—would do without its weekly outing to the Race Course, it is ditticult to imagine. It is interesting to watch the regularity with which old devotees of the game put in an appearance, take a comfortable seat, and for hours become so absorbed in the play as never to miss a stroke. They have dropped out of "active service" imperceptibly almost, but the old love of it is there never to be lost. Sometimes a turn at umpiring is taken, and though the standing is tiring somewhat, there is the counter-! balancing advantage of being able to see every little trick and stratagem, every bit of good play, and the finer touches which are missed in the pavilion. For Cricket is the king of games, demanding more tact, more skill, more qualities of head and heart, of muscle and eye than any that was ever invented or is ever likely to be. Prince and peasant, officer and private, rich and poor alike join in its charmed circle with absolute equality, There is nothing like it in any other country in the world. Baseball, another grand old English game in its origin, comes nearest, but we sincerely hope to see the spread of cricket in the States move on with rapid strides, so that there may be one more bond of union and subject for contest between us. We are quite certain that the Americans will be as enthusiastic as ourselves over cricket when once they have taken to it. But the cricketer has to be caught young. Ifa boy cannot play before he is fifteen he will never play. So the future of cricket depends on the American school. At present baseball suits the seuparnment of its devotees, but when life begins to be taken a little more easily we believe the taste for cricket will increase.
Little need be said of the interport matches in Japan. Almost every member of the team sent over has been a success in one innings and a failure in another. King stands out pre-eminent. Never was the glorious uncertainty which is one of the main charms of cricket better exemplified. The wanderers deserved the hearty welcome they received on their return. We are of course glad to have won, but we do not think either of the defeated teams need feel the least regret at having been beaten by such bowlers as Potter and Jackson. Next year may it be our privilege to welcome the Japan teams to Shanghai
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.