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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims + Volume I (of II) + +Author: Andrew Steinmetz + +Release Date: November 29, 2009 [EBook #466] +Last Updated: February 6, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAMING TABLE *** + + + + +Produced by Mike Lough, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE GAMING TABLE: + </h1> + <h2> + ITS VOTARIES AND VICTIMS, + </h2> + <h3> + In all Times and Countries, especially in England and in France. + </h3> + <h4> + IN TWO VOLUMES.—VOL. I. + </h4> + <h2> + By Andrew Steinmetz, Esq., + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Of The Middle Temple, Barrister-At-Law; First-Class Extra Certificate + School Of Musketry, Hythe; Late Officer Instructor Musketry, The Queens + Own Light Infantry Militia. + </p> + <p> + Author Of 'The History Of The Jesuits,' 'Japan And Her People,' 'The + Romance Of Duelling,' &C., &C. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> 'The sharp, the blackleg, and the knowing one,<br /> Livery or + lace, the self-same circle, run; <br /> The same the passion, end and means + the same—<br /> Dick and his Lordship differ but in name.' <br /> + <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + TO HIS GRACE + </p> + <p> + The Duke of Wellington, K.G. THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, WITH PERMISSION, BY + HIS GRACE'S MOST DEVOTED SERVANT + </p> + <p> + THE AUTHOR. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + To the readers of the present generation much of this book will, + doubtless, seem incredible. Still it is a book of facts—a section of + our social history, which is, I think, worth writing, and deserving of + meditation. + </p> + <p> + Forty or fifty years ago—that is, within the memory of many a living + man—gambling was 'the rage' in England, especially in the + metropolis. Streets now meaningless and dull—such as Osendon Street, + and streets and squares now inhabited by the most respectable in the land—for + instance, St James's Square, THEN opened doors to countless votaries of + the fickle and capricious goddess of Fortune; in the rooms of which many a + nobleman, many a gentleman, many an officer of the Army and Navy, + clergymen, tradesmen, clerks, and apprentices, were 'cleaned out'—ruined, + and driven to self-murder, or to crimes that led to the gallows. 'I have + myself,' says a writer of the time, 'seen hanging in chains a man whom a + short time before I saw at a Hazard table!' + </p> + <p> + History, as it is commonly written, does not sufficiently take cognizance + of the social pursuits and practices that sap the vitality of a nation; + and yet these are the leading influences in its destiny—making it + what it is and will be, at least through many generations, by example and + the inexorable laws that preside over what is called 'hereditary + transmission.' + </p> + <p> + Have not the gambling propensities of our forefathers influenced the + present generation?.... + </p> + <p> + No doubt gambling, in the sense treated of in this book, has ceased in + England. If there be here and there a Roulette or Rouge et Noir table in + operation, its existence is now known only to a few 'sworn-brethren;' if + gambling at cards 'prevails' in certain quarters, it is 'kept quiet.' The + vice is not barefaced. It slinks and skulks away into corners and holes, + like a poisoned rat. Therefore, public morality has triumphed, or, to use + the card-phrase, 'trumped' over this dreadful abuse; and the law has done + its duty, or has reason to expect congratulation for its success, in + 'putting down' gaming houses. + </p> + <p> + But we gamble still. The gambling on the Turf (now the most uncertain of + all 'games of chance') was, lately, something that rang through and + startled the entire nation. We gamble in the funds. We gamble in endless + companies (limited)—all resulting from the same passion of our + nature, which led to the gambling of former times with cards, with dice, + at Piquet, Basset, Faro, Hazard, E O, <i>Roulette</i>, and <i>Rouge et + Noir</i>. At a recent memorable trial, the Lord Chief Justice of England + exclaimed—'There can be no doubt—any one who looks around him + cannot fail to perceive—that a spirit of speculation and gambling + has taken hold of the minds of large classes of the population. Men who + were wont to be satisfied with moderate gain and safe investments seem now + to be animated by a spirit of greed after gain, which makes them ready to + embark their fortunes, however hardly gained, in the vain hope of + realizing immense returns by premiums upon shares, and of making more than + safe and reasonable gains. We see that continually.' In fact, we may not + be a jot better morally than our forefathers. But that is no reason why we + should not frown over the story of their horrid sins, and, 'having a good + conscience,' think what sad dogs they were in their generation—knowing, + as we do, that none of us at the present day lose <i>FIFTY OR A HUNDRED + THOUSAND POUNDS</i> at play, at a sitting, in one single night—as + was certainly no very uncommon 'event' in those palmy days of gaming; and + that we could not—as was done in 1820—produce a list of <i>FIVE + HUNDRED</i> names (in London alone) of noblemen, gentlemen, officers of + the Army and Navy, and clergymen, who were veteran or indefatigable + gamesters, besides 'clerks, grocers, horse-dealers, linen-drapers, + silk-mercers, masons, builders, timber-merchants, booksellers, &c., + &c., and men of the very lowest walks of life,' who frequented the + numerous gaming houses throughout the metropolis—to their ruin and + that of their families more or less (as deploringly lamented by Captain + Gronow), and not a few of them, no doubt, finding themselves in that + position in which they could exclaim, at <i>OUR</i> remonstrance, as + feelingly as did King Richard— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + 'Slave! I have set my life upon a <i>CAST</i>, + And I will stand the <i>HAZARD OF THE DIE!</i>' + +</pre> + <p> + Nor is gaming as yet extinct among us. Every now and then a batch of + youngsters is brought before the magistrates charged with vulgar 'tossing' + in the streets; and every now and then we hear of some victim of genteel + gambling, as recently—in the month of February, 1868—when 'a + young member of the aristocracy lost L10,000 at Whist.' + </p> + <p> + Nay, at the commencement of the present year there appeared in a daily + paper the following startling announcement to the editor:— + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,—Allow me, through the columns of your paper, to call the + attention of the parents and friends of the young officers in the + Channel-fleet to the great extent gambling is carried on at Lisbon. Since + the fleet has been there another gambling house has been opened, and is + filled every evening with young officers, many of whom are under 18 years + of age. On the 1st of January it is computed that upwards of L800 was lost + by officers of the fleet in the gambling houses, and if the fleet is to + stay there three months there will soon be a great number of the officers + involved in debt. I will relate one incident that came under my personal + notice. A young midshipman, who had lately joined the Channel fleet from + the Bristol, drew a half-year's pay in December, besides his quarterly + allowance, and I met him on shore the next evening without money enough to + pay a boat to go off to his ship, having lost all at a gambling house. + </p> + <p> + Hoping that this may be of some use in stopping the gambling among the + younger officers, I remain, yours respectfully, AN OFFICER.'(1) + </p> + <p> + (1) Standard, Jan. 12, 1870. + </p> + <p> + In conclusion, I have contemplated the passion of gaming in all its + bearings, as will be evident from the range of subjects indicated by the + table of contents and index. I have ransacked (and sacked) hundreds of + volumes for entertaining, amusing, curious, or instructive matter. + </p> + <p> + Without deprecating criticism on my labours, perhaps I may state that + these researches have probably terminated my career as an author. + Immediately after the completion of this work I was afflicted with a + degree of blindness rendering it impossible for me to read any print + whatever, and compelling me to write only by dictation. + </p> + <p> + ANDREW STEINMETZ. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE. </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> + <b>THE GAMING TABLE.</b> </a><br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE UNIVERSAL PASSION OF GAMING; OR, GAMING ALL THE WORLD OVER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT HINDOOS.—A HINDOO LEGEND AND ITS + MODERN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS, PERSIANS, AND GREEKS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMING AMONG THE ANCIENT ROMAN EMPERORS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING IN FRANCE IN ALL TIMES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF MODERN GAMING IN ENGLAND + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING IN BRIGHTON IN 1817 + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING AT THE GERMAN BATHING-PLACES.—— + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING IN THE UNITED STATES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + LADY GAMESTRESSES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + GAMBLING POETS, SAVANTS, PHILOSOPHERS, WITS, AND STATESMEN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + REMARKABLE GAMESTERS——MONSIEUR CHEVALIER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LOTTERIES AND THEIR BEWILDERMENTS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LAWS AGAINST GAMING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE GAMING TABLE. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE UNIVERSAL PASSION OF GAMING; OR, GAMING ALL THE WORLD OVER. + </h2> + <p> + A very apt allegory has been imagined as the origin of Gaming. It is said + that the Goddess of Fortune, once sporting near the shady pool of Olympus, + was met by the gay and captivating God of War, who soon allured her to his + arms. They were united; but the matrimony was not holy, and the result of + the union was a misfeatured child named Gaming. From the moment of her + birth this wayward thing could only be pleased by cards, dice, or + counters. + </p> + <p> + She was not without fascinations, and many were her admirers. As she grew + up she was courted by all the gay and extravagant of both sexes, for she + was of neither sex, and yet combining the attractions of each. At length, + however, being mostly beset by men of the sword, she formed an unnatural + union with one of them, and gave birth to twins—one called DUELLING, + and the other a grim and hideous monster named SUICIDE. These became their + mother's darlings, nursed by her with constant care and tenderness, and + her perpetual companions. + </p> + <p> + The Goddess Fortune ever had an eye on her promising daughter—Gaming; + and endowed her with splendid residences, in the most conspicuous streets, + near the palaces of kings. They were magnificently designed and elegantly + furnished. Lamps, always burning at the portals, were a sign and a + perpetual invitation unto all to enter; and, like the gates of the + Inferno, they were ever open to daily and nightly visitants; but, unlike + the latter, they permitted <i>EXIT</i> to all who entered—some + exulting with golden spoil,—others with their hands in empty + pockets,—some led by her half-witted son Duelling,—others + escorted by her malignant monster Suicide, and his mate, the demon + Despair. + </p> + <p> + 'Religion, morals, virtue, all give way, And conscience dies, the + prostitute of play. Eternity ne'er steals one thought between, Till + suicide completes the fatal scene.' + </p> + <p> + Such is the <i>ALLEGORY</i>;(2) and it may serve well enough to represent + the thing in accordance with the usages of civilized or modern life; but + Gaming is a <i>UNIVERSAL</i> thing—the characteristic of the human + biped all the world over. + </p> + <p> + (2) It appeared originally, I think, in the Harleian Miscellany. I have + taken the liberty to re-touch it here and there, with the view to + improvement. + </p> + <p> + The determination of events by 'lot' was a practice frequently resorted to + by the Israelites; as, by lot it was determined which of the goats should + be offered by Aaron; by lot the land of Canaan was divided; by lot Saul + was marked out for the Hebrew kingdom; by lot Jonah was discovered to be + the cause of the storm. It was considered an appeal to Heaven to determine + the points, and was thought not to depend on blind chance, or that + imaginary being called Fortune, who, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + '——With malicious joy, + Promotes, degrades, delights in strife, + And makes a <i>LOTTERY</i> of life.' +</pre> + <p> + The Hindoo Code—a promulgation of very high antiquity—denounces + gambling, which proves that there were desperate gamesters among the + Hindoos in the earliest times. Men gamed, too, it would appear, after the + example set them by the gods, who had gamesters among them. The priests of + Egypt assured Herodotus that one of their kings visited alive the lower + regions called infernal, and that he there joined a gaming party, at which + he both lost and won.(3) Plutarch tells a pretty Egyptian story to the + effect, that Mercury having fallen in love with Rhea, or the Earth, and + wishing to do her a favour, gambled with the Moon, and won from her every + seventieth part of the time she illumined the horizon—all which + parts he united together, making up <i>FIVE DAYS</i>, and added them to + the Earth's year, which had previously consisted of only 360 days.(4) + </p> + <p> + (3) Herod. 1. ii. + </p> + <p> + (4) Plutarch, <i>De Isid. et Osirid.</i> + </p> + <p> + But not only did the gods play among themselves on Olympus, but they + gambled with mortals. According to Plutarch, the priest of the temple of + Hercules amused himself with playing at dice with the god, the stake or + conditions being that if he won he should obtain some signal favour, but + if he lost he would procure a beautiful courtesan for Hercules.(5) + </p> + <p> + (5) <i>In Vita Romuli</i>. + </p> + <p> + By the numerous nations of the East dice, and that pugnacious little bird + the cock, have been and are the chief instruments employed to produce a + sensation—to agitate their minds and to ruin their fortunes. The + Chinese have in all times, we suppose, had cards—hence the absurdity + of the notion that they were 'invented' for the amusement of Charles VI. + of France, in his 'lucid intervals,' as is constantly asserted in every + collection of historic facts. The Chinese invented cards, as they invented + almost everything else that administers to our social and domestic + comfort.(6) + </p> + <p> + (6) Observations on Cards, by Mr Gough, in Archaeologia, vol. viii. 1787. + </p> + <p> + The Asiatic gambler is desperate. When all other property is played away, + he scruples not to stake his wife, his child, on the cast of a die or on + the courage of the martial bird before mentioned. Nay more, if still + unsuccessful, the last venture he makes is that of his limbs—his + personal liberty—his life—which he hazards on the caprice of + chance, and agrees to be at the mercy, or to become the slave, of his + fortunate antagonist. + </p> + <p> + The Malayan, however, does not always tamely submit to this last stroke of + fortune. When reduced to a state of desperation by repeated ill-luck, he + loosens a certain lock of hair on his head, which, when flowing down, is a + sign of war and destruction. He swallows opium or some intoxicating + liquor, till he works himself up into a fit of frenzy, and begins to bite + and kill everything that comes in his way; whereupon, as the aforesaid + lock of hair is seen flowing, it is lawful to fire at and destroy him as + quickly as possible—he being considered no better than a mad dog. A + very rational conclusion. + </p> + <p> + Of course the Chinese are most eager gamesters, or they would not have + been capable of inventing those dear, precious killers of time—cards, + the EVENING solace of so many a household in the most respectable and + 'proper' walks of life. Indeed, they play night and day—until they + have lost all they are worth, and then they usually go—and hang + themselves. + </p> + <p> + If we turn our course northward, and penetrate the regions of ice + perpetual, we find that the driven snow cannot effectually quench the + flames of gambling. They glow amid the regions of the frozen pole. The + Greenlanders gamble with a board, which has a finger-piece upon it, + turning round on an axle; and the person to whom the finger points on the + stopping of the board, which is whirled round, 'sweeps' all the 'stakes' + that have been deposited. + </p> + <p> + If we descend thence into the Western hemisphere, we find that the passion + for gambling forms a distinguishing feature in the character of all the + rude natives of the American continent. Just as in the East, these savages + will lose their aims (on which subsistence depends), their apparel, and at + length their personal liberty, on games of chance. There is one thing, + however, which must be recorded to their credit—and to our shame. + When they have lost their 'all,' they do not follow the example of our + refined gamesters. They neither murmur nor repine. Not a fretful word + escapes them. They bear the frowns of fortune with a philosophic + composure.(7) + </p> + <p> + (7) Carver, <i>Travels</i>. + </p> + <p> + If we cross the Atlantic and land on the African shore, we find that the + 'everlasting Negro' is a gambler—using shells as dice—and + following the practice of his 'betters' in every way. He stakes not only + his 'fortune,' but also his children and liberty, which he cares very + little about, everywhere, until we incite him to do so—as, of + course, we ought to do, for every motive 'human and divine.' + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt, then, that this propensity is part and parcel of 'the + unsophisticated savage.' Let us turn to the eminently civilized races of + antiquity—the men whose example we have more or less followed in + every possible matter, sociality, politics, religion—they were all + gamblers, more or less. Take the grand prototypes of Britons, the Romans + of old. That gamesters they were! And how gambling recruited the ranks of + the desperadoes who gave them insurrectionary trouble! Catiline's 'army of + scoundrels,' for instance. 'Every man dishonoured by dissipation,' says + Sallust, 'who by his follies or losses at the gaming table had consumed + the inheritance of his fathers, and all those who were sufferers by such + misery, were the friends of this perverse man.' Horace, Juvenal, Persius, + Cicero, and other writers, attest the fact of Roman gambling most + eloquently, most indignantly. + </p> + <p> + The Romans had 'lotteries,' or games of chance, and some of their prizes + were of great value, as a good estate and slaves, or rich vases; others of + little value, as vases of common earth, but of this more in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + Among the Gothic kings who, in the fulness of time and accomplishments, + 'succeeded' to that empire, we read of a Theodoric, 'a wise and valiant + prince,' who was 'great lover of dice;' his solicitude in play was only + for victory; and his companions knew how to seize the moment of his + success, as consummate courtiers, to put forward their petitions and to + make their requests. 'When I have a petition to prefer,' says one of them, + 'I am easily beaten in the game that I may win my cause.'(8) What a clever + contrivance! But scarcely equal to that of the <i>GREAT</i> (in + politeness) Lord Chesterfield, who, to gain a vote for a parliamentary + friend, actually submitted to be <i>BLED!</i> It appears that the voter + was deemed very difficult, but Chesterfield found out that the man was a + doctor, who was a perfect Sangrado, recommending bleeding for every + ailment. He went to him, as in consultation, agreed with the man's + arguments, and at once bared his arm for the operation. On the point of + departure his lordship 'edged' in the question about the vote for his + friend, which was, of course, gushingly promised and given. + </p> + <p> + (8) Sed ego aliquid obsecraturus facile vincor; et mihi tabula perit ut + causa salvetur.—Sidonius Apollinaris, <i>Epist</i>. + </p> + <p> + Although there may not be much Gothic blood among us, it is quite certain + that there is plenty of German mixture in our nation—taking the term + in its very wide and comprehensive ethnology. Now, Tacitus describes the + ancient stout and valiant Germans as 'making gaming with a die a very + serious occupation of their sober hours.' Like the 'everlasting Negro,' + they, too, made their last throw for personal liberty, the loser going + into voluntary slavery, and the winner selling such slaves as soon as + possible to strangers, in order not to have to blush for such a victory! + If the 'nigger' could blush, he might certainly do so for the white man in + such a conjuncture. + </p> + <p> + At Naples and other places in Italy, at least in former times, the boatmen + used thus to stake their liberty for a certain number of years. According + to Hyde,(9) the Indians stake their fingers and cut them off themselves to + pay the debt of honour. Englishmen have cut off their ears, both as a + 'security' for a gambling loan, and as a stake; others have staked their + lives by hanging, in like manner! Instances will be given in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + (9) De Ludis Orient. + </p> + <p> + But leaving these savages and the semi-savages of the very olden time, let + us turn to those nearer to our times, with just as much religious truth + and principle among them as among ourselves. + </p> + <p> + The warmth with which 'dice-playing' is condemned in the writings of the + <i>Fathers</i>, the venerable expounders of Christianity, as well as by + 'edicts' and 'canons' of the Church, is unquestionably a sufficient proof + of its general and excessive prevalence throughout the nations of Europe. + When cards were introduced, in the fourteenth century, they only added + fuel to the infernal flame of gambling; and it soon became as necessary to + restrain their use as it had been that of dice. The two held a joint + empire of ruin and desolation over their devoted victims. A king of France + set the ruinous example—Henry IV., the roue, the libertine, the + duellist, the gambler,—and yet (historically) the <i>Bon Henri</i>, + the 'good king,' who wished to order things so that every Frenchman might + have a <i>pot-au-feu</i>, or dish of flesh savoury, every Sunday for + dinner. The money that Henry IV. lost at play would have covered great + public expenses. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the spirit of gaming went on acquiring new + strength and development throughout every subsequent reign in France; and + we shall see that under the Empire the thing was a great national + institution, and made to put a great deal of money as 'revenue' into the + hands of Fouche. + </p> + <p> + But the Spaniards have always been, of all nations, the most addicted to + gambling. A traveller says:—'I have wandered through all parts of + Spain, and though in many places I have scarcely been able to procure a + glass of wine, or a bit of bread, or any of the first conveniences of + life, yet I never went through a village so mean and out of the way, in + which I could not have purchased a pack of cards.' This was in the middle + of the seventeenth century, but I have no doubt it is true at the present + moment. + </p> + <p> + If we can believe Voltaire, the Spaniards were formerly very generous in + their gaming. 'The grandees of Spain,' he says, 'had a generous + ostentation; this was to divide the money won at play among all the + bystanders, of whatever condition. + </p> + <p> + Montrefor relates that when the Duke of Lerma, the Spanish minister, + entertained Gaston, brother of Louis XIII., with all his retinue in the + Netherlands, he displayed a magnificence of an extraordinary kind. The + prime minister, with whom Gaston spent several days, used to put two + thousand louis d'ors on a large gaming-table after dinner. With this money + Gaston's attendants and even the prince himself sat down to play. It is + probable, however, that Voltaire extended a single instance or two into a + general habit or custom. That writer always preferred to deal with the + splendid and the marvellous rather than with plain matter of fact. + </p> + <p> + There can be little doubt that the Spaniards pursued gaming in the vulgar + fashion, just as other people. At any rate the following anecdote gives us + no very favourable idea of Spanish generosity to strangers in the matter + of gambling in modern times; and the worst of it is the suitableness of + its application to more capitals than one among the kingdoms of Europe. + 'After the bull-feast I was invited to pass the evening at the hotel of a + lady, who had a public card-assembly.... This vile method of subsisting on + the folly of mankind is confined in Spain to the nobility. None but women + of quality are permitted to hold banks, and there are many whose + faro-banks bring them in a clear income of a thousand guineas a year. The + lady to whom I was introduced is an old countess, who has lived nearly + thirty years on the profits of the card-tables in her house. They are + frequented every day, and though both natives and foreigners are duped of + large sums by her, and her cabinet-junto, yet it is the greatest house of + resort in all Madrid. She goes to court, visits people of the first + fashion, and is received with as much respect and veneration as if she + exercised the most sacred functions of a divine profession. Many widows of + great men keep gaming-houses and live splendidly on the vices of mankind. + If you be not disposed to play, be either a sharper or a dupe, you cannot + be admitted a second time to their assemblies. I was no sooner presented + to the lady than she offered me cards; and on my excusing myself, because + I really could not play, she made a very wry face, turned from me, and + said to another lady in my hearing, that she wondered how any foreigner + could have the impertinence to come to her house for no other purpose than + to make an apology for not playing. My Spanish conductor, unfortunately + for himself, had not the same apology. He played and lost his money—two + circumstances which constantly follow in these houses. While my friend was + thus playing <i>THE FOOL</i>, I attentively watched the countenance and + motions of the lady of the house. Her anxiety, address, and assiduity were + equal to that of some skilful shopkeeper, who has a certain attraction to + engage all to buy, and diligence to take care that none shall escape the + net. I found out all her privy-counsellors, by her arrangement of her + parties at the different tables; and whenever she showed an extraordinary + eagerness to fix one particular person with a stranger, the game was + always decided the same way, and her good friend was sure to win the + money. + </p> + <p> + 'In short, it is hardly possible to see good company at Madrid unless you + resolve to leave a purse of gold at the card-assemblies of their + nobility.'(10) + </p> + <p> + (10) 'Observations in a Tour through Spain.' + </p> + <p> + We are assured that this state of things is by no means 'obsolete' in + Spain, even at the present time. At the time in question, however, the + beginning of the present century, there was no European nation among which + gaming did not constitute one of its polite and fashionable amusements—with + the exception of the <i>Turks</i>, who, to the shame of Christians, + strictly obeyed the precepts of Mahomet, and scrupulously avoided the + 'gambling itch' of our nature. + </p> + <p> + In England gambling prevailed during the reign of Henry VIII.; indeed, it + seems that the king was himself a gamester of the most unscrupulous sort; + and there is ample evidence that the practice flourished during the reign + of Elizabeth, James I., and subsequently, especially in the times of + Charles II. Writing on the day when James II. was proclaimed king, Evelyn + says, 'I can never forget the inexpressible luxury and profaneness, gaming + and all dissoluteness, and as it were total forgetfulness of God (it being + Sunday evening) which this day se'nnight I was witness of, the king + sitting and toying with his concubines, Portsmouth, Cleaveland, and + Mazarine, &c., a French boy singing love-songs, in that glorious + gallery, whilst about twenty of the great courtiers and other dissolute + persons were at Basset round a large table; a bank of at least L2000 in + gold before them, upon which two gentlemen who were with me made + reflections with astonishment. Six days after all was in the dust!' + </p> + <p> + The following curious observations on the gaming in vogue during the year + 1668 are from the Harleian Miscellany: + </p> + <p> + 'One propounded this question, "Whether men in ships at sea were to be + accounted amongst the living or the dead—because there were but few + inches betwixt them and drowning?" The same query may be made of + gamesters, though their estates be never so considerable—whether + they are to be esteemed rich or poor, since there are but a few casts at + dice betwixt a person of fortune (in that circumstance) and a beggar. + </p> + <p> + 'Betwixt twelve and one of the clock a good dinner is prepared by way of + ordinary, and some gentlemen of civility and condition oftentimes eat + there, and play a while for recreation after dinner, both moderately and + most commonly without deserving reproof. Towards night, when ravenous + beasts usually seek their prey, there come in shoals of hectors, + trepanners, gilts, pads, biters, prigs, divers, lifters, kidnappers, + vouchers, mill kens, piemen, decoys, shop-lifters, foilers, bulkers, + droppers, gamblers, donnakers, crossbiters, &c., under the general + appellation of "rooks;" and in this particular it serves as a nursery for + Tyburn, for every year some of this gang march thither. + </p> + <p> + 'Would you imagine it to be true—that a grave gentleman, well + stricken in years, insomuch as he cannot see the pips of the dice, is so + infatuated with this witchery as to play here with others' eyes,—of + whom this quibble was raised, "Mr Such a one plays at dice by the ear." + Another gentleman, stark blind, I have seen play at Hazard, and surely + that must be by the ear too. + </p> + <p> + 'Late at night, when the company grows thin, and your eyes dim with + watching, false dice are often put upon the ignorant, or they are + otherwise cozened, with topping or slurring, &;c.; and, if you be not + vigilant, the box-keeper shall score you up double or treble boxes, and, + though you have lost your money, dun you as severely for it as if it were + the justest debt in the world. + </p> + <p> + 'There are yet some genteeler and more subtle rooks, whom you shall not + distinguish by their outward demeanour from persons of condition; and who + will sit by a whole evening, and observe who wins; and then, if the winner + be "bubbleable," they will insinuate themselves into his acquaintance, and + civilly invite him to drink a glass of wine,—wheedle him into play, + and win all his money, either by false dice, as high fulhams,(11) low + fulhams, or by palming, topping, &c. Note by the way, that when they + have you at the tavern and think you a sure "bubble," they will many times + purposely lose some small sum to you the first time, to engage you more + freely to <i>BLEED</i> (as they call it) at the second meeting, to which + they will be sure to invite you. + </p> + <p> + (11) It appears that false dice were originally made at <i>Fulham;</i> + hence so called, high and low fulhams; the high ones were the numbers 4, + 5, 6. + </p> + <p> + 'A gentleman whom ill-fortune had hurried into passion, took a box and + dice to a side-table, and then fell to throwing by himself; at length he + swears with an emphasis, "D—e, now I throw for nothin;, I can win a + thousand pounds; but when I lay for money I lose my all." + </p> + <p> + 'If the house find you free to box, and a constant caster, you shall be + treated below with suppers at night, and caudle in the morning, and have + the honour to be styled, "a lover of the house," whilst your money lasts, + which certainly will not be long. + </p> + <p> + 'Most gamesters begin at small games, and by degrees, if their money or + estates hold out, they rise to great sums; some have played first all + their money, then their rings, coach and horses, even their wearing + clothes and <i>perukes;</i> and then, such a farm; and at last, perhaps a + lordship. + </p> + <p> + 'You may read in our histories, how Sir Miles Partridge played at dice + with King Henry the Eighth, for Jesus Bells (so called), which were the + greatest in England, and hung in a tower of St Paul's church, and won + them; whereby he brought them to ring in his pocket; but the ropes + afterwards catched about his neck; for, in Edward the Sixth's days, he was + hanged for some criminal offences.(12) + </p> + <p> + (12) The clochier in Paul's Churchyard—a bell-house, four square, + builded of stone, with four bells; these were called <i>Jesus</i> Bells. + The same had a great spire of timber, covered with lead, with the image of + St Paul on the top, but was pulled down by Sir Miles Partridge, Kt, in the + reign of Henry VIII. The common speech then was that he did set L100 upon + a cast at dice against it, and so won the said clochier and bells of the + king. And then causing the bells to be broken as they hung, the rest was + pulled down, and broken also. This man was afterwards executed on Tower + Hill, for matters concerning the Duke of Somerset, in the year 1551, the + 5th of Edward VI.—Stowe, B. iii. 148. + </p> + <p> + 'Sir Arthur Smithhouse is yet fresh in memory. He had a fair estate, which + in a few years he so lost at play, that he died in great want and penury. + Since that Mr Ba—, who was a clerk in the Six-Clerks Office, and + well cliented, fell to play, and won by extraordinary fortune two thousand + pieces in ready gold; was not content with that, played on, lost all he + had won, and almost all his own estate; sold his place in the office, and + at last marched off to a foreign plantation, to begin a new world with the + sweat of his brow; for that is commonly the destiny of a decayed gamester—either + to go to some foreign plantation, or to be preferred to the dignity of a + <i>box-keeper</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'It is not denied but most gamesters have, at one time or other, a + considerable run of winning, but such is the infatuation of play, I could + never hear of a man that gave over a winner—I mean, to give over so + as never to play again. I am sure it is <i>rara avis</i>, for if you once + "break bulk," as they phrase it, you are in again for all. Sir Humphry + Foster had lost the greatest part of his estate, and then playing, as it + is said, <i>FOR A DEAD HORSE</i>, did, by happy fortune, recover it again; + then gave over, and wisely too.'(13) + </p> + <p> + (13) Harleian Misc. ii. 108. + </p> + <p> + The sequel will show the increase of gambling in our country during the + subsequent reigns, up to a recent period. + </p> + <p> + Thus, then, the passion of gaming is, and has ever been, universal. It is + said that two Frenchmen could not exist even in a desert without <i>QUARRELLING;</i> + and it is quite certain that no two human beings can be anywhere without + ere long offering to 'bet' upon something. Indolence and want of + employment—'vacuity,' as Dr Johnson would call it—is the cause + of the passion. It arises from a want of habitual employment in some + material and regular line of conduct. Your very innocent card-parties at + home—merely to kill <i>TIME</i> (what a murder!) explains all the + apparent mystery! Something must be substituted to call forth the natural + activity of the mind; and this is in no way more effectually accomplished, + in all indolent pursuits, than by those <i>EMOTIONS AND AGITATIONS</i> + which gambling produces. + </p> + <p> + Such is the source of the thing in our <i>NATURE;</i> but then comes the + furious hankering after wealth—the desire to have it without <i>WORKING</i> + for it—which is the wish of so many of us; and <i>THIS</i> is the + source of that hideous gambling which has produced the contemptible + characters and criminal acts which are the burthen of this volume. + </p> + <p> + We love play because it satisfies our avarice,—that is to say, our + desire of having more; it flatters our vanity by the idea of preference + that fortune gives us, and of the attention that others pay to our + success; it satisfies our curiosity, giving us a spectacle; in short, it + gives us the different pleasures of surprise. + </p> + <p> + Certain it is that the passion for gambling easily gets deeply rooted, and + that it cannot be easily eradicated. The most exquisite melody, if + compared with the music of dice, is then but discord; and the finest + prospect in nature only a miserable blank when put in competition with the + attractions of the 'honours' at a rubber of Whist. + </p> + <p> + Wealth is the general centre of inclination. Whatever is the ultimate + design, the immediate care is to be rich. No desire can be formed which + riches do not assist to gratify. They may be considered as the elementary + principles of pleasure, which may be combined with endless diversity. + There are nearer ways to profit than up the steeps of labour. The prospect + of gaining speedily what is ardently desired, has so far prevailed upon + the passions of mankind, that the peace of life is destroyed by a general + and incessant struggle for riches. It is observed of gold by an old + epigrammatist, that to have is to be in fear; and to want it is to be in + sorrow. There is no condition which is not disquieted either with the care + of gaining or keeping money. + </p> + <p> + No nation has exceeded ours in the pursuit of gaming. In former times—and + yet not more than 30 or 40 years ago—the passion for play was + predominant among the highest classes. + </p> + <p> + Genius and abilities of the highest order became its votaries; and the + very framers of the laws against gambling were the first to fall under the + temptation of their breach! The spirit of gambling pervaded every inferior + order of society. The gentleman was a slave to its indulgence; the + merchant and the mechanic were the dupes of its imaginary prospects; it + engrossed the citizen and occupied the rustic. Town and country became a + prey to its despotism. There was scarcely an obscure village to be found + wherein this bewitching basilisk did not exercise its powers of + fascination and destruction. + </p> + <p> + Gaming in England became rather a science than an amusement of social + intercourse. The 'doctrine of chances' was studied with an assiduity that + would have done honour to better subjects; and calculations were made on + arithmetical and geometrical principles, to determine the degrees of + probability attendant on games of mixed skill and chance, or even on the + fortuitous throws of dice. Of course, in spite of all calculations, there + were miserable failures—frightful losses. The polite gamester, like + the savage, did not scruple to hazard the dearest interests of his family, + or to bring his wife and children to poverty, misery, and ruin. He could + not give these over in liquidation of a gambling debt; indeed, nobody + would, probably, have them at a gift; and yet there were instances in + which the honour of a wife was the stake of the infernal game!.... Well + might the Emperor Justinian exclaim,—'Can we call <i>PLAY</i> that + which causes crime?'(14) + </p> + <p> + (14) Quis enim ludos appellet eos, ex quibus crimina oriuntur?—<i>De + Concept. Digest</i>. II. lib. iv. Sec. 9. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT HINDOOS.—A HINDOO LEGEND AND + ITS MODERN + </h2> + <p> + PARALLEL. + </p> + <p> + The recent great contribution to the history of India, published by Mr + Wheeler,(15) gives a complete insight into this interesting topic; and + this passage of the ancient Sanskrit epic forms one of the most wonderful + and thrilling scenes in that most acceptable publication. + </p> + <p> + (15) The History of India from the Earliest Ages. By J. Talboys Wheeler. + Vol. I.—The Vedic Period and the Maha Bharata. + </p> + <p> + As Mr Wheeler observes, the specialties of Hindoo gambling are worthy of + some attention. The passion for play, which has ever been the vice of + warriors in times of peace, becomes a madness amidst the lassitude of a + tropical climate; and more than one Hindoo legend has been preserved of + Rajas playing together for days, until the wretched loser has been + deprived of everything he possessed and reduced to the condition of an + exile or a slave. + </p> + <p> + But gambling amongst the Hindoos does not appear to have been altogether + dependent upon chance. The ancient Hindoo dice, known by the name of + coupun, are almost precisely similar to the modern dice, being thrown out + of a box; but the practice of loading is plainly alluded to, and some + skill seems to have been occasionally exercised in the rattling of the + dice-box. In the more modern game, known by the name of pasha, the dice + are not cubic, but oblong; and they are thrown from the hand either direct + upon the ground, or against a post or board, which will break the fall, + and render the result more a matter of chance. + </p> + <p> + The great gambling match of the Hindoo epic was the result of a conspiracy + to ruin Yudhishthira, a successful warrior, the representative of a mighty + family—the Pandavas, who were incessantly pursued by the envy of the + Kauravas, their rivals. The fortunes of the Pandavas were at the height of + human prosperity; and at this point the universal conception of an + avenging Nemesis that humbles the proud and casts down the mighty, finds + full expression in the Hindoo epic. The grandeur of the Pandavas excited + the jealousy of Duryodhana, and revived the old feud between the Kauravas + and the former. Duryodhana plotted with his brother Duhsasana and his + uncle Sakuni, how they might dispossess the Pandavas of their + newly-acquired territory; and at length they determined to invite their + kinsmen to a gambling match, and seek by underhand means to deprive + Yudhishthira of his Raj, or kingdom.(16) + </p> + <p> + (16) The old Sanskrit words <i>Raj</i>, 'kingdom,' and Raja, 'king,' are + evidently the origin of the Latin <i>reg-num, reg-o, rex, regula</i>, + 'rule,' &c, reproduced in the words of that ancient language, and + continued in the derivative vernaculars of modern names—<i>re, rey, + roy, roi, regal, royal, rule</i>, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + It appears from the poem that Yudhishthira was invited to a game at + coupun; and the legend of the great gambling match, which took place at + Hastinapur, is related as follows: + </p> + <p> + 'And it came to pass that Duryodhana was very jealous of the <i>Rajasuya</i> + or triumph that his cousin Yudhishthira had performed, and he desired in + his heart to destroy the Pandavas, and gain possession of their Raj. Now + Sakuni was the brother of Gandhari, who was the mother of the Kauravas; + and he was very skilful in throwing dice, and in playing with dice that + were loaded; insomuch that whenever he played he always won the game. So + Duryodhana plotted with his uncle, that Yudhishthira should be invited to + a match at gambling, and that Sakuni should challenge him to a game, and + win all his wealth and lands. + </p> + <p> + 'After this the wicked Duryodhana proposed to his father the Maharaja, + that they should have a great gambling match at Hastinapur, and that + Yudhishthira and his brethren should be invited to the festival. And the + Maharaja was glad in his heart that his sons should be friendly with the + sons of his deceased brother, Pandu; and he sent his younger brother, + Vidura, to the city of Indra-prastha to invite the Pandavas to the game. + And Vidura went his way to the city of the Pandavas, and was received by + them with every sign of attention and respect. And Yudhishthira inquired + whether his kinsfolk and friends at Hastinapur were all well in health, + and Vidura replied, "They are all well." Then Vidura said to the Pandavas:—"Your + uncle, the Maharaja, is about to give a great feast, and he has sent me to + invite you and your mother, and your joint wife, to come to his city, and + there will be a great match at dice-playing." When Yudhishthira heard + these words he was troubled in mind, for he knew that gaming was a + frequent cause of strife, and that he was in no way skilful in throwing + the dice; and he likewise knew that Sakuni was dwelling at Hastinapur, and + that he was a famous gambler. But Yudhishthira remembered that the + invitation of the Maharaja was equal to the command of a father, and that + no true Kshatriya could refuse a challenge either to war or play. So + Yudhishthira accepted the invitation, and gave commandment that on the + appointed day his brethren, and their mother, and their joint wife should + accompany him to the city of Hastinapur. + </p> + <p> + 'When the day arrived for the departure of the Pandavas they took their + mother Kunti, and their joint wife Draupadi, and journeyed from + Indra-prastha to the city of Hastinapur. And when they entered the city + they first paid a visit of respect to the Maharaja, and they found him + sitting amongst his Chieftains; and the ancient Bhishma, and the preceptor + Drona, and Karna, who was the friend of Duryodhana, and many others, were + sitting there also. + </p> + <p> + 'And when the Pandavas had done reverence to the Maharaja, and + respectfully saluted all present, they paid a visit to their aunt + Gandhari, and did her reverence likewise. + </p> + <p> + 'And after they had done this, their mother and joint wife entered the + presence of Gandhari, and respectfully saluted her; and the wives of the + Kauravas came in and were made known to Kunti and Draupadi. And the wives + of the Kauravas were much surprised when they beheld the beauty and fine + raiment of Draupadi; and they were very jealous of their kinswoman. And + when all their visits had been paid, the Pandavas retired with their wife + and mother to the quarters which had been prepared for them, and when it + was evening they received the visits of all their friends who were + dwelling at Hastinapur. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, on the morrow the gambling match was to be played; so when the + morning had come, the Pandavas bathed and dressed, and left Draupadi in + the lodging which had been prepared for her, and went their way to the + palace. And the Pandavas again paid their respects to their uncle the + Maharaja, and were then conducted to the pavilion where the play was to + be; and Duryodhana went with them, together with all his brethren, and all + the chieftains of the royal house. And when the assembly had all taken + their seats, Sakuni said to Yudhishthira:—"The ground here has all + been prepared, and the dice are all ready: Come now, I pray you, and play + a game." But Yudhishthira was disinclined, and replied:—"I will not + play excepting upon fair terms; but if you will pledge yourself to throw + without artifice or deceit, I will accept your challenge." Sakuni said,—"If + you are so fearful of losing, you had better not play at all." At these + words Yudhishthira was wroth, and replied:—"I have no fear either in + play or war; but let me know with whom I am to play, and who is to pay me + if I win." So Duryodhana came forward and said:—"I am the man with + whom you are to play, and I shall lay any stakes against your stakes; but + my uncle Sakuni will throw the dice for me." Then Yudhishthira said,—"What + manner of game is this, where one man throws and another lays the stakes?" + Nevertheless he accepted the challenge, and he and Sakuni began to play. + </p> + <p> + 'At this point in the narrative it may be desirable to pause, and + endeavour to obtain a picture of the scene. The so-called pavilion was + probably a temporary booth constructed of bamboos and interlaced with + basket-work; and very likely it was decorated with flowers and leaves + after the Hindoo fashion, and hung with fruits, such as cocoa-nuts, + mangoes, plantains, and maize. The Chieftains present seem to have sat + upon the ground, and watched the game. The stakes may have been pieces of + gold or silver, or cattle, or lands; although, according to the legendary + account which follows, they included articles of a far more extravagant + and imaginative character. With these passing remarks, the tradition of + the memorable game may be resumed as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'So Yudhishthira and Sakuni sat down to play, and whatever Yudhishthira + laid as stakes, Duryodhana laid something of equal value; but Yudhishthira + lost every game. He first lost a very beautiful pearl; next a thousand + bags, each containing a thousand pieces of gold; next a piece of gold so + pure that it was as soft as wax; next a chariot set with jewels and hung + all round with golden bells; next a thousand war elephants with golden + howdahs set with diamonds; next a lakh of slaves all dressed in good + garments; next a lakh of beautiful slave girls, adorned from head to foot + with golden ornaments; next all the remainder of his goods; next all his + cattle; and then the whole of his Raj, excepting only the lands which had + been granted to the Brahmans.(17) + </p> + <p> + (17)'A lakh is a hundred thousand, and a crore is a hundred lakhs, or ten + millions. The Hindoo term might therefore have been converted into English + numerals, only that it does not seem certain that the bards meant + precisely a hundred thousand slaves, but only a very large number. The + exceptional clause in favour of the Brahmans is very significant. When the + little settlement at Indra-prastha had been swelled by the imagination of + the later bards into an extensive Raj, the thought may have entered the + minds of the Brahmanical compilers that in losing the Raj, the Brahmans + might have lost those free lands, known as inams or jagheers, which are + frequently granted by pious Rajas for the subsistence of Brahmans. Hence + the insertion of the clause.' + </p> + <p> + 'Now when Yudhishthira had lost his Raj, the Chieftains present in the + pavilion were of opinion that he should cease to play, but he would not + listen to their words, but persisted in the game. And he staked all the + jewels belonging to his brothers, and he lost them; and he staked his two + younger brothers, one after the other, and he lost them; and he then + staked Arjuna, and Bhima, and finally himself; and he lost every game. + Then Sakuni said to him:—"You have done a bad act, Yudhishthira, in + gaming away yourself and becoming a slave. But now, stake your wife, + Draupadi, and if you win the game you will again be free." And + Yudhishthira answered and said:—"I will stake Draupadi!" And all + assembled were greatly troubled and thought evil of Yudhishthira; and his + uncle Vidura put his hand to his head and fainted away, whilst Bhishma and + Drona turned deadly pale, and many of the company were very sorrowful; but + Duryodhana and his brother Duhsasana, and some others of the Kauravas, + were glad in their hearts, and plainly manifested their joy. Then Sakuni + threw the dice, and won Draupadi for Duryodhana. + </p> + <p> + 'Then all in that assembly were in great consternation, and the Chieftains + gazed upon one another without speaking a word. And Duryodhana said to his + uncle Vidura:—"Go now and bring Draupadi hither, and bid her sweep + the rooms." But Vidura cried out against him with a loud voice, and said:—"What + wickedness is this? Will you order a woman who is of noble birth, and the + wife of your own kinsman, to become a household slave? How can you vex + your brethren thus? But Draupadi has not become your slave; for + Yudhishthira lost himself before he staked his wife, and having first + become a slave, he could no longer have power to stake Draupadi." Vidura + then turned to the assembly and said:—"Take no heed to the words of + Duryodhana, for he has lost his senses this day." Duryodhana then said:—"A + curse be upon this Vidura, who will do nothing that I desire him." + </p> + <p> + 'After this Duryodhana called one of his servants, and desired him to go + to the lodgings of the Pandavas, and bring Draupadi into the pavilion. And + the man departed out, and went to the lodgings of the Pandavas, and + entered the presence of Draupadi, and said to her:—"Raja + Yudhishthira has played you away, and you have become the slave of Raja + Duryodhana: So come now and do your duty like his other slave girls." And + Draupadi was astonished at these words, and exceedingly wroth, and she + replied:—"Whose slave was I that I could be gambled away? And who is + such a senseless fool as to gamble away his own wife?" The servant said:—"Raja + Yudhishthira has lost himself, and his four brothers, and you also, to + Raja Duryodhana, and you cannot make any objection: Arise, therefore, and + go to the house of the Raja!" + </p> + <p> + 'Then Draupadi cried out:—"Go you now and inquire whether Raja + Yudhishthira lost me first or himself first; for if he played away himself + first, he could not stake me." So the man returned to the assembly, and + put the question to Yudhishthira; but Yudhishthira hung down his head with + shame, and answered not a word. + </p> + <p> + 'Then Duryodhana was filled with wrath, and he cried out to his servant:—"What + waste of words is this? Go you and bring Draupadi hither, that if she has + aught to say, she may say it in the presence of us all." And the man + essayed to go, but he beheld the wrathful countenance of Bhima and he was + sore afraid, and he refused to go, and remained where he was. Then + Duryodhana sent his brother Duhsasana; and Duhsasana went his way to the + lodgings of Draupadi and said:—"Raja Yudhishthira has lost you in + play to Raja Duryodhana, and he has sent for you: So arise now, and wait + upon him according to his commands; and if you have anything to say, you + can say it in the presence of the assembly." Draupadi replied:—"The + death of the Kauravas is not far distant, since they can do such deeds as + these." And she rose up in great trepidation and set out, but when she + came near to the palace of the Maharaja, she turned aside from the + pavilion where the Chieftains were assembled, and ran away with all speed + towards the apartments of the women. And Duhsasana hastened after her, and + seized her by her hair, which was very dark and long, and dragged her by + main force into the pavilion before all the Chieftains. + </p> + <p> + 'And she cried out:—"Take your hands from off me!" But Duhsasana + heeded not her words, and said:—"You are now a slave girl, and slave + girls cannot complain of being touched by the hands of men." + </p> + <p> + 'When the Chieftains thus beheld Draupadi, they hung down their heads from + shame; and Draupadi called upon the elders amongst them, such as Bhishma + and Drona, to acquaint her whether or no Raja Yudhishthira had gamed away + himself before he had staked her; but they likewise held down their heads + and answered not a word. + </p> + <p> + 'Then she cast her eye upon the Pandavas, and her glance was like the + stabbing of a thousand daggers, but they moved not hand or foot to help + her; for when Bhima would have stepped forward to deliver her from the + hands of Duhsasana, Yudhishthira commanded him to forbear, and both he and + the younger Pandavas were obliged to obey the command of their elder + brother. + </p> + <p> + 'And when Duhsasana saw that Draupadi looked towards the Pandavas, he took + her by the hand, and drew her another way, saying:—"Why, O slave, + are you turning your eyes about you?" And when Karna and Sakuni heard + Duhsasana calling her a slave, they cried out:—"Well said! well + said!" + </p> + <p> + 'Then Draupadi wept very bitterly, and appealed to all the assembly, + saying:—"All of you have wives and children of your own, and will + you permit me to be treated thus? I ask you one question, and I pray you + to answer it." Duhsasana then broke in and spoke foul language to her, and + used her rudely, so that her veil came off in his hands. And Bhima could + restrain his wrath no longer, and spoke vehemently to Yudhishthira; and + Arjuna reproved him for his anger against his elder brother, but Bhima + answered:—"I will thrust my hands into the fire before these + wretches shall treat my wife in this manner before my eyes." + </p> + <p> + 'Then Duryodhana said to Draupadi:—"Come now, I pray you, and sit + upon my thigh!" And Bhima gnashed his teeth, and cried out with a loud + voice:—"Hear my vow this day! If for this deed I do not break the + thigh of Duryodhana, and drink the blood of Duhsasana, I am not the son of + Kunti!" + </p> + <p> + 'Meanwhile the Chieftain Vidura had left the assembly, and told the blind + Maharaja Dhritarashtra all that had taken place that day; and the Maharaja + ordered his servants to lead him into the pavilion where all the + Chieftains were gathered together. And all present were silent when they + saw the Maharaja, and the Maharaja said to Draupadi:—"O daughter, my + sons have done evil to you this day: But go now, you and your husbands, to + your own Raj, and remember not what has occurred, and let the memory of + this day be blotted out for ever." So the Pandavas made haste with their + wife Draupadi, and departed out of the city of Hastinapur. + </p> + <p> + 'Then Duryodhana was exceedingly wroth, and he said to his father, "O + Maharaja, is it not a saying that when your enemy hath fallen down, he + should be annihilated without a war? And now that we had thrown the + Pandavas to the earth, and had taken possession of all their wealth, you + have restored them all their strength, and permitted them to depart with + anger in their hearts; and now they will prepare to make war that they may + revenge themselves upon us for all that has been done, and they will + return within a short while and slay us all: Give us leave then, I pray + you, to play another game with these Pandavas, and let the side which + loses go into exile for twelve years; for thus and thus only can a war be + prevented between ourselves and the Pandavas." And the Maharaja granted + the request of his son, and messengers were sent to bring back the + brethren; and the Pandavas obeyed the commands of their uncle, and + returned to his presence; and it was agreed upon that Yudhishthira should + play one game more with Sakuni, and that if Yudhishthira won the Kauravas + were to go into exile, and that if Sakuni won, the Pandavas were to go + into exile; and the exile was to be for twelve years, and one year more; + and during that thirteenth year those who were in exile were to dwell in + any city they pleased, but to keep themselves so concealed that the others + should never discover them; and if the others did discover them before the + thirteenth year was over, then those who were in exile were to continue so + for another thirteen years. So they sat down again to play, and Sakuni had + a set of cheating dice as before, and with them he won the game. + </p> + <p> + 'When Duhsasana saw that Sakuni had won the game, he danced about for joy; + and he cried out:—"Now is established the Raj of Duryodhana." But + Bhima said, "Be not elated with joy, but remember my words: The day will + come when I will drink your blood, or I am not the son of Kunti." And the + Pandavas, seeing that they had lost, threw off their garments and put on + deer-skins, and prepared to depart into the forest with their wife and + mother, and their priest Dhaumya; but Vidura said to Yudhishthira:—"Your + mother is old and unfitted to travel, so leave her under my care;" and the + Pandavas did so. And the brethren went out from the assembly hanging down + their heads with shame, and covering their faces with their garments; but + Bhima threw out his long arms and looked at the Kauravas furiously, and + Draupadi spread her long black hair over her face and wept bitterly. And + Draupadi vowed a vow, saying:— + </p> + <p> + '"My hair shall remain dishevelled from this day, until Bhima shall have + slain Duhsasana and drank his blood; and then he shall tie up my hair + again whilst his hands are dripping with the blood of Duhsasana."' + </p> + <p> + Such was the great gambling match at Hastinapur in the heroic age of + India. It appears there can be little doubt of the truth of the incident, + although the verisimilitude would have been more complete without the + perpetual winning of the cheat Sakuni—which would be calculated to + arouse the suspicion of Yudhishthira, and which could scarcely be indulged + in by a professional cheat, mindful of the suspicion it would excite. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the narrative, however, there is a truthfulness to human + nature, and a truthfulness to that particular phase of human nature which + is pre-eminently manifested by a high-minded race in its primitive stage + of civilization. + </p> + <p> + To our modern minds the main interest of the story begins from the moment + that Draupadi was lost; but it must be remembered that among that ancient + people, where women were chiefly prized on sensual grounds, such stakes + were evidently recognized. + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Draupadi herself on the occasion shows that she was by no + means unfamiliar with the idea: she protested—not on the ground of + sentiment or matrimonial obligation—but solely on what may be called + a technical point of law, namely, 'Had Yudhishthira become a slave before + he staked his wife upon the last game?' For, of course, having ceased to + be a freeman, he had no right to stake her liberty. + </p> + <p> + The concluding scene of the drama forms an impressive figure in the mind + of the Hindoo. The terrible figure of Draupadi, as she dishevels her long + black hair, is the very impersonation of revenge; and a Hindoo audience + never fails to shudder at her fearful vow—that the straggling + tresses shall never again be tied up until the day when Bhima shall have + fulfilled his vow, and shall then bind them up whilst his fingers are + still dripping with the blood of Duhsasana. + </p> + <p> + The avenging battle subsequently ensued. Bhima struck down Duhsasana with + a terrible blow of his mace, saying,—'This day I fulfil my vow + against the man who insulted Draupadi!' Then setting his foot on the + breast of Duhsasana, he drew his sword, and cut off the head of his enemy; + and holding his two hands to catch the blood, he drank it off, crying out, + 'Ho! ho! Never did I taste anything in this world so sweet as this blood.' + </p> + <p> + This staking of wives by gamblers is a curious subject. The practice may + be said to have been universal, having furnished cases among civilized as + well as barbarous nations. Of course the Negroes of Africa stake their + wives and children; according to Schouten, a Chinese staked his wife and + children, and lost them; Paschasius Justus states that a Venetian staked + his wife; and not a hundred years ago certain debauchees at Paris played + at dice for the possession of a celebrated courtesan. But this is an old + thing. Hegesilochus, and other rulers of Rhodes, were accustomed to play + at dice for the honour of the most distinguished ladies of that island—the + agreement being that the party who lost had to bring to the arms of the + winner the lady designated by lot to that indignity.(18) + </p> + <p> + (18) Athen. lib. XI. cap. xii. + </p> + <p> + There are traditions of such stakes having been laid and lost by husbands + in <i>England;</i> and a remarkable case of the kind will be found related + in Ainsworth's 'Old Saint Paul's,' as having occurred during the Plague of + London, in the year 1665. There can be little doubt that it is founded on + fact; and the conduct of the English wife, curiously enough, bears a + striking resemblance to that of Draupadi in the Indian narrative. + </p> + <p> + A Captain Disbrowe of the king's body-guard lost a large sum of money to a + notorious debauchee, a gambler and bully, named Sir Paul Parravicin. The + latter had made an offensive allusion to the wife of Captain Disbrowe, + after winning his money; and then, picking up the dice-box, and spreading + a large heap of gold on the table, he said to the officer who anxiously + watched his movements:—'I mentioned your wife, Captain Disbrowe, not + with any intention of giving you offence, but to show you that, although + you have lost your money, you have still a valuable stake left.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do not understand you, Sir Paul,' returned Disbrowe, with a look of + indignant surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'To be plain, then,' replied Parravicin, 'I have won from you two hundred + pounds—all you possess. You are a ruined man, and as such, will run + any hazard to retrieve your losses. I give you a last chance. I will stake + all my winnings—nay, double the amount—against your wife. You + have a key of the house you inhabit, by which you admit yourself at all + hours; so at least I am informed. If I win, that key shall be mine. I will + take my chance of the rest. Do you understand me now?' + </p> + <p> + 'I do,' replied the young man, with concentrated fury. 