MR HARDY ON BOWLING. 61 



the steading was originally constructed. A primitive hand-mill,— an 

 uncouth specimen of ** the science of a martial race," — dug from amidst 

 the ancient entrenchments, shewed that it had been occupied by a corn- 

 consuming population. Their supplies of grain, however, must have 

 been derived from some more fertile glebe than the bleak territory, on 

 which, as a post of observation, for it affords a '* prospect into regions 

 far away," rather than as in a land of desirable abode, they cast up 

 their heterogeneous defences. As the balls were considerably removed 

 from this encampment, they appear to have no other connection with 

 those " rude tenants of rude dwelhngs" than coincidence of place. 



To what extent, in past times, this game may have occupied the at- 

 tention of the Berwickshire people, I have not learned, but probably it 

 was not confined to the eastern district, in which its remains have been 

 disinterred. As a manly exercise, it had many attractions for a rude 

 and half-civilized people, and, doubtless, conjoined with other athletic 

 games, and the warlike taste of the age, it contributed to that ardour 

 for excitement, expertness in the use of weapons, and resolution in sur- 

 mounting obstacles, which inflamed the passion for martial enterprise 

 in the breast of many a stalwart borderer, and ensured to his under- 

 takings a prosperous development. 



The causes of its abolition aad disuse as a game are much more ap- 

 parent. The dangers arising from its practice on the public roads, to- 

 gether with the growth of more refined notions of public conveniency, 

 may have exercised a certain share in this result. But these appear 

 to be but a portion of a revolution in manners and customs more deeply 

 influential, which brought increased civilization and improved ideas of 

 decorum in its train, effected during the latter part of the preceding 

 century, and the commencement of the present, by the introduction of 

 new modes of husbandry, and a distribution of country labour, incon 

 sistent with the desultory, idle, and half-leisurely habits, that afforded 

 intervals and occasions for the long revels and holiday seasons of days 

 gone by. Previous to that event, the turnip husbandry had not ren- 

 dered it urgent for the farmer to turn over his stubbles to be mellowed 

 and pulverized in winter, by the certainty, in consequence of neglect, of 

 a lost crop ; and wheat then, unless on the most productive soils, rarely 



Hine me ladde mide songe 

 At forcn than leode kinge ; 

 And the king, for bis gomeno, 

 Gaf him geven gode." 



(And whoso might win worthiness of his gaming, him they led with songs bufurQ 

 the people's king, and the king, for his gaming, gave him gifts good.) 



