THE CHAMPIONSHIP

FROM what we hear, there seems every probability of the title of "champion" passing, in the course of less than two months' time, from Roberts to Cook, and that, too, without a match. There is something so extremely unsatisfactory in the title of champion changing hands by means of a forfeit, that the present case, where it seems likely to occur, is worthy of some criticism both as to the cause and the means by which it might have been avoided.

We would first state that if what is universally mentioned as a fact is true, Roberts, jun., the present champion, intends leaving England early in March next for Australia, and must of course of necessity be absent from this country for a considerable period. It is also a well-known fact that Cook refused some time ago an exceedingly handsome offer for a tour in Australia simply because he felt that the honour of the championship was at stake. There can, of course, too, be no doubt that the only aspirants to championship honours at present are Cook and Roberts. Each player has won the championship five times, they have met six times, and each has won three games. Consequently the next game between the two would naturally be regarded as the deciding one to determine, if possible, if there is anything to choose between these two players. That either should under these circumstances decline to play when he has a chance seems almost incredible. Had Roberts given Cook a fair notice that he was going away, and had an understanding with him that in case he should win Cook would undertake not to challenge him during his absence, as Cook would assuredly have agreed to, Roberts, had he have won, would have been far better off in position, leaving the money altogether out of the question, than he would be now, for had he have lost he is but ex-champion, and had he have won he would have retained the title with a double share of honour. But now, though he leaves as champion, yet he will cease to be such before his vessel reaches the Australian shore.

It is to be hoped that Roberts, for his own sake, will consent to accept Cook's offer to play at an early date, for as matters stand at present it looks exceedingly as if he considered the result of the last match as very lucky, and that he does not think it prudent to risk another chance. That the title of champion is a great honour there is no doubt, but it is because the holder is bound to meet all comers. A champion displaying the white feather in billiards is equally bad as in the Noble Science-the effect in both professions is to lose cast and forfeit the esteem of his admirers. The whole case lies in a nutshell-two magnificent players have won three games each; one wishes to leave the country in the middle of March; so far so good; but the other player says, "Play me the conqueror before you go, to see which is the best. I don't want to take advantage of you and make you put off going, as I might do, but I will play you at once, or on any day before you go, and you may name your own day." The first player, however, says, "I won't play, I would rather go without, and forfeit the championship." We would ask any dispassionate person to answer the following question: Which of these hitherto equal players most deserves to be called "The Champion"?