The hand-book of games
Billiards, like the greater number of games which are prevalent in modern Europe, is of French invention. Soon after the French, the Germans, the Dutch, and the Italians brought it into vogue throughout the Continent; and in a few years afterwards it became a favourite diversion in England, particularly among persons of rank. The precise period of its introduction into this country is not known, but, as it is mentioned by Shakspeare, the game must at least have been somewhat familiar to us in the sixteenth century. As it is replete with entertainment, and attended with that kind of moderate exercise, which renders it at the same time both agreeable and conducive to health, it will, in all probability, long remain in fashion.