking.If the legsbe placedtoo

far

asunder, the result will be, that he will hit under,

instead of over the ball. Let him, for his own
faction,
satisand
try the experimentof the two positions,
I have

doubt

no

as

to

which

he

body also should be keptupright;

in playingwell above the ball.1
1

The

above

and
striking,

not

will

prefer.The

it will assist him

direction is given onlywith

of the ball.
the blocking

reference

to

the

22

HAMBLEDON

THE

STOP

TO

HOW

MEN

LENGTH-BALL

STRAIGHT

TO

THE

WICKET

Place the bat

the mark made to

on
down, upright,
the middle stump, and the feet in their proper
cover
situation.
Immediatelybefore the ball is delivered,
tillyou
steadily

raise the bat

see

where

the ball will

the left foot forward,about three

pitch.Then move
feet,keeping the right foot behind the poppingNow

crease.

reach, so

as

keepingthe
towards the
In order to

the

to

as

far forward

present its full face

to meet

as

you can
the ball

rather slanting
the handle
or
upright,
bowler to an angleof about 22 degrees.
of the bat,
maintain an uprightposition

bat

elbow
left

young

the bat

move

be turned

must

batsman

not

Let me
urge the
up.
to neglectthis direction of turning

left elbow, for he cannot

play his bat
uprightwithout doing so. It is likewise the best
up

and
if a

the

well as stopping
safest way for hitting,
as
; for,
stroke be made with the left elbow in the position

stated,and the bat

the ball cannot

rise.

at the

same

I need not

time

well

pointout

upright,

the advantage

of this.
will prevent
reachingin to stop a length-ball
from risingor twisting. It will also save
the

The
it

hands,and, better than all,prevent the batter from

being caught out. In reachingin too, be especially
in its place
careful that the rightfoot remain firmly
of
behind the popping-crease
; for,in the eagerness
playingat these balls,the foot will unconsciously
draw in. Be careful therefore as to this point,for
should you miss the ball,a clever wicket-keeper
will
surelystump you out.
the young
batsman
I would
stronglyrecommend
attention
his whole
to stopping;for, by
to turn
actingthis part well,he becomes a serious antagonist

THE

YOUNG

the bowler

CRICKETER'S

TUTOR

23

who, when he sees a man

coming in
that he knows
will stop all his length-balls
with
to

ease, is

alwaysin

degreedisheartened.

affection for such

customer.

Besides,in this

lies the distinction between

playerand the random batsman.

HOW

TO

STOP

SHOOTING

He

no

plishment
accom-

the scientific

DEOPPED

BALL

has

SHOET

OF

LENGTH

you see the ball shoot,playthe bat back as

to the wicket as possible,
near
taking care not to
This backward
will give
knock it down.
movement
When

time for
sightof the ball,and more
is to be soon
enough ;
stoppingit. The onlydifficulty
for,if you are not quick,the wicket will be down
a

you

better

before your bat is.

HOW

TO

STOP

LENGTH,

This
crease.

AND

BALL

DROPPED

WHICH

RISES

RATHER
AS

SHORT

HIGH

AS

THE

OF

BAIL

ball must also be played

behind the poppingbat must
be lifted from the ground
The

play above the ball, and so as

to
prevent its being caught. It should also be
held in the same
when
as
position
stoppinga length
ball on
the ground. Let me
again caution the
high enough

young

batsman

cannot

well

to

to

turn

performthe

doing so.

up

his

motion

If the ball should

left

point,understand

as

he

here
rise

wicket,let it pass, by removing your

for givingthis advice,is,that if the
the

elbow,

out
requiredwithhigherthan the
bat. My reason
man,

at
placed

the game, he will get in close

while he is raising
in
his bat ; and will,
to the player
all probability,
catch him out.

HAMBLEDON

THE

24

HOW

PI-AY

TO

AT

LENGTH-BALL

THE

This

is

recommend

it

OF

STUMP

short-armed

batsman.

I should

much

the field he

wish

be informed

to

in

and
playit with safety,

can

run.

cut at such

would

BELDHAM

bat. I

WIDE

batsman
to have
nothingto
young
The
old hand will,of course, do as he

pleases: but
what part of
a

LITTLE

the

do with it.

make

OFF

puzzlerto

MEN

the remark

made

once

dangerousplay:

to

him,

answered

he

that
'

me,

horizontal

thought
alwaysplay
I

always played above such

a
ball,it was useless his playingat it at all. Now
Beldham
have
must
played from the pitch of the
ball, instead of having a sight of it after it had
pitched; therefore it could never be a safe hit. He
of a good batter that I ever
the onlyone
was
saw
playat such balls.1
above

HOW

ball.'

ball with

the

TO

PLAY

AT

LENGTH

There

Old

ON

seen

SMALL,

BALL
THE

DROPPED
OFF-SIDE

RATHER
OF

SHORT

OF

WICKET

THE

ways of playingat this ball,and

it treated by the best batters.

two

are

each I have

If he

of the

one

of his

finest batsmen

in

own

day,or perhapsof any other,alwaysplayedsuch balls

with an
uprightbat. He would pass his left foot
the

across

wicket,and this action

command

the

turned

was

whole
I

over

ball.

The

upper
towards the

back
slightly
motion
was
performedby

any batter who

this admirable old man.
never

saw

Mr. Ward,

from

his

gave

power and
edge of his bat

him

wicket.

the wrist and

could

use

The
arms.

the wrist like

great judgement and experience, as well

from his lengthof limb, would
as
play this ball gently between
the middle wicket and point, and get a run.

THE
I do

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG
remember

not

to

have

TUTOR

seen

25

LAMBERT

cut

at

I have
: such as
horizontally
described he alwaysplayedwith an uprightbat.
LORD
BEAUCLERC
mostly,BELDHAM
always,and
the principal
play the bat
part of the best batters,
at such balls.
horizontally
nent
Having now
given the example of the above emisome
another,
playingone way and some
men,
a

ball with the bat held

I shall venture

to ofter to the young

batsman

own

my

played in both styles,

frequently
and I consider the holdingof the bat uprightthe
the more
brilliant playing.
safer,and horizontally
At the same
time, whichever way it be played,I still
opinion.

have

recommend
the

the

wicket.

striker

The
the

over

of the

movement

power

that

ball, must

left foot

this action

always be

across

givesthe

felt and

knowledged
ac-

dropped still shorter of the

length. On the off-side these may be playedstraight
off,or between the pointof the bat and the middle
wicket,whichever the batsman may find most pleasant
the
to play well above
to himself; yet takingcare
and to hit them on the ground. In preparing
balls,
and making himself up to hit a fair ball,let the
batter bear in mind the sportsman's
Never
motto
:
If he neglectthis caution,he will
to be in a flurry.'
surelyfind somethingwrong when it is too late to
remedyit : his legs,for instance,may be too widely
extended,in which case he will certainly
playunder
There

balls

other

are

'

the

ball.

More

making himself

errors

up

to

are

committed

hit,than

in the

in

man's

: but
hitting

let him prepare steadily,

and with decision,
and
coolly,
hundred
will be in favour of his
chances to one
a

hittingwell.
"

his

Observe

examine

is battingindiffere
who
any one
his position see how he holds

bat, and you will rarelyfail

"

to

discover in that

26

HAMBLEDON

THE

the

of his

cause

will be

incompetence; for either

rule,or his hands will

his
be

position
wrongly

if the latter be the case, no

also strongly
strike well. Let me
caution
the bat

placedon
man

of

out

MEN

can

and

the young
or
hittingtoo
playeragainstowr-hitting,
hard ; this will almost invariably
throw him off his

balance.
be

balls should
straight
and with an
uprightbat.
worst of all bad play.
All

HOW

TO

INSIDE

OF

PLAY

THE

BALL

LEG

playedstraightback,

To

ball is the

IS

PITCHED

SHOOTING

ON

THAT

STUMP

cross

ON
THE

THE
GROUND

the

rightfoot back ; play back, with the

upright,as near to the wicket as convenient :
lower edge of the bat slightly
turned towards

the

stumps

you

ply them

the

Draw

bat

many

runs

the wrist and

well.

are

made

This

by

will do

arms

is

it.

always a
Add

to

the rest,if
safe hit, and

which,

if the

batsman

is
play these balls well,the wicket-keeper
of the fieldsmen in,
one
frequently
obligedto move
to

save

the

run

givesan

this weakens

advantageto

the

and
field,

quently
conse-

the batsman.

Balls

dropped short of the length on the ow-side,

or
tosses,must be playedon the on-side. The batter
has but to set himself steadily
to work ; to take his
best position his legsright body upright to play
above the ball,and hit it as hard as he can
along
for
the ground. I never
wish to see a ball mount
:
it alwaysgoes farthest when it skims like a swallow ;
"

"

"

it is then safe,and, better than all,it gets

The
the greatestnumber
of runs.
great beautyof
moreover

is to see a batsman
hitting,
without givinga chance.

go in and get many

runs,

THE

THE

YOUNG

WAY

BEST

AS

Make

TO

YOUR

PLAY

LEGS

ON

BALL,
THE

BOWLED

you.

ball

alwayssafe,and gets many

27

WIDE

AS

ON-SIDE

in before the

quickmovement

hit the ball behind

is

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

wicket,and

playedin

this way
It goes farther

runs.

than

any other,for the batter givesadditional force

it is already
to its speed in the direction in which

going.

The

great

error

in

balls is,

playingthese

beginsat them too late.

Balls tossed beyond a length must
be met
with
full bat, and held in the same
a
positionas when
stoppinga length-ballthat is,with the left elbow
The
turned well up.
only distinction in the two
that the batsman

"

consists

cases

the ball is hit

this

in

in the

that

on

the

present occasion

other,that it is blocked.

here to strike late enough,or

will be hit into the bowler's hands.
be taken

must

If the young
ball

(I speakwith

be at
him

wish
practitioner

ball that

bear

in at

Care

the ball

lengthreference to slow bowling),

it must
to the wicket : let
comes
straight

this in mind.

If the

to go

ball be

wide, how

playat it with an uprightbat ? and unless he

do so play it,he can
be at no
in hitting
certainty
the ball : again,therefore,
I repeat the ball must
be straight
to the wicket; then
the movement
to
the same
before
as
get in must be quick; the position
described. If his legsare not at their proper distance
from each other, it will be impossible
for him
to
make
anythingof a hit. Having pointedout the
of playingthese balls to advantage
in this
difficulty
he pleases.
act as
way, the learner will,of course,
I will,however, take the opportunity
of naming the
who have succeeded in
very few of the best players
SUETER, of the Hambledon
going in at length-balls.
Club ; HAMMOND, a Sussex man
; LAMBERT, a Surrey
can

he

"

man

and

SHEARMAN,

the

first

player that

throughthe
for

crease

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

28

from

Mitcham

I remember

standingfirm
If these are
length-ball.
to

Sueter was
have broken

to

old rule of

that I remember

l.

at the

poppingmen
only bats-

the

succeeded

have

this

upon

all the best playersfor

(and I remember
how can
the young performer
expect
fifty
years back),

occasion

chance

mucn

of

indeed

I have

success

others

seen

the finest

(and

but
away;
; the movement

too) go in, and hit the ball

them

seen

at the

by doing so

out

best,is a hazardous

players

I have

also

therefore,

one.

tions,
departmentof my instrucbrief mementos.
the following
by recapitulating
to each
The body and bat upright the hands
near
elbow well turned up
and the legsnot
other
the left
Let

conclude

me

this

"

"

"

batsman
will find
young
these to be goldenrules for his guidance.
The

extended.

much

too

THE

WICKET-KEEPER

fieldsmen,
always presides

holds the most

of all the

and

He

importantstation
followingreasons.

for the

that wicket from

at

will enable him

very circumstance
view of the whole

This

the ball is struck.

which

to

command

full

than any
greaterfacility
other player. His position
being just behind the
batsman, is another reason
why his situation is the
best

to

field with

the

move

General, and

fieldsmen.

He

therefore

is the

direct all the movements

of the fieldsmen : not, however,by word of command,
like the militarycommander,
but by the simple
obvious

to

every

Shearman,
to hit such

wicket

deputedto

of his hand

motion

is

and

when
a

one

and
;

the

reason

for instead of

he has not

found

himself

for this will be

out
calling
in the

ball, has played it softlybetween

point, and got

run.

to

rightposition
the middle

THE

YOUNG

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

29

fieldsman

and by so doing putting

distinctly,
the striker upon his guard,the alteration and exact
positionof each fieldsman is effected in perfect

each

silence. This
be executed
the

on

motion

of the hand

course,

with

without the proper attention

effect,
part of the fieldsmen ; each one therefore,

at his
arriving
upon
his eyes towards the

appointedplace,should
to discover
wicket-keeper,

be satisfied with his exact

turn

if he

situation.

suppose the fieldsman to be standing

of savingtwo runs,
to the hip,for the purpose
the wicket-keeper
draw him in by a motion
of

For
out

and
his

cannot, of

instance

hand, to

save

the

one

run,

the chance

is that

the

of this precaution
his
striker will not be aware
on
I have
quently
frepart, and will suffer in consequence.
witnessed the advantageof this provision
the part of the wicket-keeper
on
by the striker being

The

out.

bowler,on

the contrary,should

never

give

signalto the fieldsmen ; for being

his intention cannot
placedoppositeto the striker,
fail of being observed,and frustrated by him.
He
will have no difficulty
in communicating his opinion
and indeed,he may frequently
to the wicket-keeper,
have occasion to do this,for he must
alwayshave
the superioradvantageof noticingthe capabilities
of the batter,and may make
his suggestions
accordingly.
any

motion

The

or

short-fieldsmen may

also do the

same

however, to the full exercise

leavingthe wicket-keeper,
of his judgement and discretion ; for no interference
between
the fieldsmen and wicket-keeper
can
ever

be allowed.

will therefore see

the
wicket-keeper
young
of his knowing the exact position
that each
necessity
in the fieldshould occupy.
I need not observe
man
The

that

slow

bowling

will

requirea

arrangement of the field from

fast

very

different

bowling:

in the

THE

30

HAMBLEDON

the

latter case,

MEN

greaterpart of the field are

all considerably

extended.1

short,the wicket-keeper
may be considered with
reference to the field,
as the fuglemanto a regiment.
In

The

duties

of

these

when

the directions

others

will be

fullydetailed

he may
His

givento the fieldsmen.

in his standing,
positionof the wicket-keeper
be that of a man
preparingto spar, so that
in an instant move
any way he pleases.
legsshould be a little extended from each

other

the

The

should

"

left forward.
his position,
and

in

easy

are

direction.

The

importancein

should

He

ready to
of the legsare
position

this situation.

feel himself
in

move

any
of the utmost

The

upper part of the

to the elbow, should hang down
easily
by the
arms,
body. From the elbow they should incline upwards
towards
rather

the chest

higherthan

The

good

as

the

hands

beingopen

to

"

the left

right.

playerwill do

young

direction

both

"

well to
his position,
for I have

catches missed from

an

consider
known

ignoranceof,

or

this
many

tion
inatten-

to, this

The
reason
highlyimportantmatter.
of it is scarcely
worth
for it must
be
detailing;
obvious even
to one
ignorantof the game, that the
stands with his feet close together,and
who
man
hands down
will
by his side (likea soldier at drill),
be totally
unpreparedfor quickaction.
The
wicket-keepershould also stand at a little

distance
1

behind

the

wicket,yet

not

so

far back

but

of very fast bowling,however, the fieldsman

occasions
in middle
the bowler
that
wicket, is moved
off,
covers
straight
that
round to cover
the middle wicket and point ; and the one

Upon

farther round to
the middle wicket and point is moved
is placedto cover
the
the slip; and he who covered the slip
cover
straight on is often
long-stopand the long-slip.The man
the
and
to
in
the
one
long field to the hip will
save
brought
run,
be brought up behind the batsman, to save
the run that may
be
hit between
the legand the wicket.
covered

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG

THE

TUTOR

31

that he may, by a short and quick step,stump out

the batter,should he move
from his ground. My
for

reason

recommending that

little backward

from

wicket

the

should

he

the catches will be much

remove

is because

by

his

easy, and he
will quently
frestump as well. Many wicket-keepers
put down the wicket when the striker has

doing so
may

more

ground; but this practiceis

in the eyes of a good cricketer,
doublyobjectionable
and is after all but a pieceof stage effect,and to
moved

not

make

from

his

serious wrong,
the action,is,that it puts the striker on
and

The

show.

however, in

more

his

guard,

preventshis gettingoff his ground.

The

aim to acquirethe
must
young wicket-keeper
of decidingat a glancethe exact
situation

power
of every

stand

fieldsman

"

of

those

in,for the purpose

of

whom

he

savingone

wishes

run,

or

to

out,

for that of

savingtwo.
is onlyone hit

There

the

should
wicket-keeper

ever

have to move
after from the wicket : that is,when the
longfield to the hipis out to save the two runs, and the
batsman
blocks a ball between his legand the wicket.
There

is

other

no

this run
but the
can
save
person
if he wish to save
it he must start

and
wicket-keeper,
before the ball is

he will be too

late. In
this case the slipshould take his placeat the wicket.
If the batsmen
are
running,the ball should be
thrown

struck,or

to
straight

the

wicket,about

high as the
should leave
wicket-keeper

top of the stump.

The

the wicket

himself

between

and

the

as

ball ; take the

ball before the

hands
down

wicket,and, as he receives it, his

be drawn
back, putting the wicket

should
with

one

motion.

if it be done in

This should be done

hurry it can

SUETER, of the Hambledon

a

Sussex

man,

were

steadily
;

seldom be well done.

Club, and

the two best

HAMMOND,

I ever
wicket-keepers

32

THE

Both

saw.

of them

would

do

batsman.

so

without

The

follow their

put

the wicket down

but

chance

never

of

out
witheither

saw

putting out

will
wicket-keeper

young

the

do well to

example.

last advice

home
easily

MEN

fuss

or
flourishing

any
of them

My

HAMBLEDON

is,that

the

ball be

always tossed

to the bowler.

THE

POINT

OF

THE

BAT

(SLOW BOWLING)

fieldsman who
is appointed to this
young
situation should possess a quick eye and
a
quick
The

action.

Without

these two

he will never
qualities
succeed in this importantplace.
He
should place himself within three yards and
half of the batsman, directly
a
oppositeto the
is nearer
This
than
is generally
popping-crease.
recommended
I have played for many
; but
years
best
the
of
and
the
found
batsmen,
against
always
distance named
farther removed ;
to one
preferable
indeed,I have more
frequently
playedat three yards
than
the batsman,
at three yards and a half from
received an injuryfrom the ball.
and yet never
For the position
of body in the point,I can do no
better than

given to
the

refer him

instructions upon
the wicket-keeperthey will DC
to

"

same

the

legs rather

extended

arms

this head

essentially
to

the

elbows

and near
to the body ; from
hanging easily,
the elbow inclined upwards,and hands open.
for this fieldsman's consideration
The next subject
is to know
from what balls he should playback, and
at which

he need
When
to the

he should

go

in.

Let him

fear any batsman.

ball dropsshort of a

master

this,and

never
a

length,
yet straight

he will notice that the batsman

wicket,and rises,
will be under the necessity
of raisinghis bat
high to playabove the ball. Upon such occasions

TUTOR

33

he must

to the bat.

By

this

the

YOUNG

THE

CRICKETER'S

playforward, and nearlyup

have
action he will frequently

of

If the
againplayforward.
short of a length,or be tossed on the off-side of
wicket, he will observe the batsman preparingto

should

he

playback

do this he must

can

is

he

it in the direction in which

hit

yards;

promptly,from

be made
the movement
must
pitchof the ball,and from the motion
"

ball

againstthe

his face towards

his

batter,and

position.By

not

throw

I have

man.

unable

point all

the

the

in their proper

hint,he will

will be

he

besides which

away
twice

late

his

attention

chance

succeeded

in

keep
hanofs

and

arms

himself

the while must

due

the

defend

to

this

of

catching
catchingout

others, by this

Beauclerc,and many

Lord

to

the
man
bats-

of the

will be too

afterwards

he strikes

before

out

the

standing.Before

at least four

and

he
length-ball,
ball be dropped

blocks at

the batter

When

catch.

chance

movement.

of the advantageto be derived from

Independently
knew a batsman like to have
playingso near, I never
the pointmoving in at every ball he blocked.
In backingup, this fieldsman should alwayskeep
farther from the wicket than the slip,
leavingplenty
of

between

room

them.

fast bowling,the station of the point should

be at least seven
yardsfrom the batsman, and rather
behind the popping-crease.
In

LONG

should

be

FIELD,

active

an

STRAIGHT

man,

and

OFF,

able

to

throw

well.

the middle

between the bowler

the off-side,
wicket,and out far enough to save

two

His

His

and

station is

runs.

duty

is to

cover

the middle

and
the

wicket

bowler.

This
the

on

one

fieldsman
run.

is

brought in
occasionally

to

save

34

HAMBLEDON

THE

LONG

should stand at

wicket,to
be
may

save

STRAIGHT

FIELD,

ON,

distance out from the bowler's

When
the two runs.
the bowlingcan
some

depended on, and

be broughtin to

hittingis

the

the

save

FIELD

LONG

TO

one

not

he

severe,

run.

THE

stand

fieldsman must

The

MEN

HIP

out

to

two

save

runs

Every person who

oppositeto the popping-crease.
takes the long field should be able to throw well,to
run
well,and he should begin to run before the ball
is struck : this,in the language of Cricket,is called
gettingthe start of the ball '.
in the instance of the two
As
formerlynamed
in to save
moved
this fieldsman is frequently
players,
'

the

one

run.
THE

holds
His

STOP

LONG

importantstation in the game of cricket.

and
appointment is behind the wicket-keeper,
a

most

he should
When

stand in, so as to
the ball does not

fair bound, he must

go
with his hands before him

it,his body will form

farther progress.
In addition to

this

the

is

his hand

right knee

and

arrest

SHORT

its

requiredto cover
the leg and
the

slipsfrom the bat, both to

off-side. It is requisite
that he should learn to
with a quickaction to the top of the wicket.
many

with

these should

case

bulwark

duty,he

run.

his

upon

then, in
a

one

to

come

down

miss

save

throw

SLIP

The

situation for the

keeperand point of
distance from

slipis

between

the wicket-

the bat, and at a rather greater

the wicket than the wicket-keeper,
yet

his side than

to

nearer

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG

THE

the

to

it affords better

35

point of the bat,

his righthand.

playfor
of his body,I refer to the instructions
For the position
and point.
alreadygivento the wicket-keeper
from the bat to the slip
As the balls usually
come

because

with

considerable

this fieldsman should be

swiftness,

his

guard.
is compelled
the wicket-keeper
to leave
Whenever
his station,the slipshould move
up and supplyhis
placetillhe returns.
next to the
In backingup, the slipshould come
wicket-keeper.
on
perpetually

THE

LONG

is generally
placedbetween

SLIP

the short

slipand point,
I should prefer,
the short slip,

enough to save the run.

however, his standingnearlybehind
of the balls twisting
account
on
; for,if the ball be
find it twist
struck to his righthand, he will surely
in
is a station of great difficulty
to his left. This
fast bowling.

and

near

THE

stand

should

yardsfrom
That
more

the off-side,
not
the bowler's wicket,or

more

on

more

than
than

eleven

twenty-

the batsman's.

from

two

WICKET

MIDDLE

be well filled,
ot
a person
will be required;
one
activity

this situation may

than

common

who, judgingfrom

the motion

into action before the

of the

ball is hit

bat,will
with

start

quick
and a steady
hand
in throwing,
of the arm
movement
hands at
the ball into the wicket-keeper's
to return
the top of the stumps. To be quickand steady
are
valuable qualifications
in a fieldsman
two most
and,
are
indeed, in which of our worldlycallings
theynot
valuable ? There is no placein the whole field where
:

one

"

36

occur
struggles

so

many
batsman

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

to

catches
arise,some
many
difficult to get at : with

from

the

put the
add to which,
hits, others
to

or

run,

middle wicket

at the

out, as

save

severe

constant

movement,

in coveringhis ground,and closely

therefore,
backing

legsand hands of the middle wicket are

never
unoccupied. This situation will furnish lively
employment for an active young gentleman.
up, the eyes,

LONG

is

FIELD

TO

THE

COVER

situation in which

hard

balls to

first

thing

playfrom

MIDDLE

the fieldsman

stop, and
should

he

many

make

pitchof

the

WICKET

would

to

himself

catch.

the

of the

many
The

of is to

master

the ball, and

pass him

otherwise

POINT

will have

one

the batsman, so as to get the start

doing he will be enabled to cover

AND

of

motion

ball.

By

so

balls that

many

and

difficult
many catches,
in themselves
to get at, will become
comparatively
learn to judge the direction in which
easy. He must
;

batter,by his positionand motion, will strike

the ball,and whether
high or low, hard or gently,
and before it is struck,he should be off to meet
or
will apply to either the
it. This instruction
cover
long or the short field.
the

The
exact

that

second

point of

spot where
where

the

the

one

and

run

these
as
trifling
be
practitioner
young
accounted
himself

an

master

trouble to the

two

runs

be

may
matters

assured

them.

is the

saved, and

prevented. Minute

may
that

Time

know

be

may

effective fieldsman
of

to

consequence

appear,
he never

till he
in

the

have

let the
will be
made

play and

will be spared,
and, were
wicket-keeper
other advantage to arise,these are
well worth
no
dote,
securing. The following,
althougha personalanecthe present subject,
I may be
as it bears upon

THE

CRICKETER'S

YOUNG

37

TUTOR

this occasion.
The
pardoned for introducing
upon
in which I playedwas
first match of any importance
Club challenged
all England :
when the Hambledon
and eighteenyears old,
I was
then between seventeen
and
played for England. The celebrated JAMES
AYLWARD

General.

our

was

will

His

the middle

command

to

me

wicket and

point.'
What,' said I, 'out to save the two runs ?' 'Why, you
this ground !
'I
would not playin to save
on
one
slow
bowls.' (Clifford
was
a
would, when CLIFFORD
said he, with an
bowler.) You shall do as you like,'
approvingsmile, and a heartyshake of the hand.
*

was,

You

cover

"

"

'

"

"

time

Now, the

I took to

justbefore the
being at that

was

eye

I had

mano2uvre

match,

the

to

time

good fortune,in

out

whether

know

and

I stood

be

if my

memory
I had
before
elapsed

Suppose
in to
when

the

let the

run

the

of

course

on

an

made

scarcely

me

my head or
honest one,

my

heels

time

some

rubbed off my conceit.

the fieldsman in this station be brought

the

save

one

of the Hambledon
Club,
the thanks of Sir Horace

two

and received in consequence

The gloryof this reward
Mann.
to

the

save

had started,the batsman's

fixed upon
him.
By this

bowler

the

put

in to

move

one

run

"

bowling is good

"

ball

come

to

of

case

he

occurrence
frequent

should

not

wait

and

him, but dash in to meet it,

right hand, and with a quick
at the top of the stumps to the

it with his
fielding
motion, throwing it
hands.
If this act be performed
wicket-keeper's
and is the very essence
it has a beautiful effect,
neatly,
that any active
It is a movement
of fine fielding.
playermay attain with a little perseverance,
young
of accomplishing
and the best mode
it, is to get
a

person

towards
the

stand

to

him

"

speedwith

at

the wicket

and

throw

the ball

moderatelyquick at first,increasing
his improvement.

38

THE

If

HAMBLEDON

MEN

ball be hit very hard

the
long field,

safe way to
with both hands

knee

one

it,the body will

miss

act

in the direction of the

playit

is

oefore

him

as

by droppingon
:

rampart

should

to

these

prevent its

farther progress.
To
the young

cricketer I cannot
too frequently
observation,and steadiness are
activity,

repeat that

in
valuable qualities

the most

add, as

to

me

old

an

TUTOR

'

partiesin

number

from

between

the

wicket.

This

match

six

to

one

fieldsman,and allow
in any

"

other

man.

WICKET

SINGLE
The

'

singlewicket

at
on

side.

vary in
distance

The

twenty-two yards. At the

bowler's wicket, two stumps are
placedwith a bail
this the striker,
when
them ; and
running,
upon
must
come
to, and strike off,and return to his own
is

wickets

is counted

one

If the bail should

run.

strike the stump out of the

be off,the batter must
the party consists of fewer than four
ground. When

side,if the striker leave his ground to hit

the ball,he will not be permitted
to reckon a notch.
each

on

THE

the

When

each
on

side,the

BEFORE

PLAY

partiesconsist

WICKET

of fewer

of the game
wicket ; which

custom

side of the

each

THE

than

five

bounds

is,to make
bounds

on

are

to be

with
it, as well as with each
parallel
they must likewise extend twenty-two yards

laid down
other

from

the wicket.

The

man

who

the ball before these limits,or

be returned in the same
it must
who

seekingout.

are

in such

manner,

It must

that it may

is

in, must

strike

boundarylines ; and
direction by those
also be thrown

cross

the

back

playbetween

the wicket of the

between
is

batter and

bounds

the

and

the wicket of the

in,before it is considered
the

running have
opposite wicket, and

the ball have

struck

down

his

play, or

been

wicket,it

is to be considered

wicket

The

between
be

must

knocked

behind

who

man

off the bail

home

return

before

wicket,or crossed the

bounds

the
a

and

his

own

run.

put down

by the ball,whether
the hand, and always

by throwing,or holding it in
from
before; for the ball is dead
been

; or

dead.

If the striker in
upon

bowler

that of the

when

once

it has

the wicket.

The

striker may
continue
running so long as the
ball is in play in other words, till it has crossed
"

the

dead

in the hand

SINGLE

is

been

play,or

WICKET

subjectto

double

returned

between

the

bounds,

or

is

of the bowler.
WITH

the

MORE

rules

same

wicket, with

THAN

the

full

FOUR

ON

when

as

EACH

SIDE

the

complement

game
of men,

at

is

played.

PROTEST
AGAINST

THE

MODERN

INSTEAD

Having

INNOVATION

OF

concluded

BOWLING

my

OF
THE

THROWING,

BALLS

instructions

to

my
young
leave of them,

take my
finally
I feel anxious
record my
to place upon
opinion
a
new
styleof playingthe game of Cricket
respecting
which has been adopted only within these few
years.
field
in
the
for
As I have not been actively
engaged
for offering
the following
several seasons,
my motive
arise solely
from a wish to preclude
observations can

countrymen, before

40

that my favourite amusement,

while
possibility
should deteriorate in character.
it changesin feature,
I conceive,then,that all the fine style
of hitting,
the

the reader will find recorded

which

of this little

work,

if the modern

cease,

in

in the latter

part

very material degree

innovation of throwing,instead

must

bowling the ball,be not discontinued. It is not

the least importantobjection
I have to offer against
the system to say, that it reduces the strikers too

of

much

to

an

since
equality;

the indifferent batsman

fair a chance of
possesses as
refined player;and the reason

because,from the random

ball,it is impossiblefor
time for that finesse and

of this
of

manner

the

the

as

success

is

most

obvious,

the
delivering

fine batsman

to

have

delicate

management, which
the elegantmanoeuvring
distinguished
peculiarly

so

of the

chief

playerswho

occupiedthe

field about

If the system continue,

ten, and more
eight,
years ago.
confess that I cannot
I freely
even
hope again
witness
such
the
to
exquisitefinish as distinguished
OLD
as
SMALL, and AYLWARD,
playingof such men
and

BELDHAM, and LORD

FREDERICK
BEAUCLERC
last indeed,I believe it
: the
is pretty well understood, retired as
the
soon
as
presentsystem was tolerated.
I

the

am

Two

aware

WALKERS,

and

that the defence

in behalf of the

which

is,that
throwing,

'

the game
; that
in one
day which

now

urged

it tends to shorten

commonly decided
occupiedthree times the

match

heretofore

has been

is

space in its completion.This argument, I grant,is

irrational one ; but if the objectin countenot an
nancing
the innovation

direct defiance of

(and

one,

be it

observed,in

standinglaw) extend solelyto

the curtailment of the game \ why not multiply
the
difficulties in another
direction?
Why not give
for the displayof skill in the batter?
more
room
'

YOUNG

THE

Why

have

not

the

increase

have

of

character

rough,
do

of

school,
result
and
of

can

the

the

and

of

for

the

that

this
both

well

as

as

judgement
be

sisted
per-

scientific

and

exhibition

can

excellence
the

in

the

use

can

in

the

known

me

players

no

who

for

(clever though
eminent
I have

men

be

the

my

eyes,

styles

two

will

bear

accustomed

therefore,

compare

tiality
par-

particular

should

been

have,

the

from

or

points

have

of

reason

but

never

none

are) with
and

fair

mere

such

and

have

system

standard

above,

the

system

educated
that

who

they

that

new

been

notes

that

declaring

that

elegant

into

opinion

myself rashly

express

the

prejudice,

natural

present

consider

whose

present

decline

has

compare

playing

with

who

one

testimony
in

the

from

speak

my

Club

they

experience,
men

to

horseplay.

however
of

inches

And

and

three,

perfectly confident,

longer,

will

coarse

not

stake

of

years

Cricket

of

few

41

Mary-le-bone
Will

and

If, therefore,

in

of

feel

observation

esteem.

eight

it, seeing

is at

from

this.

corroboration

the

game

order

case

of

the

forming

game

instead

bails

the

sanction

their

own

my

from
I

and

the

actually

from

of

to

power

proposal,

is

stumps

gentlemen

the

the

four

length

The

ten

TUTOR

CRICKETER'S

hesitation
have

risen
in

moment

they

already

assigned.

to

doubtedly
un-

named

THE

CRICKETERS

THE

game
derivation
is

of

cricket

probably
in

Strutt, however,
that

he

find

can

MY

TIME

thoroughly

British.

OF
is

the Saxon

from

his

Sports

record

no

of

'

stick \

cjiyce,

Pastimes,

and

the

Its

states

under

game,

its

of
present appellation,'beyond the commencement
the last century, where
of the
it occurs
in one
songs
l
first four lines of
The
Of
published by D'Urfey.'
'

noble

race

Her

was

At

hunting chase, or
featly her could

historian
derived

"

prettiest fellow

the

foot- ball

same

cricket

thus

',ran

At

How
The

Shenkin

was

of

cricket,

at

or

our

its

nimble

race,

it.

prick

doubts

games
from
the

that

not

of
ancient
origin
game
club- ball,the patronymics of which
being compounded
of Welsh
and Danish
(clwppa and bol) do not warrant
his conclusion, the Saxon
being an elder occupant of
island.
The
our
circumstance, however, of there
missal, illuminated
no
being no illustration extant
with
a
engaged in this king of athletic games,
group
is the case
with
its plebeian brother, the club- ball ;
as
civil and
also, from its constitution, being of a more
we
complicated character
rationallyinfer that
may
it is the
offspringof a more
polite,at all events, of
"

"

maturer

age

than

its fellow.

have

been

ball appears

to

well-known

bat-and-ball, which,

and
1

customs

Pills

to

purge

Melancholy,

other

no

prescribed in

The

the

4th

than
with

the

1719,

club-

present

similar

playing

edit.

of

game

at

it,

laws
was,

vol. ii. p. 172.

JESUIT

NYREN'S

doubtless,anterior
carries with
mechanism

it

an

to

43

trap, indeed,

trap-ball.The

air of refinement

in the

march

of

'.

They who are acquaintedwith some of the remote

of England, where
and
the
unfrequentedvillages
of our
cestors
ancustoms, and games
primitive
manners,
of rude and unadulterated
survive in the perfection
remarked
have
the lads
must
simplicity,
which
game
features as
principal

playingat
and

is the

the

in its outline

same

pieceof

consummate

that at this day is the glory of Lord's,

perfection
I mean
the one in
and the prideof Englishathletae
which a singlestick is appointedfor a wicket,ditto
for a bat, and
the same
of about
three
repeated,
inches in length,for a ball. If this be not
the
of the game
of cricket,it is a plebeian
original
"

of it.

imitation

My purpose, however, is not to

of cricketing,
but to record
antiquities
of

of the most

search
my

into

the

recollections

of my favourite
professors
since
the publicarena
on
pastime who have figured
the year 1776, when I might be about twelve years
of age.
From
that periodtill within a few seasons
the receiptof
at
past, I have constantlybeen
when any rousingmatch
has been toward ;
custom
and being now
a
veteran, and laid up in ordinary,
I may
be allowed the vanityof the quotation,
some

eminent

'

Quorum
I

was

born

I learned

at

magna

pars

Hambledon,

in

Hampshire
"

the

I was
when
a
boy of a worthy old
hand at the fiddle ; and many
Jesuit, but I was
a better
a time
have I taught the gipsys a tune
during their annual visits to
the
our
village,
therebypurchasing
securityof our poultry-yard.
When
the hand of the destroyer was
stretched forth over
the
littleGoshen
was
neighbouring roosts, our
always passedby.
a

littleLatin

fui.1

HAMBLEDON

THE

44

of the

Attica

scientific-aH

England could

eleven in

don, which

met

on

Hambledon,

flock to

see

indeed,
in the

'

one

to instance

so

with

first

whole

many

the Hamblein

Tuesday
a

set

May
the

were

country round

of their trial matches.

of my

course

No
celebrating.

am

renowned

that the

been

have

compare

the

Broad-Halfpenny.So
of

MEN

men

would

Great

'

on

men,1
'

us
better,none
; and
among
recollections I shall have occasion
within the knowledgeof persons
"

in giving
I doubt not, warrant
as
me
will,
living,
the palm to my native place.
bowlers in my earlydays were
The two principal
now

THOMAS

BRETT

and

RICHARD

NYREN,

of Hambledon

the corps de reserve, or

Brett
and HOGSFLESH.

BARBER
were
change-bowlers,
was, beyond all comparison,
bowler that was ever
the fastest as well as straightest
known : he was
neither a thrower nor
but
a jerker,
his ball
a
legitimatedownright bowler, delivering
high, and very quickly,
quite as stronglyas
fairly,
and with the force of a pointblank shot.
the jerkers,
He was
a well-grown,
dark-looking
remarkably
man,

strong,and
he

was

with

rather

an
comparatively

short

arm.

inferior

As

player
"

a
a

batter,

slashing

hitter,but he had littleguard of his wicket,and his

tion.
judgementof the game was held in no great estimaBrett, whose occupationwas that of a farmer,
bore the universal character of
man

in all his

honourable
strictly

whether
transactions,

in business

or

in

amusement.

Nyren was left-handed. He had a high

delivery,
always to the length,and his balls were
deceitful. He was the chosen General of
provokingly
In
all the matches,ordering
and directing
the whole.
did the brotherhood hold his experience
such esteem
and judgement,that he was
uniformlyconsulted on
I never
knew
all questions
of law or precedent
; ana
Richard

RICHARD

NYREN

45

his
or
againsthis opinion,
decision to be reversed. I never
a finer specimen
saw
of the thoroughbred old
than
English yeoman
Richard
a
flinching,
ungood face-to-face,
Nyren. He was
He
uncompromising,independentman.
placeda full and justvalue upon the station he held
it without insolence or
in society,
and he maintained
without
assumption. He could differ with a superior,
I
trenchingupon his dignity,or losinghis own.
him
have known
maintain
an
opinion with great
of Dorset and Sir Horace
firmness againstthe Duke
of his beingproved
Mann
; and when, in consequence
the latter has afterwards crossed
to be in the right,
the ground and shaken him heartily
by the hand.
depende
advantage over Brett ; for,inNyren had immense
of his generalknowledgeof the game,
better cricketer,
he was
a
practically
being a safe
batsman
and an
excellent hitter. Athough a very
about five feet nine)he was
stout man
commonly
un(standing
He owed all the skill and judgeactive.
ment
old
he possessed
to an
uncle,Richard Newland,
of Slindon, in Sussex, under whom
he was
brought

exceptionto

an

up
was

"

man

so

one

Nyren

was
man

in his
of

time, that when a song

the Sussex cricketers,
Richard

and honourablysignalized.
especially
dared to playhim.
Richard
When
ever

left Hambledon, the club broke

resumed
were

famous

written in honour

Newland
No

be taken

from

that

day.

The

head

up,

and

and

never

rightarm

gone.

and

both good hands ; they

were
Hogsflesh
had a high delivery,
and a generally
good length;
not very strong,however, at least for those days of
when
the bowlingwas
all fast. These four
playing,
were
our
tip-topmen, and I think such another stud
in the whole kingdom,either
not to oe matched
was
before or since. They were
choice fellows,
staunch
Barber

HAMBLEDON

THE

46

thoroughgoing.No

and

seemed

entered

have

to

MEN
ever
thought of treachery

their heads.

modern

The

of trickery
and
(so far as
politics
crossing were
and judgement of their actions
experience
my own
extended) as yet 'a sealed book' to the Hambledonians ; what they did, they did for the love of
and victory
honour
when
one
(who shall be
; and
of his good name
for
nameless)sold the birthright
of pottage, he paid dearlyfor his bargain.
a
mess
the trouble of being a
knave
It cost him
(no
'

'

"

trifle!); the
of

worst

was

Upon coming
of JOHN

to

friends,and,
him

who

could

the old batters

of

have

club,the

our

SMALL, the elder,shines among

lustre of

His

have

star

of the first

alreadybeen

which
publication,

what

himself.

"

in all the
merits

his old

all,the respectof

been his best friend

name

of

esteem

every

recorded

magnitude.

in

zealous brother

them

separate

of the pastime

has

probably read. I need, therefore,only

subscribe my
talent,
testimonyto his uncommon
summing up his chief excellencies. He was
shortly
the best short runner
of his day,and indeed I believe
him

to have

been the first who

His

to account.

decision

was

turned
as

the

prompt

short
as

hits

his eye

Add
to the
a short
run.
calculating
value of his accomplishment
as
a
an
batter,he was
admirable
fieldsman,alwaysplayingmiddle wicket ;
his judgementof the game,
and so correct was
that
old Nyren would appeal
to him when
a pointof law
Small was
a
was
being debated.
remarkablywelland well-knit man,
made
of honest expression,
and
as

in

accurate

was

active

as

hare.

and taught himself the

good fiddler,
double bass. The Duke
of Dorset, having been informed
of his musical talent,sent him as a present
handsome
a
violin,and paid the carriage.Small,
He

was

SUETER

TOM

like
the

and

simple-hearted
Englishman,returned
compliment,by sendinghis Grace two bats and
true

balls,also paying
that

both

on

kind.

the carnage.

hands

Upon

the

occasion

one

or

fields

three

he

him

at

his

Orphean

Having

account.

characteristic coolness and

the

turned

his way

on

vicious bull made

be sure
may
choice of their

We

presentswere

accomplishmentto good
two

47

to

to

cross

musical

when

party,
hero, with

our

of mind

presence

of

good cricketer,began playingupon his bass, to

chievous
the admiration
satisfaction of the misand perfect
a

beast.
this time, 1778, I became a sort of farmer's
and I never
pony to my native club of Hambledon,
had cause
to repent the work I was
put to ; I gained
About

the game, which I

knew
of those who
in my
leave in the hands
me
'
high and palmy state to speak to and appreciate.

by

it that

various

knowledge of
'

being settled,the
trifling
preliminary
SUETER
of TOM
firstcomes
me
across
figure

This

of the

and

man,

steel-hearted

soldiers

him

club.

"

bledon
Ham-

handful

of

importantpass, such
Tom
in keepingthe wicket.
was
Nothing went by
in this tryingand
him ; and for coolness and nerve
his equal. As a proof
saw
responsible
post,I never
I have numberless
and skill,
times
of his quickness

seen

stump

bowling.
was

one

Add

to

are

man

would

and

he

cut

was,

an

with

out

Brett's tremendous

this valuable

of the manliest

Few

in

What

and

name

he
accomplishment,
most
gracefulof hitters.
at the pointof the bat,

and

ball harder

moreover,

excellent

an

short

eye like an eagle rapidand

from
He was
the firstwho departed
before him, who deemed
of the old players
He

had

an

to leave the

sive.
comprehen-

"

crease

for the

ball ; he

the custom
it

would

off and straight

on
it,and hit it straight

runner.

heresy

get in at
and, egad !

it went

if it had

as

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

48

been

fired.

our

club, at the trial-matches

get

more

than

earlier than

number
seen

wished

Nature

show

to

he

was

questionedby
him

and

purityof

ten.

allowed

was

Tom
As

so

have

he

room

after

seldom

Sueter, who
if,too, Dame

specimen of

amiable

position
dis-

hood:
pet of all the neighbourheart, that his word was

the

gentlemen who

associated

him
handsome
a
cultivation,have made
With
what
rapture have I hung upon
when

to

generally
gained his

his birth
him

the rules of

by

voice,which for sweetness, power,

tone
(a tenor) would, with proper

and

with

at

gave
the

honourable

so
never

feet

five

she
prodigality,
that

than

man

about

measured

he

man

of them.

any

handsomer

her

thirtyruns,

no

As

has

given us a hunting song

the day'spractice
!
was
over
of

fortune.
his

in

notes

the

club

who

alwaysanswered
of
Little George ',was
best
to the title among
us
our
long-stop. So firm and steadywas he, that I have
him
known
stand through a whole
match
against
than two
Brett's bowling,and not lose more
runs.
GEORGE

LEAR,

Hambledon,
'

ball seemed

The
of it

as

if he

to

had

into him, and he was

His
been a sand bank.
go

as

sure

activity

ment
great,and, besides,he had so good a judgein running to cover
the ball,that he would
that were
hit in the slip,
and this,be it
stop many
known.
remembered, from the swiftest bowlingever
would
The
cover
was
portion of ground that man
He
a
was
good batsman, and
quiteextraordinary.
a
sure
tolerably
guard of his wicket; he averaged
from fifteen to twenty runs, but I never
remember
his having a long innings. What
he did not bring
to the stock by his bat,however, he amply made
up
with his perfectfielding.
Lear was
short man, of
a
was

so

fair

and
complexion,well-looking,

of

pleasing

LITTLE

"A

aspect.

had

He

treat have I had

gleeat

the

I have

Twas
EDWARD
of

HEAVEN
sweet

in

hearinghim
'

on

49

tenor voice.

counter

and Ball

Bat

BELOW

and

Broad

joinin
Halfpenny:
Sueter

been there,and stillwould go

below !
like a little Heaven

ABURROW,

native

of

Many

Hambledon,

was

longfields. He alwayswent by the

of Curry; why, I cannot
name
remember, neither is
it of the utmost
importanceto inquire. He was
well calculated for the post he always occupied,
being a sure and strong thrower, and able to cover
He was
and safe
a great space of the field.
a steady
number
of runs
Lear.
batter,averagingthe same
as
We
reckoned
him
a
tolerablygood change for
was
a
bowling. Aburrow
strong and well made
standingabout five feet nine ; he had a plain,
man,
beloved by all his
face, and was
honest-looking
acquaintance.
one

best

our

BUCK, whose real

next

Hambledon

name

was

that

man

PETEK

occurs

STEWARD, is the

to my

recollection.

and was
at
He, too, playedlong field,
a steady
man
his post ; his batting,
too, reached the same
pitchof
excellence

point of

the

he

could cut
bat

"

the balls very hard at the

nothing like Sueter, however
"

few could have

Buck was
him.
a darkequalled
lookingman, a shoemaker by trade,in heightabout
five feet eight,
rather slimlybuilt,and very active.
He had an ambition to be thought a humorist.
The
anecdote may
both as a specimenof
serve
following
very

his talent and

of Hambledon.
a

of the unfastidious taste of the men

When
match was
to be playedat
a

distance,the whole

eleven,with the umpire and

conveyedin one caravan, built for their

accommodation.
ing
Upon one occasion,the vehicle havbeen overturned,and the whole cargo unshipped,
scorer,

were

THE

50

HAMBLEDON

remained

MEN

his post, and refused to come

out,
that they would rightthe vessel with him in
desiring
Buck

it ; for that

at

'

admired

reparteewas

deserved another '.

good turn

one

for

This

week.

The

old-fashioned song, and which was

following
popularfifty
years ago, may bring back pleasant

very
recollections to those of my countrymen who
the Hambledon
Club in the year 1778 :l

ber
remem-

CRICKET
THE

BY

REV.

MR.

COTTON,

OF

WINCHESTER

ASSIST, all ye Muses, and join to rehearse

old English sport,never
An
praisedyet in
Tis
Cricket I sing,of illustrious fame,
e'er boasted

nation

No

so

Derry down,
Great

Pindar

Some

has

game.

"c.

bragg'dof

swift in the

were

noble

verse

race,

his heroes

of old

in battles

some

"

were

bold;
The

Hark

brows

of the

victor with
and

they shout,

sound

Olympia

were

returns

crown'd
the

glad

Derry down,
What

olives

boastingof

Castor

"c.
and

Pollux

his brother

"

riding,for boxing the other;

not shine at all
Compared with our heroes,they'll
What
Castor and Pollux to Nyren and Small ?
were
Derry down, "c.
The

famed

one

for

"

by
names

This
Kent

song
over

were

was

reallywritten

Hampshire
added

on

later.

"

to

August

E. V. L.

commemorate
The
If),1772.

the victory
Hambledon

SONG

COTTON'S

MR.

51

Each

and throwing and

guardingand catching,
tossing,
and runningand crossing
;
bowlingand striking,
excel in some
mate
must
part
principal

The

Pentathlum

Here's

And

"

could not show

of Greece

much

so

art.

Derry down,
The

are
parties

Famed
Each

And

met, and

Elis ne'er boasted

nymph looks askew

"c.

array'dall in white
so
pleasinga sight;
"

at her

favourite swain,
and
with pleasure

both
him, half stript,

views

pain.
Derry down,
wickets

The

around
Since
No

large ring,and

was

seen

with

Derry down,

such

On

you

all

fear and

gazing
Troy,

such

preceptsattend

joy.

must
fate of the game
exert allyour
now
vigourat first,

the whole

measure

the

"c.

bowlers,take heed, to my

But

stand

sightof

in

Ye

Spare your

measured

"

Ajax fought Hector,

contest

and

pitchednow,

are

ground;
they form

Then

"c.

each

be

and
step,

Derry down,

sure

depend;
strength,
pitcha length.

"c.

lest your painsye beguile

look sharp,
;
fieldsmen,
close like an army, in rank and in file;
Move
back it sure, for I trow
the ball is returnee!,
When
Ye

Whole

states have

been ruined

Derry down,
E

"c.
2

by one

overthrow

52

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

observe when
the foe shall draw nigh;
strikers,
Mark
the bowler, advancingwith vigilant
eye ;

Ye

Your

skill all

Stand

firm to your

distance

depends upon

and

scratch,let your bat be

Derry down, "c.

And

the

now

game's o'er,IO

doubles

Echo

victory! rings,
Fame
spreads her

chorus, and

her

sight,
upright.

wings;
Let's

hail

now

Such

as

champions all steadyand

our

of,nor

ne'er sung

Homer

Pindar

true,
e'er knew.

"c.

Derry down,

and Barber and Brett,

Buck, Curry,and Hogsflesh,
Whose
swiftness in bowlingwas
ne'er equalled
yet ;
I had

forgot,they deserve
and
George, the long-stop,

almost

Little

largebumper ;
Sueter, the

Tom

stumper.
"c.

Derry down,

why should we fear

repineat the loss both

Then
Or

With

such

troops

game,
Spiteof Minshull

as

either Sackville or Mann,

of Boyton and Lann ?
"

and Miller,and

fill up

your

lords

Lumpy

of

the

and Frame.

"c.

Derry down,
Then

we'll be

those

he's
glass,

the

best that

drinks

most.

Here

's the Hambledon

Let's

joinin
sing in

And

the

Club

"

refuses the toast?

the bat and

praiseof

full chorus

who

the

Derry down,

the

wicket,

patrons of cricket.

"c.

LITTLE

'THE

FARMER1

53

game'so'er,and our fate shall draw nigh

(For the heroes of cricket,like others,must die),
Our
bats we'll resign,neither troubled nor
vexed,
And
next.
give up our wickets to those that come
Derry down, "c.
And

when

the

knightof our round table (of which

Nyren was the King Arthur) was a man

tenth

The
Richard

always called

'

Little

The

Farmer

'

his

name

old
we
was

and he
right-handed,
had the most
delivery I ever
saw.
extraordinary
delivered quite low, and with a twist ;
The ball was
like that
of the generality
of right-handed
not
bowlers, but just the reverse
is, if
way : that
bowling to a right-handedhitter,nis ball would
the off stump into the leg. He
twist from
was

LAMBERT.1

He

was

bowler

who

"

introduced

the

first I remember

and

the
teazingstyleof delivering

this deceitful

ball.

When

All

Club, the Little

England played the Hambledon
Farmer
was
appointed one of our bowlers; and,
egad ! this new trick of his so bothered the Kent
that they tumbled
and Surrey men,
after
out
one
another, as if they had been pickedoff by a rifle
corps. For a long time they could not tell what to
make

of that

cursed

twist

of his.

This, however,

He
a cricketer.
as
possessed,
was
no
batter,and had no judgement of the game.
he had attained in this one
The perfection
ment,
departand his otherwise generaldeficiency,
at
are
for by the circumstance
accounted
that, when
once
he was
tendinghis father's sheep,he would set up
or
a hurdle
two, and bowl away for hours together.
Our General,old Nyren, after a great deal of trouble
(for the Farmer's comprehensiondid not equalthe
speedof lightning),
got him to pitchthe ball a little
was

the

Not

onlyvirtue

he

the great Lambert

reallyLamborn.

"

E. V. L.

HAMBLEDON

THE

54

MEN

to the off-side of the

wicket,when it would twist full

the stumps. Before he had got into this
in upon
once
knaclc,he was
bowling againstthe Duke of
Dorset, and, deliveringhis ball straightto the
wicket, it curled in, and missed the Duke's legThe
little
plainspoken
stump by a hair's breadth.

and forgetting
bumpkin,in his eagerness and delight,
the stylein which
we
were
alwaysaccustomed to
aristocratical playmateswith our
knowledgem
acimpress our
rank

of their
Ah

'

out

"

! it

tedious

near

tone, and

the

was

of his
familiarity
dialect in which

it

never

his balls in the

Farmer

with

The

the whole

but

same

bowler

one
as

way

ground

our

jerkers the practiceis

who

Little
not

common.
un-

very civil and inoffensive young

remained
in the club perhaps two
or

He

fellow, and
three

the

Sir !'

genuine Hampshire

seen

delivered

station,bawled
you,

spoken,set

was

I have

laughing.

and

was

seasons.

