be a cylinder about two inches in
diameter and four inches long. It is best to make the faces square; for
if they are convex, it renders it necessary to strike the ball exactly
with the centre of the mallet head to insure an accurate stroke.

The stakes should be about two feet long, and one and one-half inches in
diameter. At least one of them should have rings painted on it
corresponding to the colors of the balls. This is merely to aid in
recollecting the order of play.

Nine bridges are required in the four-ball arrangement, ten in the
other. Firkin hoops, or hickory withs, about as large as the ramrod of a
rifle, will answer the purpose very well. If soaked a day or two they
can easily be bent into the required shape. The best, however, are made
of three-eighths round iron. The span of the bridges should be rather
less than three times the diameter of a ball. Eight inches is enough. If
the ground is small so as to necessitate placing the bridges closer
than in the standard arrangement, the span should be narrowed, and "vice
versa," on the principle that too much difficulty protracts the game,
too little renders it devoid of interest. The height and form of the
arch is immaterial, but the pier or side of the bridge should be
straight for at least three inches from the ground, and the centre of
the arch from seven to nine inches high. The bridges should be driven
firmly into the ground, in a plane perpendicular to the horizon and to
the line joining the stakes. An inspection of the diagrams will furnish
all needful information as to position.

CHAPTER III.

MANNER OF PLAYING THE GAME.

The game of croquet may be played by any number of players up to eight.
If eight enter the game, each player must be provided with a mallet, and
each will play one ball. If a less number of persons play, eight balls
may still be used, one or more of the players playing two balls. In all
cases there should be two sides, or parties, each of course having the
same number of balls; and the balls, whether played by the same or
different persons, having their turns always in the same prescribed
order. An eight-ball or even a six-ball game is apt to be tedious, and
skilful players invariably give the preference to the four-ball game,
which may therefore be considered croquet _par eminence_. With more than
four balls the element of chance enters too largely, and the
combinations become too intricate, to be foreseen with any degre