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CRICKET ON THE HEARTH

CRISP1

the ball so that it will be caught on the fly and the batsman put out. The batter prevents the wicket from being hit, drives the ball far enough to give time for changing places with the other batter, and so makes runs. These continue so long as there is no risk of the stumps being hit while the batsmen are away from the wickets. If, however, the batter let the ball carry a bail or a stump away; or knock either down himself; or stop the ball with his body; or has the ball caught in the air— he is out. After five balls have been bowled, (sometimes four or six by arrangement), the eleven in the field changes to the same positions for the second wicket that it had for the first. Bowling at the second wicket continues for five balls, but by another bowler, and so it goes until ten men have batted. The eleventh is not out. This makes an inning, but, as a large number of runs may be made by a single batsman, it usually lasts more than a day. Then the other eleven comes to bat, and the first goes to the field. Two whole days at least are required for a first-class two-innings match. The game generally ends with a fourth inning, the eleven with the most runs being the winner. The rules of the Maryle-bone club (founded 1744) govern the game everv_where.

Cricket on the Hearth, The, is one of Dickens' Christmas-Books, and like ths others is characterized by a whimsical, almost fantastic humor, while it presents in the most edifying fashion the contrast between greed, selfishness and cunning on the one hand and simple goodness of heart on the other. It is distinguished by a truly dramatic climax. A good husband, believing that his young wife loves another and blaming himself for the loss of her affection, is about to sacrifice his home for her sake, when, to the reader's great relief, the burden of sorrow is suddenly transferred to a despicable old fellow, who had hoped to win a pretty young bride by the power of his money. He loses his bride, but is so moved by the unselfish love of all around him that his own heart is renewed, and he joins happily in the marriage-festivities. The merry chirping of a cricket mingles with the song of the kettle to soften with its music the passions that at times threaten to destroy the £eaee of home.

Crime'a (the ancient Chersonesns Tau-rica)j a peninsula of southern Russia, between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is about 125 miles from north to south and 200 from east to west, and has an area of about 10,000 square miles. It is joined to the mainland by the isthmus of Perekop. Balaklava and Sevastopol are its two chief harbors. The Crimea was once famous for its wheat, but of recent years the peninsula has suffered much from drought. Porphyry and coal are found. The Crimea's

situation in the Black Sea, between Europe and Asia, has made it a tempting prize alike to Greek, Tartar, Turk and Russian. The Crimean War (1853-56), fought in the peninsula, was caused by Russia's attempt to establish its protection and that of the Greek church over the Christian subjects of Turkey, who, like the Russians, are of the Greek church. Turkey was aided by France, England and Sardinia. The battles of the Alma, Tchernaya, Balaklava and Inkerman were fought, and the fall of the strongest fortress of the Russians, Sebastopol, brought an end to the war. By the treaty of peace Russia gave up all she had gained during the war. Population of the Crimea about 250,000 (80,000 Tartars, 130,000 Russians, 40,000 Greeks, Jews, Bulgarians and Germans).

Cripple Creek, Col., a mining town, situated on the foothills of Pike's Peak, in El Paso County, Colorado. Gold was discovered in its vicinity about 1885, but it was not until 1891 or later that its rich mining-wealth attracted experts and the town began to develop. Its annual production of gold is estimated at about $10,-000,000. The town in 1894 was the scene of a miner's strike, and in 1896 it was visited by a destructive fire; but in spite of these drawbacks it has grown apace. Population, 6,206.

Crisp, Charles Frederick, an American politician, and speaker of 52d and 53d

Congress, was born at Sheffield, England, Jan. 29, 1845; and died at Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 23, 1896. I n early life he settled with his parents in Georgia, and in 1861 entered the Confederate service, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant and was captured by the Federal forces. After the war he studied law, and in 1872 was elected attorney-general of a judicial district of Georgia, and subsequently became judge of the superior court of the state. In 1882 he was returned as a member of Congress, and in 1892 and 1893 was speaker of the house. In politics he was a Democrat.

Crispi (krds'pe), Francesco, an Italian statesman, was born Oct. 4, 1819, at Ribera, Sicily, and became a lawyer at Naples. In 1848 he was one of the heads of the rising at Palermo, and for two years a leader of the Sicilians against Ferdinand I. In 1859 and 1860 he acted with Garibaldi in driving out

CHARLES F. CRISP