Dick's Hand-Book of Cribbage

From the Introduction.
Of the origin of Cribbage, we are not aware that anything is known further than that it is essentially an English game.
The game of Cribbage is entirely distinct and different from all other card-games, The method of playing it, and the constant variety of combinations which present themselves, render it one of the most interesting and fascinating games.
To those who have become familiar with, and have mastered the characteristic peculiarities of the game, it offers an attractive pastime, requiring only an occasional moment of transient mental effort, and leaving the players ample opportunity for social intercourse.
The game is played with a full pack of fifty-two cards: Sixty-one points constitutes the game.