A nobleman, who kept a great number of servants, had employed as a
_confidential servant_ an old superannuated Jack Tar. Jack soon became
the decided favourite, and upon him did he place all of his most
important services. This excited great jealousy among the others, who,
in order to prejudice their master, put into his pocket a pack of cards,
and then accused Jack in broad terms of being a gambler. Jack was called
up, and closely interrogated, but he denied the fact, at the same time
declaring he never played a card in his life. To be more fully
convinced, the gentleman ordered him to be searched, when behold a pack
of cards was found in his pocket. Highly incensed at Jack’s want of
veracity, the nobleman demanded, in a rage, how he dared persist in an
untruth?
“My lord,” replied he, “I certainly do not know the meaning of a card:
the bundle in my pocket is my almanac.”
“Your almanac, indeed? then I desire you to prove it.”
“Well, sir, I will begin. There are four suits in the pack, that
intimate the four quarters in the year. There are thirteen cards in a
suit: so there are thirteen weeks in a quarter. There are also the same
number of lunations; twelve signs of the zodiac, through which the sun
steers his diurnal course in one year. There are fifty-two cards in a
pack; that directly answers to the number of weeks in a year. Examine
them more minutely, and you will find three hundred and sixty-five
spots, as many as there are days in a year; these multiplied by
twenty-four and sixty, and you have the exact number of hours and
minutes in a year. Thus, sir, I hope I have convinced you it is my
almanac; and by your lordship’s permission, I will prove it my
prayer-book also. I look upon the four suits as representing the four
prevailing religions, Christianity, Judaism, Mahometism and Paganism;
the twelve court cards remind me of the twelve patriarchs, from whom
sprang the twelve tribes of Israel; the twelve Apostles; the twelve
Articles of the Christian faith.
“The queen reminds me of the allegiance due to her Majesty. The ten
brings to my recollection the ten cities in the plains of Sodom and
Gomorrah, destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven; the ten plagues
of Egypt; the ten commandments; the ten tribes cut off for their vice.
The nine remind me of the nine Muses; the nine noble orders among men.
The eight reminds me of the eight beatitudes; the eight persons saved in
Noah’s ark; also the eight persons mentioned in the Scripture to be
released from death to life. The seven reminds me of the seven
ministering spirits that stand before the holy throne; the seven seals
wherewith the book of life is sealed; the seven liberal arts and
sciences given for the instruction of man; the seven wonders of the
world. The six reminds me of the six petitions contained in the Lord’s
Prayer. The five reminds me of the senses—hearing, seeing, feeling,
tasting, and smelling. The four puts me in mind of the four evangelists;
the four seasons of the year. The three reminds me of the Trinity: the
three hours of agony on the cross; the three days in the Holy Sepulchre.
The two reminds me of the two Testaments; the two contrary principles
struggling in man, virtue and vice. The ace reminds me of the only true
God to adore, to worship, to serve; one faith to believe; one truth to
practise, and one good master to serve and to obey.”
“So far is all very well,” said the nobleman; “but I believe you have
omitted one card, the knave.”
“True, my lord; the knave reminds me of your lordship’s informer.”
The nobleman became more pleased with Jack than before, freely forgave
him, raised his wages, and discharged the informer.
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