PREFACE.
In 1856, during the visit of the Cricketers representing All Canada to New York, to contend against the picked men of the United States, the possibility of a visit from the All England Eleven was discussed, and Mr. Pickering, who then resided in Western Canada, was requested to commence a correspondence—this ended in nothing—and no further joint action was taken.
In 1857 a correspondence was commenced by E. Waller, of the St. George's Club of New York, with Messrs. Lillywhite and Wisden; the last letter received on the subject was from F. Lillywhite, dated March 15th, 1858, but owing to the want of a private ground, and other reasons, it was held in abeyance. This season, through the liberality of E. A. Stevens, Esq., of Hoboken, a new ground was commenced for the St. George's Club, which was to have been finished for play for 1860, when a letter was received from W. P. Pickering, of Montreal, dated June 9th, 1859, stating he had received information from England, that the All England Eleven would come out to America on reasonable terms, and that if the St. George's Club approved and were willing to aid, he proposed four matches should be played—two in Canada, and two in the United States; the St. George's Club to have the entire management of the latter. To this a reply was sent, that as far as the St. George's Club was concerned, it would be more convenient to defer the visit till another year, mainly because the new ground would scarcely be ready. Mr. Pickering, however, urging that the
