1 1 linp’ but to irreconcile tLe batsman to hi*’ own genuine style, and substitute habits which unfit him for higher duties ? Young cricketers will do well to avoid the^.e suicidal tactics. There arc pro many other rins of omission and commission into which it would he possible to enter were the present volume «is capacious as the Koran, or the present writer as industrious as one of its expositors. On the minor topics incidental to the game there is much to be said that has becu unsaid. On the various appliances of the game there is much to be written, if only to satisfy anxious inquirers. I shall, however, merely bring to an end this my first rough article on cricket with a few brief words of advice on subjects which arc not sufficiently attended to. I allude first to the necessity of good running as one of the brightest feathers in the cap of any one who claims to be an effective batsman. It is by the neglect of this essential that many runs are lost, and many a 44notch ” indirectly given to tlie other side. To see two good runners at tire wickets is a treat to those who understand genuine cricket. There is no slovenly dallying, no indecision, no call for a run and after recall. In this respect alone a bats­ man of mediocrity may be of as much real value as one of far superior powers. Be ready to back up immediately the ball leaves the hand of the bowler, and be careful to act decisively, as on this depends greatly the fate of your opposite neighbour. If you feel inclined to run do not hesitate, hut call, and on no account reduce your partner to the necessity of retracing his steps, as from the fact of your backing up, you can get to the opposite wicket with greater ease than he can return and recover his ground. This last caution should i^ot be overlooked. A stolen run, if the batsmen act well in concert, is by no means difficult of achievement—though care should he taken against any really impracticable attempt—and a succession of stolen runs has the effect of not only irritating the bowler, but of demoraln ing and detracting from the efficacy of the field. Again, to hat with strict cave at the commencement of your iunings, trusting to time'and the gradual diminu­ tion of accuracy on tho part of the howler to admit of scoring, is advice that would seem to he superflous. But patience throughout an innings of any duration is a virtue of great rarity among batsmen. Take care of the stumps, and the runs will take care of themselves, is an axiom that cannot he contradicted. Consistent care from first to last will do more in the long run than impatience or desire for fast scoring. Remember, moreover, that it is not bad bowling that wants the least caution, and do not despise it, as some batsmen are too prone to do. To underrate a foe is weakness, and should always ho avoided. One last hint to the young beginner and I have done. Do not play with a bat too heavy for your strength. 1 think a bat should not exceed for any young batsman 21bs. 3oz., or even 21bs. 2Joz. It is the overweight that cripples many a promising player, and prevents him not only from doing himself justice in the present, but mars his utility in the future. CHAPTER III. PUBLIC SCHOOL CRICKET IN 1870. B y F. R. P rice . Feu many reasons it is a fortunate thing that no public school can point to \\ G. Grace as its representative. That he is the champion cricketer of the ago, is one of the few things upon which there are not two opinions. For the second position, the claims of A. N. Hornby, W. Yardley, R. A. H. Mitchell, cum paucu aliis, may he asserted by their respective admirers, and none can