27 and the tidal that has been given to Burghcs has by no means been unfruit­ ful, as it has proved him to possess hitting power which he has exerted at critical moments. The Oxford match was remarkable, inasmuch as each and every cricketer engaged was seen at his best. In addition to the extra­ ordinary scoring, it was during the second innings of Middlesex that Mr. C. I. Thornton showed a London gathering that liis exceptional power had not deserted him. Wo cannot, however, but wonder why it is that when amateur support never was stronger, Middlesex wins a few matches, loses, alas, many, and draws more. The answer is, wo believe, to bo found in the retirement of George Howitt, whose bowling has been so deadly in former years. With Middlesex his name will be always connected, and we rejoice to hear that there is a likelihood of Middlesex and Nottingham playing at Lord’s for hi* benefit during the ensuing season. We have left unnoticed the batting of Mr. Ottaway for his county, putting him, as it does, far at the top of the averages, although he played fewer innings than Mr. 1. D. Walker, Mr. Buller, and Mr. Iladow. But specie 1 mention must be made of his scientific exhibition against Nottingham, at Prince’s. The wickets were not on this occasion smooth, and suited the men of Notts to perfection. One after another Shaw, Tye, and Morley got i id of the strongest eleven the county could muster. Shaw’s bowling got straight up, and it appeared impossible to keep the ball on the ground ; but there the old Oxonian stood for the greater part of a summer’s day, and wo never saw him give a chance. It was clearly the best play of its kind wo over saw, and, with Mr I. D. Walker’s performance at Sheffield, must bo put down as the best batting shown in the metropolitan county eleven during last season. Sussex has succeeded in finding the long-sought-for fast bowler in tin* person of Mr. Brown, and when Sussex played Lancashire at Brighton, h showed form which, if sustained next season, must materially strengthen tin- county bowling strength. Fillcry and James Lillywhite, well as they hav* been backed up in the field, eould not expect to bowl for ever without re­ quiring change. Now that there is change to haud, in the persons of Mr. Arthur Smith and Mr. Brown, the chances of getting opponents down for moderate totals will bo sensibly increased. The captaincy of Mr. Greenfield lias proved successful, because intelligent, and bis merit had been pre­ viously demonstrated when leading the Cambridge eloven. Moreover, liis batting was useful when ho met slow amateur bowling like that of Mr. Grace, which we know that professionals can do little against. The check which Gloucestershire received at the hands of Sussex towards the close of the champion county’s victorious career was entirely due to Mr. Green­ field’s spirited batting, and it is high credit to Sussex that they should have played an unfinished^game with such doughty opponents. Mr. Greenfield was fortunate in Chari wood’s reassert ion of his form as a county batsman, and in Mr. Cot tori 11, assistance being effectively rendered notwithstanding his late severe illness. Perhaps the last-named cricketer may yet make groat mai 1 as a batsman. l ie certainly has the highest merit to recommend him, and nothing but absence from tow n two years ago could have kept such grand iorm as his from being recognised by the award of a place in the gem le­ mon’s eloven. The majority of Sussex matches taking place, moreover, f-o lato in the year militated against him, as it was then that his first-cl as defence against tho cream of Northern bowling was demonstrated, leading Daft to declare him fit to play in any match. Ill-health mr»y of cours<