"The glorious uncertainty?" why, to be sure,
That it _must_ be the slowest should see at a glance,
For cricket, as long as the sport shall endure,
_Must_ be in its nature a mere game of chance,
"'Tis all pitch and toss"; one can show it is so;--
'T isn't science or strength rules its losses or winnings.
Half depends on the "pitch"--of the wickets, you know,
The rest on the "toss"--for first innings.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Bowler_ (_his sixth appeal for an obvious leg-before_).
"'Ow's that?"
_Umpire_ (_drawing out watch_). "Well, he's been in ten minutes
now--Hout!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: OUR VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB.--Tom Huggins, of the local fire
brigade, umpires for the visiting team in an emergency. Laden, as is
usual, with their wealth, watches, etc., he hears the fire-bell, and
obeys duty's call without loss of time!]
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE LIMITATIONS OF FAME.--"And what are you?" "Oh, I'm
the wicket-keeper." "Then why aren't you busy taking the gate-money?"]
* * * * *