TOM

With

the old eleven

TAYLOR

completed.

was

There were, of course, several changesof other players,

the established pickedset
the elite.
but these were
"

Tom

was

admirable

an

saw.
very finest I ever
pointof the bat and

two

runs

"

His

certainlyone

station

of the

between

was

the

the middle
had

but Tom

field

wicket,to save the

luckyknack of gathering

had a license from our old

wicket,for Tom
hit to him, he had
General ; so that,if the ball was
so
quicka way of meeting it,and with such a rapid
it in his hand than with
return
was
(for no sooner
returned to the top
of thought it was
the quickness
of the wicket),
that I have seen
put out by
many
in to the

this

might

be
He

one.

game

in

manreuvre

but

singlerun,

safelycalculated
had
of

an

upon

and
for

when

the

hit

prosperous
excellent general
knowledgeof the

in particular,
he
fielding,

was

perfect

LUMPY

55

judgement and practice.Tom

both

in

most

but his great fault

brilliant hitter,

also

was

lay in

sufficiently
guarding his wicket: he was too
of cutting,
at the pointof the bat, balls that
delivered straight
he would
therefore,
; although,

not

fond
were

quently
fre-

yet,from this habit,he could

be securely
depended on ; and, indeed, it was
get many

not

runs,

beingout. I have known

the finest batter
Lord Frederick Beauclerc (certainly
of his day)throw away the chance of a capital
innings
incaution
that of cuttingat straight
by the same
commonly the

of his

cause

"

balls

and

"

he

Taylor was
watchful
instance

and

has

been

bowled

short,well-made
active

as

cat

out

in consequence.

strong,and

man,
;

but

in

other

no

comparisonhold good,for

will the

as

he

was

and was
attached friend.
an
guile,
described
the best of my
native
Having now
most
I proceedto their opponents ; and the foreplayers,
without

man

LUMPY,

of all must
real
whose

Surrey man,
Beyond all the

would

bowl

the

succession.

His

Beauclercs, but

stand
name

and

lived

men

within

the well-known
STEVENS.

was

with

my
number
greatest
pace was
he wanted

much
his

bowler,
He

was

Lord

Tankerville.
recollection Lumpy
of

lengthballs

faster than

in

Lord

Lordship'sgeneral
the
In those days it was
knowledgeof the game.
for the party going from home
custom
to pitchtheir
wickets ; and here it was
that Lumpy, whose
own
duty it was to attend to this,alwayscommitted an
would
He
error.
invariablychoose the ground
where
his balls would
shoot, instead of selecting
a
risingspot to bowl against,which would have
to the
hitter,
materiallyincreased the difficulty
would be caughtout by the
seeingthat so many more
lighted
mounting of the ball. As nothing,however, delike bowlinga wicket down with
the old man

56

THE

HAMBLEDON

MEN

shootingball,he would sacrificethe other chances

the glory of that achievement.
to
Many a time
General twig this prejudice
in the
have I seen
our
when
matched againstus, and chuckle at it.
old man
almost the onlymistake he ever
But I believe it was
made professional,
most
or
even
moral, for he was
a
Yes
other he
one
simple and amiable creature.
the joke
a
committed, and many
day after was
of our
One
matches
remembered
against him.
havingbeen concluded earlyin the day,a long,rawboned devil of a countryman came
up, and offered to
play any one of the twenty-two at singlewicket for
five pounds. Old Nyren told Lumpy it would
be
five pounds easilyearned, and
persuadedhim to
accept the challenge. Lumpy, however, would not
stake the whole sum
himself,but offered a pound of
a

"

and
the
rest
money,
confident old bowler made the
the

was

subscribed.

countryman

The

go in

first,

thoughtto settle his business in a twink ; but

the fellow,having an
as
arm
long as a hop-pole,
in at Lumpy's balls,bowl
reached
what lengtn he
might ; and slashed and thrashed away in the most
ludicrous style,
hittinghis balls all over the field,
and alwaysup in the air ; and he made an uncommon
of runs
number
from this princeof bowlers before he
could get him out ; and, egad ! he beat him ! for
when Lumpy went in,not beinga good batter,while
the other was
a very fast bowler,all alongthe ground,
and
straightto the wicket, he knocked him out
and
: the whole
ringroaringwith laughter,
presently
old bowler swearinghe would
the astounded
never
play another singlematch as long as he lived an
oath, I am
observed,for he was
sure, he religiously
confoundedlycrestfallen. Lumpy was a short man,
for he

"

"

"

He had no trick about

and stout.
round-shouldered,
in all his dealings.
him, but was as plainas a pike-staff

PUNCH

HAMBLEDON'S
FRAME

the

was

bowler, and

fast

57

other

with Lumpy ; a
principal
for a
unusuallystout man
very littleof him, and nothing

an

cricketer. I recollect
worthy of a formal record.
Besides

him

there

SHOCK

was

another

WHITE,

good change,and a
I never
very decent hitter ; but, take him altogether,
thoughtvery highlyof his playing.He was a short,
and rather stoutly
made man.
made the fourth and the other changeJOHN
WOOD
He
bowler.
was
tall,stout, and bony, and a very
good generalplayer; not, however, an extraordinarytofore
one, when compared with those that have been herebowler

the

on

England side;

mentioned.
There

was

held
high feasting

Broad-Halfpenny
grand matches.

on

during the solemnityof one of our

Oh ! it was
titude
a heart-stirring
sightto witness the mulforming a completeand dense circle round
Half the
that noble green.
and
all their hearts with

county would

present,

Hambledon

Little

us.

be

pittedagainstAll England was a proud thoughtfor

the Hampshire men.
Defeat was
gloryin such a
struggle Victory,indeed, made us only "a little
lower than
those fine brawn-faced
angels'.How
"

fellows of farmers would

then, what
new

your

they had

stuff

Ponche

drink

la

to

to

our

! And

success

drink !
"

Romaine, orPonche

Punch

"

la

stark !

"

that would
a

stand

on

end

speak! Sixpencea

cat

"

punch

bottle !

We

that

drives

as

do
hypocrites
that will make

many
"

had

same

sixty

not

days.
the

make

The

ale

name,

melancholy-madas

the

beastliness of these days,

fellow's inside like a shakingbog
not

men

"

would

that

millions of interest to pay in those

horror under
too ! not the modern
"

not

"

Groseille,
punchbe-deviled;
a

milk punch
your modern cat-lap
but good,unsophisticated
John Bull stuff

or

the

"

58

HAMBLEDON

THE

and

as

rotten

but

MEN

such
barleycorn,

souls of three butchers

the

that would

into

flare like

as

one

would

put
Ale

weaver.

turpentine genuine Boniface !

than liquor)
This immortal
viand (forit was
more
vended at twopence per pint. The immeasurable
was
villanyof our vintners would, with their march of
intellect (if ever
they could get such a brewing),
drive a pint of it out
into a gallon. Then
the
quantitythe fellows would eat ! Two or three of
"

"

them

would

They could

strike
no

theycould

more

round

dismay into a
have pecked in

that

of

beef.

than
style

flown,had the infernal black stream

(that type of Acheron
!) which soddens the carcass
of a
Londoner, been the fertilizer of their clay.
would

There

of

have

this company,
thousands,remain

some

watching every
had

event

their

made
hear

turn

been

the

likely
anxiously

consistingmost
and
patiently

of fate in the

meeting of

two

game,
armies

as

if the

to decide

Hambledon
a
man
liberty.And whenever
four or five runs, you would
a good hit,worth
of the whole multitude baying
the deep mouths
hard ! go hard !
in pure Hampshire
Go

away
Tick and

'

"

turn

!
"

tick and

countrymen, let me
occasion
also,as I have

"

turn

!'

To

"

the honour

of

bear

testimonyupon this
alreadydone upon others.
in general,
and personal
Although their provinciality
interested in
were
individually,
naturally
partialities
my

behalf

of

the

recollection

Hambledon

men,

of

their

cannot

call to

wilfully
stopping
ball that had been hit out among
them
a
by one
of our opponents. Like true Englishmen,theywould
all those
are
givean enemy fair play. How strongly
!
scenes, of fifty
years bygone,paintedin my memory
and the smell of that ale comes
as
freshly
upon me
as the new
May flowers.
Having premisedthat these grand matches were
"

an

instance

"S
"

T3

MINSHULL

AND

MILLER

59

alwaysmade for 500/. a side,I now

proceedwith
record of the principal
who were
a slight
men
usually
of them
must
My description
pittedagainstus.
unavoidablybe less minute, because I had not so
frequentan intercourse with them as with the men
in the habit of
whose every action I was
constantly
watching: my report of them, therefore,may be
than their merits deserve,
for there were
more
slight
fine players
For the same
them.
some
really
among
also my chronicle will be less relieved by perreason
sonal
anecdote.
last account

My

having closed with the

were
usually
opposedto

bowlers who
principal
Lumpy and Frame, Shock
next

that

name

White

and

presents itself

to

Wood

me

four
us

"

the

"

is that

of

MINSHULL, who was a gardenerto the Duke of Dorset.

and a very fine one
He was
a batter,
probablytheir
best ; a capital
and a sure guard of his wicket.
hitter,
not an
Minshull,however, was
elegantplayer;his
"

and generalstylewere
position
uncouth
from

yet he

was

both

conceited

as

as

awkward
a

his

to, was,
to

the

He

was

and

wagtail,and
pretensions

constantly
apingwhat he had no
that account only,
not estimated according
on
merits.
priceat which he had rated his own
about five feet nine,
a thick-set man,
standing

and not

very active.

(gamekeepereither to Lord Tankerville

the Duke
of Dorset, I forgetwhich) was as amiable
or
hearted man
cut a ball at the point of the
a
as
ever
bat. He and Minshull
the only two
batters
were
MILLER

the

Hambledon

indeed
on

but

men

afraid

were

of.

Miller

was

beautiful

there

was

firm

he was,

no

fullyas
more
considerably

and alwaysto be depended

player,
flash no cock-a-whoop
about him
and steadyas the Pyramids. Although
"

stout

"

active.

man

as

Minshull, he

I remember

when

was

upon

60

HAMBLEDON

THE

occasion

one

gainedan

those

two

MEN

beingin together,had

men,

number

uncommon

the Hambledon

of runs, the backers

of

Dehaney and Paulet, began to

edgedoff all their money, layingit pretty
the England side. Of the Hambledon

quake,and

thicklyon
men,

Small

were

about

men,

and
first,

in

went

continued

until there

went

five out, for very few runs, when

in to him ; and then theybegan to show

The

mettle

of

blooa

true

our

roused

was

did theyexhibit
action,and never
Nyren got 98, and Small 110 runs

Nyren
fight.

into full

to finer advantage.

before

they were
out
cording
(for Small, acparted. After the former was
to his custom, died a natural death) the
backers came
will win
up to Nyren and said,'You
the match, and we
shall lose our
money.1 The proud
old yeoman
turned short upon them, and, with that
honest

independencewhich gained him the esteem

of all parties,
told them
that they
to their heads
were
rightlyserved,and that he was
glad of it.
time
'Another
(said he) don't bet your money
!
I forgethow
we
as
are
againstsuch men
many
'

runs

in

Hambledon

the

got, but, after this turn

the others stood no chance, and were
affairs,
easily
men

beaten.

BOOKER, and QUIDDINGTON, were

players
of the first rank, though not the first of that rank.
excellent and
steady batters, strong
They were
fields. Quiddingtonwas
a
hitters,and sure
longand an admirable one; not, however, so implicitly
stop,
partmen
to be dependedon as Lear, whose
equalin that deand

MAY

of the

anywhere. My
has been
for assigninghim this superiority
reason
alreadygiven. For the same
place
cause, too, I must
our

Sueter

keeper,and
;

but

above
he

game

never

Yalden, who
would

neither he

have
nor

saw

was

been

their best wicket-

highlyprizedanywhere
Quiddingtonever had to

FREDERICK

LORD

yet

in

too,

was

His

word

Brett's ;

and

ments,
Sueter, in their several departsafer men
than their opponents. Yalden,
other respectsan inferior man
to Sueter.

Lear

were

not

was

alwaysto

had

he

61

bowling as
againstsuch steam-engine

stand
and

BEAUCLERK

put a man
and resort
shuffle,

out
to

he

"

trick.

the other stand with all

had they of his honour
"

be

depended

would

on

and

now

such estimation

In

when
then
did

so
high"an opinion
parties,
that I firmlybelieve they

trusted to his decision had he ever

chosen
that of the umpire. Yalden
not a
to question
was
He
fine but a very useful and steadybatter.
was
would

have

man.
thin,dark-looking
LORD
DUKE
The
OF
TANKERVILLE,
DORSET, or
sometimes both, would play,to completethe eleven.
Neither of these noblemen
to be compared to
were

Lord

Frederick

was

not

He

forte.

present.
in

was

MANN

This

batting,

station

slipwhen

the

the Duke's

was

heightabout five feet nine, very

a peculiar
habit,when unemployed,
on

periodI have
joinedthe Hambledon
the

Sussex, and

the

usuallyplayed in

well made, and had

of standing
with his head
About

in

indeed in any

players.Each
other

Whether

department of the game,

have distanced them ; yet they were
pretty

bowling,or
he would

Beauclerc.

lived at

North

side.

one

been

NOAH
describing,

Club.

He

Chapel,not

was

from

far

from

there,and used to come

of at least twenty miles every Tuesday to
a distance
practise.He was a fellow of extraordinaryactivity,
Petworth.

and could

He

kept an

performclever

inn

feats of

on
agility

horseback.

in the distance
when he has been seen
instance,
coming up the ground,one or more of his companions
and these he would
would throw down handkerchiefs,
collect,stoopingfrom his horse while it was going
fine batter,a fine field,
and
at full speed. He
a
was
For

62
the

swiftest

match

runner

for

his fame

was

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

remember:

ever

being made for

competitor
; and

whenever

speed,that

going forward,we
Mann

were

to

there

to hear

sure

from

come

was

of

one

noted

againstsome

run

would

such

indeed,such

the

whole

Upon these occasions he used

country round.
tell his friends,'If, when
we
are
half-way,
you
of
alongside

me

money
saw

you

man,

my

upon me, for I

him
He
beaten.

am

sure

was

see

may alwaysbet your

I never
And
to win.'
valuable

most

to

fellow in

the field ; for besides

beingvery sure of the ball,his

dart all
that he would
so
was
activity
extraordinary
trie ground like lightning.In those days of
over
fast bowlingthey would put a man
behind the longand slip
both long-stop
:
stop, that he might cover
the man
always selected for this post was Noah.
Now
and then
little George Lear
(whom I have
would
alreadydescribed as beingso fine a long-stop),
give Noah the wink to be on his guard,who would
gather close behind him : then George would make
a
slipon purpose, and let the ball go by,when, in
instant, Noah would have it up, and into the
was
hands, and the man
wicket-keeper's
put out.
This I have seen
done many
times,and this nothing
an

but

the

accomplishedskill

have

achieved.

most

Mann

would,

and

batter.
in

so

the

curve

both
left-handed,

was

qualityhis

former
to

curve

not

employed as a
departmenthe was very

the

first-rate

deceptivethat
attained. They who
to

which
the

the Indian

balls

bowler

as

merit

the ball the whole

very
with

manner

was

in this

the

givinga

In itself it
but

In

fieldingcould

occasion, be

upon

and
change-bowler,
He
extraordinary.

in

the

sisted
con-

way.

styleof bowling,

chief end

remember

was

quently
fre-

the dexterous

communicated
jugglers

they spun

round

their

heads,

by

twist of the wrist

63

MANN

NOAH

or

hand, mil

at

once

prehend
com-

bowling. Sometimes
batter had got into his hitting,
and was
when
a
than
runs
pleasedour general,he
scoringmore
in to give him
would
eight or twelve
put Mann
and he almost alwaysdid so with good effect.
balls,
Noah
a
was
good batsman, and a most severe
hitter; by the way, I have observed this to be
The writer
a
common
qualityin left-handed men.
Noah's

of this

him

in with

was

feat in

curious

at

match

down, when, by one stroke from

behind
him, we
got ten runs.

that

toss

At

Windmill-

on

he

this time

hit
the

changed from Broad-Halfpenny

to the above-named
spot, at the suggestionof the
Duke
of Dorset
and the other gentlemen,
who complained
of the old place. The
of the bleakness
was
playing-ground

alteration
the

was

in

this,as

in every other

better,Windmill-down

being one

respect,for
of the

finest

The
saw.
placesfor playing on I ever
ground
graduallydeclined every way from the centre : the
fieldsmen therefore were
compelledto look about
them, and for this reason
they became so renowned
in that departmentof the game.
All
At a match
of the Hambledon
Club against
England,the club had to go in to get the runs, and
It became
there was
a
quite
long number of them.
fought.
apparent that the game would be closely
Mann
kept on worryingold Nyren to let him go
in,and althoughhe became quite indignantat his
about

in

last but
were

then

over

the

kind I
state

General

refusal,our

constant

back.

keepinghim
one

ever

was

ten

ground

to
was

witnessed

of the game,

At

out, he sent

runs

and

knew

what

he

length,when

Mann

in, and

was

the

there

all
get. The sensation now
greater than anythingof the

before
many

or

since.

thousands

All knew
were

the

hanging

HAMBLEDON

THE

64
this

upon

point. There

narrow

walkingabout, outside

Mann,
down

the

when

he

daisies with
their

tall old

multitude

still.
perfectly
balls,
Lumpy tossed one

fellow

got in,and

of the

ten

stand

this hit.

the

him

whole

had had

littletoo
in his

with

ward
leaningfor-

staves, and

gained. Never

were

habit

old farmers

Horace

ground, cutting

After Noah

hit it out

that followed

roar

"

Sir

was

the

his stick

agitated
; the

was

upon
two

MEN

one

far,when

or

our

grand style.Six
shall I forgetthe

Then

there

was

dead

made ; ultimately,
were
time, and no runs
the
however, he gained them all,and won
After he was
out, he upbraided Nyren for
game.
in earlier.
If
not putting him
you had let me go
in an
hour ago,'said he, I would have served them
for

some

'

in the

same

for he

knew

But

way.1
Noah

the old tactician

be

to

of such

man

that the thoughtof

self-possession,
him

upon

that

would

not

have

the

him, and

He
others.
upon
many
afterwards
Noah
felt the

Mann

short

swarthy as
incumbrance
in the
had

an

much

was

sure

of

compliment.
as
stripped,

in stature, and, when

all muscle, with
gipsy. He was

no

of flesh; remarkably broad

largehips and spiderlegs; he

whatever

chest, with

not

and

nerve

depending
effect
paralysing

so

it would

was

right,

was

ounce

of flesh about

him

but

it

was

alwaysplayed without
could not affect his complexion),
his hat (the sun
and he took a likingto me
I did
as a boy, because
the same.
Poor Noah ! his death was
a very deplorable
one.
Having been out shootingall day with
some
friends,
theyfinished their evening with a free
to go to bed,
carouse, and he could not be persuaded
in sleeping
all nightin his chair in the
but persisted
in
chimney-corner.It was, and still is,the custom
that part of the country, to heap togetherall the
where

it

ought to

be.

He

FRANCIS

PURCHASE

AND

65
of

keepingthe
night my poor
beingunable to
that he did
severely

the hearth,for the purpose

fire in till next
day. During the
playmatefell upon the embers, and
ashes

on

helphimself,burned his side so

hours.
not survive twenty-four
RICHARD
FRANCIS
was
a
Surrey
him

I met
tell our

day

One

man.

street of Hambledon, and ran

to
Francis had come
that the famous

in the

General

believe me
live among
us
; he could scarcely
perhapsfor joy. This was the luckiest thing that
could have happenedfor us, for Brett had justabout

to

"

the

same

jerker;

left off

time

but

though

playing.Francis

his

that time

At

he

was

jerk.We

knew

allowed

was
delivery

bowling,still it was
all
for we
immediately,
having seen him play on
fair

was

fast
be

to

enlisted him

what

he could do,
the Surreyside against
us.

young

man,

and he remained

a
gamekeeper; a
years in the club. He was
made, firm littleman, and active. His batting
closely

many

did not
set him

deserve
down

marked

any

for

few

runs.

still we
praise,
He

both

was

batter,however,and field too, than Brett

He

us.

Lord

the
was

better

but

as

many

same
a

below that fine player.

degrees
PURCHASE
periodRICHARD
joined

bowler he ranked
About

always

slowish

Beauclerc.

His

bowler-

"

rather

faster than

balls got up

uncommonly
length. But he

well,and

to a
they were generally
he up to the
had no cunning about him ; nor
was
In playing,
in all other actions
tricks of the game.
as
honest fellow.
in life,
he was the same
straightforward
and a tolerably
Purchase was
a fair hitter,
good field.
made
and of a dark comHe
was
a
plexion.
slightly
man,

my

this great distance from the periodat which

recollection of cricketing
commenced, and having

no

data

At

by

which

to

them,
regulate
F

the reader

will

66

THE

HAMBLEDON

make
good-naturedly
of my

character

MEN

allowance

both for the

records,their unfinished

desultory
and hasty

and also for my now

and then retracing
sketchiness,
circumstance which, at the
my steps,to include some
of

time

writing,had

instance,I should
old-fashioned
three

have

wicket

decided

"

escaped my
chronicled

For

memory.
the era
when

the

of two

stumps was changed

improvement, seeing that

to

it

the chances to the batter of beingbowled

multiplied
increased the difficulty
of his posiout, consequently
tion,
and therebyexalted his maintainingit for any
lengthof time into the greatermerit ; for,under the
old system,if the ball passedbetween the stumps, the
batter was
not considered out ; under the improved
system, such an event cannot happen,for the three
stumps are not pitchedat so great a distance from
each

other

as

to allow of the transit of the ball without

knockingoff the bail. This explanationis,of

course, addressed onlyto the young and inexperienced
in the game
here
player. The important reform
alluded to took place,
accordingto the best of my
about
recollection,
that time other
the

old

the

year

1779

entrenchments

constitution,which
and the admiration

or

been

have

the

was

1780.

Since

made

upon

pride of

our

of the whole

community;
but which, so far from contributing
to its stability,
will, in my
opinion,if not retrieved,not only
change,but even destroyits character ; let
essentially
and guardians
of cricket-law
the patrician
legislators

ancestors

look to it.
I

Before
Hambledon
mention

proceed

with

Pantheon, it
a

circumstance

my
may

catalogueof
be

connected

worth
with

while
poor

the
to

Noah

playernamed a few pages back. As it

of
will tend to show the amenity in which the men
lived in those good old times
lower grade in society
Mann,

the

HORACE

SIR

it
superiors,

their

with

example to
beloved

the

of the
Noah

present day.

Poor

new-born

should

son

same

rank

in

worthless

no

may

prove
and
aristocratic,

more

members

67

MANN

less
certainly
of the
society

very ambitious

was

bear the

Christian

that his
with

name,

Sir Horace
the sanction,of his namesake
Old
Mann.
Nyren, who, being the link between the patricians
in our
community the juste milieu
plebeians
was
alwaysappliedto in cases of similar emergency,

and
"

"

the

present occasion, to bear the

of Noah
to Sir Horace, who, with a winning
petition
condescension,acceded to the worthy fellow's request,
and
consented
to become
godfatherto the child,
I have no doubt, a
name
givingit his own
; adding,
present suited to the station of his little protege.
How
of our
easy a thing it is to win the esteem
inferiors ; and how well worth
the while,when
the
from
mutual
the action,is
pleasureonly,resulting
Sir
considered !
Horace, by this simple act of
humanity,hooked for life the heart of poor
graceful
undertook, upon

Noah

Mann

and

the love
The

in this world

of

even

playerI

next

His

father

the

club for

was

shall

farmer.

few

of hatred

and

tention,
con-

for.
dog is worth living
name

is JAMES

After he had

AYLWARD.

playedwith

years, Sir Horace

got him away

him his bailiff,
from us, and made
I think,or some
such officer; I remember, however, he was
but ill
for his post. Aylward was
left-handed
a
qualified
batter,and one of the safest hitters I ever knew in
club.

stayedin two whole days,and

of runs
that occasion got the highestnumber
upon
been gained by any
that had ever
member
one
hundred
and sixty-seven!Jemmy
not a good
was
fieldsman,neither was he remarkablyactive. After
the

He

once

"

left us, to go down

to live with
he played againstus, but never, to my
he

had

Sir

Horace,
recollection,

68
with

THE

advantage

any

MEN

HAMBLEDON

Hambledonians

his

to

almost

were

He

their

opponents.

Tom

Taylor,and

that

his friend should

always too

introduced

was

Tom's

associates

new

credit to

strong for

to the club

the

anxietyupon
do

the

"

his

by

occasion,

dation,
recommen-

curiouslyconspicuous.Aylward was
a
stout, well-made
standingabout five feet
man,
nine inches ; not very lightabout the limbs,indeed
sometimes
affect
rather clumsy. He would
he was
and once
little grandeurof manner,
a
got laughed
at by the whole
ground for callingfor a lemon to
he had been in but a little
be brought to him when
while. It was
thought a piece of finnikiness by
those simpleand homely yeomen.
And
for those anointed
the
now
clod-stumpers,
was

such

and

TOM

WALKERS,

unadulterated

HARRY.

Never

rustics into

sure

came

civilized

two

nity.
commu-

(of
stronglyare the figuresof the men
in particular)
Tom's
brought to my mind when they
firstpresented
themselves to the club upon Windmillframe ;
Tom's
down.
mutton
hard, ungain,scrag-ofwilted,apple-johnface (he always looked twenty
was),his long spiderlegs,
years older than he really
thick at the ankles as at the hips,and perfectly
as
of
all the way down
for the embellishment
straight
calf in Tom's
Nature
had considered
a
leg Dame
the
would
be but a wanton
Tom
was
superfluity.
driest and most
rigid-limbed
chap I ever knew ; his
skin was
like the rind of an old oak, and as sapless.
I have seen
his knuckles handsomely knocked
about
from
blood
Harris's bowling; but never
saw
any
his hands
upon
you might justas well attempt to
This rigidity
of muscle (or
a
phlebotomize
mummy.
How

"

"

rather I should

say of
economised
ingredient
"

this

tendon,for muscle

was

another

in the process of Tom's

carried
I say, was
rigidity,

figuration)
con-

into

TOM

(Enlarged

detail

WALKEIl

of

the

frontispiece)

TOM
motion.

every
of a

and

the

four

every
He
winds.

The

uncouth
and

toiled like

for

to

play. They
they first came

not

back.
horse-

on

furnished

men

certain

fund
everlasting
they took no great

worry, and

tell them

however, good

were,

us, and
among
excellent instruction ;

when

in

grace

an

time

some

I used

because

fancyto me,
they could

tar

actions of these

and

machinery

infancyof construction,
member
seemed ready to fly

upon
finished air,with

of amusement,

hands

like the rude

prided ourselves

movement

69

the

he ran,

who

us,

WALKER

moved

He

steam-enginein
when

to

HARRY

AND

had

but
evidentlyreceived most
after they had derived the advantageof first-rate
they became most admirable batters,and
practice,
the trustiest fellows (particularly
were
Tom) in cases
of emergency
devilish
or
difficulty.
They were
troublesome

customers

known
frequently
to the very last

go

his

upon
man

in

was

game

"

he

had

no

the

fieldsmen.

Upon

it used to be said

all.
he

that

Whether

knew

he

that

the

much

depended
unmoved
phlegmatic,

of cricketers.

Neither

effective
active,yet both were
occasion,on the Mary-le-bone
Tom
and Lord
going in first,
giving him the first four balls,

were
one

Frederick

Beauclerc

all of

excellent

made

same

Washington

remember

grounds,I
an

the

was

his brother

nor

whether

very

and remain
in first,
the most
the coolest,
at

nerves

critical state,and

play,he
was

was

have

out.

in existence

or
only practising,

was

he

to

He

man.

he

that

get

Tom

fellow
imperturbable
of him

to

length.

First four

or

last four

he was
difference to Tom
alwaysthe same
cool,collected fellow. Every ball he dropped down
no

just before
hat

"

when
'

dash

"

his bat.

Off went

his

white
lordship's

the

ground (his constant

disappointed)callinghim at the same
upon

confounded

"

old beast \

'
"

I doan't

care

action
time
what

ee

70

HAMBLEDON

THE

said Tom,
zays,'
heard
no

Frederick

Lord
Tom

with us, he

was

for the

so

esteemed

council

by

asked

if he had

old beast1.

'an

No,

to be flustered.

man

coupleof years after Walker had been

began the system of throwinginstead of

bowling,now
it

close

one

call him

the

not

was

About

when

MEN

much

fashion.

play,and

foul

of the

the

Club

Hambledon
The

it

so

At

that

time

decided

was

which

by

called

was

first I recollect

seeingrevive
the custom
I am
was
Wills,a Sussex man.1
decidedly
that if it be not stoppedaltogether,
of opinion,
the
character of the game
will become changed. I should
of the
and efficientmembers
hope that such powerful
Mary-le-boneClub as Mr. Ward, "c., will determine,
but whollyand finally
not only to discountenance,
to
suppress it ; and instead,to foster and give every
men
encouragement to genuine,bona fide bowlers
with a fine delivery.
I never
thought much of Tom's bowling; indeed
the bowling of that time was
so
super-eminentthat
purpose.

"

he

not

was

looked

upon

as

bowler

"

even

for

afterwards,however, greatlyimproved;
and what with his thorough knowledge of the game,
his craftymanner
(for he was one of the most foxheaded
fellows I ever
saw), and his quicknessin
of considerable
seizingevery advantage,he was
first-rate
service to his party, but he never
a
was
He
bowler.
was
a
right-and Harry a left-handed
valuable
men.
batter, and both were
They came
from
Hindhead;
Thursley, near
they and their
father were
to the
farmers, and their land lay near

change.

He

Devil's Punch-bowl.
The

next

in succession

will be JOHN

WELLS, the

BELDHAMS, HARRIS, and FREEMANTLE.

Shortlyafter
1

the
Mr.

Walkers

J. Willes.

had
E. V. L.

joined us,

JOHN

71

became

WELLS
John

member

of the

lived at Farnham, in

baker

Hambledon

Surrey,and

Club.
if I

was,

collect,
re-

trade. He was
a
short,thick,
like a cob-horse,proporwell-set man
; in make
tionately
and
laborious.
As
a bowler
strong,active,
a

by

good delivery;he was

generalfield,and a steady batter
he

had

also

very

in

"

excellent
misused

'

all work

of

servant

'

short,

an

and, like those

('hewers of wood

Gibeonites

good

and

drawers

sparedwhen a wear-andin the

to be occupied. In cricket,
as
in life,
workman
is ever
the willing
graver pursuits
spurred; he may performlabours of supererogation,
and his assiduity
mouth honour':
meets
at best with
of

water1),he
tear post was

never

was

let

him, however, but relax his muscles

shorten his

to

career

the

sinks below
instantly
employers. Whether
from

in this

however, in very

many
track of

his

let him

the

case

decide

to

but

and he
fellows,

in the estimation

them

not, it is hard

or

envy

speedof

"

instances,the

of his

arise
feeling
; assuredly,
mill-horse-

duty is acknowledgedwith
grinderin the
greeting,while extra merit 'goes out sighing'.
Wells possessed
John
all the requisites
for making
a
thoroughlyuseful cricketer; and, in his general
endowed
with those qualities
deportment,he was
useful to society
well as happy
which render man
as
in himself.

unflawed

yet

no

'Honest
he

creature

of

transparentand

"

candid

compromising
un-

yet courteous; civil and deferential,

cringer. He always went by the title of
John
Wells', and as long as I knew him
forfeited the
need

more

for
player,

who

was

integrityplain,simple,and

never

Little

He

have

character

be added

he

had

gained.

his merits
respecting

as

be fresh in the memory

of all
been accustomed
the best playing;
to see

suffice to say

he must

that, in addition

to

his level merits

72

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

he was
generalcricketer,
excellent judgement of the
mooted
that were
frequently
appealedto.

esteemed

as

to possess

and

game,

his

in

an

questions

opinionwould

be

and WILLIAM, come

next
BELDHAMS, GEORGE
and both farmers.
in succession,
brothers,
They also,
with Wells, came
from Farnham.
George was what
would
be called a fine player; a good batter, and
generally
competent to fillthe different postsin the
the club a few times only
; but, as he attended
game
during my stay in it,I am unable to discriminate or
The

to
speak pointedly

his brother

to

batter

his merits.

of his own,

William, we

was

five feet

eight inches

'

as

Silver

Billy1.No
ball

stop

over

the

there

and

standingabout

man,

half.

William

any age.

had

He

light-

and handsome
as
hair, a fair complexion,
used to call him
We
features.
intelligent

coloured
well

active
close-set,

the finest

to

come

perhapsof

or

Beldham

ever,
Upon turning,how-

better,or

ground.

she

hit

was

within

one

make

brilliant hits all

more

Wherever
away,

recollection could

my
the

and

in

ball

was

the

most

bowled,
severe,

style.Besides this,he was so remarkably

safe a player;he was
safer than the Bank, for no
mortal ever
thought of doubting Beldham's stability.
received his instructions from
He
a
gingerbread
baker
of Harry Hall.
at Farnham, of the
name
I once
playedagainstHall, and found him a very fair
hand, yet nothingremarkable ; he knew the principles
venomous

of the game,

yet,like
he

He

had
the

was

slow

made

many

of inferior merit

nevertheless

bowler,and

an

in performance

excellent tutor.

pretty good

one.

He

habit of bringinghis hand from behind

peculiar
his back immediately
previousto his delivering
experie
ball
doubt perplexing
a trick no
enough to an inbatter. In his peripatetic
lectures to the
a

"

BILLY'

'SILVER

73

students,Hall

enforced the prinperpetually

ciple
of keepingthe leftelbow well up (thischarge
of course
delivered to the right-handed
was
hitters),
and excellent instruction it was ; for if you do keep
that elbow well up, and your bat also upright(in
stoppinga length ball),
you will not fail to keep the
young

balls down

balls will
BELDHAM

and,vice

versa,

mount
infallibly
was
quite a

the Hambledon

Club

playingI hardlyever
of his bat

;
saw

lower your elbow, and your

when you strike them.

young

and
a

even

in that

with

man

when

man

he

joined

stage of his

finer command

but, with the instruction and advice of

the old heads

he rapidlyattained to the
superadded,
accomplishmentof being the finest
extraordinary
playerthat has appearedwithin the latitude of more
than half a century. There
be no
can
exception
againsthis batting,or the severityof his hitting.

get in at the balls,and hit them away in

feat,I think I have
gallant
style
; yet,in this single

He
a

would

known
the

him

excelled

point of

the bat

but when
he

was

he could cut them at

in his glory; and upon

their speedwas as the speedof thought. One

my life,
of the most beautiful sights
and
that can be imagined,
which would have delighted
to see him
an
was
artist,
make

himself up to hit a ball. It was

the beau ideal
of grace, animation, and
In
concentrated
energy.
this

exhibition of elegance
with vigour,the
peculiar
Lord Frederick
nearest approachto him, I think,was
Beauclerc.
I
Upon one occasion at Mary-le-bone,
remember
these two admirable
batters being in together,
and though Beldham
then vergingtowards
was
his climacteric,
yet both were excited to a competition,
and the display
of talent that was
exhibited between
them that day was
the most
sightof its
interesting
kind I ever
witnessed. I should not forget,
his
among
other

to mention
excellences,

that Beldhatu

was

one

of

74

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

the best

judgesof a short run I ever knew ; add to

a generally
which, that he possessed
good knowledge

of the game.
Hitherto
I have

spoken only of

his

batting. In
this departmentalone,he had talent enough to make a
dozen ordinarycricketers,
but as a generalfieldsman
there

he could take any post in the

do himself credit in it : latterly
he usually
few

were

and
field,
chose

the

better

placeof slip. But

Beldham

was

good
high,and
a

changebowler too ; he delivered his balls

theygot up well. His pace was a moderate one, yet
fault in this
bordering
upon the quick. His principal
that he would
often give a toss;
department was
takinghim, however, as a change bowler,he was one
He would very quickly
of the best.
discover what a
hitter

could

do, and

what

could

he

not

do, and

his

bowlingaccordingly.Finally,
although
his balls were
much
he was
commonly to the length,
better calculated for a change than to be continued a
considerable lengthof time.
One
in cricketing
that I
of the finest treats
arrange

remember,

was

to

this admirable

see

man

in,with the

beautiful

bowlingof Harris.
Having finished with the best
perhaps,of any age Beldham
"

very best bowler

bowler

batter of his own,

"

who,

or,

we
proceedto the
between any one and

himself,comparisonmust fail. DAVID HARRIS was, I

believe,born, at all events he lived,at Odiham, in
Hampshire ; he was by trade a potter. He was a
about five feet nine and
muscular,bony man, standing
some,
handregularly
but a remarkablykind and gentleexpression
amply compensatedthe defect of mere linear beauty.
The
fair qualities
of his heart shone through his
a

half inches.

His

features

were

not

honest face,and I can

call to mind
the active sense
of the word, not a

no
more

worthier,or, in

'good man

"

DAVID
than

David

Harris.

that link man

works ; that

to

He

was

of the

one

in bonds

man

75

HARRIS

of

species
fellowship
by good
rare

inspireconfidence,and prevent the

of societyfrom becoming disjointed,
structure
and,
it were, a bowing wall,or a tottering
fence.' He
as
and such high
of so strict a principle,
was
a
man
*

honour, that

I believe his moral

character

was

never

impeached. I never heard even a suspicionbreathed

I knew
and
him
against his integrity,
long and
that he was
canter.
a
intimately.I do not mean
"Oh, no
no
one
thought of standingon guard and
I
buttoning up his pocketsin Harris's company.
busied myselfabout his mode
of faith,or the
never
of his creed ; that was
his own
not
affair,
peculiarity
mine, or any other being'son earth ; all I know is,
honest T/MZ/I',
that he was
and the poet has assigned
an
"

the rank

of such

It would
in

be

one

in creation.

to convey
difficult,
perhapsimpossible,

idea of the grand effect of

writing an accurate
Harris's bowling; theyonlywho have playedagainst
him
can
fullyappreciateit. His attitude when
the ball
to delivering
preparingfor his run previously
would have made a beautiful studyfor the sculptor.
Phidias would certainly
have taken him for a model.
First of all,
he stood erect like a soldier at drill ; then,
with a graceful
of the arm, he raised the ball to
curve
his forehead,
and drawingback his rightfoot,started
off with his left. The calm look and generalair of
the man
and from this
were
uncommonly striking,
series of preparations
he never
deviated. I am
sure
all my
of his manner,
that from this simpleaccount
acquaintedwith his play will
countrymen who were
His mode
recall him to their minds.
of delivering
the ball was
very singular.He would bring it from
under the arm
by a twist,and nearlyas high as his
arm-pit,and witn this action push it,as it were, from

76

HAMBLEDON

THE

him.

it was

How

did

they

that the balls

this mode

by

MEN

acquiredthe velocity
could
deliveryI never

of

comprehend!
first he

When

quitea

countryman

raw

recommend

to

joinedthe

him

but

at

Hambledon

Club, he

was

and had
cricket,

his noble

also very apt to givetosses.

scratch his head, and

very little
delivery.He was

I have

say
"

Nyren

make

would

Harris

'

old

seen

the

England if he did not toss'. By

continual practice,
the advice
however, and following
he became
of the old Hambledon
as
players,
steadyas
could be wished; and in the prime of his playing
very
rarelyindeed gave a toss, although his balls were
he never
stooped
pitchedthe full length. In bowling,
but kept himself upright
in the least in his delivery,
best

bowler

in

His

all the time.

balls

were

little beholden

very

to

ground when pitched;it was but a touch,and up

who did not get in to
again; and woe be to the man
block them, for they had such a peculiar
curl,that
againstthe bat : many
they would grindhis fingers
the

a
a

time

have

batter

Walker

who

Harris's

the blood
not

was

the

was

classed him

seen

up

drawn
to

in this way

from

trick

Tom

the

only exception
"

old

have

before

the bloodless animals.

among

bowling was

the

finest of all tests

for

hitter,and hence the great beauty,as I observed

in,with this man
before,of seeingBeldham
against
of the very first class,
him ; for unless a batter were
a

and

accustomed

could do little or

to

the

best

styleof stopping,he
Harris.
If the thing

nothing with
had been possible,
I should have liked to have seen
such a playeras Budd
hitter as he was) standing
(fine
againsthim.
opinionis that he could not
My own
have stoppedhis balls,and this will be a criterion,
of that gentleby which those who have seen some
brilliant hits may judge of the extraordinary

(Enlarged

detail

from

the

frontispiece)

WINDMILL-DOWN

bowling. He was considerably

in style
and finish
Lambert, and so superior
Lord
between them.
draw no comparison

of this man's

merit

faster than
that I

can

Frederick

Beauclerc

Harris's
the kind

bowlingwas
he had

playtill after

had

fine

the

length;

crease,
were

you

say

that

never

saw

him

fitsof the gout, and

attribute

in

made
it

he

prime;

bowling I

fine

to

grandestthingsof
his lordship
could

but

he had

improvement that was

all in stopping;for
at

of the

in his

Harris's

remain

one

many
slow and feeble.

had. become
To

been

seen

ever

heard

has

him

known

have

not

77

the

great

hitting,and

above

utterlyimpossibleto

was

when

the

ball

was

obligedto get in,or

tossed to
it would

your hands, or the handle of your bat ; and

every playerknows where its next placewould be.
had
Some
played with the
years after Harris
be about

Club, he became

Hambledon

the science of the game

so

well

with
acquainted

of cricket that he could take

not

the wickets. And

great advantagein pitching
only would he pitcha good wicket for himself,

but

he would

very

also consider

those who

had

to

bowl

The writer of this has often walked with

with him.
him
at six o'clock in the
up to Windmill-down
morning of the day that a match was to be played,
and
in
as

noticed the painshe has taken

pleasure
choosingthe ground for his fellow-bowler as well
has with

himself.

life have

at

slabberdash

genius,and
however,
There

The

all times
work

and

it does

throw

are

most

more

peoplegive the

so

away

eminent

been

the

most

too
more

of

painstaking
;

indifference may

"

accompany

; such geniuses,
frequently

than

brillianttalents
world

in every walk

men

credit

half their

chance.

in this world

for; and

that

than
their

exhibit to the best advantage,

monly
comof them.
Ill luck,
dependsupon the owners

lustre does

not

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

78

attends industrious
that frequently
preference
the onlyanodynesthat wounded
selfare
mediocrity,
indolence can
administer
love or
to misapplied
or
unused
of
ability.In his walk, Harris was a man
genius,and he let slipno opportunityto maintain
his pre-eminence.Although unwillingto detract
here observe
from the fame of old Lumpy, I must
with regardto
upon the difference in these two men
pitchingtheir wickets. Lumpy would uniformly
the ball was
select a point where
likelyto shoot,
the brow of a little hill ; and when
that is,over
by
this forethoughtand contrivance the old man
would
out, he would
prove successful in bowling his men
round to his party with a littlegrin of triumph ;
turn
him like this reward of his knowingnothinggratified
ness.
Lumpy, however, thought only of himself in
choosinghis ground ; his fellow-bowler might take his

and the

chance
the
his

this

was

neither wise

liberal. Harris,on

nor

contrary,as I have alreadyobserved, considered

partner; and, in so doing,the main chance of the
Unlike

Lumpy, too, he would choose a rising

is well
and he who
ground to pitchthe ball against,
acquaintedwith the game of cricket will at once
the advantagethat must arise from a wicket
perceive
pitchedin this way to such a tremendous bowler as
Harris
If I were
was.
urged to draw a comparison
between these two great players,
the greatest
certainly
in their departmentI ever
saw, I could do it in no
other way than
the following: Lumpy's ball was
alwayspitchedto the length,but delivered lower
than Harris's,and never
got up so high ; he was also
slower than Harris, and lost his advantageby the
in which
he persisted
in pitchinghis wicket ;
way
game.

"

yet
the

I think

he would

other, for

the

bowl
latter

with this end in view

more
never

almost

wickets

down

pitchedhis
all his

than

wicket

balls,therefore,

FREEMANTLES

THE

be

would
I

passeda

number

very

of

Harris

players
Lumpy, and
his bowling.

than

got from

runs

pleasanttime

father's house

to my

came

from

caught out

half the

not

wicket; consequently,
more

the

over

rose

79

at

with

Harris

when

he

tion,
Hambledon, by invita-

and for the benefit of the change

illness,
of air. Being always his companion in his walks
after

an

I had full opportunity

of
neighbourhood,
of his disposition
the sweetness
with
; this,
observing
his manly contempt of every action that bore the
character of meanness,
gainedhim the admiration of

the

about

cricketer in Hambledon.

every
In

concludingmy recollections of Harris, I had

to say something of his skill in
well nigh omitted
of the game.
The fact is,the
the other departments
merit of his bowlingwould have thrown
extraordinary
he might possess into
any other fair accomplishments
the shade ; but, indeed,as a batter,I considered him
rather

indifferent

an

than

gettingmore
Neither
game

his

was

ten

the other

Freemantle
John

was

he

But

was

There
JOHN

and

of

two

were

ANDREW

them, and,
were

their

acknowledgedplayerlong before
began. I am now, however, speakingof

One

some

rarely.

very

generally
playedslip.

believe,brothers.

from

those

remarkable.
fielding

FREEMANTLES.

names.

and

runs,

recollect his

never

suffered a ball to
the backbone, and never
without puttinghis body in the way of it.

to

pass him
he
If I recollect,

The

hand;

was

the
town
a

five feet ten

an

bowler.
between

Winchester

stoutly-mademan
inches.

He

with

He,
;

Anorew,
and

came

Alresford.

his standard

delivered his ball

about

high and

fast,yet he could not be ranked

tolerably
The best complimentI can
the fast bowlers.

well, and
among
pay

and,

him

is that

moreover,

he

that

was

his

reckoned

being

very successful,
member
of the

80

Hambledon

Club

sufficient guarantee for his

and experienced
as those sound
ability,
general
judges

would

admit

As

some

as

batter, John

reckoned
and

member

good

then

did not

who
any man
above the common
qualifications

never

possess

was

Freemantle

hand

would

club.

in any

level.

have

been

would

He

now

yet,withal,he could by no
be pronounceda Jine batter. As a man, he
means
bore a high character
for straightforward,
manly
a
integrity
heartyJohn Bull,and
; in short,he was
get many

flinched
a

no

from

more

ball in the

hard

it

handed
well
name

was

this he

was

wickets

few

deuced

to

accident

hard

that

Andrew's.

than

againstthe

was

left-

uncommonly safe, as

an

and

and

man,

often get long hands, and

he had once
too ; and when
it

he did from

did, however

never

shortish,well-set

secure

more

were

doinghis dutythan

him.

player. He
good hitter

as

field,and

might hit

Andrew

runs

warmed

matter

I could

would

He

best

into his

get him

bowling
hitting,
out

an

"

do the business. In his

frequently
generalstyleof battinghe very much reminded me
of Aylward,who has been spokenof some
pages back.
and was
He usually
playedthe long field,
remarkably
safe
in this department. But
Andrew
steadyand
could be depended upon, whatever
Freemantle
he
might undertake,whether in cricket or in his worldly
dealings.
Upon one occasion when I had come
up to London,
I heard of a match
being playedin Lord's Ground,
and

of

beloved
and

one

would

made

course

one

the

Andrew

amusement.

of the

of

spectatorsof

Freemantle

new-fashioned

my

in,

was

bowlers, commonly

called

His

was

of Sussex.

throwers, was
bowling to him.
out
WELLS,J and I believe he came
1

See note

on

page

TO.

E. V. L.

name

JOHN
He

SMALL

the first I had

was

the Walkers

had

YOUNGER

THE

school,after
introduce the system

of the

seen

attemptedto

in the Hambledon

Club.

81

Wells

new

frequently
pitched

his balls to the off-side of the wicket to Freemantle's

left-handed hitting,
who
got in before the wicket,

bowlingbehind

and hit the thrower's

he missed
before

Now, had

him.

ball,and it had hit his leg,although

wicket, he would not have been out,

the

the

pitchedat the outside of the

circumstance
to
off-stump.I mention this trifling
show the knowledgethe latter had of the game.
Freemantle's
Andrew
was
fielding
very fair ; his
generallythe long field. He, however,
post was
of the Mary-le-bone
to many
must be so well known
of
men
now
no
more
livingthat I need enumerate
the peculiar
characteristics of his playing.
that deservedly
esteemed
character
Next
comes
brated
JOHN
SMALL, son, and worthy successor, to the celebecause

it had

batter

father,was
was

very
symmetry of
a

of the

same

native

of

beheld

ever

Petersfield.

form, and

frame, his father

man

He,

name.

handsomely made

and

been

Small

Young
For

man.

his

as

perfect

well-knit,compact limbs
of the finest models

one

was

and

well

as

the

son

of

little inferior

was

in any respect. Jack Small ! my

old club
fellow ! when the fresh and lusty
May-tideof life sent

him

to

the blood

gambolingthroughour veins like a Spring

runlet,we have had many a good bout together
:
But

now

my

locks

And

as

head

is

white

as

and

bald, John,
snow,

bleached
yours have, doubtless,
winters
hand of mayhap three score
the churl has not
is

as

sound

to the

tune

as

yet touched

ever,

and

of old and

"

under

and

the citadel.

the

more

My

cold
;

but

heart

and true time

regular
grateful
thoughtsfor long

beats

82

HAMBLEDON

THE

You,
friendships.
You

know

are

the

I think

little trouble

the

Boar's

bother

them

would

find

inherited

yet,at

Jack, you

well

as

bowl

characters.

born

were

down
with

believe the

tale,for

the

craft from

both

as

friend,and

both

in

can

She, I think,took

this sentiment.

whipsters
now.
Knight of
might need the legsof these
could
but it is my opinionwe
good stand to our post. They

trouble to

some

They say,
I

we

echo

can

of the young
Like the old

give some

Head,

Monmouths

as

steadiness

even

Harry

hand.

of

could

we

sure,

musician

value

am

MEN

much

stumps.

bat

in your
sure

am

you
mother.

and

father

delightand

our

interest in the

he.

Many 's the time I have seen that worthy

of so kind and excellent a
woman
(everyway deserving
husband) come
galloping
up the ground at a grand
to play (for,you
match, where he was
know, she
alwaysaccompaniedhim to those high solemnities)
;
and no playereven
interest in the
could show more
than she, and certainly
no
one,
progress of the game
as
was
natural, felt so much pridein her husband's
fine playing.
as

game

I do

not

bowler

remember, John, that you

much

were

of

but I remember

that you were

everything
else,and that your judgement of the game was equal
Your
to that of any
to my
man.
styleof hitting,
a

mind,
no
a

was

short

I have

can

name

accurate
a
more
judgement of
possessed
run.
By the by is that account true which
heard, that upon one occasion,at Mary-le-

bone, you

"

and

Hammond

only fortyruns

out ?

in

when
first,

there

get to win the match ; and

whenagreement togetherto run ever

this,and between you

were

went

to

that you made

an
the ball passedthe
you

who

one

were

of the very first quality

; and

: that
wicket-keeper
got the whole fortyruns

I have

you did
before

been told this anecdote

of

THE

XI

GREAT

83

shows, accordingto
both,and, if true, it clearly
opinion,that the judgement of the peoplewho
my
at fault,
playedagainstyou must have been strangely
you

would

have

well

that

sure

Jack : I am
your fielding,
middle
wicket (the post that

father

your

occupied)was

say, you
I that a better
Reader

! in

assure

you

chap

block

as

put
(now

that

in every

ever

knew

The

About

the

his

as

not

your

though,

"

this.

at

Certain

am

post. And

that

time

he has left the

he

way

as

was

room),

complete

genuinechip of the old

and a highlyhonourable
player,
never
producedthe
Mary-le-bone
"

legsat
least change in him ; but, on
at some
thoroughlydisgusted
took placethere from time to
man.

he

old club-fellow.

admirable

an

"

allow

not

few words

good

as

was

never

farewell,
my

now,

not

would

I dare

the

out.

put you

alwaysadmired

preventedit ; for had but

acquaintedwith the game,

have

they might
long-stopbeen

or

that

the

contrary,he

of the

was

that

manoeuvres

time.
Small

John

had

risen into

I have just been describing,

his father
celebrity
and Nyren retired from the field. I cannot do better,
in concluding
these brief recollections,
than enumerate
Club
eminent
the most
playersin the Hambledon

the

when

it

was

DAVID

in its

glory.
TOM

HARRIS,

JOHN

WELLS,
PURCHASE,
WILLIAM
BELDHAM,
JOHN
SMALL, JUN.
HARRY
No

eleven in

with these
any

men

England
;

and

NOAH

WALKER.
could

I think

two-and-twenty.

WALKER,
ROBINSON,
MANN,
SCOTT,
TAYLOR,

have

had

any

theymight have

chance

beaten

RESPECTING

MEMORANDA

FEW

PROGRESS

MR.

written

MS.,

some

order.
few

the

since

the

From

with

by

and

those

of

that

cricketer,
hints

rough

regard

method

to

able

been

select

to

they might

some
possess
take
pride in
a

who

readers

my

small

old

an

have

mass

with

me

hasty recollections
together without

portions, thinking

interest

furnished

years

containing a few
to players, thrown
or

CRICKET

OF

obligingly

WARD

THE

game.

the

From

about

150
to

present,
asunder,

(only

years

since,

pitch

the

viz.

high,

with
another
which

stumps
contain

running
bat
of

is

hole

touching

There

wicket.

in

putting

out

be

mistake

N.

record.

striker

the

to

the

in

the

stumps
mounted
sur-

were

the

Between

ground, large enough

butt-end

of

was

required

of

the

striker

this

account

The

to

put

of

the

his

practice
wicket-

running,

when

to

In

bat.

the

modern

popping-crease.
the

distance

period, however,
in practice, and

was

the

hole, instead
over

must

J.

the

notch,
this

in

at

as

same

wide)

game

while

and

that

At

custom,

That

feet1

that

appears

the

at

two

the

cut

was

the

was

yards.

and

in

it

me,

wickets

bail.

worth

ball

the

into

keeper,

peculiarity
it

it

twenty-two

foot

one

before

authority

-width

was

of

the

WILLIAM

(From

an

WARD,

ESQ.

engraving reproduced by permission

of the

M.C.C.)

