ETHEL De VERE ON THE AUSTRALIAN V. ORLEANS CLUB CRICKET MATCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 238, 29 October 1878, Page 3

ETHEL De VERE ON THE AUSTRALIAN V. ORLEANS CLUB CRICKET MATCH.

(From London Truth.)

(< Now, dear Minnie, I think I had better, Though I can't interruptions defy, Just endeavor to finish this letter, Goramenced on the 9th of July. Let me see, what was it I was writing When Timpkinson called — the young cub 1 I can't fancy him ever fighting— Oh, of course, 'twas the Orleans Club. " Twas arranged at St. Peter's on Sunday— 'Twas awfully wicked, I own— That I should go down on the Monday, And all the club • lions' be ehown. Though reall3* the principal reason Was that the Australians were there ; And I had not seen them this season At Prince's, nor Lord's, nor elsewhere. " The drive, dear, was something delightful; I went on the Rympersons , drag, Though old Lady S. was so spiteful, I felt it my duty to nag. But Charlie—he's now in the Blues, dear— Was quite too awfully nice! The expression I beg you'll excuse dear, For I know you are very precise. "There were four-in-hands there by the dozen, And Charlie was able to ' spot' Mrs Brassey—you know, my dear cousin, She went round the world in her yacht. And just at our right was Lord Sefton ; Whilst the ' Duke ? who so pluckily rides Was the Frst Life Guard's coach at our left on; So I had old friends on both sides. " The Australians were in when we got there, And so in our places we stayed, And it luckily was not too hot there, The trees gave us such a cool shade. And Charlie stayed, too, think of that dear! The man who thought girls were so tame! And now I know cricket quite pat, dear, He told me so much of the game. " I know what a leg-hit for five is, And why they knock down those three sticks;

I know what a cut and a drive is, And the diff'rence 'twixt' slogging' and snicks; And I know that a duck's egg means nought, dear, And that a full score may be two ; I know when to call out ' well caught, , dear; And why they all change when they do. '' And laugh as you may dear, my coaching Soon gave to the game quite a zest ; And I found myself actually broaching Opinions as well as the rest. Fancy me, dear, a critic of cricket!— Just try to pronounce that I beg,— And talking of taking a wicket, Or swiping a shooter to leg! " You'll take it to heart, though, no doubt dear, When of our misfortunes I speak, That we couldn't get Bannerman out, dear, And that our best bowling fell weak. But Webbe made a beautiful catch, though,

And Leigh at the wicket did well, Still 'twas rather a one-eided match, though,

As even your Ethel could tell. "But at last their long innings is over, And then with a jump I am down, And Charlie and I through the clover Start off 'spite her ladyship's frown. Yes, clover, my dear, full of honey, And real living cows, I declare-— Do not cows at a club, dear, sound funny ?— And trees and cool shade everywhere. "The House, as you know, is a quaint one, Brick-built in the style of Queen Anne, But my knowledge of it is a faint one ; For, ere its contents I could scan, Charlie gave me a moment to look at A passage of glass lined with flowers, And then led me off to a nook at The end of a series of bovvers.

" So quiet, and oh I so secluded, I thought, p'rhaps he meant to propose; But no! time proved I was deluded— He only begged hard for a rose Which I had in mv liair, and I gave it;

Upon which, with emotion extreme, He was vowing he (»ver wmilrt -»aye it, When a waiter brought strawberries and cream.

"Ican't say I welcomed that waiter, Though what he had brought was s< , nice, And though he pror-eederl to cati^r By bringing champagne-cup and ice. For who can say what had the end been, Had Charlie gone on in that strain ? But still he so long has a friend been, No doubt he'll a chance get again " Between you and me, dear, these gardens, With their lovers' nooks by the score, Should, unless opportunity hardens, Lead to courtship and weddings galore. There's a walk on the bank of the river That must with the moon be sublime, With the what's-its-name's all in a quiverLet me see, is it aspen or lime ? "I would gladly have wandered much longer, My love for the shade did not flag, But Charlie's affection was stronger For sport, so we made for the drag. Where we found Lady S. far from pleasant, Engaged in consuming strong tea. And if I had not chanced to be present, She'd have lectured Charles well, I could see.

" But Minnie, you will be quite tjred, dear, If more of your patience I claim ; Since you, unlike I, are not fired, dear, With newly-born love for the game. So I will conclude, nor delay you To tell of lawn tennis I played ; Nor into a new sheet betray you, Because I a boating trip made. "But still, you must know, dinner donet dear— I won't give you details at all— We had, well the jolliest fun, dear, For the cricketers stayed to a ball, And Ivalsed with the " demon "—don't start though, That's what they call Spofforth, ma. chere: — But I did not get robbed of my heart though, Though I danced more than any girl there!

" Do try—not, of course for the cricket, But just through the gardens to go— To get an Orleans Club ticket; You're certain to like it, I know. Any member a ticket can get yor., So don't put your visit off, dear, But believe me, you dear little pot, you, Your own ; loving

" Ethel de Vere."