“That custom,” observed Mr. Seymour, “doubtless, gave origin to the _racket_.” “It did,” replied the vicar; “and the places where this game was played were called _tennis-courts_, and the game itself obtained the name of _tennis_, from the French word _tenez_[31] (take it, hold it), frequently used during the exercise. The pastime, I believe, was introduced amongst our ancestors about the year 1222, the sixth year of Henry III, by persons of superior rank and family, who erected courts or oblong edifices for the performance of the exercise.” “I long to hear something about foot-ball,” exclaimed Tom. “That is a pastime,” said the vicar, “which was formerly in great vogue in England, but of late years it has fallen into disrepute. It derives its name, as you may suppose, from the circumstance of the ball being driven with the foot, in preference to the hand. When a match is made, two parties, equal in numbers, take the field, and stand between two goals, which are placed at the distance of eighty or a hundred yards from each other. The ball, which is commonly a blown bladder, cased with leather, is delivered in the midst of the ground, and the object of either party is to drive it through the goal of their opponents, by which the game is won. The abilities of the performers are best displayed in attacking and defending the goals, whence the pastime is more frequently called a _goal_, than a _game_ at foot-ball. In this attack and defence, the exercise becomes exceedingly violent; the players kick each other’s shins without the least ceremony; and this occasioned James I. to speak of foot-ball as ‘_meeter for laming than making able the users thereof_.’” “I believe,” said Mr. Seymour, “that the ancient game of _goff_ is still much practised in Scotland.” “It is,” replied the vicar. “In the reign of Edward III. the Latin name _cambuca_, a crooked club, or staff, was applied to this pastime, because it was played with such an instrument. The bat was also styled a _bandy_, from its being bent; and hence the game itself is frequently called _bandy-ball_.” “And how is it played?” asked Tom. “It is played on a smooth common, by driving forward two small hard balls, with the _bandy_ I have just described, into very distant holes in the ground, about a foot deep, and nine inches over: and the party whose ball is driven into these holes with the fewest strokes, is the victor.” “But come,” said Mr. Seymour, “it is high time to think of our dinner; the children must require some refreshment. I am not, my dear vicar, one of those philosophers who believe that play was invented by the Lydians[32] as a remedy against hunger; nor do I subscribe to the opinion of the elder Scriblerus, that it was on such an account wisely contrived by Nature, that children who have the keenest appetites should, at the same time, be those who are most addicted to sport.”