this it will be seen that there has tremendous struggle between the pair—as representing the professional and amateur ranks—for pride of place as the premier hats-man of the year. The battle has been very Tong and very severe for first one and then the other has leaded the averages. Gunn's 102 not out for England against Australia at Old Trafford was, however, a very timely con: tribution, for'it brought him to the top of the ist one within 88 of his coveted 2,000. How ever, the issue h the elance until almost the last moment with the result that Mr. Stoddart is beaten—but honourably beaten. Gunn enjoys an advantage of just over half a run per innings, although Stoddart hus the greater ayureyate, "This short hea earned, Tet me give you a pet and wietory "ut Gunn has een sell, if hal sketch of this big Guim—a player who has never been spoiled by the fulsome flattery adulation which have been heaped upon me cricketers. Gum cannot hoast of a bli blooded ancestry, but for all that he isa magnificent specimen of a man -standing 6ft, 3in. and pulling down the seal eat 14st. 6b. "He is the picture of an athlete, and considering his giant stature, he isa wonderful fellow in many He is the son ofa man who had finephysique, and was fond of a bit of sport. Tudeed, old Mr. Gi rather fancied himself with hi fists, and was at one time very intimate w Ben Gm was born in the low-ivin district of Nottingham called the Meadows, her 4, 1858, and was brought up in this and other cricket grounds. He was an exem- when two fingers had been idly ai on the platy lad, and early in life came under the Friday Ly a very fast ball from Both influence of the late Mr. Stonehouse, who was these achievements were against Surrey, and then the Vicar of St. Saviour's parish. and an of late years, too, when Surrey bowling enthusiastic lover of both cricket and football. has been so powerful, For some seasons Always an amateur vocalist, Gann became a Gun has been Shrewsbury's greatest. rival, member of St Saviour's choir, and for years but surely, if slowly Gunn has deprived took part in the church services. I can his celebrated colleague of many of, the member Mr. Stonehouse—who was also a great unique distinctions he was proud of, Thus collector of first editions of Dickens, and of Shrewsbury for long enough could pose works illustrated by John Leech—telling me as the only Notts batsman who had ever with pride that no matter in what part molle 200 for his county in an inter-county of the country Gunn was playing cricket, he contest, but in 1887 Guan compiled 205, not always endeavoured to reach Nottingham so.as out, against Sussex, and since then he has to be in his place in the choir on the Sunday.
Barly in life more than once passed into the double Gavn went as a clerk in the century." In 1890 Gunn was seen in great service of Richard Daft, who then had his form. Farly in the season he and Shrewsbury emporium as a cricket and athletic outfitter scored no fewer than 398 for the second in Albert-st., Nottingham. It is small wonder wicket of Notts against Sussex, Gum made that Gunn became a cricketer. His father 96, and that without a blemish. This 398 was a sport, and he was born in a town where still ranks as a record - being the Jongest and babies are popularly supposed to come into most fruitful partnership known in first class the world with a bat, instead of a silver cricket. Within anoth of this performance spoon, in their mouths. His parish parson Gunn, on behalf of the Players of England, was a devotee of the game, and his employer against Murdoch's last Australian eleven, ove of the most famous batsmen that ever scored no fewer than 228, which ranks a8 ived. Adiled to this we must not forget the highest individual score ever made that a boy who does not play cricket is of no against Colonial bowling by an English account in Nottingham. He learned both oketer, The praises of the W. G. of Not-cricket and football with facility and was at bingham were sung by every newspaper in time a member of the Notts Castle England, and Gum achieved a wonderfal Cricket club, and a forward with Notts celebrity, It is generally believed that Forest. The Castle club practically brought was one of the most perfect innings ever Gann out as a cricketer. The Forest however, played. Blackham, who kept wicket and could make little use of him at foot-ball, and watched every ball, declared that it was the he became connected with Notts County both most perfect ie had ever seen, Gunn batted a footballer and a cricketer. for eight hours without making either a bad
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