The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-04 00:00:00

A CLERGYATAN ON BILLIARDS.

"New York, April 26th, 1862.
" My dear Mr. Bonner,—l'm in trouble, and as so
many of your readers appeal to you in their tribu-
lation, I can think of nothing better. The facts of
the case are these : I happen to be an Episcopalian
yet an ardent admirer of Henry Ward Beecher,
whose paper I receive every weep, and enjoy a feast
in his sermons, editorials, &e. Now I am often
called upon in our family circle to defend the say-
ings and doings of this great man, and it is needless
to say, come off victor. But at last lam cornered.
The report that H.W.B. was present at the billiard
tournament has created quite an exitement among
us. I have taken the position that he was not
there, and that it was a mistake or slanderous report
of the Observer and other papers. Of course I have
nothing to offer but my own opinion, expecting a
contradiction in this week's paper to sustain
but have looked in vain among the 'Ears and.
Eyes,' and ail through the Independent. And now
I'm in as bad a position as Beauregard, and shall
be obliged to fall back, unless you will reinforce roe
with your opinion en the subject. One point which
I have taken is, that if Henry Ward Beecher was at
the billiard tournament, it was for some good pur-
spoosdeo, bhus tl
pI
mcaen,
o'tofor o
bt
ieg
el i f‘e.ooofr mc
oanssut
as
nt ati nr
otandee point,A
CHURCH WOMAN." As -our readers are aware,
we always endeavour to publish the best answers
that we can give or procure to the various questions
to which we reply in this department. On receiving
the above letter, we immediately • sent it. toINI Mr.
Beecher himself. He returnedfliytnhileeenafodflelofwing brief,
off-hand
s not e.writtent
wason tnhoet od,
Atoourr corre-
spondentubli
cation, but merely for the benefit of
Woman." Thinking, however, that it would interest Church
a large number of our readers, we obtained par •
sion to publish it :—" My dear Bonner—Had I X;
to see Morphy play a game of chess, would people
have raised a hue and cry about it ? Well, I went
to see the great billiard champions play in just the
same way. There was a mixed motive. I was, as
ignorant as a man could be, and supposing the plane
that was
_good enough for respectable ladies and
gentlemen to be good enough for me, I went there
as I would to any other exhibition. It was not
at a gambling nor at a billiard saloon, but at a
public hail (Irving), used for all respectable
assemblies, and at which the religious anni-
versaries of May are advertised to be held. /
wished also to see what company assembled at such
exhibitions, and what sort of men these great bil-
liard players were. Ido not apologise or excuse--
I do not even defend it. I take my right for
granted. I exercised it openly and above board.
It is for other people to make remarks upon my
Christian liberty as seems best to them. As to bil.
olinaradecsoaulonotnso,f Ibtihlliinakrdtsh, ebmu
tboafd
Ifiogruyooru, nangamoe
fn
mn
eon!
whose business it is to seduce the young. But the
game of billiards is fine, and not to be condemned.
It is only proper that I should add, that I never saw
a church or public meeting more well-behaved and
entirely gentlemanly than that at Irving-hall. If
there was any betting thereit was secret. There
was no appearance of it. I was pleased with my
visit. Nor do I see any reason yet to regret it.
Truly yours, H. W. B. —New Fork Ledger.