Year: 1867

rOT tHe


BILLIARDS.


Some person sent me an elaborate
article advocating the game of billiards
The writer. in justification OF his cause,
cites instances of eminent men who are
and have been habitual bnliard-players.
He says that the Pope is a fine player,
that the late Lord Palmerston frequent
ly INDUCED in the game, and that John
Bright is especially fond Of billiard
am,lsements. He finishes his letter
with the bold assertion that the people
like billiards, and will play them,'' de-
spite the great efforts made by many to
pursuade them to abandon the ruinous
business. His manifest object is to en-
list the young men of the land in the
I,illiard cause, by making them believe
that the game is a harmless one, and a
great source of real enjoyment. He
does not. however, in this enlightened
age, tell his reader that the business is
a lucrative one.


The perusal of the article led me to
reflect upon the matter in cool and
practical way and in doing so [ was
forcibly reminded OF two young men
with whom | became acquainted some
years ago. / watched the course Of
both. and the contrast between them
was so marked that I could. not but no
tice it.


The name of one was Smart, the other
Tliohna&d. Both worked III The same
4sla9iishment. and waen | FIRST knew
them taey We're both poor. Smart was
{orAlns tor 81 so per day. and Iaiek-
uead was getting only u cents per a;ay.
4 will be seen that there isquite diff
erence in their income.


Mr., Smart was very fond of the game
of billiards, and as soon as his days
work was finished, and his meal de-
.voured, he would hasten TO the billiard
room, and there, With his companions,
spend all his evenings, and. [ suppose,
his money, because he made money fast
but never accumulated any. Indeed he
would frequently want to borrow, and
was always destitute. A bystander
could often hear the tsilor and others
say Il wish could get Smart to pay
what he owes me. | will not trust him
again"


Mr.. Thickhead pursued a different
course. He worked very hard and
steady. He was always prompt and at



his post of duty. BY his judicious con
duct he arose in the estimation of his
employers. and as result Of his indus
try and fidelity, he was promoted to
better positions, and his wages were
repeatedly advanced. These rewards
were bestowed upon him without
any solicitations on his part. Such ap-
probation OF industry and merit, on the
part of his employers, encouraged him
to perseyere in his well chosen course.
He did persevere. AS he received one
reward, he was more ambitious to just
ly merit more. He continued to pros
per, and. as he enjoyed the confidence
and good will of all who knew him, he
was happy.


1t was not tl.us with Mr.. Smart. He
was often absent from his work, upon
the plea Of being sick, but actually lazy
| which was very annoying to his en-
i,ioyers. Being up late at night, of
/ course. lie lost much sleep and neces-
sary rest, and as ii consequence he lest
much time during the day. He became
sery careless, and finally he was dis
missed, and compelled to seek employ
ment elsewhere. He. left town, and was
sure to leave his debts behind. With
| the exception of those to whom he was
! indebted, society was very glad to dis
pense with him. Poor fellow without
friends, without money, and without a
home! Such was his condition when ]
last heard of him.


Thickhead never spent single cent
in gambling, or for anything foolish.
He thought that he had to work to hal
for his money to squander it away un-
wisely. He purchased himself some
good books, and in the evening, instead
Of following Mr. Smart to the billiard
room. he would retire to his room and
lassiduoIsly apply himself TO the acqui-
sition of knowledge. In reading the
4 lives of those noble men who adorn the
history of our country, ne found some
thing to encourage him upon almost
every page. In the course of a few years
he had accumulated quite d nice libra
! ry. ana, being economical, he gradually
acquired some property. The last time
| saw him he WAS doing well, besides
being surrounded with friends and
comforts innumerable. He never re-
GREETED the course of life he persued,
and he is especially glad that he never
learned to play billiards. His theory is
that if young men ever expect to be
any body in the world. they must make
some sacrifice oftemporary enjoyments
No young man. can acquire an honor
able position in society without great
eXertions.


Gambling, with the evils unavoidably
associated with it, tend most surely to
demoralize young men. Itmakes them
unstable and careless in business. II