As at the time of writing London is ablaze with Coronation splendours, and, incidentally, congested with Coronation crowds, I feel sure it becomes a loyal subject like your own "Observer" to preface his remarks this month with a few notes concerning the royal connection with billiards.
We have historical evidence that James I, about 1605, ordered "one billiarde boarde cont twelve foot longe and fower foot broade," and that in 1822 a table supplied by Thurston's to Queen Caroline was sold by public auction. This table, it is interesting to note, was 10ft. 6in. by 5ft. 6in.
Coming to a direct personal interest in the game, it is quite clear that King Edward was the first royal player of whom we have any real knowledge as a billiard devotee, history having failed to record the prowess of James I with the cue, or, rather, "mace."
But, to digress a little, we have historical evidence that King Henry VIII played at "shovilla bourde," a game which certainly has a place in the genealogical tree of billiards. And he played very indifferently, did the much-married monarch, as extracts from the privy purse expenses of Henry show that "My. Lord of Rocheford" won quite a lot of money from his king.
To be exact, the noble lord won at betting and "shovilla bourde" £45 in one month, and £41-12s-6d. the following month. Money was worth more then than it is now, and the King's losses must be reckoned quite considerable. It is to be hoped for the sake of "My Lord of Rocheford" that the king was a good loser.
Returning to the time of King Edward, it is well known that he was fond of a good game of billiards, and when, as Prince of Wales, he honoured the first match for the Championship with his presence, he evinced an interest in our great national indoor pastime which did the game a truly royal service.
Curiously enough, the royal patron of billiards was not altogether pleased with the Championship display. Escorted by a distinguished retinue of noblemen and gentlemen, he entered his box at half-past eight punctually and remained until midnight. But as the game did not finish until nearly twenty minutes to two in the morning, he failed to witness the exciting play which ensued before Cook ran out a winner by 17 points.
After the match, His Royal Highness expressed himself as highly pleased with the skill exhibited by Cook, but nevertheless declared his intention of not witnessing another match, except on the ordinary tables, as the special table erected for the Championship was of a type which rendered impossible the big breaks he desired to witness.
This resolve was never departed from, as the occasion referred to was the first and last on which billiards was honoured with the attendance of royalty at a public match. But in private, King Edward, when Prince of Wales, honoured John Roberts by witnessing exhibitions of his supreme skill on several occasions.
As a player, King Edward was a keen and capable exponent of billiards, and in his young manhood there were very few amateurs who could hold their own with him. William Dufton was the professional who taught the late King how to play billiards, although it is understood that the late John Roberts, senr., was also honoured with the royal patronage to the extent of a lesson or two.
Both the late Prince Albert Victor and our present King George inherited a great measure of their royal father's skill with the cue, and as the King is well known to be one of the very best game shots in the country, it is safe to assume that as he is fond of billiards he must play extremely well.
All good shots who are cuemen play a game of more than average merit, and in this connection it is worth noting, that the Marquis of Ripon, who, as Earl de Grey, was possibly the only game shot in the country in a class by himself, is known to be an extremely good billiard player.
Billiards has entered very largely into the home life of the Royal Family. During King Edward's time the billiard room at Sandringham was much in request, and in addition to the gentlemen of the household the royal ladies took a good deal of interest in the game, Princess Maud, now Princess Charles of Denmark, becoming quite a skilful player.
Mention of ladies at billiards reminds me that a friend of mine was talking recently about a lady player of his acquaintance who, in his opinion, was fully equal to either Miss Ruby Roberts or Madame Strebor.
I replied that I hoped he would be able to induce his lady friend to play against Miss Ruby Roberts or Madame Strebor in public, but he shook his head, and even when I suggested that charity would benefit by the game—he still shook his head.
How extraordinary it is that our best amateur players do not like to play billiards before an audience—I cannot even guess why. Yet it is a fact that the same men who play golf, tennis, and cricket before any number of spectators will curl right up if asked to do a similar thing at billiards.