first-rate bowling, is what the tired bowler loses at the end of an innings; it is what the used-up professional loses in the course of a school or college engagement; and, above all, it is what old men rarely retain.'
To write of Mr. Budd without saying much about Lord Frederick Beauclerk, Mr. Osbaldeston and Mr. Ward is impossible; for at that time they were inseparably associated in men's minds as the four great amateurs of the game. Mr. Osbaldeston lives in history mainly for his career in the hunting field, but his cricketing days, though brief, were brilliant. Mr. Haygarth writes thus of him:—'Mr. George Osbaldeston's first match at Lord's was for the M.C.C. against Middlesex in 1808. Used to play when at Eton and Oxford, being, it is believed, in both Elevens, but no scores remain. Was a hard, slashing hitter, making many a good innings in fine style, but was mostly noted for his tremendous-paced under-hand bowling. It was "all but" as fast as that of George Brown, sen.'s; indeed, there was scarcely any difference in the speed, always requiring two long-stops. Also a famous single-wicket player, having been engaged in many of that kind of contest with varied success. His career will be found rather short, not participating in the great contests after 1818, except one match in 1827, and another in 1830. The reason of this was that, owing to the result of the great single-wicket contest in 1818, he removed his name from the list of members of the Marylebone Club. Mr. Osbaldeston was also a famous hand at all other kinds of sport, including racing, hunting, steeplechasing, pigeon-shooting, billiards, &c., &c., being a crack shot and a famous rider. On November 5, 1831, carrying 11 st. 2 lbs., he rode 200 miles in eight hours and forty-two minutes, having backed himself to go that distance in ten hours. Is called "The Squire" by several of his sporting friends, and has been the master of various packs of hounds for no less than thirty-five seasons, from 1809-10 to 1844, including the Quorn, Atherstone, and Pytchley hunts. He had a seat in Parliament for
