Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1892 — Curds. [ARTICLE]

Curds.

The anniversary of the birthday of playing cards Is to bo celebrated in Vienna this year. An exhibition of the cards of var ousages and nations should be Interesting to every one, since the development of tho “Devil's Pictures" has occupied many centuries. It is a fact that cards have been known for five hundred years, but their origin is lost in mystery. The present form, and the number in the pack, are both things of comparatively "modern date. A recent pu olicatlon on the history and loro of the subject states what is not generally known, namely, that at the time of tho French revolution tho court cards were banished. The kings were replaced by presentments of the genii of war, commerce, peace and art; tho queens became the liberties of tho press, professions, religions, and marriage. Appropriately enough, the knaves were represented by the “equalities.”