Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/53

A contributor to Chambers Journal, in December, 1862, under the heading of "A Rival to Cricket," makes free use of my little brochure of 1860, often word for word, without acknowledgment. I freely forgive him the plagiarism for thus discoursing: "As a game, I rank Lacrosse far above cricket or golf. It does not require attendants and special ground, like golf, and it boasts more unintermittent amusement and more simultaneous competition than cricket. The materials, too, are cheaper, and you require no 'hog-in-armour' costume. It is more varied, more ingenious, more subtle than cricket, and, above all, it can be played in all seasons of the year without danger, expense or preparation. No marquees required, no grass rolling, no expensive bats or balls, no spiked shoes, and no padded leggings to preserve you from the cannon shots of fast bowlers, who seem determined to maim or lame somebody; above all, there is not that tiresome and wearisome waiting for the innings. The whole twenty-four (or field) have their innings simultaneously, and have both an equal chance and an equal certainty of amusement and employment; while in cricket a beginner gets, perhaps, ten strokes