Chapter XLV: Part V: Miscellaneous (11)

If, in the above case, the student is playing the usual game, it would be advisable for him to play on the object-ball, so as to pocket it and return over line 1, in this way taking three chances to make a count. If he is playing caroms alone, it would be better for him to play on the left of the object-ball, so as to draw it back in the string, as near the other balls as possible. To make the first stroke: strike the cue-ball ¼ A., ¼ R., with Q. P. 2½; and if the object-ball be pocketed in the corner, as represented, the carom will be made on one of the balls numbered 2 and 3. To make the second stroke: strike the cue-ball ¼ A., ½ R., with Q. P. 2½, the object-ball to be hit ⅜ L.

BRINGING THE BALLS TOGETHER.

The grand strength and science of the game consists in managing the balls so as to leave them in a favourable position for the next play, or if the player considers it impossible to count, to leave them as safe as may be for his antagonist.

We cannot insist too strongly upon a perfect mastery of this art. After the player has acquired a thorough practical knowledge of the philosophy of the _follow_, the _force_ and the _twist_, the next great essential is the exercise of judgment with regard to the feasibility of strokes and their relative relation to the game. The term _judgment_ is applied to the choice of strokes. The player, for instance, may have two apparent shots; the first may recommend itself to him because it is more facile, but if made will leave the balls safe, while the second, although more difficult, will, if successful, leave the balls in a position where a second count or even a run can be effected. _Judgment_, therefore, would dictate that he should attempt the second, rather than the first.

The diagram annexed will illustrate our remarks.

Strike the cue-ball ¼ B., ⅜ L., with Q. P. 2½, the object-ball to be hit so as to make it roll over the lines, as represented, and the player will have a break of balls, which, with judicious management, will enable him to effect a long run.

With one more illustration of this feature of scientific play we close our article.

To play the balls as shown in the illustration following the player must strike the cue-ball a little below the centre, and with a deadened stroke, caroming gently on the second ball; the object-ball about one-third to the right. This carom should be practised until each position has become familiar to the player.

In either practice or ordinary play the beginner should never play carelessly, or strike at random, but with some definite object in view; and if no eligible stroke presents itself, endeavour to leave the balls as safe for your opponent as your skill will permit.

[_Note._--There are two exceptions to this rule. The first occurs in leading off, and has already been explained. The second is where the cue-ball, while at rest, is in contact with another ball. Then the player does not forfeit. It is impossible to cause the cue-ball to hit, by a direct stroke, the ball with which it is in contact, and the player should not be penalized for failing to accomplish an impossibility. But, as it is possible for him to count by playing _away_ from that ball--for example, by striking some other ball, or a cushion, _first_, or by taking up all the balls if his own is in contact with two or more--it is a settled ruling that, in case he should pocket his ball either by accident or design, or send it over the table, or cause it to lodge upon the cushion, he must pay forfeit--_two_ points, if his ball was in contact with a white, and _three_ if with a red.]

THE CANADIAN GAME OF LA CROSSE.

The game of La Crosse, now known as the “National game” of the new dominion of Canada, is of Indian origin, and is the oldest and only legitimate American game of ball now in vogue. La Crosse was played among the American Indians before the tread of a “pale face” invaded the “native heath” of the red man, and consequently our British friends cannot claim the credit of even originating the basis of this game, as in base-ball, though La Crosse resembles the Scotch game of Golf.

An attractive feature of La Crosse is that it can be played when base-ball or cricket cannot. No rolling or levelling of grounds are required, and but a merely nominal expense for _materiel_. The rules of La Crosse are simple enough for a child to comprehend them; but yet it is a game capable of yielding a great degree of exciting sport, both to the young and old as participants, and to both sexes as spectators. Moreover, wherever there is an ordinary field or common, if the grass be not too long, a ground is ready for a match. As regards the physical requisites and advantages, the former are the possession of pedestrian skill and endurance to a more or less degree, with considerable activity of movement, while the latter consist of the benefits the excitement of a contest and the rapid exercise the game yields, agility, speed, and endurance being developed in the process of becoming a skilful player in the game.

La Crosse is played by twelve men on each side. These twelve players occupy the following positions, viz.: goal-keeper, point, cover-point, centre, home, and seven fielders. The goal-keeper’s duty is to defend the goal; point is the player occupying the position out in the field, and nearest the goal-keeper; cover-point fronts the latter’s position; the “centre” is the player who faces the playing party in the centre of the field; home is the position of the player who stands nearest the goal of the opposing twelve; and the fielders skirmish round generally.

