The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-08-23


 ity. and that required another act.
 Yet at this early period. and during all the centuries that have followed, and down almost to the end of this nineteenth century. the English were content to live without a game now authoritively declared to be the most dimcuit which exists. and also one or the greatest solaees of life. But the belated, if not the benighted. English are making up for lost time. To-day there is daily increasing number ot goifing links "on the sea coast and in- land. on lands suitable and unsuitable. under circumstances favorable and an- favorable" It is nothing 10 say this. It would be simpler and truer to say that England Is daily Increasing the number of golang links. You cannot approach the coast at any point where there Is not a fringe of nianiacs flour ishing strange weapons In the air, with strange shouts of delight or despair. The interior of the island presents the same spectacle. England may be. as Lord Salisbury said. an asylum For anarchists. She Is certainly the play ground of the golfer
 The oldest observer must have notic- ed the spread of this sport in England. It has disturbed the reign of lawn ten- nis which year or .wo ago seemed likely to last as long as the monarchy. to say the least. It has hindered the revival of croquet. It has become formidable rival to cricket. which, however. may defy all foes and time itself. for cricket comes nearer to be- ing a religion in England than any thing which Is not confessedly of di- vine origin. The origin Of cricket, say the authorities is lost In obscurlty which makes 1t resemble religion still more. It Is. at any rate, ancient and Is probably English. Never would the English admit that the source of cricket could be found elsewhere. ITO England alone." says the proud Eng lishman, lis the world indebted for this manly and universally liked game" English 1t will remain, but now for the first time seems to have serious ri- val; serious, but whether permanent or not time only can tell. unless MT. Balfour have the gift of prophecy as well as philosophy; which is doubtful.
 The most that can be said is that great many people who would other wise be playing cricket are now playing golf, especially among those who are too old for cricket. Golf seems to be a pursuit for the mddle-aged and the old, as we'll as for the young It has drawn off devotees from football. It has. in short. taken d high place among outdoor diversions and seems 10 have come to stay, though to predict where mere fashion and caprice have so large share in determining the occu- pations of men lis never safe. Men of all ages and of all professions have be- come suddenly subject to this infec- tion. MT. Balfour gave them warning which they will not heed. Golf to be played to perfection must be learned in early youth, But if the new enthu- siasts cannot play it perfectly, they will play imperfectly. They are every where to the front. They appear at their clubs with huge bags of what look like instruments of inhuman tor ture. You stumble against them, and over their tools in every railway car riage. AS golf cannot be played in Pic cadilly or Hyde Park. nor yet in the backyard of London mansion, jour neys must be made, to other scenes more suitable to its practice. The worship of the golf f1end is carried on at a distance-that is it's redeelning. feature. But as, wherever you go. you now find golf club and are, sure to be asked to drive some miles for the pleasure of having tea in the golf club house, you are not in reality safe anywhere outside of London.
 The fever has spread to the conti- nent. Wherever the English congre- gate there they play golf There is a club at Cannes. I was taken to see it last winter. You are not allowed to spend a month in Cannes without be- coming a member, nor week without sharing in some of the festivities at- tendant on the exciting pursuit. A Russian grand duke is president of it. It is mentioned as an inducement to join the club that you may perhaps at luncheon or tea find yourself at the same table with the Russian grand duke at least you will be in the same room and breathe the same air. Those who resist these blandishments are few.