_From the painting by A. F. Lucas Lucas._]
]
In the extreme unlikelihood of pelota being introduced into England,
seeing that the much more economical open air rackets has been allowed
to die, it may hardly be worth while to consider its suitability. But
the suggestion has been put forward, so it may be mentioned that all
with whom I came into contact who had knowledge of the game spoke of its
extreme severity. A game of fifty or sixty points can last along while,
and a ball is commonly returned twenty or thirty times in deciding a
single point. The keynote to the game is severity, and from this there
is no rest from start to finish, the opportunity for finessing with a
slow one coming perhaps only once in a game, or not even once. The
effect of the stroke with the chistera is very different from that
effected with the racket, and exceedingly trying to the player.
As a spectacular game pelota is a great success, one side of the huge
building being available for spectators, and the galleries at Barcelona
will hold some thousands. The ground floors are occupied by the bettors,
who are catered for by regular bookmakers and the pari-mutuel. Such an
arrangement would no doubt answer well in England, but we need not think
about that.