ground where their bowling abilities could be seen to the best advantage. And there was a good deal of good bowling on both sides; but Shoesmith (Sussex) fairly bore away the prize in that department. He was not changed during either innings of the North, and he took six wickets in their first innings and seven in their second. He has been known for some time at Eastbourne and in that neighbourhood as a fast, straight, and dangerous bowler in country matches; but at Lord's he was evidently on a ground that just suited him, for his bowling broke down the hill tremendously. He bowled 26 overs for 7 runs and 6 wickets in the first innings of the Northerners, who could not make him out at all. In their second innings he bowled the same number of overs for 18 runs and 7 wickets. Millward (Worcester) backed him up well, bowling 26 overs for 19 runs and 4 wickets. The best of the Northern bowlers was Arber (Cambridge). He got II wickets in the match, and Laxton, also from Cambridge, got 5; but the latter was only put on in one innings of the South. The general fielding was good, and Davey (Sussex) and Martin (Notts) are promising wicket-keepers. We should mention that Grundy was captain of the North and Hearne of the South; but neither took any active part in the match. Shoesmith, we should say, will be played for his county (Sussex) after his great success at Lord's, but whether his bowling will do similar execution on the Brighton ground or the Oval remains to be seen.

The Whitmonday match was this year the M.C.C. and Ground against the South of England, and was played for the benefit of the M.C.C. Cricketers' Fund. The Marylebone Eleven consisted of Mr. W. G. Grace, Mr. Green, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Kingscote, and Captains Stewart and Watson, assisted by Hearne, Price, West, Grundy, and Wootton. The South of England Eleven, chosen by the Committee of the Surrey Club, comprised Mr. I. D. Walker, and Jupp, Humphrey, James Lillywhite, Silcock, Charlwood, Pooley, Mantle, Griffith, Willsher, and Southerton. It will be seen at once that the M.C.C. Eleven was somewhat overweighted, and, in fact, their chance of success depended pretty much on whether Mr. W. G. Grace happened to come off or not. He happened not to come off, either in batting or bowling; and as soon as his wicket had fallen in the second innings, it was the proverbial guinea to a hayseed on the South of England. Curiously, the first ball of the match was splendidly hit by Mr. Grace for 5, and he went on playing in faultless style till he had made 18, when he was unluckily caught in the slips off a bumping ball which hit his glove. Price and Captain Watson made a good stand in each innings, and if Mr. Cooper had been better backed up while he was getting his 31, the single-innings defeat might have been averted; for he was master of the very best bowling that could be sent down to him. Willsher bowled splendidly, and had a wicket that just suited him. He got nine M.C.C. wickets. Southerton got eight, and Pooley kept wicket as well and as demonstratively as ever. The M.C.C. innings amounted to 95 and 90, and the single innings of the South of England closed for

202. Jupp and Humphrey began so well, each getting 37, that their side was put in good spirits, and their example was followed by most of their companions. Griffith made 35, Mr. I. D. Walker 28, and five more got into double figures. Grundy and Wootton did the lion's share of the bowling; but they had very up-hill work, and were not always well backed up in the field. The match could not, on the whole, be considered a very interesting one, as several names were wanting on the M.C.C. side that would have materially helped to equalize matters. It cannot be expected that Mr. W. G. Grace will always make a hundred runs; and yet it was clear that if any mishap befel him, his side would not have the ghost of a chance. We fear that the prospects of the Gentlemen this year against the Players are not very bright.

