Cricket 1905

A ug . 24 , 1905. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 355 ra NDEST lUlAOt. the Cl___ C O M PLF-TE S P O R T S C A TA LO G U ON A P P L IC A T IO N . B U S S E Y ’S c " acshs COMPLETE SPORTS S i SP CATALOGUE ON APPLICATION | USSEY’S l » | | n r r » f y j S T I C K S * 5 . H I G H C R A D E ^ A % CATALOGUE ON APPLICATION. CEO. G. BDSSEY & CO, 36 & 38, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, L O N D O N . Manufactory— PECKHAM, S.E. TIMBER MILLS— EL MSWELL , SUFFOLK, AGENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD A T TH E SIGN OF TH E W IC K E T . By F. S. A s h le y -C o o p b r . During the past week two inter-county matchoa have been played at Hastings, a state of affairs which will probably have a prejudicial effect upon the attendances during the Festival, which commences on the 7th prox., especially as the sides recently met were the neighbouring shires of Hampshire and Kent. There is, unfortunately, no dis­ guising the fact that nowadays an inter-county match is far more attractive to the general public than one between North and South, or one in which the combined forces of Sussex and Kent f ice England. Given fine weather, the second match of this year’s Festival— Australians v. the South of England—should draw a large gate, but, should the fixture be seriously interfered with by bad weather, there is only too good reason to fear that the Week will prove a failure financially. In the latter event it is more than possible that the Festival will become defunct. During the past seventeen years the guarantors have been called upon once only—last season, when one-third the sum guaranteed was asked for—and so have very little to complain of. In one or two quarters it has been suggestedthat some entertainments, somewhat on the lines of the “ Old Stagers,” at Canter­ bury, should be specially identified with the Festival. The proposal (unofficial) was presumably made in financial interests, for Hastings, apart from its enviable sunshine record, possesses quiteits full shareof evening attractions. In aletter recently received Mr. E. B. Ross, of Queensland, writes as follows: “ Just a few lines in connection with the list of 300’s given by you in the latest number of Cricket (May 18th) to hand. In a footnote you refer to a score of 309 not out by the late P. S. M'Donnell, given in the Australasian of November, 1885. Wishing to obtain, if possible, full particulars of the feat, I spent some hours in going over the bound volumes of the Sydney newspapers in the Queensland Parliamentary Library, but could find no trace of the score.” The following extract from “ Cricket Chatter ” by “ Felix ” in the Australasian of November 21st, 1885 (p. 981) clearly settles the matter, however: “ Mr. G. W . Beal, when here for the laces, informed me that Percy M'Donnell had played a fine innings for 309 not out j ust before Mr. Beal left Sydney. Regarding the information as thoroughly authentic, I recorded the score in my ‘ Chatter,’ but I have since searched the Sydney papers without finding any mention of such a score, and it is also reported to me from Sydney that there is not a particle of truth in Mr. Beal’s statement. I am quite at a loss to understand Mr. Beal’s object in causing me to place before my readers an item which was utterly and wholly false.” This is by no means the first hoax of its kind. A catalogue of cricket hooks for sale just issued, tempts one to ask whether there are more collectors of cricket literature at the present time than adecade ago, whensearchers in quest of bargains could be numbered almost by the hundred. If one may judge from the number of queries which come to hand respecting the value of various publica- [ tions, interest in the matter is still as great as ever, yet it cannot be denied that at the present time prices, generally speaking, rule considerably lower than at any period during the past fifteen years. Occasionally, when searching through boxes of old books at second-hand shops, one comes across a rare volume at a ridiculously low figure—the writer once picked up four Lambert Guides and two Boxall's for a shilling. During thepast decade we have had books and pamphlets issued dealing with almost every phyase of the game, but it is curious that no reliable volume dealing with its bibliography has yet seen the light. Perhaps Mr. Taylor, who possesses an unrivalled collection, will one day remedy the oversight ; certainly nobody would be so well qualified to undertake the task. The co-operation of various other successful collectors, such as the Rev. R. S. Holmes and Messrs. Fred A. Brooke, E. B. V. Christian and Chas. Pratt Green of England, and Messrs. J. C. Davis, E. B. Ross and G. L. Garnsey of Australia, could doubtless be readily obtained. It is somewhat remarkable that no man prominently identified with the game, save perhaps Mr. Haygarth (who for many years made a point of obtaining every publication on cricket issued), has ever possessed a really good library. Even the late Bob Thoms, who was a walking encyclo- poedia, had very few books, but he could boast what was, perhaps, even better, to wit, an excellent memory. “ Little Stevy” Slatter, who died about 34 years ago, possessed several books and pictures which would fetch high prices to-day. “ Stevy” was engaged at Lord’s for about forty years, and doubtless many middle-aged followers of the game will be able to recall him to mind. As is usual, after the conclusion of the final Test match played by the Australians in England, rumours are already atloat con­ cerning the constitution of the next team to leave these shores for the Southern hemis­ phere. We are told that it will not go out under the auspices of the M.C.C., but as a private concern, which, i f true, is regrettable. Rumour, however, is frequently a lying jade and doubtless it will prove to be so in this case. In the best interests of the game it is to be hoped that all future teams which leave England for Australia will do so under the segis of the Marylebone Club, for it is an undoubted fact that some of the county clubs would only be too glad to allow their best men to make the journey in such circum­ stances, whereas in others a request for their services would be met with a firm refusal. The day of private enterprise, let us hope, is a thing of the past, at least so far as tours of such importance are concerned. The fact that the names of players who will probably accompany the next team to Australia are already bandied about in itself tends to show that all the recent remarks on the subject are unworthy of credence. Cricketers are not generally chosen for match-playing fourteen months in advance. B a r g a i n s in c r i c k e t l i t e r a t u r e . — Complete Setof Cricket Scores and Biographies, 1746-1878. 14 Vols. Eight Guineas. Other Cricket Publications at proportionately low prices. Lists free on receipt of Postcard to T aylor , 1, Hove Place, WeBt Brighton, Sussex. C RICKET Report Sheets, lOd. per dozen, post free Order of Going-in Cards, 7d. per dozen, post free; Cricket Score Books, 6d. and la. each; postage 2d. extra.—To he obtained at the Offices of “ Cricket,” 168, Upper Thames Street, London, E-O.