Page:The Hambledon Men (1907).djvu/297

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MR. BUDD CATCHES NINE
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one season, but relinquished it, "as it was not exactly in accordance with his taste." He was also high sheriff for Yorkshire. Is son of Mr. Osbaldeston, of Hutton Bushell, near Scarborough, and was born in Welbeck (or Wimpole) Street, Cavendish Square, December 26, 1786 (or 1787, according to another account). Height 5ft. 6 in. and weight 10½ st. In 186l he was residing at 8, Park Road, Regent's Park, London, but used formerly to live in Yorkshire. An excellent photograph of this celebrity will be found in one of the early numbers of Baily's Magazine.'

Here are some of Mr. Budd's memories of his friend 'The Squire', as quoted by Mr. Pycroft in The Cricket Field:—'In 1817, we went with Osbaldeston to play twenty-two of Nottingham. In that match Clarke played. In common with others I lost my money, and was greatly disappointed at the termination. One paid player was accused of selling, and never employed after. The concourse of people was very great: these were the days of the Luddites (rioters), and the magistrates warned us, that unless we would stop our game at seven o'clock, they could not answer for keeping the peace. At seven o'clock we stopped; and, simultaneously, the thousands who lined the ground began to close in upon us. Lord Frederick lost nerve and was very much alarmed; but I said they didn't want to hurt us. No; they simply came to have a look at the eleven men who ventured to play two for one.—His Lordship broke his finger, and, batting with one hand, scored only eleven runs. Nine men, the largest number perhaps on record, Bentley marks as "caught by Budd"'.

Lord Frederick with Beldham once made a match with Mr. Osbaldeston and Lambert. "On the day named," said Mr. Budd, "I went to Lord Frederick, representing my friend was too ill to stand, and asked him to put off the match. "No; play or pay," said his Lordship, quite inexorable. "Never mind," said Osbaldeston, "I won't forfeit; Lambert may beat them both; and, if he does, the fifty guineas shall be his."—I asked Lambert how