Introductory.
IT has been our good fortune to find the fountain of youth lurking in the out-door pleasures of Skating, Swimming, Rowing, Horseback Riding, Tennis, Base Ball and Cricket. The "grown-up" folk are now engaged in utilizing the discovery made by youth thousands of years ago, that health and happiness depend upon their innocent amusements. College Faculties have realized that the morals of youth as well as success in after life, depend upon the good health engendered by competitive pastimes. The strength of a nation lies in the correct training of the young. "England's great victories on land and sea were won by the men, who when boys wielded a cicket bat, pulled an oar, or kicked the foot ball." America too has had her conflicts, and may have others.
These lines are offered to the youth of this fair land, in the hope that their innocent play may prepare them mentally, physically and morally for whatever battles life may have in store for them. We believe there are many who would gladly learn to play cricket, if the opportunity presented itself. Only the favored few live near established grounds, while the many are unable to find even a book upon the game. The enjoyment of cricket, followed by the good health which it brings, is within the easy grasp of all, nor does it depend upon the standard of the play, but turns rather upon its equality.
The memories of the past, though dear to many, will not be used to bore those who look rather to the future. But a few words about the origin of the game we love, may prove interesting. Early in the century Englishmen were found playing their national game upon the beautiful meadows of Germantown. Young America, as quick then as now, to imitate a good thing, organized a Germantown Cricket Club, and played upon a field of the Belfield farm from 1840 to 1846. Those were the glorious days of underhand bowling, forward hits and single wicket. A stone roller borrowed from a neighboring garden smoothed the pasture, and almost the only recollection we retain of this primitive crease, is of two spots bare of grass, indicative of constant use. This club was the pioneer of cricket by Americans, and the forerunner of the present Germantown Cricket Club, which used the impliments left by the old club, to play its first games, and became the direct heir of both its name and property. But the Philadelphia Club, which organized a year before the Germantown, grew out of an organization known as the Union Cricket Club, which upheld the honor of Philadelphia Englishmen against New York Englishmen during the "Forties".
During this decade some University men organized a cricket club known as the Juniors, and played upon the Union ground. Matches were played and prize bats were offered by Dr. Mitchell, the father of Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, one of which is now in the possession of Wm. Rotch Wister, generally spoken of as the father of American Cricket, who won it by the handsome score of 44, in the year 1845. All of these clubs disbanded and cricket slumbered till 1853, when the Philadelphia Club organized. Camden had been the scene of the Union and Junior Club's matches, and it was again selected as the best site for the new ground.
The names of Englishmen were numerous upon the rolls of this club, and their professional Tom Seinor was the typical fast round arm bowler of the period. He trained the elevens to meet the St. George and New York Clubs, and was regarded with awe and wonder by the young American cricketer. The boy or even the man, who could block the cannon balls of the mighty Yorkshireman was the hero of the hour. The idea of hitting his terrefic balls scarcely entered the heads of the boys. Only Englishmen were supposed to be able to score against such speedy bowling.
The Germantown boys who had organized their club in 1854, played only one or two local teams during its first season, chief of which was against the Delphian Circumferaneous, whose enthusiasm for cricket was often evinced before breakfast. A year later when practice had improved their play, they challenged the Philadelphian's, who they had heretofore considered too powerful, but they paid the highest compliment to Tom Seinor, by barring him; for even in those early days they had a keen eye to the advantages of victory. But they were not afraid, old Bradshaw with his high buttoned vest and stiff high hat, nor of dear old Mrs. Bradshaw, with her kind words and her "coop of tay".
From a cricketing standpoint, the English of that day regarded the American almost with contempt; sixteen, eighteen and often twenty-two, if the latter number could be mustered, were matched against eleven Englishmen. Records of many such matches may be found during the Forties and Fifties. The last we believe was played when George Parrs eleven played a twenty-two, composed of the best English and American cricketers from New York, Newark, and Philadelphia, in the Fall of 1859. Lockyer the great wicket keeper, Jackson, the fast bowler, Hayward and Carpenter the magnificent batsmen, with Julius Ceasar, Lillywhite Caffyn, and the rest won a well fought victory. Before Carpenter had made half a dozen runs, he elevated a mis-called "wide" into the hands of "mid off" who caught it, the umpire declined to rectify his palpable error, so the batter was "not out" on a "catch". Hayward was in with Carpenter when this culpable descision was made, and before a separation occurred, more than one hundred runs had been scored. Many who saw this match declared that but for the error, the Professionals might have not won the game.
All England elevens composed entirely of professionals, still play twenty-twos in the country districts of England, and often win, even against such enormous odds. American patriotism no longer permits such differences in opposing teams, but prefers to equalize the merits of players, in order to secure well contested matches.
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THE F.GUTEKUNST Co.
THE BOWLER IN THE ACT OF DELIVERING.