The Country Gcntlcicoman 



are apt to smile incredulously at them, and 

 attribute the origin of the well-known phrase 

 of "drawing the long-bow" to their recorders. 

 We would not dare, however, to cast any 

 imputation of this kind on the stories told of 

 Robin Hood. Sherwood's robber chief fills a 

 nich in England's history, and he is too firmly 

 rooted in the affections of British people ever 

 to be displaced. None of us can help ad- 

 miring the bold outlaw, who, in defiance of 

 his country's king and laws, held with his 

 followers a court of his own in the sylvan 

 glades of '■ Merrie Sherwood." The feats 

 said to have been performed by him with his 

 bow it would be uncourteous in us to doubt, 

 to " cleave the willow wand" or 



" Hit the mark a hundred rod, 

 And caubC the hart to die." 



was, we are told an e\eryday occurrence 

 with Robin ; and if it was, why should not 

 some of our champions of the archery field 

 emulate his deeds, and attain to a perfection 

 still more extraordinary ? 



For about two centuries after the time of 

 Robin Hood, the bow was still used as an 

 implem.ent in war, for at the battle of Flodden, 

 which was fought in 15 13 between the Eng- 

 lish and Scotch, we are told that the victory 

 gained by the English was in a great measure 

 owing to Sir Edward Stanley and his archers. 

 After the date of this battle Archery seems 

 to have become merely an amusement, being 

 superseded as an implement in warfare by the 

 cannon, the arquebus, and the hand-gun. 



As an amusement it has since remained ; 

 for as the nations of Europe grew more and 

 more powerful, the inventive talents of the 

 British people were put to the task, and have 

 produced weapons infinitely more destructive 

 of human life than the fragile bow. A^'e 

 cannot say we regret the change, for the bo\\-, 

 in turning as it has done from being the em- 

 blem, of war to that of peace, has given us 

 one of the most sociable, rational, and enjoy- 

 able of pastimes. 



The qualities which recommend Archery 

 as an amusement are varied, and all of a 

 character that appeal to our good sense and 

 judgment. 



It is a pastinie that can suit itself to all. 

 In the exercise of Archery we find that relaxa- 

 tion for mind and body which is needful for 

 the preservation of both mind and body in a 

 vigorous healthy condition. It lends to the 

 mind a healthy excitement, it raises the spirits, 

 it gives suflficient bodily exercise, it developes 

 the muscles, it confirms and restores the 

 health, and is moreover an innocent, harmless 

 recreation. 



The other popular jjastimes, such as 

 Cricket, Bowls, Golf, and Football, have all 

 their own peculiar good qualities to boast of; 

 but, to our, thinking. Archery has fairer cre- 

 dentials to shew than any. One very closing 

 argument in favour of Archery is, that it 

 includes the ladies ; indeed. Archery now-a- 

 days would be nothing without ladies ; those 

 other S2:)0rts that we have mentioned, from 

 their essentially masculine character, naturally 

 exclude them. Ladies have far too few out; 

 door amusements. It is not well that they 

 should be shut up within doors any more 

 than the lawyer, merchant, or student. To 

 tread nature's carpet studded \A\X\ gowans 

 and buttercups, and to hear the carol of the 

 lark overhead, might suggest a new effect to 

 that tapestry, or a sweeter turn to that melody. 

 These results might spring from the practice 

 of Archery ; but its main recommendations 

 are its elegant, innocent, healthful, invigorat- 

 ing qualities, which no other pastime for 

 ladies can give. Croquet, as compared with 

 Archery is deficient in many respects. It can 

 scarcely be disputed that Croquet is less 

 elegant, less invigorating ; and, when playing 

 at it, not above a fourth part of one's time is 

 engaged. In Archery, the attention is always 

 occupied, the body continually exercised, and 

 whoever has felt the delicious thrill of excite- 

 ment through the w^hole frame when a close 

 contest has come to the last few arrows, 

 knows well that then there is no stagnant 

 blood in one's veins. 



Mr Ford, for so many years the champion 

 of Archery in England, has lately published 

 a book on the amusement. In a paragraph, 

 in which he particularly addresses the ladies, 

 whom he gallantly calls " Fair Marians," the 

 following occurs : " How many consumptions, 



