The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-07-22
Beecher on Billiards.

As to the game itself, it must be
regarded as one of the most charm
ing that was ever invented. Unlike
sedentary games, it incites an unro-
mitted activity, both Of body and Of
mind. The walking about the table,
tho strokes, the various postures into
which the body comes in adapting
the stroke to the position OF the balls,
afford q gentle exercise of tho most
refreshing character.
The mind, likewise, without severe
taxation, as in chess, is kept alert
and sharp. The whole game is man.
ly, ingenious, and eminently agreea-
bic. 1t can be played by men and
women alike. It is not noisy like
ten-pins; it requires but little space,
compared with many other games !;
and i. is not so absorbing but that o
conversation may be carried on, and
the pleasure OF friends aud spccta-
tors be considered.
The only objections to the use of
Billiards are cxtrinsic OF tho game
itself.
l. "Billiard saloons are full Of
temptations to the young"
This is very apt to be true. It's a
good and sufficient reason for dissua-
ding one from billiards, in saloons
Kept for the purposes Of the game. In
many places the billiard saloon is the
very headquarters Of village iniqui-
ty. There, one will meet whatever
in the neighborhood is the least re-
strained in morals or opinions. They
are the headquarters from whence
issue corrupting influences. In even
the most select and elegantly fur
nished billiard saloons of the city,
young men will, if facile to tempta,
tion, find so many unfavorable influ-
ences, that fathers may we'll be solic-
itous Of sons who frequent them.
If the question be asked, Ought
young people to play billiards? |
should answer, Yes-unhesitatingly,
But if it be asked, Ought they TO
frequent billiard saloons Even
more emphatically should say, No !
But, in private dwellings, or in
halls OF young mems associations,
where there is no bar, and where
betting, and the associations which
usually accompany it, are scrupulous-
ly excluded, there seems no good
reason why SO noble a game should
not be used for recreation and exer-
else, especially in large towns, where
one has little choice, and indeed little
chance, of pleasing exercise.
2. Bnt, it is asked, is il not q
waste Of precisus time, that might
be better cmployed?" That depends
upon circumstances. Every one
must form a Judgment for himself.
Ii one becomes fascinated with the
game, neglects regular duties, and
makes the game a considerable part
of his business, he should be bsashamed
of such an abuse of an innocent
amusement. But when one eats too
much, we do not exhort him to eat
notat all, but to sovernand moderate
his indulgence.
Recreation is an important aid to
industry He who has no amuso.
ment cannot work as well rs he who
has one. There is liability to excess,
in two directions. Some over work,
and some over play, and both arc to
be guarded against.
There is no more danger In vast
ing time at billiards than at base ball,
or at rowing or riding, or any other
manly exercise. The objection is
not any more against billiards than
against all pleasing recreations what.
ever. And blow at rational amuse.
ment is blow at good morals. For.
as society is now constituted, unless
a channel be made for the overflow.
ing Of the fancy, it will find one for
itself, silently; clandestinely, danger.
ously. Sccreted amusements are
full of danger. Open and manly
amusements are refreshing and
wholesome.
3. "But if one begins with pill
ards will it not lead TO cards, to the
race track, and to all fashionable
amusements?
1t may. But so may school, O
church, u lecture, concert, or any
other place of concourse, be used as
q point of decline and of evil asso
citation. But there is nothing in .
home game Of billiards that tempts
to dissipation or irregularity. 1t il
singularly free from all such excite
ment. If a young man can be KEEP
from evil only by being smut off from
all temptation, he should be imprison
ed for life. But God did not SO ordel
the world. Men must be tempted
They are to learn how to overcome
evil by feeling its pressure. Ifnoth
ing may be employed out of which
temptation can come, then ono mus
give up life itself. There is tempta
ton in leisure, and in work /; there i
temptation in spending, and in earn
ing. There is temptation in thinking
in feeling, in willing, in action. ON
must learn safety, not by hiding
but by conquering.
4. The theory Of alnusements j
both clear and dsimple. But the prac
tice OF it is complicated. "All thing
are laufal, but all things are not cape
dent" The habits Of q communit,
the state Of public opinion, the con
victions and even the prejudices Q
society, the occupations OF men, tn
prevailing tendencies Of differen
communities should be taken into &C
count, in determining what amuse
ments arc To he encouraged, and hoy
far. A thing may be expedicnt an
safe in one place, while, from socia
aud local reasons, in the very mex
village the influence of the sam
practice may bo evil.-N. \. Ledge,
Millie Gaines, . negro woman, VIII
murdered James 4. lngle, whit
man, in March last, is on trial i
Washington, before jury compose
Of six whites and six negroes. Th
counsel for the defense, in openin
the case, appealed to the negro j,
rors to have pity on the accused, &
she was of the same class as them
selves.
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