falls out of three, with fair shoe and padding, and Olver was adjudged to slip down his stockings, from out of which two pieces of padding were withdrawn. Before this point was decided a heavy shower of rain delayed the proceedings for another half hour, and threw an additional damp on the previously dissatisfied spectators. At length, the rain having abated, the men again set-to upon equal terms with regard to padding; but betting, as at starting, was 2 to 1 on Olver, who finally succeeded in giving Finney the first fall; but it was one of a most unsatisfactory nature, as the receiver did not emit one of those hearty ejaculations which proceed from paviors when handling a rammer, and which convey so much gratification to the amateurs of wrestling it was given, however, against Finney, who shortly after received another of a similar description, which ended the match in favor of Olver, but redounded little to his previous credit; indeed, he has fallen in the estimation of many for not having defeated Finney in a more masterly manner, and several challenges to both will be the result of their exhibition. Many, however, commented on Olver's play, who would stand little chance in his hands; for, however it may be attempted to deride Finney for his want of skill, it must be allowed that he is a difficult man to throw, and many who will not allow it would find it to be so upon trial. A match between Avery, the journeyman baker, and a young Cornish man, wound up the sports of the afternoon, and afforded more gratification to the spectators than the principal one. The Cornishman appeared to have too much beer on board for an active display of his powers, and lost the match, when Avery threw a mock somerset, which was followed by a challenge from Finney to Olver, to fight him for the same sum (£40), to which no reply was given, and the company separated.

In February, 1829, a Wrestling Match between OLVER and SAUNDERS, both Cornishmen, at the Eagle Tavern, in the City Road, which excited considerable interest amongst the supporters of the above Old English Sport.

About three o'clock in the afternoon the grounds were well filled with spectators; and after two or three minor matches had been played, Olver and Saunders entered the ring, to contend for the first two fair back falls out of three, for thirty sovereigns. It was agreed that they should play with their shoes on, and without padding, and a violent kicking bout was expected; the friends of Saunders relying principally upon his punishing abilities with the shoe, which, they conceived, Olver would not be able to withstand. coming to the scratch Saunders appeared in fine condition, and in high spirits; but Olver seemed much out of condition, and advanced to shake hands with his opponent with a very desponding aspect. After five foils, and a fine display of science, which occupied nearly

On

half an hour, Saunders succeeded in throwing Olver a fine fall. On setting-to again, Olver showed symptoms of great weakness-he tottered like a child; but his mode of playing was greatly admired. He several times attempted to put in practice those masterly heaves by which he gained so many prizes and so much applause last summer; but, though Saunders is a comparatively light man to some of those whom he had so served, he was unable to lift him from the ground. After fifteen minutes' play, however, he succeeded in throwing Saunders; but the fall was much disputed by the partisans of Saunders, and a violent altercation took place round the ring. The Umpires, however, decided the point in favor of Olver. During the resting-time between the falls, Olver's backer took him into the house, and procured him some refreshment; Saunders remained in the ring. On the return of Olver, the trial for the last fall was resumed with more confidence on the part of.Olver, who tried to carry Saunders over with the inner crook, but failed; he then struck him with the fore hip, but in this he failed also; at length he seized Saunders by the middle, and, by a desperate effort, turned his heels up in the air, and threw him with great violence a fine fall, amidst the enthusiastic acclamations of the spectators, many of whom declared they had never seen a finer fall. The friends of Saunders blame him for not having kicked him enough; but in justice to Olver we must say that he never once flinched from the punishment inflicted on him, nor was the kicking on either side so violent as was expected.

Early in March, 1829, the second Wrestling Match for the season also took place at the above Tavern in the City Road, and the muster was very strong of Cornish and Devonshire patrons. The match was betwixt James Copp, a Devonian, and Francis Olver, of Cornwall. Fifteen sovereigns a-side was the sum to be contended for, the two first backfalls of three, and to be played in the Devonshire style, with fair shoe and padding. Copp was the favorite with nine-tenths of those present; but the well-known tactics of his adversary prevented much betting. Several minor bouts for small prizes were first played to amuse the spectators; and, at four o'clock, Copp, who showed prime condition, threw his hat into the ring, amidst loud cheers. followed his example, but was not so well received. He, however, looked confident, and much better than when he played Saunders. After shaking hands, a sharp turn at off-kicking took place, each man waiting an opportunity to make a favorite hitch. After several feints Olver succeeded in getting a hold, and they both grappled, Olver playing for the fore-hip, and Copp using his best caution as a preventive. In this manner several foils took place, and at length Olver was on the point of trying the heave, when Copp, whose fingers had become twisted in his an

