CHAPTER XXXYIIL 



A RECOLLECTION OF THE ORLEANS CLUB. 



HITHERSOEVER the Australian Cricket- 

 ers may wander in their travels in pur- 

 suit of the pleasant task they have set to 

 themselves, at no place will they meet 

 with a warmer or more gracious reception than 

 that which was accorded to them by the members 

 of the Orleans Club. 



A fairer and brighter scene than that which pre- 

 sented itself at the match between the Antipodean 

 Team and the members of this distinguished club, it 

 would be impossible to imagine. It is said that, 

 driven to despair by the long-continued rains, the 

 biting east mnds, the tropical storms, and the 

 miserable weather which prevailed throughout the 

 entire spring. Captain Womb well, the presiding 

 genius of the place, was overheard appealing to the 

 spirit of the storm iu the following words : — 



" Ye fostering- breezes blow ! 

 Ye softening dews, ye tender showers, descend ! 

 And temper all, thou world-reviving sun, into the perfect year ! " 



The effect of such an impressive invocation was 

 palpable to all who roamed through the pleasant 



