d number of points
are made.

viii. One point is taken off the player's score for every foul
stroke. Foul strokes are made by touching a ball with hand or person
while it is in play; by playing with a wrong ball; by playing out of
turn; by overturning the ring; and by making two or more steps while
throwing the ball.

ix. Each player, after the start, must go on from the place at which
his ball was left after the previous stroke.

x. All disputed points must be settled by the umpire, whose decision
is final.

xi. No ball in-play must be removed from its position except by a
stroke from another ball, and every ball is considered to be in-play
while it is within the circle, which may be of any dimensions chosen
by the players previous to the commencement of the game.

xii. Any player leaving a game before it is finished, loses it.

The game is played fifteen, twenty-one, or any other determined number
of points. The balls should be perfectly round and smooth. They are
generally made of boxwood or lignum vitae, and weigh about three to
five lbs. each; the balls, cues, &c., are sold by most dealers in
croquet implements.

2597. Habits of a Man of Business.

A sacred regard to the principles of justice forms the basis of every
transaction, and regulates the conduct of the upright man of business.
The following statements afford a bird's-eye view, as it were, of his
habits, practice, and mode of procedure:

i. He is strict in keeping his engagements.

ii. He does nothing carelessly or in a hurry.

iii. He employs nobody to do what he can easily do himself.

iv. He keeps everything in its proper place.

v. He leaves nothing undone that ought to be done, and which
circumstances permit him to do.

vi. He keeps his designs and business from the view of others.

vii. He is prompt and decisive with his customers, and does not
over-trade his capital.

viii. He prefers short credits to long ones; and cash to credit at
all times, either in buying or selling; and small profits in credit
cases with little risk, to the chance of better gains with more
hazard.

ix. He is clear and explicit in all his bargains.

x. He leaves nothing of consequence to memory which he can and ought
to commit to writing.

xi. He keeps copies of all his important letters which he sends