The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-08 00:00:00

021011 r.

THE ETON AND HARROW CRICKET MATCH.
(THIS DAY.)

The day of the Eton and Harrow match ie, by
common consent, the Derby-day of the micketing year. No
other event of the season attracts to Lord's GrAind half
the camber of carriages and horsemen. A division of polio,
is engaged to maintaie order and comfort; "regulations •
are published for the outran* position, sad exit of the
carriages ; and, to cover all, a grand stand has been espe-
cially erected for the convenience of those who are willing
to papa little extra for a more favourable view of this inte-
resting contest. That perpetual foreigner, who is always des-
tined to be astonished at something or other in Englised. would
indeed be surprised (says • contemporary) were he to be
dropped from the skies, or the Boulogne packet, into the
stronghold of the M.C.C. to-day. He would find gathered
together a vast crowd of the most distinguished men, the
stateliest matrons, and the reigning beauties of the land,
rrery group pervaded, as it were, by • cluster of bright-
looking, frank, and manly boys. All will wear party symbols
of light or dark blue ribbon*, and all will openly swiss* their
partisanship with every aid of Yoke sad gesture. Bows of rib-
bon will be toned on every ones drew, young or old, on all the
hones, and all Use 'animas. Every /Seer or Topsy in his
mistress's lap will proclaim by his favour whether be belongs
to Guelph or Glabelline ; and it would be no nastier of
surprise to find some young scapegraces preening the adop-
tion of a distinguishing badge on Inspector Affable or A
P 7. Whilst the game is as yet at ltd commencement oar
foreigner would perceive a certain grave stillness of interest
pervading the whole assembly—even the bright-looking
youths, but as it proceed' he would find the distinguished
men, the stately matrons, and the reigning belles
•11 gradually warming up into a state of amazing excite-
Mot. He will see everybody, old and young, beginning
to shout and gesticulate in encoursgerzent of their own
faction 'a if an empire were at stake. As for the boys,
they will act as if life and death ware in the Jame, and the
enthusiasm of the boys will be irresistibis. The men will
begin to rake up the rivalries of their youth ; the ladies
will espouse the cause of brothers and covens. Bum the
most legitimately neutral spectator will find it impos-
sible to remain indifferent in his empathise; and will shout
for one side or the other like the rest. If the game
rats close, the excitement will increase, encouragement of
caropions will be leas appeoved of " our side' than direct
defiance to opposing partisans. Ribbons will be fluttered
in front of iibbons, with as fierce feelings of antagonism as
ever waved banner against banner. Bright eyes will flesh
more brilliantly, and fair cheeks flush crimson with little
but base hopes and fears. The suety will be a very
saturnalia of the national game, and Ryppolite de Gobs-
mouche will open his eyes, shrug his guiders, and be-
taking himself back to that terrible Boulogne packet, will
fully agree with what Adolphe de Oanard bad previously
told him, " that we are a nation of lunatics."
Amongst the Harrovian' who were early on the ground
this ram sing were the Hoe. Jeffrey Amherst, a son of Lord
liolmeedale, Mr. C. F. Buller, Mr. O. Ark wright, Mr.
H. Stow, and Mr. Phipps. Amoopt the Etonian' were
the Hoe. Spencer Lytteltos and the Hon. Neville Lyttel.
tin, sons of Lord Lyttelton, who, when at Cambridge, wee
one of the best cricketers of his day, Mr. W. Barrington,
Hr. W. S. Priding', Mr. E. R. Chute, &c. The competitors
appear to be in excellent condition and a most interesting
match is expected. The Grand Stand, capable of scum-
modsting upwards of a thoesaud minus, is fully occupied,
and the ground is roped and staked se that there shall be
no interruption to the play.

I &HOAR' v. Twit/Mr-orris 3drimmtne or THE
Boum or Pezz.tirrer wrrn Osurrov.—This one.day
match was played at Lard's Ground yesterday—a very
fashionable assemblage witnessing the cricket, some of
which wee very curious, and some very good. Lieutenant.
Coload Bathurst—an old band at this by pod
cricket morel 20 and 19 by one 5, two d Lord
Coventry's 21 was a tremendous dressing of the "slows,"
including two grand hits for 5 each ; kis lordship ran him-
eel/ out. Lord Skelmersdale's 20 was mad* be hard hitting
—tee i's, two 3's, as many Ts, and two singles, being his
lordship's contribution. The parliamentary hit of the
match was a fine drive for six made by Lord Staahope.
The good parliamentary bowling of Mr. Blrues and Grundy
prevented " 1 Zingari " from making a threerfigure is
Sir. Johnson made 13 by four Ts, Sc. ; Ilr. Fitagsraid 20,
by • good drive for 4 to the greed stand, a 3, &a ; and in
mot log 32 Mr. Drake hit his hardest, and that is vet, bard;
his hits were one 5, two 4'n Sr. 3's, ha. The combiaed
parliamentary force. bad a pleasant day's cricked, and at
the finish, the satisfaction of finding themselves al* a
t ',jot ity of 10 runs over their renowned opponents.