'ALL

the ball

when
obliged,

HITTING*

FOR

85

thrown

was

in, to place it

in

adversarycould reach it with his

of the hands
the
bat. Many severe
were
injuries
of
of this regulation
; the present mode
consequence
therefore substituted
was
touchingthe popping-crease
increased
for it. At the same
periodthe wickets were
six inches in
to twenty-two inches in height,and
of placing
breadth, and, instead of the old custom
the ball in the hole,the wicket-keeper
was
required
wicket
to put the
down, having the ball in his

this hole before the

hand.
of

followingaccount

The

has

1746

year

selected

been

mentioned, in order

to show

match

by

played in

the

the

above

writer

the state of

play at that
from a challenge
time.
It arose
given by Lord John
the part of the County of Kent, to play
on
Sackville,
All England ; and it proved to be a well-contested
match,

will appear

as

playerskept the
neither

have

safe,as

may

the form
such

of

field.

the

which

"

curved

"

volute

was

at
at

The

similar to

old-fashioned

an

the

back, and

sweeping

the

front and

end.

bat, the system must

it would

in which

manner

hitting,however, could
been of a high character nor
indeed
be gatheredfrom the figure
of the bat

at that time

dinner-knife

the

from

have been all for

in

With

hitting;

the
to block : and when
barelypossible
of bowling lengthballs was
introduced,and
practice
which gave the bowler so great an advantagein the
it became
absolutely
game,
necessary to change the
form of the bat, in order that the striker might be
able to keep pace with the improvement. It was
therefore made
straightin the pod ; in consequence
of

be

which,
The

total revolution, it may

of
too, ensued in the style
a

is a
following

be

said

formation
re-

play.

record of the match

alluded

to.

86

AGAINST

KENT
PLAYED

Some

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

IN

THE

years after

been

ALL

ARTILLERY

as
signalized

the

GROUND,

LONDON.

this,the fashion of the bat having

a
straightform, the system of

changed to
stopping,or blocking,was

SMALL, Sen., of

ENGLAND.

adopted; when JOHN

in Hampshire, became
Petersfield,
of his day,
batsman
eminent
most

THE

beinga
and

THIRD

very safe playerand

EDWARD

LUMPY,

STEVENS, or,
esteemed

was

87

ENTERS

WICKET

remarkablyfine hitter ;
he was
commonly called,

as

the best bowler.

the years 1769 and 1770, the Hambledon

the eve
on
Club, having had a run of ill success, was
of being dissolved.
It had been hitherto supported
About

gentlemenin that part of the

respectable
to
more
county. They determined, however, once
1771,
try their fortune,and on the 23rd of September,
having played the County of Surrey,at Laleham
Out of fifty-one
Burway, theybeat them by one run.
matches playedby the same
club againstEngland,
"c., during the ensuing ten years, they gained
twenty-nineof the number.

by

the most

Several

years

(I do

since

recollect

not

the

White, of Ryegate,
precisedate) a player,named
Drought a bat to a match, which beingthe width of
the stumps, effectually
defended his wicket from the
bowler : and
law
in consequence,
was
a
passed
limitingthe future width of the bat to 4j inches.1
Another

law

also decreed

weigh less than 5i

the 22nd

On

oz.,

the ball should

that

or

more

than

5|

not

oz.

of

May, 1775, a match was playedin

the Artillery
Ground, between five of the Hambledon
Club and five of All England ; when
Small went
in
the

last

for fourteen

man

bowler
Lumpy was
having been remarked
times passed between
to be

hard

straightestballs
1

I have

a
an

for and

runs,

and

fetched

them.

it
the occasion ; and
upon
that his balls had three several

Small's

thingupon

should

perfectrecollection

be

kept by the Hambledon

of suspected dimensions
was
J.
N.
accordingly.

statute

Club

was

the bowler

thus

sidered
con-

that

his

sacrificed;the

of this occurrence

iron frame, of the

it

stumps,

width,

;
was

sequently
also,that subconstructed

; through which
passed,and allowed or

any

bat

rejected

THE

88

number
from

HAMBLEDON

MEN

of the
to

two

in consequence

stumps was
three. Many

amateurs

at the time

that the alteration would

the game
did

and

were

increased
of

opinion

tend to shorten

the Hampshire gentlesubsequently

men
of takingmy opinionupon
the honour
me
this point. I agreedwith them that it was but doing
justiceto the bowler ; but I differed upon the
questionthat it would shorten the game ; because
the striker,knowing the danger of missing one
ball with three instead of two stumps behind
straight
redouble his care ; while every
him, would materially
loose hard hitter would
learn to stop, and play as
safe a game
as
possible.The followingrecord of
the
a
match, played shortlyafterwards between
Hambledon
Club and All England,at Sevenoaks,will
well or illfounded.
prove whether my opinionwere
It was
upon this occasion that Aylward fetched the
number
of 167 runs
from his own
bat
extraordinary
"

of the

one

of cricket

did

success

greatestfeats

upon

record in the annals

be borne in mind
that his
for it must
compete
innot arise from any loose playingor
the part of his opponents there
on
"

would
he had
"

then have

againstthe
Lumpy.

reader

will not

difference of amount
the

merit

no

to stand

that of
The

been

second

in the

finest

triumph ; but
bowlingof the day

fail likewise to

in the

between

the

the firstand

England side ; the men

either disheartened at the toweringpre-eminence
were
of the adverse party ; or, which is more
the
probable,
throw
would
not
latter,like good generals,
away
so
a
singlechance ; but although the odds were
or
greatlyin their favour,they,instead of relaxing,
fielded with still greater
showing any indifference,
than in the first innings; and, in consequence,
care
their opponents did not score
half their previous
inningson

the

score

remark

HAMBLEDON

number
of
emulation.

is the

This

runs,

HAMBLEDON

ENGLAND

V.

CLUB

AGAINST

Played

18th

Hambledon.

89

genuine spiritof
ENGLAND.

ALL

June

1st

1777

Innings.

Runs.
Lord

Tankerville
Lear
Veck
Small
Francis

by

Wood
ditto

16

Lumpy

33
26

White
Wood

Nyren

37

Lumpy

Sueter

46

Taylor

32

Aburrow

22

Wood
Bullen
Minchin
Bullen

Aylward

167

Brett

Byes

not

out

403

by Hambledon, by

Won
1

Should

garth's

own

be

'

run

copy,

out
now

168

runs

in

one

',accordingto correction
in Mr.

Gaston's

innings.
in_Mr.Hay-

possession. E. V.L.'

90

HAMBLEDON

THE

the

In

MEN

1778, HARRIS, the best bowler

year

known, began playingin the

first matches

and

ever

from

of his style,
the hitting
increased
superiority
in Hampboth in safetyand severity,
particularly
shire
and Surrey,where the players
had an opportunity
of practising
againstthe bowling of this remarkable
of the balls,and
He had a very high delivery
man.
was
as
steadyto a length. This obligedthe striker
the rapidity
of the
to playforward, otherwise, from
from the ground,he was
balls rising
to be caught
sure
I consider cricket to
out
at the point of the bat.

the vast

been

have
in

at

its zenith

at

the time

that Harris

was

prime play.
After

his

adopted

death
slow

very

"

childish

and

mode

high, and

of

bowling was
scarcely
passing

delivered with
the ball was
By some
a
straight
nearlyapproachingto a gentlethrow.
arm,
That
set aside
however, (ofthrowing),was
practice,
by a resolution of the Mary-le-boneClub.1
[Here follow some
general instructions to the
bowler and striker ; they are, however, brief,and at
those already
the same
time bear so closely
upon
given in previouspages of this little work that the
almost to a verbal
insertingof them would amount
repetition.
The
followinghints to the directors and managers
the

of

wicket.

match

will

amuse

some

readers, and

not

be

wholly unworthy the attention of those who are

ambitious
of playinga keen and manoeuvring,rather
than a plainand straightforward
game.]
1

Tom

Walker

was

the

first to introduce

the

ing
system of throw-

that the
an
provide against
law was
passed, and which Taw is stillin force, although it is
dead
a
daily infringed, and will, in all probability,become
;

and

letter.

it

was

J. N.

to

such

innovation

MANAGEMENT

OF

on

making a match, you

higherterms than you

for

necessary
well maae

the

may

more

mind

keepingin

"

MATCH

should be careful to stand

have an absolute occasion

IN

that you

91

CAPTAINS

TO

HINTS

obtain such
easily
the old adage,*A

as

are

match

is half won.'

the wickets l (when it falls to your lot

pitching
of them),
have the pitching
you must be careful
suit your bowling. If you nave
one
slow, and
fast bowler, pitch your wickets right up and

In
to
to
one

down

the wind.

with

the

wind

slow

bowler

in his face.

can

bowl

never

well

bowling is all
slow bowler, pitch

If your

fast,and
your

your opponents have a

wickets with a cross
wind, that

some

degreedestroythe

effect of the

you

slow

may

in

bowling.

favour such
If either of your bowlers twist his balls,
twist as much
as
possible
by takingcare to choose

ground at that spot where the ball should pitch

inwards.
its proper length,
a little sloping
the

let two of your most

safe and
first,
be put in,that you may stand a chance
steadyplayers
of ^milling"*
the bowling in the earlypart of the
And whenever
is put out, and if the
a man
game.
bowling have become loose,put in a resolute hard
well in,and
hitter. Observe also,if two players
are
with gettingruns
warm
fast,and one should happen
to be put out, that you supplyhis placeimmediately,
If you

go

in

le'stthe other become

When
take

your

stiff.

let your bowlers

party takes the field,

keepinga close
field till your opponents begin to hit freely,
when
occasion may require.
as
you must extend your men
If the opposite
party hold in,and are gettingruns
too fast,
change your worst bowler, being careful at
1

Now

full time

cold and

the

between

their

provinceof the umpires

balls

: see

copy

of the Laws.

J. N.

92

HAMBLEDON

THE

the

MEN

bringforward one as oppositeto him

both in speed and delivery. If you bring
as
possible,
forward
fast bowler as a change,contrive,if fortune
a
favour

so

time to

same

cloud

is

you

may

him

out.

shall bowl

he

his first ball when

cumstanc
cirpassing over ; because, as this trifling
frequentlyaffects the sightof the striker,
thereby stand a good chance of getting
it is difficult to

When
of

either

that

you

them

succeeded

has

favourite

batsmen, and

two

part

hit, I have

often

in

getting him out by opening the field

where
his hit is placed,at the same
time hinting
different styleof ball.
to the bowler
to give him
a
This, with the opening of the field,has tempted
him
in his anxietyto
to plant his favourite hit, and
do so has not unfrequently
committed
fatal
an
error
to him.

Every

of the game

state

be

must

manreuvre

but, above

tried
all

confused.

desperate

things,be

careful
steady,being also especially
become

in

that

slow

and

field do

your

Endeavour

in
by every means
such as by changing the bowling,by
your
power
little alterations in the field,or by any excuse
you
invent
the
time,
that
the
strikers
to
can
delay
may
not

"

"

cold and

become

inactive.

And

in your favour, you may

push
faster ; but even
then be not too
but

let your

If your

play be

party go

when
on

the

flushed with

last

innings for

of runs,
always keep back two
for the last wickets.
safest batsmen

is

hitters seldom

desperateas

confident.

those

do

so

who, from

well
safe

when

or

little

success,

still cool,cautious,and
in the

turn

a
a

game

number

your
hazardous

get

you

steady.
certain

three

Timid
the

play,are

of
or

game
more

THE

LIST

M.C.C.

OF

IN

THE
OF

MEMBERS
THE

MARY-LE-BONE
Acheson, Viscount
Adamson, Mr.
Aislabie, Mr. B.
Anderson, Mr.
Anderson, Mr. D.
Hon.

H.
Mr.
J.
Antrobus,
Baker, Mr.
Barclay, Mr. R.

Ashley,

Barham, Mr.
Barbara, Mr. W.
Barnard, Mr.
Barnett, Mr. James
Barnett, Mr. Charles
Bamett, Mr. G. H.
Bathurst, Sir F.

Bayley, Mr.

J.

1833

CLUB
Chesterfield,Earl of
Chichester, Earl of
Clitheroe,Mr. J. C.

Codrington,Captain
Colcomb, Major

Cope, Sir John,

Bart.
Cotton, Sir St. Vincent
Cox, Mr.
Clonbrock, Lord
Cox, Mr. C.
Curtis, Sir William
Curzon, Hon. F.

Clayton, Captain

Darnley,Earl

of
Davidson, Mr. H.
Davidson, Mr. D.
Davidson, Mr. W.

F.
Beauclerk,
Beauclerk, Mr.
Bearblock, Mr. W.
Belfast,Earl of
Bennett, Mr.
Berens, Mr. R.

Davidson, Captain
Deedes, Mr. W.
Deedes, Mr. James
Delme, Mr. C.
Denne, Mr. T.
Dunlo, Lord

Biddulph, Mr. R. M.

Dyke,

Lord

Bligh,Hon. Gen.
Brooke, Mr. F. C.
Brooks, Mr.
Budd, Mr.
Balfour, Captain
Blake, Mr. J. G.
Caldwell, Mr.

Mr. P. H.
Dillon, Hon. Mr.
Ellis,Mr. W.
Ellis,Mr. C.
Everett, Mr.

Caldwell, Mr. B.

Exeter, Marquis of
Fairfield,Mr. G.
Fairlie,Mr.
Fairlie,Mr. W.

Calmady,

Fitzroy,Mr.

Mr.
Campbell, Mr.
Castlereagh,Lord
Cheslyn,Mr.

H.
Mr.
Forbes,
Franklyn, Mr.

Fryer,Mr.

94

THE

Fuller, Mr.
Finch, Hon.

D.

HAMBLEDON

MEN
Loftus, Captain

Long,

Colonel
Lowther, Hon.

Flayer, Mr.
Gardiner, Colonel

Col.
H.
M'Taggert, Mr. T.

Mackinnon,

Gaselee, Mr.
Gibbon, Sir John, Bart.

Mann, Cplonel
Mallet, Sir Alexander

Glenorchy,Lord
Gordon, Hon. Fred.
Gordon, Hon. Francis
Greenwood,

Captain

Mr.

Martyn, Mr.
Mellish, Mr. T.

(2nd

Life Guards)

Greenwood,

Captain (Grenadier
Guards)

Meyrick, Mr. F.
Mills, Mr. E.
Mills, Mr. C.

Montague, Hon.

Greville,Captain
Greville,Hon. R. F.

Moreton, Hon.

Grey, Lord
Goring, Mr.

Morgan,
F.

Grimstead, Mr.
Lord
Hon. E. H.
Gunning, Sir R. H., Bart.
Hale, Mr. C.
Mr. E. D.
Harman,
Harrington, Mr.
Heathcote, Mr. J. M.
Hemming, Mr.
Hill,Mr. C.
Hill, Mr. P.
Earl of
Hillsborough,
Hoare, Mr.
Howard, Mr.
Harbord, Hon. E. V.
Jenner, Mr. H.
Jones, Mr. D. H.
Johnson, Mr.
Keen, Mr.
Kingscote,Mr. H.
Knatchbull, Mr.
Knight,Mr. E.
Knight, Mr. G. T.
Kynaston, Mr.
Labalmondiere, Mr.
Ladbrook, Mr. F.
Lascelles,Hon. Col.
Lascelles,Hon. E.
Leathes, Mr.
Lloyd, Mr. H.
Lloyd, Mr. C.

Grimston,
Grimston,

S. D.
H.

Morgan, Mr. C.
Mr.

H.

W.

Musgrave, Captain
Michel, Captain
Nicole, Mr.

Northy, Captain

Oglander,Mr.
Onslow, Mr. G.

Ossory, Lord
Phillimore, Captain
Pack, Mr.

Parry,Mr.

F.
Paul, Sir D. Bart.
Paul, Mr.
Payne, Mr. G.
Pickering,Mr.
Mr.
Philipps,

Plunkett, Mr.

Plymouth, Earl of
Pocklington,Mr.

Ponsonby, Hon.

G.

Powell, Mr. J. H. jun.

Purling,Mr.
Payne, Mr. A.
W. P.
Mr.
Quarme,
Reed, Mr.
Ricardo, Mr.
Robarts, Mr.
Romilly, Mr. E.
Romilly, Mr. C.
Romilly,Mr. F.

Pigott,Mr.

Rothschild, Mr.
Russell, Lord C.

END

St.

Duke

Albans,

J.

Scott,

Mr.

Scott,

Hon.

E.

Mr.

C.

Capt.

K.

Mr.

Strathavon,

Mr.

Wells,

Hon.

Tanner,

Mr.

Mr.

Mr.

W.

Townsend,

Mr.

Trevanion,

Mr.

W.
Lord
Colonel

Mr.

Mr.
Mr.

Wright,

Mr.

Walker,

Mr.

Willoughby,

THE

END

J.

Mr.

Wodehouse,
Wood,

Lord

R.

Mr.

Willan,

Talbot,

E.

Mr.

Webster,

Mr.

F.

Sir

Waterpark,

Mr.

T.
A.

Mr.

Walton,

Lord

G.

Hon.

Walpole,

Ward,

of

Mr.

Walker,

Mr.

Sullivan,

Mr.

Vigne,

Vincent,
Thomas

Mr.

Strahan,

Vigne,

Vivian,

R.

Mr.

Stonor,

Earl

Uxbridge,

Mr.

Hon.

Stanley,

Mr.

Vifiiers,

Sivewright,

Thynne,

W.

95

BOOK

Turner,

W.

Sivewright,

Smith,

of

Mr.

Shelley,

Stubbs,

NYREN'S

Colonel

Sewell,

Stone,

OF

J.

D.

H.
Sir

H.

m
it

nzc

JOHN

From

of

copy,

made

drawing from

NYREN

by

Francis

lifeby

Grelian

Edward

in

1844*

Novella

JOHN

NYREN

By
IT is due
which
of

great part

good

Club,

that

of My
writing his

I do
many

seem

to

Time

was

any
for the

bowled

impression

erroneous

of the

than

noble

of

pages

The

illiterate rustic,incapable

an

memories.

own

people who

have

had

to

one

is

or

have

read

this view.

entertain

I have

and

the

suggest that every

not

too

that

Nyren's humility,

little lower

batted

author

the

Cricketers
of

who

fellows

Hambledon

is abroad

John

to

in his book

placeshim

the

old

in

EDITOR

THE

Again

try

mistaken

so

heard

and

again

put the

to

of

; but

Nyren
in

versation
con-

right,

matter

although it needs but a little thought to realize that

only very fine qualitiesof head and heart
only a very
and
true
rare
gentlemanliness could have produced
the record of such
worth
and
notable
independence
and sterlingcharacter
shine in that book.
Good
as
"

"

literature
it is the

no

accident

before

result of conversations

have

must

egg

is

been

the

precedes the

needful

not

of

one
power
illiterate rustic to talk such great talk

be, whether

penmanship, there
as
qualities,
surelyas the
that

mean

illiterate rustic

not

of My

can

or

I do

chicken.

of an
in the power
in the
but it is not

it

to talk

who
as

greatly;

remains

The

it is

an

Cricketers

Time.

fortunate

Nyren, which
I wrote
five years ago, brought me
acquainted with
Miss Mary Nyren and her sisters
John Nyren's granderror

in

an

article

on

"

John

HAMBLEDON

THE

98

livingat

daughters now
so
was
good as
"

familysources,
farther than

out

for

me

; and

Miss Nyren
of
little paper

from

various

which

carry the story of his life a little

J. W. Allen's excellent memoir
in the

Mr.

Dictionaryof

Folkestone

grandfather,collected

of her

memories

write

to

MEN

National

Biography. In Miss Nyren's

John
Nyren to whom
notes, as well as in that article,
cricket was, as it ought to be, only a recreation
stands
Catholic gentleman of cultivated tastes,
forth a Roman
and the friend
a good musician, a natural philanthropist,
them
Charles
of very intelligent
Lamb's
men,
among
friends Leigh Hunt, Cowden
Vincent
Clarke, and
Novelloi
the
These
to
things were
always known
also to the many.
few ; they ought to be known
Part of the misunderstanding has been
due to the
of Richard
Nyren, his father,as the Hambledescription
don
now
ground-man and the landlord of the
very
called
the
Bat
Ball
and
'.
inn
squalid neighbouring
The story,whether
true or not, began with Mr. Haygarth,
who
thus : Richard
wrote
Nyren, whose name
appears
first in this match, had played at cricket several seasons
about thirty-seven
previously,
being now
years of age.
and most probablyhis best, performances
All his earliest,
Bat and Ball
therefore lost. At first he kept the
are
Inn", near Broad-Halfpenny Down, at Hambledon
; but
He looked
in that village.
afterwards the
George Inn
after the two
cricket grounds there
famous
namely,
Downs, and also had
Broad-Halfpenny and Windmill
farm
small
he
a
near.
During the great matches
always had a refreshment booth on the ground, and his
"

"

'

'

"

'

"

'

"

"

"

"

advertisements,requestingthe assistance and patronage

of his friends,will be found in the Hampshire Chronicle
of the last century. Though active,he was
stout
a very
for a cricketer,being about
5ft. 9in. in height;
man
and

he

much

devoted

time

fishing.
'The
compiler of this
maternal
grandson)that
,

in

1734

or

to

hunting,shooting,and

notice

Richard

1735, and

died

was

informed

Nyren
at Lee,

was
or

(by
born

his
at

Leigh, in

99

NYREN

RICHARD

searchingthe registersof
of that name
in
burials,however, of the two villages
of Nyren could not be found.'
the county, the name
Miss Nyren has no record that her great-grandfather
ever
kept an inn at all. He was, she tells me, a farmer,
that of
and his interest in the state of the ground was
ardent
cricketer. Possibly,she suggests, another
an
another
John
Richard
Nyren's
Nyren (there was
to me
important.
unbrother)kept the inn. The point seems
Richard
The
important thing is that our
Nyren, whether he was an innkeeper,or a farmer,or
both, was a gentleman. PersonallyI have alwaysliked
his
to think of him as the purveyor of the stingowhich
Kent, April 25, 1797.

On

"

has made

son

immortal.

Nyren's descriptionof his father (on pp.

the son
Richard Nyren was
44-45),Miss Nyren adds
or
grandson of Lord Nairne, a Jacobite rebel,one of
and condemned
the five lords imprisonedin the Tower
in 1715 ; he was
to be beheaded
pardoned,but in 1745
it hid in the New
again risked his life,and to save
transposed the
Forest, near
Broad-Halfpenny. He
letters in Neyrne (the old spellingof the name) into
taken up by
The title was
Nyren, dropping one "e".
of the family. When
a juniorbranch
my grandfather,
of
that
Lord
Nairne
the
time
at the
John Nyren, met
together,
Marylebone cricket ground they conversed
Nairne
took a seal off his watch-chain,with
and Lord
the familycrest on it, and gave it to him, and took in
which bore the same
crest '.
exchange John Nyren's,
few
be interpolatedhere, as Miss
A
words
must
of her great-grandfather's
parentage
Nyren'saccount
of
the
date
A
of Lord
is a little too free.
comparison
Nairne's death, 1724, and Richard
Nyren'sbirth,1734
To

John

'

or

1735, shows

that

father must

another

be

found

for

the
(thiswas
second Lord
Nairne, Lord William
Murray, fourth son
of the Marquis of Atholl, who
married
Lady Nairne
and took her title),
I have said,died in 1724.
It
as
Lord

the

Hampshire

was

his son, the third Lord

yeoman.

Nairne

Nairne, who
2

was

out

in the

HAMBLEDON

THE

100

here

'45, and

for

much

again

of Attainder

Act

he

Hampshire ; and at
already twelve years
been
branch

cold

the

for

us,

after

facts of

historyare
catastrophe of

the

settled

in

France, and

that

date

old.

Richard

Nairne, but, if

MEN

Richard

not

Nyren

too

the
in
was

Nyren may have

it was
through another
third Lord Nairne
(a lord

so,

of the

family. The
died in France
in 1770:
it was
only among Jacobites)
the title was
his grandsonWilliam
restored,
(towhom
mainly through the efforts of Sir Walter Scott,in 1824)
that exchanged rings with our John Nyren.
I now
Miss Nyren's narrative : ' Richard
to
return
Nyren married,at -Slindon,in Sussex,Frances Pennicud,
a
lady of Quaker origin,a friend of the Countess
young
of Newburgh, who
her a large prayer-book,in
gave
"

which

the

of

names

she

When

inscribed.

she

Hambledon,

her
was

dressed

children

afterwards

were

old

lady,still livingat
in a soft,black silk dress,with
with a black lace scarf,
and
on
when
out walking. She went
an

largeLeghorn hat tied

used a gold-headedcane
errands of mercy.
Mrs.
out only to church and
on
Nyren, when a widow, found a happy home in her son
John Nyren's house till her death at over
ninety years
of age.
It is said she blushed
like a young
girlup to
a

that

time.'

Richard
from

Nyren, as

his

Arundel,

uncle,
in

nothing,I

we

Richard

Sussex.

But

think, is known.

have

learned

seen,

Newland,

Slindon,

of

of his Slindon
It

was

not

his cricket
near

performances

until he moved

and

helped to found, or joined, the

Hambledon
Club (theparent of first-classcricket),
that
I say 'helped to
we
begin to follow his movements.
found ',but the club probablyhad an existence
before
Nyren joined it. In 1764, in the report of a match
and Chertsey,
Hambledon
the side is referred
between
to
as
Hambledon, in Hants, called Squire Lamb's
to

Hambledon,

'

Club'.

We

get

an

approximate date

inception from the age of John

of its fathers,who
was
Small, one

of

the

Club's

Nyren's hero, John

born

in

1737.

Let

THE

us

FLAMES

DESTROYING

suppose that when Small was

into the project in 1755,

Lord's, in

1825

"

the

or

thereabouts.

in which

year

threw

eighteen he

"

at

101

the

self
himfire

Hambledon

broken up
finally
unhappilydestroyedall the
of these
records
early days. Richard
Nyren's name
white's Cricket Scores and Biographies
appears first in Lilly
match
Five of the
in 1771, between
in a single-wicket
Five (i.
Hambledon
Club
and
e., four)of Kent, with
Club

was

"

This

Minshull.
FlVE

OF

was

the

score

"

HA3IBLEDON.

FIVE

WEST

OF

KENT

(with Minshull).
John Small, Senr
Thomas
Sueter
Leer
George
Thomas
Brett
Richard Nyren

J. Doorman

Richard
Minshull

26

11

Joseph Miller

29

1*

John

May

Frame...
,

11

46

Not

35

out.

23

December
on
15,
Nyren was born at Hambledon
1764.
His
education, says his granddaughter, was
separabl
desultory,largelyowing to the difficulties then infrom
his religion.We
that
must
suppose
as
a
boy he helped his father in various ways on his
farm.
Club in 1778, when
He
joined the Hambledon
he was
farmer's pony
a
fourteen,as
; he stood
by it
John

'

'

until 1791, when

his father moved

over.
great days were
matches
remain, owing

Only
to

the

to

few

fire of

and

the

reports of

the

London
which

have

graphies,
spoken. Lillywhite,in the Cricket Scores and Biogives in the great Richard-Nyrenicperiod but
four in which
John Nyren's name
appears (and in two of
these the name
be that of Richard, and not John).
may
The
first of them
the Vine
in June, 1787, on
at
was
Sevenoaks
(where I watch good matches every summer),
between
the Hambledon
Club (withLumpy) and Kent.
Kent won
by four wickets, and Nyren (J.or R.)made
Noah
Mann
10 and 2.
was
run
out, 0, in both innings
the impetuous gipsy! Tom
Walker
made
1 0,
43 and
and H. Walker
In July,on Perriam
39 and 24.
Downs,
"

102

near

for

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

in Wiltshire,Nyren (J.or R.)played

Luggershall,
Smith againstthe Earl of Winchelsea,
Mr. Assheton

and

made

and

22, and

For

2.

David

Down,

Earl,Beldham

the

Harris

took

made

30

wickets, including

ten

match

the

In

Nyren's.
Windmill

and

England v. Hambledon, on
September, 1787, J. Nyren (J.this
; and for Hampshire againstSurrey,

in

time)made 3 and 1
3 and 9, and
at Moulsey Hurst, in June, 1788, he made
bowled
was
by Lumpy both times.
until 1801,
And here the name
drops out of Lillywhite
and established in London
when
John
was
thirty-six
Thenceforward

business.

in

come

club

Nyren's new
most

famous

from

Homerton

to

the M.C.C.

the

the St. John's

with

the M.C.C.

many
in

times
1817.

in

To

later,merely remarking here that

the Homerton
was
Club, then the
to

next

occurs

until his last match

important matches,
these games

it

new

About

Lord's

Wood

1812

it moved

ing
ground,amalgamat-

Club, and afterwards with

itself.

Nyren married in 1791, the year of Richard

His bride, Miss
Nyren's departure from Hambledon.
Nyren writes, was
Cleopha Copp, a wealthy girlnot
quite seventeen, of German
parentage,highly educated,
and wonderfully
energetic. Three days after the birth
stairs
downof her first child,at Portsea,she got up and went
had
French
to interpretfor some
priestswho
there
emigrated from France owing to the Revolution
being no one else who could speak to them in French.
Her mother, Mrs. Copp, was
a
pioneer of work in the
at West
East End
of London
; she took a large house
French
Ham
and gave fifty
at her own
young
expense,
female refugeesemployment in lace making, chiefly
tambour
work ; employing a Jesuit priestto give them
John

'

"

instruction

two

or

three

times

week.'

wife
had provided
1796 John Nyren, whose
him with a competency, lived at Portsea ; in that year

Until

he moved
then
and

to

to

Bromley,in

Chelsea,where

Middlesex

he had

; later to

house

to Bromley again,where
finally

in

Battersea

Walk

Cheyne

he died.

J.

LONDON

NYREN'S

103

MATCHES

introducingthe more
personalpart of Miss
I think it would
be
of her grandfather,
Nyren's memoir
well to disposeof John Nyren's record as a cricketer,
I have been carea
fully
topicof which too little is known.
with
the result that I find
through Lillywhite,
Nyren in thirtymatches, of the most
noteworthy of
which
I append particulars.No doubt he played also
much
This is the first that Lillyin minor
contests.
white gives in Nyren's London
period:
Before

"

ARAM'S

ON

NEW

For
John

Nyren

Others

GROUND,

follow

10

"

LORD'S, JULY

23

b Turner
ARAM'S

ON

b Warren

36

For Homerton

Nyren

1801.

AT

John

30,

Homerton.

Montpelierv.

Walpole

JUNE

on

For

NEW

24, 1801.

AND

v.

M.C.C.

GROUND,

MontpelierClub

JULY

ON
v.

Martin

49

6, 1802.

Homerton.

John

66
Nyren b Fulljames
White, Esq.)
(Nyren also bowled

Vigne

st

"

AT

LORD'S,
For

John

Nyren
AT
For

J.

(Nyren

J.

of Middlesex

caught three
LORD'S, JUNE

(Nyren

and

v.

caught out six.)

Walker

H.
AND

30

16, 1802.

Twenty-two

of

Surrey.

Lawrell

stumped two).

6, 7, 8, 9,

b Collins
also

11

Twenty-two of Middlesex

Nyren

Surrey.

v.

13, 14, 15,

st Caesar

also

25, 1802.

LORD'S, SEPTEMBER

AT
For

England

b T. Walker

Twenty-two

Nyren

AUGUST

ON

v.

10

AND

10, 1803.

Twenty-two
c

T. Howard

of

Surrey.
1

104

THE

HAMBLEDON

AT

LORD'S, MAY

For
John

Homerton

For Homerton

Nyren

For

made

87.)

9, 1804.
v.

M.C.C.

st Smith

16, 17,

40

18, 1804.

AND

Middlesex.

b Beeston

31

GREEN, AUGUST

(with Beldham)

44

Nyren had

won.

(withLord F. Beauclerk)v.

RICHMOND

Homerton

8 AND

23

b Beeston

AT

M.C.C.

Beauclerk, who

(withBeldham)

LORD'S, JULY

For Homerton
J.

Homerton

JUNE

b Beauclerk

v.

b Cumberland

HOMERTON,

AT

30, 1804.

(withBeldham)

13 and 48, and

made
catch Lord Frederick

AT

Nyren

28, 29, AND

st Leicester

Nyren

(Beldham
the pluck to

J.

MEN

21

AND

22, 1805.

Richmond

v.

32

(with Lord

F.

Beauclerk).
J.

Nyren

Long

49

AT
For Homerton
J.

Nyren

LORD'S, JUNE

(withBeldham

by

won

made

(Nyren

bowled

For Homerton
v. M.C.C.

Nyren

100

and

Lennox

29

75 and 17, Beldhara

made
Lord
Frederick
Beauclerk,

v.

three and

27, 1807.

M.C.C.

13

absent

AND

7, 1808.

(withSmall, Lambert, Hammond,

(with Beldham,

won.

51.

and

Bennett)

Robinson, and Walker).

1

Lord

caught one.)

LORD'S, JUNE

Bligh

(The M.C.C.
made

25, 26, AND

Leicester

AT

J.

M.C.C.

49.

For Homerton
c

Lambert) v.

Lambert

27.

LORD'S, JUNE

AT

Nyren

and

Nyren again caught

and 40.
after he had
32

J.

23, 1806.

Smith

(The M.C.C.

runout

Frederick

Nyren caught two.)

absent
Beauclerk

for M.C.C.

WOODFORD

AT

WELLS,

IN

ESSEX, JULY

thirteen
For

14, 15,

AND

16, 180S

"

side.

and
(with T. Mellish, Lambert, Hammond,
Essex (with Lord F. Beauclerk, Aislabie,Burrell,

Homerton

Walker)

v,

Pontifex, and
J.

105

CRICKET1

WAS

CHIVALRY

HIS

Nyr en b Beauclerk
(Nyren caught four.)
Too

Beldham).
24

Beldham

10

Nyren's last important match, when

I regret to say that he did
he was
in his fifty-third
year.
He
not trouble the scorers.
played for Lord Frederick
Ward's
Beauclerk' s side against Mr. William
side, at
bowled
Lord's,June 18, 19, and 20, 1817. Thumwood
him.
For Mr. Ward
Nyren dedicated his book)
(towhom
soon

Lambert

we

4 and 43.
30, and Beldham
and 37, and Mr. Osbaldeston

78 and

made

Frederick

to

come

made

28

Lord Frederick
39 not out.
of this match
To the score
account

of

Nyren

'

He

won

Mr.
an

was

Lord
10

and

by six wickets.
Haygarth appends

an

enthusiastic admirer

of

"

and
("his chivalrywas cricket"),
about 1 833, publishedthe
[Young] Cricketer's Guide
of the once
",a book which contains an account
[Tutor]
far-famed
Hambledon
Club, in Hampshire, when it was
able to contend
in its prime and
against All England.
Had
not this book
(which,however, is sadlywanting in
and dissolution of
to the formation
as
dates,especially
be known
the club,etc.)
appeared,but littlewould now
of those famous villagers.
and field,
both as a batsman
Nyren was left-handed,
at Lord's after
and playedin a few of the great matches
a
leavinghis native village,being for several seasons
Club.
of the Homerton
member
however,
Considering,
the "Noble

Game

"

'

till he was
past sixty,his
game
It does
will but seldom
be found in these pages.
name
1808
not appear
at all from 1788 to 1801, or from
up to
He was
the present match.
a
very fine field at point or

that he continued

middle

wicket, was

the

6ft.

high,being big-boned,and

largeproportions.'
ber
livingthat rememAmong the very few persons now
John
Nyren is Canon Benham, who as a boy once

of

106

HAMBLEDON

THE
him.

met

Benham

Canon

MEN

tells

that

me

ing
story illustrat-

Nyren'sjudgement in the field used to be told,in

that player calculated
which
the fall of
so
accurately
ball hit high over
his head that,instead of running
a
backwards
to it in the ordinaryway, keeping his eye on
it all the

time, he

forwards

ran

and

and caught it. Canon

rightmoment
a
great story of a Hambledon

the time

When
six

only

runs

the batsman
out

of the

Canon

corroborated
I

the incident
Miss

resume

now

it to the last

and

recreation,not

day

would

make

by

written

Yes,

an

hit clean

the match

was

striker's tones

I sent

hurr

narrative

and

'

won.
as

he

say.'
My grandfather
to

all that

cerned
con-

of his

but onlyas a pastime

life,
occupation,as writers of the

I will

out.

innings,
first ball,therefore,

cricket

about

day
as

Nyren's

enthusiastic

was

the
'

second

"

remember

can

Southsea.

at

regret,is lost

the sea, and

ground into

Benham

name,

the

at

also recalls

match

The

wanted.

were

turned

Benham

for Hambledon's

came

whose

"

then

quote

en

his eldest son, Henry.

known
to the cricketers

passant a passage

"My

father,John

of his time at the

Nyren, was
Hambledon
'. He
was
Marylebone Club as
young
constant
a
playerof that manly game, and excelled in
all its points, generallycarrying out
his bat, often
three. [This
keeping the bat two whole days,and once
would
be, I assume, in minor matches.]When
fielding,
the
of
his
would
he
smart, deep-set eyes,
quickness
by
'

catch
his

out

at the

point ;

fingerscarried

the

this

marks

was

his favourite

of it to

feat,and

With
his grave.
a cannon-ball."

might as soon catch

My grandfathercould use his left hand as dexterously
his right. He
was
a
as
good musician, and a clever
performer on the violin,an intimate friend of Vincent
attendant
at the celebrated
Novello's,and a constant
Sunday Evenings at his house. There he met Charles
Lamb, Leigh Hunt, Cowden
Clarke,Malibran,and other
celebrities. He often took with him his youngest son,
John William Nyren, my father,then a lad,who in later
and
sisters how
he enjoyed
years often told me
my
batters

some

one

'

"

"

VINCENT

AT

NOVELLO'S

107

to the witty conversation

and the good music
listening
which
always formed part of the entertainment.'
That Nyren loved music
is very clear to the reader of
The Cricketers of My Time.
He says, it will be remembered,
of Lear and Sueter's gleesat the
Bat and Ball ',
on
Broad-Halfpenny:
'

"

I have

'Twas

been
like

there, and

still would

little heaven

go ;

below.

It is

uses
interestingto note that Charles Lamb
Dr.
from
of
Watts
in his account
same
quotation
musical eveningsat Novello's.
Both Leigh Hunt
and Cowden
Clarke,as we shall

have

written

reference
wish

to

of their

him

friend; but

in the

cannot

writings of Charles

could,for Lamb, although he

would

the
the

see,

find any
I
Lamb.
have

cared

less for cricket than for music, would have been one
of the first to detect the excellences of Nyren's book,
even

such passages as the robustly

especially
lyrical
praiseof
ale, and the simple yet almost Homeric
testimony to
the virtues of the old playersand celebration of their
independence.
unflinching
Miss
Nyren continues
:
My grandfatherwas
very
fond of all children,and much
beloved by all Vincent
Novello's family:they called him "Papa Nyren". One
of the daughters,
the late Mary Sabilla Novello, wrote
as
him when
recentlyas 1903, that she well remembered
she was
very young, as being very kind and indulgent
to little children,always ready to join heartilyin all
their merriments".
We
still have
heaps of music
inscribed to him by Vincent
Novello,with all kinds of
and affectionate words.
It was
playful
my grandfather
who firstremarked
the beauty of Clara Novello's voice,
and advised her father to have it carefully
trained.
He
composed three piecesof music which Novello published,
'

"

two

of which
to

Ave

Verum

Byron'sspirited
song

I do not know
of the

"

were

what

"

"

the ment
accompaniFill the Goblet again" ;

the third was.'

drinkingsong

from

Miss

and

givea reproduction
Nyren'scopy.

108

THE

HAMBLEDON

FILL
The

Words

by Lord

GOBLET;

THE

Convivial

"4

MEN

Sony

and

Chorus

BYRON.

.Con

The

SpiritO.M"EL"EI.'.

Met;

10O

Music

by JOHN

NVRXN

VOICE

PI*4J*0

^^

./"r

FORTE

100=

e^

-^w^"

rr^

s^^p

a~... g'ain,for

Gob. Jet

-Ffflthe

nel^ver

be

fore Felt

rf

iTEpe

it*

^i^r
^

^
plow

that

now

g-Iaddensmy

the

heajSL^to

^
its

core

; felt

the

glow that

g-laddensnfy

now

"M

sS
heart

to

core;

Let

"
as

drink '.who would

not?

since thro1

round,

In the

^
r N

j,^

J.let

"...

lone,

-crtr
^
BKNi

"rill18. 0"M""

j PM

^
In

oh. .let

"3=

"V

j.^-^i

a..

lone
,

no

de..

ccp.-.tion is

foft.H

'FILL

CHORUS.

THE

GOBLET

109

110

THE

SECOND

HAMBLEDON

MEN

VERSE

i
wine.

That

friends,
ro...sy

wine,

are

f
,

S
NYKt

N't"rill 111.

II.

i"

so

faith

f,il

as

thon.

'FILL

THE

GOBLET'

111

Turn to
Third \'"rs*

THE

112

i "

i)

HAMBLEDON

MEN

Vcntc

^gs
last.

truth,

as

of

Thuii

yore,

That

wu

find

who

do

not?

B^

MTUNW

truth

as

of

yore,

is

PfP
fill tit Oobl.l

"

the

soul,That

=28^
P

of

in the

ron.

fined

to

the

FILL

Lon|f
The
bet
In

life to the

"UT
u"

the

THE

of

oar

and

grape-;

goblet alone

would
no

vhen

not?

since

deception is

113

it

commer

Bhall giadden my

nectar

drink*, vho

GOBLET1

own

through
found.

flown,

life's varied

round,

114

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

Nyren continues : ' He was himself a temperate

though he wrote the music for this convivial song
good strong ale ". He was quite
panegyric on

Miss
man,

and

"

enthusiastic about

as

much

music

as

the

enjoyedreadingover

and

other music, saying he

sound of each instrument.
'

For

choir

score

could

thirteen

years he
of the choir

master

cricket,and

was

of

in his old age

of Novello's

imagine he heard the

honorary conductor or
St. Mary's, Moorfields,

organist,and five years

death the choir sang, on June 26, 1 842, in memory
his own
Vincent
Ave Verum
", with chorus.
where

Novello

was

"

organ,

and

Miss

after

his

of him
Novello

Dolby and Miss Lucumbe

the solo singers.
and Gamballi
were
He was
an
exceptionally
strong man, as the following
anecdote
will prove.
My father well remembered
going
with his father to see some
great boxing contest, where
there was
a
great crowd, and John Nyren senior felt
in his coat pocket ; he quicklycaught it by the
a hand
the culprit,
wrist and firmlyheld it,lifting
a boy, up
by
it for the crowd
to see, and then let him
go, thinking
him sufficiently
punished.
of my
In one
visits to Belgium an
grandfather's
had never
handled
He
archeryfSte was in progress.
a bow, but
on
being asked to try his skill,did so, and
his correct
enabled
him
to place
eye and steady hand
the arrow
exactlyin the centre of the bull's-eye.
He
asked to shoot again ; but he courteously
was
I
shown
I have
declined, simply saying :
you what
do."
can
Simply ; but shrewdly too, I guess.
'
of business,
John
never
a
Nyren was
good man
being too kind in helping others to enrich himself. He
calico printeron a large scale,but his premises
was
a
burnt down, and he lost a great deal of property.
were
and
his wife were
He
always ready to help those in
of
trouble of any kind, and those who had the privilege
knowing them have told me how all their friends,and
even
or
acquaintances,when in sorrow
any difficulty,
"
old Mr. and Mrs. Nyren ",
to consult
always went
at

was

the

masses

'

'

"

'

KENTISH

BLACK

THE

CHERRY

115

sympathyand advice beingmuch valued,especially

by young people.
Their familyconsisted of two sons and five daughters
;
The eldest son, Henry, never
two others died young.
married ; the youngest son, John William, only did so
their
'

after his father's death, and left three

daughters stillliving. His littleson, the onlygrandson
of John Nyren, who bore his name,
died young, and
buried
of John
close to his grandfather. Three
was
dants,
Nyren'sdaughtersmarried,and have left many descenbut none
named
Nyren. One of his daughters
some

years
"

became

Lady

of

Abbess

the

English

convent

at

Bruges.
My grandfatherwas
very fond of all animals, but
had one or two about
more
dogs ; he generally
especially
bitten by a mad
him. He was
once
one, but happilyno
bad results ensued, though it was
reportedhe had died
'

from

the

effects.

It is

rather curious fact that the

afterwards died from the bite

of Richmond, who
of a tame
fox,and who had a great dread of hydrophobia,
while strolling
about
Lord's cricket ground several
about this very unpleasant
times asked my grandfather
experience; asking many questions and taking much
Duke

interest

in all the details.

"John
Kentish

Nyren was
very partialto the little black
and for many
of his
noble
cherry,
years one
playmates sent him annuallya hamper full of them,
which he alwaysreceived with boyishpleasure,
at once
opening it himself and enjoyingthe fruit with his family
and any children who happened to be with him.
'There
doubt John
is no
Nyren himself wrote the
Young Cricketer's Tutor and Cricketers of My Time;
Cowden
Clarke only edited them.
It was
Cowden
Clarke who
suggested that he should write and print
his cricketing
and very much
amused
and
recollections,
astonished the old gentlemanby the idea.'
Here
Miss Nyren's manuscript ends, bringing us
to controversial ground. Nyren's title-page
describes
of
Cowden
Clarke as the editor,and Clarke's account
"

"

the

HAMBLEDON

THE

116

unconnected
'.

In

book

of the

making

MEN

is that it

compiledfrom
tions
duringconversaas
a
reasonably
'

was

scraps and reminiscences

other words, Clarke
acted

enfranchised

Clarke, in
stenographer.Mrs. Cowden
My Long Life,says something of her husband's share
in Nyren'sbook, referring
to Nyren as
a
vigorousold
had been
famous
friend who
cricketer in his youth
a
and earlymanhood, and who, in his advanced
age, used
and communicate
his cricketing
to come
expressionsto
Charles with chuckling pride and complacent reminiscence
'. One
thing is certain and that is that Clarke,
'

who

wrote

half

so

much

in the

well again

reproductionof

the

Nyren

wrote
never
life,
and this is an important

of his duties

in favour

of evidence

piece

for

as

of his

course

old

the

being chiefly

cricketer's racy

talk.

I think in the Taller,Leigh Hunt's paper, an

of a match by Cowden
Clarke,which
description
original
have

seen,

contains

the

suggestionof

no

time, I

same

the

of
spirit

confess that

must

cricket

which

cause

us

from John
festivity
quote below, is also so
to

wish that Cowden

his friend then

work

alone

The
Clarke

as

of John

best account

for the

wrote

unlike
Clarke

the two

when

the

had

'

amiable

Father

societyof
'

My

in

all

Nyren

did

the

was

mercantile
"

I declare he

and
was

men.'
"

; for

more

yet thoroughlymanly

reporting

such

spirited

book,

the

'Since

in

of this little work, the

the

gathered to
Clarke
"

"
"

acceptation of the
in the

to

as

of their

good Catholic

"good

hand,
'

Cowden

Cowden

"

of

is that which

edition

been

At

together.

First Edition

of it has

good

old friend

Catholic
and

the

'.

Tutor

been

1840, after Nyren's death, beginning thus

of
publication

Tutor

unaided

the

man

were

second

'

little sketch

Nyren's

Neither

also.

the

true

continues

:
"

good,"I mean,

term

sense

eternal

"

"warm

of the

word

and gentle-hearted,
singleman

never

knew

one

of others, more
forbearingtowards the failings
fully
cheermore
unobtrusively
principles,
steady in his own
free from cant and humbug of every
pious; more
description.
more

YOUTH

AT

SEVENTY

117

possessedan instinctive admiration of everything

both in nature and art. He was
fond
good and tasteful,
of flowers,
and music, and pictures; and he rarelycame
to visit us without bringingwith him a choice specimen
of a blossom, or some
other natural production; or a
manuscript copy of an air which had given him pleasure.
with these simple delights,
And
in hand
he
so, hand
to the last,
went
on
walking round his garden on the
morning of his death.
Mr.
a
Nyren was
remarkably well-grown man,
standingnearly 6ft.,of large proportions throughout,
He
had a bald, bullet
big-boned,strong, and active.
head, a prominent forehead, small features,and little
sincere
as
as
an
deeply-sunken eyes. His smile was
infant's. If there were
any deception in him, Nature
herself was
in giving him
to blame
those insignificant,
shrouded
They made no show of observation,but
eyes.
Not
to their master.
a
they were
perfectministers
ever
thing,not a motion
escaped them in a company, how'

He

'

Here

numerous.

as

Cricketer.

remember

never

honest

but

admiration

heard

of his eminence

secret
to

have

seen

him

at the
batting,and fielding
He
point,highlycommended.
scarcelyever spoke of
himself,and this modesty will be observed
throughout
his littleBook.
He had not a spark of envy ; and, like
all men
of real talent,he always spoke in terms
of

play;

I have

one

was

his

of the merits

of others.'

reviewing the Young

Cricketer s Tutor ('Messrs. Clarke and Nyren's pleasant
littlerelishing
book"),in the London Journal for May 21,
It is a pitythe reader cannot
have the pleasure
1834 :
of seeing Mr. Nyren, as we
have had.
His appearance
and generalmanner
are
as
eloquenta testimonyto the

Leigh

Hunt

wrote

thus,when

'

of his game

any that he or his friend has put

upon paper. He is stilla sort of youthat seventy,hale and
vigorous,and with a merry twinkle of his eye, in spite
merits

of

an

accident

some

as

years ago"
of his age to

shattered most men

and
to him in life still,

to

fall
"

that would

have

pieces. A long innings

all friends round

the wicket.'

THE

118
It
that

was

HAMBLEDON

few weeks

MEN

after this review

of

Nyren's book

Leigh Hunt

printedin the London Journal a letter

from the old cricketer (notso old as he had been called,
which
is notable
however),describinga cricket festival,
for the masterlyway in which
he avoids describing
chiefly
the match
itself. If ever
a reader
was
disappointed,
!
It is as though Paderewski
here
it is surely
stepped
recited a poem
with
to the piano and
; or Cinquevalli,
all his juggling implements about
him, delivered a
But
the little article has such a pleasant
lecture.
must
na'ivete that we
forgivethe omissions.
"

To

the Editor of the London

'

Bromley,Middlesex,
'

'

Dear

My
'

at

The

wise

day was
givingyou a

25

1834.

of the East invited

umpire

againstthe bachelors.

men

highly interesting,and
short account

to stand

me

I cannot

If you

of it.

can

forbear
take

thing
anyI
for
the descriptiongive you
your paper, do
you like ; this will be only a rough sketch.

from

way

I call these

at

men

match, the married

The

they will

June

Sir,

cricket

it any

Journal.

not

gentlemen

'

suffer their

the East End

the wise
names

men

in

of the

print,and

East

they

',as
live

of London.

place of our destination I

and delightedat the beautiful scene
both surprised
was
which lay before me.
Several eleganttents, gracefully
and festoons of flowers,had been
decked
out with flags
'

When

we

arrived

fitted up for the

at

the

convenience

of these,very many,

were

of the

ladies ; and many

elegantand beautiful women.

the power of beautyI remember

! Seats were
placedbeneath
yet". I am onlysixty-eight
the wide-spreadingoaks, so as to form groups in the

am

not

seventy

; and

"

Beyond these were

targets for ladies,mho love
the cricket ground in front.
archery,
and each party as
The carriages
poured in rapidly,
shade.
'

MAN'S

119

POSTSCRIPT

they entered the ground was received

by such of their friends as had arrived
this time a band of music
entered
could perceivethe ladies' feathers
the music, and quite ready for
band gave us that fine old tune

with loud

cheers

before them.

At

ground, and I
gracefully
waving to
dancing. However, the
the

The

"

Roast Beef of Old

England".
all
largebooth, which accommodated
our
party ; a hundred and thirtysat down to the dejeuner.
Our chairman
was
young, but old in experience. Many
excellent speecheswere
made ; and ever
and anon
the
whole placerang with applause. After this the dancing
commenced
quadrilles,
gallopade,etc., etc. It was,
without
exception,the most splendidsight that I ever
of the descriptions
witnessed,and reminded one far more
read of fairyland
than of any scene
in real life. The
we
till the dew
of
dancing was kept up with great spirit,
of our
fair
heaven
the bosoms
on
softlydescended
'

entered

We

"

countrywomen.
'Not

damp

the
with

been

happened to
singleunfortunate occurrence
pleasureof this delightfulparty. Had you
us

you

would

have sung

"

Oh,

the Pleasures

of

have so few of
How
the Plains ", etc., etc.
is it that we
these parties? Can any party in a house compare
with

God

it ?

bless you and

yours.
'JOHN

cricket match
The
P.S.
bachelors winning by three runs
'

"

was

Leigh Hunt, whose attitude to

always paternal,appends some
:

'

"

"

world !

"

well

contested, the

only.'1
his contributors and readers
I quote
notes, of which
of fashion means
St. James's

The man
of trade means
the Exchange, and a good,
man
by it ; the mere
But
of sense
mistrust.
and
and imagimen
cricketers,
prudent
nation,
who use all the eyes and faculties God has given them,
with sunset, lovelywith
His beautiful planet,
mean
gorgeous
fields,magnificent with mountains"
a great rolling
green
energy,
full of health, love, and hope, and fortitude,and endeavour.
Compare this world with the others no better than a billiard
ball or a musty plwn.'

one

The

was

NYREN.

"

120

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

the
(of which
present
reprint *)stands alone in English

book

Nyren's
modern

the

is

fourth

literature.

It

The only
predecessor ; it has had no successor.
find worthy to place beside
piece of writing that I can
it is Hazlitt's descriptionof Cavanagh, the fives player,
had

no

which

is full of

and

have

love.

or

year

fact that
so

being

name

'character

Rugby,
down

Tom

written

is

',if

world

the

"

have

to

very

single
saw

its

players

any

wider

for

allowed

not

of his old

one

it worth

had

been

Nyren died
livingfor

royal palace
he

visits

Bromley

June

on

time, with

some

If the

reader

Kensington

Museum

there.

South

at

to

"

"

to
me

at

set

very

bustle

of

istic
journalHe

28, 1837-

his son,
the next

of

one

while

seems

was

pupils

unfortunate, and very significant. In the new

matches, and
county championships, too many
individuals
are
exploitation,
being lost.
John

the

There

; but

one

die,

to

worth

sign.

