Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-02-07
The Pack of Cards.


A nobleman in the city of London who kept
great number of servants, reposed considera-
Bile confidence in one of them, which excited
jealousy in the others, who, in order 10 preju-
dice their master against him, accused him of
being notorious gamesler. Jack was called
up and interrogated, but he denied the fact, at
the same time declaring he never played a
card in his life. To be more fully convinced,
the gentleman ordered him to be searched,
when behold pack of cards was found in his
pocket. Highly incensed at Jacks want of
veracity, he demanded, in a rage, how he
dared persist in an untruih! My lord, re-
piled he, i certainly do not know The mean
ing of a card the bundle in my pocket is my
almanac your almanac, indeed then
desire you will prove it,
Well, sir, will begin. There are four
suits in the pack, that intimates the four quar-
ters OF the year, as there thirteen cards in each
suit, so there are thirteen weeks in a quarter.
There are also the same number of lunatons !;
the twelve signs OF the zodiac, through which
the sun steers his diurnal course in the year.
There are ffty-two cards in pack that di-
rectly answers the number OF weeks in year !.
Examine them more minutely, and you will
find three hundred and sixty-fve spots, as
many as there are davs in the year; these
multiply by twenty-four and six, and you have
the exact number of hours and minutes in the
year. Thus, sir, hope have convinced you
it is my almanac; and by your lordship's per-
mission, | will prove it my Prayer-Book also.
look upon the four suits as representing the
four prevailing religions Christianity, Juda-
ism, Mahometanism, and Paganism; the
twelve court cards remind me of the twelve
tribes of Israel, the twelve Apostles, the
twelve articles of the Christian faith. The
king reminds me Of the allegiance due to his
majesty. The queen, Of the same to her maj
es,y The ten bring to my recollection the
ten cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, destroyed
by fire and birthstone from heaven the ten
plaques of Egypt; the ten commandments !;
the ten tribes cut off for their vices. The nine
reminds me of the nine muses. the nine noble
orders among men. The eight reminds me
of the eight beattitudes the eight attributes
the eight persons saved in Noah's ark the
persons mentioned in Scripture to be released
from death TO life. The seven reminds me of
the seven administering spirits that stand be-
fore the throne of God; the seven seals where
with the book of life is sealed the seven lib
eral arts and sciences given by God for the in
struction of man the seven wonders of the
world. The six reminds me of the six petit
tions contained in the Lords prayer. The
five reminds me of the senses given by God to
man, hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, and
smelling. The four puts me in mind Of the
four evangellsts; the four seasons of the year.
The three reminds me of the Trinity; the
three hours our Saviour was on the cross the
three days he lay inferred The two reminds
me of the two testaments the two contrary
principles struggling in man, virtue and vice
The ace reminds me of the only true God te
adore, worship and serve; one truth to prac.
tice, and one good master to serve and obey.
SO far is very well, said the nobeman, but
| believe you have omitted one card, the
knaye.' True, my lord, the knave reminds
me Of your lordship's informer.' The noble
man became more pleased with Jack than be-
fore, forgave him, raised his wages, and dis
charged the informer.