Cricket was played, and sufficient interest was felt in the matches: on one or two occasions they were advertised in the newspapers. In 1705: 'This is to give notice, That a Match at Cricket is to be plai'd between 11 Gentlemen of the West part of the County of Kent against as many of Chatham for 11 Guineas a man, at Mauldon in Kent on the 7th of August next.' And in 1707: 'There will be two great Matches at Cricket plaid, between London and Croydon; the first at Croydon on Tuesday July 1, and the other to be plaid in Lamb's Conduit Fields near Holborn, on the Thursday following, being the 3rd of July.' On the approach of winter football came into vogue, and it was played in the streets. When lo! from far I spy the furies of the Foot ball war: The 'prentice quits his Shop, to join the Crew, Increasing Crowds the flying Game pursue, Thus, as you roll the Ball o'er Snowy Ground, The gathering Globe augments with every Round. But whither shall I run? the Throng draws nigh, The Ball now skims the Street, now soars on High The dext'rous Glazier strong returns the bound, And jingling sashes on the Penthouse sound.[400] [Footnote 400: _Trivia_, book 2.] 'In Winter _Foot-balls_ is a useful and charming Exercise. It is a Leather Ball about as big as ones Head, fill'd with Wind: This is kick'd about from one to t'other in the Streets, by him that can get at it, and this is all the Art of it.'[401] [Footnote 401: Misson.] Skating, although practised here in the time of Fitz-Stephen, had fallen into desuetude, until it was reintroduced by the Cavaliers who had been with Charles II. in Holland. Pepys thought it was 'a very pretty art,' yet got very nervous over the Duke of York's skating. 'To the Duke, and followed him into the Parke, where, though the ice was broken and dangerous, yet he would go slide upon his scates, which I did not like, but he slides very well.' Skating was popular in London in Anne's reign, but it is doubtful whether it obtained in the remote parts of the country. Writes Swift to Stella, Jan. 31, 1711: 'The Canal and Rosamonds Pond full of the rabble sliding, and with skates, _if you know what those are_.'