Archery was still kept up, as we see by the following advertisement[388]: 'All Gentlemen who are Lovers of the Ancient and Noble Exercise of _Archery_, are hereby Invited by the Stewards of the _Annual Feast_ for the _Clerkenwell_ Archers, to Dine with them at Mrs. _Mary Barton's_, at the Sign of Sir _John Oldcastle_, upon _Friday_ the 18th Day of _July_ 1707 at One of the Clock, and to pay the Bearer _Thomas Beaumont_, Marshal to the _Regiment_ of _Archers_, Two Shillings and Sixpence; and to take a Sealed Ticket, that the certain Number may be known, and Provision made accordingly. [Footnote 388: _Harl. MSS. 5961_, 154.] CHAPTER XXIV. SWORD-PLAY AND OTHER SPORTS. GARDEN, ETC. Challenges -- The stakes -- The combatants -- Description of fights -- General combativeness -- Boxing -- Cudgel-playing -- Pedestrianism -- Tennis -- Cricket -- Football -- Skating -- Billiards -- Country wakes -- Bowling -- Bowling greens -- Formal gardening -- Clipping trees -- Books on gardening -- Trees and flowers -- Town and country life -- Country labourers. In those days, when everyone with any pretensions to gentility wore a sword, and duelling was rife, it is no wonder that exhibitions of skill in that weapon were favourites. Like modern prize fights, they drew together all the scum and riff-raff, as well as the gentry who were fond of so-called _sport_. They were disreputable affairs, and were decried by every class of contemporary. The preliminaries were swagger and bounce, as one or two out of a very large number will show[389]:-- [Footnote 389: _Harl. MSS. 5931_, 50.] 'At the Bear Garden in Hockley in the Hole. A Tryal of Skill to be Performed between two Profound Masters of the Noble Science of Defence on _Wednesday_ next, being this 13th of the instant July 1709 at Two of the Clock precisely. 'I, _George Gray_, born in the City of Norwich, who has Fought in most Parts of the _West Indies_ viz. _Jamaica_, _Barbadoes_, and several other Parts of the World; in all Twenty-five times, upon a Stage, and was never yet Worsted, and now lately come to _London_; do invite _James Harris_, to meet and Exercise at these following Weapons viz.:-- _Back Sword_, } { _Single Falchon_ _Sword and Dagger_, } { AND _Sword and Buckler_, } { _Case of Falchons_. 'I, _James Harris_, Master of the said Noble Science of Defence, who formerly rid in the Horse guards, and hath Fought a Hundred and Ten Prizes, and never left a Stage to any Man: will not fail (God Willing) to meet this brave and bold Inviter at the Time and Place appointed, desiring Sharp Swords, and from him no Favour. '☞ _Note._ No person to be upon the Stage but the Seconds. _Vivat Regina._' * * * * * 'At the Bear Garden in Hockley in the Hole.