CRICKET MEMORANDA.

We had now won our first four matches, but Nemesis was determined not to let us have matters all our own way. Our star was destined to be dimmed by a cloud which perhaps we least dreaded.

June 17th.--Torquay College v. Newton College.-Played by boys only, and a well-earned victory for Torquay, whose total for both innings only amounted to 98, chiefly owing to Munro's fine bowling who secured 12 wickets for 28 runs, 15 maidens. We however could only reach 81. If Poland (11) had not unfortunately been run out when he was getting set, the result might have been different. For the others, Davis played well for 13, and took 11 wickets for 31 runs. Score:-Torquay College 59 & 39; Newton College 44 & 37.

June 24th.-South Devon v. Newton College." It never rains but it pours"; and here we received another "quencher" owing to the fine and determined hitting of F. Watts, who scored 64 with only one chance, while Rowell (16) and Gillard (22) played well. For us Toone (23), Revd. G. T. Warner (11), and Munro (15), could alone make any stand against the expresses of F. Watts, who captured 7 wickets for 39 runs.

July 1st.-Castle College, v. Newton College, (return). Here we made short work of our opponents, getting rid of them all for the small total of 22. Munro's analysis is a curiosity :

Balls.
38

Mr. Warner and Poland having got set, the former was not disposed of till he had knocked up 87 in his old form, composed of a 5, two 4's and seven 3's. Poland by steady play made 36, and Toone was credited with 19. Score:-Castle College 22; Newton College 174.

July 10th.-Plymouth Garrison v. Fourteen of Newton College.This, perhaps the match of the season, was played at Torquay, and was remarkable for the meagre scores made by both sides. We first occupied the wickets but owing to the excellent bowling of Robbins and Callwell could not get beyond 85, of which number F. Watts made 28 in his usually free style, and Drew and Toone 10 a-piece. The military, however, did not fare so well, as they were all dismissed for 62; three grand catches by W. Poland at point contributing in a great measure to this result, while the wily Munro found his way to six wickets. For the Garrison, Pemberton (17), and Hutton (13), made the moiety of runs, Robbins being responsible for 7 wickets, and Callwell for 6. In our second innings we had made 79 for the loss of 3 wickets, Messrs. Warner and Watts being 43 (not out), and 23 (not out) respectively, before the call of time.

July 15th.-Mr. Hackworth's Eleven v. Newton College.-This match was noticeable for the reissue from the shell of the dormant "Chicken-Bowler," who with Munro was so well "on the spot" that our opponents were all discomfited for 5. Following on, they reached 26, which figures we met with 76,-Munro (36 not out), and Williams 15.

July 17th.-The College, Torquay v. Newton College, (return).— Anxious to wipe out our defeat, we quickly put together 66, and 44, in spite of the straight and fast bowling of Davis and Hummell, Bythell (13), Poland (11), and Gorton (10), being our top-scorers. Our opponents, however, were sorely puzzled by the excellent bowling of Munro and Forbes, and none reached double figures, their totals amounting to 36 and 19. Our own bowling reads exceedingly well:

Balls.
94

Runs.
16

20

Maidens.
6

Wickets.
10

July 20th.-Totnes v. Newton College.-A most interesting match, resulting in a victory for the College by 29 runs. We went first to the wickets, but were all out for 69, Toone (18), Mr. Pyne (13), and Mr. Ellis (14)—that determined 'sticker'-making most of the runs; while in our second venture we reached 79. Totnes who were 31 runs to the bad on the first innings, played a most plucky game, bringing on change after change of bowling, and were not settled until Revd. W. Tucker (26), and W. P. Passmore (16), had given the field plenty of work. Score :-Totnes 48 and 71; Newton College 69 and 79.

July 25th.-Torquay College v. Newton College. The last match of the season, between two old foes, each panting for revenge. Torquay, who played weak, were all disposed of for 33, whilst Newton retired tamely for 32. Here Munro sent down such a series of curly irresistibles that Torquay collapsed for 11, thus leaving us 13 to win, which number was reached at the cost of a wicket.

Thus it will be seen of the 12 matches played we have won 10 and lost 2. These figures look well, but it must be remembered that most of our matches have been decided on the first innings, since we have in no instance played any beyond a one-day affair. Next year, however, we hope to fly a little higher, especially as the club has just decided upon engaging a Professional Bowler exclusively for the College, in addition to old Bentley, and we shall have the advantage of a better pitch in our new cricket ground. There is plenty of young talent both in batting and bowling (especially the latter) throughout the Eleven, and if fielding be studied more attentively, we look forward with no little confidence to another prosperous season.

According to promise, we append the batting averages of the first Eleven; although we must apologize for their imperfect state.

Consequently Bythell and Poland received the bats for the best average, and Munro the ball for the best bowling ditto.

