CURLING.--Is a Game played upon the ice, by sliding stones, made for the
purpose, from one point to another. In some respects it resembles
Bowling, but with these differences, that the stones are slidden upon
the ice, not rolled--neither are they made like Bowls, to curve on their
passage; the points, also, to which the stones are played are
stationary, whereas in Bowling the Jack is moveable; and in Curling, the
ice in the path of the stone may be polished by sweeping--and thus the
players may compensate for the want of force with which a stone may have
been thrown.
Pennant, in his "Tour through Scotland" gives the following rough
description of the Game:--"Of all the sports in those parts, that of
Curling is the favorite. It is an amusement of the winter, and played
upon the ice, by sliding from one mark to another, great stones of 40 to
70 lbs. weight, of a hemispherical form, with a wooden or iron handle at
top. The object of the player is to lay his stone as near the mark as
possible, to guard that of his partner which has been well laid before,
or to strike off that of his antagonist." Such is a brief outline of
that Game, a fuller description of which is attempted in the following
pages.
* * * * *
STONES.--These are made of granite, or of any other stone which is hard,
free from sand, and not liable to break. They are cut into a spherical
form, flattened at top and bottom, and the angles rounded off and
polished, particularly that at the sole. The handle is inserted in the
top. Though they must all be made circular, the proportion of the
diameter to the thickness varies in different districts; some being made
more and some less than twice as wide as they are thick. The Grand
Caledonian Curling Club has lately suggested the following scale--the
first attempt that has been made to regulate the proportions of Curling
Stones--and which for the sake of uniformity, it is hoped, will be
adopted, viz:--
"When the weight is under
35 lbs. imp., the height not to be more than 4-1/4 inches.
38 lbs. 4-1/2 inches.
41 lbs. 4-3/4 inches.
44 lbs. 5 inches.
47 lbs. 5-1/4 inches.
50 lbs. 5-1/2 inches.
"Whatever be the diameter or weight, the height ought never to
exceed 6-1/8 inches, nor be less than 4-1/4 inches--None ought to be
allowed in a set game of greater diameter than 12 inches, nor of a
greater weight than 50 lbs. imperial."
Stones are sometimes so finished as to slide on either of the flattened
surfaces, one of which in such cases, is made slightly concave, and on
this side the stone is played when the ice is hard and keen; the other,
a little convex, being used when the ice is soft and dull.
In some parts of Canada, where suitable stone cannot readily be
procured, iron or wood has been substituted. At Quebec and Montreal,
castings of iron, in the shape of Curling Stones, are played with--the
intensity of the cold there, rendering the stones liable to break on
striking against one another. Iron is used also by the Curlers of
Dundas, in the Gore District; and at Guelph, where the Game has some
ardent admirers, they play with blocks of hard wood. At Toronto, and the
Curling localities in the neighborhood, stones only have been used; part
having been imported from Scotland, and others having been made by the
stone-cutter to the Club, from blocks of excellent quality picked up by
him on the land in the vicinity. Several of the stones imported to
Toronto have been made from Ailsa Craig, which, it appears, has long
been known as an excellent material for the purpose; one of those now
referred to having been played with by the father of the present owner,
at least sixty years ago.
* * * * *
THE RINK.--The ice on which the game is played is called the Rink. This
should be a sheet of fifty yards in length and four yards in width;
perfectly free from every inequality. At the distance of four yards from
each end of the rink, and in the middle crosswise, a circular hole is
made, about an inch in diameter and the same in depth, called the "tee."
Round the tee two or more circular lines are drawn, the largest having a
diameter of about five feet, the others smaller and at intermediate
distances. The space within the largest circle is called the "brough."
The use of the circular lines is to shew, while the game is being
played, the comparative nearness of the stones to the tee; actual
measurement not being allowed until all the stones have been played to
one end of the rink. A line is also drawn across the tee, at right
angles with the rink lengthwise, and extending to the outermost circle,
the use of which will be shewn in the remarks relating to sweeping. At
the distance of seven yards from each of the tees a line is drawn across
the rink, called the "hog-score," and stones which on being played do
not pass this score are called "hogs" and lose for that time the chance
of counting, being distanced or thrown off the rink.