'I understand that + you are a villain. You have robbed me of my money, and would rob me of my + honour.' + </p> + <p> + 'These are harsh words, sir,' replied the knight calmly; 'but let them + pass. We will play first, and fight afterwards. But you refuse my + challenge?' + </p> + <p> + 'It is false!' replied Disbrowe, fiercely, 'I accept it.' And producing a + key, he threw it on the table. 'My life is, in truth, set on the die,' he + added, with a desperate look; 'for if I lose, I will not survive my + shame.' + </p> + <p> + 'You will not forget our terms,' observed Parravicin. 'I am to be your + representative to-night. You can return home to-morrow.' + </p> + <p> + 'Throw, sir,—throw,' cried the young man, fiercely. + </p> + <p> + 'Pardon me,' replied the knight; 'the first cast is with you. A single + main decides it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Be it so,' returned Disbrowe, seizing the bow. And as he shook the dice + with a frenzied air, the bystanders drew near the table to watch the + result. + </p> + <p> + 'Twelve!' cried Disbrowe, as he removed the box. 'My honour is saved! My + fortune retrieved—Huzza!' + </p> + <p> + 'Not so fast,' returned Parravicin, shaking the box in his turn. 'You were + a little hasty,' he added, uncovering the dice. 'I am twelve too. We must + throw again.' + </p> + <p> + 'This is to decide,' cried the young officer, rattling the dice,—'Six!' + </p> + <p> + Parravicin smiled, took the box, and threw <i>TEN</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'Perdition!' ejaculated Disbrowe, striking his brow with his clenched + hand. 'What devil tempted me to my undoing?... My wife trusted to this + profligate!... Horror! It must not be!' + </p> + <p> + 'It is too late to retract,' replied Parravicin, taking up the key, and + turning with a triumphant look to his friends. + </p> + <p> + Disbrowe noticed the smile, and, stung beyond endurance, drew his sword, + and called to the knight to defend himself. In an instant passes were + exchanged. But the conflict was brief. Fortune, as before, declared + herself in favour of Parravicin. He disarmed his assailant, who rushed out + of the room, uttering the wildest ejaculations of rage and despair. + </p> + <p> + * * * * * * The winner of the key proceeded at once to use. He gained + admittance to the captain's house, and found his way to the chamber of his + wife, who was then in bed. At first mistaken for her husband Parravicin + heard words of tender reproach for his lateness; and then, declaring + himself, he belied her husband, stating that he was false to her, and had + surrendered her to him. + </p> + <p> + At this announcement Mrs Disbrowe uttered a loud scream, and fell back in + the bed. Parravicin waited for a moment; but not hearing her move, brought + the lamp to see what was the matter. She had fainted, and was lying across + the pillow, with her night-dress partly open, so as to expose her neck and + shoulders. The knight was at first ravished with her beauty; but his + countenance suddenly fell, and an expression of horror and alarm took + possession of it. He appeared rooted to the spot, and instead of + attempting to render her any assistance, remained with his gaze fixed upon + her neck. Rousing himself at length, he rushed out of the room, hurried + down-stairs, and without pausing for a moment, threw open the street door. + As he issued from it his throat was forcibly griped, and the point of a + sword was placed at his breast. + </p> + <p> + It was the desperate husband, who was waiting to avenge his wife's honour. + </p> + <p> + 'You are in my power, villain,' cried Disbrowe, 'and shall not escape my + vengeance.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are already avenged,' replied Parravicin, shaking off his assailant—'<i>YOUR + WIFE HAS THE PLAGUE</i>.' + </p> + <p> + The profligate had been scared away by the sight of the 'plague spot' on + the neck of the unfortunate lady. + </p> + <p> + The husband entered and found his way to his wife's chamber. Instantaneous + explanations ensued. 'He told me you were false—that you loved + another—and had abandoned me,' exclaimed the frantic wife. + </p> + <p> + 'He lied!' shouted Disbrowe, in a voice of uncontrollable fury. 'It is + true that, in a moment of frenzy, I was tempted to set you—yes, <i>YOU</i>, + Margaret—against all I had lost at play, and was compelled to yield + up the key of my house to the winner. But I have never been faithless to + you—never.' + </p> + <p> + 'Faithless or not,' replied his wife bitterly, 'it is plain you value me + less than play, or you would not have acted thus.' + </p> + <p> + 'Reproach me not, Margaret,' replied Disbrowe. 'I would give worlds to + undo what I have done.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who shall guard me against the recurrence of such conduct?' said Mrs + Disbrowe, coldly. 'But you have not yet informed me how I was saved!' + </p> + <p> + Disbrowe averted his head. + </p> + <p> + 'What mean you?' she cried, seizing his arm. 'What has happened? Do not + keep me in suspense? Were you my preserver?' + </p> + <p> + 'Your preserver was the plague,' rejoined Disbrowe, mournfully. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate lady then, for the first time, perceived that she was + attacked by the pestilence, and a long and dreadful pause ensued, broken + only by exclamations of anguish from both. + </p> + <p> + 'Disbrowe!' cried Margaret at length, raising herself in bed, 'you have + deeply, irrecoverably injured me. But promise me one thing.' + </p> + <p> + 'I swear to do whatever you may desire,' he replied. + </p> + <p> + 'I know not, after what I have heard, whether you have courage for the + deed,' she continued. 'But I would have you kill this man.' + </p> + <p> + 'I will do it,' replied Disbrowe. + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing but his blood can wipe out the wrong he has done me,' she + rejoined. 'Challenge him to a duel—a mortal duel. If he survives, by + my soul, I will give myself to him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Margaret!' exclaimed Disbrowe. + </p> + <p> + 'I swear it,' she rejoined,' and you know my passionate nature too well to + doubt I will keep my word.' + </p> + <p> + 'But you have the plague!' + </p> + <p> + 'What does that matter? I may recover.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not so,' muttered Disbrowe. 'If I fall, I will take care you do not + recover.... I will fight him to-morrow,' he added aloud. + </p> + <p> + About noon on the following day Disbrowe proceeded to the Smyrna + Coffee-house, where, as he expected, he found Parravicin and his + companions. The knight instantly advanced towards him, and laying aside + for the moment his reckless air, inquired, with a look of commiseration, + after his wife. + </p> + <p> + 'She is better,' replied Disbrowe, fiercely. 'I am come to settle accounts + with you.' + </p> + <p> + 'I thought they were settled long ago,' returned Parravicin, instantly + resuming his wonted manner. 'But I am glad to find you consider the debt + unpaid.' + </p> + <p> + Disbrowe lifted the cane he held in his hand, and struck the knight with + it forcibly on the shoulder. 'Be that my answer,' he said. + </p> + <p> + 'I will have your life first, and your wife afterwards,' replied + Parravicin fiercely. + </p> + <p> + 'You shall have her if you slay me, but not otherwise,' retorted Disbrowe. + 'It must be a mortal duel.' + </p> + <p> + 'It must,' replied Parravicin. 'I will not spare you this time. I shall + instantly proceed to the west side of Hyde Park, beneath the trees. I + shall expect you there. On my return I shall call on your wife.' + </p> + <p> + 'I pray you do so, sir,' replied Disbrowe, disdainfully. + </p> + <p> + Both then quitted the Coffee-house, Parravicin attended by his companions, + and Disbrowe accompanied by a military friend, whom he accidentally + encountered. Each party taking a coach, they soon reached the ground, a + retired spot completely screened from observation by trees. The + preliminaries were soon arranged, for neither would admit of delay. The + conflict then commenced with great fury on both sides; but Parravicin, in + spite of his passion, observed far more caution than his antagonist; and + taking advantage of an unguarded movement, occasioned by the other's + impetuosity, passed his sword through his body. Disbrowe fell. + </p> + <p> + 'You are again successful,' he groaned, 'but save my wife—save her!' + </p> + <p> + 'What mean you?' cried Parravicin, leaning over him, as he wiped his + sword. + </p> + <p> + But Disbrowe could make no answer. His utterance was choked by a sudden + effusion of blood on the lungs, and he instantly expired. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the body in care of the second, Parravicin and his friends + returned to the coach, his friends congratulating him on the issue of the + conflict; but the knight looked grave, and pondered upon the words of the + dying man. After a time, however, he recovered his spirits, and dined with + his friends at the Smyrna; but they observed that he drank more deeply + than usual. His excesses did not, however, prevent him from playing with + his usual skill, and he won a large sum from one of his companions at + Hazard. + </p> + <p> + Flushed with success, and heated with wine, he walked up to Disbrowe's + residence about an hour after midnight. As he approached the house, he + observed a strangely-shaped cart at the door, and, halting for a moment, + saw a body, wrapped in a shroud, brought out. Could it be Mrs Disbrowe? + Rushing forward to one of the assistants in black cloaks, he asked whom he + was about to inter. + </p> + <p> + 'It is a Mrs Disbrowe,' replied the coffin-maker. 'She died of grief, + because her husband was killed this morning in a duel; but as she had the + plague, it must be put down to that. We are not particular in such + matters, and shall bury her and her husband together; and as there is no + money left to pay for coffins, they must go to the grave without them.' + </p> + <p> + And as the body of his victim also was brought forth, Parravicin fell + against the wall in a state of stupefaction. At this moment, Solomon + Eagle, the weird plague-prophet, with his burning brazier on his head, + suddenly turned the corner of the street, and, stationing himself before + the dead-cart, cried in a voice of thunder—'Woe to the libertine! + Woe to the homicide! for he shall perish in everlasting fire! Woe! woe!' + </p> + <p> + Such is this English legend, as related by Ainsworth, but which I have + condensed into its main elements. I think it bids fair to equal in + interest that of the Hindoo epic; and if it be not true in every + particular, so much the better for the sake of human nature. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS, PERSIANS, AND GREEKS. + </h2> + <p> + Concerning the ancient Egyptians we have no particular facts to detail in + the matter of gambling; but it is sufficient to determine the existence of + any special vice in a nation to find that there are severe laws + prohibiting and punishing its practice. Now, this testimony not only + exists, but the penalty is of the utmost severity, from which may be + inferred both the horror conceived of the practice by the rulers of the + Egyptians, and the strong propensity which required that severity to + suppress or hold it in check. In Egypt, 'every man was easily admitted to + the accusation of a gamester or dice-player; and if the person was + convicted, he was sent to work in the quarries.'(19) Gambling was, + therefore, prevalent in Egypt in the earliest times. + </p> + <p> + (19) Taylor, <i>Ductor Dubitantium</i>, B. iv. c. 1. + </p> + <p> + That gaming with dice was a usual and fashionable species of diversion at + the Persian court in the times of the younger Cyrus (about 400 years + before the Christian era), to go no higher, is evident from the anecdote + related by some historians of those days concerning Queen Parysatis, the + mother of Cyrus, who used all her art and skill in gambling to satiate her + revenge, and to accomplish her bloodthirsty projects against the murderers + of her favourite son. She played for the life or death of an unfortunate + slave, who had only executed the commands of his master. The anecdote is + as follows, as related by Plutarch, in the Life of Artaxerxes. + </p> + <p> + 'There only remained for the final execution of Queen Parysatis's + projects, and fully to satiate her vengeance, the punishment of the king's + slave Mesabetes, who by his master's order had cut off the head and hand + of the young Cyrus, who was beloved by Parysatis (their common mother) + above Artaxerses, his elder brother and the reigning monarch. But as there + was nothing to take hold of in his conduct, the queen laid this snare for + him. She was a woman of good address, had abundance of wit, and <i>EXCELLED + AT PLAYING A CERTAIN GAME WITH DICE</i>. She had been apparently + reconciled to the king after the death of Cyrus, and was present at all + his parties of pleasure and gambling. One day, seeing the king totally + unemployed, she proposed playing with him for a thousand <i>darics</i> + (about L500), to which he readily consented. She suffered him to win, and + paid down the money. But, affecting regret and vexation, she pressed him + to begin again, and to play with her—<i>FOR A SLAVE</i>. The king, + who suspected nothing, complied, and the stipulation was that the winner + was to choose the slave. + </p> + <p> + 'The queen was now all attention to the game, and made use of her utmost + skill and address, which as easily procured her victory, as her studied + neglect before had caused her defeat. She won—and chose Mesabetes—the + slayer of her son—who, being delivered into her hands, was put to + the most cruel tortures and to death by her command. + </p> + <p> + 'When the king would have interfered, she only replied with a smile of + contempt—"Surely you must be a great loser, to be so much out of + temper for giving up a decrepit old slave, when I, who lost a thousand + good <i>darics</i>, and paid them down on the spot, do not say a word, and + am satisfied."' + </p> + <p> + Thus early were dice made subservient to the purposes of cruelty and + murder. The modern Persians, being Mohammedans, are restrained from the + open practice of gambling. Yet evasions are contrived in favour of games + in the tables, which, as they are only liable to chance on the 'throw of + the dice,' but totally dependent on the 'skill' in 'the management of the + game,' cannot (they argue) be meant to be prohibited by their prophet any + more than chess, which is universally allowed to his followers; and, + moreover, to evade the difficulty of being forbidden to play for money, + they make an alms of their winnings, distributing them to the poor. This + may be done by the more scrupulous; but no doubt there are numbers whose + consciences do not prevent the disposal of their gambling profits nearer + home. All excess of gaming, however, is absolutely prohibited in Persia; + and any place wherein it is much exercised is called 'a habitation of + corrupted carcases or carrion house.'(20) + </p> + <p> + (20) Hyde, <i>De Ludis Oriental</i>. + </p> + <p> + In ancient Greece gambling prevailed to a vast extent. Of this there can + be no doubt whatever; and it is equally certain that it had an influence, + together with other modes of dissipation and corruption, towards + subjugating its civil liberties to the power of Macedon. + </p> + <p> + So shamelessly were the Athenians addicted to this vice, that they forgot + all public spirit in their continued habits of gaming, and entered into + convivial associations, or formed 'clubs,' for the purposes of dicing, at + the very time when Philip of Macedon was making one grand 'throw' for + their liberties at the Battle of Chaeronea. + </p> + <p> + This politic monarch well knew the power of depravity in enervating and + enslaving the human mind; he therefore encouraged profusion, dissipation, + and gambling, as being sure of meeting with little opposition from those + who possessed such characters, in his projects of ambition—as + Demosthenes declared in one of his orations.(21) Indeed, gambling had + arrived at such a height in Greece, that Aristotle scruples not to rank + gamblers 'with thieves and plunderers, who for the sake of gain do not + scruple to despoil their best friends;'(22) and his pupil Alexander set a + fine upon some of his courtiers because he did not perceive they made a + sport or pastime of dice, but seemed to be employed as in a most serious + business.(23) + </p> + <p> + (21) First Olynthia. See also Athenaeus, lib. vi. 260. + </p> + <p> + (22) Ethic. Ad Nicomachum, lib. iv. + </p> + <p> + (23) Plutarch, <i>in Reg. et Imp. Apothegm</i> + </p> + <p> + The Greeks gambled not only with dice, and at their equivalent for <i>Cross + and Pile</i>, but also at cock-fighting, as will appear in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + From a remark made by the Athenian orator Callistratus, it is evident that + desperate gambling was in vogue; he says that the games in which the + losers go on doubling their stakes resemble ever-recurring wars, which + terminate only with the extinction of the combatants.(24) + </p> + <p> + (24) Xenophon, <i>Hist. Graec</i>. lib. VI. c. iii. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. GAMING AMONG THE ANCIENT ROMAN EMPERORS. + </h2> + <p> + In spite of the laws enacted against gaming, the court of the Emperor + Augustus was greatly addicted to that vice, and gave it additional + stimulus among the nation. Although, however, he was passionately fond of + gambling, and made light of the imputation on his character,(25) it + appears that in frequenting the gambling table he had other motives + besides mere cupidity. Writing to his daughter he said, 'I send you a sum + with which I should have gratified my companions, if they had wished to + play at dice or <i>odds and evens</i>.' On another occasion he wrote to + Tiberius:—'If I had exacted my winnings during the festival of + Minerva; if I had not lavished my money on all sides; instead of losing + twenty thousand sestercii (about L1000), I should have gained one hundred + and fifty thousand (L7500). I prefer it thus, however; for my bounty + should win me immense glory.'(26) + </p> + <p> + (25) Aleae rumorem nullo modo expavit. Suet. in Vita Augusti. + </p> + <p> + (26) Sed hoc malo: benignitas enim mea me ad coelestem gloriam efferet. <i>Ubi + supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + This gambling propensity subjected Augustus to the lash of popular + epigrams; among the rest, the following: + </p> + <p> + Postquam bis classe victus naves perdidit, Aliquando ut vincat, ludit + assidud aleam. + </p> + <p> + 'He lost at sea; was beaten twice, And tries to win at least with dice.' + </p> + <p> + But although a satirist by profession, the sleek courtier Horace spared + the emperor's vice, contenting himself with only declaring that play was + forbidden.(27) The two following verses of his, usually applied to the + effects of gaming, really refer only to <i>RAILLERY.</i> + </p> + <p> + (27) Carm. lib. III. Od. xxiv. + </p> + <p> + Ludus enim genuit trepidum certamen et iram; Ira truces inimicitias et + funebre bellum.(28) + </p> + <p> + (28) Epist. lib. I. xix. + </p> + <p> + He, however, has recorded the curious fact of an old Roman gambler, who + was always attended by a slave, to pick up his dice for him and put them + in the box.(29) Doubtless, Horace would have lashed the vice of gambling + had it not been the 'habitual sin' of his courtly patrons. + </p> + <p> + (29) Lib. II. Sat. vii. v. 15. + </p> + <p> + It seems that Augustus not only gambled to excess, but that he gloried in + the character of a gamester. Of himself he says, 'Between meals we played + like old crones both yesterday and today.'(30) + </p> + <p> + (30) Inter coenam lusimus (gr gerontikws) et heri et hodie. + </p> + <p> + When he had no regular players near him, he would play with children at + dice, at nuts, or bones. It has been suggested that this emperor gave in + to the indulgence of gambling in order to stifle his remorse. If his + object in encouraging this vice was to make people forget his + proscriptions and to create a diversion in his favour, the artifice may be + considered equal to any of the political ruses of this astute ruler, whose + false virtues were for a long time vaunted only through ignorance, or in + order to flatter his imitators. + </p> + <p> + The passion of gambling was transmitted, with the empire, to the family of + the Caesars. At the gaming table Caligula stooped even to falsehood and + perjury. It was whilst gambling that he conceived his most diabolical + projects; when the game was against him he would quit the table abruptly, + and then, monster as he was, satiated with rapine, would roam about his + palace venting his displeasure. + </p> + <p> + One day, in such a humour, he caught a glimpse of two Roman knights; he + had them arrested and confiscated their property. Then returning to the + gaming table, he exultingly exclaimed that he had never made a better + throw!(31) On another occasion, after having condemned to death several + Gauls of great opulence, he immediately went back to his gambling + companions and said:—'I pity you when I see you lose a few + sestertii, whilst, with a stroke of the pen, I have just won six hundred + millions.'(32) + </p> + <p> + (31) Exultans rediit, gloriansque se nunquam prosperiore alea usum. Suet. + in <i>Vita Calig</i>. + </p> + <p> + (32) Thirty millions of pounds sterling. The sestertius was worth 1<i>s</i>. + 3 3/4<i>d</i>. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor Claudius played like an imbecile, and Nero like a madman. The + former would send for the persons whom he had executed the day before, to + play with him; and the latter, lavishing the treasures of the public + exchequer, would stake four hundred thousand sestertii (L20,000) on a + single throw of the dice. + </p> + <p> + Claudius played at dice on his journeys, having the interior of his + carriage so arranged as to prevent the motion from interfering with the + game. + </p> + <p> + From that period the title of courtier and gambler became synonymous. + Gaming was the means of securing preferment; it was by gambling that + Vitellius opened to himself so grand a career; gaming made him + indispensable to Claudius.(33) + </p> + <p> + (33) Claudio per aleae studium familiaris. Suet.in Vita Vitelli. + </p> + <p> + Seneca, in his Play on the death of Claudius, represents him as in the + lower regions condemned to pick up dice for ever, putting them into a box + without a bottom!(34) + </p> + <p> + (34) Nam quotiens missurus erat resonante fritillo, Utraque subducto + fugiebat tessera fundo. <i>Lusus de Morte Claud. Caesar</i>. + </p> + <p> + Caligula was reproached for having played at dice on the day of his + sister's funeral; and Domitian was blamed for gaming from morning to + night, and without excepting the festivals of the Roman calendar; but it + seems ridiculous to note such improprieties in comparison with their + habitual and atrocious crimes. + </p> + <p> + The terrible and inexorable satirist Juvenal was the contemporary of + Domitian and ten other emperors; and the following is his description of + the vice in the gaming days of Rome: + </p> + <p> + 'When was the madness of games of chance more furious? Now-a-days, not + content with carrying his purse to the gaming table, the gamester conveys + his iron chest to the play-room. It is there that, as soon as the gaming + instruments are distributed, you witness the most terrible contests. Is it + not mere madness to lose one hundred thousand sestertii and refuse a + garment to a slave perishing with cold?'(35) + </p> + <p> + (35) Sat. I. 87. + </p> + <p> + It seems that the Romans played for ready money, and had not invented that + multitude of signs by the aid of which, without being retarded by the + weight of gold and silver, modern gamblers can ruin themselves secretly + and without display. + </p> + <p> + The rage for gambling spread over the Roman provinces, and among barbarous + nations who had never been so much addicted to the vice as after they had + the misfortune to mingle with the Romans. + </p> + <p> + The evil continued to increase, stimulated by imperial example. The day on + which Didius Julianus was proclaimed Emperor, he walked over the dead and + bloody body of Pertinax, and began to play at dice in the next room.(36) + </p> + <p> + (36) Dion Cass. <i>Hist. Rom</i>. l. lxxiii. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the fourth century, the following state of things at Rome is + described by Gibbon, quoting from Ammianus Marcellinus: + </p> + <p> + 'Another method of introduction into the houses and society of the + "great," is derived from the profession of gaming; or, as it is more + politely styled, of play. The confederates are united by a strict and + indissoluble bond of friendship, or rather of conspiracy; a superior + degree of skill in the "tessarian" art, is a sure road to wealth and + reputation. A master of that sublime science who, in a supper or assembly, + is placed below a magistrate, displays in his countenance the surprise and + indignation which Cato might be supposed to feel when he was refused the + praetorship by the votes of a capricious people.'(37) + </p> + <p> + (37) Amm. Marcellin. lib. XIV. c. vi. + </p> + <p> + Finally, at the epoch when Constantine abandoned Rome never to return, + every inhabitant of that city, down to the populace, was addicted to + gambling. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. GAMBLING IN FRANCE IN ALL TIMES. + </h2> + <p> + CHARLES VI. and CHARLES VII.—The early French annals record the + deeds of haughty and idle lords, whose chief occupations were tormenting + their vassals, drinking, fighting, and gaming; for most of them were + desperate gamblers, setting at defiance all the laws enacted against the + practice, and outraging all the decencies of society. The brother of Saint + Louis played at dice in spite of the repeated prohibitions of that + virtuous prince. Even the great Duguesclin gamed away all his property in + prison.(38) The Duc de Touraine, brother of Charles VI., 'set to work + eagerly to win the king's money,' says Froissart; and transported with joy + one day at having won five thousand livres, his first cry was—<i>Monseigneur, + faites-moi payer</i>, 'Please to pay, Sire.' + </p> + <p> + (38) Hist. de Dugueselin, par Menard. + </p> + <p> + Gaming went on in the camp, and even in the presence of the enemy. + Generals, after having ruined their own fortunes, compromised the safety + of the country. Among the rest, Philibert de Chalon, Prince d'Orange, who + was in command at the siege of Florence, under the Emperor Charles the + Fifth, gambled away the money which had been confided to him for the pay + of the soldiers, and was compelled, after a struggle of eleven months, to + capitulate with those whom he might have forced to surrender.(39) + </p> + <p> + (39) Paul. Jov. <i>Hist</i>. lib. xxix. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Charles VI. we read of an Hotel de Nesle which was famous + for terrible gaming catastrophes. More than one of its frequenters lost + their lives there, and some their honour, dearer than life. This hotel was + not accessible to everybody, like more modern gaming <i>salons</i>, called + <i>Gesvres</i> and <i>Soissons;</i> its gate was open only to the + nobility, or the most opulent gentlemen of the day. + </p> + <p> + There exists an old poem which describes the doings at this celebrated + Hotel de Nesle.(40) The author, after describing the convulsions of the + players and recording their blasphemies, says:— + </p> + <p> + (40) The title of this curious old poem is as follows:—'C'est le dit + du Gieu des Dez fait par Eustace, et la maniere et contenance des Joueurs + qui etoient a Neele, ou etoient Messeigneurs de Berry, de Bourgogne, et + plusieurs autres.' + </p> + <p> + Que maints Gentils-hommes tres haulx Y ont perdu armes et chevaux, Argent, + honour, et Seignourie, Dont c'etoit horrible folie. + </p> + <p> + 'How many very eminent gentlemen have there lost their arms and horses, + their money and lordship—a horrible folly.' + </p> + <p> + In another part of the poem he says:— + </p> + <p> + Li jeune enfant deviennent Rufien, Joueurs de Dez, gourmands et plains + d'yvresse, Hautains de cuer, et ne leur chant en rien D'onneur, &c. + </p> + <p> + 'There young men become ruffians, dice-players, gluttons, and drunkards, + haughty of heart, and bereft of honour.' + </p> + <p> + Still it seems that gaming had not then confounded all conditions, as at a + later period. It is evident, from the history and memoirs of the times, + that the people were more given to games of skill and exercise than games + of chance. Before the introduction of the arquebus and gunpowder, they + applied themselves to the practice of archery, and in all times they + played at quoits, ninepins, bowls, and other similar games of skill.(41) + </p> + <p> + (41) Sauval, <i>Antiquites de Paris</i>, ii. + </p> + <p> + The invention of cards brought about some change in the mode of amusement. + The various games of this kind, however, cost more time than money; but + still the thing attracted the attention of the magistrates and the clergy. + An Augustinian friar, in the reign of Charles VII., effected a wonderful + reformation in the matter by his preaching. At his voice the people lit + fires in several quarters of the city, and eagerly flung into them their + cards and billiard-balls.(42) + </p> + <p> + (42) Pasquier, <i>Recherche des Recherches</i>. + </p> + <p> + With the exception of a few transient follies, nothing like a rage for + gambling can be detected at that period among the lower ranks and the + middle classes. The vice, however, continued to prevail without abatement + in the palaces of kings and the mansions of the great. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible not to remark, in the history of nations, that delicacy + and good faith decline in proportion to the spread of gambling. However + select may be the society of gamesters, it is seldom that it is exempt + from all baseness. We have seen a proof of the practice of cheating among + the Hindoos. It existed also among the Romans, as proved by the 'cogged' + or loaded dice dug up at Herculaneum. The fact is that cheating is a + natural, if not a necessary, incident of gambling. It may be inferred from + a passage in the old French poet before quoted, that cheats, during the + reign of Charles VI., were punished with 'bonnetting,'(43) but no instance + of the kind is on record; on the contrary, it is certain that many of the + French kings patronized and applauded well-known cheats at the gaming + table. + </p> + <p> + (43) Se votre ami qui bien vous sert En jouant vous changeoit les Dez, + Auroit-il pas <i>Chapeau de vert</i>. + </p> + <p> + LOUIS XI.—Brantome says that Louis XI., who seems not to have had a + special secretary, being one day desirous of getting something written, + perceived an ecclesiastic who had an inkstand hanging at his side; and the + latter having opened it at the king's request, a set of dice fell out. + 'What kind of <i>SUGAR-PLUMS</i> are these?' asked his Majesty. 'Sire,' + replied the priest, 'they are a remedy for the Plague.' 'Well said,' + exclaimed the king, 'you are a fine <i>Paillard</i> (a word he often + used); '<i>YOU ARE THE MAN FOR ME</i>,' and took him into his service; for + this king was fond of bon-mots and sharp wits, and did not even object to + thieves, provided they were original and provocative of humour, as the + following very funny anecdote will show. 'A certain French baron who had + lost everything at play, even to his clothes, happening to be in the + king's chamber, quietly laid hands on a small clock, ornamented with + massive gold, and concealed it in his sleeve. Very soon after, whilst he + was among the troop of lords and gentlemen, the clock began to strike the + hour. We can well imagine the consternation of the baron at this + contretemps. Of course he blushed red-hot, and tightened his arm to try + and stifle the implacable sound of detection manifest—the <i>flagrans + delictum</i>—still the clock went on striking the long hour, so that + at each stroke the bystanders looked at each other from head to foot in + utter bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + 'The king, who, as it chanced, had detected the theft, burst out laughing, + not only at the astonishment of the gentlemen present, who were at a loss + to account for the sound, but also at the originality of the stunning + event. At length Monsieur le Baron, by his own blushes half-convicted of + larceny, fell on his knees before the king, humbly saying:—"Sire, + the pricks of gaming are so powerful that they have driven me to commit a + dishonest action, for which I beg your mercy." And as he was going on in + this strain, the king cut short his words, exclaiming:—"The <i>PASTIME</i> + which you have contrived for us so far surpasses the injury you have done + me that the clock is yours: I give it you with all my heart."'(44) + </p> + <p> + (44) Duverdier, <i>Diverses Lecons</i>. + </p> + <p> + HENRY III.—In the latter part of the sixteenth century Paris was + inundated with brigands of every description. A band of Italian gamesters, + having been informed by their correspondents that Henry III. had + established card-rooms and dice-rooms in the Louvre, got admission at + court, and won thirty thousand crowns from the king.(45) + </p> + <p> + (45) Journal de Henri III. + </p> + <p> + If all the kings of France had imitated the disinterestedness of Henry + III., the vice of gaming would not have made such progress as became + everywhere evident. + </p> + <p> + Brantome gives a very high idea of this king's generosity, whilst he + lashes his contemporaries. Henry III. played at tennis and was very fond + of the game—not, however, through cupidity or avarice, for he + distributed all his winnings among his companions. When he lost he paid + the wager, nay, he even paid the losses of all engaged in the game. The + bets were not higher than two, three, or four hundred crowns—never, + as subsequently, four thousand, six thousand, or twelve thousand—when, + however, payment was not as readily made, but rather frequently compounded + for.(46) + </p> + <p> + (46) Henry III. was also passionately fond of the childish toy <i>Bilboquet</i>, + or 'Cup and Ball,' which he used to play even whilst walking in the + street. Journal de Henri III., i. + </p> + <p> + There was, indeed, at that time a French captain named La Roue, who played + high stakes, up to six thousand crowns, which was then deemed exorbitant. + This intrepid gamester proposed a bet of twenty thousand crowns against + one of Andrew Doria's war-galleys. + </p> + <p> + Doria took the bet, but he immediately declared it off, in apprehension of + the ridiculous position in which he would be placed if he lost, saying,—'I + don't wish that this young adventurer, who has nothing worth naming to + lose, should win my galley to go and triumph in France over my fortune and + my honour.' + </p> + <p> + Soon, however, high stakes became in vogue, and to such an extent that the + natural son of the Duc de Bellegarde was enabled to pay, out of his + winnings, the large sum of fifty thousand crowns to get himself + legitimated. Curiously enough, it is said that the greater part of this + sum had been won in England.(47) + </p> + <p> + (47) Amelot de la Houss. <i>Mem. Hist</i>. iii. + </p> + <p> + HENRY IV.—Henry IV. early evinced his passion for gaming. When very + young and stinted in fortune, he contrived the means of satisfying this + growing propensity. When in want of money he used to send a promissory + note, written and signed by himself, to his friends, requesting them to + return the note or cash it—an expedient which could not but succeed, + as every man was only too glad to have the prince's note of hand.(48) + </p> + <p> + (48) Mem. de Nevers. ii. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the example of Henry IV. was, in the matter of + gaming, as in other vices, most pernicious. 'Henry IV.,' says Perefixe, + 'was not a skilful player, but greedy of gain, timid in high stakes, and + ill-tempered when he lost.' He adds rather naively, 'This great king was + not without spots any more than the sun.'(49) + </p> + <p> + (49) Hist. de Henri le Grand. + </p> + <p> + Under him gambling became the rage. Many distinguished families were + utterly ruined by it. The Duc de Biron lost in a single year more than + five hundred thousand crowns (about L250,000). 'My son Constant,' says + D'Aubigne, 'lost twenty times more than he was worth; so that, finding + himself without resources, he abjured his religion.' + </p> + <p> + It was at the court of Henry IV. that was invented the method of speedy + ruin by means of written vouchers for loss and gain—which simplified + the thing in all subsequent times. It was then also that certain Italian + masters of the gaming art displayed their talents, their suppleness, and + dexterity. One of them, named Pimentello, having, in the presence of the + Duc de Sully, appealed to the honour which he enjoyed in having often + played with Henry IV., the duke exclaimed,—'By heavens! So you are + the Italian blood-sucker who is every day winning the king's money! You + have fallen into the wrong box, for I neither like nor wish to have + anything to do with such fellows.' Pimentello got warm. 'Go about your + business,' said Sully, giving him a shove; 'your infernal gibberish will + not alter my resolve. Go!'(50) + </p> + <p> + (50) Mem. de Sully. + </p> + <p> + The French nation, for a long time agitated by civil war, settled down at + last in peace and abundance—the fruits of which prosperity are often + poisoned. They were so by the gambling propensity of the people at large, + now first manifested. The warrior, the lawyer, the artisan, in a word, + almost all professions and trades, were carried away by the fury of + gaming. Magistrates sold for a price the permission to gamble—in the + face of the enacted laws against the practice. + </p> + <p> + We can scarcely form an idea of the extent of the gaming at this period. + Bassompierre declares, in his Memoirs, that he won more than five hundred + thousand livres (L25,000) in the course of a year. 'I won them,' he says, + 'although I was led away by a thousand follies of youth; and my friend + Pimentello won more than two hundred thousand crowns (L100,000). Evidently + this Pimentello might well be called a <i>blood-sucker</i> by Sully.(51) + He is even said to have got all the dice-sellers in Paris to substitute + loaded dice instead of fair ones, in order to aid his operations. + </p> + <p> + (51) In the original, however, the word is piffre, (vulgo) 'greedy-guts.' + </p> + <p> + Nothing more forcibly shows the danger of consorting with such bad + characters than the calumny circulated respecting the connection between + Henry IV. and this infamous Italian:—it was said that Henry was well + aware of Pimentello's manoeuvres, and that he encouraged them with the + view of impoverishing his courtiers, hoping thereby to render them more + submissive! Nero himself would have blushed at such a connivance. + Doubtless the calumny was as false as it was stupid. + </p> + <p> + The winnings of the courtier Bassompierre were enormous. He won at the Duc + d'Epernon's sufficient to pay his debts, to dress magnificently, to + purchase all sorts of extravagant finery, a sword ornamented with diamonds—'and + after all these expenses,' he says, 'I had still five or six thousand + crowns (two to three thousand pounds) left, <i>TO KILL TIME WITH</i>, pour + tuer le temps.' + </p> + <p> + On another occasion, and at a more advanced age, he won one hundred + thousand crowns (L50,000) at a single sitting, from M. De Guise, + Joinville, and the Marechal d'Ancre. + </p> + <p> + In reading his Memoirs we are apt to get indignant at the fellow's + successes; but at last we are tempted to laugh at his misery. He died so + poor that he did not leave enough to pay the twentieth part of his debts! + Such, doubtless, is the end of most gamblers. + </p> + <p> + But to return to Henry IV., the great gambling exemplar of the nation. The + account given of him at the gaming table is most afflicting, when we + remember his royal greatness, his sublime qualities. His only object was + to <i>WIN</i>, and those who played with him were thus always placed in a + dreadful dilemma—either to lose their money or offend the king by + beating him! The Duke of Savoy once played with him, and in order to suit + his humour, dissimulated his game—thus sacrificing or giving up + forty thousand pistoles (about L28,000). + </p> + <p> + When the king lost he was most exacting for his 'revanche,' or revenge, as + it is termed at play. After winning considerably from the king, on one + occasion, Bassompierre, under the pretext of his official engagements, + furtively decamped: the king immediately sent after him; he was stopped, + brought back, and allowed to depart only after giving the 'revanche' to + his Majesty. This 'good Henri,' who was incapable of the least + dissimulation either in good or in evil, often betrayed a degree of + cupidity which made his minister, Sully, ashamed of him;—in order to + pay his gaming debts, the king one day deducted seventy-two thousand + livres from the proceeds of a confiscation on which he had no claim + whatever. + </p> + <p> + On another occasion he was wonderfully struck with some gold-pieces which + Bassompierre brought to Fontainebleau, called <i>Portugalloises</i>. He + could not rest without having them. Play was necessary to win them, but + the king was also anxious to be in time for a hunt. In order to conciliate + the two passions, he ordered a gaming party at the Palace, left a + representative of his game during his absence, and returned sooner than + usual, to try and win the so much coveted <i>Portugalloises</i>. + </p> + <p> + Even love—if that name can be applied to the grovelling passion of + Henry IV., intensely violent as it was—could not, with its sensuous + enticements, drag the king from the gaming table or stifle his despicable + covetousness. On one occasion, whilst at play, it was whispered to him + that a certain princess whom he loved was likely to fall into other arms:—'Take + care of my money,' said he to Bassompierre, 'and keep up the game whilst I + am absent on particular business.' + </p> + <p> + During this reign gamesters were in high favour, as may well be imagined. + One of them received an honour never conceded even to princes and dukes. + 'The latter,' says Amelot de la Houssaie, 'did not enter the court-yard of + the royal mansions in a carriage before the year 1607, and they are + indebted for the privilege to the first Duc d'Epernon, the favourite of + the late king, Henry III., who being wont to go every day to play with the + queen, Marie de Medicis, took it into his head to have his carriage driven + into the court-yard of the Louvre, and had himself carried bodily by his + footmen into the very chamber of the queen—under the pretext of + being dreadfully tormented with the gout, so as not to be able to stand on + his legs.'(52) + </p> + <p> + (52) Mem. Hist. iii. + </p> + <p> + It is said, however, that Henry IV. was finally cured of gambling. <i>Credat + Judaeus!</i> But the anecdote is as follows. The king lost an immense sum + at play, and requested Sully to let him have the money to pay it. The + latter demurred, so that the king had to send to him several times. At + last, however, Sully took him the money, and spread it out before him on + the table, exclaiming—'There's the sum.' Henry fixed his eyes on the + vast amount. It is said to have been enough to purchase Amiens from the + Spaniards, who then held it. The king thereupon exclaimed:—'I am + corrected. I will never again lose my money at gaming.' + </p> + <p> + During this reign Paris swarmed with gamesters. Then for the first time + were established <i>Academies de Jeu</i>, 'Gaming Academies,' for thus + were termed the gaming houses to which all classes of society beneath the + nobility and gentility, down to the lowest, rushed in crowds and + incessantly. Not a day passed without the ruin of somebody. The son of a + merchant, who possessed twenty thousand crowns, lost sixty thousand. It + seemed, says a contemporary, that a thousand pistoles at that time were + valued less than a <i>sou</i> in the time of Francis I. + </p> + <p> + The result of this state of things was incalculable social affliction. + Usury and law-suits completed the ruin of gamblers. + </p> + <p> + The profits of the keepers of gaming houses must have been enormous, to + judge from the rents they paid. A house in the Faubourg Saint-Germain was + secured at the rental of about L70 for a fortnight, for the purpose of + gambling during the time of the fair. Small rooms and even closets were + hired at the rate of many pistoles or half-sovereigns per hour; to get + paid, however, generally entailed a fight or a law-suit. + </p> + <p> + All this took place in the very teeth of the most stringent laws enacted + against gaming and gamesters. The fact was, that among the magistrates + some closed their eyes, and others held out their hands to receive the + bribe of their connivance. + </p> + <p> + LOUIS XIII.—At the commencement of the reign of Louis XIII. the laws + against gaming were revived, and severer penalties were enacted. + Forty-seven gaming houses at Paris, which had been licensed, and from + which several magistrates drew a perquisite of a pistole or half a + sovereign a day, were shut up and suppressed. + </p> + <p> + These stringent measures checked the gambling of the 'people,' but not + that of 'the great,' who went on merrily as before. + </p> + <p> + Of course they 'kept the thing quiet'—gambled in secret—but + more desperately than ever. The Marechal d'Ancre commonly staked twenty + thousand pistoles (L10,000). + </p> + <p> + Louis XIII. was not a gambler, and so, during this reign, the court did + not set so bad an example. The king was averse to all games of chance. He + only liked chess, but perhaps rather too much, to judge from the fact + that, in order to enable him to play chess on his journeys, a chessboard + was fitted in his carriage, the pieces being furnished with pins at the + bottom so as not to be deranged or knocked down by the motion. The reader + will remember that, as already stated, a similar gaming accommodation was + provided for the Roman Emperor Claudius. + </p> + <p> + The cup and ball of Henry III. and the chessboard of Louis XIII. are + merely ridiculous. We must excuse well-intentioned monarchs when they only + indulge themselves with frivolous and childish trifles. It is something to + be thankful for if we have not to apply to them the adage—Quic-quid + delirant reges plectuntur Achivi—'When kings go mad their people get + their blows.' + </p> + <p> + LOUIS XIV.—The reign of Louis XIV. was a great development in every + point of view, gaming included. + </p> + <p> + The revolutions effected in the government and in public morals by + Cardinal Richelieu, who played a game still more serious than those we are + considering, had very considerably checked the latter; but these resumed + their vigour, with interest, under another Cardinal, profoundly imbued + with the Italian spirit—the celebrated Mazarin. This minister, + independently of his particular taste that way, knew how to ally gaming + with his political designs. By means of gaming he contrived to protract + the minority of the king under whom he governed the nation. + </p> + <p> + 'Mazarin,' says St Pierre, 'introduced gaming at the court of Louis XIV. + in the year 1648. He induced the king and the queen regent to play; and + preference was given to games of chance. The year 1648 was the era of + card-playing at court. Cardinal Mazarin played deep and with finesse, and + easily drew in the king and queen to countenance this new entertainment, + so that every one who had any expectation at court learned to play at + cards. Soon after the humour changed, and games of chance came into vogue—to + the ruin of many considerable families: this was likewise very destructive + to health, for besides the various violent passions it excited, whole + nights were spent at this execrable amusement. The worst of all was that + card-playing, which the court had taken from the army, soon spread from + the court into the city, and from the city pervaded the country towns. + </p> + <p> + 'Before this there was something done for improving conversation; every + one was ambitious of qualifying himself for it by reading ancient and + modern books; memory and reflection were much more exercised. But on the + introduction of gaming men likewise left of tennis, billiards, and other + games of skill, and consequently became weaker and more sickly, more + ignorant, less polished, and more dissipated. + </p> + <p> + 'The women, who till then had commanded respect, accustomed men to treat + them familiarly, by spending the whole night with them at play. They were + often under the necessity of borrowing either to play, or to pay their + losings; and how very ductile and complying they were to those of whom + they had to borrow was well known.' + </p> + <p> + From that time gamesters swarmed all over France; they multiplied rapidly + in every profession, even among the magistracy. The Cardinal de Retz tells + us, in his Memoirs, that in 1650 the oldest magistrate in the parliament + of Bordeaus, and one who passed for the wisest, was not ashamed to stake + all his property one night at play, and that too, he adds, without risking + his reputation—so general was the fury of gambling. It became very + soon mixed up with the most momentous circumstances of life and affairs of + the gravest importance. The States-general, or parliamentary assemblies, + consisted altogether of gamblers. 'It is a game,' says Madame de Sevigne, + 'it is an entertainment, a liberty-hall day and night, attracting all the + world. I never before beheld the States-general of Bretagne. The + States-general are decidedly a very fine thing.' + </p> + <p> + The same delightful correspondent relates that one of her amusements when + she went to the court was to admire Dangeau at the card-table; and the + following is the account of a gaming party at which she was present:— + </p> + <p> + '29th July, 1676. + </p> + <p> + 'I went on Saturday with Villars to Versailles. I need not tell you of the + queen's toilette, the mass, the dinner—you know it all; but at three + o'clock the king rose from table, and he, the queen, Monsieur, Madame, + Mademoiselle, all the princes and princesses, Madame de Montespan, all her + suite, all the courtiers, all the ladies, in short, what we call the court + of France, were assembled in that beautiful apartment which you know. It + is divinely furnished, everything is magnificent; one does not know what + it is to be too hot; we walk about here and there, and are not incommoded + anywhere:—at last a table of reversi(53) gives a form to the crowd, + and a place to every one. <i>THE KING IS NEXT TO MADAME DE MONTESPAN</i>, + who deals; the Duke of Orleans, the queen, and Madame de Soubise; Dangeau + and Co.; Langee and Co.; a thousand louis are poured out on the cloth—there + are no other counters. I saw Dangeau play!—what fools we all are + compared to him—he minds nothing but his business, and wins when + every one else loses: he neglects nothing, takes advantage of everything, + is never absent; in a word, his skill defies fortune, and accordingly + 200,000 francs in ten days, 100,000 crowns in a fortnight, all go to his + receipt book. + </p> + <p> + (53) A kind of game long since out of fashion, and now almost forgotten; + it seems to have been a compound of Loo and Commerce—the <i>Quinola</i> + or <i>Pam</i> was the knave of hearts. + </p> + <p> + 'He was so good as to say I was a partner in his play, by which I got a + very convenient and agreeable place. I saluted the king in the way you + taught me, which he returned as if I had been young and handsome—I + received a thousand compliments—you know what it is to have a word + from everybody! This agreeable confusion without confusion lasts from + three o'clock till six. If a courtier arrives, the king retires for a + moment to read his letters, and returns immediately. There is always some + music going on, which has a very good effect; the king listens to the + music and chats to the ladies about him. At last, at six o'clock, they + stop playing—they have no trouble in settling their reckonings—there + are no counters—the lowest pools are five, six, seven hundred louis, + the great ones a thousand, or twelve hundred; they put in five each at + first, that makes one hundred, and the dealer puts in ten more—then + they give four louis each to whoever has Quinola—some pass, others + play, but when you play without winning the pool, you must put in sixteen + to teach you how to play rashly: they talk all together, and for ever, and + of everything. "How many hearts?" "Two!" "I have three!" "I have one!" "I + have four!" "He has only three!" and Dangeau, delighted with all this + prattle, turns up the trump, makes his calculations, sees whom he has + against him, in short—in short, I was glad to see such an excess of + skill. He it is who really knows "le dessous des cartes." + </p> + <p> + 'At ten o'clock they get into their carriages: <i>THE KING, MADAME DE + MONTESPAN</i>, the Duke of Orleans, and Madame de Thianges, and the good + Hendicourt on the dickey, that is as if one were in the upper gallery. You + know how these calashes are made. + </p> + <p> + 'The queen was in another with the princesses; and then everybody else, + grouped as they liked. Then they go on the water in gondolas, with music; + they return at ten; the play is ready, it is over; twelve strikes, supper + is brought in, and so passes Saturday.' + </p> + <p> + This lively picture of such frightful gambling, of the adulterous triumph + of Madame de Montespan, and of the humiliating part to which the queen was + condemned, will induce our readers to concur with Madame de Sevigne, who, + amused as she had been by the scene she has described, calls it + nevertheless, with her usual pure taste and good judgment, <i>l'iniqua + corte</i>, 'the iniquitous court.' + </p> + <p> + Indeed, Madame de Sevigne had ample reason to denounce this source of her + domestic misery. Writing to her son and daughter, she says:—'You + lose all you play for. You have paid five or six thousand francs for your + amusement, and to be abused by fortune.' + </p> + <p> + If she had at first been fascinated by the spectacle which she so + glowingly describes, the interest of her children soon opened her eyes to + the yawning gulf at the brink of the flowery surface. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes she explains herself plainly:—'You believe that everybody + plays as honestly as yourself? Call to mind what took place lately at the + Hotel de la Vieuville. Do you remember that <i>ROBBERY?</i>' + </p> + <p> + The favour of that court, so much coveted, seemed to her to be purchased + at too high a price if it was to be gained by ruinous complaisances. She + trembled every time her son left her to go to Versailles. She says:—'He + tells me he is going to play with his young master;(54) I shudder at the + thought. Four hundred pistoles are very easily lost: <i>ce n'est rien pour + Admete et c'est beaucoup pour lui</i>.(55) If Dangeau is in the game he + will win all the pools: he is an eagle. Then will come to pass, my + daughter, all that God may vouchsafe—<i>il en arivera, ma fille, + tout ce qu'il plaira a Dieu</i>.' + </p> + <p> + (54) The Dauphin. + </p> + <p> + (55) 'It is nothing for Admetus, but 'tis much for him.' + </p> + <p> + And again, 'The game of <i>Hoca</i> is prohibited at Paris <i>UNDER THE + PENALTY OF DEATH</i>, and yet it is played at court. Five thousand + pistoles before dinner is nothing. That game is a regular cut-throat.' + </p> + <p> + Hoca was prodigiously unfavourable to the players; the latter had only + twenty-eight chances against thirty. In the seventeenth century this game + caused such disorder at Rome that the Pope prohibited it and expelled the + bankers. + </p> + <p> + The Italians whom Mazarin brought into France obtained from the king + permission to set up <i>Hoca</i> tables in Paris. The parliament launched + two edicts against them, and threatened to punish them severely. The + king's edicts were equally severe. Every of offender was to be fined 1000 + livres, and the person in whose house Faro, Basset, or any such game was + suffered, incurred the penalty of 6000 livres for each offence. The + persons who played were to be imprisoned. Gaming was forbidden the French + cavalry under the penalty of death, and every commanding officer who + should presume to set up a Hazard table was to be cashiered, and all + concerned to be rigorously imprisoned. These penalties might show great + horror of gaming, but they were too severe to be steadily inflicted, and + therefore failed to repress the crime against which they were directed. + The severer the law the less the likelihood of its application, and + consequently its power of repression. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Sevigne had beheld the gamesters only in the presence of their + master the king, or in the circles which were regulated with inviolable + propriety; but what would she have said if she could have seen the + gamblers at the secret suppers and in the country-houses of the + Superintendent Fouquet, where twenty 'qualified' players, such as the + Marshals de Richelieu, de Clairembaut, &c., assembled together, with a + dash of bad company, to play for lands, houses, jewels, even for + point-lace and neckties? There she would have seen something more than + gold staked, since the players debased themselves so low as to circumvent + certain opulent dupes, who were the first invited. To leave one hundred + pistoles, ostensibly for 'the cards,' but really as the perquisite of the + master of the lordly house; to recoup him when he lost; and, when they had + to deal with some unimportant but wealthy individual, to undo him + completely, compelling him to sign his ruin on the gaming table—such + was the conduct which rendered a man <i>recherche</i>, and secured the + title of a fine player! + </p> + <p> + It was precisely thus that the famous (or infamous) Gourville, + successively valet-de-chambre to the Duc de la Rochefoucault, hanged in + effigy at Paris, king's envoy in Germany, and afterwards proposed to + replace Colbert—it was thus precisely, I say, that Gourville secured + favour, 'consideration,' fortune; for he declares, in his Memoirs, that + his gains in a few years amounted to more than a million. And fortune + seems to have cherished and blessed him throughout his detestable career. + After having made his fortune, he retired to write the scandalous Memoirs + from which I have been quoting, and died out of debt!(56) + </p> + <p> + (56) Mem. de Gourville, i. + </p> + <p> + France became too narrow a theatre for the chevaliers d'industrie and all + who were a prey to the fury of gambling. The Count de Grammont, a very + suspicious player, turned his talents to account in England, Italy, and + Spain. + </p> + <p> + This same Count de Grammont figured well at court on one occasion when + Louis XIV. seemed inclined to cheat or otherwise play unfairly. Playing at + backgammon, and having a doubtful throw, a dispute arose, and the + surrounding courtiers remained silent. The Count de Grammont happening to + come in, the king desired him to decide it. He instantly answered—'Sire, + your Majesty is in the wrong.' 'How,' said the king, 'can you decide + before you know the question?' 'Because,' replied the count, 'had there + been any doubt, all these gentlemen would have given it in favour of your + Majesty.' The plain inference is that this (at the time) great world's + idol and Voltaire's god, was 'up to a little cheating.' It was, however, + as much to the king's credit that he submitted to the decision, as it was + to that of the courtier who gave him such a lesson. + </p> + <p> + The magnanimity of Louis XIV. was still more strikingly shown on another + gambling occasion. Very high play was going on at the cardinal's, and the + Chevalier de Rohan lost a vast sum to the king. The agreement was to pay + only in <i>louis d'ors;</i> and the chevalier, after counting out seven or + eight hundred, proposed to continue the payment in Spanish pistoles. 'You + promised me <i>louis d'ors</i>, and not pistoles,' said the king. 'Since + your Majesty refuses them,' replied the chevalier, 'I don't want them + either;' and thereupon he flung them out of the window. The king got + angry, and complained to Mazarin, who replied:—'The Chevalier de + Rohan has played the king, and you the Chevalier de Rohan.' The king + acquiesced.(57) + </p> + <p> + (57) Mem. et Reflex., &e., par M. L. M. L. F. (the Marquis de la + Fare). + </p> + <p> + As before stated, the court of the Roman Emperor Augustus, in spite of the + many laws enacted against gambling, diffused the frenzy through Rome; in + like manner the court of Louis XIV., almost in the same circumstances, + infected Paris and the entire kingdom with the vice. + </p> + <p> + There is this difference between the French monarch and the Roman emperor, + that the latter did not teach his successors to play against the people, + whereas Louis, after having denounced gaming, and become almost disgusted + with it, finished with established lotteries. High play was always the + etiquette at court, but the sittings became less frequent and were + abridged. 'The king,' says Madame de Sevigne, 'has not given over playing, + but the sittings are not so long.' + </p> + <p> + LOUIS XV.—At the death of Louis XIV. three-fourths of the nation + thought of nothing but gambling. Gambling, indeed, became itself an object + of speculation, in consequence of the establishment and development of + lotteries—the first having been designed to celebrate the + restoration of peace and the marriage of Louis XIV. + </p> + <p> + The nation seemed all mad with the excitement of play. During the minority + of Louis XV. a foreign gamester, the celebrated Scotchman, John Law, + having become Controller-General of France, undertook to restore the + finances of the nation by making every man a player or gamester. He + propounded a <i>SYSTEM;</i> he established a bank, which nearly upset the + state; and seduced even those who had escaped the epidemic of games of + chance. He was finally expelled like a foul fog; but they ought to have + hanged him as a deliberate corrupter. And yet this is the man of whom + Voltaire wrote as follows: 'We are far from evincing the gratitude which + is due to John Law.(58) Voltaire's praise was always as suspicious as his + blame. Just let us consider the tendency of John Law's 'system.' However + general may be the fury of gambling, <i>EVERYBODY</i> does not gamble; + certain professions impose a certain restraint, and their members would + blush to resort to games the turpitude of which would subject them to + unanimous condemnation. But only change the <i>NAMES</i> of these games—only + change their <i>FORM</i>, and let the bait be presented under the sanction + of the legislature: then, although the <i>THING</i> be not less vicious, + nor less repugnant to true principle, then we witness the gambling ardour + of savages, such as we have described it, manifesting itself with more + risk, and communicated to the entire nation—the ministers of the + altar, the magistracy, the members of every profession, fathers, mothers + of families, without distinction of rank, means, or duties.... Let this + short generalization be well pondered, and the conclusion must be reached + that this Scotch adventurer, John Law, was guilty of the crime of treason + against humanity. + </p> + <p> + (57) Nous sommes loin de la reconnoissance qui est due a Jean Law. Mel. de + Litt., d'Hist., &c. ii. + </p> + <p> + John Law, whom the French called <i>Jean Lass</i>, opened a gulf into + which half the nation eagerly poured its money. Fortunes were made in a + few days—in a few <i>HOURS</i>. Many were enriched by merely lending + their signatures. A sudden and horrible revolution amazed the entire + people—like the bursting of a bomb-shell or an incendiary explosion. + Six hundred thousand of the best families, who had taken <i>PAPER</i> on + the faith of the government, lost, together with their fortunes, their + offices and appointments, and were almost annihilated. Some of the + stock-jobbers escaped; others were compelled to disgorge their gains—although + they stoutly and, it must be admitted, consistently appealed to the + sanction of the court. + </p> + <p> + Oddly enough, whilst the government made all France play at this John Law + game—the most seductive and voracious that ever existed—some + thirty or forty persons were imprisoned for having broken the laws enacted + against games of chance! + </p> + <p> + It may be somewhat consolatory to know that the author of so much calamity + did not long enjoy his share of the infernal success—the partition + of a people's ruin. After extorting so many millions, this famous gambler + was reduced to the necessity of selling his last diamond in order to raise + money to gamble on. + </p> + <p> + This great catastrophe, the commotion of which was felt even in Holland + and in England, was the last sigh of true honour among the French. Probity + received a blow. Public morality was abashed. More gaming houses than ever + were opened, and then it was that they received the name of <i>Enfers</i>, + or 'Hells,' by which they were designated in England. 