ble to the prepared cards, termed _portees_. At the proper
moment he seizes the cards and places them on the pack. The trick
is rendered very easy by the fact that the card-sharper has his coat
buttoned at the top, so that the lower part of it lies open and permits
the introduction of the hand, which is completely masked.

Some sharpers are skilful enough to take up some of the matches already
dealt, which they place in their _costieres_, or side-pockets above
described, in readiness for their next operation; others keep them
skilfully hidden in their hand, to lay them, at the convenient moment,
upon the pack of cards. By this means, the pack is not augmented.(92)

(92) Robert Houdin, 'Les Tricheries des Grecs devoilees.'

In France the stakes commence at 5 francs; and it may be easily
imagined how soon vast sums of money may change hands if the players are
determined and reckless.

EUCHRE.

This is also a game much played in the States. I suppose it is a Yankee
invention, named by one of their learned professors, from the Greek
(gr euceis) (eucheir), meaning 'well in the hand' or 'strong'--a very
appropriate designation of the game, which is as follows:--

In this game all the cards are excluded up to the sixes,--seven being
the lowest in the Euchre pack. Five cards are dealt out, after the usual
shuffling and cutting, with a turn-up, or trump. The dealer has the
privilege of discarding one of his cards and taking up the trump--not
showing, however, the one he discards. The Knave is the best card in
the game--a peculiar Yankee 'notion.' The Knave of trumps is called the
Right Bower, and the other Knave of the _same colour_ is the Left Bower.
Hence it appears that the nautical propensity of this great people is
therein represented--'bower' being in fact a sheet anchor. If both are
held, it is evident that the _point_ of the deal is decided--since it
results from taking three tricks out of the five; for, of course, the
trump card appropriated by the dealer will, most probably, secure a
trick, and the two Knaves must necessarily make two. The game may be
five or seven points, as agreed upon. Euchre is rapid and decisive, and,
therefore, eminently American.

FLY LOO.

Some of the games played by the Americans are peculiar to themselves.
For instance, vast sums of money change hands over Fly Loo, or the
attraction existing between lumps of sugar and adventurous flies! This
game is not without its excite