must excuse well-intentioned monarchs when they
only indulge themselves with frivolous and childish trifles. It is
something to be thankful for if we have not to apply to them the
adage--Quic-quid delirant reges plectuntur Achivi--'When kings go mad
their people get their blows.'

LOUIS XIV.--The reign of Louis XIV. was a great development in every
point of view, gaming included.

The revolutions effected in the government and in public morals by
Cardinal Richelieu, who played a game still more serious than those we
are considering, had very considerably checked the latter; but these
resumed their vigour, with interest, under another Cardinal, profoundly
imbued with the Italian spirit--the celebrated Mazarin. This minister,
independently of his particular taste that way, knew how to ally gaming
with his political designs. By means of gaming he contrived to protract
the minority of the king under whom he governed the nation.

'Mazarin,' says St Pierre, 'introduced gaming at the court of Louis XIV.
in the year 1648. He induced the king and the queen regent to play; and
preference was given to games of chance. The year 1648 was the era of
card-playing at court. Cardinal Mazarin played deep and with finesse,
and easily drew in the king and queen to countenance this new
entertainment, so that every one who had any expectation at court
learned to play at cards. Soon after the humour changed, and games of
chance came into vogue--to the ruin of many considerable families: this
was likewise very destructive to health, for besides the various
violent passions it excited, whole nights were spent at this execrable
amusement. The worst of all was that card-playing, which the court had
taken from the army, soon spread from the court into the city, and from
the city pervaded the country towns.

'Before this there was something done for improving conversation; every
one was ambitious of qualifying himself for it by reading ancient and
modern books; memory and reflection were much more exercised. But on the
introduction of gaming men likewise left of tennis, billiards, and other
games of skill, and consequently became weaker and more sickly, more
ignorant, less polished, and more dissipated.

'The women, who till then had commanded respect, accustomed men to treat
them familiarly, by spending the whole night with them at play. They
were often under the necessity of borrowing either to play, or to pay
their losings; and how very duc