GOLF AS A DISEASE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2170, 20 August 1897, Page 4

GOLF AS A DISEASE.

BY LORD ROSEBERY

Lord Rosebery, although a Scotsman, is wildly paradoxical enough not 1o play golf, and on the principle that an outsider sees most of the game, brought to bear on it that "just and independent judgment" for which, as applied to public affairs, he pleaded recently. Then it was a free library which was opened: and on another occasion it was a golt club-house. It is a bold thing in Scotland not to be positively enthusiast over golf, aud we almost fancy that Lord Rosebery must have had this in prospect when last year he resigned m order to be able to speak freely all that was in his mind. Anyhow, he not oii]yj confessed that he did not play the sacred and ancient game, but he enunciated and developed the proposition 'ithat a man once seriously inoculated with the love of golf is of very liitiftuse for other pursuits of society." Certainly, he produced a strong piece of evidence in the person of a friend who, when he is going to play golf, leaves his letters unopened lest they contain something to distract his attention. Practically, Lord Rosebery is afraid to learn golf, because it is not so much a pastime as a disease. Deliberately to decide in middle life to play the game is ; as serious a matter as "the choice of a wife." Remembering a previous atterance. we may say that the three important things in life are, according to Lord Rosebery:— . 1. The choice of a private secretary. 2. The choice of a wife. :j. The adoption of golf. —"Westminster Budget." ;