The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-07
THE ORIGIN OF BRIDGE


 There is always something new being said and written about bridge and the devotees of the game are always inter- ested in any pointers in this direction. The most fascinating article that has been published in many moons Is from the pen of MT. Arthur Loring Bruce, in one of the important magazines of the month, entitled Around the Bridge Table" It deals with many phases of bridge, notably it's origin. The article is too lengthy for reproduction in its en- tirety, but some of the most interesting excerpts I append. Among other things MT. Bruce says:
 T wonder how many of my readers know anything of the origin of bridge? l may say that I have found 1t almost impossible to secure correct information about the early history of the game, but am convinced that it originated in Turkey. Greece and Russia have both claimed it, but I think 1t more than like ly that the Turks were the first to play it.
 Tn Russia it is called 'biritch,' or
 Russian whist but why nobody seems to know. There is no such word as biritch in the Russian language, so that many are of the opinion that the word was borrowed, in some roundabout way, from Turkey.
 Persia was the first home of poker, and I am disposed to think that Con- stantinople was the birthplace of bridge "a conclusion which any one who has ever played the game with Turk, will be inclined to share. The Turks have a really marvellous genius for the game I feel sure that the average Turk has about 25 per cent more insight into cards and card games than the average Englishman or Ameri- can."
 It was, I believe, during the year of 1894, that bridge was introduced into London by Lord Brougham, who brought 1t back with him from an extended tour of Southern and Western Europe. In 1895 the Portland club of London, of which Lord Brougham was a member, issued its famous Laws of Bridge This was translated and adopted as the stand ard guide to the game in most of the cities of Europe and even In Constanti nople, the city of It's birth. A great friend of Lord Brougham's at that time, and one against whom he played many rubbers, was Lord Tar borough, whose i'll luck was proverbial throughout England. He frequently de- clared that his cards were the most ex-  honeymoon here with friends. They have been the honored guests at several att tractive social functions since their ar rival.
 | Mrs. Edward Northington is at Ingram 1 Wells, where she went early in the week accompanied by little Emily Smith, who will remain with her until MT. and Mrs. Syd Smith return from Chicago. Mr. H. R. Shorter is at Point Clear. Mrs. J. H. Patton has returned from Bailey Springs.
 The Rev. ". D. Evans has joined Mrs. Evans at their country home in Hanover county, Va.
 Captain Dashiell, U. S. A., Mrs. Dashiell and Mrs. Richn ond Pearson, who have been guests of Col. and Mrs. R. H. Pear son for the past two weeks, have now gone to Memphis.
 Mrs. M E. Manley and Miss Lily May Manley will leave tomorrow for Atlanta, where they will be the guests of Mrs. J. H. Savage.
 Miss Mamie Stephens has returned from the east and will be the guest of Mrs. w c. Stephens on Huntsville avenue for a few days.
 MT and Mrs. J. s. Perkins and their son, Craig Perkins. will return to their home in Selma today after visit to Mrs. Carmichael and Mrs. Hankinson.
 Mrs Thomas Stobert calls a meeting of the residents of block 75s for this after noon at o'clock at her home, 212O Tenth avenue, south. All members of this so- ciety are urged to attend.
 The wedding of Miss Katherine Euler, the daughter of MT. and Mrs. Lewis Euler of Powderly, to MT. W. E. Shaw of East Birmingham took place "wednesday even- ing at the residence of the Rev. J. A. Bryan. Mr. Shaw is the son of MT. Will liam Shaw of East Birmingham.
 MT. and Mrs. James Warmer Shook have named their little son Alfred M. Shook, the third.
 Mrs. Charles A. Fitzgerald is the guest of MT. and Mrs. w. w. Tippens in Nash vile.
 Mrs. Edward West is the guest of his mother. Mrs. B. H. West, in Rome, Ga.
 Miss Libbie Williams is visiting in Cin- cnnati and Toledo
 Mrs. s. B. Cowin and little Virginia Cowin returned yesterday from two- months visit to Virginia. Friends of the Rev. Raimundo de Ovies will be glad to learn that he stood the trip to Sewanea very we'll Many have been anxious about Dr. de Ovies' health for several months. The Kangaroo club, composed of a num-
 Der of young Birmingham men, was formed recently, its object being the so- | .cial enjoyment of its members. MT. Grady w. Bowling was elected president Invitations have been issued to friends