in different localities, that the rules appended can scarcely be taken as absolute. IN FOUR CORNERS the pins (four in number) are much larger, and in the strict game a proviso is sometimes insisted on-viz., that the back pin must be hit with the ball. In KNOCKEMDOWNS and BOWLS ten pins are used, the centre one being called the king, and the ball has to be grounded before it reaches the frame. RULES. The following are the best obtainable rules :— I. That all pins be knocked down, but should one remain standing it shall be considered an extra 66 go." 2. That if a pin be hit off the frame and still stands up, it shall be considered "down," but if any part of the pin touch the frame it shall be an "up" pin. 3. That should the ball rebound from the sides or back of the ground and knock down a pin, it shall be considered foul, and must be set up again. If a pin, however, be hit by the play of the ball, it shall be considered fair. 4. That if a pin falls and rests upon two pins (or ball and pin), it shall be considered "down," but if resting on one pin only, as an "up" pin. 5. That all wood lying behind the centre corners of the frame, if no part lie over the frame, may be removed at the option of either of the players. 6. That the number of goes be limited to five. 7. That all ties be decided by the first throw. CURLING. CURLING, which is by far the most interesting and exhilarating of Scotia's games, appears to be of very considerable antiquity. In a book published in Perth about 1600, entitled the "Muses' Threnodie," giving an inventory of a deceased gentleman's effects, the following lines appear— "His hats, his hoods, his bells, his bones, His alley bowls, his CURLING STONES." About the year 1840, a great and very important change took place in curling, which gave a wonderful impetus to the game, not only in Scotland, but in Canada, &c. Previous to this time almost every club (or parish) had rules peculiar to itself, and when neighbouring clubs or parishes met to play a bonspiel or match, the rules to be observed during the game formed a subject of some difficulty, and often of very great contention. To obviate this, a meeting took place in Edinburgh, about 1840, at which many keen curlers attended, from different districts of the country. At this meeting the Grand Caledonian Curling Club was formed, which issued a set of rules, by which the game was to be regulated by every affiliated club. The curling stones also at this time underwent a great change: formerly a coarse stone or bladder from the field or a dyke, with a smooth bottom, was reckoned quite sufficient; into the top of which was fixed an immovable coarse iron handle. Indeed, curling stones originally had no handles, but were pushed along the rink with the hand. Now, however, these stones are of a certain diameter and thickness, most beautifully polished with elegantly mounted handles, which can be screwed into the stone, unscrewed, and taken home in the pocket. As a first preliminary, a figure is marked out on the ice, as in the accompanying diagram. This is called the "Rink," and may vary in length according to circumstances from thirty-two yards to forty-two yards. The circles at either end are called "Broughs," and the central mark in each the "Tee." The object of the game is to get as many stones of one side as possible nearer to the tee than those of the other, only those inside the brough to count: exactly as in bowls, the endeavour is to lie up to the "Jack.". The stones employed are cheese-shaped, with flat top and bottom, with a handle on the upper side for the player to grasp them by. They must not weigh less than thirty pounds nor more than fifty pounds, and their greatest circumference must not be more than thirty-six inches. Each player is armed with a broom or besom, with which he is allowed to sweep away any accumulation of snow that might retard his friend's stone, but he must not sweep snow in its way-that is, he may remove obstructions, but must not cause them. The opposite party are allowed to sweep before an adversary's stone after it has passed the tee, to help it as far away as possible from it. If a stone does not pass the "Hog score" (see diagram) it is considered dead for that round, and is taken off. RULES. 1. The length of the rink shall be forty-two yards; any deviation occasioned by peculiar circumstances to be by mutual agreement of parties. When a game is begun, the rink is not to be lengthened nor shortened, unless by consent of the majority of players. [It is advisable that rinks have double tees at each end, the one at least two yards behind the other, the whole four to be as nearly as possible in the same line. The stones are to be delivered from the outer tee, and played towards the inner; this saves the ice from injury around the tee played up to.] 2. The rink shall be changed in all cases when, from the springing of water, the majority of players cannot make up. Neither the winning nor losing party have right to object, as all contests must be decided on the fair and equitable principle of science, not of strength. 3.--The number of shots in a game, if not otherwise mutually fixed upon, shall be twenty-one. [A game more frequently consists of thirteen shots, or even of seven, than of any others, when an hour or two's practice is only intended; but this is a matter of private arrangement. In a bonspiel or match, when a considerable number of players appear on cach side, the aggregate number of shots gained in a fixed time is not only as equitable a method, but affords amusement to all the rink to the end, and ought to be universally adopted.] 4.-The hog's score to be one-sixth part of the length of the ring from the tee. Every stone to be considered a hog which does not clear a square placed upon the score. 5.-Every rink to be composed of four players a side, each with two stones, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon. In no case shall the same individual or party play two stones in succession, and every player shall deliver both his stones alternately with an opponent, before any other of the same side or party play one. In 6.-Parties to draw cuts which shall fill the ice at the first end; after which the winning party of the last end or game of that day's play shall do so. No stone to be counted which does not lie within seven feet from the tee, unless it be previously otherwise mutually agreed upon. cases where each party has a stone equally near the tee, neither to be counted, and the winning party of the previous end is again to fill the ice. Measurements to be taken from the centre of the tee to that part of the stone which is nearest it. 7.