The New York herald., 1870-02-24

hard match. small and rather dirty looking box
was accordingly fitted up tor him In corner OF the
gallery, and thence he watched with some cotn-
panlons the progress Of the game, occasionally lead
ing the applause ~ some OF tnc more orlliant
strokes with great heartlness. Nobody appeared to
take any interest in his presence, and ne was no
more looked at Than If he had been cosleInlonger.
Tns game absorbed the attention oi everybody.
40 not Intend 70 describe at any length because
the differences between tho American and English
tables are such tnat the details OF play III ono coun-
try must be unntelligbe 10 people In the other and
because am not certain whether the vocabulary Of
the TWO countries agrees II may be remarked gen.
orally that the game was OF the slowcSt That has
been played IN recent times seeing tnat II occupied
four hours and forty three minutes to make the 1000
in the table which made the spot stroke 30 difficult
that long breaks were lmpracuca0e- II was evi-
Cook, brilliant as each is az this move under the
former conditions could manage the small pockets at
the mouth OF winch the ball, time alter time hung
matter OF wonder that though botn aimed at get
ting on the spot and frequently accomplished u,
ss r,, were half Ss eoss
best scores "on the balls" were 49, AZ,
~ and 81, while Roberts never got more at time
than 10 ana 2S The young man early TOOK sllgut
lead and long maintained is, and when he nad
reached 400 his veteran opponent was DO Dehlno
NOW however Roberts who nad taken various oe,s ens
lost uInc, and ~ length the MARKER alnio wuo
Outburst OF cheering, called the game 4v7 ali. They
went on pretty evenly until 5l7 all was ann0unced
but Cook got material advantage by scoring two
breaks OF 40 and AZ, ana wnen the interval NJ lO41
NJ arrived he $1,000 at s2e against me old mans"
offered on Cook. When play again commenced tney
went along almost pai1 paSsu, until COOK was 70l
balls INTO favorable position went Ill for magni
hcent break OF 80, achieved by some VI the most
deiicate and beautiful play 1t was ever my gooa lor
tune to see.
koDerls from this point again began to pull him
SELF together and managed 10 lessen the Inference
between himself and his adversary until they stood
again bet. 63 OF Cooks Was then answered
BY 81 from Roberts, who was now beginning to
lay aside the launty air which he mad hltnertO main
alned and to settle down 10 the game with AL his
energies. SO cooly and collectedly did he now play
that ne gradually Overhauled the young man, and
with two breaks or 80 each landed himself aI l,0H
against Cooks l,037 1t need scarcely be said tnat
tiis unexpected turn OF affairs AT the most critical
period Of the contest caused the most intense excite
ment, or mat every stroke was watched with silent
earnestness that could not have been more marked
had The tate OF empires been trembling ia the
balance. The position was such as fully 1uStined
tne reduction OF tue odds TO nve TO 0ur but ~ was
not enough 10 disturb the nerves OF young COOK,
VINO played with q calmne5S and steadlness that
would nave become tine veteran champion himself.
Roberts was now playing for safety but ms opponent
on the contrary went IN for brilliant stroxes Whch
proved successful that at 100 ne mad the olu
man Al to the lead. From TINS point the struggle
was practically over, IOr Roberts could never again
appl3acn e. LOOK wno WIN an a nr
claimed the champion Dllllard player OF England.
lie was Immediately challenged by young koeerts,
NhV, HoNcfcl uui0eS NC meuuS WaJS, hoS ao
cuance whatever.
An American friend tells that 1t was the least
brilliant play he ever saw, anu that ne could bring
from the other side OF the water half q dozen men
who could "lickn both Roberts and Cook into
fits" Well, all can say Is, that It was the best
under the circumstances we could offer, and that
we should all be pleased II you would send over
Deery, Foster and Dion to show us now you play
billiards.
Tue whole performance was so brilliant that the
assembly cheered TILL they were hoarse, and the
Prince was a5 eager In showing his approval Al any
1t may here be stated that his Royal hignness
on leaving about midnight expressed his high ad-
nlratlon OF Cooks play, but stated that ne would
not Witness another match except under the Old
conditions, which would allow OF the great breaks
that have now become celebrated.