More about Jeu de Mail

The game of Jeu de Mail (which is considered to be a sort of outdoor billiards) is played in modern style in the garden of the Freemason's Hotel, Hampstead Heath. In a number of The Billiard Player some time ago a pictorial comparison of the modern and the old French game was (by the courtesy of the proprietor of the hotel) given, and Mr. Hill has since kindly handed to us a still older picture (or drawing) in his possession, which is here reproduced.

It will be noticed that in lieu of the long shaft or handle that was later attached to the throwing ring, a sort of spoon or scoop was originally used. The object of the player is to be the first to pass the ball through the ring fixed in the ground.

As Played in Belgium in 1750.

As Played Still Earlier. (From an Old Print of more than 200 Years Back.)