most propitious condition imaginable for the sport. Such is the ardour and keen enthusiasm for this nationally antique and popular game, that, in some parts of Scotland, where the locality does not afford natural facilities for the pursuit of their beloved curling, artificial ponds are formed at the approach of the winter season, that they may become frozen for the purpose."

"And so imperiously does this eager desire for the sport sway men's minds there," remarked Mr. Warden, "that it influences them to forget the distinctions of rank, and the exclusiveness of class; the man of wealth associating with the small trader, the official dignitary joining with the fellow of low calling, and the worshipper of gentility condescending to try conclusions' with the ragamuffin. It has been, on this account, strenuously and seriously advocated as a highly moral diversion, from its tendency to promote assimilation and friendly feeling among the dif ferent grades of society."

"What are the principles of the game?" enquired Alfred Newton.

66

They resemble those of both golf and bowls," replied Humphrey Willy. "It is played by a party forming rival sides, each individual being possessed of a circular stone, to the upper side of which a handle is attached."

"Of what size are these stones, neighbour Willy?" asked William.

"About nine inches in diameter, and they are quite flat and smooth on the under side," replied he. "A friend of mine told me that the best material for the manufacture

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THE GAME OF CURLING.

of these stones is found at that picturesque spot, the rock called Ailsa Crag, and more especially on one particular side of it. An excellent livelihood is derived from the fashioning of these stones for the use of the curlers, and so much skill is required in shaping and accurately balancing them, that those few men who are known to have attained eminence in this workmanship, can command a good sum as the price of their labour. Besides one of these stones," continued Humphrey Willy, "each player is provided with a broom to sweep the ice, in order to accelerate the progress of the stones; his feet, too, are sometimes furnished with trampets, or crampets, which help to steady him in taking his aim; though I have since heard that the use of these trampets is fast falling into disrepute wherever curling is practised on the most approved principles, as it is believed that they not only disfigure the ice by throwing up the dirt, but that they elevate the player too much; for it is universally admitted that the nearer the curler stands to the ice the more effectual is likely to be his play."

"Well, how do they proceed to play?" asked William. "A large open space of ice, called a rink, being cleared," resumed Humphrey Willy, "and a mark, or tee, being made at each end to play to, the contest takes place, by each person hurling his stone towards the opposite end of the rink. A certain number being the game, the object of each side is, which will have the greatest number of stones nearest the tee, and all the party play from end to end alternately, till this is ascertained."

"I can imagine that to hurl these stones with precision, in this species of sport, must be a feat of some difficulty," observed Alfred Newton.

"Much depends on the keenness of the frost, the tone

END OF THE LONG WALK.

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261

of the ice, and the truth of the stone," replied Humphrey Willy. "If the stones are all well aimed, and in a cluster round the tee," added he, a lucky hit from the rival side will sometimes scatter them north, south, east, and west, in a moment. Occasionally, the stones are hurled short of the mark, in which case, if they do not pass beyond a certain line, called the hogg score, they are seized

do not count."

away, and

"The German word spiel, play," remarked Mr. Warden, "is frequently used by the Scotch in speaking of a match at this game of curling. But here we are at home," added he, interrupting himself. "I should think you will not be sorry to rest yourselves, gentlemen, after your long walk."

"And I trust we may find our refection in such a state of forwardness," said Mr. Singleton, "that Mrs. Warden may not have to complain of our having kept the dinner waiting, and yet that it shall be quite ready to sustain our immediate onslaught; for I confess, I am in a most inflamed state of appetite, and as hungry as a famished rhinoceros!"

Home Amusements-Dinner-Society-Modern and Ancient DinnersGood Eating-Bessie's Cheese-cake-The Dessert in the GardenChess-Billiards-Bagatelle-Draughts-Backgammon-Gamesters

and Gaming-Cards-Ombre-Pope's Celebrated Game in VersePiquet-Cribbage-Whist-Forfeit-games.

MR. SINGLETON's aspiration regarding dinner was happily fulfilled to the letter, and the re-united party of ladies and gentlemen, together with those guests who were men. tioned in the first chapter, and who had meantime arrived, soon took their respective places at table, while he assured them that their host and hostess

"Would have all as merry

As, first, good company, good wine, good welcome,

"But does not Shakespeare somewhere else tell us that 'a table full of welcome makes scarce one dainty dish?" " said Mrs. Warden, smiling.

"Ay, but you forget that, immediately afterwards, he makes one of the other characters reply: 'Small cheer, and great welcome, makes a merry feast,' and 'merry' we intend to be, I assure you, in order to enjoy our feast properly," answered Mr. Singleton.

"I will come to my wife's succour by quoting the passage that follows yours, Charles," said Mr. Warden:

66 6

'Though our cates be mean, take them in good part;

Better cheer may you have, but not with better heart." "

Mrs. Warden thanked her husband, laughing, and said she hoped his manly dignity would not feel hurt if she ventured to call him, in Macbeth's words, "Sweet remembrancer!"

"So firmly do I believe that 'mirth and merriment bar a thousand harms and lengthen life,'" said Mr. Singleton, "that I would fain never sit down to dinner without the digestive stimulant of pleasant society; and I am fully convinced that there is not a more healthful accompaniment to a hearty meal than a hearty laugh. Set a skeleton at the board, indeed!" exclaimed he in a fit of indignation at the thought of that ancient observance; "give me happy faces, merry conceits, whimsical fancies, unrestrained talk; and let my ears ring with my friends' voices and 'my lungs crow like chanticleer!'"

"What think you of music during meals, Sir," asked Mrs. Newton.

"Well, yes, Madam; music is good-especially good music that is, music of a particular kind," answered Mr. Singleton; "a smooth, flowing, melodious strain, for instance, like one of Mozart's or Beethoven's andantes, that lets the soul float on tranquilly, asking no physical effort to follow its movement-this is delicious enough, certainly;