That

him.

and

tribute

serious

ever

must

very much
will collect about
the
was

thought
of

celebration

any

keep

one

I doubt

Emmett

associates, not

or

seems

But

of admiration

comes

way

literature

without

ago,

friends

his old

other

no

of real merit.

really great

The

pitch.
a

is

gusto that

inter-county game
public, too commercial,

be

to
more

any

There

too

grown

treatment

if

the

"

friends ; the

one's

to

gusto

in

the

time

will make

old

that

point

of

from
Bromley Palace
seeing the carved overmantel
which
him
is preserved there, he will have before
a
very
the
of
old cricketing gentleman, for
tangible memento
taken
from
it was
when
the house
was
Nyren's room
down.
pulled

The

others

Cooper's
belongs
merits

and

the

were

Mr.
honour

of the work.

Observer

that

Messrs.

Sonnenschein's,

Mr.

AshleyWhibley, I believe,
Whibley's. To Mr.
of discovering or re-discoveringthe literary
It

first sent

was

his

many

praise of
readers

it in the

to the

Scots

or

original.

National
E. V. L.

NYREN'S
BY

IT

REV.

THE

somewhere

was

that

that

cricket

and

great

decisive

first began

MITFORD

JOHN
the

between

years

improvement

to

it

now

1770

and

took

place, and
The

pretty
Hants, was

possesses.

in
sequestered village of Hambledon,
of the
the nursery
best
players ; the down
of their
Halfpenny the arena
glory, the
ennobled
by their victories, and sometimes

and

their

and

Sir

blood.2

the

of

and

were,

Mann

Horace

promoters

the

were

deserving

Marathon

of

as

John

Dorset
and

patrons

Small

them

of

many

than

lasting fame

of

name

enriched

Duke

great

Great

more

the

time

game.

attained, the

have

that

At

Broad

of

"

with

1780,

truly skilful and

that

assume

which

character

scientific

BOOK1

shines

they
in

out

Him
lustre.
followed
dous
Brett, the tremenpre-eminent
and
bowler, and Barber
bowling
Hogsflesh,whose
also admirable,
was
a
they had
high delivery and
"

and

lengths ;

certain

who

batter

stand

can

perplexities. Tom
and
a
giant's paw
the

Off
to

woe

hasten
have
shout
1

those
on.

These

review

The

The

of

blooa

and

of

when

ball, as
him

to

great

emulation

of hands,

from
'

any

if hands

his

in

is

Tutor

may

and

must

we

E. V.

are

the

to

bring

acquainted

be called, that

again.

Gentleman's

L.
shed

however,

but

them

the

in

from

fingers of

shattered,

so

enough
we

But

reach

never

seldom,

fingers;

"

tive.
destrucgun

meet

to

(forgreat they truly were

!)
of ball, or sight of bat, or

men

are

from

the game

in

bent,

so

they

eye

if fired

September,1833.
cricketer

eye,

confounding
of an
eagle,

he" rushed

Cricketer's

Young

common

certain, decisive, and

was

part of his body but

cricketer, so scarred,
contorted, so venerable

than

more

the

sound
long been where
of applauding friends,will

Magazine, July
a

had

and

opposed

"

long against such

the

went

be

must

Sueter

stroke

ball, his

he

so

tears

with

shape

any
old

an

indented,
of envy

such
have

so

and

pair

none:

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

122

by side
sigh have

churchyardof Hambledon,
breathed over
their peaceful
and many
we
a
We
must
GeorgeLeer, called Little
pass over
graves.
George ', but great in everythingbut stature ; and
Aburrow
Edward
', who
nobody knows
why was
Curry ; and Peter Steward, for his
always called
We
called 'Buck'.
cannot
say 'they had
spruceness
crated
conseno
are
poet, and they died ; for their names
in the followinglines :
lie side

They

in the

'

"

"

'

'

'

Buck, Curry, and

Hogsflesh,Barber and Brett,

swiftness in bowling was
ne'er equall'dyet,
almost
forgot(they deserve a large bumper)
Sueter
the
George the long stop, and Tom

Whose
I had
Little

stumper.
Such

the

sustained
to

the chief

were

them

phalanx !
of the

fate of the

the

are

names

Come

forth

of iron

man

and

nerve,

forth,Tom Lumpy! l
cellar,and well-stored

forth

come

larder,of

thy companions in fame, Shock White,

and
Miller the gameJohnny Wood
keeper,

thee

"

Frame, and
whose

! thou

greatest patron the Earl of Tankerville,

thy first and

bring with
and

modern

Come

well-filled

the

arms

Troy ; but opposed

of enemies
arrayedin formidable
! thou prideof Surrey! thou prince

bowlers

ancient

never-failing
eye.
from

heroes, the valour of whose

alike

was

eye

sure

at

woodcock

or

ball.
Reader

! if thou

noble game,

"

hast

if thou

any love or knowledge of this

hast any delightin traversingthe

fields of

of departed
glory,or visitingthe scenes
genius,or hanging a slender wreath on the monument
who
deserved
of men
richer sepulchre, shut your
a

ancient

"

eyes

for

one

moment

to

the

follies and

vanities

of

passing events, and believe yourselfwalking in a fine

of Broad
summer
morning on the down
Halfpenny,
the
of
know
match.
commencement
You
a
waiting
the scenery
sweep

of that

of its beechen
1

His

secluded

vale ; the

the
forests,
real

name

was

fine

beautiful

Stevens.

undulating
and

varie-

THE

TWO

MANNS

123

of the ocean, the blue hills of

gated turf,the glittering
the Isle of Wight looming in the distance,and the elmy
in the bottom.
gardensand half-wild orchards sprinkled
Well ! believe yourself
transportedthere ; and now
fashion and indolence
ten (theold hour, before modern
had superseded it)has struck ; a few cricketers in their
"

dress,1 and

white

down

and

farmers

"

and

bustle

is

of

groups

from
and farm, from
assembled
grange
all
to the hills of Petersfield, and
now

rustics, have
Exton

numerous

expectation.

shout

turn

"

to

the

Mann
know
who
it is ; Noah
instantly
from North Chapel in Sussex,who lately
joinedthe club,
and who
rides at least twenty miles every Tuesday to
practise. Look at those handkerchiefs on the ground !
Riding at full speed,he stoops down, and collects every
You

right!

may

effort.

without

one

stroke of his is
the

legs. He never
benefited
by the
celebrated

of ten

hit

played with
Sun.

never

he got

in which

He

runs.

One

hitter.

severe

short, and

was

chest, large hips, and

gipsy, broad

as

was

remembered,

now

number

immense

black

even

Mann

The
is to

hat

his

followed

that

roar

it
forgotten,

be

spider
complexion
Mann's
like the

was

rushingof a cataract ; it came

pouring from a thousand
and
lungs. And there is his namesake
opponent, Sir
outside
the ground, cutting
Horace, walking about
down
the daisies with his stick
as
gentle he, as the
simpleflowers which he was strewing beside him !
"

That

stout, well-made

Ayltvard,the
Aylward once
a

hundred

seen

to

The
modern.

farmer.
stood

and
have

old
The

in

man

Glory
in

and

whole

two

called

by

is James

Mann

honour

be

to

days, and
Soon

sixty-seven runs.
been

with

Sir Horace

him.

scored

after,he
Mann

was

into

differentlyfrom
gentlemen always played in breeches and

cricketers

were

stockings; the players,as

gold binding,and ribbons

dressed

the
silk
hats with

Lord
Winchelsea's, wore
The
of particular
colour.
present
dress is inconvenient
well as unbecoming ; for trowsers may
as
of the ball. Mr. Budd
be in the way
the last cricketer
was
who wore
the old dress.

HAMBLEDON

THE

124

of the

field; a short

them

it

corner

between

MEN

mysterious, in

was

took

place
under-tone,

conversation
an

sive
deci; but it was
glancesof circumspection
after was
James
:
parted ; and never
they soon
Club.
The next time
Aylward seen at the Hambledon
he was
its opponents, and
was
arrayed,
fighting
among
When
banners.
under Sir Horace's
Aylward affected
grandeur,he used to call for a lemon after he had been
in but a short time : this was
a
high piece of affectation
with

short

for

farmer,

That
nor

it

"

who

man

will

ever

was

thy scraggy
thick
at the
legs,
flesh,nor

of the heroic.

takes

bat,has not, perhaps,

the

superior. Stand up, Tom Walker !

frame, thy apple-Johnface,thy spider-

have,

ankles

of the

bark

fine touch

now

show

like the

at

as

Hainault
skin.

blood, nor

the
oak

He

hips,thy knuckles
Tom

all

was

had

neither

muscle, tendon,

covered with the hide of the rhinoceros.

gristle,
might as well attempt to get Wellington from a
of battle,or Bentleyfrom a Greek
poet, as to get
from

his wicket.

bowling
other

him

to

four fine
his

in with

sent

were

Lord

Once

Frederick

Beauclerk

You

field
Tom
was

length balls one after the

Lordship'sfinished science ;

his
they all went before the bat, and off went
founded
Lordship'swhite hat, as usual, callinghim fa conI doant care
old beast '.
nothingwhatsomeer
ship
ee
zays,'quoth Tom, and on he went, layinghis Lorddown
in the finest styleand the coolest temper.
Tom
the Devil's
was
a
farmer, and his land lay near
down

"

Punch-bowl.
Next
he

was

stout

baker

like

on,

at

for

He

good
we

Achilles himself.

called

Farnham,

cob.

batter,and
hasten

Wells

John

came

was

servant

are

at

'

Honest

well-set

John
man,

good

length arrived

Stop, reader, and

at

look,

short,and

bowler and
of all work ; but we

'

Wells

the

steady
must

tent

if thou

of
art

that venerable
with reverence
and awe
on
cricketer,
of the once
the remains
and aged form ! These
are
and unrivalled WILLIAM
BELDHAM, called
great, glorious,
a

for love and

respect,and

for his flaxen locks and

his fair

'SILVER

complexion, '

Silver

BILLY'

Billy'.

125

Beldham

was

close-set,

five feet

about

eight inches. Never was

such a player! so safe,so brilliant,
spect
so
quick,so circumable in counsel, so active in the field ; in
; so
deliberation so judicious,
in execution
tremendous.
so
It mattered
he bowled,
not to him who bowled, or how
fast or slow, high or low, straight
bias ; away
flew
or
the ball from his bat, like an
eagle on the wing. It
Beldham
to see
rise to strike ;
a study for Phidias
was
the grandeur of the attitude,the settled composure
of the look, the piercing lightningof the eye, the
electrical.
Men's hearts
rapidglance of the bat, were
throbbed
within them, their cheeks turned paleand red.
Michael
Angelo should have paintedhim. Beldham was
the cut.
great in every hit, but his peculiarglory was
Here
he stood with no man
beside him, the laurel was

active

man,

all his

own

seemed
the

; it

was

like the cut

on

springsof the

to turn

ball,as Burke

wind

and

did the House

water

Beldham

not

He

racket.

His

wrist

finest steel.

He

took

of

between

Commons,

moment

still survives.

of

too

lives

near

soon

or

Farnham

late.
; and

his kitchen, black with age, but, like himself,still

with
untouched
tories
hangs the trophy of his vicworms,
of his
exercise
; the delightof his youth, the

in

and

manhood,

the

glory of

his age
his BAT.
Reader !
I tell you I trembled
I touched
when
of profaneness,
act
of violation. I

believe me, when

it ; it seemed
an

pressedit
room

to

not

David

ever

and
lips,

returned it to its sanctuary.

Ultimus
Romanorum
find
can
', we
Harris.
Who
knows
is David
commemorate,
to

my
the
last,

The

Odiham

Harris
in

'

Harris

rejoicedin

dead.

"

the

when

was

Hants,

an

finest bowler whom

living,or

lamented

the
over

world

when

by trade a potter, and lived at

honest, plainfaced
(intwo senses),
'

Good
David Harris
he was
called ; of
worthy man.
strict principle,
high honour, inflexible integrity; a
character on which scandal or calumny never
dared to
breathe.
A good cricketer,
like a good orator, must be
honest
orators
an
man
are
compared to the
; but what
'

126

HAMBLEDON

THE

There

of cricket.

men

orators

Many
deliver
enemy,

men
a

there

good

ball.

but Harris

Cicero

once

Harris

once

have

never

make

can

MEN
been
but

was

hundred,

David

one

but
good speeches,
throw
can
Many men

could

overthrow

the

few
down

sand
thou-

Harris.
men

can

strong

strongest wicket.

undermined

the conspiracyof Catiline ; and

laid prostrate even
the stumps of Beldham.

It is said that

utterlyimpossibleto convey with

the pen an idea of the grand effect of Harris's bowling.
His attitude,when
preparing to deliver the ball, was
masculine, erect, and appalling. First,he stood like
at drill,
a soldier
upright. Then with a gracefuland
elegant curve, he raised the fatal ball to his forehead,
and drawing back
his rightfoot, started off. Woe
be
did not know
how
to the unlucky wight who
to stop
! his fingers
would
these cannonades
be ground to dust
against the bat, his bones pulverized,and his blood
scattered
heard

over

to

it is

field.

the

say, that

Lord

Harris's

F. Beauclerk

bowling

was

has
one

of

been
the

the Pantheon,
Like
grandest sightsin the universe.
in Akenside's
Hymn, it was
simplyand severelygreat'.
Harris was
at
terriblyafflicted with the gout; it was
length difficult for him to stand ; a great armchair was
and after the
therefore always brought into the field,
of the ball,the hero sat down
calm
in his own
delivery
and simple grandeur,and reposed. A fine tribute this,
amid the tortures
of disease !
to his superiority,
even
If,like Sallust and Hume, we may venture
our
parison
com'

of the relative merits

of two

should

illustrious men,

we

with

Lumpy that,
pitchinga wicket,
where his ball would rise. Lumpy endeavoured
to gain
the advantage of a declivity
where
his might shoot.
Harris
considered
his partner'swicket
as
carefully
his
as
own.
Lumpy attended only to himself.
well pitched as Harris's, but
as
Lumpy's ball was
delivered lower,and never
got up so high. Lumpy was
say, in contrastingHarris
Harris always chose a ground when

also

pace

or

two

slower.

Lumpy gained more

wickets

than

Harris

; but

then

VALEDICTORY
fewer notches

playerswere
Fennex,

as

but

Harris

We

got from Harris's bowling ; and more

caught out. Now and then a great batter,
were

Beldham,

or

would

beat

;
Lumpy entirely
always to be feared.

alwaysgreat, and

was

must

127

draw

now

Unwillinglydo

brief

our

memoirs

to

close.

drop the pen.

Very pleasanthas
recollections.
task been, delightfulour
our
Farewell,
and
Windmill
Hill !
ye smiling fields of Hambledon
beloved
Farewell ye thymy pastures of our
Hampshire,
and farewell ye spiritsof the brave, who
still hover
over

we

fields of your inheritance.

eleven ! fare ye well ! in these

the

least,your

shall be

names

be, deprived of the

fallen,and

Thebes

trious
illus-

What

would

at

life

of

has

you? Troy
pride of Athens

The

ruin.

and

fleeting
pages

enrolled.

recollection
is

Great

is

dust.
The
is crumbling to the
decayed, and Rome
philosophyof Bacon is wearing out ; and the victories
of Marlborough have
overshadowed
been
by fresher
laurels. All is vanity but CRICKET
; all is sinking in
Greatest of all elevens,fare ye well !
oblivion but you.
That the scientific displayof Cricket we
now
see, was
not

tillabout

made

for this

; that

reason

fine inventive

down

all have

since

first person

made

we

who

of these

Great

to them

trace

can

parts of the

kind

same

of

of the

most

cut the

is clear

Walker

Tom

science.

Men

his own,
stylepeculiarly
attempted to follow. Beldham

in
bail-ball,

the time

laid

and

that

was

the

ball,and therefore

plan ; for he
obtained some
was
tent
merely conruns, while the former
the
fine accomplished old
ball. That
to
stop
has often (as we
cricketer Fennex
sat together in a
winter
our
evening over
gin and water, discoursing
till the morning star appeared, on
beloved
even
our
I say he has often told us, that he was
the
science),
an

improvement

who
first person
ever
before it had time to

been

much
and

on

the

in

went
rise

to

former

and

the

bail.

by his informingus
of his father,who
indignation
amused

batsman, when

he

firstbeheld

down

laid

And

ball

have

we

of the astonishment
was

this innovation.

good
'

old

Hey

HAMBLEDON

THE

128
!

hey

! what

boy

is this ?

sensible

MEN

do

call that

you
of the

'

play?

But

safetyand excellence
alike the fingersand the
of the practice; which
saves
wickets
first-rate top-bailer.Sueter was
from
the
a
first wicket-keeper
having not
; that part of the game
he

attended

been

before ; and

to

the first who

was
a

became

soon

by

of

at
long-stop

to

pass, and

a ball
suffering
ground. There

never
perfection,

to

once

gave his balls

brought the province

Freemanlle

to the wicket.

twist

covering

great deal of

Boxall

of the wrist

turn

believe that

we

besides these.
Boorman, and
good men
Booker, and Ring, and Purchase, and Clifford
(the last
excellent as a bowler),and Crosoer,cum
multis aliis.
The
match
remembered
the predeis even
when
now
cessors
of these men,
the old players (including
the
elder Small),were
brought against the improvedHambledon
school, and beaten in a masterly and decisive
were

some

manner.

Some

of

superb.

In

the

second
20th

the White
second

he

brought his bat

gained 102. Beldham's
1787,

innings he obtained

six

63

was

get

20

scored

runs,

pretty

also very
1

while
even

Tom
at

Walker
the

quick in getting up

Harry Walker

95

with

out

in

his

him;

in

runs

first appears

name

end.
his

England,against
In his
picked men.

runs.

keep his bat, his eyes, or

generallyrun out, as in this

could

White

the side of

on

Club, with

Conduit

and

were

Mary-la-bonne),

of

number

amazing

June

Kent

the father of the

innings, and

the

on

the

1786,

about

scores

played against

(whichwas

scored

first

Walker's

match

Club

Conduit
Tom

Tom

his

Beldham

never

and
legs still,

would

He

instance.

he

got 2, though they

Harry
score

Walker1

; but

not

so

was

safe

left-handed
Harris,
player ; so was
Freemantle, Aylward,
Brazier, and Clifford ; so that they had
At this day, our
fine bowlersamong
left-handed
them.
some
It
batters are superb ; but they have no bowlers of eminence.
is however
make
match
to
of
the
a
left-handedagainst
proposed
All England, next July. There
is a glory accompanying the
of all. Mills of Kent, Hayward of Cambridge, Marsden,
names
Searle, lead the van.
was

MR.

MITFORD

CRIES

'ICHABOD!1

129

he imitated,
his illustriousbrother,whom
reverenced,
and loved. In lookingover
the listof matches
carefully
for twenty years, we
shall find no scores
the average
on
at all approachingthose of the elder Walker and Beldham
;
thus clearlyevincingtheir superiority.But we
must
close the
in our
hasten on
narrative,and reluctantly
gates of historyon these two unrivalled men.
Beldham s name
appeared for the last time in a match
played in Lord's Ground, on the 23rd July,1821, of the
It was
match
a
Playersof England against the Club.
as

who gained 113 runs

dignified
by the fine playof Beagley,
without
his bat
being out. Beldham
brought away
garlandedwith the victories of fortyyears, with a score
Tom
Walker reof 23, and his innings stillunfinished.
signed
of
the combat
25th
the
on
June, 1812, on Highdown
Hill in Sussex.
had appeared; his
Others' names
old compeers, the veterans by whose side he had so long
frowned, stamped,and gruntedJ,were
gone ; and it is a
relief to us to see him disappear
should shudder
; how we
to read the speechesof William
Pitt,and Charles Fox,
in answer
to Messrs. Hume,
Cobbett, and Faithfull : to
their names
would
be profanation
in conjunction,
see
;
could not hold them
the same
chamber
; they ought not
to speak the same
Vestris,or Mrs.
language. Madame
Honey (Honey sweeter than the sweetest produce of
Narbonne),might as well be shut up in a cage with
stand by the side of
monkeys, as the son of Chatham
Messrs.

Hambledon

Evans
rank

and
with

Warburton;

or

the Ladbrokes

the

and

hero
Lowthers

old

of
of

modern

days.
Fennex,who (thank God !)is still alive,and who at
76 will bring down
that is not carefully
any wicket
guarded,has been providentially
preservedto show us
1

Tom

Walker
would never
speak to any one, or give any
he
when
at
the wicket.
in
His tongue was
answer
was
tied,
surrendered to the struggle. But he
as his soul and body were
used to give such "ffrunt,if perchance a shooting ball was
too
scribed
quick for him and brought him down, as I have heard deto be very like that of a broken-winded
horse, only of
a deeperbass.
I

HAMBLEDON

THE

130

ante-Homeric

the

what

MEN

heroes

He

were.

the first

was

single-wicketplayer of his day ; for his bat and ball

He
beat at one
were
equallyto be dreaded.
innings
who
had
three
beat
Mitcham
Robinson.
the
He
players,
had vanquished Patroclus.
slew Hector
who
His batting
was
(sayw) as elegantas strong ; his knowledge of every
in
was
astonishing
point of play complete. His fielding
and in the space of ground he could cover
its activity,
;
far more
swift and tremendous
and his bowling was
than
Harris's.

even

would

We

(forhis age will

bowler in England.
balls

! do

Reader
are,

you

pretty children
account

on

your Pope Joan

it won't
do.

parlour,and
oak

table

the

jug

of

score

continue)againstany

affronted ! but

of

winter

fireside.

evening

In vain

pleasureof your dear young wife,and your

and your good old aunt,
(a boy and girl),
of her will,
and your cat and cigar,and

talk of the

good

for

now

you, whoever
you
of
have
idea
no
singleblessedness,

in

the real comfort

him

let him

not

be

not

married, or

back

your elder wine.

and

the

Peep through

behold

(itis

of hot

envy.
with
the
nine),

now

water, and

my

me

snug
small

is the

There

pint of Geneva

snuff-box

the

of

shutter

and

me

! believe

No

and

smilingon

it.

bat, the practice one, lies on the small

for exemplificahorsehair sofa,as occasionally
tions,
necessary
cricket

One

Harry Bentley'svolume

and
beside
open
field. There
he is
and

Do

it.

you
sits,mark

he

tellingof

the ball is

catch
of

hundreds

eyes
he calls to
the
the
runs

he made

above

what

in

life the

He

Richmond,

handicap
by it. How

and
glisten,

ghost

the

of 6
my

was

! his

is

of the

gesture !

years since,
taken instantly
50

of whose

side he

was,

for him.

She
guineas
heart throbs,and my

fearful suspense
of

matches

master

his animation

againin the air.

up to the Duchess
and she
made
a
won

him?

see

of the

sit,when

magnificenthit,fresh

as

I see
century has intervened.
ball running at Moulsey Hurst, that fetched
ten
off Beldham's
bat in 1787, as plainlyas if it were

life,
though

in my

own

field.

half

FENNEX'S

TRICK

131

the trick he played Butler Danvers,when

he
into the field dressed as a countryman, and was
came
taken in unconsciously,
merely to fill up the eleven ;
Then

"

slylook of Lord Winchelsea, as slyand as black as

all black),
a
(ithad been
gipsy's(the Finches were
them) ; his delight,when they sent
planned between
the

him

down

tent, to select whatever

to the

dress he chose

joy,when he heard Countryman,you take

the bat to begin with ',and the consternation
among
the enemy's forces,when
notches
scored
were
eighty
by him. You should hear of the day,when Manchester
the flower of youth fall before him ; when
he might
saw
to

wear

have

his

'

thousands,if he had

won

had

them

stake.

to

Or

(nor Europe nor Asia ever beheld

from the Sigaean promontory, or on
seen
such, never
the banks of Simois)
that even
now
(twicetwenty years
have passed since)
will alone immortalize
the plainsof
Wisbech.
scandal,
Midnight sounds in vain. Politics,
borough,
Tories,Whigs, my Lord Grey, and the Bishopof Peterthat

singlecombat

and
and

the last

Lady

nothing,idle
the world

how

fillthe

ask,

'

John

all solicit attention

all and

can

tumblers

What

was

Wells

get

without

which
But

interest

the

known
un-

they seem

one

wonders

anew

young
his runs

such toys. We
time I
; and for the hundredth
Smalts favourite hit ? How
did
'

Behold

the

bringingup your sons (why

the love of subjects
which cannot

never
we

in vain

Honour,

trouble itself about

parents,of

?)to

of

Farquhar'ssplendidbreakfast,and

tongues,
as

the Maids

story about

advantage,ye
ters
your daughbe exhausted,

not

tire.
must

hasten

on.

"

The

first time

see

Lord

Fred. Beauclerk's name,

the 2nd June, 1791is on
Fennex
played with Marylebourn against Kent.

his

He
and
they beat their adversaries by

Lordshipbowled, and
one
innings and 113 runs ; in fact,it appears by the
and Beldham, got out the
score, that Fennex,Beauclerk,
For thirty
whole field between
them.
years after this,
his Lordship stood as the most
accomplishedcricketer
in England. In batting he was
brought up in the
K

HAMBLEDON

THE

132
of

school

Beldham, and
slow

he

MEN

quite as

was

kind

fine.

He

duced
intro-

of

bowling, which
and Beagley,and the
was
very effective ; till Saunders
new
players,destroyed it,by rushing in, and drivingit
Though his Lordship has given up the bat some
away.
have seen
enough of his practice to say that
years, we
his execution
not
was
eminently beautiful,and certainly
equallednow.
of Hammond, the famous wicketExcepting the name
the players,
keeper, and Ray (a good batter),
among
and
those of Tufton,Col. Upton,and Bligh,among
the
much
the
gentlemen, the old list of players remained
a

home-and-easy

till about

same,

the

year

1804.

Then

the

of

names

(the father of cricket,and the great fautor of

the Marylabonne Club),
and of Budd, first appear.
The
latter gentleman resigned last year, after near
thirty
years'displayof the finest science ; and his departureis
much
lamented.
His
excellent,his hits
fieldingwas
good, was
strong and scientific ; but his bowling, once
of
no
longer of avail. A little before this,the name
Lambert
those of the players. Take
first appears
among
him
in every
department of the game, we believe he
has been
the first
esteemed
as
playerthat ever appeared.
and
His
driving,a good
batting was
straightforward,
deal resembling that of Mr. Ward
; who
appears to have
been
instructed
His bowling was
excellent,
by him.
A splendidsingle-wicket
and had a considerable twist.
match
been
in 1806, to have
played by him,
appears,
Aislabie

Robinson, and Beldham, against Bennett, Fennex, and

Lord
The
F. Beauclerk, and won
play
by the former.
for
hits
Lambert
from
have
been
must
117
very fine,
obtained

only

[Ibreak

13

runs.

the article here because

speak onlyof

his

these

belong

however

should

come

Mitford

goes

on

to

Caldecourt,
Lillywhite,
Pilch (hisparticular
hero),

contemporaries

Harenc, Marsden
and

Mr.

"

and
to

Fuller

the

great,are

fore,
age, and thereBut if a time
here.
interlopers
new

E. V.

round-arm

L.]

HAMBLEDON

THE

OLD

THE
BY

have

WHAT

CLUB
PLAYERS

REV.

THE

PYCROFT.

JAMES

of

become

the

old

the

Paulet, and

Dehaney,
What
Gauls
the

the

such

all

and

painting

of

cricket.

M.C.C.

the

E.

we

H.

'

has
Regent's Canal
Lord's', and
ground

the
our

Here
of

and

Dehaney

and

the

old

And
wrote

said

an

Old

Charles

perished

the

oldest
of

account

the

over

the

; but

to

whom

of

Square/
where

Pavilion'.
old
was

papers

burnt,

flames

in the

the

room

old

still called

the

looked

Pie

annalist

and

dining-room

to

Lord's
the

years

'

is

cricketers

the

Clarke,

three

cut,

chronicler

borrowed

Nyren
Cowden

Mann

Sir H.

scores

now,

have

time

many

our

that

Dorset

by

for

to
at

the

to

by the

Lane

mercy

"

been

since

'

of

was

Pavilion

out

played

we

burnt

London

Pudding

built

were

Book

its records

fire of

saved

was

Budd,

and

it is

"

All

earliest

17 80 ;
year
made
by

matches

of the

burning

the

Mann

from

score-books

When

'

Mr.

says

old

the

the

was

of

the

walk

his

in

from

Rome

what

"

the

Bentley's

Horace
of

Niebuhr

antiquary
"

Sir

destruction

to

was

Corner

and

scores

of
cricket?
game
Matches
gives the principal games
the
earlier
records
where
but
are
of

records

AND

of

pen

of

John

Old
his
our

Keats

Nyren,
time.

kind

who

The
friend

dedicated

rejoiced in the friendship of Charles

Elia
could
and
but
have
to
Lamb;
none
a
spirit akin
like 'Old
written
a fine old
Nyren '. Nyren was
English
and
cricket
Mr. Clarke
whose
has
chivalry was
;
yeoman,
his vivid descriptions and
animated
faithfullyrecorded
recollections.
in
And, with this charming little volume
I made
at my
tour
button, in 1837
hand, and inkhorn
a
few
the
and
the
Beldham,
cottages of William
among

an

epistle,and

who

134

HAMBLEDON

THE

survivingworthies
also the

advantage of

from

taken

time

many

happy

am

of the

to

William

cricket

MS.

winter's

attempt the best

admits,of

From

generation; and, having

by the Rev. John Mitford,
evening with Old Fennex, I

same

MS.

MEN

Ward,

in the

friend

my

olden

time.

received

from

that

it appears

that the

account

the

the

wickets

lapseof
late Mr.

placed

were

twenty-two yardsapart as long since as the year 1700 ;

that stumps were
then only one
foot high,but two feet
wide.

The

width

is rendered

there
two

with

of

the
days, width enough between
cutting the wide blockhole already

for
and

also because

bails

"

stump laid

one

We
of

and

have doubted
; but it
persons
that
by the auxiliaryevidence

those

in

stumps

stumps

to

credible

was,

mentioned,

some

"

read

we

whereas

now

we

formerlyof

ftwo

hear

of

stumps

'.

across

informed, also,that putting down the wickets

make
out in running, instead of the old custom
a man
popping the ball into the hole,was adopted on account
are

to
injuries

severe

changed
of

at

the

the

time

same

twenty-two

hands, and that the wicket

inches

"

1779-80

"

by six, with

to

the

third

was

sions
dimen-

stump

added.
Before
unknown

this alteration
:

balls often

the art

passed over

of defence
the

was

wicket,and

almost
often

passed through. At the time of the alteration Old

Nyren trulypredictedthat the innings would not be
shortened but better played. The long pod and curved
form of the bat, as seen
made
in the old paintings,was
and for ground balls too.
Length balls
only for hitting,
then
would
low
were
common
by no means
; neither
them
even
upright play was
; and
stumps encourage
Old
then
Nyren relates that
practisedby very few.
one
Harry Hall, a gingerbreadbaker of Farnham, gave
and alwaysinsisted
lectures to young
players,
peripatetic
on
keeping the left elbow well up ; in other words, on
straightplay. Nowadays,'said Beldham, all the world
that ; but when
knows
I began there was
very little
length-bowling,very little straightplay, and little
e

'

defence

either.'

played out
much

135

FEAR

PAULETS

SQUIRE

Fennex, said he,

first who

the

was

balls ; before his day, batting was

said that his
the crease.
Beldham

at

about

supposed tempting

of Providence

consisted

in

too
own

running

there jumping out of

me
frighten
ground ", said our SquirePaulet : and Fennex used
he played forward to the pitch
to relate how, when

in to hit.

' "

You

do

'

your
also

of the

ball,his

father

'

had

never

seen

the like in all his

'

days ; the said days extendinga long way back towards

the beginning of the century. While
speaking of going
in to hit,Beldham
said,'My opinion has alwaysbeen that
too little is attempted in that direction.
Judge your
ball,and, when the least overpitched,go in and hit her
practicewould
away.' In this opinion Mr. C. Taylor's
this
have borne Beldham
out : and a fine dashing game
for none
but practised
makes
players.
; only,it is a game
When
you are perfectin playingin your ground, then,
and then only, try how
play out of it,as the
you can
best

means

to scatter

the enemy

and

open

the

field.

I was
Beldham, ' when
bowling,'continued
a boy (about1780),
nearlyall bowling was fast,and all
Club
along the ground. In those days the Hambledon
could beat all England ; but our
three parishesaround
'

As

to

Farnham

at last beat

Hambledon.'

the cradle of
It is quite evident that Farnham
was
'
cricketers.
in the old scores,
means
nothing
Surrey,'
of
than
Farnham
the
This
corner
more
parishes.
Surrey,
in

reckoned
against All England, was
Hampshire ; and, Beldham
trulysaid, you

every

part of

match

'

as

find

Hampshire side in Bentley'sBook.

I told you, sir/said Beldham,
that in my earlydays
all bowling was
what we
called fast,
or at least a moderate
Tom
The firstlobbingslow bowler I ever
was
saw
pace.
Walker.
When, in 1792, All England played Kent, I
did feel so ashamed
of such baby bowling : but, after
Two
than even
David
Harris himself.
all,he did more
Walker,
years after,in 1794, at Dartford Brent, Tom
his slow bowling, headed
with
side against David
a
Harris,and beat him easily.
on
regularly

us

'

the

'

HAMBLEDON

THE

136

MEN

Kent, in earlytimes, was not equal to our counties.

taken away
Their great man
was
Crawte, and he was
of Alresford by Mr. Amherst, the gentlefrom our parish
man
'

made

who

except around

our

of

Hampshire,
used to be

man

he

the

rest

the

time

you

by

this ;

when

"

say,

club, and

to

we

have

been

them

I been

be

beaten
cricket

up

If you
Club was

beat

we

have

Here

"

are

there must

be.

the

Yalden

made

soon

those

long way.

talked of than

more

In

and

littleplay went

Hambledon

the

matches.

parts,Farnham

us, we
among
of them
must

came

Paulet

Kent

the

to

formed,
in

and, when

minds

our

want

days,
Surrey side
Why, no
what

know, sir,
I

tell

can

1780, I heard

Mr.

thirtyyears raisingour
parish? so,
by a mere
club, that playedevery
"

We
used to go as
as
regularly,
long ago as 1750.
two
armies fighting
; we
eagerlyto a match as if it were
From
stood at nothing if we
allowed the time.
were
is twenty-seven miles, and we
our
parishto Hambledon
the same
used to ride both
day, early and late.
ways
At last,I and John
Wells were
about buildinga cart :
put
you have heard of tax carts, sir ; well,the tax was
and
the
members
that
The
of
on
then,
stopped us.
week

Hambledon

Club

had

used

once

caravan

to

take

their eleven

play always in velvet caps.

Lord Winchelsea's
eleven used to playin silver-laced hats;
and alwaysthe dress was
and stockings.
knee-breeches
We
never
thought of knocks : and, remember, I played
of Brighton too.
Certainly,
against Browne
you would
the
see
a
bump heave under the stocking,and even
blood come
knew
a
man
killed,
through; but I never
and I never
now
saw
any accident
you ask the question,
of much
all but,in my
an
though many
consequence,
long experience. Fancy the old fashion before cricket
off
I saw
Wells tear a finger-nail
John
shoes, when
against his shoe-buckle in pickingup a ball !
'Your
book, sir,says much about old Nyren.1 This
Nyren was
fiftyyears old when I began to play; he
about

by

'

Here
Old

they

Beldham

Nyren

'

to

to Richard
Nyren.
referring
E.
V. L.
John.
usuallymeans

is

Mr.

Pycroft

'SILVER

.Enlarged

detail

BILLY

from

the

frontispiece;

KENT

THE

was

our

half
farm

BOYS

generalin the Hambledon

player,as we reckon now.

and

inn

Hambledon,

near

and

137
matches
He

; but

had

took

not

small
of the

care

ground.
'I remember

when

things first came

many

into

the

The law for Leg-beforenow.

game which are common
much
wicket was
not passed,nor
wanted, till Ring, one
of our best hitters,
was
shabby enough to get his leg in
the way, and take advantage of the bowlers ; and, when
Tom
did the same,
Taylor,another of our best hitters,
the bowlers

found

themselves

beaten, and

the law

was

Out.
The law against
passed to make leg-before-wicket
Walker
jerking was
owing to the frightful
pace Tom
put on, and I believe that he afterwards tried something
like the modern
and so caused
more
throwing-bowling,
the words
the
not
against throwing also. Willes was
of that kind of round bowling ; he onlyrevived
inventor
what was
folk.
to the young
forgottenor new
'The
umpires did not formerly pitch the wickets.
David
Harris used to think a great deal of pitching
self
himtook much
self
a good wicket, and
pains in suitinghimevery match day.
Stowell
'Lord
fond of cricket.
He
was
employed
make
for
him
Holt
to
at
Pound.'
me
a ground
In the last century, when
the wagon
and the packhorse suppliedthe placeofthe penny train,there was
little
from
opportunity for those frequentmeetings of men
that now
distant counties
who
puzzleus to remember
and who
is North
is South, who
is Surrey or who
is
Kent.
The matches
then were
trulycounty matches,
of the spiritof hostile tribes and rival
and had more
clans.
'There was
no
mistaking the Kent boys,'said
Beldham, when they came
staringinto the Green Man.
A few of us had grown
used to London, but Kent
and
had but to speak,or even
show
selves,
themHampshire men
and you need not ask them which side they were
'

on.'

So the match

Lord

Winchelsea

when

seemed
and

will the feudal

like Sir Horace

their

system

be

Mann

and

respective tenantry for

quite extinct ? and there
"

HAMBLEDON

THE

138

littlepride and

MEN
in the

honour

parishesthat sent
them
a
flagonof ale depending in the
up, and many
farms or the hop-groundsthey severally
as
represented,
to whether
they should, as the spirit-stirring
saying
was

no

"

was,

in

themselves

prove

the better

match,' said Beldham,

one

against David
him.

Sir

the

stick among
would
have

The

Harris.

Horace

'

Mann

in

".

men

Kent, Ring

game

was

cutting

was

I remember
much

about

ing
play-

was

against
with

daisies,and

his

cheeringevery run,
you
his
whole
he
fortune
would
thought
(and
often bet some
staked
the game
hundreds)was
;
upon
to Ring,
man
was
and, as a new
going in, he went across
and said, Ring,carry your bat through and make
up all
the runs, and I'll give you ,"10 a-year for life." Well,
Ring was out for sixtyruns, and only'three to tie,and
"

"

four to

beat, and the last

who

them.

It

was

Sir

with him out of Hampshire,

away
but the best bat made
but a poor bailiff,
heard.
we
Cricket was
played in Sussex very early,before my

Horace

took

made

man

Aylward

day at least ; but, that there was no good play I know

by this,that Richard Newland, of Slindon in Sussex, as
Nyren, and that no
you say, sir,taught old Richard
could be found to play him.
Sussex man
Now, a secondrate player of our
parishbeat Newland
easily; so you
But before
may judge what the rest of Sussex then were.
there were
some
1780
good playersabout Hambledon and the Surreyside of Hampshire. Crawte, the
best of the

Kent

stolen away
from us ; so you
will not be wrong,
that Farnham,
sir,in writing down
and thirtymiles round, reared all the best playersup
to my

day, about

'There

were

men,

was

1780.
who

some

then

were

called

"the

old

players",' and here Fennex's account quite agreedwith

Beldham'
includingFrame and old Small. And as
s,
to old Small, it is worthy of observation, that Bennett
"

'

"

declared

Small

was

it

part of the

was

the

man

who

"

creed

found

out

of last
cricket

century, that

", or brought

school
play to any degree of perfection. Of the same
was
Sueter, the wicket-keeper,who in those days had

NOAH'S

JOKE

139

little stumping to do, and Minshull and Colshorn,

all mentioned
These
in Nyren.
men
playedpuddling
very

their

about
a

playeruprightand

man.

The

Brent

"the

laugh, sir,'said
'

but

all

we

Old

ones

Anglers,lived
played

seventy.
the

Duke

and

how

the ball like

match

at Dartford

"

of

rest

our

men,

and

beat

easily.'
died, the last,if
1826.

in
to the

in

was

all the

in

face

"

Wells, and the

Hambledonians,
of Cricketers

made

see

You
Playersand the New".
tottering silver-haired old man,
once
well, I played with the
;

New

very
Small

John

forward,to

Old

this

were

Walkers, John
the Old

well

I like to

freedom.

no

of Dorset

Duke

between

had

and

crease

age

Isaac
of

the

father of
father

his ninetieth

fine skater

his Grace

Walton,

ninety-three. This

Small
John
year.
till he was
turned
of

great matches

of Dorset

first of the

the

not

and

took
gave

good

him

in John

interest

great

and
fiddle,

But, how

musician.

how

Small,

John, like

Orpheus, beguiled a wild bull of its fury in

the middle
of a paddock, is it not written
in the book
of the chronicles of the playmates of Old Nyren ?
In
of Hambledon
a match
againstAll England, Small kept
for three days,and was
not out after all.
up his wicket
A pity his score
We
is unknown.
should like to compare

modern

"

it with
'

Mr.

Tom

and

Walker

the

Harry
Tom's

as

fast

as

one

on

David
run

between

runner

the

tedious fellow

the most

wickets

to bowl

ever

to,
saw.

as
hitter, Harry's half-hour was
good
afternoon.
Noah
I have seen
who
was
Mann,
Tom
was
slow, in running a four,overtake him,

Walker,for
that

was

slowest

was

as

pat him

Ward's.

"

the

back, and

was
you never
Harris had

David

was

Good
say,
a runner."
"

once

bowled

for you is
It used to be said
name

him

potter by trade,

170 balls for

and in a kind

of

made
between
hurdles,he used to practise
skittle-alley
end, and then
bowling four different balls from one
pickingthem up he would bowl them back again. His
bowling cost him a great deal of practice; but it proved
well worth

his

while, for

no

man

ever

bowled

like him,

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

140

in England.'
always first chosen of all men
cricketers
all.
Nil sine labore,remember,
young
Lambert
(notthe great playerof that name
*),said
livering
Nyren, " had a most deceitful and teasingway of deand Surrey
the ball ; he tumbled
out the Kent
after another, as if picked off by a rifle corps.
one
men,
for by the circumstance
that
His perfection
is accounted
when
he was
tending his father's sheep, he would set
for hours together."
up a hurdle or two, and bowl away
There
was
some
good hittingin those days,though
Tom
too little defence.
Taylor would cut away in fine
of Mr. Budd.
Old Small
almost after the manner
style,

and

he

was

"

"

'

"

"

'

the

was

among

He

began

the
what

cricket

bat, as he
what

was

do you
I was

when

time.

same

those

in

was

very
what Beldham

He

enough.

called
was

Club.

Stevens

Lumpy

at

some
notion, sir, of
you
days,for Lumpy, a very bad

said to me, " Beldham,

have been in those days

well aware, once

think cricket must
a

Hambledon

give

can

thought
good as far

was

1750, and

play about

to

of the

first members

back

batsman

good

as

can

one

But

fielding

remember.'
have

must
good fielding

himself

"

of the

Now,

"

been

safest

good

hands

at

of
still one
past forty,was
I ever
the quickest men
played with, taking always
middle wicket, and often,by swift running, doing part
of long-field's
work.
Sparks, Fennex, Bennett, and
not to mention
first-rate,
young Small, and Mr. Parry,were
a

Mr.

catch.

Budd,

when

styleof long-stoppingin the North

and
Match
of 1836, made
Lord Frederick
and South
Mr. Ward
justlyproud of so good a representativeof the
in their younger
days. Albeit, an old playerof
game
seventy, describingthe merits of all these men, said,
and
put Mr. King at point,Mr. C. Ridding long-stop,
that
Mr. W. Pickeringcover, and I never
the man
saw
Beagley,whose

"

could
'

beat

John

wicket
1

either of them."

Wells

was

most

match, being so

Lamborn,

dead

the littlefarmer.

dangerous man
a

shot at

See page

in

wicket.

53.

singleIn

E. V. L.

one

THE
celebrated

match, Lord
Tufton

H.

found

GENUINE

CUTTERS

Frederick

the

warned

of John

beware

to

141
able
Honour-

John

; but

Wells

opportunityof maintaining his character by

than the single
shyingdown, from the side,little more
Tom
Sheridan joinedsome
of our matches, but
stump.
he was
no
good but to make people laugh. In our days
there were
no
padded gloves. I have seen Tom Walker
rub his bleedingfingers
used to say
in the dust ! David
an

he liked to rind him.

'The matches againsttwenty-two
in

the

last

century.

In

1788

not

were

the

uncommon

Hambledon

Club

played two-and-twentyat Cold Ash Hill. "Drawing"

between
Old
invention.
leg and wicket is not a new
for the draw, and,
Small (6.1737, d. 1826)was
famous
his facility,
to increase
he changed the crooked
bat of
bat.
his day for a straight
fine cutting
There was
some
before Saunders's day. Harry Walker
the first,
I
was
believe,who brought cutting to perfection. The next
for they were
called
(Inever
genuine cutter
very scarce
mine
at least) was
cutting,not like that of Saunders
"

"

Robinson.

Walker

and

Robinson

would

ball tillall but

past the wicket,and

force.

made

Others
for a

enough
bowling. I
firstopened

good

then

but
good off-hits,
cut.

believe

that

I would

for the

wait

with

cut

did not

never

hit late

with

cut

Walker, Fennex,

great

and

slow

myself

the old

players'
eyes to what could be done
with the bat ; Walker
by cutting,and Fennex and I by
forward play : but all improvement was
owing to David
Harris's bowling. His bowling rose
almost
cular
perpendiit
it
was
once
was
;
pronounced a jerk ;
altogether
most
extraordinary.For thirteen years I averaged
I had only one
a match, though frequently
forty-three
could half play unless runs
were
innings; but I never
reallywanted.'
"

Little is recorded
year 1 786.

It broke

of the
up when

Hambledon
Old

Club

after the

left it,in 1 791 ;

Eleven
though,in this last year, the true old Hambledon
1

Richard

Nyren.

Nyren1

E. V. L.

HAMBLEDON

THE

142

MEN

Their
twenty-two of Middlesex at Lord's.
cricket ground on Broadhalfpenny Down, in Hampshire,

all but

so

was

beat

far removed
who

David

had

from
and

seen

Harris,the

the

noblemen
many
admired
the severe

and

gentlemen
bowling of

brilliant

hittingof Beldham, and the

interminable
defence of the Walkers, that these worthies
found a more
soon
genialsphere for their energies on
the grounds of Kent, Surrey, and
Middlesex.
Still,
survived ; and
though the land was deserted,the men
imparted a knowledge of their craft to gentles and
simplesfar and near.
chronicle that these good men
Most gladlywould
we
and true were
actuated
by a great and a patrioticspirit,
to

diffuse

claims

aid

an

be

to

"

to

among

civilization
"

their

for

such

our

game

fellow-

wonder-stricken

confess
that
but, in truth, we
reaping
and
of
all
kinds
men,' as
coins, from
golden opinions',

countrymen

'

'

well

as

that
which

emotions

indescribable

attend

the

tumult

and

those

joyous
ball,vigorouslypropelledor

of voices
shout
heroicallystopped, while hundreds
applause, that such stirringmotives, more
powerful
far with vain-glorious
than
views' of
man
dissolving
any
abstract virtue,tended
to the migration of the pride of
Hambledon.
doubtful though the motive, certain
Still,
is the fact,that the old Hambledon
playersdid carry
their bats and
stumps out of Hampshire into the
like all great commanders,
adjoining counties, and gradually,
In
taught their adversaries to conquer too.
some
instances,as with Lord Winchelsea, Mr. Amherst,
and others, noblemen
combined
the utile duld, pleasure
and business,and retained a great playeras a keeper or
a
as
bailiff,
Martingellonce was engaged by Earl Ducie.
In other
led to
instances, the play of the summer
employment through the winter; or else these busy
bees lived on the sweets
of their sunshine
toil,enjoying
otium cum
dignitatethat is,livinglike gentlemen, with
nothing to do.
This accounts
for our
findingthese Hampshire men
playingKent matches ; being, like a learned Lord in
"

'

"

THE
Punch's

'
naturalized everywhere/or
picture,

the world
Let

143

CLUBS

EARLY

OTHER

'

citizens of

'.

these

trace

us

Hambledonians

in

all their

tests,
con-

the
date
mentioned
from
1786, to 1800, the
Revolution
and Nelson's
eventful periodof the French
victories

and

the

let

us

mutiny

how

see

of

rational

on

way

Bank

fleet,and

the

did
invasion, put together,
the tented
over
field,in

the

threatened

the

prevent balls from

not

far

this,than

stopping payment,

the

on

more

flying
and

innocent

the

side,of

other

water.

Now, what

the

were

matches

in

the

last

century

"

'

eleven

No !
gentlemen against the twelve Caesars ?
Kent
these,though ancient names, are of modern times.
and England was
as
good an annual match in the last,
Fields
White
in the present century. The
Conduit
as
and the Artillery
Ground
suppliedthe placeof Lord's,
of Lord's is found in Bentley's
though in 1787 the name
matches, implying, of course, the old Marylebone
Dorset Square,under Thomas
Ground, now
Lord, and
the
not
properly
present by St. John's Wood, more
the
of
than
Lord's.
The
Kentish
Dark's
deserving name
'

battlefields
the

Sevenoaks

were

originalmakers
Fields,in the

also Dartford
in

"

Pennenden

Heath

of

one

cricket-balls,Coxheath,
Isle of Thanet, and Cobham

Gravesend, Rochester,and
importance to the Kent matches

earlymention
Next

the land of Clout,

of

Brent and
of

"

delion
DanPark

there is also
Woolwich.
were

those

of

Hampshire and of Surrey,with each of which counties

the Hambledon
used to play. For it
men
indifferently
be supposed that the whole
must
not
county of Surrey
put forth
have

crop of stumps and wickets all at once

already said that malt and hops and cricket
a

we

have

in Surrey,
together. Two parishes
adjoining
the
for
l
aurels
their
Hants, won
original
county ; parishes
of the Farnham
in the immediate
hop country.
vicinity
and
The Holt, near
the
Farnham,
Moulsey Hurst, were
Surrey grounds. The match
might truly have been
called Farnham'
'. The
s hop-gatherers
v. those of Kent
ever

gone

'

HAMBLEDON

THE

144

former, aided occasionally

by
Alton, just
Indian
bitter

as

and

who

drank the ale of

life-sustainer to our

men

Burton-on-Trent,
forth

Empire, sends
ale, to defend

towns

MEN

the

honour

of

men

of

The

counties.

giants, refreshed

its

with

the

neighbouring
Hampshire, after

abandoned
and thistles,
to docks
Broadhalfpenny was
Downs
either upon Windmill
pitchedtheir tents generally
Stoke
Downs
or
once
they played a match
; and
upon
againstT. Assheton Smith, whose mantle has descended
whether
the level turf or
a worthy representative,
on
on
that gentleman has a
side. Albeit,when
by the cover
he must
at Hambledon,
meet
(occasionally
advertised)
titch and turn
unconsciouslyavoid the spot where
did once
exhilarate the famous
the Hampshire cry
James
others, as he astonished the
Aylward, among
the same
and
Farnham
by continuing one
waggoner,
drove up on the Tuesday afternoon
inningsas the man
and down
the Wednesday morning ! This match was
on
of most
of the
played at Andover, and the surnames
be read on the tombstones
Eleven may
(with the best
of characters)
in Andover
Churchyard. Bourne Paddock,
Earl Darnley'sestate, and Burley Park, in Rutlandshire,
constituted often the debateable
spective
ground in their reEarl Darnley,as well as Sir Horace
counties.
Mann
and Earl Winchelsea, Mr. Paulet and Mr. East,
'

'

'

"

"

lent their
the

in

sometimes

and

names

patronage

to

Elevens

places mentioned, sometimes

at
Perriam
Downs, near

at

; sometimes

Lord's, and

Luggershall,in

Wiltshire.

Middlesex
had

of the Marylebone Club,

also,exclusively

its Eleven

twenty-two,for

in

that

these

days ;
the

or,

number

we

should
then

say, its

required to
forces of Hampshire, Kent, or
stand the disciplined
of an
this
reminds
us
'Uxbridge
England. And
and
lost
Middlesex
played
ground ', where
; also, of
ciently
suffiHornchurch, Essex', where Essex, in 1791, was
advanced to win againstMarylebone,an occasion
Lord
Frederick
Beauclerk
there
memorable, because
played nearlyhis first recorded match, making scarce
'

was

EARLY

CRICKET

ETON

145

Lord Frederick's
bowling four wickets.
'There
June
first match
at Lord's, on
was
2, 1791.
was
also,'writes the Hon. R. Grimston, "the Bowlinggreen" at Harrow-on-the-Hill,where the school played:
Mr.
Justice
Richardson, who
subsequently became
the captain of the School
Eleven
in
Richardson, was

any

but

runs,

1782.'

