Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/51

 34 and exclusive, wherein lies its literal recreation? The most of men have no sympathy with field games that can only interest when crack players make them lively. If they are to be hard study, don't call them sports; if sports, then get out of them all possible recreation.

It is not generally the custom of Anglo-Saxons to depreciate a game because it is likely to become more popular than their particular favorite; but Lacrosse has been one of the best-abused in the catalogue of recreations. It would seem a pity if the race of grumblers met with even a sport to please them. Lacrosse, however, survived in spite of disparagement; and its unparalleled spread within the last two years is the best proof of its suitableness and attraction. A game that can persuade over two hundred of the youth of a single Canadian city to rise at half-past five, three or four mornings all through the summer weeks, when all other games put together cannot muster a corporal's guard; and that can regularly attract thousands of spectators when the exhibition of other games fails to pay expenses, needs no eulogy; it speaks for itself. Lacrosse has its failings, but so has every game;