tain Reid, are left rather obscure in his
book. Players will find that this power of economizing privileges adds
greatly to the interest of the game, and renders many a cunning plot and
counter-plot necessary.

The origin of this game is unknown. No man invented whist or chess, and
croquet like them seems to have been evolved by some process of nature,
as a crystal forms or a flower grows--perfect, in accordance with
eternal laws. There is in all these games a certain theory which
furnishes interpretations for all cases that arise in actual play. The
rules are grouped about a central principle. The mimic battles have a
unity, and are homogeneous in all their parts. If the rules are
indefinite or contradictory the game loses its distinctive character. If
the rules are accurate and rigidly enforced, croquet is a game of the
highest interest. I am informed by a scientific billiard player that
though croquet is inferior to billiards in affording opportunities for
delicate manipulation and manual dexterity, that it far excels that
elegant game in the field it opens for the exercise of the higher
qualities of combination and foresight. Whist exercises the memory and
the power of calculating probabilities; chess the imagination and the
faculty of abstract reasoning; but croquet, though it taxes these mental
qualities less, combines them with the delights of out-door exercise and
social enjoyment, fresh air and friendship--two things which are of all
others most effective in promoting happiness. Those who have been in the
habit of regarding croquet as a game for children may, perhaps, smile at
my enthusiasm; but let them procure a perfect ground, balls and mallets,
play half a dozen four-ball games in strict accordance with the rules,
and when they can claim to have mastered the game, they will acknowledge
themselves converts.

I have adopted the plan of giving first definitions, then rules, then
cases adjudged under the rules; as the common law consists of the
definitions of legal terms, the statement of legal maxims or principles,
and the reports of litigated causes. The laws are in substance those
adopted by the "Newport Croquet Club," and many of the cases given
actually occurred in play, and were settled in full bench after long and
animated discussion. I think the laws will not conflict with those of
Captain Reid, while I hope that they will be found more full and
accurate, and of more exact application. I cannot flatter