Richard Seymour, Esq., we find the following sentence: “Whist, vulgarly
called _Whisk_, is said to be a very ancient game among us, and the
foundation of all English games upon the cards.” It was probably
invented about the period of Charles the Second. Its original name was
Whist, or the Silent game. It is believed that “it was not played upon
principles until about 1736; before that time it was chiefly confined
to servants’ halls. The rules laid down by the gentlemen who frequented
the Crown Coffee House in Bedford Row were: ‘To play from a straight
suit; to study your partner’s hand as much as your own; never to force
your partner unnecessarily, and to attend to the score.’” At one time
it was usual to deal four cards together. Horace Walpole, writing in
1767 from Paris, says: “The French have adopted the two dullest things
the English have,—Whist and Richardson’s novels.”
The Whist-players of the last century would be astonished to see the
developments a hundred years have made in this game. At the present
time the books which have been written on it alone would fill a small
book-case,—the one by “Cavendish,” who is the acknowledged authority on
the game, having reached its seventeenth edition; and it has become so
complicated that its rules require profound study, and so fashionable
that teachers of its mysteries have sprung up in all directions.
Several ladies have adopted the profession of Whist-teachers, and have
found it a most profitable one. One person has reduced the system of
teaching it to a science, and has also invented an arrangement by
which “a singleton” can play a four-handed game of Whist. This is done
by placing an ingenious combination of letters and figures on the
backs of the ordinary playing-cards, which can be sorted according to
these instead of being dealt in the usual way. The cards having been
sorted are placed face downward on the table, and then turned up in
regular order exactly as if played by four persons. As they have been
arranged so as to illustrate certain styles of play or exemplify well
known rules, the games they play are not only most amusing, but also
instructive. The credit of this novel invention is due to Mr. Frederic
Foster, a well known teacher of the noble game of Whist; and his pack
is known as the “Self-playing Cards.”
The national games of the different countries are said to be: Italy,
_Minchiate_; Germany, _Landsknechtspiel_, or Lansquenet; France,
_Piquet_; Spain, _El Hombre_; America, _Poker_.
AMERICA.
The history of Playing-cards would be incomplete without some
reference to their introduction into America, and a slight sketch
of the games most in favour in that country. History tells us that
Columbus carried cards with him in his ship on the voyage of discovery
in 1492, and that his sailors employed every spare moment playing
with them, until their superstitious fancies persuaded them that this
impious practice was the cause of the long voyage and contrary winds
which alarmed them so greatly. During the frenzy caused by this panic,
they flung overboard their Jonahs (the cards). Their safe arrival
at what they believed to be the Promised Land caused them to forget
their fears, and they soon regretted the rashness with which they had
sacrificed their beloved amusement; so with considerable ingenuity
they made for themselves new packs from the leaves of the copas-tree.
Tradition states that the sacrificed cards had been made of leather.
The introduction of cards into America, their first makers, and the
materials used, are therefore matters of history, and call for no
research or speculation.
[Illustration: Plate 13.]
A few years after the discovery of America, another history relates
that on the conquest of Mexico, and during the captivity of her
unfortunate king, Montezuma, he was deeply interested in watching the
games of cards played by the conquerors in his presence.
The Spanish marks of suits are now to be found on the cards used in
Mexico; but the inhabitants of that country are gradually adopting the
French marks used in their sister republic, the United States, and the
old cards will soon be as obsolete as their forefathers, the Tarots.
