Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-10-24
INAUGURArIoN OF A NEw MANIA

tlHUNfNNfu AfNN'F Il f'fff'Nf
billiards.
u Mons. Berger, who arrived from
France few days since, in the Ad-
riatic, gave his first exhibition in
the United States at the rooms OF
Michael Phelan, corner of Broad
WAY and Tenth street, on Saturday
evening. The exhibition was OF a
private character, those present
numbering some sixty or seventy,
being there by private invitation,
and many of them distinguished
amateurs in the elegant and delight
nl game. We had expected that
Mr.. Berger would play with some
one selected to cope with him for
J the ocrasi0n, and whorl, OF ~cursc,
he WAS to knock into chdpedu de
rooster, in less than no time but we
We're disappointed,
Alter little opening speech, in
which he complimented America
and his American friends, who had,
rs he said, saturated him with kind.
ness, he proceeded to explain the
science of billiards, and the five
principal strokes, practically Illus
trating his remarks at table Mt
which he stood. His lecture did
not last over half IN hour or three
quarters, and the illustrations were
certainly splendid specimens of his
skill in the game. Itisevident that
he understands it scientifically
There was nothing very remarkable
in his manner Of playing, except
that when making the stroke called
ie maSSe, he held the cue perpendic-
ularly and struck down on the table,
sometimes resting the guiding hand,
and very often holding it unsuppor-
ted He played with singular ease,
which was more perceptible when
striking the ball in the ordinary
horizontal manner, which he always
did in making. the maSse retrogrdde.
'He made almost impossible strokes,
the balls apparently obeying him
like a set of well trained dogs. He
would occasionally miss very diff
cult one, but always persevered till
he had accomplished it, and then a
smile of qualification would break
over his large, good-humored face,
and his'eye light up with pride as
the company applauded his success.
The professor is a tall, portly, .o-
vial man Of probably fifty years,
and as he moved lightly round his
table, interspersod his lecture with
little pleasaptries.
Comparisons Gas the late Mr.. Dog
berry said long ago) are odorous;
but even if they were not so disa-
grcc'tbio n. tirau gvnuienrur meant 10
describe them, we would find it DIFF
ticult to draw comparisons with the
inimitablo skill displayed, by Mons.
Berger. He took particular pains
to explain everything to his audi
encc; carefully led us through the
wonderful intricacies of le masse, and
carried us safely through the labyr-
inths of le pousse; showed how
ball could run along the top of the
cushion, leap down at the proper
place and run to carrom on another
ball; and in his illustrations of le
aaasse retrograde, showed .what can
be done by that practice which
"maketh perfect.
On the Professors concluding,
Messrs. Phelan and White played a
game, and then an elegant supper,
in an adjoining room, formed very
pleasant ending to the nights work.
The health of Mr.. Berger was pro-
posed and duly honored, and he re-
piled briefly as follows:
"GENTLEMEN-I should not say
ge11emen, should say friends for,
tlS MANNER in which my name has
been received gives me the assur-
ancesthat am among friends-you
have done me the honor to associate
my name with that Of my old friend,
Mr. Phelan-not simply friend, but
more than brother in his generous
kindness to me. I would propose,
in return, not only the healths of
you, my friends, here present, but
that of all Americans, and the pros
perity of their country, which | ad-
mire ViUe ] Amerique!"
Mr.. Phelan's health was also pro-
posed, and he returned thanks in a
few words. Then there was a good
deal of private hobnobbing; and fl
nally, after the good things had had
II little more than justice done them,
the company gradually withdrew,
very much pleased with what they
had seen.-Nep York Herald.