Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-07
THE PRoeREss or WHIST
How the Historic, Royal Game sur
plants the Gay Amusements of SOciet
During the Lenten Fast

How the Historic, Royal Game Sup
plants the Gay Amusements of Society
During the Lenten Fast.
During the Lenten period dancing and
the gay social amusements are foregone,
but the quiet evening at the whist table
is still maintained by the more liberal of
those who observe the fast.
The game, a celebrated writer tells us,
Is the most intellectual of all the games
played at cards. Its existence in its
primitive form is recognized by unmistak-
able data IN English literature for several
centuries past, but like all matters Of art
and science, its history is traced and
marked by many steps in the progress of
its development, both in its name and
the elementary powers of its combi-
nations. The present name and the
country of its origin have both been dis
puted, but, according to the best of
authorities, both are due to England. The
old English word 'Ewhist," meaning ST.
lence, eminently distinguishes the char
acter Of the game, and furnished most
fitting name for it. One of its fundamen-
tai rules is that there shall be no talking
at the table between the parties engaged
in the play. The only language there ex-
pressed, according to strict rule, is that of
the cards as they are exhibited in the or
der of their presentation. To understand
and correctly interpret this language, and
act promptly on its true meaning and i'm
port, calls into exercise several of the
brightest qualities of the human mind.
Edgar a. Poe once well said: at is a
game of cIrcumstantial evidence"
For several centuries whist, under diff
ferent names, had been slowly developing
in it's progress in England, as stated,
when for the first time, in 1913, it was
regularly systematized and actually
taught as a science by Edmund HOyle.
His system, in which he gave lessons as a
teacher or professor, was published in
1143, and was eagerly sought after every
where. 1t soon found its way into several
of the royal courts of the Continent as
well as the Court of England, and Lord
Byron said that ''Troy owes to Homer
what whist owes to Hoyle." 1t
was a great favorite with Louis XIV.
But the greatest stride in the progress
of the development of the game
since the days of Hoyle, has been within
the last quarter of century. A least
three great modern works have been writ
ten upon whist-thOse of Cavendish, Clay
and Pole. In 1900 what is known as
''short whist was introduced in Eng
land. In it the game consists of five
points, and no hOnOrs are counted. In
this country. short whist has been extended
~ ven PolhIo3 NICHOuJ counting uOnOTS
in the score. This is perhaps the most
interesting form in which the game is now
played in the United States.
In Savannah there is deep interest in
the game as a source of social amuse-
ment and private clubs exist in various
parts of the city. There is no established
organization, however, with view of de-
yeloping a scientific interest in the play.
Such society with select member
ship from professional and business cir
Giles would certainly promote the game,
and if thoroughly organized would, no
doubt, become permanent and attractive
social institution