[Illustration: SUGGESTION FOR THE CRICKET SEASON The new pneumatic leg guard. (_Mr. Punch's_ patent.)] * * * * * [Illustration: FORM _Public School Boy_ (_to General Sir George, G.C.B., G.S.I., V.C., &c., &c., &c._). I say, Grandpapa,--a--would you mind just putting on your hat _a little straighter_? Here comes _Codgers_--he's awfully particular--and he's the _captain of our eleven, you know_!"] * * * * * _Laura_ (_who wishes to master the mysteries of Cricket_). "But then, Emily, what happens if the bowler gets out before the batter?" [_Emily gives it up!_ * * * * * [Illustration: EATIN' BOY AT LORD'S] * * * * * SMALL BOY CRICKET.--_Father._ Well, and how did you get on? _Small Boy._ Oh, I kept wicket and caught one out. It came off his foot. _Father._ But that wouldn't be out. _Small Boy._ Oh, yes, it was. The umpire gave it out. You see, it hit him "below the elbow." * * * * * TO CRICKETERS.--What would you give a thirsty batsman? Why, a _full pitcher_. * * * * * CRICKETING AND FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE.--We hear that a distinguished member of the Cricketing Eleven of All England is going to be married. It is said that the object of his affections is a Beautiful Catch. * * * * * WICKET JOKES _By Dumb-Crambo Junior._ [Illustration: WINNING THE TOSS] [Illustration: FOLLOWING ON, AND OPENING WITH A WIDE] [Illustration: EXCELLENT FIELDING] [Illustration: LONG STOP] [Illustration: BOWLING HIS OFF STUMP] [Illustration: CAUGHT AT THE WICKET] * * * * * [Illustration: PRECEDENCE AT BATTERSEA "Garn! The treasurer goes in before the bloomin' seckertary!"] * * * * * THE CRY OF THE CRICKETER (_In a Pluvial Autumn._) Rain, rain, go away, Come again before next May! The driving shower and chilling raw gust Are most inopportune in August. Rain has a chance to reign, remember, Till early summer from September. Why come and spoil cricket's last pages, Our wickets--and our averages? * * * * * [Illustration: LORD'S IN DANGER. THE M. C. C. GO OUT TO MEET THE ENEMY ["Sir Edward Watkin proposes to construct a railway passing through Lord's Cricket Ground."] ] * * * * * [Illustration: OUR OPENING MATCH.--"I say, Bill, you've got that pad on the wrong leg." "Yus, I know. I thought as I were goin' in t' other end!"] * * * * *