CHAPTER V.

BASE BALL.

The Ancient and Honorable Way--Latter-day Absurdities--"Great National Game"--Clubs; how formed--Science--Professional Players and their Salaries--Expenses--The Exotics challenge the Cupids--Game described--Victory--Supper--Speeches--Glowing Account in Papers--Pain-killers--Bubble must Burst--Decay--Reasons against the Game as now conducted--Foolish Exhibition--Bets--Cheating--Waste of Money--No Good Result of any sort, 77