Billiards, its theory and practice : with the scientific principle of the side-stroke, the spot-stroke, &c. : the rules of the various games, hints on betting, and a chapter on bagatelle

Front matter

HENNIG BROS

TiBLI MAKERS,

29, High Street, Oxford Street, W.C.

Preface To The First Edition

Dear Public, — Nearly all the members of the Mega therium Club are good billiard players ; a circumstance easily accounted for, when I tell you that they have most of them been taught the noble game by — or at least have immensely improved in their play in consequence of losing numerous games with — your humble servant. But, like good generous fellows as they are, they were anxious that the light they profited by should be more widely diffused, " Why not write a book upon Billiards, Crawley ? " says the Eight Honourable Edward Elphinstone Macer to me one day. He had earned the right of addressing me in this familiar way by having been my opponent at pyramids, often, with the usual result. I did not catch at the suggestion directly — or, at least, I did not seem to do so ; but I began to think from that time that my right honourable friend was really a rather clever fellow. Other of the members also pressed me on the subject, so that one afternoon — I had won a good deal, I recollect — I condescendingly said I would think about it. I did think about it, and the result of my cogitations was the determination to give my experiences to the public. The next point was to settle on the medium through which I could most conveniently address my audience. Some suggested the Times, but that paper was voted too political ; others the Athenceum, but that was thought too literary ; my littlo friend Deuceace named the Morning Advertiser, but that paper was scouted at once as too public-housey ; another nil PREPACK.

thought of Bell's Life, but Macer's objection to that was, that no gentleman read it — a perfectly aristocratic blunder, easily excusable in a man like my right honourable friend ; the Sunday Times was named, but that was declared too theatrical ; the Era wouldn't do because of its generally loose tone ; nor the Leader, because of its Radicalism : the Illustrated London News was for some time in favour, but it was at last discovered that it patronized ladies' fashions, antiquarians, and small poets. At length, after running through the list of London papers — as given in "Mitchell's Newspaper Directory" — it was decided nem. con. that the Field, being a gentleman's paper, was the only proper field for my lucubrations. Negotiations with the editors were immediately opened by the Honourable Tom Tiddy, who knows all the editors and newspaper writers ; and honourable terms having been agreed on, my sixteen chapters on Billiards duly appeared in the pages of that excellent journal. This is, briefly, the history of the following book ; which, with the exception of some additions, improvements, corrections, and omissions, is, more or less, identically a reprint of those chapters on Billiards which created such a furore among the players when they appeared in the Field. That my book has already become celebrated in its serial form is no reason why its ten thousand edition should not be speedily sold and a new one printed — but quite the reverse. In conclusion, dear public, let me modestly and truthfully declare that you can never become adepts in the noble game of Billiards till you have bought and read it: and buy it you will, and read it you must. Au revoir.

R. C.

Megatherium Club,

Christ'mas, 1856.

Preface

This present edition, the Tenth, of my Little Book on Billiards, has been thoroughly revised and brought up to the present state of the game, with new diagrams of the Spot-stroke, and the Championship Rules, &c. &c, added. What more, then, is necessary to say ? Nothing but this : — When my first edition appeared, there was no other Handbook of Billiards published. That it was a success the appearance of this edition is simple proof. Of course, it paid the penalty of success. Imitators and plagiarists sprang up on every side, till, in fact, I became the best imitated author of the day. But then, as imitation is proverbially admitted to be the sincerest form of flattery, I accept my fate without protest ; merely observing that when two (or more) people ride one hobby, one (or more) must necessarily ride behind. In that dignified position I leave Messieurs my flatterers.

There is no need, nowadays, to commend Billiards as an amusement. Everybody admits that it is the best and most delightful of all indoor games for both ladies

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and gentlemen ; less scientific, it is true, than Chess and Draughts, less liable to abuse than Cards, but more capable of providing recreation and gentle exercise than any other indoor sport. " The finest game, indeed, that was ever invented." The sentence in turned commas I quote from my old friend the Right Honourable Edward Elphinstone Macer, now better known as Lord Turnham Green, ex-Cabinet Minister and thoroughly good fellow. I perfectly agree with him ; and I hope, dear public, you do not, to any great extent, differ from

Your faithful Servant,

RAWDON CRAWLEY,

Captain Unattached

Maqatherittm Club, Derby Day, 1876

Contents

CHAPTER PJftH

I. Introductory 3

II. The Angles of the Table — Terms used in the