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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/531-h.zip b/531-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..256702c --- /dev/null +++ b/531-h.zip diff --git a/531-h/531-h.htm b/531-h/531-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16678a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/531-h/531-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10751 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Gaming Table, Vol. II by Andrew Steinmetz + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims, by +Andrew Steinmetz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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 II (of II) + +Author: Andrew Steinmetz + +Release Date: November 29, 2009 [EBook #531] +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. II. + </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 /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <h4> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THE GAMING TABLE. </a> + </h4> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS AND THEIR FRAUDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF GAMESTERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + ATROCITIES, DUELS, SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GAMING CLUBS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + DOINGS IN GAMING HOUSES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, PASSE-DIX, PUT, CROSS AND PILE, + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + COCK-FIGHTING + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES) + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </td> + <td> + AMUSING CARD TRICKS.(86) + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- 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. CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS. + </h2> + <p> + Chevaliers d'industrie, or polite and accomplished sharpers, have always + existed in every city, from the earliest times to the present. The + ordinary progress of these interesting gentlemen is as follows. Their + debut is often difficult, and many of them are stopped short in their + career. They only succeed by means of great exertion and severe trials; + but they endure everything in order to be tolerated or permitted to + exercise their calling. To secure credit they ally themselves with men of + respectability, or those who pass for such. When they have no titles they + fabricate them; and few persons dispute their claims. They are found + useful for the pleasures of society, the expenses of which they often pay—at + the cost of the dupes they make in the world. The income of chevaliers + d'industrie is at first derived from those inexperienced persons whom they + get in their clutches by means of every kind of enticement, in order to + ruin them some day—if they have any 'expectations' or are likely to + be rich; or in order to make accomplices of them if they have only + aptitudes for the purpose. After having led them from error to error, + after suggesting to them all sorts of wants and vices, they make them + gamble, if they are of age; they hold up play to them as an inexhaustible + source of wealth. + </p> + <p> + The 'protector' next hands over his 'young friends' to 'executioners,' who + fleece them for the common benefit of the confederates. They do not always + wait for the coming of age of their young dupes in order to strike the + grand 'stroke.' When they find that the father of a family shudders at the + idea of a public scandal, they immolate their victim at once—for + fear lest he should escape from their hands. Of course they are always + open to 'capitulate'—to come to terms; and if the aid of the law is + invoked they give in discreetly. + </p> + <p> + About a century ago there flourished at Paris one of these adventurers, + who made a great noise and did a vast amount of evil. This man of a + thousand faces, this Proteus, as great a corrupter as he was corrupted, + changed his name, his quarters, and field of operations, according to the + exigences of business. Although a man of ardent temperament and + inconceivable activity, his cold-blooded rascality was never in a hurry. + He could wait; he could bide his time. Taking in, at a glance, all the + requirements of a case, and seeing through all its difficulties, he worked + out his scheme with the utmost patience and consummated his crime with + absolute security. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes he gave a concert for amateurs, elegant suppers for gay ladies, + and special soirees for the learned and the witty. He was not particular + as to the means of doing business; thus he trafficked in everything,—for + the sale of a living, or the procuration of a mistress—for he had + associates in all ranks, among all professions of men. + </p> + <p> + He had twenty Faro tables in operation every night, whilst his emissaries + were on the watch for new arrivals, and for those who had recently come + into property. + </p> + <p> + In general, rogues soon betray themselves by some stupid bungle; but such + was not the case with this man; he defended himself, as it were, on all + sides, and always kept himself in position so as to oppose to each of his + vices the proof positive of the contrary virtues. Thus, if accused of + usury, he could prove that he had lent, without interest, considerable + sums of money. Cowardly and base in a tete-a-tete, he was bold and + redoubtable in public; those who had made him tremble in secret were then + compelled to acknowledge him a man of courage. Even his more than + suspected probity was defended by such as believed themselves his + depositaries, whereas they were, in point of fact, only receivers of + stolen property. + </p> + <p> + Affable, insinuating to a degree, he might be compared to those brigands + of Egypt who embraced their victims in order to strangle them.(1) He never + showed more devotedness than when he meditated some perfidy, nor more + assurance than when convicted of the rascality. Playing fast and loose + with honour and the laws, he was sure to find, when threatened by the arm + of justice, the female relatives of the judges themselves taking his part + and doing their best to 'get him off.' Such was this extraordinary + chevalier d'industrie, who might have gone on with his diabolical + perpetrations had he not, at last, attempted too much, failing in the + grandest stroke he had ever meditated—and yet a vulgar fraud—when + he was convicted, branded, and sent to the galleys.(2) + </p> + <p> + (1) Senec., Epist. Ii. (2) Dusaulx, De la Passion du Jeu. + </p> + <p> + The following narrative elucidates a still more modern phase of this + elegant 'industry.' My authority is M. Robert-Houdin. + </p> + <p> + CAUGHT IN A TRAP. + </p> + <p> + M. Olivier de —— was a dissipated young gentleman. His family + was one of the oldest and most respectable of the country, and deservedly + enjoyed the highest consideration. M. Olivier de ——, his + father, was not rich, and therefore could not do much for his son; the + consequence was that owing to his outrageous prodigality the son was + sorely pinched for means to keep up his position; he exhausted his credit, + and was soon overwhelmed with debt. Among the companions of his + dissipation was a young man whose abundant means filled him with + admiration and envy; he lived like a prince and had not a single creditor. + One day he asked his friend to explain the mystery of the fact that, + without possessing any fortune, he could gratify all his tastes and + fancies, whilst he himself, with certain resources, was compelled to + submit to privations, still getting into debt. + </p> + <p> + Chauvignac—such was the name of the friend thus addressed—was + a card-sharper, and he instantly seized the opportunity to make something + out of the happy disposition of this modern prodigal son, this scion of + gentility. With the utmost frankness he explained to the young man his + wonderful method of keeping his pockets full of money, and showed that + nothing could be easier than for Olivier to go and do likewise in his + terrible condition;—in short, on one hand there were within his + grasp, riches, pleasure, all manner of enjoyment; on the other, pitiless + creditors, ruin, misery, and contempt. The tempter, moreover, offered to + initiate his listener in his infallible method of getting rich. In his + frame of mind Olivier yielded to the temptation, with the full + determination, if not to get money by cheating at cards, at any rate to + learn the method which might serve as a means of self-defence should he + not think proper to use it for attack—such was the final argument + suggested by the human Mephistopheles to his pupil. + </p> + <p> + Taking Olivier to his house, he showed him a pack of cards. 'Now here is a + pack of cards,' he said; 'there seems to be nothing remarkable about it, + does there?' Olivier examined the pack and declared that the cards did not + appear to differ in the least from all others. 'Well,' said Chauvignac, + 'nevertheless they have been subjected to a preparation called biseautage, + or having one end of the cards made narrower than the other. This + disposition enables us to remove from the pack such and such cards and + then to class them in the necessary order so that they may get into the + hand of the operator.' Chauvignac then proceeded to apply his precepts by + an example, and although the young man had no particular qualification for + the art of legerdemain, he succeeded at once to admiration in a game at + Ecarte, for he had already mastered the first process of cheating. Having + thus, as he thought, sufficiently compromised his victim, Chauvignac left + him to his temptations, and took leave of him. + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards the professor returned to his pupil and invited him to + accompany him on a pleasure trip. Olivier excused himself on account of + his desperate condition—one of his creditors being in pursuit of him + for a debt of one thousand francs. 'Is that all?' said Chauvignac; and + pulling out his pocket-book he added,—'Here's a bank-note; you can + repay me to-morrow.' 'Why, man, you are mad!' exclaimed Olivier. 'Be it + so,' said Chauvignac; 'and in my madness I give you credit for another + thousand-franc bank-note to go and get thirty thousand francs which are + waiting for you.' 'Now, do explain yourself, for you are driving ME mad.' + 'Nothing more easy. Here is the fact,' said Chauvignac. 'M. le Comte de + Vandermool, a wealthy Belgian capitalist, a desperate gamester if ever + there was one, and who can lose a hundred thousand francs without much + inconvenience, is now at Boulogne, where he will remain a week. This + millionnaire must be thinned a little. Nothing is easier. One of my + friends and confreres, named Chaffard, is already with the count to + prepare the way. We have only now to set to work. You are one of us—that's + agreed—and in a few days you will return, to satisfy your creditors + and buy your mistress a shawl.' + </p> + <p> + 'Stop a bit. You are going too fast. Wait a little. I haven't as yet said + Yes,' replied Olivier. 'I don't want your Yes now; you will say it at + Boulogne. For the present go and pay your bill. We set out in two hours; + the post-horses are already ordered; we shall start from my house: be + punctual.' + </p> + <p> + The party reached Boulogne and put up at the Hotel de l'Univers. On their + arrival they were informed that no time was to be lost, as the count + talked of leaving next day. The two travellers took a hasty dinner, and at + once proceeded to the apartment of the Belgian millionnaire. Chaffard, who + had preceded them, introduced them as two of his friends, whose property + was situated in the vicinity of Boulogne. + </p> + <p> + M. le Comte de Vandermool was a man about fifty years of age, with an + open, candid countenance. He wore several foreign decorations. He received + the two gentlemen with charming affability; he did more; he invited them + to spend the evening with him. Of course the invitation was accepted. When + the conversation began to flag, the count proposed a game—which was + also, of course, very readily agreed to by the three comperes. + </p> + <p> + While the table was prepared, Chauvignac gave his young friend two packs + of cards, to be substituted for those which should be furnished by the + count. Ecarte was to be the game, and Olivier was to play, the two other + associates having pretended to know nothing about the game, and saying + that they would content themselves by betting with each other. Of course + Olivier was rather surprised at this declaration, but he soon understood + by certain signs from Chauvignac that this reservation was intended to do + away with the count's suspicions, in case of their success. + </p> + <p> + The count, enormously rich as he was, would only play for bank-notes. + 'Metal smells bad in a room,' he said. The novice, at first confused at + being a party to the intended roguery, followed the dictates of his + conscience and, neglecting the advantages of his hands, trusted merely to + chance. The result was that the only thousand-franc bank-note he had was + speedily transferred to the count. At that moment Chauvignac gave him a + significant look, and this, together with the desire to retrieve his loss, + induced him to put into execution the culpable manoeuvres which his friend + had taught him. His work was of the easiest; the count was so + short-sighted that he had to keep his nose almost upon the cards to see + them. Chance now turned, as might be expected, and thousand-franc + bank-notes soon accumulated in the hands of Olivier, who, intoxicated by + this possession, worked away with incredible ardour. Moreover, the count + was not in the least out of humour at losing so immensely; on the + contrary, he was quite jovial; indeed, from his looks he might have been + supposed to be the winner. At length, however, he said with a smile, + taking a pinch from his golden snuff-box—'I am evidently not in + vein. I have lost eighty thousand francs. I see that I shall soon be in + for one hundred thousand. But it is proper, my dear sir, that I should say + I don't make a habit of losing more than this sum at a sitting; and if it + must be so, I propose to sup before losing my last twenty thousand francs. + Perhaps this will change my vein. I think you will grant me this + indulgence.' The proposal was agreed to. + </p> + <p> + Olivier, almost out of his senses at the possession of eighty thousand + francs, could not resist the desire of expressing his gratitude to + Chauvignac, which he did, grasping his hand with emotion and leading him + into a corner of the room. + </p> + <p> + Alas! the whole thing was only an infamous conspiracy to ruin the young + man. The Belgian capitalist, this count apparently so respectable, was + only an expert card-sharper whom Chauvignac had brought from Paris to play + out the vile tragi-comedy, the denouement of which would be the ruin of + the unfortunate Olivier. + </p> + <p> + At the moment when the latter left the card-table to go to Chauvignac, the + pretended millionnaire changed the pack of cards they had been using for + two other packs. + </p> + <p> + Supper went off very pleasantly. They drank very moderately, for the head + had to be kept cool for what had to follow. They soon sat down again at + the card-table. 'Now,' said the Parisian card-shaper, on resuming his + seat, 'I should like to end the matter quickly: I will stake the twenty + thousand francs in a lump.' + </p> + <p> + Olivier, confident of success after his previous achievement, readily + assented; but, alas, the twenty thousand francs of which he made sure was + won by his adversary. + </p> + <p> + Forty thousand francs went in like manner. Olivier, breathless, utterly + prostrate, knew not what to do. All his manoeuvres were practised in vain; + he could give himself none but small cards. His opponent had his hands + full of trumps, and HE dealt them to him! In his despair he consulted + Chauvignac by a look, and the latter made a sign to him to go on. The + wretched young man went on, and lost again. Bewildered, beside himself, he + staked fabulous sums to try and make up for his losses, and very soon + found, in his turn, that he owed his adversary one hundred thousand + francs(L4166)! + </p> + <p> + At this point the horrible denouement commenced. The pretended count + stopped, and crossing his arms on his breast, said sternly—'Monsieur + Olivier de ——, you must be very rich to stake so glibly such + enormous sums. Of course you know your fortune and can square yourself + with it; but, however rich you may be, you ought to know that it is not + sufficient to lose a hundred thousand francs, but that you must pay it. + Besides, I have given you the example. Begin, therefore, by putting down + the sum I have won from you; after which we can go on.' . . . + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing can be more proper, sir,' stammered out young Olivier, 'I am + ready to satisfy you; but, after all, you know that . . . . + </p> + <p> + gaming debts . . . . my word . . . .' + </p> + <p> + 'The d—l! sir,' said the pretended count, giving the table a violent + blow with his fist—'Why do you talk to me about your WORD. Gad! You + are well entitled to appeal to the engagements of honour! Well! We have + now to play another game on this table, and we must speak out plainly. + Monsieur Olivier de ——, you are a rogue . . . Yes, a rogue! + The cards we have been using are biseautees and YOU brought them hither.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir! . . You insult me!' said Olivier. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed? Well, sir, that astonishes me!' replied the false Belgian + ironically. + </p> + <p> + 'That is too much, sir. I demand satisfaction, and that on the very + instant. Do you understand me? Let us go out at once.' + </p> + <p> + 'No! no! We must end this quarrel here, sir. Look here—your two + friends shall be your "seconds;" I am now going to send for MINE.' + </p> + <p> + The card-sharper, who had risen at these words, rang the bell violently. + His own servant entered. 'Go,' said he, 'to the Procureur de Roi, and + request him to come here on a very important matter. Be as quick as you + can.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, sir, be merciful! Don't ruin me!' exclaimed the wretched Olivier; 'I + will do what you like.' At these words, the sharper told his servant to + wait behind the door, and to execute his order if he should hear nothing + to the contrary in ten minutes. + </p> + <p> + 'And now, sir,' continued the sharper, turning to Olivier, 'and now, sir, + for the business between you and me. These cards have been substituted by + you in the place of those which I supplied . . . You must do them up, + write your name upon the cover, and seal it with the coat of arms on your + ring.' + </p> + <p> + Olivier looked first at Chauvignac and then at Chaffard, but both the + fellows only made signs to him to resign himself to the circumstances. He + did what was ordered. + </p> + <p> + 'That is not all, sir,' added the false Belgian; 'I have fairly won money + from you and have a right to demand a guarantee for payment. You must draw + me short bills for the sum of one hundred thousand francs.' + </p> + <p> + As the wretched young man hesitated to comply with this demand, his + pitiless creditor rose to ring the bell. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't ring, sir, don't ring,' said Olivier, 'I'll sign.' + </p> + <p> + He signed, and the villany was consummated. Olivier returned to his family + and made an humble avowal of his fault and his engagements. His venerable + father received the terrible blow with resignation, and paid the 100,000 + francs, estimating his honour far above that amount of money.(3) + </p> + <p> + (3) This narrative is condensed from the account of the affair by + Robert-Hondin, Tricherics des Grecs devoilees. + </p> + <p> + AN ATTORNEY 'DONE' BY A GAMBLER. + </p> + <p> + A turfite and gambler, represented under the letters of Mr H—e, + having lost all his money at Doncaster and the following York Meeting, + devised a plan, with his coadjutor, to obtain the means for their + departure from York, which, no doubt, will be considered exceedingly + ingenious. + </p> + <p> + He had heard of an attorney in the town who was very fond of Backgammon; + and on this simple piece of information an elaborate plan was concocted. + Mr H—e feigned illness, went to bed, and sent for a large quantity + of tartar emetic, which he took. After he had suffered the operation of + the first dose he sent for a doctor, who pronounced him, of course, very + languid and ill; and not knowing the cause, ordered him more medicine, + which the patient took good care not to allow to stay on his stomach. + </p> + <p> + On the second day he asked the doctor, with great gravity, if he + considered him in danger, adding, 'because he had never made a WILL to + bequeath his property.' The doctor replied, 'No, not in absolute danger, + but there was no harm in making a WILL.' + </p> + <p> + The attorney, accordingly, was sent for—of course the very man + wished for—the lover of Backgammon before mentioned. The good man + came; he took the 'instructions,' and drew up the last will and testament + of the ruined turfite, who left (in the will) about L50,000, which no man + ever heard of, living or dead. + </p> + <p> + The BUSINESS being done, the patient said that if he had a moment's + relaxation he thought he should rally and overcome the malady. The poor + lawyer said if he could in any way contribute to his comfort he should be + happy. The offer was embraced by observing that if he could sit up in bed—but + he was afraid he was not able—a hit at Backgammon would be a great + source of amusement. + </p> + <p> + The lawyer, like all adepts in such matters, was only too willing to catch + at the idea; the board was brought. + </p> + <p> + Of course the man who had L50,000 to leave behind could not be expected to + play 'for love;' and so when Mr H—e proposed 'a pound a hit or + treble a gammon,' the lawyer not only thought it reasonable, but, + conscious of his power in the game, eagerly accepted the terms of playing. + They played; but the lawyer was gammoned almost incessantly, till he lost + L50. Then H—e proposed 'double or quits to L1000,'—thereupon + the poor lawyer, believing that fortune could not always forsake him, said + he had but L2000 in the world, but that he would set the L1000. He lost; + and became almost frantic. In the midst of his excessive grief, H—e + said, 'You have a HORSE, what is it worth?' L50 was the answer. 'Well, + well, you may win all back now, and I'll set L50 on your horse.' + </p> + <p> + They began again. Lost! 'You have a COW in your paddock, haven't you? + What's that worth?' asked Mr H—e. The attorney said L12. 'Well, I'll + set that sum by way of giving you a chance.' The game proceeded, and the + poor lawyer, equally unfortunate, raved and swore he had lost his last + shilling. 'No, no!' said H—e,' you have not: I saw a HAY-RICK in + your ground. It is of no use now that the horse and cow are gone—what + is that worth?' L15, replied the attorney, with a sigh. 'I set L15 then,' + said H—e. + </p> + <p> + This seemed to be 'rather too much' for the lawyer. The loss of the + hay-rick—like the last straw laid on the overladen camel's back—staggered + him. Besides, he thought he saw—as doubtless he did see—H—e + twisting his fingers round one of the dice. Up he started at once, and + declared that he was cheated! + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the sick man forgot his sickness, jumped out of bed, and gave + the lawyer a regular drubbing, got the cheque for the L2000,—but the + horse, cow, and hay he said he would leave 'until further orders.' + </p> + <p> + A VERY CURIOUS STORY. + </p> + <p> + An Archbishop of Canterbury was once on a tour, when a genteel man, + apparently in earnest conversation, though alone in a wood, attracted his + notice. His Grace made up to him, and, after a little previous + conversation, asked him what he was about. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Stranger. 'I am at play.' + Archbishop. 'At play? With whom? I see nobody.' + Sir. 'I own, sir, my antagonist is not visible: I am playing + with God.' + Abp. 'At what game, pray, sir?' + Str. 'At Chess.' + Abp. 'Do you play for anything?' + Str. 'Certainly.' + Abp. 'You cannot have any chance, as your adversary must be so + superior to you.' + Str. 'He takes no advantage, but plays merely as a man.' + Abp. 'When you win or lose, how do you settle accounts?' + Str. 'Very exactly and punctually.' + Abp. 'Indeed! Pray, how stands your game now?' + Str. 'There! I have just lost!' + Abp. 'How much have you lost?' + Str. 'Fifty guineas.' + Abp. 'How do you manage to pay it? Does God take your money?' + Str. 'No! The poor are his treasurers. He always sends some + worthy person to receive it, and you are at present his + purse-bearer.' +</pre> + <p> + Saying this, the stranger put fifty guineas into his Grace's hand, and + retired, adding—'I shall play no more to-day.' + </p> + <p> + The prelate was delighted; though he could not tell what to make of this + extraordinary man. The guineas were all good; and the archbishop applied + them to the use of the poor, as he had been directed. + </p> + <p> + The archbishop, on his return, stopped at the same town, and could not + help going in search of the chess-player, whom he found engaged as before, + when the following dialogue ensued:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Abp. 'How has the chance stood since we met before?' + Str. 'Sometimes for me—sometimes against me. I have lost and + won.' + Abp. 'Are you at play now?' + Str. 'Yes, sir. We have played several games to-day.' + Abp. 'Who wins?' + Str. 'The advantage is on my side. The game is just over. I + have a fine stroke—check-mate—there it is.' + Abp. 'How much have you won?' + Str. 'Five hundred guineas.' + Abp. 'That is a large sum. How are you to be paid?' + Str. 'God always sends some good rich man when I win, and YOU + are the person. He is remarkably punctual on these occasions.' +</pre> + <p> + The archbishop had received a considerable sum on that day, as the + stranger knew; and so, producing a pistol by way of receipt, he compelled + the delivery of it. His Grace now discovered that he had been the dupe of + a thief; and though he had greatly bruited his first adventure, he + prudently kept his own counsel in regard to the last. + </p> + <p> + Such is the tale. Se non e vero e ben trovato. + </p> + <p> + SKITTLE SHARPERS. + </p> + <p> + 'I know a respectable tradesman,' says a writer in Cassell's Magazine—'I + know him now, for he lives in the house he occupied at the time of my tale—who + was sent for to see a French gentleman at a tavern, on business connected + with the removal of this gentleman's property from one of the London + docks. The business, as explained by the messenger, promising to be + profitable, he of course promptly obeyed the summons, and during his walk + found that his conductor had once been in service in France. This + delighted Mr Chase—the name by which I signify the tradesman—for + he, too, had once so lived in France; and by the time he reached the + tavern he had talked himself into a very good opinion of his new patron. + The French gentleman was very urbane, gave Mr Chase his instructions, let + him understand expense was not to be studied, and, as he was at lunch, + would not be satisfied unless the tradesman sat down with him. This was a + great honour for the latter, as he found his employer was a baron. Well, + the foreigner was disposed to praise everything English; he was glad he + had come to live in London—Paris was nothing to it; they had nothing + in France like the English beer, with which, in the exuberance of his + hospitality, he filled and refilled Mr Chase's glass; but that which + delighted him above all that he had seen "vos de leetle game vid de ball—vot + you call—de—de—aha! de skittel." Mr Chase assented that + it was a very nice game certainly; and the French gentleman seeming by + this time to have had quite enough beer, insisted, before they went to the + docks—which was essential—that they should see just one game + played. + </p> + <p> + 'As he insisted on paying Mr Chase for all the time consumed with him, and + as his servant, of course, could not object, the party adjourned to the + "Select Subscription Ground" at once. In the ground there was a quiet, + insignificant-looking little man, smoking a cigar; and as they were so + few, he was asked to assist, which, after considerable hesitation and many + apologies for his bad play, he did. The end is of course guessed. The + French gentleman was a foolish victim, with more money than wits, who + backed himself to do almost impossible feats, when it was evident he could + not play at all, and laid sovereigns against the best player, who was the + little stranger, doing the easiest. What with the excitement, and what + with the beer, which was probably spiced with some unknown relish a little + stronger than nutmeg, Mr Chase could not help joining in winning the + foreign gentleman's money; it seemed no harm, he had so much of it. + </p> + <p> + 'By a strange concurrence of events, it so happened that by random throws + the Frenchman sometimes knocked all the pins down at a single swoop, + though he clearly could not play—Mr Chase was sure of that—while + the skilful player made every now and then one of the blunders to which + the best players are liable. That the tradesman lost forty sovereigns will + be easily understood; and did his tale end here it would have differed so + little from a hundred others as scarcely to deserve telling; but it will + surprise many, as it did me, to learn that he then walked to and from his + own house—a distance of precisely a mile each way—fetched a + bill for thirty pounds, which a customer had recently paid him, got it + discounted, went back to the skittle-ground, and, under the same malignant + star, lost the whole. + </p> + <p> + 'It was the only case in my experience of the work going on smoothly after + such a break. I never could account for it, nor could Mr Chase. Great was + the latter's disgust, on setting the police to work, to find that the + French nobleman, his servant, and the quiet stranger, were all dwellers + within half a mile or so of his own house, and slightly known to him—men + who had trusted, and very successfully, to great audacity and + well-arranged disguise.' + </p> + <p> + A vast deal of gambling still goes on with skittles all over the country. + At a place not ten miles from London, I am told that as much as two + thousand pounds has been seen upon the table in a single 'alley,' or place + of play. The bets were, accordingly, very high. The instances revealed by + exposure at the police-courts give but a faint idea of the extent of + skittle sharping. + </p> + <p> + Amidst such abuses of the game, it can scarcely surprise us that the + police have been recently directed to prohibit all playing at skittles and + bowls. However much we may regret the interference with popular pastimes, + in themselves unobjectionable, it is evident that their flagrant abuse + warrants the most stringent measures in order to prevent their constantly + repeated and dismal consequences. Even where money was not played for, + pots of beer were the wager—leading, in many instances, to + intoxication, or promoting this habit, which is the cause of so much + misery among the lower orders. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS AND THEIR FRAUDS. + </h2> + <p> + A gambling house at the end of the last century was conducted by the + following officials:— + </p> + <p> + 1. A Commissioner,—who was always a proprietor; who looked in of a + night, and audited the week's account with two other proprietors. + </p> + <p> + 2. A Director,—who superintended the room. + </p> + <p> + 3. An Operator,—who dealt the cards at the cheating game called + Faro. + </p> + <p> + 4. Two Croupiers, or crow-pees, as they were vulgarly called, whose duty + it was to watch the cards and gather or rake in the money for the bank. + </p> + <p> + 5. Two Puffs,—who had money given to them to decoy others to play. + </p> + <p> + 6. A Clerk,—who was a check on the Puffs, to see that they sank none + of the money given to them to play with. + </p> + <p> + 7. A Squib,—who was a puff of a lower rank, serving at half salary, + whilst learning to deal. + </p> + <p> + 8. A Flasher,—to swear how often the bank had been stripped by lucky + players. + </p> + <p> + 9. A Dunner,—who went about to recover money lost at play. + </p> + <p> + 10. A Waiter,—to fill out wine, snuff candles, and attend the room. + </p> + <p> + 11. An Attorney,—who was generally a Newgate solicitor. + </p> + <p> + 12. A Captain,—who was to fight any gentleman who might be peevish + at losing his money. + </p> + <p> + 13. An Usher,—who lighted the gentlemen up and down stairs, and gave + the word to the porter. + </p> + <p> + 14. A Porter,—who was generally a soldier of the Foot Guards. + </p> + <p> + 15. An Orderly-man,—who walked up and down the outside of the door, + to give notice to the porter, and alarm the house at the approach of the + constables. + </p> + <p> + 16. A Runner,—who was to get intelligence of the Justices' meetings. + </p> + <p> + 17. Link Boys, Coachmen, Chairmen, Drawers, and others, who brought the + first intelligence of Justices' meetings, of constables going out, at half + a guinea reward. + </p> + <p> + 18. Common Bail, Affidavit Men, Ruffians, Bravos, Assassins, &c. &c. + </p> + <p> + It may be proper to remark that the above list of officials was only + calculated for gambling houses of an inferior order. In these it is + evident that the fear of interruption and the necessity for precaution + presided over the arrangements. There were others, however, which seemed + to defy law, to spurn at justice, and to remain secure, in every way, by + the 'respectability' of their frequenters. These were houses supported at + an amazing expense—within sight of the palace—which were open + every night and all night—where men of the first rank were to be + found gambling away immense sums of money, such as no man, whatever his + fortune might be, could sustain. 'What, then,' says a writer at the time, + 'are the consequences? Why, that the UNDONE part of them sell their VOTES + for bread, and the successful give them for honours. + </p> + <p> + 'He who has never seen the gamblers' apartments in some of the magnificent + houses in the neighbourhood of St James's, has never seen the most horrid + sight that the imagination of a thinking man can conceive. + </p> + <p> + 'A new pack of cards is called for at every deal, and the "old" ones are + then thrown upon the floor, and in such an immense quantity, that the + writer of this letter has seen a very large room nearly ANKLE-DEEP, in the + greatest part of it, by four o'clock in the morning! Judge, then, to what + height they must have risen by daylight.' + </p> + <p> + It is a melancholy truth, but confirmed by the history of all nations, + that the most polite and refined age of a kingdom is never the most + virtuous; not, indeed, that any such compliment can be paid to that gross + age, but still it was refined compared with the past. The distinctions of + personal merit being but little regarded—in the low moral tone that + prevailed—there needed but to support a certain 'figure' in life + (managed by the fashionable tailor)(4), to be conversant with a few + etiquettes of good breeding and sentiments of modern or current honour, in + order to be received with affability and courteous attention in the + highest circles. The vilest sharper, having once gained admission, was + sure of constant entertainment, for nothing formed a greater cement of + union than the spirit of HIGH GAMING. There being so little cognizance + taken of the good qualities of the heart in fashionable assemblies, no + wonder that amid the medley of characters to be found in these places the + 'sharper' of polite address should gain too easy an admission. + </p> + <p> + (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'How shalt THOU to Caesar's hall repair? + For, ah! no DAMAGED coat can enter there!' + + BEATTIE'S Minstrel. +</pre> + <p> + This fraternity of artists—whether they were to be denominated + rooks,(5) sharps, sharpers, black-legs, Greeks, or gripes—were + exceedingly numerous, and were dispersed among all ranks of society. + </p> + <p> + (5) So called because rooks are famous for stealing materials out of other + birds' nests to build their own. + </p> + <p> + The follies and vices of others—of open-hearted youth in particular—were + the great game or pursuit of this odious crew. Though cool and + dispassionate themselves, they did all in their power to throw others off + their guard, that they might make their advantage of them. + </p> + <p> + In others they promoted excess of all kinds, whilst they themselves took + care to maintain the utmost sobriety and temperance. 