Both George I. and George the Second played at the Groom Porter’s at Christmas. In the first number of the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, we read how George II. and his Queen spent their Epiphany. “Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1731. This being Twelfth Day ... their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, and the three eldest Princesses, preceded by the Heralds, &c., went to the Chapel Royal, and heard divine Service. The King and Prince made the Offerings at the Altar, of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, according to Custom. At night, their Majesties &c. play’d at _Hazard_, for the benefit of the Groom Porter, and ‘twas said the King won 600 Guineas, and the Queen 360, Princess Amelia 20, Princess Caroline 10, the Earl of Portmore and the Duke of Grafton, several thousands.” And we have a similar record in _the Grub Street Journal_ under date of 7 Jan., 1736. The Office of Groom Porter was abolished during the reign of George III. probably in 1772, for in the _Annual Register_ for that year, under date 6 Jan., it says: “Their Majesties not being accustomed to play at Hazard, ordered a handsome gratuity to the Groom Porter; and orders were given, that, for the future, there be no card playing amongst the servants.” Card playing was justifiable, and legal, at Christmas. An ordinance for governing the household of the Duke of Clarence, in the reign of Edward IV., forbade all games at dice, cards, or other hazard for money _except during the twelve days at Christmas_. And, again, in the reign of Henry VII., an Act was passed against unlawful games, which expressly forbids artificers, labourers, servants, or apprentices to play at any such, _except at Christmas_: and, at some of the Colleges, Cards are introduced into the Combination Rooms, during the twelve days of Christmas, but never appear there during the remainder of the year. Kirchmayer[23] gives a curious custom of gambling in church on Christmas day: “Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe; Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse. The time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly Do think the waters all to wine are changed sodainly; In that same house that Christ himselfe was borne, and came to light, And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight. There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch. The priestes, least others should it have, take oft the same away, Whereby they thinke, throughout the yeare to have good luck in play, And not to lose: then straight at game till daylight they do strive, To make some pleasant proofe how well their hallowed pence will thrive. Three Masses every priest doth sing upon that solemne day, With offerings unto every one, that so the more may play.” CHAPTER III