10 resolution and an opportunity ol counteracting the coulee oi the ball alter its pitch with all its deflections or curvatures. It enables a batsman to enjoy a better sight of the ball, to stop a bailer, and to be down on a shooter with equal certainty; but, generally, I recommend the adoption of forward play, whenever it is consistent with safety. To select at times the more advisable of the two methods is difficult, hut with consistent patience success will generally follow. The slightest hesitation may he fatal; so let me counsel rapidity of determination and promptitude of action, and, as in the case of back play—as before stated—a rcsoluto style of defence rather than a weak resistance. There are many other poiuts in connection with the science of batting that do not come withiu the province of this article, though possibly I may enter on their treatment on another occasion. For my present purpose it is enough to direct attention to the points in hatting of most use to young cricketers, without wasting time on the fancy strokes which no treatise can teach. To “ cut” "well is, of course, one of the most brilliant and effective hits in the hands of a good batsman, but example will here, more than in any other instance, be vastly superior to precept. To state merely that in “ cut­ ting,” the left leg usually takes the place of the right as the pivot-leg, and that the latter is briskly advanced to the off-side, will give but a feeble idea of the beauty of this hit. To cut well requires a flexibility of wrist that cannot possibly be transferred to paper, and possesses a fascination to on­ lookers that no pen can describe. To meet balls on the leg-side, too, without endangering your wicket is an accomplishment that can only be gained by practice. It may he safely stated that there is not in the present generation of cricketers a leg-hitter so remarkable for accuracy as was George Parr in his best day ; for a good leg-hitter is nowTa rarity, or the field could not be divested, as it now is so often, of so important a man as long-leg. It may be that there are few batsmen who can hit in this quarter without exposing themselves to the chances of a catch, but it is certain that at least among the professional cricketers of the day I can call to mind no leg hitter worthy of comparison with George Parr. It is on the leg-stump that many batsmen are unquestionably w^eak, with a propensity for “ blind-swiping ’’that inevit- ably denotes a certain recklessness; or, on the other hand, desire or fear for the safety of their limbs. Here, again, in playing balls on the leg-stump a firm position must be maintained, and by practice the art of making runs from them be acquired. For it is an art, believe me, and one that is not sufficiently studied. In this case keep the bat persistently straight as before, paying due attention to the penalty incurred by the infringement of the law of leg-before-wicket, and bj' playing forward or back hard on the ball you will find runs come freely. With fast bowlers especially, this hit, or “ shove,” as it may perhaps bo more aptly termed, tells at times with signal effect, and constant practice to secure its achievement will be not use­ lessly employed. Above all things he careful not to move out of your ground to hit at a hall on the leg-side, as this is a most hazardous experiment, and should be studiously avoided. In leg-hitting, the right leg must be kept firm, and in all respects the ball treated as in the main principle of batting above described, the policy of reaching the ball as near as possible to the pitch, when a good length, being most to be recommended. I would, too, impress forcibly on the minds of young players the necessity of making their practice consonant with their play during a match. Nothing can be more baneful than the reckless style of batting so often prevalent during the hours of practice. It is this unwise relapse into bad habits that seals the fate of many a promising cricketer. What is virtually the object of practice but to accustom a player to the more important necessities of a match? What i3 practically the result of this foolish custom of reckless and unnatural bat-