In those parts of the United States that were first settled by
religious fanatics it would be useless to search for any record of
cards, as they were looked upon with horror by both the Puritans and
the Quakers, and together with all games, such as Chess, Draughts,
etc., were considered inventions of the Evil One, and their use was
sternly forbidden; and it is more than probable that the famous
“Mayflower,” which seems to have contained enough furniture (judging
from the alleged specimens preserved) to have filled an ordinary-sized
town, did not contain one card-table or pack of playing-cards. It was
natural, however, that some amusement should be craved by the younger
members of society, and that games which were considered more harmless
than the “Devil’s books” (as cards were named by the Puritans) should
have been sought for and discovered. Among these were the various kinds
of instructive cards which had been invented so many years previously
by the Franciscan friar, and which had met with so much favour in
parts of Europe. These cards taught various branches of science to the
player, and were very numerous; and packs of them by degrees forced
their way into different places where the wicked French cards, with
their royal dames and kings and their scampish knaves,—whose names
alone were synonymous with wrongdoing, gambling, and thieving,—and the
innocent-looking but bad little pips, were strictly forbidden.
[Illustration: Plate 14.]
One quaint pack of Educational Cards, which seems to have been made
in America and probably in New York, has been carefully preserved for
nearly one hundred years, and is most valuable as giving specimens of
the cards used at that time. This pack is now owned by Dr. Richard
Derby, a descendant of the Lloyd who was granted the manor of Lloyd’s
Neck, which was one of the original manors (or grants of land) held
under the English in the colony of New York; and these cards are
preserved in the family mansion on Lloyd’s Neck, Long Island. Tied
in a pack by a crumpled green ribbon,—which tradition declares was a
garter,—on the back of the Knave of Diamonds is written in faded ink
this inscription,—
To Angelina Lloyd, from her affectionate Uncle,
HENRY LLOYD.
February 13th, 1795.
The cards (which are wonderfully fresh) are printed on coarse, thick
pasteboard, guiltless of enamelled surface or diapered back. The
descriptive matter is printed with fine type on each card, which has
either a distinguishing pip containing a number on each left-hand upper
corner, or in a lozenge is a letter, K, Q, or J, which takes the place
of the figure usually placed on the court cards of each suit.
The suits represent the four quarters of the globe. Clubs contain
a history of Africa (the name being printed across the surface of the
cornered Ace),—its area, inhabitants, products, commerce, customs,
etc.; all this valuable but obsolete information being crowded on
the surface of the ten pip cards of the suit. The “J” (Jack) shows
the principal islands which surround the continent; the “Q” (Queen)
tells the quarter of the globe to which Africa belongs, with various
statistics; and the “K” (King), the kingdoms or governments into which
it is divided. The same formula is adopted on the other cards,—the
Spades being devoted to Asia, the Hearts to Europe, and the Diamonds
to America. Among the statements on the cards we find, on the Four of
Diamonds: “The Dutch first planted colonies in New York, but these
usurpers were obliged to own the right of the English to the land.”
On the “J” (Jack), among other islands mentioned, it states that
“Long Island is 140 miles by 10. The middle is sandy.... The place
called Lloyd’s Neck, from its situation and fertility, is or might be
made a paradise” (and this sentence probably led to the purchase and
preservation of these precious cards). The chief towns of America and
their population were given as follows: Mexico, 150,000; Lima, 60,000;
Quito, 60,000; Cusco, 42,000; Panama and Philadelphia, 42,000; New
York, 23,000; Boston, 19,000; Newport, 6,000.
[Illustration: Plate 15.]
What manner of game was played with these instructive cards is not
now known. They were probably valued only as a book would have been
which contained interesting information in a condensed form; and it is
more than probable, from the excellent state of preservation in which
they were found, that they were looked upon with awe by Miss Angelina,
preserved with care, but never played with.
A letter from a sprightly young lady quoted in the “Republican
Court,” written during a visit to the Van Hornes of New York, which
was probably about 1783, says: “All is a dead calm until the _cards_
are introduced, when you see pleasure dancing in the eyes of all the
matrons, and they seem to gain new life.” But what were the favourite
games of the dames of that city? She does not mention.
What has been called the national game of the United States, and the
one at present in fashion among many classes of society, although
perhaps not among the most refined and cultivated, is Poker. This game
has its advocates, and a historiette of its own which is too widely
known to require further comment here.
Among the terms used in playing it, and peculiar to it, are _blind_,
which is supposed to have been derived from “bind;” _straddle_, which
means to cover both the _blind_ and the _ante_. The latter word may
have been derived from the French _entrer_, to enter; as to _ante_ is
to enter the game by paying the stakes required.
