you bit, hit hard ; when you block, do not bo deterred from infusing vigour even into this movement. So much for what I may call the first rudiments of scientific batting. There are other points which may affect the student who has mastered the early lessons and succeeded in gaining a knowledge of batting as well as a sufficiency of confidence to enable him to experi­ mentalise on his own behoof. I am not going to enter into a description of the three kinds into which, I have read, straight balls are divided, as I cannot but think that this is a line of instruction of but little practical value. It is practice, and, as I have previously remarked, the aid of a good example for imitation, that will do most to form a successful batsman. Indeed, no more useful lesson can be derived in the study of batting than the sight of a skilful batsman at work. The willing scholar will learn much to do, and more still to leave undone, from the example of a good master. He will be, as it were, initiated into mysteries that were previously beyond, the pale of his comprehension. He will, if he love the game, take up readily the position, be quick to comprehend the exigency of each move­ ment, and, with increasing perception, gain increased knowledge as well as the confidence incidental thereto. He will see for himself the practical good of the theoretical instruction he has received, the practical demerits of the defects against which he has been cautioned. l ie will find that there is something more needed to gain distinction than a display of wild hitting : and that in hitting there is a certain skill that requires more than the possession of great physical force. He will, if the lesson proves fruitful, find that to hit well necessitates a combination of eye and hand, the former to time and the latter to strike; as well as a large amount of wrist play which will alone tend to produce a freedom of hitting and a power incon­ ceivable to one who has not discovered the secret of this peculiar gift. He will see, too, with what confidence every ball is played, with what decision every artifice of the bowler is met, and how skilfully the line is drawn between the delicate distinctions of forward and back play. It is obviously in the uncertainty of deciding on these last two points that the bowler ha the greatest advantage. There is a ball of a certain length that baffles every player, or at least one that requires the undivided attention of the best batsmen. “ It is a length/’ feays Mr. Felix, “ that brings over a man most indescribable emotions.” Perhaps I may be not inclined to go so far as Mr. Felix in the extent of his expression, though I have realised fully the force' of his statement at times. It requires much patience and decision indeed to bo able to meet this same representative ball with fortitude, and a continu­ ance of practice to master it thoroughly. The mechanical persistency of a bowler in working away at the weak point in the batsman’s armour is seldom unsuccessful. There are only two methods of playing what is termed a length ball, and it depends on the immediate selection of the one or the other whether discomfiture or success ensues. A batsman with a long reach will smother balls that would puzzle one of smaller stature. Reach has unquestionably much to do in the matter, but patience and decision are still more powerful allies. To play forward is, undoubtedly, when possible, the more advisable plan, as by this moans are avoided all the deviations of the ball from spin or accidental deflections by reason of ground or other causes. Put forward play should be only used with caution, and to step oul to a ball for the sake of smothering it is a dangerous experiment that should be discouraged. With a straight bat much is possible, and it will be found much can be accomplished. Obviously, in playing forward the ball must be met at or near its pitch, and unless it can be so met, that there is no clianc* of its rising over the shoulder of the bat, recourse must be had to defence. And in back play, there is always the advantage of an extension of time for