58 after a lengthy consultation, what should have been the decision of a moment was arrived at, and it was decided to abandon the game. Notts scored 839, and 10 for i wicket. Middlesex, 173 and 220. The following were the professional bowlers at Prince’s during the season of 1870:—E. Willslier (Capt.), G. Burko, W. Draper, E. Hcnty, G. Hoarne, jun., A. Luff, T. Brown, J. Nowland, J. Newton, T. Box, jun., T. Box, sen., ground-keeper (deceased). CHAPTER III. THE COUNTIES IN 1876. Foitunately there was little difficulty in deciding the championship of County cricket in 1870. Gloucestershire was, on public form, far above the other shires, and both Notts and Yorkshire this time had to give place to a rival. The victory of Notts over Yorkshire in its last match of the season, entitled the former to the second position, and Yorkshire could fairly claim to be the next in order. Of the other counties, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Middlesex, Lancashire, and Derbyshire, showed little noteworthy, though at one period luck, not of late a frequent visitor in the South, helped Kent to make a fair show, and Middlesex showed itself to be very strong in batting against the best bowling. Sussex gave promise of permanent improve­ ment, but the cricket of Derbyshire, Surrey, and Lancashire, suggested retrogression rather than advance. Hants was perhaps the only county in the South that could look back on a promising season, and much of the success of Hampshire was due to ono amateur. Particulars of all the matches played by the ten leading counties follow. O ff icer s for 187G. — President , Hon. W. Jervis. Vice-Presidents , Messrs. E. M. Wass and W. H. Rhodes. Committee, Messrs. AY. G. Curgenven, W. J. Humble, S. Richardson, U. Sowter, J. Smith, T. II. Smith, P. Wallis, and G. Williamson, lion, Sec., Walter Bodon, Gower Street, Derby. The promise of 1874 and 1875 was certainly not fulfilled, or even con­ tinued, in 1870. Six matches only were played, and'of these six two were won and four lost. The return matches with Kent and Hampshire were both close affairs, and, on tbe other hand, the victory over Kent at Derby was not gained bv a large majority. The outlook was not reassuring for those who had the management of the affairs of the county. Mr. R. P. Smith, the mainstay of Derbyshire in 1875, with the bat was generally unsuccessful, and indeed but for MycrofFs wonderful effectiveness with the ball, Derbyshire would have been nowhere. The executive allowed one of its players, Tye, to enlist in the forces of Notts, and lost another likely professional, Thornhill, who was killed by a railway train. Great things were expected of A. Hind, but lie was unlucky, though he is sure to do the county good service when he gets thoroughly settlod down. Platts was the foremost batsman in the averages, and Mycroft with the ball. Ilickton did not play lato in the season, and liis bowling was greatly missed.