'Gamesters,' says + Falconer, 'whose minds must be always on the watch to take advantages, and + prepared to form calculations, and to employ the memory, constantly avoid + a full meal of animal food, which they find incapacitates them for play + nearly as much as a quantity of strong liquor would have done, for which + reason they feed chiefly on milk and vegetables.' + </p> + <p> + As profit, not pleasure, was the aim of these knights of darkness, they + lay concealed under all shapes and disguises, and followed up their game + with all wariness and discretion. Like wise traders, they made it the + business of their lives to excel in their calling. + </p> + <p> + For this end they studied the secret mysteries of their art by night and + by day; they improved on the scientific schemes of their profound master, + Hoyle, and on his deep doctrines and calculations of chances. They became + skilful without a rival where skill was necessary, and fraudulent without + conscience where fraud was safe and advantageous; and while fortune or + chance appeared to direct everything, they practised numberless devices by + which they insured her ultimate favours to themselves. + </p> + <p> + Of these none were more efficacious, because none are more ensnaring, than + bribing their young and artless dupes to future play by suffering them to + win at their first onsets. By rising a winner the dupe imbibed a + confidence in his own gambling abilities, or deemed himself a favourite of + fortune. He engaged again, and was again successful—which increased + his exultation and confirmed his future confidence; and thus did the + simple gudgeon swallow their bait, till it became at last fast hooked. + </p> + <p> + When rendered thus secure of their prey, they began to level their whole + train of artillery against the boasted honours of his short-lived triumph. + Then the extensive manors, the ancient forests, the paternal mansions, + began to tremble for their future destiny. The pigeon was marked down, and + the infernal crew began in good earnest to pluck his rich plumage. The + wink was given on his appearance in the room, as a signal of commencing + their covert attacks. The shrug, the nod, the hem—every motion of + the eyes, hands, feet—every air and gesture, look and word—became + an expressive, though disguised, language of fraud and cozenage, big with + deceit and swollen with ruin. Besides this, the card was marked, or + 'slipped,' or COVERED. The story is told of a noted sharper of + distinction, a foreigner, whose hand was thrust through with a fork by his + adversary, Captain Roche, and thus nailed to the table, with this cool + expression of concern—'I ask your pardon, sir, if you have not the + knave of clubs under your hand.' The cards were packed, or cut, or even + SWALLOWED. A card has been eaten between two slices of bread and butter, + for the purpose of concealment. + </p> + <p> + With wily craft the sharpers substituted their deceitful 'doctors' or + false dice; and thus 'crabs,' or 'a losing game,' became the portion of + the 'flats,' or dupes. + </p> + <p> + There were different ways of throwing dice. There was the 'Stamp'—when + the caster with an elastic spring of the wrist rapped the cornet or box + with vehemence on the table, the dice as yet not appearing from under the + box. The 'Dribble' was, when with an air of easy but ingenious motion, the + caster poured, as it were, the dice on the board—when, if he + happened to be an old practitioner, he might suddenly cog with his + fore-finger one of the cubes. The 'Long Gallery' was when the dice were + flung or hurled the whole length of the board. Sometimes the dice were + thrown off the table, near a confederate, who, in picking them up, changed + one of the fair for a false die with two sixes. This was generally done at + the first throw, and at the last, when the fair die was replaced. The + sixes were on the opposite squares, so that the fraud could only be + detected by examination. Of course this trick could only be practised at + raffles, where only three throws are required. + </p> + <p> + A pair of false dice was arranged as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + {Two fours + On one die, {Two fives + {Two sixes + + {Two fives + On the other, {Two threes + {Two aces +</pre> + <p> + With these dice it was impossible to throw what is at Hazard denominated + Crabs, or a losing game—that is, aces, or ace and deuce, twelve, or + seven. Hence, the caster always called for his main; consequently, as he + could neither throw one nor seven, let his chance be what it might, he was + sure to win, and he and those who were in the secret of course always took + the odds. The false dice being concealed in the left hand, the caster took + the box with the fair dice in it in his right hand, and in the act of + shaking it caught the fair dice in his hand, and unperceived shifted the + box empty to his left, from which he dropped the false dice into the box, + which he began to rattle, called his main seven, and threw. Having won his + stake he repeated it as often as he thought proper. He then caught the + false dice in the same way, shifted the empty box again, and threw till he + threw out, still calling the same main, by which artifice he escaped + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Two gambling adventurers would set out with a certain number of signs and + signals. The use of the handkerchief during the game was the certain + evidence of a good hand. The use of the snuff-box a sign equally + indicative of a bad one. An affected cough, apparently as a natural one, + once, twice, three, or four times repeated, was an assurance of so many + honours in hand. Rubbing the left eye was an invitation to lead trumps,—the + right eye the reverse,—the cards thrown down with one finger and the + thumb was a sign of one trump; two fingers and the thumb, two trumps, and + so on progressively, and in exact explanation of the whole hand, with a + variety of manoeuvres by which chance was reduced to certainty, and + certainty followed by ruin.(6) + </p> + <p> + (6) Bon Ton Magazine, 1791. + </p> + <p> + CHEATING AT WHIST. + </p> + <p> + In an old work on cards the following curious disclosures are made + respecting cheating at whist:— + </p> + <p> + 'He that can by craft overlook his adversary's game hath a great + advantage; for by that means he may partly know what to play securely; or + if he can have some petty glimpse of his partner's hand. There is a way by + making some sign by the fingers, to discover to their partners what + honours they have, or by the wink of one eye it signifies one honour, + shutting both eyes two, placing three fingers or four on the table, three + or four honours. FOR WHICH REASON ALL NICE GAMSTERS PLAY BEHIND CURTAINS. + </p> + <p> + 'Dealing the cards out by one and one to each person is the best method of + putting it out of the dealer's power to impose on you. But I shall + demonstrate that, deal the cards which way you will, a confederacy of two + sharpers will beat any two persons in the world, though ever so good + players, that are not of the gang, or in the secret, and "THREE poll ONE" + is as safe and secure as if the money was in their pockets. All which will + appear presently. + </p> + <p> + The first necessary instructions to be observed at Whist, as principals of + the secret, which may be likewise transferred to most other games at + cards, are:— + </p> + <p> + Brief or short cards, + </p> + <p> + Corner-bend, + </p> + <p> + Middle-bend (or Kingston-bridge). + </p> + <p> + 'Of brief cards there are two sorts: one is a card longer than the rest,—the + other is a card broader than the rest. The long sort are such as three, + four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine; the broad sort are such as aces, + kings, queens, and knaves. The use and advantage of each are as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'Example:—When you cut the cards to your adversary, cut them long, + or endways, and he will have a three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or + nine at bottom. When your adversary cuts the cards to you, put them + broadside to him, and he will naturally cut (without ever suspecting what + you do) ace, king, queen, or knave, &c., which is sufficient advantage + to secure any game. + </p> + <p> + 'And in case you cannot get cards of proper sizes ready-made to mix with + others, you may shave them with a razor or penknife from the threes to the + nines each side, and from the aces to the knaves each end; then put them + up in the same case or cover, and if they are done as they ought to be, + they will pass upon anybody. + </p> + <p> + 'As Whist is a tavern-game, the sharpers generally take care to put about + the bottle before the game begins, so quick, that a BUBBLE cannot be said + to see clearly even when he begins to play. + </p> + <p> + 'The next is the corner-bend, which is four cards turned down finely at + one corner—a signal to cut by. + </p> + <p> + 'The other is vulgarly called Kingston-bridge, or the middle-bend. It is + done by bending your own or adversary's TRICKS two different ways, which + will cause an opening, or arch, in the middle, which is of the same use + and service as the other two ways, and only practised in its turn to amuse + you. + </p> + <p> + 'The next thing to be considered is, who deals the cards, you or your + adversary; because that is a main point, and from whence your advantage + must arise. Suppose, for example, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + {Sharpers, + A and B { + {Partners, + + {Bubbles, or Flats, + C and D { + { Partners. +</pre> + <p> + After a deal or two is formally played, A and B will begin to operate in + the following manner:— + </p> + <p> + 'When A or B is to deal, they observe the PRECEDING DEAL to take up the + tricks thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1. A bad card. 2. A good card. + 3. A bad card. 4. A good card. +</pre> + <p> + (Meaning the best and worst that fall in that list). + </p> + <p> + 'When C or D deals, they must be taken up thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 1. A good card. 2. A bad card. + 3. A good card. 4. A bad card. +</pre> + <p> + 'By this rule it is plain that the best cards fall to A and B every deal. + How is it possible, therefore, that C and D should ever win a game without + permission? But it would be deemed ill policy, and contrary to the true + interest of A and B, to act thus every deal. I will, therefore, suppose it + is practised just when they please, according as bets happen in company; + though the rule with gamesters, in low life, is at the first setting out + to stupify you with wine and the loss of your money, that you may never + come to a perfect understanding of what you are doing. It may be truly + said that many an honest gentleman has been kept a month in such a + condition by the management and contrivance of a set of sharpers. + </p> + <p> + 'Now you may imagine it not in the power of A and B to cause the tricks to + be taken up after the manner aforesaid: there is nothing so easy nor so + frequently practised, especially at Three poll One; for in playing the + cards the confederates will not only take care of their own tricks, but + also of yours, for the cards may be so played, and shoved together in such + a manner, as will even cause you to take them right yourself; and if a + trick should lie untowardly on the table, A or B will pay you the + compliment of taking it up for you, and say—"Sir, that's yours." + This operation will the more readily be apprehended by seeing it practised + half a score times; when once you are aware of it, it will otherwise (I + may say fairly) pass upon any person that has not been let into the + secret. This being allowed, the next point and difficulty is to shuffle + and cut. + </p> + <p> + 'I say, that either A or B are such curious workmen, and can make a sham + shuffle with a pack of cards so artfully, that you would believe they were + splitting them, when at the time they will not displace a single card from + its order! Such is the SHARPER'S shuffling. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, to cut the cards, a BEND is prepared for you to cut to—the + middle is the best; and it is odds but you unwarily cut to it; if not, + SLIP is the word; but if you have no opportunity to do that neither, then + deal away at all hazards, it is but an equal bet that they come in your + favour; if right, proceed; if otherwise, miss a card in its course, and it + brings the cards according to your first design; it is but giving two at + last where you missed; and if that cannot be conveniently done, you only + lose the deal, and there is an end of it. + </p> + <p> + 'But when A or B is to cut, they make it all safe; for then they make the + CORNER-BEND, which any one that knows may cut to, a hundred times + together. + </p> + <p> + 'Piping at Whist. By piping I mean, when one of the company that does not + play, which frequently happens, sits down in a convenient place to smoke a + pipe, and so look on, pretending to amuse himself that way. Now, the + disposing of his fingers on the pipe whilst smoking discovers the + principal cards that are in the person's hand he overlooks; which was + always esteemed a sufficient advantage whereby to win a game. There is + another method, namely, by uttering words. "Indeed" signifies diamonds; + "truly," hearts; "upon my word," clubs; "I assure you," spades. But as + soon as these methods become known, new ones are invented; and it is most + curious that two persons may discover to each other what sort of cards + they have in hand, and which ought first to be played, many different + ways, without speaking a word.' + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt that the act of sorting the cards is capable of + giving an acute observer a tolerably accurate idea of his partner's or + either of his opponents' hands; so that where cheating is suspected it + would be better to play the cards without sorting them. The number of + times a sorter carries a card to a particular part indicates so many of a + suit; your own hand and his play will readily indicate the nature of the + cards in which he is either strong or weak. + </p> + <p> + I now quote Robert-Houdin's account of + </p> + <p> + CARD TELEGRAPHY. + </p> + <p> + Although there are 32 cards in the game of Piquet, all of them may be + designated by twelve different signs, namely, eight for the nature of the + cards, and four for the colours. + </p> + <p> + At Ecarte, the number of the signals is still less, as it is only the + figures that require indication: but to make these indications it is + necessary to execute a sort of pantomime, according to certain authors, + such as blowing the nose, coughing, drumming on the table, sneezing, &c. + Such evolutions, however, are totally unworthy of your modern Greek, and + would soon be denounced as gross fraud. The signals which he employs are + only appreciable by his confederate,—as follows:— + </p> + <p> + If he looks + </p> + <p> + 1. At his confederate, he designates A king. + </p> + <p> + 2. At the play of his adversary . . . A queen. + </p> + <p> + 3. At the stake . . . . . . . . . . . A knave. + </p> + <p> + 4. At the opposite side . . . . . . . An ace. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +And whilst he indicates the nature of the cards he at the same time +makes known the colour by the following signs:— + + 1. The mouth slightly open . . . . . Hearts. + + 2. The mouth shut . . . . . . . . . . Diamonds. + + 3. The upper-lip slightly pouting + over the lower . . . . . . . Clubs. + + 4. The lower-lip drawn over the + upper . . . . . . . . . . . Spades. +</pre> + <p> + Thus, if the Greek wishes to announce, for instance, the knave and ace of + hearts, he successively directs his looks upon the play of his adversary, + upon the stake, and to the opposite side, whilst keeping his mouth + slightly open. + </p> + <p> + It is evident that this telegraphy may be employed at all games where + there is a gallery. In effect, nothing is easier at Piquet than to + indicate, by the aid of these signals, the colour in which the player + should discard and that in which he should keep what cards he has. + </p> + <p> + These are the simplest signs; but some of the Greeks have a great number + of them, to designate everything; and even sometimes to communicate and + receive intelligence, when necessary. This telegraphy is so imperceptible + that it is difficult to describe it, and altogether impossible to detect + it.(7) + </p> + <p> + (7) Tricheries des Grecs devoilees. + </p> + <p> + Robert-Houdin has exhausted the subject of card-trickery, in connection + with that prestidigitation which, it seems, all card-sharpers cultivate, + the description of which, however, is by no means so entertaining as the + visible performance. I find, nevertheless, in his book, under the title of + 'Small Trickeries made innocent by Custom,' certain things alluded to + which I can attest by experience. + </p> + <p> + I. At Whist, no communication whatever must be made by a player to his + partner, excepting those authorized by the laws of the game; but some + persons go further, and by the play of their features 'telegraph' to their + partners the value of their hands. + </p> + <p> + II. Any one with a good memory and endowed with quick perception may form + a very accurate estimate of the hands held by all the players by + remembering THE TRICKS AS THEY ARE PLAYED AND TURNED DOWN—all of a + suit, or trumped. Cards 'stick together' most lovingly, and the ordinary + shuffling scarcely alters their sequence; and so, if a trick has been + taken by an ace over a king, for instance, and in the next deal you get + the same king, you may be sure that the ace is either on your right or + your left, according to the deal; of course, if you get the ace, then the + same probability, or rather necessity, exists as to the king; and so on. + Knave, queen, king, ace, of the same name, are almost sure to be separated + in the deal between the four players, or one player will have two of them. + The observation is a tax upon the faculties; but I am sure, quite sure, + that the thing can be done, and is, when done, of material service; + although, of course, the knowledge can be turned to account only by an + expert player, with a partner who can understand the game which he wishes + to play. + </p> + <p> + Whist is, decidedly, one of the fairest of games; but for that very + reason, it is open to the greatest over-reaching, or, if you like, + cheating. + </p> + <p> + With regard to dice, of course, they were and, doubtless, are still + loaded. Such were formerly called 'dispatches,' because they would 'in + five minutes dispatch L500 out of the pocket of any young man when + intoxicated with champagne.' + </p> + <p> + Roulette and Rouge et Noir tables were and are so arranged as always to + make the bank win at the will of the attendant, regulating them with a + touch. + </p> + <p> + At Hazard, they used 'low or high dice,' that is, with only certain + numbers on them, high or low,—a pair of which every sharper always + had in his possession, changing them with great dexterity. They also used + 'cramped' boxes, by which they 'cogged' or fastened the dice in the box as + they dropped them IN, and so could drop them OUT with the required face + upwards. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF GAMESTERS. + </h2> + <p> + Although all the motives of human action have long been known—although + psychology, or the science of soul and sentiment, has ceased to present us + with any new facts—it is quite certain that our edifice of Morals is + not quite built up. We may rest assured that as long as intellectual man + exists the problem will be considered unsolved, and the question will be + agitated. Future generations will destroy what we establish, and will + fashion a something according to their advancement, and so on; for if + there be a term which, of all others, should be expunged from the + dictionaries of all human beings, it seems to be Lord Russell's word + FINALITY. Something NEW will always be wanted. 'Sensation' is the very + life of humanity; it is motion—the reverse of 'death'—which we + all abhor. + </p> + <p> + The gamester lives only for the 'sensation' of gaming. Menage tells us of + a gamester who declared that he had never seen any luminary above the + horizon but the moon. Saint Evremond, writing to the Count de Grammont, + says—'You play from morning to night, or rather from night to + morning. All the rays of the gamester's existence terminate in play; it is + on this centre that his very existence depends. He enjoys not an hour of + calm or serenity. During the day he longs for night, and during the night + he dreads the return of day.' + </p> + <p> + Being always pre-occupied, gamesters are subject to a ridiculous absence + of mind. Tacitus tells us that the Emperor Vitellius was so torpid that he + would have forgotten he was a prince unless people had reminded him of it + from time to time.(8) Many gamesters have forgotten that they were + husbands and fathers. During play some one said that the government were + about to levy a tax on bachelors. 'Then I shall be ruined!' exclaimed one + of the players absorbed in the game. 'Why, man, you have a wife and five + children,' said the speaker. + </p> + <p> + (8) Tanta torpedo invaserat animum Vitellii, ut si principem eum fuisse + non meminissent, ipse oblivisceretur. Hist., lib. iii. + </p> + <p> + This infatuation may be simply ridiculous; but it has also a horrible + aspect. A distracted wife has rushed to the gaming table, imploring her + husband, who had for two entire days been engaged at play, to return to + his home. + </p> + <p> + 'Only let me stay one moment longer—only one moment. . . . . I shall + return perhaps the day after to-morrow,' he stammered out to the wretched + woman, who retired. Alas! he returned sooner than he had promised. His + wife was in bed, holding the last of her children to her breast. + </p> + <p> + 'Get up, madam,' said the ruined gambler, 'the bed on which you lie + belongs to us no longer!' . . . + </p> + <p> + When the gamester is fortunate, he enjoys his success elsewhere; to his + home he brings only consternation. + </p> + <p> + A wife had received the most solemn promise from her husband that he would + gamble no more. One night, however, he slunk out of bed, rushed to the + gaming table, and lost all the money he had with him. He tried to borrow + more, but was refused. He went home. His wife had taken the precaution to + lock the drawer that contained their last money. Vain obstacle! The madman + broke it open, carried off two thousand crowns—to take his revenge, + as he said, but in reality to lose the whole as before. + </p> + <p> + But it is to the gaming room that we must go to behold the progress of the + terrible drama—the ebb and flow of opposite movements—the + shocks of alternate hope and fear, infinitely varied in the countenance, + not only of the actors, but also of the spectators. What is visible, + however, is nothing in comparison to the secret agony. It is in his heart + that the tempest roars most fiercely. + </p> + <p> + Two players once exhibited their rage, the one by a mournful silence, the + other by repeated imprecations. The latter, shocked at the sang-froid of + his neighbour, reproached him for enduring, without complaint, such losses + one after the other. 'Look here!' said the other, uncovering his breast + and displaying it all bloody with lacerations. + </p> + <p> + It is only at play that we can observe, from moment to moment, all the + phases of despair; from time to time there occur new ones—strange, + eccentric, or terrible. After having lost quietly, and even with serenity, + half his fortune, the father of a family staked the remainder, and lost it + without a murmur. Facere solent extrema securos mala.(9) The bystanders + looked at him; his features changed not; only it was perceived that they + were fixed. It seemed that he was unconscious of life. Two streams of + tears trickled from his eyes, and yet his features remained the same. He + was literally a weeping statue. The spectators were seized with fright, + and, although gamesters, they melted into pity. + </p> + <p> + (9) 'Great calamities render us CARELESS.' + </p> + <p> + At Bayonne, in 1725, a French officer, in a rage at billiards, jammed a + billiard-ball in his mouth, where it stuck fast, arresting respiration, + until it was, with difficulty, extracted by a surgeon. Dusaulx states that + he was told the fact by a lieutenant-general, who was an eye-witness. + </p> + <p> + It is well known that gamblers, like dogs that bite a stone flung at them, + have eaten up the cards, crushed up the dice, broken the tables, damaged + the furniture, and finally 'pitched into' each other—as described by + Lucian in his Saturnalia. Dusaulx assures us that he saw an enraged + gambler put a burning candle into his mouth, chew it, and swallow it. A + mad player at Naples bit the table with such violence that his teeth went + deep into the wood; thus he remained, as it were, nailed to it, and + suddenly expired. + </p> + <p> + The other players took to flight; the officers of justice visited the + place; and the corpse was deprived of the usual ceremony of burial.(10) + </p> + <p> + (10) Gazette de Deux-Ponts, du 26 Novembre, 1772. + </p> + <p> + The following strange but apparently authentic fact, is related in the + Mercure Francois (Tome I. Annee 1610). + </p> + <p> + 'A man named Pennichon, being a prisoner in the Conciergerie during the + month of September, 1610, died there of a wonderfully sudden death. He + could not refrain from play. Having one day lost his money, he uttered + frightful imprecations against his body and against his soul, swearing + that he would never play at cards again. Nevertheless, a few days after, + he began to play again with those in his apartment, and on a dispute + respecting discarding, he repeated his execrable oaths. And when one of + the company told him he should fear the Divine justice, he only swore the + more, and made such confusion that there had to be another deal. But as + soon as three other cards were given him, he placed them in his hat, which + he held before him, and whilst looking at them, with his elbows on the + table and his face in the hat, he so suddenly expired that one of the + party said—"Come, now play," and pushed him with his elbow, thinking + he was asleep, when he fell down dead upon the floor.' + </p> + <p> + In some cases the effect of losses at play is simply stupefaction. Some + players, at the end of the sitting, neither know what they do nor what + they say. M. de Crequi, afterwards Duc de Lesdiguieres, leaving a gambling + party with Henry IV., after losing a large sum, met M. de Guise in the + court-yard of the castle. 'My friend,' said he to the latter, 'where are + the quarters of the Guards now-a-days?' M. de Guise stepped back, saying, + 'Excuse me, sir, I don't belong to this country,' and immediately went to + the king, whom he greatly amused with the anecdote. + </p> + <p> + A dissipated buck, who had been sitting all night at Hazard, went to a + church, not far from St James's, just before the second reading of the + Lord's Prayer, on Sunday. He was scarcely seated before he dozed, and the + clerk in a short time bawled out AMEN, which he pronounced A—main. + The buck jumped up half asleep and roared out, 'I'll bet the caster 20 + guineas!' The congregation was thrown into a titter, and the buck ran out, + overwhelmed with shame. A similar anecdote is told of another 'dissipated + buck' in a church. The grand masquerade given on the opening of the Union + Club House, in Pall Mall, was not entirely over till a late hour on the + following Sunday. A young man nearly intoxicated—certainly not + knowing what he was about—reeled into St. James's church, in his + masquerade dress, with his hat on. The late Rev. Thomas Bracken, attracted + by the noise of his entrance, looked directly at him as he chanced to + deliver the following words:—'Friend! how camest thou in hither, not + having on a wedding garment?' It seemed so to strike the culprit that he + instantly took off his hat and withdrew in confusion. + </p> + <p> + At play, a winner redoubles his caution and sang-froid just in proportion + as his adversary gets bewildered by his losses, becoming desperate; he + takes advantage of the weakness of the latter, giving him the law, and + striving for greater success. When the luck changes, however, the case is + reversed, and the former loser becomes, in his turn, ten times more + pitiless—like that Roman prefect, mentioned by Tacitus, who was the + more inexorable because he had been harshly treated in his youth, co + immmitior quia toleraverat. The joy at winning back his money only makes a + gamester the more covetous of winning that of his adversary. A wealthy man + once lost 100,000 crowns, and begged to be allowed to go and sell his + property, which was worth double the amount he had lost. 'Why sell it?' + said his adversary; 'let us play for the remainder.' They played; luck + changed; and the late LOSER ruined the other. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes avidity makes terrible mistakes; many, in order to win more, + have lost their all to persons who had not a shilling to lose. During the + depth of a severe winter, a gamester beheld with terror the bottom of his + purse. Unable to resolve on quitting the gaming table—for players in + that condition are always the most stubborn—he shouted to his valet—'Go + and fetch my great sack.' These words, uttered without design, stimulated + the cupidity of those who no longer cared to play with him, and now they + were eager for it. His luck changed, and he won thrice as much as he had + lost. Then his 'great sack' was brought to him: it was a BEAR-SKIN SACK he + used as a cloak! + </p> + <p> + In the madness of gaming the player stakes everything after losing his + money—his watch, his rings, his clothing; and some have staked their + EARS, and others their very LIVES—instances of all which will be + related in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + Not very long ago a publican, who lost all his money, staked his + public-house, lost it, and had to 'clear out.' The man who won it is alive + and flourishing. + </p> + <p> + 'The debt of honour must be paid: 'these are the terrible words that haunt + the gamester as he wakes (if he has slept) on the morning after the night + of horrors: these are the furies that take him in hand, and drag him to + torture, laughing the while. . . . + </p> + <p> + What a 'sensation' it must be to lose one's ALL! A man, intoxicated with + his gains, left one gaming house and entered another. As soon as he + entered he exclaimed, 'Well, I am filled, my pockets are full of gold, and + here goes, ODDS OR EVEN?' 'Odds,' cried a player. It was ODDS, and the + fortunate winner pocketed the enormous sum just boasted of by the other. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, sudden prosperity has deranged more heads and killed + more people than reverses and grief; either because it takes a longer time + to get convinced of utter ruin than great good fortune, or because the + instinct of self-preservation compels us to seek, in adversity, for + resources to mitigate despair; whereas, in the assault of excessive joy, + the soul's spring is distended and broken when it is suddenly compressed + by too many thoughts and too many sensations. Sophocles, Diagoras, + Philippides, died of joy. Another Greek expired at the sight of the three + crowns won by his three sons at the Olympic games. + </p> + <p> + Many fine intellects among players have been brutified by loses; others, + in greater number, have been so by their winnings. Some in the course of + their prosperity perish from idleness, get deranged, and ruin themselves + after ruining others. An instance is mentioned of an officer who won so + enormously that he actually lost his senses in counting his gains. + Astonished at himself, he thought he was no longer an ordinary mortal; and + required his valets to do him extraordinary honours, flinging handfuls of + gold to them. The same night, however, he returned to the gaming house, + and recovered from his madness when he had lost not only all his gains, + but even the value of an appointment which he held. + </p> + <p> + UNFORTUNATE WINNING. + </p> + <p> + M. G—me was a most estimable man, combining in himself the best + qualities of both heart and head. He was good-humoured, witty, and + benevolent. With these qualifications, and one other which seldom operates + to a man's disadvantage—a clear income of three thousand a year—the + best society in Paris was open to him. He had been a visitor in that + capital about a month, when he received an invitation to one of the + splendid dinners given weekly at the salon. As he never played, he + hesitated about the propriety of accepting it, but on the assurance that + it would not be expected of him to play; and, moreover, as he might not + again have so good an opportunity of visiting an establishment of the + kind, he resolved to go—merely for the satisfaction of his + curiosity. He had a few stray napoleons in his purse, to throw them—'just + for the good of the house,' as he considered it—could hardly be + called PLAY, so he threw them. Poor fellow! He left off a winner of + fourteen hundred napoleons, or about as many pounds sterling—and so + easily won! He went again, again, and again; but he was not always a + winner; and within fifteen months of the moment when his hand first + grasped the dice-box he was lying dead in a jail! + </p> + <p> + LORD WORTHALL'S DESPERATE WAGER. + </p> + <p> + At a gambling party Lord Worthall had lost all his money, and in a fit of + excitement staked his whole estate against L1000, at cutting low with + cards, and in cutting exclaimed,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Up now Deuce, or else a Trey, + Or Worthall's gone for ever and aye.' +</pre> + <p> + He had the luck to cut the deuce of diamonds; and to commemorate the + serious event, he got the deuce of diamonds cut in marble and had it fixed + on the parapet of his mansion. + </p> + <p> + THE CELEBRATED THADDEUS STEVENS. + </p> + <p> + He was an inveterate gamester on a small scale, and almost invariably, + after a day's duty in the House, would drop in at a favourite casino, and + win or lose fifty dollars—that being the average limit of his + betting. + </p> + <p> + A PROVIDENT GAMBLER. + </p> + <p> + A Monsieur B—, well known in Parisian life, having recently lost + every shilling at a certain sporting club where play is carried on in + Paris, went to the country, where his sister lent him L150. + </p> + <p> + He won all back again, and got a considerable sum of money in hand. He + then went to his hotel, to his bootmaker, and tailor, paid them, and made + arrangements to be fed, clothed, and shod for ten years. + </p> + <p> + A MAGNIFICENT FORTUNE WASTED. + </p> + <p> + Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with an estate of + L18,000 per annum, and L100,000 ready money. He left with a ruined + constitution, an encumbered estate, and not a shilling of ready money! + </p> + <p> + AN ENTERPRISING CLERK. + </p> + <p> + Lord Kenyon, in 1795, tried a clerk 'for misapplying his master's + confidence,' and the facts were as follows. He went with a bank note of + L1000 to a gaming house in Osendon Street, where he won a little. He also + won two hundred guineas at another in Suffolk Street. He next accompanied + some keepers of a third house to their tables, where he lost above nine + hundred pounds. He played there almost every night; and finally lost about + L2500! + </p> + <p> + GAMBLING FOR RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY. + </p> + <p> + An Irish officer struck out a mode of gambling, for recruits. He gave five + guineas bounty, and one hundred to be raffled for by young recruits,—the + winner to be paid immediately, and to purchase his discharge, if he + pleased, for L20. The dice-box was constantly going at his recruiting + office in Dublin. + </p> + <p> + DOUBLING THE STAKES. + </p> + <p> + A dashing young man of large fortune, about the year 1820, lost at a + subscription house at the West End, L80,000. The winner was a person of + high rank. The young man, however, by doubling the stakes, not only + recovered his losses, but in his turn gained considerably of his + antagonist. + </p> + <p> + AN ANNUITY FOR A GAMBLING DEBT. + </p> + <p> + A fashionable nobleman had won from a young and noble relative the sum of + L40,000. The cash not being forthcoming, he accepted an annuity of L4000. + </p> + <p> + SIR WILLIAM COLEPEPPER. + </p> + <p> + It is told of Sir William Colepepper that, after he had been ruined + himself at the gaming table, his whole delight was to sit there and see + others ruined. Hardened wretch—'Who though he plays no more, + overlooks the cards'—with this diabolical disposition! + </p> + <p> + THE BITER BITTEN. + </p> + <p> + A certain duchess, of a ci-devant lord-lieutenant, who expected to make a + pigeon of Marshal Blucher, was fleeced of L200,000; to pay which her lord + was obliged to sell a great part of his property, and reside on the + continent. + </p> + <p> + HUNTED DOWN. + </p> + <p> + A stout-hearted and gallant military baronet lost an immense sum at a + celebrated gaming house; but was so fortunate as to recover it, with L1200 + more. This last sum HE PRESENTED TO THE WAITERS. He was pursued by two of + the 'play-wrights' to a northern watering-place, where he was so plucked + that all his possessions were brought to the hammer. A competency was, + however, saved from the magnificent wreck. + </p> + <p> + COMING OF AGE. + </p> + <p> + When Sir C— T—, a weak young man, with a large fortune, came + of age, the Greeks, thinking him an excellent quarry, went to York Races, + made him drunk and plundered him of a large sum. The next morning one of + the party waited upon him to acquaint him of his loss—(L20,000 or + L30,000), and brought bonds for his signature to that amount! + </p> + <p> + HEAVY LIABILITIES TO BEGIN WITH. