Croquet: As played by the Newport Croquet Club

This mid‑nineteenth‑century treatise offers a thorough, down‑to‑earth explanation of croquet as it was played by an established New England club. Written by one of the Newport members, the author sets out to correct the ambiguities and loopholes that plagued earlier manuals, insisting on a consistent system that rewards strategy over sheer luck. The preface frames the game as a genteel blend of outdoor recreation, mental calculation, and friendly competition, positioning it alongside chess and whist while emphasizing its unique blend of foresight and teamwork.

The book proceeds methodically, first listing precise definitions for every term—arena, blow, booby, concussion, and more—then laying out the official rules adopted by the Newport Croquet Club. Interspersed are real‑world cases drawn from heated matches, showing how concepts such as the “right of declining” and “double points” resolve disputed strokes. Readers gain a vivid picture of Victorian leisure, where a well‑trimmed lawn and a set of mallets become the stage for tactical plots, lively debate, and the simple pleasure of a sun‑lit afternoon.