26 Memoir of Tom Smitli. 



Mrs. Smith. Never was man blessed with a 

 more amiable partner, and if ever pair were, 

 they were honestly entitled to the Dnnmow 

 flitch. They resided in the honse at East 

 Meon for a few years, and then removed to 

 Hill House, Hambledon. 



It may not be received in Kent or Sussex, 

 but it is a fact that in Hampshii-e the origin 

 of the game of cricket is ascribed to Hamble- 

 don; and its old-established club was in full 

 swing when Mr. Smith came to reside there. 

 He accepted the office of secretary ; and from 

 the old club-books that thus came into his 

 hands we glean some curious ^particulars, 

 which afford strong presum23tion in favour of 

 the claim. The game, it seems, was at first 

 practised with one stump only, then with two, 

 and lastly with tlu-ee. For some years after 

 Mr. Smith's connection with the club, there 

 was suspended from the roof of the club-house, 

 on Windmill Down, an old worm-eaten bat, 

 more resembling Hercules' club than any 



