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Show REVIVAL CF THE CRICKET GAME. The game of cricket is once more iu full swiug all over England. In the old days every town and village had its space of ground set apart for archery practice. The memory of that merry time before the invention of gunpowder is perpetuated by "The Butt," which gives a name to many provincial Btreels and squares. The moat insignificant village to-day has its "cricket field," and every town and county haa its innumerable olubs. The mosS lashionable assembly of the Loudon soason meets at Lord's grounds to see the Dublio school matches pUyed. I walked across Regent's park yesterday, and found those portions por-tions that are set apart for cricket swarming with players. The wonder is that thero are not many accidents iu the park. Already Borne great matches have been played in the country. Thero is an important meeliag this week at Lord's, between Hertfordshire and the M. C. C, while Hampshire aud Derbyshire are having hav-ing a gvr-at coutcst at Southampton. Cricket ia the national game, just as base bull is the accepted game ol America. It was a lnvnrite pastime in the reign of vViilian HI. la the early days of George II. ithad reached a height of popularity which, so far ns game goee, has not hoou maintained. The royal family in those days participated partic-ipated iu the sport. Iu 135 the Prince of Wales played a match lor ?5,0OO with the Earl of Middlesex. Moorfield was generally the sceueof the cricket encounters, though in 1730 a match was played in Hyde park with two teams that included the Dukos ol Devonshire and Richmond, the Earl of Albermarle, and Lord James Cavendish. The late Lord Lyttleton was a cricketer, and hia sons are now well known fsr their skill as bowlors and batters, New ! York Times. |