290 CURLING 



a season the hopes and fears of half its manhood. 

 That is the battle lake where the annual matches are 

 contested between the players of the North and the 

 players of the South. It is needless to say that Nature, 

 being a woman, loves to throw over those who pin 

 their aspirations to her, and you may generally count 

 on the day fixed for the Royal Caledonian Curling 

 Club match being singularly mild and open. But 

 when she does deign to be propitious, frowning, and 

 chilling, the sight is one to repay the philanthropist or 

 the student of manners for a long journey to the North. 

 Moreover, if he number Scotchmen among his friends, 

 on that day he knows exactly where to look for them, 

 and is sure to have a most cordial welcome from men 

 in the fullest flush of health and spirits. 



