_The Curse of Scotland._--In Vol. i. p. 61., is a Query why the Nine of
Diamonds is called the Curse of Scotland. Reference is made to a print
dated Oct. 21, 1745, entitled "Briton's Association against the Pope's
Bulls," in which the young Pretender is represented attempting to lead
across the Tweed a herd of bulls laden with curses, excommunications,
indulgences, &c.: on the ground before them lies the Nine of Diamonds. In
p. 90. it is said that the "Curse of Scotland" is a corruption of the
"Cross of Scotland," and that the allusion is to St. Andrew's cross, which
is supposed to resemble the Nine of Diamonds. This explanation is
unsatisfactory. The _nine_ resembles St. Andrew's cross less than the
_five_, in a pack of cards; and, moreover, the nine of any other suit would
be equally applicable. The true explanation is evidently to be found in the
game of Pope Joan, in which the Nine of Diamonds is the pope. The
well-known antipapal spirit of the Scottish people caused the pope to be
called the Curse of Scotland.
The game of Pope Joan is stated to have been originally called Pope Julio,
and to be as old as the reign of Queen Elizabeth. See Sir John Harington's
"Treatise on Playe," written about 1597, Nugæ Antiquæ, vol. i. p. 220.