_edited by Sir Francis Burnand_
[Illustration: MAXIMS FOR THE BAR. No. VI.
"Never miss a chance of ingratiating yourself with the Jury, even at
the expense of the Judge." (An opportunity often occurs after Lunch.)]
* * * * *
"GOOD OLD GRACE!"
(_Doggerel on "The Doctor," by an "Old Duffer."_)
"Dr. GRACE, who seemed to forget his lameness, played with
great vigour and dash, and his cuts and drives possessed all
their old brilliancy."--_The Times, on the exciting finish in
the Cricket Match between the M.C.C. and the Australians, June
3, 1890._
One hundred and eleven runs, and eighty-five minutes to make 'em in,
And with TURNER and FERRIS to trundle as fast as they could pitch
and break 'em in!
And it looked any odds on MURDOCH'S men contriving to make a draw
of it;
But Cricket, my lads, is a curious game, and uncertainty seems the
sole law of it.
So they sent in GRACE and SHUTER to start. Well, the Doctor is now
called "a veteran,"
But at forty-two when he's on the job 'tisn't easy to pick out a
better 'un.
And he "spanked for four," like a lad once more, and he cut and he
drove like winking;
Though his leg _was_ lame, he forgot that same, and he "played the
game" without shrinking.
And Surrey's SHUTER he did his part, and so did Notts' GUNN, Sir,
Though he _might_ have chucked the game away when the Doctor he
managed to out-run, Sir.
It was hard, you see, upon W. G. in _that_ way to lose his wicket,
But all the same he had won the game, and had played superlative
Cricket.
Forty-three to make, and forty-five minutes! But GRACE and GUNN
were equal to it;
And a win, with a quarter of an hour in hand, was the satisfactory
sequel to it.
The Australians played a manly game, without any dawdling or
shirking;
And if they didn't avoid defeat why it wasn't for want of hard
working.
But the stiff-legged "Doctor" who forced the game in the most
judgmatical fashion,
And forgot his leg and his "forty year" odd, full flushed with a
Cricketer's passion!
Why he's the chap who deserves a shout. Bravo, brave "W. G," Sir.
And when you next are on the job, may the "Duffer" be there to
see, Sir!
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