Olver

quantity of ground in two hops and a leap. The grand prize was a beautiful piece of workmanship, shaped as a vase, and made to contain a quart; the outside richly ornamented, and the inside gilt. On one side appeared the figures of two men wrestling, over which was the motto, "The labour itself is a pleasure;" and on the other side, "Grand Prize, played for by natives of Cumberland and Westmoreland only, April 17th, 1829." Within the lid of each box was engraved its number as a prize, and the date.-Soon after twelve o'clock the sports were commenced with the hopping; and, after a very excellent display, the gold key was awarded to a native of Cumberland. For the Wrestling prizes nearly two hundred candidates entered their names on the Committee's list; and after some of the finest play ever witnessed (in the style peculiar to the counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland, which is widely different from the usual Cornish and Devonshire modes of wrestling, but of which our limits will not allow us to enter into a detail), four prizes were adjudged as follows.-The grand prize to Joseph Dobson, of Cubbom, Westmoreland. A silver snuff-box, beautifully chased, value £12, to Joseph Stamper, of Keswick, Cumberland.-A plain silver snuff-box, value £8, to Joseph Wells, also of Keswick.A silver box, value £5, to William Robinson, of Highcomb, Westmoreland. The five remaining prizes were then played for in a second bout by the losing men in the first play; and, notwithstanding the unwelcome visitations of several April showers, every turn was admirably contested, and the final decision was protracted until near night-fall, when they were awarded by the Committee in the following manner :-A chased silver snuffbox to Timothy Dobson, a relative of the fortunate winner of the silver cup.-2nd. A plain silver snuff-box to John Elwood, of Appleby, Cumberland. — 3rd. A silver box, of less value, to John Hick, of Cumberland.-4th. A chased gold seal to Thomas Foy, of Westmoreland.-5th. A plain gold seal, to Miles Dodd, of Westmoreland. The company, which was highly respectable, departed highly gratified with the sports; and the Committee, with a very numerous party of friends, afterwards partook of an excellent dinner, served up in Messrs. Hinton and Bailey's best style, and did not separate until a late hour.

In the middle of July, 1829, the Eagle Tavern, in the City Road, was again the scene of Sporting events for five days in succession. These games would be much more numerously attended than they are, were it not for the uninteresting and unnecessary delay of making standards. In the present instance the making of the standards was not completed before nine o'clock on Wednesday evening, and much dissatisfaction was expressed by the spectators, to appease whom the conductors were under the necessity of beginning the double play at that late hour; and Benjamin Sambell,

This

and Samuel Steers were called on to oppose each other the former a Cornishman, and the latter a Devonshire man, both of first-rate science; and from that moment the games became lively, and far more interesting than they had previously been. Two or three foils took place between them, one of which was so much in favor of Sambell, that he considered himself hardly dealt with in not having it adjudged to him as a fall. He was shortly afterwards thrown. Thorn and Howard, both of Devonshire, were then called on; and, after a pretty turn, Howard was thrown. ended the sports of Wednesday. We cannot omit to notice, however, a most interesting turn that took place in the course of that day, between Olver and Trewicke, both Cornishmen, and extremely jealous of each other. Meeting on the ground, and eager to decide the point at issue, they entered the ring amid the plaudits of their friends. Three foils took place, the first in favor of Trewicke, but the two following, and finally the fall, were decidedly in favor of Olver, whose superiority was very apparent, and who has thus decided a point upon which the amateurs of wrestling were much divided.

On Thursday the double-play was renewed, and in the commencement it appeared to be all in favor of the men of Devon: but as the play advanced the best men on both sides were called into action, commencing with Saunders, of Cornwall, and Jones, of Devon, when the latter was thrown, after an excellent display of the science. James Cann, of Devon, and Olver, of Cornwall, were then called, and entered the ring amid loud cheers, as the hopes of their respective counties appeared to depend on the result of their contest; and Cann seemed to hold the opinion that he had not been fairly thrown by Olver at their last meeting. In about ten minutes, however, Olver threw him by one of those high forehips, which appear to be so dangerous to himself to try, but which, he assures us, are perfectly safe and effective, and of which, indeed, he gave ocular demonstration. Wrayford, Devon--who, with James Cann, had been brought up from Devon, with a strong hope of their getting the first and second prizes-was then called on to oppose James Rook, of Cornwall; but he fared no better than his friend Cann, which blighted all the hopes of the Devonians, as both their champions are thus altogether thrown out of any share of the prizes. Olver caught Rook up in his arms, as if he had been a child, and carried him out of the ring in triumph, while the exultation of the Cornishmen knew no bounds.-The above noble game still maintains its ground with unabated patronage, and numbers of young WRESTLERS are continually arriving from the country, not only to obtain the standard of excellence (the LONDON Stamp), but also to have a shy for the prizes offered by Mr. Rouse, of the Eagle Tavern, City Road, and other persons.-More anon.

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 wayJust like (my favorite sport) the GAME or 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 contradiction, 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 ancestors 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 kingdom, 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 personages of great notoriety have exhibited their talents with the bat and ball. The late Lord Barrymore, who unfortunately lost his life owing to his blunderbuss accidentally discharging its contents, as he was ascending his Phæton, 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.

In

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 chool 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 herces 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 " reminiscen ces," 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 contempo raries 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 prof cient 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 can. not 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 tea 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 c cricket, he made him a present of a fine vio.in, 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, n of the flattering testimonies of approbation he at var ous times received from the patrons of the gamet suffice it to state, that the first County match be 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 pro nouncing him equal to any who have figured away on the Serpentine, how much soever they may have "astonished the natives."