The king and queen, sir, said Mr. Perry, can do no wrong, you know. So
there are two that must be good out of four; and the ace seems too plain
a card to mean much hurt.
We compliment the king, said my master, in that manner; and 'tis well to
do so, because there is something sacred in the character. But yet, if
force of example be considered, it is going a great way; for certainly a
good master makes a good servant, generally speaking.
One thing, added he, I will say, in regard to the ace: I have always
looked upon that plain and honest looking card in the light you do: and
have considered whist as an English game in its original; which has made
me fonder of it than of any other. For by the ace I have always thought
the laws of the land denoted; and as the ace is above the king or queen,
and wins them, I think the law should be thought so too; though, may be,
I shall be deemed a Whig for my opinion.
I shall never play whist, said Mr. Perry, without thinking of this, and
shall love the game the better for the thought; though I am no party-man.
Nor I, said my master; for I think the distinctions of whig and tory
odious; and love the one or the other only as they are honest and worthy
men; and have never (nor never shall, hope) given a vote, but according
to what I thought was for the public good, let either whig or tory
propose it.
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