big at the best, but he
can always lay "half a sov." on the event, whether his landlady's bill
is paid or not, and touching that little account of Mr. Strides, the
tailor, why, he'll pay it when he "makes a pile." He thinks too much of
himself ever to get married, and the young ladies of his acquaintance
may indulge in a sigh of relief at escaping from the toils of such a
consummate fool. When he has something "on" a match, and sees that it is
lost, he not unfrequently opens out, and is not over choice in his
language. The game, however, goes on, and is greatly enjoyed by the
general spectator, despite such drawbacks, and if you happen to go to
the same locality on a similar occasion, you are all but sure to see old
and familiar faces crowding round the stand and area.

[A] The late lamented Mr. A. B. Stewart, Convener of the County
of Bute, was an enthusiastic admirer of the game, and many will
miss his handsome firm and kindly remark when future matches are
played on the leading grounds in Scotland.

The modern Association football player is a man of some ability. As a
rule he is temperate in his habits, with a good appetite, and sound in
limb. Long before he knew what football was, he was blessed with a large
share of health. When a boy at school he used to be remarkable for
punctuality, but occasionally got into trouble from neglected lessons,
in consequence of a weakness for indulging in out-door sports. He loved
the rude style of football, then played, dearly (he knew of nothing
better), although goal-posts, touch-lines, corner-flags, and other
modern appliances were totally unknown. As for "hacking," it was endured
by all and sundry with the air of martyrs. Why, if you had not nerve
enough to "give and take" in that line, your chance of getting near the
"goal score" was remote indeed, and you were looked upon as a coward and
the verriest noodle. He, of course, grows older, and by and by joins an
average club, and gets on very well. The crack football players,
however, have many maturities. They generally come slowly, but surely,
and leave behind them powerful impressions. They are like the occasional
planets, not the stars which are seen every evening if you care to look
towards the "milky way." They are mostly fine-looking fellows, with
pleasant countenances and grandly-moulded limbs. They have just passed a
severe course of probation in the football field, without even an
outward trace of anxie