James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1878

P R E F A C E . A nother year lias passed, and the time has again arrived for the publication of the C ricketers ’ A nnual . Six years have gone since our little volume first came before the public, and these six years have proved how correct was the estimate that there was ample room for, and even need of, a work based on somewhat different principles to those which guided the compilers of the Annual Records of Cricket previously in existence. “ Imitation is sincerest flattery,” and the C ricketers ’ A nnual has had imitators innumerable. Successful it has been beyond the most sanguine expectations, and it is our pride to assert boldly that J ames L tllywhite ’ s A nnual has taken the first place in the estimation of Cricketers all over the globe. Grateful as we are for the assistance that has been so readily granted to us, there is much that might be done to make the A nnual still more useful. W e are particularly anxious to make our list of Clubs complete, so that it may prove of value as a reference in every part of England. I f Secretaries would only consider that by helping us in this aim, they help at the same time the advance of Cricket by the increased facility of communication between Clubs, they would be a little more prompt, and take more trouble to fum’sh information about their own Societies, and those in their own neighbourhood. A circular, or any number of circulars, with the requisite in­ formation can be had on application to the Proprietors of the A nnual , at this Address, 4, N ewington C auseway , L ondon , S.E. i,tf December, 1377.