if he be bent upon obtaining that object, which will be most conducive
to his true happiness, or to the end of his existence here.

Upon this first argument of the Quakers I shall only observe, lest it
should be thought singular, that sentiments of a similar import are to
be found in authors, of a different religious denomination, and of
acknowledged judgment and merit. Addison, in one of his excellent
chapters on the proper employment of life, has the following
observation: "The next method, says he, that I would propose to fill up
our time should be innocent and useful diversions. I must confess I
think it is below reasonable creatures, to be altogether conversant in
such diversions, as are merely innocent, and have nothing else to
recommend them, but that there is no hurt in them. Whether any kind of
gaming has even thus much to say for itself I shall not determine: but I
think it is very wonderful to see persons of the best sense passing a
dozen hours together in shuffling and dividing a pack of cards, with no
other conversation, but what is made up of a few game-phrases, and no
other ideas, but those of red or black spots ranged together in
different figures. Would not a man laugh to hear any one of this species
complaining that life is short?"


SECT. III.

_Cards on account of the manner in which they are generally used,
produce an excitement of the passions--historical anecdotes of this
excitement--this excitement another cause of their prohibition by the
Quakers, because it unfits the mind, according to their notions, for the
reception of religious impressions_.