Each contesting twelve elect a captain to superintend the game, and they choose umpires and toss for choice of goal.

There are two umpires, and these select a referee, whose decision on disputed points is final.

The “crosse” is a species of battledore, the ball being in the place of the shuttlecock, the difference being, that the portion of the bat formed by network is of a similar form to an English kite (see diagram). The network requires to be strung tightly together, so as not to “bag,” but to be quite level.

The ball is made of soft spongy rubber, not exceeding eight inches in circumference.

The goals consist of flag-poles, with flags, the poles standing six feet above the ground, and six feet apart generally, but the distance is optional on mutual agreement by the captains of the contesting sides. In front of each goal, and distant six feet therefrom, is drawn a line, called the “goal crease,” and within this line the players of the opposite side to that the goal belongs to are prohibited from standing, unless the ball is near the flags. The position of the umpires is behind the above goal flags. The goal-keeper, while defending the goal, may stop the ball in any manner he chooses.

The game consists of each party striving, by means of the crosse, or netted bat each player uses, to send the ball to the goal of their adversaries; and in doing this the ball must not be handled, or even touched by the hand, except it falls into a hole, in which case the man handling it must bat it direct to the nearest opponent; and except by the goal-keeper while defending his goal.

But the appended rules describe all further laws of the game.

It was not until 1867 that a regular code of rules was adopted for the government of all regular La Crosse clubs. These laws were enacted at the Convention of La Crosse Clubs, September 26, 1867, and are now the rules of play for Canada.

A Canadian writer on the game says:--“Although our early days were devoted to cricket, we must confess to a decided preference for our own game, with its athletic struggles. There is nothing like La Crosse. No other game throws such a fascination over the spectator, who seems riveted to the spot in admiration of the dashing and skilful play of the champion twelve. For beauty and variety, skilful play and sober excitement, it has no equal.”

Any information required about the game by those desirous of forming clubs, will be furnished by addressing the Secretary of the Montreal La Crosse Club, Montreal, Canada.

The following are the recognised code of rules governing La Crosse in the Canadas, where it has been adopted as the “National game” of the new dominion:--

LAWS OF LA CROSSE.

THE CROSSE.

RULE 1.--The “crosse” may be of any size to suit the player, but the network must not be bagged: it must be flat when the ball is not on it. A leading or outside string, above the level of the others, may be used. It may rest on the top of the stick, but must not have anything under to increase its height.

THE BALL.

RULE 2.--The ball shall be india-rubber sponge, not less than eight, and not more than nine, inches in circumference. In matches it shall be furnished by the challenged party.

THE GOALS.

RULE 3.--The goals may be placed at any distance from each other, and in any position agreeable to the captains of both sides. The top of the flag-pole shall be six feet above the ground, including any top ornament, and six feet apart, and in a match may be furnished by either party.

THE GOAL CREASE.

RULE 4.--There shall be a line or crease, to be called the goal-crease, drawn in front of each goal, at a distance of six feet from the flags, within which no opponent shall stand, unless the ball is actually near or nearing the flags.

SPECTATORS.

RULE 5.--Spectators must stand at least twenty feet from the goals.

UMPIRES.

RULE 6.--There shall be two umpires at each goal, one for each side. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the captains, they shall not be members of either club engaged in a match, nor can they be changed during a match, except for reasons of illness or injury. They must be thoroughly acquainted with the game, and in every way competent to act. Before a match begins, they shall see that all the regulations respecting the crosse, ball, goal, goal-crease, &c. are strictly complied with, and in deciding whether or not a crosse is bagged they shall take the opinion of the captains and the referee. During the game they shall stand behind the flags, and shall have power to decide all disputes, subject to Rule 7, and suspend from play any player infringing these laws. No umpire shall, either directly or indirectly, be interested in any bet upon the result of the match. No person shall speak to the umpires, or distract their attention when the ball is near or nearing their goal.

REFEREE.

RULE 7.--The umpires shall select a referee, to whom all disputed games whereon they are a tie may be left for decision. He shall take the evidence of the players particularly interested, the respective opinions of the different umpires, and, if necessary, the opinions and offers of the captains, in cases where the discontinuance of the game is threatened. His decision shall in all cases be final.

CAPTAINS.

