Chapter II: Preface

A few lines only are necessary to explain the object with which these volumes are put forth. There is no modern encyclopædia to which the inexperienced man, who seeks guidance in the practice of the various British Sports and Pastimes, can turn for information. Some books there are on Hunting, some on Racing, some on Lawn Tennis, some on Fishing, and so on; but one Library, or succession of volumes, which treats of the Sports and Pastimes indulged in by Englishmen—and women—is wanting. The Badminton Library is offered to supply the want. Of the imperfections which must be found in the execution of such a design we are conscious. Experts often differ. But this we may say, that those who are seeking for knowledge on any of the subjects dealt with will find the results of many years’ experience written by men who are in every case adepts at the Sport or Pastime of which they write. It is to point the way to success to those who are ignorant of the sciences they aspire to master, and who have no friend to help or coach them, that these volumes are written.

To those who have worked hard to place simply and clearly before the reader that which he will find within, the best thanks of the Editor are due. That it has been no slight labour to supervise all that has been written, he must acknowledge; but it has been a labour of love, and very much lightened by the courtesy of the Publisher, by the unflinching, indefatigable assistance of the Sub-Editor, and by the intelligent and able arrangement of each subject by the various writers, who are so thoroughly masters of the subjects of which they treat. The reward we all hope to reap is that our work may prove useful to this and future generations.

THE EDITOR.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1

I. HISTORY OF BILLIARDS 6
_By Sydenham Dixon_.

II. IMPLEMENTS 55
_By Archibald Boyd_.

III. ELEMENTARY: ONE-BALL PRACTICE 104
_With Memorandum by Dudley D. Pontifex._

IV. MOTION, IMPACT, AND DIVISION OF BALLS: TWO-BALL PRACTICE 130

V. PLAIN STROKES, WINNING AND LOSING HAZARDS, CANNONS:
THREE-BALL PRACTICE 142

VI. ON THE ROTATION OF BALLS 189

VII. MISCELLANEOUS STROKES 215

VIII. THE SPOT STROKE 264

IX. SAFETY AND BAULK PLAY 283

X. BREAKS 300
_With Memoranda by Archibald Boyd and R. H. R. Rimington-Wilson._

XI. THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE THREE-INCH POCKET TABLE 362
_With Memorandum by Russell D. Walker_

XII. THE RULES OF THE GAME OF BILLIARDS 374

XIII. PYRAMIDS, POOL, AND COUNTRY-HOUSE GAMES 387
_By W.J. Ford_

XIV. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 436

INDEX 447

_ILLUSTRATIONS_

(REPRODUCED BY THE SWAN ELECTRIC ENGRAVING CO.; WALKER & BOUTALL; P.
NAUMANN, AND G. H. FORD)

_PLATES_

ARTIST
A SCREW LOSER _Lucien Davis._ _Frontispiece_

CHOOSING A CUE „ „ _To face p._
48

PRELIMINARIES „ „ „ 108

OPENING THE GAME „ „ „ 133

A DISPUTED SCORE „ „ „ 148

IN OR OUT OF BAULK „ „ „ 190

THE LONG REST „ „ „ 264

A SERIOUS GAME: NURSING THE BALLS „ „ „ 300

A DIFFICULT STROKE „ „ „ 362

ARE THEY TOUCHING „ „ „ 386

A LADIES’ BATTLE „ „ „ 440

_ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT_

PAGE
MR. SAMSON’S SECTIONS OF A BILLIARD-ROOM 64, 65

AN OUTSIDE BILLIARD-ROOM 103

STRINGING. 106

AN EASY ATTITUDE 107

THE BRIDGE 109

USING THE REST 113

THE BRIDGE (_bouclée_) 129

INSTEAD OF LONG REST 148

HIGH BRIDGE FOR A CRAMPED STROKE 188

A PUSH STROKE 225

A PUSH (_bouclée_) 232

THE LEAP OR JUMP STROKE 252

WHEN PLAYER’S BALL IS NEAR A CUSHION 263

PREPARING TO PLAY BEHIND THE BACK: _the right way_ 314

PREPARING TO PLAY BEHIND THE BACK: _the wrong way_ 324

A NURSERY 349

PLAYING BEHIND THE BACK 360

A WINNING GAME 437

BILLIARDS