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CHAPTER II.
DARK DAYS OF CRICKET.
If American parents will take the time to read what the Reverend James Pycroft says in Chapter VI of his Cricket Field, which we have taken the liberty of quoting in full, it may give them food for thought. It was the good fortune of the writer to read this delightful book early in life, and he has quoted from it whenever he found it possible, and begs to acknowledge numerous obligations, for it has had much bearing upon his own conclusions.
"CHAP. VI.
A DARK CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF CRICKET.
The lovers of cricket may congratulate themselves at the present day that matches are made at cricket, as at chess, rather for love and the honor of victory than for money.
It is now many years since Lord's was frequented by men with book and pencil, betting as openly and professionally as in the ring at Epsom, and ready to deal in the odds with any and every person of speculative propensities. Far less satisfactory was the state of things with which Lord F. Beauclerk and Mr. Ward had to contend, to say nothing of the earlier days of the Earl of Winchelsea and Sir Horace Mann. As to the latter period, 'Old Nyren' bewails its evil doings. He speaks of one who had "the trouble of proving himself
