BILLIARDS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 777, 16 February 1871, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

A French artist, Henrique Devigne, has the credit of being the inventor of billiards. But as he flourished in the reign of Charles IX, a.d. 1560-74, aud as the game was undoubtedly known to the English in the reign of Elizabeth it is probable that he only improved and modified a game popular in both countries. Could it be clearly proved that he was the absolute inventor of this fascinating pastime, billiard players of all countries should combine to erect an ivory statue to his honor, whereon might 6e inscribed the names of famous players of all ages. But we cannot give the ingenious

Frenchman the entire credit, and some people havo even asserted that the French got the game from Engand. Dr Johnson held this opinion, possibly because he made a curious blunder about *■ he derivation of the word" billiards." It comes of course from " pila," a ball, whence "billo" and " billiard " and not, as several autbori. ties assort, from the halyards or sticks with which the ball was driven along the table. Additional reason for supposing that we owe the game as now played to the French may be found in the fact that most of the terms used in the game, as well as " billiards " itself, as we have seen are of French origin. " Bricolle," " coup," or " cou ;" and " carombole," the old name for a '"carroin," or "cannon," are instances of this ; while a '* crew," or " fluke," has had a double derivation given to it. " Crow," or '• raccoe," is from the French " raechrocer," to recover ; and fluke has been derived from the fluke of an anchor, seeing that it is a chance by which the arm of an anchor holds the ground—rather a fanciful deri. vation.