NOTTINGHAM ELECTIONS. 199 



the finest and most powerful hitter in England, while the extraordi- 

 nary reach with which he covered the field at point or middle wicket, 

 and the wonderful manner in which he picked up the ball, never 

 failed to elicit the warmest plaudits from the spectators. Nothing 

 could have been more splendid than the attitude of Fuller Pilch, 

 when, taking his place at the wicket, he opened his broad chest and 

 threw back his well-knit shoulders to receive the ball from the bowler, 

 and if it came to the oflf-side, cut it, without apparent effort, but 

 with tremendous force, along the ground into the distant part of the 

 field. The writer of this memoir gladly pays the tribute of admira- 

 tion, not only to his skill, but to his manly yet always respectful 

 deportment, and to the invincible pluck which he always evinced 

 whilst contending against a stronger side than his own. 



For the above details of Mr. Assheton Smith's prominent feats in 

 the cricket field, we are indebted to the " Register of Cricket Matches, 

 from 1786 to 1823," drawn up by Henry Bentley, and published in 

 the last-named year. The book is now very scarce, and the copy 

 from which our extracts are taken is in the possession of Frederick 

 Lilly white. 



No. II. 



NOTTINGHAM ELECTIONS, 1818 and 1820. 



{Referred to at page 9.) 



The candidates for the representation of Nottingham in Parliament, 

 at the general election in 1818, were the late members. Lord Ran- 

 cliffe, Joseph Birch, Esq. (both ultra Whigs), and Assheton Smith 

 (Tory). The contest was one of the severest on record. Lord Ran- 

 cliffe defeating Smith by only 12 votes, the latter having polled 1,840. 

 Mr. Smith came forward upon public grounds, from themost disinterested 

 motives, without any view either to public emolument or private con- 

 siderations, and notwithstanding the immense influence opposed to bim, 

 and Lord Rancliffe's personal and local advantages, it was a neck-and- 

 neck affair to the last stride, lasting eleven days. Assheton Smith again 

 stood for Nottingham at the general election in 1820, the candidates 

 being Mr. Birch, Mr. (afterwards Lord) Denraan, Assheton Smith, 

 and Lancelot RoUeston, Esq. [This last also an excellent sportsman 

 and true English gentleman, was master of the South Nottingham 

 hounds for two seasons, and represented South Nottingham in three 

 Parliaments, He was also Colonel of the Nottingham Militia.] 



After another unprecedentedly keen struggle o[ twelve days, the two 



