The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-21

asst had given it great impetus. Mary,
queen OF scots, delighted in the pas.
time, which was denied her as an early
form of punishment. The Henry kincs
and the French potentates INDUCED it
freely.
America saw it among the Hueuenots
IN South Carolina and the Holianders.
me progenitors of the Knickerbockers,
on Manhattan Island,
Washington, Jefferson. Hamilton and
ia Fayctte played it with zest at a time
when billiards was the sole diversion
from Puritanic laws.
This was the game of billiards in the
beginning; and the only stigma that
may be cast upon it was that. unlike
and probably in opposition to, the ple,
bans, the aristocracy took to it and
made it worth while. It is quite easv
therefore, TO draw an invisible line he.
| tween those who took to tho arena for
the commoner sports and those who pre-
terred the drawn portieres of the pal
aces for theirs. But both, in the same
invlsibleness, worked toward a common
Point--the relaxation Of muscle and
nerve with as definite broadening of
the mind ms possible.
But no game of sports ever has re.
NAMED arlstoeratic, even though nur-
tnred by wealth and power. The reason
tor this is precise; since what is good
Tor one individual is surely good for an.
other Golf, which undoubtedly was
originally rich mans diversion, is
played today by all classes on the pub
nc links of the large cities. Tennis,
winch started IN vacant space next to
q mansion or well-to do home, spread
rapidly and became common pastime
ior all peoples Conversely base ball.
that hogan as "two.o' .cat'' on a scrub
lot half n century ago, and disdained by
aihuence, rs witnessed today by tens Of
thousands of the upper classes who score
u with punctualitv and exactness: and
revel IN recalling an exciting play in a
tense moment
Human forces are alike among all na.
tlons. The only doubt that enters into
their calculations is TO practicabilitv.
What may DO converted into use nav
be regarded as largely permanent, or
until such time as the sport undereoes a
change made necessary b. conditions,
Billiards is not different. Naturally
therefore, the human mind should con.
! celve that simply a fat surface were
| rot enough-there must be regulations
that permit of more versatility and moro
science. This came about through the
Application of thought.
L table had one hole in II. into
which balls were knocked, why should
II not have six holes2 If The cue in tbc
early stages was crooked at ono end.
why should it not be straight, if expsri.
cnfo indicated that greater exnctncss
n execution resulted? And why an
! overly large surface, when q reduced
plane We're enough7
History is probably full Of sports that
failed. Many form of entertainment
has come up rapidly oalv to pass away
as quickly. Attempts have been made.
40 doubt, 70 revive them, but with no
success.
! The reason is clear. The snort did not
meet any human need Or, if it did,
it was SO misuscd that confidence never
has been restored
The fact, therefore. that the game of
billiards has survived and grown 10 such
Tremendous proportions, establishes posi-.
tlVeiy that il mas more than met hu
man need. the complement of billiards
pocket billiards, or what was formerly
called POOL. where Inc balls arc driven
into Pockets--has kept pace with it,
1t IS the only sport with o real his
tory that has survived. Chariot races
a-n seen no moro ontsiIe of the Amer
/ iean circus and then in such n small wa v
Ias to convey little idea Of what they
. T.