The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-19
By way of parenthesis, it may be remarked
that Mr. Carew does not use the term

BY way of parenthesis, it may be remarked
that Mr. Carew does not use the tern
| 'passe away" in its very modern sense.
The account continues with a descrip.
| ton of two goal posts, set up some eight
or ten foot asunder," the opposing goals
| being placed about eighty yeards away
| instead of ITO yards as is the case now
| The goals were decided by lot, just the
same as they are at present. There were
assigned for guarding them two of the
best stopping hurlers. after which 1.-THE
| residue tof players) draw into the midst
between the both goales, when some in
different person throweth up a ball, the
which whatsoever can catch and carry
through his adversaries' goale hath wonne
the game The accomplishment of this
feat was by no means an easy task, no
easier apparently than it is today. The
quaint remark of the author is: "Therin
consistent one of Hercules his labours,
for he that is once possessed of the ball
hath his contrary mate waiting at inches
and assaying to lay holde upon him." The
sporting editor will recognize this as
tackling.
THE other thrusteth him in the breast
with his closed fists to keepe him off;
which they call putting and place. in
well doing the same, no small point of
manhood" Warding off it is called now,
and it is Just as valuable a trait in a
modern halfback as it was in the days
when it was accounted good point of
manhood" Having escaped the first man,
the pathway to the opponents goal is
still strewn with difficulties, for says the
author, '.if he escapes the first, another
taketh him in hand, and SO a third;
ncyther is he left, until he eyther touch
the ground with some part of his bodie
in wrastling or cry. Hold. which is the
word of yielding" The rules of the pres
ent game describe this feature by saying
that the runner can yield by crying eth
err Hold" or Down When the runner
was thus stopped, he passed the ball to
another of his side, who catching the
same in his hand maketh away with the
ball as before"
The game was hedged about by rules
fully as strict as the present day regula-
tions-in fact. stricter. for it was man TO
man and no two players were allowed to
set upon n single contestant. An oppo-
nent could not "hand-fast under girdle.'
Nor could the runner "deale a foreball,''
which means in other words no forward
passes. Officials were not needed, for.
says the narrative. 1.-The least breach of
these lawes, the Hurlers take fore Just
cause of going together by the ears. but
with ilStS only. neither dOtn any among
them seek revenge for such wrongs of
hurts. but at the like play againe." These
hurting matches were commonly pulled
off at weddings, where the CHESTS" un
dertook TO encounter 'all comers."
The country hurting was generally be-
tween the inhabitants of two villages sit
uated four or five miles apart and little
silver ball was used. which was carried
by the players. some on horses, through
all sorts of country. yea, and throw
bushes. briers, mires. FLASHES. and rivers
Whatsoever" That side was counted the
winner which succeeded in carrying the
ball to the opponents village. Mr.. Carew
says: You shall sometimes see twenty
or thirty lie Juggling together in the
water, scramblng and scratching for the
ball"
But even in arguments for and against
the game of football, that there is moth
ing new under the sun is shown by the
concluding remarks of the author "The
ball in this play" he says. may be com
pared to an internal spirit; for whosoever
catcheth 1t Is likened straightways to a
madman. struggling and fighting with
these who goe about to hold him. and no