Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/303

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AUTOCRAT AT LORD'S
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being also the winner of many races of 100 yards. His height was 5ft. 9in., and his weight between 11 and 12st. His profession was the church, being Vicar of St. Albans from about 1828 till his death. He did not, however, abandon the game in consequence, as has been the case with many other celebrated gentlemen cricketers. From his good play, rank, and influence, he became a sort of "autocrat" at Lord's, where his name in a match was "Legion". No one was more distinguished there, and he was admitted to be the best general in the field, "where his word was law". When years and infirmities stole upon him, he did not desert the scene of his favourite sport, but enjoyed the game and its social qualities as long as health allowed him, leaving behind him a name among cricketers "familiar as household words". From first to last, therefore, he must have frequented Lord's for nearly, if not quite, 60 years! as he was present at some of the great matches on that ground as far on as 1849, when he used to be driven there in his carriage, and still witness the game with interest. His son, Charles, played in the Oxford Eleven in 1 836, and was a good hitter. Where Lord Frederick was born cannot now be said; but he died at his town residence, 68, Grosvenor Street, at the advanced age of 76. He is buried at Winchfield, in Hampshire, where a tablet inside the church is erected to his memory, bearing the following inscription:—

Sacred to the Memory of the
RIGHT HON. AND REV. LORD FREDERICK BEAUCLERK, D.D.,
Of Winchfield House,
Fourth Son of Aubrey, fifth Duke of St. Albans.
In humble record of his many virtues,
this monument is erected by his affectionate Wife.
Born 8th of May, 1773;
Died 22nd of April, 1850.'