James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

2 7 residential restriction which would interfere with its rights to such skilful adepts with the ball as William M'Intyre of Notts , and Alick Watson, cleverly unearthed from the remote regions of Glasgow. Thenthere was Surrey, bent on asserting its claim to Mr. Strachan , and in conflict with Sussex respecting the annexation of Southerton , who was not unlike the goose with the golden eggs in the struggle that was going on for his cunning right arm. Kent, too, one of the original importers of foreign stock , had obviously ideas of its own, which were wisely kept to itself , while proud above all in the grandeur of native strength stood Notts , Yorkshire and Gloucestershire , as disinterested as they well could be, only craving for anything like a regulation that would be recog- nised by all . Nor could the fist of the Marylebone Club itself appease the conflicting interests , until at length a species of compromise was hit upon, and the counties in a momentwere hand and glove . Eachhad received its special share of the general sop, and that was something . So the rules that are now in existence were framed , and, moreover , gave general satisfaction , though there were a few points to reconcile at the outset . One good thing they have done at least , and that is in preventing the anomaly of a cricketer representing two counties in the same season . Southerton has apparently chosen to share his lot with Surrey, the County of his adoption , and Mr. Strachan , too, has taken the same course , identifying himself with the County, after having been identified with the club for manyyears . William M'Intyre , discarded of Notts, has found a home in Lancashire , and Watson, too, finding the pursuit of cricket moreprofitable South than North of the Tweed, has permanently en- gaged himself on the side of the same County. Sussex , whether from want of foreign talent , or from a feeling of independence , seems to adhere to the principle of birthright , and Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire too strictly , while Gloucestershire keeps mainly to native skill , though some of its recent repre- sentatives would not have been fully qualified if birth were the sole claim. Kentwas indebted to Scotland for one of its most useful representatives in Lieut . Renny-Tailyour , of the Royal Engineers , and it was only the same dubious right that enabled Lieut . Fellowes to play, so that the utility of adoption seems to be everywhere dominant , except in the brave old shires of York and Nottingham. A n dwhowill unravel the tangled skein of County Cricket , firm as the knots are tightened during the course of a season ? Under which king, Bezonian ? Are you for Notts or Gloucestershire ? Would you, under the influence of the ballot register , yourself , a constituent of professionals or amateurs , for , oddly enough, that is the line of demarcation . Atone time the end of the season used to give rise to endless arguments respecting the rival claims of Notts and Yorkshire to the championship , and for once the stout right arm of George Freeman , the prince of professional bowlers , did actually and effectually decide the wavering balance in favour of the White Rose of York. Butwhere is York- shire now? Not extinct , by any means, though the close of 1872 rather favoured such a notion , and the outset of 1873 aggravated instead of allaying the fears of gloomy well wishers . A marvellous resurrection , truly , that of Yorkshire in 1873. At the first , defeated signally by Middlesex , a few days afterwards as decisively routed by the Marylebone Club , and at the last able to inflict a very severe lesson on the great rival of Notts , who had thrashed it unmercifully during the early days of the season . Put it to any cause that you will , pluck will do muchto reinstate , and who will venture to ascribe anything but pluck to those burly, resolute , business -like Yorkshiremen , even