Mr. Punch's Book of Sport<br />The Humour of Cricket, Football, Tennis, Polo, Croquet, Hockey, Racin by J. A. Hammerton and Linley Sambourne (fb2 epub reader txt) 📕

align="left">...... 0 Le Marquis de Carousel (receives a blow from the boule de canon on the front bone of his leg, and is compelled to relinquish the contest), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 [Pg 40] M. Busson (receives a severe contusion of the cheek-bone from the boule de canon, which is delivered with murderous intent by a swift "round-and bowlsman"), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 Le G�n�ral Grex (hits his three wickettes into the air, in a daring attempt to stop the boule de canon with his batsman's club), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 Le Duc de Septfaces (has his pince-nez shattered to atoms by the boule de canon, and, being unable to see, withdraws from the "innings"), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 M. Carillon, M. le docteur Girofl�, le Professeur d'Equitation (all the three being given, in turn, "out, legs in front of the wickette," leave the ground to arrange a duel with the Umpire), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 M. de Montmorency (on reaching the wickette and seeing the terrible approach of the boule de canon, has a shivering fit which obliges him to sit down), b. Jones-Johnson. ...... 0 [Pg 41] M. Jolibois, coming in last, triumphantly avoids the "overre," and is, in consequence, not out. ...... 0

The English 'Ome Team.

Jones-Johnson, not out...... 3276
Brown-Smith,  not out...... 3055

So the game stood at the end of the fifth day, when, spite all the efforts of "All France," even the putting on of three "Bowlsmen" at once, it was found impossible to take even one of the "'Ome-team" wickettes. Yet the contest was maintained by the "Outside" with a[Pg 42] wonderful heroism and �lan, for though by degrees, in nobly attempting to stop the flight of the boule de canon as it sped on its murderous course, driven by the furious and savage blows of the batsmen in all directions over the field, the fieldsmen, one by one, struck in the arms, legs, head and back, began to grow feeble under their unceasing blows and contusions, still one and all from the "Long-leg-off" to the indomitable "Longstoppe," faced the dangers of their situation with a proud smile, indicative of the noble calm of an admirable spirit. So, Monsieur, the game, which was not finished, and which, in consequence, the Umpire, with a chivalrous generosity, announced as "drawn," came to its conclusion. You will understand, from the perusal of the above, the direction in which my Committee will be likely to modify the rules of the game, and simplify the apparatus for playing it, so as to give your "Cricquette" a chance of finding itself permanently acclimatised in this country.

Accept, Monsieur, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration,

The Secretary of the Paris Athletic Congress.

[Pg 35]

THE "LEVIATHAN BAT."

Or Many-Centuried Marvel of the Modern (Cricket) World, in his high-soaring, top-scoring, Summer-day Flight. (Dr. William Gilbert Grace.)