The Washington times., 1903-05-10

there was no attempt made to discuss
or explain any one phase or subject per-
tanning to the game 1t was only few
remarks thrown together in general
way to introduce the more detailed re-
views which I expect to contribute
weekly to this paper IN this
connection. it should be said that
the thanks of all billiard lovers and all
those interested in the advancement and
development of the game are due to the
Times for endeavoring to bring a nigh
class sport moro prominently before the
public The evolution of billiards, from
it's most primitive form, with crude and
imperfect implements, to the expensive
and delicate mechanical OUTFIT OF the
modern high class room, is an interest
ing study in the gradual changes which
come over things, be they games OF skill
or art or what you will" The con-
trast between the player OF century
ago, with his poor methods and little
skill, is even greater than that between
the character of the implements of play
in the two periods. Just how ancient
the game of billiards is would be hard
game is so simple that we can imagine
it as existing at almost any given time.
1t is chiefly in French narratives. how
ever, that We most frequently find ref
erences and illusions to the 'carom
game" The Frenchmen have always
taken a great interest in billiards. and
have eXcelled all other nations in the
degree of skill they have attained. The
name of the game, and such terms as
''carom" and -'masse" testify to the
French Technology which has been en-
grated on billiards. America is the
only country that has rivaled the French
either in producing expert players, both
amateur and professional. or in perfect
| ing the necessary tools of play. And Ger
tainly this latter aspect of the develop
ment of the game is most important
one; for unless the instruments of play
be perfect, good billiards is impossible.
! The best players will find a great diff
Guilty in making a good showing where
the balls, cues, and table are not good.
The effects aimed at in Billiards are of
such delicate and precise nature that
even small imperfectiOns of the me
! chanical instruments serve as a decided
! handicap upon accurate execution and
methods of play. For some years past
| the distinction between amateur and
professional in all forms of sports has
| given rise TO much discussion and disa-
| greenent; much so, indeed as to
| cause those concerned and interested in
! the welfare and progress of the various
games to wish that more reasonable and
/ just rules of distinction between the
| two classes should be framed, or at
| least that such rules as already exist
! should be applied with more equity and
| in a greater spirit of fairness. With
many persons the word amateur" has
! gradually acquiring a meaning different
| from its true one AS now used it has
| become to signify a novice" ''tyro, -
! or, at BEST who, in point OF skill or
I general capabtlity, falls short of the pro-
/ fessional and developed exponent. The
! etymology OF the word shows 1t to mean
/ a lover" or one who practices any
thing through liking. and not with any
desire or hope of monetary gain AS
I matter OF fact, one who makes q study
/ of anything is apt to devote more at
! tentiCn TO details and the acquisition of
! the highest degree of skill and expert
ness than another who takes II I'D as a
nominal pastime. with no financial loss
or public disapproyal If he fails TO retain
his usual skill and attractiveness of
play.
/ In billiards. as in other sports. the
difference between amateur and profess
| sional is often difficult to determine,
and in many cases the adiudged anna
tours are. in point of skill and every
thing else that go to make up a pro-
! fessional player. very much superior 10
the majority of the so-called "profes-
sionaI"
Revolle, a French amateur" recent
" averaged thirty-three. whereas the
! champion professional could do no bet
ter than thirty in the great interna-
tional tourney. just over
If I aimed TO be complimentary rather
than truthful I should say that Wash
ington contained some of the finest
players in the country. A regard for
the facts. however. compels the state
ment that the skill of the local players
Is not great. and decidedly below what
one would naturally expect from a city
OF its Importance and peculiar consti-
tuition. In this connection. il is inter
estiug to note the attitude of the Paris
ian public toward billiards as compared
with the something like apathy which
has prevailed her. for some time past
In the French capital there are many
academies" where the best professional
players are engaged at high salaries
where the games between these inter
national representatives always attract
audiences OF refinement and intelli-
gence. Indeed. there seems TO be some
thing peculiarly fascinating in billiards
Tor people who are always enamored
OF everything esthetic and exteriorly at
tractive. 1t would not De fair, how
ever, to US 10 consider this state of the
game d reflection upon the progressive
ness and appreciation of Americans in
general, and Neutrality-suspicious. in par
ticular. Billiards may almost be con
sidered the na<|onal game OF France
whereas in this country although 1t
has attained great favor with some, II
has never obtained the popularity which
has attended the coarser forms OF skill
and deXterity.