PASTIMES. 
from the Romans, is first introduced by this author as the common 
exercise of every schoohboy. The performance was in a field, where 
the' resort of the most substantial and considerable citizens, to give 
encouragement and countenance to this feat of agility, was splendid 
and numerous. The intention of this amusement was to make the 
juvenile race active, nimble, and vigorous; which qualities were 
requisite whenever their assistance should be wanted in the protec- 
tion' of their country. 
Another species of manly exercise was truly martial, and intended 
to qualify the adventurers for martial discipline. It is related by 
Fitz-Stephen thus : Every Friday in Lent, a company of young 
men enter the field on horseback, attended and conducted by the 
best horsemen : then march forth the sons of the citizens, and other 
young men, with armed lances and shields ; and there practise feats 
of war. Many courtiers likewise, when the king is near the spot, 
and attendants upon noblemen, repair to these exercises ; and while 
the hopes of victory inflame their minds, they shew by good proof 
how serviceable they would be in martial affairs.” This evidently is 
of Roman descent, and immediately brings to our recollection the 
Ludus Trqjae, supposed to be the invention, as it was the common 
exercise, of Ascanius. The common people, in that age of masculine 
manners, made every amusement where strength was exerted, the sub- 
ject matter of instruction and improvement. 
In the vacant intervals of industry and labour, commonly called 
the holidays, indolence and inactivity, which now mark this portion 
of time, were found only in those who were distempered with age 
or infirmity. Fitz-Stephen says, “ In Easter holidays they fight 
battles upon the water. A shield is hanged upon a pole, fixed in the 
middle of the stream. A boat is prepared without oars, to be born 
along by the^ violence of the water ; and in the forepart thereof 
standeth a young man, ready to give charge upon the shield with 
his lance. If so be that he break his lance against the shield, and 
cloth not fall, he is thought to have performed a worthy deed. If 
without breaking his lance he runs strongly against the shield, down 
he falleth into the water; for the boat is violently forced with the 
tide : hut on each side of the shield ride two boats, furnished with 
young men, who recover him who falleth soon as they may. In the 
holidays, all the summer, the youths are exercised in leaping, dan- 
cing, shooting, wrestling, casting the stone, and practising their 
shields ; and the maidens trip with their timbrels and dance as long 
as they can well see. In winter, every holiday, before dinner the 
boars prepared for brawn are set to fight, or else bulls or bears are 
baite^.” Such were the pursuits to which leisure was dovoted by 
our forefathers, so far back as 1130. 
Their immediate successors breathed the same spirit. In 1222, 
the 6th year of Henry III. certain masters in exercises of this kincl 
made a public profession of their instructions and discipline, which 
they imparted to those who were desirous of attaining excellence and 
victory in these honourable achievements. 
About this period, persons of rank and family introduced the play of 
teiuiis, and erected courts or oblong edifices for the performance of 
