[Illustration: AGE 2.
_From a Photograph._]
[Illustration: AGE 16.
_From a Photograph._]
[Illustration: AGE 26.
_From a Photograph by Whitlock, Birmingham._]
[Illustration: PRESENT DAY.
_From a Photo. by Alerts, Bombay._]
John Roberts, the finest billiard player the world has ever seen, was
born at Ardwick, Manchester. He commenced his career as a billiard
player very early in life, for when only a child of eleven he assisted
his father at the George Hotel, in Liverpool, his father at the time
being universally considered the best in England, and, consequently, we
find that he had in early life the very best model from which to study
the game. Some thirty years ago, when Roberts's father was champion, a
break of over 200 was a rare event, whereas now it is an every day
occurrence with third-rate players. Roberts's highest all-round break is
3,000. His superiority to those who rank next to him is unprecedented,
as evinced by his recent victory over Peall, to whom he gave 9,000 in
24,000. Roberts's style is simply perfect, and it is wonderful to watch
the various strokes during a long break, consisting as they do of some
requiring great execution and power of cue, and others showing the
utmost delicacy of touch.
_The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes._