Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/40

4 (your height, if I recollect, being six feet one inch), your extraordinary length of limb, your power and activity; to all which, I may add, your perfect judgement of all points in the game; have given you the superior advantages in play, and entitle you to the character I have given. As a proof of its correctness, the simple fact will suffice of your having gained the longest hands of any player upon record. This circumstance occurred upon the 24th and 25th of July, 1820, at Mary-le-bone, when the great number of 278 runs appeared against your name, 108 more than any player ever gained: and this, be it remembered, happened after the increase of the stumps in 1817.

May you long live, Sir, to foster and take your part in our favourite amusement; and may you never relax your endeavours to restore the game to the good old principles from which, I regret to say, it has in some instances departed since the time I used to be an active member of the fraternity. You are aware that I principally allude to the practice that the modern bowlers have introduced of throwing the ball, although in direct infringement of a law prohibiting that action.
 * I beg to subscribe myself,
 * Dear Sir,
 * Your faithful Countryman,
 * And obedient humble Servant,
 * JOHN NYREN.

,
 * March, 1833.