10 JANUARY 1835, Page 19

Short Whist, by Major A*****, is a smart and pleasant

little book on a subject of grave import. It contains a jocose account of the origin of the game; the laws of Short Whist as it is now playa, with suggestions for their improvement; some twenty rules and hints for young pia) ers ; wound up by a few general directions on the subject, which the student must improve by practice and attention,—for the gallant Major A***** holds that there is no royal road to Whist. We see too, from his pages, he is young in mind, although he tells us he is old in body. He would introduce a reform into the mode of playing the game, and bring all rules to the test of- utility, rejecting the wisdom of old saws for the practical effect of modern instances.