CURLING, a sport on the ice common in Scotland, where it is played by all classes of people iu winter. Frozen-over lakes and rivers answer for the purpose. but under the auspices of C. clubs, artificial shallow ponds are maintained for the sake of this popular national sport, and these bonspiels, or set matches, are contested with immense spirit. The sport is regulated by a body of rules issued by a central association called the Cale donian Curling club, which has grand matches in which hundreds are engaged at least once, if possible, every winter. The remarkable and pleasing peculiarity of C. is, that it produces for the time a thorough mingling of ranks—peers, peasants, clergymen, farmers, country gentlemen, and tradesmen, all mingling hilariously and familiarly for the occasion. The sport belongs more particularly to the south-western division of Scot land. Latterly, it has migrated to England, Canada, and other countries where Scots men can find ice of sufficient strength and keenness. C. is played with flattish round stones, about 9 in. in diameter, prepared by stone-hewers, each stone weighing from 30 to 45 lbs. Each of the players has a pair. The stones are provided with handles, to enable the player to hurl them on the ice with the proper degree of force. As at bowls, the stones are hurled to an assigned point or mark. The game is as follows: Sides are made up, usually consisting of four against four, with a director styled skip for each; after which a certain length of ice, of from 30 to 40 yards in length, and 8 or 9 ft.
across, is chosen. This is called the rink. Certain marks are then made at each end of the rink, consisting of several concentric rings, called broughs, and a center, called the tee. A certain number is game, usually 31, and the keenness displayed by rival sides in competing for victory, is perhaps without a parallel in any other pastime what ever. One on each side plays alternately. The chief object of the player is to hurl his stone along the ice, towards the tee, with proper strength and precision; and on the skill displayed by the players in placing their own stones in favorable positions, or La driving rival stones out of favorable positions, depends nearly all the interest of the game. At a certain distance from each of the tees, a score—the keg-score—is drawn across the ice; and any stone not driven beyond this mark, counts nothing, and is laid aside. In country places, a dinner composed of " beef and greens." the well known curler's fare. generally concludes the day's diversion, which, taking place when out-door labor is suspended, is felt to be no encroachment on rural occupations. For laws and regulations of C., and general remarks on the game, see Chambers's Information for the People, article " Out-of-Door Recreations."