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1799, when the Marquis of Donegal succeeded to the title on + his father's death, his debts, principally to gamblers and money-lenders, + amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling! + </p> + <p> + A GENTLEMAN TURNED BARBER. + </p> + <p> + In an old magazine I find the following curious statement:— + </p> + <p> + 'There is now living in Barnaby Street, Carnaby Market, a man who, + although exercising the menial office of penny barber, was in his younger + days in possession of estates and personal property to a large amount, and + is the only lineal descendant remaining of the very ancient family of the + H—s of Bristol. + </p> + <p> + 'His relations dying when he was young, he was placed under proper + guardians, and received a liberal education, first at Westminster, and + afterwards at Cambridge, suitable to his rank and fortune. When of age he + converted his estates into money, and retired to Dublin, where he remained + some time. He then made the tour of Europe, and returned to Ireland, where + he went through all the scenes of dissipation to which young men are so + much addicted, till at last he was beset by those harpies the gamblers, + and stripped of his immense fortune in one single night! + </p> + <p> + 'He then subsisted for some little time on the bounty of his undoers, who + intended to make him one of them; but, not having sufficient address for + the profession, he was dismissed and "left in the lurch;" and most of his + friends discarding him, he embarked with his last guinea for England. Here + he has encountered many difficulties, often been in gaol for debt, and + passed through various scenes of life, as valet, footman, thief-taker, and + at length, a penny-barber! He has a wife and large family and lives in a + very penurious manner, often lamenting his early folly.'(11) + </p> + <p> + (11) 'The Western County Magazine, 1791. By a Society of Gentlemen.' This + well-conducted old magazine was printed and published at Salisbury, and + was decidedly a credit to the town and county. + </p> + <p> + PENSIONED OFF BY A GAMING HOUSE. + </p> + <p> + A visitor at Frascati's gaming house in Paris tells us:— + </p> + <p> + 'I saw the Chevalier de la C—(a descendant of the once celebrated + romance-writer) when he was nearly ninety. The mode of life of this old + man was singular. He had lost a princely property at the play-table, and + by a piece of good fortune of rare occurrence to gamesters, and + unparalleled generosity, the proprietors of the salon allowed him a + pension to support him in his miserable senility, just sufficient to + supply him with a wretched lodging—bread, and a change of raiment + once in every three or four years! In addition to this he was allowed a + supper—which was, in fact, his dinner—at the gaming house, + whither he went every night at about eleven o'clock. Till supper-time (two + o'clock in the morning) he amused himself in watching the games and + calculating the various chances, although incapable of playing a single + coup. At four o'clock he returned to his lodging, retired to bed, and lay + till between nine and ten o'clock on the following night. A cup of coffee + was then brought to him, and, having dressed himself, at the usual hour he + again proceeded to the salon. This had been his round of life for several + years; and he told me that during all that time (excepting on a few + mornings about Midsummer) he had never beheld the sun!' + </p> + <p> + A Mr R—y, son of a baronet, left Wattier's club one night with only + L4 in his pocket, saying that he would look in at the hells. + </p> + <p> + He did so, and, returning after three o'clock in the morning, offered to + bet L500 that he had above L4000. The result proved that he had L4300, all + won at gaming tables, from the small beginning of L4. He then sat down to + play games of skill at Wattier's, and went home at six o'clock without a + single pound! The same man subsequently won L30,000, and afterwards lost + it all, with L15,000 more, and then 'went to the Continent.' + </p> + <p> + A major of the Rifle Brigade, in consequence of gambling in London, by + which he lost vast sums of money, went out of his senses and died a few + years ago in an asylum. This occurred within the last ten or twelve years. + </p> + <p> + Says Mr Seymour Harcourt, in his 'Gaming Calendar,' 'I have myself seen + hanging in chains a man whom, a short time before, I saw at a Hazard + table!' + </p> + <p> + Hogarth lent his tremendous power to the portrayal of the ruined gamester, + and shows it to the life in his print of the gaming house in the 'Rake's + Progress.' + </p> + <p> + Three stages of that species of madness which attends gaming are there + described. On the first shock all is inward dismay. The ruined gamester is + represented leaning against a wall with his arms across, lost in an agony + of horror. Shortly after this horrible gloom bursts into a storm and fury. + He tears in pieces whatever comes near him, and, kneeling down, invokes + curses on himself. His next attack is on others—on every one whom he + imagines to have been instrumental in his ruin. The eager joy of the + winning gamester, the attention of the usurer, and the profound reverie of + the highwayman, are all strongly marked in this wonderful picture. + </p> + <p> + HOW MANY GAMESTERS LIVE BY PLAY? + </p> + <p> + It is an observation made by those who calculate on the gaming world, that + above nine-tenths of the persons who play LIVE by it. + </p> + <p> + Now, as the ordinary establishment of a GENTEEL gamester, as he is + commonly called, cannot be less than L1000 per annum, luck, which turns + out EQUAL in the long run, will not support him; he must therefore LIVE by + what they call among themselves the BEST OF THE GAME—or, in plain + English, cheating. + </p> + <p> + So much for the inner and outer life of gamblers. And now I shall + introduce Mr Ben. Disraeli, recounting, in the happiest vein of his + younger days, a magnificent gambling scene, quite on a par with the legend + of the Hindoo epic before quoted,(12) and which, I doubt not, will (to use + the young Disraeli's own words) make the reader 'scud along and warm up + into friskiness.' + </p> + <p> + (12) Chapter II. + </p> + <p> + A curious phrase occurs in the 9th chapter of 'The Young Duke,' in the + paragraph at the beginning, after the words—'O ye immortal gods!' + </p> + <p> + Although the scene of the drama is part of a novel, yet there can be no + doubt of its being 'founded on fact'—at any rate, I think there + never was a narrative of greater verisimilitude. + </p> + <p> + 'After dinner, with the exception of Cogit, who was busied in compounding + some wonderful liquid for the future refreshment, they sat down to Ecarte. + Without having exchanged a word upon the subject, there seemed a general + understanding among all the parties, that to-night was to be a pitched + battle—and they began at once, very briskly. Yet, in spite of their + universal determination, midnight arrived without anything very decisive. + Another hour passed over, and then Tom Cogit kept touching the baron's + elbow, and whispering in a voice which everybody could understand. All + this meant that supper was ready. It was brought into the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Gaming has one advantage—it gives you an appetite; that is to say, + so long as you have a chance remaining. The duke had thousands,—for + at present his resources were unimpaired, and he was exhausted by the + constant attention and anxiety of five hours. He passed over the + delicacies, and went to the side-table, and began cutting himself some + cold roast beef. Tom Cogit ran up, not to his Grace, but to the baron, to + announce the shocking fact, that the Duke of St James was enduring great + trouble; and then the baron asked his Grace to permit Mr Cogit to serve + him. + </p> + <p> + 'Our hero devoured—we use the word advisedly, as fools say in the + House of Commons—he devoured the roast beef, and rejecting the + hermitage with disgust, asked for porter. + </p> + <p> + 'They set to again, fresh as eagles. At six o'clock, accounts were so + complicated, that they stopped to make up their books. Each played with + his memorandums and pencil at his side. Nothing fatal had yet happened. + The duke owed Lord Dice about L5000, and Temple Grace owed him as many + hundreds. Lord Castlefort also was his debtor to the tune of 750, and the + baron was in his books, but slightly. + </p> + <p> + 'Every half-hour they had a new pack of cards, and threw the used ones on + the floor. All this time Tom Cogit did nothing but snuff the candles, stir + the fire, bring them a new pack, and occasionally made a tumbler for them. + </p> + <p> + 'At eight o'clock the duke's situation was worsened. The run was greatly + against him, and perhaps his losses were doubled. He pulled up again the + next hour or two; but, nevertheless, at ten o'clock owed every one + something. No one offered to give over; and every one, perhaps, felt that + his object was not obtained. They made their toilets, and went down-stairs + to breakfast. In the mean time the shutters were opened, the room aired; + and in less than an hour they were at it again. + </p> + <p> + 'They played till dinner-time without intermission; and though the duke + made some desperate efforts, and some successful ones, his losses were, + nevertheless, trebled. Yet he ate an excellent dinner, and was not at all + depressed; because the more he lost the more his courage and his resources + seemed to expand. At first, he had limited himself to 10,000; after + breakfast, it was to have been 20,000; then 30,000 was the ultimatum; and + now he dismissed all thoughts of limits from his mind, and was determined + to risk or gain everything. + </p> + <p> + 'At midnight he had lost L48,000. + </p> + <p> + 'Affairs now began to be serious. His supper was not so hearty. While the + rest were eating, he walked about the room, and began to limit his + ambition to recovery, and not to gain. + </p> + <p> + 'When you play to win back, the fun is over: there is nothing to + recompense you for your bodily tortures and your degraded feelings; and + the very best result that can happen, while it has no charms, seems to + your cowed mind impossible. + </p> + <p> + 'On they played, and the duke lost more. His mind was jaded. He floundered—he + made desperate efforts, but plunged deeper in the slough. Feeling that, to + regain his ground, each card must tell, he acted on each as if it must + win, and the consequences of this insanity (for a gamester at such a + crisis is really insane) were, that his losses were prodigious. + </p> + <p> + 'Another morning came, and there they sat, ankle-deep in cards. No attempt + at breakfast now—no affectation of making a toilet, or airing the + room. The atmosphere was hot, to be sure, but it well became such a hell. + There they sat, in total, in positive forgetfulness of everything but the + hot game they were hunting down. There was not a man in the room, except + Tom Cogit, who could have told you the name of the town in which they were + living. There they sat, almost breathless, watching every turn with the + fell look in their cannibal eyes, which showed their total inability to + sympathize with their fellow-beings. All the forms of society had been + forgotten. There was no snuff-box handed about now, for courtesy, + admiration, or a pinch; no affectation of occasionally making a remark + upon any other topic but the all-engrossing one. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Castlefort rested with his arms on the table:—a false tooth + had got unhinged. His Lordship, who, at any other time, would have been + most annoyed, coolly put it in his pocket. His cheeks had fallen, and he + looked twenty years older. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Dice had torn off his cravat, and his hair flung down over his + callous, bloodless checks, straight as silk. + </p> + <p> + 'Temple Grace looked as if he were blighted by lightning; and his + deep-blue eyes gleamed like a hyaena. + </p> + <p> + 'The baron was least changed. + </p> + <p> + 'Tom Cogit, who smelt that the crisis was at hand, was as quiet as a + bribed rat. + </p> + <p> + 'On they played till six o'clock in the evening, and then they agreed to + desist till after dinner. Lord Dice threw himself on a sofa. Lord + Castlefort breathed with difficulty. The rest walked about. While they + were resting on their oars, the young duke roughly made up his accounts. + He found that he was minus about L100,000. + </p> + <p> + 'Immense as this loss was, he was more struck—more appalled, let us + say—at the strangeness of the surrounding scene, than even by his + own ruin. As he looked upon his fellow-gamesters, he seemed, for the first + time in his life, to gaze upon some of those hideous demons of whom he had + read. He looked in the mirror at himself. A blight seemed to have fallen + over his beauty, and his presence seemed accursed. He had pursued a + dissipated, even more than a dissipated, career. Many were the nights that + had been spent by him not on his couch; great had been the exhaustion that + he had often experienced; haggard had sometimes even been the lustre of + his youth. But when had been marked upon his brow this harrowing care? + When had his features before been stamped with this anxiety, this anguish, + this baffled desire, this strange, unearthly scowl, which made him even + tremble? What! was it possible?—it could not be—that in time + he was to be like those awful, those unearthly, those unhallowed things + that were around him. He felt as if he had fallen from his state, as if he + had dishonoured his ancestry, as if he had betrayed his trust. He felt a + criminal. + </p> + <p> + 'In the darkness of his meditations a flash burst from his lurid mind, a + celestial light appeared to dissipate this thickening gloom, and his soul + felt, as it were, bathed with the softening radiancy. He thought of May + Dacre, he thought of everything that was pure, and holy, and beautiful, + and luminous, and calm. It was the innate virtue of the man that made this + appeal to his corrupted nature. His losses seemed nothing; his dukedom + would be too slight a ransom for freedom from these ghouls, and for the + breath of the sweet air. + </p> + <p> + 'He advanced to the baron, and expressed his desire to play no more. There + was an immediate stir. All jumped up, and now the deed was done. Cant, in + spite of their exhaustion, assumed her reign. They begged him to have his + revenge,—were quite annoyed at the result,—had no doubt he + would recover if he proceeded. + </p> + <p> + 'Without noticing their remarks, he seated himself at the table, and wrote + cheques for their respective amounts, Tom Cogit jumping up and bringing + him the inkstand. Lord Castlefort, in the most affectionate manner, + pocketed the draft; at the same time recommending the duke not to be in a + hurry, but to send it when he was cool. Lord Dice received his with a bow, + Temple Grace with a sigh, the baron with an avowal of his readiness always + to give him his revenge. + </p> + <p> + 'The duke, though sick at heart, would not leave the room with any + evidence of a broken spirit; and when Lord Castlefort again repeated—"Pay + us when we meet again," he said, "I think it very improbable that we shall + meet again, my Lord. I wished to know what gaming was. I had heard a great + deal about it. It is not so very disgusting; but I am a young man, and + cannot play tricks with my complexion." + </p> + <p> + 'He reached his house. The Bird was out. He gave orders for himself not to + be disturbed, and he went to bed; but in vain he tried to sleep. What rack + exceeds the torture of an excited brain and an exhausted body? His hands + and feet were like ice, his brow like fire; his ears rung with + supernatural roaring; a nausea had seized upon him, and death he would + have welcomed. In vain, in vain he courted repose; in vain he had recourse + to every expedient to wile himself to slumber. Each minute he started from + his pillow with some phrase which reminded him of his late fearful + society. Hour after hour moved on with its leaden pace; each hour he heard + strike, and each hour seemed an age. Each hour was only a signal to cast + off some covering, or shift his position. It was, at length, morning. With + a feeling that he should go mad if he remained any longer in bed, he rose, + and paced his chamber. The air refreshed him. He threw himself on the + floor, the cold crept over his senses, and he slept.'(13) + </p> + <p> + (13) 'The Young Duke,' by B. Disraeli, chapter VIII. This gambling is the + turning-point in the young duke's career; he proves himself at length not + unworthy of his noble ancestry arm his high hereditary position,—takes + his place in the Senate, and weds the maiden of his love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. ATROCITIES, DUELS, SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS. + </h2> + <p> + The history of all nations is but the record of their cupidity; and when + the fury of gaming appears on the scene, it has never failed to double the + insolence and atrocities of tyranny. + </p> + <p> + The atrocious gambling of the Hindoo Rajas has been related;(14) and I + have incidentally adverted to similar concomitants of the vice among all + nations. I now propose to bring together a series of facts specially + elucidative of the harrowing theme. + </p> + <p> + (14) Chapter II. + </p> + <p> + One of the Ptolemys, kings of Egypt, required all causes to be submitted + to him whilst at play, and pronounced even sentence of death according to + chance. On one occasion his wife, Berenice, pronounced thereanent those + memorable words:—'There cannot be too much deliberation when the + death of a man is concerned'—afterwards adopted by Juvenal—Nulla + unquam de morte hominis cunctatio longa est.(15) + </p> + <p> + (15) Aelian, Var. Hist. lib. XLIV. c. xiii.; Juvenal, Sat. vi. + </p> + <p> + Tolomnius, King of the Veii, happened to be playing at dice when the + arrival of Roman ambassadors was announced. At the very instant he uttered + the word KILL, a term of the game; the word was misinterpreted by the + hearers, and they went forthwith and massacred the ambassadors. Livy + suggests that this was an excuse alleged AFTER the commission of the deed; + but gamesters are subject to such absence of mind that there is really + nothing incredible or astonishing in the act. 'Sire,' exclaimed a + messenger to the Caliph Alamin, 'it is no longer time for play—Babylon + is besieged!' 'Silence!' said the caliph, 'don't you see I am on the point + of giving checkmate?' The same story is told of a Duke of Normandy. + </p> + <p> + Wars have arisen from very trivial causes—among the rest gambling. + Henry, the son of William the Conqueror, was playing at chess with Louis, + the son of Philip, King of France. The latter, perceiving that he was + losing the game got into a passion, and calling Henry the son of a + bastard, flung the chess-board into his face. Henry took the chess-board + and struck Louis with it so violently that he drew blood, and would have + killed him if his brother, who happened to come in, had not prevented him. + The two brothers took to flight, but a great and lasting war was the + consequence of the gambling fracas. + </p> + <p> + A gaming quarrel was the cause of the slap in the face given by the Duc + Rene to Louis XII., then only Duc d'Orleans. This slap was the origin of a + ligue which was termed 'the mad war.' The resentment of the outraged + prince was not appeased until he mounted the throne, when he uttered these + memorable words:—'A King of France does not avenge insults offered + to a Duke of Orleans.' + </p> + <p> + Many narratives of suicide committed by desperate gamblers are on record, + some of which I now adduce. + </p> + <p> + SIR JOHN BLAND, OF KIPPAX PARK. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Bland, of Kippax Park, flirted away his whole fortune at Hazard. + 'He, t'other night,' says Walpole, 'exceeded what was lost by the late + Duke of Bedford, having at one period of the night (though he recovered + the greater part of it) lost two and thirty thousand pounds.' Sir John + Kippax shot himself in 1705. + </p> + <p> + LORD MOUNTFORD. + </p> + <p> + Lord Mountford came to a tragic end through his gambling. He had lost + money; feared to be reduced to distress; asked for a government + appointment, and determined to throw the die of life or death on the + answer received from court. The answer was unfavourable. He consulted + several persons, indirectly at first, afterwards pretty directly, on the + easiest mode of finishing life; invited a dinner-party for the day after; + supped at White's, and played at Whist till one o'clock of the New Year's + morning. Lord Robert Bertie drank to him 'a happy new year;' he clapped + his hand strangely to his eyes. In the morning, he sent for a lawyer and + three witnesses, executed his will, made them read it over twice, + paragraph by paragraph, asked the lawyer if that will would stand good + though a man were to shoot himself. Being assured it would, he said—'Pray + stay, while I step into the next room;' went into the next room and shot + himself, placing the muzzle of the pistol so close to his head that the + report was not heard. + </p> + <p> + A SUICIDE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. + </p> + <p> + Gamblers have been known to set as coolly and deliberately about blowing + out their brains as if they had only been going to light their cigars. + Lord Orford, in his correspondence with Horace Walpole, mentions two + curious instances. + </p> + <p> + One of the fashionable young men of Lord Orford's day had been unhappily + decoyed into a gambling house, where his passion for play became so great + that he spent nearly the whole of his time in throwing the dice. He + continued to gamble until he had not only lost a princely fortune, but had + incurred a large amount of debt among his tradesmen. With the loss of his + money, and the utter beggary which stared him in the face, the unfortunate + victim of play lost all relish for life; and sought in death the only + refuge he could fancy from the infamy and misery which he had brought upon + himself. But whilst fully resolved on self-destruction, he thought, before + carrying his fatal purpose into execution, he might as well do his + tradesmen an act of justice, even if in so doing he should do injustice to + others. He insured his life to the extent of his debts, amounting to + several thousand pounds. Being acquainted with several of the directors of + the company (he called them his life-and-death brokers) in which he + insured, he invited them to dinner the following day, with the ostensible + view of celebrating the completion of the insurance. The tradesmen also + received strict orders to be present; and as the non-payment of their + accounts for a long period to come was the penalty of not acceding to his + wishes in this respect, it can scarcely be necessary to say that they were + all 'punctual as lovers to the moment sworn.' The dinner over, and a + liberal allowance of wine having been quaffed, the ruined gambler desired + the servant to call up all who were in the hall below. In a few seconds + the dining-room was filled with tradesmen, all eager to receive payment of + their accounts. 'Now, gentlemen,' said the gambler, addressing his guests, + and pointing to the little crowd of tradesmen,—'now, gentlemen, + these are all my tradesmen; they are honest industrious men, to whom I am + indebted, and as I see no other earthly means of being ever able to meet + their just claims, you will be so kind as to pay them out of the sum for + which I insured my life yesterday. Allow me, gentlemen, to bid you + farewell.' And so saying, he pulled a pistol from his pocket, and placing + it to his head, that instant blew out his brains. Of course his insurance + office must have been one that undertook to pay insurances whatever might + be the cause of death, not excepting suicide—which, like duelling, + has usually been a bar to such claims. + </p> + <p> + REVELATIONS OF A GAMBLER ON THE POINT OF COMMITTING SELF-MURDER. + </p> + <p> + The following is 'A full and particular account of a person who threw + himself into the Thames, from Blackfriars Bridge, on Wednesday, July 10, + 1782; with the melancholy paper he left behind him, accounting to his wife + and children for so rash an action.' It is said that several thousands of + the papers were dispersed through London, and it is to be hoped that some + of them might produce that good effect which seems to have been so + anxiously desired by the person who wished them to be distributed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Midnight, July 10, 1782. +</pre> + <p> + 'Whoever thou art that readest this paper, listen to the voice of one from + the DEAD. While thine eyes peruse the lines their writer may be suffering + the most horrid punishments which an incensed Creator can inflict upon the + greatest sinner. + </p> + <p> + 'Reader, art thou of my own sex? Art thou a man? Oh, in whatever rank of + life, whether high or low,—beware of gambling! Beware of so much as + approaching an E O table! Had I ever met with such a dreadful warning as I + now offer thee, I might perhaps have been saved from death—have been + snatched from damnation. Reader, art thou a woman? Oh, whether rich or + poor, whether wife, mother, sister, or daughter,—if thou suspect + that the late hours, the feverish body, the disturbed mind, the ruffled + temper, the sudden extravagance of him whom thou lovest, are caused by + frequenting the gaming table, oh, fail not to discover thy suspicions—fail + not to remonstrate! Had but my dear wife remonstrated with me, when she + saw me, in consequence of my winnings, indulge in expense, which she must + have known I could not honestly afford, she would not now, within the next + hour, be deprived of her husband—of the only support of herself and + her three poor children in this world,—and deprived of him in a + manner which effectually cuts off all hopes of our ever meeting in the + happiness of another. * * * * + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, in less than an hour, coward as I am, I shall have deserted my duty + and my family in this world; and, wretch as I am, shall have rushed into + all the horrors of hell in another world, by drowning myself. + </p> + <p> + 'By curiosity I was first led to the E O table. Ashamed to stand idle I + put upon E, it came E; upon O, it came O. Fortune favoured me (as I + foolishly called it), and I came away a winner. + </p> + <p> + Something worse than curiosity, though hardly more dangerous, carried me + to another table another night. My view in going was answered. My view was + to WIN, and again I WON in the course of the evening. Again I went, and + again I won. For some weeks this was the constant story. Oh, happy had I + lost at first! Now I went every night. Everything I ought to have done, + neglected. Up all night, I was forced to lie in bed all day. The strength + of my mind, which at THIS moment might save me, was hourly wasting away. + My wife was deceived with continual falsehoods, to which nothing but her + fondness for me blinded her. Even my winnings, with the expense and + extravagance in which I indulged myself and family, were every day more + than half exhausted. But I felt that I was always to win. Fortune favoured + me. Fortune was now my deity. * * * * + </p> + <p> + 'But fortune, my new, my false deity, deserted me. My luck TURNED. I am + undone! Ruined! A beggar! My wife and children will want a morsel of bread + to eat. * * * * To destroy myself is the only way to preserve my family + from want, and to keep myself from the GALLOWS. This morning I absolutely + hesitated whether I should not procure a sum of money with which to try my + luck by FORGERY. Gamesters, think of that—FORGERY! O my dear wife, + is not anything better than seeing me conveyed to Tyburn? Yes, it is + better that before many hours you and your three helpless daughters should + be hanging in tears (I little merit) over my lifeless, cold, and swollen + body. + </p> + <p> + 'Readers, farewell! From my sad and voluntary death, learn wisdom. In + consequence of gaming I go to seek my destruction in the Thames. Oh, think + in what manner he deserves to be punished who commits a crime which he is + fully persuaded merits, and will not fail to meet, the severest + punishment.' + </p> + <p> + The narrative proceeds to state that, 'between one and two o'clock in the + morning he took a sad farewell of this world, and leaped over Blackfriars + Bridge. It pleased Providence, however, that he should be seen committing + this desperate action by two watermen, who found his body after it had + been a considerable time under water. In consequence of the methods used + by the men of the Humane Society, he was at length almost miraculously + restored to life and to his family. It is further stated that—'In + consequence of the advice of a worthy clergyman he was restored to reason + and to religion. He now wonders how he could think of committing so horrid + a crime; and is not without hope that by a life of continual repentance + and exemplary religion, he may obtain pardon hereafter. The paper which he + wrote before he set forth to drown himself he still desires should be made + as public as possible, and that this narrative should be added to it. + </p> + <p> + INCORRIGIBLE. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1799, Sir W. L—, Bart., finding his eldest son extremely + distressed and embarrassed, told him that he would relieve him from all + his difficulties, on condition that he would state to him, without + reserve, their utmost extent, and give him his honour never to play again + for any considerable sum. The debts—amounting to L22,000—were + instantly discharged. Before a week had elapsed he fell into his old + habits again, and lost L5000 more at a sitting; upon which he next morning + shot himself! + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE IN 1816. + </p> + <p> + In 1816 a gentleman, the head of a first-rate concern in the city, put a + period to his existence by blowing out his brains. He had gone to the + Argyle Rooms a few nights before the act, and accompanied a female home in + a coach, with two men, friends of the woman. When they got to her + residence the two men proposed to the gentleman to play for a dozen + champagne to treat the lady with, which the gentleman declined. They, + however, after a great deal of persuasion, prevailed on him to play for + small sums, and, according to the usual trick of gamblers, allowed him to + win at first, till they began to play for double, when there is no doubt + the fellows produced loaded dice, and the gentleman lost to the amount of + L1800! This brought him to his senses—as well it might. He then + invented an excuse for not paying that sum, by saying that he was under an + agreement with his partner not to draw for a larger amount than L300 for + his private account—and gave them a draft for that amount, promising + the remainder at a future day. This promise, however, he did not attend + to, not feeling himself bound by such a villainous transaction, especially + after giving them so much. But the robbers found out who he was and his + residence, and had the audacity to go, armed with bludgeons, and attack + him publicly on his own premises, in the presence of those employed there, + demanding payment of their nefarious 'debt of honour,' and threatening + him, if he did not pay, that he should fight! + </p> + <p> + This exposure had such an effect on his feelings that he made an excuse to + retire—did so—and blew out his brains with a pistol! + </p> + <p> + This rash act was the more to be lamented because it prevented the + bringing to condign punishment, the plundering villains who were the cause + of it.(16) + </p> + <p> + (16) Annual Register, vol. lviii. + </p> + <p> + OTHER INSTANCES. + </p> + <p> + A gallant Dutch officer, after having lost a splendid fortune not long + since (1823) in a gambling house at Aix-la-Chapelle, shot himself. A + Russian general, also, of immense wealth, terminated his existence in the + same manner and for the same cause. More recently, a young Englishman, who + lost the whole of an immense fortune by gambling at Paris, quitted this + world by stabbing himself in the neck with a fork. A short time previously + another Englishman, whose birth was as high as his wealth had been + considerable, blew his brains out in the Palais Royal, after having + literally lost his last shilling. Finally, an unfortunate printer at + Paris, who had a wife and five children, finished his earthly career for + the same cause, by suffocating himself with the fumes of charcoal; he + said, in his farewell note to his unhappy wife—'Behold the effect of + gaming!'(17) + </p> + <p> + (17) Ubi supra. + </p> + <p> + 'IF I LOSE I SHALL COMMIT SUICIDE.' + </p> + <p> + A young man having gambled away his last shilling, solicited the loan of a + few pounds from one of the proprietors of the hell in which he had been + plundered. 'What security will you give me?' asked the fellow. 'My word of + honour,' was the reply. 'Your word of honour! That's poor security, and + won't do,' rejoined the hellite; 'if you can pawn nothing better than + that, you'll get no money out of me.' 'Then you won't lend me a couple of + pounds?' 'Not without security,' was the reply. 'Why, surely, you won't + refuse me a couple of sovereigns, after having lost so much?' 'I won't + advance you a couple of shillings without security.' + </p> + <p> + Still bent upon play, and greedy for the means to gratify his passion, the + unhappy man, as if struck by a sudden thought, exclaimed—'I'll give + you security—the clothes on my back are quite new, and worth eight + guineas; you shall have them as security. Lend me two sovereigns on them.' + </p> + <p> + 'Suppose you lose,' doggedly rejoined the other, 'I cannot strip them off + your back.' 'Don't trouble yourself on that head,' replied the desperate + wretch; 'if I lose I shall commit suicide, which I have been meditating + for some time, and you shall surely have my clothes. I shall return to my + lodgings before daylight, in the most worn-out and worthless dressing-gown + or great-coat you can procure for me, leaving my clothes with you.' + </p> + <p> + The two sovereigns were advanced, and in ten or twelve minutes were lost. + The keeper of the table demanded the clothes, and the unfortunate man + stripped himself with the utmost coolness of manner, and wrapping his body + in a worn-out greatcoat, quitted the place with the full purpose of + committing self-murder. He did not direct his steps homeward, however, but + resolved to accomplish the horrid deed by suspending himself from a + lamp-post in a dark lane near the place. While making the necessary + preparations he was observed by a constable, who at once took him into + custody, and on the following morning he was carried before the + magistrate, where all the circumstances of the affair came out. + </p> + <p> + SUICIDE AT VERDUN. + </p> + <p> + During the great French War, among other means resorted to in order to + ease the English prisoners at Verdun of their loose cash, a gaming table + was set up for their sole accommodation, and, as usual, led to scenes of + great depravity and horror. For instance, a young man was enticed into + this sink of iniquity, when he was tempted to throw on the table a + five-franc piece; he won, and repeated the experiment several times + successfully, until luck turned against him, and he lost everything he + had. The manager immediately offered a rouleau of a thousand francs, + which, in the heat of play, he thoughtlessly accepted, and also lost. He + then drew a bill on his agent, which his captain (he was an officer in the + English army) endorsed. The proceeds of this went the way of the rouleau. + He drew two more bills, and lost again. The next morning he was found dead + in his bed, with his limbs much distorted and his fingers dug into his + sides. On his table was found an empty laudanum bottle, and some scraps of + paper on which he had been practising the signature of Captain B——. + On inquiry it was found that he had forged that officer's name to the two + last bills. + </p> + <p> + 'IN AT THE DEATH.' + </p> + <p> + In 1819 an inquest was held on the body of a gentleman found hanging from + one of the trees in St James's Park. The evidence established the + melancholy fact that the deceased was in the habit of frequenting gambling + houses, and had sunk into a state of dejection on account of his losses; + and it seemed probable that it was immediately after his departure from + one of these receptacles of rogues and their dupes that he committed + suicide. The son of the gate-keeper at St James's saw several persons + round the body at four o'clock in the morning, one of whom, a noted + gambler, said: 'Look at his face; why, have you forgotten last night? + Don't you recollect him now?' They were, no doubt, all gamblers—in + at the death.' + </p> + <p> + The three following stories, if not of actual suicide, relate crimes which + bear a close resemblance to self-murder. + </p> + <p> + A GAMBLER PAWNING HIS EARS. + </p> + <p> + A clerk named Chambers, losing his monthly pay, which was his all, at a + gaming table, begged to borrow of the manager's; but they knew his history + too well to lend without security, and therefore demanded something in + pawn. 'I have nothing to give but my ears,' he replied. 