The chiaux would then punch the bag with his stick, to see whether the boy would tell truth or not, and when he heard the pig grunt, he would run back as far as he' could, saying, "Get thee in with thy nasty present." Then spitting on the ground, and say, "Tis strange to see how these christians dote on this filthy impure beast." they cannot forbear eating of it, though their lives were at stake. Thus was he handsomely choused, and the boy brought me what secret message was sent

me.

Anecdote of the Invention of Cards.

Cards are said to be invented, in the year 1590, to divert the melancholy of Charles VI. of France. The four suits are supposed to represent the four orders of the state. Hearts, cœurs, which should be chœurs, choirmen, the church; the Spaniards represent copes, or chalices, in

* A guard set over Busbequius by the Turkish govern

ment.

stead of hearts, spades in French, piques or pikes; in Spanish swords, spada, the military order of nobility. Diamonds, carreax, on Spanish cards, dicneros, coins, the monied or mercantile part. Clubs, trefoil in French, in Spanish, basta, a club or country weapon, the husbandman or peasantry.

Letter and Instructions from Frederick the Second King of Prussia, to Duke Charles of Wirtemberg, who passed the two last Years of his Minority at Berlin, now reigning, when that Prince attained the Age of Maturi.

In 1744, he was declared of age, at the repeated intercession of the court at Prussia, though but sixteen. It was under these circumstances, and at the moment of quitting the King, that he wrote the fol lowing letter, with the instruction that fol

lows it, begging him not to open the packet, till the day after his departure.

6th of February, 1744.

"My good Cousin,

"Receive my advice as a real mark of my tenderness, and be persuaded, that I should never have thought of offering you such, were it not for the high idea, your virtues and talents have given me of your person. Consider me as your real friend, in whom you may place perfect confidence, and who esteems you too much, ever to conceal from you the truth.

"I have only one interest which attaches me to you-that of honour, for I think mine engaged to see you cherished by your people, and admired by all Europe: to see you enjoy that sort of happiness which depends on ourselves, and to hear the unanimous voice of mankind, justify the judgment I have formed of the Duke of Wirtemberg, that in him, virtue VOL. III.

preceded the number of his years. I wait with impatience for the moment of again embracing you here; though I love you too much, to see you depart without regret. Always do justice to my sentiments, and be assured that I am,

your good cousin, and faithful friend,

FREDERICK."

SIR,

"The part I have had in advancing your majority, interests me the more in the happiness of your government, as I imagine, that, in some measure, the good and the evil will reflect equally on me. On this principle, I think myself obliged to give you, with friendship and with frankness, my sentiments on every thing relative to the new situation into which you are upon the point of entering. I am not one of those men, whose vanity and presumption lead them, instead of counsels, to

give orders, who imagine their sentiments infallible; and with their friends to think, act, and breathe through their own medium. Inasmuch, as this presumption would be ridiculous on the one hand, so should I be culpable on the other, if I neglected to lay before you what none of your attendants, or subjects, will have the boldness to tell you, from views of personal interest..

"Nothing is more certain, than that all eyes are fixed on the outset of a man who enters into any office, and his first actions generally determine the opinion of the public. Should you begin, by establishing your reputation, you will acquire the public confidence, which is, in my opinion, the most desirable of all objects for a sovereign:

"You will every where find persons who will flatter you, and be attentive to gain your confidence, only to abuse you, and to govern you themselves. You will find another sort of men likewise, and that