* * * * *
PLAYING.--When the player is about to throw his stones, he places
himself at one end of the rink, rests his right foot in a notch, or
"hack" made in the ice,[1] and in such a relation to the tee that when
he delivers his stone it must pass over it. He is directed by one of the
players of his own party, styled the "skip" who stands at or near the
tee to which the stone is to be played, and who usually makes use of his
broom to indicate the point to which, or the line along which, he wishes
the stone to be played. Should the stone be delivered with the proper
degree of strength, and in the direction pointed out to the player by
the skip, it will either rest at the spot required, or receiving, as the
skip intended, a new direction by coming in contact with some other
stone, will effect the desired purpose. The player on delivering his
stone raises it off the ice, and swinging it once behind him to acquire
a proper _impetus_, and to make surer of his aim, keeping his eye, at
the same time, steadily fixed on the broom of the skip, or on any stone,
or other object towards or against which he may be desired to play,
throws it in that direction. The stone reaching the ice on its sole
about two feet in front of the player--his body naturally following the
same direction until the stone be fairly delivered.
[1: Other contrivances than the hack are used in some places to prevent
the foot of the player from slipping. Sometimes a thin board is laid on
the ice, on which he places both his feet. At Toronto, the hack is
considered the best, and although the Club has "crampits" for the
benefit of those accustomed to them, they are required only by
strangers or novices, experience demonstrating their uselessness.]
* * * * *
SWEEPING.--For the purpose of Sweeping, every player is furnished with a
broom, by means of which the ice may sometimes be so polished that a
stone may reach the tee, which, without sweeping, could not have passed
the hog score. When a stone, therefore, in its progress up the rink
appears to the skip to have been thrown with insufficient force, he
directs his party to sweep the ice in its path. The party opposed to
that whose stone is coming up is not allowed to sweep in front of the
line drawn across the brough, but may sweep behind it, so as to let the
stone, if it should pass the tee, go far enough beyond it, to lose the
chance of counting.
The brooms used in Scotland are usually made of "broom," sometimes of
birch twigs, and occasionally of heather, as one or other may be found
most convenient to the place of playing. In Canada, "corn brooms" which
have been used for domestic purposes a sufficient length of time to be
stripped of the knotty parts which might break off and obstruct the
progress of the stone, have been found to be the best. Some Curlers in
Scarboro', near Toronto, who have immigrated from Lanarkshire, have
imported stocks of the genuine Scotch broom, which, under their
cultivation, thrives so well as to promise to supersede the use of every
other material.
* * * * *
THE GAME.--The usual mode of playing the game is with 16 stones on a
rink. This number is sufficient to impart interest to the playing, and
more would towards the end of the head, crowd the ice. Sometimes these
are played by four players on each side, playing two stones each, which
mode may be preferable when a few only are exercising for practice; but
in such case the sweeping, which--unless the ice be very keen--is
essential to success, can never be properly attended to, as the skip and
player being sufficiently occupied in their own departments, only two
brooms can be effectively employed at the same time. The most
interesting game, therefore, is where there are sixteen players on a
rink, with one stone each, eight players on each side; and a game so
played is now to be described.
The parties determine by lot which is to "have the ice" or in other
words, which is to play the first stone. It is doubtful whether it be an
advantage to win the ice, as the party who loses this plays the last
stone--the most important in determining the result of the head. The
side who wins the end plays the first stone on the end following.
The skip of the party who is to play first, stationing himself on that
tee towards which the stones are to be thrown, directs the player who is
to "lead" or play the first stone, on his side. When this stone is
played the skip of the opposite party takes the same post, pointing out
to his first player how he wishes his stone to be played. Each side
plays one stone alternately, and the object of each successive player is
to draw nearer the tee than any of his opponents, to strike out their
winning shots, or to guard the winners of his own party. The earlier
stages of the end therefore appear simple enough; but after the first
eight or ten stones have been played, especially when they have been
played well, the game becomes more intricate and more interesting. One
party may have a stone covering the tee, apparently guarded on every
side, and impregnable to attack, the stones of their opponents having
only strengthened its position; yet some stone which, either from a
_ruse_ on the part of the director, or from being badly played, has
rested near the edge of the rink and seems to be lost for that end, may
furnish a point to which another stone may be slidden, and receiving
thence a new direction may reach the winner, and removing it from the
tee, become itself the winning stone.
The director generally plays the last stone on his own side. The seventh
player is usually appointed to that position in the order of the game on
account of his being a correct and powerful player, so that he may,
when necessary, open up a path for the stone of the "hind hand."
When the stones are all played to one end of the rink, the game is
counted, and every stone which either party has nearer the tee than any
stone of their opponents, counts one shot or point; and such portion of
the game is styled an "end" or "head."
The number of shots in a game is variable, depending on agreement. The
Toronto Club usually play for 31, in a regular game; and in their
matches among themselves, or with the Scarboro' Curlers, when more than
one rink has been engaged, the practice has been, either to play to an
hour specified, or to stop before that hour should the aggregate shots
of either party on all the rinks collectively amount to thirty-one for
each rink. In Scotland, where the continuance of the curling season is
very precarious, all who have it in their power, play the whole of every
day while the ice will permit, and, consequently, the number of shots
played for is more uniform. At Toronto, where Curling may be practised
almost daily, fully three months in the year, the rink is resorted to
for one or two hours' recreation, and seven, thirteen, or twenty-one
shots are frequently fixed on as the game, according to the time
intended to be devoted to the exercise.