Already,in
far and

wide

its roots

latitudes ; and also that it was

of labour as the
the men

wards,
spreadingnorthit had long before

was

game

that

rather,proofs exist

or,

struck

1790, the

and
a

branches
as

game
of

in northern

popularwith

leisure,therefore
exotic, or
growth : no mere
incontestablyof home
cricket
be, if,
importation of the favoured few, can
like its

it is found

namesake,

men

'

Burns
those whom
aptlycalls
life '.
of mechanical

a
(

household
the

'

word

with

many-aproned sons

In 1791 Eton, that is,the old Etonians,played Marylebone, four playersgiven on either side ; and all true
Etonians
the

seven

will thank
Etonians

us

for

were

informingthem,
than

more

adversaries,but also that this match

only that

not

match

proves

for their
that

Eton

earlydate, the honour of sending forth the

of the
most
distinguishedamateurs
day; for Lord
Winchelsea, Hon. H. Fitzroy,Earl Darnley, Hon. E.
and true
good men
Bligh,C. Anguish,Assheton Smith
Etonians
all. This match
were
was
playedin Burley
On
the followingday, June
25,
Park, Rutlandshire.
and artisans
1791" the Marylebone playedeleven yeomen
of Leicester ; and though the Leicestrians
cut a sorry
stillthe fact that the Midland
Counties practised
figure,
cricket
recording. Peter
sixty years ago is worth
of twenty
Heward, of Leicester,a famous wicket-keeper,
had, at

that

"

"

years since, told

his father, quite

of

me

trial match

in which

he

saw

of
another veteran
his own
standing,quicklyput out with the old-fashioned
slow bowling a really
good Eleven for some
twenty runs
"

old

an

good, that is,against the

and

cricket

was

not

new

with

man,

modern

game

styleof bowling ;

in this old man's

early

THE

146

HAMBLEDON

MEN

days (say 1780) about Leicester and Nottingham ; for

such a game
as
cricket,evidentlyof gradual development,
have been
in
must
some
played
primitiveform
a
long year before the date of 1775, in which it
many
had excited sufficient interest,and was
itself sufficiently
of Sheffield
matured
in form, to show
the two Elevens
what we
have already
and of Nottingham. Add
to this,
mentioned, a rude form of cricket as far north as Angus
Lothian
and
in 1700, and
we
can
hardly doubt that
known
cricket was
in the
as
as
earlyin the Midland
Counties.
of Nottingham land
The
Southern
men
of Clarke, Baker, and
Redgate next month, in the
the gauntlet,
and shared
same
year (1791) threw down
fate ; and next day the Marylebone, ( adding,'
the same
insult unto injury,'
in a cricketing
playedtwentysense,
two of them, and won
by thirteen runs.
In 1790, the shopocracyof Brighton had
also an
and
Eleven
Sussex
; and
Surrey, in 1 792, sent an
eleven
against England to Lord's, who scored in one
on
record,save that
innings 453 runs, the largestscore
of Epsom
in 1815
476 in one
innings! 'M.C.C. v.
find an
annual
now
twenty-two of Nottingham,' we
match
also
M.C.C.
becomes
v. Brighton',which
; and
at once
worthy of the fame that Sussex long has borne.
"

"

'

"

'

In

old

1793, the

old Etonians
emulate

and

fame

the

Westminster

Essex
of

Kent

men

and

all but

Herts,

too

beat
not

near

the
to

and

content,
Surrey,were
like second-rate
performers,to have, though playing
Benefit between
them, in the shape
twenty-two, one
of defeat in one
innings from England. And here we
reminded
are
by two old players,a Kent and an Essex
that, being schoolboysin 1785, they can respecman,
tively
that, both in Kent and in Essex, cricket
testify
of a villagegame
than
appeared to them more
they
have

ever

seen

bat behind

every

the

cottage.

London
in every

it of late years.

'

There

was

cricket

door, or
We

; stillthe

school and

else up in the bacon-rack, in

heard little of clubs,except around

game

was

played by

villagegreen

many

in Essex

or

and

by few,
in Kent"

BEAUCLERK

V.

placedmuch as
TeignbridgeClub

NORFOLK

when

147

with

the Sidmouth
I playedthe
in 1826. Mr. Whitehead
the great hitter of Kent; and Frame
and Small
was
Pilch and Parr by
often mentioned
as
were
names
as
And
now
our
(1793)the game had peneboys now.'
trated
for eleven yeomen
further West;
Oldfield
at
the

and

field

Bray, in Berkshire, had learned long enough to

able to defeat a good eleven of the Marylebone Club.

be

Colonel
for
In 1795, the Hon.
Lennox, memorable
of York, fought where
duel with the Duke
the
a
less hostile
a
gallantColonel had fought so many
the cricket ground at Dartford
battle" on
Brent,
Elevens
headed
against the Earl of Winchelsea ; and
"

firstthe

Marylebone eleven beat sixteen Oxonians

BullingdonGreen.
In 1797, the Montpelier Club
and ground attract

now,
on

The

notice.

our

ancient, and
the

ground

their

in

Norfolk,is

county which,

before

it

was

as

the

short

is

of the most

one

distance

only from

of Camberwell.

Norfolk

But

time.

ground

of Hall

Swaffham,

of this club

name

mentioned

now

lies out

of the

usual

for the first

road, and

is

Mr.

Dickens said of Golden

Square,
residence of Cardinal Wiseman, 'is
from any place.' So, in those slow

nobody'sway to or
coach and pack-horsedays,the patrons of Kent, Surrey,
Hants, and Marylebone, who alone gave to what else
were
'airy nothing,a local habitation and a name',
could not so easilyextend
their circuit to the land
of turkeys,
and dumplings. But it-happened
lithotomy,
once

that

Lord

Frederick

his eleven

should

of Norfolk

; whence

beat

Beauclerk

was

heard

to

say,

three elevens in the county

any

challengefrom the Norfolk

whom, sure
enough, his Lordship did beat, and
men,
that in one
innings; and a print,though not on pocketable
handkerchiefs,was struck off to perpetuate this honourachievement.
Lord F. Beauclerk

arose

was

of his

day ; as also were

headed
They frequently

one

now

of the best

players

H. and I. Tufton.
the Hon.
division of the Marylebone,
i.

and

Hampstead
In

MEN

county club,against Middlesex,and

some

or

HAMBLEDON

THE

148

this year

the

first

and

the

Highgate.
(1798)these gentlemen

attempt

at

match

between

aforesaid made
the Gentlemen

Players; and on this first occasion

that the
mention
we
; though when
three
players given, and also that

won

had

and

Beldham,

Hammond

the

were

sometimes

the

players

Gentlemen
T.

Walker,

three, certainlyit

playing England, the part of England being

left out by particular
desire.'
Kent
attacked
England in 1798, but, being beaten
in about half an
in
innings, we find the Kentish men
politan
cosmo1800, though still hankering after the same
the
odds of nineteen,
distinction,
modestly accept
and afterwards
to twelve.
twenty-three,men
The
chief patronage, and
consequently the chief
beyond all comparison in
practice,in cricket, was
London.
There, the play was
:
nearly all professional
the
even
a
professionof it; and
gentlemen made
far more
therefore, though cricket was
extensively
of
the
Kent
than
of Middlesex,
spread throughout
villages
the clubs of the metropolisfigurein the scorebooks as defyingall competition. Professional players,
we
observe, have always a decided
advantage in
may
respect of judiciouschoice and mustering their best
the side of the Playersis
The
best eleven
men.
on
almost always known, and can
be mustered
on
a given
day. Favour, friendship,and etiquette interfere but
little with their election ; but the eleven gentlemen of
England are less easy to muster,
like

was

'

"

'

LinquendaParish

et domus

et placens

Uxor,'
"

and

they are
to the

known
the time

bid him

an

party who

amateur

the

make

is at

his

than

the best eleven

match.

best,he has

Besides,by
duties

which

retire.

Having
game

anything more

never

from

now

the

traced
time

the

rise

and

progress
of its generalestablishment

of
to

the

the

THE
that

time

the

Beldham

bat, and

Lord

PLAYERS

OLD
had

shown

had

declared)formed his styleupon

we
now
approach the era of a
which
forward
play of Fennex,

(as Fennex

Beldham'

"

and

full powers

the

us

Frederick

149

always
and

since

school, and

new

his father

of

termed

the
an

all

experience',
forward
till the same
proved effectual by
play was
had
shown
that, in spite of
Lambert, and Hammond
wicket-keepers,bowling, if uniformly slow, might be
will wait to
and hit away
at the pitch; now,
met
we
characterize,in the words of eye-witnesses,the heroes
of the contests
alreadymentioned.
the Old Players I may
be brief ; because, the
On
of whom
I am
few old gentlemen (with one
in daily
the names
of the
communication)who have heard even
Walkers, Frame, Small, and David
Harris, are passing
historyof
away, full of years, and almost all the written
the Old Playersconsists in undiscriminating
scores.
In point of style the Old
Players did not play the
steady game, with maiden overs, as at present. The
the bat
defensive was
: both
comparativelyunknown
and the wicket, and the styleof bowling too, were
all
The wooden
adapted to a short life and a merry one.
substitute for a ball,as in Cat and Dog, before described,
and not a stopping game.
evidentlyimplieda hitting,
The
Wicket, as we collect from a MS. furnished by
old friend to the
late William
an
Ward, Esq., was,
foot
in the
Club, one
early days of the Hambledon
high and two feet wide, consistingof two stumps only,
with one
balls passed
Thus, straight
stump laid across.
we
now
between, and, what
call, well pitched balls
would
of course
rise over.
the
Where, then, was
innovation

presumption 'contraryto

"

'

'

fortune would
often
block, when
so
the place of science ? And, as to the bat, look at

encouragement

to

usurp
the picture of cricket
Ground

stick,

;
or

the bat
the

as

played

is curved

handle

of

at
a

in

the

spoon,

the

end
and

old

like
"

as

Artillery
hockeycommon

implements usuallyare adapted to the work to be

believe that in olden time
you will readily
"

formed
per-

the

THE

150

HAMBLEDON

MEN

the best batsman.

freest hitter was
all along the ground, hand
and eye
and
to

judgement nothing;
bowl

under

risingballs

and

blockhole

the

but

The

reason

bowling was
being everything,
art originally
was

wicket

the

blockhole

for

of the

sometimes

between

because

low

too

was

hear

we

that

stumps there
the ball, and

the

because

bat.

not

was,

guard,
asunder

the

The

noted
deoriginally
these

two-feet-

hole

big enough to
with
contain
the schoolboy's
(as now
of rounders)
made
the hitter was
in running
out
game
notch by the ball being popped into this hole (whence
a
could
bat
before the point of the
popping-crease)
cut

was

reach it.
Did

say Running a Notch ?

the
days of useful

we

wonder

ere

William

Curtis's three

arithmetic,
"

that

R's,

natural

What

knowledge, and Sir

reading,writing, and

or,

"

Notch

unde

should

science

evolved

be

in

that notches
wonder
on
truly natural way ; what
a
stick,like the notches in the milk-woman's
tallyin
Hogarth's picture,should supply the place of those
complicated papers of vertical columns, which subject
the bowling, the batting,and the fielding
to a process
observation,
severelyand scrupulously
just,of analytical

or

differential calculus ! Where

chairs,with
wear,
men

ink-bottle

tied

Messrs. Caldecourt
should ever
be
not

to

soon

as

made

there,

young

Small

might

have

or

twopenny

in

enough

to

make

in their graves

Gentlemen
of old

hand

to

with

the

down
to

an

ashen

Hambledon

astonishment

tions
generaor

aged eighty)
Oh

stick.

heroes
to

hit

Frame,

notches

to cut

now

every

future

in 1834,

the

with
! 'tis

upright

sit

think, that

Players'Match, in 1850,
Sparkes'Ground, at Edinburgh,
and

where

position,old

(young once : he died

placed a trustyyeoman
on

; and

heads
cards

similar

knife

for

worse

Bayley ('tis
pitytwo such
able
umpires),with an uncomforttheir knees, and
large tin

on

his bread-and-bacon

the

stump

kitchen

on

and

length of paper on
telegraphicletters above their
is Lillywhite's
printing press,
as

there sit

now

in the

cricketers

could

actually

WILLES
the

know
But

had

when

the

1780, when
the

INNOVATOR

first

commenced

we

nothingof
ham

of the

score

the second

THE

say

that

Harris

in

London,

before

the old

defensive,we

David

innings

151

playershad little or
speak of the play before

flourished

for William

Beld-

assured us that the art of bowling over

distinctly
bat by 'lengthballs' originatedwith the famous

David

will venture

assertion,we

an

to

say, which

quires
re-

and
little,

only a little,
qualification.
Lengthballs,to use a popular,though
bowling,or three-quarter
in David's
exploded, expression,was introduced
time,
and by him firstbrought to perfection.And what rather
confirms this statement
is,that the earlybowlers were
such was
not
only David, but the
very swift bowlers
famous
of great reBrett, of earlier date, and Frame
nown
a

"

discoveryof
The

moderate

more
a

pace resulted
well-pitchedbail-ball.

from

the

new

old

the art of twisting,

playerswell understood
bias bowling.
Lambert
or
1, the little farmer,' says
Nyren, 'improved on the art, and puzzled the Kent
in a great match, by twisting the reverse
of the
men
usual way,
that is, from the off to leg stump.' Tom
Walker
tried what
Nyren calls the throwing-bowling,
and defied all the playersof the day to withstand
this
Club, this
novelty; but, by a council of the Hambledon
all the
had
was
forbidden,and Willes, a Kent man,
praise of inventing it some
twenty years later 2. In
f

"

match

of

observed, at

the
a

Hambledon

critical

point

Club
of the

in

game,

1775,
that

it

the

was

ball

Small's two stumps without

passed three times between
a third stump was
knocking off the bail ; and then, first,
added ; and, seeing that the new
style of balls which
rise over
the bat rose
also over
the wickets,then but one
foot high,the wicket was
of
altered to the dimensions
1

Lamborn.

E. V. L.
John
Willes's tombstone
Valence
in Sutton
churchyard
'
his
fame :
He was
perpetuates
a patron of all manly
sports
and the firstto introduce round-arm
cricket'
in
bowling
(6.1777,
rf.1852). E. V. L.
2

THE

152

by 6, at

inches

22

1814, when

again
1817

which

MEN
it remained

measure

increased

was

26

to

as

inch

one

added

were

to

added

was

the

width

but

"

the

by popping

the

made
we

"

bail

stumps,

between

was
1700, the runner
year
strikingoff the transverse
stump
a

by 8, and
inches by 8 in

to the

the

it

till about

inches

of 27

present dimensions

when,

inches
In

it

its

to

HAMBLEDON

creases.

by

not

out,

hardly call

can

ball in the

two

hole therein

represented.
David

Harris's

least established

at

or

bowling, Fennex

used

to

and

introsay, duced,
steady and

fixed,a
I have seen,'said Sparkes,

styleof batting.
seventy or eighty runs in an innings,though not more
Harris's
end.'
than eight or nine made
at
Harris,'
said an excellent judge, who
well remembers
him, had
nearlyall the quickness of rise and height of delivery,
which
characterizes over-hand
bowling,with far greater
straightnessand precision. The ball appeared to be

defensive

'

'

'

'

forced out

jerk,so

from

anything I
declared

Walker

was

thin, and

one

spot

the

and
a

balls in the
'

; for if

forward

crowd

upon
from

mistake,

the ball cut

with

the

ever

that,on

colour

the

turf

soil

readilyappeared,
by the repeatedpitching
place." This bowling,'
'

same

to make

let the

the
ball

best

of your

pitch too

near

rarely could prevent

rapiditywith which
the ground.' This account
agrees
of
description Nyren (on pages
very
height and

"

well-known

75-76).
And
Nyren

man

that

occasion, where

one

of the

insomuch

seen,

him, he
from

up

unaccountable

some

breast-high.His precision

have

Sparkes, compelled you

reach

with

arm

uncovered
positively

was

of David's
said

his

delivered

that it was

exceeded
Tom

under

with

informants

ascribing
cularly
'partigreat improvements in batting,and he specifies
of
the
in stopping (for
art
defence,we said,was
agrees

my

in

'

not

essential to the batsman

old

to
players),

testimony
meeting

to

an

at the

the

in the

bowling of

David

assertion, that

ideas

of

of the

one

Harris, and

forward

bears

play, that

pitch balls considerablyshort

of

is

half

EXIT

FENNEX

WILLIAM

volley,was

little known

to

with

effect,even

behind

153

oldest

and was
players,
called into requisition
by the bowling of David
chiefly
Harris.
Obviously,with the primitivefashion of ground
bowling, called sneakers, forward play could have no
place,and even
well-pitchedballs,like those of Peter
Stevens, alias Lumpy, of moderate
pace might be played
some

Harris,with

the

pitch,and

pace,
demanded

new

the

; but

crease

David

rapid rise combined,

invention, and

such

perativel
imwas

forward

Old Fennex, who

died, alas !
play about 1800.
in a Middlesex
workhouse, aged eighty,in 1 839 (had his
conduct
been as straightforward
and uprightas his bat,
he would
have known
a better end),
always declared that
he was
the first,
and remained
long without followers ;
and no
small praiseis due to the boldness
and originality
that set at nought the received
of his
maxims
forefathers before he was
born
or
thought of; daring
to try things that, had they been
reasonable,
ordinarily
would
not, of course, have been ignored by Frame, by
The world wants
such men
as
Purchase, nor by Small.
who will shake off the prejudices
of birth,
Fennex
; men
parentage, and education, and boldly declare that age
has taught them
wisdom, and that the policyof their
be
however
must
predecessors,
extensivelystereotyped,
revised and
corrected
and adapted to the demands
of
said Fennex,
a more
inquiringgeneration. My father,'
asked me
how
I came
play,reaching out
by that new
before.' The same
as
no
one
ever
saw
stylehe lived to
but with wonderful
not elegantly,
see
practised,
power
and
and
resolute
most
a
severe
effect,by Lambert,
'

'

'

hitter ;

'

and

Fennex

in
proficient
disciple
as

'

poeta nascitur

non

that

also boasted
Fuller Pilch

he

had

most

suspect that,
jit,' that is, that all great performers
:

though

"

brought the secret of their

excellence into the world along with them, and are not
the mere
puppets of which others pullthe strings
Fuller Pilch may think he rather coincided with, than
Fennex.
learnt from, William
Now
the David
Harris aforesaid,
who wrought quite
appear

to

have

"

HAMBLEDON

THE

154

in the

revolution

MEN

changing cricket

game,

from

ward
back-

slashingto a forward and defensive game,

and claiminghigher stumps to do justiceto his skill
this David, whose bowling was
years in advance of
many
his generation,
having all the excellence of Lillywhite's
fairness
though free from all imputation of unhigh delivery,
this David rose
early,and late took rest, and
and

"

"

ate

the

bread

he

before
carefulness,

of

attained

such

days of railroads,Thames
tunnels,and tubular glovesand bridges to deserve the
of our
notice
Bennett, 'you
'For,' said John
pen.
David
might have seen
practisingat dinner-time and
after hours, all the winter
a
through ; and
many
Hampshire barn ', said Beagley, has been heard to
resound with bats and balls as well as threshing.'
distinction

as

these

in

"

"

'

'

'

Nil sine magno

Vita labore dedit mortalibus.

And
the

now

last century,
and

Wenman,
whom,
The

formed

was

present day.

styleof Beldham,
nearly resembled.

the

on

brilliancyof hitting,he
H. Bligh and
Hon.
H. Tufton

in

Hon.

same

school.

And

these

playersof

of the

the Wisden

Beauclerk

Lord

the men,
who, at the end of
represented the Pilch, the Parr, the
mention

must

we

Sir Peter
the

were

the

Burrell

good hitter.
distinguishedgentlemen

most

also

was

Earl Winchelsea

day.

in every

was

match, but rather for his patronage than

and

the

Hon.

Whitehead
Lord

F.

Col. Lennox

Robinson
mantle

was

the

play :

Mr.

reason.

by

one

of the fastest

R.

mond
Ham-

runners.

great wicket-keeper; but then

Sparkes

:
a

draw

said

between

he

in those

of

even

leg

the

wicket.

Ray

the

the

ing
bowl-

catch

and

days, when
more

him

saw

the first long-stop

; but

England; and
long,fieldingwas

in

same

his

Kent

also

was

slow

was

for the

cipal
prin-

player of great celebrity.But

Beauclerk
had
the only gentleman who
was
All England
in the last century to playin an
was

any claim
eleven.
He
was

of the

were

out

Free-

finest field
scores

consideration

were

than

at

THE

REVEREND

LORD

(Reproduced by permission

FREDERICK

from

of the

HEAUCLERK

portrait in the possession

M.C.C.)
a

HAMMOND'S
Of

HOT

RETURN

155

the

mond,
Beldham, Hamprofessional
players,
Tom
and Harry Walker, Freemantle, Robinson,
the first chosen
Fennex, J. Wells, and J. Small were
after Harris had passed away; for Nyren says that even
David
Lord Beauclerk could hardlyhave seen
Harris in
his prime. At this time there was
of
a sufficient number
the credit of the left-hands.
On
playersto maintain
the 10th of May, 1790, the Left-handed
beat the RightThis match
reveals that Harris
by thirty-nineruns.
and Aylward, and the three best Kent players,
Brazier,
Crawte, and Clifford, Sueter, the first distinguished
all
were
wicket-keeper, H. Walker, and Freemantle

present.

"

"

left-handed
The

also

so

was

above-mentioned

give some
is well

idea of the
known

to

Noah

Mann.

players are quite sufficient to

play of the last century. Sparkes

the

author

of

these

pages

as

his

battinghe differed not widely

that he never
from the usual styleof good players,
save
played forward to any very great extent.
Playingunder
leg,accordingto the old fashion (we call it old-fashioned
served instead of the far more
though Pilch adopts it),
also a fair
elegant and efficient 'draw'.
Sparkes was
bias bowler,but of no great pace, and not very difficult.
of slow
I remember
his saying that the old school
bowling was beaten by Hammond's
settingthe example
of running in.
Hammond,' he said, on one occasion
quondam

In

instructor.

'

hit back

slow

'

ball to

Lord

F.

Beauclerk

with

such

his Lordship'sunguarded
just skimmed
after.'
to bowl
head, and he had scarcelynerve
Of Fennex
friend the Rev.
also speak from our
we
can
John Mitford.
Fennex
was
a fair straightforward
hitter,
and once
as
land.
good a single-wicketplayeras any in EngHis attitude was
easy, and he played elegantly,
If his bowling was
and
hit well from the wrist.
any
of
that
of
his
by no
they were
specimen
contemporaries,
to be despised. His bowling was
means
very swift and
of high delivery,
the ball cut and ground up with great
quicknessand precision.Fennex used to say that the men
of the present day had littleidea of what the old under-

force
frightful

that

it

THE

156
hand

HAMBLEDON

bowling reallycould

which

for

of admiration

the

(forsome
allow)none

ever

on

what

course

like Beldham.

We

Ward

related

to

nimbleness

of hand

the action

to the word

how

he had

others

are

compare
formed
believe

to

told us, that Beldham

had that genius for cricket,that wonderful
eye (although
it failed him
a
nd
that
quickness of hand,
very early),
which
would
have made
him a great playerin any age.
Beldham

and

Of

elicited his

cannot

who

Mr.

of age,

partiality

seen

played underhand, with those who

there is reason
overhand, bowling. Still,

man

specimen

in his assertion.

reason

had
of

and, from

sixty-five
years

at

gave
to be much

appeared
the playersFennex
bygone days we must

notes

effect ;

himself

Fennex

there
all

MEN

drawn

us

and

have

in 1838, and

that with

no

little

vivacityof

with

eye, while he suited

bat of his own
manufacture,

forth the

plauditsof Lord's as he hit

round and helped on the bowling of Browne
of Brighton,
faster than
of
even
before, though the good men
Brighton thought that no one could stand againsthim,
and
Browne
had thought to bowl
Beldham
off his legs.
This match
of Hants
against England in 1819 Fennex
fond of describing,
and certainly
idea
it gives some
was
of what Beldham
could do.
Osbaldeston,'said Mr. Ward,
with his tremendously fast bowling,was
defying every
and he and
Lambert
at single-wicket,
one
challenged
'

'

Mr.

E.

H.

Budd

Browne's

with

three

others.

Just

then

swift

I had

bowling,and a hint from me settled

the match.
Browne
was
was
engaged, and Osbaldeston
beaten with his own
made
weapons.' A match was now
to give Browne
fair trial,
and
a
we
were
having a social
said Fennex, 'and talkingover
with Beldham
the
glass',
match
of the morrow
at the 'Green
Man', when Browne
came
in,and told Beldham, with as much sincerity
as good'.
send his stumps a-flying
humour, that he should soon
Hold
there,'said Beldham, fingeringhis bat, you will
be good enough to allow me
this bit of wood, won't you ?'
said Browne.
answered
'Certainly,'
'Quite satisfied,'
Beldham, 'so to-morrow
'Seventy-two
you shall see.'
said
and
the
his
score-book
attests
runs,"
Fennex,
seen

'

'

"

AFTER
'

accuracy,

"

HAMBLEDON

Beldham's

was

firstand

157

onlyinnings

'

and,

Beagleyalso joinedwith Fennex, and assured us, that he

never
saw
a more
over
a
complete triumph of a batsman
bowler.
Nearly every ball was cut or slippedaway till
Browne
reach.
hardly dared to bowl within Beldham's
We
desire not to qualifythe praisesof Beldham, but
hear that he was
unrivalled
when
in elegant and
we
and in that wonderful
brilliant hitting,
which
versatility
all round
cut indifferently,
him, we
quick as lightning,
cannot
help remarking, that such bowling as that of
renders imperatively
Redgate or of Wisden
necessary a
fulness,
severe
styleof defence,and an attitude of cautious watchwhich
a

picturefor
and

Beldham
So far

render

must

the artist
Lord

batsman
be

might

seen

not

in

quite such
the

days of

F. Beauclerk.

the diffusion of the game, and the

attained,to the beginning of the
degrees of proficiency
we

have

as

the

traced

present century.
1800, cricket

people in

common

and

had

had

To

the

evidence,by the year

the common
become
pastime of the
Hampshire, Surrey,Sussex,and Kent,
sum

introduced

up

into

the

proves that the secret

to comparatively
a small number

of

been

adjoiningcounties;
its continuity beyond
cannot
trace
though we
and
Rutlandshire
Burley Park, certainlyit had been
of Leicester
and Nottingham
long familiar to the men
as well as Sheffield; that,in pointof Fieldinggenerally,
this was
alreadyas good, and quite as much valued in a
match, as it has been since ; while Wicket-keeping in
had been ablyexecuted
particular
by Sueter,for he could
stump off Brett,whose pace Nyren, acquaintedas he was
with all the bowlers to the days of Lillywhite,
called
albeit no
wicketquite of the steam-engine power,
or
Box, except with
keeper could shine like Wenman
the
regularityof overhand
bowling ; and
already
Bowlers had attained by bias and quick delivery
all the
underhand
excellence which
Still,as
bowling admits.
regardsBatting,the very fact that the stumps remained
six inches wide, by twenty-two inches in height, undeniably
and

"

of

success

was

players.

limited

PRACTICAL
BY
Slow

ON

HINTS

Bowler, and

WILLIAM

CRICKET

CLARKE,

Secretary

All

the

to

Eleven.

England

Dedicated
the

to

HON.

FREDERICK

few

observations

PONSONBY.

SIR,
In

making

and

the

only

the

declare

There

instructions

are

up, and
fixed firm on

round

on

place my
possible ;

say

your
the

it like

left elbow

remarks

Cricketers

lay down

earliest

years,
branches), I am
found

pretty

as

so

shall

plain

that

keeping
forward, and

but

ground,

swivel.

such

out,

Brother

the

years' experience

many
from
my

in all its various

game
that it will generally be

shoulder
foot

my

from

; but

(having played

had

studied
to

method

to

I don't

rising generation,

true

have

that

you

over

pass

and
able

correct.

your
your
can

these,

right
right
turn

and

and

as
simple a manner
that they will not only be intelligible
to the
so
Peer and the Squire, but also to the Artisan, the Peasant,
if there
Cricketers
and my
Brother
be some
things
; and
they don't agree with, there perhaps will be others that
will take
At
their attention.
rate
they are
given
any
with
I am
called to that bourn
a good
feeling ; and when
whence
Cricketer
have
from
to
no
returns, people won't
what
he took with
him.'
he knew
So, Sir, here are
say,

in

as

'

remarks

my

The
ball

merit

in

the

form

I.

THE

of

Bowling

according

to

of

"

SCIENCE

man's

in

OF

my

BOWLING.

opinion

play,which

is

you

delivering the
must

ascertain

PLAY

BACK

159

of the batter ; that

watching the movements
by strictly
you would
you will be able to do, by giving him what
call a good-lengthball,accordingto the speed ; for
instance, Clarke 4"%yards,Hyllier5, Wisden
5^. By
giving him a few of those to begin with, as near as you
play,and
can, you will be able to find out his particular
deficient.
In the present day you will
where he is most
of them
inclined to play back.
I
most
find they are
should say this has been caused by bowlers not working
with mind, but always pitchingthe ball at
sufficiently
this back
the same
play, you
length. When
you see
the man
force the ball onwards, so as to make
must
tossed far enough, till
play out ; and the ball is never
made
to play
that objectis gained; that is,the batsman
forward.
Perhaps before that is the case, you will have
retire ; for

caused

him

twelve

men

on

fond

of

ball

should

to

their

instance,

in

If your

wickets.

I drove

1 850

is

particularly
keep repeating
man

playing back, you must

to
the dose ; for if he playsout once
or twice, he is sure
to his old play. If he does not, but tries to
go back
hit you forward, he will very likelygive a chance, not
being used to that styleof play. In case he should hit
forward, you will be well prepared for him, by
you
two
or
placed in the long-field.The hit
having a man
will most
likelyfetch but one ; and if hit up, it may be
delivers ;
caught. A short ball is the worst ball a man
he chooses, and is
hit it almost where
the batsman
can
likelyto give no chances. *
the contrarymakes
the batsman
A ball over-tossed
on
play out ; and if the ball is not well covered with an
fore,
Thereuprightbat, he is almost sure to give a chance.
a

bowlers

Many
and

I should

the field.
look

to

be

sooner

over-tossed

than

attention
to the most
pay no
part of the game
say the prettiest

I have

seen

the field,
or

see

man

deliver

whether

they are

short.

essential,
; that

ball,and

is,

never

all there,even

There are few exceptions as to bowlers whose

stylewon't
allow them
the ball.
I shall explain this in
to over-toss
another part.
1

the

before

have

must

he

HAMBLEDON

THE

160

can

MEN

long-stophas got to his place. A bowler

to think
a high opinion of his own
abilities,
his opponents without

beat

his field.

laying out your field,you should be careful in

for your principalplaces,such as
selectinggood men
wicket-keeper,point,stop, short-slip
; those posts being
the others at
well secured, you will be able to move
leisure ; which
you will have to do, if your bowling is
In

pretty correct, which

it must

be

efficient field.

can

lay out

bowler
hit him

? I

for their
the

if

they were
On

you

this side,yard on
to be

field for

an

an

certain
un-

can

one

about

have

to

are

will
you tell where the men
of the any-how style,happy-go-

How

mean

lucky,yard on
in
one
straight
Schools ought
as

How

if you

two

in

the

other,all men

How

overs.

alike,

careful the Public

selectingbowlers

of

good

livery
de-

who go up to the wicket

instructors,men
about
going to put the ball somewhere

depends the future styleof the

learners,who ought not to be taught to throw away all
their manly strengthin empty air.
Why, a person who
recommends
a wild
scramblingbowler to teach cricket
Act.
ought to be took up under the Crueltyto Animals
A Bowler
should first try to get a steadystyleof delivery,
and should
be sure
not to
easy, not distressing,
for in that case
bowl at the very top of his strength,
he
wild and reckless,losing that precision,
become
must
which is so necessary to defeat a good batsman.
It frequently
happens that when a Bowler finds he is
dropping the ball short, he will stoop forward and try
will cause
him
to propel it with greater force,which
to
drop it still shorter and get him into greater difficulties ;
mark.

the very
as

stands

should

reverse

that way
erect

the

them

be the

inclined,he
as

should

for
possible,

greater the

the ball,and the

ball is delivered

ease

case, when

the
with

he

self
finds him-

self
immediatelyrear himmore
upright a Bowler
which

he

difficult will it be

will deliver

play ; the
circle,and
higher and there is more
the greater the circle the greater the deception to the
For
Batsman.
This appliesto all sorts of Bowlers.
more

to

LENGTH
instance, if

wicket, tillhe won't

ball

tossing the

has

Bowler

been

submit

little

161

to it

higher

that

he

forcinga man
he
any longer,

and

on

his

may

by

little shorter

so

will

play out, though he

has been
playing balls back that have been pitched a
yard farther,and will very likelylose his wicket by this
deceive

the Batsman

mistake

at the

the

with

action,

same

he must

time

same

he

or

Batsman, who will be put

The greatest proofthat

will

be careful to deliver

detected

be

by

the

his

guard.
it is not speed alone that tells,
but the length accordingto a man's play,with as much
is that you will see
a
good slow
deceptionas possible,
Bowler

do

much

as

or

on

execution

more

on

fine

even

ground, than Bowlers of greater speed

that have not equal precision. Why is this,but because
Bowlers
never
study the state of the ground, but
many
deliver at the same
speed and at the same
place,as
near
as
they can, on a dry as on a wet ground ? On
hard ground five yardswould be a good length
a dry and
soft and spongy
and difficult to play, but on
ground
damp

such

ball would

such

in

dead

or

case

pitchthe

as

that

be hit away.
Therefore it is necessary
to put a little more
speed on as well

ball

This

little further.

should

proves my argument
bowl
with all his

always
occasions.
strength,but have a little left for particular
I said it was
but I don't
not
speed alone that tells,
wish it to be supposed that I recommend
slow
very
bowling without alteration ; a ball must have some
pace,
or

man

man

will walk

not

it and

into

do

got legs,though of late years

been
been

so

much

exercised

substituted

Nothing tests
level ground,it
and

will enable

leave

so

few

for their

will find out

the
ones

he

those

of

likes,if he has

articles have

old, while

padding

not

has

use.

the truth of

good

retire, while

as

as

batsman

Bowling so
the bad
to

that the

hit

much

balls

soon

them,

Bowler

as

and

will be

good
enough,
perhaps
obliged
a

bad balls
rough ground the same
might have escaped and perhaps even
proved effective.
Suppose you have what I call a skimming Bowler, for
to

on

162

MEN

Bowlers don't deliver alike.

you, all straight-arm
sink their body in deliveryand turn their elbows

mind
Some

in close to the

underhand
hand

one,

side,which
and

that it is

so

mistake.

from

delivered
It is

no

deceive

Such
the

makes
it to

causes

the
come

ball

like

more

straightfrom

an

the

it all the way,

see
you can
bat full at it you will rarelymake
ball has no
deception; as it is

plain,as

by placing the

and
a

HAMBLEDON

THE

hand,

so

will it rise from

the bound.

further

up, as there is nothing to

the batter,he will drive it forward.
This is the

use

putting it

part I said I would

refer you
level or

to.

Well,

such

bowler

soft

is

grounds. There is no
fire in
get up, and being pitched
rather short to keep it from being hit forward,can't do
But on hard, uneven
or
glibbyground
any execution.
such bowling often tells well, but I question if under
like circumstances
a better
stylewould not tell better.
Though I recommend
you to get the styleof delivery
I don't say that you should be
that is easy to yourself,
careless or lazy; on the contrary, you must
put all your
out,
body and mind in a determination to get your man
and be guarded above all thingsnot to lose your temper.
At times it's enough to make
to
you bite your thumbs
all
see
your best balls pulled and sky-rocketedabout
luck
but you
console yourselfwith, Ah, that
must
won't last long.'
the
Now
for the place for deliveringthe ball
as
each side of the stumps.
is three feet on
bowling crease
deliver with the foot placed
will find most
You
men
and the wicket,
half-waybetwixt the end of the crease
the wicket.
I think this is an error
some
nearer
; they
ought to deliver at the very end of the crease, for the ball
then has to go more
the wicket and is more
across
tive
decepIt is a plan I generallyadopt,and if
to the batter.
that is only half round, how
it is advantageous to me
bowler.
be to a straight-arm
much
it must
more
such as
Now
in delivery,
to the variation
a word
as
now
speaking
raisingthe hand higher and lower (Iam
of speed
of Bowling according to the rules),
variation
seldom

on
any use
It won't
the ball.

"

"

"

'THAT'S

THE

163

BALL'

lower,
height,sometimes
higher and sometimes
man.
sometimes
sometimes
slower,deceives the batsfaster,
but though appearing
These are all little things,
and

trivial may
been

amount

to

great deal.

stated what
said,I have never
ball for a batsman, except the
It is the

out.

he

that

does

ball that
not

know

catches

But

is the most
one

him

whether

in all that has

to

in

ous
danger-

that

gets him

two

minds, so

play

forward

plays half-way; that's the ball,if

? By putting the ball exactlyin
do it. How
can
rightplaceaccordingto your man's play.
backward,

From

but

these hints and observations

reap the

to

may

advantage in a week
profit
perhaps in years, some
One

So

only

science
vast

is

art,

so

II. ON

will

you must
or

narrow

you
the

expect,

fortnight. Some

never,
one

not

or

for

"

genius fit,
human

wit.

FIELDING

In

should be laid out

placing the Field the men
according to the hitting; all batters have favourite
hits. When
should be particular
in the Field you
in
of the batsman
watching the movements
; you should
when
not take your eye off him
in the act of playing,
but alwaysexpect to have the ball played to you. That
will cause
you to be on your legs; and, though the ball
should be played on the oppositeside to where
you are,
will
and
b
e
start
at
a
it,
actually on your
get good
you
almost
before
the
has
batter
played the ball. In
way
returningthe ball,you should be sure and try to throw
the system of making the
it in breast high. I think
ball bound

before

to the wicket

comes

is bad.

It may

of its course, in either case

the
chance is gone ; therefore it is better to throw straight
In nine cases
at the man.
out of ten, it is bad
to shy

shoot,or

at the

be turned

it

out

wicket.

There is the uncertaintyof hitting

it ;
and very likely
the field will not be prepared by backing
of those annoying
one
up ; and so you will cause
M

164

THE

overthrow.

sights,an
shying at
there

the

in, when
;

hands,

as

he

chance

this
he

run,

and

the

and

you

avoid

of

it affects

the

feel
hold

never

will

is

on

dozen

send

to

the

'

is

it in

thought.
it to

return

in the

are

In

at.

of the

there

alert,he

get laughed

man

tempted
being atwicket-keeper's

if you

the

is

run

were

away
ball,but

immediately;

batsman

take

the

'

it ; when

it,if you

anxiety would

when

the ball returned

chance

no

intentionally

have

to

prepared for

not

the wicket

at

is

is not

would

wicket,

frequentlysee

bad,

is

fieldsman

ball,ought

will

there

like shot ; his

You
should
man

of the

the

You

immediately.

MEN

Any

bottom

receive

to

hard

HAMBLEDON

the
field
out-

will steal

throwing in,

but

long swing
shy with as short
arm,
and sharp a motion
as
possible.
In
the easiest
catching,you will frequently see
For why? men
don't give way
chances missed.
ciently
suffiwith their hands.
Thinking it easy, they hold
their hands stiff,
which
the ball to rebound, and
causes
they lose it,with the old saying, I made too sure of it.'
a

'

That's
with

to
very little consolation
the greatest force you will

for the
feels

seeing the ball

little fear,which
makes
man

the very action

that makes

bowler.

generallysee

come

with

such

At

the

you

caught ;
velocity,

the ball

give,and causes
stick. Most catches,

will be able to do if well

be

hit

his hand

particularly
high or slow ones, are missed for
humouring the ball.
In gatheringto a ball,you should try to get
bound, which

Balls

want

of

it at the

your legs.
shoot ;
it should
on

prepared,in case
the risk of losinga run
sometimes
it is worth
by darting
the batter out, especially
if he is
in a little further to run
I think there are no half-wayplacesin the
a good one.
field where a man
the one
should stand,either to save
or
The
the three or four, except in extraordinary
cases.
and long-stopshould
middle-off, cover-point,long-slip,
all save
Those
one
run.
are
places that give a man
of showing off to advantage ; for,by being
a fine chance
a good judge and
a
good gatherer,he may frequently
same

time

run

distance

The

out.

man

165

STUFF1

'ANY-HOW

of those

placesdepends

the state of the ground. If it is soft,you

stand much
than when
nearer
very hard ; because
ball loses half its speed the moment
it touches

much

can

on

the
the

ground.
you have the office for

in the

long-field
It is unpleasant
from the general,
move
a good distance.
to both
partiesto keep saying 'further yet'; besides,
he can
sign to you to stop when you have got far enough.
It depends
This point is difficult to give advice about.
the qualityof the bowling. Now, with respect to
on
that you can't tell
point,if you have that any-howstuff,
where
it is coming to a yard or so, I should
say it is
useful in the field.
better to fall back, and make
yourself
When

fond

However

man

may

moving

be of

Cricket,he does

like

not

placewhere he has no chance of defending

cate
advohimself. If the bowling is nearlycorrect, I am
an
for standingwell up to the batter. There are some
whose styleof playwon't allow them
to be dangerous,
to stand

and

to

The
that

these you

stand very close.

may
should place himself at such
long-stop

he

could

in

can

stop

distance

If he
any nearer.
the ball close to the wicket, what's the use ?
the

save

run,

and

not

advantage of covering a great space of

ground on each side, and saving the tips or touches
that frequently
The
occur.
great merit of a long-stop
is gettingto balls that are put a little out of their course,
the run.
If you see the batsman
to save
so
as
trying to
get the best of you by stealinga run, gather in a little
closer.
It is better to prevent him attempting, than to
give him the chance of getting it ; which he will do, if
He

loses the

the ball is not

If

well handled

Batsman

has

others,it ought

in every

only one

to be

good

very difficult for him

for if your
field is good, and
bowler bowling at points,you
field

at all

is weak
to

get

runs

the
laid out, and
afford to make
can
your
in his favourite place. In altering

doubly strong
the bowler
field,

your
deliver in the

way.
hit and

over.

may
Some

have
one

well

only one
will be

sure

more

ball to

to say,

'

Oh,

166

tillnext

mind

never

I would

have

thingmay
and,

as

the

over.' I don'tbelieve
field altered

then

and

victory.'Though
field (as you ought
is

well

never

is

should

you

done),it

to say to the bowler, Don't you think

and so ? ' It makes
it appear
to do so

way
for him

to

receive

it,unless

of

that

with

men

him

it be

moment

have

to

captain
is every

for him
is proper
it would
be better

do

must

you

I have

one

steadyat

work.

when

remark

more

am

if

of those

do
as

shake-

tantly
everythingrelucwell

as

you

can.

good feeling.

I like to

that

sure

as

one

to

seem

little thingsalways create

to do

the

somebody
something as well as himself,and there is always
of speaking to a fielder,
that it will be pleasant
so

yourselfsort
These

have, for what

to

'

there,as

Delaysare dangerous;

'

one's business

knew

in that doctrine.

great general said, There

the

MEN

off that very ball.

come
a

decide
in

HAMBLEDON

THE

see
one

every

every man
has enough

play in minding his own business,without

gossipingor being careless. I used to admire a certain
Gentleman, that has left off playingthis last two or three
the wicket as
years, at the change over, walking across
I was
steady as old Time, and when
startingto bowl,
all
just glancing round the field to see if they were
ready. There he was sure to be, with his eye on every
if all was
to see
one
right. There is plentyof time for
littlefunny saying or something to laugh at, when
a
a
is out, without
man
keeping every one waiting between
each

at

over.

III. THE

SCIENCE

First,
you should try to get
that best suits you,
action

so

or

not

hit

side

be

one

hits all

BATTING

that firm

yet easy position

that you may have the freedom

of
requisitefor both hittingthe bad and middling

balls,and
and

OF

so

defending the
so
or

fixed that
two

round, that

it comes,

wickets

you

are

from

the

good ones ;
only preparedto play

balls. It is the man

particular
is preparedto playthe ball

that

makes

the

awkward

that
on

customer

the
for

167

HITTING

bowler.

Never

fond of

too

get

hit.
particular

one

If

it will lead

it to
; I have known
you into error
Sometimes
to the very best batters.
occur
a
good lega
hitter,sometimes
good off-hitter will be getting so

do,

you

to his favourite hit,that he will be trying it with

partial
I
straightballs. If bowled out, will say for an excuse,
thought it was not straight.'A ball straightfor the
wicket should be played with an uprightfull-faced bat,
'

back

the

towards

forward.

inclined
bowler

bowler, with
There

often

and

is

handle

much

as

than

more

the

in

of the
behind

room

any

bat

other

the

part of the

field.
There

is

the

played to
smother

half-wayplayat

no

wicket, by
bound.

that

cause

you

are

as

near

as

there

means

Never

do, it will

of your

extent

it,or back

good ball

reach
you

is

it should be

forward, so

as

safelyget to
longer sight from
can

let the ball get you

to

your

the

minds, if you

in two

you to playhalf-way.Ah, there 's where

all the mischief lies. It is caused by an error
in judgement,

deceived

as

will

pitch; that causes

In playingforward

to the

spot

which

on

the ball

the mistake.
take

the upper part of your body

top or left hand placed well on

with

you, and have the

the top side of the handle

not

apart from

of the

the other

the bowler

being nearer
in mind

to

keep

from

rising.

arms

when

other

is

it

than

don't

do.

Take

out

with

make

strike with
at
hitting

too

much

loses

precision.

that

drives

the proper

the

bat

(alwaysbearing
prevented
your body with your
is undoing what
the

take
it

care

not

body when
hitting. It
not
only that,but it will

power,
under the ball.
Don't

far

the blade

playing forward,

sinking your

too

the ball will be

straight),

If you

trying to

and

of your bat, and

hand ; by the handle

to

get

takes
cause

away
you

all your strength,a man

bad ball.
For why ? he

of it,and
It is not

furthest.

time, with

habit

to

of

your
hit

is often
wants

to

by hittingpast his strength

always the long swinging hit
No, it is hittingthe ball at
of the
quick or short motion

168

HAMBLEDON

THE
and

arms

If you go out of your ground to hit,

forgetthe wicket-keeper: if not, your mind

wrists.

you should
will be one

enough
Never

MEN

to

You must
your body the other.
go far
the ball and drive it straight
before you.

way,
cover

try

to

pulla straightball
againstyou if you

chances
many
the width
of the

ball to

across

you.

There

do.

For you

have

hit at, while

of its course

are

only

chance
it may
to
; but if you take

suddenly or turn out

down
the wicket, and playon
your bat upright,straight
to the ball,
you have the whole lengthof the bat ; always
taking care to play the ball with your bat, not the bat
with the ball.
Lay your bat on to the top of the ball,
and don't pullyour bat from the ground up to it. That
The bat was
made
to play the ball.
is not Cricket.
rise

Never

for a certain ball before it

your mind
Your mind
being prepared for one sort of

make

up

is delivered.

ball and
case,

you

another

there
hear

sort of

coming,

will most

is almost

likelybe

say, fl have

men

as

not

an

been

bowling.'It 'sall nonsense,

all kinds.

If

fast underhand

change (what I
that bounds

call

three

or

accident.
used

often

How
to this

that

or

they ought to practise

Bowler

is

put

trundlingBowler, who
four times

the

be

to

sure

before

it

comes

for

on

gives a
to

ball

you),

with the risinggeneespecially

ration.
Why ? they have only been practisedat one
style; then they say, the twist of the ball,hop-stride,
deceives
the eye ; they
and jumping before it comes,
having been used to only one bound, and perhaps to one
straightball in the over, and the other being nearly
they are rather alarmed, and, losingtheir
alwaysstraight,
confidence, the ball goes rollingthrough the wicket.
In reality
such balls are the easiest in the world to play.
or
no
They want
judgement as to playing backwards
forwards.
They only want a good full-faced bat put to
'em upright,
with a bit of a drive forward.
Play of that
kind
of that style. Though
will beat
Bowler
any
bowling shall be ever so bad, I don't say you shall hit
No, for it may by chance get up at
away
every ball.
the proper place,and make
itselfa good one.
But you
he often does

execution,
"

THE

'AT

TOP

OF

YOUR

will be

fullypreparedby playingin
described.
You
will see, by what
I
well

to

have

Besides,it

will teach

you that there

habit of merely

of 'all

hour

an

are

VOICE'
method

the

have

sorts'

169
I have

said,that
and

now

it is

then.

your legs,and show

balls you have
been
in the

to be

you
many

playingat

and

on

which

layingdown,

you
balls

For instance,
might hit away with confidence.
over
tossed,you will be able to drive forward hard by
to the
using your feet, while if you stand screwed
ground you can only lay them down, and by that means
Bowler
to deliver many
seem
a
more
good
you make
There
balls than he reallydoes.
is,in short,only one
method
of play. That
true
is,not to make
up your
mind
till the ball is delivered,then if it be a littletoo
If it
far,play forward ; if a little too short,play back.
the rightplace,be decided, and play either
be put on
one
way or the other,no half-way.
In running your runs
you should always be prepared
the advantage ; which
to take
you will be able to do
by leavingyour ground as soon as the ball is out of the
Bowler's
That will give you the advantage,not
hand.
only by being well on your legs,but by having a less
distance

ground

to

But

run.

till the

bear

ball has

in mind

quitted the

not

leave

to

Bowler's

your

hand,

or

he will be

in trying to put you out.

Nothing
justified
looks worse
than a man
standinglike a fixture,perhaps
leaningon his bat. Then having to make a start,and
callingthat a hard run, which, if he had been prepared,
he might have walked.
Run your first run
well, in case
of any mishap in the field,and be sure
always to let
what
are
partner know
going to do, by
your
you
shouting at the top of your voice, so that he can't
mistake
How
bad it looks to see
two
your meaning.
wickets
and
between
men
getting into the middle
staring at each other, not knowing which way to go
for want
of decision and speaking out.
stands
If a man
fast to his ground and seems
about the
to have
no
care
the play; the Fielders care
nothing
runs, he deadens

about

him

what

puts

Fielders

about

more

than

HAMBLEDON

THE

170
when

determined

two

MEN
in

get

runners

take

and

every
for
for overrunning,

advocate

advantage ?

I think

than they gain by being

lose more
may
and therefore not so well prepared to play

of

out

men

wind,

the next
Now

not

am

ball.
will

you

see

they are
straightto a man,
certain

would

an

not

to

the
be

ball

more

going

hit very

slowlythey
speaks badly for their
The ball
quite the reverse.
were

that

it ;

It should
be

if it

they hit

the

though

run,

when

attempt

judgement.
hit slowlymay

the harder

some,

be

certain

while

run,

greater force to the same

Fielder
it gets to the
so

place

ball hit with

the

is not

half

one

as

quicker. There are

of Fielders,such
little advantages to be taken
many
left or wrong
the ball going to a man's
hand, or
as
not
a
man
being able to shy, but always jerking in.
These
points want judgement : they may be done, and
who
understand
decided
often are
done by two
men,
with vacillating
each other, but they will not answer
It is never
men.
right to risk your innings for the
If your innings is only valued at a run,
sake of a run.
worth

it is not

IV.

ON

the

ever
a

so

batsman

mind

comes

I say

in

that

batter

give

him

out, you

play both

fast and

fast one, but

slow.

slow ;
he don't

what

saying,you dare
that, if you gain your

win
may
plenty of Gentlemen

are

UMPIRING

AND

like

don't

persons

do

not

MANAGING,

MATCHMAKING,

why,

much.

playinga match it is not always right to keep

same
bowling,though the bowlers be bowling
well.
on,
Suppose you have a fast bowler

When
on

much

not

do this

or

the

trary
con-

like,never
or

you

dare

object by getting the

the match
throughit. There
who
cannot
well as Players,
as
Some

would

shut

their

eyes
slow

might perchance swipe away a

for four.
It 's bad judgement to put a fast bowler
one
stick his bat
he may
who
can't hit. Why?
at a man
down, the ball may hit it and glide away for three

at

IN
four

or

with

man

SIDE

171

having anything to do with

slow bowler
is probably a

his

without

runs

Such

it.

CHOOSING

certainty.

choosing your side don't choose all batters. In

of your bowlers
the first place make
sure
(that'sthe
principalmatter),your wicket-keeper,your long-stop.
In

Then

the

come

Now

question about.
have

batters

middling bat

loses fifteen in the

a

bad

and

bat

five
to the

as

and

no

field,he
field

good

six

or

will be

no

last ; if you
fielder ; if he gets ten and
than nothing:
is five worse
one

two

or

fifteen in

saves

that fifteen less to

his side have

there

get,

so

the

give

match,
me

the

good field.
Umpiring is a very arduous and often unthankful
a
office,especiallyin country places,where
jealousy
exists on
each side,and a doubt of his doing his duty
the case,
to be
fairlyand impartially.That is sure
when
of the parties,and
is not
he belongs to one
It is better to
sufficiently
acquaintedwith the game.
choose

with

connected

men

neither

If you
at once, but

party.

anythingagainsta man, objectto him

not on
can
playersUmpires never
; with some
suspicion
be right. Don't let a man
take his place and then be
and in lieu of making the
dissatisfied with his decisions,
a pleasureand
all,
creatinga good feelingamong
game
It is difficultfor an Umpire
make
it quite the reverse.
to please both parties; but let each
give him credit for
for an Umpire to be
It is impossible
good intentions.
always right; but I would always take his decision (if
he
the game) before the
understands
opinion of a
of the players,for he stands in the
spectator or one
those nice
best positionto judge correctly.It is on
points,which create a difference of opinion amongst
have

spectators and

Umpire
when

he

(suchas
batsman
create

field,that

the

decision

of

the

required. How unjust it is to an Umpire,

has given his best opinion on some
nice point
the ball grazinga man's bat or glove),
for the

is

to
a

the

bad

go

away

out, and
I said before, there are
some

and

feeling.

say he

was

not

so

HAMBLEDON

THE

172

(and they ought

unless

know

to

bowler

the

makes

MEN

who
better),

never

middle

the

out,

are

turn

stump

summerset.

have

Umpires
not

moment

wander

to

any

decision
but

may
Cricket

occupy
In

points to attend to, they have

many
to lose ; and if they allow the eye to
fresh object,that very moment
nice
a

be

wanted,

and

so

let

should

they

their immediate

duty

in

nothing

the

game

their minds.

PitchingWickets

I often

Umpires say it '11

little objectthat looks queer
do', when there is some
at the pitchingplace. In such
case
my opinion is,it '11
do.
The
wicket
not
ought to be altered, till it is
I don't
like those ' it '11 do
wickets.
a
good one.
They may either spoilthe batting or the bowling,and
It
consequentlythere may be no play in the match.
is better, therefore,for both sides,that all objections
should be removed, if possible,
by having as good a
be got on
the ground.
wicket as can
hear

'

'

V.
You

ADVICE

will often

players,good
Practice

Bowler

and

TO

see

PRACTICE

BOWLERS

Practice Bowlers

bad

bowl

away

at all

alike ; that should not

be.
A
man's
to bowl
accordingto the bats-

ought
thinks
he should
play. Suppose a Gentleman
like Cricket, he joinsa Club or engages
a bowler.
Say
he has never
played ; do you think the bowler is justified
in knocking down
his wicket
constantly,or perhaps
not.
giving him sundry hits and bruises ? No, certainly
Give him something he can
hit to begin with, and that
will please him
and make
him
fond
of the game,
so
that he will play again. Then
bowl
at him
according
to his improvement.
He will so become
and
a player,
in
to cricketing
perhaps,what is of more
consequence
For mind
general,a good supporter of the game.
you,
it is the Gentleman
that makes
Cricket
his
nance
counteby
and support. Besides,what's the merit in bowling
out
who
has not learned to play? It don't
a
person

PRACTICE

THE
add

Gentleman

reputationof the Bowler,

that he won't
be so disgusted,

may

and

no
one
:
so
any more
In practiceit is often

That

is

left for you

the way to
You

bad

have

and

173

the

anything to

the

PITCH

to bowl

while

play

at.

pitch wickets
ought to be

system.
good wicket, if you

to

mean

where.
anyticular
par-

have

good practiceand be of any service to the person you

On
bowl
to.
a
good ground he will have confidence
and
pleasure,all the balls will be playable; on the
contrary, if the ground is rough, the balls will be cut
a

will be

about, he

lose his confidence

hit and

and

his

playable,so that half

there
will be lost. Therefore
the time
ought to be
The roller should always be run
over
a
good wicket.
the ground at the pitchof the ball before commencing
practice,it's well worth ten minutes' patience to get
good Cricket instead of bad.
to take a little pains
Practice Bowlers
I recommend
and also to study the science of the
with their batting,
to be engaged,
game, for they will then be good men
if their bowling is not quite tip-top. Clubs, it is
even
first established usuallybegin by applying
true, when

play.

for

Not

But

first-rate bowler.
them

Let

notion.
is

half the balls will be

pretty good

begin

bat.

