a sport, amusement, or diversion. Pastimes of some kind seem to be absolutely necessary, and to none more than to the man of study; for the most vigorous mind cannot bear to be always bent. Constant application to one pursuit, if it deeply engage the attention, is apt to unhinge the mind, and to generate madness; of which the Don Quixote of Cervantes, and the astronomer of Johnson, are two admirably conceived instances. But though pastime is necessary to relieve the mind, it indicates great frivolity when made the business of life; and yet the rich and the great, who are not obliged to labour for the means of subsistence, too oftenrove from pastime to pastime with as constant avidity as the mechanic tools for his family, or as the philosopher devotes himself to the cultivation of science. When those pastimes tend to give elasticity to the mind or strength to the body, such conduct is not only allowable, but praiseworthy; but when they produce effects the reverse of these, it is both hurtful and criminal. The gaming-table, the masquerade, the midnight assembly of any sort, must of necessity enfeeble both the body and the mind; and yet such are the fashionable amusements of the present day, to which many a belle and many a beau sacrifice their beauty, their health, their quiet, and their virtue.

Far different were the pastimes of our wiser ancestors: Remote from vice and effeminacy, they were innocent, manly, and generous exercises. From the ancient records of this country, it appears, that the sports, amusements, pleasures, and recreations, of our ancestors, as described by Fitz Stephen (a), added strength and agility to the wheels of state mechanism, while they had a direct tendency towards utility. For most of these ancient recreations are resolvable into the public defence of the state against the attacks of a foreign enemy. The play at ball, derived from the Romans, is first introduced by this author as the common exercise of every school-boy. The performance was in a field, where the resort of the most substantial and considerable citizens, to give encouragement and countenance to this seat of agility, was splendid and numerous. The intention of this amusement at this period of time was to make the juvenile race active, nimble, and vigorous; which qualities were requisite whenever their assistance should be wanted in the protection of their country. The next species of pastime indeed does not seem to have this tendency; but it was only, as it seems, an annual custom: This was cock-fighting. The author tells us, that in the afternoon of Shrove-Tuesday, on which day this custom prevailed, they concluded the day in throwing the ball; which seems to intimate, that the cock-fighting was merely in conformity to ancient usage, and limited only to part of the day, to make way for a more laudable performance. We may reasonably suppose, although this author is entirely silent upon this head, that while cock-fighting was going on, cock-throwing was the sport of the lowest class of people, who could not afford the expense of the former (b). Another species of manly exercise was truly martial, and intended to qualify the adventurers for martial discipline. It is related by Fitz Stephen thus: "Every Friday in Lent, a company of young men comes into the field on horseback, attended and conducted by the best horsemen: then march forth the sons of the citizens, and other young men, with disarmed lances and shields; and there practice feats of war. Many courtiers likewise, when the king is near the spot, and attendants upon noblemen, do repair to these exercises; and while the hope of victory does inflame their minds, they show by good proof how serviceable they would be in martial affairs."

(a) Otherwise called William Stephanides, a monk of Canterbury, who lived in the reign of King Stephen, to the time of Richard I. He wrote a Latin treatise, in which he gives an account of the several pastimes which were countenanced in his time. Bale in his writings draws a pleasing portrait of him. He is likewise sketched in strong and forcible outlines of praise and commendation by Leland. Bale says thus of him: "The time which other people usually misemployed in an idle and frivolous manner, he consecrated to inquiries which tended to increase the fame and dignity of his country: in doing which, he was not unworthy of being compared to Plato; for, like him, he made the study of men and heaven his constant exercise."

(b) There were places set apart for the battles of these animals, as at this day, where no one was admitted without money. These places, or pits commonly called, were schools, as at this day, in which people were instructed in the doctrines of chance, loss and gain, betting and wagers, and particularly in the liberal art of laying two to one. Cock-throwing has been laudably abolished; for it was a species of cruelty towards an innocent and useful animal; and such a cruelty as would have kindled compassion in the heart of the rankest barbarian. This evidently is of Roman descent, and immediately brings to our recollection the *Ludus Troja*, supposed to be the invention, as it was the common exercise, of Afcanius. The common people, in this age of masculine manners, made every amusement where strength was exerted the subject-matter of instruction and improvement: instructed to exert their bodily strength in the maintenance of their country's rights; and their minds improved, by such exertion, into every manly and generous principle.

