The Devil's Picture-books

THE "Devil's Books" was the name bestowed
upon Playing-cards by the Puritans and
other pious souls who were probably in hopes
that this name would alarm timid persons and
so prevent their use. Whether or not his Sa
tanic Majesty originated Playing-cards, we have
no means of discovering; but it is more probable
that he only inspired their invention, and placed
them in the hands of mankind, who have eagerly
adopted this simple means of amusing themselves,
and have used it according to the good or evil
which predominated in their own breasts. Many
learned men have written books or treatises on
Playing-cards, and I am indebted for a large part
f of the information contained in this history to
Oo " Les Cartes a Jouer," by M. Paul la Croix ;
^ " Facts and Speculations about Playing-cards," by
Mr. Chatto; "The History of Playing-cards," by
•V) the Rev. Edward Taylor ; and " The History of
Playing-cards," by Mr. Singer.