THE FORTHCOMING MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP

ONCE again are we on the eve of the event which, in billiards, corresponds to the blue ribbon of the turf. The two greatest players the world has ever seen meet for the sixth time to contend for the proud title of champion, and our only method of attempting to prophesy "what will be" is by taking fairly and dispassionately into consideration "what has been." First, the present champion, Roberts, jun., though winning but two out of the five events, has, during the last year, shown perhaps the most brilliant form that the oldest admirers of the game ever dreamt of. Little did they think, in the days of Saville House, when the champion's father reigned supreme, that the old man would so easily be beaten by the boy. All that the father was is the son; but then the son is something more. There is the same dash, the same fertility of resource when in difficulty; but practice has, with years, rendered Roberts, jun., more machine-like, if we may be allowed the expression, than the father. Nor is this to be wondered at. We can well afford to praise the present generation without detracting from the older players. Roberts, it must be remembered, had the advantage as a boy of witnessing his father's magnificent play. What the old man had to invent, the young one had merely to copy; and invention is a far higher faculty than imitation.

We have before adverted to Roberts's form during the Manchester handicap, nor do we see any reason for supposing that he has in any way lost that form. Though he was defeated by Cook at the Cremorne Arms, on the last occasion on which we believe they played together, it was in one of those run-away games which so often characterise exhibition matches; and when Roberts played last in London, with Taylor, he showed, notwithstanding the clouds of tobacco smoke by which he was surrounded, that he was as good as ever.

Perhaps a more important point to take into consideration is the mode of life which has been adopted by each player during the past six weeks.

Here we are obliged to trust to a certain extent to rumour, with her hundred tongues. We have every reason, however, to believe that Roberts has been taking the greatest care of himself. He has been keeping early hours, taking plenty of healthy exercise in the shape of tennis, and also practising most assiduously on a facsimile of the table on which he is going to play, as Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, whose turn it is to find the table, have very kindly supplied each player with a championship table on which to practise. Roberts has, we believe, left off playing on any table except a championship one. The backers and friends of Roberts may, therefore, rest assured that not a stone has been left unturned that he thinks conducive to his success.

From Roberts let us turn to Cook, and contrast his chances with those of his opponent. In the first place, Cook, though not the present champion, has the high prestige of having won the championship three times out of the five in which he contended with Roberts, and also of having maintained it against all comers from May 25th, 1871, to May 24th, 1875, when it was wrested from his grasp by the present champion. Cook, again, has the proud distinction of having made the largest break ever made on a championship table, viz., 120. This was on February 4th, 1874, which break, we are informed on reliable authority, he has recently surpassed in private practice. That Cook too is in good form is evident from his recent play. In the match he played on Wednesday last with F. Bennett his all-round play was quite equal to what we have ever seen before. Now it has been urged by some that Cook has of late not been so careful of his play as Roberts; that he has been playing in hot, gassy, and smoky rooms, and on an ordinary table.

Persons who speak thus should remember that there are two sides to every question, and that it is quite possible to go into extremes of training.

We think that Cook has exercised a wise discretion in acting as he has done. Recollect, the match will be played in a room where, probably, the majority are smoking, and to occasionally accustom oneself to an atmosphere in every respect similar to the one in which he is bound to play is prudent rather than the contrary. Again, the very best practice is public practice. Private room practice to some men is almost impossible.

To be surrounded by a large room full of strangers, all taking a keen interest in the play, is by no means a bad preparation for a public match, especially if, in addition, ample practice is taken on a table similar to the one on which the game is about to be played.

Weighing matters, therefore, carefully over, we are inclined to think that the forthcoming match for the championship is a very open one, but as we feel bound to give a winner, we will therefore give COOK as the one most probable to be hailed as the billiard champion of England on Monday evening next at the conclusion of the match, and we are the more inclined to give him as the winner as, on the last occasion, when we gave Roberts as the most probable, we added that we did not think that he would retain the championship long.

On one point, however, all lovers of billiards are agreed, and that is, may the best man win.

Those who go on Monday night may at any rate rest assured that they will witness a marvellous exhibition of skill. Probably both men will play better than on the last occasion, when the breaks were considerably below the average. The match takes place at St. James's Hall, and play commences at 7.30.