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THE CRICKETERS.

Now, LIFE, to me, has always seem'd a GAME-
Not a mere game of chance, but one where skill
Will often throw the chances in our way-
Just like (my favorite sport) the GAME OF CRICKET;
Where, tho' the match be well contested, still,
A steady player, careful of his fame,

May have a good long INNINGS, with fair play,
Whoever bowls, or stops, or keeps the wicket.
THE above manly and noble game of Cricket
may be considered, without the fear of con-
tradiction, one of the truly denominated
BRITISH SPORTS; indeed, it may be said,
'Tis English, Sirs! from top to toe!
The game having originated with our ances-
tors in Great Britain; and for the last sixty
years it has not only obtained the support of
the nobility of the highest class in the king-
dom, but also the flattering patronage of
Royalty.

The late King, George IV., when Prince of Wales, was so much attached to the noble Game of Cricket, that he ordered a piece of ground to be railed in at Brighton, contiguous to the Pavilion, and called the Prince's Cricket ground; and which retains its name and situation to the present day. Upon the above ground some very celebrated matches have been contested; and in which several their talents with the bat and ball. The late personages of great notoriety have exhibited Lord Barrymore, who unfortunately lost his life owing to his blunderbuss accidentally discharging its contents, as he was ascending his Phaton, very often appeared amongst the celebrated" ELEVENS," at that period in high repute all over the kingdom, as crack players.

Here also the late DUKE of RICHMOND, then

well-known as the thorough-bred, affable, jolly, good-natured, and high-spirited Colonel Lennox, anxious at all times to keep the game alive, a most distinguished cricketer, and a great lover and patron of athletic sports upon all occasions, displayed his knowledge of the game indeed, for a foot-race, or a standing or running jump, his agility and great speed were so very conspicuous, that few men in the kingdom could compete with the late Duke of Richmond, at the period alluded to, with any thing like a chance of success; and, to the last hour of his life, the above buoyancy of good spirits never deserted him. Canada his Grace was quite a model for life and activity for all the young officers; indeed, the company of the late Duke of Richmond (who did not at all appear to feel the infirmities of age) was so much admired for the de gaiete de cœur, which he always possessed, that he was surrounded by the young ones' at all times, who had the permission to visit his Grace.

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The liberal-minded, late patriotic DUKE of BEDFORD, whose statue in Russel-square must always remind the passer-by of his Grace's noble qualities, and sincere attachment to the cause of liberty, was a great supporter of the game of cricket, and all other athletic sports.

The late DUKE of HAMILTON, of sporting notoriety, was acknowledged a first-rate cricketer, and the best bowlers found much difficulty to derange his stumps; and there was a mark in Lord's Old Ground, called the Duke's stroke; it was an unusual length, measuring, from the wicket, to where the balí first fell, 132 yards, a circumstance scarcely paralleled.

VERSES IN PRAISE OF CRICKET.*
By the Rev. M. Cotton.

Assist all ye muses, and join to rehearse
An old English sport, never prais'd yet in verse;
'Tis Cricket I sing of, illustrious in fame,-
No nation e'er boasted so noble a game.

*To Mr. T. W. BowER, Mathematical Master in Winchester College, we are indebted for the MS. of the above song, written above half a century since by the Rev. Mr. COTTON (observes Mr. Samuel Maunder, a gentleman of considerable research, and whose recently published Universal Dictionary reflects the highest credit on his persevering disposition and extensive mind) who at that time was the Master of Hyde Abbey School, in that city. Instead of offering any excuse for giving it a place in "Death's Doings," we think we may fairly urge the following as reasons why it ought not to be withheld :-first, that it is eloquent in the praise of the game of cricket; secondly, that it not only commemorates the successful prowess of the far-famed Hambledon Club, which at one time was the pride of Hampshire, and the envy of "all England," but affords us an opportunity of introducing a biographical sketch of the last survivor of the original members of that club; and thirdly, that its author was the conductor of a school which has had the honor of enrolling in its list of pupils, many talented youths who, in after-life, have filled the most distinguished stations, of which we may (without appearing invidious to others) adduce a brilliant example in the person of the present enlightened Secretary of State, the Right Hon. George Canning.

