his own memory before the match begins, and of convincing any captain who questions his interpretations on the field. We hold that every player should read up the laws before each season, but that a referee should study them before every match. Novel and unexpected points arise in almost every game, and it is only by constant study that a referee can hope to be prompt with his decisions; and unless a decision is given promptly it loses half its effect.
The referee must next realize that considerable activity is required in order to keep level with the ball throughout the game. A referee who strolls after the game in an ulster is quite incompetent to give a decision on any fine point which may arise in the distance. He should always appear in light marching order, wearing a cap rather than a hat, and he must provide against a possible wetting by bringing a change of clothes with him; if he does his duty well, there is not the slightest fear of his taking a chill during the progress of the game.
As a general rule, the referee should keep in a line between the two sets of goal-posts, as far as is practicable; if he finds that the direction of the game is forcing him towards either of the touch-lines, he must move round to the other side of the next scrummage that is formed, so as not to lose his vantage-ground for judging dropped goals, which cannot be gauged accurately from the sides, and so as to be ready to reach, at the shortest notice, any part of the ground where a sudden move of the game may call for his presence. At the line-out, Mr. Rowland Hill, our highest authority on all questions of refereeing, is in favour of standing at the touch-line end, so as to keep close watch on the many openings for unfairness which touch-line play affords; but we are inclined to doubt whether the advantages secured by this departure from the general rule of keeping to the middle
