Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards

by William Andrew Chatto

"Historian, Poet, Painter, all combine,

To charm the eye, the taste and mind refine;

Fancy and sentiment their aid impart,

To raise the genius, and to mend the heart."

These cards, which are considerably larger than those in common use, display considerable skill and fancy in the designs, and are beautifully coloured. Hearts and Diamonds are retained as marks of two of the suits; but Acorns are substituted for Clubs; and instead of Spades there is a "true representation of the real Spata, which is not a coal-heaver's spade, but a two-edged heavy sword, without a point, as used by the ancient Britons to fight with; cut, hew, and slash down, either enemy or tree. So says our ancient history." A fac-simile of this formidable weapon is here subjoined, in order that the reader may judge for himself of its peculiar fitness for cutting, hewing, or slashing down. It has very much the appearance of a heavy cast-metal article, new from the Carron foundry, and of modern Gothic design. In the descriptive pamphlet, the coat cards are thus explained:

"FOR ENGLAND.

King of Clubs.—Arthur, the Great and Victorious Hero, King of Britain.

Queen of Clubs.—Elizabeth, the Wise and Virtuous Queen of England.