_S. C._ So pleased. And now, what do you think of the cricket? _W. S._ Oh! I haven't time to think of the cricket. * * * NEW STYLE--LATE NINETIES. SCENE--_The Same._ _Mere Man._ Really rather nice. _Stronger Sex._ Quite nice. Capital game, too. Up to county form. That last over was perfect bowling. _M. M._ Yes; and the batting was well above the average. _S. S._ Tol-lish. And really, when I come to think of it, Mr. SMORLTORK-GOSSIP, you have been also entertaining. _M. M._ Proud and honoured! And now, what do you think about the luncheon? _S. S._ Oh! I haven't time to think about the luncheon. [Illustration] * * * * * [Illustration: Fair Batter (ætat. 18). "Now, just look here, Algy Jones--none of your patronage! You dare to bowl to me with your left hand again, and I'll box your ears!"] * * * * * A MATCH MISCALLED.--Considering the style and number of the turn-outs on the ground, and the amount of champagne-cups consumed at Lord's during the Great Public School Cricket Encounter, suppose it were re-christened the _Drag_ and _Drinking_, instead of the _Harrow_ and _Eton_, Match? * * * * * AT THE VILLAGE CRICKET MATCH.--_Umpire_ (_carried away by enthusiasm on seeing the young Squire send a ball hard to leg_). Well hit, Master Arthur, well hit! (_Remembering himself._) But don't make no short runs! * * * * * CRICKET AT LORD'S (_Hits by Dumb-Crambo, Jun._) [Illustration: A PATIENT INNINGS] [Illustration: A CUT IN FRONT OF POINT] [Illustration: OVER!] [Illustration: LAST MAN. HIS USUAL FORM] * * * * * BAIT APPRECIATED BY BOTH CRICKETERS AND FISHERMEN.--Lobs. * * * * * A TIE.--("_Ladies v. Gentlemen._") The Ladies came out as they had gone in, all "Ducks." And what did the Gentlemen make?--Love. * * * * * THE LADY CRICKETER (_Directions for attaining Perfection._) Get up a match by saying to some local subaltern that it would be such fun to have a game, and you know a girl who could give points to Grace. Agree with the youthful warrior that the fun would be increased by allowing the men to play with broom-sticks, and left-handed, and the girls, of course, with bats, and unrestricted. Arrange your eleven in such a fashion that you come out as captain in the most picturesque costume. Be careful to "kill" your colleagues' appearance by an artful combination of discordant hues. Carry out the above scheme with the assistance of a joint committee consisting of two, yourself and the local subaltern. Arrange, at the last moment, that the men shall only send out six of their team to field. Manage to put yourself in first, and play with confidence the initial ball. Amidst the applause of the six fielders you will be clean bowled.