This ball was far from perfect. The stitches wore. The
heavy cement used by some makers interfered with the bounce and perhaps damaged the rubber. At first we used to play with the flannelled ball only on fine days and the rubber ball when it was wet. It is, I think, within the bounds—if the word may be used—of possibility that the ball has not yet reached its final development ; that an uncovered ball of the right tightness, roughness and weight may one day be manu- factured. However, the present ball is a marvellous product. It will even wash. It is as good on a hard court as on grass, and of singular accuracy of balance and weight. It has been directly developed from Mrs. Heatheote's ball ; and who shall say how much the astounding popularity of lawn tennis all over the world owes to this early amateur invention ? If the inventor received a farthing a dozen the proceeds would be reckoned in millions of pounds.
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