SINCE the Manchester handicap there has been somewhat a calm in the sea of billiards, as beyond a few exhibition matches, nothing worthy of note has taken or will take place till the match between Cook and Taylor on the 14th inst. This will probably be a very near thing. On the one hand, Cook will be sure to be in good practice, and if we may use such a word in connection with billiards, in good condition, as the great match for the Championship is close at hand, and it requires probably but one more victory for him to make certain of the handsome silver cup presented by the three firms of billiard-table makers, Messrs. Thurston, Burroughes and Watts, and Cox and Yeman. Still, however, 300 points in a thousand is a large number to concede to a player like Taylor, and Cook will have all his work to do to win.
Roberts and Cook have met on several occasions of late. At Bridport and Weymouth Roberts won both matches, while at Denbigh Cook won both, finishing one of the games with a fine break of 279. Cook and F.
Bennett also played a very close match lately, Cook giving 300 points in a game of 1,000 up, and winning it by only 2 points.
With regard to the forthcoming match for the Championship, to be played at the Criterion, Piccadilly, on the 24th inst., we believe it will produce the most exciting contest ever yet witnessed. Roberts's superb play lately at Manchester has made his supporters very confident of victory. In turning to the analysis of his play in another column, it will be seen that, in addition to winning every game in the handicap, he made a break of considerably over a hundred in every one he played, as well as the largest all-round break—viz., 106, in his game with H.
Evans. On the other hand, Cook was "by no means in the same state of health then as he probably will be by the 24th, and good billiard players well know how much long and fatiguing railway journeys, &c., interfere with a man's play.
Cook's best break on Thursday evening last, in his exhibition match with W. S. Stanley, was only 128; still he won the game. Whether he will do this with Roberts on the 24th inst. remains to be seen.
It is difficult to advise when only two contend in a match; certain, however, is it that both men will try their best. Cook has held the championship so long and so deservedly that probably he will be the favourite at starting; still Roberts's play at Manchester compels us to state that, according to public form, he ought to win.
Should this be the case, another match will be sure to take place as soon as the rules drawn up regulating the play for the Championship admit. We think Roberts will probably win; but should he win, we do not think he will retain the Championship long.
So much difficulty is ofttimes experienced, especially in country houses, in obtaining a clear light for billiard tables, that we would call attention to Dietz and Co.'s Paragon Lamps. In small towns and villages, where too often the gas is of inferior quality, these lamps will be found far superior to gas, as they do not flicker. All billiard players know how essential this quality is in lights for billiard-tables. The light is exceedingly clear and brilliant, and at the same time the lamp is extremely simple and easy of management. Complaints, as we have said, from the country are so numerous that we would recommend a trial.