'Well,' said one + of the witty demons, 'let us have them.' The youth immediately took a + knife out of his pocket and actually cut off all the fleshy part of one of + his cars and threw it on the table, to the astonishment of the admiring + gamesters. He received his two dollars, and gambled on. + </p> + <p> + A GAMBLER SUBMITTING TO BE HANGED. + </p> + <p> + The following incident is said to have occurred in London:—Two + fellows were observed by a patrol sitting at a lamp-post in the New Road; + and, on closely watching them, the latter discovered that one was tying up + the other, who offered no resistance, by the neck. The patrol interfered + to prevent such a strange kind of murder, and was assailed by both, and + very considerably beaten for his good offices; the watchmen, however, + poured in, and the parties were secured. On examination next morning, it + appeared that the men had been gambling; that one had lost all his money + to the other, and had at last proposed to stake his clothes. The winner + demurred—observing that he could not strip his adversary naked in + the event of his losing. 'Oh,' replied the other, 'do not give yourself + any uneasiness about that; if I lose I shall be unable to live, and you + shall hang me, and take my clothes after I am dead, for I shall then, you + know, have no occasion for them.' The proposed arrangement was assented + to; and the fellow having lost, was quietly submitting to the terms of the + treaty when he was interrupted by the patrol, whose impertinent + interference he so angrily resented. + </p> + <p> + TWO GAMBLERS TOSSING WHO SHOULD HANG THE OTHER. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1812 an extraordinary investigation took place at Bow Street. + Croker, the officer, was passing along Hampstead Road; he observed at a + short distance before him two men on a wall, and directly after saw the + tallest of them, a stout man, about six feet high, hanging by his neck + from a lamp-post attached to the wall, being that instant tied up and + turned off by the short man. + </p> + <p> + This unexpected and extraordinary sight astonished the officer; he made up + to the spot with all speed, and just after he arrived there the tall man, + who had been hanged, fell to the ground, the handkerchief with which he + had been suspended having given way. Croker produced his staff, said he + was an officer, and demanded to know of the other man the cause of such + conduct; in the mean time the man who had been hanged recovered, got up, + and on Croker's interfering, gave him a violent blow on his nose, which + nearly knocked him backward. The short man was endeavouring to make off; + however, the officer procured assistance, and both were brought to the + office, where the account they gave was that they worked on canals. They + had been together on Wednesday afternoon, tossed for money, and afterwards + for their CLOTHES; the tall man who was hanged won the other's jacket, + trousers, and shoes; they then tossed up which should HANG THE OTHER, and + the short one won the toss. They got upon the wall, the one to submit, and + the other to hang him on the lamp-iron. They both agreed in this + statement. The tall one, who had been hanged, said if he had won the toss + he would have hanged the other. He said he then felt the effects upon his + neck of his hanging, and his eyes were so much swelled that he saw DOUBLE. + </p> + <p> + The magistrates, continues the report in the 'Annual Register,' expressed + their horror and disgust; and ordered the man who had been hanged to find + bail for the violent and unjustifiable assault upon the officer; and the + short one, for hanging the other—a very odd decision in the latter + case—since the act was murder 'to all intents and purposes' designed + and intended. The report says, however, that, not having bail, they were + committed to Bridewell for trial.(20) The result I have not discovered. + </p> + <p> + (20) Annual Register, 1812, vol. liv. + </p> + <p> + Innumerable duels have resulted from quarrels over the gaming table, + although nothing could be more Draconic than the law especially directed + against such duels. By the Act of Queen Anne against gaming, all persons + sending a challenge on account of gaming disputes were liable to forfeit + all their goods and to be committed to prison for two years. No case of + the kind, however, was ever prosecuted on that clause of the Act, which + was, in other respects, very nearly inoperative. + </p> + <p> + GAMBLING DUELS IN THE YEAR 1818. + </p> + <p> + It so happened that almost every month of the year 1818 was + 'distinguished' by a duel or two, resulting from quarrels at gambling or + in gambling houses. + </p> + <p> + January. 'A meeting took place yesterday at an early hour, between Captain + B—r—y and Lieutenant T—n—n, in consequence of a + dispute at play. Wimbledon Common was the ground, and the parties fired + twice, when the lieutenant was slightly wounded in the pistol hand, the + ball grazing the right side; and here the affair ended.' + </p> + <p> + January. 'A meeting took place on the 9th instant, at Calais, between + Lieut. Finch, 20th regiment of Dragoons, and Lieut. Boileau, on half-pay + of the 41st regiment. Lieut. Finch was bound over, some days back, to keep + the peace in England; in consequence of which he proceeded to Calais, + accompanied by his friend, Captain Butler, where they were followed by + Lieut. Boileau and his friend Lieut. Hartley. It was settled by Captain + Butler, previous to Lieut. Finch taking his ground, that HE WAS BOUND IN + HONOUR to receive LIEUT. BOILEAU'S FIRE as he had given so serious a + provocation as a blow. This arrangement was, however, defeated, by Lieut. + Finch's pistol "accidentally" going off, apparently in the direction of + his opponent, which would probably have led to fatal consequences had it + not been for the IMPLICIT RELIANCE placed by Lieut. Boileau's friend on + the STRICT HONOUR of Capt. Butler, whose anxiety, steadiness, and + gentlemanly conduct on this and every other occasion, were too well known + to leave a doubt on the minds of the opposite party, that Lieut. Finch's + pistol going off was ENTIRELY ACCIDENTAL. A reconciliation, therefore, + immediately took place.' + </p> + <p> + February 17. 'Information was received at the public office, Marlborough + Street, on Saturday last, that a duel was about to take place yesterday, + in the fields contiguous to Chalk Farm, between Colonel Tucker and Lieut. + Nixon, the latter having challenged the former in public company, for + which and previous abuse the colonel inflicted severe chastisement with a + thick stick. Subsequent information was received that the colonel's + friends deemed it unnecessary for him to meet the challenger, but that his + remedy was to repeat the former chastisement when insulted. It was further + stated that a few half-pay officers, of inferior rank, had leagued + together for the purpose of procuring others to give a challenge, and + which it was the determination to put down by adopting the colonel's + plan.' + </p> + <p> + February. 'A captain in the army shook hands with a gallant lieut.-colonel + (who had distinguished himself in the Peninsula) at one of the West End + gaming houses, and Lieut. N—, who was present, upbraided the colonel + with the epithet of "poltroon." On a fit opportunity the colonel inflicted + summary justice upon the lieutenant with a cane or horse-whip. This + produced a challenge; but the colonel was advised that he would degrade + himself by combat with the challenger, and he therefore declined it, but + promised similar chastisement to that inflicted. It was then stated that + the colonel was bound to fight any other person who would stand forth as + the champion of Lieut. N—, to which the colonel consented,—when + a Lieut. J—n—e appeared as the champion, and the meeting was + appointed for Tuesday morning at Turnham Green. The information of the + police was renewed, and Thomas Foy apprehended the parties at an inn near + the spot, early in the morning. They were consequently bound over to keep + the peace. It appears, however, that the lieutenant in this instance was + not the champion of the former, but had been challenged by the colonel.' + </p> + <p> + April. 'A meeting was to have taken place yesterday in consequence of a + dispute at play, between Captain R—n—s and Mr B—e—r, + a gentleman of fortune; but it was prevented by the interference of the + police, and the parties escaped. It took place, however, on the following + day, on Wimbledon Common, and after exchanging a single shot the matter + was adjusted.' + </p> + <p> + May. 'In consequence of a dispute at a gaming table, on Monday night, in + the vicinity of Piccadilly, Mr M—, who was an officer in the British + service at Brussels, and Mr B—n, a medical man, met, at three in the + morning, on Tuesday, in the King's Road. They fought at twelve paces. Mr B—n + was wounded on the back part of the hand, and the affair was adjusted.' + </p> + <p> + July. 'A duel was fought yesterday morning, on Wimbledon Common, between a + Mr Arrowsmith and Lieut. Flynn, which ended in the former being wounded in + the thigh. The dispute which occasioned the meeting originated in a gaming + transaction.' + </p> + <p> + September. 'A duel was fought this morning on Hounslow Heath, between + Messrs Hillson and Marsden. The dispute arose in one of the stands at + Egham races. The latter was seriously wounded in the left side, and + conveyed away in a gig.' + </p> + <p> + November. 'A duel originating, over a dispute at play was fixed to take + place on Wimbledon Common, at daybreak, yesterday morning, but information + having been received that police officers were waiting, the parties + withdrew.' + </p> + <p> + GAMING DUEL AT PARIS, 1827. + </p> + <p> + A medical student, named Goulard, quarrelled at billiards with a + fellow-student named Caire. Their mutual friends, having in vain tried + every means of persuasion to prevent the consequences of the dispute, + accompanied the young men without the walls of Paris. Goulard seemed + disposed to submit to an arrangement, but Cairo obstinately refused. The + seconds measured the ground, and the first shot having been won by + Goulard, he fired, and Caire fell dead. Goulard did not appear during the + prosecution that followed; he continued absent on the day fixed for + judgment, and the court, conformably to the code of criminal proceedings, + pronounced on the charge without the intervention of a jury. It acquitted + Goulard of premeditation, but condemned him for contumacy, to perpetual + hard labour, and to be branded; and this in spite of the fact that the + advocate-general had demanded Goulard's acquittal of the charge. + </p> + <p> + THE END OF A GAMESTER. + </p> + <p> + In 1788, a Scotch gentleman, named William Brodie, was tried and convicted + at Edinburgh, for stealing bank-notes and money, with violence. This man, + at the death of his father, twelve years before, inherited a considerable + estate in houses, in the city of Edinburgh, together with L10,000 in + money; but, by an unhappy connection and a too great propensity to gaming, + he was reduced to the desperation which brought him at last to the + scaffold. It is stated that his demeanour on receiving the dreadful + sentence was equally cool and determined; moreover, that he was dressed in + a blue coat, fancy vest, satin breeches, and white silk stockings; a + cocked hat; his hair full dressed and powdered; and, lastly, that he was + carried back to prison in a chair. Such was the respectful treatment of + 'gentlemen' prisoners in Scotland towards the end of the last century. + </p> + <p> + DUEL WITH A SHARPER. + </p> + <p> + A Monsieur de Boisseuil, one of the Kings equerries, being at a + card-party, detected one of the players cheating, and exposed his conduct. + </p> + <p> + The insulted 'gentleman' demanded satisfaction, when Boisseuil replied + that he did not fight with a person who was a rogue. + </p> + <p> + 'That MAY be,' said the other, 'but I do not like to be CALLED one.' + </p> + <p> + They met on the ground, and Boisseuil received two desperate wounds from + the sharper. + </p> + <p> + This man's plea against Boisseuil is a remarkable trait. Madame de Stael + has alluded to it in her best style. 'In France,' she says, 'we constantly + see persons of distinguished rank, who, when accused of an improper + action, will say—"It may have been wrong, but no one will dare + assert it to my face!" Such an expression is an evident proof of confirmed + depravity; for, what would be the condition of society if it was only + requisite to kill one another, to commit with impunity every evil action,—to + break one's word and assert falsehood—provided no one dared tell you + that you lied?' + </p> + <p> + In countries where public opinion is more severe on the want of probity + and fair-dealing, should a man transgress the laws of these principles of + human conduct, ten duels a day would not enable him to recover the esteem + he has forfeited. + </p> + <p> + MAJOR ONEBY AND MR GOWER. + </p> + <p> + This duel originated as follows:—It appears that a Major Oneby, + being in company with a Mr Gower and three other persons, at a tavern, in + a friendly manner, after some time began playing at Hazard; when one of + the company, named Rich, asked if any one would set him three half-crowns; + whereupon Mr Gower, in a jocular manner, laid down three half-pence, + telling Rich he had set him three pieces, and Major Oneby at the same time + set Rich three half-crowns, and lost them to him. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after this, Major Oneby, in a angry manner, turned about to Mr + Gower and said—'It was an impertinent thing to set down half-pence,' + and called him 'an impertinent puppy' for so doing. To this Mr Gower + answered—'Whoever calls me so is a rascal. 'Thereupon Major Oneby + took up a bottle, and with great force threw it at Mr Gower's head, but + did not hit him, the bottle only brushing some of the powder out of his + hair. Mr Gower, in return, immediately tossed a candlestick or a bottle at + Major Oneby, which missed him; upon which they both rose to fetch their + swords, which were then hung in the room, and Mr Gower drew his sword, but + the Major was prevented from drawing his by the company. Thereupon Mr + Gower threw away his sword, and the company interposing, they sat down + again for the space of an hour. + </p> + <p> + At the expiration of that time, Mr Gower said to Major Oneby—'We + have had hot words, and you were the aggressor, but I think we may pass it + over'—at the same time offering him his hand; but the Major replied—'No, + d—n you, I WILL HAVE YOUR BLOOD.' + </p> + <p> + After this, the reckoning being paid, all the company, excepting Major + Oneby, went out to go home, and he called to Mr Gower, saying—'Young + man, come back, I have something to say to you.' Whereupon Mr Gower + returned to the room, and immediately the door was closed, and the rest of + the company excluded—when a clashing of swords was heard, and Major + Oneby gave Mr Gower a mortal wound. It was found, on the breaking up of + the company, that Major Oneby had his great coat over his shoulders, and + that he had received three slight wounds in the fight. Mr Gower, being + asked on his death-bed whether he had received his wounds in a manner + among swordsmen called fair, answered—'I think I did.' Major Oneby + was tried for the offence, and found guilty of murder, 'having acted upon + malice and deliberation, and not from sudden passion.' + </p> + <p> + THE NEPHEW OF A BRITISH PEER. + </p> + <p> + In 1813, the nephew of a British peer was executed at Lisbon. He had + involved himself by gambling, and being detected in robbing the house of + an English friend, by a Portuguese servant, he shot the latter dead to + prevent discovery. This desperate act, however, did not enable him to + escape the hands of justice. After execution, his head was severed from + his body and fixed on a pole opposite the house in which the murder and + robbery were committed. + </p> + <p> + The following facts will show the intimate connection between gambling and + Robbery or Forgery. + </p> + <p> + EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGU AND THE JEW ABRAHAM PAYBA. + </p> + <p> + Edward Wortley Montagu was the only son of the celebrated Lady Mary + Wortley Montagu, whose eccentricities he inherited without her genius. + Montagu, together with Lords Taffe and Southwell, was accused of having + invited one Abraham Payba, alias James Roberts, a Jew, to dine with them + at Paris, in the year 1751; and of having plied him with wine till he + became intoxicated, and so lost at play the sum of 800 louis d'ors. It was + affirmed that they subsequently called at his house, and that on his + exhibiting an evident disinclination to satisfy their demands, they + threatened to cut him across the face with their swords unless he + instantly paid them. Terrified by their violence, and, at the same time, + unwilling to part with his gold, the Jew had cunning enough to give them + drafts on a Paris banker, by whom, as he had no dealings with him, he well + knew that his bills would be dishonoured; and, to escape the vengeance of + those whom he had outwitted, quitted Paris. On ascertaining how completely + they had been duped, Montagu, with his associates Lords Taffe and + Southwell, repaired to the house of the Jew, and after ransacking his + drawers and strong boxes, are said to have possessed themselves of a very + considerable sum of money, in addition to diamonds, jewels, and other + valuable articles. The Jew had it now in his power to turn on his + persecutors, and accordingly he appealed to the legislature for redress. + Lord Southwell contrived to effect his escape, but Lord Taffe and Montagu + were arrested, and were kept in separate dungeons in the Grand Chatelet, + for nearly three months. The case was subsequently tried in a court of + law, and decided in favour of the accused,—the Jew being adjudged to + make reparation and defray the costs! Against the injustice of this + sentence he appealed to the high court of La Tournelle at Paris, which + reversed it. Lord Taffe and Montagu afterwards appealed, in their turn, + but of the definitive result there is no record. + </p> + <p> + DR WILLIAM DODD. + </p> + <p> + Le Sage, in his 'Gil Blas,' says that 'the devil has a particular spite + against private tutors;' and he might have added, against popular + preachers. By popular preachers I do not mean such grand old things as + Bossuet, Massillon, and Bourdaloue. All such men were proof against the + fiery darts of the infernal tempter. From their earliest days they had + been trained to live up to the Non nobis Domine, 'Not unto us, O Lord, but + unto thy name, give glory.' All of them had only at heart the glory of + their church-cause; though, of course, the Jesuit Bourdaloue worked also + for his great Order, then culminating in glory. + </p> + <p> + The last-named, too, was another La Fontaine in simplicity, preparing for + his grandest predications by sorrily rasping on an execrable fiddle. So, + if the devil had lifted him up to a high mountain, showing him all he + would give him, he would have simply invited him to his lonely cell, to + have a jig to the tune of his catguts. + </p> + <p> + Your popular preachers in England have been, and are, a different sort of + spiritual workers. They have been, and are, individualities, perpetually + reminded of the fact, withal; and fiercely tempted accordingly. The world, + the flesh, and the devil, incessantly knock at their door. If they fall + into the snare it is but natural, and much to be lamented. + </p> + <p> + Dr Dodd had many amiable qualities; but his reputation as a scholar, and + his notoriety as a preacher, appear to have entirely turned his head. + </p> + <p> + He had presented to him a good living in Bedfordshire; but the income + thereof was of no avail in supplying his wants: he was vain, pompous, in + debt, a gambler. Temptation came upon him. To relieve himself he tried by + indirect means to obtain the rectory of St George's, Hanover Square, by + sending an anonymous letter to Lady Apsley, offering the sum of L3000 if + by her means he could be presented to the living; the letter was + immediately sent to the chancellor, and, after being traced to the sender, + laid before the king. His name was ordered to be struck out of the list of + chaplains; the press abounded with satire and invective; Dodd was abused + and ridiculed, and even Foote, in one of his performances at the + Haymarket, made him a subject of entertainment. Dodd then decamped, and + went to his former pupil, Lord Chesterfield, in Switzerland, who gave him + another living; but his extravagance being undiminished, he was driven to + schemes which covered him with infamy. After the most extravagant and + unseemly conduct in France, he returned to England, and forged a bond as + from his pupil, Lord Chesterfield, for the sum of L4200, and, upon the + credit of it, obtained a large sum of money; but detection instantly + following, he was committed to prison, tried and convicted at the Old + Bailey, Feb. 24, and executed at Tyburn, June 27 (after a delay of four + months), exhibiting every appearance of penitence. The great delay between + the sentence and execution was owing to a doubt for some time respecting + the admissibility of an evidence which had been made use of to convict + him. + </p> + <p> + Lord Chesterfield has been accused of a cold and relentless disposition in + having deserted his old tutor in his extremity. But Mr Jesse says that he + heard it related by a person who lived at the period, that at a + preliminary examination of the unfortunate divine, Lord Chesterfield, on + some pretence, placed the forged document in Dodd's hands, with the kind + intention that he should take the opportunity of destroying it, but the + latter wanted either the courage or the presence of mind enough to avail + himself of the occasion. This, however, is scarcely an excuse, for, + certainly, it was not for Dr Dodd to destroy the fatal document. If Lord + Chesterfield had wished to suppress that vital evidence he could have done + so. + </p> + <p> + Dr Johnson exerted himself to the utmost to try and save poor Dodd; but + George III. was inexorable. Respecting this benevolent attempt of the + Doctor, Chalmers writes as follows:— + </p> + <p> + Dr Johnson appears indeed in this instance to have been more swayed by + popular judgment than he would perhaps have been willing to allow. The cry + was—"the honour of the clergy;" but if the honour of the clergy was + tarnished, it was by Dodd's crime, and not his punishment; for his life + had been so long a disgrace to his cloth that he had deprived himself of + the sympathy which attaches to the first deviation from rectitude, and few + criminals could have had less claim to such a display of popular feeling.' + </p> + <p> + All applications for the Royal mercy having failed, Dr Dodd prepared + himself for death, and with a warmth of gratitude wrote to Dr Johnson as + follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'June 25, Midnight. +</pre> + <p> + 'Accept, thou GREAT and GOOD heart, my earnest and fervent thanks and + prayers for all thy benevolent and kind efforts in my behalf.—Oh! Dr + Johnson! as I sought your knowledge at an early hour in my life, would to + Heaven I had cultivated the love and acquaintance of so excellent a man!—I + pray God most sincerely to bless you with the highest transports—the + infelt satisfaction of HUMANE and benevolent exertions!—And + admitted, as I trust I shall be, to the realms of bliss before you, I + shall hail YOUR arrival there with transport, and rejoice to acknowledge + that you were my comforter, my advocate, and my FRIEND. God be EVER with + YOU!' + </p> + <p> + Dr Johnson's reply. + </p> + <p> + 'To the Reverend Dr Dodd. + </p> + <p> + 'Dear Sir,—That which is appointed to all men is now coming upon + you. Outward circumstances, the eyes and thoughts of men, are below the + notice of an immortal being about to stand the trial for eternity, before + the Supreme Judge of heaven and earth. Be comforted: your crime, morally + or religiously considered, has no very deep dye of turpitude. It corrupted + no man's principles. It attacked no man's life. It involved only a + temporary and reparable injury. Of this, and of all other sins, you are + earnestly to repent; and may God, who knoweth our frailty, and desireth + not our death, accept your repentance, for the sake of His Son Jesus + Christ our Lord! + </p> + <p> + 'In requital of those well-intended offices which you are pleased so + emphatically to acknowledge, let me beg that you make in your devotions + one petition for my eternal welfare. 'I am, dear Sir, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Your affectionate servant, + + 'SAM. JOHNSON. +</pre> + <p> + Next day, 27th June, Dr Dodd was executed. + </p> + <p> + CAPTAIN DAVIS. + </p> + <p> + Captain Davis was some time in the Life Guards, and a lieutenant in the + Yeomen of the Household—a situation which placed him often about the + persons of the Royal family. He was seldom known to play for less stakes + than L50, often won or lost large sums, and was represented as a gentleman + of extensive and independent fortune, although some of his enemies + declared otherwise, and repeated anecdotes to confirm the assertion. He + was at length committed for forgeries to an immense amount. To the + fidelity of a servant he owed his escape from Giltspur Street prison—another + fatal example of the sure result of gambling. Heir to a title—moving + in the first society—having held a commission in the most + distinguished of the Royal regiments—he was reduced to the + alternative of an ignominious flight with outlawry, or risking the + forfeiture of his wretched life, to the outraged laws of his country. When + in Paris, he at one time had won L30,000, and on his way home he dropped + into another gambling house, where he lost it all but L3000. He set out in + life with L20,000 in money! + </p> + <p> + DESPERATE CAREER OF HENRY WESTON. + </p> + <p> + Henry Weston was nephew to the distinguished Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser. + </p> + <p> + Having unlimited control of the large property of his employer, a Mr + Cowan, during the absence of the latter from town, he was tempted first to + gamble in the funds, wherein being unfortunate, he next went to a gambling + house in Pall Mall, and lost a very large sum; and at length, gamed away + nearly all his master's property. + </p> + <p> + In this tremendous result—lost to all intents and purposes—he + made a supreme effort to 'patch up' the ruin he had made. He forged the + name of General Tonyn; and so dexterously, that he obtained from the Bank + of England the sum of L10,000. + </p> + <p> + This huge robbery from Peter was not to pay Paul. Not a bit of it. It was + to try the fickle goddess of gaming once more—a Napoleonic stroke + for an Austerlitz of fortune. + </p> + <p> + He lost this L10,000 in two nights. + </p> + <p> + Did he despair at this hideous catastrophe? Did he tear his hair—rush + out of the room—blow his brains out or drown himself? + </p> + <p> + Not a bit of it. He 'set his wits to work' once more. He procured a woman + to personate General Tonyn's sister—forged again—and again + obtained from the Bank of England another large supply of ready cash—with + which, however, he 'went off' this time. + </p> + <p> + He was caught; and then only he thought of self-murder, and cut his throat—but + not effectually. He recovered, was tried at the Old Bailey, and hanged on + the 6th of July, 1796. + </p> + <p> + No doubt the reader imagines that the man of such a career was an OLD + stager—some long-visaged, parchment-faced fellow the OTHER side of + forty at least. Well, this hero of the gaming table, Henry Weston, was + aged only TWENTY-THREE years! What terrible times those must have been to + produce such a prodigy! + </p> + <p> + To the judge who tried him Henry Weston sent a list of a number of + PROFESSIONAL GAMBLERS, among them was a person of high rank. Weston, at + different times, lost above L46,000 at play; and at a house in Pall Mall, + where he lost a considerable part of it, three young officers also lost no + less than L35,000. + </p> + <p> + ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD. + </p> + <p> + It seems that the wretched traitor Arthur Thistlewood, who paid the + forfeit of his life for his crimes, had dissipated by gaming the property + he had acquired by a matrimonial connection—L12,000. An unfortunate + transaction at cards, during the Lincoln races, involved him in + difficulties, which he found it impossible to meet; and he fled to avoid + the importunities of his more fortunate associates. He was afterwards + known only as the factious demagogue and the professed gambler! + </p> + <p> + FOUNTLEROY, THE FORGER. + </p> + <p> + Henry Fountleroy was a gentleman of rank, a partner in the banking house + of Marsh, Sibbold, and Co., of Berners Street. He was convicted of having + forged a deed for the transfer of L5450 long annuities, in fraud of a + certain Frances Young. Like Thurtell, Fountleroy defended himself, and + battled with the prejudicial reports circulated against him—among + the rest his addiction to gambling. 'I am accused,' he said, 'of being an + habitual gambler, an accusation which, if true, might easily account for + the diffusion of the property. I am, indeed, a member of two clubs, the + Albion and the Stratford, but never in my life did I play in either at + cards, or dice, or any game of chance; this is well known to the gentlemen + of these clubs; and my private friends, with whom I more intimately + associated, can equally assert my freedom from all habit or disposition to + play.'(21) + </p> + <p> + (21) See the case in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi + </p> + <p> + I close this record of crime and misery by a few narratives of a more + miscellaneous character. + </p> + <p> + GAMBLING FOR LIFE. + </p> + <p> + Marshal Grammont used to tell a story of three soldiers, who, having + committed offences punishable by death, it was ordered that one of them + should be hanged as an example, and the three were directed to decide + which of them should suffer by throwing dice. The first threw fourteen, + the second seventeen, and the last, taking up the dice as coolly as though + he were engaged in a trivial game, threw eighteen! Thereupon he exclaimed, + with an expression of vexation, 'Ah, now! if I had been playing for money + I should not have been so lucky!' + </p> + <p> + This may appear 'taking it very cool;' but I think the following cases of + Englishmen' rather stronger.' + </p> + <p> + ONE OF MANY INSTANCES. + </p> + <p> + In the Times of February 11th, 1819, mention is made of a gang of nearly + thirty persons, male and female, and all presenting the most shocking + appearance of both want and depravity, who were brought to the Marlborough + Street Office. Among these wretched beings was a woman named Hewitt, said + to be the wife of one Captain Hewitt, a leader of the ton, who, after + ruining himself and family at the gambling table, ran away from them, and + was not since heard of. His wife being left to herself, and having + probably been tainted by his evil example, by an easy gradation became + first embarrassed, then a prostitute, then a thief, and on the occasion + above mentioned exhibited one of the most distressing spectacles of vice + and misery that could be conceived. + </p> + <p> + TRURTELL THE MURDERER. + </p> + <p> + This man, it is well known, was executed for the murder of Weare. + </p> + <p> + Thurtell was evidently no common man. His spoken defence, as reported, is + one of the finest specimens of impassioned eloquence—perfectly + Demosthenic. His indignation at the reports circulated in prejudice of his + case was overwhelming. Nothing can be finer than the turn of the following + sentence:—'I have been represented by the Press—WHICH CARRIES + ITS BENEFITS OR CURSES ON RAPID WINGS from one extremity of the kingdom to + the other—as a man more depraved, more gratuitously and habitually + profligate and cruel, than has ever appeared in modern times.' + </p> + <p> + Touching his gambling pursuits, he said:—'I have been represented to + you as a man who was given to gambling, and the constant companion of + gamblers. To this accusation in some part my heart, with feeling + penitence, pleads guilty. I have gambled; I have been a gambler, but not + for the last three years. During that time I have not attended or betted + upon a horse-race, or a fight, or any public exhibition of that nature. If + I have erred in these things, half of the nobility of the land have been + my examples; some of the most enlightened statesmen of the country have + been my companions in them. I have, indeed, been a gambler; I have been an + unfortunate one. But whose fortune have I ruined?—whom undone? My + own family have I ruined; I have undone myself!'(22) + </p> + <p> + (22) See the entire speech in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi. 547. + </p> + <p> + A MOST WONDERFUL END OF A GAMBLER. + </p> + <p> + In the Annual Register for the year 1766 occurs the following + 'circumstantial and authentic account of the memorable case of Richard + Parsons,' transmitted by the high sheriff of Gloucestershire to his friend + in London. + </p> + <p> + On the 20th of February, 1766, Richard Parsons and three more met at a + private house in Chalfold, in order to play at cards, about six o'clock in + the evening. They played at Loo till about eleven or twelve that night, + when they changed their game for Whist. After a few deals a dispute arose + about the state of the game. Parsons asserted with oaths that they were + six, which the others denied; upon which he wished 'that he might never + enter the kingdom of heaven, and that his flesh might rot upon his bones, + if there were not six in the game.' These wishes were several times + repeated both then and afterwards. Upon this the candle was put out by a + party present, who said he was shocked with the oaths and expressions he + heard, and that he put out the candle with a design to put an end to the + game. Presently upon this they adjourned to another house, and there began + a fresh game, when Parsons and his partner had great success. They then + played at Loo again till four in the morning. During the second playing + Parsons complained to one Rolles, his partner, of a bad pain in his leg, + which from that time increased. There was an appearance of a swelling, and + afterwards the colour changing to that of a mortified state. On the + following Sunday he took advice of a surgeon, who attended him until his + death. Notwithstanding all the applications that were made the + mortification increased, and showed itself in different parts of the body. + He was visited by a clergyman, who administered the sacrament to him, + without any knowledge of what had happened before—the man appearing + to be extremely ignorant of religion, having been accustomed to swear, to + drink, to game, and to profane the Sabbath. After receiving the sacrament + he said—'Now, I must never sin again.' He hoped God would forgive + him, having been wicked not above six years, and that whatever should + happen he would not play at cards again. + </p> + <p> + After this he was in great agony—chiefly delirious; spoke of his + companions by name, and seemed as if his imagination was engaged at cards. + He started, had distracted looks and gestures, and in a dreadful fit of + shaking and trembling died on the 4th of March, just about a fortnight + after the utterance of his terrible imprecation. + </p> + <p> + The worthy sheriff of Gloucestershire goes on to say that the man's eyes + were open when he died, and could not be closed by the common method, so + that they remained open when he was put into the coffin. From this + circumstance arose a report that he WISHED HIS EYES MIGHT NEVER CLOSE; + 'but,' says the sheriff, 'this is a mistake; for, from the most creditable + witnesses, I am fully convinced no such wish was uttered; and the fact is, + that he did close his eyes after he was taken with the mortification, and + either dozed or slept several times. + </p> + <p> + 'When the body came to be laid out, it appeared all over discoloured or + spotted; and it might, in the most literal sense, be said, that his flesh + rotted on his bones before he died.' + </p> + <p> + At the request of the sheriff, the surgeon (a Mr Pegler) who attended the + unfortunate man, sent in the following report:—'Sir,—You + desire me to acquaint you, in writing, with what I know relating to the + melancholy case of the late Richard Parsons; a request I readily comply + with, hoping that his sad catastrophe will serve to admonish all those who + profane the sacred name of God. + </p> + <p> + 'February 27th last I visited Richard Parsons, who, I found, had an + inflamed leg, stretching from the foot almost to the knee, tending to a + gangrene. The tenseness and redness of the skin was almost gone off, and + became of a duskish and livid colour, and felt very lax and flabby. + Symptoms being so dangerous, some incisions were made down to the quick, + some spirituous fomentations made use of, and the whole limb dressed up + with such applications as are most approved in such desperate + circumstances, joined with proper internal medicines. The next day he + seemed much the same; but on March the 1st he was worse, the incisions + discharged a sharp fetid odor (which is generally of the worst + consequence). On the next day, which was Sunday, the symptoms seemed to be + a little more favourable; but, to my great surprise, the very next day I + found his leg not only mortified up to the knee, but the same began anew + in four different parts, viz., under each eye, on the top of his shoulder, + and on one hand; and in about twelve hours after he died. I shall not + presume to say there was anything supernatural in the case; but, however, + it must be confessed, that such cases are rather uncommon in subjects so + young, and of so good a habit as he had always been previous to his + illness.' + </p> + <p> + On one occasion Justice Maule was about to pass sentence on a prisoner, + who upon being asked to say why judgment should not be pronounced, 'wished + that God might strike him dead if he was not innocent of the crime.' After + a pause, the judge said:—'As the Almighty has not thought proper to + comply with your request, the sentence of the court is,' &c. + </p> + <p> + A SAD REMINDER. + </p> + <p> + Every Englishman recollects the fate of that unhappy heiress, the richest + of all Europe, married to a man of rank and family, who was plundered in + the course of a few years of the whole of his wealth, in one of those club + houses, and was obliged to surrender himself to a common prison, and + ultimately fly from his country, leaving his wife with her relations in + the greatest despair and despondency.'