22 



Among- Men and Horses. 



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he was not alone the best player we have had in Ireland, but 

 was steady, honourable, gentlemanly and masterful. He soon 

 abandoned the role of scoring and handing the rest, for that 

 of manager ; and when his old employer, Paddy Farrel, re- 

 tired, he took over the billiard rooms and wine cellars. The 

 last time, not long ago, I had the pleasure of meeting him, 

 he had been twice Mayor of Cork, and was one of its most 

 respected citizens. He is unspoiled by prosperity, and is the 

 same pleasant good fellow whom I knew twenty-five years 

 ago. // ira loin, if he choses to plunge deeply in the not very 

 reputable game of politics ; for he is capable and is possessed 

 of infinite tact in the management of men. I may mention 

 that Mr ' Tay Pay' O'Connor's father was also a famous 

 billiard professional in Athlone. In those days, an immense 

 amount of gambling was carried on at billiards ; more at public 

 rooms probably than at clubs. The Dawson Lane Billiard 

 Rooms, Dublin, were particularly well patronised. Every 

 afternoon, the chief room, which was reserved for good 

 players, was crowded by spectators who backed their respec- 

 tive fancies in silver, gold and paper money as freely as they 

 would have done on a racecourse. The best local gentlemen 

 players were Mr Gard and Mr Paulett. In 18667, Captain 

 (now Colonel) Fred. Warburton of the Royal Engineers was 

 a long way the best amateur in Ireland. His skill brought 

 him bad luck ; for happening to win about £1500, at single 

 pool from an English officer in the club to which I belonged, 

 he, thinking that the ' scrip ' which he had received was as 

 good as ready money, had a dash at sovereign unlimited loo, 

 and lost ,£1200, which of course he paid up out of his own 

 pocket, as his opponent of the previous evening did not ' part.' 

 Captain Warburton had imperturbable nerves, and was a 

 remarkably fine hazard player. There was a billiard sharp, 

 nicknamed The Dutchman, who used to pay Ireland peri- 

 odical visits with much profit to himself. His game was 

 pyramids, at which I have never seen a better player, not 

 even Jack Roberts or Mr May hew. No matter what odds 