In the vacant intervals of industry and labour, commonly called the holy-days, indolence and inactivity, which at this day mark this portion of time, were found only in those whose lives were distempered with age or infirmity. The view which Fitz-Stephen gives us of the Easter-holydays is animated. "In Easter-holydays they fight battles upon the water. A shield is hanged upon a pole, fixed in the middle of the stream. A boat is prepared without oars, to be borne along by the violence of the water; and in the forepart thereof standeth a young man, ready to give charge upon the shield with his lance. If so be that he break his lance against the shield, and doth not fall, he is thought to have performed a worthy deed. If without breaking his lance he runs strongly against the shield, down he falleth into the water; for the boat is violently forced with the tide: but on each side of the shield ride two boats, furnished with young men, who recover him who falleth soon as they may. In the holydays all the summer the youths are exercised in leaping, dancing, shooting, wrestling, casting the stone, and practising their shields; and the maidens trip with their timbrels, and dance as long as they can well see. In winter, every holyday before dinner, the boars prepared for brown are set to fight, or else bulls or bears are baited."

These were the laudable pursuits to which leisure was devoted by our forefathers, so far back as the year 1130. Their immediate successors breathed the same generous spirit. In the year 1222, the 6th year of Henry III., we find, that certain matters in exercises of this kind made a public profession of their instructions and discipline, which they imparted to those who were desirous of attaining excellence and victory in these pastimes, honourable achievements. About this period, the persons of better rank and family introduced the play of *Tennis* (c); and erected courts or oblong edifices for the performance of the exercise.

About the year 1253, in the 38th year of Henry III., the *Quintan* was a sport much in fashion in almost every part of the kingdom. This contrivance consisted of an upright post firmly fixed in the ground, upon the top of which was a croft piece of wood, moveable upon a spindle; one end of which was broad like the flat part of an halberd, while at the other end was hung a bag of sand. The exercise was performed on horseback. The matterly performance was, when, upon the broad part being struck with a lance, which sometimes broke it, the assailant rode swiftly on, to avoid being struck on the back by the bag of sand, which turned round instantly upon the stroke given with a very swift motion. He who executed this feat in the most dexterous manner was declared victor, and the prize to which he became intitled was a peacock. But if, upon the aim taken, the contender miscarried in striking at the broadside, his impotency of skill became the ridicule and contempt of the spectators.

Dr. Plott, in his *Natural History of Oxfordshire*, tells us, that this pastime was in practice in his time at Deddington in this county. "They first (says this author) fixed a post perpendicularly in the ground, and then placed a small piece of timber upon the top of it, fastened on a spindle, with a board nailed to it on one end, and a bag of sand hanging at the other. Against this board they anciently rode with spears: now as I saw it at Deddington only with strong staves, which violently bringing about the bag of sand, if they make not good speed away, it strikes them in the neck or shoulders, and sometimes perhaps strikes them down from their horses; the great design of the sport being to try the agility both of man and horse, and to break the board; which, whoever did, was accounted conqueror: for whom heretofore there was some reward always appointed." (D)

Matthew Paris, speaking of this manly diversion, says,

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(c) The word *Tennis* seems to owe its original to the French language: if so, the game is of French production. Yet the word *tennis* will hardly be found to afford incontrovertible evidence upon this subject. For the holding or keeping possession of the ball is no part of the game, but rather a circumstance casually attending it: since, during the performance of it, the ball is in continual motion, so there can be no *tennis* at this juncture. Perhaps a place in France called *Tennois* (as there is a town which differs only in a letter, called *Sennois*, in the district of Champagne) was the place where the balls were first made, and the game first introduced.