RULE 8.--Field captains, to superintend the play, may be appointed by each side previous to a match, who shall toss up for choice of goal, and select umpires. They shall report any infringement of the laws to the umpires. They shall be members of the club by whom they are appointed, and may or may not be players in a match; and if not, they shall not carry crosses.

DESIGNATION OF PLAYERS.

RULE 9.--The players of each side shall be designated as follows:--

1. Goal-keeper, who defends the goal.
2. Point, who is first man out from goal.
3. Cover-point, who is in front of point.
4. Centre, who “faces” in the centre of the field.
5. Home, who is nearest the opponent’s goal.
The remaining players shall be termed “fielders.”

NUMBER OF PLAYERS.

RULE 10.--Twelve players on a side shall constitute a full field, and they must have been regular members of the club they represent, and of no other club, for thirty days prior to a match.

CHANGE OF PLAYERS.

RULE 11.--No change of players shall be made after a match has been commenced, except for reasons of accident or injury during the match. When a match has been agreed upon, and one side is deficient in the number of players, their opponents may either limit their own players’ numbers to equal them, or compel them to fill up the complement.

SPIKED SOLES.

RULE 12.--The players shall not wear spiked soles to their shoes.

TOUCHING THE BALL WITH THE HAND.

RULE 13.--The ball must not be touched with the hand, save in the cases of Rules 14 and 15.

GOAL-KEEPER.

RULE 14.--The goal-keeper, while defending the goal within the goal-crease, may stop balls in any manner.

BALL TAKEN UP WITH THE HAND.

RULE 15.--Whenever the ball is taken up, or out of a hole, with the hand, during the progress of a game, it must be faced for with the nearest opponent.

ACCIDENTAL GAME.

RULE 16.--Should the ball be accidentally put through a goal by one of the players defending it, it is game for the side attacking that goal. Should it be put through a goal by any one not actually a player, it shall not count for or against either side.

HOLDING, STRIKING, AND PUSHING.

RULE 17.--Players shall not hold each other, nor grasp an opponent’s crosse; neither shall they deliberately strike or trip each other, nor push with the hand.

CHANGING SIDES.

RULE 18.--After each game the players shall change goals, unless otherwise agreed upon.

PENALTIES FOR FOUL PLAY.

RULE 19.--Any player convicted of deliberate foul play, or infringement of these rules, shall be suspended from play by the umpires, at request of his captain.

DECIDING A MATCH.

RULE 20.--A match shall be decided by winning three games out of five, unless otherwise agreed upon.

AMENDING LAWS.

RULE 21.--Any amendment, revision, or alteration, proposed to be made in any part of these laws, shall be made only at the Annual Conventions of “The National La Crosse Association of Canada,” and by a three-fourths’ vote of the members present.

R. CLAY, SON, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, BREAD STREET HILL.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

This text follows the original work as much as possible.
Inconsistencies in lay-out, spelling, hyphenation, capitalisation,
etc. have been retained, except as mentioned below.

The Table of Contents in the original work usually does not
show all levels; this has not been changed. (Sub-)section headers
show different levels, based on the text. The sub-sections under
Baseball, American Billiards and La Crosse are not mentioned in the
original Table of Contents, these have not been added.

Remarks on the text:

Page 75, hang from the strong downwards: possibly typographical
error.

Page 127, orbele poplar: possibly error or variant spelling of
abele poplar (white poplar).

Page 130, table: Smith’s scores are not according to the
calculation given in the text; this has not been changed.

Page 389, illustration plate electrical machine: reference
letters B are not visible in the original illustration.

Page 459, first illustration: reference letters D, E and F are not
visible in the original illustration.

Page 487, spectra: the scans available of this edition show a
fraction of letters in the right-hand margin of the page. A later
edition (1881) of the book shows the same illustration, the symbols
for the elements have been taken from that edition. The “metal
discovered by Professor Bunsen” is rubidium. Page 490 lists the same
elements.

Page 569: Angola rabbit it possibly a misspelling of Angora
rabbit; the word occurs in other publications of the same period,
and has not been changed.

Page 615: “they will be of this form.” Illustration moved
to under paragraph; ... on the edge of the board inside, thus:
illustration moved to before paragraph.

Page 627, (or Var. A.): there is no Var. A. for this game in the
original work.

Page 650, Fig. 6: reference number 1 is missing from the
original illustration.

Page 670, ... and ask some to choose ...: possibly (part of) a
word is missing (someone, some person or similar).

Page 682, Amstelod.: Amstelodanum (Amsterdam).

Page 697, realgor: possibly error or variant of realgar.