* * * * *
LAWS OF THE GAME.--In every district of Scotland, and in almost every
club, some differences are to be found in the mode of conducting the
game. Little difficulty, however, is there experienced from the want of
written laws, the _lex non scripta_ of every parish or county being
perfectly understood where it is in force. Still in Edinburgh and a few
other places where Curlers from distant Clubs are likely to meet, it has
been found necessary to have their laws reduced to writing so that from
whatever part of the country the player might come, he could not be
ignorant of the rules by which his playing was to be governed. At
Toronto, the want of a written code of laws, was for a number of years,
felt to be inconvenient--few of the original Curlers having been
accustomed to play exactly according to the same system. It was,
therefore, one of the first objects of the Toronto Curling Club, after
its formation, to draw up a set of Rules, founded on the prevailing
practice in Scotland. The following, therefore, were agreed to--and
although not applicable to every case that may be conceived, they have
been found sufficient to decide, satisfactorily, every difficulty that
has occurred during the experience of four years; and have been
cheerfully agreed to by the Scarboro' Curlers, in their matches with
those of Toronto.
1st.--The Rink to be forty-two yards from tee to tee,[2] unless
otherwise agreed upon by the parties. When a game is begun the rink
cannot be changed or altered unless by the consent of a majority of
players, and it can be shortened only when it is apparent that a
majority cannot play the length.
2nd.--The hog score must be distant from the tee one-sixth part of
the length of the rink. Every stone to be deemed a hog, the sole of
which, when at rest, does not completely clear the score.
3rd.--Every player to foot so that in delivering his stone, it shall
pass over the tee.
4th.--The order of playing adopted at the beginning must not be
changed during a game.
5th.--Curling-stones must be of a circular shape. No stone to be
changed during a game,[3] unless it happen to be broken; and the
largest fragment of such stone to count, without any necessity of
playing with it more. If a stone roll or be upset, it must be placed
upon its sole where it stops. Should the handle quit a stone in the
delivery, the player must keep hold of it, otherwise he will not be
entitled to replay the shot.
6th.--The player may sweep his own stone the whole length of the
rink; his party not to sweep until it has passed the first hog
score, and his adversaries not to sweep until it has passed the
tee--the sweeping to be always to a side.
7th.--None of the players, on any account, to cross or go upon the
middle of the rink.
8th.--If, in sweeping or otherwise, a running stone is marred by any
of the party to which it belongs, it must be put off the rink; if by
any of the adverse party, it must be placed agreeably to the
direction which was given to the player; and if it be marred by any
other means, the player may take his shot again. Should a stone at
rest be accidentally displaced, it must be put as near as possible
in its former situation.
9th.--Every player must be ready when his turn comes,[4] and must
take only a reasonable time to play his shot--should he, by mistake,
play with a wrong stone, it must be replaced where it stops, by the
one which he ought to have played.
10th.--A doubtful shot must be measured by a neutral person, whose
determination shall be final.
11th.--The skips alone shall direct the game. The players of the
respective skips may offer them their advice, but cannot control
their directions; nor is any person, except the skip, to address him
who is about to play. Each skip may appoint one of his party to take
charge for him, when he is about to play. Every player to follow the
direction given to him.
12th.--Should any question arise, the determination of which may not
be provided for by the words and spirit of the preceding Rules, each
party to choose one of their number, in order to determine it. If
the two so chosen differ in opinion, they are to name an umpire,
whose decision shall be final.
[2: The Grand Caledonian Curling Club recommend that rinks have
double tees at each end, the one at least two yards behind the other;
the whole four to be nearly as possible on the same line. The stones are
to be delivered from the outer tee and played towards the inner; this
saves the ice from being injured around the tee played up to.]
[3: With regard to double-soled stones, the Grand Caledonian
Curling Club has a law that the side commenced with shall not, under
forfeiture of the match, be changed during the progress of the game.]
[4: An excellent method of obviating the confusion which is
sometimes experienced in the early ends of a game, by players being
doubtful of their places is, that before commencing, the players on each
side of a rink should "fall in" in the order in which it is intended
they shall play, and "number off from right to left." The player who
makes a mistake after this has been done is fit neither for a Curler nor
a Soldier. This method has been practised at Toronto since the winter of
1837-38--when military terms and ideas were infused into every
department of life.]
