The compleat gamester, or, Instructions how to play at billiards, trucks, bowls, and chess together with all manner of usual and most gentile games either on cards or dice : to which is added the arts and mysteries of riding, racing, archery, and cock-fighting.

CHAP. XVIII.

A Pastime called The Art of Memory.

THis Art of Memory is a Sport at which men may play for Money, but it is most commonly the way to play the Drunkard. It is best when many play at it; for with few it is no sport at all: For example, as many persons as do play so many Cards trebled must be thrown down on the Table with their faces upwards; which every one must take notice of and indeavour to register them in his Memory. Then the Dealer must take them all up, and shuffling them after cutting deals to e∣very one three apiece.

The first it may be calls for a King, which must be laid on the Table with his face downwards by him that hath it in his hands; the next it may be calls for a ten of the Spades, which must be laid down in like manner, and so it goes round; now if any one calls for what is already laid down, if they play

for liquor, he must then drink a Glass; if for mony, he must then pay a far∣thing, half-penny, or the like.

This sport wholly depends on the Memory; for want of which a man may lose at this sport his money or his un∣derstanding.