BILLIARDS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

BILLIARDS

How It Evolved

L't 're are several theories about the origin of billiards, says George Edinger in an English journal. One expert says the Greeks invented it. another Unit it was brought ’rom the East by the Crusaders. a tbiid that the French invented the game in the fifteenth centurj. a fourth’ that it is an indoor variety of the old English game of Ball MallMost authorities believe that the game began in England. . . It is certain that billiards was originally played, in the open air on a green lawn. Hence the green baize table to represent the, grass. French writers say that it began in England as indoor bowls ’n Queen Elizabeth’s time. It was certainly known in Queen Elizabeth’s time, because Shakespeare mentions it in “Anthony and Cleopatra.” But it was then already an old game. Long before the Normans landed in England a High King of Ireland called Catkine More bad die . leaving 5a cues (or billets) and balls behind him, all of them made of brass. At that time the game was still played outdoors on the green Irish lawns. An effort was made to revive the custom of playing billiards out of doors in 1884. The cues were four feet long, the balls were wooden, and there was a revolving iron hoop in the centre of the lawn through which they had to be sent.

But this game was too like croquet, and never became popular. Innovations in billiards have never been popular. About 30 years ago an oval table was introduced, but it has been forgotten now.

As far back as the time of Charles II there “were few towns of note without a table for this most gentile, cleanly, and ingenious game, neither were tables wanting in many noble and private families in the country.” Billiards underwent many changes before its rules were laid down, as we know them in this country, by a mixed body of professionals and amateurs in 1885. Billiards is the only game in which professionals helped to frame the rules. In France at the time when Louis XIV was told to nlay after meals to help him digest his food, the “billets” were made of hard wood, wider at the top than at the handle,.and tipped with ivory. The table was marble overlaid with green baize. French and American tables are to-day made without any pockets. In England the table was usually made of oak. The edges have been stuffed with flock, strips of cloth, and rubber at different times, and the first pockets were ob’ong wooden boxes.

The earliest rubber cushions were introduced about 100 years ago.

The modern slate table, made lip of six slates of equal size, came in with George TV.