To ornament dark-coloured objects, such as the bindings of books, Russia leather, blotting-cases, leathern bags, &c., the picture must be previously covered with a mixture of opaque white varnish, taking care not to pa.s.s beyond the outline of the design. On the following day, proceed according to the instructions given in the preceding paragraph.

2564. To ornament Silk, Paper, or Articles which will not bear wetting.

Varnish the picture with the transfer varnish, as previously explained, following the outline of the design, then allow it to dry for an hour or two; when quite dry, pa.s.s a damp sponge over the entire surface of the sheet, so as to remove the composition which surrounds the picture, and which may spoil the object.

Let the paper dry once more, and varnish the picture again with the transfer varnish; in about ten minutes, place it face downward on the object to be decorated, and rub it with the paper-knife or roller, over the whole of its surface. Finally, moisten the paper with a wet brush, allow it to remain sufficiently long to become moist, then strip the paper off.

_To remove a spoilt picture from any object,_ dip a soft rag in the essence, and rub it over the surface.

2565. To Insure a Successful Result.

To insure a successful result, care must be taken to give a very light coating of varnish to the parts to be transferred. When the varnish is first applied it is very liquid, and must remain ten minutes, the best condition for transferring being when the varnish is only just sticky, without being too dry.

2566. The Following Designs will be found the most Elegant and Appropriate.

English flowers of every variety: bouquets, tropical birds, flowers and fruits in imitation of aqua-tint; garlands with cupids after Watteau, and garlands with birds; domestic scenes; pears and cherries, apples and plums, white grapes and plums, black grapes and peaches, plums and mulberries, large bouquet of roses; bouquets of moss roses and pansies.; bouquets of small camellias; bouquets of wall-flowers and poppies; bouquets of orange-blossom, medallions, various subjects; birds'-nests; Gothic initials and monograms, fleurs-de-lis; borders various.

2567. Heraldic Decalcomanie.

Heraldic Decalcomanie is an extended application of this art, the arms and crests of persons or families being emblazoned in their proper colours according to the rules of heraldry, and prepared for Decalcomanie. Armorial bearings, thus embellished, serve admirably to ornament and identify the books of a library and pictures of a gallery, to decorate menus for dinner, the invitations to a soiree, &c. By their brilliant colours they give an elegant effect to the table decorations.

2568. Croquet.

This out-door pastime is of comparatively modern creation, and until quite lately was very much in vogue. It nay be played by persons of all ages and of either s.e.x; but it is especially adapted for ladies and young persons, as it demands but slight personal exertion, while it affords delightful and health-giving sport.

2569. The Ground.

The ground is preferably a gra.s.s plot of an oblong form; but an ordinary lawn or expanse of even turf will answer the purpose, so long as it is of sufficient extent for the operations of the game.

2570. Implements.

The implements are b.a.l.l.s, mallets, starting and turning pegs, croquet clips or markers, hoops or arches.

2571. Arrangement of the Hoops.

As much of the interest of this game depends upon the arrangement of the hoops, it is essential that they should be fixed in the ground on definite principles. In the first place, the starting peg is driven in at one end of the ground, and the turning peg is driven in at the other extremity. From each of these pegs a s.p.a.ce of twelve feet intervenes; here a hoop is fixed; another s.p.a.ce of ten feet intervenes, when a second hoop is fixed; a s.p.a.ce of eight feet then succeeds, and at this point is formed what may be termed the base, on each side of which, at a distance of twenty feet, and succeeding each other at intervals of ten feet, three hoops are driven in. By this arrangement, a square is formed, the starting peg leading into its centre, and the turning peg leading from it. Where the ground is small, the distances may be contracted proportionally. Other arrangements of the hoops may he made at the discretion of the players, but the first-named plan will be found best worthy of adoption, as it affords the most excellent opportunities for the display of address and skill.

2572. The Game.

The game consists in striking the b.a.l.l.s from the starting peg through the hoops to the peg at the opposite extremity. The b.a.l.l.s are then driven back again to the starting peg. The game may be played by any number of persons not exceeding eight. A larger number renders the game tedious. The best number is four. If two only piay, each player may take two b.a.l.l.s, and when as many as eight play, there should be two sides or sets. Each player takes a mallet, ball, and croquet clip of the same colour or number, the clip being used to indicate the hoop at which, in his turn, he aims. The division into sides, choice of b.a.l.l.s, mallets, &c., is determined by the players among themselves.

