ON CARDS.

A FRAGMENT.

E had passed our evening with some certain persons famous for their taste, their learning, and refinement: But, as ill-luck would have it, two fellows, duller than the rest, had contrived to put themselves upon a level, by introducing a GAME AT CARDS.

'TIS a sign, said he, the world is far gone in absurdity, or surely the fashion of cards would be accounted no small one. Is it not surprising that men of sense should submit to join in this idle custom, which appears originally invented to supply its deficiency? But such is the fatality! imperfections give rise to fashions! and are followed by those who do not labour under the defects that introduced them. Nor is the hoop the only instance of a fashion invented by those who found their account in it; and

after

afterwards countenanced by others to whose figure it was prejudicial.

How can men, who value themselves upon their reflections, give encouragement to a practice, which puts an end to thinking?

I INTIMATED the old allusion of the bow, that requires fresh vigour by a temporary relaxation.

He answered, this might be applicable, provided I could show, that cards did not require the pain of thinking; and merely exclude from it, the profit and the pleasure.

CARDS, if one may guess from their first appearance, seem invented for the use of children; and, among the toys peculiar to infancy, the bells, the whistle, the rattle, and the hobby-horse, deserved their share of commendation. By degrees men, who came nearest to children in understanding and want of ideas, grew enamoured of the use of them as a suitable entertainment. Others also, pleased to reflect on the innocent part of their lives, had recourse to this amusement, as

what

what recalled it to their minds. A knot of villains increased the party; who, regardless of that entertainment, which the former seemed to draw from cards, considered them in a more serious light, and made use of them as a more decent substitute to robbing on the road, or picking pockets. But men who propose to themselves a dignity of character, where will you find their inducement to this kind of game? For difficult indeed were it to determine, whether it appear more odious among sharpers, or more empty and ridiculous among persons of character.

PERHAPS, replied I, your men of wit and fancy may favour this diversion, as giving occasion for the crop of jest and witticism, which naturally enough arises from the names and circumstances of the cards.

He said, he would allow this as a proper motive, in case the men of wit and humour would accept the excuse themselves.

IN short, says he, as persons of ability are capable of furnishing out a much more agreeable entertainment; when a gentleman offers me cards, I shall

esteem

esteem it as his private opinion that I have neither sense nor fancy.

I ASKED how much he had lost-His answer was, he did not much regard ten pieces; but that it hurt him to have squandered them away on cards; and that to the loss of a conversation, for which he would have given twenty.

ON

ON HYPOCRISY.

ERE hypocrites to pretend to no uncommon sanctity, their want of merit would be less discoverable. But preten

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sions of this nature bring their characters upon the carpet. Those who endeavour to pass for the lights of the world must expect to attract the eyes of it. A small blemish is more easily discoverable in them, and more justly ridiculous, than a much greater in their neighbours. A small blemish also presents a clue, which very often conducts us through the most intricate mazes and dark recesses of their character.

NOTWITHSTANDING the evidence of this, how often do we see pretence cultivated in proportion as virtue is neglected! As religion sinks in one scale, pretence is exalted in the other.

PERHAPS, there is not a more effectual key to the

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dis