SECT. 
Hurling. 
300 NATURAL HISTORY 
Britain, and preferved it hitherto in its full vigour, when either 
never affe&ed at all, or with indifference in other parts of the iffand, 
we cannot fay ; certain it is the Grecians, who traded hither for 
tin, and hither only, had the higheft efteem for this exercife. The 
arts of the Palceftra were chiefly cultivated by the Lacedemonians, 
and yet Plato himfelf among the Athenians was fo far from difap- 
proving the exercife, that he recommends it to the prattife of old 
as well as young women, and thinks it proper for them oftentimes 
to wreftle with men, that thereby they might become more patient 
of labour, and learn to ftruggle with the difficulties incident to a 
warlike ftate. The ardour for this exercife fo prevailed at laft, that 
all Greece devoted their time and inclinations to the Gymnafia and 
Palceftra , and chofe rather to be accounted the moft expert wref- 
tlers, than to be celebrated as the moft: knowing and valiant com- 
manders b . Whether the Cornifh borrowed this cuftom from the 
Grecians, or whatever elfe was the caufe, you fhall hardly any 
where (as Mr. Carew obferves, page 76) meet with a party of 
boys who will not readily entertain you with a fpecimen of their 
fkill in this profeflion. 
Hurling is a trial of fkill and activity between two parties of 
twenty, forty, or any indeterminate number; fometimes betwixt two 
or more parifhes, but more ufually, and indeed pra&ifed in a more 
friendly manner, betwixt thofe of the fame pariffi ; for the better 
underftanding which diftin&ion, it muff be premifed, that betwixt 
thofe of the fame parifh there is a natural connexion fiippofed, from 
which ( cceteris paribus ) no one member can depart without forfeiting 
all efteem. As this unites the inhabitants of a parifh, each parifh 
looks upon itfelf as obliged to contend for its own fame, and oppofe 
the pretentions, and fuperiority of its neighbours. 
It is fo termed from throwing or hurling a ball, which is a round 
piece of timber, (about three inches diameter) covered with plated filver, 
fometimes gilt. It has ufually a motto in the Cornifh tongue allud- 
ing to the paftime, as Guare wheag , yw Guare teagj that is, fair play 
is good play. Upon catching this ball dexteroufly when it is dealt , 
and carrying it off expeditioufly notwithftanding all the oppofition of 
the adverfe party, fuccefs depends. This exercife requires force and 
nimblenefs of hand, a quick eye, fwiftnefs of foot, fkill in wreftling, 
ftrength and breath to perfevere in running, addrefs to deceive and 
evade the enemy, and judgment to deliver the ball into proper 
hands, as occafion fhall offer : in fhort, a paftime that kindles 
emulation in the youngeft breaft, and like this requires fo general 
* Alex, ab Alexandro, lib. n. vol. I. page 4.94. 
an 
