The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-10

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 kings
and the French potentate7 tAdulged it
freely.
America saw Il among tbs Ruguenots
in South Carolina and the Hollanders,
the progenitors of the Knickerbockers,
on Manhattan Island.
Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton and
La Fayette played it with zest at 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 pie
bans, the aristocracy took to it and
made it worth while. It is quite easy,
therefore, to draw an invisible line be-
tween those who took to the arena for
the commoner sports and those who pre-
ferred the drawn pcrtieres of the pal
aces for theirs. But both, in the same
invisibleness, worked toward a common
point-the relaxation of muscle and
nerve with as definite broadening of
the mind as possible.
But no game of sports ever has re-
manned sristocratic, even though nur-
for this is precise; since what is good
for one individual is surely good for an
other. Golf, which Undoubtedly was
originally a rich mans diversion, is
played today by all classes on the pub
lie links of the large cities. Tennis,
which started in vacant space next to
mansion OR well-to-do home, spread
rapidly and became a common pastime
for all peoples. Conversely, base ball,
that began as "two-o '-cat'' on a scrub
lot half century ago, and disdained by
afhuence, is witnessed today by tens of
Thousands of the upper classes who score
it with punctuality and exactness; and
revel in recalling an exciting play in a
tense moment.
Human forces are alike among all ma
tions. The only doubt that enters into
their calculations is as to practicability.
What may be converted into use may
be regarded as largely permanent, or
until such time as the sport undergoes a
change made necessary by conditions.
Billiards is not different. Naturally,
therefore, the human mind should con-
.Seive that simply a fat surface were
t enough-there must be regulations
lat permit of more versatility and more
science. This came about through the
application of thought.
IF a table had one hole in it, into
which balls were knocked, why should
it not have six holesq If the cue in the
early stages was crooked at one end,
why should it not be straight, if expert
ence indicated that greater exactness
in execution resulted? And why an
overly large surface, when reduced
plane were enough7
History is probably full of sports that
failed. Many a form Of entertainment
has come up rapidly only to pass away
as quickly. Attempts have been made,
no doubt, to revive them, but with no
success.
The reason is clear. The sport did not
| it was so misused that confidence never
has been restored.
The fact, therefore, that the game of
billiards has survived and grown to such
tremendous proportions, establishes posi-
lively that it has more than met a hu-
man need. The complement of billiards
pocket billiards, or what was formerly
called pool, where the balls are driven
into poekets-has kept pace with it.
It is the only sport with q real his
tory that has survived. Chariot races
are seen no more outside of the Amer
lean circus and then in such a small way
as to, convey little idea of what they