Euchre, Commerce, Piquet, Bezique, and Whist are general favourites;
and they have superseded the old-fashioned games of Brag (the father of
Poker), Pope Joan, and others dear to the hearts of our grandmothers.
[Illustration: Plate 16.]
Among other ingenious means of evading the religious scruples
that forbade playing-cards, some publisher hit upon the scheme of
introducing to the public what he called “Yankee Notions.” These were
cards covered with distinctive symbols and marks of suits, and were
accompanied by a small book of rules which has been embodied in an
American edition of Hoyle for playing with them, and which contained
the following preface:—
“Believing that a settled prejudice exists with a large class of the
community against the old-fashioned cards, the publisher has issued
an entirely new style, to the introduction of which into every family
circle there cannot possibly be the least objection. These cards and
the games adapted to them are calculated to discipline and exercise the
mind.”
There are fifty cards in the pack, composed of five different suits;
namely, Faces, Flags, Eagles, Stars, and Shields, “the honour cards
being called the upper ten.”
The directions for dealing, cutting, etc. are given, and are exactly
the same as those in common use among all card-players, be they bent on
gambling or only on innocent amusement.
The publisher goes on to state that “many things will serve for
counters, as kernels of corn, or coffee, or old cards cut up. _For
those who prefer something better the publisher of these cards has
provided an ample supply at a small expense._”
The difference between this pack and the ordinary cards generally
played with seems to be only in the symbols which have been placed on
them. The Flags, Eagles, etc., take the place of the Hearts, Diamonds,
Spades, and Clubs. To an unprejudiced mind the substitution of one
symbol for another would not be sufficient to excuse the use of the
“Yankee Notions” in places where ordinary playing-cards were regarded
with disfavour. Sums of money might be as well staked and lost on Flags
and Eagles as on Hearts and Diamonds, if the players were inclined to
gamble on a game; and the term “to throw” or “to pass,” which in the
rules is employed instead of “to deal,” might soothe the scruples of
some minds, although the action in both cases were the same. That these
games might be gambling, is proved by the suggestion about the counters.
[Illustration: Plate 17.]
The publisher of the “Yankee Notions” gives in his book of rules many
games which could be played with his cards, one of which bears the
ominous name of “Bunkum.” Another game called “John Smith” is played
under some droll rules. Among others is one which states that “the
holder of Mrs. Smith, who is always anxious to recall her truant
husband John to her side,” must recite certain verses when she calls
for him, “thinking him perhaps in doubtful company; and the position
of John is one of _dread_, thinking he will be caught and possibly
_Caudled_. The holder of Mrs. Smith will anxiously watch for the first
opportunity to get the lead and call for her man John; for when she
calls, John must go. She may say,—
‘Come forth, great John,
Thou paragon!
My voice I’m sure you know.’
He may reply,—
‘I know that voice,
I’ve got no choice;
’Tis hard, but I must go.’”
The game resembles in many respects the kindred one of “Dr. Busby,”
in which the four suits contain only face and no pip cards. The suits
being divided into four families, and the object of the game being to
collect all the families in one hand by asking for each card by name
from the right-hand neighbour, any mistake in naming over or “calling”
for the cards causes the “call” to pass to the neighbour on the left,
who then endeavours to ask for all the cards from the person who had
been previously playing. This innocent game requires no counters,
cannot possibly be used for gambling, and is an excellent exercise for
the memory.
That cards were fashionable in some localities of the United States
during the past century is proved not only by the invitations issued on
the backs of playing-cards (of which specimens exist), and which have
been already described, but also by the existence of numerous beautiful
Japanese or Chinese lacquer counter-boxes which may be found any day
carefully treasured in many families.
