_To the Author of the Epigram on the new Irish Halfpence._
"While you behold th' imperfect coin
Receiv'd without the _grace of God_,
All honest men with you must join,
And even Britons think it odd.
The _grace of God_ was well left out,
And I applaud the politician;
For when an evil's done, no doubt,
'Tis not by _God's grace_, but permission."
_Grace's Card, the Six of Hearts._
As a note to the communications which have lately amused your readers,
respecting the nine of diamonds, and the curse of Scotland, allow me to
remind you of another card which has a peculiar name, the origin of
which is better ascertained.
At the Revolution of 1688, one of the family of Grace, of Courtstown in
Ireland, raised and equipped a regiment of foot and a troop of horse, at
his own expense, for the service of King James, whom he further assisted
with money and plate, amounting, it is said, to 14,000_l_. He was
tempted with splendid promises of royal favour, to join the party of
King William. A written proposal to that effect was sent to him by one
of the Duke of Schomberg's emissaries. Indignant at the insulting
proposal, the Baron of Courtstown seized a card, which was accidentally
lying near him, and wrote upon it this answer: "Go, tell your master, I
despise his offer! Tell him that honour and conscience are dearer to a
gentleman than all the wealth and titles a prince can bestow!" The card
happened to be the "six of hearts," and to this day that card is
generally known by the name of "Grace's card," in the city of Kilkenny.
I derive these particulars principally from the _Memoirs of the Family
of Grace_, by Sheffield Grace, Esq. 4to. London, 1823, p. 42.