



Produced by René Anderson Benitz and The Online Distributed
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                              THE
                        CANADIAN CURLER'S
                             MANUAL;

                               OR

                     AN ACCOUNT OF CURLING,

                          AS PRACTISED

                           IN CANADA:

            WITH REMARKS ON THE HISTORY OF THE GAME.


             "When winter muffles up his cloak,
              And binds the mire like a rock,
              THEN to the loch the Curlers flock
                              Wi' gleesome speed."
                                                BURNS.


                        BY JAMES BICKET,
            SECRETARY TO THE TORONTO CURLING CLUB.


                            TORONTO:

PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE OF THE BRITISH COLONIST, FOR THE TORONTO
           CURLING CLUB; SOLD ALSO BY HENRY ROWBELL.


                      HUGH SCOBIE, PRINTER.

                              1840.




This reprint has been made possible
through the kindness of Mr. Thomas Rennie,
who loaned the original for the purpose.




CONTENTS.

PART I.

                                                   Page
Description of Curling                                9

Stones                                               10

The Rink                                             12

Playing                                              13

Sweeping                                             14

The Game                                             15

Toronto Rules of Curling                             20

Glossary, or Explanation of Curling Terms            23


PART II.

Early History of Curling                             29

Curling in Scotland                                  31

Curling in Canada                                    34

Constitution of the Toronto Club                     38




                            TO THE

                           PRESIDENT,

                   VICE-PRESIDENTS, MANAGERS,

                              AND

                            MEMBERS

                            OF THE

                     TORONTO CURLING CLUB,

                          THIS MANUAL

               IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

                     BY THEIR DEVOTED

                          HUMBLE SERVANT,

                                    THE AUTHOR.




PREFACE


This little pamphlet has been produced at the request of the TORONTO
CURLING CLUB. The original object in its publication was simply to
furnish the Members with a copy of the Constitution of the Club, and of
the laws which they observe in playing. The design is now extended, so
as to embrace a general description of Curling, with a brief history of
the Game; and by thus making it to be understood, by those who have
never seen it played, or who may have been only occasional spectators,
to induce a more general participation in this most healthful and
exhilarating amusement.

It is gratifying to observe the success of the efforts which have been
made in this country, during the last few years, to promote and
encourage the Game. It is now becoming, and must become, a favorite in
Canada. It is admirably adapted to this climate, where the winter is
generally cold enough to ensure good ice, and seldom so severe as to
render the exercise unpleasant. Being played in the open air, during a
season when few out-of-door recreations can be enjoyed, it is well
calculated to counteract the enfeebling influence of confinement to our
close and heated winter houses. Many objections which may be brought
against other sports, are not applicable to this. It calls up none of
the low and degrading passions of our nature. Notwithstanding the
intense interest which Curlers may feel in a well contested match, no
betting ever takes place among them; the excitement arising from
gambling, therefore, is altogether removed from the rink. Intoxication
on the ice is also unknown among good players. The nice equilibrium of
body and the firmness of nerve, essential to scientific Curling, would
disappear on the first symptom of such a state. But the Game is
sufficiently interesting without any extraneous stimulant. While it
imparts vigour to every limb, and every muscle, it engages the attention
and awakens the judgment; and thus brings into healthful excitement
those powers of the body and of the mind, the due exercise of which the
Creator has allied with pleasure.

In the observations which will be found on the early history of Curling,
a liberal use has been made of a small but valuable work on the subject,
published anonymously, in Kilmarnock, in 1828. To the same authority the
writer is indebted for the derivation of several of the words to be
found in the Glossary, and it is only doing the Compilers of the work
referred to, an act of justice, which they can have no wish should be
omitted, to state, that they have availed of "Doctor Jamieson's
Dictionary," "Brewster's Encyclopedia," and an "Account of Curling, by a
Member of the Duddingstone Society." These, unfortunately, are not at
present accessible to the writer. During the present year, he ordered
from Edinburgh such publications on the Game, as could be found; but was
disappointed on learning, that several excellent Treatises which he