Page 155 - The Grotesque Children's Book
P. 155
some vague fickle gods of chance, or some passing influence of a planetary
movement in a retrograding constellation. Much more common in Florence at
this time, however, hucklebones was merely an excuse to drink and gamble. Not
that anyone needed any excuses to do either. Or today, for that matter. The more
things change.
Cardano, by the way, also invented the combination lock and a bunch of
other things. Look him up; he’s interesting. Gerolano Cardano.
Exhibit C
Exhibit C. One set of four knucklebones from a sheep, found in possession of Carola
Telletto for the purposes of gambling. Submitted as evidence in the case of Doctor Ludovico
Valerius in the poisoning of the Duchess de’ Medici on October 19, 1587 at Villa Medici in
Poggio a Caiano.
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