Living Whist

Those who follow This Day In History on a regular basis might recall a couple of mentions of members of the community rehearsing to perform as cards for an upcoming entertaining exhibition of “Living Whist.” Well, you will be pleased to know that the event was a success.

Below you’ll find the almost complete account of the event as told in the Phoenix on March 3, 1895. (The scanned newspaper was torn in one place, so I copied as much as was available.)

If we have any whist players, perhaps the game could be explained a bit?

Living Whist

A Beautiful Spectacle Tuesday Evening.

Hearts Were Trumps, but Diamonds and Clubs and Spades Were Also Brilliantly Arrayed and Danced Gracefully — The Murray Club Will Net Over $200.

Pygmalion carved the marble statue, and under the magic of his blandishments it breathed the breath of life as the lovely Galatea. Who ever supposed that inanimate playing cards, would go and do likewise? Mayhap the unceasing solicitude shown the cards this winter was responsible. Be that as they may they came to life Tuesday evening in a way that made the Elliot street armory a spectacle of beauty. The Murray club was primarily responsible for their animation but it took the guiding genius of Mrs. J.C. Howard of Walpole, N.H. to direct the movement and perfect the exhibition.

Euchre wouldn’t take the whole pack, and poker, well that would require chips; but whist, that’s the game which is all pervading. Of course if cards were to come to life it would be in whist, – hence, “Living Whist.”

Several hundred spectators occupied nearly all the available seats in the armory, when shortly after 8 o’clock, the First Regiment orchestra struck up a march and Mrs. Howard entered the hall on the arm of Col. Hooker and marched her to her stand in front of the orchestra, where Col. Hooker presented her with a bouquet of large Jacqueminot roses, the gift of the players. She was attired in a corn colored moire antique, with pearl trimmings, and diamond necklace, slippers and gloves matching her gown.

Up to this time no players had been seen, but suddenly, at the signal from Mrs. Howard’s castanets, they marched out in couples from the dressing rooms and joined in the grand march, the players, Cols. Hooker, Taylor, Dowley and W.H. Brackett, accompanying them.

The kings were kingly, and the queens were queenly, in their dazzling robes and crowns; the jacks, in their variegated costumes, and with gallant manners, were very “jacky” as they bore the trains of the queens and frequently fell on their knees in protestations of affection. The young men who were the “spot cards” were in dress suits, and the young women representing similar cards were in full evening dress, white and blue predominating. The ladies wore gloves and slippers to match their costumes. The three of spades (Frank Crosby) was the clown and his antics throughout the evening provoked laughter.

The pretty spectacle of the march was only a fortaste of what was to come. With music to delight the ear, and graceful dancers in rich and varied costumes, executing a great variety of figures, the close attention of the spectators was held for two hours, and then the expressions of pleasure and satisfaction were heard from all.

After the march came the shuffle, the cutting of cards by Player Brackett, the six of hearts (A.D. Wyatt) being turned. The cards were then dealt by player taylor. These preliminaries were performed in pretty dancing movements, in which all joined. The six of hearts, trump card, then gave a solo dance with an ease and grace which deserved the hearty applause which it called forth.

Then followed the playing with trumps. The player stationed at the corners of the floor would call the cards, at a signal from Mrs. Howard. The players then appeared one at a time, and danced to their places. Then followed dancing singly, in couples, and quartets.

The first card was two of hearts, Mrs. J. A. Pullen, in white silk, who performed a solo dance. The other cards of this trick, who came in military schottische, were Geo. E. Richards as king, Mrs. Frank Crosby in yellow silk as ace, and Chas. A. Smith as five of hearts.

The second trick introduced all diamonds, Mrs. Chas. Harris as queen, Miss Kate Selleck in pale green as five, and Geo. E. Fox and Harry Randall as eight and seven, respectively. This dance was a waltz.

Trumps had their round next, with Chas. Bingham as ten, A.D. Wyatt as six, Miss Lena Henkel in pale pink and violet trimmings as three, and mrs. Geo. W. Hooker as queen.

The clubs were brought out in the Highland fling, the performers being Herbert Elmer as four, Geo. Foster as five, Miss Edith Parkness in white as two, and Miss Amy Jones in light blue silk as nine.

Trumps again, this time in a sailor’s hornpipe, with Miss Lena Eels in white with violet trimmings as eight, Miss Belle Scott in yellow silk with violets as four, Walter S. Pratt as jack, and A.W. Childs as seven.

Trick No. 6 was representative of “Two Little Girls in Blue” which the orchestra played and sang, while four little folk danced, sang and conversed. Miss Clara Reed was two of diamonds, Ernest Reed six of diamonds, Kendall Severence nine of hearts, and Miss Maud Young ten of diamonds. The young misses were attired in blue crepon with large hats to match, while their partners were in black frocks and knickerbockers with an abundance of blue decoration.

The next trick brought out clubs, and an exceptionally pleasing feature in the skirt dance by Miss Tina Goodall, the ace, who wore a black skirt dance costume with pale green trimmings. Frank Putnam was six, L.D. Taylor three, and Miss Georgianna Cook queen.

The stately minuet was executed by Miss Jeannie Hall in old-fashioned costume of pale pink as ten of clubs, Harry Webster as jack of clubs, Chas. Dunham as king of clubs, and Mrs. Frank Reed in old-fashioned costume of light blue as four of spades.

Chain polka brought out Miss Florence Lamson in white as eight of clubs, Luther Miller as ten of spades, Miss Minnie Haskins in a cream colored gown as seven of clubs, and Fred Gibson as two of spades.

To strains of “Camels are coming” appeared a spade trick, Mrs. F.R. Durgin as queen, Chas. Harris as king, Abbie Lundberg in white over pink as ace and Frank crosby as three.

Another trick of spades, in a Florida waltz, contained Mrs. Gerry Messer in chiffon over blue silk as eight, Miss Eliza Kenney in pale green as seven, P.M. Jones as nine and W.H. Perry as jack.

The Berlin was performed by Miss Dora Mitchell in blue as the ace of diamonds, Guy P. Howe as five of spades, Mrs. A.W.Childs in white dotte… slin as three of diamonds and Harry… as nine of diamonds.

The tricks now stood… the decisive one went to..ey and Taylor. The dance …cDonald’s reel (Scottish… with these performers: … ellow as six of spad… pink as four of d…as king of diamo.

The players… with their heels… Mrs. Howard… time.” The…players had… followed…d…queens and… the players…

Taylor bearing the flag for the winners. The picture was one of striking beauty as the dancers marched in ranks the width of the hall. After the court quadrille – by aces, kinds, queens, and jacks – the exhibition came to an end. Col. Hooker had previously extended thanks on behalf of the Murray club to the dancers, especially those from other societies. For two hours there was dancing in which all present who wished joined.

It should be said that the dances for Living Whist were all arranged by Mrs. Howard, with the exception of the Highland fling, which was produced when the exhibition was first brought out in this country.

The costumes for the kings, queens and jacks were furnished by Curtis & Weld of Boston. They were of silk, satin and velvet, in rich colors. The kings and queens wore golden crowns.

The Murray club treasury will be enriched by over $200 as a result of the performance.