[187] In the text, Beast is said to be called by the French "La Bett" [La Bête].
[188] The following appear to have been the principal games at cards played in England before the reign of Charles II: the game of Trumps, in the time of Edward VI; Primero, Maw, Lodam, Noddy, La Volta, and Bankerout, mentioned by Sir John Harrington; and Gleek, Crimp, Mount-Saint, Knave out of Doors, Post and Pair, and Ruff, mentioned in Dodsley's Collection of Old Plays.—See Barrington and Bowle on Card-playing, in the Archæologia, vol. viii.
[189] "Upon his return to Edinburgh, though he found himself weaker, yet his cheerfulness never abated; and he continued to divert himself, as usual, with correcting his own works for a new edition, with reading books of amusement, with the conversation of his friends; and sometimes, in the evening, with a party at his favorite game of whist."—Dr. Adam Smith, Letter to Wm. Strahan.
[190] Whist, a poem in twelve Cantos. By Alexander Thomson, Esq., p. 21. Second Edition, 1792.
[191] Mr. Barrington seems to have obtained his information respecting the succession of Whist to Quadrille from an authority whom he did not like to acknowledge, namely, Sir Calculation Puzzle, in the Humours of Whist. "Egad, you remind me, Sir John, of an observation I have made too; which is, that as long as Quadrille and Ombre were the games in vogue, we certainly were under French influence. Whereas since Whist has come in fashion, you see our politics are improved upon us."—The Humours of Whist. A Dramatic Satire, as acted every day at White's, and other Coffee-houses and Assemblies. 8vo, 1743.
From the following passage in the 'Beaux Stratagem,' act ii, scene 1, Whisk is mentioned by Mrs. Sullen in a disparaging manner, as if it were fit only for rustics:
"Dorinda. You share in all the pleasures that the country affords.
Mrs. Sullen. Country pleasures! racks and torments! Dost think, child, that my limbs are made for leaping of ditches, and clambering over styles? or that my parents, wisely foreseeing my future happiness in country pleasures, had early instructed me in the rural accomplishments of drinking fat ale, playing at whisk, and smoking tobacco with my husband?"
[193] "'The clergymen used to play at Whisk and Swabbers.'—Swift."