Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1884 — Bored with Whist. [ARTICLE]

Bored with Whist.

Fashion and etiquette compel people to epdure a great deal of discomfort. A dozen persons will sit for hours at a ceremonious dinner-table and watch the courses come and go, long after their appetite has been satisfied. Though each has been bored, all assert that they have had “a charming time. ” A writer in Chambers’ Journal tells how three distinguished gentlemen and a princes*’ were once bored at an aristocratic game of whist: Oh one occasion when Washington Irving, Bancroft, and Everett were chatting over diplomatic reminiscences, the last-named told how, after her and the Neapolitan Ambassador had been presented to her Majesty Queen Victoria, Lord Melbourne intimated that they would be expected to join in a gaipe of whist with the Duchess of Kent. "I play a very poor game, myself,” said Melbourne; “in fact, I scarcely understand it, but the Duchess is very fond of it.” “Addl,” said the Neapolitan to Everett, “am a very bad player, and should I chance, to be your Excellency’s partner, I. invoke your forbearance in advance. ” To whsH the American envoy replied that he knew very little of the game himself. As he put it, three dignified personages, clad in gorgeous attire, were solemnly going to play a game none perfectly understood, and for which none.of them cared in the least. Upon reaching the Duchess’ apartments tlie Ambassadors were formally presented, and then, at her invitation, sat down to play. As soon as the cards were dealt a lady-in-waiting placed herself at the baek of the Duchess, and the latter said: “Your Excellencies must excuse me if I rely upon the advice of my friend here, for I must confess that I am a very poor player. ’’ This was almost too much for Everett’s gravity, a gravity undisturbed for the rest of the evening, since he found playing whist under such conditions inexpressibly dull work.