Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/63

 46 it from beginning to end, quietly settled old causes of dissension, and opened a field for development which was previously hidden by rough play. It is true there are some men always on the qui vive for offence, who will dog their opponents and hit their heads oftener than their crosse; one may never expect fair play or good manners from them. A few such players counteract all the good intentions of the laws, and originate the only faults that can be found in the game.

One objection to Lacrosse—hardly ever made, though, by players—is the great exertion required. It is a common perversion of the game to be made violent by unscientific and young players. They make vehement what they cannot make scientific. But the fierce exertion is fast becoming traditional, and it is a question if the present game is more fatiguing than foot-ball, or half as trying and dangerous as a stiff boat-race. Hard work, however, is no disparagement. It is a fact that Her Majesty's subjects, wherever they are to be found, are fonder of real hard work in their amusements than any other people. It is this inherent quality which makes them the best average cricketers, rowers, boxers, and