Let us to Billiards
On introducing these Essays to the public, some little explanation on our part is required. To say that we had offered the prize out of pure philanthropy would be as incorrect as for others to say, we had merely done so from a strictly business motive; the truth being that our inclination to do somewhat for improving the amusements of the people coincided with our business views. We have the egotism to believe that, during the many years we have been Billiard Table Makers, we have done more to popularise, utilise, and, in a measure, to civilise the game of Billiards, than has otherwise been attempted.