These boxes, which were originally imported especially for the person
who ordered them, are usually of black and gold lacquer, oval in shape
and covered with graceful arabesques of leaves and tendrils, which
surround the initial letter of the owner’s name, which was not only
painted on the cover of the large box, but was also on each one of
the tiny “fish boxes” contained inside of it. These strangely shaped
little receptacles fitted compactly into the large boxes, and could
be removed and replaced at pleasure. The centre of the box contained
a number of small trays, especially designed for the favourite and at
one time fashionable game of “Pope Joan.” Each tray bore on its bottom
a quaint figure painted in lacquer, which represented the Chinese idea
of an ordinary court card; and this tray, according to the rules of
the game, was to contain the counters when the players went through
the customary formula and paid one to the Knave, two to the Queen,
three to the King, four to the Ace, and five to “Pope Joan,” which was
represented by the _nine of Diamonds_. These convenient little trays
were almost a necessity when playing this game; but substitutes were
often ingeniously contrived by taking from an extra pack the necessary
cards and bending their sides up until they would hold the counters
without spilling them all over the table.
The counters, or “fish” (as our grandmothers called them), which were
imported in these foreign boxes were made of small bits of mother of
pearl which were of different sizes. Some of them were round, some
oval, and some long, slender, and shaped somewhat like their namesakes
the fish. They were usually engraved with quaint devices, a circular
space being left in the centre of the counter intended to contain the
initial letter of the owner’s name, which was designed so as to match
that placed on the boxes.
One set of counters in particular were imported by a naval officer for
his family, and were small circular disks of pearl on which strange
figures were painted in bright colours. These figures have become
obliterated in the course of years. They came from their foreign home
in a small round ivory box which contained only a limited number. They
were always used for counters, but they may have been intended by the
manufacturer for a game by themselves; and they somewhat resemble
those described by Mr. Chatto, which he classed among the cards.
Unfortunately nothing remains of the original pictures, and only a few
dabs of colour now stain the tiny pearl disks, the outlines of the
devices having been entirely obliterated.
Another most beautiful set of Chinese counters is contained in an ivory
box. They are curiously carved with minute figures in low relief, and
when first taken from their box were in regular order, and it seemed as
if their pictured sides could relate a history. Unfortunately, the one
hundred and sixty odd pieces soon became hopelessly mixed; and the tale
they could have told was never related, and is now lost forever.
[Illustration: Plate 18.]
Besides the cards introduced into North America by Columbus and his
sailors or by the emigrants to various parts of the country, strange
gambling instruments or sticks which may be called cards have been
found among the Indians of southeastern Alaska and Queen Charlotte’s
Islands. These original and peculiar implements are made by the natives
for their own use, and are of two kinds,—one set being beautifully
carved with strange devices of birds, animals, men, etc.; the other set
simply marked by lines of red or black paint rudely smeared on their
rounded surface, but which are quite distinct enough to distinguish
at a glance one from the other. The same game seems to be played
with either the carved or painted set, although one seems to be only
numbered, and the other to have no numbers and to rely on the carvings
to represent the value of the stick.
From what source these Indians derived their “cards” will probably
never be known. Taking into account the difference between cardboard
and cubes of wood, there is more than a fancied resemblance between
these rude toys and the cards of Asia, and this may point to the
original source. It is certain that they were not derived from the
Spaniards or other emigrants who settled on the eastern coast of
America and moved toward the west, as the emblems have nothing in
common with European cards, whereas the cards used by the Apache
Indians of Arizona show their derivation from the Spanish cards at
once. These Indians make for themselves cards from deerskin, on which
they paint in two colours—namely, red and blue—the _Oros_, _Denari_,
_Espadas_, and _Copas_ of the Spanish emblems. These deerskin cards
are practically imperishable, as even the very rough usage which they
undoubtedly have cannot destroy them; and they are greatly prized by
their owners, who can seldom be induced to part with them. There are
several packs of these cards in the National Museum at Washington, and
one in the Museum at Boston.
[Illustration: Plate 19.]
