the esteem and admiration of the world. But should I attempt to enumerate one-tenth of this many, my little volume, which I fear has already well tested your patience, would turn into a biographical dictionary. I close it, therefore, with another little, but valuable hint, as to

ANOTHER OF THOSE THINGS WHICH YOU OUGHT NOT TO DO.

Pray do not run between wickets, and look in opposite directions. Many a man has been carried off the field almost "sans teeth," &c. &c. You should agree one with the other as to the side on which you are to pass each other.

THE CATAPULTA.

HE history of this machine, in its original form, is traced back to the time of the Romans; when, with its gigantic energies, it could propel, to a much greater distance than could the human arm, weighty javelins, large beams of wood headed with iron,

and heavy stones. The history of this all-powerful machine, in its revived form, takes its date from a conversation, one of the many, which I had the pleasure to hold with a reverend gentleman, equally interested as myself in forwarding the happiness of youth, whether engaged at study, or during the hours of their recreation. All I claim of the invention is, of having first suggested the application of the Catapulta in its old form to the purposes of Cricket. The first model was made at my request by a Mr. D., at that time occupying the mathematical chair in our establishment.

After this model was made, two seasons passed over ere the subject was again mooted; when the foundation of the first Catapulta was laid. Daily suggestions from visiting neighbours were offered. All kinds of experiments were continually made; till at length the fabric was completed.

At this time, (as in the old-fashioned Catapulta,) the ball was placed in a hollow near the top of the tongue; and the tongue flew up, throwing the ball, by the concussion of the tongue, against a piece of ox-hide stuffed with leather, making a great noise and projecting the ball but very imperfectly.

F

The next suggestion was, that the ball should be made to rest upon a stage, and struck from it after the manner of a billiard ball. From this moment all began to work well;-first leather, as at the end of the cue, then (as it is now) Indian rubber.

The engraving is, as near as possible, the representation of one now in the possession of a gentleman to whom the Catapulta is indebted for many valuable improvements: but the stage part is a compound of machinery too expensive for the ordinary purposes of sale. There is one now made by Mr. Caldecount, of Townsend Road, Marylebone, having a more simple working stage; and having the advantage of every improvement, it affords excellent practice, and, with care, would last many years.

No. 1. Top of the box, containing a series of spiral springs, to which are connected two leather straps. No. 2. The straps pass partly round two wheels, whose axes play in two sockets. No. 3 is the tongue, made to fit into an iron socket, very tight and very true, so that, when drawn down with the force with which you may please to set it by the screw, 5, it may lock into the latch, 4. By pulling the latch back, up flies the tongue, and the ball, being struck by the hammer, 11, (tipped with Indian rubber,) goes towards the wicket a short-pitched ball, or a long-pitched ball, or a point-blank shot, according as you elevate or depress the plate, 8, by the screw, 12. No. 9 is the part of an endless screw, which runs horizontally across and through the plate, 8;-its use is to move the plate upon which the ball stands either to the right or left, varying at pleasure the direction of the ball. No. 6 is a piece of ox-hide, stuffed with horse-hair or otherwise, and is fixed upon two long springs, whose use is to stop the tongue from knocking against the stage after it has discharged the ball. No. 7 is iron-work on which to build the machinery. A is a handle made to take in and out. B is a socket in which to adapt wheels for the convenience of moving it from one place to another; and CC are sockets through which to drive long iron spikes into the ground, to keep it firm and steady.

With the use of this Instrument, you may (by setting it to the pace, so fast, that it would split your bat in two; or so slow, that the ball would scarcely