3 JUNE 1905, Page 22

A Bibliography of Books on Cards and Gaming. By Frederic

Jessel. (Lougmans and Co. 2s. 6d. net.)—The list which Mr. Jessel has compiled extends to between seventeen hundred and eighteen hundred items, many, of course, being new editions. Whist as yet holds the pride of place, claiming a hundred and ninety-eight items ; but bridge bids fair to surpass it. The first text-book on whist was written (by Hoyle) in 1742; bridge did not make its appearance till 1886, when a book entitled " Biritch, or Russian Whist," was published. Since that time there have appeared fifty-four treatises or periodical articles dealing with it.