_Game of Curling_ (Vol. v., p. 13.).--The third volume of Tytler's
_Lives of Scottish Worthies_ (No. 37. of the _Family Library_) contains
a series of antiquarian illustrations, of which the last is devoted to
"Ancient Scottish Games and Amusements." The author refers particularly
to the MS. accounts of the Lord High Treasurer during the reign of King
James IV. (1488-1513), in which, however, there appears to be no notice
of the "roaring game." The origin of this favourite amusement is
certainly involved in mystery, and I have repeatedly failed in my
endeavours to ascertain the meaning of the name by which the game is
known. On consulting the abridgment of Jamieson's _Dictionary_ for the
derivation, I find the following:--
"Perhaps from Teut. _krollen_, _krull-en_, sinuare, flectere,
whence E. _curl_; as the great art of the game is to make the
stones bend or curve in towards the mark, when it is so blocked up
that they cannot be directed in a straight line."