'The greater number + of those who go to the watering-places,' writes a contemporary, 'under the + pretext of health, only go after gamesters. In the States-general it is + less the interest of the people than the attraction of terrible gambling, + that brings together a portion of the nobility. The nature of the play may + be inferred from the name of the place at which it takes place in one of + the provinces—namely, <i>Enfer</i>. This salon, so appropriately + called, was in the Hotel of the king's commissioners in Bretagne. I have + been told that a gentleman, to the great disgust of the noblemen present, + and even of the bankers, actually offered to stake his sword. + </p> + <p> + 'This name of <i>Enfers</i> has been given to several gaming houses, some + them situated in the interior of Paris, others in the environs. + </p> + <p> + 'People no longer blush, as did Caligula, at gambling on their return from + the funeral of their relatives or friends. A gamester, returning from the + burial of his brother, where he had exhibited the signs of profound grief, + played and won a considerable sum of money. "How do you feel now?" he was + asked. "A little better," he replied, "this consoles me." + </p> + <p> + 'All is excitement whilst I write. Without mentioning the base deeds that + have been committed, I have counted four suicides and a great crime. + </p> + <p> + 'Besides the licensed gaming houses, new ones are furtively established in + the privileged mansions of the ambassadors and representatives of foreign + courts. Certain chevaliers d'industrie recently proposed to a gentleman of + quality, who had just been appointed plenipotentiary, to hire an hotel for + him, and to pay the expenses, on condition that he would give up to them + an apartment and permit them to have valets wearing his livery! This base + proposal was rejected with contempt, because the Baron de —— + is one of the most honourable and enlightened men of the age. + </p> + <p> + 'The most difficult bargains are often amicably settled by a game. I have + seen persons gaming whilst taking a walk and whilst travelling in their + carriages. People game at the doors of the theatres; of course they gamble + for the price of the ticket. In every possible manner, and in every + situation, the true gamester strives to turn every instant to profit. + </p> + <p> + 'If I relate what I have seen in the matter of play during sleep, it will + be difficult to understand me. A gamester, exhausted by fatigue, could not + give up playing because he was a loser; so he requested his adversary to + play for him with his left hand, whilst he dozed off and slept! Strange to + say, the left hand of his adversary incessantly won, whilst he snored to + the sound of the dice! + </p> + <p> + 'I have just read in a newspaper,(59) that two Englishmen, who left their + country to fight a duel in a foreign land, nevertheless played at the + highest stakes on the voyage; and having arrived on the field, one of them + laid a wager that he would kill his adversary. It is stated that the + spectators of the affair looked upon it as a gaming transaction. + </p> + <p> + (59) Journal de Politique, Dec. 15, 1776. + </p> + <p> + 'In speaking of this affair I was told of a German, who, being compelled + to fight a duel on account of a quarrel at the gaming table, allowed his + adversary to fire at him. He was missed. + </p> + <p> + He said to his opponent, "I never miss. I bet you a hundred ducats that I + break your right or left arm, just as you please." The bet was taken, and + he won. + </p> + <p> + 'I have found cards and dice in many places where people were in want of + bread. I have seen the merchant and the artisan staking gold by handfuls. + A small farmer has just gamed away his harvest, valued at 3000 + francs.'(60) + </p> + <p> + (60) Dusaulx, <i>De la Passion du Jeu</i>, 1779. + </p> + <p> + Gaming houses in Paris were first licensed in 1775, by the lieutenant of + police, Sartines, who, to diminish the odium of such establishments, + decreed that the profit resulting from them should be applied to the + foundation of hospitals. Their number soon amounted to twelve; and women + were allowed to resort to them two days in the week. Besides the licensed + establishments, several illegal ones were tolerated, and especially styled + <i>enfers</i>, or 'hells.' + </p> + <p> + Gaming having been found prolific in misfortunes and crimes, was + prohibited in 1778; but it was still practised at the court and in the + hotels of ambassadors, where police-officers could not enter. By degrees + the public establishments resumed their wonted activity, and extended + their pernicious effects. The numerous suicides and bankruptcies which + they occasioned attracted the attention of the <i>Parlement</i>, who drew + up regulations for their observance, and threatened those who violated + them with the pillory and whipping. The licensed houses, as well as those + recognized, however, still continued their former practices, and breaches + of the regulations were merely visited with trivial punishment. + </p> + <p> + At length, the passion for play prevailing in the societies established in + the Palais Royal, under the title of <i>clubs</i> or <i>salons</i>, a + police ordinance was issued in 1785, prohibiting them from gaming. In + 1786, fresh disorder having arisen in the unlicensed establishments, + additional prohibiting measures were enforced. During the Revolution the + gaming-houses were frequently prosecuted, and licenses withheld; but + notwithstanding the rigour of the laws and the vigilance of the police, + they still contrived to exist. + </p> + <p> + LOUIS XVI. TILL THE PRESENT TIME.—In the general corruption of + morals, which rose to its height during the reign of Louis XVI., gambling + kept pace with, if it did not outstrip, every other licentiousness of that + dismal epoch.(61) Indeed, the universal excitement of the nation naturally + tended to develope every desperate passion of our nature; and that the + revolutionary troubles and agitation of the empire helped to increase the + gambling propensity of the French, is evident from the magnitude of the + results on record. + </p> + <p> + (61) It will be seen in the sequel that gambling was vastly increased in + England by the French 'emigres' who sought refuge among us, bringing with + them all their vices, unchastened by misfortune. + </p> + <p> + Fouche, the minister of police, derived an income of L128,000 a year for + licensing or 'privileging' gaming houses, to which cards of address were + regularly furnished. + </p> + <p> + Besides what the 'farmers' of the gaming houses paid to Fouche, they were + compelled to hire and pay 120,000 persons, employed in those houses as <i>croupiers</i> + or attendants at the gaming table, from half-a-crown to half-a-guinea a + day; and all these 120,000 persons were <i>SPIES OF FOUCHE!</i> A very + clever idea no doubt it was, thus to draw a revenue from the proceeds of a + vice, and use the institution for the purposes of government; but, + perhaps, as Rousseau remarks, 'it is a great error in domestic as well as + civil economy to wish to combat one vice by another, or to form between + them a sort of equilibrium, as if that which saps the foundations of order + can ever serve to establish it.'(62) A minister of the Emperor Theodosius + II., in the year 431, the virtuous Florentius, in order to teach his + master that it was wrong to make the vices contribute to the State, + because such a procedure authorizes them, gave to the public treasury one + of his lands the revenue of which equalled the product of the annual tax + levied on prostitution.(63) + </p> + <p> + (62) Nouv. Heloise, t. iv. + </p> + <p> + (63) Novel. Theodos. 18. + </p> + <p> + After the restoration of the Bourbons, it became quite evident that play + in the Empire had been quite as Napoleonic in its vigour and dimensions as + any other 'idea' of the epoch. + </p> + <p> + The following detail of the public gaming tables of Paris was published in + a number of the <i>Bibliotheque Historique</i>, 1818, under the title of + 'Budget of Public Games.' + </p> + <p> + STATE OF THE ANNUAL EXPENSES OF THE GAMES OF PARIS. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + These 20 Tables are divided into nine houses, four of which are + situated in the Palais Royal. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + To serve the seven tables of <i>Trente-et-un</i>, there are:—francs + 28 Dealers, at 550 fr. a month, making . . . . 15,400 + 28 Croupiers, at 380. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,640 + 42 Assistants, at 200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,400 + + SERVICE FOR THE NINE ROULETTES AND ONE PASSE-DIX. + + 80 Dealers, at 275 fr. a month . . . . . . . . 22,000 + 60 Assistants, at 150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,000 + + SERVICE OF THE CRAPS, BIRIBI, AND HAZARD, + 12 Dealers, at 300 fr. a month. . . . . . . . . 3,600 + 12 Inspectors, at 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,440 + 10 Aids, at 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,000 + 6 Chefs de Partie at the principal houses, at + 700 fr. a month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,200 + + 3 Chefs de Partie for the Roulettes, at + 500 fr. a month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,500 + 20 Secret Inspectors, at 200 fr. a month. . . . . .4,000 + 1 Inspector-General, at . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,000 + 130 Waiters, at 75 fr. a month. . . . . . . . . . .9,750 + Cards a month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1,500 + Beer and refreshments, a month. . . . . . . . . . .3,000 + Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5,500 + Refreshment for the grand saloon, including two + dinners every week, per month . . . . . . . . . 12,000 + Total expense of each month . . . .113,930 + ————- + Multiplied by twelve, is. . . . . . . . . . . .1,367,160 + Rent of 10 Houses, per annum. . . . . . . . . . .130,000 + Expense of Offices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,000 + ————- + Total per annum. . . . . . . . . 1,547,160 + If the `privilege' or license is . . . . . . . 6,000,000 + If a bonus of a million is given for six years, the + sixth part, or one year, will be . . . . . . . 166,666 + + ————- + Total expenditure . . . . . . . .7,713,826 + The profits are estimated at, per month,. . . . .800,000 + ————- + Which yield, per annum, . . . . . . . . . . . .9,600,000 + Deducting the expenditure . . . . . . . . . . .7,713,826 + ————- + The annual profits are. . . . . . . . . . . fr.1,886,174 + ————- + Thus giving the annual profit at L7860 sterling. + + We omit the profits resulting from the watering-places, + amounting to fr. 200,000. +</pre> + <p> + One of the new conditions imposed on the Paris gaming houses is the + exclusion of females. + </p> + <p> + Thus, at Paris, the Palais Royal, Frascati, and numerous other places, + presented gaming houses, whither millions of wretches crowded in search of + fortune, but, for the most part, to find only ruin or even death by + suicide or duelling, so often resulting from quarrels at the gaming table. + </p> + <p> + This state of things was, however, altered in the year 1836, at the + proposition of M. B. Delessert, and all the gaming houses were ordered to + be closed from the 1st of January, 1838, so that the present gambling in + France is on the same footing as gambling in England,—utterly + prohibited, but carried on in secret. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF MODERN GAMING IN ENGLAND. + </h2> + <p> + It seems that the rise of modern gaming in England may be dated from the + year 1777 or 1778. + </p> + <p> + Before this time gaming appears never to have assumed an alarming aspect. + The methodical system of partnership, enabling men to embark large capital + in gambling establishments, was unknown; though from that period this + system became the special characteristic of the pursuit among all classes + of the community. + </p> + <p> + The development of the evil was a subject of great concern to thoughtful + men, and one of these, in the year 1784, put forth a pamphlet, which seems + to give 'the very age and body of the time, his form and pressure.'(64) + </p> + <p> + (64) The pamphlet (in the Library of the British Museum) is entitled:—'Hints + for a Reform, particularly of the Gaming Clubs. By a Member of Parliament. + 1784.' + </p> + <p> + 'About thirty years ago,' says this writer, 'there was but one club in the + metropolis. It was regulated and respectable. There were few of the + members who betted high. Such stakes at present would be reckoned very low + indeed. There were then assemblies once a week in most of the great + houses. An agreeable society met at seven o'clock; they played for crowns + or half-crowns; and reached their own houses about eleven. + </p> + <p> + 'There was but one lady who gamed deeply, and she was viewed in the light + of a phenomenon. Were she now to be asked her real opinion of those + friends who were her former <i>PLAY</i>-fellows, there can be no doubt but + that they rank very low in her esteem. + </p> + <p> + 'In the present era of vice and dissipation, how many females attend the + card-tables! What is the consequence? The effects are too clearly to be + traced to the frequent <i>DIVORCES</i> which have lately disgraced our + country, and they are too visible in the shameful conduct of many ladies + of fashion, since gambling became their chief amusement. + </p> + <p> + 'There is now no society. The routs begin at midnight. They are painful + and troublesome to the lady who receives company, and they are absolutely + a nuisance to those who are honoured with a card of invitation. It is in + vain to attempt conversation. The social pleasures are entirely banished, + and those who have any relish for them, or who are fond of early hours, + are necessarily excluded. Such are the companies of modern times, and + modern people of fashion. Those who are not invited fly to the <i>Gaming + Clubs</i>— + </p> + <p> + "To kill their idle hours and cure <i>ennui!</i>" + </p> + <p> + 'To give an account of the present encumbered situation of many families, + whose property was once large and ample, would fill a volume. Whence + spring the difficulties which every succeeding day increases? From the <i>GAMBLING + CLUBS</i>. Why are they continually hunted by their creditors? The reply + is—the <i>GAMBLING CLUBS</i>. Why are they obliged continually to + rack their invention in order to save appearances? The answer still is—the + <i>GAMBLING CLUBS!</i> + </p> + <p> + 'The father frequently ruins his children; and sons, and even grandsons, + long before the succession opens to them, are involved so deeply that + during their future lives their circumstances are rendered narrow; and + they have rank or family honours, without being able to support them. + </p> + <p> + 'How many infamous villains have amassed immense estates, by taking + advantage of unfortunate young men, who have been first seduced and then + ruined by the Gambling Clubs! + </p> + <p> + 'It is well known that the old members of those gambling societies exert + every nerve to enlist young men of fortune; and if we take a view of the + principal estates on this island, we shall find many infamous <i>CHRISTIAN</i> + brokers who are now living luxuriously and in splendour on the wrecks of + such unhappy victims. + </p> + <p> + 'At present, when a boy has learned a little from his father's example, he + is sent to school, to be <i>INITIATED</i>. In the course of a few years he + acquires a profound knowledge of the science of gambling, and before he + leaves the University he is perfectly fitted for a member of the <i>GAMING + CLUBS</i>, into which he is elected before he takes his seat in either + House of Parliament. There is no necessity for his being of age, as the + sooner he is ballotted for, the more advantageous his admission will prove + to the <i>OLD</i> members. + </p> + <p> + 'Scarcely is the hopeful youth enrolled among these <i>HONOURABLE</i> + associates, than he is introduced to Jews, to annuity-brokers, and to the + long train of money-lenders. They take care to answer his pecuniary calls, + and the greater part of the night and morning is consumed at the <i>CLUB</i>. + To his creditors and tradesmen, instead of paying his bills, he offers a + <i>BOND</i> or <i>ANNUITY</i>. He rises just time enough to ride to + Kensington Gardens; returns to dress; dines late; and then attends the + party of gamblers, as he had done the night before, unless he allows + himself to be detained for a few moments by the newspaper, or some + political publication. + </p> + <p> + 'Such do we find the present fashionable style of life, from "his Grace" + to the "Ensign" in the Guards. Will this mode of education rear up heroes, + to lead forth our armies, or to conduct our fleets to victory? Review the + conduct of your generals abroad, and of your statesmen at home, during the + late unfortunate war, and these questions are answered.(65) + </p> + <p> + (65) Of course this is an allusion to the American War of Independence and + the political events at home, from 1774 to 1784. + </p> + <p> + 'At present, tradesmen must themselves be gamblers before they give credit + to a member of these clubs; but if a reform succeeds they will be placed + in a state of security. At present they must make <i>REGULAR</i> families + pay an enormous price for their goods, to enable them to run the risk of + never receiving a single shilling from their gambling customers.' + </p> + <p> + Such is the picture of the times in question, drawn by a contemporary; and + it may be said that private reckless and unscrupulous political + machinations were the springs and fountains of all the calamities that + subsequently overflowed, as it were, the 'opening of the seals' of doom + upon the nation. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the purity of morals enjoined by the court of George III., + the early part of his reign presents a picture of dissolute manners as + well as of furious party spirit. The most fashionable of our ladies of + rank were immersed in play, or devoted to politics: the same spirit + carried them into both. The Sabbath was disregarded, spent often in cards, + or desecrated by the meetings of partisans of both factions; moral duties + were neglected and decorum outraged. The fact was, that a minor court had + become the centre of all the bad passions and reprehensible pursuits in + vogue. Carlton House, in Pall Mall, which even the oldest of us can barely + remember, with its elegant open screen, the pillars in front, its low + exterior, its many small rooms, its decorations in vulgar taste, and, to + crown the whole, its associations of a corrupting revelry,—Carlton + House was, in the days of good King George, almost as great a scandal to + the country as Whitehall in the time of improper King Charles II.(66) The + influence which the example of a young prince, of manners eminently + popular, produced upon the young nobility of the realm was most disastrous + in every way and ruinous to public morality. + </p> + <p> + (66) Wharton, 'The Queens of Society.' Mem. of <i>Georgiana, Duchess of + Devonshire.</i> + </p> + <p> + After that period, the vast license given to those abominable engines of + fraud, the E.O. tables,(67) and the great length of time which elapsed + before they met with any check from the police, afforded a number of + dissolute and abandoned characters an opportunity of acquiring property. + This they afterwards increased in the low gaming houses, and by following + up the same system at Newmarket and the other fashionable places of + resort, and finally by means of the lottery, that mode of insensate + gambling; till at length they acquired a sum of money nothing short of <i>ONE + MILLION STERLING</i>. + </p> + <p> + (67) So called from the letters E and O, the turning up of which decided + the bet. They were otherwise called <i>Roulette</i> and <i>Roly Poly</i>, + from the balls used in them. They seem to have been introduced in England + about the year 1739. The first was set up at Tunbridge and proved + extremely profitable to the proprietors. + </p> + <p> + This enormous wealth was then used as an efficient capital in carrying on + various illegal establishments, particularly gaming houses, the expenses + of a first-rate house being L7000 per annum, which were again employed as + the means of increasing these ill-gotten riches. + </p> + <p> + The system was progressive but steady in its development. Several of these + conspicuous members of the world of fashion, rolling in their gaudy + carriages and associating with men of high rank and influence, might be + found on the registers of the Old Bailey, or had been formerly occupied in + turning, with their own hands, E.O. tables in the public streets. + </p> + <p> + The following <i>Queries</i>, which are extracted from the <i>Morning Post</i> + of July the 5th, 1797, throw considerable light upon this curious subject, + and show how seriously the matter was regarded when so public a + denunciation was deemed necessary and ventured upon:— + </p> + <p> + 'Is Mr Ogden (now the Newmarket oracle) the same person who, + five-and-twenty years since, was an annual pedestrian to Ascot, covered + with dust, amusing himself with "<i>PRICKING in the</i> belt," "<i>HUSTLING</i> + in the hat," &c., among the lowest class of rustics, at the inferior + booths of the fair? + </p> + <p> + 'Is D-k-y B—n who now has his snug farm, the same person who, some + years since, <i>DROVE A POST CHAISE</i> for T—y, of Bagshot, could + neither read nor write, and was introduced to <i>THE FAMILY</i> only by + his pre-eminence at cribbage? + </p> + <p> + 'Is Mr Twycross (with his phaeton) the same person who some years since + became a bankrupt in Tavistock Street, immediately commenced the Man of + Fashion at Bath, kept running horses, &c., <i>secundum artem?</i> + </p> + <p> + 'Is Mr Phillips (who has now his town and country house, in the most + fashionable style) the same who was originally a linen-draper and bankrupt + at Salisbury, and who made his first <i>family entre</i> in the + metropolis, by his superiority at <i>Billiards</i> (with Captain Wallace, + Orrell, &c.) at Cropley's, in Bow Street? + </p> + <p> + 'Was poor carbuncled P—e (so many years the favourite decoy duck of + <i>THE FAMILY</i>) the very barber of Oxford, who, in the midst of the + operation upon a gentleman's face, laid down his razor, swearing that he + would never shave another man so long as he lived, and immediately became + the hero of the card table, the <i>bones</i>, the <i>box</i>, and the <i>Cockpit?</i>' + </p> + <p> + Capital was not the only qualification for admission into the Confederacy + of Gambling. Some of the members were taken into partnership on account of + their dexterity in 'securing' dice or 'dealing' cards. One is said to have + been actually a sharer in every 'Hell' at the West-End of the Town, + because he was feared as much as he was detested by the firms, who had + reason to know that he would 'peach' if not kept quiet. Informers against + the illegal and iniquitous associations were arrested and imprisoned upon + writs, obtained by perjury—to deter others from similar attacks; + witnesses were suborned; officers of justice bribed; ruffians and + bludgeon-men employed, where gratuities failed; personal violence and even + assassination threatened to all who dared to expose the crying evil—among + others, to Stockdale, the well-known publisher of the day, in Piccadilly. + </p> + <p> + Then came upon the nation the muddy flood of French emigrants, poured + forth by the Great Revolution—a set of men, speaking generally, + whose vices contaminated the very atmosphere. + </p> + <p> + Before the advent of these worthies the number of gambling houses in the + metropolis, exclusive of those so long established by subscription, was + not more than half-a-dozen; but by the year 1820 they had increased to + nearly fifty. Besides <i>Faro</i> and <i>Hazard</i>, the foreign games of + <i>Macao, Roulette, Rouge et Noir</i>, &c., were introduced, and there + was a graduated accommodation for all ranks, from the Peer of the Realm to + the Highwayman, the Burglar, and the Pick et. + </p> + <p> + At one of the watering-places, in 1803, a baronet lost L20,000 at play, + and a bond for L7000. This will scarcely surprise us when we consider that + at the time above five hundred notorious characters supported themselves + in the metropolis by this species of robbery, and in the summer spread + themselves through the watering-places for their professional operations. + Some of them kept bankers, and were possessed of considerable property in + the funds and in land, and went their <i>circuits</i> as regularly as the + judges. Most excellent judges they were, too, of the condition of a + 'pigeon.' + </p> + <p> + In a great commercial city where, from the extent of its trade, + manufacture, and revenue, there must be an immense circulation of + property, the danger is not to be conceived of the allurements which were + thus held out to young men in business having the command of money, as + well as the clerks of merchants, bankers, and others. In fact, too many of + this class proved, at the bar of justice, the consequence of their resort + to these complicated scenes of vice, idleness, extravagance, misfortune, + and crime. Among innumerable instances are the following:—In 1796, a + shopman to a grocer in the city was seduced into a gaming party, where he + first lost all his own money, and ultimately what his master had intrusted + him with. He hanged himself in his bed-room a few hours afterwards. + </p> + <p> + In the same year, Lord Kenyon in summing up a case of the kind said:—'It + was extremely to be lamented that the vice of gambling had descended to + the very lowest orders of the people. It was prevalent among the highest + ranks of society, who had set the example to their inferiors, and who, it + seemed, were too great for the law. I wish they could be punished. If any + prosecutions are fairly brought before me, and the parties are justly + convicted, whatever may be their rank or station in the country—though + they should be the first ladies in the land—they shall certainly + exhibit themselves in the pillory.' + </p> + <p> + In 1820, James Lloyd, one of the harpies who practised on the credulity of + the lower orders by keeping a <i>Little Go</i>, or illegal lottery, was + brought up for the twentieth time, to answer for that offence. This man + was a methodist preacher, and assembled his neighbours together at his + dwelling on a Saturday to preach the gospel to them, and the remainder of + the week he was to be found, with an equally numerous party, instructing + them in the ruinous vice of gambling. The charge was clearly proved, and + the prisoner was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. + </p> + <p> + In the same year numbers of young persons robbed their masters to play at + a certain establishment called Morley's Gambling House, in the City, and + were ruined there. Some were brought to justice at the Old Bailey; others, + in the madness caused by their losses, destroyed themselves; and some + escaped to other countries, by their own activity, or through the + influence of their friends. + </p> + <p> + A traveller of the coachmakers, Messrs Houlditch of Long Acre, embezzled + or applied to his own use considerable sums of money belonging to them. It + appeared in evidence that the prisoner was sent by his employers to the + Continent to take orders for carriages; he was allowed a handsome salary, + and was furnished with carriages for sale. The money he received for them + he was to send to his employers, after deducting his expenses; but instead + of so doing, he gambled nearly the whole of it away. The following letter + to his master was put in by way of explanation of his career:—'Sir,—The + errors into which I have fallen have made me so hate myself that I have + adopted the horrible resolution of destroying myself. I am sensible of the + crime I commit against God, my family, and society, but have not courage + to live dishonoured. The generous confidence you placed in me I have + basely violated; I have robbed you, and though not to enrich myself, the + consciousness of it destroys me. Bankruptcy, poverty, beggary, and want I + could bear—conscious integrity would support me: but the ill-fated + acquaintance I formed led me to those earthly hells—gambling houses; + and then commenced my villainies and deceptions to you. My losses were not + large at first; and the stories that were told me of gain made me hope + they would soon be recovered. At this period I received the order to go to + Vienna, and on settling at the hotel I found my debts treble what I had + expected. I was in consequence compelled to leave the two carriages as a + guarantee for part of the debt, which I had not in my power to discharge. + I had hoped such success at Vienna as would enable me to state all to you; + but disappointment blasted every hope, and despair, on my return to Paris, + began to generate the fatal resolution which, at the moment you read this, + will have matured itself to consummation. I feel that my reputation is + blasted; no way left of re-imbursing the money wasted, your confidence in + me totally destroyed, and nothing left to me but to see my wife and + children, and die. Affection for them holds me in existence a little + longer. The gaming table again presented itself to my imagination as the + only possible means of extricating myself. Count Montoni's 3000 francs, + which I received before you came to Paris, furnished me with the means—my + death speaks the result! After robbery so base as mine, I fear it will be + of no use for me to solicit your kindness for my wretched wife and forlorn + family. Oh, Sir, if you have pity on them and treat them kindly, and do + not leave them to perish in a foreign land, the consciousness of the act + will cheer you in your last moments, and God will reward you and yours for + it tenfold. Their sensibilities will not cause them to need human aid. + Thus I shall be threefold the murderer. I thank you for the kindness you + have rendered me; and I assure your brother that he has, in this dreadful + moment, my ardent wishes for his welfare here and hereafter. I have so + contrived it that you will see a person at the Prince's tomorrow, who will + interpret for you. In mentioning my fate to him, you will not much serve + your own interest by blackening my character and memory. I subjoin the + reward of my villainies and the correct balance of the account. Count + Edmond's regular bills I have not received; his valet will give you them; + the others are in a pocket-book, which will be found on my corpse + somewhere in the wood of Boulogne. + </p> + <p> + 'Signed, W. KINSBY.' + </p> + <p> + It appears, however, that the gentleman changed his mind and did not + commit suicide, but surrendered at the Insolvent Debtor's Court to be + dealt with according to law, which was a much wiser resolution. + </p> + <p> + To the games of Faro, Hazard, Macao, Doodle-do, and Rouge et Noir, more + even than to horse-racing, many tradesmen, once possessing good fortunes + and great business, owed their destruction. Thousands upon thousands have + been ruined in the vicinity of St James's. It was not confined to youths + of fortune only, but the decent and respectable tradesman, as well as the + dashing clerk of the merchant and banker, was ingulfed in its vortes. + </p> + <p> + The proprietors of gaming houses were also concerned in fraudulent + insurances, and employed a number of clerks while the lotteries were + drawing, who conducted the business without risk, in counting-houses, + where no insurances were taken, but to which books were carried, as well + as from the different offices in every part of the town, as from the <i>Morocco-men</i>, + who went from door to door taking insurances and enticing the poor and + middling ranks to adventure. + </p> + <p> + It was gambling, and not the burdens of the long war, nor the revulsion + from war to peace, that made so many bankruptcies in the few years + succeeding the Battle of Waterloo. It was the plunderers at gaming tables + that filled the gazettes and made the gaols overflow with so many victims. + </p> + <p> + A foreigner has advanced an opinion as to the source of the gambling + propensity of Englishmen. 'The English,' says M. Dunne,(68) 'the most + speculative nation on earth, calculate even upon future contingences. + Nowhere else is the adventurous rage for stock-jobbing carried on to so + great an extent. The fury of gambling, so common in England, is + undoubtedly a daughter of this speculative genius. The <i>Greeks</i> of + Great Britain are, however, much inferior to those of France in cunning + and industry. A certain Frenchman who assumed in London the title and + manners of a baron, has been known to surpass all the most dexterous + rogues of the three kingdoms in the art of robbing. His aide-de-camp was a + kind of German captain, or rather <i>chevalier d'industrie</i>, a person + who had acted the double character of a French spy and an English officer + at the same time. Their tactics being at length discovered, the baron was + obliged to quit the country; and he is said to have afterwards entered the + monastery of La Trappe,' where doubtless, in the severe and gloomy + religious practices of that terrible penitentiary, he atoned for his past + enormities. + </p> + <p> + (68) 'Refexions sur l'Homme.' + </p> + <p> + 'Till near the commencement of the present century the favourite game was + Faro, and as it was a decided advantage to hold the Bank, masters and + mistresses, less scrupulous than Wilberforce, frequently volunteered to + fleece and amuse the company. But scandal having made busy with the names + of some of them, it became usual to hire a professed gamester at five or + ten guineas a night, to set up a table for the evening, just as any + operatic professional might now-a-days be hired for a concert, or a + band-master for a ball. + </p> + <p> + 'Faro gradually dropped out of fashion; Macao took its place; Hazard was + never wanting; and Whist began to be played for stakes which would have + satisfied Fox himself, who, though it was calculated that he might have + netted four or five thousand a year by games of skill, complained that + they afforded no excitement. + </p> + <p> + 'Wattier's Club, in Piccadilly, was the resort of the Macao players. It + was kept by an old <i>maitre d'hotel</i> of George IV., a character in his + way, who took a just pride in the cookery and wines of his establishment. + </p> + <p> + 'All the brilliant stars of fashion (and fashion was power then) + frequented Wattier's, with Beau Brummell for their sun. 'Poor Brummell, + dead, in misery and idiotcy, at Caen! and I remember him in all his glory, + cutting his jokes after the opera, at White's, in a black velvet + great-coat, and a cocked hat on his well-powdered head. + </p> + <p> + 'Nearly the same turn of reflection is suggested as we run over the names + of his associates. Almost all of them were ruined—three out of four + irretrievably. Indeed, it was the forced expatriation of its supporters + that caused the club to be broken up. + </p> + <p> + 'During the same period (from 1810 to 1815 or thereabouts) there was a + great deal of high play at White's and Brookes', particularly at Whist. At + Brookes' figured some remarkable characters—as Tippoo Smith, by + common consent the best Whist-player of his day; and an old gentleman + nicknamed Neptune, from his having once flung himself into the sea in a + fit of despair at being, as he thought, ruined. He was fished out in time, + found he was not ruined, and played on during the remainder of his life. + </p> + <p> + 'The most distinguished player at White's was the nobleman who was + presented at the Salons in Paris as Le Wellington des Joueurs (Lord + Rivers); and he richly merited the name, if skill, temper, and the most + daring courage are titles to it. The greatest genius, however, is not + infallible. He once lost three thousand four hundred pounds at Whist by + not remembering that the seven of hearts was in! He played at Hazard for + the highest stakes that any one could be got to play for with him, and at + one time was supposed to have won nearly a hundred thousand pounds; but <i>IT + ALL WENT</i>, along with a great deal more, at Crockford's. + </p> + <p> + 'There was also a great deal of play at Graham's, the Union, the Cocoa + Tree, and other clubs of the second order in point of fashion. Here large + sums were hazarded with equal rashness, and remarkable characters started + up. Among the most conspicuous was the late Colonel Aubrey, who literally + passed his life at play. He did nothing else, morning, noon, and night; + and it was computed that he had paid more than sixty thousand pounds for + card-money. He was a very fine player at all games, and a shrewd, clever + man. He had been twice to India and made two fortunes. It was said that he + lost the first on his way home, transferred himself from one ship to + another without landing, went back, and made the second. His life was a + continual alternation between poverty and wealth; and he used to say, the + greatest pleasure in life is winning at cards—the next greatest, + losing! + </p> + <p> + 'For several years deep play went on at all these clubs, fluctuating both + as to amount and locality, till by degrees it began to flag. It had got to + a low ebb when Mr Crockford came to London and established the celebrated + club which bore his name. + </p> + <p> + 'Some good was certainly produced by the system. In the first place, + private gambling (between gentleman and gentleman), with its degrading + incidents, is at an end. In the second place, this very circumstance + brings the worst part of the practice within the reach of the law. Public + gambling, which only existed by and through what were popularly termed <i>hells</i>, + might be easily suppressed. There were, in 1844, more than twenty of these + establishments in Pall Mall, Piccadilly, and St James's, called into + existence by Crockford's success.'(69) + </p> + <p> + (69) Private MS. (Edinburgh Review, vol. LXXX). + </p> + <p> + Whilst such was the state of things among the aristocracy and those who + were able to consort with them, it seems that the lower orders were + pursuing 'private gambling,' in their 'ungenteel' fashion, to a very sad + extent. In 1834 a writer in the 'Quarterly' speaks as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'Doncaster, Epsom, Ascot, and Warwick, and most of our numerous + race-grounds and race-towns, are scenes of destructive and universal + gambling among the lower orders, which our absurdly lax police never + attempt to suppress; and yet, without the slightest approach to an + improperly harsh interference with the pleasures of the people, the + Roulette and E.O. tables, which plunder the peasantry at these places for + the benefit of travelling sharpers (certainly equally respectable with + some bipeds of prey who drive coroneted cabs near St James's), might be + put down by any watchful magistrate.'(70) + </p> + <p> + (70) Quarterly Review, vol. LII. + </p> + <p> + I fear that something similar may be suggested at the present day, as to + the same notorious localities. + </p> + <p> + Mr Sala, writing some years ago on gambling in England, said:— + </p> + <p> + 'The passion for gambling is, I believe, innate; but there is, happily, a + very small percentage of the population who are born with a propensity for + high play. We are speculative and eagerly commercial; but it is rare to + discover among us that inveterate love for gambling, as gambling, which + you may find among the Italians, the South American Spaniards, the + Russians, and the Poles. Moro, Baccara, Tchuka—these are games at + which continental peasants will wager and lose their little fields, their + standing crops, their harvest in embryo, their very wives even. The + Americans surpass us in the ardour of their propitiation of the gambling + goddess, and on board the Mississippi steamboats, an enchanting game, + called <i>Poker</i>, is played with a delirium of excitement, whose + intensity can only be imagined by realizing that famous bout at "catch him + who can," which took place at the horticultural <i>fete</i> immortalized + by Mr Samuel Foote, comedian, at which was present the great <i>Panjandrum</i> + himself, with the little round button at top, the festivities continuing + till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of the company's boots. + </p> + <p> + 'When I was a boy, not so very long—say twenty years—since, + the West-end of London swarmed with illicit gambling houses, known by a + name I will not offend your ears by repeating. + </p> + <p> + On every race-course there was a public gambling booth and an abundance of + thimble-riggers' stalls. These, I am happy to state, exist no longer; and + the fools who are always ready to be plucked, can only, in gambling, fall + victims to the commonest and coarsest of swindlers; skittle sharps, + beer-house rogues and sharpers, and knaves who travel to entrap the unwary + in railway carriages with loaded dice, marked cards, and little squares of + green baize for tables, and against whom the authorities of the railway + companies very properly warn their passengers. A notorious gambling house + in St James's Street—Crockford's,—where it may be said, + without exaggeration, that millions of pounds sterling have been diced + away by the fools of fashion, is now one of the most sumptuous and best + conducted dining establishments in London—the "Wellington." The + semipatrician Hades that were to be found in the purlieus of St James's, + such as the "Cocoa Tree," the "Berkeley," and the "stick-shop," at the + corner of Albemarle Street—a whole Pandemonium of rosewood and + plate-glass dens—never recovered from a razzia made on them + simultaneously one night by the police, who were organized on a plan of + military tactics, and under the command of Inspector Beresford; and at a + concerted signal assailed the portals of the infamous places with + sledge-hammers. At the time to which I refer, in Paris, the Palais Royal, + and the environs of the Boulevards des Italiens, abounded with magnificent + gambling rooms similar to those still in existence in Hombourg, which were + regularly licensed by the police, and farmed under the municipality of the + Ville de Paris; a handsome per-centage of the iniquitous profits being + paid towards the charitable institutions of the French metropolis. There + are very many notabilities of the French Imperial Court, who were then <i>fermiers + des jeux</i>, or gambling house contractors; and only a year or two since + Doctor Louis Veron, ex-dealer in quack medicines, ex-manager of the Grand + Opera, and ex-proprietor of the "Constitutionnel" newspaper, offered an + enormous royalty to Government for the privilege of establishing a + gambling house in Paris. But the Emperor Napoleon—all ex-member of + Crockford's as he is—sensibly declined the tempting bait. A + similarly "generous" offer was made last year to the Belgian Government by + a joint-stock company who wanted to establish public gaming tables at the + watering-places of Ostend, and who offered to establish an hospital from + their profits; but King Leopold, the astute proprietor of Claremont, was + as prudent as his Imperial cousin of France, and refused to soil his hands + with cogged dice. + </p> + <p> + The lease of the Paris authorized gaming houses expired in 1836-7; and the + municipality, albeit loath to lose the fat annual revenue, was induced by + governmental pressure not to renew it; and it is asserted that from that + moment the number of annual suicides in Paris very sensibly decreased. "It + is not generally known," as the penny-a-liners say, "that the Rev. Caleb + Colton, a clergyman of the Church of England, and the author of "Lacon," a + book replete with aphoristic wisdom, blew his brains out in the forest of + St Germains, after ruinous losses at Frascati's, at the corner of the Rue + Richelieu and the Boulevards, one of the most noted of the <i>Maisons des + Jeux</i>, and which was afterwards turned into a <i>restaurant</i>, and is + now a shawl-shop.(71) Just before the revolution of 1848, nearly all the + watering-places in the Prusso-Rhenane provinces, and in Bavaria, and + Hesse, Nassau, and Baden, contained Kursaals, where gambling was openly + carried on. These existed at Aix-la-Chapelle, Baden-Baden, Wiesbaden, Ems, + Kissengen, and at Spa, close to the Prussian frontier, in Belgium. It is + due to the fierce democrats who revolted against the monarchs of the + defunct Holy Alliance, to say that they utterly swept away the + gambling-tables in Rhenish-Prussia, and in the Grand Duchy of Baden. Herr + Hecker, of the red republican tendencies, and the astounding wide-awake + hat, particularly distinguished himself in the latter place by his + iconoclastic animosity to <i>Roulette</i> and <i>Rouge et Noir</i>. When + dynastic "order" was restored the Rhine gaming tables were re-established. + The Prussian Government, much to its honour, has since shut up the + gambling houses at that resort for decayed nobility and ruined livers, + Aix-la-Chapelle. A motion was made in the Federal Diet, sitting at + Frankfort, to constrain the smaller governments, in the interest of the + Germanic good name generally, to close their <i>tripots</i>, and in some + measure the Federal authorities succeeded. The only existing continental + gaming houses authorized by government are now the two Badens, Spa (of + which the lease is nearly expired, and will not be renewed), Monaco + (capital of the ridiculous little Italian principality, of which the + suzerain is a scion of the house of "Grimaldi"), Malmoe, in Sweden, too + remote to do much harm, and HOMBOURG. This last still flourishes greatly, + and I am afraid is likely to flourish, though happily in isolation; for, + as I have before remarked, the "concession" or privilege of the place has + been guaranteed for a long period of years to come by the expectant + dynasty of Hesse-Darmstadt. "<i>C'est fait</i>," "It is all settled," said + the host of the Hotel de France to me, rubbing his hands exultingly when I + mentioned the matter. But, <i>Quis custodiet custodes?</i> Hesse-Darmstadt + has guaranteed the "administration of Hesse-Hombourg, but who is to + guarantee Hesse-Darmstadt? A battalion of French infantry would, it seems + to me, make short work of H. D., lease guarantees, Federal contingent, and + all. I must mention, in conclusion, that within a very few years we had, + if we have not still, a licensed gaming house in our exquisitely moral + British dominions. This was in that remarkably "tight little island" at + the mouth of the Elbe, Heligoland, which we so queerly possess—Puffendorf, + Grotius, and Vattel, or any other writers on the <i>Jus gentium</i>, would + be puzzled to tell why, or by what right. I was at Hamburg in the autumn + of 1856, crossed over to Heligoland one day on a pleasure trip, and lost + some money there, at a miniature <i>Roulette</i> table, much frequented by + joyous Israelites from the mainland, and English "soldier officers" in + mufti. I did not lose much of my temper, however, for the odd, quaint + little place pleased me. Not so another Roman citizen, or English + travelling gent., who losing, perhaps, seven-and-sixpence, wrote a furious + letter to the "Times," complaining of such horrors existing under the + British flag, desecration of the English name, and so forth. Next week the + lieutenant-governor, by "order," put an end to <i>Roulette</i> at + Heligoland; but play on a diminutive scale has since, I have been given to + understand, recommenced there without molestation. + </p> + <p> + (71) Mr Sala is here in error. Colton was a prosperous gambler throughout, + and committed suicide to avoid a surgical operation. A notice of the Rev. + C. Colton will be found in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + 'We gamble in England at the Stock Exchange, we gamble on horse-races all + the year round; but there is something more than the mere eventuality of a + chance that prompts us to the <i>enjeu;</i> there is mixed up with our + eagerness for the stakes the most varied elements of business and + pleasure; cash-books, ledgers, divident-warrants, indignation meetings of + Venezuelan bond-holders, coupons, cases of champagne, satin-skinned horses + with plaited manes, grand stands, pretty faces, bright flags, lobster + salads, cold lamb, fortune-telling gipsies, barouches-and-four, and "our + Aunt Sally." High play is still rife in some aristocratic clubs; there are + prosperous gentlemen who wear clean linen every day, and whose names are + still in the Army List, who make their five or six hundred a year by + Whist-playing, and have nothing else to live upon; in East-end + coffee-shops, sallow-faced Jew boys, itinerant Sclavonic jewellers, and + brawny German sugar-bakers, with sticky hands, may be found glozing and + wrangling over their beloved cards and dominoes, and screaming with + excitement at the loss of a few pence. There are yet some occult nooks and + corners, nestling in unsavoury localities, on passing which the policeman, + even in broad daylight, cannot refrain from turning his head a little + backwards—as though some bedevilments must necessarily be taking + place directly he has passed—where, in musty back parlours, by + furtive lamplight, with doors barred, bolted, and sheeted with iron, some + wretched, cheating gambling goes on at unholy hours. Chicken-hazard is + scotched, not killed; but a poor, weazened, etiolated biped is that once + game-bird now. And there is Doncaster, every year—Doncaster, with + its subscription-rooms under authority, winked at by a pious corporation, + patronized by nobles and gentlemen supporters of the turf, and who are + good enough, sometimes, to make laws for us plebeians in the Houses of + Lords and Commons. There is Doncaster, with policemen to keep order, and + admit none but "respectable" people—subscribers, who fear Heaven and + honour the Queen. Are you aware, my Lord Chief-Justice, are you aware, Mr + Attorney, Mr Solicitor-General, have you the slightest notion, ye + Inspectors of Police, that in the teeth of the law, and under its very + eyes, a shameless gaming-house exists in moral Yorkshire, throughout every + Doncaster St Leger race-week? Of course you haven't; never dreamed of such + a thing—never could, never would. Hie you, then, and prosecute this + wretched gang of betting-touts, congregating at the corner of Bride Lane, + Fleet Street; quick, lodge informations against this publican who has + suffered card-playing to take place, raffles, or St Leger sweeps to be + held in his house. "You have seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar, and the + creature run from the cur. There thou might'st behold the great image of + authority: a dog's obeyed in office." You have—very well. Take crazy + King Lear's words as a text for a sermon against legislative + inconsistencies, and come back with me to Hombourg Kursaal.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. GAMBLING IN BRIGHTON IN 1817. + </h2> + <p> + The subject of English gambling may be illustrated by a series of events + which happened at Brighton in 1817, when an inquiry respecting the gaming + carried on at the libraries led to many important disclosures. + </p> + <p> + It appears that a warrant was granted on the oath of a Mr William Clarke, + against William Wright and James Ford, charged with feloniously stealing + L100. But the prosecutor did not appear in court to prove the charge. It + was quite evident, therefore, that the law had been abused in the + transaction, and the magistrate, Sergeant Runnington, directed warrants to + be issued for the immediate appearance of the prosecutor and Timothy + O'Mara, as an evidence; but they absconded, and the learned Sergeant + discharged the prisoners. + </p> + <p> + The matter then took a different turn. The same William Wright, before + charged with 'stealing' the L100, was now examined as a witness to give + evidence upon an examination against Charles Walker, of the Marine + Library, for keeping an unlawful Gaming House. + </p> + <p> + This witness stated that he was engaged, about five weeks before, to act + as <i>punter</i> or player (that is, in this case, a sham player or decoy) + to a table called <i>Noir, rouge, tout le deux</i> (evidently a name + invented to evade the statute, if possible), by William Clarke, the + prosecutor, before-mentioned; that the table was first carried to the back + room of Donaldson's Library, where it continued for three or four days, + when Donaldson discharged it from his premises. + </p> + <p> + He said he soon got into the confidence of Clarke, who put him up to the + secrets of playing. The firm consisted of O'Mara, Pollett, Morley, and + Clarke. There was not much playing at Donaldson's. Afterwards the table + was removed into Broad Street, but the landlady quickly sent it away. It + was then carried to a room over Walker's Library, where a rent was paid of + twelve guineas per week, showing plainly the profits of the speculation. + </p> + <p> + Several gentlemen used to frequent the table, among whom was one who lost + L125. + </p> + <p> + Clarke asked the witness if he thought the person who lost his money was + rich? And being answered in the affirmative, it was proposed that he, + William Wright, should invite the gentleman to dinner, to let him have + what wine he liked, and to spare no expense to get him drunk. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman was induced to play again, and endeavour to recover his + money. As he had nothing but large bills, to a considerable amount, he was + prevailed on to go to London, in company with the witness, who was to take + care and bring him back. One of the firm, Pollett, wrote a letter of + recommendation to a Mr Young, to get the bills discounted at his broker's. + They returned to Brighton, and the witness apprized the firm of his + arrival. They wanted him to come that evening, but the witness <i>TOLD THE + GENTLEMAN OF HIS SUSPICIONS</i>—that during their absence a <i>FALSE + TABLE</i> had been substituted. + </p> + <p> + The witness, however, returned to his employers that evening, when the + firm advanced him L100, and Ford, another punter of the sort, L100, to + back with the gentleman as a blind—so that when the signal was given + to put upon black or red, they were to put their stakes—by which + means the gentleman would follow; and they calculated upon fleecing him of + five or six thousand pounds in the course of an hour. According to his own + account, the witness told the gentleman of this trick; and the following + morning the latter went with him, to know if this nefarious dealing has + been truly represented. + </p> + <p> + On entering the library they met Walker, who wished them better success, + but trembled visibly. At the door leading into the room porters were + stationed; and, as soon as they entered, Walker ordered it to be bolted, + for the sake of privacy; but as soon as the gentleman ascended the dark + staircase, he became alarmed at the appearance of men in the room, and + returned to the porter, and, by a timely excuse, was allowed to pass. + </p> + <p> + At this table Clarke generally dealt, and O'Mara played. It was for not + restoring the L100 to the firm that the charge of felony was laid against + the witness—after the escape of the gentleman; but an offer of L100 + was made to him, after his imprisonment, if he would not give his evidence + of the above facts and transactions. + </p> + <p> + The evidence of the other witness, Ford, confirmed all the material facts + of the former, and the gentleman himself, the intended victim, + substantiated the evidence of Wright—as to putting him in possession + of their nefarious designs. + </p> + <p> + When the gentleman found that he had been cheated of the L125, he went to + Walker to demand back his money. Walker, in the utmost confusion, went + into the room, and returned with a proposal to allow L100. This he + declined to take, and immediately laid the information before Mr Sergeant + Runnington. + </p> + <p> + The learned Sergeant forcibly recapitulated the evidence, and declared + that in the whole course of his professional duties he had never heard + such a disclosure of profligacy and villainy, combined with every species + of wickedness. In a strain of pointed animadversion he declared it to be + an imperative duty,—however much his private feelings might be + wounded in seeing a reputable tradesman of the town convicted of such + nefarious pursuits,—to order warrants to be issued against all + parties concerned as rogues and vagrants. + </p> + <p> + At the next hearing of the case the court was crowded to excess; and the + mass of evidence deposed before the magistrates threw such a light on the + system of gambling, that they summarily put a stop to the Cobourg and Loo + tables at the various public establishments. + </p> + <p> + At the first examination, the 'gentleman' before mentioned, a Mr + Mackenzie, said he had played <i>Rouge et Noir</i> at Walker's, and had + lost L125. He saw O'Mara there, but he appeared as a player, not a banker; + the only reason for considering him as one of the proprietors of the + table, arose from the information of the witnesses Wright and Ford. + </p> + <p> + On this evidence, Mr Sergeant Runnington called on O'Mara and Walker for + their defence, observing that, according to the statements before him, + there appeared sufficient ground for considering O'Mara as a rogue and + vagabond; and for subjecting Mr Walker to penalties for keeping a house or + room wherein he permitted unlawful games to be played. O'Mara affirmed + that the whole testimony of Wright and Ford with respect to him was false; + that he had been nine years a resident housekeeper in Brighton, and was + known by, and had rendered essential services to, many respectable + individuals who lived in the town, and to many noble persons who were + occasional visitors. He seemed deeply penetrated by the intimation that he + could be whipped, or otherwise treated as a vagabond; and said, that if + time were allowed him to collect evidence, and obtain legal assistance, he + could disprove the charge, or at least invalidate the evidence of the two + accusers. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of these representations, the case was adjourned to another + day, when, so much was the expectation excited by the rumour of the + affair, that at the opening of the court the hall was crowded almost to + suffocation, and all the avenues were completely beset. + </p> + <p> + O'Mara appeared, with his counsel, the celebrated Mr Adolphus—the + Ballantyne of his day—of Old Bailey renown and forensic prowess. + </p> + <p> + Mr Sergeant Runnington very obligingly stated to Mr Adolphus the previous + proceeding, directed the depositions to be laid before him, and allowed + him time to peruse them. Mr Adolphus having gone through the document, + requested that the witnesses might be brought into court, that he might + cross-question them separately; which being ordered, Wright was first put + forward—the man who had received the L100, enlightened the Mr + Mackenzie, and who was charged with feloniously stealing the above amount. + </p> + <p> + After the usual questions, very immaterial in the present case, but + answered, the witness went on to say that, O'Mara called at his lodgings + and said, if he (Wright) could not persuade Mr Mackenzie to come from + London, he was not to leave him, but write to him (O'Mara), and he would + go to town, and win all his money. He had, on a former occasion, told the + witness, that he could win all Mackenzie's money at child's play—that + he could toss up and win ninety times out of one hundred; he had told both + him and Ford, that if they met with any gentleman who did not like the + game of <i>Rouge et Noir</i>, and would bring them to his house, he was + always provided with cards, dice, and backgammon tables, to win their + money from them. + </p> + <p> + The learned counsel then cross-questioned the witness as to various + matters, in the usual way, but tending, of course, to damage him by the + answers which the questions necessitated—a horrible, but, perhaps, + necessary ordeal perpetuated in our law-procedure. In these answers there + was something like prevarication; so that the magistrate, Mr Sergeant + Runnington, asked the witness at the close of the examination, whether he + had any previous acquaintance with the gentlemen who had engaged him at + half-a-crown a game, and then so candily communicated to him all their + schemes? He said, none whatever. 'But,' said the Sergeant, 'you were in + the daily habit of playing at this public table for the purpose of + deceiving the persons who might come there?' The witness answered—'I + was.' + </p> + <p> + The witness Ford fared no better in the cross-examination, and Mr Sergeant + Runnington, at its close, asked him the same question that he had + addressed to Wright, respecting his playing at the table, and received the + same answer. + </p> + <p> + Mr Mackenzie did not appear, and there was no further evidence. Mr + Adolphus said that if he were called upon to make any defence for his + client upon a charge so supported, he was ready to do it; but, as he must + make many observations, not only on the facts, but on the <i>LAW</i>, he + was anxious if possible to avoid doing so, as he did not wish to say too + much about the law respecting gaming before so large and mixed an + audience.(72) + </p> + <p> + (72) See Chapter XI. for the views of Mr Adolphus here alluded to. + </p> + <p> + Two witnesses were called, who gave evidence which was damaging to the + character of Ford, stating that he told them he was in a conspiracy + against O'Mara and some other moneyed men, from whom they should get three + or four hundred pounds, and if witness would conceal from O'Mara his + (Ford's) real name, he should have his share of the money, and might go + with him and Wright to Brussels. + </p> + <p> + After hearing these witnesses, Mr Sergeant Runnington, without calling on + Mr Adolphus for any further defence of his client, pronounced the judgment + of the Bench. + </p> + <p> + He reviewed the transaction from its commencement, and stated the + impression, to the disadvantage of O'Mara, which the tale originally told + by the two witnesses was calculated to make. But, on hearing the + cross-examination of those witnesses, and seeing no evidence against the + defendant but from sources so impure and corrupt—recollecting the + severe penalties of the Vagrant Acts, and sitting there not merely as a + judge, but also exercising the functions of a jury, he could not bring + himself to convict on such evidence. The witnesses, impure as they were, + were <i>NOT SUPPORTED BY MR MACKENZIE IN ANY PARTICULAR</i>, except the + fact of his losing money, at a time when O'Mara did not appear as a + proprietor of the table, but as a player like himself. O'Mara must + therefore be discharged; but the two witnesses would not be so fortunate. + From their own mouths it appeared that they had been using subtle craft to + deceive and impose upon his Majesty's subjects, by playing or betting at + unlawful games, and had no legal or visible means of gaining a livelihood; + the court, therefore, adjudged them to be rogues and vagabonds, and + committed them, in execution, to the gaol at Lewes, there to remain till + the next Quarter Sessions, and then to be further dealt with according to + law. A short private conference followed between the magistrates and Mr + Adolphus, the result of which was that Mr Walker was not proceeded + against, but entered into a recognizance not to permit any kind of gaming + to be carried on in his house. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. GAMBLING AT THE GERMAN BATHING-PLACES.