own; but this has usually been only given as an incidental maxim of practice; it has not been treated as the main principle of action from which the whole play springs. The nearest approach to this attempt the Editor has met with is in a little French book, entitled 'Génie du Whist, méconnu jusqu'à présent. Par le Général B. de Vautré. Paris: 4e édition, 1847.' This author makes the true genius of Whist consist in what he propounds as the novel principle of the combination of the two hands; or, as he expresses it, l'auteur enseigne la manière de jouer avec vingt-six cartes, selon son expression, et non pas avec treize, comme tout le monde.' But as he was ignorant of the long suit system of play, as a necessary means of carrying the combination principle into practice, he was obliged to form an imperfect system of his own, and therefore his explanations do not correspond with our modern game. The Author's experience leads him to believe that an exposition of the fundamental Theory of Whist will not only be satisfactory to accomplished players, by making clearer to them the principles they already act upon, but will be found of still greater advantage for teaching the game in the ordinary domestic circle. The young people of a family, especially, are often repelled from Whist by thinking it dull and difficult. Nothing can be more erroneous than such an idea: if learnt on proper principles it soon becomes an attractive amusement, as well as an admirable mental exercise, and to attain moderate proficiency in it is much easier than is usually supposed. But there are many players of more experience who take real pleasure in a domestic rubber, but who are still much in the dark as to the true merits of the game; and it is desirable to impress on this large class how greatly the interest of their recreation would be increased if they would, by a little study of the principles of Whist, learn to play it in a more rational and systematic manner. The practical rules and directions here deduced strictly from the Theory, are identical with those sanctioned by the best modern authorities, and adopted by the best modern players. ATHENÆUM CLUB: Feb. 1870. |