115 
383 l.J An Essay on the Game of Billiards. 
Ajinir possesses no navigable river to the north, south, or west. The only 
outlet is the Jumna ; the nearest point, Agra, being 230 miles distant east. The 
excess of produce beyond local wants could, therefore, only seek a market on 
this river ; inasmuch as the expense of land carriage, added to the duties leviable 
by numerous surrounding states, would enhance the value of the metal, and render 
it too dear for remote purchasers. Again, there are no nallahs or running streams 
in this vicinity, whose courses could be turned to account, in the aid of machinery; 
and although the charge of extracting and metallising the ore may, comparatively 
speaking, be expensive, still, considering the Government in their situation as 
junior partners, sharing a portion of the profits, not principals in the works, 
their revenue is now totally freed from risk; while they are spared the incon- 
venience of a large outlay. An immediate expense for a prospective gain, it 
would be necessary to incur, in proceeding upon European principles, in sinking 
shafts, &c. &c. It is true the depth (from 2 to 300 hdts obliquely) and tortuous 
course of the branches, render the removal of the excavated ore the most difficult 
and expensive part of the process ; and although on viewing the other divisions 
of the work superficially, we are inclined to disparage the native customs, a 
more intimate acquaintance with their proceedings reconciles us to their practice; 
and while we wonder at the simplicity, the leading characteristic of their opera- 
tions, we are compelled to acknowledge our surprise, that the results are so 
favourable. 
IV — An Essay on the Game of Billiards. 
[Continued from p. 81] 
But a third motion, and a fourth in direct opposition to it, which, between 
them, take in all the radii of a circle, having the middle 1 of the ball played at for 
its centre, must be taken notice of a little more at large. 
They arise from striking the ball in such a manner, that it will follow, or 
return from the other, directly or obliquely on either side, as circumstances or 
fancy may require. One of these effects or secondary powers, is called walking ; 
it is produced by striking the ball A, a any where (as at b, see Fig. 2.) in the 
semicircle, passing through its middle, intercepted between the part it rests on, and 
that diametrically opposite, but in a direction above its centre ; by which means, 
after hitting the ball p, it radiates from the point of contact, in the most remote 
division of a circle, as C 3 — denoted by W, and when in action, is frequently taken 
for the second motion already mentioned, into which it at length declines. The 
other is called twisting ; it is produced by striking the ball as at d , in the same 
semicircle, but in a direction below its centre, which makes it radiate after 
contact, in the opposite division — denoted by t, and completes the circle ; where, 
The middle of the ball is here, and will be hereafter used in contradistinction 
to the centre — which will be used strictly; and it is intended to denote that part 
of the surface, with respect to the ball played at, which is in a right line between 
the centres of both ; but as to the ball played with, that part of the surface, which 
is struck to give it the progressive motion most completely, as has been already 
shewn. 
s The capital A denotes the active } or hitting ball ; and P the passive , through- 
out this inquiry. 
This circle is to be supposed horizontal ; but its rays are not strictlj rectilinear, 
as the figure represents. They will be shewn hereafter more correctly upon a larger 
scale, when treated of more particularly. 