—— + </h2> + <h3> + BADEN AND ITS CONVERSATION HOUSE. + </h3> + <p> + Baden-Baden in the season is full of the most exciting contrasts—gay + restaurants and brilliant saloons, gaming-tables, promenades, and theatres + crammed with beauty and rank, in the midst of lovely natural scenery, and + under the shade of the pine-clad heights of the Hercynian or Black Forest—the + scene of so many weird tales of old Germany—as for instance of the + charming <i>Undine</i> of De la Mothe Fouque. + </p> + <p> + But among the seducing attractions of Baden-Baden, and of all German + bathing-places, the Rouge-et-noir and Roulette-table hold a melancholy + pre-eminence,—being at once a shameful source of revenue to the + prince,—a rallying point for the gay, the beautiful, the + professional blackleg, the incognito duke or king,—and a vortex in + which the student, the merchant, and the subaltern officer are, in the + course of the season, often hopelessly and irrevocably ingulfed. + Remembering the gaming excitement of the primitive Germans, we can + scarcely be surprised to find that the descendants of these northern races + poison the pure stream of pleasure by the introduction of this hateful + occupation. It is, however, rather remarkable that all foreign visitors, + whether Dutch, Flemish, Swede, Italian, or even English, of whatever age + or disposition or sex, 'catch the frenzy' during the (falsely so-called) + <i>Kurzeit</i>, that is, <i>Cure-season</i>, at Baden, Ems, and Ais. + </p> + <p> + Princes and their subjects, fathers and sons, and even, horrible to say, + mothers and daughters, are hanging, side by side, for half the night over + the green table; and, with trembling hands and anxious eyes, watching + their chance-cards, or thrusting francs and Napoleons with their rakes to + the red or the black cloth. + </p> + <p> + No spot in the whole world draws together a more distinguished society + than may be met at Baden; its attractions are felt and acknowledged by + every country in Europe. Many of the <i>elite</i> of each nation may + yearly be found there during the months of summer, and, as a natural + consequence, many of the worst and vilest follow them, in the hope of + pillage. + </p> + <p> + Says Mrs Trollope:—'I doubt if anything less than the evidence of + the senses can enable any one fully to credit and comprehend the spectacle + that a gaming-table offers. I saw women distinguished by rank, elegant in + person, modest, and even reserved in manner, sitting at the Rouge-et-noir + table with their rateaux, or rakes, and marking-cards in their hands;—the + former to push forth their bets, and draw in their winnings, the latter to + prick down the events of the game. I saw such at different hours through + the whole of Sunday. To name these is impossible; but I grieve to say that + two English women were among them.' + </p> + <p> + The Conversationshaus, where the gambling takes place, is let out by the + Government of Baden to a company of speculators, who pay, for the + exclusive privilege of keeping the tables, L11,000 annually, and agree to + spend in addition 250,000 florins (L25,000) on the walks and buildings, + making altogether about L36,000. Some idea may be formed from this of the + vast sums of money which must be yearly lost by the dupes who frequent it. + The whole is under the direction of M. Benazet, who formerly farmed the + gambling houses of Paris. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'On trouve ici le jeu, les livres, la musique, + Les cigarres, l'amour, les orangers, + Le monde tantot gai, tantot melancholique, + Les glaces, la danse, et les cochers; + De la biere, de bons diners, + A cote d'arbre une boutique, + Et la vue de hauts rochers. + Ma foi!' + + + 'We find here gambling, books, and music, + Cigars, love-making, orange-trees; + People or gay or melancholic, + Ices, dancing, and coachmen, if you please; + Beer, and good dinners; besides these, + Shops where they sell not <i>on tic;</i> + And towering rocks one ever sees.' +</pre> + <p> + 'How shall I describe,' says Mr Whitelocke, 'to my readers in language + sufficiently graphic, one of the resorts the most celebrated in Europe; a + place, if not competing with Crockford's in gorgeous magnificence and + display, at least surpassing it in renown, and known over a wider sphere? + The metropolitan pump-room of Europe, conducted on the principle of + gratuitous admittance to all bearing the semblance of gentility and + conducting themselves with propriety, opens its Janus doors to all the + world with the most laudable hospitality and with a perfect indifference + to exclusiveness, requiring only the hat to be taken off upon entering, + and rejecting only short jackets, cigar, pipe, and meerschaum. A room of + this description, a temple dedicated to fashion, fortune, and flirtation, + requires a pen more current, a voice more eloquent, than mine to trace, + condense, vivify, and depict. Taking everything, therefore, for granted, + let us suppose a vast saloon of regular proportions, rather longer than + broad, at either end garnished by a balcony; beneath, doors to the right + and left, and opposite to the main entrance, conduct to other apartments, + dedicated to different purposes. On entering the eye is at once dazzled by + the blaze of lights from chandeliers of magnificent dimensions, of lamps, + lustres, and sconces. The ceiling and borders set off into compartments, + showered over with arabesques, the gilded pillars, the moving mass of + promenaders, the endless labyrinth of human beings assembled from every + region in Europe, the costly dresses, repeated by a host of mirrors, all + this combined, which the eye conveys to the brain at a single glance, + utterly fails in description. As with the eye, so it is with the ear; at + every step a new language falls upon it, and every tongue with different + intonation, for the high and the low, the prince, peer, vassal, and + tradesman, the proud beauty, the decrepit crone, some fresh budding into + the world, some standing near the grave, the gentle and the stern, the + sombre and the gay, in short, every possible antithesis that the eye, ear, + heart can perceive, hear, or respond to, or that the mind itself can + imagine, is here to be met with in two minutes. And yet all this is no + Babel; for all, though concentrated, is admirably void of confusion; and + evil or strong passions, if they do exist, are religiously suppressed—a + necessary consequence, indeed, where there can be no sympathy, and where + contempt and ridicule would be the sole reciprocity. In case, however, any + such display should take place, a gendarme keeps constant watch at the + door, appointed by government, it is true, but resembling our Bow-street + officers in more respects than one. + </p> + <p> + 'Now that we have taken a survey of the brilliant and moving throng, let + us approach the stationary crowd to the left hand, and see what it is that + so fascinates and rivets their attention. They are looking upon a long + table covered with green cloth, in the centre of which is a large polished + wooden basin with a moveable rim, and around it are small compartments, + numbered to a certain extent, namely 38, alternately red and black in + irregular order, numbered from one to 36, a nought or zero in a red, and a + double zero upon the black, making up the 38, and each capable of holding + a marble. The moveable rim is set in motion by the hand, and as it + revolves horizontally from east to west round its axis, the marble is + caused by a jerk of the finger and thumb to fly off in a contrary + movement. The public therefore conclude that no calculation can foretell + where the marble will fall, and I believe they are right, inasmuch as the + bank plays a certain and sure game, however deep, runs no risk of loss, + and consequently has no necessity for superfluously cheating or deluding + the public. It also plays double, that is, on both sides of the wheel of + fortune at once. + </p> + <p> + 'When the whirling of both rim and marble cease, the latter falls, either + simultaneously or after some coy uncertainty, into one of the + compartments, and the number and colour, &c., are immediately + proclaimed, the stakes deposited are dexterously raked up by the croupier, + or increased by payment from the bank, according as the colour wins or + loses. Now, the two sides or tables are merely duplicates of one another, + and each of them is divided something like a chess-board into three + columns of squares, which amount to 36; the numbers advance arithmetically + from right to left, and consequently there are 12 lines down, so as to + complete the rectangle; as one, therefore, stands at the head, four stands + immediately under it, and so on. At the bottom lie three squares, with the + French marks 12 p—12 m—12 d, that is, first, middle, third + dozen. The three large meadows on either side are for red and black, pair + and odd, miss and pass—which last signify the division of the + numbers into the first and second half, from 1 to 18, and from 19 to 36, + inclusive. If a number be staked upon and wins, the stake is increased to + six times its amount, and so on, always less as the stake is placed in + different positions, which may be effected in the following ways—by + placing the piece of gold or silver on the line (<i>a cheval</i>, as it is + called), partly on one and partly on its neighbour, two numbers are + represented, and should one win, the piece is augmented to eighteen times + the sum; three numbers are signified upon the stroke at the end or + beginning of the numbers that go across; six, by placing the coin on the + border of a perpendicular and a horizontal line between two strokes; four, + where the lines cross within; twelve numbers are signified in a two-fold + manner, either upon the column where the figures follow in the order of + one, four, seven, and so on, or on the side-fields mentioned above; these + receive the stake trebled; and those who stake solely upon the colour, the + two halves, or equal and odd, have their stake doubled when they win. Now, + the two zeros, that is, the simple and compound, stand apart and may be + separately staked upon; should either turn up, the stake is increased in a + far larger proportion. + </p> + <p> + 'To render the game equal, without counting in the zeros and other + trifles, the winner ought to receive the square of 36, instead of 36. + </p> + <p> + 'It is a melancholy amusement to any rational being not infatuated by the + blind rage of gold, to witness the incredible excitement so repeatedly + made to take the bank by storm, sometimes by surprise, anon by stealth, + and not rarely by digging a mine, laying intrenchments and opening a fire + of field-pieces, heavy ordnance, and flying artillery; but the fortress, + proud and conscious of its superior strength, built on a rock of adamant, + laughs at the fiery attacks of its foes, nay, itself invites the storm. + </p> + <p> + 'For those classes of mankind who possess a little more prudence, the game + called <i>Trente-et-un</i>, and <i>Quarante</i>, or <i>Rouge et Noir</i> + are substituted. + </p> + <p> + 'The lord of the temple or establishment pays, I believe, to government a + yearly sum of 35,000 florins (about L3000) for permission to keep up the + establishment. He has gone to immense expense in decorating the building; + he pays a crowd of croupiers at different salaries, and officers of his + own, who superintend and direct matters; he lights up the building, and he + presides over the festivities of the town—in short, he is the patron + of it all. With all this liberality he himself derives an enormous + revenue, an income as sure and determined as that of my Lord Mayor + himself.'(73) + </p> + <p> + (73) City of the Fountains, or Baden-Baden. By R. H. Whitelocke. + Carlsruhe, 1840. + </p> + <p> + The Baden season begins in May; the official opening takes place towards + the close of the spring quarter, and then the fashionable world begins to + arrive at the rendezvous. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be denied that everything is right well regulated, and apart + from the terrible dangers of gambling, the place does very great credit to + the authorities who thrive on the nefarious traffic. Perfect order and + decency of deportment, with all the necessary civilities of life, are + rigorously insisted on, and summary expulsion is the consequence of any + intolerable conduct. If it so happens that any person becomes obnoxious in + any way, whatever may be his or her rank, the first intimation will be—'Sir, + you are not in your place here;' or, 'Madame, the air of Baden does not + suit you.' If these words are disregarded, there follows a summary order—'You + must leave Baden this very day, and cross the frontiers of the Grand Duchy + within twenty-four hours.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Sala, in his novel 'Make your Game,'(74) has given a spirited + description of the gambling scenes at Baden. + </p> + <p> + (74) Originally published in the 'Welcome Guest.' + </p> + <p> + Whilst I write there is exhibited at the Egyptian Hall, London, Dore's + magnificent picture of the <i>Tapis Vert</i>, or Life in Baden-Baden, of + which the following is an accurate description:— + </p> + <p> + 'The <i>Tapis Vert</i> is a moral, and at the same time an exceedingly + clever, satire. It is illustrative of the life, manners, and predilections + and pursuits of a class of society left hereafter to enjoy the manifold + attractions of fashionable watering-places, without the scourge that for + so many years held its immoral and degrading sway in their sumptuous + halls. + </p> + <p> + 'In one of these splendid salons the fashionable crowd is eagerly pressing + round an oblong table covered with green cloth (<i>le tapis vert</i>), + upon which piles of gold and bank-notes tell the tale of "<i>noir perd et + la couleur gagne</i>," and vice versa. The principal group, upon which + Dore has thrown one of his powerful effects of light, is lifelike, and + several of the actors are at once recognized. Both croupiers are + well-known characters. There is much life and movement in the silent + scene, in which thousands of pounds change hands in a few seconds. To the + left of the croupier (dealer), who turns up the winning card, sits a + finely-dressed woman, who cares for little else but gold. There is a + remarkable expression of eagerness and curiosity upon the countenance of + the lady who comes next, and who endeavours, with the assistance of her + eye-glass, to find out the state of affairs. The gentleman next to her is + an inveterate <i>blase</i>. The countenance of the old man reckoning up + needs no description. Near by stands a lady with a red feather in her hat, + and whose lace shawl alone is worth several hundred pounds—for Dore + made it. The two female figures to the left are splendidly painted. The + one who causes the other croupier to turn round seems somewhat + extravagantly dressed; but these costumes have been frequently worn within + the last two years both at Baden and Hombourg. The old lady at the end of + the table, to the left, is a well-known habituee at both places. The + bustling and shuffling eagerness of the figures in the background is + exceedingly well rendered. + </p> + <p> + 'As a whole, the <i>Tapis Vert</i> is a very fine illustration of real + life, as met with in most of the leading German watering-places.'(75) + </p> + <p> + (75) 'Illustrated Times.' + </p> + <p> + 'At the present moment,' says another authority, writing more than a year + ago, 'there are three very bold female gamblers at Baden. One is the + Russian Princess ——, who plays several hours every day at <i>Rouge + et Noir</i>, and sometimes makes what in our money would be many hundreds, + and at others goes empty away. She wins calmly enough, but when luck is + against her looks anxious. The second is the wife of an Italian + ex-minister, who is well known both as an authoress and politician. She + patronizes <i>Roulette</i>, and at every turn of the wheel her money + passes on the board. She is a good gambler—smirking when she wins, + and smirking when she loses. She dresses as splendidly as any of the dames + of Paris. The other night she excited a flutter among the ladies assembled + in the salons of the "Conversation" by appearing in a robe flaming red + with an exaggerated train which dragged its slow length along the floor. + But the greatest of the feminine players is the Leonie Leblanc. When she + is at the <i>Rouge et Noir</i> table a larger crowd than usual is + collected to witness her operation. The stake she generally risks is 6000 + francs (L240), which is the maximum allowed. Her chance is changing: a few + days back she won L4000 in one sitting; some days later she lost about + L2000, and was then reduced to the, for her, indignity of playing for + paltry sums—L20 or thereabouts.' + </p> + <p> + Among the more recent chronicles, the <i>Figaro</i> gives the following + account of the close of the campaign of a gaming hero, M. Edgar de la + Charme, who, for a number of days together, never left the gaming-room + without carrying off the sum of 24,000 francs. + </p> + <p> + 'The day before yesterday, M. de la Charme, reflecting that there must be + an end even to the greatest run of luck, locked his portmanteau, paid his + bill, and took the road to the railway station, accompanied by some of his + friends. On reaching the wicket he found it closed; there were still + three-quarters of an hour to pass before the departure of the train. "I + will go and play my parting game," he exclaimed, and, turning to the + coachman, bade him drive to the Kursaal. His friends surrounded him, and + held him back; he should not go, he would lose all his winnings. But he + was resolute, and soon reached the Casino, where his travelling dress + caused a stir of satisfaction among the croupiers. He sat down at the <i>Trente-et-quarante</i>, + broke the bank in 20 minutes, got into his cab again, and seeing the + inspector of the tables walking to and fro under the arcades, he said to + him, in a tone of exquisite politeness, "I could not think of going away + without leaving you my P.P.C."' + </p> + <p> + SPA. + </p> + <p> + 'The gambling houses of Spa are in the Redoute, where <i>Rouge et Noir</i> + and <i>Roulette</i> are carried on nearly from morning to night. + </p> + <p> + The profits of these establishments exceed L40,000 a year. In former times + they belonged to the Bishop of Liege, who was a partner in the concern, + and derived a considerable revenue from his share of the ill-gotten gains + of the manager of the establishment, and no gambling tables could be set + up without his permission.'(76) + </p> + <p> + (76) Murray's Handbook for Travellers on the Continent. + </p> + <p> + 'The gambling in Spa is in a lower style than elsewhere. The croupiers + seem to be always on the look-out for cheating. You never see here a pile + of gold or bank notes on the table, as at Hombourg or Wiesbaden, with the + player saying, "Cinquante louis aux billet," "Cent-vingt louis a la + masse," and the winnings scrupulously paid, or the losings raked carefully + away from the heap. They do not allow that at Spa; there is an order + against it on the wall. They could not trust the people that play, I + suppose, and it is doubtful if the people could trust the croupiers. The + ball spins more slowly at <i>Roulette</i>—the cards are dealt more + gingerly at <i>Trente-et-quarante</i> here than elsewhere. Nothing must be + done quickly, lest somebody on one side or other should try to do somebody + else. Altogether Spa is not a pleasant place to play in, and as, moreover, + the odds are as great against you as at Ems, it is better to stick to the + promenade <i>de sept heures</i> and the ball-room, and leave the two + tables alone. Outside it is cheery and full of life. The Queen of the + Belgians is here, the Duke of Aumale, and other nice people. The breeze + from the hills is always delicious; the Promenade Meyerbeer as refreshing + on a hot day as a draught of iced water. But the denizens, male and + female, of the <i>salons de jeu</i> are often obnoxious, and one wishes + that the old Baden law could be enforced against some of the gentler sex. + </p> + <p> + 'By way of warning to any of your readers who propose to visit the tables + this summer, will you let me tell a little anecdote, from personal + experience, of one of these places—which one I had perhaps better + not say. I took a place at the Roulette table, and had not staked more + than once or twice, when two handsomely dressed ladies placed themselves + one on either side of me, and commenced playing with the smallest coins + allowed, wedging me in rather unpleasantly close between them. At my third + or fourth stake I won on both the colour and a number, and my neighbour on + the right quietly swept up my coins from the colour the instant they were + paid. I remonstrated, and she very politely argued the point, ending by + restoring my money. But during our discussion my far larger stake, paid in + the mean while, on the winning number, had disappeared into the pocket of + my neighbour on the left, who was not so polite, and was very indignant at + my suggestion that the stake was mine. An appeal to the croupier only + produced a shrug of the shoulders and regret that he had not seen who + staked the money, an offer to stop the play, and a suggestion that I + should find it very difficult to prove it was my stake. The "plant" + between the two women was evident. The whole thing was a + systematically-planned robbery, and very possibly the croupier was a + confederate. I detected the two women in communication, and I told them + that I should change my place to the other side of the table where I would + trouble them not to come. They took the hint very mildly, and could afford + to do so, for they had got my money. The affair was very neatly managed, + and would succeed in nearly every case, especially if the croupier is, as + is most probable, always on the side of the ladies.' + </p> + <p> + HOMBOURG. + </p> + <p> + 'In 1842 Hombourg was an obscure village, consisting of the castle of the + Landgraf, and of a few hundred houses which in the course of ages had + clustered around it. Few would have known of its existence except from the + fact of its being the capital of the smallest of European countries. Its + inhabitants lived poor and contented—the world forgetting, by the + world forgot. It boasted only of one inn—the "Aigle"—which in + summer was frequented by a few German families, who came to live cheaply + and to drink the waters of a neighbouring mineral spring. That same year + two French brothers of the name of Blanc arrived at Frankfort. They were + men of a speculative turn, and a recent and somewhat daring speculation in + France, connected with the old semaphore telegraph, had rendered it + necessary for them to withdraw for a time from their native land. Their + stock-in-trade consisted in a Roulette wheel, a few thousand francs, and + an old and skilful croupier of Frascati, who knew a great deal about the + properties of cards. The authorities of the town of Frankfort, being dull + traders, declined to allow them to initiate their townsmen into the + mysteries of cards and Roulette, so hearing that there were some strangers + living at Hombourg, they put themselves into an old diligence, and the + same evening disembarked at the "Aigle." The next day the elder brother + called upon the prime minister, an ancient gentleman, who, with a couple + of clerks, for some L60 a year governed the Landgrafate of Hombourg to his + own and the general satisfaction. After a private interview with this + statesman the elder Blanc returned poorer in money, but with a permission + in his pocket to put up his Roulette wheel in one of the rooms of the inn. + In a few months the money of the innocent water-drinkers passed from their + pockets into those of the brothers Blanc. The ancient man of Frascati + turned the wheel, and no matter on what number the water-drinkers risked + their money, that number did not turn up. At the close of the summer + season a second visit was made to the prime minister, and the Blancs + returned to Frankfort with an exclusive concession to establish games of + hazard within the wide spreading dominions of the Landgraf. For this they + had agreed to build a kursaal, to lay out a public garden, and to pay into + the national exchequer 40,000 florins (a florin is worth one shilling and + eight-pence) per annum. Having obtained this concession, the next step was + to found a company. Frankfort abounds in Hebrew speculators, who are not + particular how they make money, and as the speculation appeared a good + one, the money was soon forthcoming. It was decided that the nominal + capital was to be 400,000 florins, divided into shares of 100 florins + each. Half the shares were subscribed for by the Hebrew financialists, and + the other half was credited to the Blancs as the price of their + concession. During the winter a small kursaal was built and a small garden + planted; the mineral well was deepened, and flaming advertisements + appeared in all the German newspapers announcing to the world that the + famous waters of Hombourg were able to cure every disease to which flesh + is heir, and that to enable visitors to while away their evenings + agreeably a salon had been opened, in which they would have an opportunity + to win fabulous sums by risking their money either at the game of <i>Trente + et Quarante</i> or at <i>Roulette</i>. From these small beginnings arose + the "company" whose career has been so notorious. It has enjoyed + uninterrupted good fortune. During the twenty-six years that have elapsed + since its foundation, a vast palace dedicated to gambling has been built, + the village has become a town, well paved, and lighted with gas; the + neighbouring hills are covered with villas; about eighty acres have been + laid out in pleasure-grounds; roads have been made in all directions + through the surrounding woods; the visitors are numbered by tens of + thousands; there are above twenty hotels and many hundred excellent + lodging-houses.'(77) + </p> + <p> + (77) Correspondent of <i>Daily News.</i> + </p> + <p> + 'Let those who are disposed to risk their money inquire what is the + character of the managers, and be on their guard. The expenses of such an + enormous and splendid establishment amount to L10,000, and the shares have + for some years paid a handsome dividend—the whole of which must be + paid out of the pockets of travellers and visitors.'(78) + </p> + <p> + (78) Murray, <i>ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + Mr Sala in his interesting work, already quoted, furnishes the completest + account of Hombourg, its Kursaal, and gambling, which I have condensed as + follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'In Hombourg the Kursaal is everything, and the town nothing. The + extortionate hotel-keepers, the "snub-nosed rogues of counter and till," + who overcharge you in the shops, make their egregious profits from the + Kursaal. The major part of the Landgrave's revenue is derived from the + Kursaal; he draws L5000 a year from it. He and his house are sold to the + Kursaal; and the Board of Directors of the Kursaal are the real sovereigns + and land-graves of Hesse Hombourg. They have metamorphosed a miserable + mid-German townlet into a city of palaces. Their stuccoed and frescoed + palace is five hundred times handsomer than the mouldy old Schloss, built + by William with the silver leg. They have planted the gardens; they have + imported the orange-trees; they have laid out the park, and enclosed the + hunting-grounds; they board, lodge, wash, and tax the inhabitants; and I + may say, without the slightest attempt at punning, that the citizens are + all <i>Kursed</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'In the Kursaal is the ball or concert-room, at either end of which is a + gallery, supported by pillars of composition marble. The floors are + inlaid, and immense mirrors in sumptuous frames hang on the walls. Vice + can see her own image all over the establishment. The ceiling is superbly + decorated with bas-reliefs in <i>carton-pierre</i>, like those in Mr + Barry's new Covent Garden Theatre; and fresco paintings, executed by + Viotti, of Milan, and Conti, of Munich; whilst the whole is lighted up by + enormous and gorgeous chandeliers. The apartment to the right is called + the <i>Salle Japanese</i>, and is used as a dining-room for a monster <i>table + d'hote</i>, held twice a day, and served by the famous Chevet of Paris. + </p> + <p> + 'There is a huge Cafe Olympique, for smoking and imbibing purposes, + private cabinets for parties, the monster saloon, and two smaller ones, + where <i>FROM ELEVEN IN THE FORENOON TO ELEVEN AT NIGHT, SUNDAYS NOT + EXCEPTED, ALL THE YEAR ROUND</i>, and year after year—(the + "administration" have yet a "<i>jouissance</i>" of eighty-five years to + run out, guaranteed by the incoming dynasty of Hesse Darmstadt), knaves + and fools, from almost every corner of the world, gamble at the ingenious + and amusing games of <i>Roulette</i>, and <i>Rouge et Noir</i>, otherwise + <i>Trente et Quarante</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'There is one table covered with green baize, tightly stretched as on a + billiard-field. In the midst of the table there is a circular pit, coved + inwards, but not bottomless, and containing the Roulette wheel, a + revolving disc, turning with an accurate momentum on a brass pillar, and + divided at its outer edge into thirty-seven narrow and shallow pigeon-hole + compartments, coloured alternately red and black, and numbered—not + consecutively—up to thirty-six. The last is a blank, and stands for + <i>Zero</i>, number <i>Nothing</i>. Round the upper edge, too, run a + series of little brass hoops, or bridges, to cause the ball to hop and + skip, and not at once into the nearest compartment. This is the regimen of + Roulette. The banker sits before the wheel,—a croupier, or payer-out + of winnings to and raker in of losses from the players, on either side. + Crying in a voice calmly sonorous, "<i>Faites le Jeu, Messieurs</i>,"—"Make + your game, gentlemen!" the banker gives the wheel a dexterous twirl, and + ere it has made one revolution, casts into its Maelstrom of black and red + an ivory ball. The interval between this and the ball finding a home is + one of breathless anxiety. Stakes are eagerly laid; but at a certain + period of the revolution the banker calls out—"<i>Le Jeu est fait. + Rien ne va plus</i>,"—and after that intimation it is useless to lay + down money. Then the banker, in the same calm and impassable voice, + declares the result. It may run thus:—"<i>Vingt-neuf, Noir, Impair, + et Passe," "Twenty-nine, Black, Odd, and Pass the Rubicon</i>" (No. 18); + or, "<i>Huit, Rouge, Pair, et Manque</i>," "Eight, Red, Even, and <i>NOT</i> + Pass the Rubicon." + </p> + <p> + 'Now, on either side of the wheel, and extending to the extremity of the + table, run, in duplicate, the schedule of <i>mises</i> or stakes. The + green baize first offers just thirty-six square compartments, marked out + by yellow threads woven in the fabric itself, and bearing thirty-six + consecutive numbers. If you place a florin (one and eight-pence)—and + no lower stake is permitted—or ten florins, or a Napoleon, or an + English five-pound note, or any sum of money not exceeding the maximum, + whose multiple is the highest stake which the bank, if it loses, can be + made to pay, in the midst of compartment 29, and if the banker, in that + calm voice of his, has declared that 29 has become the resting place of + the ball, the croupier will push towards you with his rake exactly + thirty-three times the amount of your stake, whatever it might have been. + You must bear in mind, however, that the bank's loss on a single stake is + limited to eight thousand francs. Moreover, if you have placed another sum + of money in the compartment inscribed, in legible yellow colours, "<i>Impair</i>," + or Odd, you will receive the equivalent to your stake—twenty-nine + being an odd number. If you have placed a coin on <i>Passe</i>, you will + also receive this additional equivalent to your stake, twenty-nine being + "Past the Rubicon," or middle of the table of numbers—18. Again, if + you have ventured your money in a compartment bearing for device a lozenge + in outline, which represents black, and twenty-nine being a black number, + you will again pocket a double stake, that is, one in addition to your + original venture. More, and more still,—if you have risked money on + the columns—that is, betted on the number turning up corresponding + with some number in one of the columns of the tabular schedule, and have + selected the right column—you have your own stake and two others;—if + you have betted on either of these three eventualities, <i>douze premier, + douze milieu</i>, or <i>douze dernier</i>, otherwise "first dozen," + "middle dozen," or "last dozen," as one to twelve, thirteen to + twenty-four, twenty-five to thirty-six, all inclusive, and have chanced to + select <i>douze dernier</i>, the division in which No. 29 occurs, you also + obtain a treble stake, namely, your own and two more which the bank pays + you, your florin or your five-pound note—benign fact!—metamorphosed + into three. But, woe to the wight who should have ventured on the number + "eight," on the red colour (compartment with a crimson lozenge), on + "even," and on "not past the Rubicon;" for twenty-nine does not comply + with any one of these conditions. He loses, and his money is coolly swept + away from him by the croupier's rake. With reference to the last chances I + enumerated in the last paragraph, I should mention that the number <i>EIGHT</i> + would lie in the second column—there being three columns,—and + in the first dozen numbers. + </p> + <p> + 'There are more chances, or rather subdivisions of chances, to entice the + player to back the "numbers;" for these the stations of the ball are as + capricious as womankind; and it is, of course, extremely rare that a + player will fix upon the particular number that happens to turn up. But he + may place a piece of money <i>a cheval</i>, or astride, on the line which + divides two numbers, in which case (either of the numbers turning up) he + receives sixteen times his stake. He may place it on the cross lines that + divide four numbers, and, if either of the four wins, he will receive + eight times the amount of his stake. A word as to <i>Zero</i>. Zero is + designated by the compartment close to the wheel's diameter, and zero, or + blank, will turn up, on an average, about once in seventy times. If you + have placed money in zero, and the ball seeks that haven, you will receive + thirty-three times your stake.' + </p> + <p> + The twin or elder brother of <i>Roulette</i>, played at Hombourg, <i>Rouge + et Noir</i>, or <i>Trente et Quarante</i>, is thus described by Mr Sala:— + </p> + <p> + 'There is the ordinary green-cloth covered table, with its brilliant + down-coming lights. In the centre sits the banker, gold and silver in + piles and <i>rouleaux</i>, and bank-notes before him. On either hand, the + croupier, as before, now wielding the rakes and plying them to bring in + the money, now balancing them, now shouldering them, as soldiers do their + muskets, half-pay officers their canes, and dandies their silk umbrellas. + The banker's cards are, as throughout all the Rhenish gaming-places, of + French design; the same that were invented, or, at least, first used in + Europe, for crazy Charles the Simple. These cards are placed on an + inclined plane of marble, called a <i>talon</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'The dealer first takes six packs of cards, shuffles them, and distributes + them in various parcels to the various punters or players round the table, + to shuffle and mix. He then finally shuffles them, and takes and places + the end cards into various parts of the three hundred and twelve cards, + until he meets with a <i>court card</i>, which he must place upright at + the end. This done, he presents the pack to one of the players to cut, who + places the pictured card where the <i>dealer</i> separates the pack, and + that part of the pack beyond the pictured card he places at the end + nearest him, leaving the pictured card at the bottom of the pack. + </p> + <p> + 'The dealer then takes a certain number of cards, about as many as would + form a pack, and, looking at the first card, to know its colour, puts it + on the table with its face downwards. He then takes two cards, one red and + the other black, and sets them back to back. These cards are turned, and + displayed conspicuously, as often as the colour varies, for the + information of the company. + </p> + <p> + 'The gamblers having staked their money on either of the colours, the + dealer asks, "<i>Votre jeu est-il fait?</i>" "Is your game made?" or, "<i>Votre + jeu est-il piet?</i>" "Is your game ready?" or, "<i>Le jeu est pret, + Messieurs</i>," "The game is ready, gentlemen." He then deals the first + card with its face upwards, saying "<i>Noir;</i>" and continues dealing + until the cards turned exceed thirty points or pips in number, which + number he must mention, as "<i>Trente-et-un</i>," or "<i>Trente-six</i>," + as the case may be. + </p> + <p> + 'As the aces reckon but for one, no card after thirty can make up forty; + the dealer, therefore, does not declare the <i>tens</i> after <i>thirty-one</i>, + or upwards, but merely the units, as one, two, three; if the number of + points dealt for <i>Noir</i> are thirty-five he says "<i>Cinq</i>." + </p> + <p> + 'Another parcel is then dealt for <i>rouge</i>, or <i>red</i>, and with + equal deliberation and solemnity; and if the players stake beyond the + colour that comes to <i>thirty-one</i> or nearest to it, he wins, which + happy eventuality is announced by the dealer crying—"<i>Rouge gagne</i>," + "Red wins," or "<i>Rouge perd</i>," "Red loses." These two parcels, one + for each colour, make a <i>coup</i>. The same number of parcels being + dealt for each colour, the dealer says, "<i>Apres</i>," "After." This is a + "doublet," called in the amiable French tongue, "<i>un refait</i>," by + which neither party wins, unless both colours come to <i>thirty-one</i>, + which the dealer announces by saying, "<i>Un refait Trente-et-un</i>," and + he wins half the stakes posted on both colours. He, however, does not take + the money, but removes it to the middle line, and the players may change + the <i>venue</i> of their stakes if they please. This is called the first + "prison," or <i>la premiere prison</i>, and, if they win their next event, + they draw the entire stake. In case of another "<i>refait</i>," the money + is removed into the third line, which is called the second prison. So you + see that there are wheels within wheels, and Lord Chancellor King's + dictum, that walls can be built higher, but there should be no prison + within a prison, is sometimes reversed. + </p> + <p> + When this happens the dealer wins all. + </p> + <p> + 'The cards are sometimes cut for which colour shall be dealt first; but, + in general, the first parcel is for <i>black</i>, and the second for <i>red</i>. + The odds against a "<i>refait</i>" turning up are usually reckoned as 63 + to 1. The bankers, however, acknowledge that they expect it twice in three + deals, and there are generally from twenty-nine to thirty-two coups in + each deal. The odds in favour of winning several times are about the same + as in the game of Pharaon, and are as delusive. 'He who goes to Hombourg + and expects to see any melodramatic manifestation of rage, disappointment, + and despair in the losing players, reckons without his host. Winners or + losers seldom speak above a whisper; and the only sound that is heard + above the suppressed buzz of conversation, the muffled jingle of the money + on the green cloth, the "sweep" of the croupiers' rakes, and the ticking + of the very ornate French clocks on the mantel-pieces, is the impassibly + metallic voice of the banker, as he proclaims his "<i>Rouge perd</i>," or + "<i>Couleur gagne</i>." People are too genteel at Hombourg-von-der-Hohe to + scream, to yell, to fall into fainting fits, or go into convulsions, + because they have lost four or five thousand francs or so in a single + coup. + </p> + <p> + 'I have heard of one gentleman, indeed, who, after a ruinous loss, put a + pistol to his head, and discharging it, spattered his brains over the + Roulette wheel. It was said that the banker, looking up calmly, called out—'<i>Triple + Zero,' 'Treble Nothing</i>,'—a case as yet unheard of in the tactics + of Roulette, but signifying annihilation,—and that, a cloth being + thrown over the ensanguined wheel, the bank of that particular table was + declared to be closed for the day. Very probably the whole story is but a + newspaper <i>canard</i>, devised by the proprietors of some rival gaming + establishment, who would have been delighted to see the fashionable + Hombourg under a cloud. + </p> + <p> + 'When people want to commit suicide at Hombourg, they do it genteelly; + early in the morning, or late at night, in the solitude of their own + apartments at the hotels. It would be reckoned a gross breach of good + manners to scandalize the refined and liberal administration of the + Kursaal by undisguised <i>felo-de-se</i>. The devil on two <i>croupes</i> + at Hombourg is the very genteelest of demons imaginable. He ties his tail + up with cherry-coloured ribbon, and conceals his cloven foot in a + patent-leather boot. All this gentility and varnish, and elegant veneering + of the sulphurous pit, takes away from him, if it does not wholly + extinguish, the honour and loathing for a common gaming-house, with which + the mind of a wellured English youth has been sedulously imbued by his + parents and guardians. He has very probably witnessed the performance of + the "Gamester" at the theatre, and been a spectator of the remorseful + agonies of Mr Beverly, the virtuous sorrows of Mrs B., and the dark + villanies of Messieurs Dawson and Bates. + </p> + <p> + 'The first visit of the British youth to the Kursaal is usually paid with + fear and trembling. He is with difficulty persuaded to enter the accursed + place. When introduced to the saloons—delusively called <i>de + conversation</i>, he begins by staring fixedly at the chandeliers, the + ormolu clocks, and the rich draperies, and resolutely averts his eyes from + the serried ranks of punters or players, and the Pactolus, whose sands are + circulating on the green cloth on the table. Then he thinks there is no + very great harm in looking on, and so peeps over the shoulder of a + moustached gamester, who perhaps whispers to him in the interval between + two coups, that if a man will only play carefully, and be content with + moderate gains, he may win sufficient—taking the good days and the + evil days in a lump—to keep him in a decent kind of affluence all + the year round. Indeed, I once knew a croupier—we used to call him + Napoleon, from the way he took snuff from his waistcoat pocket, who was in + the way of expressing a grave conviction that it was possible to make a + capital living at Roulette, so long as you stuck to the colours, and + avoided the Scylla of the numbers and the Charybdis of the Zero. By + degrees, then, the shyness of the neophyte wears off. Perhaps in the + course of his descent of Avernus, a revulsion of feeling takes place, and, + horror-struck and ashamed, he rushes out of the Kursaal, determined to + enter its portals no more. Then he temporizes; remembers that there is a + capital reading-room, provided with all the newspapers and periodicals of + civilized Europe, attached to the Kursaalian premises. There can be no + harm, he thinks, in glancing over "Galignani" or the "Charivari," although + under the same roof as the abhorred <i>Trente et Quarante;</i> but, alas! + he finds <i>Galignani</i> engaged by an acrid old lady of morose + countenance, who has lost all her money by lunch-time, and is determined + to "take it out in reading," and the <i>Charivari</i> slightly clenched in + one hand by the deaf old gentleman with the dingy ribbon of the Legion of + Honour, and the curly brown wig pushed up over one ear, who always goes to + sleep on the soft and luxurious velvet couches of the Kursaal + reading-room, from eleven till three, every day, Sundays not excepted. The + disappointed student of home or foreign news wanders back to one of the + apartments where play is going, on. In fact, he does not know what to do + with himself until table-d'hote time. You know what the moral bard, Dr + Watts says:— + </p> + <p> + "Satan finds some mischief still, For idle hands to do." + </p> + <p> + The unfledged gamester watches the play more narrowly. A stout lady in a + maroon velvet mantle, and a man with a bald head, a black patch on his + occiput, and gold spectacles, obligingly makes way for him. He finds + himself pressed against the very edge of the table. Perhaps a chair—one + of those delightfully comfortable Kursaal chairs—is vacant. He is + tired with doing nothing, and sinks into the emolliently-cushioned <i>fauteuil</i>. + He fancies that he has caught the eye of the banker, or one of the + gentlemen of the <i>croupe</i>, and that they are meekly inviting him to + try his luck. "Well, there can't be much harm in risking a florin," he + murmurs. He stakes his silver-piece on a number or a colour. He wins, we + will say, twice or thrice. Perhaps he quadruples his stake, nay, + perchance, hits on the lucky number. It turns up, and he receives + thirty-five times the amount of his <i>mise</i>. Thenceforth it is all + over with that ingenuous British youth. The Demon of Play has him for his + own, and he may go on playing and playing until he has lost every florin + of his own, or as many of those belonging to other people as he can beg or + borrow. Far more fortunate for him would it be in the long run, if he met + in the outset with a good swinging loss. The burnt child <i>DOES</i> dread + the fire as a rule; but there is this capricious, almost preternatural, + feature of the physiology of gaming, that the young and inexperienced + generally win in the first instance. They are drawn on and on, and in and + in. They begin to lose, and continue to lose, and by the time they have + cut their wise teeth they have neither sou nor silver to make their + dearly-bought wisdom available. + </p> + <p> + 'At least one-half of the company may be assumed to be arrant rascals—rascals + male and rascals female—<i>chevaliers d'industrie</i>, the + offscourings of all the shut-up gambling-houses in Europe, demireps and <i>lorettes</i>, + single and married women innumerable.' + </p> + <p> + In the course of the three visits he has paid to Hombourg, Mr Sala has + observed that 'nine-tenths of the English visitors to the Kursaal, play;' + and he does not hesitate to say that the moths who flutter round the + garish lamps at the Kursaal Van der Hohe, and its kindred Hades, almost + invariably singe their wings; and that the chaseer at <i>Roulette</i> and + <i>Rouge</i>, generally turn out edged tools, with which those incautious + enough to play with them are apt to cut their fingers, sometimes very + dangerously. + </p> + <p> + The season of 1869 in Hombourg is thus depicted in a high class newspaper. + </p> + <p> + 'Never within the memory of the oldest inhabitant (who in this instance + must undoubtedly be that veteran player Countess Kisselef) has the town + witnessed such an influx of tourists of every class and description. + Hotels and lodging-houses are filled to overflowing. Every day imprudent + travellers who have neglected the precaution of securing rooms before + their arrival return disconsolately to Frankfort to await the vacation of + some apartment which a condescending landlord has promised them after much + negotiation for the week after next. The morning promenade is a wonderful + sight; such a host of bilious faces, such an endless variety of eccentric + costumes, such a Babel of tongues, among which the shrill twang of our + fair American cousins is peculiarly prominent, could be found in no other + place in the civilized world. A moralist would assuredly find here + abundant food for reflection on the wonderful powers of self-deception + possessed by mankind. We all get up at most inconvenient hours, swallow a + certain quantity of a most nauseous fluid, and then, having sacrificed so + much to appearances, soothe our consciences with the unfounded belief that + a love of early rising and salt water was our real reason for coming here, + and that the gambling tables had nothing whatever to do with it. Perhaps, + in some few instances, this view may be the correct one; some few + invalids, say one in a hundred, may have sought Hombourg solely in the + interest of an impaired digestion, but I fear that such cases are few and + far between; and, as a friend afflicted with a mania for misquotation + remarked to me the other day, even "those who come to drink remain to + play." + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly the demon of Rouge et Noir has never held more undisputed sway + in Hombourg than in the present season; never have the tables groaned + under such a load of notes and rouleaux. It would seem as if the gamblers, + having only two or more years left in which to complete their ruin, were + hurrying on with redoubled speed to that desirable consummation, and where + a stake of 12,000 francs is allowed on a single coup the pace can be made + very rapid indeed. High play is so common that unless you are lucky enough + to win or rich enough to lose a hundred thousand francs at least, you need + not hope to excite either envy or commiseration. One persevering + Muscovite, who has been punting steadily for six weeks, has actually + succeeded in getting rid of a million of florins. As yet there have been + no suicides to record, owing probably to the precautionary measures + adopted by a paternal Administration. As soon as a gambler is known to be + utterly cleared out he at once receives a visit from one of M. Blanc's + officials, who offers him a small sum on condition he will leave the town + forthwith; which viaticum, however, for fear of accidents, is only handed + to him when fairly seated in the train that bears him away, to blow out + his brains, should he feel so inclined, elsewhere. One of the most + unpleasant facts connected with the gambling is the ardour displayed by + many ladies in this very unfeminine pursuit: last night out of twenty-five + persons seated at the Roulette table I counted no fewer than fifteen + ladies, including an American lady with her two daughters! + </p> + <p> + 'The King of Prussia has arrived, and, with due deference to the official + editors who have described in glowing paragraphs the popular + demonstrations in his honour, I am bound to assert that he was received + with very modified tokens of delight. There was not even a repetition of + the triumphal arch of last year; those funereal black and white flags, + whose sole aspect is enough to repress any exuberance of rejoicing, were + certainly flapping against the hotel windows and the official flagstaffs, + but little else testified to the joy of the Hombourgers at beholding their + Sovereign. They manage these things better in France. Any French <i>prefet</i> + would give the German authorities a few useful hints concerning the cheap + and speedy manufacture of loyal enthusiasm. The foreigners, however, seem + determined to atone amply for any lack of proper feeling on the part of + the townspeople. They crowd round his Majesty as soon as he appears in the + rooms or gardens, and mob the poor old gentleman with a vigour which taxes + all the energies of his aides-de-camp to save their Royal master from + death by suffocation. Need I add that our old friend the irrepressible + "'Arry" is ever foremost in these gentlemanlike demonstrations? + </p> + <p> + 'Of course the town swarms with well-known English faces; indeed, the + Peers and M.P.s here at present would form a very respectable party in the + two Houses. We are especially well off for dukes; the <i>Fremdenliste</i> + notifies the presence of no fewer than five of those exalted personages. A + far less respectable class of London society is also, I am sorry to say, + strongly represented: I allude to those gentlemen of the light-fingered + persuasion whom the outer world rudely designate as pickpockets. This + morning two gorgeously arrayed members of the fraternity were marched down + to the station by the police, each being decorated with a pair of bright + steel handcuffs; seventeen of them were arrested last week in Frankfort at + one fell swoop, and at the tables the row of lookers-on who always + surround the players consists in about equal proportions of these gentry + and their natural enemies—the detectives. Their booty since the + beginning of the season must be reckoned by thousands. Mustapha Fazyl + Pasha had his pocket picked of a purse containing L600, and a Russian lady + was lately robbed of a splendid diamond brooch valued at 75,000 + francs.(79) + </p> + <p> + (79) Pall Mall Gazette, Aug. 1869. + </p> + <p> + But the days of the Kursaal are numbered, and the glories or infamies of + Hombourg are doomed. + </p> + <p> + 'The fiat has gone forth. In five years(80) from this time the "game will + be made" no longer—the great gambling establishment of Hombourg will + be a thing of the past. The town will be obliged to contend on equal terms + with other watering-places for its share of the wool on the backs of + summer excursionists. + </p> + <p> + (80) In 1872. + </p> + <p> + 'As most of the townspeople are shareholders in this thriving concern, and + as all of them gain either directly or indirectly by the play, it was + amusing to watch the anxiety of these worthies during the war between + Austria and Prussia. Patriotism they had none; they cared neither for + Austrian nor Prussian, for a great Germany nor for a small Germany. The + "company" was their god and their country. All that concerned them was to + know whether the play was likely to be suppressed. When they were annexed + to Prussia, at first they could not believe that Count Bismarck, whatever + he might do with kings, would venture to interfere with the "bank." It was + to them a divine institution—something far superior to dynasties and + kingdoms.... + </p> + <p> + 'For a year the Hombourgers were allowed to suppose that their "peculiar + institution" was indeed superior to fate, to public opinion, and to + Prussia; but at the commencement of the present year they were rudely + awakened from their dreams of security. The sword that had been hanging + over them fell. The directors of the company were ordered to appear before + the governor of the town, and they were told that they and all belonging + to them were to cease to exist in 1872, and that the following arrangement + was to be made respecting the plunder gained until that date. The + shareholders were to receive 10 per cent. on their money; 5000 shares were + to be paid off at par each year, and if this did not absorb all the + profits, the surplus was to go towards a fund for keeping up the gardens + after the play had ceased. By this means, as there are now 36,000 shares, + 25,000 will be paid off at par, and the remaining 11,000 will be + represented by the buildings and the land belonging to the company, which + it will be at liberty to sell to the highest bidder. Since this decree has + been promulgated the Hombourgers are in despair. The croupiers and the + clerks, the Jews who lend money at high interest, the Christians who let + lodgings, all the rogues and swindlers who one way or another make a + living out of the play, fill the air with their complaints. + </p> + <p> + 'Although no doubt individuals will suffer by the suppression of public + play here, it is by no means certain that the town itself will not be a + gainer by it. Holiday seekers must go somewhere. The air of Hombourg is + excellent; the waters are invigorating; the town is well situated and easy + of access by rail; living is comparatively cheap—a room may be had + for about 18<i>s</i>. a week, an excellent dinner for 2<i>s</i>.; + breakfast costs less than a shilling. Hombourg is now a fixed fact, and if + the townspeople take heart and grapple with the new state of things—if + they buy up the Kursaal, and throw open its salons to visitors; if they + keep up the opera, the cricket club, and the shooting; if they have good + music, and balls and concerts for those who like them, there is no reason + why they should not attract as many visitors to their town as they do + now.'(81) + </p> + <p> + (81) Correspondent of <i>Daily News.</i> + </p> + <p> + AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. + </p> + <p> + The gaming at Aix-la-Chapelle is equally desperate and destructive. 'A + Russian officer of my acquaintance,' says a writer in the Annual Register + for 1818, 'was subject, like many of his countrymen whom I have known, to + the infatuation of play to a most ridiculous excess. His distrust of + himself under the assailments which he anticipated at a place like + Aix-la-Chapelle, had induced him to take the prudent precaution of paying + in advance at his hotel for his board and lodging, and at the + bathing-house for his baths, for the time he intended to stay. The + remaining contents of his purse he thought fairly his own; and he went of + course to the table all the gayer for the license he had taken of his + conscience. On fortune showing him a few favours, he came to me in high + spirits, with a purse full of Napoleons, and a resolute determination to + keep them by venturing no more; but a gamester can no more be stationary + than the tide of a river, and on the evening he was put out of suspense by + having not a Napoleon left, and nothing to console but congratulation on + his foresight, and the excellent supper which was the fruit of it.' + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the last century Aix-la-Chapelle was a great rendezvous + of gamblers. The chief banker there paid a thousand louis per annum for + his license. A little Italian adventurer once went to the place with only + a few louis in his pocket, and played crown stakes at Hazard. Fortune + smiled on him; he increased his stakes progressively; in twenty-four hours + won about L4000. On the following day he stripped the bank entirely, + pocketing nearly L10,000. He continued to play for some days, till he was + at last reduced to a single louis! He now obtained from a friend the loan + of L30, and once more resumed his station at the gaming table, which he + once more quitted with L10,000 in his pocket, and resolved to leave it for + ever. The arguments of one of the bankers, however, who followed him to + his inn, soon prevailed over his resolution, and on his return to the + gaming table he was stripped of his last farthing. He went to his + lodgings, sold his clothes, and by that means again appeared at his old + haunt, for the half-crown stakes, by which he honourably repaid his loan + of L30. His end was unknown to the relater of the anecdote, but 'ten to + one,' it was ruin. + </p> + <p> + At the same place, in the year 1793, the heir-apparent of an Irish Marquis + lost at various times nearly L20,000 at a billiard table, partly owing to + his antagonist being an excellent calculator, as well as a superior + player. + </p> + <p> + A French emigrant at Aix-la-Chapelle, who carried a basket of tarts, + liqueurs, &c., for regaling the gamesters, put down twenty-five louis + at <i>Rouge et Noir</i>. He lost. He then put down fifteen, and lost + again; at the third turn he staked ten; but while the cards were being + shuffled, seeming to recollect himself, he felt all his pockets, and at + length found two large French crowns, and a small one, which he also + ventured. The deal was determined at the ninth card; and the poor wretch, + who had lost his all, dashed down his basket, started from his seat, + overturning two chairs as he forced the circle, tore off his hair, and + with horrid blasphemies, burst the folding doors, and rushing out like a + madman, was seen no more. + </p> + <p> + Another emigrant arrived here penniless, but meeting a friend, obtained + the loan of a few crowns, nearly his all. With these he went to the rooms, + put down his stake, and won. He then successively doubled his stakes till + he closed the evening with a hundred louis in his pocket. He went to his + friend, and with mutual congratulations they resolved to venture no more, + and calculated how long their gains would support them from absolute want, + and thus seemed to strengthen their wise resolution. + </p> + <p> + The next night, however, the lucky gambler returned to the room—but + only to be a spectator, as he firmly said. Alas! his resolution failed + him, and he quitted the tables indebted to a charitable bystander for a + livre or two, to pay for his petty refreshments. + </p> + <p> + It is said that the annual profit to the bankers was 120,000 florins, or + L14,000. + </p> + <p> + 'The very name of Aix-la-Chapelle,' says a traveller, 'makes one think (at + least, makes me think) of cards and dice,—sharks and pigeons. It has + a "professional odour" upon it, which is certainly not that of sanctity. I + entered the Redoute with my head full of sham barons, German Catalinas, + and the thousand-and-one popular tales of renowned knights of the green + cloth,—their seducing confederates, and infatuated dupes. + </p> + <p> + 'The rooms are well distributed; the saloons handsome. A sparkling of + ladies, apparently (and really, as I understood) of the best water, the <i>elite</i>, + in short, of Aix-la-Chapelle, were lounging on sofas placed round the + principal saloon, or fluttering about amidst a crowd of men, who filled up + the centre of the room, or thronged round the tables that were ranged on + one side of it. + </p> + <p> + 'The players continued their occupation in death-like silence, undisturbed + by the buzz or the gaze of the lookers-on; not a sound was heard but the + rattle of the heaped-up money, as it was passed from one side of the table + to the other; nor was the smallest anxiety or emotion visible on any + countenance. + </p> + <p> + 'The scene was unpleasing, though to me curious from its novelty. + </p> + <p> + Ladies are admitted to play, but there were none occupied this morning. I + was glad of it; indeed, though English travellers are accused of carrying + about with them a portable code of morality, which dissolves or stiffens + like a soap-cake as circumstances may affect its consistency, yet I + sincerely believe that there are few amongst us who would not feel shocked + at seeing one of the gentler sex in so unwomanly a position.'