The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-03

Buekinghamshire used 10 be n celeb ra.ed snun.y
for good cricketefs, and can b,est Of Esadam, the
two Walkers, Robinson, and Harris, WITH macy
Others. Notnnghamshire whore nave lately been
staying, is now perhaps what blckiogbaaisnire for
merly was--Ihe bursery Of good players. Clark,
WHO is, believe, still living, had few eaa lls in his
nearly equal to aim. K-ns and Suffolk Can also
boast VI many gooc paye's The mention of this
latter county reminds me of circumstances which
occurred in Il = few yearsago. A marcn was bsing
PLAY ec between the men Of two villages, nett err OF
which could boast OF Fulier, Pllch, or w-um "A
or such b0wiers a. Lilly white or Rec gate. s i'll
there were some good players Amongst them. one Of
whom was the warthy clergyman OF one OF the vii.
lagos, and whose. tithss were supposed t. be more
regularly paid ttAn those OF any Of Q neig boring
clergy, in consequence OF his en- sourngog this
manly geme, and joining witt his par shioners in
the inhOcent aunsementlt offered. We therefore
confidently recommend bis recipe to those clergy.
men whose tithes Al e in aeTear.
IL was on fine sum ner's afternoon that the
mat } refer ed 10 was beng played. The reader
may imsgi, q TO himself the centre of q large con.
mon. which had been cleared of furze grass for
considerable saaA round, the turf being soft fna
aud elastic, cropped 30 closely by sheep that it
might be compared to q beautiful velvet carpet.
The scenery was beautiful, and an old picturesque
winom'll. such as Rembrandt would have etched,
added 10 its interest
1t was during one Of the pauses OF the game that
an old man was perceived walking slowly to wards
the ground. He was gray, round shoudsred,
weather beaten, and STABILITY dressed, with his
hands b+ h,p bis back. At length he sto ,ped and
remsir ed silently looking at the game, Keeping his
eye on it with grave, undertaking at .ention. It
was, however, easy to see that he was o ricketer,
and nc was soon recognized BY one Of TIE player,
to be old Fennex, once q very cek brated one On
being accosteo, he said tnat he was going r0uad
the country to teach any clubs that mig It waat mis-
assistance, and hearing OF the present match, he
had stopped to see the play. Wrea it vas owe he
was asked TO give q few balls. Nov, for the first
time, the club perceived how ignorant they we Of
the ert of bowling. Wicket after wicket went
down, and it was evident that the players had
not only To learn but TO unlearn.
They were in fact mere syros in the ART Feunex
was taken home to suoper by h'ee kind-hea,tsd
brothers among the players. The car0usai was
prolonged till midnight the subj CT OF cricket was
discussed, and at length IL was agreed that the cid
man should be taken into the house of the brn.he
and imam tie season with them The effect 81
this ju lfcious measu was soon visible, bu. &C
quireo only at the expense of acerated ioger. and
bruised legs. Tbe whole style Of the play was al
tered no more slashing play no more long svipes
over the oonmon-no hitting across wicket. An
was now Meady, scien iic, and sscure /; q reason,
and good one, was assigned for every movement,
and BY the end OF the season the members Of tn.
club, If not ali good players, we're at least put in
the right method, an secure of i'm l,rovement. Cd
FsbDs X is now no more. He was nearly blind be.
fore he cied, and incapable OF muscular ex.r,i m
but be loved to wander about the beautiful COM
mon, the scene Of his former glory. Il is plea
cure to be able to mention that he was housed nm
der the hospitable and charitable roof OF the elder
OF the three brothers have m entiopad, who pro
tected bim from war during his declining ye.ri
Fehpex vas horn and brought up at Gerard's
Cross, near Uxbidge, and a. the age of nineteen
had become the first cr keter in Backing hamshre.
He was contemporary with Reddam, Harris the
two Walkers, Robinson and Others, AMI Sir Horace
Mann wa at that time the eDt usiastc patron tSe
art. Having men toned Harris, it may be rsrna K
ed that such was is skill in bowling that while
crippled with the go {, he was allowed a chair.
Among the great performances Of Fennex was ais
having, when alone and uEassised, beat on Mitch
am Common, at single wicket, toe three creates.
cricketeIs OF their day. As o proof also OF the
strength and self denial of this veteran it nav he
that at the age Of seventy FIVE he
walked ninety MILF in three days, carrying an um-
brells, bundle Of clothes and three cricket bats,
cid spent in thar time but Ih,ee shi.Iiugs.
How few men 10 their prime could perfo m such
o journey, tn such manner! When he arrived q.
the end Of his journey. all he CON lained was that
the bats bad b used bis side. When b, died. his
fspds should bavs been preserved, like Cali co.'s ~
Florence, as trophies Of his suffeSings an gloriss.
Broken, dsto ted, mufilatsd half Daiess, they re-
senbled the bO0f ofa rbiDoc4ros, almost as much
as human hapd; tpt what feats have they not Der.
formed! II ought to be mentioned that Feupex
raised himself 10 such emiDencc by his skill, that
he wss enabled on ce 70 keep his tn ee hunters
thai. he was tae bosom friend Of Oldo re, the ins-
trous huDtsman of the Berkeley pack that he
lived With Lord Win he-ea and the Tuiyons, but
that be found in the house Of fiieni,y village
apothecary that hospitable shelter aud security for
his old age, viii none OF his former noble and
tilted patrons would degu to bestow.