Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/28

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xxii
INTRODUCTION
commanding as he does a very strong defence and the patience of Job." In the Autumn Edition of the Guide of 1860 are also the following remarks:?—"His defence is really perfect, and he will play the best bowling with the greatest science and ease. He will take a long time to get an innings, and is in consequence of great annoyance to his opponents." For about fifteen seasons (being very active) he always took long-leg (Pavilion end at Lord's) and middle-wicket, but afterward generally short-leg. He participated in the game from first to last for twenty seasons; and, curiously enough, during his whole career he never once hit his wicket or was caught at cover-point!!'

Mr. Haygarth brought to a close the Scores and Biographies in 1895, with volume xiv. Of himself and his great task, it is there written:—

'He is the sole compiler of the whole of the Cricket Scores and Biographies, a work to which he has devoted his entire life, commencing at sixteen years of age, and he has spent a small fortune in collecting the materials and facts contained in the same. He has loved his arduous task with an abiding affection, and was never weary in seeking out unexplored fields that promised to contain any records or novelties connected with the "noble game". He wishes, however, to observe, and to call to the notice of all true cricketers, that the statement made at the beginning of vol. i, that the late William Lillywhite, or his son Frederick, had any thing to do in the slightest degree with the compilation, is totally and completely false. That paragraph was inserted by W. Lillywhite's son (F.) to suit his own ends. The great wish of the compiler (A. H.) always has been, and still is, to