Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-05-26
NO. 80.
CrOGuet,

| Probably nearly all of our readers are some
/ what familiar with the elementary principles
/ OF this fascinating game, that has gained a
! popularity in this country truly wonderful to
! the unlnltlated, but the most natural to all
! who understand the merits of the game
! Unlike nearly every amusement and Divert
| lsement that has become suddenly popular in
| this county, the interest in croquet, not only
! does not decrease, but universally continues
10 increase year after year wherever intro
auced, ana this season more sets of croquet
implements are being sold in Massachusetts,
where the game was first introduced half
dozen years ago, than in any previous sea-
son. Every person that has no knowledge Of
the game expresses the same opinion. 81
don't see the sport in such game as that; it
seems so silly to knock balls around at ran
dom in that way" And it is equally true
that every person from nyears old to sixty,
that ever played a half dozen games, is per
fectly fascinated with it, and the more they
play the more they are interested It is
probably fact that the game of croouet is
not perfectly understood theory, even
by one IN ten of those who consider them
selves considerably expert, and while theory
alone will not make up for entire want of eX-
perence and precision in stroke, yet PLAYER
with the latter qualifications will often be
completely vanquished by PLAYER, much in
ferior in stroke, that understands fully the
laws and fine points, so intimately are The
mental and physical qualities combined in the
game.
1t has often been asserted that crouuet
was dependent solely for its popularity on
the fact that ladies and gentlemen can both
engage in. it at the same time, and on nearly
an equal footing. But such is not the truth
No doubt this association of the sexes is an
element that goes very far in giving the
game an advantage over many other out OF
door sports. but it is not the whole. Many
other games have been invented before and
since croquet, that have embodied this quail
ty and element, yet they cannot approach it
IN popularity. game must have within it
self some unusual elements of interest to
gradually win and positively sustain the pop
ularlty that croquet at this day pos sesses, and
1T 1s found IN the fact above stated, viz: that
in it are combined, to greater extent than
in any other, mental and physical exercise
to moderate degree.
Croquet, whenit was introduced into this
country few years since, was comparatively
imperfect, Doth in method and implements
of the game. The laws of the game as set
forth in the English hand books and their
imperfect reprints in this country, are inf
nltely inferior to the best practices on Amer
lean croquet grounds. The American game
is fully explained and illustrated in the last
edition OF 'Croquet, its Principles and Rules"
by Prof. A. Rover, in which it is treated as
social home amusement
Among the numerous manuals in this coun-
try, two or three authors have treated the
game in q scientific manner. One of
these, mathematical professor has treated
1T in strictly mathematical manner, with
special reference to its adaptability to clubs
OF expert players regularly organized but
from his standpoint there may be doubts re-
gardlng the wisdom of some of the rules.
Another author, under the name Of Prof
Rover, who has devoted his life to social and
home amusements, has treated the game in
manner equally systematic, but with a con-
stant view to the enjoyment to be obtained
during the progress of the game rather than
to the one idea of F167lO lClN l5la" There can
be no doubt as to the relative healthful ef
fects of the two methods IN the minds of
young or old. In the latter special atten-
ton is given to loose crcquet, double points,
the finch, and the BOBBY. The loose crouuet.
or roquet-croquet, which is the practice of
driving two balls over the ground at one blow
OF the mallet. is the most scientific stroke of
the game, and instead of confining it to the
rover, this author allows it to all PLAYERS
alike. The the theory of double points,
which follows directly from, and is closely
connected with the roquet-croquet, is also
| fully explained in accordance with the gene
raj principles OF the game. The finch is con-
! sidered by nearly all authors as an offence,
| but no two agree in the penalties Accord
ing to the reasoning adopted by Rover. the
! finch is not an offence, and hence no penalty
is necessary. The pooby, which has hereto-
| fore been constant source of vexation, is
now entirely abolished-and it seems for the
| best Of reasons-or rather from want of any
good reason why it should ever have been
originated.
In addition, we also find in this manual ex-
picit rules for laying out ground, new
method OF designating the several bridges in
the course, and number of curious prob
| lens for beginners; all of which are Illus
! trated with numerous diagrams.
This manual Of rs PIP, is published by Mil
ton Bradley & Co., of Springfield, Mass, at
/ low I11a nf faY, ,t,
| copy by mail
! Messrs. M. B. & Co. are also the patentees
an manufacturers of Bradleys Patent Gro
| queteries, which embody several valuable inn
provements in the implements, among which
! we notice especially the sockets foj, the
| bridges and the indericdl balls The sockets
are wooden pins about eight inches long, and
| one and one half inches in diameter painted
at the bottom, and having a hole in the top
! just large enough to receive the iron rod Of
! which the bridge is made. Two of these
! sockets are driven into the ground in the
! proper position to receive the two piers of
| each bridge. BY these the bridges are rigid
| ly held III an upright position and may be
removed from the ground with the rest of
the implements and replaced in a few mo-
ments. This improvement is highly priced
| by every expert player who has ever used it
| In the indexical balls the t0O sides are des-
ignated by stripes, and the individual PLAYERS
by the general colOrs Of the several balls :
| This device avoids many vexatiOus mistakes
that are frequently made by taking the ball
OF an enemy for that of friend, and Uice
| UerSd. --...
Parties desiring further information re-
gardlng the Croqueteries can obtain a Gem
plete priced catalogue by sending stamp to
Massrs. Bradley & Co., as above, who also
publish larger variety of other home amuse-
ments than any other party in the United
| States. H.
! In COUNTRY where the natural desire of the
people is to reach the highest point in ART.
it is very difficult for success to be obtained
without most arduous labor. Public opinion
is extremely exacting and not always lust:
duced the most beneficial results the great
est improvements have been made under
continued discouragements, and in many
! successful efforts defeat seemed certain to all
| except those concerned. In no one branch
| OF art has there been more trials and fail
ures, and III no single instrument is there so
many different parts to perfect, in order to
| make the whole q success, as the Piano
| Forte; this is always attended with great ex-
| pense, requiring large capital and patient
perseverance, j. Ell. GaOvEsTEES, So Mercer
| street, New York now GRoyEsTEEN, FULLER
! 4 COMPANY, commenced manufacturing Pi.
amos thirty eight years ago, and is one of the
| oldest houses in the country. They aim to
make the best instrument, and sell it at the
smallest profit These Pianos cannot be ex-
| celled. Their singing quality is pure, full,
/ and easily retained through the most lengthy
passages. For power they are unparalleled
| and are celebrated for their great brilliancv'
| exquisite touch, and elegance of styie and
| finish.