Great Pindar has bragg'd of his heroes of oldSome were swift in the race, some in battle were bold;

The brows of the victors with olive were crown'd; Hark! they shout, and Olympia returns the glad sound!

What boasting of Castor and Pollux, his brother! The one fam'd for riding-for bruising the other! Compar'd with our heroes they'll not shine at all; What were Castor and Pollux to Nyren and Small.*

*The whole of the Hambledon Club have now been bowled down by death; Mr. John Small, sen., of Petersfield, Hants., who was the last survivor of the original members, having terminated his mortal career on the 31st of December, 1826, aged nearly ninety.

The great have their historians, and why should not the small? Nay, since every one in the present day exercises his right of publishing his " reminiscences," if he can but find a bookseller who is bold enough to venture on the speculation, we trust we shall stand excused for preserving a few stray notices of this venerable cricketer, whose exploits were once the theme of universal praise, and whose life was as amiable as his station was humble.

John Small, sen., the celebrated cricketer, was born at Empshott, on the 19th of April, 1737, and went to Petersfield when about six years of age, where he afterwards followed the trade of a shoemaker for several years; but being remarkably fond of cricket, and excelling most of his contemporaries in that manly amusement, he relinquished his former trade, and practised the making of bats and balls, in the art of which he became equally proficient as in the use of them; and, accordingly, we find that these articles of his manufacture were, in the course of a short time, in request wherever the game of cricket was known.

Mr. Small was considered the surest batsman of his day, and as a fieldsman, he was decidedly without an equal. On one occasion, in a match made either by the Duke of Dorset, or Sir Horace Mann (for we cannot exactly call to mind which), England against the Hambledon Club, Mr. Small was in three whole days, though opposed to some of the best players in the kingdom-nor did he at last lose his wicket, his ten mates having all had their wickets put down. At another time, in a five-of-a-side match, played in the Artillery-ground, he got seventy-five runs at his first innings, and went in the last mate for seven runs, which it is hardly necessary to say, were soon scored. On this occasion, the Duke of Dorset being desirous of complimenting him for his skill, and knowing that Small was as passionately fond of music as he was of cricket, he made him a present of a fine violin, which he played upon many years, and which is now made use of by his grandson.

We shall not, however, enter into a detail of the numerous proofs he gave of his skill as a cricketer, nor of the flattering testimonies of approbation he at various times received from the patrons of the game: suffice it to state, that the first County match he played in was in the year 1755, and that he continued playing in all the grand matches till after he was seventy.

Mr. Small was also an excellent sportsman, and capital shot. He held the deputation of the Manor of Greatham and Foley for many years, as game-keeper under Madame Beckford, and retained it under her son and successor, till the property was parted with, which did not happen till Small was nearly seventy years of age; yet, such was his strength and activity at that time of life, that, before he began his day's amusement, he regularly took his tour of seven miles, frequently doing execution with his gun, which to relate would appear almost incredible.

We ought also to mention that among other active exercises for which Mr. Small was famed, was that of skating-those who have witnessed his evolutions on Petersfield Heath Pond, (a fine sheet of water, a mile in circumference) have no hesitation in pronouncing him equal to any who have figured away on the Serpentine, how much soever they may have "astonished the natives."

Here's guarding, and catching, and running, and
crossing,

And batting, and bowling, and throwing, and tossing;
Each mate must excel in some principal part,—
The Panttahlon of Greece never show'd so much art.

The parties are met and array'd all in white;
Fam❜d Elis ne'er boasted so pleasing a sight;
Each nymph looks askew at her favourite swain,
And views him, half stripped, both with pleasure and
pain.

