The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-20
0roquet ~ an Accomplishment.

Oroquee ~ an Accomplishment.
We have seen recently various direc.
tions published in'regard to playing cro-
quet skillfully. and as the game is be.
coming very popular, We have devoted
some attention to the subject, and on,
conclusions can be implicitly relied on.
No sight can be more delightful than q
neatly clipped, pretty shaded lawn, on q
summers evening, occupied by gay
party OF young men and naidens en-
gagged IN this fascinating amusement.
The picture OF bright costumes and fair
races framed between the green sward
and the bright foliage. haunts the me-
ter and low replies linger in his ears as
he goes on.
Very many persons are particular in
regard to the kind of mallets which they
use. some preferring lockwood and
others hard maple. It is unbecoming in
man to have any narrow prejudices on
The subject. No matter whether he is
equipped with q trip-hammer or clothes
FOUNDER, his time will pass away as q
dream in the morning-provided he
daily has nice party to play with.
It is common to have preferences in
regard to the method of placing tho
hoops and the length of the wire to be
devoted to each. Such considerations
are Of trifing importance. No matter
how they are set up, or whether they are
made Of rusty iron or whale. bone, if YOU
have the right kind of company to
play with.
It is also immaterial what sort of GRO
quet balls are used, provided they can
be induced to roll little. However, it
is we'll to pay enough attention to them
rot to lose them as twilight comes on.
A young lady should oroquet any ball
she can get chance at-every time-if
she has pretty foot and ankle.
Ii you wear number mines, and have
your pedal cathedrals adorned with but
tresses in the shape Of bunions, beware
ct croqueting. We have seen much do.
mage done by oarelessness in this way.
If handsome young lady makes q
bad shot, she should insist upon trying
it over. ~
II gentleman upon the opposite side
achieves neat stroke, make him try it
over-if you are q pretty girl. The
strict adherence to these two rules is apt
to add unwonted zest and excitement to
the game.
Ii pretty girl has been sent up coun-
try by some barbaroue opponent, it de-
notes very high style of play to follow
her Immediately.
You can use the same ball as many
times as you like before running hoop.
if you are good-looking and impudent.
Otherwise you should not try to bang
anybody about, as you are good for no.
thing but standing the hard knocks your.
self.
Many experts lag down regulations for
the proper course of play after one be-
comes rover; but really ski)lful artist
will seldom trouble himself to arrive at
that distinction. He will devote him
self exclusively to- the finer points of tho
game.
A player must have no exclusive re-
gard for partners. Get near anybody
who is agreeable, and assist any one
whose smiles are worth winning.
Lovers should play croquet alone, and
not in large parties, as they go to such
extreme lengths to sacrifice themselyes
for each others benefit.
A great diversity of opinion exists as
to the amount of light required for
croquet. We think the best rule is the
test OF Putnam at Bunker HiIl-seeinQ
the whites OF your enemies eyes. A
shade or two of darkness beyond this
might not be amiss.
The game of croquet is very beautiful,
being played in the open airl The fact
that there is 30 much swaying of heavy
mallets necessary, gives it title to be-
classed among the athletic as we'll as the
graceful exercises. It may. therefore, be
recommended for muscular development
The lower limbs are benefited as well as
the arms, from the fact that 80 much
walking about the lawn is called for in
the course of the play. Keenness of
vision and certainty Of touch are also
cultivated in this delightful sport. In
vention is sharpened in the suggestion
OF new combinations, and prudence is
needed in calculating for thcm, and
practice is needed in carrying them out
We have seen one couple enjoy each
others conversation all through game,
by good management. It's chief and
shining characteristic, however, is its
peculiar excellence in q social point of
view. 1t was made as q veil for flirta.
ton. It's mazes are favorite ambuscades
for Cupid. It affords opportunities for
the bold, excuses for the cautious, cover
for the basbful. It is the great and