A complete set of Haida gambling-sticks is also to be found in the
National Museum; and casts of the carvings have been carefully taken
on plaster, which displays the shape of the figures more plainly than
the curved surfaces of the sticks can do. Thirty-two of these cubes
compose “a pack,” and these are contained in a leather pouch. The game
is usually played by a number of persons, who squat on the ground in a
circle around the dealer, who places the sticks in front of him under a
pile of shavings or shredded cedar bark, and draws them out with great
ceremony and hands them to the players, who receive them with grunts,
cries, and other uncouth noises. Each stick has its value; and they are
passed with great rapidity from one to the other, the players staking
considerable amounts on the game.
These cubes are made of spruce, about six inches long and half an
inch thick; on them patterns of birds, animals, fish, men, and other
devices are cut. The designs necessarily adapt themselves to the
curved surfaces, and on some are repeated, so that when the stick is
held upright the same pattern is seen back to back. This arrangement
is almost always followed, although there are exceptions to the rule.
What the designs mean and what their value is no one seems to know,
but it is quite evident that they are Totemic devices; and these
gambling-sticks are probably the most peculiar contrivances that have
ever been invented to take the place of the pictured cards or the
graven chessmen, and though not to be considered as a link between the
two, certainly contain characteristics peculiar to both.
They may be classed into suits, which can be divided as follows:
_Figures_, _Devices_, _Animals_, _Fish_, _Birds_, and _Reptiles_ or
_Insects_.
The suit of Figures has eight sticks. The first one is a man
crowned, and holding in his right hand a fan, which seems to be a
strange attribute when the climate of Queen Charlotte’s Islands is
considered. The carving on the second cube resembles that of a man
seated, and leaning his chin on his hands, his elbows resting on his
knees. Two semicircles over the head may represent a hat; fifteen
notches placed on each side of this figure may show its value. Number
three displays a seated figure, with what seems to be the soles of its
feet turned outward; four circles cut beside the figure may denote its
worth. The fourth cube represents a seated figure in profile, with one
hand spread out to show the thumb and four fingers. This stick has
no marks to denote its value, unless four notches deeply cut in its
back may take their place. The fifth stick is an interesting one, as
it seems intended to show both the face and back of the figure. Over
the head are two semicircles resembling those on number two. The hands
hang on each side, each one having but three fingers and a thumb. The
carvings on number six contain devices which resemble the lotus-flower.
In a circle is a human face, the head surmounted by the semicircular
cap. Number seven shows two grinning faces without bodies, but with
arms and large hands displayed with the palms out. Two large chevrons
divide these devices, which are cut across the stick, and not, as the
others are, up and down its length. The eighth carving represents a
hand with four well-shaped fingers and a thumb. Certain notches and
cuts which surround the hand are undecipherable.
[Illustration: Plate 20.]
The eight succeeding cubes contain strange devices, which seem to
represent fingers, eyes, teeth, etc., but which are confused and
meaningless to the uninitiated. Number seventeen, on the contrary,
shows a spirited and lifelike carving of a beaver; and the next one
a strange-looking monster, with a large mouth and huge teeth. The
nineteenth cube has on it the head of some unrecognizable beast with a
very long snout; and the twentieth, a ferocious-looking, large-mouthed
animal. In cubes twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, and twenty-four
the carvings resemble fish; twenty-two, in particular, shows a
clever representation of a huge fish, and also a duck. Twenty-five,
twenty-six, twenty-seven, and twenty-eight call to mind birds; the
twenty-sixth cube, in particular, showing most plainly the head, wings,
and claws of what may be intended for an eagle. The stick which is
numbered twenty-eight has on it a carving of a bird perched beside a
nest which contains four fledglings.
The last four sticks are as well carved and deeply cut as any of the
others in the pack, number twenty-nine bearing a spirited cut of a
beetle; but the others cannot be as easily deciphered. The carvings of
the beaver, the eagle, and the beetle represent these creatures in an
erect or upright attitude, instead of the one natural to the animal.
Whether this has some peculiar significance or not remains to be proved.
[Illustration: Plate 21.]