“_17 Dec. 1794._ It is said to be the intention of some of the leading circles in the fashionable world, to abolish the tax of _Card money_,[35] as an imposition upon hospitality. This would prove the return of good sense, inasmuch as it tends to substantiate the truth—that when one person invites another to partake of the conviviality of his house, he should not lay an impost upon him, even more exorbitant than that which he would pay, were he to attend a Tavern Club. When a friend is invited, it is an insult to friendship, to make him pay for his entertainment.” “_22 March 1796._ The _tabbies_ at Bath are in a state of insurrection, in consequence of an example set by Lady Elcho, who neither visits, nor receives Company that _pay for_ Cards: the laudable reformation is adopted so generally, that many of the _Dowagers_, who have so long fed upon _Card money_, are turning their thoughts to some more creditable means of earning their livelihood.” “_24 March 1796._ We hope the Ladies in London, who stand upon a nice point of honour, will follow the example of the Bath Ladies, and exclude the odious, and pitiful, custom of taking card money at their houses. It is a meanness, which no persons who pretend to the honour of keeping good company, ought to allow. We are afraid that many a party is formed, rather to derive benefit from the card tables, than for the sake of hospitality.” This custom died hard, for I find in the _Morning Herald_, 15th Dec. 1802: “In a pleasant village near the Metropolis, noted for its constant ‘tea and turn-out’ parties, the extortion of _Card Money_ had, lately, risen to such a pitch, that it was no unusual thing for the _Lady_ of the House, upon the breaking up of a table, to immediately examine the sub. cargo of the candlestick, and, previous to the departure of her guests, proclaim aloud the lamentable defalcation of a pitiful shilling, which they might, perchance, have forgot to _contribute_. We are happy to find that some of the most respectable people in the place have resolved to discountenance and abolish this _shabby genteel_ custom, which has too long prevailed; a shameful degradation of everything like English hospitality.” “_Times_, _2 Nov. 1797_. At some of our first Boarding Schools, the fair pupils are now taught to play whist and casino. Amongst their _winning_ ways, this may not be the least agreeable to Papa and Mamma. “It is calculated that a clever child, by its Cards, and its novels, may pay for its own education. “At a boarding school in the neighbourhood of Moorfields, the mistress complains that she is unable to teach her scholars either Whist, or Pharo.” “_22 Dec. 1797._ So completely has gambling got the better of dancing, that at a private Ball, last week, a gentleman asking a young lady, from Bath, to dance the next two dances, she very ingenuously replied, ‘Yes, if you will play two rubbers at Casino.’”