3-020-976 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"A Game of Four-Corners", by H. Carter, in the general exhibition of Water-Colour Drawings at the Dudley Gallery, 1869. Engraving of a painting depicting '...the life of humour and character as displayed by village alehouse notabilities at their favourite pastime, in their favourite arena...Does the gentle reader understand the distinction between a game of "four comers" and the ordinary ninepins?...the four pins which give its name to the game may be four of the ordinary nine pins, but are usually more rotund in shape. They are placed, or, to use the correct technical phrase, "stuck up," at the extreme angles of the square skittle-frame, and are consequently at much wider distances apart...The athletic village carpenter, farrier, or blacksmith is, we opine, a very scientific hand at the game. The old gossip, doubtless a connoisseur, looking on, is evidently confident of his skilled strength, and, like a confirmed gambler risking his all on a throw, is prepared to "back" him; his antagonist may well take a draught at the ale-can preparatory to his innings; the little boy, perched well out of harm's way, who serves as " sticker-up," is also deeply interested; and even the dog excitedly adds a noisy stimulus to his master's energies'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.