(23) + </p> + <p> + (23) Rouge et Noir: the Academicians of 1823. + </p> + <p> + GEORGE IV. There are few departments of human distinction in which Great + Britain cannot boast a 'celebrity'—genteel or ungenteel. In the + matter of gambling we have been unapproachable—not only in the + 'thorough' determination with which we have exhausted the pursuit—but + in the vast, the fabulous millions which make up the sum total that + Englishmen have 'turned over' at the gaming table. + </p> + <p> + I think that many thousands of millions would be 'within the mark' as the + contribution of England to the insatiate god of gambling. + </p> + <p> + I have presented to the reader the record of gambling all the world over—the + gambling of savages—the gambling of the ancient Persians, Greeks, + and Romans—the gambling of the gorgeous monarchs of France and their + impassioned subjects; but I have now to introduce upon the horrible stage + a Prince Royal, who surpassed all his predecessors in the gaming art, + having right royally lost at play not much less than a million sterling, + or, as stated, L800,000—before he was twenty-one years of age! + </p> + <p> + If the following be facts, vouched for by a writer of authority,(24) the + results were most atrocious. + </p> + <p> + (24) James Grant (Editor of the Morning Advertiser), Sketches in London. + </p> + <p> + 'Every one is aware that George IV., when Prince of Wales, was, as the + common phrase is, over-head-and-ears in debt; and that it was because he + would thereby be enabled to meet the claims of his creditors, that he + consented to marry the Princess Caroline of Brunswick. But although this + is known to every one, comparatively few people are acquainted with the + circumstances under which his debts were contracted. Those debts, then, + were the result of losses at the gaming table. He was an inveterate + gambler—a habit which he most probably contracted through his + intimacy with Fox. It is a well-ascertained fact that in two short years, + after he attained his majority, he lost L800,000 at play. + </p> + <p> + 'It was with the view and in the hope that marriage would cure his + propensity for the gaming table, that his father was so anxious to see him + united to Caroline; and it was solely on account of his marriage with that + princess constituting the only condition of his debts being paid by the + country, that he agreed to lead her to the hymeneal altar. + </p> + <p> + 'The unfortunate results of this union are but too well known, not only as + regarded the parties themselves, but as regarded society generally. To the + gambling habits, then, of the Prince of Wales are to be ascribed all the + unhappiness which he entailed on the unfortunate Caroline, and the vast + amount of injury which the separation from her, and the subsequent trial, + produced on the morals of the nation generally.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS. + </h2> + <h3> + OSTENTATIOUS GAMESTERS. + </h3> + <p> + Certain grandees and wealthy persons, more through vanity or weakness than + generosity, have sacrificed their avidity to ostentation—some by + renouncing their winnings, others by purposely losing. The greater number + of such eccentrics, however, seem to have allowed themselves to be + pillaged merely because they had not the generosity or the courage to give + away what was wanted. + </p> + <p> + The Cardinal d'Este, playing one day with the Cardinal de Medicis, his + guest, thought that his magnificence required him to allow the latter to + win a stake of 10,000 crowns—'not wishing,' he said, 'to make him + pay his reckoning or allow him to depart unsatisfied.' Brantome calls this + 'greatness;' the following is an instance of what he calls 'kindness.' + </p> + <p> + 'Guilty or innocent,' he says, 'everybody was well received at the house + of this cardinal, who kept an open table at Rome for the French + chevaliers. These gentlemen having appropriated a portion of his plate, it + was proposed to search them: 'No, no!' said the cardinal, 'they are poor + companions who have only their sword, cloak, and crucifixes; they are + brave fellows; the plate will be a great benefit to them, and the loss of + it will not make me poorer.' + </p> + <p> + Vigneul de Marville tells us of certain extravagant abbes, named Ruccellai + and Frangipani, who carried their ostentation to such a pitch as to set + gold in dishes on their tables when entertaining their gaming companions! + Were any of these base enough to put their hands in and help themselves? + This is not stated by the historian. These two Italian abbes were ne plus + ultras in luxury and effeminacy. In the reign of Henry IV., they laid + before their guests vermilion dishes filled with gloves, fans, coins to + play with after the repast, essences and perfumes.(25) I wonder if the + delightful scent called Frangipani, vouchsafed to us by Rimmel and Piesse + and Lubin, was named after this exquisite ecclesiastic of old? + </p> + <p> + (25) Melanges d' Hist. et de Lit. + </p> + <p> + One day when Henry IV. was dining at the Duc de Sully's, the latter, as + soon as the cloth was raised, brought in cards and dice, and placed upon + the table two purses of 4000 pistoles each, one for the King, the other to + lend to the lords of his suite. Thereupon the king exclaimed:—'Great + master, come and let me embrace you, for I love you as you deserve: I feel + so comfortable here that I shall sup and stay the night.' Evidently Sully + was more a courtier than usual on this occasion—as no doubt the + whole affair was by the king's order, with which he complied reluctantly; + but he made the king play with his own money only. The Duc de Lerme, when + entertaining Monsieur the brother of Louis XIII. at his quarters near + Maestricht, had the boldness to bring in, at the end of the repast, two + bags of 1000 pistoles each, declaring that he gave them up to the players + without any condition except to return them when they pleased.(26) + </p> + <p> + (26) Mem. de Jeu M. le Duc d'Orleans. + </p> + <p> + This Duc de Lerme was at least a great lord, and the army which he + commanded may have warranted his extravagance; but what are we to think + when we find the base and mean-spirited Fouquet giving himself the same + princely airs? During certain festivities prepared for Louis XIV., Fouquet + placed in the room of every courtier of the king's suite, a purse of gold + for gambling, in case any of them should be short of money. Well might + Duclos remark that 'Nobody was shocked at this MAGNIFICENT SCANDAL!(27) + </p> + <p> + (27) Consideration sur les Moeeurs. + </p> + <p> + They tell of a certain lordly gamester who looked upon any money that fell + from his hands as lost, and would never stoop to pick it up! This reminds + us of the freedman Pallas mentioned by Tacitus, who wrote down what he had + to say to his slaves, lest he should degrade his voice to their level—ne + vocem consociaret!(28) + </p> + <p> + (28) Ann. l. xiii + </p> + <p> + AN INSINUATING, ELEGANT GAMESTER. + </p> + <p> + Osterman, Grand Chancellor of Russia, during the reign of the Empress + Anne, obtained information that the court of Versailles had formed a + scheme to send an insinuating, elegant gamester, to attack the Duke of + Biran on his weak side—a rage for play—and thereby probably + gain some political advantage over him. + </p> + <p> + The chancellor called on the duke to make the necessary communication, but + the minister did not choose to be at home. The chancellor, then pretending + to be suffering from a severe fit of gout, wrote to his sovereign, stating + that he had important matter to reveal, but was unable to move, and the + Duke of Biran was consequently ordered to wait on him by the empress. + Osterman, affecting great pain, articulated with apparent difficulty these + words—'The French are sending a gamester!' Thereupon the duke + withdrew in a pet, and represented to the empress that the chancellor was + delirious from the gout, and had really nothing to communicate. + </p> + <p> + The subject had long been forgotten by the duke, when an elegant, easy, + dissipated marquis actually arrived. He had extensive credit on a house of + the English Factory, and presently insinuated himself into the good graces + of the duke, whom he soon eased of all his superfluous cash. + </p> + <p> + The chancellor became alarmed for the consequences, and resolved to try + and play off the French for their clever finesse. He looked about for a + match for the redoubtable French gamester, and soon got information of a + party who might serve his turn. This was a midshipman at Moscow, named + Cruckoff, who, he was assured, was without an equal in the MANAGEMENT of + cards, and the knowledge of Quizze—then the fashionable court game—and + that at which the Duke of Biran had lost his money. The chancellor + immediately despatched a courier to Moscow to fetch the Russian gamester. + </p> + <p> + The midshipman was forthwith made an ensign of the Guards, in order to + entitle him to play at court. He set to work at once in accordance with + his instructions, but after his own plan in the execution. He began with + losing freely; and was, of course, soon noticed by the marquis, and marked + as a pigeon worth plucking. The young Russian, however, forced him into + high play, and he lost the greater part of his former gain. The marquis + got nettled, lost his self-command, and proposed a monstrous stake, to the + extent of his credit and gains, of which he thought he might make himself + sure by some master-stroke of art. Accordingly, by means of a sleight, he + managed to hold fifteen in hand, but his wily antagonist was equal to the + occasion: by the aid of some sweetmeats from an adjoining table he + SWALLOWED a card, and, being first in hand, the chance was determined in + his favour, and he ruined the marquis. + </p> + <p> + Once more the chancellor waited on the duke, and plainly told him that he + had been anxious to guard him against the French gamester, purposely sent + to fleece him, if he had had the patience to hear him. The duke then + became outrageous, and wished to arrest the Frenchman as a cheat; but + Osterman coolly said he had punished him in kind; and, producing a large + bag, returned the duke's money, bidding him in future not to be so + impatient when information was to be communicated by gouty persons. + </p> + <p> + The clever ensign was allowed to retain the rest of the spoil, with an + injunction, however, never to touch a card again, unless he wished to end + his days among the exiles of Siberia. + </p> + <p> + A PENITENT SONNET. + </p> + <p> + written by the Lord Fitz-Gerald(29) (a great gamester) a little before his + death, which was in the year 1580. + </p> + <p> + (29) This Lord Fitzgerald was eldest son to the Earl of Kildare, and died + at the age of twenty-one. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'By loss in play, men oft forget + The duty they do owe + To Him that did bestow the same, + And thousand millions moe. + + 'I loath to hear them swear and stare, + When they the Main have lost, + Forgetting all the Byes that wear + With God and Holy Ghost. + + 'By wounds and nails they think to win, + But truly 'tis not so; + For all their frets and fumes in sin + They moneyless must go. + + 'There is no wight that used it more + Than he that wrote this verse, + Who cries Peccavi now, therefore; + His oaths his heart do pierce. + + 'Therefore example take by me, + That curse the luckless time + That ever dice mine eyes did see, + Which bred in me this crime. + + 'Pardon me for that is past, + I will offend no more, + In this most vile and sinful cast, + Which I will still abhor.'(30) +</pre> + <p> + (30) Harl. Miscel. + </p> + <p> + LOVE AND GAMBLING. + </p> + <p> + Horace Walpole, writing to Mann, says:—'The event that has made most + noise since my last is the extempore wedding of the youngest of the two + Gunnings, two ladies of surpassing loveliness, named respectively Mary and + Elizabeth, the daughters of John Gunning, Esq., of Castle Coote, in + Ireland, whom Mrs Montague calls "those goddesses the Gunnings." Lord + Coventry, a grave young lord, of the remains of the patriot breed, has + long dangled after the eldest, virtuously, with regard to her honour, not + very honourably with regard to his own credit. About six weeks ago Duke + Hamilton, the very reverse of the earl, hot, debauched, extravagant, and + equally damaged in his fortune and person, fell in love with the youngest + at the masquerade, and determined to marry her in the spring. About a + fortnight since, at an immense assembly at my Lord Chesterfield's, made to + show the house, which is really most magnificent, Duke Hamilton made + violent love at one end of the room, while he was playing at Faro at the + other end; that is, he saw neither the bank nor his own cards, which were + of three hundred pounds each: he soon lost a thousand. I own I was so + little a professor in love that I thought all this parade looked ill for + the poor girl; and could not conceive, if he was so much engaged with his + mistress as to disregard such sums, why he played at all. However, two + nights afterwards, being left alone with her, while her mother and sister + were at Bedford House, he found himself so impatient that he sent for a + parson. The Doctor refused to perform the ceremony without license or + ring; the duke swore he would send for the archbishop; at last they were + married with a ring of the BED-CURTAIN, at half-an-hour after twelve at + night, at May-fair Chapel.' + </p> + <p> + This incident occurred in 1752, and reminds us of the marriage-scene + described by Dryden in one of his tales, which was quoted by Lord + Lyndhurst on that memorable occasion when he opposed Lord Campbell's Bill + for the suppression of indecent publications, and made a speech which was + more creditable to his wit than his taste, and perfectly horrifying to + Lord Campbell, who inflicted a most damaging verbal castigation on his + very sprightly but imprudent opponent. + </p> + <p> + 'MANNERS MAKE THE MAN. + </p> + <p> + Mr Manners, a relation of the Duke of Rutland, many years ago, lost a + considerable sum to a well-known gamester, who set up his carriage in + consequence. Being at a loss for a motto, Mr Manners suggested the + following:— + </p> + <p> + MANNERS MAKE(S) THE MAN. SHARP PRACTICE—NOT BY AN ATTORNEY. + </p> + <p> + The commanding officer of a Militia regiment having passed an evening with + several of his officers, carried one of them, who was much intoxicated, to + town with him. How the rest of the night was passed was not known—at + least to the young man; but in the morning the colonel slipped into his + hand a memorandum of his having lost to him at play L700—for which + sum he was actually arrested ON THE PARADE the same day, and was compelled + to grant an annuity to a nominee of the colonel for L100 per annum! + </p> + <p> + A GAMESTER TO THE BACK-BONE. + </p> + <p> + Archdeacon Bruges mentions a gentleman who was so thorough a gamester, + that he left in his will an injunction that his bones should be made into + dice, and his skin prepared so as to be a covering for dice-boxes!(31) + </p> + <p> + (31) A similar anecdote is related of a Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + FOOTE'S WITTICISMS. + </p> + <p> + A blackleg, famous for 'cogging a die,' said that there had been great + sport at Newmarket. 'What!' said Foote, 'I suppose you were detected, and + kicked out of the Hazard room.' + </p> + <p> + F—d, the Clerk of the Arraigns, brought off Lookup when indicted for + perjury. Foote, afterwards playing with him at Whist, said, 'F—d, + you can do anything, after bringing of Lookup. I don't wonder you hold + thirteen trumps in your hand. The least he could do was to teach you the + "long shuffle" for your services.' + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Dr Dodd was a very unlucky gamester, and received a guinea to + forfeit twenty if he ever played again above a guinea. This, among + gamblers, is termed being TIED UP. When the doctor was executed for + forgery a gentleman observed to Foote—'I suppose the doctor is + launched into eternity by this time.' 'How so?' said Foote, 'he was TIED + UP long ago.' + </p> + <p> + EFFECT OF A SEVERE LOSS AT PLAY. + </p> + <p> + Lord C— lost one night L33,000 to General Scott. The amiable peer, + however, benefited by the severe lesson, and resolved never again to lose + more than one hundred at a sitting! He is said to have strictly kept his + resolve. + </p> + <p> + PADDY'S DECISION. + </p> + <p> + Some gamblers duping a country fellow at the game called Put, in a + public-house near St Pancras, one of them appealed to an Irishman who was + looking on whether he had not THREE TREYS IN HIS HAND? 'You had all that,' + said Paddy; 'and what's more, I saw you TAKE THEM ALL out of your pocket.' + </p> + <p> + GAMBLING CAUSED BY GRIEF. + </p> + <p> + The Honourable Jesse Anker, in order to dissipate the gloom occasioned by + the loss of his wife, whom he passionately loved, had recourse to gaming, + by which, at different times, he lost considerable sums, but not so as to + injure his property, which was very large, in any material degree. The + remedy did not prove effectual; he shot himself at his lodgings at Bath. + </p> + <p> + A GAMBLER'S EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING A SECOND IN A DUEL. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman who had been called out, applied to a friend who had won a + large sum of money to be his second. 'My dear friend,' answered the + gamester, 'I won fifteen hundred guineas last night, and shall cut a poor + figure at fighting to-day; but if you apply to the person I won them of, + he will fight like a devil, for he has not a farthing left.' + </p> + <p> + 'MORE FORTUNATE.' + </p> + <p> + Lord Mark Stair and Lord Stair were at play in a coffee-house, when a + stranger overlooked the game, and disturbed them with questions. Lord Mark + said—'Let us throw dice to see which of us shall pink this impudent + fellow.' Lord Stair won. The other exclaimed—'Ah! Stair, Stair! you + have been always more fortunate in life than I.' + </p> + <p> + CAPTAIN ROCHE. + </p> + <p> + Captain Roche, alias Tyger, alias Savage Roche, who stuck his gaming + companion's hand to the table with a fork for concealing a card under it, + happened to be at the Bedford Billiard-table, which was extremely crowded. + Roche was knocking the balls about with his cue, and Major Williamson, + another celebrity, with whom he was engaged on business, desired him to + leave off, as he hindered gentlemen from playing. 'Gentlemen?' sneeringly + exclaimed Roche; 'why, major, except you and me (and two or three more) + there is not a gentleman in the room—the rest are all blacklegs.' + </p> + <p> + On leaving the place, the major expressed his astonishment at his + rudeness, and wondered, out of so numerous a company, it was not resented. + 'Oh, sir,' said Roche, 'there was no fear of that; there was not a thief + in the room who did not suppose himself one of "the two or three + gentlemen" I mentioned.' + </p> + <p> + FARO AT ROUTS. + </p> + <p> + The following advertisement appeared in the Courier newspaper in 1794:— + </p> + <p> + 'As Faro is the most fashionable circular game in the haut ton in + exclusion of melancholy Whist, and to prevent a company being cantoned + into separate parties, a gentleman of unexceptionable character will, on + invitation, do himself the honour to attend the rout of any lady, + nobleman, or gentleman, with a Faro Bank and Fund, adequate to the style + of play, from 500 to 2000 guineas. + </p> + <p> + 'Address, G. A., by letter, to be left at Mr Harding's, Piccadilly, nearly + opposite Bond Street. + </p> + <p> + 'N.B.—This advertisement will not appear again.' + </p> + <p> + PROSPECT OF L5200 PER ANNUM FROM A CAPITAL OF L2000. + </p> + <p> + The following advertisement appeared in the Morning Chronicle in 1817:— + </p> + <p> + 'Any person who can command Two Thousand Pounds in ready money, may + advance it in a speculation which will realize at least L100 per week, and + perhaps not require the advance of above one half the money. The personal + attendance of the party engaging is requisite; but there will be no + occasion for articles of partnership, or any establishment, as the profits + may be divided daily.' + </p> + <p> + OF WHAT TRADE IS A GAMING-HOUSE KEEPER? + </p> + <p> + At a Westminster election the keeper of a notorious gaming house in St + Ann's parish was asked, as usual, what his trade was, when, after a little + hesitation, he said, 'I am an ivory turner.' + </p> + <p> + THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Law, executrix of George Law, late proprietor of the Smyrna Coffee + House, St James's Street, in 1807, found, among her husband's papers, + several notes and memoranda of money advanced to a Mr Nelthorpe, which she + put in suit. The latter alleged that they were for gambling purposes, and + called Mrs Law to say whether her husband did not keep a common gambling + house; and his counsel contended that it was clear the notes were for + gaming transactions, BECAUSE they were for 100 GUINEAS, 200 GUINEAS, and + so on—disdaining the vulgar enumeration of pounds. But the lord + chancellor said that THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY—as far + as counsel was concerned—was for GUINEAS. + </p> + <p> + THE ORIGINAL OF A RECENT PROPOSAL. + </p> + <p> + Not long since an advertisement appeared, and was noticed by several of + the papers, purporting to enable any person to realize a large fortune by + a small advance to the advertiser. It will readily be seen that the + following is the ORIGINAL of the scheme, put forth in the Morning + Chronicle, in 1818:— + </p> + <p> + 'Important Offer. A gentleman of respectability has discovered a method of + winning at any game of chance, fairly and honourably, to a certainty, by a + method hitherto unknown;—he will SELL THE SECRET for a + consideration, or treat with a gentleman able to join him with a capital + of L300, by which a fortune may be made; in either case he will engage + with one person only. This will be found well worth the attention of a + member of the superior clubs. **** No personal application will be + answered.' + </p> + <p> + GAME AND GAMBLING. + </p> + <p> + A gentleman celebrated for his quickness at repartee, when informed that a + young nobleman of his acquaintance (remarkably fond of a fashionable game) + had shot an immense number of RED partridges, and also of the BLACK game, + which abounded on his estates, replied—'I am not in the least + surprised; he was at all times, EVEN WHEN IN LONDON, devotedly attached to + the GAME OF ROUGE ET NOIR.' + </p> + <p> + CATCHING A TARTAR. + </p> + <p> + 'My skill at billiards,' says a confessing gamester, 'gave me a + superiority over most I met with. I could also hide my skill very + dexterously, which is generally found a work of great difficulty, and + judiciously winning or losing, I contrived to make it answer my purpose,—until + one day, going to a table which I was very much in the practice of + frequenting, and where no one was then engaged, I was invited by a + stranger to play. I accepted the invitation for a small stake, and won + very easily, so much so, that on commencing a new game I offered to give + him six, to place us more on an equality. He accepted it eagerly, but it + produced him no benefit; he played so badly, and managed both his cue and + mace so awkwardly—for I made no objection to his changing them as + often as he pleased—that, playing very carelessly, I could not avoid + beating him. We continued increasing the stakes every successive game; + money seemed of no value to him; he appeared to have plenty, and lost it + with a spirit that told me I had got hold of an excellent subject, who + could pay me well for beating him. I did not wish to win too palpably, and + therefore kept increasing the advantage I yielded him, till it amounted to + sixteen. He now proposed making the bet ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, and that I + should give him eighteen. His eagerness, as well as the manner in which he + handled his tools, convinced me of his inexperience, and I accepted the + proposal;—but, to my surprise, he won the game. He laughed so + heartily at the event, and conducted himself so extravagantly, that I felt + persuaded the thing was accidental. He proposed doubling the stakes, which + I refused; yet I agreed to play him for the same sum as before, but giving + him only fourteen. By some chance he won again; and then I declined + playing any more; but he pushed me so hard, and offered to play the even + game rather than I should give over, that I was induced to yield. He + declared he did not want my money, and wished to give me an opportunity of + recovering it. It was the depth of artifice, and I discovered it too late. + He won . . . and I had no money to pay! One of the bystanders took part + with him; my case did not invite or interest any one to stand by me. I was + treated with great indignity; and though I gave up my watch and every + article of value I possessed, yet I was not allowed to depart without very + ill usage. I had transgressed the laws of gaming, by betting after I had + ceased to be able to pay; but I had so confidently felt that I had my + antagonist in my own power, that I considered the stake as my own as soon + as the bet was made. The injuries I received were very severe, and + confined me to my bed for several days.'(32) + </p> + <p> + (32) Confessions of a Gamester. + </p> + <p> + The splendid and fascinating game of Billiards seems to have been an + English invention; and it became greatly in vogue during the reign of + Louis XIV. of France, to whom it was recommended by his physicians as an + exercise after meals. + </p> + <p> + It is said that Chamillard, who played with the king, entirely owed his + political fortune to the skill which he displayed in this game. Billiards + has not as yet been placed, like skittles and bowls, under the interdict + of the police authorities, and it is difficult to see how they could + venture upon so tremendous an experiment. The game seems to be more in + vogue than ever, and doubtless heavy sums are lost and won at it. Billiard + matches have during the last three years become quite one of the winter + exhibitions, and particularly this season have the public shown their + taste for the game. Perhaps the extraordinary performances of some of the + first-class cueists have stirred up the shades of Kentfield's days, his + homely game of cannons off list cushions and gently-played strength + strokes; or by chance those that favour Marden's style, his losing hazards + and forcing half balls, have revived once more, and we yearn with wonder + to see the great spot strokes of the present age, when as many red hazards + can be scored in one break as were made in olden times in an evening's + play. At the present time Roberts, sen., may claim the honour in the + billiard world of having brought the spot stroke to light: he has made no + less than 104 consecutive hazards in one break, and up to the present + winter that wonderful performance stood unparalleled. Cook, however, very + recently in an exhibition match with J. Bennett, scored the spot hazard no + less than 119 times, making 388 off the balls, the biggest break on + record. Such feats as these, supplemented by the but little inferior play + of Roberts, jun., and Bennett, have done more than excite surprise, and + have caused old heads carefully to look into the style of play of 1869 and + to ponder thereon. It appears that they affirm, and not without reason, + that much of the success of the spot stroke arises from the position of + the spot being further from the top cushion than formerly, and by this + means not only is the angle of the striker's ball for position made + easier, by a greater scope for screw or side, but the mouth of the pockets + themselves are easier of access; and the chance of a wobble all but + avoided. Billiard players and table makers should meet and arrange a + regular standard size for table pockets and balls, with the spots at + regulated positions. We should then be able to compare merits with greater + certainty, and such terrible scores would not trouble the markers. + </p> + <p> + As a healthful exercise, and in its tendency to promote the physical + development of the body, the game of Billiards is unsurpassed; but it is + much to be regretted that it is generally-played in ill-ventilated and + crowded rooms, often reeking with the pestilential fumes of tobacco, and + not without the adjunct of frequent alcoholic potations. Moreover, there + can be no doubt that many modern instances of billiard sharping occur, + such as I have just quoted, in which the unwary are unscrupulously + 'fleeced.' I know of several. + </p> + <p> + 'NOT KNOWING YOUR MAN.' + </p> + <p> + A certain high military character sat down to play with a Russian prince, + who introduced loaded dice. The travelled Englishman lost every bet; for + the Russian never missed his seven or eleven, and modestly threw only ten + times. The supposed pigeon then took up the box with fair dice; and, + having learned to 'secure,'(33) called different mains at pleasure; threw + sixteen times; won all the aristocrat's money, and wished him good night. + Such is the effect of not knowing your man! + </p> + <p> + (33) This term means making sure of what you throw. + </p> + <p> + A BLIND GAMESTER. + </p> + <p> + John Metcalfe, much better known by the nickname of blind Jack of + Knaresborough, was a celebrity at Harrowgate during the first quarter of + the present century. This extraordinary man had been deprived of his + eyesight at so early a period that he retained no idea of either light or + vision; but his remaining faculties were so actively employed that few + persons in the full enjoyment of sight have surpassed him in the execution + of undertakings, which seemed particularly to require the exercise of that + faculty. He traversed the neighbourhood without a guide or companion; + surveyed tracts of country to plan and lay down roads, where none had ever + been before; contracted for the building of bridges, and fulfilled his + contracts without the assistance of another person, either as architect or + superintendent of the work; became a guide to those who, possessing sight, + could not find their way across the neighbouring moors when covered with + deep falls of snow and impenetrable fogs; rode well, and followed the + hounds with a zeal and spirit equal to that of the most dashing horseman + in the field, and, finally, played at many games of chance, or skill, with + a knowledge and ingenuity that enabled him to come off victorious in many + contests with persons eager to try his ability or to prove their own. + </p> + <p> + Such a man was sure to attract notice in any place or neighbourhood, but + particularly at a place of general resort. Besides, he possessed a + facetious mode of talking, and on several occasions exercised a practical + sort of wit, which was equally certain of gaining patronage. Visitors of + the highest rank treated him with kindness, and even familiarity; and as + he never forgot himself, or trespassed upon those who thus favoured him, + he continued in fashion as long as he lived, and terminated his singular + career at more than 80 years of age. + </p> + <p> + Among his many exploits was the following. Various trials of his skill and + activity were proposed by gentlemen who offered to support their opinions + with their money. But Metcalfe had a determination of his own, and refused + taking a share in any of the ingenious proposals urged upon him, until a + country squire, the Nimrod of a neighbouring district, submitted a plan + which he expected would baffle all his manoeuvres. He asked the blind man + if he was willing to run 100 yards against his favourite mare. The offer + was immediately accepted—provided he might CHOOSE THE GROUND, which + should be an open space on the adjoining moor. The stakes were deposited + the same evening; and a fine level space being selected, and the distance + marked out with great exactness early the following morning, the decision + followed with little delay. The party selected to ride against the blind + man was much admired for his horsemanship; and at the appointed time, + every preparation being completed, the signal was given and the race + commenced. The horseman was instantly far ahead, but before he could + finish his stipulated distance the fore feet of his hunter sank deep in a + bog, from which, being unable to extricate them, he came completely over, + treating his rider with a tremendous somerset. The loud shouts of the + spectators announced to the blind man that his expectations were realized. + The turf showed no apparent difference, and was sufficiently strong to + carry a man with safety,—perhaps it would have borne a horse going + only at a moderate pace, but at full speed his feet pierced the sod, and + entangled him in the hidden danger. Metcalfe passed his extended rival, + terminated his career, and won the race before those who had run to the + prostrate horseman could render him any assistance. Indeed, it was too + late for that purpose, he had finished his earthly course having ruptured + a vessel near the heart in his fall! + </p> + <p> + A NOBLE LORD AND A COMMONER, IN 1823. + </p> + <p> + A young and wealthy commoner, who seemed to vie with the pea-green in the + desperate folly of getting rid of a suddenly obtained fortune of L130,000 + in ready money, as fast as possible, and whose relish for the society of + legs, bullies, and fighting men was equally notorious, went to the + Fishmonger's Hall Club late one morning, much flushed with wine. The + well-lighted avenues directed him to the French Hazard table. There was no + play going on at the time, but at the entrance of this PIGEON, who before + had been DRAWN of a good round sum, the box and dice were soon put in + motion, and 'seven's the main, seven,' was promptly the cry. A certain + noble lord, who had been for years an experienced NURSE of the dice, and + who knew how to NICK the MAINS or THROW CRABS, as well as the best leg in + England, held the bow. The commoner commenced by backing the noble lord + IN. The noble lord threw OUT. He then backed the noble lord OUT, and the + noble lord threw in. He backed the noble lord OUT again, who threw five to + the main. The commoner betted the odds deeply at the rate of three to two. + The noble lord threw the FIVE. The commoner, uneasy, changed about, and + backed the noble lord IN for a large stake,—the noble lord then + threw OUT. The commoner now rose in a rage, and insinuated broadly that he + was cheated, robbed, and it could not be fair play. Of course much + indignation was shown by the noble lord, and it was with difficulty that a + fight was prevented; but his lordship, nevertheless, condescended to + demonstrate that he played his own money at the time, and what he lost + found its way into the bank, with which 'he was not at all connected.' + This reasoning satisfied the suspicious young commoner (poor easy man!); + an apology was given; and peace was restored. + </p> + <p> + DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. + </p> + <p> + A party of players were assembled to throw for a stake, which was + enormous. It was, however, agreed that the LOWEST throw should win. The + players threw until one of them turned up two aces. All but one had + thrown, and shouts of applause greeted the lucky caster, when the last who + was to throw exclaimed—'Hold! I'll try and beat that.' . . . + </p> + <p> + Rattling the dice, he turned down the box on the table, and on lifting it + up displayed the two dice ONE UPON THE TOP OF THE OTHER, and both aces! He + was therefore declared the winner.(34) + </p> + <p> + (34) Menageana. + </p> + <p> + A TENDER MOTHER. + </p> + <p> + A French lady had an only child, a handsome young man, much addicted to + gaming. He lost at one sitting L40,000, and being destitute of other + resources, he joined a company of strolling players. They chanced some + time afterwards to pass a short time at Worcester, near which his mother, + who was considerably advanced in years, resided. The lady, though highly + displeased with her son's life, yet, hearing of his performance, could not + resist a wish to see him; and for this purpose she went thither incog. He + supported the principal character in 'The Gamester.' + </p> + <p> + The feelings of the mother were so excited at the passages which closely + applied to her son's conduct, that she exclaimed aloud, 'Ay, there he is—the—the + beggar—the scoundrel! Always the same—no change in him!' The + delusion so increased at the fifth act, when Beverley lifts his hand to + kill the child, that the lady in a most distressing tone cried out—'Wretch + that thou art, don't kill the child—I'll take it home with me!' + </p> + <p> + TWO MASTERS OF THE ART. + </p> + <p> + A Frenchman who had become notorious for the unerring certainty with which + he won from all who ventured to play with him, at length found himself + unable to induce persons to sit down to the table with him, there being + not the slightest chance of winning against his play. After being thus + idle for some time, an Englishman, who had heard of his triumphs, + expressed his readiness to enter the lists against him. They sat down, and + played for three hours without intermission, and at the end of that time + were exactly in the same position as when they begun. They at length + paused to take some refreshment. 