-Each player to place his feet in such a manner as that, in delivering his stone, he shall bring it over the tee. A player stepping aside to take a brittle (or wick), or other shot, shall forfeit his stone for that end. A player, after delivering his last stone, shall not remain longer than to see his next opponent fit his tee, but shall take his place at the other end, between the score and the previous player of his own party; and shall on no account remain to give directions to the next of his party who plays. 8.-If any player shall improperly speak to or interrupt another while in the act of delivering his stone, one shot shall be added to the score of the party so interrupted. 9.-The rotation of play adopted at the beginning must be preserved through the whole game. 10.-All curling stones shall be of a circular shape. No stone must be changed throughout the game, unless it happens to be broken, and then the largest fragment to count, without any necessity of playing with it more. If a stone rolls and stops upon its side or top, it shall not be counted, but put off the ice. Should the handle quit the stone in the delivery, the player must keep hold of it, otherwise he will not be entitled to replay the shot. 11. If a player plays out of turn, the stone so played may be stopped in its progress, and returned to the player. If the mistake shall not be discovered till the stone is again at rest, the opposite party shall have the option to add one to their score, and the game proceed in its original rotation, or to declare the end null and void. 12. In double-soled stones, the side commenced with shall not, under for feit of the match, be changed during the progress of the game. 13. The sweeping department to be under the exclusive control of the skipper. No sweeping to be allowed by any party till the stone has passed the hog's score, except when snow is falling or drifting, in which case it shall be admissible to sweep from tee to tee. The player's party may sweep when the stone has passed the further hog's score, his adversaries when it has passed the tee. Sweeping to be always to one side. Previous to each direction being given, either party are entitled to sweep the rink clean. CURLING. 14. Parties before beginning to play to take different sides of the rink, which they are to keep throughout the game; and no player on any pretence to cross or go upon the middle of the rink. The skippers alone to stand about the tee. Their respective parties, according to their rotation of play, shall take their position down to the hog's score. 15. If, in sweeping or otherwise, a running stone be marred by any of the party to which it belongs, it shall be put off the ice. If by any of the adverse party, it shall be placed where the skipper of the party to whom it belongs shall direct. If marred by any other means, the player shall take his shot again. Should a stone at rest be accidentally displaced at any part of the end before the case provided for in Rule 13 comes into operation, it shall be put as nearly as possible in its former position. 16. Every player to come provided with a besom, to be ready to play when his turn comes, and not to take more than a reasonable time to throw his stones. Should he accidentally play a wrong stone, any of the players may stop it while running; but if not stopped till it is again at rest, it shall be replaced by the one which he ought to have played. 17. No measuring of shots allowable previous to the termination of the end. Disputed shots to be determined by the skippers; or, if they disagree, by some neutral person mutually chosen by them, whose decision shall be final. 18. Should any played stone be displaced, before the last stone is thrown and at rest, by any of the party who are lying the shot, they shall forfeit the end; if by any of the losing party who have the stone yet to play, they shall be prevented from playing that stone, and have one point deducted from their score. The number of shots to be marked by the winners to be decided by the majority of the players, the offender not having a vote. 19. The skippers shall have the exclusive regulation and direction of the game, and may play in what part of it they please; but having chosen their place at the beginning, they must retain it till the end of the game. The players may give their advice, but cannot control their director: nor are they upon any pretext to address themselves to the person about to play. Each skipper, when his own play comes, shall name one of his party to take charge for him. implicitly the direction given him. Every player to follow 20. Should any question arise, the determination of which is not provided for by the words and spirit of the rules now established, it may be referred to the three nearest members of the representative committee, unconnected with the disputing parties, who shall form a district committee of reference, and whose decision shall be binding on all concerned till the annual general meeting of the representative committee to whom either party may appeal. HOG.-A score made against the ice one-sixth part of the rink from the tee. TEF.-The point at each end of the rink to be played for. Several concentric circles drawn round each tee. BROUGH.of a stone given straight up the centre. to the tee, by one stone against another. delivered, it is said to be well "soled." tus to prevent slipping. HOWE ICE.-The track CYCLING. During the last few years the bicycle has taken a prominent rank amongst English sports and pastimes. When it first began to rise in public favour many predicted that the interest in it would be short-lived, but they did not take into consideration the fact that, whilst it afforded a most fascinating amusement for boys and young men, its claim to longevity was established upon the much firmer base of usefulness, for, as those who possess a bicycle have discovered, it can be called into requisition to carry its owner far and fast when other means of conveyance are not available. Unlike the horse, it is kept always saddled and ready for use at a moment's notice. Thus the bicyclist has frequently been the first to summon the doctor or the fire-engine. It was in 1868 or 1869 that the bicycle was first introduced into England from France, but it was then a most cumbersome vehicle with wooden wheels and iron tires, and the middle or waist of the foot was placed upon the treadle instead of the toe. These machines, a number of which are still to be found in back yards and lumberrooms, are now designated "boneshakers," an allusion to the way in which they jolted the unfortunate rider. Although very seldom used for riding about upon, these old-fashioned bicycles are useful for beginners to learn upon, because |