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Amusements: Quotations from Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations

Diverse men have diverse recreations and exercises.— BURTON — Anatomy of Melancholy. Pt. 2. Sec. 2. Mem. 4.

Every palace, every city almost hath his peculiar walks, cloisters, terraces, groves, theatres, pageants, games, and several recreations; every country, some professed gymnics to exhilarate their minds and exercise their bodies. BURTON. Anatomy of Melancholy. Pt. 2. Sec. 2. Mem. 4. Let them freely feast, sing and dance, have their puppet plays, hobby-horses, tabors, crowds, bag-pipes, etc., play at ball, and barley-breaks, and what sports and recreations they like best.— BURTON — Anatomy of Melancholy. Pt. 2. Sec. 2. Mem. 4.

So good things may be abused, and that which was first invented to refresh men's weary spirits.— BURTON — Anatomy of Melancholy. Pt. 2. Sec. 2. Mem. 4.

With spots quadrangular of diamond form, Ensanguined hearts, clubs typical of strife, And spades, the emblems of untimely graves.— COWPER — The Task. Bk. IV. The Winter Evening. L. 217.

Cards were at first for benefits designed, Sent to amuse, not to enslave the mind.— GARRICK — Epilogue to Ed. Moore's

Gamester. The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve good rules, the royal game of goose.— GOLDSMITH — Deserted Village. L. 231.

By sports like these are all their cares beguil'd, The sports of children satisfy the child. S.— GOLDSMITH — The Traveller. L. 153.

It is a poor sport that is not worth the candle.— HERBERT — Jacula Prudentum.

I am a great friend to public amusements; for they keep people from vice. U.— SAM'L JOHNSON — Boswell's Life of

Johnson. 1772. A clear fire, a clean hearth, and the rigour of the game.— CHARLES LAMB — Mrs. Battle's Opinions

on Whist. When 'I play with my cat, who knows whether I do not make her more sport, than she makes me?— MONTAIGNE — Apology for Raimond

de Sebonde. Hail, blest Confusion! here are met All tongues, and times, and faces; The Lancers flirt with Juliet, The Brahmin talks of races;— PRAED — Fancy Ball. St. 6.

*** let's to billiards. Come, Charmian, My arm is sore: best play with Mardian.— Shakespeare — Antony and Cleopatra. Act II. Sc. V. L. 3.

Where is our usual manager of mirth? What revels are in hand? Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?— Shakespeare — Midsummer Night's Dream. Act V. Sc. I. L. 35.

We cry for mercy to the next amusement, The next amusement mortgages our fields.— YOUNG — Night Thoughts. Night II. L. 131.