Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/88

BILLET. (1858) ; Mfmoire sur Ics demi-leittilles d'interfi- renccs (18(121.

BILLETING (Fr. hillct, ticket, dimin. of OF. bille, bill), or Qi-artering. A system of provisioning and lodging soldiers, when not in camp or barracks. Before the era of permanent barracks in England, soldiers were billeted or quartered on the citizens, wlio were compelled to support them. The abuses and hardships endured by citizens generally because of this ar- rangement brought about the erection of perma- nent barracks. (See B.iRRACKS.) One of the grievances which led to the American Revolu- tion was the quartering of British troops upon the people without their permission. At the present time "quartering' is restricted in the United States by the third amendment to the Constitution. In England it is confined to troops on the march and individual soldiers traveling on special duties. The keepers of inns or public houses, or citizens — failing the former — on whom troops may be billeted are paid according to a Scale fixed by the Government.

BILLFISH. A fish having the snout much drawn out in the form of a bill, as: (1) A gar. (See article Gab. ) (2) Spear-fish (q.v.), or some similar form.

BILL-HOOK. An intrenching tool, used for cutting underbrush in clearing passages through jungle-growths, etc., and clearing camping- grounds or bivouacs. It is also used for securing materials for gabions, fascines, and other defen- sive supports. The regimental pioneers of Euro- pean infantry carry a bill-hook as part of their equipnent. The bolo of the Filipinos and the macliete of the Cubans clo.sely resemble it. both in practice and general use. See EiVGiNEERiNG, Military.

BILLIARDS (Fr. hillard, originally the cue, from hillc. a log of wood, cf. Eng. billet). A game of skill, whose development as a scientific indoor game is wholly modern. Its origin is obscure. Some assert that it was brouglit from the East by the Crusaders. Cotton, in liis Corn- pleat Gamester (1074). wavera between Spanish and an Italian origin ; but there is better reason to believe that de Vigiie, an artist of the Court of Charles IX. of France (e.l57I), designed tables and drew up a code of rules. In any case, it was known in England so<m after this time. Spenser, in bis Motlirr Iliihhard's Tale (1591), speaks slightingly of those who play — With dlcp. with oarrtn. with lml.var<iH Jar unfit, With shuttlecocrk, nii86eeuiiii(^ uianl.v wit

It was originally an outdoor sport, played on the ground, at firsfwith round stones, later with two balls, an ivory post, an n|)riglit cone called a king, and two sticks called masts (maees), made of heavy wood and tipped with ivory. It was then played in a similar form indoors upon a table, still with two balls, an iron arch being used through which the ball was driven; beyond this was the king, and pin l)ool is a survival of this primitive form. In the Eighteenth Century holes, called 'hazards,' and suggested jjrobably by the iron arch, were cat in the bed of the table — first in the centre, then at the corners and sides — into which l,he balls were driven. Then the French added the third, or red ball, introducing the caranibole or carom game, which involves striking both tlie other balls with the cue-ball.

The next period of development is marked by improvements in the materials of the game. Where the end of the cue had been simply made rough with a file so that chalk might adhere to it and prevent slipping oil' the ball, the French player ilangin introduced leather tijjs (first used in the L'nited States in 1823), and a little later marble and slate came to be employed in- stead of wood fur the bed, and india-rubber for the cushions. In 1854 a new cushion, possessing great durability and elasticity, was invented by -Michael Phelan, the father of billiards in -Vmeri- ca. and the game in the ne?;t half-centurj' at- tained a wonderfully scientific precision.

The English game is played with three balls, two being white and one red. which generally measures 2 1-10 inches in diameter. One of the white balls has a spot upon it, the purpose of which is that one ball may be distinguished from the other. The red ball is placed upon a spot at what is called the top of the table and about 1$ inches from the top cushion, but exactly in the centre width of the table; at the other, or lower end of the table, and at a distance of 2 feet 414 inches from the lower-end cushion, and exactly in the centre width of the talile. is placed a spot, and from this sjxit is drawn a semicircle, with a radius of 21 inches to 23 inches, of which the spot is the center base; the space within the semicircle is called 'balk.' The object of the player is, by striking his own ball against the red ball or his adversary's, to drive either it or them into the pockets, or else ell'ect a 'cannon' — i.e. to strike both balls with the player's ball. The general limit of each game is '50 tip,' as it is called, although any number of points may be agreed upon.

The method of play is as follows: for the lead and choice of balls, the players 'string' — i.e., placing their white balls within the .semicircle, they cause them to strike the furthermost cush- ion ami to rebound; the striker whose liall stops nearest the bottom cushion may take which ball he likes and play or direct his opponent to play; the red ball must, at the opening of the game, be placed upon the top spot and replaced after being pocketed or forced otT the table, or when- ever the balls are broken— i.e. when the balls are played as in the o])ening stroke; the game is adjudged in favor of whoever first scores the number of points agreed upon. Two points are scored for a cannon or carom; two for a white hazard (pocketing the opponent's ball); three for a red hazard (pocketing the red ball). The following strokes count against the |)layer; a simple miss, one point; a losing hazard (pocket- ing your own ball), two; and doing both at once, three. Billiard-tables vary in size. The English table is fi feet wide and 12 feet long and has six pockets, one at each corner and one at each side at the c-entre; the standard size in. ierica

is a table 5 feet wide and in fei4 long, although in public rooms, clubs, and ])rivate houses tlit size generally used is 4 feet (> inches in width and 9 feet iii length. In the Cnited Slates the game of billiards is now played almost exclusively on carom-tables, pocket-tables being reserved for the game of pool. The bed of the table is made of slate and is covered with fine green broadcloth, while rubber cushions are used at the sides and ends of the table, against which the balls strike and rebound. Three and