Cricketalia.

CRICKETALIA .

Most of us , for whom I write to-day , are getting " rayther " oldish boys ! We have , at any rate , passed the " mezzo tennin " of life , and have gradually left behind us the dreams and aspirations of youth , of that happy

period before anticipation has given way to reality , and we have imbibed our dose , and a very bitter dose it often is , of experience . Whether " experientia docet" or "does it , " it is pretty much the sameandas a general rule

, , , it mostly reminds one of the doctor ' s black draught which followed the customary blue pill of the night before . Well , we are not young , and our tastes are not what they once were .

We are getting stout ( our tailor looks with a sigh on the pale memoranda of departed measurements ); we are getting , as my friend Jorum says , " groggy " ( no offence is intended ) on our feet , and we like loose fitting clothes and easy boots .

The days of close fitting surtouts are over ; we are clearly on the wane . And so with our ways and habits of life . We prefer now a quiet dinner at home , where the partner of our bosom sits opposite to us serenely smilingand Ave

, no longer " mix our liquors , " but stick to sound claret . Port is eschewed ; sherry is even questioned ; champagne is regarded with suspicion ; and what we term " foreign wines " with a shake of the head .

What a dreadful twinge Ave had tAvo days ago in our right foot , but thanks to the care of our dear Avife and old Bolus , Ave have surmounted the throes of that malevolent malady the gout , and hobbled down to our office with a smile on our face , and a floAver in our button hole .

We are still young , and Ave object to the irreverent youth calling us old . True it is Ave have given up late hours and long dinners . No more for us after " work " the " refreshment " ' of our -good old lodge . No Amelia

objects to our being out in the night air , dear soul . But even now we are carried back over the dimness of passing hours to the " wreathed mist" of years gone by , Avhen Ave listened in rapture to P . M . Jones ' speech , or Bro . Eobinson ' s

song , and Avhen we encored that famous Masonic melody , Avith which old Tim Maguire , our excellent joining brother , used regularly to indulge us , Avhich al-Avays ended with a noisy chorus , and referred somehoAv to the "ladies "

, " little darlints , " as Tim called them , of Avhom he Avas a fervid patron . And for us , arrived at this sobered time of existence , active exercise has not a great deal of charm . Still , my good brother , even you will be stirred

up by the gathering for cricket which old Lord's grounds has seen of our public schools . Surely eA en your old blood is moA ed with the sight of a rejoicing youth , and Avith the sounds of the applause of exulting thousands of boys , in all the hopes and bloom of life ' s

young morn . I know of no finer sight anyAvhere , nor am I aAvare Avhere you can see an equal to it indeed , and I only Avish , as once an " alumnus " of a famous school , that Winchester , Eton , and Harrow Avere

again permitted to hold their " Lordian Games " in the yearly " Paloastra . " This year , before dense TOAVS of applauding spectators , Eton , of classical reputation , has defeated the genial Harrovians by five wickets . Such is

"la fortune de la guerre . " It was Canning AVIIO said , that , very feAv people realized , IIOAV much of our public life as Englishmen rested upon our great public schools , and though since that time Civil Service competition has

opened more Avidely the doors of the service of the State , yet he must be little penetrated with the true spirit of English patriotism , AVIIO does not regard Avith tender interest and kindly sympathy these great nurseries of our statesmen and our sons .

The meeting at Lord ' s is always the most enjoyable meeting for public school men in the year .