ST. JAMES’S & GREEN PARKS 67 
two words. One or more hoops had to be passed 
through, and a peg at the further end touched. The 
winner was the player who passed the hoops and reached 
the peg in the fewest number of strokes. The whole 
course measured over 600 yards, and was kept brushed 
and smooth, and the ground prepared by coating the 
earth with crushed shells, which, however, remarked 
Pepys, “ in dry weather turns to dust and deads the 
ball.” Both Charles II. and James II. were much 
addicted to the game, and the flattering poet Waller 
eulogises King Charles’s “ matchless ” skill :— 
u No sooner has he touched the flying ball, 
But his already more than half the Mall.” 
The Park was by his time a much-frequented spot, 
and crowds delighted to watch the King and his courtiers 
displaying their dexterity. Charles II. is more intimately 
connected with St. James’s Park than any other great 
personage. He sauntered about, fed his ducks, played 
his games, and made love to fair ladies, all with in¬ 
dulgent, friendly crowds watching. He stood in the 
“ Green ’yValk,” beneath the trees, to talk with Nell 
Gwynn, in her garden “on a terrace on the top of the 
wall ” overlooking the Park ; and shocked John Evelyn, 
who records, in his journal, that he heard and saw “ a 
very familiar discourse between the King and Mrs. 
Nelly.” Charles’s well-known reply to his brother, that 
no one would ever kill him to put James on the throne, 
was said in answer to James’s protest that he should not 
venture to roam about so much without attendants in 
the Park. His dogs often accompanied him, and 
perhaps, like most of their descendants, these pets had 
a sporting instinct, and ran off to chase the deer. Any- 