'Sare,' said the Frenchman, in a sort of + whisper, to a party who accompanied his antagonist, 'your friend is a very + clever man at de cards—deuced clever, sare.' 'He is a very clever + fellow,' observed the Englishman. 'I shall try him again,' said Monsieur; + and as he made the observation he proceeded to the room in which they had + been playing, and which was fixed on as the scene of their continued + contest. He had scarcely quitted the place when the other made his + appearance, and observed that the Frenchman was the most skilful player he + had ever met with. The parties again met, and the cards were again + produced. The game was renewed at eleven o'clock, and continued without + intermission till six o'clock on the following morning, at which time they + found, to the surprise of each other, that they were still as they began. + 'Sare,' said the Frenchman, 'you are the best player I ever met with.' + 'And you, Monsieur,' returned the other, 'are the only gentleman I ever + played with, from whom I could win nothing.' 'Indeed, sare!' said + Monsieur, hesitatingly. 'It is a fact, I assure you.' 'Sare, I am quite + astonished at your skill.' 'And I'm not less so at yours, Monsieur.' + 'You're de most skilfullest man at de cards in England.' 'Not while you + are in it, Monsieur,' replied the Englishman, with a smile. 'Sare, I + CHEATED, and yet could not win from you!' remarked the Frenchman, + hurriedly and with much emphasis, feeling it impossible any longer to + conceal his surprise at the circumstance of being unable to play a winning + game with the Englishman. 'And, Monsieur, I did the same thing with you, + and yet you are no loser!' remarked the other, with corresponding energy + of tone. + </p> + <p> + The problem was thus solved: both had been cheating during the whole + night, and were exactly equal in dexterity, both being unconscious of the + dishonest practices of each other; and the result was that each got up + from the table with the same amount of money as he had when he sat down. + The cheats cordially shook hands, apparently much gratified that they had + at length ascertained how it had happened that neither could pluck the + other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE GAMING CLUBS. + </h2> + <p> + On the subject of Clubs Mr Cunningham in his 'Clubs of London,' and Mr + Timbs in his 'Club Life in London,' have said pretty well everything that + we want to know, and by their help, and that of other writers, I shall + endeavour to give an account of the gambling carried on in such places. + </p> + <p> + 1. ALMACK'S. + </p> + <p> + 'The gaming at Almack's,' writes Walpole to Horace Mann, 'which has taken + the pas of White's, is worthy of the decline of our empire, or + commonwealth, which you please. The young men of the age lose ten, + fifteen, twenty thousand pounds in an evening there. Lord Stavordale, not + one-and-twenty, lost L11,000 there last Tuesday, but recovered it by one + great hand at Hazard. He swore a great oath—"Now, if I had been + playing DEEP I might have won millions!" His cousin, Charles Fox, shines + equally here and in the House of Commons.' + </p> + <p> + Among the rules of the establishment, it was ordered 'that every person + playing at the twenty-guinea table do not keep less than twenty guineas + before him,' and 'that every person playing at the new guinea table do + keep fifty guineas before him.' That the play ran high may be inferred + from a note against the name of Mr Thynne, in the Club-books:—'Mr + Thynne having won ONLY 12,000 guineas during the last two months, retired + in disgust, March 21st, 1772.' Indeed, the play was unusually high—for + rouleaus of L50 each, and generally there was L10,000 in specie on the + table. The gamesters began by pulling off their embroidered clothes, and + putting on frieze great coats, or turned their coats inside out for luck! + They put on pieces of leather (such as are worn by footmen when they clean + knives) to save their laced ruffles; and to guard their eyes from the + light, and to keep their hair in order, wore high-crowned straw hats with + broad brims adorned with flowers and ribbons; they also wore masks to + conceal their emotions when they played at quinz.(35) Each gamester had a + small neat stand by him, to hold his tea, or a wooden bowl with an edge of + ormolu, to hold the rouleaus of guineas. + </p> + <p> + (35) Quinze, the French for fifteen. This is a game at cards, in which the + winner is he who counts fifteen, or nearest to that number, in all the + points of his hand. Three, five, or six might play at it. Two entire packs + of cards are used, so disposed that the spades and clubs are on one side, + and the hearts and diamonds on the other. The entire art of the game + consists in making fifteen; below that number the party loses. + </p> + <p> + 2. THE COCOA-TREE CLUB. + </p> + <p> + This club was remarkable for high if not for foul play. Walpole, writing + to Horace Mann in 1780, says:—'Within this week there has been a + cast at Hazard at the Cocoa-tree (in St James's Street) the difference of + which amounted to one hundred and fourscore thousand pounds! Mr O'Birne, + an Irish gamester, had won one hundred thousand pounds of a young Mr + Harvey of Chigwell, just started into an estate by his elder brother's + death. O'Birne said,—"You can never pay me." "I can," said the + youth, "my estate will sell for the debt." "No," said O'Birne, "I will win + ten thousand,—you shall throw for the odd ninety." They did, and + Harvey won!' + </p> + <p> + 3. GRAHAM'S CLUB. + </p> + <p> + This gaming club is remarkable for a scandal which made some noise at the + time of its occurrence, and one version of which a writer in the Times has + been at some pains to rectify. In Mr Duncombe's 'Life' of his father + occurs the following account of this curious transaction. + </p> + <p> + 'In Graham's Club there was also a good deal of play, and large sums were + lost and won among the noblemen and gentlemen who were its members. An + unpleasant rumour circulated in town in the winter of 1836, to the effect + that a noble lord had been detected in cheating by means of marked cards. + The presumed offender was well known in society as a skilful card-player, + but by those who had been most intimate with him was considered incapable + of any unfair practice. He was abroad when the scandal was set afloat, but + returned to England directly he heard of it, and having traced the + accusation to its source, defied his traducers. Thus challenged, they had + no alternative but to support their allegation, and it took this shape:—They + accused Henry William Lord de Ros of marking the edges of the court cards + with his thumb-nail, as well as of performing a certain trick by which he + unfairly secured an ace as the turn-up card. His accusers were —— + ——, who had formerly kept a gaming table; Mr —— + ——, also a professional gambler; Lord Henry Bentinck, and Mr + F. Cumming. Lord Henry appears to have taken no very active part in the + proceedings; the other three had lost money in play with Lord de Ros, and, + as unsuccessful gamblers have done before and since, considered that they + had lost it unfairly. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord de Ros, instead of prosecuting the four for a libel, brought an + action only against Cumming, which permitted the others to come forward as + witnesses against him. The cause came on in the Court of King's Bench + before Lord Denman. The plaintiff's witnesses were Lord Wharncliffe, Lord + Robert Grosvenor, the Earl of Clare, and Sir Charles Dalbiac, who had + known and played with him from between 20 to 30 years, as a very skilful + but honourable Whist player. The evidence of Mr Lawrence, the eminent + surgeon, proved that Lord de Ros had long suffered under a stiffness of + the joints of the fingers that made holding a pack of cards difficult, and + the performance of the imputed trick of legerdemain impossible. For the + defence appeared the keeper of the house and his son; two or three + gamblers who had lived by their winnings; one acknowledged to have won + L35,000 in 15 years. Mr Baring Wall, one of the witnesses, swore that he + had never witnessed anything improper in the play of Lord de Ros, though + he had played with and against him many years; another witness, the Hon. + Colonel Anson, had observed nothing suspicious; but the testimony of + others went to prove that the aces and kings had been marked inside their + edges; and one averred that he had seen Lord de Ros perform sauter la + coupe a hundred times. The whole case wore much the look of a combination + among a little coterie who lived by gambling to drive from the field a + player whose skill had diminished their income; nevertheless, the + incidents sworn to by some of them wore a suspicious significance, and a + verdict was given against Lord de Ros, which he only survived a short + time.' + </p> + <p> + On this statement the Times' reviewer comments as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'If many old scandals may be revived with impunity, there are some that + cannot. Mr Duncombe the younger has hit on one which affects several + gentlemen still living, and his injurious version of it cannot be + neutralized or atoned for by an apology to one. We call attention to it in + the hope that any more serious notice will be rendered needless by the + simple exposure of its inaccuracies. + </p> + <p> + 'It is difficult to conceive a more inexcusable misstatement, for the case + was fully reported,(36) and the public judgment perfectly coincided with + the verdict. Lord de Ros was not abroad when the scandal was set afloat. + He went abroad after the scene at Graham's had set all London talking, and + he returned in consequence of a peremptory call from his friends. He was + most reluctantly induced to take the required steps for the vindication of + his character; and it is preposterous to suppose that any little coterie + would have dreamt of accusing a man of his rank and position with the view + of driving a skilful player from the field. His accusers were not + challenged. Neither were they volunteers. They became his accusers, + because they formed the Whist party at which he was first openly + denounced. They signed a paper particularizing their charge, and offered + to refer the question to a tribunal of gentlemen, with the Duke of + Wellington or Lord Wharncliffe to preside. Would a little coterie, who + lived by gambling, have made this offer? Or would Lord de Ros have refused + it if he had been the intended victim of a conspiracy? Lord Henry Bentinck + signed the paper, appeared as a witness, and took quite as active a part + in the proceedings as any of the four, except Mr Cumming, who undertook + the sole legal liability by admitting the publication of the paper. + </p> + <p> + (36) The Times of February 11 and 13, 1837. + </p> + <p> + 'The evidence was overwhelming. Suspicions had long been rife; and on no + less than ten or twelve occasions the marked packs had been examined in + the presence of unimpeachable witnesses, and sealed up. These packs were + produced at the trial. Several witnesses swore to the trick called sauter + la coupe. It was the late Sir William Ingilby who swore that he had seen + Lord de Ros perform it from 50 to 100 times; and when asked why he did not + at once denounce him, he replied that if he had done so before his + Lordship began to get blown upon, he should have had no alternative + between the window and the door. Of course, every one who had been in the + habit of playing with Lord de Ros prior to the exposure would have said + the same as Sir Charles Dalbiac and Mr Baring Wall. With regard to the + gentlemen whose names we have omitted we take it for granted that the + author is not aware of the position they held, and continue to hold, or he + would hardly have ventured to describe them so offensively. He has + apologized to one, and he had better apologize to the other without delay. + </p> + <p> + 'The case was complete without the evidence of either of the original + accusers, and the few friends of Lord de Ros who tried to bear him up + against the resulting obloquy were obliged to go with the stream. When + Lord Alvanley was asked whether he meant to leave his card, he replied, + "No, he will stick it in his chimney-piece and count it among his + honours.'" + </p> + <p> + Having read through the long case as reported in the Times, I must declare + that I do not find that the evidence against Lord de Ros was, after all, + so 'overwhelming' as the reviewer declares; indeed, the 'leader' in the + Times on the trial emphatically raises a doubt on the subject. Among other + passages in it there is the following:— + </p> + <p> + 'In the process of the trial it appeared that the most material part of + the evidence against Lord de Ros, that called sauter la coupe,—which, + for the sake of our English readers we shall translate into CHANGING THE + TURN-UP CARD,—the times and places at which it was said to have been + done could not be specified. Some of the witnesses had seen the trick done + 50 or 100 times by Lord de Ros, but could neither say on what day, in what + week, month, or even year, they had so seen it done. People were + excessively struck at this deviation from the extreme punctuality required + in criminal cases by the British courts of law.' + </p> + <p> + 'The disclosures,' says Mr Grant,(27) 'which took place in the Court of + Queen's Bench, on the occasion of the trial of Lord de Ros, for cheating + at cards, furnished the strongest demonstration that he was not the only + person who was in the habit of cheating in certain clubs; while there were + others who, if they could not be charged with direct cheating, or cheating + in their own persons, did cheat indirectly, and by proxy, inasmuch as + they, by their own admission, were, on frequent occasions, partners with + Lord de Ros, long after they knew that he habitually or systematically + cheated. The noble lord, by the confession of the titled parties to whom I + allude, thus cheated for himself and them at the same time.' + </p> + <p> + (37) Sketches in London. + </p> + <p> + Lord de Ros was at the head of the barons of England. He was the son of + Lord Henry Fitzgerald, and Lady de Ros, who inherited in her own right + that ancient title, which dates from the reign of Henry III. He had + studied at Eton and Oxford, and afterwards on the Continent, and there was + not a more accomplished man in Europe. He possessed an ample fortune, was + a member of several of the clubs—White's, Boodle's, Brookes', and + Graham's, and one of the best Whist players in England. + </p> + <p> + It appears that at Graham's Club, at the commencement of the season, and + before Lord de Ros came to town, whispers were circulated of unfair play, + and various persons were supposed guilty. A determination was therefore + formed that the club should be dissolved and reconstructed, leaving out + the names of certain persons to whom suspicion attached. The main object + of the master of the club, and of some of those who attended it for the + purpose of professional gain, was that its character should be cleared. + Not long after Lord de Ros came to town he received an anonymous letter, + cautioning him against continuing to play at Graham's, and intimating to + him, if he did so, that measures would be taken which he would have reason + to regret. Of course his Lordship disregarded the threat; he attended the + club for several days more assiduously than before, and continued to play + until the end of the season, in the beginning of July. In September the + Satirist newspaper published a distinct charge of unfair play against Lord + de Ros, whilst the latter was at Baden, and he returned to England and + commenced an action for libel against the newspaper. + </p> + <p> + He was charged with being in the habit of marking the cards, the effect + being to create a very slight and almost imperceptible indentation, and to + make a ridge or wave on the back, so that a practised eye would be able, + on looking at the right place, knowing where to expect a mark, to discern + whether the ace was there or not. He was also charged with cheating by + reversing the cut—that is, when the cards had come to him, after + having been cut by his adversary, instead of putting the bottom card at + the top, keeping the bottom card at the bottom, by some shuffling + contrivance when he dealt. Another witness said:— + </p> + <p> + 'When he took up the two parcels of cards, after the operation of cutting + the pack by his right-hand adversary, he was always attacked with a + hacking cough, or what I may properly denominate, especially from the + result it produced, a 'king cough,' because a king or an ace was + invariably its effect. The cough always came on at the most convenient + moment to distract the attention of the other players, and was evidently + indulged in for the purpose of abstracting their attention from the table + and from the manoeuvre he was about to perform. However, I never saw him + "slip the card," and I never had cognizance of its execution, but certain + it was that the ace or the king, which was at the bottom of the pack prior + to the cut, invariably found its way to the same position after the cut, + and hence was the turn-up card. With regard to the operation of dealing, + his Lordship delivered the cards particularly slow, examining every card + minutely towards its corners, as if looking for some mark.' + </p> + <p> + Many curious facts came out during the trial. + </p> + <p> + It was Mr Brooke Greville who admitted that he was a considerable winner + at play—having 'no hesitation in saying that he had won L35,000 in + the course of 15 years,' chiefly at Whist; that he had followed play as an + occupation, at Graham's Club. He lost, however, L14,000 at Brighton in + 1828, a considerable portion of it to Lord de Ros; but this loss he made + up in three or four years (that is, won L14,000 in that time), and, + excepting that reverse, he was generally fortunate at play.' + </p> + <p> + A Captain J. Alexander, half-pay R. N., declared that he had won as much + as L700 at a time, having, however, to pay half to another partner; his + winnings might be L1600 a-year. 'I began to play,' he said, 'about 25 or + 28 years ago, and, expecting that I should be asked the question, I have + looked into my accounts, and find that I am about L10,000 better than as + though I had not played. That is a yearly average of L500.' He had, + however, lost about L1000 during the previous year. + </p> + <p> + This Captain Alexander was asked how many hours he played before dinner, + and he answered—'From three to five hours'—adding, however, + that 'he HAD played ALL NIGHT.' Then the counsel said, 'I suppose you take + but a slight dinner?' He replied:— + </p> + <p> + 'Why, I generally make as good a dinner as I can get.' The learned counsel + continued:— + </p> + <p> + 'A small boiled chicken and a glass of lemonade, perhaps?' This seemed an + offensive question, and the captain said,— + </p> + <p> + 'I believe never, and (with increased earnestness of manner) mind, I DENY + THE LEMONADE ALTOGETHER; I never take lemonade. (Laughter, in which the + noble lords on the bench joined involuntarily.) + </p> + <p> + Sir W. Ingilby entered into a description and practical illustration of + the trick of sauter la coupe with a pack of cards, and it is said that the + performance of the honourable baronet elicited demonstrations of laughter, + which the judge suppressed, and even REPROBATED. Altogether, it must have + been a most interesting and exciting trial. + </p> + <p> + As before stated, Lord Denman was the presiding judge; there was a special + jury; the attorney-general, Sir W. Follet, and Mr Wightman appeared for + the noble plaintiff; and the keen-witted and exquisitely polished Mr + Thesiger (now Lord Cholmondeley), Mr Alexander, and Mr W. H. Watson for + the defendant. A great many of the nobility were present, together with + several foreigners of distinction. + </p> + <p> + 4. BROOKES' CLUB, IN ST JAMES'S STREET. + </p> + <p> + This was a house notorious for very high gaming, and was frequented by the + most desperate of gamblers, among the rest Fox, Brummell, and Alderman + Combe. According to Captain Gronow:— + </p> + <p> + At Brookes's, for nearly half a century, the play was of a more gambling + character than at White's. . . . On one occasion Lord Robert Spencer + contrived to lose the last shilling of his considerable fortune given him + by his brother, the Duke of Marlborough. General Fitzpatrick being much in + the same condition, they agreed to raise a sum of money, in order that + they might keep a Faro bank. The members of the club made no objection, + and ere long they carried out their design. As is generally the case, the + bank was a winner, and Lord Robert bagged, as his share of the proceeds, + L100,000. He retired, strange to say, from the fetid atmosphere of play, + with the money in his pocket, and never again gambled. The lowest stake at + Brookes' was L50; and it was a common event for a gentleman to lose or win + L10,000 in an evening. Sometimes a whole fortune was lost at a single + sitting.(38) + </p> + <p> + (38) Walpole, passim. + </p> + <p> + 5. WHITE'S CLUB. + </p> + <p> + White's Club seems to have won the darkest reputation for gambling. Lord + Lyttleton, writing to Dr Doddridge, in 1750, says:—'The Dryads of + Hogley are at present pretty secure, but I tremble to think that the + rattling of a dice-box at White's may one day or other (if my son should + be a member of that noble academy) shake down all our fine oaks. It is + dreadful to see, not only there, but almost in every house in the town, + what devastations are made by that destructive fury, the spirit of play.' + A fact stated by Walpole to Horace Mann shows the character of the company + at this establishment:—'There is a man about town, Sir William + Burdett, a man of very good family, but most infamous character. In short, + to give you his character at once—there is a wager in the bet-book + at White's (a MS. of which I may one day or other give you an account), + that the first baronet that will be hanged is this Sir William Burdett.' + Swift says:—'I have heard that the late Earl of Oxford, in the time + of his ministry, never passed by White's chocolate-house (the common + rendezvous of infamous sharpers and noble cullies) without bestowing a + curse upon that famous academy as the bane of half the English nobility.' + </p> + <p> + It was from the beginning a gaming club, 'pure and simple.' The play was + mostly at Hazard and Faro. No member was to hold a Faro bank. Whist was + comparatively harmless. Professional gamblers, who lived by dice and + cards, provided they were free from the imputation of cheating, procured + admission to White's. It was a great supper-house, and there was play + before and after supper, carried on to a late hour and to heavy amounts. + </p> + <p> + At White's they betted on every possible thing, as shown by the + betting-book of the establishment—on births, deaths, and marriages; + the length of a life; the duration of a ministry; a placeman's prospect of + a coronet; the last scandal at Ranelagh or Madame Cornely's; or the shock + of an earthquake! 'A man dropped down at the door of White's; he was + carried into the house. Was he dead or not? The odds were immediately + given and taken for and against. It was proposed to bleed him. Those who + had taken the odds that the man was dead protested that the use of a + lancet would affect the fairness of the bet.' I have met with a similar + anecdote elsewhere. A waiter in a tavern in Westminster, being engaged in + attendance on some young men of distinction, suddenly fell down in a fit. + Bets were immediately proposed by some of the most thoughtless on his + recovery, and accepted by others. The more humane part of the company were + for sending immediately for medical assistance, but this was overruled; + since, by the tenor of the bets, he was to be 'left to himself,' and he + died accordingly! + </p> + <p> + According to Walpole—'A person coming into the club on the morning + of the earthquake, in 1750, and hearing bets laid whether the shock was + caused by an earthquake or the blowing up of powder-mills, went away in + horror, protesting they were such an impious set that he believed if the + last trump were to sound they would bet puppet-show against Judgment.' + </p> + <p> + And again: 'One of the youths at White's, in 1744, has committed a murder, + and intends to repeat it. He betted L1500 that a man could live twelve + hours under water; hired a desperate fellow, sunk him in a ship, by way of + experiment, and both ship and man have not appeared since. Another man and + ship are to be tried for their lives instead of Mr Blake, the assassin.' + </p> + <p> + He also tells us of a very curious entry in the betting-book. Lord + Mountford bets Sir John Bland twenty guineas that Nash outlives Cibber.' + 'How odd,' says Walpole, 'that these two old creatures, selected for their + antiquities, should live to see both their wagerers put an end to their + own lives! Cibber is within a few days of eighty-four, still hearty, and + clear, and well. I told him I was glad to see him look so well. "Faith," + said he, "it is very well that I look at all." Lord Mountford would have + been the winner: Cibber died in 1757, Nash in 1761.' + </p> + <p> + Hogarth's scene at the gambling house is taken at White's. 'We see the + highwayman, with his pistols peeping out of his pocket, waiting by the + fireside till the heaviest winner takes his departure, in order to + "recoup" himself for his losings; and in the Beaux' Stratagem, Aimwell + asks of Gibbet—"Ha'n't I seen your face at White's?" "Ay, and at + Will's too," is the highwayman's answer.' + </p> + <p> + According to Captain Gronow, George Harley Drummond, of the famous + banking-house, Charing Cross, only played once in his whole life at + White's Club, at Whist, on which occasion he lost L20,000 to Brummell. + This even caused him to retire from the banking-house, of which he was a + partner. + </p> + <p> + 'Walpole and a party of friends (Dick Edgecumbe, George Selwyn, and + Williams), in 1756, composed a piece of heraldic satire—a coat of + arms for the two gaming clubs at White's—which was "actually + engraven from a very pretty painting of Edgecumbe, whom Mr Chute, as + Strawberry King at Arms," appointed their chief herald-painter. The blazon + is vert (for a card-table); three parolis proper on a chevron sable (for a + Hazard table); two rouleaux in saltire between two dice proper, on a + canton sable; a white ball (for election) argent. The supporters are an + old and young knave of clubs; the crest, an arm out of an earl's coronet + shaking a dice-box; and the motto, Cogit amor nummi—"The love of + money compels." Round the arms is a claret-bottle ticket by way of order.' + </p> + <p> + 6. WATTIER'S CLUB. + </p> + <p> + This great Macao gaming house was of short duration. Mr Raikes says of it:—'The + club did not endure for twelve years altogether; the pace was too quick to + last; it died a natural death in 1819, from the paralyzed state of its + members. The house was then taken by a set of blacklegs, who instituted a + common bank of gambling. To form an idea of the ruin produced by this + short-lived establishment among men whom I have so intimately known, a + cursory glance to the past suggests the following melancholy list, which + only forms a part of its deplorable results: none of the dead reached the + average age of man.' Among the members were Beau Brummell and the madman + Bligh. + </p> + <p> + 7. CROCKFORD'S CLUB. + </p> + <p> + This once celebrated gaming house is now 'The Wellington,' where the + rattle of knives and forks has succeeded that of dice. It was erected in + 1827, and at its opening it was described as 'the new Pandemonium—the + drawing-rooms, or real hell, consisting of four chambers: the first an + ante-room, opening to a saloon embellished to a degree which baffles + description; thence to a small curiously-formed cabinet or boudoir, which + opens to the supper-room. All these rooms are panelled in the most + gorgeous manner; spaces are left to be filled up with mirrors and silk, or + gold enrichments; while the ceilings are as superb as the walls. A + billiard-room on the upper floor completes the number of apartments + professedly dedicated to the use of the members. Whenever any secret + manoeuvre is to be carried on, there are smaller and more retired places, + both under this roof and the next, whose walls will tell no tales.' + </p> + <p> + 'It rose,' says a writer in the Edinburgh Review, 'like a creation of + Aladdin's lamp; and the genii themselves could hardly have surpassed the + beauty of the internal decorations, or furnished a more accomplished + maitre d'hotel than Ude. To make the company as select as possible, the + estabishment was regularly organized as a club, and the election of + members vested in a committee. "Crockford's" became the rage, and the + votaries of fashion, whether they like play or not, hastened to enroll + themselves. The Duke of Wellington was an original member, though (unlike + Blucher, who repeatedly lost everything he had at play) the great captain + was never known to play deep at any game but war or politics. Card-tables + were regularly placed, and Whist was played occasionally; but the aim, + end, and final cause of the whole was the Hazard bank, at which the + proprietor took his nightly stand, prepared for all comers. Le Wellington + des Joueurs lost L23,000 at a sitting, beginning at twelve at night, and + ending at seven the following evening. He and three other noblemen could + not have lost less, sooner or later, than L100,000 a piece.(39) Others + lost in proportion (or out of proportion) to their means; but we leave it + to less occupied moralists and better calculators to say how many ruined + families went to make Mr Crockford a MILLIONNAIRE—for a millionnaire + he was in the English sense of the term, after making the largest possible + allowance for bad debts. A vast sum, perhaps half a million, was sometimes + due to him; but as he won, all his debtors were able to raise, and easy + credit was the most fatal of his lures. He retired in 1840, much as an + Indian chief retires from a hunting country when there is not game enough + left for his tribe, and the club tottered to its fall.' + </p> + <p> + (39) 'Le Wellington des Joueurs was the name given to Lord Rivers in + Paris. The other three, we believe, were Lord Sefton, Lord Chesterfield, + and Lord Granville or Lord Talbot.' Times, 7 Jan. 1868. + </p> + <p> + Crockford was originally a FISHMONGER, keeping a shop near Temple Bar. By + embarking in this speculation he laid the foundation of the most colossal + fortune that was ever made by play. + </p> + <p> + It was said there were persons of rank and station, who had never paid + their debts to Crockford, up to 1844, and that some of his creditors + compounded with him for their gambling debts. His proprietorship had + lasted 15 or 16 years. + </p> + <p> + Crockford himself was examined by the committee of the House of Commons on + the Gaming Houses; but in spite of his assurance by the members that were + indemnified witnesses in respect of pending actions, he resolutely + declined to 'tell the secrets of his prison-house.' When asked whether a + good deal of play was carried on at his club, he said:—'There may + have been so; but I do not feel myself at liberty to answer that question—to + DIVULGE THE PURSUITS OF PRIVATE GENTLEMEN. Situated as I was, I do not + feel myself at liberty to do so. I do not feel myself at liberty to answer + that question.' + </p> + <p> + When asked to whom he had given up the house, he fenced in like manner, + saying that he had given it up to a 'committee' of about 200 gentlemen,—concerning + which committee he professed to 'know absolutely nothing'—he could + not even say to whom he had given up the house—he gave it up to the + gentlemen of the club four years before—he could not even say (upon + his word) whether he signed any paper in giving it up—he believed he + did not—adding—'I said I grew too old, and I could not + continue in the club any longer, and I wished to give up the club to the + gentlemen, who made their own arrangement.' + </p> + <p> + Being asked, 'Do you think that a person is just as honourably bound to + pay a debt which he loses upon a game of Hazard, as he would be to pay a + bet which he loses on a horse-race?' Crockford replied—'I think most + certainly he would honourably be bound to pay it.'—'Do you think + that if the loser of a bet on a game at Hazard had no charge to make of + any kind of unfairness, and he were to commence an action to recover that + money back again, he would lay himself open to a charge in the world of + having acted dishonourably?' The old gambler's reply was most emphatic, + overwhelming, indignant—'I should take all the pains I could to + avoid such a man.' + </p> + <p> + If this evidence was not satisfactory, it was, at any rate, very + characteristic. + </p> + <p> + A few interesting facts came out before the parliamentary committee on + Gaming, in 1844, respecting Crockford's. + </p> + <p> + It was said that Crockford gave up the business in 1840, because there + were no more very high players visiting his house. + </p> + <p> + 'A number of persons,' according to the admission of the Honourable + Frederick Byng, 'who were born to very large properties, were very nearly + ruined at Crockford's.' + </p> + <p> + The sums won on the turf were certainly larger than those won by players + at Crockford's; a man might lose L20,000 in one or more bets, to one or + more persons; but against this he might have won an equivalent amount in + small sums from 200 or more persons.(40) + </p> + <p> + (40) This is not very clearly put, but the meaning is that much more money + was lost at Crockford's than on the turf. + </p> + <p> + Some years previously to Crockford's retirement, it is said that he found + the debts so bad that he was obliged to leave off his custom of paying + cheques; and said he would cancel all previous debts, but that in future + gentlemen would have to pay with money. + </p> + <p> + He made them play for money instead of with counters, in consequence of + the large sums that were owing to him upon those counters. + </p> + <p> + 8. THE TRAVELLERS' CLUB, + </p> + <p> + next the Athenaeum in Pall Mall, originated soon after the peace of 1814, + in a suggestion of the late Lord Londonderry, then Lord Castlereagh, for + the resort of gentlemen who had resided or travelled abroad, as well as + with a view to the accommodation of foreigners, who, when properly + recommended, receive an invitation for the period of their stay.(41) Here + Prince Talleyrand was fond of a game at Whist. With all the advantage of + his great imperturbability of face, he is said to have been an indifferent + player. + </p> + <p> + (41) Quarterly Review, No. cx. p. 481. + </p> + <p> + Rule 10 of the club directs, 'that no dice and no game of hazard be + allowed in the rooms of the club, nor any higher stake than guinea points, + and that no cards be introduced before dinner.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. DOINGS IN GAMING HOUSES. + </h2> + <p> + Besides the aristocratic establishments just described, there were + numerous houses or places of resort for gambling, genteel and ungenteel. + In vain did the officers of the law seem to exert their utmost vigilance; + if they drove the serpent out of one hole it soon glided into another; + never was the proverb—'Where there's a will there's a way'—more + strikingly fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + COFFEE-HOUSE SHARPERS. + </p> + <p> + Sir John Fielding thus describes the men in the year 1776. 'The deceivers + of this denomination are generally descended from families of some repute, + have had the groundwork of a genteel education, and are capable of making + a tolerable appearance. Having been equally profuse of their own substance + and character, and learnt, by having been undone, the ways of undoing, + they lie in wait for those who have more wealth and less knowledge of the + town. By joining you in discourse, by admiring what you say, by an + officiousness to wait upon you, and to assist you in anything you want to + have or know, they insinuate themselves into the company and acquaintance + of strangers, whom they watch every opportunity of fleecing. And if one + finds in you the least inclination to cards, dice, the billiard table, + bowling-green, or any other sort of Gaming, you are morally sure of being + taken in. + </p> + <p> + For this set of gentry are adepts in all the arts of knavery and tricking. + If, therefore, you should observe a person, without any previous + acquaintance, paying you extraordinary marks of civility; if he puts in + for a share of your conversation with a pretended air of deference; if he + tenders his assistance, courts your acquaintance, and would be suddenly + thought your friend, avoid him as a pest; for these are the usual baits by + which the unwary are caught.'