they have been mentioned, either by name, or by inference, kindly and encouragingly. I have taken special care, also, to show, that even they, who added not to the score, (for Cricket is partly a game of chance there is no doubt,) did their part well, worthy of all commendation.
Tho' in the course of nature I can no longer be an active cricketer, my interest in the game is not in the least abated, nor is my anxiety less than that of the youngest and most zealous of my brethren of the bat and ball, to see Cricket more generally established, better understood, and more regularly practised among us; and there is everything to indicate that this pleasing hope will soon be realized! The dawn of a better day is certainly appearing in our cricket world; the streaks that foretell its coming are no longer faint and irregular, but with a golden promise for the future!
How much it behoves you then, gentlemen, to continue to set a good example to all the younger Clubs in your vicinity, and others likely soon to be organized.
Let no disqualification in your own ranks ever appear for the want of a proper spirit within any of you, to constitute the right sort of man for a true cricketer. But should this at any time be the case, bear in mind, then, you have the benefit of an Elysian Field, for proper training.
The rightful remedy, it will be remembered by many of you, old Virgil proposes for all weariness, heaviness, inertness of muscle, of nerve, and of spirit—in short, the discipline he recommends to render those who are not in right condition to join the chosen few in the Cricket Field, may be inferred from these significant words of his,
"Exinde per amplum
Mittimur Elysium, et pauci laeta arva tenemus."
According to my construction of this intricate passage,
