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94 it was beyond the statute width, and would not pass through the standard. So, unceremoniously, a knife was produced, and the bat reduced to its just, rather than its fair, proportions. "Well," said Robinson, "I'll pay you off for spoiling my bat:" and sure enough he did, hitting tremendously, and making one of his largest innings, which were often near a hundred runs.

In the first twenty years of this century, Hampshire, like Kent, had lost its renown, but only because Hambledon was now no more; nor did Surrey and Hampshire any longer count as one. To confirm our assertion that Farnham produced the players,—for in 1808, Surrey had played and beaten England three times in one season, and from 1820 to 1825 Godalming is mentioned as the most powerful antagonist; but whether called Godalming or Surrey, we must not forget that the locality is the same—we observe, that in 1821, M. C. C. plays "The Three Parishes," namely, Godalming, Farnham, and Hartley Row; which parishes, after rearing the finest contemporaries of Beldham, could then boast a later race of players in Flavel, Searle, Howard, Thumwood, Mathews.

"About this time (July 23. 1821)," said Beldham, "we played the Coronation Match; 'M. C. C. against the Players of England.' We scored 278 and only six wickets down, when the game was given up. I was hurt and could not