New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-26

somewhat analogous to bowling and called bal
yards" meaning ball and st1ch- rol
centuries the known as the mast stick
and mace, and the modern billiard table had us
somewhat crude prototype in Billiard cloth is
made in Eervier. Belgium. and is known as Slmohls
cloth This affords the most perfect medium TOT
the progress of the balls of ivory. out Of which the
best billiard balls made. for other substance
experts affirm. possesses such elasticity The same
results cannot be obtained with composition balls
Balls for pool often made OF composition OF
celuloid and other ingredients. the qualities and
proportions of which held secret.
In order to play good game OF billiards one
must possess excellent sight. steady nerves alert
mental faculties and the ability make rapid
combinations TO eXgencies of ever new posi-
ton OF the balls. Billiards demands the qualities
necessary to good chess playing and those lmpera-
tive IN fencing. In the first case planning ahead
and calculating strokes and counter strokes cannot
be INDUCED in deliberately. as in chess, but must
usually be the work of instant, Here come into
play the attributes expert feISer. aiertness Of
mind and motion, suppleness of limb and trained
eye. educated TO attack and formulate
counter charge in the same instant; to estimate
distance. describe angles and take points. The
billiard player obtains physical exercise and mental
relaxation the time and insensibly and
inevitably trains all his faculties TO a wonderful
degree. No game is superior to it in the develop
ment of skill calculation. precision and dexterity-
The billiard player is usually quick at repartee
and spirited in conversation. The game he plays
teaches d much more than how to drive a ball
successfully and woman more than the art Of
moving gracefully she wields her Women
make good billiard players. and many one de-
clares that her husband enjoys her companionship
mere because she is able to beat him at billiards.
The weight of depends upon the fancy OF
the player. who uses that to which he has accus-
toned himself. Experts play with that
weighs from nineteen to twenty-five ounces. and
the shaft Of maple is preferred any other kind
In England those of ebony still have vogue.
The standard cue is feet inches in length with
maple shaft and butt of rosewood. ebony. Cali
fornia rosewood mahagua-indeed any wood that
is decorative in hue and texture. Ivory tips arc
Of ancient origin. but leather ones and the use
of chalk upon them 10 prevent their slipping upon
the balls introduced until 1906. Oden
cues went through various evolutions. such per-
fectly fiat ends: points. sometimes Of ivory. in
1859; the oblique cue. that rounded upon one side
and the bevelIed cue. Persons often use
inaid with pearl and with fancy gold and silver
name plates once in while player is
presented with jewel set cue. but he keeps such
souvenirs and trophies for ornament rather than
service.
Practically every noblemans house in England
and every chateau in France had its billiard
table. and the game popular in England
more than century before il introduced
America. Prior the nineteenth century the only
billiard table in New York was owned by
, lrishman Whitehall dock. and New York's first
billiard room was opened in 1S0S-one hundred
years ago.
So fashionable did the game become later that
among men who We'd with another in the
beauty of their billiard appointments was Alexan-
der Hamilton. VINO possessed a richly carved six
pocket mahogany table u by feet size. A
/ modern devotee TO the paStime the late Henry
Ward Beecher. who praised the game a noble
one, 10 ''be encouraged in all safe ways" and
who said that billiards must be regal ied as one
of the most charming games Invented a state
ment to which every billiard player yields hearty
assent.