The times., 1897-08-29
THE BILLIARD TABLE.

clubs, or to those unknown regions
which are termed billiard parlors, the
billiard table may be as domestic
piece or furniture as dining table or d
chest OF drawers. One of the chief rec
concentrations of the game is that it is
one in hich men and women may en-
ter With a chance of winning equal hon
ors. keenness of sight steady hand
and wrist and good Judgment in plan
ming the play are the main requisites.
and these may be possessed by women
in Quite as great degree as by men.
Strength S not so essential, alt hough
to make some shots it may be necessary
to go once or twice around the table,
when, OF course, considerable impetus
must be given to the cue ball, and that
this may he done by the fair sex was
proved 10y the girl whose ball failed to
touch the object ball, and so took the
cushion seven times before ending it's
rapid course.
'oh, but 1 would not want to get in
front of your cue" was the comment Of
the little man laying with this young
Amazon
Imagine the gay scene in a private bill
lard room, on a stormy night perhaps,
when after dinner all meet to enjoy a
game. either in participating or in watch
| ing its progress.
| The soft, restfu green OF the cloth, with
| the bright colors of rhc balls flashin quickly
! over its surface; the women attractive in
evening gowns: the CLEAN of Jewels; the
| graceful pose of slender hands and arms,
and all this offset by the more severe at
tire Of the men, while over all sthe concen-
| trateJ light OF the chandelier, leaving the
restof the room in shadow, makes picture
| OF unusual briIliancy.
| What man would prefer to go out for the
| evening If such inducements TO remain at
| home were Offered him?
Just here lies one OF the greatest argu-
ments in behalf OF the game and one which
! causes many clergymen to give it their in
dorsement II helps many parents to solve
| the problem OF how to keep their sons away
| from undesirable public places OF amuse-
| ment
The game Of billiard S of very uncertain
| origin, Shakespeare leading in the belief
| that Cleopatra invited Charmian TO the
| game with her as lar back as 30 b c.
| Some credit the Normans with inventing
| the sport and others attribute it to the
1 French as late as 1911.
1t Is said also that In the Confessions OF
| st. Augustine" references to the game are
! found. Probably the best founded belief
! is that ii was introduced by tie Knights
/ Templar after their return from the first
! crusade, they having found it among the
| mOnasteries OF Palestine. Owing to its
benefits as an exercise, the monks were a.
lowed 10 indulge ia it. 1t was, no wey er,
1 lost sight or for awhile and revived In the
time OF Louis XI, and was most popular
| amusement in the court OF Louis XIV. So
| it has traced its way down throug the cen
turtles. undergoing various changes, 1c-
corCing to the fdncies OF It's adheIen =,
! until il came over to Florida, in $50. Il :
! the tine~ OF De Soto Il expedition: later,
/ with the Cavaliers 10 Virginia, the Hoi-
/ landers III New York and the Hugueuuts
I ia South Carolina, and was favorite pas
! time with our great leader, Gen. Washing
/ ton, he and Lafa yette enjoying many
! games together. There have been various
styles Of tables. some of the features If
| bagatelle being found during the develop
ment of the game, but for long time ths
| three pockets, no cushions, hole in the
/ center table was preferred. After all
! these preliminary Conditions, we have
Come at last TO what may be termed the
| perfection OF The game, which is playe
upon table without pockets, and with
but three balls this being he carom game
! of the French. The American four-ball
game is easier, but never used by ex-
| perts.
I ne average cost OF tables runs from
! $500 10 $4,000, the latter being the price
of the first prize table at the Columbian
/ Exposition. This is d cabinet table OF
carved mahogany, which has a locker
cabinet built in beneath the slab OF the
table, for holding the small belongings OF
! the outfit, while between the cabinet and
the slab there is a long, narrow cue
drawer. Other cabinet styles are from
| $500 up The price OF a able include.
| all the appointments of the game, viz:
| One dozen cues, set OF balls, cue rack
| teither TO screw to the wall, or one that
stands In a corneri, chalk, extra cue-tip>
| and glue, brush, counters and cover.
The favorite counters are those strung
across from wall TO wall, where ell can
watch the progress OF the game. but an
ether good style rests In frame ior the
mantel Foreigners show a preference
for the rail markers, which are attached to
tie table, one on each side
clever device for converting a pool
table into a billiard able is an adJusta Die
corner, which can be screwed in place In
| lieu of the pocket. 1t Will do for average
| players, but might not serve for an nxneri
game. However, wheref man wants To erl-
| JOY both games at home, it is very lie.
| sIrable- AT present the ma iority Of tables
are made i'll oak, but any kind of Wood is
available. 1t should match the wood -v,lrk
Nine. Adelina Patti Nicolini had a mig
Tfieent table made for Craig -y-Nos ca,,sie
2 few years ago, harmonilng With Tie
rooin inv nlch il was to stand, and Irs
TotteT Palmer, of Chicago, also had Die
made, in cabinet style, and covered with
darL red mahogany-colored cloth to match
the hanSings of the room. Green, hoy
ever, is almost universally used, as it il
more agreeable to the eyesght, anil rhe
balls show up better against it, The BEST
cloth foI covering billiard ables is the
simonis, manufactured ia Vervters, Bel
GUM, but even this viii not stand toe
hard wear and should be renewed tw:ce Z
year. where the table has constant usage
as in public billiard parlors. IL damp
weather flat iron should be run over Inc
cloth to keep il perfectly dry, as 9TH er
Wise the halls will not run freely.
There are three sizes of tables. 4 lex
feet being the popular size, SKI o for pro
fesSo;ial play and 4xS feet Tor use in small
rooms