The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-23
BILLIARDS FOR THE HOME
AN INEXPENSIVE OUTFIT FOR l.
PRIVATE ROOM.

Combination Billiard and Dinner
Table.
(CopWiqhkj
NEW YORK, Nov. 22-As people. Amer
leans are undoubtedly becoming. with each
succeeding generation. moro accustomed to
leisure. The energy that marked the pio-
neer period of our history, and the rush and
hurry of business that followed the civil
war, are giving place to life that follows
more closely that of the wealthy class
abroad.
Home arnusements have gained by the
broarder christianity that characterizes our
religious thought. Billiards vas once con.
sidered a decidedly wicked game. It's
tables were only found in hotels and
saloons, and the clergyman who handled a
cue would surely have disgraced his cloth.
In fact, when the game of croquet
was first introduced the irreverent
were accustomed to call it "Presby-
terlal billiards. The satire oniy
emphasized the fact that church-going peo-
pie admitted the innocent nature OF the
game itself, and only objected TO its sur
roundings. Croquet may have been the
means Of introducing billiards to the
home circle. AT all events, public opinion
has undergone a decided change on the sub
jeot. A billiard table is found in many a
theological seminary, and tho most eminent
divines find relaxation in the click of the
worries
Tho game is so we'll suited to the home
that it is surprising 1t did not become popu-
lar long ago. 1t requires just enough of
physical exertion TO balance the mental
effort Unlike whist the body, instead OF
wearying of one posture, is rested by the
exercise afforded in walking around the
table and handling the cue.
A list OF the men prominent in financial
and social circles, who enjoy billiards at
their homes, would DO a long one Jay
Gould and the Vanderbits have billiard
rooms in their city residences, aud George
Gould has one in his mountain lodge also.
9. p Huntington. August Belmont e. ID.
Morgan and William Rockefeller have
tables IN their city and country houses, and
the billiard parlor in Rockwell" on the
Hudson. is said TO be the finest in the
country.
There Ia a billiard room In the white
house at Washington and two tables are in
cluded in the furnishings of the governors
mansion at Albany. President Diaz has q
table at his home 10 the Mexican capital.
The devotion Of military men to the game is
well known. Gems. Grant, Mcclellan aud
Custer were skillful players herB are
billiard rooms in the government buildings
at West Point and Annapolis, aud at every
military post tho officers find the cue
mightier than the sword in "these piping
times of peace.n
The theatrical profession furnishes many
really good players. Denman Thompson
owns two tables, Mckee Rankin ard w. j..
Florence devote much time TO the game, and
there are several actresses as we'll, who often
show in private their skin upon "the field
of the cloth OF green" Mrs Langtry and
Fanny Davenport have tables in their
u0H ,nrIo. L..
Crag-y-Nos Castle is the most luxurious
apartment Of the kind in tho world. The
famous diva Is an enthusiastic player, and,
as her usband. Nicoinl, is also fond Of the
game, they have spared no expense in fitting
up the room. The table, which was
furnished by the Brunswick. Bslke-Coiien-
der Company, cost / 8 fair ownec 81 800
1t is of American antique oak, tnlaid vita
mother Of pearl. The most exquisite cary
ings adorn the legs and holdings and pc
culiarly pleasing effect is produced by an
artistic blending of South American fancy
woods in the panels. The delicate tints of
tulip, dagonet and amaranth harmonic
with the darker shades of cocobola and ma
hcgany and form q superb background for
-four landscape medallions which adorn the
sides.
In fitting up billiard room it is usual TO
match the furnishings and table; but, OF
course. people Of moderate means need not
go to this expense. There is "a wide margin
between the billiard parlor Of Nine Patti
and the modest outfit Of an amateur who
can only enjoy the game after business
hours. An oak table of the best make,
41Sx9 feet, with cue-rack cues, balls,
bridges, markers and everything nee
essary for the game, can be boughb
for $3.50. A veneered table will cost less
money, and there are outfits manufactured
by houses Of less reputation that will prob
ably give quite as good satisfaction for
$3.50. Besides che table, a few chairs and
the gas fixtures are the only furniture
necessary for home game Of billiards; aud,
with small sideboard included, the outlay
need not actually exceed $500. Instruc-
tions for setting up the table, and the rules
of the game, arc always sent with au outfit.
AT the exposition In Paris last year
very ingenious table for home use was ex-
hibited. 1t is ordinarily dining table,
covered with green cloth. A turn of
crank underneath raises cushioned curb
all around the edge and Transforms it at
once into billiard table. Such a combina-
tion, while decidedly novel, can hardly be-
come popular here. 1t would not be very
pleasant TO have the servants como in the
midst of the game to lay the cloth for din
ner.
A billiard room must be well lighted.
The light, If possible, should come from
above. through ample skylights, so as to
thus prevent any shadow being thrown
from the balls or cushions. But unless one
is building this can seldom be obtained.
The next best thing is a corner room,
which will afford two lights in the day
time.
The gas light should be raised about
feet inches from the bed of the table, and
supplied with horizontal burners, so that no
shadow is cast by the pipe. The distance Of
the light from the hoer should DO about 8
feet inch. For s by 10 foot table tho
cross-arms of the pendant should measure
from light to light % inches, and the long
arms So inches. For a ~ by foot table.
crossarms Is inches and long arms 50
inches For 4 by s table. cross-arm %
inches and long arms A inches. A useful
shade has been devised, wbi3h throws a sols,
even light on the table and kesps the glare
from the players eyes. The floor, if car
peted at all, should be covered with some
thick or soft material.
c. HILLS WARREN.
ssFgwpv Ia a watch bouphk OF a FELLOW pasg0n.