This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
CRICKETERS I HAVE MET.
345

Players' matches he was very successful, and he was an ardent supporter of the game after he gave up playing. His figure at the Oval in all important matches was very well known, and many a chat I had with him about the rise and progress of the game.

We are mainly indebted to him for Vols. I. to IV. of Fred. Lillywhite's Scores and Biographies. He spent a very large sum of money collecting materials for them; but in publishing them did not get the support his unselfish efforts so richly deserved.

Mr. Richard Arthur Henry Mitchell was born at Enderby Hall, near Leicester, on 22nd January, 1843. His height was 6 ft. 2 ins.; weight, about 13 st. His tall, commanding figure was well known in the cricket-field, and his vigorous hitting and scientific defence were well worth copying. He was a good change fast round- arm bowler, and an excellent fieldsman at point. At school, college, Lord's and the Oval, he did very well, and was paid the compliment of being asked to play for the Gentlemen in his 19th year. He did not play for them, however, until 1862. In 1863, in one of those matches, he scored 76 and bowled also; in 1865 he scored 53 and 33 in the first match, and not out 44 in the second. I met him often then at Lord's and the Oval, and occasionally at Canterbury, but not so frequently after he was appointed to a mastership at Eton.

Mr. William Octavius Moberly was born at Shoreham, in Sussex, 14th November, 1850. His height was 5 ft. 10 in.; weight, 12 st. 7 Ibs. From 1876 to 1881 he was one of the most brilliant batsmen in England, his large scores for Gloucestershire against first-class bowling being made in perfect style. For that county he had an average of 40 runs in 1876, 39 in 1880, and 39 in 1881, and scored over 100 runs in an innings two or three times. He was a splendid hitter all round, and always kept the ball well down; his late cutting