(d) This was certainly an exercise derived from a military institution of the Romans, though not instrumentally the same. Whoever considers the form and disposition of the Roman camps, which were formed into a square figure, will find there were four principal gates or passages. Near the *Quaestorium*, or *Quaestor's* apartment, was the *Forum*, or what is now called a futting-house, and from being near the *Quaestor's* station called *Quaestorium forum*. At this part was a fifth gate *Quintana*, where the soldiers were instructed in the discipline of the *Palaria*, which was to aim at and strike their javelins against an upright post fixed in the ground, as a kind of prelude to a real engagement with an enemy. By the frequent practice of this exercise, sometimes called *exercitium ad palum* by Roman writers, the soldiers at length acquired not only a dexterity and address in the management of their arms, but a constant and regular exactness in the direction of them. *Livius Patavinus*, cap. 2. *Pancirollus Rerum Memorial*, lib. ii. tit. 21. *Vulturius in Augustanis Monumentis*, lib. ii. p. 237.

Upon the irruption of the *Istri* into the Roman camps, which they plundered, says Livius, *ad Quaestorium forum, quintanamque pervenerunt*. says, "The London youths made trial of their strength on horseback, by running at the Quintan; in doing which, whoever excelled all the rest was rewarded with a peacock." This sport is continued to this day in Wales; and being in use only upon marriages, it may be considered as a votive pastime, by which these heroic spirits seem to wish, that the male issue of such marriage may be as strong, vigorous, and active, as those who are at that time engaged in the celebration of this festive exertion of manhood. Virtuous exercises of this kind would be too rude and barbarous for the attendants on pleasure in the present age. The hand would tremble at the weight of the javelin; and the heart would pant upon the apprehension of personal insecurity. While these exertions of triumphant prowess continued, the sordid degeneracy of disposition, the supple baseness of temper, were unknown: for the love of country, as the Roman orator has wisely observed, included all other virtues. But if we guard the palace of honour, like the brazen castle of Danae, with every possible security, importunate corruption will be ever waiting at the gate, to seize an opportunity of intrusion. These feats of honourable contest were succeeded by the gilded banners of exhibition, and all the long train of dependents in the interest of indolence: for the writers of these times inform us, that the soft pleasures of the stage forced the passes to public favour in the year 1397, and likewise in the year 1409; so that utility, which before stood on the right hand of pleasure, was now ordered to withdraw for a season. The drama, it seems, was attempted by a set of useless and insignificant persons called pariah-clerks; who, because they had the knowledge of the alphabet, ignorantly presumed that this included every other species of knowledge. The subject was truly serious, the creation of the world; but the performance must have been ludicrous. It was, however, honoured with the attendance of noble personages; and royalty itself deigned to cast a favourable eye upon it, for the king and queen were present. These interludes lasted no longer than the time requisite for the former confederacy of utility and pleasure to resume its powers; as when the pliable bow by being too much bent is put out of shape, and by its elasticity recovers its former position. The lance, the shield, the ball, and the equestrian procession, came forward again, and put the dramatic usurper to flight. After this period, these objects of generous pleasure seem to have had their audience of leave, and one general object, indeed no less manly than the former, to have filled their stations, which was archery. This had a continuance to the reign of Charles I., for we find in many hospitals founded in that reign, among the articles of benefaction recorded upon their walls, this singular provision, arms for the boys, which signified bows and arrows.

There are many places at this day, formerly resort-

ed to, for the practice of this noble art, distinguished by appellations which indicate their ancient usage: such as Brentford Butts, Newington Butts, and many others of the like denomination. It appears from 3 Hen. VIII. that by the intrusion of other pernicious games, archery had been for a long time disused; to revive which this statute was made. It seems that the bows of the best kind were made of yew; and that this wood might be readily obtained for this purpose, yew-trees were planted in churchyards. The sons of those only who were persons of fortune and fashion, if under 17 years of age, were permitted to use such bows. The words of the statute are singular, and read thus: "No person under seventeen years, except he, or his father or mother, have lands or tenements to the yearly value of ten pounds, or be worth in value or moveables the sum of forty marks sterling, shall shoot with any bow of yew, which shall be bought for him, after the feast of our Lady next coming, under the pain to lose and forfeit six shillings and eightpence." Two observations arise here upon these words. One, that the yew-wood, not being so common as other wood, might probably be soon found deficient, as it was the best wood for making bows, if not restrained in the use of it to particular ages and persons, as young people wantonly destroy what is put into their hands for useful purposes. The other observation is, that the age of 17 is by this statute distinguished as the age of discretion, when young people are more attentive and considerate in things of private concern; an age in these times which few ever arrive at, and some never. This statute makes provision of other kinds of wood for the common people in the following manner: "To the intent that every person may have bows of mean price, be it enacted, that every bowyer shall, for every bow that he maketh of yew, make four other bows, meet to shoot with, of elm, wych, haflin, ash, or other wood apt for the same, under pain to lose and forfeit for every such bow for lacking the sum of three shillings and fourpence." It seems there was a species of yew at this time called elk, which wood was stronger and more pliant than the common yew mentioned in this statute, and the price of it fixed. "Moreover, no bowyer shall sell or put to sale to any of the king's subjects, any bow of yew of the tax called elk, above the price of three shillings and fourpence, under the pain to forfeit twenty shillings for every bow sold above the said price."

