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SPORTS AND PASTIMES OF ALL NATIONS
#6 - FRANCE
Size: 3" x 5"
Copyrighted: 1893
Lithographer: Kaufmann & Strauss
  
| Reverse - Text |
Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section: |
| FRANCE. |
| FRANCE
is a land whose inhabitants easily give themselves up to pleasure. They
are a mercurial people, generous and whole-souled, extremely affable
and polite, vivacious, quick of apprehension, nimble and agile. Their
sports and pastimes partake more of skill than of strength. To this
nation has been ascribed the invention of many games which are not
properly their own. If the Frenchmen did not invent cards, it must be
admitted cards were in greater vogue in France for generations than in
any other country. |
| So too with Lawn
Tennis. Whether invented by the French or not, during the middle ages
it was largely played by them. The modern game bears only a rudimentary
resemblance to Longue Paume, the French out-door
tennis, or to Courte Paume, the indoor game. |
| Billiards, as played
to-day, is eminently a French game. The very word is of French origin.
So is the word Carom which gives its name to what is generally
considered the finest and most scientific variation of the game for the
general player. Billiards has a fascination peculiar to itself. Aside
from its associations, no game combines intellect, skill, a subtle
touch, accuracy of eye, and evenness of nerve to so great a degree. |
| Sword exercise has
been practised at all times, but it was reserved for France to perfect
the foil exercise now known as fencing. Schools for that purpose have
long been popular throughout that country. Fencing is a most graceful
exercise and calls into play many excellent qualities besides. Being
beneficial physically it adds polish to manners and poise to the
character. |
| Coaching is
pre-eminently a French diversion. |
| Dominoes are more
popular in France than in any other country. |
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NOTE: To see non-Arbuckle usage of this
supposedly copyrighted Arbuckle illustration,
click  here.
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