Forward and Back Play. - We shall have to speak more of this when dealing with four-handed games; but for single-handed games, forward play, though it appears more brilliant, and wins more applause, is in reality more hazardous. By all ordinary players, games are more generally won off an opponent's defaults than by clever strokes. Besides, long rallies are more interesting and better exercise than scores of one or two strokes on either side. The safest play is well back, and drive as near your adversary's base-line as you can without going out of court.

Four-handed Games. - On a reference to the plan of the court given on p. 164, the reader will observe the dotted lines. These represent the space added to the court for a four-handed game. The serves, however, must be in the courts as laid for a single-handed game. The service-line, it may be observed, has been brought one foot nearer the net than is sometimes done. This has been done to prevent swift high serving from carrying every thing before it.

In four-handed games a great deal depends on the skill with which partners supplement one another's play. It is best for the non-serving partner to"stand up"nearer the net in the other half of the court, but not too near, say, about the service-line. In the right-hand half he should stand near the half-court line, and, in the left-hand, near the left line, so as to play a four-handed game as much as possible. He should not try to volley every ball. In fact, whenever a ball comes neatly over, pitching near the service-line, he should leave it to his partner in the rear.

When the partners are strikers-out, the position will depend more on the nature of the serves. Swift serves bring swift returns, and tend to keep all parties busy near the base-line. Slow serves provoke lobs and slow returns, and bring the players nearer together. It is better for one player to be forward and the other back, as then they do not interfere with one another. In such a case it is better for the back player to cry out to his partner when he sees he can best take a ball, as,"I've got it,"or"Leave."The back player should always support his partner, and be ready to take a ball missed by him, especially in twisting balls. Partners in tennis, as in business, are one in the eye of the law. If one touches the ball, the other cannot take it. If either strikes at a ball which falls out of court, it counts against the side.

The two players should divide the play between them somewhat in this fashion: the one standing up should endeavor to puzzle the adversaries, while the back player should give his attention chiefly to returning the balls. Two inferior players, accustomed to play together, will often beat superior opponents by the unity of their action. (Memorandum. - The forward player should leave every stroke his partner can play, and should only strike when he sees he can do so effectually, or when the ball would not reach his partner.)

There are one or two questions constantly arising in tennis which it may be as well to answer here.

I. If a ball touches the net in passing over, and falls in the right side, does it count ? Answer. - Yes, except in a serve. In that case, it is a"let,"and is not reckoned as a fault.

2. In a four-handed game, if one partner strikes at a ball and misses it, can his partner afterward take it ? - Yes, if not touched. If touched, it is a dead ball.

3.   May a player volley a ball before it has passed the net ? - He must not touch the net : if he does so, it counts against him. Otherwise he may strike where he likes.

4.   If a ball falls out of court at which the player has struck, but not touched, how does it count ? - It counts in favor of the player who has missed it.

Elegance of Play. - Natural grace is not to be acquired. It is born in the individual, and cannot be learned. Still, grace may be cultivated. For a lady, the element of clothes comes in, and the less free motion of the limbs limited by the skirts. In traversing the court, try to do so with a swift, gliding step, rather than a run. Be careful about the position of the feet, and before striking throw the weight of the body on the back foot, and in striking transfer it to the forward foot. This will throw the weight of the body into the stroke. The left hand may be placed open on the hip. Do not whirl or wave the racket in play. The safest strokes are those which are made from the shoulder or wrist. It is no use attempting to play in a dress tied tightly back.

Slips and Falls. - The way to avoid these is always to wear proper shoes. To play tennis on a nice lawn in heels is an act of sacrilege for which the player deserves any thing he gets.

Winter Tennis. - The game may be played all through the winter under cover. The armories of New York and Brooklyn and other cities afford excellent courts. A hard, polished floor does not give the same opportunity for twists and serves as turf, and less force should be put into the strokes.

Wind. - In open-air play the court should be laid out with the wind up and down. As the players change courts every set, it is fair to both. In playing down wind, play softly, and up wind play hard. Cuts are more easy down wind.

Seaside Tennis. - Many players at the seaside have a difficulty in finding ground. They should know that a good hard sand forms the very best ground. At Dinan, in Brittany, much frequented by Americans, as many as fifteen nets may be seen pitched on the sand in an afternoon.