13. If a ball or balls are in the way of a striker's cue, so that he cannot play at his ball, he can have them taken up.

14. When the striker takes a life, he may continue to play on as long as he can make a hazard, or until the balls are all off the table, in which latter case he plays from the baulk, or places his ball on the spot as at the commencement.

15. The first person who loses his three lives is entitled to purchase, or, as it is called, to star (a star being the mark placed against his lives on the board, to denote that he has purchased), by paying into the pool the same sum as at the commencement, for which he receives lives equal to the lowest number on the board.

16. If the first person out refuse to star, the second person may do it, but if the second refuse, the third may do it, and so on, until only two persons are left in the pool, in which case the privilege of starring ceases.

17. Only one star is allowed in a Pool.

18. If the striker should move another ball whilst in the act of striking his own ball, the stroke is considered foul; and if, by the same stroke, he pocket a ball, or force it off the table, the owner of that ball does not lose a life, and the ball must be placed on its original spot, but if, by that stroke, he should pocket his own ball, or force it off the table, he loses a life.

19. If the striker's ball touch the ball he has to play at, he is then at liberty either to play at it or at any other ball on the table, and it is not to be considered a foul stroke; in this case, however, the striker is liable to lose a life, by going into a pocket or over the table.

20. After making a hazard, if the striker should take up his ball, or stop it, before it has done running, he cannot claim the life, or the hazard, from the person whose ball was pocketed; it being possible that his own ball might have gone into a pocket, if he had not stopped it.

21. If, before a star, two or more balls are pocketed by the same stroke, including the ball played at, each having one life, the owner of the ball first struck has the option of starring; but should he refuse, and more than one remain, the persons to whom they belong must draw lots for the star.

22. Should the striker's ball stop on the spot of a ball removed, the ball which has been removed must remain in band until the spot is unoccupied, and then be replaced.

23. If the striker should have his next player's ball removed, and stop on the spot it occupied, the next player must give a miss from the baulk to any part of the table he thinks proper, for which miss he does not lose a life.

24. If the striker has a ball removed, and any other than the next player's ball should stop on the spot it occupied, the ball removed must remain in hand, till the one on its place be played, unless it should happen to be the turn of the one removed to play before the one on its place, in which case that ball must give place to the one originally taken up; after which it may be replaced.

25. If the corner of the cushion should prevent the striker from playing in a direct line, he can have any ball removed for the purpose of playing at it from a cushion.

26. The two last players cannot star or purchase; but they may divide, if they are left with an equal number of lives each; the striker, however, is entitled to his stroke before the division.

27. All disputes to be decided by a majority of the players. 28. The charge for the table to be taken out of the pool before it is handed over to the winner.

Rules for Pool-playing at the last Player.

When coloured balls are used in playing this game, the players must play progressively as the colours are placed on the marking-board, the top colour being No. 1.

THE NEAREST BALL POOL.

In this Pool the players always play at the nearest ball out of the baulk; for in this Pool the baulk is a protection.

1. If all the balls be in the baulk, and the striker's ball in hand, he must lead to the top cushion, or place the ball on the winning and losing spot.

2. If the striker's ball be within the baulk line, and he has to play at a ball out of the baulk, he is allowed to have any ball taken up that may chance to lie in his way.

3. If all the balls be within the baulk, and the striker's ball not in hand, he plays at the nearest ball.

All the other rules of the former pool are to be observed at this.

BAGATELLE GAMES.

THE following games are played on a board, which is usually from six to ten feet in length, and from one foot nine inches to three feet wide, lined with green cloth; a slip of thin wood being placed round the inside of its upper end, to form a semicircle.

There are nine cups let in level with the cloth, numbered one to nine, into which the balls are to be driven in playing the two first mentioned games. (La Bagatelle and Sans Egal.)

There is also a bridge with small arches likewise numbered from 1 to 9, and through which the balls are to be driven in playing the two last mentioned games (Mississippi and Trou Madame) when the cups are not used.

There are likewise two small cushions placed against the sides, to be used in the game of Mississippi; or instead of these the boards are sometimes stuffed round the sides.

Tables of the best manufacture are usually charged at from thirteen to fifteen guineas each, and may be purchased of Mr. Thurston, Catherine Street, Strand.

LA BAGATELLE.

ANY number of players may join in this game, and use either the mace or cue as may be agreed.

Each player strikes a ball up the board, and whoever gets the highest number is entitled to the lead, and takes possession of the nine balls.

The black ball (which counts for double) is placed on the white spot in front of the holes, at the beginning of every round, and must in the first instance be struck by one of the other balls before there can be any score.

The striker's ball must be placed on the white spot nearest the other end of the board, and is to be struck with the mace or cue at the black ball, the object being to put it into one of the holes. The rest of the balls are to be played up in the same manner, either at the outstanding balls, or for the holes. Any number of rounds may be played for the game, as may be agreed upon at its commencement.

The player who obtains the greatest number-counting the holes into which he puts the balls, according to the figures marked within them-wins the game.

The holes along the edges of the board are for the purpose of marking the game.

Any ball that rebounds beyond the centre, or that is driven off the board, cannot be used again during that round.

SANS EGAL.

THIS is played by two persons.

The player who leads, which is decided as in bagatelle, chooses four balls of either colour, and places the black ball on the mark in front of the holes, and begins by striking one of his balls up the board.

The other player then strikes one of his balls in the same manner, and so on alternately.

He that holes the black ball counts it towards his also all that he may hole of his own colour.

game, and If a player should hole any of his adversary's balls, it counts for the owner of the balls.

The player who makes the greatest number of points in each round, takes the lead in the next. The game is 21, to 31, according to the arrangement between the players.

MISSISSIPPI.

PLACE the bridge close up to the circle, and the small cushions against the sides.

Each player is then to strike one ball through the bridge, and he who gets the highest number, has the lead, and plays the nine balls in succession

All balls must strike one of the cushions, previous to entering the bridge, otherwise the number reckons for the adver

sary.

The game to consist of as many points as may be agreed on at its commencement.

TROU MADAME.

THIS is played in the same way as the preceding game, except that the balls are played straight from the end of the board through the bridge.

The board, which is generally four feet six inches in length, and two feet four inches in width, is lined with superfine green cloth. Those of the best description cost about fifteen guineas, and are made, if wished, to shut up so as to have the appearance of a Pembroke table. They are sold by Mr. Thurston of Catherine Street, and other respectable makers.