The

I think

with

that

moderate

bowling

will

is

mistaken

bowler, who
be quite good
bat, they will,

enough, while by having one who can

and
then, catch the idea and
by seeing him in now
be taught
method.
More
learn to play in a correct
can
of play, than
in a week
by
by showing the manner
consideration for Clubs
of talking. Another
months
not so expensive.
be that such men
are
may
THE
Cricket

adds

is

vigour and

CONCLUSION

noble, manly,
health

to the

and

whole

athletic

frame.

game.
It is

It
now

stronglyas a national game, that it will

I may
be forgotten. I think
never
fairlysay that
I Zingariand the All England Eleven have contributed
established

so

THE

174

much

Cricket, and
; that

of the

game
determination

them

allows
than

the

be

to

other
any
I believe

all

well

as

their

play

in

Club,

they

the

as

all

with

and

parts

and

them.
of

true

all their

opponents,

of friends

exists

now

dom,
parts of the king-

is, by playing with

best

to

feeling that

good

science

beat

to

MEN

Cricketers, in

the

by showing

time

the

establish

to

towards

HAMBLEDON

the

wherever

spirit

skill and

the

at

Their

same

system

kingdom
they have

more
once

always welcome
again. These
matches
of all shades
bring all classes together ; men
: if they can't
join in
congregate, folks of all ages meet
the game,
they take a delight in seeing their relations
friends
The
or
excelling others.
wealthy and
great
from
derive
well
those
inferior
them,
as
as
advantage
station
in
:
they have an opportunity of seeing that
there
well as good dispositionsamongst
is good sense
as
their poorer
neighbours, while these, by mixing in better
in manners
and morals.
society,gain an improvement
been,

Sir, I have

are

rather

gone

minutely

different

into

parts

of the

I may
have been
: to
some
tedious, but as I
game
read
book
where
these
different
never
a
points of

had
the
at

had

game
your

request

and

to

probably the
playing it I should
then,

for

some

who

the

readers) may

hand.

try my
last.
be

If it

It 's my
home.

at

more

first

making

was

determined

attempt,

match

Take

the

or

will

only hope I shall live to see

I now
clude,
conprofited by my remarks.
our
hoping that we (I mean
you, I, and

deed, and

have

Sir, and

sufficiently
explained,I

been

all meet

in

the

field

this

in

and

years,
I

remain,
Your

Sir,
obedient

Servant,
WM.

CLARKE.

future

OLD

the

engraving

CLARK

in

The

Crirktf

Field)

CLARKE

OLD
BY

thought

HAVE

few

testimonies

as

of Old
letter.

from

EDITOR

THE

it

well

to

the

Clarke,

to

follow

Mr.
Haygarth's
begin with
iii of Lillywhite's Cricket Scores

the

against

of

score

North

South

v.

valuable
of

memoir

and

teristics
charac-

and

shrewd

his

vol.

here

bring together
and
sterling merits
to

him

Biographies,
July 11 and

on

12, 1836.
*

Clarke's

William

thirty-seven

did

very

he

late

in

successful.

so

take

not

of age,

years

spot
afterwards

first match

place

he

being

on

this

one

who

appearing
for

indeed

His

till 1843,

match

next

and,
for

chosen

never

was

thus
life

Lord's,

at

what
the

846,

is

now

brated
celewas

Lord's

at

ordinary,
extra-

more

Players

in

their

which

period
had
of
he
reached
the
mature
forty-seven, and
age
!
had
for thirty seasons
already participated in the game
He
his name
in
began cricket very young,
being found
the Nottingham
Eleven
it was
in 1816, but
long before
His
"Head
his merit
discovered
at
Quarters".
was
slow
under-hand,
was
wonderfully
was
bowling, which
in length and
accurate
tive,
precision of pitch, cruelly decepwith
from
the
twist
a
leg to the off, and getting
wickets
obtained
well.
He
by
remarkably
many
up
of his adversaries, running
the impatience
in and
trying
for runs
could
been
which
to hit balls away
easily have
His
had
the batsman
stayed his ground.
played down
his skill in managand
of the game
general knowledge
ing
against the

match

out
as

the

field

the

defects

they

his field

had

was

Gentlemen

also

till 1

He

wonderful.

of his adversaries'

received

few

seemed
almost

batting

balls, and

accordingly,generally

at

with

he

would

success.

to
as

find
soon

arrange
His
only

HAMBLEDON

THE

176
fault in

management

was

MEN

that he would

continue

to bowl

long,being very unwillingto be changed, always

As
expecting to get a wicket with his next over".
he made
in excellent style,
some
a batsman
good scores
hittingfreelyand well, though his average will not be
often "not
out".
In 1846 he
found high,but he was
was
engaged as a practicebowler by the Marylebone
of bringing
Club at Lord's (which,
indeed,was the means
remained
there a few seasons.
him
into notice),and
the "All England matches
In 1846 also he originated
".
from
in the game,
Altogether,Clarke participated
which
has been done
first to last,for forty-oneseasons
His career,
by few if any cricketers in matches of note.
ful
therefore,may be considered as one of the most wonderhe did not come
much
on
record, for (asbefore stated)
tillhe was
about fortyinto notice in the great matches
time many
a
seven
good
years of age, long before which
has abandoned
the game,
cricketer
as
being too old.
of fives,and
also greatlyexcelled in the game
Clarke
"

too

'

"

with

met

of age

thirtyyears
him

This

in the
was,

when

accident

severe

of course,

twenty and

engaged, the ball striking

causing him to lose the sightof it.
great disadvantageto him during

while

righteye,

between

so

his

cricketingcareer.
He also had a good knowledge of betting on
races,
cricketer altogether.
a
"c., and was
craftyand fox-headed
His likeness,
an
exceedinglygood one, by John
Corbett
Anderson, has been
published by Frederick
Lillywhite. There is also a good portraitof him in The
Cricket Field [seeoppositep. 174].Clarke was
originally
but afterwards a licensed victualler,
by trade a bricklayer,
'

and

for

some

was

years

landlord

of the

Bell

Inn

at

Nottingham, opening in 1838 the famous Trent Bridge

He
was
Ground, and retiringfrom business in 1847.
born at Nottingham, December
24, 1798.
Height 5ft.
9 in., and weight 13st. lllbs.
Latterly,however, he
lived in London, where he died,at PrioryLodge, Wandsworth
Road, August 25, 1856, aged 57. He is buried in
Norwood
At the end of the year 1852
Cemetery
...

'WE
Clarke
It

SHALL

thoughthe

broke

would

able

have

not

but he continued

more,

HACCIDENT

(whileplaying)and

fell down

was

any

HAVE

been

to do

'

his

1 77

arm-

to

appear
tillthe last year of

so

his life.'
article in the

An

Clarke's

only to

not
too

'

slow

for October, 1884,

Quarterly
technical

testifies

his humours

skill,but

1 836, W.

About

Clarke,perhapsthe most famous

century,appeared at Lord's (making

of the

bowler

his debut,oddly enough, when

and

for many
years held
from the skill with which

he

37 years of

was

age),

commanding position

most

defeat even
the
best batsmen.
He
we
carried,
think,further than any
bowler
before him, the theoryof bowling not merely
but to get his opponent out.
to hit the wicket
He
used

studyeach
cruellypress

'

his

play,find out his

knowledge. "We
"

/jaccident ',sir,
soon, I know

expression when
him

and

"

accident

"How

was.

do

to

man's

to

and

he used

shall !

we

had

batsman
we

are

get

you

points,

shall have

his favourite

was

apparentlymastered
to state there usually

bound
Mr.

out

weak

he

A.?"

was

once

asked.
Nothing easier,"he replied. I bowl him
him proud of his forward play,and
three balls to make
then with the fourth I pitch shorter twist and catch
"

him
'

at the

"

slip."

If Clarke

fault,it

the

was

somewhat

knowing when he was defeated.

Lord
always sanguineof a wicket next over.
Beau clerk had the same
if failing
it be.
failing,
one

of

had

He

never

I should
I have
same

English

"

get you !
scored

he

once

said to Mr. Ward.

the

was
eighty,"

with other celebrated

reply.

bowlers.
"

"Do

decade, by

Frederick
"I knew

Yes, but

"

It has been
you not
said to

had better have a change?

was
once
the best slow round-arm
bowlers
amateur
we

was

think
one

of the

somewhat

the
of
last

cover-point. Yes, I
weary
I will go on at the other end."
think we had
In The Cricket Field Mr. Pycroftwrote
of the veteran
'
who thinks for himself,and knows
thus : He is a man
a

"

'

"

men

and

manners,

and has many

1

See p. 168.
N

wilydevices,"splendide

178
mendax."
a
"

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

beg your pardon,sir,"he one

gentleman takingguard, "but ain't you

Then

"

shan't

we

want

down

man

day said
Harrow

there," he

to

"
"

said,

drive
addressinga fieldsman ; stand for the Harrow
between
The
time
to see
point and middle wicket."
Clarke is on the morning of a match.
While others are
practising,he walks round with his hands under the
flapsof his coat, reconnoitringhis adversaries' wicket.'
I add further particulars
from
Mr. Pycroft's
Oxford
'"
Memories:
Clarke's,"said Barker, the Nottingham
umpire, was only the old bowling we had before the
only it had lain fallow till the old
days of Lillywhite,
used to it had passed away, and then
playerswho were
Clarke bore
it came
to puzzle all England."
up new
effect.
witness
to the same
Warsop of Nottingham,"
"
said he, was
and yet
excellent bowler in my style,
an
William
of Surrey,
Lambert
the celebrated
better was
"

"

"

"

whom

from
'

to

for

As

I learnt

field his

bowling well

own

bowler

slow

exercised

ever

Clarke

from

Clarke, although he

to

than

more

out"

he

man

too

old and

this is

if any

influence

more

"found

ever

and

"

I doubt

"

was

heavy
indispensable

bowler

on

never

alive."

any

of my

game,
beaten

was

time

nor

was

tillthe

from Clarke rather

score
might sometimes
knew.
freely,as you might from any bowler I ever
But while quite in his play,it requiredmuch
patience
of
and
the
little
to
no
knowledge
play him.
game
last.

You

I often

hear it said," Clarke

days," yet Tinley, Mr. V.

though very far inferior,on
no

little with

whereas

Clarke

was

of

Clarke,like
said, My
"

slows

success

and

Walker,

very

Budd,

Mr.

Ridley,
"

essence

that
of

delivered

depends

and

in these

their best days have done

slows too of low delivery

always maintained

the
Mr.

"

be nowhere

would

not

certain

tion
eleva-

slow

from
on

what

bowling ; and
his hip. Clarke
is called a good

blind spot ',

length,but on the exact pitch,the one
accordingto the reach and styleof the player." He
also always on
the wicket
with
was
great spin and
twist.
"Also," said Clarke, "I can vary my pace with'

PLAYING

BY

betrayingthe change by

out

fast bowlers
I

me,

send

can

could

do ; and

can

in

defend

not

judge

not

by

there

twist
was

In Daft's
human

elevation

him

till very

and

case

one

as

myself against

stepping in, Clarke's

hitter."

of the

As

I
to

then

wide, and

easy.'

Cricket there

reminiscences

or

that you could

could foil you

such

was

stumping made

Kings of

surprise;

late ; and
he
ball pitched a little

of

liberties with

takes

man

fast

this few

action, and

my

if a

very

179

SOUND

old

also

are
man

'

:
"

some

very
well

was

acquainted with William Clarke, who for years kept

the Trent
He
most
as
Bridge Inn and Ground.
was,
people know, Captain and Secretaryof the famous
All England Eleven, before George Parr succeeded
to
both these offices. Clarke played until he was
quite
old man
he had only one
an
as
; and
eye (the sight
of the other having been
destroyedat fives),
George
Parr used to say that in his latter days he played not
was
by sightbut by sound. The old man
very queerI
in
these
have
found to be
since
too
tempered
(as
days,
with most
the case
of us cricketers as we
grow older),
and was
a considerable trial to the patience
consequently
of many
'

of the younger
Clarke's delivery
was

members

of his elevens
He

peculiar

one.

came

up

to the crease
with the usual "trot" which
nearlyall
slow under-hand
bowlers adopt,but instead of delivering
the ball from the heightof,or between, the hips,
he
bent back his elbow, bringingthe
at the last moment
ball almost under his rightarmpit,and delivered the

ball,thus,from

as

great

heightas

and

still to be under-hand.
deliveryable to make the ball get up
attain

from

the

pitchthan

it in the

he would

have

to
possible
He
was
by this
higherand quicker
it

done

was

if he

had

livered
de-

I have
other lob-bowlers.
often heard old cricketers say that they have received
balls from Clarke which
many
got up quite "nasty"
from the pitch,with a lot of screw
them.
He seldom
on
bowled
two
balls alike,
and could vary his pace and pitch
in a wonderful
able to detect the
He
manner.
was
same

way

as

HAMBLEDON

THE

180

weak

of

points
that

bowler

in

in

himself,
lower
he

stepped

was

next

time,

of

place

all

had

run

Old
wicket

many

him
Clarke
with
cricketers

in

out

has
the

have

out

Box),
his

on

in

go

the

pads

dead
ball

done

when

he
that.

go
ten

innings
fifty
bowled.

the

same

as

years

the

to

it

to

who

But

down

by

came,

the

at

pavilion.

once

of

batsman

wicket

within

previous

been
last

it

places

turn

the

dropped

run

again

never

the

to

Tom

put

the

at

usual

and

gloved,

return

being

he

think

several

his

when

arriving

(old

bat

to

instead

Parr,

down

put

gentleman

and

innings

would

he

down,

George

was

and

to

old

end

other

second

he

in,

go

the

on,

which

However,

obliged

was

went

to

in

going

on

wickets

two

padded

out,

insist

"

in

list.

the

on

place

captain,

was

always

match

"

the

would

particular
but

was

any

lived

ever

veteran

one

than

perhaps,

quicker,

batsman

The

'

MEN

last

batsman

at
to

came

the

injirst,

swearing

of

fool

the

who

'

He

years.
I

wonder

took
how

LORD

BESSBOROUGH

ON

CRICKET
Bv

THE

RIGHT

REV.

H.

(Written
there

PERHAPS

best
has

become

1889.)

in

the

between

'

happy thought
the

no

myself owe
coaching

hours'

many

is

link

cricketers.

of

MONTGOMERY

living authority on cricket greater

Lord
Bessborough. Years ago he figured in all the
matches
the Hon.
Fred.
he
as
Ponsonby, and now

than

for

H.

ask

to

The

game.

past and

him
'

debt

deep

present

at Harrow.

of

gratitude

It was,

his opinion upon

questions and answers
him

of

race

think,

point
given

many

are

below.

Did

know

you

never

Lambert.

saw

and

from

in the

other

still

players with
"

Lord

Pilch

old

comes

he

before
out

but

but

Beauclerk
was

told

ever

the
Old

me

you

see

always heard

R. Grimston

been

seen

Beldham

best

batsman

very

Bowdler, an
thought Lambert

till Pilch

play ?

cricketers

then,
fine bat,

were

Mr.

he

once

old

was

Beldham

and

the

ever

draw

it

bowler

of old

the

was

with

saw,

old

said,

good
and

old Winchester

stand

he

very

out.

came

"

play

to

talking over
Nottingham bowler,

day. He used to
and
then
long way
He
thought it put the

ever

continued

He

'
"

Lord's

On

Grace's
very

he

have

bowler.

from

excluded

been

must

Clarke, the

next."

had

playing.
Did

good

Lambert

cricketer, also
bat

he

me

Frederick

bats, but

had

Surrey player ?

for many
Mr.
years, and
with
him
in Surrey.

country

was

He

the old

great matches,

played a match
but
Taylor told
and

Lambert,

W.

never

times

That
his

up

best
was

left foot

rapidly on
pitch.'

off his

saw

him

speak

play ;
of him

as

fair rival of Lord

he

when

Lord's
a

HAMBLEDON

THE

182

was

Frederick.
a

very old

him

saw

and

man

Playersmatch.

and

Gentlemen

MEN

to

came

felt very

told after
I was
complimented when
Walter
Mynn that he heard Beldham
"
something like hitting".'

my

at

once

see

much

innings by

say

that

was

'
Horv should you describe Felix as a bat ?
Felix became
and a well-known
cricketer when
he
first-ratebatsman
"

old

was

for

the

strength,and
1834, he

was

unsafe.

shoulder,and
him.

to

He

when

But

beside

he

but

spirits. When
beautiful

and

in the usual way

him

in
young
I first

health,
intellect,
saw

him

play

in

splendid hitter. His

then
but he was
action were
magnificent,
his
He
played with his bat held over
most
a quick shooter was
likelyto be fatal
matches.
in suburban
played principally
began to appear at Lord's he put the bat
a

positionsand
very

game,

and

studied defence.

He

that ever
of the best batsmen
one
certainly
of practiceto the best bowlers, and
played,by means
more
constantlyto the "catapulta",which he invented
he
in order to get good practiceat Blackheath, where
His disposition
inclined him to be rather
had a school.
unsteady,as he was always longing for a sensational hit.

became

But

he

was

an

jealousyof

the

enthusiastic lover of cricket without

play of others,though burning

himself; and

he

was

one

accomplished,kind-hearted, and
had.

He

sent

left hand

his

me

of the

cleverest,most

truest

friends

littlelikeness of himself,done

when

before his death.'

to

his

any
tinguish
dis-

right was

ever

with

paralysed,shortly

and Day, the

anythingof Martingell
I brought out Martingellin a match,
Surreybowlers ?
of M.C.C., at Lord's, July 15th,
Surrey v. Gentlemen
Do

you

remember
'

Nicholas Wanostrocht, was

an
water-colour
excellent artist. In the Pavilion at Lord's are
from
his
hand
of Alfred and Walter
Mynn, Fuller
portraits
Pilch and others." E.V.L.
1

Felix, whose

real

name

was

ROUND-ARM
when

1 839,

he

was

183

UNDER-HAND

AND

very young

cricketer,having heard

bowling in the country against (I think) "the

in that match,
beautifully
Montpelier". He bowled
and was
soon
Up to that
engaged in good matches.
for many
time
Surrey had played no matches
years.
bowler
and
was
a very
regular
Martingell
very straight.
He had a nice curl from the leg,but after the change in
this curl was
the law of leg-before-wicket
against him,
of his best
for good playersput their legs in the way
balls. Day did not come
into notice tillhe was
getting
he
but
fine
in
bowler, perhaps none
on
was
a very
years,
better in his time, very accurate
in pitchand with a fine
rise and
a
spring upon the ball. Altogether his was
mont,
in some
respects resemblingBeauvery fine,bold style,
the present Surreybowler.'
of his

I
bowlers ?
round-arm
original
Lillywhiteand Broadbridge without doubt.'
suppose
(It is stated that Martingellwas a very eager bowler,
and was
famous
for bowling no-balls.
In 1858, no less
than 30 of these are
credited to him.
Broadbridge,
mentioned
by Lord Bessborough above, was once caught
off a wide ; he was
playingfor Sussex against England,
at Brighton,on
July 23rd, 1827, and threw his bat at
the ball and was
caught off it.)
Who

was

What

the best of the

lesson would

'

"

modern

of
play of

the old worthies ?

them.

I call the

any

W.

G. Grace

and

play of

cricketers have to learn

'

"

Nothing, I think,which

of A. G. Steel would
both

of these

"

not

from
the
teach

the old-fashioned

play" that is,the accurate timing of the ball,and seeing

and playingit correctly
after the rise from the ground,
with the knowledge when
to make
exceptionsto that
"

rule.'

How

of

old

would

days

you
with

the best under-hand

compare
the best modern
round-arm
?
"

bowling
'

This

is

difficult question to answer

Old
:
Clarke, of
Nottingham,was the onlyfirst-classunder-hand bowler

very

But I think that

good matches.
(when at Cambridge)and another bowler,

playedwith

he and

in

Kirwan

Hertfordshire

time, and
Lord

have

any

him

been

quick

rise.

Old

have

accuracy of
bowler.
He

Chad,

held

their

useful in matches

most

Beauclerk, when

extreme

excellent

an

would

man,

Frederick

balls,and his

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

184

our

pitchmust
very

bowler

at

at any

now.

old, bowl

very
was

own

have
slow

Harrow,

saw

few

made
with

could

very good balls at times, and if in his younger

he could have repeated them, as he used to declare

bowl

days
I
he could,he certainly
have been
must
a good man.
Browne
of Brighton bowl in a single-wicket
once
saw
match, but I do not think he would have been superior
The change in the law of leg-before-wicket
to Kirwan.
would
have told much
bowlers,
againstthe under-hand
as
they relied so much on the well-pitchedballs with
hand
them.
a curl on
My opinion is that reallygood underwould
for changebe very useful now,
particularly
bowling,but that,with the present grounds,round-arm
be depended upon.
must
Many old bowlers told me
that Harris
the best bowler
seen.
was
they had ever
Under-hand
had gone out when
I began to see cricket.
In fact it had nearly gone out before I went
to Harrow.
Old
that a Nottingham man
Clarke used to tell me
from
his

whom

name

Did

points?

he learned
was

you
'

great deal

Warsop,

I think.'

know

Budd

well ?

never

saw

Budd

but

was

What
once,

the best

were

and

of all

his strong
then

he

was

quick as he had been, but still active.

He
was
a very
good all-round man, and when I saw him
he bowled
a
good sort of half-round slow, and fielded
well.
I did not think much
of his styleof batting,and
There
were
no
only called him a dangerous man.
pads
without
in his days ; and
he tried the hit to the on
if
pads when it would have been out leg-before-wicket
the ball pitchedstraight
from the bowler
to the wicket.
This
made
fine
him
unsafe player,but he was
a
an
old

and

hitter.'

not

as

'THE

BAT

(From

AND

BALL'

drawing

ox

BROAD

by Mr.

E.

HALFPENNY

H.

New)

MEMOIRS

OF

THE

OLD

CRICKETERS

(From Lillywhite'sCricket

Scores

BY

HAYGARTH

EDWARD
he

ARTHUR

and

match

last recorded

ABURROW'S

Biographies)

in

was

1782,

being but 35 years of age, thus abandoning the

In Nyren's
unknown.
rather earlyin life,
why is now
game
book, it is stated that he always went
by the nickname
of
Curry ',but no explanation is given as to the reason.
He
of Hambledon,
where
he always resided,
was
a native
now

'

followingthe

of

trade

shoemaker.

As

he

batsman

good change bowler.

He
of the
and
best
was
one
long-fields,
being a sure
of ground.
a great space
strong thrower, and able to cover
He
well-built
was
a strong and
man
standing about 5ft.
9in. in height,had a plain honest-looking face, and was
well beloved
by his acquaintance. His tombstone, which
(in 1858) was standing in Hambledon
churchyard, bears
the followinginscription:
steady

was

and

safe

and

SACRED

likewise

MEMORY

THE

TO

THE

JAMES
as

his

AYLWARD

THIS

DEPARTED

6TH

DAY

was

LIFE

OCTOBER

OF

AGED

88.

most

renowned

fullytestify,and

scores

and

167

runs

fields of the

'cracks'

of

1779, when

the

in

one

day.

He

Mann

was

for

chosen

19, and
some

Hambledon

took

indeed,

cricketer

innings against the

far-famed

Sir Horace

1835

besides

was

of the game,
being often
manager
the great contests.
On
June
18,
scored

OF

ABURROW

EDWARD
WHO

him

excellent

an
'

general

in

20, 1777, he
best

years

one

bowlers

of the

till about

Club

away

'

to

Bishops-

HAMBLEDON

THE

186
bourne
that

in

date

MEN

Kent, where

he made

him

he

opposed

to

is found

matches, and

was

few

Cricketers there

the

game

for 30

very

seasons,

that

great loss.
who

are

his bailiff. After

as

He

is

their

in

of the

one

first to last continued

from
his

Club

will be

name

found

in

these pages as far on as September 13, 1802, when

he
6l years of age, though after 1793 he did not play
was
John
regularlyin the great matches.
Nyren (in his

book) states
Club by Tom
as
Taylor was
a

he

was

introduced

Taylor,which
his juniorby

left-handed

the

into

however

Hambledon
be

cannot

several years.

batsman, very free,but

one

Ay

correct,

1ward

of the

was

safest

in the

abroad
He
went
club, having capitaldefence.
with Sir Horace, and had a son
called Horace, to whom
that great patron of the game
stood godfather. His

heightwas

5 feet 9

for
bulky man
a cricketer
; not a particular
good field,but kept wicket
well.
He
born at Peak
was
Farm, at Warnford, near
Droxford, in Hampshire, but lived at Corhampton, close
farmers.
by, where himself and all his relations were
Latterlyhe resided in London, and died in Edward
Street,Marylebone. He was buried in St. John's Wood
Churchyard,close to Lord's, December, 27, 1827, aged
He
erected
to his memory.
86, but no tombstone
was
had two
brothers,John and Thomas, who also played
(thoughnot in the great matches),and their tombstones
in Warnford
are
churchyard.John reached the age of 88.
WILLIAM
He

no

the

doubt

BARBER'S

last recorded

played in

commencement

shoemaker

inches,being rather

of

many

great

this work

match

was

contests

in

1772.

in

1777,

previous to
He

was

at Horndean,
by trade,and resided latterly
he also died.
His native
lage
vilnear
Hambledon, where
was
Walberton, near Chichester,but he was brought
to
Horndean
by some
gentlemen of the Hambledon
Club who had seen
him perform. The Barber and Brett
familyintermarried, and the former kept the ' Hut ',
Bat and
Ball Inn, on
or
Broad-Halfpenny Down, at
Hambledon, for twelve years, which Inn was stillstanding
a

MOST

'A

VENOMOUS

there in 1858.1

He

HITTER'

buried in

was

187

yard,
ChurchCatherington
71 ; but

September 10th, 1805, aged

no

tombstone

erected to his memory.

was

Wrecclesham, near
Farnham, in Surrey,February 5, 1766, but has lived
the
a
great part of his life since 1821 at Tilford,near
WILLIAM

BELDHAM

place,where

same

He
and

at

he

time

one

his average
that

public-house.
of England,

hitter'.

venomous

been

ever

best

bowling and fielding

Nyren in his book)

(saysJohn

time, being

'a. most

kept
'

'

made, obtained too, againstthe

of

at

crack
batsman
years the
of the largest
that has
is one

for many

was

born

was

As

bowler

he

delivered

high and well, pace moderate, yet borderingon the fast,

also an excellent judge
and getting up quick. He was
and
of a short run, had a good knowledge of the game,
fine field. Altogetherhis performanceshave
was
a very
but by few cricketers (ifany),combining
been exceeded
he did, batting,bowling, fielding,
as
wicket-keeping,
all.
A few have
i
n
and single-wicket
playing,
excelling
playedlonger from firstto last,but no cricketer besides
has

Beldham

ever

run

great matches, as his

and

missed

far

as

on

as

stated that not

He

of 35

career

will be found

name

Playersmatch
season.

unbroken

an

years in
men
in the Gentle-

1821, and he
near

never

all the matches

publishedin 'Bentley',and
played were
with many
other cricketers,
therefore (as in the case
feats
of his wonderful
of former days)many
especially
lost. In one
are
single-wicketmatch
against John
is lost.
131 runs, but the score
Wells's bowling he made
He learned his cricket from Harry Hall, a gingerbread

in which

baker
'

he

Noble

Game

'

'.

He

hair, with

coloured
called

who

Farnham,

at

Silver

height is

5ft.

was
a

from

It is there

Billy by
8^in.and

still,as

photographtaken

fair

'

stated that when

He

used

about
Mr.

by

to

give lessons

farmer's

son,

complexion, and
his
his

fellow

weight

twelve

had

used

cricketers.
about

11

the

on

light
to

be
His

stones.

years of age, the size

New's
picture opposite p. 184,
Mr. C. B. Fry,testifies." E.V.k.

HAMBLEDON

THE

188
of the

MEN

but in
by 6 for practice,
matches
22 inches by
April,1858, when he had
completed his 92nd year, he was visited by the Compiler
of this book, who
him
found
at work
in his garden
before 8 o'clock in the morning.
He
then well
was
and
hearty,very little deaf, and slightlyblind with
one
eye, did not stoop in the least,or require a stick to
walk

he

stumps

with.

about

June

On
from

walked

18

was

miles,to

inches
In
6.

86 years of age,
Godalming, a distance of

21, 1852, when

Tilford

to

the match

there between

England
and Godalming.
Beldham
is the last surviving
member
of the once
far-famed Hambledon
Club, and no cricketer
of note
reached so great an age, though cricketers
ever
generally,and the Hambledon
players especially,
lived long. A photograph portrait of
to have
seem
7

the above
of age,
Beldham

see

remarkable

taken

man,

possession of

is in

the

still alive when

was

when

this book

ne'er shall look upon

all,we
WILLIAM

rather

BOWRA

than

; but
thirteen

of the

Knowle,
sit

to

him

in the

he

does

press,
still
for all

again.'

not

have

Dorset,

to

seem
was

and

lived
(

name

played more
gamekeepers

of the

one

his

in

at
consequence
Duke
used
often
'

The

the

railingslooking on the Vine

playing, frequently saying 'Bravo,
on

and

him

in which

Sevenoaks.

near

Take

his like

to

96,

few matches
He

seasons.

of

Duke

went

it is believed,Borra)was
(pronounced,

successful

is found

of this work.

of
'

91 years

was

Compiler

the patriarchal
having reached
age
his
Tilford.
at
residing(with
wife)
in

he

and
my

watch
little

'
I take from Oxford Memories
the following:
If Beldham,
I
master
Brown
at fifty-four,
as
it is easy to believe
said, could
what Fennex
said
that Beldham
was
by far the best of his
"

day, "hitting quick as lightningall

of

batsman

"

and

it

was

round
said that Lord

him, the very model

Frederick

Beauclerk
old age.
Even

formed
after him.
Beldham's
was
a green
between
and
he
barred
in county
was
sixty
seventy
matches.
When
eighty-six
brought as an
years of age he was
was

when

interesting relic of the old game

much

to the

him.'"

of the
gratification

E.V.L.

into
few

the

pavilion at Lord's,

old gentlemen

who

bered
remem-

WILLIAM

BKLUHAM

('SILVER

(Reproduced by permission
in

HILLY

from

')

painting from
the possession of the M.C.C.)
a

life

THE
!

Bowra

'

In

1858,

his memory

to

THOMAS

had

BRETT

farm

no

of his

one

familywas

so

that

tablet

was

189

still

was

standing

at least resided

of, or

five miles

at,

from

Hambledon, where
Farm, which had been

Heads

for many

his ancestors

In 1857
years.
lived there,though in his time the
'

numerous

left his

being perhapsthe

Hambledon

VINE1

Churchyard.

native

name

have

to

seems

wooden

called Tine

possessionof

in

'THE

in Sevenoaks

Catherington,about
he

GIVES

DUKE

that it ruled

the
for

place

native

he left off

reason

'.
village

He

Portsmouth,

playingfor

the

being then but 31 years

of age.
His tombstone
condition in 1858)
(ina falling
still to be seen
in Kingston churchyard,near
was
Portsmouth, and bore the following
:
inscription
Club

so

young,

SACRED

TO

MEMORY

THE

THOMAS
WHO

BRETT
DECEMBER

DIED

62

AGE

Two

of his

Cosham

at

Portsmouth

FREDERICK
but

Harrow,

YEARS.

unknown.

and

supporters of

in 1858.

He

the

'

Noble

Game

is also much

Ground

there

for

and

Lord-Lieutenant
Kent

and

1782

he

was

Captainof
; in

and

Vice- Admiral
of

sworn

the Yeomen
1784

he

was

'

as

He

of the

County of
Privy Council

of the Guard
sent

he

of Dorset

of the

the

of

town

be

to

Cranfield.

Rotulorum

Gustos

is

gave the
Cricket
a

1769,

in

before Earl of Middlesex

and

of Buckhurst

there

kept in his
ing
day,includ-

The

him,

Duke

became
was

Baron

to

of trust

deed

by

succeedinghis uncle, and

Horse

of the

Bowra.

indebted

He

ever.

W.

educated

greatest admirers

',and

several of the best cricketers

Sevenoaks
Ground

of the

one

was

Miller, Minshull, and

Vine

still livingat

DORSET
DUKE
OF
was
(third)
whether
he played at cricket

now

employ

31, 1809,

daughters (one aged 85) were

near

JOHN

OF

as

and

County
Kent.

and

Master

ambassador

also

was

and

of
In

made
of the

pleni-

HAMBLEDON

THE

190

France.

potentiaryto

Knight

of the
and

Household,
He

Militia.

54, but

born

hunting, being
Ireland, Feb.
'

Duke

The

elected

was

of the

Colonel

of the

March

24, 1745

King's

West

Kent

; and

died

Sevenoaks, July 19, 1799, aged

his

from

thrown

Sussex.

in

son,1who

title

The

killed while

was

his horse

14, 1815, aged

'

he

Steward

Withyham,

at

with

extinct

became

at

near

buried

was

Lord

also

seat, Knowle,

at his

and

was

was

his return

On

Garter

MEN

out

at

Killiney2in

the

Gentleman's

21.

is celebrated

in

in

verse

Magazine of 1773, as follows :

Equalled by few he playswith glee,
Nor
peevishseeks for victory,
His Grace for bowling cannot
yield
To none
but Lumpy in the field,
"

far unlike

And
Of
He

blockingevery
firmlystands with
strikes with

And

Eleven

France

six notches

up

cricket

1784, and

in

(who was
togetherto go

Yalden

to

eleven

an

gave

play
upright
athletic might,
the mead,
across
bat

for the deed.

when

he went

did not

the

and

sador
ambas-

means

He, while

captain of
over

as

(itseems) resume

his return, still he nearlywas

of England going to Paris.

play on
wrote

scores

he

his

forth the ball

Sends

to

way

ball at

And

Though

the modern

the

show

of

an

there,

Eleven)to get
the

art.

The

the
list.
chosen, and the followingwas
John
W. Yalden, H. Attfield,
Edmeads, Earl of Tankerville, Wood, W. Bedster,Lumpy, G. Fry,D. Etheridge,
Eleven

was

"

Stephen Harding, and

the

They had
got to Dover on their way, when to their great surprise
of Dorset
had returned, being compelled to
the Duke
flee from France, upon the breaking out of the revolution
there,and the match had therefore to be abandoned.
1

According

Sackville
and
*

to

Debrett

Germain,

treat

this

Duke

son

in 1843

when

was

nephew,

his honours
in
Debrett.
Killarney
died

of Dorset.

who

became

succeeded
became
extinct.

by

Charles

fifth Duke,

191

FENNEX
WILLIAM

first recorded

FENNEX'S
Club

Hambledon

against Kent

match

1786.

in

for the

was

He

was

fine,

elegantbatsman, hittingwell from the wrist,

and being also able to drive well forward.
He was
one
of the first (or nearly so) who
introduced
the practice
of forward
play, the old cricketers before his time
seldom
or
never
adopting that style or going out of
the ball at the pitch. He
their ground to meet
was
also a very fine field and a fast bowler, with a short run
free,and

to

up

the

and

For an
hand
undereasy action.
ever
bowler, he possessedthe highestdelivery
seen,
crease,

an

his hand

being nearlyon
propellingthe ball ; and
between
in practicewhen

level with

he

still bowling

was

in

; thus

After

seasons.

found

is not

name

40

capitally

His
70 years of age.
far on as 1826, in a match

appears in these pages as

between
Bury and Saffron Walden

completing

when

60 and

name

last

his shoulder

the

from

1806, however,
of the

contests

great

first to
his

day,

He
in 181 6.
(Robinson's
benefit),
noted as a single-wicket
was
player than
perhapsmore
of that
anything else, having been engaged in many
kind of contest.
of the
thus altogetherone
He
was
of the day, though his average
cracks
batsman
as
a
will not be found
temporaries.
so
large as several others of his conabout
His height was
5ft. lOin. and his
weight about 1 3 stones ; being very muscular, as well as
abstemious
He said that he could walk all day
an
man.
without being tired if he did not exceed three miles an
hour.
The Sporting
Magazine of 1 836 has the following
about
this celebrity
:
Fennex, about half a century

except

in

match

one

'

'

'

"

since, beat
the
raised

three

himself

kept

once

Mitcham

on

to

three

As

lived with
a

proofof

of the

such

his

veteran, it may
walked

90

the Earl

be mentioned
in

the

was

three

well

as

sisted,
unas-

day.

He

skill,that he

bosom

of the

of Winchilsea

strengthas

miles

by

eminence

hunters, and

the

and

greatest cricketers

Oldacre, the illustrious huntsman

who

alone

Common,

friend

of

Berkeley pack,

and

the Tuftons.

the self-denial of this

that at

the

age

days, carryingan

of 75

he

umbrella,

192
a

HAMBLEDON

THE

bundle

of

that

clothes,and
but

three

MEN
cricket

bats, and

spent

three

He was
shillings.'
ally
origintrade a journeyman blacksmith, and was
born
at Jarrit's Cross, in Buckinghamshire ; or, according to
another
He, however,
account, at High Wycombe.
played for Middlesex, livingmany
years at Uxbridge,
where he had a ground. At one
time, also,he kept the
Portman
Arms
',Marylebone,and also used to employ
to smuggle tea.
men
Latterlyhe lived much in London,
with the running men,
being likewise a good trainer,as
well as a fwag', and was
old
facetious and comical
a
man.
During his decliningyears he was
hospitably
appointed by the Rev. John Mitford, of Benhall, near
office at that
in Suffolk,to a sinecure
Saxmundham,
out of the last ten years of his
place,and was also seven
life employed as cricketing
tutor to the Messrs. Ashfood,
of Eye, in Suffolk.
Fennex
was
married, but left no

during
by

time

'

children.
up

on

few

foot

to

Being attacked

months

before

his decease

of
London, to visit one
he obtained
by bronchitis,

his

he

started

relations.

admission

to

St. Thomas's

Westminster
Hospital,near
Bridge, and
recovered. Being,however, told he must
soon
now
leave,
he obtained
a
permission to remain
fortnightmore,
which
he
and
time
fever
died,
caught a
during
1839 (or 1838),aged about 75, and is interred in the
burial placeof that institution.
"

the
famous
most
(with Lumpy) was
bowler
of his day, but whether
fast or slow is now
known.
unAll his earlydoings before 1772 are lost; but
and
he certainlywas
well known
began to play in
the
is among
earlyin life,as his name
great matches
list of those going to contend
in a great single-wicket
match
the Artillery
in
1754
on
Ground, Finsbury
He
was
Square, London.
(it is believed)born at
Wallingham in Surrey,but lived at Dartford in Kent,
No tombstone
where he died October
1 1, 1796, age 63.
erected to his memory,
at least none
was
was
standing
No further particulars
in Dartford churchyardin 1858.
JOHN

FRAME

bowler
of this famous
trade he followed is now
FRANCIS

RICHARD
both

as

could

obtained; and

be

what

unknown.

was

cricketer of much

celebrity,
sidered
bowling was con-

His

bowler.

and

batsman

193

MATTERS'

WORLDLY

'OTHER

Club,
jerk,but was allowed by the Hambledon
the then law-givers. He was
a
Surrey man, but resided
of that
at
time
some
Hambledon, and formed one
He
in
Eleven ; also playing for Kent.
famous
was
As
firm and active little man.
stature a closely-made,
a

his

name

is found

Essex

the

in

Eleven

in

1793, he

that county.
to
Indeed,
probably removed
to
asked
W.
Beldham
give some
(in 1858), when
of him, stated he had played with him there
account

most

77 years back.

Freemantle, whose
great

brother of John
younger
will be found in a few of the

FREEMANTLE

ANDREW

He

contests.

'

field for about

of the 'cracks'

was

name

continued

in the

to appear

and

twenty-three
seasons,

was

'

tented

also

one

in its
Hambledon
Club, when
left-handed
a
batsman, very steady
likewise
a
good hitter. He generally

prime. He was
and safe, and

of the

where he was
long-field,
very good, and he was
to be depended on, both at cricket as well as in other
5ft. 9in. and his
His
height was
worldlymatters.'
born
He
at
list.
was
Bishop Sutton,
weight was
but
when
about 30 years
near
Alresford,in Hampshire ;
*

stood

Winchester, where

of age, he removed
to Easton, near
he kept the Bat and Ball Inn, also
of

carpenter. He

aged

68 ; but

memory.
In

no

1858, his

son

has

tombstone

[Inanother

Easton, and his

at

died at

followingthe trade
Easton,January 19th,1837,

account

been

his age

erected
was

to

his

given as 69-]

Henry was keeping the same

son
was
George (alsoa cricketer)

inn

at

living

Winchester.
JOHN

long,but

FREEMANTLE
was

does

not

the elder brother to the

o

to

seem
'

have

played

crack ',Andrew

194
Freemantle.
delivered
but

by

His

high

no

bore

MEN

tolerablyfast

bowling was

and

well.

As

the ball.

high

and was
integrity,
in height. His
Hants, but he

He

was

character

for

stout-made

Churchyardbears

resided

good,
never

hearty John Bull ',

straightforward,
manly
'

man

of about

5ft. lOin.

at

in New

Alresford

:
following
inscription

JOHN

OF

FREEMANTLE
DIED

AUGUST
73

AGE

HARRIS'S

was

Bishop Sutton, in
Alresford, being a master

IN MEMORY

DAVID

was

he
fielding

His tombstone

the

WHO

when

and

villagewas

native

builder in that town.

he

batsman

and
first-rate,

means

flinched from
and

HAMBLEDON

THE

3, 1831,

YEARS.

first recorded

match

was

on

the Vine

Club against Kent,

ground in 1782, for the Hambledon
states, that he
though John Nyren in his book expressly
Nyren also
began to playin the great contests in 1778.
from Odiham, in Hampshire, but
mentions
that he came
the compiler of this volume
informed
was
by one of
D. Harris's nephews, that the Harrises living
at Odiham
left-handed batsman,
relations. Harris was
a
were
no
but did not
excel in that department of the game,
though curiously
enough he got the score in this his first
innings. He was also not much of a field,though game
His bowling was
to the backbone.
right-handed,and
in this capacityhe was
not to be excelled either in his
and
own
day or since. It must likewise be remembered
taken
much
smaller
he had
into consideration,that
wickets

to

the wickets

"c.,are

bowl

than

at

likewise

he

afterwards

used.

All

got by catches,stumping, hit-w.,

day scores were

imperfectlydrawn
and it is expressly
was
fast,
up in that respect. His delivery
wickets by catches off his bowling
stated that he got more
than the other cracks of his time.
In bowling he
never
stooped in the least,and his balls when pitched
touch and up again. By holding the ball over
his
were
lost,as

in his

those

DAVID'S
head

GOLD-LACED
he
starting,

before

attributed.

was

he used

that often

is recorded

innings of

70

or

195
To

to

that

In the

in
practise

to

used

TRICK

gain freedom of arm.

the improvement in battingat

his fine execution

time

HAT

winter,and in wet weather,

barn, hence his superiority.It
then

was
(no analysis

80, but

or

have

runs

kept)of

been

made

an

off

During the latter part of his career

(he was
after
unable
Harris
suffered
much
to play
from
1798),
the gout, and latterly,
in fact,was
quite a cripple. He
often walked
to the ground on
crutches to play,when,
and getting warm,
after delivering
he would
a few
balls,
still perform splendidly. In one
match
his execution
fine that a gold-lacedhat was
was
so
presented to him.
his end.

Lord

Frederick

say that
the grandestthingof the kind he

bowlingwas
but

he

even

Beauclerk

could

not

used

have

Harris's

to

known

him

ever

saw,

in his

prime.

faster than William

was
Lambert, and
considerably
Harris
superiorin styleand finish altogether. David
He

born

Elvetham, in Hampshire, but when quitea

child,removed to Crookham, in the same
county. He
lived there all his life,
followingthe business of a potter,
The
and died there.
Parish Registerdid not give his
was

at

buried at Crondall

merely statinghe was

Crookham),May 19, 1803.

age,

The

compilerof

of
by one
(Mr. Timothy Hill, residingin 1858
only 48 at
Farnham), that he was

was,

however,

informed

He never
decease.
been erected to mark

WILLIAM

was

the

HOOSFLESH'S

married, and

(closeto

this sketch

Harris's

Ewshot,

at

the
no

nephews
near

of his

time

has

tombstone

of this celebrated
resting-place

only

name

appears

in

eight

matches
in Lillywhite's
book, his career
commencing
famous
in
He
before 1772.
his day as
was
very
a
bowler, and Nyren stated he had a high delivery.
Southwick
His placeof residencywas
near
Hambledon,
where

he

was

buried.

No

tombstone

was

erected

to

his memory,
but the registerstates that William
Hogsflesh was
Accordburied there April29, 1818, age 74.
o

HAMBLEDON

THE

196

this he

MEN

he left
years of age when
off playingin the great matches.
(Though the above
been
the
old Hambledon
to have
Club
is believed
player,still it is not quite certain, as, by another

ing

to

only

was

account, he lived and died

WILLIAM

for

LAMBERT'S

32

at

of Hambledon.)
village

the

first match

at Lord's

Surrey against England.

He

that has

ever

successful cricketers
he

did

was

in

was

of the

one

1801,
most

ling
yet appeared, excel-

batting,bowling, fielding,
keeping
wicket, and also single-wicket
playing. His hitting(he
was
tremendous,
always raised his bat over his shoulder)
his chief aim being to take the ball at the pitch and
the bowler, instead of attackinghim,
drive it away, and
alwaysseemed to be at his mercy'. It must, however, be
with other cricketers of former
observed (asis the case
days)that he had, during the greater part of his career,
as

in

'

smaller
as

well

wickets
as

against.

to

defend

having only
He

was

twice in the

than

those

under-hand

afterwards

bowling

the first cricketer who

match,

which

ever

to

used,

contend

made

100

feat he

performed
in 1817, scoring107, not out, and
157, against two of
the best bowlers of the day,namely,E. H. Budd, Esq.,
! He was
and Howard
also a noted single-wicket
player;
and in 1810, alone and unassisted (hispartner, Mr. G.
Osbaldeston, being unable throughillness to play more
than a few balls),
beat at singlewicket two
of the best
cricketers of that time, namely Lord
F. Beauclerk
and
!
Howard
This
was
certainlya proof of his great
superiority.His bowling was rather slow, and was very
successful,
being an approach to round, his arm
being
from his side
extended
in fact,it was
a
high
slightly
under-hand
delivery,
twistingin from the leg-side.His
also was
fielding
very fine,having huge hands, which
a great advantage to him.
were
Altogether,this great
has been
cricketer,
taking everythinginto consideration,
His name
will be found
in
surpassedby few, if any.
runs

same

"

the great matches

at Lord's up to 1817, but after that
he was
not allowed to appear at that ground any more,

WILLIAM

(From

photograph

LAMBERT

in the

IX

OLD

AGE

possession of Mr. A. J. Gaston)

GREAT

owing

to his

having(atleast,so
Nottingham match

England v.
playinghis best.
in minor

RINGER

matches

TOO

197
'

said) sold the

of that year by not
He, however, continued to participate
tillhe was
at Reigateand the vicinity
it

'

was

of these are
sixtyyears of age, but the scores
nearlyall lost. His actual last match took place,it is
believed,in 1839, at Crabbet Park, the seat of Mr. Blunt,
at Worth, near
Crawley,it being a gentlemen's match
of no
About
and 9 also,his son,
1837-8
great note.
Alfred Lambert, played for Reigate; and, owing to
about

the

of initials in the

absence

old scores,

it will

times
some-

found

be

impossibleto say which of the two is

playing. He (W. L.)was born at Burstow, in Surrey,
but resided at Nutfield,in the same
county, where he
followed the occupation of a miller ; but he was
also in
the
fuller's earth trade, having several men
in his
employ. His heightwas 5ft. 10 in.,and his weight was
15st., being also a very powerful man.
Latterlyhe
was
a
great ringer. He died at Nutfield,April 19,
No tombstone
1851, aged 72, but is buried at Burstow.
has been

"

he

erected

LAMBORN'S

to the memory

firstrecorded

only to

appears

have

of this famous
match

was

played for

five

in
seasons.

man.1

1777, and
John

his book, calls him Lambert, which, however,

is no doubt a mistake,as in the old score-book the name
is
speltLamborn
throughout. He was alwayscalled ' The
Little Farmer ',and was
a right-handed
bowler,with an

Nyren, in

and twist from the off to the leg.

extraordinary
delivery
He taught himself by (when tendinghis father's sheep)
settingup a hurdle or two, and bowling away for hours
He was, it is believed,a Surreyman
together
; but
.

I may
add to this that from information I received from an
old neighbour of mine, a cousin of Lambert's, I know
him to
have
after 1839.
Lambert's
played in local matches
name
the game
was
on
put to a manual
publishedat Lewes in 1816,
the frontispiece
of which
I reproduce opposite p. 216.
It is
book
without
and
a
character,
was
probablythe work of the
of
dull
some
o
r
publisher
journalist.E. V. L,
very
"

THE

198

his Christian
age, could

bumpkin,
did not

be

very
continue

of

death, and
discovered.
He was
a regular
country
civil and inoffensive young
fellow,but
the game

LEER'S

GEORGE

date
village,

native

name,

not

MEN

HAMBLEDON

long,why

last recorded

only 33 years of
being now
earlyin life,why is
game
good and successful bat,but

is not

match

age, thus

was

in

1782, he

the
discontinuing

unknown.

now

recorded.

He

was

mostly famous as longbowling in the Hambledon

stop to Brett's tremendous
He
matches.
was
always called Little George ',and
fine singer,having a sweet
counter-tenor
voice.
was
a
In Nyren'sbook, he is stated to have been a native of
he was
a
brewer, residingat
Hambledon, but latterly
He
where
he died.
Petersfield,
is,however, buried in
where his tombstone
Hambledon
(in1858)
churchyard,
The inscription
was
nearlyillegible.
was, however, as
was

'

follows

:
"

SACRED

TO

THE

GEORGE
WHO

DIED

as

OF

LEER,

FEBRUARY

IST, 1812,

63.

AGED

He

MEMORY

of fair complexion,and of a pleasshort man,

ing
is spelt
aspect. It may also be stated that his name
above, and not Lear, as in Nyren'sbook, and in the
was

old
'

scores.

LUMPY'S

'

last recorded

Hampshire, on
of age.

His

the Vine
real

name

match
in
was

for

England against
54 years
being now
Stevens, though
former appellation,
which
he was
in 1857)because
was

1789, he
Edward

always played under the

was
given him (saidBeldham
of 1859, however, states
fat. A Hampshire paper
so
he once, at one
of
because
that he acquired the name
the dinners of the Hambledon
Club, did eat a whole
apple-pie.'By a third account, however, he acquired
from some
in his bowling.
this nickname
peculiarity
he

'

SMUGGLER

PLAIN

BUT

199

compilerof this book has (contraryto his usual

in the matches
in
custom) not inserted his real name
The

he appears, because he
that of ' Lumpy '. He

which

by

celebrated

most

balls of

as

was

better known

batsman, but

no

to deliver

was
more

and he never
used
any other man,
faster than Lord
F. Beauclerk's,

was

than

slower

much

but

much

so

bowler, being able

length than

tire ; his pace

to

was

remembered, also,and

David
allowed

of

Harris's.

It must

for,that (as is

the

be
case

time) he had during the

only two stumps to attack,
greater part of his career
the ball passed
out when
it being then not considered
these two.
between
Only since 1775, or thereabouts,
with

did he
the

bowlers

other

have

three

heightand

his

stumps

breadth

to

bowl

at ;

much

were

and

smaller

even

then

than

those

'

was
always pleased when
Lumpy
by shooters,and always tried to get
the stumps pitchedfor this end, with a risingpiece of
ground.
For honest Lumpy did allow,
He ne'er could pitchbut o'er a brow.

afterwards used.
wickets fell to him

Like

Harris, he did

David

by

out

Tankerville

once

hit

would

'

catches
bet

feather

once

of his oppomany
nents
off rising balls. The
Earl of

"100
in

not

get

so

(and

won

four balls

it)that Lumpy
while bowling on

Burway Ground, at Chertsey. Most of his earliest,

and no
doubt
best, performances are lost,as when this
book commences
(in 1772) he must have reached the
His native village
was, it is believed,Send,
age of 37.
in Surrey ; but, when
brought to
quite young, he was
and staunch
live at Chertseyby Mr. Porter,a brewer
Latterlyhe was
gardener to
supporter of the game.
the

the

Earl

Thames.

of
'

Walton-onTankerville,at his seat near

Lumpy was a thick-made, round-shouldered
'

height,and weighed about list.

When
young, he was, it is supposed, a bit of a smuggler;'
but in John
Nyren's book he is stated to have been
his favourite
was
plainin all his dealings'. Hambledon
of his former exploits
spot,and he used to visit the scene
man,

about

5ft. 7in. in

'

'

HAMBLEDON

THE

200

MEN

the
There
is
long after he had abandoned
game.
HambleInn, Barn Green, near
(1 860) in the Waterloo
don, a picture of him dancing with a jug of ale in his
hand ; for he was
curious and eccentric
a
character,full
of fun and

humour.

in Walton-on-Thames

his tombstone

churchyard,and
his

is buried

He

(which was erected by

bears the following
Tankerville)

patron, the Earl of

:
inscription
"

To

EDWARD

MR.
WHO

THE

MEMORY

THE

STEVENS,

DEPARTED

?TH

DAY

OF

THIS

MANN'S

84.

why

to be

is not

placebefore
song

of his

this book

he is mentioned
A

He

found

was

cricket there

was

ever

pages

in

1782,

Club.