(82) + </p> + <p> + (82) Reminiscences of the Rhine, &c. Anon. + </p> + <p> + WIESBADEN. + </p> + <p> + The gambling here in 1868 has been described in a very vivid manner. + </p> + <p> + 'Since the enforcement of the Prussian Sunday observance regulations, + Monday has become the great day of the week for the banks of the German + gambling establishments. Anxious to make up for lost time, the regular + contributors to the company's dividends flock early on Monday forenoon to + the play-rooms in order to secure good places at the tables, which, by the + appointed hour for commencing operations (eleven o'clock), are closely + hedged round by persons of both sexes, eagerly waiting for the first deal + of the cards or the initial twist of the brass wheel, that they may try + another fall with Fortune. Before each seated player are arranged precious + little piles of gold and silver, a card printed in black and red, and a + long pin, wherewith to prick out a system of infallible gain. The + croupiers take their seats and unpack the strong box; rouleaux—long + metal sausages composed of double and single florins,—wooden bowls + brimming over with gold Frederics and Napoleons, bank notes of all sizes + and colours, are arranged upon the black leather compartment, ruled over + by the company's officers; half-a-dozen packs of new cards are stripped of + their paper cases, and swiftly shuffled together; and when all these + preliminaries, watched with breathless anxiety by the surrounding + speculators, have been gravely and carefully executed, the chief croupier + looks round him—a signal for the prompt investment of capital on all + parts of the table—chucks out a handful of cards from the mass + packed together convenient to his hand—ejaculates the formula, + "Faites le jeu!" and, after half a minute's pause, during which he + delicately moistens the ball of his dealing thumb, exclaims "Le jeu est + fait, rien ne va plus," and proceeds to interpret the decrees of fate + according to the approved fashion of Trente et Quarante. A similar scene + is taking place at the Roulette table—a goodly crop of florins, with + here and there a speck of gold shining amongst the silver harvest, is + being sown over the field of the cloth of green, soon to be reaped by the + croupier's sickle, and the pith ball is being dropped into the revolving + basin that is partitioned off into so many tiny black and red niches. For + the next twelve hours the processes in question are carried on swiftly and + steadily, without variation or loss of time; relays of croupiers are laid + on, who unobtrusively slip into the places of their fellows when the hours + arrive for relieving guard; the game is never stopped for more than a + couple of minutes at a time, viz., when the cards run out and have to be + re-shuffled. This brief interruption is commonly considered to portend a + break in the particular vein which the game may have happened to assume + during the deal—say a run upon black or red, an alternation of coups + (in threes or fours) upon either colour, two reds and a black, or <i>vice + versa</i>, all equally frequent eccentricities of the cards; and the + heavier players often change their seats, or leave the table altogether + for an hour or so at such a conjuncture. Curiously enough, excepting at + the very commencement of the day's play, the <i>habitues</i> of the Trente + et Quarante tables appear to entertain a strong antipathy to the first + deal or two after the cards have been "re-made." I have been told by one + or two masters of the craft that they have a fancy to see how matters are + likely to go before they strike in, as if it were possible to deduce the + future of the game from its past! That it is possible appears to be an + article of faith with the old stagers, and, indeed, every now and then odd + coincidences occur which tend to confirm them in their creed. I witnessed + an occurrence which was either attributable (as I believe) to sheer + chance, or (as its hero earnestly assured me) to instinct. A fair and + frail Magyar was punting on numbers with immense pluck and uniform ill + fortune. Behind her stood a Viennese gentleman of my acquaintance, who + enjoys a certain renown amongst his friends for the faculty of prophecy, + which, however, he seldom exercises for his own benefit. Observing that + she hesitated about staking her double florin, he advised her to set it on + the number 3. Round went the wheel, and in twenty seconds the ball tumbled + into compartment 3 sure enough. At the next turn she asked his advice, and + was told to try number 24. No sooner said than done, and 24 came up in due + course, whereby Mdlle L. C. won 140 odd gulden in two coups, the amount + risked by her being exactly four florins. Like a wise girl, she walked off + with her booty, and played no more that day at Roulette. A few minutes + later I saw an Englishman go through the performance of losing four + thousand francs by experimentalizing on single numbers. Twenty times + running did he set ten louis-d'ors on a number (varying the number at each + stake), and not one of his selection proved successful. At the "Thirty and + Forty" I saw an eminent diplomatist win sixty thousand francs with + scarcely an intermission of failure; he played all over the table, pushing + his rouleaux backwards and forwards, from black to red, without any + appearance of system that I could detect, and the cards seemed to follow + his inspiration. It was a great battle; as usual, three or four smaller + fish followed in his wake, till they lost courage and set against him, + much to their discomfiture and the advantage of the bank; but from first + to last—that is, till the cards ran out, and he left the table—he + was steadily victorious. In the evening he went in again for another heavy + bout, at which I chanced to be present; but fortune had forsaken him; and + he not only lost his morning's winnings, but eight thousand francs to + boot. I do not remember to have ever seen the tables so crowded—outside + it was thundering, lightening, and raining as if the world were coming to + an end, and the whole floating population of Wiesbaden was driven into the + Kursaal by the weather. A roaring time of it had the bank; when play was + over, about which time the rain ceased, hundreds of hot and thirsty + gamblers streamed out of the reeking rooms to the glazed-in terrace, and + the next hour, always the pleasantest of the twenty-four here and in + Hombourg—at Ems people go straight from the tables to bed,—was + devoted to animated chat and unlimited sherry-cobbler; all the "events" of + the day were passed in review, experiences exchanged, and confessions + made. Nobody had won; I could not hear of a single great success—the + bank had had it all its own way, and most of the "lions," worsted in the + fray, had evidently made up their minds to "drown it in the bowl." The + Russian detachment—a very strong one this year—was especially + hard hit; Spain and Italy were both unusually low-spirited; and there was + an extra solemnity about the British Isles that told its own sad tale. + Englishmen, when they have lost more than they can afford, generally take + it out of themselves in surly, brooding self-reproach. Frenchmen give vent + to their disgust and annoyance by abusing the game and its myrmidons. You + may hear them, loud and savage, on the terrace, "Ah! le salle jeu! comment + peut-on se laisser eplucher par des brigands de la sorte! Tripot, infame, + va! je te donne ma malediction!" Italians, again, endeavour to conceal + their discomfiture under a flow of feverish gaiety. Germans utter one or + two "Gotts donnerwetterhimmelsapperment!" light up their cigars, drink a + dozen or so "hocks," and subside into their usual state of ponderous + cheerfulness. Russians betray no emotion whatever over their calamities, + save, perhaps, that they smoke those famous little 'Laferme' cigarettes a + trifle faster and more nervously than at other times; but they are + excellent winners and magnificent losers, only to be surpassed in either + respect by their old enemy the Turk, who is <i>facile princeps</i> in the + art of hiding his feelings from the outer world. + </p> + <p> + 'The great mass of visitors at Wiesbaden this season, as at Hombourg, + belong to the middle and lower middle classes, leavened by a very few + celebrities and persons of genuine distinction. There are a dozen or two + eminent men here, not to be seen in the play-rooms, who are taking the + waters—Lord Clarendon, Baron Rothschild, Prince Souvarof, and a few + more—but the general run of guests is by no means remarkable for + birth, wealth, or respectability; and we are shockingly off for ladies. As + a set-off against this deficiency, it would seem that all the aged, + broken-down courtesans of Paris, Vienna, and Berlin have agreed to make + Wiesbaden their autumn rendezvous. Arrayed in all the colours of the + rainbow, painted up to the roots of their dyed hair, shamelessly <i>decolletees</i>, + prodigal of "free" talk and unseemly gesture, these ghastly creatures, + hideous caricatures of youth and beauty, flaunt about the play-rooms and + gardens, levying black-mail upon those who are imprudent enough to engage + them in "chaff" or badinage, and desperately endeavouring to hook + themselves on to the wealthier and younger members of the male community. + They poison the air round them with sickly perfumes; they assume titles, + and speak of one another as "cette chere comtesse;" their walk is + something between a prance and a wriggle; they prowl about the terrace + whilst the music is playing, seeking whom they may devour, or rather whom + they may inveigle into paying for their devouring: and, <i>bon Dieu!</i> + how they do gorge themselves with food and drink when some silly lad or + aged roue allows himself to be bullied or wheedled into paying their scot! + Their name is legion; and they constitute the very worst feature of a + place which, naturally a Paradise, is turned into a seventh hell by the + uncontrolled rioting of human passions. They have no friends—no + "protectors;" they are dependent upon accident for a meal or a piece of + gold to throw away at the tables; they are plague-spots upon the face of + society; they are, as a rule, crassly ignorant and horribly cynical; and + yet there are many men here who are proud of their acquaintance, always + ready to entertain them in the most expensive manner, and who speak of + them as if they were the only desirable companions in the world! + </p> + <p> + 'Amongst our notabilities of the eccentric sort, not the least singular in + her behaviour is the Countess C——o, an aged patrician of + immense fortune, who is as constant to Wiesbaden as old Madame de K——f + is to Hombourg on the Heights. Like the last-named lady, she is daily + wheeled to her place in the Black and Red temple, and plays away for eight + or nine hours with wonderful spirit and perseverance. She has with her a + <i>suite</i> of eight domestics; and when she wins (which is not often), + on returning to her hotel at night, she presents each member of her + retinue with—twopence! "not," as she naively avows, "from a feeling + of generosity, but to propitiate Fortune." When she loses, none of them, + save the man who wheels her home, get anything but hard words from her; + and he, happy fellow, receives a donation of six kreutzers. She does not + curse the croupiers loudly for her bad luck, like her contemporary, the + once lovely Russian Ambassadress; but, being very far advanced in years, + and of a tender disposition, sheds tears over her misfortunes, resting her + chin on the edge of the table. An edifying sight is this venerable dame, + bearing an exalted title, as she mopes and mouths over her varying luck, + missing her stake twice out of three times, when she fain would push it + with her rake into some particular section of the table! She is very + intimate with one or two antediluvian diplomatists and warriors, who are + here striving to bolster themselves up for another year with the waters, + and may be heard crowing out lamentations over her fatal passion for play, + interspersed with bits of moss-grown scandal, disinterred from the social + ruins of an age long past: Radetzky, Wratislaw (le beau sabreur), the two + Schwarzenbergs (he of Leipsic, and the former Prime Minister), Paul + Eszterhazy, Wrangel, and Blucher were friends of her youth; judging from + her appearance, one would not be surprised to hear that she had received a + "poulet" from Baron Trenck, or played whist with Maria Theresa. She has + outlived all human friendships or affections, and exists only for the + chink of the gold as it jingles on the gaming table. I cannot help + fancying that her last words will be "Rien ne va plus!" She is a great and + convincing moral, if one but interpret her rightly.'(83) + </p> + <p> + (83) Daily Telegraph, Aug. 15, 1868. + </p> + <p> + The doom of the German gaming houses seems to be settled. They will all be + closed in 1872, as appears by the following announcement:— + </p> + <p> + 'The Prussian government, not having been able to obtain from the lessees + of the gaming tables at Wiesbaden, Ems, and Hombourg their consent to + their cancelling of their contracts, has resolved to terminate their + privileges by a legislative measure. It has presented a bill to the + Chamber of Deputies at Berlin, fixing the year 1872 as the limit to the + existence of these establishments, and even authorizing the government to + suppress them at an earlier period by a royal ordinance. No indemnity is + to be allowed to the persons holding concessions.'—<i>Feb</i>. 23, + 1868. + </p> + <p> + A London newspaper defends this measure in a very successful manner. + </p> + <p> + 'Prussia has declared her purpose to eradicate from the territories + subject to her increased sway, and from others recognizing her influence, + the disgrace of the <i>Rouge et Noir</i> and the Roulette table as public + institutions. Her reasoning is to the effect that they bring scandal upon + Germany; that they associate with the names of its favourite + watering-places the appellation of "hells;" that they attract swindlers + and adventurers of every degree; and that they have for many a year past + been held up to the opprobrium of Europe. For why should this practice be + a lawful practice of Germany and of no other country in Europe? Why not in + France, in Spain, in Italy, in the Northern States, in Great Britain + itself? Let us not give to this last proposition more importance than it + is worth. The German watering-places are places of leisure, of trifling, + of <i>ennui</i>. That is why, originally, they were selected as + encampments by the tribes which fatten upon hazards. But there was another + reason: they brought in welcome revenues to needy princes. Even now, in + view of the contemplated expurgation, Monaco is named, with Geneva, as + successor to the perishing glories of Hombourg, Wiesbaden, and the great + Baden itself. That is to say, the gamblers, or, rather, the professionals + who live upon the gambling propensities of others, having received from + Prussia and her friends notice to quit, are in search of new lodgings. + </p> + <p> + 'The question is, they being determined, and the accommodation being not + less certainly ready for them than the sea is for the tribute of a river, + will the reform designed be a really progressive step in the civilization + of Europe? Prussia says—decidedly so; because it will demolish an + infamous privilege. She affirms that an institution which might have been + excusable under a landgrave, with a few thousand acres of territory, is + inconsistent with the dignity and, to quote continental phraseology, the + mission of a first-class state. Here again the reasoning is + incontrovertible. Of one other thing, moreover, we may feel perfectly + sure, that Prussia having determined to suppress these centres and sources + of corruption, they will gradually disappear from Europe. Concede to them + a temporary breathing-time at Monaco; the time left for even a nominally + independent existence to Monaco is short: imagine that they find a fresh + outlet at Geneva; Prussia will have represented the public opinion of the + age, against which not even the Republicanism of Switzerland can long make + a successful stand. Upon the whole, history can never blame Prussia for + such a use either of her conquests or her influence. Say what you will, + gambling is an indulgence blushed over in England; abroad, practised as a + little luxury in dissipation, it may be pardoned as venial; habitually, + however, it is a leprosy. And as it is by habitual gamblers that these + haunts are made to flourish, this alone should reconcile the world of + tourists to a deprivation which for them must be slight; while to the + class they imitate, without equalling, it will be the prohibition of an + abominable habit.'(84) + </p> + <p> + (84) Extracts from a 'leader' in the Standard of Sept. 4, 1869. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. GAMBLING IN THE UNITED STATES. + </h2> + <p> + It is not surprising that a people so intensely speculative, excitable, + and eager as the Americans, should be desperately addicted to gambling. + Indeed, the spirit of gambling has incessantly pervaded all their + operations, political, commercial, and social.(85) It is but one of the + manifestations of that thorough license arrogated to itself by the nation, + finding its true expression in the American maxim recorded by Mr Hepworth + Dixon, so coarsely worded, but so significant,—'Every man has a + right to do what he <i>DAMNED</i> pleases.'(86) + </p> + <p> + (85) In the American correspondence of the Morning Advertiser, Feb. 6, + 1868, the writer says:—'It was only yesterday (Jan. 24) that an + eminent American merchant of this city (New York) said, in referring to + the state of affairs—"we are socially, politically, and commercially + demoralized."' + </p> + <p> + (86) 'Spiritual Wives.'—A work the extraordinary disclosures of + which tend to show that a similar spirit, destined, perhaps, to bring + about the greatest social changes, is gaining ground elsewhere than in + America. + </p> + <p> + Although laws similar to those of England are enacted in America against + gambling, it may be said to exist everywhere, but, of course, to the + greatest extent in the vicinity of the fashionable quarters of the large + cities. In New York there is scarcely a street without its gambling house—'private,' + of course, but well known to those who indulge in the vice. The ordinary + public game is Faro. + </p> + <p> + High and low, rich and poor, are perfectly suited in their requirements; + whilst at some places the stakes are unlimited, at others they must not + exceed one dollar, and a player may wager as low as five cents, or + twopence-halfpenny. These are for the accommodation of the very poorest + workmen, discharged soldiers, broken-down gamblers, and street-boys. + </p> + <p> + 'I think,' says a recent writer,(87) 'of all the street-boys in the world, + those of New York are the most precocious. I have seen a shoe-black, about + three feet high, walk up to the table or 'Bank,' as it is generally + called, and stake his money (five cents) with the air of a young + spendthrift to whom "money is no object."' + </p> + <p> + (87) 'St James's Magazine,' Sept., 1867. + </p> + <p> + The chief gambling houses of New York were established by men who are + American celebrities, and among these the most prominent have been Pat + Hern and John Morrissey. + </p> + <p> + PAT HERN. + </p> + <p> + Some years ago this celebrated Irishman kept up a splendid establishment + in Broadway, near Hauston Street. At that time his house was the centre of + attraction towards which 'all the world' gravitated, and did the thing + right grandly—combining the Apicius with the Beau Nash or Brummell. + He was profusely lavish with his wines and exuberant in his suppers; and + it was generally said that the game in action there, <i>Faro</i>, was + played in all fairness. Pat Hern was a man of jovial disposition and + genial wit, and would have adorned a better position. During the + trout-fishing season he used to visit a well-known place called Islip in + Long Island, much frequented by gentlemen devoted to angling and fond of + good living. + </p> + <p> + At Islip the equally renowned Oby Snedecker kept the tavern which was the + resort of Pat Hern and his companions. It had attached to it a stream and + lake to which the gentlemen who had the privilege of the house were + admitted. Mrs Obadiah Snedecker, the buxom wife of 'mine host,' was famous + for the exquisite way in which she cooked veal cutlets. There were two + niggers in the establishment, named Steve and Dick, who accompanied the + gentlemen in their angling excursions, amusing them with their stolidity + and the enormous quantity of gin they could imbibe without being more than + normally fuddled. + </p> + <p> + After fishing, the gentlemen used to take to gambling at the usual French + games; but here Pat Hern appeared not in the character of gambler, but as + a private gentleman. He was always well received by the visitors, and + caused them many a hearty laugh with his overflowing humour. He died about + nine years ago, I think tolerably well off. + </p> + <p> + JOHN MORRISSEY. + </p> + <p> + John Morrissey was originally a prize-fighter,—having fought with + Heenan and also with Yankee Sullivan, and lived by teaching the young + Americans the noble art of self-defence. He afterwards set up a 'Bar,' or + public-house, and over this he established a small Faro bank, which he + enlarged and improved by degrees until it became well known, and was very + much frequented by the gamblers of New York. He is now, I believe, a + member of Congress for that city, and immensely wealthy. Not content with + his successful gambling operations in New York, he has opened a splendid + establishment at the fashionable summer resort of Saratoga, consisting of + an immense hotel, ballrooms, and gambling-rooms, and is said to have a + profit of two millions of dollars (about L400,000) during the season.(88) + He is mentioned as one of those who pay the most income tax. + </p> + <p> + (88) <i>Ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + Morrissey's gambling house is in Union Square, and is said to be + magnificently furnished and distinguished by the most princely + hospitality. At all hours of the day or night tables are laid out with + every description of refreshment, to which all who visit the place are + welcome. + </p> + <p> + This is a remarkable feature in the American system. At all 'Bars,' or + public-houses, you find provided, free of charge, supplies of cheese, + biscuits, &c., and sometimes even some savoury soup—which are + often resorted to by those unfortunates who are 'clean broke' or 'used + up,' with little else to assuage the pangs of hunger but the everlasting + quid of tobacco, furiously 'chawed.' Another generous feature of the + American system is that the bar-man does not measure out to you, after our + stingy fashion, what drink you may require, but hands you the tumbler and + bottle to help yourself, unless in the case of made drinks, such as + 'mint-juleps,' &c. However, you must drink your liquor at a gulp, + after the Yankee fashion; for if you take a sip and turn your back to the + counter, your glass will disappear—as it is not customary to have + glasses standing about. Morrissey's wines are very good, and always + supplied in abundance. + </p> + <p> + Almost every game of chance is played at this establishment, and the + stakes are very high and unlimited. The visitors are the wealthy and wild + young men of New York, and occasionally a Southern-looking man who, + perhaps, has saved some of his property, being still the same professional + gambler; for it may be affirmed that all the Southern planters were + addicted to gambling. + </p> + <p> + 'The same flocks of well-dressed and fashionable-looking men of all ages + pass in and out all through the day and night; tens of thousands of + dollars are lost and won; the "click" of the markers never ceases; all + speak in a low tone; everything has a serious, quiet appearance. The + dealers seem to know every one, and nod familiarly to all who approach + their tables. John Morrissey is occasionally to be seen, walking through + the rooms, apparently a disinterested spectator. He is a short, thick-set + man, of about 40 years, dark complexion, and wears a long beard, dresses + in a slovenly manner, and walks with a swagger. Now and then he approaches + the table; makes a few bets, and is then lost in the crowd.'(89) + </p> + <p> + (89) <i>Ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + OTHER GAMING-HOUSES. + </p> + <p> + The same writer furnishes other very interesting facts. + </p> + <p> + 'After the opera-house and theatres are closed, Morrissey's gambling house + becomes very full; in fact, the best time to see it to advantage is about + two or three o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + 'A little below the New York Hotel, and on the opposite side of Broadway, + there is a gambling house, not quite so "respectable" as the one I have + been describing; here the stakes are not below a dollar, and not more than + twenty-five; there are no refreshments gratis, and the rooms are not so + well furnished. The men to be seen gaming in this house differ but very + little in appearance from those in Union Square, but there seems to be + less discipline amongst them, and more noise and confusion. It is a rare + thing to see an intoxicated man in a gambling house; the door-keepers are + very particular as to whom they admit, and any disturbance which might + call for the interference of the police would be ruinous to their + business. The police are undoubtedly aware of everything going on in these + houses, and do not interfere as long as everything goes on quietly. + </p> + <p> + 'Now and then a clerk spends his employer's money, and if it is discovered + where he lost it then a <i>RAID</i> is made by the police in force, the + tables and all the gaming paraphernalia are carried off, and the + proprietors heavily fined. + </p> + <p> + 'I witnessed a case of this: a young man in the employment of a commission + merchant appropriated a large sum of his employer's money, and lost it at + Faro. He was arrested, and confessed what he had done with it. The police + at once proceeded to the house where the Faro bank was kept, and the + scene, when it was known that the police were below, beggars description. + The tables were upset, and notes and markers were flying about in all + directions. Men, sprawling and scrambling on the floor, fought with one + another for whatever they could seize; then the police entered and cleared + the house, having arrested the owners of the bank. This was in one of the + lowest gaming houses, where "skin" games (cheating games) are practised. + </p> + <p> + 'In the gambling house in Broadway, near the New York Hotel, I have often + noticed a young man, apparently of some 18 or 20 years of age, fashionably + dressed, and of prepossessing appearance. On some days he would play very + high, and seemed to have most remarkable luck; but he always played with + the air of an old gamester, seeming careless as to whether he won or lost. + One night he lost so heavily that he attracted the notice of all the + players; every stake of his was swept away; and he still played on until + his last dollar was lost; then he quietly walked out, whistling a popular + Yankee air. He was there next day <i>MINUS</i> his great-coat and watch + and chain—he lost again, went out and returned in his shirt sleeves, + having pawned his coat, studs, and everything he could with decency divest + himself of. He lost everything; and when I next saw him he was selling + newspapers in front of the post-office! + </p> + <p> + 'The mania for gambling is a most singular one. I have known a man to win + a thousand dollars in a few hours, and yet he would not spend a dollar to + get a dinner, but when he felt hungry he went to a baker's shop and bought + a loaf of bread, and that same night lost all his money at Roulette. + </p> + <p> + 'There is another house on the corner of Centre and Grand Streets, open + during night and day. The stakes here are the same as in the one in + Broadway, and the people who play are very much the same—in fact, + the same faces are constantly to be met with in all the gambling houses, + from the highest to the lowest. When a gambler has but small capital, he + will go to a small house, where small stakes are admissible. I saw a man + win 50 or 60 dollars at this place, and then hand in his checks (markers) + to be cashed. The dealer handed him the money, and said—"Now you go + off, straight away to Union Square, and pay away all you have won from + here to John Morrissey. This is the way with all of them; they never come + here until they are dead broke, and have only a dirty dollar or so to + risk." There was some truth in what he said, but notwithstanding he + managed to keep the bank going on. There is a great temptation to a man + who has won a sum of money at a small gambling house to go to a higher + one, as he may then, at a single stake, win as much as he could possibly + win if he had a run of luck in a dozen stakes at the smaller bank. + </p> + <p> + 'In No. 102, in the Bowery, there is one of the lowest of the gaming + houses I have seen in the Empire city. The proprietor is an Irishman; he + employs three men as dealers, and they relieve one another every four + hours during the day and night. The stakes here are of the lowest, and the + people to be seen here of the roughest to be found in the city. The game + is Faro, as elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + 'In this place I met an old friend with whom I had served in the army of + Northern Virginia, under General Lee, in his Virginia campaign of 1865. He + told me he had been in New York since the end of the war, and lived a very + uncertain sort of life. Whatever money he could earn he spent at the + gaming table. Sometimes he had a run of luck, and whilst it lasted he + dressed well, and stopped at the most expensive hotels. One night he would + sleep at the Astor House; and perhaps the next night he would not be able + to pay for his bed, and would stay all night in the parks. Strange to say, + hundreds live in this way, which is vulgarly called "scratching" in New + York. I afterwards saw my friend driving an omnibus; and when I could + speak to him, I found that he was still attending the banks with every + cent he earned! + </p> + <p> + 'It is amusing to watch the proprietor of this place at the Bowery; he has + a joke for every one he sees. "Hallo, old sport!" he cries, "come and try + your luck—you look lucky this evening; and if you make a good run + you may sport a gold watch and chain, and a velvet vest, like myself." + Then to another, "Young clear-the-way, you look down at the mouth + to-night! Come along and have a turn—and never mind your supper + tonight." In this way the days and nights are passed in those gambling + houses.' + </p> + <p> + There is also in New York an association for the prevention of gambling. + The society employs detectives to visit the gambling saloons, and procure + evidence for the suppression of the establishments. + </p> + <p> + It is the business of these agents also to ascertain the names and + occupations of those who frequent the gambling rooms, and a list of the + persons thus detected is sent periodically to the subscribers to the + society, that they may know who are the persons wasting their money, or + perhaps the money of their employers, in gambling. Many large houses of + business subscribe. + </p> + <p> + In the month of August the society's agents detected among the gamblers 68 + clerks of mercantile houses, and in the previous six months reported 623 + cases. It is stated that there are in New York and Brooklyn 1017 policy + and lottery offices, and 163 Faro banks, and that their net annual gains + are not less than 36,000,000 dollars. + </p> + <p> + AMERICAN GAMBLERS. + </p> + <p> + At American gambling houses 'it is very easy,' says the same writer, 'to + distinguish the professional from the ordinary gambler. The latter has a + nervous expression about the mouth, and an intense gaze upon the cards, + and altogether a very serious nervous appearance; while the professional + plays in a very quiet manner, and seems to care but little how the game + goes; and his desire to appear as if the game was new to him is almost + certain to expose him to those who know the manoeuvre. + </p> + <p> + 'Previous to the struggle for independence in the South, there were many + hundreds of gamblers scattered through the Southern towns, and the + Mississippi steam-boats used to abound with them. In the South, a gambler + was regarded as outside the pale of society, and classed with the + slave-trader, who was looked upon with loathing by the very same men who + traded with him; such was the inconsistency of public opinion. + </p> + <p> + 'The American gambler differs from his European brethren in many respects. + He is very frequently, in education, appearance, and manner, a gentleman, + and if his private history were known, it would be found that he was of + good birth, and was at one time possessed of considerable fortune; but + having lost all at the gambling table, he gradually came down to the level + of those who proved his ruin, and having no profession nor means of + livelihood left to him, he adopted their mode of life. + </p> + <p> + 'On one occasion I met a brother of a Southern General (very famous in the + late war and still a wealthy man) who, at one time, was one of the richest + planters in the State of Louisiana, and is now acting as an agent for a + set of gamblers to their gaming houses. After losing everything he had, he + became a croupier to a gambling house in New Orleans, and afterwards plied + his trade on the Mississippi for some years; then he went into Mexico, and + finally to New York, where he opened a house on his own account. + </p> + <p> + 'During the war he speculated in "greenbacks," and lost all his ill-gotten + gains, and had to descend to his present position.'(90) + </p> + <p> + (90) <i>Ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + AMERICAN GAMES:—DRAW POKER, OR BLUFF. + </p> + <p> + Draw Poker, or Bluff, is a favourite game with the Americans. It is played + by any number of persons, from four to seven; four, five, or six players + are preferred; seven are only engaged where a party of friends consists of + that number, and all require to be equally amused. + </p> + <p> + The deal is usually determined by fixing on a card, and dealing round, + face upwards, until such card appears. The dealer then places in the pool + an <i>Ante</i>, or certain agreed-upon sum, and proceeds to deal to each + person five cards. The player next to the dealer, before looking at his + cards, has the option of staking a certain sum. This is called the + 'blind,' and makes him the elder hand, or last player; and when his turn + comes round he can, by giving up his first stake, withdraw from the game, + or, if he pleases, by making good any sum staked by a previous player, + raise the stakes to any sum he pleases, provided, of course, that no limit + has been fixed before sitting down. The privilege of raising or doubling + on the <i>blind</i> may be exercised by any one round the table, provided + he has not looked at his cards. If no intervening player has met the + original <i>blind</i>, that is, staked double the sum, this must be done + by all who wish to play, and, of course, must be made good by the last + player. Each person then looks at his cards, and decides on his plan of + action. It should be understood that every one, except the <i>blind</i>, + may look at his cards in his turn before deciding if he will meet the <i>blind</i>. + Before speaking of the manner of drawing it will be better to give the + relative value of the hands, which will much simplify the matter, and make + it more easily understood. Thus: four aces are the best cards that can be + held; four kings next, and so on, down to four twos; four cards of the + same value beating anything except four of a higher denomination. + </p> + <p> + The next best hand is called a <i>full</i>, and is made up thus:—three + aces and a pair of sixes; three nines and pair of twos; in fact, any three + cards of the same value and a pair constitute a full hand, and can only be + beaten by a full hand of a higher denomination or fours. The next hand + that takes precedence is a <i>flush</i>, or five cards of one colour; + after this comes <i>threes</i>, vis., three cards all of the same value, + say, three aces, kings, queens, and so on, downwards (the two remaining, + being odd ones, are of no value). The next is a sequence, as five + following cards, for instance, nine, eight, seven, six, five; it is not + necessary they should all be of one colour, as this, of course, would + constitute a <i>flush</i>. Next come two pairs, say, two knaves and two + fives; and, last of all, is a single pair of cards. Having explained the + value of the hands, let us show how you endeavour to get them. The bets + having been made, and the <i>blind</i> made good or abandoned, or given + up, the dealer proceeds to ask each player in his turn how many cards he + wants; and here begins the first study of the game—<i>TO KNOW WHAT + TO THROW AWAY</i> in order to get in others to make the hand better if + possible. Your hand may, of course, be so utterly bad as to make it + necessary to throw away the whole five and draw five new ones; this is not + very likely, as few players will put a stake in the pool unless, on + looking first at his cards, he has seen something, say a pair, to start + with. We will suppose he has this, and, of course, he throws away three + cards, and draws three in place of them. To describe the proper way to + fill up a hand is impossible; we can but give an instance here and there + to show the varying interest which attaches to the game;—thus, you + may have threes in the original hand dealt; some players will throw away + the two odd cards and draw two more, to try and make the hand fours, or, + at least, a full; while a player knowing that his is not a very good hand, + will endeavour to <i>DECEIVE</i> the rest by standing out, that is, not + taking any fresh cards; of course all round the table make remarks as to + what he can possibly have. + </p> + <p> + It is usually taken to be a sequence, as this requires no drawing, if + originally dealt. The same remark applies to a <i>flush;</i> two pairs or + four to a flush, of course, require one card to make them into good hands, + a player being only entitled to draw once; and the hands being made good, + the real and exciting part of the game begins. Each one endeavours to keep + his real position a secret from his neighbours. Some put on a look of calm + indifference, and try to seem self-possessed; some will grin and talk all + sorts of nonsense; some will utter sly bits of <i>badinage;</i> while + others will study intently their cards, or gaze at the ceiling—all + which is done merely to distract attention, or to conceal the feelings, as + the chance of success or failure be for or against; and then begins the + betting or gambling part of the game. The player next the <i>blind</i> is + the first to declare his bet; in which, of course, he is entirely governed + by circumstances. Some, being the first to bet, and having a very good + card indeed, will 'bet small,' in hopes that some one else will see it, + and 'go better,' that is, bet more, so that when it comes round to his + turn again he may see all previous bets, and bet as much higher as he + thinks proper; for it must be borne in mind that a player's first bet does + not preclude him from coming in again if his first bet has been raised + upon by any player round the table in his turn; but if once the original + bet goes round and comes to the <i>blind</i>, or last player, without any + one going better, the game is closed, and it becomes a <i>show of hands</i>, + to see who takes the pool and all the bets. This does not often happen, as + there is usually some one round the table to raise it; but my informant + has seen it occur, and has been highly amused at watching the countenance + of the expectant <i>small better</i> at having to show a fine hand for a + mere trifle. Some players will, in order to conceal their method of play, + occasionally throw their cards among the waste ones and abandon their + stakes; this is not often done; but it sometimes happens where the stakes + have been small, or the player has been <i>trying a bluff</i>, and has + found some one whom he could not <i>bluff off</i>. The foregoing is a + concise account of the game, as played in America, where it is of + universal interest, and exercises great fascination. It is often played by + parties of friends who meet regularly for the purpose, and instances can + be found where fortunes have been lost in a night. + </p> + <p> + The game of Pokers differs from the one just described, in so far that the + players receive only the original five cards dealt without drawing fresh + ones, and must either play or refuse on them. In this game, as there are + more cards, as many as ten persons can play. + </p> + <p> + LANSQUENET.(91) + </p> + <p> + Lansquenet is much played by the Americans, and is one of the most + exciting games in vogue. + </p> + <p> + The dealer or banker stakes a certain sum, and this must be met by the + nearest to the dealer first, and so on. When the stake is met, the dealer + turns up two cards, one to the right,—the latter for himself, the + former for the table or the players. He then keeps on turning up the cards + until either of the cards is matched, which constitutes the winning,—as, + for instance, suppose the five of diamonds is his card, then should the + five of any other suit turn up, he wins. If he loses, then the next player + on the left becomes banker and proceeds in the same way. + </p> + <p> + (91) This name is derived from the German '<i>landsknecht</i>' ('valet of + the fief'), applied to a mercenary soldier. + </p> + <p> + When the dealer's card turns up, he may take the stake and pass the bank; + or he may allow the stake to remain, whereat of course it becomes doubled + if met. He can continue thus as long as the cards turn up in his favour—having + the option at any moment of giving up the bank and retiring for that time. + If he does that, the player to whom he passes the bank has the option of + continuing it at the same amount at which it was left. The pool may be + made up by contributions of all the players in certain proportions. The + terms used respecting the standing of the stake are, 'I'll see' (<i>a moi + le tout)</i> and <i>Je tiens</i>. When <i>jumelle</i> (twins), or the + turning up of similar cards on both sides, occurs, then the dealer takes + half the stake. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes there is a run of several consecutive winnings; but on one + occasion, on board one of the Cunard steamers, a banker at the game turned + up in his own favour I think no less than eighteen times. The original + stake was only six-pence; but had each stake been met as won, the final + doubling would have amounted to the immense sum of L3,236 16<i>s</i>.! + This will appear by the following scheme:— + </p> + <p> + L s. d. L s. d. 1st turn up 0 0 6 10th turn up 12 16 0 2nd,, 0 1 0 11th,, + 25 12 0 3rd,, 0 2 0 12th,, 51 4 0 4th,, 0 4 0 13th,, 102 8 0 5th,, 0 8 0 + 14th,, 204 16 0 6th,, 0 16 0 15th,, 409 12 0 7th,, 1 12 0 16th,, 819 4 0 + 8th,, 3 4 0 17th,, 1,618 8 0 9th,, 6 8 0 18th,, 3,236 16 0 + </p> + <p> + In fair play, as this is represented to have been, such a long sequence of + matches must be considered very remarkable, although six or seven is not + unfrequent. + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately, however, there is a very easy means by which card sharpers + manage the thing to perfection. They prepare beforehand a series of a + dozen cards arranged as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 1st Queen 6th Nine 2nd Queen 7th Nine 3rd Ten 8th Ace 4th Seven 9th Eight + 5th Ten 10th Ace + </p> + <p> + Series thus arranged are placed in side pockets outside the waistcoat, + just under the left breast. When the sharper becomes banker he leans + negligently over the table, and in this position his fingers are as close + as possible to the prepared cards, termed <i>portees</i>. At the proper + moment he seizes the cards and places them on the pack. The trick is + rendered very easy by the fact that the card-sharper has his coat buttoned + at the top, so that the lower part of it lies open and permits the + introduction of the hand, which is completely masked. + </p> + <p> + Some sharpers are skilful enough to take up some of the matches already + dealt, which they place in their <i>costieres</i>, or side-pockets above + described, in readiness for their next operation; others keep them + skilfully hidden in their hand, to lay them, at the convenient moment, + upon the pack of cards. By this means, the pack is not augmented.(92) + </p> + <p> + (92) Robert Houdin, 'Les Tricheries des Grecs devoilees.' + </p> + <p> + In France the stakes commence at 5 francs; and it may be easily imagined + how soon vast sums of money may change hands if the players are determined + and reckless. + </p> + <p> + EUCHRE. + </p> + <p> + This is also a game much played in the States. I suppose it is a Yankee + invention, named by one of their learned professors, from the Greek (gr + euceis) (eucheir), meaning 'well in the hand' or 'strong'—a very + appropriate designation of the game, which is as follows:— + </p> + <p> + In this game all the cards are excluded up to the sixes,—seven being + the lowest in the Euchre pack. Five cards are dealt out, after the usual + shuffling and cutting, with a turn-up, or trump. The dealer has the + privilege of discarding one of his cards and taking up the trump—not + showing, however, the one he discards. The Knave is the best card in the + game—a peculiar Yankee 'notion.' The Knave of trumps is called the + Right Bower, and the other Knave of the <i>same colour</i> is the Left + Bower. Hence it appears that the nautical propensity of this great people + is therein represented—'bower' being in fact a sheet anchor. If both + are held, it is evident that the <i>point</i> of the deal is decided—since + it results from taking three tricks out of the five; for, of course, the + trump card appropriated by the dealer will, most probably, secure a trick, + and the two Knaves must necessarily make two. The game may be five or + seven points, as agreed upon. Euchre is rapid and decisive, and, + therefore, eminently American. + </p> + <p> + FLY LOO. + </p> + <p> + Some of the games played by the Americans are peculiar to themselves. For + instance, vast sums of money change hands over Fly Loo, or the attraction + existing between lumps of sugar and adventurous flies! This game is not + without its excitement. The gamblers sit round a table, each with a lump + of sugar before him, and the player upon whose lump a fly first perches + carries off the pool—which is sometimes enormous. + </p> + <p> + They tell an anecdote of a 'cute Yankee, who won invariably and immensely + at the game. There seemed to be a sort of magical or mesmeric attraction + for the flies to his lump. At length it was ascertained that he touched + the lump with his finger, after having smeared it with something that + naturally and irresistibly attracts flies whenever they can get at it. I + am told that this game is also played in England; if so, the parties must + insist upon fresh lumps of sugar, and prevent all touching. + </p> + <p> + The reader will probably ask—what next will gamblers think of + betting on? But I can tell of a still more curious source of gambling + infatuation. In the <i>Oxford Magazine</i>,(93) is the following + statement:— + </p> + <p> + (93) Vol. V. + </p> + <p> + 'A few days ago, as some sprigs of nobility were dining together at a + tavern, they took the following conceit into their heads after dinner. One + of them observing a maggot come from a filbert, which seemed to be + uncommonly large, attempted to get it from his companion, who, not + choosing to let it go, was immediately offered five guineas for it, which + was accepted. He then proposed to run it against any other two maggots + that could be produced at table. Matches were accordingly made, and these + poor reptiles were the means of L500 being won and lost in a few minutes!' + </p> + <p> + THE CRIMES OF AMERICAN GAMBLERS. + </p> + <p> + Suicides, duels, and murders have frequently resulted from gambling here + as elsewhere. Many of the duels in dark rooms originate in disputes at the + gaming table. The combatants rush from play to an upper or adjoining room, + and settle their difference with revolver-shots, often fatal to both. + </p> + <p> + One of these was a serio-comic affair which is perhaps worth relating. Two + players had a gambling dispute, and resolved to settle it in a dark room + with pistols. The door was locked and one of them fired, but missed. On + this the other exclaimed—'Now, you rascal, I'll finish you at my + leisure.' He then began to search for his opponent. Three or four times he + walked stealthily round the room—but all in vain—he could not + find his man; he listened; he could not hear him breathe. What had become + of him? 'Oh!' at length he exclaimed—'Now I've got you, you —— + sneak—here goes!' 'Hold! Hold!' cried a voice from the chimney, + 'Don't fire! I'll pay you anything.—Do take away that —— + pistol.' In effect his adversary held the muzzle of his pistol close to + the seat of honour as the fellow stood stuffed up the chimney! + </p> + <p> + 'You'll pay, will you?' said the former; 'Very well—800 dollars—is + 't a bargain?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes!' gasped the voice in the chimney. + </p> + <p> + 'Very well,' rejoined the tormentor, 'but just wait a bit; I must have a + voucher. I'll just cut off the bottom of your breeches by way of voucher.' + So saying he pulled out his knife and suited the action to the words. + </p> + <p> + 'Now get down,' he said, 'and out with the money;' which was paid, when + the above-named voucher was returned to the chimney-groper. + </p> + <p> + The town of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi, was formerly notorious as the + rendezvous of all sorts of desperadoes. It was a city of men; you saw no + women, except at night; and never any children. Vicksburg was a sink of + iniquity; and there gambling raged with unrestricted fury. It was always + after touching at Vicksburg that the Mississippi boats became the + well-known scene of gambling—some of the Vicksburghers invariably + getting on board to ply their profession. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion, one of these came on board, and soon induced some of the + passengers to proceed to the upper promenade-deck for gambling. Soon the + stakes increased and a heap of gold was on the table, when a dispute + arose, in the midst of which one of the players placed his hand on the + stake. Thereupon the Vicksburg gambler drew his knife and plunged it into + the hand of the former, with a terrible imprecation. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the Southern States, as before observed, gambling prevailed to + a very great extent, and its results were often deplorable. + </p> + <p> + A planter went to a gambling house, accompanied by one of his negroes, + whom he left at the door to wait his return. Whilst the master was + gambling the slave did the same with another whom he found at the door. + Meanwhile a Mexican came up and stood by looking at the game of the + negroes. By-and-by one of them accused the other of cheating, which was + denied, when the Mexican interposed and told the negro that he saw him + cheat. The latter told the Mexican that he lied—whereupon the + Mexican stabbed him to the heart, killing him on the spot. + </p> + <p> + Soon the negro's master came out, and on being informed of the affair, + turned to the Mexican, saying—'Now, sir, we must settle the matter + between us—my negro's quarrel is mine.' 'Agreed,' said the Mexican; + they entered the house, proceeded to a dark room, fired at each other, and + both were killed. + </p> + <p> + About six and twenty years ago there lived in New York a well-to-do + merchant, of the name of Osborne, who had an only son, who was a partner + in the concern. The young man fell in love with the daughter of a Southern + planter, then on a visit at New York, to whom he engaged himself to be + married, with the perfect consent of all parties concerned. + </p> + <p> + On the return of the planter and his daughter, young Osborne accompanied + them to Mobile. On the very night of their arrival, the planter proposed + to his intended son-in-law to visit the gaming table. They went; Osborne + was unlucky; and after some hours' play lost an immense amount to the + father of his sweetheart. He gave bills, drawn on his house, in payment of + the debt of honour. + </p> + <p> + On the following morning the planter referred to the subject, hinting that + Osborne must be ruined. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, I am!' said the young man; 'but the possession of your daughter + will console me for the calamity, which, I doubt not, I shall be able to + make up for by industry and exertion.' + </p> + <p> + 'The possession of <i>MY</i> daughter?' exclaimed the planter; 'do you + think I would marry my daughter to a beggar? No, no, sir, the affair is + ended between you—and I insist upon its being utterly broken off.' + Such was the action of the heartless gambler, rendered callous to all + sentiments of real honour by his debasing pursuit. + </p> + <p> + Young Osborne was equal to the occasion. Summoning all his powers to + manfully bear this additional shock of fate, he calmly replied:— + </p> + <p> + 'So be it, sir, as you wish it. Depend upon it, however, that my bills + will be duly honoured'—and so saying he bowed and departed, without + even wishing to take leave of his betrothed. + </p> + <p> + On returning to New York Osborne immediately disclosed the transaction to + his father, who, in spite of the utter ruin which impended, and the + brutality of the cause of the ruin, resolved to meet the bills when due, + and maintain the honour of his son—whatever might be the + consequences to himself. + </p> + <p> + The bills were paid; the concern was broken up; old Mr Osborne soon died + broken-hearted; and young Osborne went as clerk to some house of business + in Wall Street. + </p> + <p> + A year or so passed away, and one day a lady presented herself at the old + house of Osborne—now no longer theirs—inquiring for young + Osborne. She was directed to his new place of business; being no other + than his betrothed, who loved him as passionately as ever, and to whom her + father had accounted for the non-fulfilment of the engagement in a very + unsatisfactory manner. Of course Osborne could not fail to be delighted at + this proof of her devotedness; the meeting was most affectionate on both + sides; and, with the view of coming to a decision respecting their future + proceedings, they adjourned to an hotel in the vicinity. Here, whilst + seated at a table and in earnest conversation, the young lady's father + rushed in, and instantly shot down Osborne, who expired at his feet. With + a frantic shriek the poor girl fell on the body of her betrothed, and + finding a poniard or a knife concealed in his breast, she seized it, + instantly plunged it into her heart, and was soon a corpse beside her + lover. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. LADY GAMESTRESSES. + </h2> + <p> + The passions of the two sexes are similar in the main; the distinctions + between them result less from nature than from education. Often we meet + with women, especially the literary sort, who seem veritable men, if not + so, as the lawyers say, 'to all intents and purposes;' and often we meet + with men, especially town-dandies, who can only be compared to very + ordinary women. + </p> + <p> + Almost all the ancients had the bad taste to speak ill of women; among the + rest even that delightful old Father 'of the golden mouth,' St + Chrysostom.(94) So that, evidently, Dr Johnson's fierce dictum cannot + apply universally—'Only scoundrels speak ill of women.' + </p> + <p> + (94) Hom. II. + </p> + <p> + Seneca took the part of women, exclaiming:—'By no means believe that + their souls are inferior to ours, or that they are less endowed with the + virtues. As for honour, it is equally great and energetic among them.' + </p> + <p> + A foreign lady was surprised at beholding the equality established between + the men and women at Sparta; whereupon the wife of Leonidas, the King of + Sparta, said to her:—'Do you not know that it is we who bring forth + the men? It is not the fathers, but the mothers, that effectually form the + heart.' + </p> + <p> + Napoleon seems to have formed what may be called a professional estimate + of women. When the demonstrative Madame de Stael asked him—evidently + expecting him to pay her a compliment—'Whom do you think the + greatest woman dead or alive?' Napoleon replied, 'Her, Madame, <i>WHO HAS + BORNE MOST SONS</i>.' Nettled by this sarcastic reply, she returned to the + charge, observing, 'It is said you are not friendly to the sex.' Napoleon + was her match again; 'Madame,' he exclaimed, 'I am passionately fond of my + wife;' and off he walked. Assuredly it would not mend matters in this + world (or the next) if all men were Napoleons and all women de Staels. + </p> + <p> + If we consider the question in other points of view, have there been, + proportionally, fewer celebrated women than illustrious men? fewer great + queens than truly great kings? Compare, on all sides, the means and the + circumstances; count the reigns, and decide. + </p> + <p> + The fact is that this question has been argued only by tyrannical or very + silly men, who found it difficult to get rid of the absurd prejudices + which retain the finest half of human nature in slavery, and condemn it to + obscurity under the pretext that it is essentially corrupted. Towards the + end of the 15th century a certain demented writer attempted to prove that + women do not even deserve the title of reasonable creatures, which in the + original sounds oddly enough, namely, <i>probare nititur mulieres non + homines esse</i>. Another, a very learned Jesuit, endeavoured to + demonstrate that women have no souls! Some say that women surpass us in + wickedness; others, that they are both worse and better than men. + </p> + <p> + That morbid wretch, Alexander Pope, said, 'Every woman is at heart a + rake;' and a recent writer in the <i>Times</i> puts more venom in the + dictum by saying, 'Every woman is (or likes) at heart a rake.' Both these + opinions may be set down as mere claptrap, witty, but vile. + </p> + <p> + But a truce to such insults against those who beautify the earth; <i>THEIR</i> + vices cannot excuse ours. It is we who have depraved them by associating + them with excesses which are repugnant to their delicacy. The contagion, + however, has not affected all of them. Among our 'plebeians,' and even + among nobility, many women remind us of the modesty and courage of those + ancient republican matrons, who, so to speak, founded, the manners and + morals of their country; and among all classes of the community there are + thousands who inspire their husbands with generous impulses in the battle + of life, either by cheering words of comfort, or by that mute eloquence of + duties well fulfilled, which nothing can resist if we are worthy of the + name of men. How many a gambler has been reformed by the tender appeals of + a good and devoted wife. 'Venerable women!' one of them exclaims, 'in + whatever rank Heaven has placed you, receive my homage.' The gentleness of + your souls smooths down the roughness of ours and checks its violence. + Without your virtues what would we be? Without YOU, my dear wife, what + would have become of me? You beheld the beginning and the end of the + gaming fury in me, which I now detest; and it is not to me, but to you + alone, that the victory must be ascribed.'(95) + </p> + <p> + (95) Dusaulx, <i>De la Passion du Jeu</i>. + </p> + <p> + A very pretty anecdote is told of such a wife and a gaming husband. + </p> + <p> + In order to simplify the signs of loss and gain, so as not to be + overburdened with the weight of gold and silver, the French players used + to carry the representation of their fortunes in small boxes, more or less + elegant. A lady (who else could have thought of such a device?), trembling + for the fate of her husband, made him a present of one of these dread + boxes. This little master-piece of conjugal and maternal affection + represented a wife in the attitude of supplication, and weeping children, + seeming to say to their father—<i>THINK OF US!</i>.... + </p> + <p> + It is, therefore, only with the view of avenging good and honourable + women, that I now proceed to speak of those who have disgraced their sex. + </p> + <p> + I have already described a remarkable gamestress—the Persian Queen + Parysatis.(96) + </p> + <p> + (96) Chapter III. + </p> + <p> + There were no gamestresses among the Greeks; and the Roman women were + always too much occupied with their domestic affairs to find time for + play. What will our modern ladies think, when I state that the Emperor + Augustus scarcely wore a garment which had not been woven by his wife, his + sister, or grand-daughters.(97) + </p> + <p> + (97) Veste non temere alia quam domestica usus est, ab uxore et filia + nepotibusque confecta. Suet. in Vita Augusti. + </p> + <p> + Although deeply corrupted under Nero and the sovereigns that resembled + him, the Roman women never gambled among themselves except during the + celebration of the festival of the Bona Dea. This ceremonial, so often + profaned with licentiousness, was not attended by desperate gambling. The + most depraved women abstained from it, even when that mania was at its + height, not only around the Capitol, but even in the remainder of the + Empire. + </p> + <p> + Contemporary authors, who have not spared the Roman ladies, never + reproached them with this vice, which, in modern times, has been + desperately practised by women who in licentiousness vied with Messalina. + </p> + <p> + In France, women who wished to gamble were, at first, obliged to keep the + thing secret; for if it became known they lost caste. In the reign of + Louis XIV., and still more in that of Louis XV., they became bolder, and + the wives of the great engaged in the deepest play in their mansions; but + still a gamestress was always denounced with horror. 'Such women,' says La + Bruyiere, 'make us chaste; they have nothing of the sex but its garments.' + </p> + <p> + By the end of the 18th century, gamestresses became so numerous that they + excited no surprise, especially among the higher classes; and the majority + of them were notorious for unfair play or downright cheating. A stranger + once betted on the game of a lady at a gaming-table, who claimed a stake + although on a losing card. Out of consideration for the distinguished + trickstress, the banker wished to pay the stranger as well; but the latter + with a blush, exclaimed—'Possibly madame won, but as for myself, I + am quite sure that I lost.' + </p> + <p> + But if women cheated at play, they also frequently lost; and were often + reduced to beggary, or to what is far viler, to sacrifice, not only their + own honour, but that of their daughters. + </p> + <p> + Gaming sometimes led to other crimes. The Countess of Schwiechelt, a young + and beautiful lady from Hanover, was much given to gambling, and lost + 50,000 livres at Paris. In order to repair this great loss, she planned + and executed the robbery of a fine coronet of emeralds, the property of + Madame Demidoff. She had made herself acquainted with the place where it + was kept, and at a ball given by its owner the Hanoverian lady contrived + to purloin it. Her youth and rank in life induced many persons to solicit + her pardon; but Buonaparte left her to the punishment to which she was + condemned. This occurred in 1804. + </p> + <p> + In England, too, the practice of gambling was fraught with the worst + consequences to the finest feelings and best qualities of the sex. The + chief danger is very plainly hinted at in the comedy of <i>The Provoked + Husband</i>. + </p> + <p> + <i>Lord Townley</i>.—'Tis not your ill hours that always distract + me, but, as often, the ill company that occasions those hours. + </p> + <p> + <i>Lady Townley</i>.—Sure I don't understand you now, my lord. What + ill company do I keep? + </p> + <p> + <i>Lord Townley</i>.—Why, at best, women that lose their money, and + men that win it; <i>or, perhaps, men that are voluntary bubbles at one + game, in hopes a lady will give them fair play at another.</i> + </p> + <p> + 'The facts,' says Mr Massey,(98) 'confirm the theory. Walpole's Letters + and Mr Jesse's volumes on George Selwyn and his Contemporaries, teem with + allusions to proved or understood cases of matrimonial infidelity; and the + manner in which notorious irregularities were brazened out, shows that the + offenders did not always encounter the universal reprobation of society. + </p> + <p> + (98) History of England, ii. + </p> + <p> + 'Whist was not much in vogue until a later period, and was far too + abstruse and slow to suit the depraved taste which required unadulterated + stimulants.' + </p> + <p> + The ordinary stakes at these mixed assemblies would, at the present day, + be considered high, even at the clubs where a rubber is still allowed. + </p> + <p> + 'The consequences of such gaming were often still more lamentable than + those which usually attended such practices. It would happen that a lady + lost more than she could venture to confess to her husband or father. Her + creditor was probably a fine gentleman, or she became indebted to some + rich admirer for the means of discharging her liabilities. In either + event, the result may be guessed. In the one case, the debt of honour was + liquidated on the old principle of the law-merchant, according to which + there was but one alternative to payment in purse. In the other, there was + likewise but one mode in which the acknowledgment of obligation by a fine + woman would be acceptable to a man of the world.' + </p> + <p> + 'The pernicious consequences of gambling to the nation at large,' says + another writer, 'would have been intolerable enough had they been confined + to the stronger sex; but, unfortunately, the women of the day were equally + carried away by this criminal infatuation. The disgusting influence of + this sordid vice was so disastrous to female minds, that they lost their + fairest distinction and privileges, together with the blushing honours of + modesty. Their high gaming was necessarily accompanied with great losses. + If all their resources, regular and irregular, honest and fraudulent, were + dissipated, still, <i>GAME-DEBTS MUST BE PAID!</i> The cunning winner was + no stranger to the necessities of the case. He hinted at <i>commutations</i>—which + were not to be refused. + </p> + <p> + "So tender these,—if debts crowd fast upon her, She'll pawn her <i>VIRTUE</i> + to preserve her <i>HONOUR!</i>" + </p> + <p> + Thus, the last invaluable jewel of female possession was unavoidably + resigned. That was indeed the forest of all evils, but an evil to which + every deep gamestress was inevitably exposed.' + </p> + <p> + Hogarth strikingly illustrated this phase of womanhood in England, in his + small picture painted for the Earl of Charlemont, and entitled '<i>Picquet, + or Virtue in Danger</i>.' It shows a young lady, who, during a <i>tete-a-tete</i>, + had just lost all her money to a handsome officer of her own age. He is + represented in the act of returning her a handful of bank-bills, with the + hope of exchanging them for another acquisition and more delicate plunder. + On the chimney-piece are a watch-case and a figure of Time, over it this + motto—<i>Nunc</i>, 'Now!' Hogarth has caught his heroine during this + moment of hesitation—this struggle with herself—and has + expressed her feelings with uncommon success. + </p> + <p> + But, indeed, the thing was perfectly understood. In the <i>Guardian</i> + (No. 120) we read:—'All play-debts must be paid in specie or by + equivalent. The "man" that plays beyond his income pawns his estate; the + "woman" must find out something else to mortgage when her pin-money is + gone. The husband has his lands to dispose of; the wife her person. Now + when the female body is once dipped, if the creditor be very importunate, + I leave my reader to consider the consequences.'