POLO IN THE ARMY. 275 



certainly near the top of the tree In that respect ; and 

 well organised polo has assuredly a great Influence for 

 good on the officers of any regiment. 



The great advantage of polo over all other outdoor 

 games is the fact that it can be played in late middle 

 life. One of the best Backs in England Is fifty years 

 of age. Consequently, an oflEcer can go on playing at 

 his best throughout his whole career in a regiment. 

 No better sight can be witnessed at polo than a 

 colonel of a regiment playing Back, and urging his 

 officers on to victory in a hard fought match, as I have 

 seen done by Colonel Lawley of the 7th Hussars, 

 Colonel Bablngton of the i6th Lancers, and Colonel 

 Ridley of the Manchester Regim.ent. Equally good 

 examples have occurred in other instances. 



The only possible objection to polo as an amuse- 

 ment for officers is its expense, which, of course, is its 

 great drawback as compared to other outdoor games. 

 Owing to this cause, military authorities have been 

 supposed for some years to have looked askance at 

 polo, and many rumours have been current that 

 hindrances will be placed with respect to officers 

 playing It. One general officer in India has gone so 

 far as to prohibit polo clubs in regiments under his 

 command, owing to the mistaken Idea that non-players 

 have to subscribe for the benefit of members of the 

 team ; whereas a well managed polo pony club, which 

 is composed only of members of the regiment who 

 wish to join It, works the other way, and puts the 

 game within the reach of comparatively poor men who 

 would otherwise be debarred from It (p. 242 et seq.). 



Polo costs a good deal of money, but its expenses as 

 regards the purchase of ponies, keep and wages can 