His

1773, and

since

these

known.
unperiodsis now
matches, however, probably took
commences

In the old

in 1772.

as,

batter

of the

one

in these

playbetween

he did not
Most

match

last recorded

againstsix of the Hambledon

for six of Kent

name

LIFE

SEPTEMBER, 1819,

AGED

SIR HORACE

OF

of

great might.

greatest patrons

has been

; and

at

one

and

admirers

of

of his country

House, Bishopsbourne,near
seats, Bourne
off. He
several great county matches
came
Maidstone ; also at
fine placeat Linton, near

Canterbury,
had another

Sissinghurst
;
half of the parishof Frittenden,being
and nearlyone
He
landowner
in Kent.
extensive
was
an
agreeable,
about
When
match
anxious
and
'.
affable
a
(says
gay,
John
Nyren in his book),he would walk about outside
the daisies with his stick. He
the ground,cutting down
cricketers in his employ, including
had several famous
his huntsman
and
and
John
George Ring ; who were
whipper-in. The Gentleman's Magazine of 1814- has the
of the House
of Commons
following: He was a member
for five successive Parliaments,for Sandwich, from 1774
'

CURVE

His life was

to 1807.

THE

WHOLE

rather

dedicated

WAY

20]

pleasurethan

to

Enjoying a good constitution,he was much

attached
to
cricket,
gymnastic exercises, especially
which
for the
he advanced
in life he relinquished
as
of whist.
Of late years ( after
sedate amusement
more
his bankruptcy),
he regularly
passed his time between
Bath and Margate, and was
a warm
promoter of every
delion,
and improvement in those places.'At Daninstitution
near
Margate, also several good matches came
off under his patronage, after he had left Bishopsbourne.
He
had three daughters,but no
sons, so the title is
extinct.
He died at Margate,April,1814, aged 70, but
business.

is buried

at

memorial

Linton,

has been

NOAH

MANN'S

erected

to

firstrecorded

him

tablet

No

Maidstone.

near

or

there.1

match

last.

Barber's

was

Born
[He made 23 and 11 ; Barber spectacles.]
15th, 1756 ; he
Northchapel,in Sussex, November

at
was

by trade, and kept an inn at his native

and
village.He was left-handed, both as a batsman
a
bowler, and, like all left-handed men, was a very hard
hitter. His left-handed bowling(under-handof course)
had
the whole
curve
an
extraordinary
way, and was
also wonderfullyactive, could
; he was
very deceptive
like
deal of ground, darting about
immense
cover
an
feats
lightning.He could also perform extraordinary
of agility
on
horseback, being able to pick up from the
ground handkerchiefs while going at full speed. Was
of his day,and won
of the swiftest runners
one
many
which
often got up after the games
matches
were
were
a

shoemaker

He

over.

to

Hambledon,

miles.

20

summertime,

day
Tues-

practise,a
was
short,swarthyas

about

used to go, in the

In

stature

to

he

with

broad-chested,
large
muscle, and always played
son,
1

Noah,

was

afterwards

every
distance of

gipsy,

spider legs,all

hips, and
without

cap

engaged by

the

or

hat.

His

Marylebone

the
was
might be added to this that Sir Horace Mann
of Horace
nephew of the friend and correspondent
Walpole.

It

HAMBLEDON

THE

202
Club

as

his

practicebowler

will

name

for about

found

be

MEN

in

sixteen

of

some

the

named
youngest son was
Sir Horace
Mann, who kindlyconsented
to him.
He, however, died when
of age.
Poor
was
Noah,' his death
His

Lord's.

'

and

years,
matches

Horace,
stand

to

at

after

father
god-

only 18 years
a
melancholy

shooting,and on his return to

the Half Moon
Inn, at Northchapel,wet and tired,he
with his companions ; refusingto go
had a free carouse
in sleepingall night in his chair
to bed, he persisted
one

he

had

been

in front of the

out

It

fire.

and

was

still is the

in

custom

part of the country to heap togetherall the ashes

of keeping the fire in
the hearth, for the purpose

that
on

day. During the night, having fallen

asleep,the sparks ignitedhis clothes (or,as stated in
Nyren's book, he fell upon the embers),and he was
so
day, not
severely burnt that he died the next
surviving twenty-four hours. His death took placeat
of 33, in December,
But
few
the early age
1789till the

next

cricketers will be found

a

to have

done

so

much

in such

ful
taking his batting,bowling,and wonderall into consideration.
An inquest was
held
fielding
of Accidental
Death
his body, when
was
a verdict

short career,

'

'

on

returned.

No

JOSEPH
which

tombstone

MILLER'S

his

erected

was

average

in

the

to

his memory.

few

matches

in

good, but his best performances

was
(saysNyren) gamekeeper
of Dorset,
Tankerville or the Duke

name

appears
lost. He

are

is very

either to the Earl of

but most
probablywilh the latter,as he formed one of
the Kent
Eleven.
His styleof battingwas
beautiful,
'

firm and

and

steadyas

very
amiable
man.

active.

is celebrated

the
He

to
Pyramids,'
was

also

In the Gentleman's

be

kind-hearted

Magazineof

seems,

July 20,

on,

and

1 773, he

as

Miller,of England'scricketers the

There

depended

to
byreferring

1774,

to

have

been

the

Hampshire

best.
match

played

two, but it is almost certain

'OLD
that J.
of the

The

20,

the

was

'

'

crack

PURCHASE1

and

day. Latterlyhe

Horace
close

DOCTOR

Mann,
to

he

as

to

seems

died

Sir Horace's

the great contests

have lived with Sir

played in

Bridge

at

seat

country

at

registerat Bridge stated that he

1 799, but

no

the

Club.

Harnbledon
and

of Dorset

height

and

was

not

match

He

opposed

about

He

active.

very

batsman

man

With

1790.

gardener to

was

thick-set

in

was

the best

considered

was

buried October

was

added.

last recorded

MINSHULL'S
Miller he

was

age

Canterbury,
Bishopsbourne.

near

to

the Duke
5ft. 9in- in

is believed

have

to

of Middlesex, but his native village,

Christian
date of death and age, could not be discovered.
name,
and also Minchin.
is found speltMinshall
The name
out

come

don

was

16 years

first recorded

PURCHASE'S

RICHARD

against England
of age,

in these

pages

of the

member

being a
getting

slowish

up
and
hitter,

him,

nor

1774

those

play between

was

His

to

Hambledon
bowler

tolerable
he

up

of

; and

Petersbe found

he did not

why

when

but

now

He

unknown.

now

in

its

was

prime,
balls

good length, his

well.
the

being
Liss,near
will not

Club

field.
to

at

name

1781

periodsis

uncommonly
a

born

having been

from

for Hamble-

1773, he

in

field,
September 24-,1756.

match

He

He

had

tricks

also

was
no

of

cunning
the

fair

about

game;

in

playing,as in all other actions in life,he was the same

honest fellow.
Once in a match (score
straightforward,
Richard
Purchase
and William
not preserved),
Harding,
of Frensham, in Surrey,went
in first in the second
They got 200 before they were
innings for 228 runs.
but 20
all the rest of their side made
parted,when
between
more
them, thus losingthe game ! In stature,
of a dark complexion. By
he was
a slightly-made
man,
where
in his native village,
trade, he was a blacksmith
he lived all his life,
but was
giving
very poor latterly,
who
He
to his sons,
supportedhim.
up his business
used

to

be

he obtained

called
because

'

Old

Doctor

he used

Purchase

',which

to
occasionally
'

name

bleed the

HAMBLEDON

THE

204

died

villagers'.He
but

tombstone

no

was

MEN

Liss,April 1st, 1837, aged

at

80 ;

erected to his memory.

In 1858,
ing
followresidingat the same
village,

of his sons
was
his father's trade ; and
another
was
keeping the
Horse
White
Inn, at St. Cross,near Winchester.
one

RING'S

JOHN
Hambledon

Club,

Dartford

near

Hone, with
his head
to be
was

'

Mann

noted

took
He

batsman

depended

also

He

1782.

for

was

born

He
him

Kent

was

was

lived

Mumford, Esq.,till he

"

huntsman.

crack

'

in

match

Kent, 1758.

in

Sir Horace

when
the

first recorded

the

Darenth,

at

Sutton-at-

at

years of age,

21

was

v.

as
Bishopsbourne,

to

time

some

considered

and
Kent, steadyand scientific,

in

well

famous

leg-hitter.He
single-wicket
player,being engaged in

on,

several of that kind

as

as

of contests.

In the field he ally

generstood cover-point. His heightwas
ft.
5
5
in.,and
only

his

thick-set.

weight 1 1 st.,strong-limbed,and
enough
Nyren (inhis work),curiously

makes

no

mention

of him

Hambledon

Club

his

among

the

omitted.
Of this
accidentally
marks
player,The Cricket Field (speakingthroughBeldham),reThe law for leg-before-wicket
not passed,
was
:
of our
'much wanted, tillRing, one
best hitters,
nor
was
age
shabby enough to get his legin the way and take advantof the bowlers, and when
Tom
Taylor,another of
name

doubt

opponents of the

John

no

was

'

"

our

best

did the
hitters,

beaten, and
before-wicket

same,

the

Out.'

law

It

the bowlers

passed
must, however,
was

found
to

be

selves
them-

make

leg-

observed,

that in the old laws of 1774, the rule about

leg-beforewicket is found, and as this was
several years before the
of

Ring

to say
impossible
facts can
be reconciled.
Ring died of a
fever, which it is believed was
partly caused by the
In the summerof
circumstance
1 800, George
:
following
Ring (hisbrother)was bowling to him, when the ball
In consequence
he
suddenlyrose and broke his nose.
laid up for several weeks, and though his death did
was

appearance
how
these

as

cricketer,it

is

"

not

ensue,
immediately

still it

was

attributed

to

the

THE
above
at

FIRST

SPIKES

accident.

the Pavilion

bat

A
at

Lord's

of

with

AND

PADS

Ring's is
the

205
be

to

addition

of

seen
'

Little

'

Joey affixed to it,which nickname, it is believed,also

belongedto Ring. He died at Bridge near Canterbury,
October 25, 1 800, aged 42, under the same
roof that the
crack
Miller had expiredbeneath, the year previously.
(

A
not

'

tombstone
in existence

ROBERT
1 792, he

erected

was

to

his

memory,

but

was

in 1859-

ROBINSON'S

firstrecorded

then,though he

great match

in

was

have

appeared several years

previously,
being 27 years of age. In Nyren's Cricketer's
is
Guide, his name
(though no descriptionof him
given)is inserted among the listof the crack Hambledon
Eleven ; but he could not have played with that club
for long,nor indeed is his name
found
in any of their
He was
contests.
a left-handed
batsman, and a terrific
of the best in Enghitter,being for several years one
land,
and
for his off-hitting
most
or
cutting he was
renowned.

His

must

average

will be

found

one

of

the

highest,though he only once

(itis believed)made 100
in one
runs
innings in great matches, and that curiously
his name
in which
enough in the first season
appears.
That he should have obtained
such a celebrity
is more
when
lost
a
wonderful, because
boy he accidentally
a
(throughfire)
fingerof his right hand ; he was, in
obligedto have all his bats grooved to
consequence,
fit his deformity. They had to be cut in one
place
of the handle, and then strengthened by iron let in.
'

[One of them is still to be seen

or
fielding
catching,he could only

at
use

'

Lord's.]When
his sound

hand,

named
being in fact,a cricketer under difficulties. He was nickJack'.
Long Bob', and likewise Three-fingered
He
time
was
engaged some
(itis believed just before
his death)at Dereham, in Norfolk,and at one
he
time
was
gamekeeper to J. Laurell, Esq. He introduced
spikesof monstrous
length for one shoe, and also made
for himself
pads of two thin boards placedangle-wise,
off which
with
the ball went
great noise ; but being
'

'

'

'

THE

206

HAMBLEDON

MEN

Robinson
was
a fine,
laughedat, he discontinued them.1
6 ft. 1 in. in height,and
tall,and powerfully-built
man,
weighed about l6st. He was a farmer's son, and was
born at Ash, near
Farnham, in Surrey,where he resided
for much
of his life,
and died there September 2nd, or
October
has been
2nd, 1822, aged 57 ; but no tombstone
erected

to

when

he

than

the

sons

His

career

till 1819,

continued

years of age, thus

generalityof cricketers.

playing later
In 1 860, one
Surrey.

54

was

residingat Frimley,in

was

THOMAS
with

his memory.

the

SCOTT

was

Hambledon

successful batsman

very

Club,

for several

in life

of his

indeed
John

seasons.

of him
in his book,
Nyren, however, gives no account
in a list of the best Eleven
though he inserts his name
of that famous club.
By trade he was (itis believed)
a
glover,at Alton, in Hampshire, where he resided,and
In 1857, his tombstone
ing
standwas
was
probablyborn.
with the following
in Alton
:
churchyard,
inscription
IN

THOMAS,

SON

Who

OF

THOMAS

departed this
AGED

There

also

were

could not

MEMORY

some

OF
AND

SARAH

life November
33

verses

SCOTT,
5, 1799,

YEARS.
on

the

tablet,but they
exception of Noah
Scott,most of the

deciphered. With the

Mann
(who was burnt to death)and
old Hambledon
and their opponents, seem
players,
have lived to a good old age ; indeed
this remark
apply to cricketers generally.
1

be

Concerning the early use

of

sawdust, Mr.

Pycroftwrites

to

will

"

Lambert
played Bennett, Fennex
notable single-wicket
match at Lord's,
Frederick's last innings was
winning
and
chance
of
him
out.
His
no
getting
Lordship
game,
the ground was
then latelyintroduced
sawdust
when
wet.
of
dirt
took
wet
and
Beldham, unseen,
sawdust, and
up a lump
stuck it on
the ball, which, pitchingfavourably, made
an
took
wicket.
This
and
the
I
heard
extraordinary twist,
from Beldham,
Bennett, and also Fennex, who used
separately
mention
it
the
wonders
of his long life.' E. V. L.
to
as
among
"

Beldham,

and
27th
the
had

Lord

Robinson, and

F. Beauclerk,
Lord
June, 1806.

"

'ADMIRABLE

OLD

207

MAN*

SMALL, SEN.'S last recorded match was for Hampshire

against the M.C.C. at Lord's in 1798, he being
then 6l years of age ; and but few, if any, cricketers
have continued
playingso late in life in countymatches.
JOHN

He

said

is

have

to

his

commenced

matches in 1755, when

played longerthan any

in

career

great

only 18 years of age. If so, he

other cricketer ever
has done ;

certainly
appeared in no countymatch after the
present one, though probablyhe played in the vicinity
of Petersfield some
longer. Small's average,
years
though very good, will not be found so high as
Beldham's, T. Walker's, and a few others of that
period; but this is to be accounted for from the fact
that none
of his inningspreviousto 1772 can
anywhere
when
in
be found, and therefore all the scores
he made
his prime are lost,as he had completed his 35th year
but

he

when

his

Small

is first found

name
'

was

tip-top',using

this book.

in

his wrists

As

bat,

well, and

was

also a most
He
was
capitaljudge of the short run.
active as a hare,and generally
taking the
splendidfield,
'

admirable
This
old man
was
post of middle-wicket.
shoemaker, but relinquishedthat trade to
a
originally
'

follow

the

of the

batsman

of the
know

of cricket.

game

Hambledon
of

names

Club, of

considered

sale of them.

matchless

; and

balls he

Budd, Esq., from

W.

wished

whom

purchase them
he first began cricket,of
scrapingstyleof play must
to

credit

more

38

years

defensive

sportsman, and
of the

he

manor

is due

'

crack
one

was

of age, to

system
a

years of age,
made
to E. H.

80

ever

Esq., afterwards
guinea a piece ! When

the

course

have

change
Small

and

crooked

bat

in use, and

been

Small

shot.
capital

of Grantham

the latter

Ward,

at

to

Indeed

when

he sold the last half dozen

and

which

'

(It would be interestingto

the great playerswhen
Small began
excelled
in making bats and
balls,

play.) He also
keeping a shop for the
to

about

long the

was

members.
original
the

were

He

and

fore
there-

being able, when

playto the straight

in

his
was

He

also

an

held the

Foley

many

excellent

deputation
years,

as

HAMBLEDON

THE

208

under

gamekeeper,
under

her

years
that

of

period of

his

he

amusement,

he

died

his

on

of

one

he

of

choir

the

was

life.
a

the aid of

without

fine

The

and
violin,

sent

once

returned

Small

violoncello,

Petersfield

the

church

for

of age,
and that
violin,

14 years

tillthe
spectacles,

of Dorset

Duke

miles,

excellent

an

violin and

75 years, namely, from the time he was

tillhis death ! He played on the tenor
too

lowed
his gun, and he folfoot tillthree or four years before
being a good skater, and figuring

Besides

was

of

tour

with

frequentlyon Petersfield pond,

musician, performingboth on the
and

it

life,that before he began his day's

execution

hounds

was

retained

given up, and then he was 70

his activityand strength at

regularlytook

frequentlydoing
the

was

Such

age.

Beckford, and

Madame

till it

son,

MEN

last year of his

him

as

present

compliment with

when
Once
bats, also paying the carnage.
returning in the evening from a party which he had
fine

some

attendingas a musician
(whichhe often did when
he was
young) he was attacked by a bull. By playing
his violin,
the bull (soit was
however
on
said)stopped,

been

and

thus

his skill saved

and

Eli Small.

John

his life. He

Small, sen.,

was

was

born

father of John

Empshott,

at

Hampshire, April19, 1737, but removed to Petersfield

when
about six years old,and resided there all his life.
His equalas a cricketer has seldom been met
with, and
of his early
it is only to be regrettedthat no particulars
in

career,

or

in the

game,

I860)

in

of how

account

any

His

remain.

now

Petersfield

he firstcame

to

excel

tombstone, standing(in

churchyard,bears

the

following

:
inscription

SACRED

TO

died December

Who

AGED

Praises
man's

on

tombs

good

name

OF

SMALL,

JOHN

'

MEMORY

THE

89
are

so

31, 1826,

YEARS.

triflesvainlyspent,
monument.'
is his own

'LAST
The

HAMBLEDONIANS1

OF

followingverses

written

and

his memory,

to

also

seem
are

209
to

have

copied from

'

been

Death's

doings'.
by Death's unerring ball,
A Cricketer renowned, by name
John Small.
But though his name
was
Small, yet great his fame,
For nobly did he play the noble game
;
like his innings,long and good,
His life was
he had death withstood,
Full ninety summers
when
At length the ninetieth winter came,
(fate
Not leavinghim one
solitary
mate)
This last of Hambledonians, old John Small,
Gave
up his bat and ball,his leather,wax, and all.
bowled
lies,

Here

And

out

again
"

John

Small

Pitch

With

bat and

make

ball,

wicket, play at cricket

any

in

man

England.

SMALL, JUN.'S last recorded match was on Highdown Hill in Sussex,in 1 8 1 1 for Sussex againstStorringof John Small, sen., and was
born at
He was
ton.
son
he resided all his life.
in Hampshire, where
Petersfield,
he was
fieldat middle-wicket,an
Like his father,
a capital
excellent judge of a short run, besides possessing
a superior
JOHN

of the

knowledge
of the

one

he

was

not

the

game

46

years

county
When
found

'

crack

'

equalto
in

also for several years

; he was
game
of the day,though certainly
batsmen
the

'

Small ',nor did he continue

late in life,being now
so

Old

great matches

of age, while his father's name

in a
appears
the age
of 6l.
when
he
had
reached
match
will be
only 19 years old, however, his name

in the

Hambledon

Club

Eleven, of which

he

was

handsomely made man, with wellknit,compact limbs and frame,about 5ft. 9 in. in height.
of John
and club-mate
He was
the playfellow
Nyren,
of the Hambledon
cricketers gives
who in his account
him
honest man, as
excellent character as a strictly
an
a

member.

He

was

MEN

HAMBLEDON

THE

210

being a first-rate hitter. In addition to his other

His
accomplishments,he was an excellent musician.
tombstone
in Petersfield churchyard, close to those of
his father,brother,and his two wives, bears the following
:
inscription
well

as

"

SACRED

TO

JOHN
Who

departedthis

John

son

carrying on
father and

PETER

life the 21st

70

don

and

January,1836,

YEARS.

good business
grandfatherused

the

in

Petersfield,

at

house

same

as

his

to live in.

last recorded

of Stewart

name

of

(I860)a draper, "c.,

is

STEWART'S

The

OF

SMALL,

AGED

His

MEMORY

THE

match

indeed

in

was

again in

appears
matches, but

1779-

Hamble-

initials are
as
no
Hampshire
of the
it is impossibleto say which
prefixedgenerally,
brothers (and there were
it is playing. The
several),
is speltas above, and not
name
Steward, as in Nyren's
book.

Peter
and

being a
very

shoemaker

very

well to

humourist.

before
time

off.

He

landlord

of the

exists

registerit

was

is

Green

found

February 1 5, 1 796, but

four

of

from

about

seem

to

the

true

1770

have

Sueter, Edward
Stewart.

in

Man

old

his

to

one

he

the

was

age

Hambledon

Aburrow,

played long-field,
he

bat

to

could

be

many
and was

1772
'

penter
car-

at

cut

slimly
thought
matches
at

one

No

Hambledon.

yard
church-

in Hambledon

wife),but by searching
buried
was

not

at

Hambledon,

added.

eleven, which

Only
used

play against All England,

there, namely Thomas
Peter
George Leer, and

1790 to
been
buried
to

As

was

played in

his memory

to

He

ambitious

was

doubt

'

and

dark-lookingman,

commences

(though there
the

Was

no

this book

tombstone

there.

steadyman
the

'Buck'

trade.

by

active, and

built, very
a

nicknamed

was

'STAYED
THOMAS

by

way

no

in the

but

is found

one

him.

last recorded

Nyren's book
wicket-keeperto Brett's

paced bowling ;
appears,

DAYS'

John

in

famous

most

WHOLE

SUETER, whose

is stated

1791,

THREE

IN

in his

But

have

been

day,when

have

been

match
in
was
been
to have

tremendousin which his name

contests

to

211

got
man

out

in that

stumped

was

scored

down
such.
as
of the best, and, like all leftAs a bat, he was
one
handed
hitters,could cut well to the off. Nyren does
not
state that he was
a left-handed
player; but as his
that side in their match
is found on
name
against the
out, it

not

seems

rightin 1790,

to

it is taken

is said to have

'He

been

for

the

granted that he was so.

of the first)
first (orone
of the old players,
who

departedfrom the custom

it a heresy to leave the crease
deemed
for the ball ;
off and straight
but he would get in at it,hit it straight
if it had been fired.' He was
as
on, and, egad,it went
also an
excellent judge of a short run.
(Itmay here
of note have also,
be remarked, that all wicket-keepers
almost
without
exception,been tip-top batsmen.) A
Hampshire paper of 1859 stated,that when only 17
to play a match
at the Earl of
years of age he went
and stayed in three whole days ; but the
Tankerville's,
who

is lost.

score

played his name

againstHambledon
for

last few
is found
in the

For

the

seasons

in

which

Surrey Eleven, and

unknown.
Perhaps

why is now
short time he migrated into that county.
is occasionally
speltSouter, and Suter, but

name

he

Hambledon
Over
church
incorrect.
are
ways
'
Thomas
Sueter and
affixed the following
:

His

both

door

is

Richard

Flood, builders,1788.' He had a fine tenor voice,was

handsome
a
measuring about 5ft. lOin., of an
man,
amiable
He

was

native

him
be

his word
doubted.
being never
disposition,
of Hambledon, and by trade a carnative
a
penter
and builder.
He
choir
to
the
at his
belonged
and when
he died there he left behind
village,
anthem
should
sovereign, in order that an

in
sung
His
done.

the

church

tombstone

over

corpse,

which

was

standing (in 1858)

was
p

his

in

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

churchyard, and

Hambledon

bears

the

MEMORY

OF

scription
following in-

:
"

SACRED

THE

TO

THOMAS

SUETER

Who

departed this life

17th day of February, 1827,

the

77

AGED

(4th) EARL

The

in

before

best
He

1772.

his

was

was

successful

appears, but most

book
mences
comLillywhite's

name

great patron and

admirer

game' and kept several good cricketers

In the
his employ, includingLumpy and Bedster.
'noble

of the
in

matches

scored

probablyhe

TANKERVILLE

OF

few

in the

batsman

YEARS.

he is celebrated

old song

ville',and
Kent, which

in

composed.

His

made

1773

he

'The

as

the

and

won,

country

famous

about

seat

Earl

active

match

which

Surrey v.

poem

has been

Felix at Walton-

Mount

was

of Tanker-

Surrey,where he had no ground, but

small one
had (itis believed)
for practiceat Byfleet,
a
ever
adjoiningChertsey. Many good country matches howwere
played under his patronage, on the famous
near
Laleham-Burway Ground
Chertsey. He was born
on-Thames,

in

Felix.

Mount

Harlington
been

erected

He

to

though too

fond

of

the

was

Nyren

best
in

the

where

[in1822]at

family vault

no

at

has

monument

very

fine

off hitter

indeed,

of cutting straight
balls,which, indeed,
of

cause

short well-made
the

at

died

his memory.

TAYLOR

often

buried

is

Hounslow,

near

THOMAS

was

15, 1743, and

November

at

fields

his book

man,

his

strong and

but

ever

makes

losing his
Of

seen.

his

mention,

no

wicket.

Was

active, and

one

bowling, John
but

he

seems

of
one
Taylor was
the two
men
(J.Ring, it is believed,being the other)
of whom
that he was
it is recorded
'shabby' enough
his
the
before
wicket
when
to put
leg purposely
batting,
the law about
which caused
to be
leg before wicket
to

have

obtained

several

wickets.

'

'

TAYLOR

AND

VECK

213

made

In
Club.
1774, however,
by the Hambledon
before Taylor'sfirst match, this improvement in the
will be found in the laws, and it is therefore now
game
statements.
impossible to reconcile these conflicting
of Ropley, in Hampshire, but lived
He
was
a native
he kept an
He
time
at Alresford,where
inn.
is
some
buried in Old Alresford churchyard; but no tombstone
erected

was

his memory,
in the registerof

nor

his

was

age to
searched.

name

or

burials,which was
SportingMagazine,however, of April 29th, 1806,

found

be

to

The

Taylor,the famous cricketer of the

Globe
Inn, died lately.'On searchingthe registerof
inserted
there
is found
baptisms at Ropley, his name
October
18th, 1753; his age, therefore,was, as nearly
of the Hambledon
52.
as
possible,
Nyren, in his account
Club men,
without
he was
states that
guile,and an
that

states

'

Thomas

'

attached

friend '.

RICHARD

AUBERY

VECK'S

of the most
Club when
in

was

one

first recorded

successful batsmen
its

Hambledon
he

of the

Cricketers

the

game

Nyren

makes

no

He

don
Hamble-

prime, though (owing

marriage)he did not continue

seasons.
Curiouslyenough John
of

match.
to

his

above

nine

his

history

in

mention

of

him,

His name
was
nearly all the others.
doubt
omitted.
Was
born
New
at
no
accidentally
he
resided
Alresford, in Hampshire where
(being
he
engaged in mercantile
pursuits till 1784, when
removed
in the same
to Bishops Waltham
county). His
height was about 5ft. 9^in. and he was a well-grown

though

man.

He
over

bears

does

the

is buried

which

in

vault in Old

handsome

Alresford

to his memory

monument

:
following
inscription
"

IN MEMORY
RICHARD

ON

OF

AUBERY

WHO

DIED

AT

THE

13TH

DAY
AGE

BISHOPS
OF

67

VECK
WALTHAM

NOVEMBER
YEARS.

yard
church-

1823.

THE

214

WALKER,

HARRY

1784,

HAMBLEDON

born

was

at

whose
Hide

MEN
first recorded

Farm, Churt,

match

in

was

Frensham,

near

farmers,their land
Surrey,where all his familywere
the
Bowl.
Devil's Punch
being at Hindhead, near
Harry'saverage altogetherwill be found good, but he
not
was
quite so famous as his brother Tom, though

in

far

indeed
superiorhitter,
considered

was

He

was

better

'

his half hour

than

Tom's

left-handed,and, like

could cut

wicket

at the

whole

afternoon

all left-handed

'.

batsmen,

finelyto the off; in fact,it was said that

he was
the firstwho
brought this kind of hit to any
first appearing in a great
perfection. From his name
match, it is presumed that he was already
single-wicket
but his earlier contests, if any,
a playerof some
celebrity,
lost. About
are
1794, he left Churt, and resided at
Brook, near
Witley,in Surrey,followingthe business of
In height he was
about 5ft. 11 in.,and in
a maltster.
has been erected
weight about 1 3 stones. No tombstone
buried in Witley churchyard,
to his memory,
but he was
Was
married, but left no
July 22, 1805, aged 45.
very

children.
THOMAS

He

was

WALKER'S
born

at

first recorded

Hide

Farm,

Eleven.
has

Tom

was

one

was

Churt, near
16, 1762, and was

Surrey,November
Harry and John Walker,

in

match

who

of the

played in

steadiest

1786.

Frensham,

at

also

in

brother
the

batsmen

to

Surrey
that

some
appeared, and made
extremely long
innings (oftengoing in first and carrying out his bat),
to time, frequently
as
especially
remaining at the wicket
several hours.
his steadiness,that he is
So great was
to have
received 170 balls from David
reported once
Harris (thegreat bowler of that time),and onlyto have
scored one
from them ! He could,however, drive
run
well on and off. Walker
had a thorough knowledge of
the game,
and
being also a foxheaded
craftyplayer.
About
two
Club,
years after he joined the Hambledon
he began the system of jerking,or the round-armed
fordelivery. This, owing to its tremendous
pace, was
ever

'OLD

EVERLASTING'
of the

bidden

by a council
called on
law-givers),
successful,
though
catches

of

off his balls and

imperfectway scores
(likeDavid Harris)used
weather

well

as

He

as

in

then

wickets

stumpings

(the then

took to underhand

school,which

all those

course

the

Club

Hambledon

purpose.
tedious slow

lobs of the

215

were

he

to

winter

He

time.

got by

lost,owing

are

kept in his day.

practicein a barn

were

very

was

to

Walker
in

wet

for four

gamekeeper to Mr. Windel, of [Pepper]Harrow in

Surrey,who was a great patron of the game at that time.
About
1 794j he left his native
place for Thursley,near
Hindhead, where his father,brothers,and himself were
all farmers, their land
the Devil's Punch
being near
Bowl.
About
is found for a few
name
1796, Walker's
matches
opposed to his native county, why, is now
unknown.
It is supposed that he at that time
was
however,
Latterly,
engaged by the M.C.C. at Lord's.
he resided at Chiddingfold,
in Surrey (following
the
occupation of a grocer),where he died. His widow
still alive and hearty at the same
was
place in 1859*
A bat with which
Walker
used to play,is
aged 84.
still (I860)in existence
In
at Lord's, in the Pavilion.
tall and thin, being 6ft. lin. in height,
he was
stature
His tombstone
ingfold
in Chiddand weight about IS stones.
:
inscription
churchyardhas the following
years

"

IN MEMORY
THOMAS
Who

WALKER,

died March

be added

that

this

1, 1831.

68.

AGED

It may

OF

nicknamed

playerwas

'

Old

'

of his fellow cricketers,

Everlastingby some
owing to
ting.
batthe very lengthenedstay he generally
made when
This fact was
remembered
by William Beldham,
far

as

JOHN
name

to

on

as

186l.

WELLS'S

of Wells
have been

first recorded

indeed

is found

his brother

match
in

was

in 1787.

The

1783, but it is believed

James, who

played.
occasionally

HAMBLEDON

THE

216

MEN

If this is his first match, he

late in life for

is rather

which

cricketer,and

to

his

commence

players

for

of

who

one

for

England
when

Club

Hambledon

its

played

so

of the

'

one

was

several

in

and
effective,

good

so

afterwards
He

career.

years of age,
and successful

28

now

was

and

seasons

His

prime.

long,
crack
of

'

the

batting was

His bowling
depended on.
fast with a good delivery,
was
being very successful.
also was
His fielding
exceeding fine,and he was a dead
shot at the wicket, being a noted single-wicket
player;
and

good

likewise

was

short

to be

thick-set

and

active

man,

ous,
labori-

knowledge of the game.

often
mooted
his opinion would
When
His character
be appealed to.
was
plain,simple,and
uncompromising, civil,and differential,
yet no
cringer.
John
the
of
honest
Wells.
He
name
always went
by
excellent

possessing an
questions were

He
at

married

sister of William

the

Wrecclesham

trade

cricketer

as

well

of

his famous

as

yet forgotin their

To

baker.

born

was

always residingthere,

Farnham,

near

following the

Beldham, and
show

that

brother-in-law

this
not

are

it may
be stated that a
village,
small publichouse exists (186l)at Wrecclesham
bearing
The
Rendezvous
of
the followingextraordinarysign,

native

'

Cricketers

Celebrated

the

will be found

name

in

and

his

brother

His

son

(?)George

great
be

here

also

miles

circuit

of the

famous

Wells

from

day

that

town,

cricketers

Wells.'

participatedin

mentioned
of that

and

of

1814

to

Farnham,

produced
the day.

at

or

Wells

"

ALSO

DIED

WELLS
DECEMBER
AGE

76.

15,

It may
rather
20

that time

village,but is buried at Farnham

(alongwith
churchyard there his tombstone
wife bears the followinginscription)
:
JOHN

of the

some

1821.

native

WHO

His

great match as far on as 1815,

also, who
played occasionally.

James

of the

contests

Beldham

1835

died
and
that

most
at

in

his
the

of his

UNLAWFUL

SHOCK'S
WHITE'S

THOMAS
several

he

commences,

was

in the

few

good.

He

short

and

and

stoutly-mademan,

and

in which

is found

also

his

successful

is

was

at

unknown.

resided,but why

matches
was

32

he

Reigate,where
He

as
lost,

He
years of age.
White'
also 'Daddy

then

White'

he

played
Lillywhite'sbook

when

1772

being

'Shock

called

all

earlydoings are

before

years

BAT

now

his average

is very
change-bowler. He is
name

(as stated in Nyren) about 1776

brought a bat to play a match, which being the width
from the
his wicket
defended
of the stumps effectually
In consequence
bowler.
was
a law
passed limitingthe
the

breadth

future
He

who

cricketer

was

of

the

bat

of the

great admirer

inches

four

to

and

noble

game,
in the

half.

and

used

vicinityof
frequent all the great matches
His tombstone
Reigate up to the time of his death.
standing, in I860, in Reigate churchyard bears the
followinginscription.

to

ALSO

OF

WHO

THOMAS

WHITE,

JULY

28, 1831.

DIED

91

AGED

THE

EARL

OF

for several

best matches
and

of the

admirer

Hambledon

1797,

WINCHELSEA

Club.

states

that

'

made

some
was

seasons

'

good scores
a

in the

great supporter

of the
especially
of July 25,
Hampshire Chronicle,

Noble

The

Earl

the

YEARS.

Game

and

of Winchelsea

has

made

an

improvement in the game of cricket,by having four

stumps instead of three, and the wickets two inches

higher. The game is thus rendered shorter by easier

have
The improvement (?)however
must
bowling out.
only been used in practice,as no record exists of a
match
with four stumps having ever
off except in
come
the Gentlemen
and the Players,
that between
July 3,
1837

; the latter

The

Earl

was

defended

born

four stumps of monstrous

November

at

size.

4, 1752, and

died at his house, 32, South

Street,Park Lane, London,

August 2, 1 826, aged

He

73.

is buried

in the

family

THE

218

HAMBLEDON

Ravenstone,

vault at

in

MEN

Buckinghamshire,but

erected to his memory.

has been

He

no

ment
monu-

educated

was

at Eton.

WILLIAM

YALDEN

licensed victualler of

Chertsey,
and managed the famous Laleham-Burwayground situated
close to the town, supplying refreshments
during the
He
is mentioned
in Nyren's book, as
great matches.
Club,
being a wicket-keeperopposed to the Hambledon
but no record (exceptin one
of his
is found
instance)
The
with
out.
same
occurs
having stumped any one
was

Tom

Sueter of the Hambledon

believed that stumping out was
'

out

'

or

put

'.

out

Club, and therefore

firstscored

left off cricket

He

down

for

it is
'

as

run

season

one

he

but the
thought his eyesightwas
failing,
Earl of Tankerville
sayingto him 'Tryagain,Yalden', he
resumed
than before. He once
play with better success
when
a
fence, and when on his
jumped over
fielding,
back
still caught the ball !! ! He
born at Chertsey
was
in Surrey,
(oraccordingto another account at Ripley),
in 1740, but died at Chertsey,
January 1824, aged 84.
stone
Height 5ft. lOin. and weight 12st. 7lbs. No tombbecause

existed
alive in
then

in

1859*

1858,

to

his memory.

who
Chertsey,

at

had

He

enough
curiously

son

had

also attained the great age of 84 years.

Nyren speaksalso
garth writes :

of John

Wood

and

May.

Mr.

Hay-

"

There

will be

names
no

were

doubt

Owing

to

Of

found
of

noted

MAYS,
a

few

was

their

times

cricketers,whose
in

these

pages;

but

performancesare lost.
the initials being frequently
omitted in the
from the
it is impossibleto distinguish
one
most

old scores,
other in every
Tom

two

best

match.
for

batting,Dick

for

bowling famed.

Thomas, nothing could be discovered ; and of

Richard, all that could be gleaned was, that he died

TRIUMPHANT

SACRILEGE

in

drunken

his
in

George

to

request

favourite

the

on

book
at

bowler,

and

The
of

Seal

Wood,

age,

other
omitted

but

good

has

therefore

"c.,

Surrey.

It
the

in

the

old

was

sometimes

other

(as

scores.

owing

to

change

and

burial

the

initials

date

Thomas

residing

case

bony.

the

unknown.

the

in

Wood
a

was

impossible
is

both

John

miller,

this

Nyren

tall, stout,
his

remains

is

cricketers),

of

entry

no

John

Kent
;

two

but

Wood.
in

man,
clergy-

about

relation,

John

done

were

playing

Club).

kill

was

officiating

WOOD

dying

would

There

player

His

'

This

the

(no

general

in

old

him.

Sevenoaks,

near

player,

from

with

sacrilege.'

one,

other

one

(Ring)

of

of

the

bright,

he

Hambledon

register

death,

that

matches

the

Seal,
a

it

name

mentions

resided

was,

of

great
of

opponents

46.

remonstrance

the

the

in

about

aged

bury

score

of

cricketers

his

and

the

of

796,

Ring

dog,

despite

time

about

fit

219

at
to

with

being

Pir-

guish
distinseveral
often

BUDD

MR.

AND
BY

of

GLIMPSES

FRIENDS

HIS
EDITOR

THE

Edward

Budd
Hayward
already had in Mr. Pycroft's chapter on the
don
Club
and
the Old
are
Players ; but more
Mr.
Budd
the
of
to
was
youthful cricketers
thirty years of the last century, before Alfred

zenith,

much

very

the

last

was

celebrated.

work

on

letter

Mr.

that

book

How

Grace

to

was

Esq.

that

Hambleneeded.
the

first

Mynn's
youth of
his

genius
service

The

he
was
Pycroft, when
beginning
Mr.
Budd
in 1850, approached
by
'

"

done

he
will

"

of

account

the

have

we

greatest
historical
part of

the

writing

it be

can

left out

Hamlet
The

in

Field.

Budd

H.

Dr.

of it ; and
it is time
of the
Moreover
he was

Pycroft

Cricket

E.

what

thirtyyears

Mr.

to

Mr.

without

asked.

"

Mr.

Budd

the

his first match

the

Budd

Mr.

in

assistance

Hamlet"

"

do.'

never

the

Scores

of

part of

complied.
and

graphies
Bio-

Lord's, on

September
of
16, 1802, between
13, 14, 15, and
Twenty-Two
he played (9 and
Middlesex, for which
5),and Twentyof
two
Middlesex
Surrey. For
played also Lord
Frederick
Beauclerk
(3 and
(4 and
9),
7), Fennex
and
and
John
and
Aylward
(4
Nyren (11
2).
2),
Mr.
Mr.
Budd
then
was
seventeen,
Haygarth,
says
He
chosen
in the Gentlemen
v.
was
adding :
Players
is

against

at

match

in

1806,

regularly in
After
he

1831,

formed

match,
after
the

at

which

Purton

the
he

did

but

great

Lord's,
he
Club

in

of

contests

Wanstead

his

till

1808.

though
game,
C. C.
Eleven
v. M.

playing

active

actual

day

left London

He

an

the

participate

the

Park

1837.

became

to

commence

partiallyabandoned
of the

one

not

last

match

in

member

1825,
of

being when
Marlborough

of
Eleven
that
making one
against
June
first to
16, 1852
last,
thus, from
College,
!
He
also continued
to
completing fifty-oneseasons
four years
longer in fact, till he was
practise about
"

"

'CLEAN

OUT

OF

LORD'S1

221

His career
as
a
batsman,
past seventy years of age.
bowler, wicket-keeper,single-wicketplayer,and field,
has

been

his
brilliant,

being
average, altogether,
As a field,
record.
he was
most

most

of the

higheston
active, generallytaking middle-wicket, being a very
fast runner.
In the England v. Twenty-two of Nottingham
match, June 23, 1817, he caught out nine, a number
equalledat present (I860)by H. Wright, and exceeded
also very successful as
only by R. C. Tinley. He was
of the best of his day ; it was
of
a
bowler, being one
middle speed,a sort of half-round-armed,with his hand
from
his side.
As
a
slightlyextended
proof of the
of his hitting,
tremendous
be mentioned
it may
power
that,in the Surrey v. England match, June 6, 1808, he
hit clean out of Lord's ground. Again, June
15, 1818,
one

M.C.C.

the

in

forward

for

though

Mr.

He

it.

Woolwich

v.

he

match,

drove

nine, it being a clean hit and

Parry,a

also

got

very
nine

fast
in

overthrow,
indeed, went after

runner

match

ball

Sevenoaks.

When

M.C.C.

after his first match, and

no

the

on

Vine,

at

he generallyused a bat of
playing,
3lbs. weight ; but at that periodof under-hand
bowling
much
heavier ones
tion
were
requiredthan on the introducof the round-armed
delivery.Mr. Budd joined the
a

soon

till 1825, after which

member

kept

was

Purton

the

list

Lansdown

as

over

an

match

balls,and another

in six
an

v.

on

of six balls.

time

Once,

W.

his

for

some

he

got

once

four

to

be

time

In

wickets

he

bowled

on

Ripley Green, he and

overs
(of four balls)
end

five wickets

He

in

also shot

be recorded of
can
fifty
years, which
few
born
Great
at
was
Squire Budd
sportsmen.
Missenden, in Buckinghamshire, February 23, 1785.
In I860 he was
Height 5ft. 9 in., and weight 12st.
House, Wroughton, near
Swindon,
residingat Elcombe
the compilerof this work
when
[Lillywhite's
book] was
greatlyindebted to him for much valuable information
about cricket duringthe early
part of the presentcentury.'
a

licence

for

name

honorary member.

seventeen
Ward, Esq.,bowled
and no
runs
were
got from either

with

continued

'

'

HAMBLEDON

THE

222

claimed

Budd

Mr.

Wheeler

to be

MEN
innovator

an

:
Sportascrapiana
regard to balls out of

in

"

reach

being considered
informs
the regulationwas
ball ", Mr. Budd
at
no
us
his suggestion. At a great match, one
player,being
batsman
than
the
bowler began
the
better
much
other,
a
the head of the better batsman
to pitchthe ball over
'

With

Says Mr.

too.

"

he

when

at

was

the wicket.

proposed the existingrule

ball ", and

"no

Here

is

Mr.

run

To
that

be added

Pycroftin

the

to the

The

this Mr.

meet

Budd

umpire may

call

score.'

Cricket Field

:
"

'

bert's
Lam-

like Mr.
I
Budd's, against which
bowling was
have
often played : a high under-hand
delivery,slow,
ing
but risingvery high,very accurately
pitched,and turnthe year 1818, Lambert
in from leg-stump. "About
and I," said Mr. Budd, "attained
to a kind of round-arm
cidedly
as
Clarke's),
by which we rose dedelivery(described
superiorto all the batsmen of the day. Mr. Ward
could not play it,but he headed
a
party againstus, and
our
new
bowling was ignored." Tom Walker and Lord
of the tediouslyslow school ; Lambert
Frederick
were
Howard
and
and
Budd
several degrees faster.
were
John
'

Wells
Lord

were

the fast under-hand

Frederick

was

very

bowlers.

successful

inspired
great

confidence

at last beaten

by men
running in to him.
playerwho brought very

another

as

general:

bowler, and

his

bowling was
tioned
Sparkes menslow bowling to

Beldham
and was
beaten
in the same
perfection,
way.
rick's
thought Mr. Budd's bowling better than Lord Frede; Beagley said the same.
His Lordshipis generally
supposed to have been the
of his day ; so
said Caldecourt
best amateur
; also
Beagley,who observed his Lordship had the best head
and was
valuable as a general. Otherwise, this is
most
hard to reconcile with acknowledged facts ;
assertion
an
the
best average,
made
for, first,Mr. Budd
though
and
Lambert's
playing
bowling,
usuallyplaced against
almost exclusively
Mr. Budd
in the great matches.
was
much
a
more
powerful hitter. Lord Frederick said,
'

LORD

(Enlarged

FREDERICK

detail

BEAUCLERK

from

the

frontispiece)

'HE

"

NINE1

FOR

VOLLEY

223

off a single
game
observed, "If Mr. Budd would not hit out

always wanted

Budd

ball"

HIT

Beldham

the

win

to

playerin all England."

When
I knew
him his hittingwas
quite safe play. Still
and
the prettierstyleof batting,
Lord Frederick's was
he had the character of being the most scientific player.
had the largest
in spiteof
But since Mr. Budd
average
witness
becomes
in his favour.
his hitting,Beldham
a
five feet ten inches,and weighed
Mr. Budd
measured
and powerful,with an
twelve
stone, very clean made
keen, and great natural quickness,
being
eye singularly
of his day. Secondly,Mr.
of the fastest runners
one
fieldsman.
He
stood usuallyat
Budd
the better
was

so

would

eagerly,he

middle-wicket.
and
Lord

I have

be the finest

safer hands

saw

him

very

could

not

seen

Frederick

never

quick at stumping
take

and
always short-slip,
was
And, thirdly,Mr. Budd
but

was

hit

Budd

well

the

from

at

of the very
better bowler.

one

the

Woolwich

At

wrist.

But,

out.

part of the field

every
not

catch

best.
Mr.
he

hit

for nine,though Mr. Parrythrew it

volleyto long-field
Lord had
He also hit out of Lord's old ground.
in.
forfeit twenty-five
said he would
guineas if any one thus
around
proved his ground too small : so we all crowded
told him what he might
Mr. Budd," said Beldham, "and
claim.
Well
then," he said, I claim it, and give it
the players.' But Lord was
shabby and would
among
not pay.'
of Beldham's
Budd
made
Mr.
a
slight correction
a

"

'

'

"

for the

memory

second

edition

of

The

Cricket Field.

of the History
proof-sheets
of my Contemporaries,and can
trulysay that they do
I find one
of old times.
indeed remind
me
thingonly
I hope you will be in time
to alter,
to correct, which
He

wrote

'

"

I return

the

for your accuracy

will then, to the best of my
be
wholly without
exception : write twenty
"

and

not

Lord,
now

as
twenty-five,

if any

one

is Dorset

for
particulars

the

should

Square.
your

offered,by

sum

hit out

You

second

of

invite

edition

his
me

belief,
guineas,

old Thomas

ground
to

the

note

only

where

further
omission

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

of Lord
present detect is this the name
George Kerr, son of the Marquis of Lothian, should be
I

can

at

added

to

"

list of

your

the

Patrons

Players; for,his lordshiplived

Farnham

and, I have

providebread

to

would

and

out

come

substantial

this is too
be

and

of

in the

often

heard

cheese

and

the
midst
for

as

as

many

evening

supporter of the Noble

at

say, used

summer's

Surrey

of them

Beldham
beer

practiseon

Old

Game

to

forgotten.'
I

from

resume,

Cricket Field

The

also

good in every point.

stood
forward
player. He

with

left

body

reachingforward

almost

if to

as

yard

attain

in

mentum
mo-

the ball

where

to

bold

was

foot

was

pitch.

must
(

Lambert

batting,he

and

his bat

advance, swaying
and

In

'

Lambert's

pitch and
Budd, "to a
that
forcible,
the

chief

point

drive

it

take

to

was

powerfullyaway,

and,

ball
said

at

Mr.

quick and
his whole
manner
was
reallyintimidating
how
remarked
to a bowler."
completely
Every one
of the
ball.
seemed
master
Lambert
Usually the
bowler
but

no

one

attack, and

always

and
his mercy,
else could meddle

Frederick

Budd's

was

the
on

was

so

batsman
the

to

defend

attack, and

the

"hit", said Beldham, "what

at

'Lord
Mr.

to

seemed

Lambert

bowler

bowler

slow

appears

his return

the

with."
formed

positionat the

wicket

on
was

Beldham's
much

style.

the

same

right foot placed as usual, but the left rather

behind, and nearly a yard apart, so that instead of the
drawn
upright bat and figureof Pilch, the bat was
the
figurehung away from the wicket.
across, and
Before the ball could be played
mistake.
This was
a
Mr. Budd
too
was
good a player not to be up, like
his off-stump. Still Mr. Budd
Pilch, and play well over
that this positionof the left foot was
explained to me
for
one
naturallyshifts it to have room
just where
cut : so this strange attitude was
a
supposed to favour
the

their fine off-hits.'

Mr.

Wheeler

in

which
Sportascrapiana,

is

joint

HEAVY

BATS

225

anecdotal

biography of Mr. Budd and his two friends

Mr. Osbaldeston
and Captain Ross, published in 1867,
We
wished
to the foregoingpassage, says :
referring
Mr.
to fullyunderstand
of Mr.
Py croft's description
and the latter at once
took
Budd's attitude in batting,
bat from a corner
of the dining-room,and, with all
a
the vigour of the most
powerfulathlete in the prime of
he threw himself into the attitudes for his
life,
slashing
hits",the "cut", and each possiblechange. The bat
of Lord Frederick's,
with his name
written at full
was
one
take this opporwe
lengthby the noble lord himself
; and
tunity
that the name
to remark
is spelt Beauclerck,"
accustomed
to always see
it minus
though we are now
the
k ".
Seeing the action and attitude of our worthy
of the tremendous
friend,and fullyaware
strength he
used to and does (evennow) possess, and the enthusiasm
of his character,we
could at once
feel the justiceof
1
Lord Frederick's remark
given in next page.'
in his
bat, Mr. Pycroft,
Apropos of Mr. Budd's own
of
Oxford Memories, writes as follows :
Being a man
five
great strength and quickness,with fine wrist-play,
feet ten inches in height,and twelve stone in weight,
he was
hard
wonder
no
hitter, especiallyin days
a
bats were
when
heavy. Mr. Budd's bat weighed three
heavier bats than his. Mr. Ward
pounds,but there were
used one
that weighed four pounds. When
I was
at
Oxford (1832-6)two
pounds ten was a common
weight
for a bat.
handles
then
were
Light bats with cane
'

"

"

"

"

'

"

unknown.

playing Mr. Budd's bowling that I

derived my practical
knowledge of what the old bowling
Mr. Budd
was.
bowled, like Clarke, from his hip,with
good elevation,and could make the ball rise very high,
much
when
even
past his best, above fifty
years of age ;
of spin,which
and his power
is the characteristic of all
'It

was

from

off a singleball.'
wanted
the game
to win
that at the time
Mr. Budd
thus
be added
was
of
his method
of batting he was
eightyyears
exhibiting
age.
E.V.L.
1

Budd
It should
'

always

"

THE

226

HAMBLEDON

first-rate bowling,is what

end

of

loses in the

all,it

and, above
To

of

course

of

write

Frederick

Ward

is

old

Budd

or

men

without

Beauclerk,

Osbaldeston

Mr.

minds

and

they were

the four

as

Osbaldeston

Mr.

loses at the

used-up professional
collegeengagement ;
rarelyretain.'
about
saying much

for at that time

impossible;

associated in men's
of the

the

school

is what

Mr.

Lord

the tired bowler

it is what

innings;

an

MEN

Mr.

ably
insepar-

great amateurs

lives in

historymainly
in the hunting field,but his cricketing
for his career
brilliant. Mr. Haygarth writes
days,though brief,were
Mr. George Osbaldeston's first match
thus of him :
at
game.

'

"

for the

against Middlesex in 1808.

and
at Eton
Used
to play when
Oxford, being, it is
Was
remain.
believed, in both Elevens, but no scores
a
hard, slashinghitter,making many a good innings in
Lord's

was

M.C.C.

style,but was
mostly noted for his tremendouspaced under-hand bowling. It was "all but" as fastas
that of George Brown, seii.'s;
indeed, there was scarcely
any difference in the speed,always requiring two longplayer,havingbeen
stops. Also a famous single-wicket
engaged in many of that kind of contest with varied
will be found
His
rather short, not
career
success.
after 1818, except
participatingin the great contests
fine

one

match

of this
wicket

was

in 1827, and

to the

that,owing
in

contest

list of members
also

was

another

in

The

1830.

result of the

great single-

his name
1818, he removed
of the Marylebone Club.
a

famous

hand

from
Mr.

all other

at

reason

the

deston
Osbal-

kinds

of

sport,including
pigeonracing,hunting,steeplechasing,
"c., "c.} being a crack shot and a
shooting,billiards,
famous

rider.

On

November

5, 1831, carrying

list.

Ibs.,he rode 200 miles in eight hours and forty-two

himself to go that distance in
minutes, having backed
2

ten

hours.

Is called

sporting friends,and

packs
from
and

of

hounds

1809-10

to

for

"

"

The

has
no

Squire by
the

been

less than

1844, includingthe

Pytchleyhunts.

He

had

seat

several of his

master

of various

thirty-five
seasons,
Quorn, Atherstone,
in

Parliament

for

one

"

with his taste."

in accordance

NINE

it,
relinquished

but

season,

CATCHES

BUDD

MR.

for Yorkshire.