But we turn from Mr. Small's athletic amusements to notice his taste for music; and, though we cannot say that his excellence as a musician was equal to his excellence as a cricketer, still, among his compeers he was pre-eminent; and, we have no doubt, that to the soothing power of music he was not a little indebted for the equanimity of temper he possessed, and the tranquil delight he felt in the company of his friends-for those who knew him can conscientiously declare that no man was more remarkable for playful wit, cheerful conversation, or inoffensive manners.

So early did he display his taste for music, that at fourteen years of age, he played the bass at Petersfield choir, of which choir he continued a member about seventy-five years, having performed on the tenor violin there within the last twelve months, and that too without the aid of spectacles. After what has been said it will not be a matter of surprise to hear that Mr. Small was highly respected by all the gentlemen who patronized cricket; and, as they knew nothing could gratify him more, they frequently joined in a concert with his musical friends after cricket was over for the day.

His two surviving sons, John and Eli, not only inherit his love for the game, but the first mentioned particularly excels in it, and both are equally celebrated for their musical attainments; indeed, during their father's life this musical trio ranked high among the performers at all the amateur concerts in the neighbourhood.

O that our readers would but tolerate our "fond garrulity," for much could we yet inform them concerning John Small! We should delight in telling them that he was not merely a player on the violincello and violin, but that he was both a maker and a mender of them! with pleasure should we descant on his mechanical, as well as his musical skill, and show that his proficiency in each was the result of his own untutored ingenuity, proving that he had a natural genius for fiddle-making, as well as for bat and ball. making. We should bring proof that he once made a violincello, aye, and a right good one too, which he sold for two guineas-nay, we should further prove, that the old instrument which his son, the present John Small, plays on at church every Sunday, (made by Andria Weber, Genoa, 1713) was thoroughly repaired by him, and an entire new belly put thereto, and that since it has been so repaired, an eminent professor has pronounced it to be worth as many guineas as would reach from one end of it to the other. We should but we have not forgotten the old proverb, which says, "too much of a good thing is good for nothing ;" and we desist, fearing that too much may be said even of our old friend John Small. But, notwithstanding our deference to the proverb, and our wish to be as taciturn as possible, there is one more musical anecdote which we must be allowed to narrate, inasmuch as it not only shows that our praises of his skill are by no means exaggerated, but because it cannot fail to be regarded as a corroboration of a most important fact-the influence of music upon the brute creation-or to speak in the language of the poet, an additional proof that

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"Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast!"

In his younger days, Mr. Small was in the habit of attending balls and concerts; sometimes contributing to the delight of the gay votaries of Tepsichore-at others forming one of the instrumental band, which met for the gratification of himself and his amateur friends. Returning one evening with a musical com

The wickets are pitch'd now, and measur'd the ground,
Then they form a large ring and stand gazing around
Since Ajax fought Hector in sight of all Troy,
No contest was seen with such fear and such joy.

Ye bowlers take heed-to my precepts attend;
On you the whole fate of the game must depend;
Spare your vigour at first, nor exert all your strength,
Then measure each step and be sure pitch a length.

Ye fieldsmen look sharp! lest your pains ye beguile, Move close, like an army, in rank and in file; When the ball is returned, back it sure-for I trow, Whole states have been ruin'd by one overthrow.

And when the game's o'er, I O victory rings!
Echo doubles her chorus and Fame spreads her wings;
Let's now hail our champions, all steady and true,
Such as Homer ne'er sung of, nor Pindar e'er knew.

