The French call a pack of cards "Un Jeu de cartes,"—a game, or play of cards; and the German name, "Ein Spiel Karten" has the same literal meaning as the French.
As the object of this work is not to teach people how to play at cards, those who wish for information, with respect to the different games, are referred to Cotton's 'Complete Gamester,' Seymour, Hoyle, and the Académie des Jeux,—taking with them this piece of advice:
"He who hopes at Cards to win,
Must never think that cheating's sin;
To make a trick whene'er he can,
No matter how, should be his plan.
No case of conscience must he make,
Except how he may save his stake;
The only object of his prayers,—
Not to be caught, and kicked down stairs."[311]