In writing however of the 18th century, the learned Strutt is the safest guide, for his compilations and researches into matters of ancient sport take us up to the end of the 18th century. From Strutt we learn how the game was gradually being abandoned throughout the country about the year 1800. “Of late years,” he says, “it seems to have fallen into disrepute, and is but little practised.” We see, however, from his amusing description which follows, that by his time it had become a field sport, and was played upon a regular football field, and doubtless with touch-lines and goal-lines. Unfortunately he makes no mention of the number of players who are usually engaged in the contest, and gives us little or no hint of any rule, or any explanation of what was considered scientific play. “When,” he says, “a match at football is made, two parties, each containing an equal number of competitors, take the field, and stand between two goals, placed at the distance of eighty or an hundred yards the one from the other. The goal is usually made with two sticks driven into the ground about two or three feet apart. The ball, which is commonly made of a blown bladder and cased with leather, is delivered in the midst of the ground, and the object of each party is to drive it through the goal of the other, which being achieved the game is won.... When the exercise becomes exceeding violent, the players kick each others’ shins without the least ceremony, and some of them are overthrown at the hazard of their limbs.” He garnishes his simple account with some elegant extracts from Barclay and Waller, such as-- “The sturdie plowman, lustie, strong, and bold, Overcometh the winter by driving the foote-ball, Forgetting labour and many a grievous fall.” and again-- “And now in winter when men kill the fat swine, They get the bladder and blow it great and thin, With many beans and peason put therein: It rattleth, soundeth, and shineth clere and fayre; While it is thrown and caste up in the ayre, Each one contendeth and hath a great delite With foot and with hand, the bladder for to smite; If it fall to ground they lift it up again, And this waye to labour they count it no payne.”