myself that I
have provided for every possible ambiguous case; still, I hope that I
have indicated the solution to most of the questions that are likely to
arise in the course of a game.

I shall be very happy to receive suggestions from any lovers of the game
who may discover errors or imperfections; for why should not croquet as
well as chess have its literature.

"J."

NEWPORT, R.I., _July 7th, 1865_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNICAL TERMS 9

CHAPTER II.

DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUND AND IMPLEMENTS 15

CHAPTER III.

DIRECTIONS FOR PLAYING THE GAME 22

CHAPTER IV.

THE RULES OF THE GAME 29

CHAPTER V.

HINTS TO BEGINNERS 51

CHAPTER I.

DEFINITIONS.

ARENA.--The space included by the boundaries of the croquet ground,
within which a ball driven out of it is entitled to be placed.

BLOW.--The stroke of the mallet. A blow opposed to a push.

BOOBY.--A ball that fails to run the first bridge.

BRIDGED BALL.--A ball that has run the first bridge.

CENTRAL BRIDGES.--Those in a line between the stakes.

CHIEFS.--The leaders of the sides, who strike for the first choice.

CONCUSSION.--The displacement of a ball by another ball.

CROQUET.--The title of the game. A privilege gained by making "roquet."
It consists in placing the playing ball in contact with the roqueted
ball, and on any side of it; holding it there with the foot, and
striking it with the mallet, by which means the other is driven in any
required direction.

CROQUETERIE.--The implements of the game--namely, balls, mallets, stakes
and bridges.

DEAD BALL.--A rover struck against the starting stake, and thereby
struck out of the game.

DOUBLE POINT.--Two points made on the same blow.

ENEMY.--A player on the opposite side.

FLANK BRIDGES.--Those on the right and left of a line between the
stakes.

FLINCH.--When in executing the "croquet" the playing ball escapes from
under the foot, it is said to "flinch."

FRONT OF A BRIDGE.--That side from which a ball must proceed in running
it; the side toward the starting stake for the first half round; the
side towards the turning stake for the last half round.

FRIENDS.--Players on th