Passing from figures to matches, it may be as well to sketch the programme of each University season. Directly term commences, usually in April, when the weather is miserably cold and wet, and no one has had any practice, comes the Seniors’ match. As the object of the executive is to find new bowlers, it is obvious that the bowlers in this game are none of the best, even judged by the low standard of amateur attack. There is, as a rule, a large amount of heavy scoring, but the fielding is slack, and the fixture is invested with little real keenness. Far more enthusiasm is aroused by the Freshmen’s match. Here is the pick of the public schools of the year before, with a stray candidate from a colony or a private tutor’s. The cricket is not co-operative, for each is trying to make a good impression “on his own.” In the heat of modern competition, it is particularly difficult for a batsman to obtain his blue as a freshman. With bowling it is different, but the captain is prone to wait till the promising undergraduate has acquired some experience in county cricket. Other trial games are XII. _v._ Next XVI., the XI. _v._ XVI. Freshmen, “Perambulators” _v._ “Etceteras.” The “Perambulators” are composed of those who come from Eton, Winchester, Harrow, and Rugby, whilst “Etceteras” are selected from those from other schools. Then come the University fixtures. The opening is against a Gentlemen of England team, of which one of the present writers has latterly had charge—a very pleasant game for all concerned, and one provocative of no little curiosity to see how the new men shape. As a rule a couple of counties, M.C.C., and latterly Dr. Grace’s club, with the Australians, if on tour, form the rest of the home fixtures. Thus far the University captain has probably been varying his side a good deal, and has had one or two extra places available for trials, because blues may be in the schools. But by the time the out matches begin, if the eleven be not pretty well together, matters cannot be altogether favourable. Good cricket at the Oval and heavy scoring at Brighton are the preludes to the final trial _v._ M.C.C. at Lord’s. Half the Oxford eleven now never play in this latter engagement, and it must be said that there is some reason for this, for whereas Cambridge get a clear three days’ rest before the ‘Varsity match at the Oval, Oxford sometimes only get one day. The final place is often a matter of the most dubious difficulty. There are often two men whose merits are almost equal, and the decision, if wrong, may ultimately ruin the big match.