.... + </p> + <p> + A lady was married when very young to a noble lord, the honour and + ornament of his country, who hoped to preserve her from the contagion of + the times by his own example, and, to say the truth, she had every good + quality that could recommend her to the bosom of a man of discernment and + worth. But, alas! how frail and short are the joys of mortals! One + unfortunate hour ruined his darling visionary scheme of happiness: she was + introduced to an infamous woman, was drawn into play, liked it, and, as + the unavoidable consequence, she was ruined,—having lost more in one + night than would have maintained a hundred useful families for a + twelvemonth; and, dismal to tell, she felt compelled to sacrifice her + virtue to the wretch who had won her money, in order to recover the loss! + From this moment she might well exclaim— + </p> + <p> + 'Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!' + </p> + <p> + The affectionate wife, the agreeable companion, the indulgent mistress, + were now no more. In vain she flattered herself that the injury she had + done her husband would for ever remain one of those secrets which can only + be disclosed at the last day. Vengeance pursued her steps, she was lost; + the villain to whom she had sacrificed herself boasted of the favours he + had received. The fatal report was conveyed to her injured husband. He + refused to believe what he thought impossible, but honour obliged him to + call the boaster to the field. The wretch received the challenge with much + more contentment than concern; as he had resolution enough to murder any + man whom he had injured, so he was certain, if he had the good fortune to + conquer his antagonist, he should be looked upon as the head of all modern + bucks and bloods—esteemed by the men as a brave fellow, and admired + by the ladies as a fine gentleman and an agreeable rake. The meeting took + place—the profligate gambler not content with declaring, actually + exulted in his guilt. But his triumph was of short date—a bullet + through the head settled his account with this world. + </p> + <p> + The husband, after a long conflict in his bosom, between justice and + mercy, tenderness and rage, resolved—on what is very seldom + practised by an English husband—to pardon his wife, conceal her + crime, and preserve her, if possible, from utter destruction. But the + gates of mercy were opened in vain—the offender refused to receive + forgiveness because she had offended. The lust of gambling had absorbed + all her other desires. She gave herself up entirely to the infamous + pursuit and its concomitants, whilst her husband sank by a quick decay, + and died the victim of grief and anguish.(99) + </p> + <p> + (99) Doings in London. + </p> + <p> + Of other English gamestresses, however, nothing but the ordinary success + or inconveniences of gambling are recorded. In the year 1776, a lady at + the West End lost one night, at a sitting, 3000 guineas at Loo.(100) + Again, a lady having won a rubber of 20 guineas from a city merchant, the + latter pulled out his pocket-book, and tendered L21 in bank notes. The + fair gamestress, with a disdainful toss of the head, observed—'In + the great houses which I frequent, sir, we always use gold.' 'That may be, + madam,' said the gentleman, 'but, in the <i>LITTLE</i> houses which I + frequent, we always use paper.' + </p> + <p> + (100) Annual Register. + </p> + <p> + Goldsmith mentions an old lady in the country who, having been given over + by her physician, played with the curate of the parish to pass the time + away. Having won all his money, she next proposed playing for the funeral + charges to which she would be liable. Unfortunately, the lady expired just + as she had taken up the game! + </p> + <p> + A lady who was desperately fond of play was confessing herself. The priest + represented, among other arguments against gaming, the great loss of time + it occasioned. 'Ah!' said the lady, 'that is what vexes me—so much + time lost in shuffling the cards!' + </p> + <p> + The celebrated Mrs Crewe seems to have been fond of gaming. Charles James + Fox ranked among her admirers. A gentleman lost a considerable sum to this + lady at play; and being obliged to leave town suddenly, he gave Fox the + money to pay her, begging him to apologize to the lady for his not having + paid the debt of honour in person. Fox unfortunately lost every shilling + of it before morning. Mrs Crewe often met the supposed debtor afterwards, + and, surprised that he never noticed the circumstance, at length + delicately hinted the matter to him. 'Bless me,' said he, 'I paid the + money to Mr Fox three months ago!' 'Oh, you did, sir?' said Mrs Crewe + good-naturedly, 'then probably he paid me and I forgot it.' + </p> + <p> + This famous Mrs Crewe was the wife of Mr Crewe, who was created, in 1806, + Lord Crewe. She was as remarkable for her accomplishments and her worth as + for her beauty; nevertheless she permitted the admiration of the + profligate Fox, who was in the rank of her admirers, and she was a + gamestress, as were most of the grand ladies in those days. The lines Fox + wrote on her were not exaggerated. They began thus:— + </p> + <p> + 'Where the loveliest expression to features is join'd, By Nature's most + delicate pencil design'd; Where blushes unhidden, and smiles without art, + Speak the softness and feeling that dwell in the heart, Where in manners + enchanting no blemish we trace, But the soul keeps the promise we had from + the face; Sure philosophy, reason, and coldness must prove Defences + unequal to shield us from love.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nearly eight years after the famous election at Westminster, when she + personally canvassed for Fox, Mrs Crewe was still in perfection, with a + son one-and-twenty, who looked like her brother. The form of her face was + exquisitely lovely, her complexion radiant. "I know not," Miss Burney + writes, "any female in her first youth who could bear the comparison. She + <i>uglifies</i> every one near her." + </p> + <p> + 'This charming partisan of Fox had been active in his cause; and her + originality of character, her good-humour, her recklessness of + consequences, made her a capital canvasser.'(101) + </p> + <p> + (101) Wharton, <i>The Queens of Society.</i> + </p> + <p> + THE GAMBLING BARROW-WOMEN. + </p> + <p> + In 1776 the barrow-women of London used generally to carry dice with them, + and children were induced to throw for fruit and nuts. + </p> + <p> + However, the pernicious consequences of the practice beginning to be felt, + the Lord Mayor issued an order to apprehend all such offenders, which + speedily put an end to such street-gambling. At the present day a sort of + roulette is used for the same purpose by the itinerant caterers to the + sweetmeat and fruit-loving little ones. + </p> + <p> + GAMESTRESSES AT BADEN-BADEN. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Trollope has described two specimens of the modern gamestresses at the + German watering-places, one of whom seems to have specially attracted her + notice:— + </p> + <p> + 'There was one of this set,' she says, 'whom I watched, day after day, + during the whole period of our stay, with more interest than, I believe, + was reasonable; for had I studied any other as attentively I might have + found less to lament. + </p> + <p> + 'She was young—certainly not more than twenty-five—and, though + not regularly nor brilliantly handsome, most singularly winning both in + person and demeanour. Her dress was elegant, but peculiarly plain and + simple,—a close white silk bonnet and gauze veil; a quiet-coloured + silk gown, with less of flourish and frill, by half, than any other + person; a delicate little hand which, when ungloved, displayed some + handsome rings; a jewelled watch, of peculiar splendour; and a countenance + expressive of anxious thoughtfulness—must be remembered by many who + were at Baden in August, 1833. They must remember, too, that, enter the + rooms when they would, morning, noon, or night, still they found her + nearly at the same place at the <i>Rouge et Noir</i> table. + </p> + <p> + 'Her husband, who had as unquestionably the air of a gentleman as she had + of a lady, though not always close to her, was never very distant. He did + not play himself, and I fancied, as he hovered near her, that his + countenance expressed anxiety. But he returned her sweet smile, with which + she always met his eye, with an answering smile; and I saw not the + slightest indication that he wished to withdraw her from the table. + </p> + <p> + 'There was an expression in the upper part of her face that my blundering + science would have construed into something very foreign to the propensity + she showed; but there she sat, hour after hour, day after day, not even + allowing the blessed sabbath, that gives rest to all, to bring it to her;—there + she sat, constantly throwing down handfuls of five-franc pieces, and + sometimes drawing them back again, till her young face grew rigid from + weariness, and all the lustre of her eye faded into a glare of vexed + inanity. Alas! alas! is that fair woman a mother? God forbid! + </p> + <p> + 'Another figure at the gaming table, which daily drew our attention, was a + pale, anxious old woman, who seemed no longer to have strength to conceal + her eager agitation under the air of callous indifference, which all + practised players endeavour to assume. She trembled, till her shaking hand + could hardly grasp the instrument with which she pushed or withdrew her + pieces; the dew of agony stood upon her wrinkled brow; yet, hour after + hour, and day after day, she too sat in the enchanted chair. I never saw + age and station in a position so utterly beyond the pale of respect. I was + assured she was a person of rank; and my informant added, but I trust she + was mistaken, that she was an <i>ENGLISH</i> woman.'(102) + </p> + <p> + (102) Belgium and Western Germany, in 1833. + </p> + <p> + GAMING HOUSES KEPT BY LADIES. + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt that during the last half of the last century many + titled ladies not only gambled, but kept gaming houses. There is even + evidence that one of them actually appealed to the House of Lords for + protection against the intrusion of the peace officers into her + establishment in Covent Garden, on the plea of her Peerage! All this is + proved by a curious record found in the Journals of the House of Lords, by + the editor of the <i>Athenaeum</i>. It is as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'Die Lunae, 29 Aprilis, 1745.—<i>Gaming</i>. A Bill for preventing + the excessive and deceitful use of it having been brought from the + Commons, and proceeded on so far as to be agreed to in a Committee of the + whole House with amendments,—information was given to the House that + Mr Burdus, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions for the city and liberty of + Westminster, Sir Thomas de Veil, and Mr Lane, Chairman of the Quarter + Sessions for the county of Middlesex, were at the door; they were called + in, and at the Bar severally gave an account that claims of privilege of + Peerage were made and insisted on by the Ladies Mordington and Casselis, + in order to intimidate the peace officers from doing their duty in + suppressing the public gaming houses kept by the said ladies. And the said + Burdus thereupon delivered in an instrument in writing under the hand of + the said Lady Mordington, containing the claim she made of privilege for + her officers and servants employed by her in her said gaming house. And + then they were directed to withdraw. And the said instrument was read as + follows:—"I, Dame Mary, Baroness of Mordington, do hold a house in + the Great Piazza, Covent Garden, for and as an Assembly, where all persons + of credit are at liberty to frequent and play at such diversions as are + used at other Assemblys. And I have hired Joseph Dewberry, William + Horsely, Ham Cropper, and George Sanders as my servants or managers (under + me) thereof. I have given them orders to direct the management of the + other inferior servants (namely): John Bright, Richard Davis, John Hill, + John Vandenvoren, as box-keepers,—Gilbert Richardson, housekeeper, + John Chaplain, regulator, William Stanley and Henry Huggins, servants that + wait on the company at the said Assembly, William Penny and Joseph Penny + as porters thereof. And all the above-mentioned persons I claim as my + domestick servants, and demand all those privileges that belong to me as a + peeress of Great Britain appertaining to my said Assembly. M. MORDINGTON. + Dated 8th Jan., 1744." + </p> + <p> + 'Resolved and declared that no person is entitled to privilege of Peerage + against any prosecution or proceeding for keeping any public or common + gaming house, or any house, room, or place for playing at any game or + games prohibited by any law now in force.' + </p> + <p> + That such practice continued in vogue is evident from the police + proceedings subsequently taken against + </p> + <p> + THE FAMOUS LADY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. + </p> + <p> + This notorious gamestress of St James's Square, at the close of the last + century, actually slept with a blunderbuss and a pair of pistols at her + side, to protect her Faro bank. + </p> + <p> + On the 11th of March, 1797, her Ladyship, together with Lady E. Lutterell + and a Mrs Sturt, were convicted at the Marlborough Street Police-court, in + the penalty of L50, for playing at the game of Faro; and Henry Martindale + was convicted in the sum of L200, for keeping the Faro table at Lady + Buckinghamshire's. The witnesses had been servants of her Ladyship, + recently discharged on account of a late extraordinary loss of 500 guineas + from her Ladyship's house, belonging to the Faro bank.(103) + </p> + <p> + (103) The case is reported in the Times of March 13th, 1797. One cannot + help being struck with the appearance of the Times newspaper at that + period—70 years ago. It was printed on one small sheet, about equal + to a single page of the present issue, and contained four pages, two of + which were advertisements, while the others gave only a short summary of + news—no leader at all. + </p> + <p> + In the same year, the croupier at the Countess of Buckinghamshire's one + night announced the unaccountable disappearance of the cash-box of the + Faro bank. All eyes were turned towards her Ladyship. Mrs Concannon said + she once lost a gold snuff-box from the table, while she went to speak to + Lord C—. Another lady said she lost her purse there last winter. And + a story was told that a certain lady had taken, <i>BY MISTAKE</i>, a cloak + which did not belong to her, at a rout given by the Countess of ——. + Unfortunately a discovery of the cloak was made, and when the servant + knocked at the door to demand it, some very valuable lace which it was + trimmed with had been taken off. Some surmised that the lady who stole the + cloak might also have stolen the Faro bank cash-box. + </p> + <p> + Soon after, the same Martindale, who had kept the Faro bank at Lady + Buckinghamshire's, became a bankrupt, and his debts amounted to L328,000, + besides 'debts of honour,' which were struck off to the amount of + L150,000. His failure is said to have been owing to misplaced confidence + in a subordinate, who robbed him of thousands. The first suspicion was + occasioned by his purchasing an estate of L500 a year; but other purchases + followed to a considerable extent; and it was soon discovered that the + Faro bank had been robbed sometimes of 2000 guineas a week! On the 14th of + April, 1798, other arrears, to a large amount, were submitted to, and + rejected by, the Commissioners in Bankruptcy, who declared a first + dividend of one shilling and five-pence in the pound.(104) + </p> + <p> + (104) Seymour Harcourt, <i>Gaming Calendar.</i> + </p> + <p> + This chapter cannot be better concluded than with quoting the <i>Epilogue</i> + of 'The Oxonian in Town,' 1767, humorously painting some of the mischiefs + of gambling, and expressly addressed to the ladies:— + </p> + <p> + 'Lo! next, to my prophetic eye there starts A beauteous gamestress in the + Queen of Hearts. The cards are dealt, the fatal pool is lost, And all her + golden hopes for ever cross'd. Yet still this card-devoted fair I view—Whate'er + her luck, to "<i>honour</i>" ever true. So tender there,—if debts + crowd fast upon her, She'll pawn her "virtue" to preserve her "honour." + Thrice happy were my art, could I foretell, Cards would be soon abjured by + every belle! Yet, I pronounce, who cherish still the vice, And the pale + vigils keep of cards and dice—'Twill in their charms sad havoc make, + ye fair! Which "rouge" in vain shall labour to repair. Beauties will grow + mere hags, toasts wither'd jades, Frightful and ugly as—the <i>QUEEN + OF SPADES</i>.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. GAMBLING POETS, SAVANTS, PHILOSOPHERS, WITS, AND STATESMEN. + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps the stern moralist who may have turned over these pages has + frowned at the facts of the preceding chapter. If so, I know not what he + will do at those which I am about to record. + </p> + <p> + If it may be said that gamesters must be madmen, or rogues, how has it + come to pass that men of genius, talent, and virtue withal, have been + gamesters? + </p> + <p> + Men of genius, 'gifted men,' as they are called, are much to be pitied. + One of them has said—'Oh! if my pillow could reveal my sufferings + last night!' His was true grief—for it had no witness.(105) The + endowments of this nature of ours are so strangely mixed—the events + of our lives are so unexpectedly ruled, that one might almost prefer to + have been fashioned after those imaginary beings who act so <i>CONSISTENTLY</i> + in the nursery tales and other figments. Most men seem to have a double + soul; and in your men of genius—your celebrities—the battle + between the two seems like the tremendous conflict so grandly (and + horribly) described by Milton. Who loved his country more than Cato? Who + cared more for his country's honour? And yet Cato was not only unable to + resist the soft impeachments of alcohol— + </p> + <p> + Narratur et prisci Catonis Saepe mero caluisse virtus— + </p> + <p> + but he was also a dice-player, a gambler.(106) + </p> + <p> + (105) Ille dolet vere qui sine teste dolet. Martial, lib. I. + </p> + <p> + (106) Plutarch, <i>Cato.</i> + </p> + <p> + Julius Caesar did not drink; but what a profligate he was! And I have no + doubt that he was a gambler: it is certain that he got rid of millions + nobody knew how. + </p> + <p> + I believe, however, that the following is an undeniable fact. You may find + suspicious gamesters in every rank of life, but among men of genius you + will generally, if not always, find only victims resigned to the caprices + of fortune. The professions which imply the greatest enthusiasm naturally + furnish the greater number of gamesters. Thus, perhaps, we may name ten + poet-gamesters to one savant or philosopher who deserved the title or + infamy. + </p> + <p> + Coquillart, a poet of the 15th century, famous for his satirical verses + against women, died of grief after having ruined himself by gaming. The + great painter Guido—and a painter is certainly a poet—was + another example. By nature gentle and honourable, he might have been the + most fortunate of men if the demon of gambling had not poisoned his + existence, the end of which was truly wretched. + </p> + <p> + Rotrou, the acknowledged master of Corneille, hurried his poetical + effusions in order to raise money for gambling. This man of genius was but + a spoilt child in the matter of play. He once received two or three + hundred <i>louis</i>, and mistrusting himself, went and hid them under + some vine-branches, in order not to gamble all away at once. Vain + precaution! On the following night his bag was empty. + </p> + <p> + The poet Voiture was the delight of his contemporaries, conspicuous as he + was for the most exquisite polish and inexhaustible wit; but he was also + one of the most desperate gamesters of his time. Like Rotrou, he + mistrusted his folly, and sometimes refrained. 'I have discovered,' he + once wrote to a friend, 'as well as Aristotle, that there is no beatitude + in play; and in fact I have given over gambling; it is now seven months + since I played—which is very important news, and which I forgot to + tell you.' He would have died rich had he always refrained. His relapses + were terrible; one night he lost fifteen hundred pistoles (about L750). + </p> + <p> + The list of foreign poets ruined by gambling might be extended; whilst, on + the other hand, it is impossible, I believe, to quote a single instance of + the kind among the poets of England,—perhaps because very few of + them had anything to lose. The reader will probably remember Dr Johnson's + exclamation on hearing of the large debt left unpaid by poor Goldsmith at + his death—'Was ever poet so trusted before!'... + </p> + <p> + The great philosophers Montaigne and Descartes, seduced at an early age by + the allurements of gambling, managed at length to overcome the evil, + presenting examples of reformation—which proves that this mania is + not absolutely incurable. Descartes became a gamester in his seventeenth + year; but it is said that the combinations of cards, or the doctrine of + probabilities, interested him more than his winnings.(107) + </p> + <p> + (107) Hist. des Philos. Modernes: <i>Descartes</i>. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated Cardan, one of the most universal and most eccentric + geniuses of his age, declares in his autobiography, that the rage for + gambling long entailed upon him the loss of reputation and fortune, and + that it retarded his progress in the sciences. 'Nothing,' says he, 'could + justify me, unless it was that my love of gaming was less than my horror + of privation.' A very bad excuse, indeed; but Cardan reformed and ceased + to be a gambler. + </p> + <p> + Three of the greatest geniuses of England—Lords Halifax, Anglesey, + and Shaftesbury—were gamblers; and Locke tells a very funny story + about one of their gambling bouts. This philosopher, who neglected + nothing, however eccentric, that had any relation to the working of the + human understanding, happened to be present while my Lords Halifax, + Anglesey, and Shaftesbury were playing, and had the patience to write + down, word for word, all their discordant utterances during the phases of + the game; the result being a dialogue of speakers who only used + exclamations—all talking in chorus, but more to themselves than to + each other. Lord Anglesey observing Locke's occupation, asked him what he + was writing. 'My Lord,' replied Locke, 'I am anxious not to lose anything + you utter.' This irony made them all blush, and put an end to the game. + </p> + <p> + M. Sallo, Counsellor to the Parliament of Paris, died, says Vigneul de + Marville, of a disease to which the children of the Muses are rarely + subject, and for which we find no remedy in Hippocrates and Galen;—he + died of a lingering disease after having lost 100,000 crowns at the gaming + table—all he possessed. + </p> + <p> + By way of diversion to his cankering grief, he started the well-known <i>Journal + des Savans</i>, but lived to write only 13 sheets of it, for he was + wounded to the death.(108) + </p> + <p> + (108) Melanges, d'Hist. et de Litt. i. + </p> + <p> + The physician Paschasius Justus was a deplorable instance of an + incorrigible gambler. This otherwise most excellent and learned man having + passed three-fourths of his life in a continual struggle with vice, at + length resolved to cure himself of the disease by occupying his mind with + a work which might be useful to his contemporaries and posterity.(109) He + began his book, but still he gamed; he finished it, but the evil was still + in him. 'I have lost everything but God!' he exclaimed. He prayed for + delivery from his soul's disease;(110) but his prayer was not heard; he + died like any gambler—more wretched than reformed. + </p> + <p> + (109) 'De Alea, sive de curanda in pecuniam cupiditate,' pub. in 1560. + </p> + <p> + (110) Illum animi morbum, ut Deus tolleret, serio et frequenter optavit. + </p> + <p> + M. Dusaulx, author of a work on Gaming, exclaims therein—'I have + gambled like you, Paschasius, perhaps with greater fury. Like you I write + against gaming. Can I say that I am stronger than you, in more critical + circumstances?'(111) + </p> + <p> + (111) La Passion du Jeu. + </p> + <p> + What, then, is that mania which can be overcome neither by the love of + glory nor the study of wisdom! + </p> + <p> + The literary men of Greece and Rome rarely played any games but those of + skill, such as tennis, backgammon, and chess; and even in these it was + considered 'indecent' to appear too skilful. Cicero stigmatizes two of his + contemporaries for taking too great a delight in such games, on account of + their skill in playing them.(112) + </p> + <p> + (112) Ast alii, quia praeclare faciunt, vehementius quam causa postulat + delectantur, ut Titius pila, Brulla talis. De Orat. lib. iii. + </p> + <p> + Quinctilian advised his pupils to avoid all sterile amusements, which, he + said, were only the resource of the ignorant. + </p> + <p> + In after-times men of merit, such as John Huss and Cardinal Cajetan, + bewailed both the time lost in the most innocent games, and the disastrous + passions which are thereby excited. Montaigne calls chess a stupid and + childish game. 'I hate and shun it,' he says, 'because it occupies one too + seriously; I am ashamed of giving it the attention which would be + sufficient for some useful purpose.' King James I., the British Solomon, + forbade chess to his son, in the famous book of royal instruction which he + wrote for him. + </p> + <p> + As to the plea of 'filling up time,' Addison has made some very pertinent + observations:—'Whether any kind of gaming has ever thus much to say + for itself, I shall not determine; but I think it is very wonderful to see + persons of the best sense passing away a dozen hours together in shuffling + and dividing a pack of cards, with no other conversation but what is made + up of a few game-phrases, and no other ideas but those of black or red + spots ranged together in different figures. Would not a man laugh to hear + any one of his species complaining that life is short?' + </p> + <p> + Men of intellect may rest assured that whether they win or lose at play, + it will always be at the cost of their genius; the soul cannot support two + passions together. The passion of play, although fatigued, is never + satiated, and therefore it always leaves behind protracted agitation. The + famous Roman lawyer Scaevola suffered from playing at backgammon; his head + was always affected by it, especially when he lost the game, in fact, it + seemed to craze him. One day he returned expressly from the country merely + to try and convince his opponent in a game which he had lost, that if he + had played otherwise he would have won! It seems that on his journey home + he mentally went through the game again, detected his mistake, and could + not rest until he went back and got his adversary to admit the fact—for + the sake of his <i>amour propre</i>.(113) + </p> + <p> + (113) Quinctil., <i>Instit. Orat</i>. lib. XI. cap. ii. + </p> + <p> + 'It is rare,' says Rousseau, 'that thinkers take much delight in play, + which suspends the habit of thinking or diverts it upon sterile + combinations; and so one of the benefits—perhaps the only benefit + conferred by the taste for the sciences, is that it somewhat deadens that + sordid passion of play.' + </p> + <p> + Unfortunately such was not the result among the literary and scientific + men, in France or England, during the last quarter of the last century. + Many of them bitterly lamented that they ever played, and yet played on,—going + through all the grades and degradations appointed for his votaries by the + inexorable demon of gambling. + </p> + <p> + BEAU NASH. + </p> + <p> + Nature had by no means formed Nash for <i>beau</i>. His person was clumsy, + large, and awkward; his features were harsh, strong, and peculiarly + irregular; yet even with these disadvantages he made love, became an + universal admirer of the sex, and was in his turn universally admired. The + fact is, he was possessed of, at least, some requisites of a 'lover.' He + had assiduity, flattery, fine clothes—and as much wit as the ladies + he addressed. Accordingly he used to say—'Wit, flattery, and fine + clothes are enough to debauch a nunnery!' This is certainly a fouler + calumny of women than Pope's + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Every woman is at heart a rake.' +</pre> + <p> + Beau Nash was a barrister, and had been a remarkable, a distinguished one + in his day—although not at the bar. He had the honour to organize + and direct the last grand 'revel and pageant' before a king, in the Hall + of the Middle Temple, of which he was a member. + </p> + <p> + It had long been customary for the Inns of Court to entertain our monarchs + upon their accession to the crown with a revel and pageant, and the last + was exhibited in honour of King William, when Nash was chosen to conduct + the whole with proper decorum. He was then a very young man, but succeeded + so well in giving satisfaction, that the king offered to give him the + honour of knighthood, which, however, Nash declined, saying:—'Please + your Majesty, if you intend to make me a knight, I wish it may be one of + your poor knights of Windsor; and then I shall have a fortune at least + able to support my title.' + </p> + <p> + In the Middle Temple he managed to rise 'to the very summit of second-rate + luxury,' and seems to have succeeded in becoming a fashionable <i>recherche</i>, + being always one of those who were called good company—a professed + dandy among the elegants. + </p> + <p> + No wonder, then, that we subsequently find him Master of the Ceremonies at + Bath, then the theatre of summer amusements for all people of fashion. It + was here that he took to gambling, and was at first classed among the + needy adventurers who went to that place; there was, however, the great + difference between him and them, that his heart was not corrupt; and + though by profession a gamester, he was generous, humane, and honourable. + </p> + <p> + When he gave in his accounts to the Masters of the Temple, among other + items he charged was one—'For making one man happy, L10.' Being + questioned about the meaning of so strange an item, he frankly declared + that, happening to overhear a poor man declare to his wife and large + family of children that L10 would make him happy, he could not avoid + trying the experiment. He added, that, if they did not choose to acquiesce + in his charge, he was ready to refund the money. The Masters, struck with + such an uncommon instance of good nature, publicly thanked him for his + benevolence, and desired that the sum might be doubled as a proof of their + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + 'His laws were so strictly enforced that he was styled "King of Bath:" no + rank would protect the offender, nor dignity of station condone a breach + of the laws. Nash desired the Duchess of Queensberry, who appeared at a + dress ball in an apron of point-lace, said to be worth 500 guineas, to + take it off, which she did, at the same time desiring his acceptance of + it; and when the Princess Amelia requested to have one dance more after 11 + o'clock, Nash replied that the laws of Bath, like those of Lycurgus, were + unalterable. Gaming ran high at Bath, and frequently led to disputes and + resort to the sword, then generally worn by well-dressed men. Swords were, + therefore, prohibited by Nash in the public rooms; still they were worn in + the streets, when Nash, in consequence of a duel fought by torchlight, by + two notorious gamesters, made the law absolute, "That no swords should, on + any account, be worn in Bath."'(114) + </p> + <p> + (114) The Book of Days, Feb. 3. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1739 the gamblers, in order to evade the laws against + gaming, set up E O tables; and as these proved very profitable to the + proprietors at Tunbridge, Nash determined to introduce them at Bath, + having been assured by the lawyers that no law existed against them. He + therefore set up an E O table, and the speculation flourished for a short + time; but the legislature interfered in 1745, and inflicted severe + penalties on the keepers of such tables. This was the ruin of Nash's + gambling speculation; and for the remaining sixteen years of his life he + depended solely on the precarious products of the gaming table. He died at + Bath, in 1761, in greatly reduced circumstances, being represented as + 'poor, old, and peevish, yet still incapable of turning from his former + manner of life.' + </p> + <p> + 'He was buried in the Abbey Church with great ceremony: a solemn hymn was + sung by the charity-school children, three clergymen preceded the coffin, + the pall was supported by aldermen, and the Masters of the Assembly-Rooms + followed as chief mourners; while the streets were filled and the + housetops covered with spectators, anxious to witness the respect paid to + the venerable founder of the prosperity of the city of Bath.'(115) + </p> + <p> + (115) The Book of Days, Feb. 3. + </p> + <p> + The following are the chief anecdotes told of Beau Nash. + </p> + <p> + A giddy youth, who had resigned his fellowship at Oxford, brought his + fortune to Bath, and, without the smallest skill, won a considerable sum; + and following it up, in the next October added four thousand pounds to his + former capital. Nash one night invited him to supper, and offered to give + him fifty guineas to forfeit twenty every time he lost two hundred at one + sitting. The young man refused, and was at last undone. + </p> + <p> + The Duke of B—— loved play to distraction. One night, + chagrined at a heavy loss, he pressed Nash to tie him up from deep play in + future. The beau accordingly gave his Grace one hundred guineas on + condition to receive ten thousand whenever he lost that amount at one + sitting. The duke soon lost eight thousand at Hazard, and was going to + throw for three thousand more, when Nash caught the dice-box, and + entreated the peer to reflect on the penalty if he lost. The duke desisted + for that time; but ere long, losing considerably at Newmarket, he + willingly paid the penalty. + </p> + <p> + When the Earl of T—— was a youth he was passionately fond of + play. Nash undertook to cure him. Conscious of his superior skill, he + engaged the earl in single play. His lordship lost his estate, equipage, + everything! Our generous gamester returned all, only stipulating for the + payment of L5000 whenever he might think proper to demand it. Some time + after his lordship's death, Nash's affairs being on the wane, he demanded + it of his heirs, <i>WHO PAID IT WITHOUT HESITATION</i>. + </p> + <p> + Nash one day complained of his ill luck to the Earl of Chesterfield, + adding that he had lost L500 the last night. The earl replied, 'I don't + wonder at your <i>LOSING</i> money, Nash, but all the world is surprised + where you get it to lose.' + </p> + <p> + 'The Corporation of Bath so highly respected Nash, that the Chamber voted + a marble statue of him, which was erected in the Pump-room, between the + busts of Newton and Pope; this gave rise to a stinging epigram by Lord + Chesterfield, concluding with these lines: + </p> + <p> + "The <i>STATUE</i> placed these busts between Gives satire all its + strength; <i>WISDOM</i> and <i>WIT</i> are little seen, But <i>FOLLY</i> + at full length."'(116) + </p> + <p> + (116) The Book of Days, Feb. 3. + </p> + <p> + THE EARL OF CHESTERFIELD. + </p> + <p> + Walpole tells us that the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield <i>LIVED</i> at + White's Club, gaming, and uttering witticisms among the boys of quality; + 'yet he says to his son, that a member of a gaming club should be a cheat, + or he will soon be a beggar;' an inconsistency which reminds one of old + Fuller's saw—'A father that whipt his son for swearing, and swore + himself whilst he whipt him, did more harm by his example than good by his + correction.' + </p> + <p> + GEORGE SELWYN. + </p> + <p> + The character of Selwyn,' says Mr Jesse, 'was in many respects a + remarkable one. With brilliant wit, a quick perception of the ridiculous, + and a thorough knowledge of the world and human nature, he united + classical knowledge and a taste for the fine arts. To these qualities may + be added others of a very contradictory nature. With a thorough enjoyment + of the pleasures of society, an imperturbable good-humour, a kind heart, + and a passionate fondness for children, he united a morbid interest in the + details of human suffering, and, more especially, a taste for witnessing + criminal executions. Not only was he a constant frequenter of such scenes + of horror, but all the details of crime, the private history of the + criminal, his demeanour at his trial, in the dungeon, and on the scaffold, + and the state of his feelings in the hour of death and degradation, were + to Selwyn matters of the deepest and most extraordinary interest. Even the + most frightful particulars relating to suicide and murder, the + investigation of the disfigured corpse, the sight of an acquaintance lying + in his shroud, seem to have afforded him a painful and unaccountable + pleasure. When the first Lord Holland was on his death-bed he was told + that Selwyn, who had lived on terms of the closest intimacy with him, had + called to inquire after his health. "The next time Mr Selwyn calls," he + said, "show him up; if I am alive I shall be delighted to see him, and if + I am dead he will be glad to see me." When some ladies bantered him on his + want of feeling in attending to see the terrible Lord Lovat's head cut off—"Why," + he said, "I made amends by going to the undertaker's to see it sewed on + again." And yet this was the same individual who delighted in the first + words and in the sunny looks of childhood; whose friendship seems to have + partaken of all the softness of female affection; and whose heart was + never hardened against the wretched and depressed. Such was the "original" + George Selwyn.' + </p> + <p> + This celebrated conversational wit was a devoted frequenter of the gaming + table. Writing to Selwyn, in 1765, Lord Holland said:—'All that I + can collect from what you say on the subject of money is, that fortune has + been a little favourable lately; or may be, the last night only. Till you + leave off play entirely you must be—in earnest, and without irony—<i>en + verite le serviteur tres-humble des evenements</i>, "in truth, the very + humble servant of events."' + </p> + <p> + His friend the Lord Carlisle, although himself a great gambler, also gave + him good advice. 'I hope you have left off Hazard,' he wrote to Selwyn; + 'if you are still so foolish, and will play, the best thing I can wish you + is, that you may win and never throw crabs.(117) You do not put it in the + power of chance to make you them, as we all know; and till the ninth miss + is born I shall not be convinced to the contrary.' + </p> + <p> + (117) That is, aces, or ace and deuce, twelve, or seven. With false dice, + as will appear in the sequel, it was impossible to throw any of these + numbers, and as the caster always called the main, he was sure to win, as + he could call an impossible number: those who were in the secret of course + always took the odds. + </p> + <p> + Again:—'As you have played I am happy to hear you have won; but by + this time there may be a <i>triste revers de succes</i>.' + </p> + <p> + Selwyn had taken to gaming before his father's death—probably from + his first introduction to the clubs. His stakes were high, though not + extravagantly so, compared with the sums hazarded by his contemporaries. + In 1765 he lost L1000 to Mr Shafto, who applied for it in the language of + an 'embarrassed tradesman.' + </p> + <p> + 'July 1, 1765. + </p> + <p> + 'DEAR SIR,—I have this moment received the favour of your letter. I + intended to have gone out of town on Thursday, but as you shall not + receive your money before the end of this week, I must postpone my journey + till Sunday. A month would have made no difference to me, had I not had + others to pay before I leave town, and must pay; therefore must beg that + you will leave the whole before this week is out, at White's, as it is to + be paid away to others to whom I have lost, and do not choose to leave + town till that is done. Be sure you could not wish an indulgence I should + not be happy to grant, if it my power.' + </p> + <p> + Nor was this the only dun of the kind that Selwyn had 'to put up with' on + account of the gaming table. He received the following from Edward, Earl + of Derby.(118) + </p> + <p> + (118) Edward, twelfth Earl of Derby, was born September 12, 1752, and died + October 21, 1834. He married first, Elizabeth, daughter of James, sixth + Duke of Hamilton, who died in 1799, and secondly, the celebrated actress, + Miss Farren, who died April 23, 1829. + </p> + <p> + <i>The Earl of Derby to George Selwyn</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing could equal what I feel at troubling you with this disagreeable + note; but having lost a very monstrous sum of money last night, I find + myself under the necessity of entreating your goodness to excuse the + liberty I am taking of applying to you for assistance. If it is not very + inconvenient to you, I should be glad of the money you owe me. If it is, I + must pay what I can, and desire Brookes to trust me for the remainder. I + repeat again my apologies, to which I shall beg leave to add how very + sincerely I have the honour to be, my dear sir, + </p> + <p> + 'Your most obedient humble servant, 'DEBBY. + </p> + <p> + This is the very model of a dun, and proves how handsomely such ugly + things can be done when one has to deal with a noble instead of a plebeian + creditor. + </p> + <p> + But Selwyn had not only to endure such indignities, but also to inflict + them, as appears by the following letter to him from the Honourable + General Fitzpatrick, in answer to a dun, which, we are assured, was + 'gentle and moderate.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very sorry to hear the night ended so ill; but to give you some idea + of the utter impossibility of my being useful on the occasion, I will + inform you of the state of my affairs. I won L400 last night, which was + immediately appropriated by Mr <i>Martindale</i>, to whom I still owe + L300, and I am in Brookes' book for thrice that sum. Add to all this, that + at Christmas I expect an inundation of clamorous creditors, who, unless I + somehow or other scrape together some money to satisfy them, will + overwhelm me entirely. What can be done? If I could coin my heart, or drop + my blood into drachms, I would do it, though by this time I should + probably have neither heart nor blood left. I am afraid you will find + Stephen in the same state of insolvency. Adieu! I am obliged to you for + the gentleness and moderation of your dun, considering how long I have + been your debtor. + </p> + <p> + 'Yours most sincerely, 'R. F.'(119) + </p> + <p> + (119) Apud <i>Selwyn and his Contemporaries</i> by Jesse. + </p> + <p> + Selwyn is said to have been a loser on the whole, and often pillaged. + Latterly he appears to have got the better of his propensity for play, if + we may judge from the following wise sentiment:—'It was too great a + consumer,' he said, 'of four things—time, health, fortune, and + thinking.' But a writer in the <i>Edinburgh Review</i> seems to doubt + Selwyn's reformation; for his initiation of Wilberforce occurred in 1782, + when he was 63; and previously, in 1776, he underwent the process of + dunning from Lord Derby, before-mentioned, and in 1779 from Mr Crawford + ('Fish Crawford,' as he was called), each of whom, like Mr Shafto, 'had a + sum to make up'—in the infernal style so horridly provoking, even + when we are able and willing to pay. However, as Selwyn died comparatively + rich, it may be presumed that his fortune suffered to no great extent by + his indulgence in the vice of gaming. + </p> + <p> + The following are some of George Selwyn's jokes relating to gambling:— + </p> + <p> + One night, at White's, observing the Postmaster-General, Sir Everard + Fawkener, losing a large sum of money at Piquet, Selwyn, pointing to the + successful player, remarked—'See now, he is robbing the <i>MAIL!</i>' + </p> + <p> + On another occasion, in 1756, observing Mr Ponsonby, the Speaker of the + Irish House of Commons, tossing about bank-bills at a Hazard table at + Newmarket—'Look,' he said, 'how easily the Speaker passes the + money-bills!' + </p> + <p> + A few months afterwards (when the public journals were daily containing an + account of some fresh town which had conferred the freedom of its + corporation in a gold box on Mr Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, and the + Right Honourable Henry Bilson Legge, his fellow-patriot and colleague), + Selwyn, who neither admired their politics nor respected their principles, + proposed to the old and new club at Arthur's, that he should be deputed to + present to them the freedom of each club in a <i>dice-box</i>. + </p> + <p> + On one of the waiters at Arthur's club having been committed to prison for + a felony—'What a horrid idea,' said Selwyn, 'he will give of us to + the people in Newgate!' + </p> + <p> + When the affairs of Charles Fox were in a more than usually embarrassed + state, chiefly through his gambling, his friends raised a subscription + among themselves for his relief. One of them remarking that it would + require some delicacy in breaking the matter to him, and adding that 'he + wondered how Fox would take it.' 'Take it?' interrupted Selwyn, 'why, <i>QUARTERLY</i>, + to be sure.'(120) + </p> + <p> + (120) Jesse, <i>George Selwyn and his Contemporaries.</i> + </p> + <p> + LORD CARLISLE. + </p> + <p> + This eminent statesman was regarded by his contemporaries as an able, an + influential, and occasionally a powerful speaker. + </p> + <p> + Though married to a lady for whom in his letters he ever expresses the + warmest feelings of admiration and esteem; and surrounded by a young and + increasing family, who were evidently the objects of his deepest + affection, Lord Carlisle, nevertheless, at times appears to have been + unable to extricate himself from the dangerous enticements to play to + which he was exposed. His fatal passion for play—the source of + adventitious excitement at night, and of deep distress in the morning—seems + to have led to frequent and inconvenient losses, and eventually to have + plunged him into comparative distress. + </p> + <p> + 'In recording these failings of a man of otherwise strong sense, of a high + sense of honour, and of kindly affections, we have said the worst that can + be adduced to his disadvantage. Attached, indeed, as Lord Carlisle may + have been to the pleasures of society, and unfortunate as may have been + his passion for the gaming table, it is difficult to peruse those passages + in his letters in which he deeply reproaches himself for yielding to the + fatal fascination of play, and accuses himself of having diminished the + inheritance of his children, without a feeling of commiseration for the + sensations of a man of strong sense and deep feeling, while reflecting on + his moral degradation. It is sufficient, however, to observe of Lord + Carlisle, that the deep sense which he entertained of his own folly; the + almost maddening moments to which he refers in his letters of + self-condemnation and bitter regret; and subsequently his noble victory + over the siren enticements of pleasure, and his thorough emancipation from + the trammels of a domineering passion, make adequate amends for his + previous unhappy career.'(121) + </p> + <p> + (121) Jesse, <i>George Selwyn and his Contemporaries</i>, ii. + </p> + <p> + Brave conquerors, for so ye are, Who war against your own affections, And + the huge army of the world's desires. + </p> + <p> + Lady Sarah Bunbury, writing to George Selwyn, in 1767, says:—'If you + are now at Paris with poor C. (evidently Carlisle), who I dare say is now + swearing at the French people, give my compliments to him. I call him poor + C. because I hope he is only miserable at having been such a <i>PIGEON</i> + to Colonel Scott. I never can pity him for losing at play, and I think of + it as little as I can, because I cannot bear to be obliged to abate the + least of the good opinion I have always had of him.' + </p> + <p> + Oddly enough the writer had no better account to give of her own husband; + she says, in the letter:—'Sir Charles games from morning till night, + but he has never yet lost L100 in one day.'(122) + </p> + <p> + (122) This Lady Sarah Bunbury was the wife of Sir Charles Bunbury, after + having had a chance of being Queen of England, as the wife of George III., + who was passionately in love with her, and would have married her had it + not been for the constitutional opposition of his privy council. This + charming and beautiful woman died in 1826, at the age of 82. She was + probably the last surviving great-granddaughter of Charles II.—Jesse, + <i>Ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1776 Lord Carlisle wrote the following letter to George + Selwyn:— + </p> + <p> + 'MY DEAR GEORGE, 'I have undone myself, and it is to no purpose to conceal + from you my abominable madness and folly, though perhaps the particulars + may not be known to the rest of the world. I never lost so much in five + times as I have done to-night, and am in debt to the house for the whole. + You may be sure I do not tell you this with an idea that you can be of the + least assistance to me; it is a great deal more than your abilities are + equal to. Let me see you—though I shall be ashamed to look at you + after your goodness to me.' + </p> + <p> + This letter is endorsed by George Selwyn—'After the loss of + L10,000.' He tells Selwyn of a set which, at one point of the game, stood + to win L50,000. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Byron, it is almost needless to remark, was nearly related to Lord + Carlisle. The mother of Lord Carlisle was sister to John, fourth Lord + Byron, the grandfather of the poet; Lord Carlisle and Lord Byron were + consequently first cousins once removed. Had they happened to have been + contemporaries, it would be difficult to form an idea of two individuals + who, alike from tastes, feelings, and habits of life, were more likely to + form a lasting and suitable intimacy. Both were men of high rank; both + united an intimate knowledge of society and the world with the ardent + temperament of a poet; and both in youth mingled a love of frolic and + pleasure with a graver taste for literary pursuits.' + </p> + <p> + CHARLES JAMES FOX. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the infatuated votaries of the gaming god in England, + towers the mighty intellectual giant Charles James Fox. Nature had + fashioned him to be equally an object of admiration and love. In addition + to powerful eloquence, he was distinguished by the refinement of his taste + in all matters connected with literature and art; he was deeply read in + history; had some claims to be regarded as a poet; and possessed a + thorough knowledge of the classical authors of antiquity, a knowledge of + which he so often and so happily availed himself in his seat in the House + of Commons. To these qualities was added a good-humour which was seldom + ruffled,—a peculiar fascination of manner and address,—the + most delightful powers of conversation,—a heart perfectly free from + vindictiveness, ostentation, and deceit,—a strong sense of justice,—a + thorough detestation of tyranny and oppression,—and an almost + feminine tenderness of feeling for the sufferings of others. + Unfortunately, however, his great talents and delightful qualities in + private life rendered his defects the more glaring and lamentable; indeed, + it is difficult to think or speak with common patience of those injurious + practices and habits—that abandonment to self-gratification, and + that criminal waste of the most transcendent abilities which exhausted in + social conviviality and the gaming table what were formed to confer + blessings on mankind. + </p> + <p> + So much for the character of Fox, as I have gathered from Mr Jesse;(123) + and I continue the extremely interesting subject by quoting from that + delightful book, 'The Queens of Society.'(124) 'With a father who had made + an enormous fortune, with little principle, out of a public office—for + Lord Holland owed the bulk of his wealth to his appointment of paymaster + to the forces,—and who spoiled him, in his boyhood, Charles James + Fox had begun life <i>AS A FOP OF THE FIRST WATER</i>, and squandered + L50,000 in debt before he became of age. Afterwards he indulged recklessly + and extravagantly in every course of licentiousness which the profligate + society of the day opened to him. At Brookes' and the Thatched House Fox + ate and drank to excess, threw thousands upon the Faro table, mingled with + blacklegs, and made himself notorious for his shameless vices. Newmarket + supplied another excitement. His back room was so incessantly filled with + Jew money-lenders that he called it his Jerusalem Chamber. It was + impossible that such a life should not destroy every principle of honour; + and there is nothing improbable in the story that he appropriated to + himself money which belonged to his dear friend Mrs Crewe, as before + related. + </p> + <p> + (123) George Selwyn and his Contemporaries, ii. + </p> + <p> + (124) By Grace and Philip Wharton. + </p> + <p> + 'Of his talents, which were certainly great, he made an affected display. + Of his learning he was proud—but rather as adding lustre to his + celebrity for universal tastes. He was not at all ashamed, but rather + gloried in being able to describe himself as a fool, as he does in his + verses to Mrs Crewe:— + </p> + <p> + "Is't reason? No; that my whole life will belie; For, who so at variance + as reason and I? Is't ambition that fills up each chink in my heart, Nor + allows any softer sensation a part? Oh! no; for in this all the world must + agree, <i>ONE FOLLY WAS NEVER SUFFICIENT FOR ME</i>." + </p> + <p> + 'Sensual and self-indulgent—with a grossness that is even patent on + his very portrait (and bust), Fox had nevertheless a manner which + enchanted the sex, and he was the only politician of the day who + thoroughly enlisted the personal sympathies of women of mind and + character, as well as of those who might be captivated by his profusion. + When he visited Paris in later days, even Madame Recamier, noted for her + refinement, and of whom he himself said, with his usual coarse ideas of + the sphere of woman, that "she was the only woman who united the + attractions of pleasure to those of modesty," delighted to be seen with + him! At the time of which we are speaking the most celebrated beauties of + England were his most ardent supporters. + </p> + <p> + 'The election of 1784, in which he stood and was returned for Westminster, + was one of the most famous of the old riotous political + demonstrations..... Loving <i>hazard</i> of all kinds for its own sake, + Fox had made party hostility a new sphere of gambling, had adopted the + character of a demagogue, and at a time when the whole of Europe was + undergoing, a great revolution in principles, was welcomed gladly as "The + Man of the People." In the beginning, of the year he had been convicted of + bribery, but in spite of this his popularity increased.... The election + for Westminster, in which Fox was opposed by Sir Cecil Wray, was the most + tempestuous of all. There were 20,000 votes to be polled, and the opposing + parties resorted to any means of intimidation, or violence, or persuasion + which political enthusiasm could suggest. On the eighth day the poll was + against the popular member, and he called upon his friends to make a great + effort on his behalf. It was then that the "ladies' canvass" began. Lady + Duncannon, the Duchess of Devonshire, Mrs Crewe, and Mrs Damer dressed + themselves in blue and buff—the colours of the American + Independents, which Fox had adopted and wore in the House of Commons—and + set out to visit the purlieus of Westminster. Here, in their enthusiasm, + they shook the dirty hands of honest workmen, expressed the greatest + interest in their wives and families, and even, as in the case of the + Duchess of Devonshire and the butcher, submitted their fair cheeks to be + kissed by the possessors of votes! At the butcher's shop, the owner, in + his apron and sleeves, stoutly refused his vote, except on one condition—"Would + her Grace give him a kiss?" The request was granted; and the vote thus + purchased went to swell the majority which finally secured the return of + "The Man of the People." + </p> + <p> + 'The colouring of political friends, which concealed his vices, or rather + which gave them a false hue, has long since faded away. We now know Fox as + he <i>WAS</i>. In the latest journals of Horace Walpole his inveterate + gambling, his open profligacy, his utter want of honour, is disclosed by + one of his own opinion. Corrupted ere yet he had left his home, whilst in + age a boy, there is, however, the comfort of reflecting that he outlived + his vices which seem to have "cropped out" by his ancestral connection in + the female line with the reprobate Charles II., whom he was thought to + resemble in features. Fox, afterwards, with a green apron tied round his + waist, pruning and nailing up his fruit trees at St Ann's Hill, or amusing + himself innocently with a few friends, is a pleasing object to remember, + even whilst his early career occurs forcibly to the mind.' + </p> + <p> + Peace, then, to the shade of Charles James Fox! The three last public acts + which he performed were worthy of the man, and should suffice to prove + that, in spite of his terrible failings, he was most useful in his + generation. By one, he laboured to repair the outrages of war—to + obtain a breathing time for our allies; and, by an extension of our + commerce, to afford, if necessary, to his country all the advantages of a + renovated contest, without the danger of drying up our resources. By + another, he attempted to remove all legal disabilities arising out of + religion—to unite more closely <i>THE INTERESTS OF IRELAND WITH + THOSE OF ENGLAND;</i> and thus, by an extension of common rights, and a + participation of common benefits, wisely to render that which has always + been considered the weakest and most troublesome portion of our empire, at + least a useful and valuable part of England's greatness among the nations. + Queen Elizabeth's Minister, Lord Burleigh, in the presence of the 'Irish + difficulty' in his day, wished Ireland at the bottom of the sea, and + doubtless many at the present time wish the same; but Fox endeavoured to + grapple with it manfully and honestly, and it was not his fault that he + did not settle it. The vices of Fox were those of the age in which he + lived; had he been reserved for the present epoch, what a different + biography should we have to write of him! What a helmsman he might be at + the present time, when the ship of Old England is at sea and in peril! + </p> + <p> + It appears from a letter addressed by Lord Carlisle to Lady Holland (Fox's + mother) in 1773, that he had become security for Fox to the amount of + fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds; and a letter to Selwyn in 1777, puts + the ruinous character of their gaming transactions in the strongest light. + Lord Ilchester (Fox's cousin) had lost thirteen thousand pounds at one + sitting to Lord Carlisle, who offered to take three thousand pounds down. + Nothing was paid. But ten years afterwards, when Lord Carlisle pressed for + his money, he complained that an attempt was made to construe the offer + into a <i>remission</i> of the ten thousand pounds:—'The only way, + in honour, that Lord Ilchester could have accepted my offer, would have + been by taking some steps to pay the L3000. I remained in a state of + uncertainty, I think, for nearly three years; but his taking no notice of + it during that time, convinced me that he had no intention of availing + himself of it. Charles Fox was also at a much earlier period clear that he + never meant to accept it. There is also great injustice in the behaviour + of the family in passing by the instantaneous payment of, I believe, five + thousand pounds, to Charles, won at the same sitting, without any + observations. <i>At one period of the play I remember there was a balance + in favour of one of these gentlemen (but which I protest I do not + remember) of about fifty thousand</i>.' + </p> + <p> + At the time in question Fox was hardly eighteen. The following letter from + Lord Carlisle, written in 1771, contains highly interesting information + respecting the youthful habits and already vast intellectual pre-eminence + of this memorable statesman:—'It gives me great pain to hear that + Charles begins to be unreasonably impatient at losing. I fear it is the + prologue to much fretfulness of temper, for disappointment in raising + money, and any serious reflections upon his situation, will (in spite of + his affected spirits and dissipation) occasion him many disagreeable + moments.' Lord Carlisle's fears proved groundless in this respect. As + before stated, Fox was always remarkable for his sweetness of temper, + which remained with him to the last; but it is most painful to think how + much mankind has lost through his recklessness. + </p> + <p> + Gibbon writes to Lord Sheffield in 1773, 'You know Lord Holland is paying + Charles Fox's debts. They amount to L140,000.'(125) + </p> + <p> + (125) Timbs, <i>Club Life in London</i>. + </p> + <p> + His love of play was desperate. A few evenings before he moved the repeal + of the Marriage Act, in February, 1772, he had been at Brompton on two + errands,—one to consult Justice Fielding on the penal laws, the + other to borrow L10,000, which he brought to town at the hazard of being + robbed. He played admirably both at Whist and Piquet,—with such + skill, indeed, that by the general admission of Brookes' Club, he might + have made four thousand pounds a-year, as they calculated, at these games, + if he could have confined himself to them. But his misfortune arose from + playing games of chance, particularly at Faro. + </p> + <p> + After eating and drinking plentifully, he would sit down at the Faro + table, and invariably rose a loser. Once, indeed, and once only, he won + about eight thousand pounds in the course of a single evening. Part of the + money he paid to his creditors, and the remainder he lost almost + immediately. + </p> + <p> + Before he attained his thirtieth year he had completely dissipated + everything that he could either command or could procure by the most + ruinous expedients. He had even undergone, at times, many of the severest + privations incidental to the vicissitudes that attend a gamester's + progress; frequently wanting money to defray the common daily wants of the + most pressing nature. Topham Beauclerc, who lived much in Fox's society, + declared that no man could form an idea of the extremities to which he had + been driven to raise money, often losing his last guinea at the Faro + table. The very sedan-chairmen, whom he was unable to pay, used to dun him + for arrears. In 1781, he might be considered as an extinct volcano,—for + the pecuniary aliment that had fed the flame was long consumed. Yet he + even then occupied a house or lodgings in St James's Street, close to + Brookes', where he passed almost every hour which was not devoted to the + House of Commons. Brookes' was then the rallying point or rendezvous of + the Opposition, where Faro, Whist, and supper prolonged the night, the + principal members of the minority in both Houses met, in order to compare + their information, or to concert and mature their parliamentary measures. + Great sums were then borrowed of Jews at exorbitant premiums. + </p> + <p> + His brother Stephen was enormously fat; George Selwyn said he was in the + right to deal with Shylocks, as he could give them pounds of flesh. + </p> + <p> + Walpole, in 1781, walking up St James's Street, saw a cart at Fox's door, + with copper and an old chest of drawers, loading. His success at Faro had + awakened a host of creditors; but, unless his bank had swelled to the size + of the Bank of England, it could not have yielded a half-penny apiece for + each. Epsom too had been unpropitious; and one creditor had actually + seized and carried off Fox's goods, which did not seem worth removing. + Yet, shortly after this, whom should Walpole find sauntering by his own + door but Fox, who came up and talked to him at the coach window, on the + Marriage Bill, with as much <i>sang-froid</i> as if he knew nothing of + what had happened. Doubtless this indifference was to be attributed quite + as much to the callousness of the reckless gambler as to anything that + might be called 'philosophy.' + </p> + <p> + It seems clear that the ruling passion of Fox was partly owing to the lax + training of his father, who, by his lavish allowances, not only fostered + his propensity to play, but had also been accustomed to give him, when a + mere boy, money to amuse himself at the gaming table. According to + Chesterfield, the first Lord Holland 'had no fixed principles in religion + or morality,' and he censures him to his son for being 'too unwary in + ridiculing and exposing them.' He gave full swing to Charles in his youth. + 'Let nothing be done,' said his lordship, 'to break his spirit, the world + will do that for him.' At his death, in 1774, he left him L154,000 to pay + his debts; it was all 'bespoke,' and Fox soon became as deeply pledged as + before.