must be good out of four; and the ace seems too plain
a card to mean much hurt.

We compliment the king, said my master, in that manner; and 'tis well to
do so, because there is something sacred in the character. But yet, if
force of example be considered, it is going a great way; for certainly a
good master makes a good servant, generally speaking.

One thing, added he, I will say, in regard to the ace: I have always
looked upon that plain and honest looking card in the light you do: and
have considered whist as an English game in its original; which has made
me fonder of it than of any other. For by the ace I have always thought
the laws of the land denoted; and as the ace is above the king or queen,
and wins them, I think the law should be thought so too; though, may be,
I shall be deemed a Whig for my opinion.

I shall never play whist, said Mr. Perry, without thinking of this,
and shall love the game the better for the thought; though I am no
party-man. Nor I, said my master; for I think the distinctions of whig
and tory odious; and love the one or the other only as they are honest
and worthy men; and have never (nor never shall, hope) given a vote, but
according to what I thought was for the public good, let either whig or
tory propose it.

I wish, sir, replied Mr. Perry, all gentlemen in your station would act
so. If there was no undue influence, said my master, I am willing to
think so well of all mankind, that I believe they generally would.

But you see, said he, by my Pamela's hand, when all the court-cards
get together, and are acted by one mind, the game is usually turned
accordingly: Though now and then, too, it may be so circumstanced, that
honours will do them no good, and they are forced to depend altogether
upon tricks.

I thought this way of talking prettier than the game itself. But I
said, Though I have won the game, I hope I am no trickster. No, said my
master, God forbid but court-cards should sometimes win with honour! But
you see, for all that, your game is as much owing to the knave as the
king; and you, my fair-one, lost no advantage, when it was put into your
power.

Else, sir, said I, I should not have done justice to my partner. You
are certainly right, Pamela, replied he; though you thereby beat your
husband. Sir, said I, you may be my partner next, and I must do justice,
you know. Well, said he, always choose so worthy a friend, as chance has
given you for a partner, and I shall