Is

He

of Mr.

son

also

was

exactly
high sheriff

not

was

Osbaldeston, of Hutton

Scarborough,and

Bushell, near

it

as

227

born

was

in

Welbeck

26,
(orWimpole) Street,Cavendish Square,December
1786 (or1787, accordingto another account). Height
In 186l he was
5ft. 6 in. and
siding
reweight 10^ st.
at 8, Park
Road, Regent's Park, London, but
An
used
excellent
formerly to live in Yorkshire.
will be found in one
of the
photograph of this celebrity
of Battys Magazine.'
earlynumbers
Here
'

The

are

of Mr.

some

Budd's

Squire',as quoted by

Field:

'In

of his friend

memories

Mr.

The

Pycroft in

with

Osbaldeston

Cricket

play
twenty-two of Nottingham. In that match Clarke played.
In common
with others I lost my money,
and was
greatly
the
One
termination.
disappointedat
paid player was
and never
accused of selling,
course
employed after. The conof people was
the days
very great : these were
of the Luddites
and the magistrateswarned
(rioters),
"

1817,

us, that unless we

they could not

who

thousands
Lord

us.

alarmed

would
answer

Frederick

; but

stop our

at

game

seven

to

o'clock,

At
keeping the peace.
the
we
stopped; and, simultaneously,
lined the ground began to close in upon

o'clock

seven

went

we

I said

they simply came

for

lost

and

nerve

they didn't

to

have

want

look

was

to

very
hurt us.

the

at

eleven

much

No

men

His
Lordship
play two for one.
broke
his finger,
hand, scored
and, battingwith one
Nine
number
the largest
men,
only eleven runs.
haps
perBudd
on
record,Bentley marks as
caught by
who

ventured

to

"

"

Lord
Mr.

Frederick

with Beldham
and

Osbaldeston

made

once

Lambert.

On

the

match

with

day named,"
said Mr. Budd,
I went
to Lord
Frederick,representing
him to put off
too ill to stand,and asked
my friend was
No ; playor pay,"said his Lordship,
the match.
quite
"I
won't
inexorable.
"Never
said
mind,"
Osbaldeston,
beat them both ; and, if he does,
forfeit ; Lambert
may
how
the fifty
guineas shall be his." I asked Lambert
"

"

"

"

228

HAMBLEDON

THE

MEN

Why/' said he, they are anythingbut safe."

His
Lordship wouldn't hear of it. "Nonsense," he
it."
"Yes; play or pay, my
said, "you can't mean
he felt.

Lord,
and

"

"

we

earnest, and

in

are

in fact Lambert

shall claim

did beat them

the

stakes !

"

both.

For, to play
such a man
as
Lambert, when on his mettle,was rather
and "he did make
desperate exertion,"
discouraging;
said Beldham
Lord

"

Frederick

he rushed

once

caught so

was

after his

up

ball,and
he

the bat that

near

lost

fair play. Of course

his temper, and said it was
not
all hearts were
with Lambert."
'"Osbaldeston's
mother
sat by in her carriage,and

enjoyedthe

match

called to the

was

said

some

it

bore away

gold watch
some,
his
secrets.
own
keep
a

to
no

then," said Beldham, "Lambert

carriageand

was

Trust Lambert

curious,but

; and

one

"

ever

knew

"
"

ever

nor

:
paper parcel
bank-notes.

We

all

were

will know.

In

March, 1851, I addressed a letter to him at Reigate.

the
the death of
Soon, a brief paragraph announced
"

celebrated

once

cricket

Lambert."

playerWilliam

'

of another of Mr. Osbaldeston's

pleasantaccount
matches, in 1813, I take from Mr. Wheeler's pages :
'
for "50 a side,againstthe
His next performancewas
best playersof Nottingham. Harry Bentley went
two
from Lord's to stand umpire, and, on the evening
down
the Nottingham men
before the match, went
to see
Brewster
; but Tommy
practisein the King's Meadow
allow him, saying," What
tingham
would
know
in Notnot
we
When
the match
we
came
keep to ourselves."
unable to get
The
off,the Nottingham playerswere
Squire" out, and, after scoring 84 runs, he gave up
his bat.
He
then bowled
them
out, they only scoring
the match
in their four innings. After
17 runs
was
over, Bentley said to Brewster, "Well, Tommy, what
know
at Nottingham you
certainlydo keep to
you
have seen
for I am
we
sure
yourselves,
nothing of it."
from
the list of
The
Squire'sremoval of his name
A

"

"

'

members

the

of the

result of

M.C.C.
match

"

was

the

done

in

defeated

man

fit of anger

at

performing

GEORGE

(From

an

OSBALDESTON,

ESQ.,

M.I'.

engraving reproduced by permission

of

the

M.C.C.)

GREAT

THE
task

the

thoroughlythat

so

of

names

the

Wheeler

"

as

and,

if he

him
I

about

like

I could

it,and

stating that

And

had

get his name

get it done.
to

Budd

could

find
in

after the

month

I went

I had

Mr.

he

act

also the
with

beginning

like to

would

thought

much

the

229

obliterated

members

afterwards

leisure

regretted at

he

initial. Said

Often

"

other

two

unusual

rather

his

'SQUIRE1

Mr.

to

that

haste

he

mitted
com-

event, I asked

the list again,

He said he should
Frederick and Ward,

Lord

on

great favour

the

ask, would

to

You

have

they

so
reply was,
for the game,
much
ask but we
there 's nothing you can
will grant." But on my explaining,
they said "the insult
was
so
great, they could not accede to my request."
died in 1866, in his house at No.
Mr. Osbaldeston

it ?

grant

"

done

'

Lord's.
Road, St. John's Wood, very near
Having taken to racingwithout much discretion he had
lost his fortune,and he had lost his health too, perhaps
in the
having to pay for his great feats of endurance
2

Grove

But

saddle.
He

his

will

name

hunt

could

die

never

among

hunting

men.
days a week ; as a breeder of
hounds
he was
of the
master
inspired; and he was
Burton, the Quorn, and the Pytchley. The cup which

six

presented to him
these brave words, and
was

fTo

the

When

best

in

they were
of

sportsman
of

by

1834

the

no

any

the

Pytchley bore
idle compliment :
or
country'.
age

Mr.

Osbaldeston's
chief
Quorn
whip was the great Tom Sebright,who to the end kept
his mantelpiece a copy of the engraving of
The
over
Squire that is reproduced on the opposite page.
'The Squire's'
not less remarkable
shootingfeats were
master

'

'

than those in the saddle

pheasants,and backing

he

once

himself

killed 98 out

of 100

self)
(he alwaysbacked himof partridgesin a day,he killed,
to kill 80 brace
says Mr. Budd, 97^ brace, while the 5^ brace which
were
a
picked up afterwards brought the total to over
And
this before the days of breech-loaders.
1 00 brace.
The
Squire won
notorietyalso by his duel with Lord
Scrubs,when
George Bentinck in 1831, at Wormwood
'

'

Lord

put

HAMBLEDON

THE

230

George fired into

bullet through his

MEN

the

air, and

is Mr.

Here

Lord
:
Lillyivhite
Lord's

being

was

for
but

the

have

we

influential in

so

Beauclerk's

M.C.C.

much

seen

early

of him

in

first match

at

Hay garth'saccount

Frederick

Osbaldeston

hat.

Frederick
Beauclerk
Of Lord
from time to time, for no name
is
cricket.

Mr.

against Kent

in

1791, he

After one
match
more
years of age.
his name
does not again appear
till 1795.

now

18

this season,
introduced
He was

into the

world
cricketing

by the Earl
him
of Winchilsea,who
had seen
bowl
at Cambridge,
of the Eleven's best bowlers, Colonel
where he was
one
Allen, formerly M.P. for Pembroke, being the other.
At first he was
no
batsman, but subsequentlybecame
the most
accomplished and gracefulperformer of his
to the off)was
day. His hitting(especially
very fine
lost his wicket by trying
indeed, though he sometimes
balls. His average will,it is believed,be
to cut straight
found one
of the higheston record ; but it must
be remarked,
that several of his longest scores
made
were
againstvery inferior bowling and fielding.It must also
be observed, that (like
other cricketers of former days)
he had during the greater part of his career
to defend
wickets
used.
"

of

smaller

dimensions

It is believed

he

", in
pairof spectacles

be considered

extends, from

made

any match

those
two

of note

afterwards

noughts, or
! This

must

wonderful

first to

to

finish.

His

his career
as
feat,especially
last,for 35 seasons, scoring well

under-hand

bowling, which was

with
to pitch,and
as
slow, was
wonderfullyaccurate
a
remarkablyquick rise from the ground. In addition
he bowled, he got many
wickets
to those
by catches
from, and stumpings off,his balls ; all these, however
were
compiled in
(owing to the imperfect way scores
He
his day),are lost to him, and they were
not a few.
retained
his precisionof pitch to the last,though he
lost the sudden
leap from the ground which his
latterly
had.
His place in the field was
mostly
bowling once
between
wickets,
slip,but he was a very fast runner
up

the

never

than

AUTOCRAT

LORD'S

AT

231

being also the winner of many races of 100 yards. His

heightwas 5ft. 9in.,and his weight between 1 1 and 12st.
the church, being Vicar of St. Albans
His profession
was
He
did not, however,
from about 1828 till his death.
has been the case
the game
in consequence,
as
From
with many
other celebrated gentlemen cricketers.
he became
his good play,rank, and influence,
sort of
a

abandon

"

"

autocrat

"

Legion ".

he
"

No

one

admitted

was

where

stole

Lord's, where

at

was

law ".

was

him, he

upon

favourite

name

words

".

present

was

ground
there

as

in

interest.

far

born

was

When

years and infirmities

of his
desert the scene

enjoyed the

and

game

allowed

for

at

on

nearly,if
of the

some

its social

him, leavingbehind

His

good

cannot

great matches
he

used

still witness

be

to

the

on

game

hitter.

be said ; but

now

Lord

Where

died

he

at

as

that
driven
with

Eleven

Charles,playedin the Oxford

son,

was

quite,60 years

not

1849, when

as

his carriage,and

in 1 836, and
was

match

there,and
distinguished
best general in the field,

not

health

in

name

household
cricketers "familiar
as
among
From
first to last,therefore,he must
have

frequentedLord's
he

did

sport, but

as
long as
qualities

him

the

be

to

his word

more

his

Frederick
his town

residence,68, Grosvenor Street,at the advanced age of

76. He is buried at Winchfield, in Hampshire, where
a

tablet

inside

the

church

is erected

to

his memory,

:
bearingthe following
inscription
"

SACRED
RIGHT

TO

HON.

MEMORY

THE

AND

REV.

LORD

BEAUCLERK,

SON

AUBREY,

OF

In humble
this monument

FIFTH

House,
DUKE

record of his many

is erected

Born
Died

8th of
22nd

FREDERICK

D.D.,

Of Winchfield
FOURTH

THE

OF

by

OF

ST. ALBANS.

virtues,

his affectionate Wife.

May, 1773;
of April,1850.'

HAMBLEDON

THE

232

MEN

ship's
Oxford Memories says this of his LordPycroft's
bowling: 'His slow bowling, delivered with a
and as it were
bent elbow
by a push, which seemed to
cessful.
give it spring", was for a long time triumphantlysucBut a playercalled Hammond
set the example
of running in to hit him, and not only did Lord Frederick
Mr.

"

"

of his confidence

much

lose

for

bowling, but
yieldplaceto

fast.'

fourth

of the

The

time

and

in

slow

his

bowling

for

fondness
forced

was

great quartette,Mr. Ward,

to

is thus

described

by Mr. Haygarth against his first recorded

In the
match, for England against Surrey,in 1810.
second
and John
Wells collared the
innings Robinson
'He
born
at
was
English bowling and Surrey won.
a
London, July 24th, 1787, and was
large
Islington,
and
Height 6 ft. 1 in., and
powerfullybuilt man.
He
educated
Winchester
at
was
weight 14 st.
College,where he first played at cricket,but whether
he

was

average

in

the

Eleven

is

one

of

the

perhaps
1816

years

but

enormous,

game

the

have

to
as

till 1847

up

runs

four other
in

match

(indeedmany)
must
(it

with

the

1828, his

continued

(in minor

occasions

obtained

exceeded

he

by

any

long,

too

From

none.

will be found

participatein

the

second

the

the

his average

matches) so
in

His

by

game

scores

to

He
made
gradually decreased.
innings on record, namely 278,
on

unknown.

now

continued

been

about

he

is

largestever

had he not

and
cricketer,
it would

there

highest
1820, and

year

scored

both his

(itis believed)200
Some
inningscombined.

of his greatest feats with

the

bat

were

remarked)made againstvery inferior bowling

and is one
and fielding.He was
forward hitter,
a hard
of the few there are who
scored largely
againstroundhaving begun his career
against the under-hand
arm,
and having never, it is supposed,obtained two
delivery,
noughts or a
pair of spectaclesin any match of note.
He
played with bats which generallyweighed as much
be

"

"

as

time

4lbs., but
of

the

much

heavier

under-hand

ones

bowling.

were

He

in

use

at

the

also got many

MR

his slow under-hand, but was

not famous
stood point.
where he generally
a field,
as
or
great supporter of the game, and used to

with

wickets
as

bowler

He

233

WARD

was

preventing the

in

have

contests

could
and

'

Lord's

place,from

And

so

had

He

rate,
wise.
other-

it been

purchasedthe

Dark

great

many

of

remainder

him.

frequent the ground

all who

of

most

than

credit

more

In 1 836, J. H.

the lease from

all cricketers

built upon.
exorbitant

being

the lease at

thus deserves

(who was
cricket ground,

to

taken

only obtain

'

great praise from

favoured spot ',where

entitled

is thus

Lord

Thomas

'

and

of his death.

the time

frequentLord's regularlyup to
About
1 825, he purchased from
the lease of
then justretiring)

after

named

Lord,
On

the list firstand

No

man

sure, when

am

has grown a littletoo stout,

at bowling him out.
Mathews
is bothered
soul in this noblest
life-blood and
our

Even
He's

games,
And yet

of

claims ;
praiseshe 's many more
pride,although rich,condescendingand free,

No
And

our

on

well-informed

Ward's

name

Eleven, having
in the
statue

Isle of
of

Two

Rossi.

'

third

at

always

one

time

Once

Cricketer
of

and

man,

is

Wight.

Eleven,
A

stand Mr. Ward.

although he

And

Mr.

should

I say
rival firstbat of the day,

deny, I

will

he 's without

That

foremost

Mr.
one

also formed

one

(itis

of

beautiful

by
played

the

marble

the
in

sculptor
the

another

and

1 830,

the

made

sons

P.

Hampshire
land
believed)some
in

had

he

play

Ward's
in

found

'

in

cityM.

in

Cambridge

chester
Win1 834.

Eleven

LatterlyMr. Ward resided at 14, Windham

Place, BryanstonSquare,where he died at the age of
6l.
(Anotheraccount stated he died at 76,Connaught
churchyard,
Terrace.) He is buried in Hammersmith

in

1853.

where

raised

slab stone

marks

the

great cricketer lies,being interred

in

spot where
the

same

this
grave

HAMBLEDON

THE

234
with

his

follows

wife

and

MEN

For

THE

ABOVE,

Mr. Wheeler, in
account
(

:
"

It

was

sale,and Mr.
are
going to

ground

was
was

1 849.'

Sportascrapiana,
givesfrom Mr. Budd's
of Mr. Ward's
purchase of the Lord's
for
reported that the ground was

Ward

remarked

sell us."

if he

said

30,

could

Ward

to

Lord

It 's said you

would
disposeof

Lord,

said he

"

get his price. "What

and

is your

the

reply, "5,000,
Ward
and ink."
A cheque
said, Give me
pen
drawn
for the amount, and the purchase
at once
"
I have heard," said
thought a good investment.

price
Mr.

cityof London,

July 24, 1787,

JUNE

DIED

lipsthis

WARD,

years M. P. for the

some

Born

"

as

"

WILLIAM

the

inscriptionis

:
ALSO

lease

The

daughter.

having

"

Budd, "that he settled it on his sisters."' 'He

thus
often used,' says Mr. Wheeler, to back Mr. Budd
Mr.

'

according to

who

was

Ward

give

"20

would

bowling against Mr. Budd,

to

give him "l for every run

one
innings,knowing that

thing,Mr.

Budd's

average

"25

to

any

one

who

Mr.

would

scored

by Mr. Budd at the

he was
making a pretty safe
being twenty-nine in all the

great matches.'
And

here

is

an

anecdote

of

Mr.

Ward

from

Mr.

cious,
Pycroft: 'Caldecourt, who had a plain,though judiobserved
weak
a
styleof bowling,once
point in
Mr. Ward's
play,and levelled his stumps three times
balls. Many
in about
men
as
boasting, as
many
Mr. Ward
then
did,of nearly the first average of his
the bowler, the ground, the
day, would have blamed
wind, and, in short, anything but themselves ; but
Mr. Ward, a liberal patron of the game,
in the days of
his prosperity,
a
ment
guinea for his judgegave Caldecourt
"

in the game

and

his useful lesson.'

BEAGLEVS
who

Ward,

Mr.

was

also invincible at

was

From

Mr.

Beauclerk, and
Lord

He
or

of

Bank

of

235

England director,

picquet.
The Cricket Field,his
remarks
Lord Frederick
on
all of these four friends :
is the greatestname
in cricket.

supplement to
Pycroft's

1 865, 1
Cricketana,

VERDICT

take

some

indeed

on

Beauclerk

Frederick

"

frequentattendant at Lord's,either as a player

for nearlysixtyyears.
A vivid description
a looker-on,
his Lordship,as the very pictureof life,
and
activity,
was

has more
spirits,
contrast, when,

than
his

in

crossed

once

mind

our

as

sorry

decliningdays,he

appeared at
Lord's only in his brougham, and always,as it seemed,
with a lady-nurseat his side,lookinga striking
tion
illustraof the strong man
at the last.
becoming weakness
another
Neither can
illustration of sic
we
as
forget,
that at Lord's
in 1859, when
some
transit,
exciting
match was
being played,one of Mr. Ward's old friends
about
being heard to remark to us, " Poor Ward is now
his last,dying of a diseased kidney very painful."
Whereupon, some
distinguishedyoung playersof the
who's Ward
?
day remarked, Ward
Lord Frederick's battingwas
not
certainly
superior
Budd's ; his fielding,
to Mr.
was
usuallyat short-slip,
not
as
good. Indeed, as to Mr. Budd, Clarke said he
'

"

"

"

"

'

him

remembered

the best

fieldsman

played against him

he

had

ever

seen,

Mr.
having
Budd
But, nevertheless,
caught nine at middle-wicket.
Thomas
Beagley,no doubt, spoke the generalfeelingof
the players
of his day,when
he said that Lord Frederick
would
have been the Jirstchosen.
said the
Caldecourt
at

Nottingham, when

same.

'Lord

Frederick

Cambridge, but
The
bowl

story

not

was

is that

the

was

the

best

there

Earl

of

bowler

of his

as
distinguished

day
a

at

bat.

Winchelsea, seeing him

In
Cambridge, brought him out at Lord's.
a
batting,his lordshipwas
very easy, gracefulplayer,
formed
of Beldham.
the model
He playedthirtyon
at

five seasons,

his average

and
was

yet scored
the

so

higheston

well up to the last,that

record.

HAMBLEDON

THE
doubt

'No

an

is

average

MEN

uncertain

very

complain that the manager

had a great advantage in putting himself
light,the bowling,or the time of day was
To

ordered

be

in the

o'clock

of matches

used to

Ward

Mr.

with

to

who

man

at

tries your

evening

the

in

go
can

criterion.

in when

able.
favour-

more

quarter

to

himself

reserve

seven

hard, as

average

the

pared
com-

for the

morning.

next

is all in favour of the

'Again,a good average

thinks
Beldham
runs

of his

more

told

were

of

us

innings

own

that

he

"

could

than

never

man

of the
half

who

game.

"

play unless

istic
reallywanted ". And this is very charactergreat player. Therefore,without depreciating
think

Lord

Frederick,we
his positionand his

talent

it fair to

observe, that while

he had
placedhim high over all,
judged by the scorebooks.

slightadvantage where
John
Sparks told us that Lord Frederick lost all
fondness for bowling from the time that Hammond
set
the example of running in to slow bowling. Hammond
hit back a ball so hard, that it whizzed dangerously
once
head.
Mr. Budd
also said that there
past his lordship's
was
something so powerfuland menacing about Lambert's
much
hitting standing,as he used to do, so as to cover
ground before his crease, and swinging his bat in a widesweeping circle that it was rather tryingto the nerves
no

'

"

"

of

bowler.

What

have

we

related

of Hammond

was

Lord
Frederick
was
only danger to which
He
broke
a
fingerat
exposed during his long career.
threatened
with lock-jaw. He
Nottingham, and was
for slack play,and the next
had been scoldingSherman
not

the

ball

that

came

to

him

Sherman

threw

hard

with

vengeance.
'

was
was

the
hit

Beagley and Caldecourt both said that his lordship

truly valuable as a general not least because he
he was
to be obeyed. Still/
a
sure
perfectjudge of
"
; and, said Beagley, he did find out a man's
game
loss
so
very soon," and set his field to foil it without

of time.

"

Lord

alwayswanted

Frederick
to win

used

the game

to say of

off

one

Budd, that he

hit.

The

truth

VETERAN

THE
Budd

was,

was

GIVES
of

man

UP

237

strengthand

commanding

and
he confessed
I
to us
quickness,audax viribiis,
used to delight in hard hitting,
and in seeing the ring
in
obliged to fall back further and further as I warmed
and drive with
my play.To step in to an overpitchedball,
all the impetus of my heavy bat, weighing three pounds
of good stuff,
Frederick
was
my favourite play." Lord
which
might naturally
envy that dashing,powerfulstyle,
of his play ; yet his lordshipwas
not in the nature
was
a
largeabout the loins,and
compact, strongly-built
man,
of the best men
he
at a hundred-yardrace, of which
one
small number
five feet nine inches high, and
ran
no
weighingabout eleven stone and a half.
"

"

"

Lord

'

Frederick

bowlers

of that

was

one

Mr.

of the
Budd

slowest

of the

slow

almost as
certainly
slow as he could be to make
good bowling, but Lord
Frederick was
slower still; but, being a good judge of
play,pitchingwithin an inch of where he desired to pitch,
and with a delivery
which caused a quick and abrupt rise,
"
he was
in days when
especially
going in
very effective,
"

hit

to

'

Mr.

had

become

not

was

the fashion.

Budd, holdingan appointment in the

played in
the

day.

all the
1805

year

to

great matches
1825.

the

with

of his

bowlingin

chuckle

at

the

Office,

Marylebone from
then left London, but
He
by making his appearance

eyes of many
the Wanstead
Park Eleven

gladdened

War

at

in 1837.

the firstinningsmade

thought of showing

The

success

the veteran
that

old ways

rather
were

best ; but next innings Mr. Ward

in with
went
Mr. Charles Taylor,
and then Mr. Budd's game
was
up.
Of course
Mr. Ward
knew
all about it,having regularly

sometimes

encountered

him

for many

forgettingthe
of his great innings. Mr. Budd
occasion
playedfull fifty
and country, playingfor Purton against
years in town
Marlborough Collegeas late as 1851, when, to his great
out "legdisgust,some
boy umpire gave the old man
before-wicket
a
thing next to impossiblewith Mr.
Budd's
style and which, he declared, had never
happened in his whole life.'
"

"

"

years

"

not

THE

238
I end
age
'

HAMBLEDON

from

When,

the pen
in

I found

of his friend Mr.

1 829, I

Mr.

of
description

the

by quoting

MEN

first took

Budd

the

up

Mr.

Budd

in 1 867

Wheeler
abode

my

:
"

Swindon,

at

and
cricket-king,

in old

right happy

seemed
those subjected to his dominion.
had reached
fourscore years, I have often

When
known

he
him

his own
in good style,on
play the game
ground at
before he had
ten
Elcombe, though for some
years
him
I have heard
declined playing in matches.
say
he could never
recollect having lain awake
half an hour
that "what
from any vexation,having made
up his mind
can't
seen
never

be

cured

eighty summers,
lain a-bed
Much

be

must

attributed

of
to

athletic out-door

be
he

"

endured
has

; and

stated

to

after he

had

that he has

me

ness.
day in his life through positiveillhis exemption from
disturbance
may
his great love for,and indulgence in,
a

in

amusements,

most

of

which

his

steady nerve, and quick

him
an
fait. Though fond of hunting, he
eye, made
liked coursing. In shooting,as well as cricket,
never
I shall have
something to say hereafter ; but it may be
well here to state, that though he never
as
actually
well known
his
published a challenge,it was
among
prepared to back himself
sporting friends that he was
in England (and it may,
therefore,
againstany man
be
said the
world) for five manly sports cricket,
shooting,running, jumping, and sparring. Though
his celebritywas
more
especiallyfor the first of the
If there is one
five, I have heard him say,
thing
I can
do better than another, it is the last-named."
And
I have good reason
to believe
that, rather than
have
have missed
accommodated
a
chance, he would
and thus
any gentleman by adding tennis and billiards,
make
In fact,he seemed
it seven
events.
to so excel
in all he took in hand, that he was
not averse
to "go in"
for almost anything in the "ring ".
'When
referred
not engaged in any of the amusements
to, he might for many
years past, and stillmay, be found
superintendinghis pets canine, ovine, bovine, or poriron

frame, muscular

power,

"

"

"

AX

(Reproduced

by

OLD

permission
of

CRICKETER

from
the

painting

M.C.C.)

in

the

possession

THE

FINE

OLD

ENGLISH

CRICKETER

239

In the latter he has much

As a florist
excelled.
he has had great local celebrity. His wallflower varieties
cine.

have
collected

been

fortyyears he had
tulips,tending them
carefullyand

notorious

20,000

protecting the beds

At

while

with

awnings

length the "sporting"

wallflowers,much

to

while
tulips,

of them

his

he

and

other
much

prized so

in

with

in

set

annoyance

devices.
his
his

failed to put in an appearance.

that the failure in the
to the owner

many
It occurred

tulipsmight

in

be attributed

to the

and

vine

apricotroots,

the trees of which, trained against the house-walls, had

of many
in the course
their roots to the
out
years run

tulip-beds.Unwilling to sacrifice the splendidcrops

fruit which were
generallyproduced,the tulipshad
be

removed.

the

Budd

Mr.

tuliphobby

he had

has
so

since

then

of
to

less for

cared

long ridden.'
happy athletic

In connexion
old gentleman
with this
let me
quote Mr. Ffinch's cordial song ' The Fine Old
from the text given by Mr. Hay garth.
EnglishCricketer',
Whether
the poet had Mr. Budd
I know
not ;
in mind
but let us think of him as we
read it :
"

THE

Tune

FINE

OLD

The

'
"

'

I'll

sing

you

ENGLISH

Jine
The

good

Old

CRICKETER

EnglishGentleman ,' or

Highland Home.'
old

song,

made

to

good

old

rhyme,
Of

fine old

English cricketer,who

lov'd

his

old

pastime ;
Who

deemed

it

nothing better

than

the

very

greatest

crime

That

cricket should
Oh

be e'er

! the

forgotin any age or clime.

fine old English cricketer, "c.

THE

240
His

house

MEN

HAMBLEDON
old

so

with

around

hung

was

and

bats,

stumps, and balls,

And

of

scores

many

played out

games

placed

were

againstthe walls,
And

books

many

laid about, in

were

which

with

care

he wrote
The

and

names

styleof playingof

each

of

cricketer

note.

Oh
And

like

who,

him, could

hand

fine,"c.

! the

the

bat

at

this old

Englishgame,
And

who

could

continued
At

bowl
aim

such

with
good length-balls,

slip,all equallythe

or
point, long-stop,
long-leg,
same

And

"

whoe'er
fame

took

the wicket, that

could

winter's blast blew

fashioned soul
a

bale his

Would

bowl
He
And

! this

fine,"c.

keenly past, this good

gobletbrimful

full well

lov'd
match

oft

would

from

to

he

sing or

old-

old-fashioned

rare

declare

tell of

with

he

ne'er

had

catch.

it

contested

some

glee
Oh

so

in

missed

And

rival him

Oh
When

such

was

when

good

like

age,

fine,"c.
snow,

had

blanched

That

his hair,
youthfulheat yet warmed

old

! this

e'er dwelt
And

when,
would

The

at

he

to
game
a chair.

there

his heart

"

no

coldness

length,his stumps

gave

way,

yet still

repair
see,

or

umpire be, though seated

Oh

! this

fine,"c.

in

FINE

THE

ENGLISH

OLD

But

life's a game
doubt
ever

That

though for years

length go out.
eighty and ten

When

had
He

which

CRICKETER

all must

we

may

notches

241

play,and

none

keep in, we
full this

can

at

must

old

rare

man

scored,

fell.

rich

The

and

poor

his

loss

bitterly

most

deplored.
Oh
bat

The

flitso'er his remains

now

"

fine,"c.

! this

near

yonder church

they lie ;
Go
'

mark

"

! this

eye :
lies
Here

simple epitaphwill surelymeet

cricketer,who

honest

an

when

Save

he

his wicket

found

that

some

friend had

old

he's

tho'

ways
Like him

yet still let

gone,

respectedlive
praise.

and

'cricket ne'er shall be

a

prizethem

forgotwhile

we

can

play

ball.'

Budd

died

Wiltshire,on

March

And

his

die,blest with each good

Oh

Mr.

fine,"c.

all imitate

and
we'll cherish still,

old games
and all,

good

And

us

! this

"

man's

one

passed

by.'
Oh

Our

heaved

never

sigh,

But

your

here

Rose

! this

fine,"c.

Cottage, Wroughton,
29th, 1875, aged ninety.
at

end

this

in

of a
rambling history
simplefolk,Nyren's friends and contemporaries,fathers
of the game.
That
the charge of triviality
be
may
brought against it I am quite prepared to learn ; but
their very triviality
of these
is part of the attraction
I like to think that Mr. Haygarth thought
old records.
comes

to

an

THE

242

it

HAMBLEDON

while

worth

and

industry

only

claim

at

hitting

to

our

gather

to

his

ball

about

notice

modern

standards,

but

we

know

could,

and,

so

sound

cricket

know

The
the

fittest
That

to

feverishly

"

is

nor

character.
and

of

it

It

rest

of

days
probably,
as

in

when

only

any

one

little

backward

is

said,

else's.

by
the

in

have

quite

be

and

glance
I

would
pens,
result

mentioned

esteemed

was

holds

it

is

one

any

that
all

it

machines,

by

the

cricket

that

editors

many

much

too

that

place

and

printing

pages.
find

pleasure

so

dreamed

these

might

work
own

read

leisurely

and

never

book

such

of

only

not

cricket

the

Industries,

busy

wires

probably

reach

ever

English

telegraph

will

would

among

keeping

this

they

as

thoroughly,

very

never

survive.
cricket

day

assayed

always

as

sound

according

well

foundations

of

but

theory,

has

game

the

adepts

shall

we

played

whose

were

well,

played

they

laid

doing,

they
How

they

patience

villagers

that
one.

that

such

obscure

was

bowling

or

with

together

facts

his
on

MEN

in

some

who

hope

that

to

the

the

compiled
as

much

old

for

my

243

PRESENT

AND

PAST

ENGLAND,

1770"1900.

Cricketer's

(Afterreading Nyren's Young

for

BUT

pit

watch

them

and

gone,

of

to-day

batsmen

our

those

With

to

dead

heroes

Those
And

hour

an

In

of sunny

weeks

Somewhere
To

see

Could

we

upon

them

but

play,

of Hambledon

Graces, Nyrens,Studds, and

Our

Tutor)

Wards,

weather,

Elysian swards,
matched
together!

see

how

Small

withstands

of Steel,
hands'
If Silver Billy's
'wondrous
Survive with Briggs or Peel !
If

with

Mann,
Can

keep

And,

at

and

the

Doctor

And
Had
Would
And

score,

Hearne

would

are

bowling !

bewitch

quaint top-hattedfoes,

Though,
Old

the

Woods

doubt
His

pluck of yore,
leather rolling,

all his

crisis,notch

When

No

break

three-foot

The

on

Harris

deftly chosen
bowled

Aylmard,if

the

pitch,

his slows ;

asphodel
made
the wicket
bumpy,
with
force the game
Attewell,
Stoddart collar 'Lumpy'

THE

244

HAMBLEDON

MEN

of all

flannelled hosts

Time

When

our

only the renown,

cracks, perhaps,may join the ghosts

Leaves
Our

That

Where

roam

on

shadowy
cheer

And

the

Windmill

strife,

of wonder

deeds

by giants whom
century kept asunder.

in

ALFRED

The

the

will watch

crowds

Achieved
A

Down,

ball is over,

life

COCHRANE.

gentlemen.*

INDEX

Edward

Aburrow,
122,

49,

('Curry'),

140,

'father

Aislabie,

of

cricket,

and

matches,

146

63-4,

Clarke,

John

Nyren,

Aylward,
Aylward,

Horace,
James,

126,

123, 144,

40

37,
feat,

67,

his

his

Thomas,

of

William,

44,

45,

in

1746,

Small,

86,

134;

celebrated

141

Bat

'

Halfpenny,

straight
Old

by
width

for

lated,
regu-

hitting,
bats

206

at

Broad

on

98, 99,

styles of, 23,

of,
'

Clarke

on

25
on

Browne
his

defensive,
the

science

Beagley,

Fred,' xviii.
Thomas,
129,

as

bowler,

George,

72.

William,
216

24-5,

opinion

by
ford
Mit131-2,

Clarke

181,
cribes
des-

187-8;
in

his

days,

triumph

Brighton,

of

xxvi,

72-4,

40,

127-9,

his

xvi,

described

of

over

156-7

Mr.

Budd,

222-3.

Benham,

166-70.

Bayham,

epitaph,

his

cricket

different

and

212.

124-5,

134-41

Batting, Nyren

227

end

Pycroft 140,
and
Haygarth

186.

match

227;

Osbaldeston

n,

Nyren

Inn,

49,

alarmed

236.

Bedster,
Beldham,
Beldham,

166-70.

152

Luddites,

his

234,

tions
the, Nyren's instrucClarke
to, 20-8;
on,

Batsman,

pointed,
disap-

225;

name,

the

231

215.

205,
Ball

and

all

87;

'

holding,

85;

introduced

Lord's,

his

Lambert,
of

the,

shape

when

action

against

121,

178, 186-7.
20;

235-7,
Bessbo-

69 ;
against
his
first
Ward,
105;
144-5
matches,
; the spelling

88,

at

Bat,

232,

Lord

Mr.

and

method

124,
147-9,

match

186.

Barber,

222-3,
181,

33,

rough 184, Thomas

Beagley
222, 235, and Haygarth
230;

186.

185-6.

John,

Aylward,

155,

n;

25,

Pycroft

131-2,

6,

206

61, 73, Mitford

Clarke

memoir

98.

batting

great

by

154,
his

J. W.,

Frederick,

by Nyren

40, 55,

176.

Mr.

Allen,

53, 60,

originated

Lord

on

222, 235-6.

104, 105, 140, 141, 196,

described

England'

of

138,

8,

Budd's

and

Beauclerk,
Lord
Beauclerk,

144.

143,
"All

57

Mr.

on

222

F.

cricket,'

132.
Ale

154;

bowling,

185.

Canon,
of J.

Bennett,

132,
R

his

Nyren,

John,

138,

tions
recollec105-6.
154.

INDEX

of Matches,

Bentley's Book

130, 133, 187.

Berkshire eleven, 1793, 147.
Bessborough,Lord, see Ponsonby,Hon. Frederick.
Bligh, Hon. Edward, xxvii.

222-3, Beldham
222-3, and
Clarke
his fielding,
235;
140, 235 ; his bowling, 178,
222-3, 225 ; his matches and
220-1, 227, 238;
scores,
of
his bat, 221, 225,
weight

Blockhole, in old cricket,150.

Bolland, William, xviii.
Booker, 60.

221, 223, 237

Bowling,Nyren's

F.

instructions

his
to, 13, 17-19, 20;
round-arm
strictures
on
bowling, x, xi, 4, 39-41,
as

70 ;
xv

in

round-arm,
Beldham

necessity,

changes

on

styleof, 134-5,

old and

the new,

183-4

Pycroft

style,149, 151-3,

137

the

145, 156-7,
the old
on
155

bias,

233

222

his tremendous
; as

compared

innovator,
with

Lord
his
222-3;

Beauclerk,
position at the wicket,

nis

at

impetuosity, 225

his shame
in 1851, 237
old age and tastes, 238

Captains,hints

196.

Bowra, William, 188-9.

Box, Tom, 157, 180.

Boxall,
Brett, Thomas,

gardener, 239

bowling, 183.

Halfpenny, 6, 98 ; high
desfeastingon, 57-8, 98-9 ; cribed
by Mitford, 121-3;

deserted, 142, 144.

Bromley, Middlesex, Nyren's
last home
at, 102, 120.
of
Browne
Brighton, 136,

death

his

;
;

as

241

to, 91.

Cowden,
106

xi,
his

Introduction ' to Nyren's

Young Cricketer's Tutor, 5 ;
his part in Nyren's book,
'

133.

115-16,

Broad

mories
me-

Burrell,Sir Peter, 154.

Caffyn, W., his Seventy,Not

xii, xiii, 98,

44, 45, 47, 48,

121, 151, 186, 189.

Broadbridge,J., his round-arm

156-7, 184.
Budd, Edward

Chad, Old, 184.

Clarke, Charles

128.

his

Osbaldeston, 227,
229 ; and of Mr. Ward, 234 ;
later years at cricket, 237 ;
of

high under-hand, 194,

151

played
batting diseighty,225 ; his

manner

Out, xviii.
Caldecourt, 150, 222.

twist,

224

of

of
; swiftness
the old, 151, 157; Clarke's
advice as to, 158-63, 172-3 ;
Lord Bessborough on underhand
and round-arm, 183-^";
or

hits,

Clarke, William, xvii, xviii;

his

'

Letters

158-74

on

Cricket ',

his career,

175-6.

Clement, littleTom, ix.

Cochrane, Mr. Alfred, xxv ;
his ballad, England, Past
and Present,'243.
'

Cooper, Mr. Ashley-,xii.

Hayward, xxiv,

156, 196, 207 ; described

xxv,
by Nyren 76, Mitford 132,
Beldham
140, Pycroft 140,
220, 222-3, 225, 227, Lord

Bessborough184, Haygarth
220-1, Wheeler
F.
234, Lord

222,

225,

Beauclerk

Cotton, Rev. Mr., his cricket

song,

17-18, 50, 122.

Cricket,beginningof thegame,
of players, 9;
number
choice of ground,9; umpires,

9;

10, 171-2

ets,
pitchingthewick-

10, 172

fieldsmen,

arrangement of

11 ; laws

of the

INDEX

247

tions
Beldham
141, Pycroft155-6,
(1830),11-16 ; instructo
and
players, 17-38 ;
Haygarth 191-2 ; his
provements sad end, 153.
single-wicket,38-9 ; imand
Fielding,Nyren's instructions
progress,

game

66, 77, 84-92, 120, 121, 14957 ; stopping or blockingfirst

adopted,87 ; records burnt,

law for leg-before101 ; new
wicket, 137

Cricketers, essentials of, 5, 38 ;

left-handed, 62, 63, 70, 105,
128 n;
155, 193, 201, 211,
123

dress,

longevityof,

n,

136

to, 32-8, Clarke's

163-6

on,

English

'Fine Old
Cricketers ',239.

Frame, John, 57, 151, 192.

France and early cricket,190.
Francis, Richard, 65, 193.
Freemantle, Andrew,
79-81,
193.

128, 154-5,

Freemantle,

Cricket Field, The, quoted,176,

177, 204, 220, 222-4, 227.
Cricket
Notes, by William

Holland, xvii.

Cricket-song,by Rev. Reynell

Cotton, 17-18, 50, 122.

important

more

Ffinch, Mr., his

188.

advice

formerly,154-5.

match-making,

170-1.

214

as

John,

79-80,

193-4.

Gale, Frederick, xx.

Gentlemen

and

Players,The,

148.

Gentleman's

Magazine,quoted,

190, 200, 201, 202.

Kings of Cricket,xxv,

Daft's

'

George

'

Butler, trick

Danvers,

played

on,

Grace, Dr. W.

G., 181, 183,

220.

131.

Dark, J. H., acquires Lord's,

Graces,

The, their maternal

advantages,ix.

233.

Grimston, Hon.

Darnley,Earl of, 144.

Dehaney, 60, 133.
Frederick, third

Dorset, John
Duke

of, 45,
189

139,

Small,

61, 63, 121,

his

present

to

46-7.

Dorset Square,the old Marylebone ground, 143, 223.

Emmett,

ers,
cricket-

and famous
125, 135, 216.

Nyren, 43;
buried
212

182.

Fennex, William, xiii,xiv,xvii,

152,

153;

181.

old

cricketers
at, 185, 198, 210,
inscriptionon church

door,

211.

Club, ix, 6, 17,

205-10;
136

(NicholasWanostrocht),

Mitford

xx,

37, 44-5, 47, 87-9, 203-4,

207, 213-7 ; its great players,
44-83, 121-7, 141-2,

Tom, 120.

Farnham,

127,

R.,

Hall, Harry, 72, 73, 134, 187.

Hambledon,
birthplace of

Hambledon

by

Hambledon,

98-9.

179.

Felix

Inn,

described

127,

129-31,

its

its

caravan,

grand

49,

matches,

ginning
the beof, 100, 136 ; match
at Southsea, 106 ; old players
beaten
by the new, 128; at

58-60, 63-4,

100-2

its zenith,135 ; its break-up,

INDEX

248
101, 141-3;

forbids

bowling,

arm

of

Mitford
132, Fennex
Clarke 178, 181, Lord

round-

151

givers
law-

cricket, 193

its

borough 181, Haygarth

(of Sussex), 27,

31, 32, 154, 155, 232, 236.

Hampshire barns, and cricket,

154.

and

Beldham, 228.
Lamborn, 'the Little Farmer,'

Hampshire Chronicle,The, 98,

53-4, 197-8.

Lang,

217.

Hampshire
match,

men,

at

grand

'

57-8,

Harris, David, xxvi, 137; 138,

described
184,
as
a
;
bowler
xiv,
20,
by Nyren
74-9, 90, Mitford 125-6, 127,
128 n, Beldham
139, 141,
151, Pycroft 151, 153, 154,
Walker
152, Fennex
152,
154,
Sparkes 152, Bennett
and
Lord
F.
Haygarth 194,
Beauclerk 195 ; his armchair
the field,1 26 ; his pracon
tising,
214

Haygarth,
;

Mr.

Arthur,

his memoirs

xx-

of

Mr.
his
Andrew,
Ballade of Dead
ers
Cricket', v ; his praise of the

game,

xxv.

Lear, George, 48, 49, 62, 122,

198.

Leg-before-wicket,
204,
Lennox,

Hon.

Lillywhite,
Fred,
154, 183
and

his

cards,

Scores

and

old

on,

Peter, of Leicester,

Hunt,

Club, 102,

Leigh, 98,

London

Journal

Biographies,

xxvi, 143, 233.

Ground, opened, xxvi;

at, 80, 103-5, 141-2,

fire at,
156,
; disastrous
101, 133 ; collection of bats
at,205, 215 ; Lord F. Beauclerk's attendance
at, 231 ;
Mr.
Ward's
purchase of,

195-

His

Nyren,

117-19.

233-4.
'

Lumpy

'

described

Zingari,xvii,xix.

(Edward

Stevens),

by Nyren 20,

6, 78-9, Mitford

Kent, its cricket in earlytimes,

136; its matches, 137-8, 1423, 146-8.

Haygarth 198-200;
earlycricket,140.

Maiden

Lamb, Charles, 98, 106, 107.

Lambert, William, 156 ; his
cribed
bowling,19 ; desby Nyren 25, 27,

on

overs,

on

149.

Sir Horace,
by Nyren 37, 45,
Mitford
123-4,
137-8,
Pycroft

Mann,

55

122, 126-7,

and

advice

Cricket

231

105.

106

and

his

matches

bowling, 145.

6.

Homerton

148.

Lord's

Hogsflesh,William, 44-5,

bowling,

and cricket,Pycroft

London,

Lord, Thomas,

the old

154.

his

xxi, xxiv, 101-5, 175-6, 185,

220-1, 230, 232.

185-219, 220-1, 230, 232.

on

212.

Charles,

printing-press

150

cricketers,98-9, 109, 175-6,

Heward,

Col.

xxvi, xxvii, 147,

154.
xxiv

196-

7, Budd
222, 224, Beldham
and
224,
Pycroft 224 ; his
great feat against Beauclerk

dinners, 198.
Hammond

153,
Bess-

described
64, 67-8,
Beldham
144, and

Haygarth 186, 200-3.

INDEX
Mann,

described
Beldham

Noah,

by

139,
Nyren 61-5,
and
Haygarth 201-2; his
sad death, 64-5, 202;
Horace
Mann's kindness

66-7,

Sir
to,

202.

Mann,

Noah, junior,202.
Martingell,W., 182, 183.
Marylebone Club, its revision
the

of

laws

145-7

82,
in

May,
May,

the

on

bowling,90

in

matches, 73,

its

1830, 11;

cricket

of

change

listof

bers
mem-

202-3.
as

player,59, 139,

Mitford, Rev. John, xiii,xiv,

his

192;

review

Nyren's book, 121-32.

Montgomery, Right Rev.

of
H.

Montpelier

descendants,

97-8, 115 ; his fine qualities,

97-8, 114, 116-17; his conwith the Hambledon
Club, 101; his wife, 102,
114-5; his London
matches,
last match,
103-5;
105;
nexion

1797,

of, 105

left-handed, xvii, 105, 106;

Fill the Goblet,'
his song,
108-13
temperate man,
; a
114; bitten by a mad
dog,
115

Hunt's description
of, 117 ; his letter to

Leigh

the London

Journal, 1 18-19

147.

219.

Nyren,

Mynn, Alfred, 220.

Mynn, Walter, 182.

death, 120 ; omissions

in his book, 204-6, 212-13,
his

Nyren, J. W.,

H., xix, 181.

Club

and

family

189, 203.
xv,

'

Joseph, 59, 122, 189,

Minshull,

101-6

Haygarth's account

in 1833, 93-5.
Richard, 218-19.
Thomas, 60, 218.

Miller,

his love of music,

43, 106-7, 114; his fondness
for animals, 67, 115; appreciation
of his book, 97, 107,
his literary
115-16, 120;
worth, 97, 107, 120; his

37,

Nyren,

of John

son

106-7.

Miss
of

Mary,
her

her

rative
nar-

grandfather,

98-102, 106-7, 114-15.

Nairne, Lord, 99, 100.

Newland,
Richard, 45, 100,
138.

Norfolk, its challengeto Lord

F. Beauclerk, 147.

Nottingham keeps

its secrets,

the

Misses, granddaughters

of John
Nyren,
97-8 ; Dedication
to, iii.
Nyren, Richard, described by
John
nis son,
Nyren, 44-5,
Miss
53, 56, 60, 63-4;

Nyren's account

228

Novello, Clara, 107.

Novello, Mary
Sabilla,

Nyren,

Beldham's
on

Nyren's music,
Nyren, Henry, eldest son
John Nyren, his account

reference

to,

136-7.

his father, 106.

Nyren, John, Cowden

of

account

of

226-30.

Clarke
his

xi, 5, 6, 116-7;

abilities

as

George

Osbaldeston,

Squire'), 105,

107, 114.

x,

of, 98-101

107.

day
Novello,Vincent, 98; his 'SunEvenings ',106-7 ; and

on,

Nyren,

cricketer, 33,

of

("The

156,
his

196;

career,

Osbaldeston, Mrs., her gift

to Lambert, 228.
Oxford Memories, Pycroft's,
178, 225.

INDEX

250

Parr, George, 179, 180.

Paulet, Squire, 60, 133, 135,
144 ;

founds

Club, 136.
Pilch, Fuller,xx

Shepherd,

206.

xxvi.

Nyren
Single-wicket,

Ponsonby, Hon.
(Lord Bessborough), xvii,
xx

dedicated

Professionals,

cricket,181-4.
their

tages
advan-

148.
amateurs,
203-4.
Purchase, Richard, 65,
Pycroft,Rev. James, memoir
over

xvii ;

on

Club

and

the

bledon
Hamold

the

old
tions
Clarke, 177-8; his contribuCricket Field,
to The
133-57

players,

on,

38-

9; matches, 101, 227, 228.

Slindon, Sussex, 100.
Small, John
('Old Small '),

Clarke's
letter
miniscences
to, 158 ; his reof

of, xvi,

his

George,

sketches,

n, 132 n, 153,

Frederick

177,

215.

Scott, Thomas,

Hambledon

181, 224.

xix,

Scores, imperfect keeping of,

223,

220,

on

his

227;

Oxford Memories, 178,

225.

described by Nyren 24, 467, 86-7, Mitford 121, Pycroft

138-9, and Haygarth 207-9 ;
of the founders
of the
one
100-1.
Hambledon
Club,
Small, John, junior,described
by Nyren 81-3, and Hay-

garth 209.
Assheton,

T.
Smith,
matches,

102,

Smuggling

and

his

144.

cricketing,

199.

192,
South

Museum,

Kensington

of John

its memento

Nyren,

120.

Quarterly
Clarke,

Review

Old

on

177.

Quiddington,as long-stop,60.

Sparkes,152, 154, 155.

SportingMagazine,The, 191-2,
213.

Sportascrapiana, 225,
238.

234,
154.
Ray, his fine fielding,
Duchess
Richmond,
of, her

support
Richmond,

of

Fennex,

130.

Duke

of, 115.
Ring, George, 200, 204, 219.
Ring, John, 137-8, 204-5.
Robinson, Robert, 83, 130,
141, 191, 205-6.
Running a notch, contrasted
modern
Russell, Lord
with

methods,
Charles, xx.

150-1.

Steel,A. G., 183.

Stevens, Edward,

see

Stewart, Peter ('Buck

by
Mitford

'

Lumpy',
cribed
'),des-

Nyren 49-50,
Haygarth

122, and

210.

Stopping,
Strutt's

'

Nyren's

mendation
recom-

of, 22-3.
Sports and Pastimes,

42.

scores,

John, 85.
St. John's Wood
Club, and
the Homerton
Club, 102.
St. Mary's, Moorfields, and
Nyren s Ave Verum ',114.
Sawdust, early use of, 206 ".

'

20.

'Stumping out,' in
Sackville,Lord

228,

the

early

218.

Stumps, the, 11, 84, 134, 149;

change

in

number,

66, 87-8,
the
on
134,
; Beldham
size of, 188 ; a fourth introduced,
151-2

217.

Sueter, Tom,

described

by

INDEX

Nyren 27-8, 31-2, 47-9,

251
his old cricket MS., 85, 134,
149; and Lord F. Beauclerk,
105, 177 ; his offer for Old
Small's balls,207 ; his bowling

60-

1, Mitford 121, 128, Beldham

138-9, and Haygarth 211,
218.

Surrey, and

the

Hambledon

feat, 221

heroes, 142.
Tankerville, Earl of, 61, 122,

Taylor,C., 135.
Taylor,Tom, xvii; described
by Nyren 54-5, 68, Beldham
137, 140, and Haygarth 186,
204, 212-3.

Thackeray and Bolland, xvii.

Tinley,R. C., 178.
147-8,

H., xxvi, 141,

155.

Tufton, Hon. J., xxvii, 147-8.

Turner, Mrs. Mary, extract
from letter of, x.

Umpires, duties of, 10, 16, 137,

necessity

of

bowling,xv

Lord's
Ground, 233-4
his bets on Mr. Budd, 234
his wise
generosity, 234
unknown

the

to

generation,

235

younger

the

on

order of

going in, 236.

Warsop, B., of Nottingham,
178,
'

184.
'

Waterloo

and its

Inn, Barn

of
portrait

'

Green,
Lumpy ',

200.

Watts, Dr., 49, 107.

George, 216.

Wells,

Wells, James, 215, 216,

Wells, John, described

Nyren
140-1,

171-2.

admits

round-arm
buys the lease

of

199, 212, 218.

Tufton, Hon.

bowling, 222;

new

the

opposes

70-2, Beldham
and
Haygarth

by
136,
187,

215-16.

Wenman,

Veck, Richard

Aubery,

213.

154,

Wheeler,

'Vine, The', Sevenoaks, 101,

189.

222

Mr.,
his

quoted,

157.
on

Mr.

Budd,

Sportascrapiana,
224-5,

228,

234,

238.

Walker, Harry, described

Nyren

by

40, 68-70, Mitford

Beldham
139, 141,

128

n,

and

Haygarth,214.

Walker, John, 214.

Walker, Tom, described
by
Nyren 40, 68-70, Mitford
124, 127, 128-9, Beldham
139, 141, and

Haygarth

15 ; introduces
new
90
70,
bowling,
",
151.

ix.

White, of Ryegate, 87.

White, Thomas
(' Shock
described

by Nyren 57,

Haygarth
Whitehead,

').
and

217.

Mr., of Kent, 147,

154.

Wicket, pitchingthe, 10, 12,

214-

styleof
135, 137,

19, 137, 172

changes in

size

of, 66, 87-8, 134, 151-2, 188,

217.

Walker, Mr. V., 178.

Ward, William, Nyren's book
dedicated

White, Gilbert, of Selborne,

by Nyren

to, 3 ; described
3-4, 24 n, Mitford

132, and

Haygarth

232-4

Wicket-keeper,
Nyren's advice

the,

12 ;

to, 28-32
Sueter the first,
128; wicket-

keepersas batsmen,
;

Willes, John,

211.

described

by

INDEX

Nyren, 70,
round-

80-1

revives

bowling, 137,

arm

Winchelsea,

Wood,

Down,

John,

Nyren

to

Wells, 216.

57,

Yalden, William, described

Nyren
and

217-8.

6, 63, 98.
described

and

Haygartn

I HORACE

115-16

PRINTER

TO

136,

Cricketer's
Tutor,
Clarke's
part in,
;

its

place in English

literature, 120 ;
review
of, 121-7.

HART,

by

Haygarth 218.

Cowden

by

Thomas, 219.

OXFORD

60-1, Beldham

Young

219.

Wood,

tribute

Lord,
trick, 131

player,154,

Windmill

its

and

Beldham

151.

and
his
;
eleven, 136, 137, 144; his
cricket retainers, 142 ; as
Fennex's

Wrecclesham,

THE

UNIVERSITY

Mitford's

.""

","

"."

TO1I

","

nmiiii

A
000
807
479