When a few players are curling for practice, or recreation, some of the
above laws may not be rigidly enforced; but any relaxation should always
be noticed, so that there may be no difficulty in strictly adhering to
them when playing a Bonspiel, or set game.
* * * * *
The preceding account has been, as far as practicable, divested of
technical terms, in order that it might be the more intelligible to the
uninitiated. Many of the words and phrases, however, used in Curling are
peculiar to the game--throwing light on its origin and history,--and it
would now be as difficult for Curlers to abolish the language of the
rink, as it would be for the gentlemen of certain learned professions,
to substitute the Queen's English for their most unclassical Latin. An
explanation of the following terms, which are in constant use, is
therefore indispensable in a work of this nature;
_Angled Guard_--A stone which obliquely covers or guards one stone
or more.
_Bias_--An inclination in the ice, tending to lead a stone off the
direction given to it by the player.
_Block the ice_--See "fill the ice."
_Boardhead_--See "brough."
_Bonspel_, _bonspiel_, _bonspeel_--(French, _bon_, good, and Belgic,
_spell_, a play--a good game; or Suio-Gothic, _bonne_, a
husbandman; or Belgic, _bonne_, a village or district; because
one district challenges another to play at this game.) A match
at Curling between two opposite parties.
_Break an egg on_--To strike one stone very gently with another.
_Brough_--(Alemanic, _bruchus_, a camp, often circular). The space
within the largest circle drawn round the tee.
_Channel-stane_--A Curling stone is so named in the southern
counties of Scotland, probably from stones found in streams
having been first used for curling.
_Chuckle to_--To make two or more inwicks up a port to a given
stone.
_Creep_--(Come creeping up the rink) the stones are said to creep
when they are thrown with little force.
_Curling_--(German, _kurzweillin_, to play for amusement; or
Teutonic, _krullen_, _krollen_, SINUARE, to bend,--as the great
art of the game is to make the stones _bend_, _twist_ (_quod
vide_), CURL, towards the mark, when they cannot reach it in a
straight line.) Sliding stones along the ice towards a mark.
_Dead guard_--A stone which completely covers another, concealing it
from the view of the next player, is a dead guard upon that
other.
_Deliver_--To throw the stone.
_Director_--The same as "skip" or "skipper."
_Draw a shot_--to play to a spot pointed out by the director, having
no other stone to strike or rest upon.
_Dour_, _drug_, _dull_--The state of the ice when the stone cannot
easily be thrown the length of the rink.
_End_--That portion of the game in which the stones are all played
to one end of the rink.
_Guard_--To lay a stone in a line before another; or the stone so
laid.
_Hack_, _or hatch_--(Icelandic, _hiaka_, or Suio-Gothic, _hacka_, a
chop, cut, or crack), a cut in the ice, in which the player
places his foot to prevent it from slipping as he delivers his
stone.
_Head_--See "End."
_Hindhand_--He who plays the last stone on his side.
_Hog Score_--The line drawn across the rink, about seven yards from
the tee; stones which do not pass this are thrown aside.
_How ice_--The ice in the middle of the rink, _hollowed_ by the
friction of the stones; also called _white ice_.
_Inring_, _inwick_--See "_Wicking_."
_Keen_--The opposite of dour.
_Leader_--He who plays first in order in his party.
_Lie in the bosom of_--To play a stone so as gently to touch and lie
before another.
_Outwick_--See "_Wicking_."
_Pat lid_--A Curling stone lying on the tee.
_Port_--An opening between two stones, wide enough to admit another
to be played through.
_Rack_--A word used in some districts instead of rink.
_Redd the ice_--(Icelandic, _rada_ ORDINARE, to put in order; also,
to warn, to advise,) to clear the ice, or to break the guards
with a stone strongly played, so as to expose the tee or the
winner; to "ride" successfully.
_Rest_--To draw to any object or point so as not to pass it.
_Ride_--To throw a stone with great force towards one or more other
stones, in order to remove them from their position.
_Rink_--The ice on which the game is played.
_Shot_--A stone played; in another sense, a stone which counts.
_Skip_, _or skipper_--(Probably from Suio-Gothic, _skeppare_, a
master), a director.
_Tee_--(Icelandic, _tia_, to point out the place; or, Teutonic,
_tygh-en_, to point to), the winning point to which the stones
are played.
_Twist_--To give to a stone, on its being delivered, a rotary
motion, so that it revolves on its sole as it slides along the
rink, and bends from the straight line, when the force with
which it has been thrown is nearly exhausted.
_Wicking_, _wick_, _inwick_--(Suio-Gothic, _wick_, a corner; or
Teutonic, _wyck_, a turning), to make a stone take an oblique
direction by striking another on the side.