(126) + </p> + <p> + (126) Timbs, ubi supra. There is a mistake in the anecdote respecting + Fox's duel with Mr Adam (not Adams), as related by Mr Timbs in his amusing + book of the Clubs. The challenge was in consequence of some words uttered + by Fox in parliament, and not on account of some remark on Government + powder, to which Fox wittily alluded, after the duel, saying—'Egad, + Adam, you would have killed me if it had not been Government powder.' See + Gilchrist, Ordeals, Millingen, Hist. of Duelling, ii., and Steinmetz, + Romance of Duelling, ii. + </p> + <p> + The following are authentic anecdotes of Fox, as a gambler. + </p> + <p> + Fox had a gambling debt to pay to Sir John Slade. Finding himself in cash, + after a lucky run at Faro, he sent a complimentary card to the knight, + desiring to discharge the claim. Sir John no sooner saw the money than he + called for pen and ink, and began to figure. 'What now?' cried Fox. 'Only + calculating the interest,' replied the other. 'Are you so?' coolly + rejoined Charles James, and pocketed the cash, adding—'I thought it + was a <i>debt of honour</i>. As you seem to consider it a trading debt, + and as I make it an invariable rule to pay my Jew-creditors last, you must + wait a little longer for your money.' + </p> + <p> + Fox once played cards with Fitzpatrick at Brookes' from ten o'clock at + night till near six o'clock the next morning—a waiter standing by to + tell them 'whose deal it was'—they being too sleepy to know. + </p> + <p> + On another occasion he won about L8000; and one of his bond-creditors, who + soon heard of his good luck, presented himself and asked for payment. + 'Impossible, sir,' replied Fox; 'I must first discharge my debts of + honour.' The bond-creditor remonstrated, and finding Fox inflexible, tore + the bond to pieces and flung it into the fire, exclaiming—'Now, sir, + your debt to me is a <i>debt of honour</i>.' Struck by the creditor's + witty rejoinder, Fox instantly paid the money.(127) + </p> + <p> + (127) The above is the version of this anecdote which I remember as being + current in my young days. Mr Timbs and others before him relate the + anecdote as follows:—'On another occasion he won about L8000; and + one of his bond-creditors, who soon heard of his good luck, presented + himself and asked for payment.' + </p> + <p> + 'Impossible, sir,' replied Fox 'I must first discharge my debts of + honour.' The bond-creditor remonstrated. 'Well, sir, give me your bond.' + It was delivered to Fox, who tore it in pieces and threw it into the fire. + 'Now, sir,' said Fox, 'my debt to you is a debt of honour;' and + immediately paid him. + </p> + <p> + Now, it is evident that Fox could not destroy the document without + rendering himself still more 'liable' in point of law. I submit that the + version in the text is the true one, conforming with the legal requirement + of the case and influencing the debtor by the originality of the + performance of the creditor. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the wildest excesses of youth, even while the perpetual victim of + his passion for play, Fox eagerly cultivated his taste for letters, + especially the Greek and Roman historians and poets; and he found + resources in their works under the most severe depressions occasioned by + ill-successes at the gaming table. One morning, after Fox had passed the + whole night in company with Topham Beauclerc at Faro, the two friends were + about to separate. + </p> + <p> + Fox had lost throughout the night, and was in a frame of mind approaching + to desperation. Beauclerc's anxiety for the consequences which might ensue + led him to be early at Fox's lodgings; and on arriving he inquired, not + without apprehension, whether he had risen. The servant replied that Mr + Fox was in the drawing-room, when Beauclerc walked up-stairs and + cautiously opened the door, expecting to behold a frantic gamester + stretched on the floor, bewailing his losses, or plunged in moody despair; + but he was astonished to find him reading a Greek Herodotus. + </p> + <p> + On perceiving his friend's surprise, Fox exclaimed, 'What would you have + me do? I have lost my last shilling.' + </p> + <p> + Upon other occasions, after staking and losing all that he could raise at + Faro, instead of exclaiming against fortune, or manifesting the agitation + natural under such circumstances, he would lay his head on the table and + retain his place, but, exhausted by mental and bodily fatigue, almost + immediately fall into a profound sleep. + </p> + <p> + Fox's best friends are said to have been half ruined in annuities given by + them as securities for him to the Jews. L500,000 a-year of such annuities + of Fox and his 'society' were advertised to be sold at one time. Walpole + wondered what Fox would do when he had sold the estates of his friends. + Walpole further notes that in the debate on the Thirty-nine Articles, + February 6, 1772, Fox did not shine; nor could it be wondered at. He had + sat up playing at Hazard, at Almack's, from Tuesday evening, the 4th, till + five in the afternoon of Wednesday, the 5th. An hour before he had + recovered L12,000 that he had lost; and by dinner, which was at five + o'clock, he had ended losing L11,000! On the Thursday he spoke in the + above debate, went to dinner at past eleven at night; from thence to + White's, where he drank till seven the next morning; thence to Almack's, + where he won L6000; and between three and four in the afternoon he set out + for Newmarket. His brother Stephen lost L11,000 two nights after, and + Charles L10,000 more on the 13th; so that in three nights the two brothers—the + eldest not <i>twenty-five</i> years of age—lost L32,000!(128) + </p> + <p> + (128) Timbs, <i>ubi supra.</i> + </p> + <p> + On one occasion Stephen Fox was dreadfully fleeced at a gaming house at + the West End. He entered it with L13,000, and left without a farthing. + </p> + <p> + Assuredly these Foxes were misnamed. <i>Pigeons</i>—dupes of + sharpers at play—would have been a more appropriate cognomen. + </p> + <p> + WILBERFORCE AND PITT. + </p> + <p> + These eminent statesmen were gamesters at one period of their lives. When + Wilberforce came to London in 1780, after his return to Parliament, his + great success signalized his entry into public life, and he was at once + elected a member of the leading clubs—Miles' and Evans', Brookes', + Boodle's, White's, and Goosetree's. The latter was Wilberforce's usual + resort, where his friendship with Pitt—who played with + characteristic and intense eagerness, and whom he had slightly known at + Cambridge—greatly increased. He once lost L100 at the Faro table. + </p> + <p> + 'We played a good deal at Goosetree's,' he states, and I well remember the + intense earnestness which Pitt displayed when joining in these games of + chance. He perceived their increasing fascination, and soon after + abandoned them for ever.' + </p> + <p> + Wilberforce's own case is thus recorded by his biographers, on the + authority of his private Journal:—'We can have no play to-night,' + complained some of the party at the club, 'for St Andrew is not here to + keep bank.' 'Wilberforce,' said Mr Bankes, who never joined himself, 'if + you will keep it I will give you a guinea.' The playful challenge was + accepted, but as the game grew deep he rose the winner of L600. Much of + this was lost by those who were only heirs to fortunes, and therefore + could not meet such a call without inconvenience. The pain he felt at + their annoyance cured him of a taste which seemed but too likely to become + predominant. + </p> + <p> + Goosetree's being then almost exclusively composed of incipient orators + and embryo statesmen, the call for a gambling table there may be regarded + as a decisive proof of the universal prevalence of the vice. + </p> + <p> + 'The first time I was at Brookes',' says Wilberforce, 'scarcely knowing + any one, I joined, from mere shyness, in play at the Faro tables, where + George Selwyn kept bank. A friend, who knew my inexperience, and regarded + me as a victim decked out for sacrifice, called to me—"What, + Wilberforce, is that you?" Selwyn quite resented the interference, and, + turning to him, said in his most expressive tone, "Oh, sir, don't + interrupt Mr Wilberforce, he could not be better employed." + </p> + <p> + Again: 'The very first time I went to Boodle's I won twenty-five guineas + of the Duke of Norfolk. I belonged at this time to five clubs—Miles' + and Evans', Brookes', Boodle's, White's, and Goosetree's.' + </p> + <p> + SIR PHILIP FRANCIS. + </p> + <p> + Sir Philip Francis, the eminent politician and supposed author of the + celebrated 'Letters of Junius,' was a gambler, and the convivial companion + of Fox. During the short administration of that statesman he was made a + Knight of the Bath. One evening, Roger Wilbraham came up to the Whist + table, at Brookes', where Sir Philip, who for the first time wore the + ribbon of the Order, was engaged in a rubber, and thus accosted him. + Laying hold of the ribbon, and examining it for some time, he said:—'So, + this is the way they have rewarded you at last; they have given you a + little bit of red ribbon for your services, Sir Philip, have they? A + pretty bit of red ribbon to hang about your neck; and that satisfies you, + does it? Now, I wonder what I shall have. What do you think they will give + me, Sir Philip?' The newly-made knight, who had twenty-five guineas + depending on the rubber, and who was not very well pleased at the + interruption, suddenly turned round, and looking at him fiercely, + exclaimed, 'A halter, and be,' &c. + </p> + <p> + THE REV. CALEB C. COLTON. + </p> + <p> + Unquestionably this reverend gentleman was one of the most lucky of + gamesters—having died in full possession of the gifts vouchsafed to + him by the goddess of fortune. + </p> + <p> + He was educated at Eton, graduated at King's College, Cambridge, as + Bachelor of Arts in 1801, and Master of Arts in 1804, and obtained a + fellowship, having also a curacy at Tiverton, held conjointly. Some six + years after he appeared in print as a denouncer of a 'ghost story,' and in + 1812, as the author of 'Hypocrisy,' a satirical poem, and 'Napoleon,' a + poem. In 1818 he was presented by his college to the vicarage of Kew with + Petersham, in Surrey. Two years after he established a literary reputation—lasting + to the present time—by the publication of a volume of aphorisms or + maxims, under the title of 'LACON; or, Many Things in Few Words.' This + work is very far from original, being founded mainly on Lord Bacon's + celebrated Essays, and Burdon's 'Materials for Thinking,' La Bruyiere, and + De la Rochefoucault; still it is highly creditable to the abilities of the + writer. It has passed through several editions; and even at the present + time its only rival is, 'The Guesses at Truth,' although we have numerous + collections of apothegmatic extracts from authors, a class of works which + is not without its fascination, if readers are inclined to <i>THINK.</i>(129) + </p> + <p> + (129) The first work I published was of this kind, and entitled, 'Gems of + Genius; or, Words of the Wise, with extracts from the Diary of a Young + Man,' in 1838. + </p> + <p> + Two years after he returned to his 'Napoleon,' which he republished, with + extensive additions, under the new title of 'The Conflagration of Moscow. + </p> + <p> + It would appear that Colton at this period gave in to the fashionable + gaming of the day; at any rate, he dabbled deeply in Spanish bonds, became + involved in pecuniary difficulties, and, without investigating his affairs + closely—which might have been easily arranged—he absconded. + </p> + <p> + He subsequently made appearance, in order to retain his living; but in + 1828 he lost it, a successor being appointed by his college. He then went + to the United States of America; what he did there is not on record; but + he subsequently returned to Europe, went to Paris, took up his abode in + the Palais Royal, and—devoted his talents to the mysteries of the + gaming table, by which he was so successful that in the course of a year + or two he won L25,000! + </p> + <p> + Oddly enough, one of his 'maxims' in his Lacon runs as follows: 'The + gamester, if he die a martyr to his profession, is doubly ruined. He adds + his soul to every other loss, and, by the act of suicide, renounces earth, + to forfeit heaven.' + </p> + <p> + It has been suggested that this was writing his own epitaph, and it would + appear so from the notices of the man in most of the biographies; but + nothing could be further from the fact. Caleb Colton managed to <i>KEEP</i> + his gambling fortune, and what is more, devoted it to a worthy purpose. + Part of his wealth he employed in forming a picture-gallery; and he + printed at Paris, for private distribution, an ode on the death of Lord + Byron. He certainly committed suicide, but the act was not the gamester's + martyrdom. He was afflicted by a disease which necessitated some painful + surgical operation, and rather than submit to it, he blew out his brains, + at the house of a friend, at Fontainebleau, in 1832.(130) + </p> + <p> + (130) Gent. Mag. New Month. Mag. Gorton's Gen. Biograph. Dict. + </p> + <p> + BEAU BRUMMELL. + </p> + <p> + This singular man was an inveterate gambler, and for some time very + 'lucky;' but the reaction came at last; the stakes were too high, and the + purses of his companions too long for him to stand against any continued + run of bad luck; indeed, the play at Wattier's, which was very deep, + eventually ruined the club, as well as Brummell and several other members + of it; a certain baronet now living, according to Captain Jesse, is + asserted to have lost ten thousand pounds there at <i>Ecarte</i> at one + sitting.(131) + </p> + <p> + (131) Life of Beau Brummell. + </p> + <p> + The season of 1814 saw Brummell a winner, and a loser likewise—and + this time he lost not only his winnings, but 'an unfortunate ten thousand + pounds,' which, when relating the circumstance to a friend many years + afterwards, he said was all that remained at his banker's. One night—the + fifth of a most relentless run of ill-luck—his friend Pemberton + Mills heard him exclaim that he had lost every shilling, and only wished + some one would bind him never to play again:—'I will,' said Mills; + and taking out a ten-pound note he offered it to Brummell on condition + that he should forfeit a thousand if he played at White's within a month + from that evening. The Beau took it, and for a few days discontinued + coming to the club; but about a fortnight after Mills, happening to go in, + saw him hard at work. Of course the thousand pounds was forfeited; but his + friend, instead of claiming it, merely went up to him and, touching him + gently on the shoulder, said—'Well, Brummell, you may at least give + me back the ten pounds you had the other night.' + </p> + <p> + Among the members who indulged in high play at Brookes' Club was Alderman + Combe, the brewer, who is said to have made as much money in this way as + he did by brewing. One evening whilst he filled the office of Lord Mayor, + he was busy at a full Hazard table at Brookes', where the wit and the + dice-box circulated together with great glee, and where Beau Brummell was + one of the party. 'Come, Mash-tub,' said Brummell, who was the <i>caster</i>, + 'what do you <i>set?</i>' 'Twenty-five guineas,' answered the Alderman. + 'Well, then,' returned the Beau, 'have at the mare's pony' (a gaming term + for 25 guineas). He continued to throw until he drove home the brewer's + twelve ponies running; and then getting up, and making him a low bow, + whilst pocketing the cash, he said—'Thank you, Alderman; for the + future I shall never drink any porter but yours.' 'I wish, sir,' replied + the brewer, 'that every other blackguard in London would tell me the + same.'(132) + </p> + <p> + (132) Jesse, <i>ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + The following occurrence must have caused a 'sensation' to poor Brummell. + </p> + <p> + Among the members of Wattier's Club was Bligh, a notorious madman, of whom + Mr Raikes relates:—'One evening at the Macao table, when the play + was very deep, Brummell, having lost a considerable stake, affected, in + his farcical way, a very tragic air, and cried out—"Waiter, bring me + a flat candlestick and a pistol." Upon which Bligh, who was sitting + opposite to him, calmly produced two loaded pistols from his coat pocket, + which he placed on the table, and said, "Mr Brummell, if you are really + desirous to put a period to your existence, I am extremely happy to offer + you the means without troubling the waiter." The effect upon those present + may easily be imagined, at finding themselves in the company of a known + madman who had loaded weapons about him.' + </p> + <p> + Brummell was at last completely beggared, though for some time he + continued to hold on by the help of funds raised on the mutual security of + himself and his friends, some of whom were not in a much more flourishing + condition than himself; their names, however, and still more, their + expectations, lent a charm to their bills, in the eyes of the usurers, and + money was procured, of course at ruinous interest. It is said that some + unpleasant circumstances, connected with the division of one of these + loans, occasioned the Beau's expatriation, and that a personal altercation + took place between Brummell and a certain Mr M—, when that gentleman + accused him of taking the lion's share. + </p> + <p> + He died in utter poverty, and an idiot, at Caen, in the year 1840, aged 62 + years. Brummell had a very odd way of accounting for the sad change which + took place in his affairs. He said that up to a particular period of his + life everything prospered with him, and that he attributed good luck to + the possession of a certain silver sixpence with a hole in it, which + somebody had given him years before, with an injunction to take good care + of it, as everything would go well with him so long as he did, and the + reverse if he happened to lose it. The promised prosperity attended him + for many years, whilst he held the sixpence fast; but having at length, in + an evil hour, unfortunately given it by mistake to a hackney-coachman, a + complete reverse of his previous good fortune ensued, till actual ruin + overtook him at last, and obliged him to expatriate himself. 'On my asking + him,' says the narrator, 'why he did not advertise and offer a reward for + the lost treasure; he said, "I did, and twenty people came with sixpences + having holes in them to obtain the promised reward, but mine was not + amongst them!" And you never afterwards,' said I, 'ascertained what became + of it? "Oh yes," he replied, "no doubt that rascal Rothschild, or some of + his set, got hold of it."' Whatever poor Brummell's supernatural + tendencies may have generally been, he had unquestionably a superstitious + veneration for his lost sixpence. + </p> + <p> + TOM DUNCOMBE. + </p> + <p> + Tom Duncombe graduated and took honours among the greatest gamblers of the + day. Like Fox, he was heir to a good fortune—ten or twelve thousand + a year—the whole of which he managed to anticipate before he was + thirty. 'Tom Duncombe ran Charles Fox close. When Mr Duncombe, sen., of + Copgrove, caused his prodigal son's debts to be estimated with a view to + their settlement, they were found to exceed L135,000;(133) and the hopeful + heir went on adding to them till all possibility of extrication was at an + end. But he spent his money (or other people's money), so long as he had + any, like a gentleman; his heart was open like his hand; he was generous, + cordial, high-spirited; and his expectations—till they were known to + be discounted to the uttermost farthing—kept up his credit, improved + his social position, and gained friends. "Society" (says his son) "opened + its arms to the possessor of a good name and the inheritor of a good + estate. Paterfamiliases and Materfamiliases rivalled each other in + endeavouring to make things pleasant in their households for his + particular delectation, especially if they had grown-up daughters; + hospitable hosts invited him to dinner, fashionable matrons to balls; + political leaders sought to secure him as a partisan; <i>DEBUTANTES</i> of + the season endeavoured to attract him as an admirer; <i>TRADESMEN THRONGED + TO HIS DOORSTEPS FOR HIS CUSTOM</i>, and his table was daily covered with + written applications for his patronage." <i>Noblesse oblige;</i> and so + does fashion. The aspirant had confessedly a hard time of it. "He must be + seen at Tattersall's as well as at Almack's; be more frequent in + attendance in the green-room of the theatre than at a <i>levee</i> in the + palace; show as much readiness to enter into a pigeon-match at Battersea + Red House, as into a flirtation in May Fair; distinguish himself in the + hunting-field as much as at the dinner-table; and make as effective an + appearance in the park as in the senate; in short, he must be everything—not + by turns, but all at once—sportsman, exquisite, gourmand, rake, + senator, and at least a dozen other variations of the man of fashion,—his + changes of character being often quicker than those attempted by certain + actors who nightly undertake the performance of an entire <i>dramatis + personae</i>."' + </p> + <p> + (133) It will be remembered that when Fox's debts were in like manner + estimated they amounted to L140,000: the coincidence is curious. See ante. + </p> + <p> + Tommy Duncombe was not only indefatigable at Crockford's, but at every + other rendezvous of the votaries of fortune; a skilful player withal, and + not unfrequently a winner beyond expectation. One night at Crockford's he + astonished the house by carrying off sixteen hundred pounds. He frequently + played at cards with Count D'Orsay, from whom, it is said, he invariably + managed to win—the Count persisting in playing with his pleasant + companion, although warned by others that he would never be a match for + 'Honest Tommy Duncombe.' + </p> + <p> + Tom Duncombe died poor, but, says his son, 'rich in the memory of those + who esteemed him, as Honest Tom Duncombe.' + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the best thing the son could have done was to leave his father's + memory at rest in the estimation of 'those who esteemed him;' but having + dragged his name once more, and prominently, before a censorious world, he + can scarcely resent the following estimate of Tom Duncombe, by a + well-informed reviewer in the <i>Times</i>. Alluding to the concluding + summary of the father's character and doings, this keen writer passes a + sentence which is worth preserving:— + </p> + <p> + 'Much of this would do for a patriot and philanthropist of the highest + class—for a Pym, a Hampden, or a Wilberforce; or, we could fancy, a + son of Andrew Marvell, vowing over his grave "to endeavour to imitate the + virtues and emulate the self-sacrificing patriotism of so estimable a + parent, and so good a man." But we can hardly fancy, we cannot leave, a + son of Duncombe in such a frame of mind. We cannot say to <i>HIM</i>— + </p> + <p> + Macte nova virtute, puer; sic itur ad astra. "In virtue renewed go on; + thus to the skies we go." + </p> + <p> + We are unfeignedly reluctant to check a filial effusion, or to tell + disagreeable truths; but there are occasions when a sense of public duty + imperatively requires them to be told. + </p> + <p> + 'Why did this exemplary parent die poor? When did he abandon the + allurements of a patrician circle? He died poor because he wasted a fine + fortune. If he abandoned a patrician circle, it was because he was tired + of it, or thought he could make a better thing of democracy. If he + conquered his passions, it was, like St Evremond—by indulging them. + </p> + <p> + '"Honest Tom Duncombe!" We never heard him so designated before except in + pleasantry. "As honest as any man living, that is an old man, and not + honester than I." We cannot go further than Verges; it is a stretch of + charity to go so far when we call to mind the magnificent reversion and + the French jobs. A ruined spendthrift, although he may have many good + qualities, can never, strictly speaking, be termed honest. It is absurd to + say of him that he is nobody's enemy but his own—with family, + friends, and tradespeople paying the penalty for his self-indulgence. He + must be satisfied to be called honourable—to be charged with no + transgression of the law of honour; which Paley defines as "a system of + rules constructed by people of fashion, and calculated to facilitate their + intercourse with one another, <i>AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE</i>." + </p> + <p> + 'There was one quality of honesty, however, which "honest Tom Duncombe" + did possess. He was not a hypocrite. He was not devoid of right feeling. + He had plenty of good sense; and it would have given him a sickening pang + on his death-bed to think that his frailties were to be perpetuated by his + descendants; that he was to be pointed out as a shining star to guide, + instead of a beacon-fire to warn. "No," he would have said, if he could + have anticipated this most ill-chosen, however well-intentioned, tribute, + "spare me this terrible irony. Do not provoke the inevitable retort. Say + of me, if you must say anything, that I was not a bad man, though an + erring one; that I was kindly disposed towards my fellow-creatures; that I + did some good in my generation, and was able and willing to do more, but + that I heedlessly wasted time, money, health, intellect, personal gifts, + social advantages and opportunities; that my career was a failure, and my + whole scheme of life a melancholy mistake."'(134) + </p> + <p> + (134) <i>Times</i>, Jan. 7, 1868. + </p> + <p> + This is a terrible rejoinder to a son endeavouring to raise a monument to + his beloved and respected parent. But, if we will rake up rottenness from + the grave—rottenness in which we are interested—we must take + our chance whether we shall find a Hamlet who will say, 'Alas! poor + Yorick!' and say <i>NO MORE</i> than the musing Dane upon the occasion. + </p> + <p> + WAS THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON A GAMESTER? + </p> + <p> + A few years after the battle of Waterloo there appeared a French work + entitled '<i>L'Academie des Jeux</i>, par Philidor,' which was soon + translated into English, and here published under the title of 'Rouge et + Noir; or, the Academies.' It was a denunciation of gambling in all its + varieties, and was, no doubt, well-intentioned. There was, however, in the + publication the following astounding statement:— + </p> + <p> + 'Not long ago the carriage of the heir-apparent to the T***** of England, + in going to his B****'s levee, was arrested for debt in the open street. + That great captain, who gained, if not laurels, an immense treasure, on + the plains of Wa****oo, besides that fortune transmitted to him by the + English people, was impoverished in a few months by this ignoble passion.' + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the alleged gambling of the great warrior and + statesman was the public scandal of the day, as appears by the duke's own + letters on the subject, published in the last volume of his <i>Dispatches</i>. + Even the eminent counsel, Mr Adolphus, thought proper to allude to the + report in one of his speeches at the bar. This called forth the following + letter from the duke to Mr Adolphus:— + </p> + <p> + '17 Sept., 1823. 'The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr + Adolphus, and encloses him the "Morning Chronicle" of Friday, the 12th + instant, to which the duke's attention has just been called, in which Mr + Adolphus will observe that he is stated to have represented the duke as a + person <i>KNOWN SOMETIMES TO PLAY AT HAZARD, WHO MIGHT BE COMMITTED AS A + ROGUE AND VAGABOND</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'The duke concludes that this paper contains a correct statement of what + Mr Adolphus said upon the occasion, and he assures Mr Adolphus that he + would not trouble him upon the subject if circumstances did not exist + which rendered this communication desirable. + </p> + <p> + 'Some years have elapsed since the public have been informed, <i>FROM THE + VERY BEST AUTHORITY</i>, that the duke had totally ruined himself at play; + and Mr Adolphus was present upon one occasion when a witness swore that he + had heard the duke was constantly obliged to sell the offices in the + Ordnance himself, instead of allowing them to be sold by others!! The duke + has suffered some inconvenience from this report in a variety of ways, and + he is anxious that at least it should not be repeated by a gentleman of + such celebrity and authority as Mr Adolphus. + </p> + <p> + 'He therefore assures Mr Adolphus that in the whole course of his life he + never won or lost L20 at any game, and that he never played at Hazard, or + any game of chance, in any public place or club, nor been for some years + at all at any such place. + </p> + <p> + 'From these circumstances, Mr Adolphus will see that there is no ground + for making use of the duke's name as an example of a person <i>KNOWN + SOMETIMES TO PLAY AT HAZARD, WHO MIGHT BE COMMITTED AS A ROGUE AND + VAGABOND</i>.' + </p> + <p> + <i>Mr Adolphus to Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'Percy Street, 21st Sept., 1823. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Adolphus has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a note from his + Grace the Duke of Wellington, and would have done so yesterday, but was + detained in court till a late hour in the evening. Mr Adolphus is + extremely sorry that any expression used by him should have occasioned a + moment's uneasiness to the Duke of Wellington. Mr Adolphus cannot deny + that the report in the "Chronicle" is accurate, so far as it recites his + mere words; but the scope of his argument, and the intended sense of his + expression, was, that if the Vagrant Act were to receive the extensive + construction contended for, the most illustrious subject of the realm + might be degraded to the condition of the most abject and worthless, for + an act in itself indifferent—and which, until the times had assumed + a character of affected rigour, was considered rather as a proof of good + society than as an offence against good order. Mr Adolphus is, however, + perfectly sensible that his illustration in his Grace's person was in all + respects improper, and, considering the matters to which his Grace has + adverted, peculiarly unfortunate Mr Adolphus feels with regret that any + public expression of his sentiments on this subject in the newspapers + would not abate, but much increase, the evil. Should an opportunity ever + present itself of doing it naturally and without affectation, Mr Adolphus + would most readily explain, in speaking at the bar, the error he had + committed; but it is very unlikely that there should exist an occasion of + which he can avail himself with a due regard to delicacy. Mr Adolphus + relies, however, on the Duke of Wellington's exalted mind for credit to + his assurance that he never meant to treat his name but with the respect + due to his Grace's exalted rank and infinitely higher renown.' + </p> + <p> + <i>To Mr Adolphus</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'Woolford, 23rd Sept., 1823. + </p> + <p> + 'The Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr Adolphus, and + assures Mr Adolphus that he is convinced that Mr Adolphus never intended + to reflect injuriously upon him. If the duke had believed that Mr Adolphus + could have entertained such an intention he would not have addressed him. + The duke troubles Mr Adolphus again upon this subject, as, in consequence + of the editor of the "Morning Chronicle" having thought proper to advert + to this subject in a paragraph published on the 18th instant, the duke has + referred the paper of that date and that of the 12th to the Attorney and + Solicitor-general, his counsel, to consider whether the editor ought not + to be prosecuted. + </p> + <p> + 'The duke requests, therefore, that Mr Adolphus will not notice the + subject in the way he proposes until the gentlemen above mentioned will + have decided upon the advice which they will give the duke.'(135) + </p> + <p> + (135) 'Dispatches,' vol. ii. part i. + </p> + <p> + The result was, however, that the matter was allowed to drop, as the duke + was advised by his counsel that the paragraph in the "Morning Chronicle," + though vile, was not actionable. The positive declaration of the duke, + 'that in the whole course of his life he never won or lost L20 at any + game, and that he never played at Hazard, or any game of chance, in any + public place or club, nor been for some years at all at any such place,' + should set the matter at rest. Certainly the duke was afterwards an + original member of Crockford's Club, founded in 1827, but, unlike Blucher, + who repeatedly lost everything at play, 'The Great Captain,' as Mr Timbs + puts it, 'was never known to play deep at any game but war or + politics.'(136) + </p> + <p> + (136) Club Life in London. + </p> + <p> + This remarkable deference to private character and public opinion, on the + part of the Duke of Wellington, is in wonderful contrast with the easy + morality of the Old Bailey advocate, Mr Adolphus, who did not hesitate to + declare gambling 'an act in itself indifferent—and which, until the + times had assumed a character of <i>AFFECTED</i> rigour, was considered + rather as a proof of good society than as an offence against good order.' + This averment of so distinguished a man may, perhaps, mitigate the horror + we now feel of the gambling propensities of our ancestors; and it is a + proof of some sort of advancement in morals, or good taste, to know that + no modern advocate would dare to utter such a sentiment. + </p> + <p> + Other great names have been associated with gambling; thus Mr T. H. + Duncombe says, speaking of Crockford's soon after its foundation:—'Sir + St Vincent Cotton (Lord Combermere), Lord Fitzroy Somerset (Raglan), the + Marquis of Anglesey, Sir Hussey Vivian, Wilson Croker, <i>Disraeli</i>, + Horace Twiss, Copley, George Anson, and George Payne <i>WERE PRETTY SURE + OF BEING PRESENT</i>, many of them playing high.' + </p> + <p> + Respecting this statement the <i>Times'</i>(137) reviewer observes:—'We + do not know what the Chancellor of the Exchequer will say to this. Mr + Wilson Croker (who affected great strictness) would have fainted away. But + the authority of a writer who does not know Sir St Vincent Cotton (the + ex-driver of the Brighton coach) from Sir <i>Stapleton</i> Cotton (the + Peninsular hero) will go for little in such matters; and as for Copley, + Lord Lyndhurst (just then promoted from the Rolls to the Woolsack), why + not say at once that he attended the nocturnal sittings at Crockford's in + his robes.' + </p> + <p> + (137) Jan. 7, 1868. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. REMARKABLE GAMESTERS. ——MONSIEUR CHEVALIER. + </h2> + <p> + Monsieur CHevalier, Captain of the Grenadiers in the first regiment of + Foot Guards, in the time of Charles II. of England, was a native of + Normandy. In his younger days he was page to the Duchess of Orleans; but + growing too big for that service, he came to England to seek his fortune, + and by some good luck and favour became an ensign in the first regiment of + Foot Guards. His pay, however, being insufficient to maintain him, he felt + compelled to become a gamester, or rather to resort to a practice in which + doubtless he had been early initiated at the Court of France; and he + managed so well that he was soon enabled to keep up an equipage much above + his station. + </p> + <p> + Among the 'bubbles' who had the misfortune to fall into Chevalier's hands, + was a certain nobleman, who lost a larger sum to him than he could + conveniently pay down, and asked for time, to which Chevalier assented, + and in terms so courteous and obliging that the former, a fortnight after, + in order to let him see that he remembered his civility, came one morning + and told Chevalier that he had a company of Foot to dispose of, and if it + was worth his while, it should be at his service. Nothing could be more + acceptable to Chevalier, who at once closed for the bargain, and got his + commission signed the same day. Besides the fact that it was a time of + peace, Chevalier knew well that the military title of Captain was a very + good cloak to shelter under. + </p> + <p> + He knew that a man of no employment or any visible income, who appears and + lives like a gentleman, and makes gaming his constant business, is always + suspected of not playing for diversion only; and, in short, of knowing and + practising more than he should do. + </p> + <p> + Chevalier once won 20 guineas from mad Ogle, the Life-guardsman, who, + understanding that the former had bit him, called him to account, + demanding either his money back, or satisfaction in the field. Chevalier, + having always courage enough to maintain what he did, chose the latter. + Ogle fought him in Hyde Park, and wounded him through the sword arm, and + got back his money. After this they were always good friends, playing + several comical tricks, one of which is as follows, strikingly + illustrating the manners of the times. + </p> + <p> + Chevalier and Ogle meeting one day in Fleet Street jostled for the wall, + which they strove to take of each other, whereupon words arising between + them, they drew swords, and pushed very hard at one another; but were + prevented, by the great crowd which gathered about them, from doing any + mischief. Ogle, seeming still to resent the affront, cried to Chevalier, + 'If you are a gentleman, pray follow me.' The French hero accepted the + challenge; so going together up Bell Yard and through Lincoln's Inn, with + some hundreds of the mob at their heels, as soon as the seeming + adversaries were got into Lincoln's Inn Fields, they both fell a running + as fast as they could, with their swords drawn, up towards Lord Powis's + house, which was then building, and leaped into a saw-pit. The rabble + presently ran after them, to part them again, and feared mischief would be + done before they could get up to them, but when they arrived at the + saw-pit, they saw Chevalier at one side of it and Ogle at the other, + sitting together as lovingly as if they had never fallen out at all. And + then the mob was so incensed at this trick put upon them, that had not + some gentlemen accidentally come by, they would have knocked them both on + the head with brickbats. + </p> + <p> + Chevalier had an excellent knack at cogging a die, and such command in the + throwing, that, chalking a circle on a table, with its circumference no + bigger than a shilling, he would, at above the distance of one foot, throw + a die exactly into it, which should be either ace, deuce, trey, or what he + pleased. + </p> + <p> + Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was a great gambler of the time, and often + practised dice-throwing in his shirt during the morning until he fancied + himself in luck, when he would proceed to try his fortune with Chevalier; + but the dexterity of the latter always convinced the earl that no + certainty lies on the good success which may be fancied as likely to + result from play in jest. Chevalier won a great deal of money from that + peer, 'who lost most of his estate at gaming before he died, and which + ought to be a warning to all noblemen.' + </p> + <p> + Chevalier was a skilful sharper, and thoroughly up in the art and mystery + of loading dice with quicksilver; but having been sometimes detected in + his sharping tricks, he was obliged 'to look on the point of the sword, + with which being often wounded, latterly he declined fighting, if there + were any way of escape.' Having once 'choused,' or cheated, a Mr + Levingstone, page of honour to King James II., out of 50 guineas, the + latter gave the captain a challenge to fight him next day behind Montague + House—a locality long used for the purpose of duelling. Chevalier + seemingly accepted the challenge, and next morning, Levingstone going to + Chevalier's lodging, whom he found in bed, put him in mind of what he was + come about. Chevalier, with the greatest air of courage imaginable, rose, + and having dressed himself, said to Levingstone—'Me must beg de + favour of you to stay a few minutes, sir, while I step into my closet + dere, for as me be going about one desperate piece of work, it is very + requisite for me to say a small prayer or two.' Accordingly Mr Levingstone + consented to wait whilst Chevalier retired to his closet to pray; but + hearing the conclusion of his prayer to end with these words—'Me + verily believe spilling man's blood is one ver' great sin, wherefore I + hope all de saints will interced vid de Virgin for my once killing + Monsieur de Blotieres at Rochelle,—my killing Chevalier de Cominge + at Brest,—killing Major de Tierceville at Lyons,—killing + Lieutenant du Marche Falliere at Paris, with half a dozen other men in + France; so, being also sure of killing him I'm now going to fight, me hope + his forcing me to shed his blood will not be laid to my charge;'—quoth + Levingstone to himself—'And are you then so sure of me? But I'll + engage you shan't—for if you are such a devil at killing men, you + shall go and fight yourself and be ——.' Whereupon he made what + haste he could away, and shortly Chevalier coming out of the closet and + finding Levingstone not in the room, was very glad of his absence.' + </p> + <p> + Some time after, Chevalier was called to account by another gentleman. + They met at the appointed hour in Chelsea Fields, when Chevalier said to + his adversary—'Pray, sir, for what do we fight?' The gentleman + replied—'For honour and reputation.' Thereupon Chevalier pulling a + halter out of his pocket, and throwing it between him and his antagonist, + exclaimed—'Begar, sir, we only fight for dis one piece of rope—so + e'en <i>WIN IT AND WEAR IT</i>.' The effect of this jest was so great on + his adversary that swords were put up, and they went home together good + friends. + </p> + <p> + Chevalier continued his sharping courses for about fourteen years, running + a reckless race, 'sometimes with much money, sometimes with little, but + always as lavish in spending as he was covetous in getting it; until at + last King James ascending the throne, the Duke of Monmouth raised a + rebellion in the West of England, where, in a skirmish between the + Royalists and Rebels, he was shot in the back, and the wound thought to be + given by one of his own men, to whom he had always been a most cruel, + harsh officer, whilst a captain of the Grenadiers of the Foot Guards. He + was sensible himself how he came by this misfortune; for when he was + carried to his tent mortally wounded, and the Duke of Albemarle came to + visit him, he said to his Grace—'Dis was none of my foe dat shot me + in the back.' 'He was none of your friend that shot you,' the duke + replied. + </p> + <p> + So dying within a few hours after, he was interred in a field near Philip + Norton Lane, as the old chronicler says—'much <i>UN</i>lamented by + all who knew him.'(138) + </p> + <p> + (138) Lucas, <i>Memoirs of Gamesters and Sharpers</i>. + </p> + <p> + JOHN HIGDEN. + </p> + <p> + This gambler, who flourished towards the end of the 17th century, was + descended from a very good family in the West of England. In his younger + days he was a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, but + his inclinations being incompatible with close study of the law, he soon + quitted the inns of court and went into the army. He obtained not only a + commission in the first regiment of Boot Guards, but a commission of the + peace for the county of Middlesex, in which he continued for three or four + years as Justice Higden. He was very great at dice; and one night he and + another of his fraternity going to a gaming house, Higden drew a chair and + sat down, but as often as the box came to him he passed it, and remained + only as a spectator; but at last one of the players said to him pertly, + 'Sir, if you won't play, what do you sit there for?' Upon which Higden + snatched up the dice-box and said, 'Set me what you will and I'll throw at + it.' One of the gentlemen set him two guineas, which he won, and then set + him four, which he 'nicked' also. The rest of the gentlemen took the part + of the loser, and set to Higden, who, by some art and some good luck, won + 120 guineas; and presently, after throwing out, rose from the table and + went to his companion by the fireside, who asked him how he durst be so + audacious as to play, knowing he had not a shilling in his pocket? One of + the losers overhearing what was said, exclaimed, 'How's that—you had + no money when you began to play?' 'That's no matter,' replied Higden, 'I + have enough <i>NOW;</i> and if you had won of me, you must have been + contented to have kicked, buffeted, or pumped me, and you would have done + it as long as you liked. Besides, sir, I am a soldier, and have often + faced the mouths of thundering cannons for <i>EIGHT SHILLINGS A DAY</i>, + and do you think I would not hazard the tossing of a blanket for the money + I have won to-night?' + </p> + <p> + 'All the parties wondered at his confidence, but he laughed heartily at + their folly and his good fortune, and so marched off with a light heart + and a heavy purse.' Afterwards, 'to make himself as miserable as he could, + he turned poet, went to Ireland, published a play or two, and shortly + after he died very poor, in 1703.'(139) + </p> + <p> + (139) <i>ubi supra.</i> + </p> + <p> + MONSIEUR GERMAIN. + </p> + <p> + This gambler was of low birth, his parents keeping an ordinary in Holland, + where he was born, as stated by the old chronicler, 'in the happy + Revolution of 1688.' + </p> + <p> + His career is remarkable on account of his connection with Lady Mary + Mordaunt, wife of 'the Duke of Norfolk, who, proving her guilty of + adultery, was divorced from her. She then lived publicly with Germain.' + </p> + <p> + This Germain was the first to introduce what was called the <i>Spanish + Whist</i>, stated to be 'a mere bite, performed after this manner:—Having + a pack of cards, the four treys are privately laid on the top of them, + under them an ace, and next to that a deuce; then, letting your adversary + cut the cards, you do not pack them, but deal all of them that are cut + off, one at a time, between you; then, taking up the other parcel of + cards, you deal more cards, giving yourself two treys and a deuce, and to + the other persons two treys and an ace, when, laying the remainder of the + cards down—wherein are allowed no trumps, but only the highest cards + win—so they are but of the same suit, whilst you are playing, giving + your antagonist all you can, as though it is not in your power to prevent + him. You seem to fret, and cry you have good <i>put-cards;</i> he, having + two treys and an ace, will be apt to lay a wager with you that you cannot + have better than he; then you binding the wager, he soon sees his mistake. + But in this trick you must observe to put the other three deuces under + yours when you deal.' + </p> + <p> + It seems that this Monsieur Germain is not only remarkable for the above + precious addition to human knowledge, but also on account of his + expertness at the game of <i>Ombre</i>, celebrated and so elegantly + described by Pope in his 'Rape of the Lock.' + </p> + <p> + He appears to have lived with the Duchess of Norfolk ever after the + divorce; and he died a little after Lady Mary, in 1712, aged 46 + years.(140) + </p> + <p> + (140) <i>ubi supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + TOM HUGHES. + </p> + <p> + This Irishman was born in Dublin, and was the son of a respectable + tradesman. Falling into dissipated company, he soon left the city to try + his fortune in London, where he played very deep and very successfully. + </p> + <p> + He threw away his gains as fast as he made them, chiefly among the frail + sisterhood, at a notorious house in those days, in the Piazza, Covent + Garden. He frequented Carlisle House in Soho Square, and was a proprietor + of E O tables kept by a Dr Graham in Pall Mall. + </p> + <p> + He had a rencontre, in consequence of a dispute at play, and was wounded. + The meeting took place under the Piazza, and his antagonist's sword struck + a rib, which counteracted its dangerous effect. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards he won L3000 from a young man just of age, who made over + to him a landed estate for the amount, and he was shortly after admitted a + member of the Jockey Club. + </p> + <p> + His fortune now changed, and falling into the hands of Old Pope, the + money-lender, he was not long before he had to transfer his estate to him. + </p> + <p> + After many ups and downs he became an inmate of the spunging-house of the + infamous Scoldwell, who was afterwards transported. He actually used his + prison as a gaming house, to which his infatuated friends resorted; but + his means failed, his friends cooled, and he was removed 'over the water,' + from which he was only released by the Insolvent Act, with a broken + constitution. Arrest soon restored him to his old habitation, a lock-up + house, where he died so poor, a victim to grief, misery, and disease, that + he did not leave enough to pay for a coffin, which was procured by his + quondam friend, Mr Thornton, at whose cost he was buried. Perhaps more + than half a million of money had 'passed through his hands.' + </p> + <p> + ANDREWS, THE GREAT BILLIARD-PLAYER. + </p> + <p> + Andrews was reckoned so theoretically and practically perfect at the game + of Billiards that he had no equal except Abraham Carter, who kept the + tables at the corner of the Piazza, Russell Street, Covent Garden. + </p> + <p> + He one night won of Colonel W——e about a thousand pounds; and + the Colonel appointed to meet him next day to transact for stock + accordingly. Going in a hackney-coach to the Bank of England for this + purpose, they tossed up who should pay for the coach. Andrews lost—and + positively on this small beginning he was excited to continue betting, + until he lost the whole sum he had won the night before! When the coachman + stopped he was ordered to drive them back again, as they had no occasion + to get out! + </p> + <p> + Thus, in a few years, Hazard and other games of chance stripped him of his + immense winnings at Billiards, and he had nothing left but a small + annuity, fortunately for him so settled that he could not dispose of it—though + he made every effort to do so! + </p> + <p> + He afterwards retired in the county of Kent, and was heard to declare that + he never knew contentment when wallowing in riches; but that since he was + compelled to live on a scanty pittance, he was one of the happiest men in + the world. + </p> + <p> + WHIG MIDDLETON. + </p> + <p> + Whig Middleton was a tall, handsome, fashionable man, with an adequate + fortune. He one night had a run of ill-luck at Arthur's, and lost about a + thousand guineas. Lord Montford, in the gaming phrase, asked him what he + would do or what he would not do, to get home? 'My lord,' said he, + 'prescribe your own terms.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then,' resumed Lord Montford, 'dress directly opposite to the fashion for + ten years. Will you agree to it?' Middleton said that he would, and kept + his word. Nay, he died nine years afterwards so unfashionably that he did + not owe a tradesman a farthing—left some playing debts unliquidated, + and his coat and wig were of the cut of Queen Anne's reign. + </p> + <p> + Lord Montford is said to have died in a very different but quite + fashionable manner. + </p> + <p> + CAPTAIN CAMPBELL. + </p> + <p> + Captain Campbell, of the Guards, was a natural son of the Duke of ——. + He lost a thousand guineas to a Shark, which he could not pay. Being + questioned by the duke one day at dinner as to the cause of his dejection, + he reluctantly confessed the fact. 'Sir,' said his Grace, 'you do not owe + a farthing to the blackguard. My steward settled with him this morning for + <i>TEN</i> guineas, and he was glad to take them, only saying—"I was + damned far North, and it was well it was no worse."' + </p> + <p> + WROTHESLY, DUKE OF BEDFORD. + </p> + <p> + Wrothesly, Duke of Bedford, was the subject of a conspiracy at Bath, + formed by several first-rate sharpers, among whom were the manager of a + theatre, and Beau Nash, master of the ceremonies. After being plundered of + above L70,000 at Hazard, his Grace rose in a passion, put the dice in his + pocket, and intimated his resolution to inspect them. He then retired into + another room, and, flinging himself upon a sofa, fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + The winners, to escape disgrace, and obtain their money, cast lots who + should pick his pockets of the loaded dice, and introduce fair ones in + their place. The lot fell on the manager of the theatre, who performed his + part without discovery. The duke inspected the dice when he awoke, and + finding them correct, renewed his party, and lost L30,000 more. + </p> + <p> + The conspirators had received L5000, but disagreed on its division, and + Beau Nash, thinking himself ill-used, divulged the fact to his Grace, who + saved thereby the remainder of the money. He made Nash a handsome present, + and ever after gave him his countenance, supposing that the secret had + been divulged through pure friendship. + </p> + <p> + THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. + </p> + <p> + A similar anecdote is told of another gamester. 'The late Duke of + Norfolk,' says the author of 'Rouge et Noir,' writing in 1823, 'in one + evening lost the sum of L70,000 in a gaming house on the right side of St + James's Street: suspecting foul play, he put the dice in his pocket, and, + as was his custom when up late, took a bed in the house. The blacklegs + were all dismayed, till one of the worthies, who is believed to have been + a principal in poisoning the horses at Newmarket, for which Dan Dawson was + hanged, offered for L5000 to go to the duke's room with a brace of pistols + and a pair of dice, and, if the duke was awake, to shoot him, if asleep to + change the dice! Fortunately for the gang, the duke "snored," as the agent + stated, "like a pig;" the dice were changed. His Grace had them broken in + the morning, when, finding them good, he paid the money, and left off + gambling.'(141) + </p> + <p> + (141) Rouge et Noir; the Academicians of 1823. + </p> + <p> + GENERAL OGLE: A BOLD STROKE. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks before General Ogle was to sail for India, he constantly + attended Paine's, in Charles Street, St James's Square. One evening there + were before him two wooden bowls full of gold, which held L1500 guineas + each, and L4000 in rouleaus, which he had won. + </p> + <p> + When the box came to him, he shook the dice and with great coolness and + pleasantry said—'Come, I'll either win or lose seven thousand upon + this hand. Will any gentleman set on the whole? <i>SEVEN</i> is the main.' + Then rattling the dice once more, cast the box from him and quitted it, + the dice remaining uncovered. + </p> + <p> + Although the General did not think this too large a sum for one man to + risk at a single throw, the rest of the gentlemen did, and for some time + the bold gamester remained unset. + </p> + <p> + He then said—'Well, gentlemen, will you make it up amongst you?' + </p> + <p> + One set him 500 guineas, another 500. 'Come,' said he, 'whilst you are + making up the money I'll tell you a story.' Here he began—but + perceiving that he was at last completely set for the cast, stopt short—laid + his hand on the box, saying—'I believe I am completely set, + gentlemen?' 'Yes, sir, and Seven is the main,' was the reply. The General + threw out, and lost! Seven thousand guineas! + </p> + <p> + Then with astonishing coolness he took up his snuff-box and smiling + exclaimed—'Now, gentlemen, if you please, I'll finish my story.' + </p> + <p> + HORACE WALPOLE. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that Horace Walpole was an inveterate gambler, + although he managed to keep always afloat and merrily sailing—for he + says himself:—'A good lady last year was delighted at my becoming + peer, and said—"I hope you will get an Act of Parliament for putting + down Faro." As if I could make Acts of Parliament! and could I, it would + be very consistent too in me, who for some years played more at Faro than + anybody.'(142) + </p> + <p> + (142) Letters, IX. + </p> + <p> + THE EARL OF MARCH. + </p> + <p> + This extraordinary and still famous personage, better known as the Duke of + Queensberry, was the 'observed of all observers' almost from his boyhood + to extreme old age. His passions were for women and the turf; and the + sensual devotedness with which he pursued the one, and the eccentricity + which he displayed in the enjoyment of both, added to the observation + which he attracted from his position as a man of high rank and princely + fortune, rendered him an object of unceasing curiosity. He was deeply + versed in the mysteries of the turf, and in all practical and theoretical + knowledge connected with the race-course was acknowledged to be the most + accomplished adept of his own time. He seems also to have been a skilful + gamester and player of billiards. Writing to George Selwyn from Paris in + 1763, he says:—'I won the first day about L2000, of which I brought + off about L1500. All things are exaggerated, I am supposed to have won at + least twice as much.' In 1765 he is said to have won two thousand louis of + a German at billiards. Writing to Selwyn, Gilly Williams says of him: 'I + did not know he was more an adept at that game than you are at any other, + but I think you are both said to be losers on the whole, at least Betty + says that her letters mention you as pillaged.' + </p> + <p> + Among the numerous occasions on which the name of the Duke of Queensberry + came before the public in connection with sporting matters, may be + mentioned the circumstance of the following curious trial, which took + place before Lord Mansfield in the Court of King's Bench, in 1771. The + Duke of Queensberry, then Lord March, was the plaintiff, and a Mr Pigot + the defendant. The object of this trial was to recover the sum of five + hundred guineas, being the amount of a wager laid by the duke With Mr + Pigot—whether Sir William Codrington or <i>OLD</i> Mr Pigot should + die first. It had singularly happened that Mr Pigot died suddenly the <i>SAME + MORNING</i>, of the gout in his head, but before either of the parties + interested in the result of the wager could by any possibility have been + made acquainted with the fact. In the contemporary accounts of the trial, + the Duke of Queensberry is mentioned as having been accommodated with a + seat on the bench; while Lord Ossory, and several other noblemen, were + examined on the merits of the case. By the counsel for the defendant it + was argued that (as in the case of a horse dying before the day on which + he was to be run) the wager was invalid and annulled. Lord Mansfield, + however, was of a different opinion; and after a brief charge from that + great lawyer, the jury brought in a verdict for the plaintiff for five + hundred guineas, and he sentenced the defendant to defray the costs of the + suit.(143) + </p> + <p> + (143) Jesse, George Selwyn and his Contemporaries, vol. i. p. 194. + </p> + <p> + This prince of debauchees seems to have surpassed every model of the kind, + ancient or modern. In his prime he reproduced in his own drawing-room the + scene of Paris and the Goddesses, exactly as we see it in classic + pictures, three of the most beautiful women of London representing the + divinities as they appeared to Paris on Mount Ida, while he himself, + dressed as the Dardan shepherd holding a <i>GILDED</i> apple (it should + have been really golden) in his hand, conferred the prize on her whom he + deemed the fairest. In his decrepit old age it was his custom, in fine + sunny weather, to seat himself in his balcony in Piccadilly, where his + figure was familiar to every person who was in the habit of passing + through that great thoroughfare. Here (his emaciated figure rendered the + more conspicuous from his custom of holding a parasol over his head) he + was in the habit of watching every attractive female form, and ogling + every pretty face that met his eye. He is said, indeed, to have kept a + pony and a servant in constant readiness, in order to follow and ascertain + the residence of any fair girl whose attractions particularly caught his + fancy! At this period the old man was deaf with one ear, blind with one + eye, nearly toothless, and labouring under multiplied infirmities. But the + hideous propensities of his prime still pursued him when all enjoyment was + impossible. Can there be a greater penalty for unbridled licentiousness? + </p> + <p> + MR LUMSDEN. + </p> + <p> + Mr Lumsden, whose inveterate love of gambling eventually caused his ruin, + was to be seen every day at Frascati's, the celebrated gambling house kept + by Mme Dunan, where some of the most celebrated women of the <i>demi-monde</i> + usually congregated. He was a martyr to the gout, and his hands and + knuckles were a mass of chalk-stones. He stuck to the <i>Rouge et Noir</i> + table until everybody had left; and while playing would take from his + pocket a small slate, upon which he would rub his chalk-stones until blood + flowed. 'Having on one occasion been placed near him at the <i>Rouge et + Noir</i> table, I ventured,' says Captain Gronow, 'to expostulate with him + for rubbing his knuckles against his slate. He coolly answered, "I feel + relieved when I see the blood ooze out."' + </p> + <p> + Mr Lumsden was remarkable for his courtly manners; but his absence of mind + was astonishing, for he would frequently ask his neighbour <i>WHERE HE WAS</i>! + Crowds of men and women would congregate behind his chair, to look at 'the + mad Englishman,' as he was called; and his eccentricities used to amuse + even the croupiers. After losing a large fortune at this den of iniquity, + Mr Lumsden encountered every evil of poverty, and died in a wretched + lodging in the Rue St Marc.(144) + </p> + <p> + (144) Gronow, <i>Last Recollections.</i> + </p> + <p> + GENERAL SCOTT, THE HONEST WINNER OF L200,000. + </p> + <p> + General Scott, the father-in-law of George Canning and the Duke of + Portland, was known to have won at White's L200,000, thanks to his + notorious sobriety and knowledge of the game of Whist. The general + possessed a great advantage over his companions by avoiding those + indulgences at the table which used to muddle other men's brains. He + confined himself to dining off something like a boiled chicken, with toast + and water; by such a regimen he came to the Whist table with a clear head; + and possessing as he did a remarkable memory, with great coolness of + judgment, he was able honestly to win the enormous sum of L200,000. + </p> + <p> + RICHARD BENNET. + </p> + <p> + Richard Bennet had gone through every walk of a blackleg, from being a + billiard sharper at a table in Bell Alley until he became a keeper or + partner in all the 'hells' in St James's. In each stage of his journey he + had contrived to have so much the better of his competitors, that he was + enabled to live well, to bring up and educate a large legitimate family, + and to gratify all his passions and sensuality. But besides all this, he + accumulated an ample fortune, which this inveterate gamester did actually + possess when the terriers of justice overtook and hunted him into the + custody of the Marshal of the Court of Queen's Bench. Here he was + sentenced to be imprisoned a certain time, on distinct indictments, for + keeping different gaming houses, and was ordered to be kept in custody + until he had also paid fines to the amount, we believe, of L4000. Bennet, + however, after undergoing the imprisonment, managed to get himself + discharged without paying the fines. + </p> + <p> + DENNIS O'KELLY. + </p> + <p> + Dennis O'Kelly was the Napoleon of the turf and the gaming table. Ascot + was his elysium. His horses occupied him by day and the Hazard table by + night. At the latter one night he was seen repeatedly turning over a <i>QUIRE + OF BANK NOTES</i>, and a gentleman asked him what he was looking for, when + he replied, 'I am looking for a <i>LITTLE ONE</i>.' The inquirer said he + could accommodate him, and desired to know for what sum. Dennis O'Kelly + answered, 'I want a FIFTY, or something of <i>THAT SORT</i>, just to set + the <i>CASTER</i>. At this moment it was supposed he had seven or eight <i>THOUSAND</i> + pounds in notes in his hand, but not one for less than a <i>HUNDRED!