(42) + </p> + <p> + (42) The Magistrate: Description of London and Westminster. + </p> + <p> + In 1792, Mr Br—gh—n, the son of a baronet, one day at a + billiard-table in St James's Street, won L7000 from a Mr B—, but the + latter, at the close of the day, recovered the loss, and won L15,000 more. + Payment was thus arranged—L5000 on the death of the father of the + former, and L10,000 secured by a reversionary annuity, to commence on the + father's decease, on the life of the Duc de Pienne, between whom and B— + a previous gaming account existed. + </p> + <p> + In 1794, Mr —— was a billiard player of the first class, + ranking with Brenton, Phillips, Orrel, and Captain Wallis, who were the + leaders of the day in this noble game of skill, tact, and discretion.(43) + Having accidentally sported his abilities with two other players, he was + marked as a 'pigeon' whom every preparation was made for 'plucking.' + Captain Cates, of Covent Garden celebrity, was pitted against him at the + coffee-room billiard-table, during Epsom races, to play 21 games, for two + guineas each game, and five guineas the odds. Mr —— won 13 + games to eight from his veteran opponent, who was invariably backed by the + leading sportingmen of the day, whilst the company at large were casually + the adherents of Mr ——. + </p> + <p> + (43) The game of Chess may be played in application of the principles of + Strategy; the game of Billiards in application of Tactics; indeed, all + man's favourite diversions and pastimes most significantly relate to war—which + has been called his natural state—exemplifying always either the + brute-force that crushes, the skill that foils, the stratagem that + surprises, or the ruse that deceives; and such is war to all intents and + purposes. The philosophic diversions of science also come in and lend + their aid in the game of war—the pastime of heroes and the necessary + defence of nations. + </p> + <p> + The match was renewed at the ensuing Ascot meeting, at the rooms of the + celebrated Simson, so much frequented by the Etonians—where Mr + —— again obtained the victory, by 36 games to 17. Immense sums + were sported on these occasions. + </p> + <p> + Mr —— resided at Windsor, and was surprised by a message on + the Sunday evening preceding the Winchester races, purporting that a + gentleman wished to see him on very particular business. It proved to be a + request to play a match at Billiards during the races at Winchester, for + which the parties offered 10 guineas for the journey. But it was explained + to him that the match was of a particular kind, and must be played in a + PARTICULAR way—either to WIN or LOSE—so that those concerned + might be sure of winning upon the whole, let the match terminate how it + would! . . . . + </p> + <p> + This villainous proposal being made without the presence of a third + person, Mr —— indignantly rejected it, instantly left the + room, and communicated the facts for the protection of the unwary against + a set of desperate sharpers. + </p> + <p> + MILLER'S GAMING HOUSE. + </p> + <p> + In 1796, one Thomas Miller was indicted for keeping a gaming house; and + wished to have the matter settled summarily by admitting conviction; but + Lord Kenyon, the presiding judge, chose to have evidence brought forward. + John Shepherd, an attorney of the King's Bench, who had himself been + plundered, stated that he was at the defendant's, Leicester Street, on a + certain night, and saw Hazard played. Sometimes L20 or L30 depended on a + throw. One morning between three and four o'clock, a gentleman came in + much intoxicated. He had a great deal of money about him. Miller said—'I + did not mean to play; but now I'll set to with this fellow.' Miller + scraped a little wax with his finger off one of the candles, and put the + dice together, so that they came seven every way. Seven was the main, and + he could not throw anything but seven. A dispute arose, and the persons at + the table gave it in Miller's favour. The young man said he had lost about + L70. Miller observed—'We have cleaned him.' If the attorney had + remarked on this at the time, they would have broken his head, or thrown + him out of the window. + </p> + <p> + He had often seen men pawn their watches and rings to Miller, and once a + man actually pawned his coat, and went away without it! When articles were + offered to be pawned, Liston, who was a partner in the concern, said—'I + don't understand the value of these things well,' and he would then call + Miller.(44) + </p> + <p> + (44) Even at the present day it is said that other 'articles' besides + 'valuables' are 'left' with the marker at billiards 'for a consideration.' + A fine umbrella, very little used, was lately shown to me as having been + sold for five shillings, by a marker; it probably cost twenty-five. + </p> + <p> + Miller said there was no disgrace in standing in the pillory for gaming. + He could spare L500 out of his coffers without missing it. His gaming + table was once broken up by a warrant from Bow Street, when he said it was + too good a thing to relinquish, and he set up another, one large enough + for 20 or 30 persons to sit at. They played at it all night, and on one or + two occasions all the next day too, so that Miller said to witness on his + return in the evening—'Some of the people are still here who came + last night. They stick to it rarely.' Sunday was the grand day. He had + seen more than 40 persons at a time there, and they frequently offered + half-a-crown for a seat. Wine and suppers were furnished gratis. Some + looked over the backs of others and betted. A Mr Smith, the very man who + had pawned his coat, confirmed the above evidence. Miller was convicted, + and the judge, Lord Kenyon, made the following solemn observations before + passing sentence:— + </p> + <p> + 'Gaming is a crime of greater enormity, and of more destructive + consequences to society, than many which the laws of the country have made + capital. What is the crime of stealing a sheep, or picking a pocket of a + handkerchief, when placed in comparison with this crime, traced through + all its consequences? + </p> + <p> + 'With regard to those in the higher walks of life, experience tells us it + often leads to self-murder and duelling, about gambling debts, which + terminate in the total ruin of families once opulent, and reduce to + beggary their innocent and helpless children; and as for those in a lower + sphere of life, when they have lost their money, they often betake + themselves to housebreaking and the highway, in order to replenish their + coffers, and at last end their lives by the hand of justice.' + </p> + <p> + With many other most excellent observations on the tendency of this + selfish and avaricious vice, he concluded by sentencing Miller to a fine + of L500, one year's imprisonment, and security for his good behaviour for + seven years, himself in L500 and two others in L250 each, adding:—'It + appeared that you played with loaded dice. The Court has not taken that + into consideration, because it was not charged in the indictment.' + </p> + <p> + ATTACKS ON GAMING HOUSES. + </p> + <p> + In 1797 the Bedford Arms, Covent Garden, kept by one John Twycross, was + attacked, under warrant. The gaming-room stood an hour's siege, for the + doors were so plated with iron that the repeated blows of a sledge-hammer + made no impression on them. The officers at length entered the back + through the window. They found fifteen persons at table, but not actually + playing, so no conviction could take place. + </p> + <p> + In the same year a party of Bow Street officers searched a gaming house at + 19, Great Suffolk Street. They were an hour in effecting their entrance. + Two very stout doors, strongly bolted and barred, obstructed them. All the + gamesters but one escaped by a subterraneous passage, through a long range + of cellars, terminating at a house in Whitcomb Street, whence their + leader, having the keys of every door, conducted them safely into the open + air. + </p> + <p> + In the previous year a party, mostly French emigrants, were taken at a + house in Oxendon Street, with the table, cards, &c. A city magistrate + and a city officer had a dispute at cards, and a knock-down game ensued. + </p> + <p> + In 1799 the Marlborough Street officers apprehended at the gaming house, + No. 3, Leicester Square, thirteen out of twenty persons, from the first + floor, playing at Rouge et Noir. One of the gamblers, when they first + entered, threw up the sash, and, stepping from the leads, fell into the + area, and died in being conveyed to the hospital. + </p> + <p> + In the same year, two notorious gaming houses, Nos. 1 and 3, King's Place, + were attacked, by authority of a search warrant. All the paraphernalia of + the profession, as tables, dice, counters, &c., were seized; but the + inmates effected their escape over the roofs of the adjoining houses. The + proprietor of No. 3 was smoked in a chimney, and three French emigrants + intercepted in their retreat. On one of them was found a gold watch, which + appeared, by the robbery-book, to have been stolen about five years + previously. The banks had been conveyed away,—at least, they were + not among the captures. + </p> + <p> + 'SOMETHING HONOURABLE TO THE BRITISH FLAG.' + </p> + <p> + It is stated as highly honourable to the British flag that, among the + gamesters of the first quarter of the present century, no Admirals were + seen at the INFERIOR tables. Their proper pride kept them from a familiar + association with pursers, clerks, grocers, horse-dealers, linen-drapers, + silk-mercers, masons, builders, timber-merchants, booksellers, &c., + &c., and men of the very lowest walks of life. + </p> + <p> + COARSE LANGUAGE OF GAMESTERS. + </p> + <p> + 'I heard those who, in another place, even in the most polished courts, + would take a high rank for good breeding and gentlemanly education, at + these tables make use of language which, I hope, Billingsgate itself would + turn from with disgust. It cannot be repeated; neither would it be + believed, unless by such as, like myself, have had "confirmation strong," + too strong to be rejected, if I did not, at the same time, reject the + evidence of my senses.'(45) + </p> + <p> + (45) Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + </p> + <p> + BOASTED PROTECTION OF GREAT NAMES TO GAMING HOUSES. + </p> + <p> + 'On one occasion I was at the Pigeon Hole, in St James's Square (since + removed to King Street), when the apprehensions which the rapid sale of + The Greeks (a work exposing the system) excited among the players were + warmly debated. To my great astonishment, a person who I supposed was a + proprietor, boasted the impenetrability of HIS house, and on what ground, + think you? Why, on that of it having the countenance of the Lord Chief + Justice of England! True or false, it seemed to revive the flagging + spirits of its visitors. They knew better. Not even the warm feelings of a + father would turn the scale of justice in the even hand of Lord + Ellenborough.' + </p> + <p> + It must not, however, be taken for granted, merely because these fellows + assert it, that the sons of the late Chief Justice really frequented that + den of iniquity. It is part of the system of these houses to delude the + ignorant, by pretending that this or the other person uses their tables. I + had an instance of that myself at ——, in Pall Mall. Asking who + that gentleman was, pointing to the party, I was answered—'That is + Mr Hay, private secretary to Lord Melville, the First Lord of the + Admiralty.' Now, I believe I may safely say, and from my own knowledge, + too, that Mr Hay, whose character and conduct is deservedly held in the + highest estimation, NEVER was at that or any such house; yet his name was + constantly quoted, and particularly to young officers of the navy and + marines, to whom his acquaintance held out hopes of future advantage in + their profession!(46) + </p> + <p> + (46) Id. ibid. + </p> + <p> + FORTUNATE RISE OF A CLUB-HOUSE WAITER. + </p> + <p> + 'A waitership at a club sometimes led to fortune. Thomas Rumbold, + originally a waiter at White's gaming club, got an appointment in India, + and suddenly rose to be Sir Thomas, and Governor of Madras! On his return, + with immense wealth, a bill of pains and penalties was brought into the + House by Dundas, with the view of stripping Sir Thomas of his ill-gotten + gains. This bill was briskly pushed through the earlier stages; suddenly + the proceedings were arrested by adjournment, and the measure fell to the + ground. The rumour of the day attributed Rumbold's escape to the corrupt + assistance of Rigby; who, in 1782, found himself, by Lord North's + retirement, deprived of his place in the Pay Office, and called upon to + refund a large amount of public moneys unaccounted for. In this strait, + Rigby was believed to have had recourse to Rumbold. Their acquaintance had + commenced in earlier days, when Rigby was one of the boldest "punters" at + White's, and Rumbold bowed to him for half-crowns as waiter. Rumbold is + said to have given Rigby a large sum of money, on condition of the former + being released from the impending pains and penalties. The truth of the + report has been vehemently denied; but the circumstances are suspicious. + The bill was dropped; Dundas, its introducer, was Rigby's intimate + associate. Rigby's nephew and heir soon after married Rumbold's daughter. + Sir Thomas himself had married a daughter of Dr Law, Bishop of Carlisle. + The worthy bishop stood godfather to one of Rumbold's children; the other + godfather was the Nabob of Arcot, and the child was christened "Mahomet." + So, at least, Walpole informs Mann.'(47) + </p> + <p> + (47) Timbs, Club Life in London. + </p> + <p> + PLAY IN 1820. + </p> + <p> + According to the Morning Post of May 15, 1820, at one of the gaming houses + at the West End, in one night, property to the amount of L50,000 is said + to have changed hands. + </p> + <p> + ACCOUNT OF A GAME AT HAZARD. + </p> + <p> + The following account of a game at Hazard was given by a young man, who, + in the year 1820, was decoyed into one of the gambling houses in the city, + kept by one John Morley, who was convicted by the Lord Mayor, in the + penalty of L200, 'for keeping Hazard;' but who, it is stated, left this + country for Ireland the moment proceedings were instituted. + </p> + <p> + 'The house in question was to all appearance devoted to the game of + billiards, and most of those who frequented it engaged merely in that + game. Through the agency of professed gamesters, who shared in the profits + of the concern, those who appeared to be proper objects of plunder were + soon introduced to the Hazard table, which was kept in a retired and + private part of the house. + </p> + <p> + 'The evidence of the young man was to the following effect:—He had + been in Morley's house; the game of Hazard was played in the front room on + the second floor; a door led into it from the landing-place, and another + from the public billiard-room, which was the back room on the same floor; + both these doors were during the time of play kept barred and locked, and + never opened except to the voice of some person known to the master of the + house. During the play the door was seldom or never opened, but before the + play commenced there was an understanding given that proceedings were + about to begin. + </p> + <p> + 'In the centre of the room was a large circular table, over which a lamp + was suspended, and round the table the players sat, in number, generally, + from six to ten. + </p> + <p> + 'The play commenced by one of the players taking the dice-box with two + dice in it; two other dice were covered on the table, and might be + substituted for those in the box, upon application to Morley, who acted as + "groom porter." The person who held the box was called the caster, and he + called a main, that is, he mentioned aloud any number on the dice from + five to nine; and throwing the dice on the table, counted the number on + the two dice as his chance, the number which he called being the chance of + his setter. Before the main is called, the caster throws down his stake, + which any person present has the option of covering, or, as it is called, + "setting," by placing a similar sum on the table. For instance, if the + caster, after being "set," call five the main, and throws immediately four + and one, or three and two, he "nicks" it, that is, wins his money at once. + If he throws six and one, five and two, or four and three, each of which + two numbers makes seven, he bets the ODDS, which are three to two in his + favour—inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing seven, and only + two of throwing five; and he continues throwing until either five or seven + come off. By the former he loses, by the latter he wins. + </p> + <p> + 'If he calls seven the main, and throws three and one, or six and four, + the odds are two to one against him—inasmuch as there are only three + ways each of throwing, the four and the ten and six wins, throwing the + seven, that is, three on each die.(48) If the caster wishes, he calls a + main, and continues to do so till he loses, which, in the technical + phraseology, is "throwing out." He then passes the bow to the person next + on the left hand, who, in like manner, passes it to his neighbour. Morley + is remunerated for his table very handsomely. When the caster throws in + three mains successively, he pays to Morley what is called a box (one of + the pieces of the house with which the game is played). The prices are + eighteen-pence each, and he gives them in exchange for notes, and retakes + them. The caster pays nothing unless he wins. The players generally leave + off play at eleven or twelve o'clock. On Saturday there is most play, as + Morley on that day always gives a dinner at four o'clock, immediately + after which the play commences. On other days tea and coffee are given.' + </p> + <p> + (48) I confess I do not understand the above passage. + </p> + <p> + A number of young men, most of whom were clerks, were called to confirm + the evidence as to the system, but none of them appeared. + </p> + <p> + In a letter published in the Times of July 22, 1824, we read as follows:— + </p> + <p> + 'The action against the keepers of a certain notorious "hell," which was + noticed in the different journals as "coming on," is withdrawn, or, more + properly speaking, is "compromised." Thus it will always be; and the + different hells still flourish with impunity, to the enrichment of a few + knaves, and the ruin of many thousands, till more effectual laws are + framed to meet the evil. As they net thousands a night, a few hundreds or + even thousands can be well spared to smother a few actions and + prosecutions, which are very rarely instituted against them, and never but + by ruined men, who are easily quieted by a small consideration, which, + from recent judgments, will not be withheld; therefore we shall see + recorded but very few convictions if any at all. At the head of these + infamous establishments is one yclept "Fishmollgers' Hall,"(49) which + sacks more plunder than all the others put together, though they consist + of about a dozen. This place has been fitted up at an expense of L40,000, + and is the most splendid house, interiorly and exteriorly, in all the + neighbourhood. It is established as a bait for the fortunes of the great, + many of whom have already been severe sufferers. Invitations to dinner are + sent to noblemen and gentlemen, at which they are treated with every + delicacy, and the most intoxicating wines. + </p> + <p> + (49) Otherwise called Crock-odile Hall. + </p> + <p> + 'After such "liberal" entertainment, a visit to the French Hazard table, + in the adjoining room, is a matter of course, when the consequences are + easily divined. A man thus allured to the den may determine not to lose + more than the few pounds he has about him; but in the intoxication of the + moment, and the delirium of play, it frequently happens that, + notwithstanding the best resolves, he borrows money on his cheques, which + are known to be good, and are readily cashed to very considerable amounts. + In this manner L10,000, L20,000, L30,000, or more, have been often swept + away! + </p> + <p> + They left King Street about three years ago, when, in conjunction with T + —— (a man who a few years ago took the benefit of the act, and + subsequently took one or two "hells" in Pall Mall, but has amassed full + L150,000 of plunder) and A ——, who has L70,000 of plunder, + they opened a club-house in Piccadilly, with a French Hazard bank of + L10,000, when in a short time they divided between the four—after + all their heavy expenses were covered—upwards of L200,000. In + proportion to the extent of the bank and the stakes, so do they collect + the plunder.' + </p> + <p> + PROGRESS IN THE GAMING TRADE. + </p> + <p> + In the minor gaming houses the players assembled in parties of from 40 to + 50 persons, who probably brought on an average, each night, from one to + twenty shillings to play with. As the money was lost, the losers fell off, + if they could not borrow or beg more; and this went on sometimes in the + winter season for 14 to 16 hours in succession; so that from 100 to 150 + persons might be calculated to visit one gaming table in the course of a + night; and it not unfrequently happened that ultimately all the money + brought to the table got into the hands of one or two of the most + fortunate adventurers, save that which was paid to the table for + 'box-hands'—that is, when a player won three times in succession. At + these establishments the price of a box varied from one shilling to + half-a-crown. Every man thus engaged was destined to become either a more + finished and mischievous gambler, or to appear at the bar of the Old + Bailey. The successful players by degrees improved their external + appearance, and obtained admittance into houses of higher play, where two + shillings and sixpence or three shillings and fourpence was demanded for + the box-hand. If success attended them in the first step of advancement, + they next got initiated into better houses, and associated with gamblers + of a higher grade. + </p> + <p> + PLAY IN 1838. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1838 the gaming houses were kept open all day, the dice + were scarcely ever idle, day or night. From Sunday to Sunday, all the year + round, persons were to be found in these places, losing their money, and + wasting away their very bodies by the consuming anxiety consequent on + their position at the Hazard or Roulette table. + </p> + <p> + STATISTICS OF GAMBLING IN 1844. + </p> + <p> + The following facts came out in evidence before the committee of the House + of Commons, in 1844. + </p> + <p> + Down to that year there were no less than 12 gaming houses in St James's + and St George's. The play was higher in old times, but not so GENERAL. + </p> + <p> + 'The increase of gambling houses was entirely the offspring of + Crockford's.' Such was the opinion of the Honourable Frederick Byng, + before the committee, who added, 'that the facility to everybody to gamble + at Crockford's led to the establishment of other gambling houses fitted up + in a superior style, and attractive to gentlemen who never would have + thought of going into them formerly.' + </p> + <p> + Previously, in the clubs, the gambling was confined to a very high rate + and to a very few people. The above-named witness said he 'could have + named all the gamblers in his early days at the clubs. No person coming + into a room where Hazard was carried on would have been permitted to play + for a SMALL SUM, and therefore he left it.' + </p> + <p> + The same gentleman remembered the time when gambling tables were kept in + private houses. + </p> + <p> + 'It is a fact that most of those who played very high were pretty well + cleaned out.' + </p> + <p> + 'Crockford increased gambling everywhere.' 'Persons of the middling + classes, butchers, and gentleman's servants went to the low gambling + houses.' + </p> + <p> + These places held out inducements to robbery. 'If a servant or shopman + could scrape together L200 or L300, he had, by the agency of the keepers + of these houses, the opportunity of lending out his money to the losers at + 60 per cent.' + </p> + <p> + DESPERATION AT GAMING HOUSES. + </p> + <p> + The most particular inspection was made of the player's person by the + gaming house keeper's spies, and even his dress was strictly observed. He + was obliged, before entering the saloon, to deposit his great coat and + cane, which might perchance afford the introduction of some WEAPON; and + the elegance of the covering did not save him from the humiliation of + having it taken from him at the door. The attempts which were sometimes + made on the lives of the bankers led to these precautions—like the + indignities which are practised only in prisons for the security of the + unhappy inmates. It is certain that gamesters, reduced to desperation, and + on the eve of committing suicide, have conveyed into these places infernal + machines with an intention of destroying at once their cruel plunderers + and themselves. + </p> + <p> + 'DEVILISH DOINGS IN A "HELL." ' + </p> + <p> + In 'Doings in London,' a work published as lately as the year 1850, we + find under this startling title a strange story. + </p> + <p> + 'A scandalous scene of violence, which often happens at these places, but + seldom becomes publicly known, on account of the disgrace attending + exposures, occurred lately at a low "hell" in King Street, St James's. A + gentleman who had lost considerable sums of money at various times, + announced his full determination never to come to a place of the sort + again with money. His visits, therefore, were no longer wanted, and so + orders were given to the porters not to admit him again. About two o'clock + on a subsequent night, which happened to be Saturday, he sought + admittance, and was refused. A warm altercation ensued in the passage + between him and the porters, which brought down some of the proprietors. + One of them—a powerful man—a bankrupt butcher—struck him + a tremendous blow, which broke the bridge of his nose, covered his face + with blood, and knocked him down. On getting up he was knocked down again. + He arose once more, and instantly received another blow, which would have + laid him upon his back, but one of the porters by this time had got behind + him, and as he was falling struck him at the back of his head, which sent + him upon his face. The watch had now arrived, into whose hands the keeper + of the "hell" and the porter were given. At the watch-house they were + ordered to find bail. The gentleman was then about quitting, when he was + suddenly called back. A certain little lawyer, who alternately prosecutes + and defends keepers of gaming houses, was sent for. He whispered to the + ex-butcher to charge the gentleman with stealing his handkerchief and hat, + which, it was alleged, had been lost in the affray. Though nothing was + found upon the gentleman, who desired to be searched, this preposterous + and groundless charge was taken, and the hellites admitted to bail; but + the gentleman who had been so cruelly beaten, being charged with a felony + on purpose to cause his detention, and the power held by magistrates to + take bail in doubtful cases not extending to night-constables, he was + locked up below with two wretches who had stolen lead, and five + disorderlies—his face a mass of blood and bruises—and there + detained till Monday morning, in a most pitiable condition. The magistrate + before whom the party appeared on that day, understanding that the affair + took place at a gaming house, dismissed both complaints, leaving the + parties to their remedy at the sessions.' + </p> + <p> + GAFFING. + </p> + <p> + Gaffing is or was one of the ten thousand modes of swindling practised in + London. Formerly it was a game in very great vogue among the macers, who + congregated nightly at the 'flash houses.' One of these is described as + follows:—This gaffer laughed a great deal and whistled Moore's + melodies, and extracted music from a deal table with his elbow and wrist. + When he hid a half-penny, and a flat cried 'head' for L10, a 'tail' was + sure to turn up. One of his modes of commanding the turn-up was this: he + had a half-penny with two heads, and a half-penny with two tails. + </p> + <p> + When he gaffed, he contrived to have both half-pence under his hand, and + long practice enabled him to catch up in the wrinkles or muscles of it the + half-penny which it was his interest to conceal. If 'tail' was called a + 'head' appeared, and the 'tail' half-penny ran down his wrist with + astonishing fidelity. This ingenious fellow often won 200 or 300 + sovereigns a night by gaffing; but the landlord and other men, who were + privy to the robbery, and 'pitched the baby card' (that is, encouraged the + loser by sham betting), always came in for the 'regulars,' that is, their + share of the plunder. + </p> + <p> + This gaffer contrived to 'bilk' all the turnpikes in the kingdom. + </p> + <p> + In going to a fight or to a race-course, when he reached a turnpike he + held a shilling between his fingers, and said to the gatekeeper—'Here, + catch,' and made a movement of the hand towards the man, who endeavoured + to catch what he saw. The shilling, however, by a backward jerk, ran down + the sleeve of the coat, as if it had life in it, and the gate-keeper + turned round to look in the dust, when the tall gaffer drove on, saying—'Keep + the change.' + </p> + <p> + A young fellow, who previously was a marker at a billiard-table, and who + had the appearance of a soft, inexperienced country-lad, was another great + hand at gaffing. There was a strong adhesive power in his hand, and such + exquisite sensibility about it, that he could ascertain by dropping his + palm, even upon a worn-out half-penny or shilling, what side was turned + up. Indeed, so perfect a master was he of the science that Breslaw could + never have done more upon cards than he could do with a pair of 'grays' + (gaffing-coins). + </p> + <p> + A well-known macer, who was celebrated for slipping an 'old gentleman' (a + long card) into the pack, and was the inheritor by birth of all the + propensities of this description, although the inheritance was equally + divided between his brother and himself, got hold of a young fellow who + had L170 in his pocket, and introduced him to one of the 'cock-and-hen' + houses near Drury Lane Theatre, well-primed with wine. Gaffing began, and + the billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the + stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost, as well + as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the landlord, who was to + come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was over, the billiard-marker + refused to make any division of the spoil, or even to return the L10 which + had been lost to him in 'bearing up' the cull. The landlord pressed his + demand upon the macer, who, in fact, was privately reimbursed by the + marker; but he was coolly told that he ought not to allow such improper + practices in his house, and that the sum was not recoverable, the + transaction being illegal. + </p> + <p> + How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am assured that + they are still in use and often made to do service at public-houses and + other places. + </p> + <p> + TOMMY DODD. + </p> + <p> + This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present time. It is + often played at public-houses among parties to decide who is to pay the + reckoning. Each party turns down a half-penny, and, on uncovering it, the + matter is decided as in 'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious + method is also used in gambling for money. Not long ago a retired + tradesman, happening to be in a public-house, where such things were + connived at, allowed himself to be induced to play at Tommy Dodd with two + low sharpers. They soon eased him of all the cash he had about him. A + bright idea, however, occurred to him. 'Stop a bit,' he said, 'I must have + my revenge. Just wait till I go home for more money.' The sharpers were + rejoiced at the idea, and rubbed their hands with delight, whilst the + tradesman went, as they felt sure, only to bring more money into their + 'till.' The man made all haste, for he was determined to have his revenge, + and soon returned with a large bag of money, which he clinked on the + table. + </p> + <p> + He first pulled out some coppers, telling them to choose from the lot the + coins they would play with. They assented, although they did not seem + 'much to like it.' 'And now,' said the tradesman, 'let's set to business.' + </p> + <p> + The game proceeded with alternate success on both sides; but the tradesman + went on DOUBLING THE STAKES EVERY TIME, WHETHER HE LOST OR WON, and, of + course, at length completely broke their bank, and went off with their + money. + </p> + <p> + GAMBLING AT THE WINE AND OYSTER ROOMS, OR 'SALOONS.' + </p> + <p> + The gambling which was carried on in the private rooms of the wine and + oyster houses, about thirty years ago, and perhaps later, was just such as + that which had so long flourished in the low vicinity of St James's. + Indeed, the constant frequenters of the former had attained the most + profound knowledge of the art of robbing at the West End gaming houses. + The blacklegs visited the saloons every night, in order to pick up new + acquaintances among the young and inexperienced. They were polite, + well-dressed, gentlemanlike persons; and if they could trace anything + 'soft' in the countenance of a new visitor, their wits went to work at + once to establish an acquaintance with him. Wine was set a-going, and + cards were proposed. The master of the concern soon provided a room, and + play advanced, accompanied by the certainty of loss to the unfortunate + stranger. But if the invitation to play was rejected, they made another + plant upon him. The ruffians attacked him through a passion of a different + kind. They gave the word to one of their female 'pals,' who threw herself + in his way, and prevailed upon him to accompany her to HER establishment. + In the morning the 'gentleman,' who in vain had solicited him to play at + the saloon the night before, would call—just to pay 'a friendly + visit.' Cards were again spoken of, and again proposed, with the + additional recommendation of the 'lady,' who offered to be the partner of + her friend in the game. The consequence was inevitable. Many young + noblemen and gentlemen were plundered by this scheme, of hundreds, nay, of + thousands of pounds. To escape without loss was impossible. They packed + and distributed the cards with such amazing dexterity, that they could + give a man, as it were, whatever cards they pleased. + </p> + <p> + CARDS THAT WOULD BEAT THE D—L HIMSELF! + </p> + <p> + A number of sharpers were detected in a trick by which they had won + enormous sums. An Ecarte party, consisting of a nobleman, a captain in the + army, an Armenian gentleman, and an Irish gentleman, sat down in one of + the private chambers attached to one of the large wine and shell-fish + rooms. The Armenian and the Irishman were partners, and were wonderfully + successful; indeed, so extraordinary was their luck in turning up cards, + that the captain, who had been in the town for some time, suspected the + integrity of his competitors, and, accordingly, handled the cards very + minutely. He soon discovered that there was an 'old gentleman' (a card + somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of the pack, and in considerable + use among the LEGS) in the midst of them. The captain and his partner + exclaimed that they were robbed, and the cards were sealed up, and + referred to a card-maker for his opinion. + </p> + <p> + 'The old saying,' said the referee, 'that THE CARDS WOULD BEAT THE + CARD-MAKER, was never more true than it is in this instance, for this pack + would beat not only me, but the very d—l himself; there is not only + an OLD GENTLEMAN, but an OLD LADY (a card broader than the rest) amongst + them.' + </p> + <p> + The two 'gentlemen' were immediately accused of the imposition, but they + feigned ignorance of the fraud, refused to return a farthing of the + 'swag,' and, in their turn, charged the losers with having got up the + story in order to recover what they had fairly lost. + </p> + <p> + GENEROSITY (?) OF A GAMING HOUSE KEEPER. + </p> + <p> + A young West Indian chanced one night to enter one of the gaming houses in + London, and began trying his chance at Roulette. Fortune favoured him at + first, and he won about a hundred pounds. + </p> + <p> + Instead of leaving off he only became the more excited by his success, + when his luck began to change, and he lost and lost until he staked the + last coin he had in his pocket. He then pawned to the master of the table + successively every ring and trinket he had, for money to continue the + stakes. All in vain. His luck never returned; and he made his way + down-stairs in a mood which may well be imagined. But what was his + surprise when the master of the table came running after him, saying—'Sir, + these things may be valuable to you—do me the favour to take them + with you. Next time I hope you will be more lucky,' and returned all his + rings and trinkets. + </p> + <p> + The moon was shining brightly at the time, and the young man swore by it, + that he would never again enter a gaming house, and he kept his oath. Of + course the generosity was but a decoy to entice the youth to further ruin. + </p> + <p> + HOSPITALITY OF GAMING HOUSES, AND POPULARITY OF CITY MEN AT THEM. + </p> + <p> + Joseph Atkinson and his wife, who for many years kept a gaming house at + No. 15 under the Piazza, Covent Garden, gave daily magnificent play + dinners,—cards of invitation for which were sent to the clerks of + merchants, bankers, and brokers in the city. Atkinson used to say that he + liked CITIZENS—whom he called FLATS—better than any one else, + for when they had DINED they played freely, and after they had lost all + their money they had credit to borrow more. When he had CLEANED THEM OUT, + when THE PIGEONS WERE COMPLETELY PLUCKED, they were sent to some of their + solvent friends. After dinner play was introduced, and, till dinner time + the nest day, different games at cards, dice, and E O were continually + going on. + </p> + <p> + THE TRAFFIC IN HUSH MONEY. + </p> + <p> + Theophilus Bellasis, an infamous character, was well known at Bow Street, + where he had been charged with breaking into the counting-house of Sir + James Sanderson, Bart. Bellasis was sometimes clerk and sometimes client + to John Shepherd, an attorney of Bow Street; while at other times Shepherd + was prosecutor of those who kept gaming houses, and Bellasis attorney. Sir + William Addington, the magistrate, was so well aware that these two men + commenced prosecutions solely for the purpose of HUSH MONEY, that he + refused to act. The Joseph Atkinson just mentioned at one time gave them + L100, at another L80; and in this way they had amassed an immense sum, and + undertook, for a specific amount, to defend keepers of gaming houses + against all prosecutions! + </p> + <p> + WALKING OFF WITH A L200 BANK-NOTE. + </p> + <p> + The runaway son of an extensive linen-draper went to a gaming house in + King Street, and pocketed a L200 bank-note from the table. He was not + kicked out, because it would not be safe for the proprietors of these + houses to run the risk of getting involved in law; but he was civilly + walked down-stairs by the master of the establishment, who forbad him the + house evermore. The dashing youth, however, put both the money and the + affront in his pocket, and was only too thankful to get away in so good a + plight. + </p> + <p> + PERQUISITES OF GAMBLING HOUSE WAITERS. + </p> + <p> + A waiter in one of the gambling houses in St James's Street received in + Christmas boxes above L500. A nobleman, who had in the course of a week + won L80,000, gave him L100 of his winnings. He was said to have actually + borrowed of the waiter the money which led to his extraordinary success! + </p> + <p> + PAUL ROUBEL. + </p> + <p> + Paul Roubel was a gaming house keeper, who seems to have been an exception + to his class, according to the following account:—'A foreigner once + applied for the situation of croupier at old Paul Roubel's, stating as his + qualification that he could cut or turn up whatever card he pleased. The + old man (for he was nearly eighty, and a very good hearty fellow in his + way) declined the offer, saying—"You are too clever for me; my + customers must have some chance!" It is true Roubel kept a gambling house; + but it is also true that few men in higher walks of life possessed a + kinder heart, or a hand which opened more freely or more liberally to the + calls of humanity! Peace be to his manes!' + </p> + <p> + TITLED GREEKS, OR 'DECOYS.' + </p> + <p> + In all the gaming houses of any note there were unprincipled and reckless + persons paid by the hellites, employed in various capacities, and for + various purposes. Sometimes they played for the proprietors against any + one who chose to put down his money; at other times, when there were no + other individuals playing at all, they pretended to be strangers + themselves, and got up sham games with the proprietors, with the view of + practising a deception on any strangers who might be in the room, and by + that means inducing them to put down their money. They were dressed in the + most fashionable manner, always exhibiting a profusion of jewellery, and + living in great splendour when they have any particular person in their + eye, in the various hotels throughout town.