New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-04
q w. q. "
ENGLAND,s FAMOUS CRICKET CHAM
PION TO CELEBRATE HIS FIFTY
FIRST BIRTHDAY.


the world over is a crcketer. Other games may
claim more attention, and the champions III ui'-
ferent branches of sport may be better known
in certain sections for time. But among All
enortsmen in every part of the world there Is
no name better known than that of W. IT, Grace
w G." as he is fondly and familiarly called
bv all EnglanG-the champion cricketer' VINO
for over thirty years has made his deeds known
and his name famous in every quarter Oh the
globe.
an 1rIv rs next Grace will celebrate his fifty
first birthday. and the occasion will be MADE
memorable by a celebration which VIII take
place in London. DIR. Grace now resides IN
London. where he is secretary and manager OF the
now London County Cricket Club with GROUNDS
at the CRYSTAL Palace. He, however still plays
for his old county Worcestershire, whenever
occasion allows and his presence on the team
ALWAYS draws out the same interest and ad-
miration. ~
Rorn at Downend near Bristol, In 1913,
Gracc's cricket education began almost as soon
as he could hold a bat. With father, unces and
hrothers all enthusiastic lovers of the game, he
lacked no coaching or opportunities of practice'
In his book on the game he tells of moonlight
excursions to the wickets, and of early rlsihgs
at 3 and o'clock in the morning, so that he
could get all the benefit of practice before the
serious work of the day began. When but NJ
teen years OF age Grace made 81 against an
ALL England eleven which included some Of the
finest players Of the day. The following year
he was asked to play for an All-England eleven
against eighteen OF Lansdown. Shortly ar'er
this. playing for the South Wales Club, he scored
40 and 56. not out against the Genteiheh vi
Sussex This fine performance brought MN
prominently before the public. and in leOf he
established his great reputation by scoring DUR
ing the season a total Of 1919 runs.
From that period forward every year was
repetition Of the previous seasons success III
1866, when only eighteen years old, Grace was
at the head of the frst-class batting averages,
and this position he also occupied in eleven OF
the next fourteen years. From 1871 to 1881 he
scored 1GS79 runs in $40 completed innings and
from 1881 to 1880 ne obtained $500 runs In ~
completed innings. His average in 1871 was
rs and in 1873 it was II. In 1876 he scored
3i4 and 400 not out and in the month Of Au-
gust of that year he had the phenomenal record
Of scoring no less than 1,27S runs In ten COM
petod innings In 1893 he scored 1O1G runs in
nine completed innings in May, and completed
his feat of scoring "a century OF centuries"
Strange as IL may seem, an idea was prevalent
that year that the champion would be knighted.
He did not obtain this honor but he prizes
highly the congratulations received from the
Prince of Wales in the following letter which
is cherished as one Of the herloOms of the fam
lily:
Marlborough House Pail Mall S. w.
June l. 1895.
Dear Sir: The Prince of Wales has watched
with much interest the fine scores which you
continue to make in the great matches this
year. He now learns that you have beaten all
former records by scoring 1900 runs during the
first month of the cricket season, well
completing than hundred centuries in
hrst-class matches. His Royal Highness cannot
allow an event of such interest to all lovers Of
cur great national game TO pass unnotced by
him. and he has desired me to offer you his
hearty congratulations upon this magnificent
performance. l remain. dear Sir. yours truly.
FRANCIS KNOLLYS."
To American crcketcrs Grace is well known
and he has even been here lie was a
member Of the team brought here in 1872 by
X A. Fitzgerald, and he then played the
grounds Of the st. George Cricket Club, at
Hoboken. OF a lovable disposition Grace is
generous to a fault. He has never been known
to take unfair advantage Of an opponent;
he loves to encourage young players and when
bowling he has frequently been known to send
down a few easy ones to inspire confidence
in the heart of a timorous opponent It is men
like Grace who have made cricket such an en- B
joyable game to play 1t promotes health. self
denial and goOd-feOwship. it is free from the
tlemishes that cling SO tenacioUsly to some
other sports ard pastimes and no other games
bring forth so thoroughly the true spirit of