187 
From these chance allusions it can be seen that Mathews” 
presence anywhere was always welcome, was a very “ opthalmic 
cure for distempered vision.” 
Besides his social qualifications he has left a much wider 
repute, more valued and remembered perhaps than all other 
adventures or duelling squabbles. Bath during this time was, 
the centre or head quarters for the game of whist and in this; 
game Mathews became the leading spirit and authority, being 
always referred to for many years in all the first circles at Bath 
on disputed points in the game.” His name is well recalled by: 
all players to-day from his having published a little book entitled 
—Advice to the young whist player. The first issue in 1804. 
was in part anonymous by An Amateur, now rarely met with. 
There were twenty numbered editions of this work besides 
others unnumbered and others printed in Paris.t In time after 
Mathews’ death it was issued first only with another name as 
“ editor,” and then presently as with other works was absorbed 
and the original name lost, but the rules and maxims continued 
much the same. At the Club established in York Buildings in 
1790, and in other card rooms it was always placed ready for 
reference. 
So then time passed on until presently a short obituary notice- 
tells us that in 1820 on April 251 died at his house in Portland 
Place in this city at the advanced age of 77 Thomas Mathews 
esq., a gentleman of a very ancient and respectable family in the 
county of Glamorgan and nearly half a century an inhabitant of 
Bath where he was well known and esteemed by an extensive 
circle of friends, associating with the prevailing wits and cele- 
brated characters who during that long period visited this 
fashionable city. The expression “nearly half a century ” must 
ee 
* Courtney W. P., ‘‘ Whist, &c.” 
+ Green E., ‘‘ Bibliotheca Somersetensis.” 
+ Bath Journal, monday, 1 May 1820, p. 3, col. 5. 
