Games and Sports (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1837. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SECTION II. THE LESS SOCIAL GAMES. SOME REMARKS ON BILLIARDS, DRAUGHTS, AND CHESS. The less social of the in-door games are billiards, draughts, and chess. In favour of these games, when accused of occupying too much time, it has been said, that they are instructive. Let us examine this allegation. Of billiards, it may be said that it exercises the senses of touch and sight, and that it makes us acquainted with the motion and impulse of bodies. But it is a fact that nearly every act of our lives exercises these senses and informs us respecting these accidents, in that which is of course the most practical, and, therefore, the most favourable way; while the little that billiards presents of fundamental and definite know ledge may be acquired in a few hours. It is superiority in the mere game, therefore, that constitutes the charm of this pursuit; and all that can ensure of practical utility is far too limited to form any kind of compensation for the waste of time that too often attends it. Hence it becomes the pursuit of idle and artful persons; and if much time be devoted to it by those of more promising character, it is apt to assimilate them to those who naturally pursue it. Of draughts and chess, it may be said that they accustom us to calculate consequences. But, as we see the former game teach only useless consequences, and render insensible to every other, the sot who spends his nights in the public house, while we observe the latter game too often engrosses that time from the richer mac in which he might acquire many a useful science or elegant art, it is evident that such pretensions become worse than ridiculous. We indeed see at once the absurdity of any pretensions of the kind, when we enquire into the kind of consequences which either of these games i...