Lastly, we may notice a match between eleven gentlemen of the M.C.C. and eleven of Na Shuler.' This latter Club is supposed to be in Ireland what I Zingari are in England; but, unfortunately, in the purely Irish parts of Ireland cricket does not flourish. In those parts where Scottish immigrants and others have possessed themselves of Irish soil it has been found practicable to introduce the game, as well as other diversions neither so harmless nor so amusing. With one or two obvious exceptions, the gentlemen who ten days ago decorated themselves with the green-and-gold ribbon represented modern Ireland, or Anglo-Scoto-Hibernia, not old Ireland or Hibernia proper. Still there was just a flavour of the genuine article, for which, in these days of small mercies, we may be thankful, just as a teaspoonful of wine in a glass of water may be called wine and water without absolute falsehood. There were two Irish words printed in a manner intelligible to Saxon eyes on the top of the official card, and there was the chief of the most illustrious Irish house but one actually taking part in the game. And therewith let us be content. Now-a-days, when a man flies from arrest out of one county to-day, and plays to-morrow for another, which has reluctantly received him and his encumbrances, more could scarcely be expected.

The great match in the North between the two Elevens of England was entirely spoiled by the rain. We regret that Anderson thereby lost a considerable sum of money, as he was not only a splendid cricketer, but also a highly-respectable man. So far as the game proceeded, it promised to be well and equally contested. All England completed one innings for 131, of which Hayward made 43 and Smith 23; and Plumb distinguished himself highly at the wicket, getting rid of Daft, Smith, and A. Shaw. The United were just getting well to work, two wickets having fallen, about 25 runs having been scored, and Plumb and Iddison being well in, when the hopeless state of the weather necessitated the abandonment of the game.

The Surrey Colts have been tried on the Oval, and West Surrey beat East by nine wickets. There was only one run difference in their first innings, the East getting 73, and the West 74. Then the East, helped by Hall with 46, and Carter with 37, ran up 151; but

for the West, Potter and Trodd got together and won the match, the former scoring 64 and the latter 80, and both being not out.' There appears to be plenty of rising strength in batting in the county; but from what we have heard there was no bowling much above the average-nothing, for instance, to be compared with that of Shoesmith, the Sussex Colt. Surrey wants one or two good straight effective bowlers sadly; but they are very scarce articles, particularly in the South of England.

TO CHARLES BUXTON, M.P.,

WITH THE HORSE 'WHITE-MIST.'

THUS speaks young Arthur's brother to C. B. :-
The sequel of to-day dissevers all
This triplicate of stark, straight riders, stiff,
Hard men to hounds-the flyers of the hunt.
Such leaps they leapt, the men I loved!.

I think

That we shall never more in days to come
Hold cheery talk of hounds and horses, each
Praising his own the most; shall steal away
Through brake and coppice-wood, or side by side
Breast the sharp bullfinch and deep-holding dyke,
Sweep through the uplands, skim the vale below,
And leave the land behind us like a dream...

I tear me from this passion that I loved—
Though Paget sware that I should ride again-
But yet I think I shall not; I have done :
My hunt is hunted: I have skimmed the cream,
The blossom of the seasons, and no more
For me shall gallant Scott have cause for wrath,
Or injured Smallpiece mourn his wasted crops.

Now, therefore, take my horse, which was my pride
(For still thou know'st he bore me like a man-),
And wheel him not, nor plunge him in the mere,
But set him straight and give his head the rein,
And he shall bear thee lightly to the front,
Swifter than wind, and stout as truest steel,
And none shall rob thee of thy pride of place.

H. C. P.

A GREAT many years ago a well-known and caustic divine taxed a great political opponent with a rashness of self-sufficiency, the exaggeration of which is well excused by its wit. So small was the modesty of the gentleman in question, that he would undertake at a moment's notice the command of the Channel fleet, or a surgical operation (which shall be nameless) of the most dangerous and delicate character. There was a third illustration of hardihood, which (I am quoting from memory) I have forgotten, but I will tell you what it was not, after the fashion of the Irish guide-posts, whose erectors believe, with respect to the place to be found, that the best information is to state where it is not. The witty divine did not suggest that the political leader would have undertaken to 'hunt a pack of fox-hounds.' Perhaps it was that he himself was ignorant of its difficulties, though the church in those days was not said to be behindhand in furnishing representatives of prowess in the field. I will, however, venture to say that he would have been quite as unsuccessful in his attempt to kill a fox as to win a battle or to save a life. The combination of qualities requisite for the performance of a huntsman's duties in the field, or the kennel, are so varied that it would be difficult to put self-sufficiency to a higher test. If every one cannot reach Corinth, fewer men can handle a pack of hounds without natural capability, and specific education for the task.