Birch,* Curry,* and Hogsflesh, and Barber,* and Brett,*

Whose swiftness in bowling was ne'er equall'd yet : I had almost forgot-they deserve a large bumper, Little George* the long stop, and Tom Suetor* the stumper.

panion from a concert in the neighbourhood, they were rather suddenly saluted, when in the middle of a large field, by a bull, who, in no very gentle mood, gave them reason to believe that, to insure their safety, they must either hit upon some expedient to allay his rage, or make a hasty retreat. Mr. Small's companion adopted the latter plan; but our hero, like a true believer in the miraculous power of Orpheus, and confiding in his own ability to produce such tones as should charm the infuriate animal into lamb-like docility, boldly faced him, and began to play a lively tune. Scarcely had the catgut vibrated, when the bull suddenly stopped, and listened with evident signs of pleasure and attention. The skilful master of the bow, felt a secret satisfaction on discovering so unquestionable a proof of the influence of sweet sounds; and, continuing to play, while he gradually retreated towards the gate, quietly followed by the bull, he there gave his quadruped auditor an example of his agility by leaping over it, and unceremoniously left him to bewail the loss of so agreeable a concert.

Having thus given such memorabilia, in the life of Mr. John Small, as we conceive ought to be handed down to posterity, and (with humility be it spoken) hoping to obtain some distinction for ourselves in this necrological, autobiographical, and reminiscent age, we shall close our remarks by observing that so great a degree of health and vigour did Mr. Small uninterruptedly enjoy, that even during the last three or four years of his life he took the most active exercise as a sportsman, and frequently followed the hounds on foot!

Thus it will be seen, that by an attention to temperance and exercise, and by encouraging cheerfulness and equanimity of temper, a man may still attain the age of a patriarch, enjoying to the last, health of body, peace of mind, and the rational amusements of life.

Were we to write his epitaph, it should be an unlabored composition of quaint simplicity, just such a one as the parish clerk himself would indite-something, for example, after the following fashion :

Here lies, bowl'd out 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."
His life was like his innings-long and good;
Full ninety summers he had DEATH withstood,
At length the ninetieth winter came-when (Fate
Not leaving him one solitary mate.)
This last of Hambledonians, old JOHN SMALL,
Gave up his BAT and BALL-his LEATHER, wax and
all.

*Part of the Hambledon Club.

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Then why should we fear either Sackville* or Mann,* Or repine at the loss of Baynton, or Lann!

With such troops as these we'll be lords of the game,
Spite of Miller, and Minchin,* and Lumpy,* and
Frame.*

Then fill up your glasses! he's best that drinks most!
Here's the Hambledon Club! who refuses the toast?
Let us join in the praise of the bat and the wicket,
And sing in full chorus the patrons of CRICKET.
When we've play'd our last game, and our fate shall
draw nigh,

(For the heroes of Cricket, like others, must die,)
Our bats we'll resign, neither troubled nor vext,
And give up our wickets to those that come next.t

It might be asked, why is cricket supposed to be a modern game, and to have originated from the club-ball, which nearly resembles golf? Because, according to Strutt, the appellation cannot be traced beyond the commencement of the last century, where it occurs in one of D'Urfey's songs:

He was the prettiest fellow,
At foot-ball or at cricket;

At hunting-race, or nimble race,
How featly he could prick it!

"Of all the popular pastimes to which the ball has given origin (and they are numerous), observe the Editors of the Percy Anecdotes, the game of cricket is the most pleasant and manly exercise. It is a sport of very recent date, and its appellation cannot be traced beyond the commencement of the eighteenth century.

"The Persians had a similar game, but performed on horseback, called chugan, which was a favorite recreation of kings and chiefs, and was originally considered as almost peculiar to illustrious personages, though it afterwards became universally practised throughout Persia. Chardin describes it as one of the popular amusements, admitting thirty or forty persons, formed into two parties, to engage at once. The object of those who played was to drive a ball made of light wood through the goal, by means of sticks, having semicircular or straight transverse heads; while the contending parties, governed by certain prescribed laws, and striking only when at full gallop, endeavoured to bear off the ball. Of this game there were several

kinds.

"Reduced to a pedestrian exercise, and under various denominations, this game seems to have been widely diffused throughout Europe; and we may perhaps trace it in the cricket of England, the golf or gough of Scotland, and the hurling matches of Ireland.

