him four, which he 'nicked' also. The rest of the
gentlemen took the part of the loser, and set to Higden, who, by some
art and some good luck, won 120 guineas; and presently, after throwing
out, rose from the table and went to his companion by the fireside, who
asked him how he durst be so audacious as to play, knowing he had not
a shilling in his pocket? One of the losers overhearing what was said,
exclaimed, 'How's that--you had no money when you began to play?'
'That's no matter,' replied Higden, 'I have enough _NOW;_ and if you
had won of me, you must have been contented to have kicked, buffeted,
or pumped me, and you would have done it as long as you liked. Besides,
sir, I am a soldier, and have often faced the mouths of thundering
cannons for _EIGHT SHILLINGS A DAY_, and do you think I would not hazard
the tossing of a blanket for the money I have won to-night?'

'All the parties wondered at his confidence, but he laughed heartily at
their folly and his good fortune, and so marched off with a light heart
and a heavy purse.' Afterwards, 'to make himself as miserable as he
could, he turned poet, went to Ireland, published a play or two, and
shortly after he died very poor, in 1703.'(139)

(139) _ubi supra._

MONSIEUR GERMAIN.

This gambler was of low birth, his parents keeping an ordinary in
Holland, where he was born, as stated by the old chronicler, 'in the
happy Revolution of 1688.'

His career is remarkable on account of his connection with Lady Mary
Mordaunt, wife of 'the Duke of Norfolk, who, proving her guilty of
adultery, was divorced from her. She then lived publicly with Germain.'

This Germain was the first to introduce what was called the _Spanish
Whist_, stated to be 'a mere bite, performed after this manner:--Having
a pack of cards, the four treys are privately laid on the top of
them, under them an ace, and next to that a deuce; then, letting your
adversary cut the cards, you do not pack them, but deal all of them
that are cut off, one at a time, between you; then, taking up the other
parcel of cards, you deal more cards, giving yourself two treys and a
deuce, and to the other persons two treys and an ace, when, laying the
remainder of the cards down--wherein are allowed no trumps, but only
the highest cards win--so they are but of the same suit, whilst you are
playing, giving your antagonist all you can, as though it is not in
your power to prevent him. You seem to fret, and cry you hav