Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-07-02


much less quarrel, generated ut tho
table. that when, on rare occasions. high
words are heard over game, everybody
concludes at once that the disputants
have no business with the cue.
In the course of many years. experience
as a billiard player, various questions
have been put TO ms about the game.
shall try to give an answer 10 all Of them
at this time and to anticipate some other
questions which might naturally be asked.
In respect To learning the game so ms to
be able TO play It well, billiards is much
like the piano aud other musical instru-
ments. The first lesson must be taken
early In life aud practice must be uninter-
mittent us long as man Is In the field.
Few men can become good performers on
the piano or violin. as understand II, II
they begin to play after arriving at ma
ture years. BY that tlmo she fingers have
become comparatively rigid. aud lncapa.
BILE OF acquiring not sapid action, but
delicacy OF touch, without which per
formance ON the piano can never rank
high. IL Is certainly the case IN billiards.
Delicacy and precision count for more
than force, and delcacy can be acquired
only by beginning early. should say az
a general rule TINT one who desires 10 be-
come good billiard player, should begin
at the age OF IL or Is, All the muscles are
supple Mt this time and the perceptive
faculties alert. 1t Is essentially the teach
able nge. One who begins earlier, that Is
at or 8, rs Il the case with musicians, is
liable learn more by rote, and thus acquire
certain mechanical proficiency which
VII. be OF little value until by the exer-
else of perception and Judgment the player
learns how TO treat novel or difficult
position on his own responsibility.
Few boys probably have any distinct
idea at fifteen of making great experts Of
aud fewer parents would
choose such career for their children.
Not that tue calling Of billiards is low In
any sense. but that the opportunities for
good income from II are not generally
IL is looked upon properly
enough as n pastime, aud yet combining
so muel, mental aud physical science as 1t
does. Il Is enhnently worthy Of the study
required To develop Its possibilities on the
part OF those naturally qualified for the
work. This brings up an important point:
not everybody, even by the most patient
discipline, can become what call good |
player. There are certain natural qualiil- |
cations that must be possessed by a billiard |
player, Just as there are special talents for |
literature, the law, or the arts. l
them man had better content |
himself with the fun OF fhe game moder-
,tely played, and IN this he will find plenty
II recreation, genuine pleasure, aud by |
choosing his antagonists properly, a great
lea| of that emulation, which is the life OF
III games and pursuits. 1t is fact that
,eyond II certain .polnt no player can i'm.
,rove. This point varies with each indl-
vidual, but In the individual It is abso-
utely axed.. II is not always reached by
'layers, because not everybody knows
low to develop his natural qualifications
o their utmost; but when that has been
lone the most persistent practice will add
lothlng to his effectiveness.