Note 352 — Chapter V · THE MORALITY OF CARD-PLAYING.

The following anecdote of a card-playing parson who inopportunely let some cards drop from his sleeve when in church, occurs in 'The Women's Advocate, or the Fifteen real Comforts of Matrimony.'—2d edit. 1683.

"The Parson that loved gaming better than his eyes, made a good use of it when he put up his cards in his gown-sleeve in haste, when the clerk came and told him the last stave was a-singing. 'Tis true, that in the height of his reproving the Parish for their neglect of holy duties, upon the throwing out of his zealous arm, the cards dropt out of his sleeve, and flew about the church. What then? He bid one boy take up a card and asked him what it was,—the boy answers the King of Clubs. Then he bid another boy take up another card. 'What was that?' 'The Knave of Spades.' 'Well,' quo' he, 'now tell me, who made ye?' The boy could not well tell. Quo' he to the next, 'Who redeemed ye?'—that was a harder question. 'Look ye,' quoth the Parson, 'you think this was an accident, and laugh at it; but I did it on purpose to shew you that had you taught your children their catechism, as well as to know their cards, they would have been better provided to answer material questions when they come to church.'"