26 Therefore, whilst a healthy tone does exist in the county is the time to strive lor the finding, and subsequent instruction, of young players. Tho brillianco of Mr. frank Perm’s batting has not, strangely to say, been ^oen in its full light when playing for the county. It is scarcely likely that ill-luck will continue to cling to ono of tho first gentlemen players of the day, so Kent may lay that flattering unction to her soul and look forward to a moro prosperous season in 1877, well satisfied as wo believe both Kentish -Men and Men of Kent to be with tho efforts of Lord Harris to revive tho game. Tho traditions of tho past onght now, we think, to be consulted, and V\ illshor given carte blanche to scour the county, which ho knows so well, to bring up for trial and proper tuition every promising aspirant for county honours. Kentish cricket must ultimately stand on a professional basis oven if tho guidance be in the hands of amateurs. Unliko Middlesex, her constitution is not sufficiently local to make a per­ manent rolianco on amateurs desirable, while, on the other hand, the Canter­ bury week will always bring cricketers together once at least a year. Rumours of changes reach us in connection with Middlesex cricket. That Prince’s could not be a permanent resting-place has lately been known to all, and a desire evinced to place the club beyond the danger of local change. Such opportunity offers itself through the mutual desire of the M.C.C. and the county club, to strengthen cricket by circumscribing the amount of it, and to secure for the M.C.C. the co-operation of a body who, whilst warmly desirous of playing their county matches, wish for a permanent home for their club and to act in friendly co-operation with the M.C.C. We have reason to beliovo that Middlesex matches will in future, therefore, be played at Lord’s, and the members of tho county club allowed certain piivileges. Speaking comparatively, Middlesex did not do so badly last season. Coming after a year of dismal defeats, one win with Surrey, balanced by a defeat from Yorkshire in London after a hard fight, one tie with Surrey, two drawn matches with Nottingham, one with Yorkshire, and one with Oxford Univer­ sity make a table of negative results which those interested allow might have been worse. Considering what a great year this has been for amateurs generally, ono rather wonders why such paramount batting strength has not more often come to tho front; but the cricket played has been, gene­ rally speaking, of a high class, and to defeat Nottingham or Yorkshire with­ out Mr. Grace on tho side is no mean feat. Yet three good matches wero played with tho Northerners, and some excellent cricket shown. This was tho case at Sheffield in August, when Mr. J. T. Walker’s innings of 1)0 and Mr. Hadow’s of 60 changed what looked like certain defeat into possible victory. The tie with Surrey was remarkable because it is the second on record between theso counties. The annals of Middlesex cricket do not con­ tain a more extraordinary one than that of their unfinished match with Oxford University. 1217 runs were scored, and the University put on the card no less than 612 runs, an unprecedented number. Amateur eleven though it mainly be, there are those who do not despair fS institu ting the club as a permanent institution under tho shadow ©f the Vi .C.CL The feature of Middlesex cricket last season was the advauco to the front of Mr. Henderson as a bowler. In combination with Mr. Francis, and tricked by slow round bowling, such as that of Mr. Hadow, there has been seen worse bowling in county elevens than the above. Still capab le recruits would bo gladly received. Middlesex must always, •n main, rely ou amateurs, just as much as must Nottingham on profes- but the introduction of a professional or two will always do good,