The Second Eleven somewhat disappointed us by their performances during the Season. They only played three matches: but owing perhaps to the constant drain upon them to supply places for the First Eleven, and to the fact of their seldom playing together, they did not score a victory. Bythell decidedly displayed the best form all round, while Collyns (Captain), Stanton, Jessup and Warner give no little promise with the bat. Sherwin, Bartlett ii, Hon. Massy, have yet a great deal to learn, but improved towards the end of the Season: and Couch, Arathoon, and Collyns ii, are at any rate willing if not able. The following were the players:Collyns i. (Capt.), Bythell, Stanton, Jessup, Warner, Bartlett ii, Sherwin, Hon. Massy, Couch, Arathoon, and Collyns ii.

We have much pleasure in inserting the batting averages of the South Devon Club, with whose members we have been on friendly

terms:

The Club, it appears, had a most successful season, having played 13 matches, of which number they won 10, lost 2, and "drew" one. For this result their energetic captain, F. Watts, is in a great measure responsible; and we take this opportunity of thanking him for his uniform courtesy towards us whenever we applied for the use of the South Devon Ground. Thus, it would seem, cricket has little chance of dying out in Newton.

Everything, they tell us, must have a beginning, except perhaps old age and round-robins: and there is no reason why the life of a Cambridge Undergraduate should fail to undergo the same fate as other remarkable phenomena. An actor's first appearance on the stage, an author's first book, a boy's first attempt at trousers are usually regarded as highly important events both by the performer himself and his expectant friends; so the first term of a 'Varsity man is an epoch in his existence of so sensational a character, that we cannot do him the injustice of disregarding it. Let us suppose then that one chill October afternoon he has drawn up before his future College, and that the cabman has consigned him to the tender care and patronage of the pompous porter, who issues condescendingly from the lodge to inspect the new arrival. The first thing is to interview the Tutor, for with that functionary rests the distribution of vacant rooms, and "first come first served" is the principle usually adopted, save in the case of scholars, who enjoy priority of choice.

After making his selection—a selection we might add recommended by the Tutor and practically decided for him by the aforesaid Porter, he is hurried off by his cicerone to the College Tailor in order to get fitted for that majestic garb which had been the terror of his youthful days, and which he is now called upon to adorn with the graces of his own figure. No little amusement is at times afforded to the bystanders, as they watch his frantic efforts to don the unwonted raiment; but no sooner is the process satisfactorily concluded, than he sails triumphantly along the Trumpington Road, eager to look the veteran and yet command the attention due to a new man. Boys are proud of their marbles, girls of their dolls, and verily a Freshman is proud of his academic dress. Yet such is the thoughtless precocity of youth, that no greater insult can be offered him than to call, or even deem him to be, what he unconsciously proves himself. To escape detection he will transform yon square sharp-cornered cap into a battered mass of rags and splinters; while he will not scruple to cleave huge apertures in the sides of his newlyacquired gown, to give more freedom to his despotic arms.

Yet while we smile at these absurd eccentricities, we should be sparing of our censure, when we remember the tremendous wrench that has lately transformed him from the Schoolboy into the full

fledged 'Varsity man,-the Slave changed, in Roman fashion, by one twirl into the Freedman. Nor must we be surprised if the effects of this violent change are apparent in his entire conduct. Every action is characterized by indecision and reckless haste: he has no sooner put his hand to one thing, than he is for rushing off to another. Every five minutes of the day obsequious tradesmen are knocking at the door, soliciting his distinguished patronage, and mumbling their eternal submission to his capricious will. If he slips away for halfan-hour, he returns to find his table flooded with cards and circulars from men, who ere three years have passed over his head, will convert their blandishments into requests of a slightly sterner nature.

He

is hustled into the awful presence of his Tutor, there to receive most excellent advice as to the paramount importance of economy and caution; but alas! while yet the Tutorial accents are sounding in his ears, he is in the midst of cringing tradesmen giving the rein to his feverish fancies, from the superb oak-table to the paltry spittoon. Or as "C.S.C." has cleverly expressed it:

to

"By degrees my education

Grew, and I became as others;
Learned to blunt my moral feelings
By the aid of Bacon Brothers;
Bought me tiny boots of Mortlock,
And colossal prints of Roe;
And ignored the proposition

That both time and money go."

At the small Colleges where each man is more of an individual, the Freshman is supposed to be called upon by the rest of his fellowCollegians, except the "Questionists" or Fourth-year men-those half-frantic victims of an impending Tripos, whose incessant lucubrations leave them no time to cast so much as a glance at such painted butterflies as Freshmen. This awkward ceremony, however, is not scrupulously observed in all cases: and various ruses are practised by the nervous or nonchalant to avoid a face-to-face encounter. One favourite plan pursued by a batch of these gentlemen, is to watch their intended Visitee out of his rooms, and then at a given signal swoop down upon the deserted chamber and cover the table with a cloud of visiting-cards. Another method patronised by less enterprising spirits is to tender their card-case to the Porter before going to dinner with strict injunctions to drop a card upon every Freshman, while the unconscious host is munching his cold apple-pie ignorant of the honours that have been paid him within the last halfhour. No such subterfuge, however, is allowed the unhappy Freshman. It is his melancholy task to dog each man, who has called No upon him, day after day until he finally "runs him to earth." wonder, then, that his first year is spent in making "chums," his second in keeping them, and his third in enjoying them!