“The nine of Diamonds,” continues Mr. Chatto, “is frequently called the _Curse of Scotland_, and some suppose on account of the tradition that the Duke of Cumberland wrote his sanguinary order on it after the battle of Culloden. It was, however, known by this name many years before this battle, as it is stated that about 1715 Lord Justice Clerk Ormistone, who had been zealous in suppressing the rebellion became universally hated in Scotland, where they called him ‘the curse of Scotland;’ and when ladies played the nine of Diamonds (commonly called the Curse of Scotland), they called it Justice Clark.” Other explanations are offered to account for this name, some of them being found in heraldic devices, as nine diamonds or lozenges are displayed in the arms of various distinguished men notorious for their hatred and persecution of that country. The riddle on the subject says: “_Question._ Pray why is the nine of Diamonds called the Curse of Scotland? _Answer._ Because the crown of Scotland had but nine diamonds in it, and they were never able to get a tenth.” The nine of Diamonds is the card designated to represent Pope Joan in the game known by her name. The fours have been called _Tidely_, and the fives and sixes _Towser_ and _Tumbler_. The court cards have not escaped these soubriquets. In France the Knaves or Valets were sometimes called _les Fous_, and in Germany the horsemen or chevaliers who took the place of the Queens were designated _Ober_. In certain games the Knave of Clubs is called _Pam_; and in Euchre Knaves are called _Right_ and _Left Bower_, as they happen to fall with trumps. The Queen of Clubs has been called _Queen Bess_. It is mentioned in “Court Life below Stairs,” by Molloy, as a curious feature of the time, and showing how far presumptuous gamblers forgot their manners and their loyalty, that during one of the attacks of lunacy suffered by the King, George the Third, great abuse of the King and Queen, and of Pitt was indulged in without reserve at Brook’s Club; and a cant phrase used at the whist-table was, “I play the lunatic,” meaning the King. USE AND ABUSE. Strange tales have been related of the various uses to which cards have been put, and Mr. Singer tells one of a Friar “who, thinking to pull out his Breviary, displays a pack of cards which some mischievous wit had substituted for it. Not at all disconcerted by the circumstance, he explains to the people that he makes use of them as a Breviary, and in a most ingenious manner applies the different cards to this purpose.”