Note 167 — Chapter III · THE PROGRESS OF CARD-PLAYING.
Reading edition
In 1641, a pamphlet, in verse, against monopolizers and patentees, appeared with the following title: 'A Pack of Patentees, opened, shuffled, cut, dealt, and played.' The articles monopolized, or for which patents had been obtained, were coals, soap, starch, leather, salt, hops, gold wire, and horns.
"We'll shuffle up the pack; those that before Did play at post and pair, must play no more."