lacrosse, anb <ljoto to Pao It. 



i/5~i 



*HE game of Lacrosse lias, perhaps, attracted more attention 

 amongst young men than any other field sport that has 

 ever been introduced to their notice. 



That this game, comparatively unknown until within 

 the past few years, should have so suddenly become pop- 

 ular, seems almost a wonder. If ever any game has been 

 persecuted, abused, or belied by envious rivals, that game 

 has certainly been Lacrosse ; and yet, in spite of all oppo- 

 sition and ridicule it has received from the adherents of 

 older established sports in spite of its being declared unscientific, and 

 not at all gentlemanly, by those whose notions were rather prudish this 

 game has, on account of its own intrinsic merits, not only been adopted 

 by Young Canada as the National Game of the Dominion, but has also 

 won its way high into the favour of athletics, both in England and the 

 United States. 



It is affirmed by its opponents that there is no science in the game, it is 

 all hard work, and is injurious to the constitution. A good player seldom 

 hurts himself; it is only the novice who does the hard work, and gets no 

 return for it. 4 Lacrosse is yet in its infancy; the fine points in the game 

 are only now becoming apparent. But the day will come when the pub- 

 lic verdict on it, even as a scientific game, will be materially changed, and 

 its opponents be obliged to confess that, measured only by their scientific 

 standards, it will take its place as king of out-door sp'orts. 



Lacrosse has so many advantages over other games that, perhaps, it will 

 not be out of place to mention a few of them. It is the cheapest of all 

 games. It requires no pads, gauntlets, or other expensive equipments. A 

 single lacrosse stick, and simple running gear is all that is required for 

 action. It developes the muscles better than any sport we know of. The 

 muscular action is confined to no particular part, as in rowing, skating, or 

 football it exercises equally the arms, legs and body, and at the same 

 time there is sufficient excitement about it to make it the most fascinat- 

 ing of games. It develops self-reliance, and awakens the energies of all 

 who would excel in it. It is conducive to temperance and sobriety, for 