Page 724, In order to the full success ...: possibly a word is
missing (In order to achieve ... or similar).

Page 764: Mecklenberg Schwerin: possibly error or English variant
spelling for Mecklenburg Schwerin.

Page 798, carombolage: the French word is carambolage.

Page 812, a similar form to an English kite (see diagram): the
diagram is not present in the original work

Changes made to the text:

Some missing punctuation, repeated words and typographical
errors have been corrected silently.

Footnotes have been moved to underneath paragraph they refer to.

i.e. and i. e. have been standardised to i. e.

Some illustrations have been moved from within text to
underneath/above paragraph. Several tables and forms have been moved
and re-arranged; therefore page numbers referring to illustrations
are not necessarily correct in this text.

Parts of some illustrations have been enhanced for better
visibility.

Page vii: Snow-Ball changed to Snow-Balls; Will you ’List
changed to Will you List (both as in text)

Page viii: The Hoop added (as in text)

Page ix: Under-hand-hand bowling changed to Under-hand bowling;
Single Wicket changed to The Laws of Single Wicket (as in text)

Page x: The Britzschaka, New Brougham and The Family Coach
deleted from ToC, these are illustrations, not sections; BROADSWORDS
treated as hierarchically higher level section, as in the text

Page xiii: Phantasmacope changed to Phantasmascope

Page xv: To crack Walnuts on your Elbow changed to To crack
Walnuts in your Elbow (as in text)

Page xvi: The Row of Halfpence added

Page 1: Heading PART I added for consistency with other parts

Page 16: National-school doys changed to National-school boys

Page 17: water slashed over changed to water splashed over

Page 31: the second mode changed to The second mode

Page 124: fixed their staes changed to fixed their stakes

Page 155: snooters changed to shooters

Page 166: alloted changed to allotted

Page 170: illustration rotated 90°

Page 172: illustration (post) rotated 90°

Page 189, illustration: d changed to D as in text

Page 208: coupé sur peint changed to coupé sur point

Page 212, figure Target: inverted R changed to 1

Page 218: Page 605 changed to Page 219

Page 265, illustration: 7 changed to 4 as in text

Page 302: proportionably changed to proportionally

Page 310: not two high changed to not too high

Page 315, first illustration: text paragraph changed to caption

Page 328: free from noles changed to free from holes

Page 359: Is is a powerful supporter changed to It is a powerful
supporter

Page 370, sal ammoniac: NH₄C₂ changed to NH₄Cl

Page 371: section title IODINE--BROMINE--FLUORINE changed to
IODINE as in ToC (sections on Bromine and Fluorine follow on same
and next page)

Page 381: hickel changed to nickel

Page 391, illustration ringing bells: reference letter A added

Page 392: the knob E changed to the knob F

Page 405: jet-d’eau changed to jet d’eau

Page 406: jet-d’-eau changed to jet d’eau

Page 408: superscripts in chemical formula changed to subscripts
as elsewhere

Page 448: a open umbrella changed to an open umbrella

Page 453: representatation changed to representation

Page 489: Kirchoff changed to Kirchhoff; fraction 1/2,500,00:
the numerator was lacking in the original, numerator 1 has been added

Page 490: Kirchoff’s changed to Kirchhoff’s

Page 495: combe changed to combs

Page 505, Frequently the claws ...: “former” and “latter”
reversed

Page 549, illustration Tumbler: moved to before section, caption
deleted for consistency with other breeds

Page 551, illustration Fantail: moved to before section, caption
deleted for consistency with other breeds

Page 554: hither and hither changed to hither and thither; créve
cœur changed to crève cœur

Page 557: créve cœur changed to crève cœur

Page 593: indiarubber changed to india-rubber as elsewhere

Page 640, Variation A. on Black’s 3d Move: column headers BLACK
and WHITE changed to WHITE and BLACK

Page 642, GAME II, White’s second move: 1. changed to 2.

Page 676, Charles I. code: letter r inserted

Page 678: coded messages corrected to be in agreement with cipher
given and coding procedure

Page 709: Mississipi changed to Mississippi

Page 712: Liliputian changed to Lilliputian

Page 719: Beurre Diel changed to Beurré Diel (as in Beurré
d’Amanlis, same sentence)

Page 737, Cross Puzzle illustration: pieces renumbered according
to solution

Page 760: à perçevoir changed to à percevoir

Page 767: Van Dieman’s Land changed to Van Diemen’s Land