| Show TRIVIAL OR SCIENTIFIC I I Way is the Whist Player an Object I of Ridicule I I is largely because of his solemn I persistence in trying to convert a trivial triv-ial amusement into a scientific study When he can bring himself to regard I whist as a game of cards instead of an important intellectual problem he will have taken a long stride toward a I I reasonable view of himself The mcst depressing characteristic of this enthusiast I en-thusiast is his curious persistence in I the belief that good whist requires a high order of intelligence The passing years leave him still ignorant of the fact that the chief requirements for the best possible game are a good memory i mem-ory close attention and a slavish observance ob-servance of a multiplicity of childish rules These very rules which forbid the exercise of the higher faculties I are the joy and sunshine of the whist players life Every card as played should convey some meaning to his S I partner or to his adversaries and the knowledge and observance of these many signs excite a gentle ecstacy The man of originality and courage is not likely to succeed at whist He would stand no chance beside the punctilious lover of detail whose idea of sport is that every action should be t governed by an iron rule Perhaps nothing has been done more to bring ridicule upon the whist player than his effort to look with contempt upon other games unless i be his inability in-ability to realize that the cut and dried monotony of his own pastime Sit S-it unbearable to persons of livelier faculties fac-ulties But a thoughtful providence has so organized our enthusiast that he can never digest certain facts of this nature a benefit it is impossible to exaggerate ex-aggerate as much of his enjoyment consists in the belief that he is doing a very clever thing Although this game is obviously a refuge for those who lack the boldness and mental agility for other competi tions it by no means follows that the whist lover Is always a fool for while he is not overweighted with originality he frequently displays a fair intel gence in theQther affairs of life |