To make this clear to our readers, I shall endeavour briefly to point out in this article the more obvious duties required at the hands of a huntsman; and to show that if the true poet is born and not fashioned, the high-class huntsman requires to be born, as well as fashioned by training, for the work he has in hand.

When hounds run well on a good scenting day in an easy country, not impeded by covers, nor interfered with by casual obstacles-in other words, when there is nothing to do but to sit on your horse and leave hounds to themselves-the difficulties are not great, to a sportsman. A good amateur horseman, who has seen something of hunting, if satisfied to leave well alone, might possibly kill his fox. But this state of things is highly exceptional. For the interruptions to fox-hunting are indeed many and unforeseen. Presuming that your material (i. e. your hounds and horses) is up to the mark, you have to contend with the peculiarities of weather, atmosphere, soil, country, the ignorance of some of your followers, the ambition of others, and to run the gauntlet of as much criticism as falls to the lot of a prime minister, or an actress at the Palais Royale. You will want physical courage, temper, quickness of apprehension, observation, a strong sense of duty, self-reliance, and a disregard

of criticism, equal to that displayed by Mr. Gladstone or Mr. Disraeli to the leaders of The Standard' or 'The Telegraph.'

With these characteristics we are compelled to take him from the lower classes; for I must regard the amateur huntsman of his own hounds as purely exceptional. And what an opening it is for a poor man! He follows a pursuit of his own choice and of almost unmitigated pleasure, for which the gentleman pays some hundreds a year. His business all his life is pleasure. He is riding other men's horses, to other men's hounds: over other men he is monarch of all he surveys, an irresponsible tyrant for the time, can control with a nod, or an oath, spoiled children, and royal dukes; and receives handsome wages for doing so. Heavens! What a prospect have I here opened for myself! Would that I were younger, and had never had an education!

But all this power and prosperity cannot be had for nothing. Let us see how it can be got.

The huntsman may be the offspring of poor but I was going to say honest, but that is not necessary-undetected parents; for he will begin life in some good stables or kennels, and see plenty of hunting as a child. If he have a love for it, it will develop itself early. Mine did when I rode a pony to one little dog, and an aniseeded rabbit-skin. He will be early accustomed to horses, and, if his heart be in the right place, a fair lad over a country. Possibly his first lessons will be taken on a young one to educate for the young master or the ladies. His ambition will lead him to the place of second whip in an establishment where his riding will be remarked upon, and where his talent might be displayed more to advantage than is usually demanded. However, that is not our business at present; so en avance.

Having once or twice distinguished himself by riding right in front when he ought to have been doing the dirty work behind, and years having qualified him, like Penelope Anne, for bettering himself, he will be able, by character for sobriety, honesty, and general capacity, to get a place as a first whip, possibly in a crack country. I shall not leave him there, as I have at present nothing to do with that department, but carry him straight on to the eminent position of huntsman. To this post he has a right to aspire; and if he have made use of his previous opportunities, he will have fitted himself for it. Some men never will do so; and they had better remain, as they are, first whips. But more good whips are fit to be huntsmen, than good huntsmen to be whips.

Before proceeding, the reader will recollect that in the science of hunting there are, as in everything else, huntsmen of different grades. Mr. Bradlaugh is a Liberal, so is the Duke of Grafton,' said Sir Rainald Knightley, but there is a great difference between 'them.' There is a Mr. Bragg and a Mr. Pigg; both are huntsmen, both creations of the same artist, but widely different. The Messrs. Bragg are not perhaps so effective as they might be, nor the Messrs. Pigg so pleasant, and the illustration only serves as far as the differ