THE annual boot and shoe fair, held at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, has, ever since its installation, added to its attractiveness by the displays of some eminent billiard professors. The idea was first mooted and put into execution by Messrs. Thurston and Co., who still enjoy the privilege of erecting the saloon wherein the games are played. It is spacious, and tastefully decorated. The table is one of the firm's best specimens of their craft, and is of "Standard" pattern. This year the celebrities engaged to show their skill on the "board of green-cloth" are W. J. Peall, W. Mitchell, and W. Osborne the well-known Leicester player. Both the first-named were called upon to concede Osborne, 150 points start in games of 700 up.
The last-named played each of his older opponents daily, with the result that he beat Peall twice, and Mitchell upon seven occasions, the latter being completely out of form. Peall, however, defeated the Leicester cueist three times.