* All England men.

+ And yet, although old Messieurs DEATH and TIME
Are sure to come off winners in the end!
There's something in this game of LIFE' that's plea-
sant;

For though "to die !" in verse may sound sublime,
(Blank verse I mean, of course-not doggrel rhyme),
Such is the love I bear for LIFE and CRICKET,
Either at single or at double wicket,

I'd rather play a good long game-and spend
My time agreeably with some kind friend,

Than throw my bat and ball up-JUST AT PRESENT!

Pietro della Valle discovered it in the Florentine calcio; and the original name of chugan appears but slightly disguised in the chicane of Languedoc, where the game is played as in Persia, with a wooden ball and a club, headed like a mallet or hammer. A similar game, in which women as well as men partake, is a favorite amusement in Chili, and is there called la chuca. The game often lasts a whole evening, and sometimes is forced to be put off to another day.

"Of late years cricket has become, in patronized by the nobility and gentlemen of England, exceedingly fashionable, being much fortune, who frequently join in the diversion. In the cricket-ground in Mary-le-bonne, called Lord's Ground, there are frequently matches, which are played by gentlemen of the first families in the kingdom; and there is not, perhaps, a county that has not several cricket clubs."

To which might be added, the great interest attached to cricket-matches in general, at "Lord's" Ground, will warrant something more than the mere comparison of numbers and names of the gamesters. Besides, so much is the truly "noble" pastime in question now scientifically studied-so popular has it become with the rich as well as the humblethe lord as the lacquey-the landlord as the tenant that observations made by experience, and drawn, as these are, from practical sources, must be read with attention, and received with sincerity. It also appears that, within the last three or four years, an English Cricket Club has been formed at Paris; it is called the Albion Club, and is composed principally of the young sprigs of the aristocracy. Several grand matches have been played on the plains of Morceaux; and although the weather was at times unfavorable, the ground was attended by a chiefly French, who seemed to take great invery numerous and fashionable assemblage, terest in the contest. It does not seem probable that this English Sport will ever be adopted by the French, although they acknowledge that it is better calculated to improve health than the gymnasiums which they have so much encouraged. With horse-racing it is different. They can here gratify their propensity to gambling, as the excitement is greater than at cricket-matches; and their vanity is piqued by a competition with the English, in which, as the breed of horses is actively promoting in France, they expect ultimately to be the victors. But to return to England, where the exhilarating game of cricket will always be admired, in which exercise may be combined with delight and amusement, as well by the noble and distinguished amateur, as by the more humble participator in the sport. That this noble game has of late considerably increased in attraction, and become a most favorite amusement among men distinguished for rank and wealth, as well as by other classes of society, may

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clearly be perceived from the recent revival of old, and the formation of new clubs throughout the kingdom. The Royal Clarence Club, at Hampton, instituted under the patronage of his present Majesty, when he was the Duke of Clarence, has now to boast of between one and two hundred members, the major part of whom are entitled to be ranked as superior and scientific players of the game of cricket. Besides the Mary-le-bonne, the Old Westminster, Brighton, Arundel, Epsom, Enfield, Harrow, Eton, Bury, Suffolk, Woolwich, and numerous other clubs in Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Herts, Hants, York, &c., &c., Norfolk has also to boast of four fine grounds, one at Norwich, a second at Dereham, a third on the Swaffham race-course, and a fourth at Gunton, in the park of Lord Suffield, their president; and the following is a list of the gentlemen players who may be often seen during the season exercising their talents in the game of cricket at Lord's Ground :-Lord W. Thynne, Lord C. Russel, Sir. T. Ormsby, Colonel Lowther, Captain Loftus, Captain Mackinnon, Aislabie, Wodehouse, Jones, Jenner, Nicholl, Montague, Lloyd, Deedes, Howard, Esqrs.: Major Cowell, Honorable F. Curzon, Greville, Ladbroke, Lloyd, Howard, Kinscole, Appleyard, Barnet, Romilly, Esqrs., Howard, and Caldecourt. Lord Strathaven, Wodehouse, Ward, Hoare, Wells, Barnard, Sanson, Davidson, Mills, J. Dolphin, Esqrs., Burt and Cobbett. In addition to which, the out-and-outers are often selected to join in various matches-such as Lilly white, Matthews, Searle, J. Broadbridge, and Saunders: also Pilch, Marsden, &c.

