Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/167

 with my medical studies, and could not play so much as formerly, but in batting and bowling I did better than in the previous year.

A very gratifying feature of the year to me was the presentation of a national testimonial at Lord's, on the 22nd of July, by Lord Fitzhardinge, who had been one of the chief movers in getting it up. Two years previously the Duke of Beaufort, then President of the M.C.C., suggested the presentation, and the Committee of the old club taking it up heartily, a very liberal response came from every part of the kingdom. I need not say I was pleased. I had played the game from the time I could handle bat and ball, because I liked it; but I did not know until this year that in doing so I had given pleasure to so many and made so many friends. Lord Chas. J. F. Russell uttered words at the presentation which I shall never forget. Comrades and players, both amateurs and professionals, showered their heartiest wishes upon me; and I felt, more than I could express and feel it still, that everyone had been very kind to me, and that helping to speed the interests of the game so dear to us all was something to be proud of.

Very little surprise was expressed when another Australian XI. appeared on English grounds in 1880. Their first tour had been very successful, and it was only natural they should seek to strengthen the favourable impression they had made. We had been told to expect a great improvement in their batting, and wonderful performances with the ball by a bowler new to English players. Expectations were realised: for at least two of them, W. L. Murdoch and P. S. McDonnell, showed a conspicuous inprovement in their batting skill; and the new bowler, Palmer, was a great acquisition, and at times bowled with great success.