New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-19
PASTIMES AND SPORTS.
BOOKS ON INDOOR AND oPEN-A1R
THEMES.

Lille Grove and Other Writers. Octave Long
mans. Green CO.
Champion Player. ISIS. octave Lonsman'.
Green 4 Co.
Dyke. Octave. Ford. Howard & Huourt. lS0,
S SsS Elliott E. S t's
Francis b. Harper
THE LAMP B1EBs AMP p CANE IAN n BjSD Sn 0t
Edited BY William Brewster. octave Housh-
rSxd HNp k E!sH TS lf y wATER Rb
BY Charles B. Cory. Octave Boston, Estes &
& CO.
Must billiards be regarded as a pastime or a pur-
suit: That is the question which will inevitably
occur to those who peruse the Badmnton volume
on Billiards" by Major w. Broadfoot. with whom
are associated several other equally qualified writ
ers on tho subject. For one cannot but gain the
impression that 1t is almost hopeless for any but
professional devoting his entire existence to this
branch OF sport TO ever obtain pre-emnence there
In. In order 10 shine al billiards and TO really play
well II is indispensable TO have combination OF
qualities that they are scarcely ever TO be
found in the amateur. Thus It Is necessary TO
begin to play when quits young and TO practise In
defat!gably and continuously. one must have.
moreover. STEADY nerves. audacity tempered by
u
stinct for strength OF stroke the power of prompt
decision, with an almost unconscious inspiration
for calculating chances" In short. a frst-class
billiard player must be 'consummate strategis,
and born practician. with mastery OF his drill
In the most minute details" Yet patience and
practice will. nevertheless. in the opinion OF Major
Broadfoo, and Of his fellow-writers go for little
unless a man is born with veritable genius for
the game. Not the least interesting and attractive
portion OF the book is that devoted TO the history
OF billiards. in which are passed In review all the
most accomplished and illustrious knights Of the
cue past and present. There is good deal OF
dramatic excitement in the story Of some of the
close contests for the championship. played not
only for fame and serious stake. but for reputa
ton meaning handsome income
In every country Of the world dancing constitutes
a feature OF the social life and system. In
countries 1t plays role in religion and is considered
in the light OF a solemn ceremony. In other lands.
again, II figures in Yet other nations make use
OF the dance as manifestation Of sorrow and grief
while 20 the majority of the human II is
the pastime Of all others to which they pas
sonately addicted. No matter for what purpose the
dance is used there Is nothing that more strongly
marks the characteristics and traits of a Nation
Mrs. Groves volume contains an immense amount OF
special knowledge. 1t deals exclusively with the
dances Of antiquity. with the dances OF savages.
with those OF the Orient: with the dances OF
medieval times: with those ot the present era
and with those OF every nation in turn 1t ascribes
the invention OF the world-honored watz to Ger
many and that OF the polka 10 Bohemia. but does
not hesitate TO accord the palm OF dancing
art the French declaring that other nation has
brought It to such pitch OF taste and Of delicacy
The importance which the French have always at
tached thereto may be gathered from Moieres
mark In the Bourgeois Gentilhomme' that the
destiny Of nations depends upon the Of dancing
Eminently practical. and Astounding In valuable
hints as TO clubs caddies the best means of gofng
doubtful distances, and OF avoiding extricating
ones self from awkward hazards. is the hand
book THE Game OF Golf" by William Park. jr..
champion PLAYER OF lsS7-'s9. OF course. It is i'm
possible 10 learn outdoor game from books.
but this treatise on the practice Of golf by an
pert is good guide as any work OF the kind
be. The profuse Illustrations form an ad-
mirable pictorial commentary to the text. and
much may be gathered by the novice from the
excellent diagrams. Many important hints are
given with regard to the selection OF clubs Nicely
Of poise is all-important in a gun. but it is
OF consequence in golf-driver. The drec-
lions for the choice OF clubs followed by ex-
plantations OF the several OF those which may
be classed supernumerary. Mr.. Park seems TO
prefer gutta-pe balls and recommends that
they should not be more than six months old. and
that they should be tested by an immersion in
water only those which sink being used. In put
ting where the greens are smooth. Mr.. Park pre-
fers the wooden putter. while on the rougher
greens he favors the putting cleek. The practical
instructions for getting out of hazards are excel
lent and the book deserves place in the library
OF every enthusiast OF the game OF golf
Mr. Van Dykes book is one destined 10 please
not only those who fond OF exercising their
skill in the killing and in the capture OF game. but
also the many lovers of nature who never carry
gun or follow dog in their strolls on the coun-
try side The author Is an enthusiast In the
poetical enjoyment OF nature well as in hunt
ing Forty years Of play with a gun have fitted
him to a pre-eminont degree for imparting practi-
cal suggestions 10 those who are unacquainted
with the haunts and habits OF Americas feathered
game But this purpose has not so entirely alb
sorbed his attention as 10 prevent his eye from
taking In the general effect OF the scenes amid
which he has journeyed. and some Of the most
charming bits of writing In the little volume are
those devoted 10 the portrayal OF the haunts Of the
birds. Indeed. no who loves the woods. the
fields and the charms OF animated nature can fail
10 find In them fresh knowledge Of outdoor
beauty North American Shore Birds by Dan
Eel Graud Elliot. while perhaps containing a larger
amount OF information. is on the whole less at
tractively written than Mr.. Van Dykes volume.
II u.s. however a useful reference book for the
naturalist. containing, as 1t does. full descrip-
ton Of the popular and scientific names OF our
shore birds. together with fun account of their
mOOe
with porrayas Of the summer and winter plu-
images Of adults and young. that each species
may be readily identified. The volume is hand
somely illustrated
Scientific rather than popular In tenor IS the
more imposing volume The Land Birds and
Game Birds Of New England" by the late II. ID.
Mnot. The subject is treated in the most ex-
haustive manner. and Yet in such way az TO
convey the impression that the author was an en-
thusiast on the subject Of ornithoogy. This view
IL confirmed by the Information contained In the
preface to the effect that he was but seventeen
years OF age when the first edition Of the book
was published. We told. moreover, that he
was subsequently compelled by iIl-health 10 in
terrupt his studies at Harvard and to go West.
where, after having been employed in the con-
struction Of the Eastern Railroad Of Minnesota.