During his professional tours abroad, Mr. John Roberts has frequently been the recipient of valuable gifts from enthusiastic admirers. As might be expected, the native princes of India were most conspicuous in this respect. For instance, the late Maharajah of Jeypore, a keen patron of the game who erected a palace to play billiards in, gave John Roberts a solid gold cup and saucer, exquisitely enamelled, and studded with precious stones. He also, in the following terms, appointed John Roberts his Court billiard-player:—"I cannot give better expression to the great pleasure I have felt in witnessing Mr. John Roberts (junior), the Champion's wonderful feats on the table than by raising him to some special distinction in my Court. I accordingly appoint him my Court Billiard Player from this day, the 11th February, 1873, here in my Palace at Jeypore.—(Signed) Ram Singh." This appointment was not without its emoluments, as there was £500 per annum attached to it, which sum John Roberts received until the Maharajah died.