Professor Rudolphe gave his first performance at the Astor House on Saturday evening, when he opened the ball by showing that he is not only an expert of the first order at billiards but also a clever exponent of feats of legerdemain. The first part of the programme consisted of fancy strokes with the cue, the mace, the draw, the screw, &ec., &e. By his wonderful precision and judge of strength the Professor can manipulate the balls and place them into every conceivable position. he mace shot is we shoutd judge the most useful on the table, as he had occasion frequently to demonstrate. The great beauty of his game lies in his wonderfal skill in keeping the balls together. Just when one thinks he has "spread-eagled" his field, #0 to speak, away goes the object ball and back it comes to the place to join its two company Mr. Rudolphe text gave some exhibitions of his skill in the "hand" shots, making the balls perform like things of life, astonishing and delighting his audience.
After an interval of ten minutes play was resumed, Rudolphe playing 200 points against an Amatour's 100. Rudolphe led of and failed to score; his opponent then contributed 3 points; the professor again failed to score, and this was followed by the same result from his opponent, who played with rather bad luck. After several small breaks the professor seemed to think it time to set to work, which ho did in good earnest, making a break of 107 cannons With the most consummate ense and skill.
To say that his play was perfection conveys but a poor idea of his game.
By the manner in which he played the "rail" shots it was patent to all that he only required to "let himself out," to ran almost ad infinitum, The Amateur, notwithstanding his efforts, was mever in it. Although many of the fancy strokes are familiar to old players, still many new ones are introduced. The play with two cues is a clever and very amusing performance, and the audience was kept in good humour thoughout, a well-known sporting auctioneer contributing as usual to the mirth of the evening. At the conclusion of the game the professor announced that he would play on Monday p-m. a game of 500 points against a first class amateur, We can only add that all who wish to enjoy a rare trent should go and see Rndolphe, for there are more th to be done with billiard balls than were ever dreamt of in our philosophy.
Mr. Rudolphe scarcely did himself justice at the Astor House on Monday evening. His sleight-of-hand tricks were cleverly performed, but his play was somewhat slow. He is probably holding himaelé in fora brilliant display upon the next occasion.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.