ndeed is a very commendable way, far better
than _Wooden_ Boxes which some use, these being apt to let a Ball to fly
out again, when they are struck in by a stiff stroke, whereas the Nets
keep them safe, and makes it impossible for them to rebound.

_3dly._ The other _Utensils_ and _Instruments_ belonging to this first
part of our Observations of the _Billiard Table_, are 1. An _Ivory
Port_, this must be placed at one end of the Table. 2. An _Ivory King_,
which must stand at the other end. 3. Two _Ivory Balls_, which must be
compleatly round, or no good proof of your Play can be expected. 4. and
Lastly, _Two Sticks_ made of _Brasile_, _Lignum-Vitae_, or some other
weighty Wood, to make them heavy, and at the broad end tipt with Ivory:
And be sure to observe narrowly, if the _Heads_ be tight and fast, for
if they should be loose you will never strike a smart stroke; and
therefore if you fear this Defect, see if your stroke be hollow and
dead, and your Ball run faintly, these are infallible Tokens that your
Play will come to nothing without a fresh supply of other Sticks, or the
heads of these fixt.

Thus much for the Table, and all the other Implements belonging to it,
which are necessary for our first Enquiry for the right understanding of
this Game, I come next to those _Rules_ and _Measures_ which are to be
observed for the rendring one a Gamester at this gentile Game.

_Secondly_, This Game in its _Number_ is, according to the _Place_ and
_Time_, when and where it is play'd; for in Gentlemens Houses they do
not oblige themselves to a certain Number, but make as many as they
please to admit up without any Restriction: But in Houses where part of
their Subsistence has a Dependance upon a _Billiard Table_, the Game is
_Five_ by Day-light or _Seven_, if odds be given, and _Three_ by
Candle-light, or more, as the Rule of the House is. Now then having
agreed upon what number we play, let us learn next how to manage our
Game skillfully and with Art, and this we may understand by these
following Rules.

1. Let us know who must lead, which thus is resolved: You must stand on
the one side of the Table opposite to the (so called) King, with your
Ball laid near the Cushion, and your Adversary on the other placed in
the like posture; and thus He of the two, that comes nearest the King,
leads first.

_2ly._ Having gotten the Lead, have a Care how you strike your Ball,
that at the first stroke you touch not with your Ball the