2573. Laws of Croquet.

In this game, as with many other sports when first established, there were differences of opinion on certain points of practice. In 1870, however, at a conference of Croquet players, the following rules were settled and adopted. They are now accepted by all players.

i. There shall be no restriction to the number, weight, size, shape, or material of the mallets: nor as to the att.i.tude or position of the striker.

ii. The players shall toss for choice of lead and of b.a.l.l.s: and a succession of games shall take the lead alternately and keep the same b.a.l.l.s.

iii. In commencing, each ball shall be placed at one foot from the first hoop in a direct line between the pegs; and a ball having been struck is at once in play, and croquetable whether it shall have made the first hoop or not.

iv. A stroke is considered to have been taken if a ball is moved perceptibly; but should the player have struck it accidentally, and the umpire be satisfied that the stroke was accidental, the ball is replaced and the stroke taken again.

v. If the player make a foul stroke he loses his turn and all the points made therein, and the b.a.l.l.s remain where they lie, at the option of the adversary. The following are considered foul strokes:

(_a_) To strike with the mallet another ball instead of or besides one's own in making the stroke.

(_b_) To spoon, that is, to push a ball without an audible knock.

(_c_) To strike a ball twice in the same stroke.

(_d_) To stop a ball with the foot in taking a loose Croquet.

(_e_) To allow a ball to touch the mallet in rebounding from the turning peg.

(_f_) To fail to stir the pa.s.sive ball in taking Croquet.

(_g_) If a player, in striking at a ball which lies against a peg or wire, should move it from its position by striking a peg or wire, the ball must be replaced, and the stroke taken again.

vi. A player continues to play so long as he makes a point or hits a ball. A point consists in making a hoop or hitting the turning peg in order.

vii. The ball has made its hoop when, having pa.s.sed through from the playing side and ceased to roll, it cannot be touched by a straight-edge placed across the wires on the side from which it was played.

viii. A player who hits a ball must take Croquet: that is, must strike his own ball while in contact with the other, so as perceptibly to stir both. In doing this he is _not_ allowed to place his foot on his ball. A player, when his turn comes round, may hit and Croquet each ball in succession, and can do this again after each point made, but between the points can only take Croquet once off each ball.

ix. A playing ball which hits another after making a point is in hand, and the striker can score no point till he has taken Croquet.

After hitting another, a ball may be stopped by any player; but should it, in rolling, displace any of the other b.a.l.l.s, such b.a.l.l.s must remain where they are driven.

x. When, at the commencement of a turn, two b.a.l.l.s are found touching, Croquet must be taken at once, without repeating the hit.

xi. When a player, in his stroke, hits one or more b.a.l.l.s, he must take Croquet off the ball that is struck first; but if he has. .h.i.t two simultaneously, he may choose from which of them he will take it, and in both cases a second hit is required before he can take it from the other ball.

xii. Should the ball in making its hoop strike another that lies beyond the hoop and then pa.s.s through it, the hoop and the hit both count; but, should any part of the ball that is. .h.i.t have been lying beneath the hoop, the Croquet must be taken, but the hoop does not count.

xiii. A rover which strikes or is driven by another ball against the winning peg is out of the game, and must be removed from the ground.

xiv. A player who pegs out a rover by a first hit cannot take Croquet from it, as the ball is out of the game, and he is not ent.i.tled to another stroke.

xv. Should a player play out of his turn, or with a wrong ball, and this be discovered by his antagonist before a second stroke in error has been made, the turn is lost, and all points made after the mistake, and the b.a.l.l.s shall remain as they lay at the time the mistake was discovered, or be replaced to the satisfaction of the antagonist. But if he has made a second stroke before the error is discovered, he continues his break, and the next player follows with the ball that is next in rotation to the one with which he has played, and is liable to lose his turn, and all points made therein, if he plays with that which would have been the right ball if no mistake had been made.