The formation of the above club, in 1828, was thus announced, through the medium of Bell's Life in London, to the public :—“ We hear, with unfeigned pleasure, that a grand cricket-club has been formed at Hampton, consisting of eighty-one members, at the head of which is the Lord High Admiral, who, with a feeling every way consistent with his manly character, thinks he cannot render more service to his country than by encouraging those hardy games which are calculated to improve the stamina and increase the confidence of its people, in preference to lending his countenance to those 'petit maitre' amusements, which tend to debase, as well as to demoralize the rising generation. In the club in question, some of the most distinguished names in the country are enrolled; and we have no doubt that so noble an example will soon find abundance of imitators. Moulsey Hurst is chosen as the head quarters of the club, and men are now actively engaged in levelling and laying down a suitable area of turf. The club will play every week during the season. Marquees will be pitched on the Hurst, and lunches will be furnished alternately by the hosts of the Red Lion and the Bell; and the members will dine together once a fortnight, at the Toy, at Hampton Court. On the opening dinner, we under

stand, the Duke of Clarence has graciously promised to take the chair. This is indeed going back to the good old practices of our forefathers; and, if we have not tilts and tournaments, we shall have our Knights and Squires contending with equal zeal for superiority in these athletic games, which, in times of yore, placed Englishmen of the highest rank superior to all competitors, our KINGS themselves not disdaining to throw a fall, or handle their quarter-staff. His present Majesty was very partial to cricket, and in his youth frequently played at the Islington ground. He was an excellent batsman."

The celebrated IZAAK WALTON was elaborate in his praises on the Art of Angling ; Roger Ascham, equally animated on the delightful sport of Archery; and other sportsmen upon fox-hunting, horse-racing, &c.; therefore no apology is required to make extracts from those writers who have devoted some small portion of their time to celebrate the advantages accruing to the human frame from the manly and noble game of CRICKET; which not only removes every thing like lassitude or debility from the constitution, but it gives energy to the mind, raises the spirits, and creates a sort of ambition in the breasts of those individuals who are fond of the sport, to obtain the title of A GOOD CRICKETER. A match at cricket is quite A FEATURE in many villages in different parts of England, and a complete holiday altogether. Challenges are given and received from one parish to another, with all the high-sounding rivalry worthy of a higher cause ;-but to obtain a VICTORY,yes, the VICTORY, appears of more importance, as a lasting token of the success of such a parish in their memories, than the taking of a town or a city from an enemy. But the interest and character of the above games has been so admirably, not to say dramatically represented by a female author, that we should be neglectful upon the present occasion, were we to pass it over.

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"I doubt if there be any scene in the world more animating or delightful than a cricketmatch," says Miss Mitford, in the first volume of "OUR VILLAGE," where she describesnot a set match at Lord's Ground for money," but "a real solid old-fashioned match be tween neighbouring parishes, where each attacks the other for honour and a supper, glory and half-a-crown a man.” Indeed, so full of genuine character-so expressive of rustic feelings-and, altogether, so admirably well related, is her history of a country cricket-match, that we are irresistibly led to quote a very considerable portion of it Miss M. writes, as will be seen, not only with all the ardour of a partisan, but like one who well understands the subject.

"Thus ran our list :-William Grey, 1.Samuel Long, 2.-James Brown, 3.-George and John Simmons, one capital, the other so, so, an uncertain hitter, but a good fieldsman, 5. - Joel Brent, excellent, 6.Ben Appleton---

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