Some gentlemen and ladies were playing at this game. when one of the gamesters, who seemed to be very skilful at the game in general, but more particularly so, at the subtle management of the brag, and, by his artful method and cunning manner of behaviour, had induced his competitor to believe that he resolved to out-brag him upon very low and insignificant cards; but it was the gentleman's good luck at that juncture, to have in his hand far otherwise than he imagined, having been dealt two natural aces, and the knave of clubs, which, joined with the other two, made the greatest pair-royal that could then possibly be dealt, and consequently proper to win also the greatest stake that could be laid; he kept his countenance demure, and with a gesture neither overjoyed nor desponding, made a brag of half-a-crown; the other who had in his hand a pair-royal of kings, and, as afterwards was discovered, had, through the imprudence of the dealer, casually seen an ace or two given about to other gamesters, thinking himself also as secure as possible, answers with a crown; his antagonist then sets half-a-guinea, and the opposer, immediately a whole one, and vying with each other, till the same amounted to ten pounds, when as ill fate, for one of them, would have it, a too curious impertinent of the female kind, who sat next him that had the aces, having a furious itch upon her to know whether his repeated brag was upon a sure foundation, or not, could not forbear covertly peeping into his hand, and at the view was so surprized, that on a sudden she, by a violent shriek, gave the gamester, with the pair-royal of kings, warning of his unavoidable loss, giving him reason to cease the bag, and thereby lose the game.

BLIND HOOKEY.

THIS is purely a game of chance, without any limit as to the number of players, but is best suited to a party of four, six, or ten. Each player cuts for the deal, which is decided in the same manner as at Whist. The pack being then shuffled by the player on the dealer's right hand, may be again shuffled by the dealer himself, and being cut by the right hand player, is placed by the dealer before the player on his left hand. He cuts a parcel for himself, consisting of not less than four cards, nor of more than shall allow an equal

number at least to all the players, and lays them before him with the faces downwards. All the players having done the same, and a small parcel being left for the dealer, he also lays it before him, faced downwards. Each player then places upon the parcel of cards before him, the stake which he is inclined to go for, and all the party having followed his example, the dealer forthwith turns up his parcel, for he is obliged to set the players in the amount they decide to venture. The dealer having turned up his parcel, the left-hand player does the same, and whoever turns up the highest card wins the stake, but should the cards " tie," that is, be of equal value, the dealer wins. This is a considerable advantage, and consequently the deal is many points in the favor of the holder. It may be sold, and the buyer being out, which results from his turn-up card being lower than any that is turned up by any of the players, it returns to the player on the left-hand of the dealer who sold it. This is the principle upon which Blind Hookey is commonly played.

MATRIMONY.

MATRIMONY may be played by any number of persons from 5 to 14. This game is composed of 5 chances, usually marked on a board or sheet of paper, as follows:

N.B. The ace of diamonds turned up takes the whole pool, but when in hand ranks only as any other ace, and if not turned up, nor any ace in hand, then the king, or next superior card, wins the chance styled best.

The game is generally played with counters, and the dealer stakes what he pleases on each or any chance, the other players depositing each the same quantity, except one; that is, when the dealer stakes twelve, the rest of the company lay down eleven each. After this, two cards are dealt round to every one, beginning on the left, then to each one other card turned up, and he who so happens to get the ace of diamonds sweeps all; if it is not turned up, then each player shews his hand, and any of them having matrimony, intrigue, &c. takes the counters on that point; and when two or more people happen to have a similar combination, the eldest hand has the preference, and should any chance not be gained, it stands over to the next deal.

TABLE GAMES,

FARO.

FARO, Pharo, Pharaoh, or Pharaon, is very similar to Basset, a game formerly much in vogue.

RULES OF THE GAME.

The banker turns up the cards from a complete pack, deliberately, one by one, laying them alternately, first to his right for the bank, and then to his left hand for the punter, till the whole are dealt out.

The punter may, at his option, set any number of stakes, agreeable to the sum limited, upon one or more cards chosen out of his livret, from the ace to the king inclusive, either previous to dealing the cards, or after any quantity of coups are made, or he may masque his bets, or change his cards whenever he pleases, or finally decline punting, except an event is unsettled when not above eight cards are undealt.

The banker wins when the card, equal in points to that on

which the stake is set, turns up on his right hand, but loses when it is dealt to the left.

The punter loses half the stake when his card comes out twice in the same coup.

The last card neither wins nor loses.

The last card but one is called hocly, and forms part of the banker's gain; but now is frequently given up, and generally so in the last deal.

When by accident or design the pack happens to contain more or less than 52 cards, or should the last coup be found deficient, owing to any misdeal, however arising, whether discovered at the end or during the game, the bank must then pay every stake depending at the period when the error is detected, which payment must also be made if the cards are thrown up.

The dealer should hold the cards close in his hand, and always be prepared to inform any punter how many cards

remain.

The first card is never valid till the second is dealt.

No person but the dealer or croupier should ever meddle with the cards, unless to cut them.

A paroli, &c., may be purchased by paying a sum equivalent to the stake.

METHOD OF PLAY.

The tailleur and croupier sit opposite each other at a large oval table covered with a green cloth, on which is a line marked by coloured tape, or a wooden rim about an inch high, and eight from the edge of the table, for the purpose of separating those cards punted on from the others. Monev is placed either loose in a well, or done up in rouleaus. The tailleur is to deal, while the croupier pays and receives, guards against errors, and shuffles another pack of cards.

The game may be played by any number of persons, each punter being furnished with a livret, from which having chosen a card, or cards, and placed the same upon the table, just within the line, putting the stake either thereon, or upon other cards placed face downwards at the head of those betted The stakes are answered by the banker, who usually limits the sums according to his capital; and at public tables has generally two or more croupiers. Then the dealer having

on.

previously counted and shuffled the cards, and had them cut by a punter, should hold the pack tight in his hand, and show the bottom card, as a caution to avoid punting on it near the conclusion of the game, and to prevent mistakes, a similar card, with the corners cut off, is usually laid in the middle of the table; next he says play, and proceeds to deal slowly, first to the right, afterwards to the left, mentioning every one as he goes on, and stopping between each two cards, while the croup settles the event.

When a punter gains, he may either take his money or paroli; if he wins again, he may play sept et le va; should he then prove successful, he can paroli for quinze et le va; afterwards for trente et le va; and, finally, for soixante et le va, which is the highest chance in the game. Should the punter not like to venture so boldly, he may make a paix, or pont; afterwards a double or treble paix, &c., or a single, double, or treble paix-paroli. When doublets are dealt, the punter may either pay or make a pli.

A reckoning may be kept of the number of times each card is dealt, by properly placing a livret and bending the corners of similar cards, one way for the punter, another way for the dealer.

TERMS USED AT FARO.

Banker; the person who keeps the table.
Cocking. See Paroli.

Couche or Enjeu; the Stake.

Coup; a Stroke or Pull. Any two cards dealt alternately to the right and left.

Croupier; Croup. An assistant to the dealer.

Doublet; is when the punter's card is turned up twice in the same coup, then the bank wins half the stake. A single paroli must be taken down, but if there are several, only one retires.

Hocly; a Certainty; signifies the last card but one, the chance of which the banker claims, and may refuse to let any punter withdraw a card when eight or less remain to be dealt.

Livret; a small Book. A suit of 13 cards, with 4 others called Figures, viz. one named the little figure, has a blue cross on each side, and represents ace, deuce, tray; another yellow on both sides, styled the yellow figure, signifies, 4, 5, 6; a third with a black lozenge in the centre, named the black figure, stands for 7, 8, 9. 10; and a red card, called th