From these several considerations which occur in this statute, we can trace three resplendent qualities, courage, strength, and agility; which three united, inspired two more, generosity and magnanimity. Upon the decline of this and other polished (e) amusements, a savage deformity of manners sprung up, but spangled

(e) How widely different the conceptions of politeness at this day from what they were in the most refined ages of Greece and Rome! These two states agreed in fixing the standard of this accomplishment upon the fitness and propriety of things. We bend to an arbitrary imposition of language, trusting to the sense and meaning of our opposite Gallic neighbours, as if this island was at all times to be the foot-ball of that continent. To define politeness in its ancient and true sense, it is a manly exertion of conduct, founded upon every noble and virtuous principle. Gallic politeness is an effeminate impotence of demeanor, founded upon tallacy, evasion, and every insidious artifice. There can be no security, no happiness, no prosperity, awaiting this kingdom. spangled here and there with the opposite character of lazy opulence, which began now to erect her velvet standard in defiance of chaste and regular manners.

Towards the beginning of James I.'s reign, military prowess seems to have founded a retreat (f). He, to gratify the opportunity of the common people, and at the same time to obviate his own fears upon a refusal, published a book of sports, in which the people had been some time before usually indulged on Sunday evenings, but which had been lately prohibited. These sports consisted of dancing, fingling, wrestling, church ales, and other professions of that day.

Charles, his successor, wisely, in the very entrance of his reign, abolished these sports. The act of Charles states the several amusements in part; by which we may conjecture what was the remainder as stated in the book of sports by James. It is necessary to transcribe that part of the act relating to this subject.

"Forasmuch as there is nothing more acceptable to God, than the true and sincere worship of Him, and service according to His holy will, and that the holy keeping of the Lord's day is a principal part of the service of God, which in many places of this realm hath been, and now is, profaned and neglected by a disorderly sort of people, in exercising and frequenting bear-baiting, bull-baiting, interludes, and common-plays, and other unlawful exercises and pastimes, neglecting divine service both in their own parishes and elsewhere: Be it enacted, that from and after forty days next after the end of this session of parliament, there shall be no meetings, assemblies, or concourse of people, out of their own parishes, on the Lord's day, within this realm of England, or any the dominions thereof, for any sports or pastimes whatsoever: nor any bear-baiting, bull-baiting, interludes, common plays, or other unlawful exercises or pastimes, used by any person or persons within their own parishes: and that every person and persons offending in any of the said premises, shall forfeit for every offence the sum of three shillings and fourpence; the same to be employed and converted to the use of the poor of the parish where such offence shall be committed." All this was perhaps proper, and showed the distinguished piety of this unfortunate monarch. But in this age likewise ended the manly sports of Britons, and nothing was introduced that could compensate for the loss.

All these lusty arts, considered as vehicles of pleasure, from the variety of their inventions, represent pleasure as a fleeting phantom; evincing at the same time the instability of happiness as springing from internal order. Even reflex acts, pregnant with future hopes of solace and social recreation, have more true feelings in expectancy than those which arise from the object in possession. Nay, pleasure is found frequently in the imagination only: for Ixion's disappointment frequently awaits us when we advance to embrace this Juno of our desires.

Upon the whole, happiness, the only thing of intrinsic value, must arise in the heart, and be something more solid than what mere amusement can possibly supply. Amusements or pastimes ought to be considered only as necessary relaxations from feverish and more useful employment; and in this point of view they may be solely pursued; but they become criminal when they occupy the place of the business of life.