</i> + </p> + <p> + Dennis O'Kelly always threw with great success; and when he held the box + he was seldom known to refuse throwing for <i>ANY SUM</i> that the company + chose to set him. He was always liberal in <i>SETTING THE CASTER</i>, and + preventing a stagnation of trade at the <i>TABLE</i>, which, from the + great property always about him, it was his good fortune very frequently + to deprive of its last floating guinea, when the box of course became + dormant for want of a single adventurer. + </p> + <p> + It was his custom to carry a great number of bank notes in his waistcoat + pocket, twisted up together, with the greatest indifference; and on one + occasion, in his attendance at a Hazard table at Windsor, during the + races, being a <i>STANDING</i> better and every chair full, a person's + hand was observed, by those on the opposite side of the table, just in the + act of drawing two notes out of his pocket. The alarm was given, and the + hand, from the person behind, was instantly withdrawn, and the notes left + sticking out. The company became clamorous for taking the offender before + a magistrate, and many attempted to secure him for the purpose; but + Captain Dennis O'Kelly very philosophically seized him by the collar, + kicked him down-stairs, and exultingly exclaimed, ''Twas a <i>SUFFICIENT + PUNISHMENT</i> to be deprived of the pleasure of keeping company with <i>JONTLEMEN</i>.' + </p> + <p> + A bet for a large sum was once proposed to this 'Admirable Crichton' of + the turf and the gaming table, and accepted. The proposer asked O'Kelly + where lay his <i>ESTATES</i> to answer for the amount if he lost?' 'My + estates!' cried O'Kelly. 'Oh, if that's what you <i>MANE</i>, I've a <i>MAP</i> + of them here'—and opening his pocket-book he exhibited bank notes to + <i>TEN TIMES</i> the sum in question, and ultimately added the <i>INQUIRER'S</i> + contribution to them. + </p> + <p> + Such was the wonderful son of Erin, 'Captain' or 'Colonel' Dennis O'Kelly. + One would like to know what ultimately became of him. + </p> + <p> + DICK ENGLAND. + </p> + <p> + Jack Tether, Bob W—r, Tom H—ll, Captain O'Kelly, and others, + spent with Dick England a great part of the plunder of poor Clutterbuck, a + clerk of the Bank of England, who not only lost his all, but robbed the + Bank of an immense sum to pay his 'debts of honour.' + </p> + <p> + A Mr B—, a Yorkshire gentleman, proposed to his brother-in-law, who + was with him, to put down ten pounds each and try their luck at the 'Hell' + kept by 'the Clerks of the Minster,' in the Minster Yard, next the Church. + It was the race-week. There were about thirteen Greeks there, Dick England + at their head. Mr B— put down L10. England then called 'Seven the + main—if seven or eleven is thrown next, the Caster wins.' Of course + Dick intended to win; but he blundered in his operation; he <i>LANDED</i> + at six and the other did not answer his hopes. Yet, with matchless + effrontery, he swore he had called <i>SIX</i> and not seven; and as it was + referred to the majority of the goodly company, thirteen <i>HONEST + GENTLEMEN</i> gave it in Dick England's favour, and with him divided the + spoil. + </p> + <p> + A Mr D—, a gentleman of considerable landed property in the North, + proposed passing a few days at Scarborough. Dick England saw his carriage + enter the town, and contrived to get into his company and go with him to + the rooms. When the assembly was over, he prevailed on Mr D— to sup + with him. After supper Mr D— was completely intoxicated, and every + effort to make him play was tried in vain. + </p> + <p> + This was, of course, very provoking; but still something must be done, and + a very clever scheme they hit upon to try and 'do' this 'young man from + the country.' Dick England and two of his associates played for five + minutes, and then each of them marked a card as follows:—'D— + owes me one hundred guineas,' 'D— owes me eighty guineas;' but Dick + marked <i>HIS</i> card—'I owe D—thirty guineas.' + </p> + <p> + The next day, Mr D— met Dick England on the cliff and apologized for + his excess the night before, hoping he had given no offence 'when drunk + and incapable.' Having satisfied the gentleman on this point, Dick England + presented him with a thirty-guinea note, which, in spite of contradiction, + remonstrance, and denial of any play having taken place, he forced on Mr D— + as his <i>FAIR WINNING</i>—adding that he had paid hundreds to + gentlemen in liquor, who knew nothing of it till he had produced the + account. Of course Mr D— could not help congratulating himself at + having fallen in with a perfect gentleman, as well as consoling himself + for any head-ache or other inconvenience resulting from his night's + potation. They parted with gushing civilities between them. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards, however, two other gentlemen came up to Mr D—, whom + the latter had some vague recollection of having seen the evening before, + in company with Dick England; and at length, from what the two gentlemen + said, he had no doubt of the fact, and thought it a fit opportunity to + make a due acknowledgment of the gentlemanly conduct of their friend, who + had paid him a bet which he had no remembrance of having made. + </p> + <p> + No mood could be better for the purpose of the meeting; so the two + gentlemen not only approved of the conduct of Dick, and descanted on the + propriety of paying drunken men what they won, but also declared that no + <i>GENTLEMAN</i> would refuse to pay a debt of honour won from him when + drunk; and at once begged leave to 'remind' Mr D— that he had lost + to them 180 guineas! In vain the astounded Mr D— denied all + knowledge of the transaction; the gentlemen affected to be highly + indignant, and talked loudly of injured honour. Besides, had he not + received 30 guineas from their friend? So he assented, and appointed the + next morning to settle the matter. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for Mr D—, however, some intelligent friends of his + arrived in the mean time, and having heard his statement about the whole + affair, they 'smelt a rat,' and determined to ferret it out. They examined + the waiter—previously handing him over five guineas—and this + man declared the truth that Mr D— did not play at all—in fact, + that he was in such a condition that there could not be any real play. + Dick England was therefore 'blown' on this occasion. Mr D— returned + him his thirty guineas, and paid five guineas for his share of the supper; + and well he might, considering that it very nearly cost him 150 guineas—that + is, having to receive 30 guineas and to pay 180 guineas to the Greeks—profit + and loss with a vengeance. + </p> + <p> + Being thus 'blown' at Scarborough, Dick England and his associates + decamped on the following morning. + </p> + <p> + He next formed a connection with a lieutenant on half pay, nephew to an + Irish earl. With this lieutenant he went to Spa, and realized something + considerable; but not without suspicion—for a few dice were missed. + </p> + <p> + Dick England returned to London, where he shortly disagreed with the + lieutenant. The latter joined the worthy before described, Captain + O'Kelly, who was also at enmity with Dick England; and the latter took an + opportunity of knocking their heads together in a public coffee-room, and + thrashing them both till they took shelter under the tables. Dick had the + strength of an ox, the ferocity of a bull-dog, and 'the cunning of the + serpent,' although what the latter is no naturalist has ever yet + discovered or explained. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant determined on revenge for the thrashing. He had joined his + regiment, and he 'peached' against his former friend, disclosing to the + officers the circumstance of the dice at Spa, before mentioned; and, of + course, upset all the designs of Dick England and his associates. This + enraged all the blacklegs; a combination was formed against the + lieutenant; and he was shot through the head by 'a brother officer,' who + belonged to the confraternity. + </p> + <p> + The son of an earl lost forty thousand pounds in play to Dick England; and + shot himself at Stacie's Hotel in consequence—the very night before + his honourable father sent his steward to pay the 'debt of honour' in full—though + aware that his son had been cheated out of it. + </p> + <p> + But the most extraordinary 'pass' of Dick England's career is still to be + related—not without points in it which make it difficult to believe, + in spite of the evidence, that it is the same 'party' who was concerned in + it. Here it is. + </p> + <p> + In the <i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, in Gilchrist's Collection of British + Duels, in Dr Millingen's reproduction of the latter, the following account + occurs:— + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Richard England was put to the bar at the Old Bailey, charged with the + "wilful murder" of Mr Rowlls, brewer, of Kingston, in a duel at + Cranford-bridge, June 18, 1784. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Derby, the first witness, gave evidence that he was present at Ascot + races. When in the stand upon the race-course, he heard Mr England + cautioning the gentlemen present not to bet with the deceased, as he + neither paid what he lost nor what he borrowed. On which Mr Rowlls went up + to him, called him rascal or scoundrel, and offered to strike him; when Mr + England bid him stand off, or he would be obliged to knock him down; + saying, at the same time—"We have interrupted the company + sufficiently here, and if you have anything further to say to me, you know + where I am to be found." A further altercation ensued; but his Lordship + being at the other end of the stand, did not distinctly hear it, and then + the parties retired. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Dartrey, afterwards Lord Cremorne, and his lady, with a gentleman, + were at the inn at the time the duel was fought. They went into the garden + and endeavoured to prevent the duel; several other persons were collected + in the garden. Mr Rowlls desired his Lordship and others not to interfere; + and on a second attempt of his Lordship to make peace, Mr Rowlls said, if + they did not retire, he must, though reluctantly, call them impertinent. + Mr England at the same time stepped forward, and took off his hat; he said—"Gentlemen, + I have been cruelly treated; I have been injured in my honour and + character; let reparation be made, and I am ready to have done this + moment." Lady Dartrey retired. His Lordship stood in the bower of the + garden until he saw Mr Rowlls fall. One or two witnesses were called, who + proved nothing material. A paper, containing the prisoner's defence, being + read, <i>the Earl of Derby, the Marquis of Hertford, Sir Whitbread, jun., + Colonel Bishopp, and other gentlemen</i>, were called to his character. + They all spoke of him as a man of <i>decent gentlemanly deportment</i>, + who, instead of seeking quarrels, was studious to avoid them. He had been + friendly to Englishmen while abroad, and had rendered some service to the + military at the siege of Newport. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Justice Rooke summoned up the evidence; after which the jury retired + for about three quarters of an hour, when they returned a verdict of + "manslaughter." + </p> + <p> + 'The prisoner having fled from the laws of his country for twelve years, + the Court was disposed to show no lenity. He was therefore sentenced to + pay a fine of one shilling, and be imprisoned in Newgate twelve months.' + </p> + <p> + This trial took place in the year 1796, and the facts in evidence give a + strange picture of the times. A duel actually fought in the garden of an + inn, a noble lord close by in a bower therein, and his lady certainly + within <i>HEARING</i> of the shots, and doubtless a spectator of the + bloody spectacle. But this is not the point,—the incomprehensible + point,—to which I have alluded—which is, how Lord Derby and + the other gentlemen of the highest standing could come forward to speak to + the character of <i>DICK ENGLAND</i>, if he was the same man who killed + the unfortunate brewer of Kingston? + </p> + <p> + Here is <i>ANOTHER</i> account of the matter, which warrants the doubt, + although it is fearfully circumstantial, as to the certain identity:— + </p> + <p> + 'Mr William Peter le Rowles, of Kingston, brewer, was habitually fond of + play. On one occasion he was induced—when in a state of intoxication—to + play with Dick England, who claimed, in consequence, winnings to the + amount of two hundred guineas. Mr le Rowles utterly denied the debt, and + was in consequence pursued by England until he was compelled to a duel, in + which Mr le Rowles fell. Lord Dartrey, afterwards Lord Cremorne, was + present at Ascot Heath races on the fatal occasion, which happened in + 1784; and his evidence before the coroner's inquest produced a verdict of + wilful murder against Dick England, who fled at the time, but returned + twelve years afterwards, was tried, and found guilty of manslaughter only. + He was imprisoned for twelve months. England was strongly suspected of + highway robberies; particularly on one occasion, when his associate, F—, + was shot dead by Col. P— on his return from the Curragh races to the + town of Naas. The Marquis of Hertford, Lords Derby and Cremorne, Colonels + Bishopp and Wollaston, and Messrs Whitbread, Breton, &c., were + evidences in the trial.'(145) + </p> + <p> + (145) <i>The Gaming Calendar</i>, by Seymour Harcourt. + </p> + <p> + It may seem strange that such a man as Dick England could procure such + distinguished 'witnesses to character.' The thing is easily explained, + however. They knew the man only as a turf companion. We can come to no + other conclusion,—remembering other instances of the kind. For + example, the case of Palmer, convicted for the poisoning of Cooke. Had + Palmer been on his trial merely for fighting a fatal duel; there can be no + doubt that several noblemen would have come forward to give him a good + character. I was present at his trial, and saw him <i>BOW TO ONE, AT + LEAST, OF OUR MOST DISTINGUISHED NOBLEMEN</i> when the latter took his + seat near the judge, at the trial. There was a <i>TURF ACQUAINTANCESHIP</i> + between them, and, of course, all 'acquaintanceship' may be presumed upon, + if we lay ourselves open to the degradation. + </p> + <p> + The following is a curious case in point. A gentleman of the highest + standing and greatest respectability was accosted by a stranger to whom he + said—'Sir, you have the advantage of me.' 'Oh!' rejoined the former, + 'don't you remember when we used to meet at certain parties at Bath many + years ago?' 'Well, sir,' exclaimed the gentleman, 'you may speak to me + should you ever again meet me at certain parties at Bath, but nowhere + else.' + </p> + <p> + MAJOR BAGGS. + </p> + <p> + This famous gamester died in 1792, by a cold caught in 'a round-house,' or + place of detention, to which he had been taken by Justice Hyde, from a + gaming table. + </p> + <p> + When too ill to rise out of his chair, he would be carried in that chair + to the Hazard table. + </p> + <p> + He was supposed to have been the utter ruin of above forty persons at + play. He fought eleven duels. + </p> + <p> + THE DUC DE MIREFOIX. + </p> + <p> + The Duc de Mirefois was ambassador at the British Court, and was extremely + fond of chess. A reverend gentleman being nearly his equal, they + frequently played together. At that time the clergyman kept a petty + day-school in a small village, and had a living of not more than twenty + pounds a-year. The French nobleman made uncommon interest with a noble + duke, through whose favour he obtained for his reverend protege a living + of about L600 per annum—an odd way of obtaining the 'cure of souls!' + </p> + <p> + A RECLAIMED GAMBLER'S ACCOUNT OF HIS CAREER. + </p> + <p> + 'Some years since I was lieutenant in a regiment, which the alarm and + policy of administration occasioned to be quartered in the vicinity of the + metropolis, where I was for the first time. A young nobleman of very + distinguished family undertook to be my conductor. Alas! to what scenes + did he introduce me! To places of debauchery and dens of destruction. I + need not detail particulars. From the lures of the courtesan we went to an + adjoining gaming room. Though I thought my knowledge of cards superior to + those I saw play that night, I touched no card nor dice. From this my + conductor, a brother officer, and myself adjourned to Pall Mall. We + returned to our lodgings about six o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + 'I could think of nothing but Faro's magic centre, and longed for the next + evening, when I determined to enter that path which has led so many to + infamy, beggary, and suicide. I began cautiously, and for some time had + reason to be satisfied with my success. It enabled me to live expensively. + I made golden calculations of my future fortune as I improved in skill. My + manuals were treatises on gaming and chances, and no man understood this + doctrine better than I did. I, however, did not calculate the disparity of + resisting powers—my purse with <i>FIFTY</i> guineas, and the Faro + bank with a hundred thousand. It was ruin only which opened my eyes to + this truism at last. + </p> + <p> + 'Good meats, good cooking, and good wines, given gratis and plenteously, + at these houses, drew many to them at first, for the sake of the society. + Among them I one evening chanced to see a clerical prig, who was incumbent + of a parish adjoining that in which my mother lived. I was intoxicated + with wine and pleasure, when I, on this occasion, entered a haunt of ruin + and enterprising avarice in Pall Mall. I played high and lost in + proportion. + </p> + <p> + 'The spirit of adventure was now growing on me every day. I was sometimes + very successful. Yet my health was impaired, and my temper soured by the + alternation of good and bad fortune, and my pity or contempt for those + with whom I associated. From the nobleman, whose acres were nightly + melting in the dice box, there were adventurers even to the <i>UNFLEDGED + APPRENTICE</i>, who came with the pillage of his unsuspecting master's + till, to swell the guilty bank of Dame N— and Co. Were the + Commissioners of Bankruptcy to know how many citizens are prepared for + them at those houses, they would be bound to thank them. + </p> + <p> + 'Many a score of guineas have I won of tradesmen, who seemed only to turn + an honest penny in Leadenhall Street, Aldgate, Birchin Lane, Cornhill, + Cheapside, Holborn, the Borough, and other eastern spots of industry; but + I fleeced them only for the benefit of the Faro bank, which is sure, + finally, to absorb the gain of all. Some of the croupiers would call their + gold <i>GIFTS OF THE WISE MEN OF THE EAST;</i> others termed their guineas + <i>COCKNEY COUNTERS!</i> + </p> + <p> + 'One night I had such a run of luck in the Hazard room, which was rather + thinly attended, that I won everything, and with my load of treasure + collected from the East and West, nay, probably, some of it from <i>Finchley + Common</i> and <i>Hounslow Heath</i>, I went, in the flush of success, to + attack the Faro bank. + </p> + <p> + 'It was my determination, however, if fortune favoured me through the + night, never to tempt her more. For some hours I proceeded in the torture + of suspense, alternately agitated by hope and fear—but by five + o'clock in the morning I attained a state of certainty similar to that of + a wretch ushered into the regions of the damned. I had lost L3500 guineas, + which I had brought with me from the Hazard table, together with L2000 + which the bank advanced me on my credit. There they stopped; and, with an + apathy peculiar to themselves, listened to a torrent of puerile abuse + which I vented against them in my despair. + </p> + <p> + 'Two days and two nights I shut myself up, to indulge in the most racking + reflections. I was ruined beyond repair, and I had, on the third morning, + worked myself up to resort for relief to a loaded pistol. I rang for my + servant to bring me some gunpowder, and was debating with myself whether + to direct its force to my brain or my heart, when he entered with a + letter. It was from Harriet ——. She had heard of my + misfortunes, and urged me with the soul and pen of a heroine, to fly the + destructive habits of the town, and to wait for nine months, when her + minority would expire, and she would come into the uncontrolled possession + of L1700. With that small sum she hoped my expenses, talents, and domestic + comfort, under her housewifery, would create a state of happiness and + independence which millions could not procure in the mad career which I + had pursued. + </p> + <p> + 'This was the voice of a guardian angel in the moment of despair. In her + next, at my request, she informed me that the channel of her early and + minute information was the clerical prig, her neighbour and admirer, who + was related to one of the croupiers at ——, and had from him a + regular detail of my proceedings. + </p> + <p> + 'Soothed by the magic influence of my virtuous Harriet, instead of calling + the croupier to account, I wrote to the proprietors of the bank, stating + my ruined condition, and my readiness to sell my commission and pay them + what I could. These gentlemen have friends in every department. They + completed the transfer of my lieutenancy in two days, and then, in their + superabundant humanity, offered me the place of croupier in an inferior + house which they kept near Hanover Square. This offer I declined; and + after having paid my tradesman's bill, I left London with only eleven + guineas in my pocket. I married the best of women, my preserver, and have + ever since lived in real comfort and happiness, on an income less than one + hundred pounds a year.' + </p> + <p> + A SURPRISE. + </p> + <p> + A stranger plainly dressed took his seat at a Faro table, when the bank + was richer than usual. After some little routine play, he challenged the + bank, and tossed his pocket-book to the banker that he might be satisfied + of his responsibility. It was found to contain bills to an immense amount; + and on the banker showing reluctance to accept the challenge, the stranger + sternly demanded compliance with the laws of the game. The card soon + turned up which decided the ruin of the banker. 'Heaven!' exclaimed an old + infirm Austrian officer, who had sat next to the stranger—'the + twentieth part of your gains would make me the happiest man in the + universe!' The stranger briskly answered—'You shall have it, then;' + and quitted the room. A servant speedily returned, and presented the + officer with the twentieth part of the bank, adding—'My master + requires no answer, sir,' and went out. The successful stranger was soon + recognized to be the great King of Prussia in disguise. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. THE LOTTERIES AND THEIR BEWILDERMENTS. + </h2> + <p> + If we are to believe Pere Menestrier, the institution of Lotteries is to + be found in the Bible, in the words—'The <i>LOT</i> causeth + contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty,' Prov. xviii. 18. Be + that as it may, it is certain that lotteries were in use among the ancient + Romans, taking place during the <i>Saturnalia</i>, or festivities in + honour of the god Saturn, when those who took part in them received a + numbered ticket, which entitled the bearer to a prize. During the reign of + Augustus the thing became a means of gratifying the cupidity of his + courtiers; and Nero used it as the method of distributing his gifts to the + people,—granting as many as a thousand tickets a day, some of them + entitling the bearers to slaves, ships, houses, and lands. Domitian + compelled the senators and knights to participate in the lotteries, in + order to debase them; and Heliogabalus, in his fantastic festivities, + distributed tickets which entitled the bearers to camels, flies, and other + odd things suggested by his madness. In all this, however, the distinctive + character of modern lotteries was totally absent: the tickets were always + gratuitous; so that if the people did not win anything, they never lost. + </p> + <p> + In the Middle Ages the same practice prevailed at the banquets of feudal + princes, who apportioned their presents economically, and without the fear + of exciting jealousy among the recipients, by granting lottery tickets + indiscriminately to their friends. The practice afterwards descended to + the merchants; and in Italy, during the 16th century, it became a + favourite mode of disposing of their wares. + </p> + <p> + The application of lotteries by paid tickets to the service of the state + is said to have originated at Florence, under the name of 'Lotto,' in + 1530; others say at Genoa, under the following circumstances:—It had + long been customary in the latter city to choose annually, by ballot, five + members of the Senate (composed of 90 persons) in order to form a + particular council. Some persons took this opportunity of laying bets that + the lot would fall on such or such senators. The government, seeing with + what eagerness the people interested themselves in these bets, conceived + the idea of establishing a lottery on the same principle, which was + attended with such great success, that all the cities of Italy wished to + participate in it, and sent large sums of money to Genoa for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + To increase the revenues of the Church, the Pope also was induced to + establish a lottery at Rome; the inhabitants of which place became so fond + of this species of gambling, that they often deprived themselves and their + families of the necessaries of life, that they might have money to lay out + in this speculation. + </p> + <p> + The French borrowed the idea from the Italians. In the year 1520, under + Francis I., lotteries were permitted by edict under the name of <i>Blanques</i>, + from the Italian <i>bianca carta</i>, 'white tickets,'— because all + the losing tickets were considered <i>BLANKS;</i>—hence the + introduction of the word into common talk, with a similar meaning. From + the year 1539 the state derived a revenue from the lotteries, although + from 1563 to 1609 the French parliament repeatedly endeavoured to suppress + them as social evils. At the marriage of Louis XIV. a lottery was + organized to distribute the royal presents to the people—after the + fashion of the Roman emperor. Lotteries were multiplied during this reign + and that of Louis XV. In 1776 the Royal Lottery of France was established. + This was abolished in 1793, re-established at the commencement of the + Republic; but finally all lotteries were prohibited by law in 1836,—excepting + 'for benevolent purposes.' One of the most remarkable of these lotteries + 'for benevolent purposes' was the 'Lottery of the Gold Lingots,' + authorized in 1849, to favour emigration to California. In this lottery + the grand prize was a lingot of gold valued at about L1700. + </p> + <p> + The old French lottery consisted of 90 numbers, that is, from No. 1 to No. + 90, and the drawing was five numbers at a time. Five wheels were + established at Paris, Lyons, Strasbourg, Bordeaus, and Lille. A drawing + took place every ten days at each city. The exit of a single number was + called <i>extrait</i>, and it won 15 times the amount deposited, and 70 + times if the number was determined; the exit of two numbers was called the + <i>ambe</i>, winning 270 times the deposit, and 5100 times if the number + was determined;—the exit of three numbers was called the <i>terne</i>, + winning 5500 times; the <i>quaterne</i>, or exit of four numbers, won + 75,000 times the deposit. In all this, however, the chances were greatly + in favour of the state banker;—in the <i>extrait</i> the chances + were 18 to 15 in his favour, vastly increasing, of course, in the + remainder; thus in the <i>ambe</i> it was 1602 against 270; and so on. + </p> + <p> + The first English lottery mentioned in history was drawn in the year 1569. + It consisted of 400,000 lots, at 10<i>s</i>. each lot. The prizes were + plate; and the profits were to go towards repairing the havens or ports of + this kingdom. It was drawn at the west door of St Paul's Cathedral. The + drawing began on the 10th of January, 1569, and continued incessantly, <i>DAY + AND NIGHT</i>, till the 6th of May following.(146) Another lottery was + held at the same place in 1612, King James having permitted it in favour + of 'the plantation of English colonies in Virginia.' One Thomas Sharplys, + a tailor of London, won the chief prize, which was '4000 crowns in fair + plate.' + </p> + <p> + (146) The printed scheme of this lottery is still in the possession of the + Antiquarian Society of London. + </p> + <p> + In 1680, a lottery was granted to supply London with water. At the end of + the 17th century, the government being in want of money to carry on the + war, resorted to a lottery, and L1,200,000 was set apart or <i>NAMED</i> + for the purpose. The tickets were all disposed of in less than six months, + friends and enemies joining in the speculation. It was a great success; + and when right-minded people murmured at the impropriety of the thing, + they were told to hold their tongues, and assured that this lottery was + the very queen of lotteries, and that it had just taken Namur!(147) + </p> + <p> + (147) This town was captured in 1695, by William III. + </p> + <p> + At the same time the Dutch gave in to the infatuation with the utmost + enthusiasm; lotteries were established all over Holland; and learned + professors and ministers of the gospel spoke of nothing else but the + lottery to their pupils and hearers. + </p> + <p> + From this time forward the spirit of gambling increased so rapidly and + grew so strong in England, that in the reign of Queen Anne private + lotteries had to be suppressed as public nuisances. + </p> + <p> + The first <i>parliamentary</i> lottery was instituted in 1709, and from + this period till 1824 the passing of a lottery bill was in the programme + of every session. Up to the close of the 18th century the prizes were + generally paid in the form of terminable, and sometimes of perpetual, + annuities. Loans were also raised by granting a bonus of lottery tickets + to all who subscribed a certain amount. + </p> + <p> + This gambling of annuities, despite the restrictions of an act passed in + 1793, soon led to an appalling amount of vice and misery; and in 1808, a + committee of the House of Commons urged the suppression of this ruinous + mode of filling the national exchequer. The last public lottery in Great + Britain was drawn in October, 1826. + </p> + <p> + The lotteries exerted a most baneful influence on trade, by relaxing the + sinews of industry and fostering the destructive spirit of gaming among + all orders of men. Nor was that all. The stream of this evil was immensely + swelled and polluted, in open defiance of the law, by a set of artful and + designing men, who were ever on the watch to allure and draw in the + ignorant and unwary by the various modes and artifices of '<i>insurance</i>,' + which were all most flagrant and gross impositions on the public, as well + as a direct violation of the law. One of the most common and notorious of + these schemes was the insuring of numbers for the next day's drawing, at a + <i>premium</i> which (if legal) was much greater than adequate to the + risk. Thus, in 1778, when the just premium of the lottery was only 7<i>s</i>. + 6<i>d</i>., the office-keepers charged 9<i>s</i>., which was a certain + gain of nearly 30 per cent.; and they aggravated the fraud as the drawing + advanced. + </p> + <p> + On the sixteenth day of drawing the just premium was not quite 20<i>s</i>., + whereas the office-keepers charged L1 4<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>., which clearly + shows the great disadvantage that every person laboured under who was + imprudent enough to be concerned in the insurance of numbers.(148) + </p> + <p> + (148) Public Ledger, Dec. 3, 1778. + </p> + <p> + In every country where lotteries were in operation numbers were ruined at + the close of each drawing, and of these not a few sought an oblivion of + their folly ill self-murder—by the rope, the razor, or the river. + </p> + <p> + A more than usual number of adventurers were said to have been ruined in + the lottery of 1788, owing to the several prizes continuing long in the + wheel (which gave occasion to much gambling), and also to the desperate + state of certain branches of trade, caused by numerous and important + bankruptcies. The suicides increased in proportion. Among them one person + made herself remarkable by a thoughtful provision to prevent + disappointment. A woman, who had scraped everything together to put into + the lottery, and who found herself ruined at its close, fixed a rope to a + beam of sufficient strength; but lest there should be any accidental + failure in the beam or rope, she placed a large tub of water underneath, + that she might drop into it; and near her also were two razors on a table + ready to be used, if hanging or drowning should prove ineffectual. + </p> + <p> + A writer of the time gives the following account of the excitement that + prevailed during the drawing of the lottery:—'Indeed, whoever wishes + to know what are the "blessings" of a lottery, should often visit + Guildhall during the time of its drawing,—when he will see thousands + of workmen, servants, clerks, apprentices, passing and repassing, with + looks full of suspense and anxiety, and who are stealing at least from + their master's time, if they have not many of them also robbed him of his + property, in order to enable them to become adventurers. In the next + place, at the end of the drawing, let our observer direct his steps to the + shops of the pawnbrokers, and view, as he may, the stock, furniture, and + clothes of many hundred poor families, servants, and others, who have been + ruined by the lottery. If he wish for further satisfaction, let him attend + at the next Old Bailey Sessions, and hear the death-warrant of many a + luckless gambler in lotteries, who has been guilty of subsequent theft and + forgery; or if he seek more proof, let him attend to the numerous and + horrid scenes of self-murder, which are known to accompany the closing of + the wheels of fortune each year:(149) and then let him determine on "the + wisdom and policy" of lotteries in a commercial city.' + </p> + <p> + (149) A case is mentioned of two servants who, having lost their all in + lotteries, robbed their master; and in order to prevent being seized and + hanged in public, murdered themselves in private. + </p> + <p> + The capital prizes were so large that they excited the eagerness of hope; + but the sum secured by the government was small when compared with the + infinite mischief it occasioned. On opening the budget of 1788, the + minister observed in the House of Commons, 'that the bargain he had this + year for the lottery was so very good for the public, that it would + produce a gain of L270,000, from which he would deduct L12,000 for the + expenses of drawing, &c., and then there would remain a net produce of + L258,000.' This result, therefore, was deemed extraordinary; but what was + that to the extraordinary mischief done to the community by the + authorization of excessive gambling! + </p> + <p> + Some curious facts are on record relating to the lotteries. + </p> + <p> + Until the year 1800 the drawing of the lottery (which usually consisted of + 60,000 tickets for England alone) occupied forty-two days in succession; + it was, therefore, about forty-two to one against any particular number + being drawn the first day; if it remained in the wheel, it was forty-one + to one against its being drawn on the second, &;c.; the adventurer, + therefore, who could for eight-pence insure the return of a guinea, if a + given number came up the first day, would naturally be led, if he failed, + to a small increase of the deposit according to the decrease of the chance + against him, until his number was drawn, or the person who took the + insurance money would take it no longer. + </p> + <p> + In the inquiry respecting the mendicity of London, in 1815, Mr Wakefield + declared his opinion that the lottery was a cause of mendicity; and + related an instance—the case of an industrious man who applied to + the Committee of Spitalfields Soup Society for relief; and when, on being + asked his profession, said he was a '<i>Translator</i>'—which, when + <i>TRANSLATED</i>, signifies, it seems, the art of converting old boots + and shoes into wearable ones; 'but the lottery is about to draw, and,' + says he, 'I have no sale for boots or shoes during the time that the + lottery draws'—the money of his customers being spent in the + purchase of tickets, or the payment of 'insurances.' The 'translator' may + have been mistaken as to the cause of his trade falling off; but there can + be no doubt that the system of the lottery-drawing was a very infatuating + mode of gambling, as the passion was kept alive from day to day; and + though, perhaps, it did not create mendicity, yet it mainly contributed, + with the gin-shops, night-cellars, obscure gambling houses, and places of + amusement, to fill the <i>PAWNBROKERS</i>' shops, and diminish the profits + of the worthy 'translator of old shoes.'(150) + </p> + <p> + (150) This term is still in use. I recently asked one of the craft if he + called himself a translator. 'Yes, sir, not of languages, but old boots + and shoes,' was the reply. + </p> + <p> + This reasoning, however, is very uncertain. + </p> + <p> + The sixteenth of a lottery ticket, which is the smallest share that can be + purchased, has not for many years been sold under thirty shillings, a sum + much too large for a person who buys old shoes 'translated,' and even for + the 'translator' himself, to advance; we may therefore safely conclude + that the purchase of tickets is not the mode of gambling by which + Crispin's customers are brought to distress. + </p> + <p> + A great number of foreign lotteries still exist in vigorous operation. + Some are supported by the state, and others are only authorized; most of + them are flourishing. In Germany, especially, lotteries are abundant; + immense properties are disposed of by this method. The 'bank' gains, of + course, enormously; and, also of course, a great deal of trickery and + swindling, or something like it, is perpetrated. + </p> + <p> + Foreign lottery tickets are now and then illegally offered in England. A + few years ago there appeared an advertisement in the papers, offering a + considerable income for the payment of one or two pounds. Upon inquiry it + was found to be the agency of a foreign lottery! These tempting offers of + advertising speculators are a cruel addition to the miseries of + misfortune. + </p> + <p> + The Hamburg lottery seems to afford the most favourable representation of + the system—as such—because in it all the money raised by the + sale of tickets is redistributed in the drawing of the lots, with the + exception of 10 per cent. deducted in expenses and otherwise; but nothing + can compensate for the pernicious effects of the spirit of gambling which + is fostered by lotteries, however fairly conducted. They are an + unmitigated evil. + </p> + <p> + In the United States lotteries were established by Congress in 1776, but, + save in the Southern States, heavy penalties are now imposed on persons + attempting to establish them. + </p> + <p> + I need scarcely say that lotteries, whether foreign or British, are + utterly forbidden by law, excepting those of Art Unions. The operations of + these associations were indeed suspended in 1811; but in the following + year an act indemnified those who embarked in them for losses which they + had incurred by the arrest of their proceedings; and since that time they + have been <i>TOLERATED</i> under the eye of the law without any express + statute being framed for their exemption. It is thought, however, that + they tend to keep up the spirit of gambling, and therefore ought not to be + allowed even on the specious plea of favouring 'art.' + </p> + <p> + <i>PRIVATE</i> lotteries are now illegal at Common Law in Great Britain + and Ireland; and penalties are also incurred by the advertisers of <i>FOREIGN</i> + lotteries. Some years ago it became common in Scotland to dispose of + merchandise by means of lotteries; but this is specially condemned in the + statute 42 Geo. III. c. 119. An evasion of the law has been attempted by + affixing a prize to every ticket, so as to make the transaction resemble a + legal sale; but this has been punished as a fraud, even where it could be + proved that the prize equalled in value the price of the ticket. The + decision rested upon the plea that in such a transaction there was no + definite sale of a specific article. Even the lotteries; for Twelfth + Cakes, &c., are illegal, and render their conductors liable to the + penalties of the law. Decisive action has been taken on this law, and the + usual Christmas lotteries have been this year (1870) rigorously prohibited + throughout the country. It is impossible to doubt the soundness of the + policy that strives to check the spirit of gambling among the people; but + still there may be some truth in the following remarks which appeared on + the subject, in a leading journal:— + </p> + <p> + 'We hear that the police have received directions to caution the promoters + of lotteries for the distribution of game, wine, spirits, and other + articles of this description, that these schemes are illegal, and that the + offenders will be prosecuted. These attempts to enforce rigidly the + provisions of the 10 and 11 William III., c. 17, 42 George III., c. 119, + and to check the spirit of speculation which pervades so many classes in + this country may possibly be successful, but as a mere question of + morality there can be no doubt that Derby lotteries, and, in fact, all + speculations on the turf or Stock Exchange, are open to quite as much + animadversion as the Christmas lotteries for a little pig or an aged + goose, which it appears are to be suppressed in future. Is it not also + questionable policy to enforce every law merely because it is a law, + unless its breach is productive of serious evil to the community? If every + old Act of Parliament is rummaged out and brought to bear upon us, we fear + we shall find ourselves in rather an uncomfortable position. + </p> + <p> + We cannot say whether or not the harm produced by these humble lotteries + is sufficient to render their forcible suppression a matter of necessity. + They certainly do produce an amount of indigestion which of itself must be + no small penalty to pay for those whose misfortune it is to win the + luxuries raffled for, but we never yet heard of any one being ruined by + raffling for a pig or goose; and if our Government is going to be paternal + and look after our pocket-money, we hope it will also be maternal and take + some little interest in our health. The sanitary laws require putting into + operation quite as much as the laws against public-house lotteries and + skittles.' + </p> + <p> + No 'extenuating circumstances,' however, can be admitted respecting the + notorious racing lotteries, in spite of the small figure of the tickets; + nay this rather aggravates the danger, being a temptation to the + thoughtless multitude. One of these lotteries, called the Deptford Spec., + was not long ago suppressed by the strong arm of the law; but others still + exist under different names. In one of these the law is thought to be + evaded by the sale of a number of photographs; in another, a chance of + winning on a horse is secured by the purchase of certain numbers of a + newspaper struggling into existence; but the following is, perhaps, the + drollest phase of the evasion as yet attempted: + </p> + <p> + 'Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding <i>count the number of + the beast</i>.'—Rev., chap. xiii. + </p> + <p> + 'NICKOLAS REX.—"LUCKY" BANQUETS. + </p> + <p> + 'HIS SATANIC MAJESTY purposes holding a series of Banquets, Levees, and + DRAWING ROOMS at Pandemonium during the ensuing autumn, to each of which + about 10,000 of his faithful disciples will be invited. H. S. M. will, at + those drawing-rooms and receptions, <i>NUMBER</i> a lot of beasts, and + distribute a series of REWARDS, varying in value from L100 to 10<i>s</i>. + of her Britannic Majesty's money. + </p> + <p> + 'Tickets One Shilling each, application for which must be made <i>BY + LETTER</i> to His S. Majesty's Chamberlain, &c. &c. The LAST <i>DRAWING-ROOM</i> + of this season will be held a few days before the Feast of the CROYDON + STEEPLECHASES, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. THE LAWS AGAINST GAMING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. + </h2> + <h3> + 1. ANCIENT ROME. + </h3> + <p> + In ancient Rome all games of chance, with the exception of five which had + relation to bodily vigour, were absolutely prohibited in public or + private. The loser could not be sued for moneys lost, and could recover + what he might have paid, such right being secured to his heirs against the + heirs of the winner, even after the lapse of 30 years' prescription. + During 50 years after the loss, should the loser or his heirs neglect + their action, it was open to any one that chose to prosecute, and chiefly + to the municipal authorities, the sum recovered to be expended in that + case for public purposes. No surety for the payment of money for gambling + purposes was bound. The betting on lawful games was restricted to a + certain amount, beyond which the loser could recover moneys paid, and + could not be sued for the amount. A person in whose house gambling had + taken place, if struck or injured, or if robbed on the occasion thereof, + was denied redress; but offences of gamblers among themselves were + punishable. Blows or injuries might be inflicted on the gambling house + keeper at any time and anywhere without being penal as against any person; + but theft was not exempted from punishment, unless committed at the time + of gambling—and not by a gambler. Children and freedmen could + recover their losses as against their parents and patrons. + </p> + <p> + Cicero, in his second Philippic, speaks of a criminal process (<i>publicum + judicium</i>) then in force against gamblers. + </p> + <p> + The laws of ancient Rome were, therefore, very stringent on this subject, + although, there can be no doubt, without much effect. + </p> + <p> + 2. FRANCE. + </p> + <p> + At the time of the French Revolution warlike games alone conferred the + right of action, restricted, however, in cases of excessive losses; games + of strength and skill generally were lawful, but were considered as not + giving any right of action; games of mere chance were prohibited, but + minors alone were allowed to recover moneys lost. + </p> + <p> + By the present law of France no judicial action is allowed for gambling + debts and wagers, except in the case of such games as depend upon bodily + skill and effort, foot, horse, and chariot races, and others of the like + nature: the claim may be rejected if the court considers it excessive; but + moneys paid can never be recovered unless on the ground of fraud. The + keepers of gaming houses, their managers or agents, are punishable with + fine (100 to 6000 francs) and imprisonment (two to six months), and may be + deprived of most of their civil rights. + </p> + <p> + 3. PRUSSIA. + </p> + <p> + By the Prussian Code all games of chance, except when licensed by the + state, are prohibited. Gaming debts are not the subjects of action; but + moneys paid cannot be sued for by losers. Wagers give a right of action + when the stakes consist of cash in the hands of a third person; they are + void if the winner had a knowledge of the event, and concealed it. Moneys + lent for gambling or betting purposes, or to pay gambling or betting + debts, cannot be sued for. Gaming house keepers and gamblers are + punishable with fine; professed gamblers with imprisonment. Occasional + cheating at play obliges to compensation; professed swindlers at play are + punishable as for theft, and banished afterwards. Moneys won from a + drunken man, if to a considerable amount, must be returned, and a fine + paid of equal value. + </p> + <p> + 4. AUSTRIA. + </p> + <p> + In Austria no right of action is given either to the winner or the loser. + All games of chance are prohibited except when licensed by the state. + Cheating at play is punished with imprisonment, according to the amount of + fraudulent gain. Playing at unlawful games, or allowing such to take place + in one's house, subjects the party to a heavy fine, or in default, to + imprisonment. + </p> + <p> + 5. ITALY. + </p> + <p> + The provisions of the Sardinian Civil Code are similar to those of the + French, giving an action for moneys won at games of strength or skill—when + not excessive in amount; but not allowing the recovery of moneys lost, + except on the ground of fraud or <i>MINORITY</i>, a provision taken from + the <i>OLD</i> French law. + </p> + <p> + 6. BAVARIA. + </p> + <p> + By the Bavarian Code games of skill, and of mixed skill and chance, are + not forbidden. The loser cannot refuse to pay, nor can he recover his + losses, provided the sport be honestly conducted, and the stakes not + excessive, having regard to the rank, character, and fortune of the + parties. In cases of fraudulent and excessive gaming, and in all games of + mere chance, the winner cannot claim his winnings, but must repay the + loser on demand. In the two latter cases (apparently) both winner and + loser are liable to a fine, equal in amount,—for the first time of + conviction, to one-third of the stakes; for the second time, to + two-thirds; and for the third time, to the whole: in certain cases the + bank is to be confiscated. Hotel and coffee-house keepers, &c., who + allow gambling on their premises, are punished for the first offence by a + fine of 50 florins; for the second, with one of 100 florins; for the + third, with the loss of the license. The punishment of private persons for + the like offence is left to the discretion of the judge. <i>UNLAWFUL</i> + games may be <i>LEGALIZED</i> by authority; but in such case, fraud or + gross excess disables the winner from claiming moneys won, renders him + liable to repayment, and subjects him to arbitrary punishment. <i>IMMORAL</i> + wagers are void; and <i>EXCESSIVE</i> wagers are to be reduced in amount. + Betting on indifferent things is not prohibited, nor even as to a known + and certain thing—when there is no deception. No wager is void on + account of mere disparity of odds. Professed gamblers, who also cheat at + play, and their accomplices, and the setters-up and collectors of + fictitious lotteries, are subject to imprisonment, with hard labour, for a + term of from four to eight years. + </p> + <p> + Although, therefore, cheating gamblers are liable to punishment in + Bavaria, it is evident that gambling is there tolerated to the utmost + extent required by the votaries of Fortune. + </p> + <p> + 7. SPAIN. + </p> + <p> + Wagers appear to be lawful in Spain, when not in themselves fraudulent, or + relating to anything illegal or immoral. + </p> + <p> + 8. ENGLAND. + </p> + <p> + In England some of the forms of gambling or gaming have been absolutely + forbidden under heavy penalties, whilst others have been tolerated, but at + the same time discouraged; and the reasons for the prohibition were not + always directed against the impropriety or iniquity of the practice in + itself;—thus it was alleged in an Act passed in 1541, that for the + sake of the games the people neglected to practise <i>ARCHERY</i>, through + which England had become great—'to the terrible dread and fear of + all strange nations.' + </p> + <p> + The first of the strictly-called Gaming Acts is one of Charles II.'s + reign, which was intended to check the habit of gambling so prevalent + then, as before stated. By this Act it was ordered that, if any one shall + play at any pastime or game, by gaming or betting with those who game, and + shall lose more than one hundred pounds on credit, he shall not be bound + to pay, and any contract to do so shall be void. In consequence of this + Act losers of a less amount—whether less wealthy or less profligate—and + the whole of the poorer classes, remained unprotected from the cheating of + sharpers, for it must be presumed that nobody has a right to refuse to pay + a fair gambling debt, since he would evidently be glad to receive his + winnings. No doubt much misery followed through the contrivances of + sharpers; still it was a salutary warning to gamesters of the poorer + classes—whilst in the higher ranks the 'honour' of play was equally + stringent, and, I may add, in many cases ruinous. By the recital of the + Act it is evident that the object was to check and put down gaming as a + business profession, 'to gain a living;' and therefore it specially + mulcted the class out of which 'adventurers' in this line usually arise. + </p> + <p> + The Act of Queen Anne, by its sweeping character, shows that gaming had + become very virulent, for by it not only were all securities for money + lost at gaming void, but money actually paid, if more than L10, might be + recovered in an action at law; not only might this be done, within three + months, by the loser himself, but by any one else—together with + treble the value—half for himself, and half for the poor of the + parish. Persons winning, by fraudulent means, L10 and upwards at any game + were condemned by this Act to pay five times the amount or value of the + thing won, and, moreover, they were to 'be deemed infamous, and suffer + such corporal punishment as in cases of wilful perjury.' The Act went + further:—if persons were suspected of getting their living by + gaming, they might be summoned before a magistrate, required to show that + the greater portion of their income did not depend upon gaming, and to + find sureties for their good behaviour during twelve months, or be + committed to gaol. + </p> + <p> + There were, besides, two curious provisions;—any one assaulting or + challenging another to a duel on account of disputes over gaming, should + forfeit all his goods and be imprisoned for two years; secondly, the royal + palaces of St James's and Whitehall were exempted from the operation of + this statute, so long as the sovereign was actually resident within them—which + last clause probably showed that the entire Draconian enactment was but a + farce. It is quite certain that it was inoperative, and that it did no + more than express the conscience of the legislature—in deference to + <i>PRINCIPLE</i>, 'which nobody could deny.' + </p> + <p> + After the lapse of many years—the evil being on the increase—the + legislature stirred again during the reign of George II., and passed + several Acts against gaming. The games of Faro, Basset, Hazard, &c., + in fact, all games with dice, were proscribed under a penalty of L200 + against the provider of the game, and L50 a time for the players. Roulette + or Roly Poly, termed in the Act 'a certain pernicious game,' was + interdicted, under the penalty of five times the value of the thing or sum + lost at it. + </p> + <p> + Thus stood the statute law against gaming down to the year 1845, when, in + consequence of the report of the select committee which sat on the + subject, a new enactment was promulgated, which is in force at the present + time. + </p> + <p> + It was admitted that the laws in force against gaming were 'of no avail to + prevent the mischiefs which may happen therefrom;' and the lawgivers + enacted a comprehensive measure on the subject. Much of the old law—for + instance, the prohibition of games which interfered with the practice of + <i>ARCHERY</i>—was repealed; also the Acts of Charles II., of Queen + Anne, and a part of that of George II.—Gaming houses, in which a + bank is kept by one or more of the players, or in which the chances of + play are not alike favourable to the players—being declared + unlawful, as of old. Billiards, bagatelle, or 'any game of the kind' + (open, of course, to legal discussion), may be played in private houses, + or in licensed houses; but still, in the case of licensed houses of public + resort, the police may enter at any time to see that the law is complied + with. 'Licensed for Billiards' must be legibly printed on some conspicuous + place near the door and outside a licensed house. Billiards and like games + may not be played in public rooms after one, and before eight, o'clock in + the morning of any day, nor on Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, nor on + any public fast or thanksgiving. Publicans whose houses are licensed for + billiards must not allow persons to play at any time when public-houses + are not allowed to be open. + </p> + <p> + 'In order to constitute the house a common gaming house, it is not + necessary to prove that any person found playing at any game was playing + for any money, wager, or stake. The police may enter the house on the + report of a superintendent, and the authority of a commissioner, without + the necessity of an allegation of two householders; and if any cards, + dice, balls, counters, tables, or other instruments of gaming be found in + the house, or about the person of any of those who shall be found therein, + such discovery shall be evidence against the establishment until the + contrary be made to appear. Those who shall appear as witnesses, moreover, + are protected from the consequences of having been engaged in unlawful + gaming.'(151) + </p> + <p> + (151) Chambers's Cyclopaedia, Art. Gambling. + </p> + <p> + The penalty of cheating at any game is liability to penal servitude for + three years—the delinquent being proceeded against as one who + obtains money under false pretences. Wagers and bets are not recoverable + by law, whether from the loser or from the wager-holder; and money paid + for bets may be recovered in an action 'for money received to the + defendant's use.' All betting houses are gaming houses within the meaning + of the Act, and the proprietors and managers of them are punishable + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + The existing law on the gaming of horse-racing is as follows. Bets on + horse-races are illegal; and therefore are not recoverable by law. In + order to prevent the nuisance which betting houses, disguised under other + names, occasioned, a law was passed in 1853, forbidding the maintenance of + any house, room, or other place, for betting; and by the new Metropolitan + Traffic Regulation Act, now in force, any three persons found betting in + the street may be fined five pounds each 'for obstructing the + thoroughfare'—a very odd reason, certainly, since it is the <i>BETTING</i> + that we wish to prevent, as we will not permit it to be carried on in any + house, &c. These <i>LEGAL</i> reasons are too often sadly out of + place. Any constable, however, may, without a warrant, arrest anybody he + may see in the act of betting in the street. + </p> + <p> + The laws relating to horse-racing have undergone curious revisions and + interpretations. 'The law of George II.'s reign, declaring horse-racing to + be good, as tending to promote the breed of fine horses, exempted + horse-races from the list of unlawful games, provided that the sum of + money run for or the value of the prize should be fifty pounds and + upwards, that certain weights only might be used, and that no owner should + run more than one horse for the same prize, under pain of forfeiting all + horses except the first. Newmarket, and Black Hambledon in Yorkshire, are + the only places licensed for races in this Act, which, however, was also + construed to legalize any race at any place whatever, so long as the + stakes were worth fifty pounds and upwards, and the weights were of the + regulated standard. An Act passed five years afterwards removed the + restrictions as to the weights, and declared that any one anywhere might + start a horse-race with any weights, so long as the stakes were fifty + pounds or more. The provision for the forfeiture of all horses but one + belonging to one owner and running in the same race was overlooked or + forgotten, and owners with perfect impunity ran their horses, as many as + they pleased, in the same race. In 1839, however, informations were laid + against certain owners, whose horses were claimed as forfeits; and then + everybody woke up to the fact that this curious clause of the Act of + George II. was still unrepealed. The Legislature interfered in behalf of + the defendants, and passed an Act, repealing in their eagerness not merely + the penal clauses of the Act, but the Act itself, so far as it related to + horse-racing. Now, it was supposed that upon the Act of the thirteenth of + George II. depended the whole legality of horse-racing, that the Act of + the eighteenth of George II. was merely explanatory of that statute, + which, being repealed, brought the practice again within the old law, + according to which it was illegal. By a judgment of the Court of Common + Pleas it was decided, however, that the words of the eighteenth of George + II. were large enough to legalize all races anywhere for fifty pounds and + upwards, and that the Act was not merely an explanatory one. Upon this + basis rests the existing law on the subject of horse-racing. Bets, + however, as before stated, on horse-races are still as illegal as they are + on any of the forbidden games—that is to say, they are outside the + law; the law will not lend its assistance to recover them.'(152) + </p> + <p> + (152) <i>Ubi Supra</i>. + </p> + <p> + The extent to which gambling has been carried on in the street by boys was + shown by the following summary laid before the Committee of the House of + Commons on Gaming, in 1844:— + </p> + <p> + Boys apprehended for gaming in the streets— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Convicted. Discharged. + 1841.... 305.... 68.... 237 + 1842.... 245.... 66.... 179 + 1813.... 329.... 114.... 185 + —— —— —— + 879 278 601 +</pre> + <p> + Only recently has any effectual check been put to this pernicious + practice. It is however enacted by the New Gaming Act, that—'Every + person playing or betting by way of wagering or gaming in any street, + road, highway, or other open and public place to which the public have or + are permitted to have access, at or with any table or instrument of + gaming, or any coin, card, token, or other article used as an instrument + of gaming or means of such wagering or gaming, at any game or pretended + game of chance, shall be deemed a rogue and vagabond within the true + intent and meaning of the recited Act, and as such may be punished under + the provision of that Act.' + </p> + <p> + On this provision a daily paper justly remarks:—'A statute very much + needed has come into force. Persons playing or betting in the streets with + coins or cards are now made amenable to the 5th George IV., c. 83, and may + be committed to gaol as rogues and vagabonds. The statutes already in + force against such rogues and vagabonds subject them, we believe, not only + to imprisonment with hard labour, but also to corporal punishment. In any + case the New Act should, if stringently administered, speedily put a stop + to the too common and quite intolerable nuisance of young men and boys + sprawling about the pavement, or in corners of the wharves by the + waterside, and playing at "pitch-and-toss," "shove-halfpenny," "Tommy + Dodd," "coddams," and other games of chance. Who has not seen that + terrible etching in Hogarth's "Industry and Idleness," where the idle + apprentice, instead of going devoutly to church and singing out of the + same hymn-book with his master's pretty daughter, is gambling on a + tombstone with a knot of dissolute boys? A watchful beadle has espied the + youthful gamesters, and is preparing to administer a sounding thwack with + a cane on the shoulders of Thomas Idle. But the race of London beadles is + now well-nigh extinct; and the few that remain dare not use their switches + on the small vagabonds, for fear of being summoned for assault. It is to + be hoped that the police will be instructed to put the Act sharply in + force against the pitch-and-toss players; and, in passing, we might + express a wish that they would also suppress the ragged urchins who turn + "cart-wheels" in the mud, and the half-naked girls who haunt the vicinity + of railway stations and steamboat piers, pestering passengers to buy + cigar-lights.' + </p> + <p> + END OF VOL. I. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and +Victims, by Andrew Steinmetz + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAMING TABLE *** + +***** This file should be named 466-h.htm or 466-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/6/466/ + +Produced by Mike Lough, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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