A reader of The Billiard Monthly writes to us:—"Cannot something be done in the way of the formation of billiard classes as distinguished from private tuition—which is rather too expensive for some pockets—on the one hand, and exhibition matches on the other? I agree with what you have often said to the effect that exhibition and other matches are excellent from the educative standpoint, but when I am watching such matches I soon find myself merely noting the result of each stroke, instead of trying to realize all that has led up to it. What seems to me to be needed is a good billiard class—just as there are language and other classes—and which would only cost each student, say, a shilling or eighteen pence for each attendance."
We think this suggestion is a practical and sound one. and it has from time to time been discussed in billiard circles. We are not aware to what extent private billiard tuition is at present being carried on, but we believe that very few, if any, professionals are teaching to any large extent. Even if they were we think that a scheme of classes would rather feed than interfere with private tuition.
In order, however, to test the desire of billiard beginners for some sort of preliminary technical preparation, the honorary editor of this journal has made to Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, Ltd., as the leading billiard house in this country, the offer that they should place their Salon at his disposal for an hour for the purpose of an address on elementary billiards, and this the firm has at once consented to do, and, in addition, the daughter of one of the directors (Mr. Lidbetter) has most kindly undertaken to give illustrative strokes upon the table, by way both of elucidating the speaker's address, and of specially interesting such lady followers (or intending students) of the game as may wish to be present. The occasion has been fixed for Wednesday, December 17, at 12 noon. Admittance is, we are told, to be free, in the same way as the lecture is honorary, and if the idea should prove successful further occasions of the kind might probably be arranged with other lecturers to the fore.