The Sun.
London, England, 1815-12-16 00:00:00

FOOT- BALL MAT C

. Otlt, ikTonday, 4th December, there was played,
upon the extensive plain of Carterhaugh, near the
junctien of the Ettrick and Yarrow, the greatest
match tit the ball which has taken place for many
years. It was teltl by the people of 'the -Dale• of.,
Yarrow', against those of the parish of Selkirk ;-
the former being brought to the field by the Right:
HOn. the Earl of Home, and the gallant Sutors'
by their Chief Magistfate, Ebenezer Clarkson,
Esq. Both-sides were joined by many volunteers
front other parishes, and the appearance of the
various parties marching from their different glens
to the place of rendezvous, with pipes playing and
loud acclamations, carried back the coldest ima-
gination to the old times when the foresters as-
sembled with the less peaceable purpose of invad-
ing the'English territory, or defending their own.
The romantic character of the scenery aided the
illusion, as well as the perfbrmauce of a feudal
ceremony previous to commencing the games.

His Grate the Duke of Bucclet,ch and Queens-
berry 'came upon the groOnd about 11 o'clock,
attuoded by his sons, the young Earl of alike:tic'
and Lord John Scott ; the CoonteSs of Home ;
the Ladies Ann, Charlotte, and Isabella Scott ;
Lord and 'Lady Montagu and 'fancily, the Hon.
General Sir Edward Stopfold, K. ; Sir John
Riddell, :of Riddell; Sir Alex. Don, of Newton ;
Mr. Elliot Lockhart, lumber fOr thezcounty ; Mr.
Pringle of Whitebank, younger; Mr. Pcingle
of Torwoodlee y. Captain Pringle, Royal Navy ;
Mr, Boyd, of Broacimeadows and family ; Mr.
Chi.shohn, of Chisholm ; Major Port, of Todrig ;
Mr. Walter Scott, Sheriff of Setkirkshire, and
fancily, and many other Gentlemen and Ladies.
The ancient banner of the Baecleuch fancily, a
curious and venerable tel emblazoned with
armorial bearings, and with the word " Bellen--
dainc,- the ancient wac-cry of t..e Clan' of Scott,
was then displayed, as .on torther occasions, when,;,
the Chief took the field its person, whether for the
purpose of war or snort. The banner was deli-
vered by Lady Ann Scott to :Master ‘l7alteC.Scott,
Younger :of AbbOtsford,,who qteilded suitably -
mounted and armed, and riding over the field,'dis-
"played it to the sound of the war pipes, and amid
the acclamations of the assembled spectators, who
cOuld not be fewer than 2001) in number. 'fiat
this singular renewal of an ancient illilitary cus-
tom might not want poetical celebrity, verses were
distributed among the spectators, composed for
the occasion by the Ettrick Shepherd and Mr. W.
Scott. The former (Mr. James HOgg) acted as
Aide-dc-Camp to the Earl of Home in _the com-
mand of the Yarrow men, and Mr. Robert Hen-
derson of Selki;•1: to Mr. Clarkson, both of whom
contributed not a little to the gOod order of the
day.

The ball was thrown up between the parties by
the Duke of Buccleuch, and the first game was
gained, after a severe conflict of an' hour and a
half duration, by the Selkirk Men. The secorid
game was still more severely contested, and after
a close and stubborn struggle of inure than three
hOurs, with various fortune, and.. much &splay
of strength and agility on both sides,was at length
carried by the Yarrow men. The ball should then.
have been thrown_up a third time, but coasidera-
ble difficulty occurred in arranging the voluntary
auxiliaries rrom other parishes, so as to make the
match equal ; and, as the day began to close, it
Was found impossible to bring the strife to an
issue, by playing a deciske game.
Both parties, therefore, parted with equal ho-
norir, but, before they left the ground, the She-
riff threw up his ,hat,:and 'in. Lord Dalkeith's
name and his own, challenged the Yarrow men, •
on the part of the Sutois., to match to be phty-.
eel upon the first convenient opportimity,with 100
picked men only on each, side. The challenge
Was mutually accepted by Lord Home, on his:
own part, and for Lord .hitt Scott, and .was re-
ceived with acclamations by the players On both
sides. The principal gentlemen present took part
.With one side or other, except tote Dike of Buc-
clench, who remained neutral. Great play is ex-;
petted, and all bets are to be paid by the losers
to the poor of the winning, parish. We cannot
dismiss the- subject without giVing our highest
commendation to the Earl of Home, and to Mr.
Clarkson, for the attention which they shewed in
promoting ,the spirit and good- order of the 'lay.
Fitr theplayers• themselves, it was impossible to
see a finer set of active and athletic young fellows
than appeared on the field. Brit what we chiefly
admired-in' their conduct NV:iS, that though several
bundritds in nomher, exceedingly' keen for their
respective parties, 'and engaged in so rough and
animated a contest, they maintained the Most per-
fect good humour, :and slimed, how unnecessary
it is to discourage manly and -athletic exercises
among the common people, under pretext of main-
taining subordination and good order. We have
only to regret, that the great concourse of specta-
tors rendered it difficult to mention the names.of
the several players who distinguished themselves
by feats of strength or , agility ; but we must not-
omit to record, that 'the first ball was- haled by
Robert Hall, mason' in Selkirk, and the second
by George Brodie, from Greatlaws, upon Ale
Water.

TI. Selkirk party wore sprigs of fir as their
mark of distinction—the YarrOw men slips of
heath.

Refreshments were distOlmted to the playcrs by
the Duke of livecleugh's dOmestics,, in a booth
erected for the purpose; and no persons were al-
lowed to sett ale or spirks on the field. _ .

In the evening- there was a dance,at the Duke's
hunting seat of attended- by the Nobility
and Gentry who had Witnessed the sport ,of the
day; and the fascination of Gow's violin and band
detained them in the dancink-room tilt the dawn
of the whiter morning. •

The following ar.e the songsabove.allucted to
THE ETTRICK GARLAND.,
Being twn,excellent .A7eiv Snnge, 0,4 the I,iftiizg of Cie Banner
of the -Muse o..Theiloich, ut the great fol,t-bidl Mata,
ou Catterhanih, Decei,i&r 4, 1813.