ers requiring both pluck and skill, the
thought never entered the heads of its promoters that some of the laws
might be abused, not used. Unfortunately, such is too true, and the
sooner these things are discouraged the better. The old precept about
warriors feeling a stern joy when they knew they were opposed to foemen
worthy of their steel, should never be forgotten by the biggest back,
half-back, or the smallest forward. To put it in another way,
gentlemanly conduct towards an opponent in the field is pleasing to see,
and, indeed, civility is worth much, and costs nothing--only a small
effort of self-denial. In this enlightened age, the nation who crows too
much over a vanquished foe is naturally detested, and why should not
this spirit regulate the game of Football? If this were carefully
remembered during the season, there would undoubtedly be such a close
bond of fellowship and good feeling amongst Football players that
nothing could disturb.

And again, I cannot allow the present opportunity to pass without
protesting against a practice, now, unfortunately, too largely followed
by a section of the spectators who turn out to all the big events--viz.,
betting. About as long as I can remember, and it may be before
Football, perhaps, was played, many an honest wager was made by the
leaders in all out-door sports that they would be the victors, but the
practice, I have been assured, never went further. Now it is quite a
common thing to see cash dancing about a ring of spectators at a big
match, and often the loss of cash to certain individuals means a
proportionate loss of temper, and the practice is all the more to be
deplored. It is for this end, it is for this avowed purpose, that one
and all connected with its development and culture, will strive to their
utmost to ennoble and raise Football to a higher and purer level, and
consequently discourage, by every legitimate means, betting in all its
phases, and the slightest tendencies amongst the players who take part
in the various matches towards rough play, and a disposition to indulge
in unnecessary charging.

_II.--THE FOOTBALL WAVE._

Like Dogberry's idea of certain kinds of novel writing, both Association
and Rugby Football seem to come to the Scotchmen by nature. My readers
can, perhaps, easily remember the clever _jeu d'esprit_ on the antiquity
of the Gaelic tongue which appeared several years ago advocating the
claims of that race as lisping the fir