(50) + </p> + <p> + (50) Grant, Sketches in London. + </p> + <p> + In some cases, in the higher class of gaming establishments, the Greeks, + or decoys, being men of title or considerable standing in society, did not + receive a fixed salary for seducing young men of fortune, but being in + every case very needy men, they nominally borrowed, from time to time, + large sums of money from the hell-keepers. It was, however, perfectly + understood on both sides that the amount so borrowed was never to be + repaid.(51) + </p> + <p> + (51) Grant, Ubi supra. + </p> + <p> + WHY CHEATS WERE CALLED GREEKS. + </p> + <p> + M. Robert-Houdin says that this application of the term 'Greek' originated + from a certain modern Greek, named Apoulos, who in the reign of Louis XIV. + was caught cheating at court, and was condemned to 20 years at the + galleys. I think this a very improbable derivation, and unnecessary + withal. Aristotle of old, as before stated, ranked gamesters 'with thieves + and plunderers, who for the sake of gain do not scruple to despoil their + best friends.' We afterwards find them bearing just as bad a character + among the Romans. Says Juvenal— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Graeculus esuriens in coelum jusseris, ibit. + 'Bid the hungry Greek to heaven, to heaven he goes.' +</pre> + <p> + Dr Johnson translated the words, 'Bid him to h—l, to h—l he + goes'—which is wrong. A DIFFICULTY is implied, and everybody knows + that it is easier to go to the latter place than the former. It means that + a needy Greek was capable of doing anything. Lord Byron protested that he + saw no difference between Greeks and Jews—of course, meaning 'Jews' + in the offensive sense of the word. Among gamblers the term was chiefly + applied to 'decoys.' + </p> + <p> + GAMING TABLE SLANG AND MANOEUVRES. + </p> + <p> + Captain Sharp. A cheating bully, whose office it was to bully any + 'Pigeon,' who, suspecting roguery, refused to pay what he had lost. + </p> + <p> + St Hugh's bones. Dice. A bale of bard cinque deuces; a bale of flat cinque + deuces; a bale of flat size aces; a bale of bard cater treys; a bale of + flat cater treys; a bale of Fulhams; a bale of light graniers; a bale of + gordes, with as many highmen and lowmen for passage; a bale of demies; a + bale of long dice for even or odd; a bale of bristles; a bale of direct + contraries,—names of false dice. + </p> + <p> + Do. To cheat. + </p> + <p> + Done up. Ruined. + </p> + <p> + Down-hills. False dice which run low. + </p> + <p> + Elbow-shaker. A gamester. + </p> + <p> + Fulhams. Loaded dice. + </p> + <p> + Fuzz. To shuffle cards closely: to change the pack. + </p> + <p> + Game. Bubbles, Flats, Pigeons. + </p> + <p> + Gull Gropers. Usurers who lend money to gamesters. + </p> + <p> + Greeks. Cheats at play. + </p> + <p> + Hedge. To secure a bet by betting on the other side. + </p> + <p> + High Jinks. A gambler who drinks to intoxicate his Pigeon. + </p> + <p> + Hunting. Drawing in the unwary. + </p> + <p> + Main. Any number on the dice from five to nine. + </p> + <p> + Paum. To hide a card or die. + </p> + <p> + Pigeons. Dupes of sharpers at play. + </p> + <p> + Vincent's Law. The art of cheating at cards, by the banker, who plays + booty, Gripe, who bets, and the Vincent, who is cheated. The gain is + called termage. + </p> + <p> + Vowel. To give an I. O. U. in payment. + </p> + <p> + Up-hills. False dice which run high. + </p> + <p> + SPECIMEN OF A QUASI GAMING HOUSE CIRCULAR. + </p> + <p> + 'SIR,—I hope you will join with the rest of the parishioners in + recommending what friends you can to my shops. They shall have good + candles and fair play. Sir, we are a not gang of swindlers, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Like other Gaming Houses, + We are men of character. + Our Party is, + Tom Carlos—alias Pistol, + Ned Mogg,—from Charing Cross, + Union Clarke, —————— + + {The best in the world at + A Frenchman,{ + {sleight of hand. + My poor Brother, + and + Melting Billy, + Your humble Servant. + To the Church-Wardens, Overseers, and each + respectable inhabitant in the Parish.' + + A card was enclosed, as follows:— + '**** + Gaming House Keeper, + and **** **** to + The Honourable House of Commons + No. 7 and 8 **** St, St James's.' +</pre> + <p> + This circular was sent to Stockdale, the publisher, in 1820, who published + it with the names in asterisks suppressed. It was evidently intended to + expose some doings in high places. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING. + </h2> + <p> + A distinction must be made between games of skill and games of chance. The + former require application, attention, and a certain degree of ability to + insure success in them; while the latter are devoid of all that is + rational, and are equally within the reach of the highest and lowest + capacity. To be successful in throwing the dice is one of the most fickle + achievements of fickle fortune; and therefore the principal game played + with them is very properly and emphatically called 'Hazard.' It requires, + indeed, some exertion of the mental powers, of memory, at least, and a + turn for such diversions, to play well many games at cards. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, it is often found that those who do so give no further + proofs of superior memory and judgment, whilst persons of superior memory + and judgment not unfrequently fail egregiously at the card-table. + </p> + <p> + The gamester of skill, in games of skill, may at first sight seem to have + more advantage than the gamester of chance, in games of chance; and while + cards are played merely as an amusement, there is no doubt that a + recreation is more rational when it requires some degree of skill than + one, like dice, totally devoid of all meaning whatever. But when the + pleasure becomes a business, and a matter of mere gain, there is more + innocence, perhaps, in a perfect equality of antagonists—which games + of chance, fairly played, always secure—than where one party is + likely to be an overmatch for the other by his superior knowledge or + ability. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, even games of chance may be artfully managed; and the most + apparently casual throw of the dice be made subservient to the purposes of + chicanery and fraud, as will be shown in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + In the matter of skill and chance the nature of cards is mixed,—most + games having in them both elements of interest,—since the success of + the player must depend as much on the chance of the 'deal' as on his skill + in playing the game. But even the chance of the deal is liable to be + perverted by all the tricks of shuffling and cutting—not to mention + how the honourable player may be deceived in a thousand ways by the craft + of the sharper, during the playing, of the cards themselves; consequently + professed gamblers of all denominations, whether their games be of + apparent skill or mere chance, may be confounded together or considered in + the same category, as being equally meritorious and equally infamous. + </p> + <p> + Under the name of the Doctrine of Chances or Probabilities, a very learned + science,—much in vogue when lotteries were prevalent,—has been + applied to gambling purposes; and in spite of the obvious abstruseness of + the science, it is not impossible to give the general reader an idea of + its processes and conclusions. + </p> + <p> + The probability of an event is greater or less according to the number of + chances by which it may happen, compared with the whole number of chances + by which it may either happen or fail. Wherefore, if we constitute a + fraction whereof the numerator be the number of chances whereby an event + may happen, and the denominator the number of all the chances whereby it + may either happen or fail, that fraction will be a proper designation of + the probability of happening. Thus, if an event has 3 chances to happen, + and 2 to fail, then the fraction 3/5 will fairly represent the probability + of its happening, and may be taken to be the measure of it. + </p> + <p> + The same may be said of the probability of failing, which will likewise be + measured by a fraction whose numerator is the number of chances whereby it + may fail, and the denominator the whole number of chances both for its + happening and failing; thus the probability of the failing of that event + which has 2 chances to fail and 3 to happen will be measured by the + fraction 2/5. + </p> + <p> + The fractions which represent the probabilities of happening and failing, + being added together, their sum will always be equal to unity, since the + sum of their numerators will be equal to their common denominator. Now, it + being a certainty that an event will either happen or fail, it follows + that certainty, which may be conceived under the notion of an infinitely + great degree of probability, is fitly represented by unity. + </p> + <p> + These things will be easily apprehended if it be considered that the word + probability includes a double idea; first, of the number of chances + whereby an event may happen; secondly, of the number of chances whereby it + may either happen or fail. If I say that I have three chances to win any + sum of money, it is impossible from the bare assertion to judge whether I + am likely to obtain it; but if I add that the number of chances either to + obtain it or miss it, is five in all, from this will ensue a comparison + between the chances that are for and against me, whereby a true judgment + will be formed of my probability of success; whence it necessarily follows + that it is the comparative magnitude of the number of chances to happen, + in respect of the whole number of chances either to happen or to fail, + which is the true measure of probability. + </p> + <p> + To find the probability of throwing an ace in two throws with a single + die. The probability of throwing an ace the first time is 1/6; whereof 1/ + is the first part of the probability required. If the ace be missed the + first time, still it may be thrown on the second; but the probability of + missing it the first time is 5/6, and the probability of throwing it the + second time is 1/6; therefore the probability of missing it the first time + and throwing it the second, is 5/6 X 1/6 = 5/36 and this is the second + part of the probability required, and therefore the probability required + is in all 1/6 + 5/36 = 11/36. + </p> + <p> + To this case is analogous a question commonly proposed about throwing with + two dice either six or seven in two throws, which will be easily solved, + provided it be known that seven has 6 chances to come up, and six 5 + chances, and that the whole number of chances in two dice is 36; for the + number of chances for throwing six or seven 11, it follows that the + probability of throwing either chance the first time is 11/36, but if both + are missed the first time, still either may be thrown the second time; but + the probability of missing both the first time is 25/36, and the + probability of throwing either of them on the second is 11/36; therefore + the probability of missing both of them the first time, and throwing + either of them the second time, is 25/36 X 11/36 = 275/1296, and therefore + the probability required is 11/36 + 275/1296 = 671/1296, and the + probability of the contrary is 625/1296. + </p> + <p> + Among the many mistakes that are committed about chances, one of the most + common and least suspected was that which related to lotteries. Thus, + supposing a lottery wherein the proportion of the blanks to the prizes was + as five to one, it was very natural to conclude that, therefore, five + tickets were requisite for the chance of a prize; and yet it is + demonstrable that four tickets were more than sufficient for that purpose. + In like manner, supposing a lottery in which the proportion of the blanks + to the prize is as thirty-nine to one (as was the lottery of 1710), it may + be proved that in twenty-eight tickets a prize is as likely to be taken as + not, which, though it may contradict the common notions, is nevertheless + grounded upon infallible demonstrations. + </p> + <p> + When the Play of the Royal Oak was in use, some persons who lost + considerably by it, had their losses chiefly occasioned by an argument of + which they could not perceive the fallacy. The odds against any particular + point of the ball were one and thirty to one, which entitled the + adventurers, in case they were winners, to have thirty-two stakes + returned, including their own; instead of which, as they had but + twenty-eight, it was very plain that, on the single account of the + disadvantage of the play, they lost one-eighth part of all the money + played for. But the master of the ball maintained that they had no reason + to complain, since he would undertake that any particular point of the + ball should come up in two and twenty throws; of this he would offer to + lay a wager, and actually laid it when required. The seeming contradiction + between the odds of one and thirty to one, and twenty-two throws for any + chance to come up, so perplexed the adventurers that they began to think + the advantage was on their side, and so they went on playing and continued + to lose. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of chances tends to explode the long-standing superstition + that there is in play such a thing as LUCK, good or bad. If by saying that + a man has good luck, nothing more were meant than that he has been + generally a gainer at play, the expression might be allowed as very proper + in a short way of speaking; but if the word 'good luck' be understood to + signify a certain predominant quality, so inherent in a man that he must + win whenever he plays, or at least win oftener than lose, it may be denied + that there is any such thing in nature. The asserters of luck maintain + that sometimes they have been very lucky, and at other times they have had + a prodigious run of bad luck against them, which whilst it continued + obliged them to be very cautious in engaging with the fortunate. They + asked how they could lose fifteen games running if bad luck had not + prevailed strangely against them. But it is quite certain that although + the odds against losing so many times together be very great, namely, + 32,767 to 1,—yet the POSSIBILITY of it is not destroyed by the + greatness of the odds, there being ONE chance in 32,768 that it may so + happen; therefore it follows that the succession of lost games was still + possible, without the intervention of bad luck. The accident of losing + fifteen games is no more to be imputed to bad luck than the winning, with + one single ticket, the highest prize in a lottery of 32,768 tickets is to + be imputed to good luck, since the chances in both cases are perfectly + equal. But if it be said that luck has been concerned in the latter case, + the answer will be easy; for let us suppose luck not existing, or at least + let us suppose its influence to be suspended,—yet the highest prize + must fall into some hand or other, not as luck (for, by the hypothesis, + that has been laid aside), but from the mere necessity of its falling + somewhere. + </p> + <p> + Among the many curious results of these inquiries according to the + doctrine of chances, is the prodigious advantage which the repetition of + odds will amount to. Thus, 'supposing I play with an adversary who allows + me the odds of 43 to 40, and agrees with me to play till 100 stakes are + won or lost on either side, on condition that I give him an equivalent for + the gain I am entitled to by the advantage of my odds;—the question + is, what I am to give him, supposing we play at a guinea a stake? The + answer is 99 guineas and above 18 shillings,(52) which will seem almost + incredible, considering the smallness of the odds—43 to 40. Now let + the odds be in any proportion, and let the number of stakes played for be + never so great, yet one general conclusion will include all the possible + cases, and the application of it to numbers may be worked out in less than + a minute's time.'(53) + </p> + <p> + (52) The guinea was worth 21s. 6d. when the work quoted was written. + </p> + <p> + (53) De Moivre, Doctrine of Chances. + </p> + <p> + The possible combinations of cards in a hand as dealt out by chance are + truly wonderful. It has been established by calculation that a player at + Whist may hold above 635 thousand millions of various hands! So that, + continually varied, at 50 deals per evening, for 313 evenings, or 15,650 + hands per annum, he might be above 40 millions of years before he would + have the same hand again! + </p> + <p> + The chance is equal, in dealing cards, that every hand will have seven + trumps in two deals, or seven trumps between two partners, and also four + court cards in every deal. It is also certain on an average of hands, that + nothing can be more superstitious and absurd than the prevailing notions + about luck or ill-luck. Four persons, constantly playing at Whist during a + long voyage, were frequently winners and losers to a large amount, but as + frequently at 'quits;' and at the end of the voyage, after the last game, + one of them was minus only one franc! + </p> + <p> + The chance of having a particular card out of 13 is 13/52, or 1 to 4, and + the chance of holding any two cards is 1/4 of 1/4 or 1/16. The chances of + a game are generally inversely as the number got by each, or as the number + to be got to complete each game. + </p> + <p> + The chances against holding seven trumps are 160 to 1; against six, it is + 26 to 1; against five, 6 to 1; and against four nearly 2 to 1. It is 8 to + 1 against holding any two particular cards. + </p> + <p> + Similar calculations have been made respecting the probabilities with + dice. There are 36 chances upon two dice. + </p> + <p> + It is an even chance that you throw 8. It is 35 to 1 against throwing any + particular doublets, and 6 to 1 against any doublets at all. It is 17 to 1 + against throwing any two desired numbers. It is 4 to 9 against throwing a + single number with either of the dice, so as to hit a blot and enter. + Against hitting with the amount of two dice, the chances against 7, 8, and + 9 are 5 to 1; against 10 are 11 to 1; against 11 are 17 to 1; and against + sixes, 35 to 1. + </p> + <p> + The probabilities of throwing required totals with two dice, depend on the + number of ways in which the totals can be made up by the dice;—2, 3, + 11, or 12 can only be made up one way each, and therefore the chance is + but 1/36;—4, 5, 9, 10 may be made up two ways, or 1/8;—6, 7, 8 + three ways, or 1/12. The chance of doublets is 1/36, the chance of + PARTICULAR doublets 1/216. + </p> + <p> + The method was largely applied to lotteries, cock-fighting, and + horse-racing. It may be asked how it is possible to calculate the odds in + horse-racing, when perhaps the jockeys in a great measure know before they + start which is to win? + </p> + <p> + In answer to this a question may be proposed:—Suppose I toss up a + half-penny, and you are to guess whether it will be head or tail—must + it not be allowed that you have an equal chance to win as to lose? Or, if + I hide a half-penny under a hat, and I know what it is, have you not as + good a chance to guess right, as if it were tossed up? My KNOWING IT TO BE + HEAD can be no hindrance to you, as long as you have liberty of choosing + either head or tail. In spite of this reasoning, there are people who + build so much upon their own opinion, that should their favourite horse + happen to be beaten, they will have it to be owing to some fraud. + </p> + <p> + The following fact is mentioned as a 'paradox.' + </p> + <p> + It happened at Malden, in Essex, in the year 1738, that three horses (and + no more than three) started for a L10 plate, and they were all three + distanced the first heat, according to the common rules in horse-racing, + without any quibble or equivocation; and the following was the solution:—The + first horse ran on the inside of the post; the second wanted weight; and + the third fell and broke a fore-leg.(54) + </p> + <p> + (54) Cheany's Horse-racing Book. + </p> + <p> + In horse-racing the expectation of an event is considered as the present + value, or worth, of whatsoever sum or thing is depending on the happening + of that event. Therefore if the expectation on an event be divided by the + value of the thing expected, on the happening of that event, the quotient + will be the probability of happening. + </p> + <p> + Example I. Suppose two horses, A and B, to start for L50, and there are + even bets on both sides; it is evident that the present value or worth of + each of their expectations will be L25, and the probabilities 25/50 or + 1/2. For, if they had agreed to divide the prize between them, according + as the bets should be at the time of their starting, they would each of + them be entitled to L25; but if A had been thought so much superior to B + that the bets had been 3 to 2 in his favour, then the real value of A's + expectation would have been L30, and that of B's only L20, and their + several probabilities 30/50 and 20/50. + </p> + <p> + Example II. Let us suppose three horses to start for a sweepstake, namely, + A, B, and C, and that the odds are 8 to 6 A against B, and 6 to 4 B + against C—what are the odds—A against C, and the field against + A? Answer:—2 to 1 A against C, and 10 to 8, or 5 to 4 the field + against A. For + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A's expectation is 8 + B's expectation is 6 + C's expectation is 4 + —— + 18 +</pre> + <p> + But if the bets had been 7 to 4 A against B; and even money B against C, + then the odds would have been 8 to 7 the field against A, as shown in the + following scheme:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 7 A + 4 B + 4 C + —— + 15 +</pre> + <p> + But as this is the basis upon which all the rest depends, another example + or two may be required to make it as plain as possible. + </p> + <p> + Example III. Suppose the same three as before, and the common bets 7 to 4 + A against B; 21 to 20 (or 'gold to silver') B against C; we must state it + thus:—7 guineas to 4 A against B; and 4 guineas to L4, B against C; + which being reduced into shillings, the scheme will stand as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +147 A's expectation. 81 B's expectation. + 80 C's expectation.——311 +</pre> + <p> + By which it will be 164 to 147 the field against A, (something more than + 39 to 35). Now, if we compare this with the last example, we may conclude + it to be right; for if it had been 40 to 35, then it would have been 8 to + 7, exactly as in the last example. But, as some persons may be at a loss + to know why the numbers 39 and 35 are selected, it is requisite to show + the same by means of the Sliding Rule. Set 164 upon the line A to 147 upon + the slider B, and then look along till you see two whole numbers which + stand exactly one against the other (or as near as you can come), which, + in this case, you find to be 39 on A, standing against 35 on the slider B + (very nearly). But as 164/311 and 147/311 are in the lowest terms, there + are no less numbers, in the same proportion, as 164 to 147,—39 and + 35 being the nearest, but not quite exact. + </p> + <p> + Example IV. There are four horses to start for a sweepstake, namely, A, B, + C, D, and they are supposed to be as equally matched as possible. Now, Mr + Sly has laid 10 guineas A against C, and also 10 guineas A against D. + Likewise Mr Rider has laid 10 guineas A against C, and also 10 guineas B + against D. After which Mr Dice laid Mr Sly 10 guineas to 4 that he will + not win both his bets. Secondly, he laid Mr Rider 10 guineas to 4 that he + will not win both his bets. + </p> + <p> + Now, we wish to know what Mr Dice's advantage or disadvantage is, in + laying these two last-mentioned wagers. + </p> + <p> + First, the probability of Mr Sly's winning both his bets is 1/3 of 14 + guineas; and Mr Dice's expectation is 2/3 of 14 guineas, or L9 16s., which + being deducted from his own stake (10 guineas), there remains 14s., which + is his disadvantage in that bet. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, Mr Rider's expectation of winning his two bets is 1/4, and, + therefore, Mr Dice's expectation of the 14 guineas, is 3/4, or L11 0s. + 6d., from which deduct 10 guineas (his own stake), and there remains 10s. + 6d., his advantage in this bet,—which being deducted from 14s. (his + disadvantage in the other), there remains 3s 6d., his disadvantage in + paying both these bets. + </p> + <p> + These examples may suffice to show the working of the system; regular + tables exist adapted to all cases; and there can be no doubt that those + who have realized large fortunes by horse-racing managed to do so by + uniformly acting on some such principles, as well as by availing + themselves of such 'valuable information' as may be secured, before events + come off, by those who make horse-racing their business. + </p> + <p> + The same system was applied, and with still greater precision, to + Cock-fighting, to Lotteries, Raffles, Backgammon, Cribbage, Put, All + Fours, and Whist, showing all the chances of holding any particular card + or cards. Thus, it is 2 to 1 that your partner has not one certain card; + 17 to 2 that he has not two certain cards; 31 to 26 that he has not one of + them only; and 32 to 25 (or 5 to 4) that he has one or both—that is, + when two cards are in question. It is 31 to 1 that he has three certain + cards; 7 to 2 that he has not two; 7 to 6 that he has not one; 13 to 6 + that he has either one or two; 5 to 2 that he has one, two, or three + cards; that is, when three cards are in question. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the dealer and his partner, it is 57,798 to 7176 (better + than 8 to 1) that they are not four by honours; it is 32,527 to 32,448 (or + about an even bet) that they are not two by honours; it is 36,924 to + 25,350 (or 11 to 7 nearly) that the honours count; it is 42,237 to 22,737 + (or 15 to 8 nearly) that the dealer is nothing by honours.(55) + </p> + <p> + (55) Proctor, The Sportsman's Sure Guide. Lond. A.D. 1733. + </p> + <p> + Such is a general sketch of the large subject included under the term of + the calculation of probabilities, which comprises not only the chances of + games of hazard, insurances, lotteries, &c., but also the + determination of future events from observations made relative to events + of the same nature. This subject of inquiry dates only from the 17th + century, and occupied the minds of Pascal, Huygens, Fermot, Bernouilli, + Laplace, Fourier, Lacroix, Poisson, De Moivre; and in more modern times, + Cournot, Quetelet, and Professor De Morgan. + </p> + <p> + In the matter of betting, or in estimating the 'odds' in betting, of + course an acquaintance with the method must be of some service, and there + can be no doubt that professional gamesters endeavoured to master the + subject. + </p> + <p> + M. Robert-Houdin, in his amusing work, Les Tricheries des Grecs devoilees, + has propounded some gaming axioms which are at least curious and + interesting; they are presented as those of a professional gambler and + cheat. + </p> + <p> + 1. 'Every game of chance presents two kinds of chances which are very + distinct,—namely, those relating to the person interested, that is, + the player; and those inherent in the combinations of the game.' + </p> + <p> + In the former there is what must be called, for the want of a better name, + 'good luck' or 'bad luck,' that is, some mysterious cause which at times + gives the play a 'run' of good or bad luck; in the latter there is the + entire doctrine of 'probabilities' aforesaid, which, according to M. + Houdin's gaming hero, may be completely discarded for the following axiom:— + </p> + <p> + 2. 'If chance can bring into the game all possible combinations, there + are, nevertheless, certain limits at which it seems to stop. Such, for + instance, as a certain number turning up ten times in succession at + Roulette. This is possible, but it has never happened.' + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless a most remarkable fact is on record. In 1813, a Mr Ogden + betted 1000 guineas to ONE guinea, that calling seven as the main, the + caster would not throw that number ten times successively. Wonderful to + relate! the caster threw seven nine times following. Thereupon Mr Ogden + offered him 470 guineas to be off the bet—which he refused. The + caster took the box again and threw nine,—and so Mr Ogden won his + guinea!(56) In this case there seems to have been no suspicion whatever of + unfair dice being used. + </p> + <p> + (56) Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + </p> + <p> + 3. 'In a game of chance, the oftener the same combination has occurred in + succession, the nearer we are to the certainty that it will not recur at + the next cast or turn up. This is the most elementary of the theories on + probabilities; it is termed the MATURITY OF THE CHANCES.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hence,' according to this great authority, 'a player must come to the + table not only "in luck," but he must not risk his money excepting at the + instant prescribed by the rules of the maturity of the chances.' + </p> + <p> + Founded on this theory we have the following precepts for gamesters:— + </p> + <p> + 1. 'For gaming, prefer Roulette, because it presents several ways of + staking your money(57)—which permits the study of several. + </p> + <p> + (57) 'Pair, impair, passe, manque, and the 38 numbers of the Roulette, + besides the different combinations of POSITION' and 'maturities' together. + </p> + <p> + 2. 'A player should approach the gaming table perfectly calm and cool—just + as a merchant or tradesman in treaty about any affair. + </p> + <p> + If he gets into a passion, it is all over with prudence, all over with + good luck—for the demon of bad luck invariably pursues a passionate + player. + </p> + <p> + 3. 'Every man who finds a pleasure in playing runs the risk of losing. + </p> + <p> + 4. 'A prudent player, before undertaking anything, should put himself to + the test to discover if he is "in vein"—in luck. In all doubt, you + should abstain.' + </p> + <p> + I remember a curious incident in my childhood, which seems much to the + point of this axiom. A magnificent gold watch and chain were given towards + the building of a church, and my mother took three chances, which were at + a very high figure, the watch and chain being valued at more than L100. + One of these chances was entered in my name, one in my brother's, and the + third in my mother's. I had to throw for her as well as myself. My brother + threw an insignificant figure; for myself I did the same; but, oddly + enough, I refused to throw for my mother on finding that I had lost my + chance, saying that I should wait a little longer—rather a curious + piece of prudence for a child of thirteen. The raffle was with three dice; + the majority of the chances had been thrown, and 34 was the highest. After + declining to throw I went on throwing the dice for amusement, and was + surprised to find that every throw was better than the one I had in the + raffle. I thereupon said—'Now I'll throw for mamma.' I threw + thirty-six, which won the watch! My mother had been a large subscriber to + the building of the church, and the priest said that my winning the watch + for her was quite PROVIDENTIAL. According to M. Houdin's authority, + however, it seems that I only got into 'vein'—but how I came to + pause and defer throwing the last chance, has always puzzled me respecting + this incident of my childhood, which made too great an impression ever to + be effaced. + </p> + <p> + 5. 'There are persons who are constantly pursued by bad luck. To such I + say—NEVER PLAY. + </p> + <p> + 6. 'Stubborness at play is ruin. + </p> + <p> + 7. 'Remember that Fortune does not like people to be overjoyed at her + favours, and that she prepares bitter deceptions for the imprudent, who + are intoxicated by success.' + </p> + <p> + Such are the chief axioms of a most experienced gamester, and M. Houdin + sums up the whole into the following:— + </p> + <p> + 8. 'Before risking your money at play, you must deeply study your "vein" + and the different probabilities of the game—termed the maturity of + the chances.' + </p> + <p> + M. Robert-Houdin got all this precious information from a gamester named + Raymond. It appears that the first meeting between him and this man was at + a subscription-ball, where the sharper managed to fleece him and others to + a considerable amount, contriving a dexterous escape when detected. Houdin + afterwards fell in with him at Spa, where he found him in the greatest + poverty, and lent him a small sum—to practise his grand theories as + just explained—but which he lost—whereupon Houdin advised him + 'to take up a less dangerous occupation.' He then appears to have revealed + to Houdin the entertaining particulars which form the bulk of his book, so + dramatically written. A year afterwards Houdin unexpectedly fell in with + him again; but this time the fellow was transformed into what he called 'a + demi-millionnaire,' having succeeded to a large fortune by the death of + his brother, who died intestate. According to Houdin the following was the + man's declaration at the auspicious meeting:—'I have,' said Raymond, + 'completely renounced gaming. I am rich enough, and care no longer for + fortune. And yet,' he added proudly, 'if I now cared for the thing, how I + could BREAK those bloated banks in their pride, and what a glorious + vengeance I could take of BAD LUCK and its inflexible agents! But my heart + is too full of my happiness to allow the smallest place for the desire of + vengeance.' + </p> + <p> + A very proper speech, unquestionably, and rendered still more edifying by + M. Houdin's assurance that Raymond, at his death three years after, + bequeathed the whole of his fortune to various charitable institutions at + Paris. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the man's gaming theories, however, it may be just as well + to consider the fact, that very many clever people, after contriving fine + systems and schemes for ruining gaming banks, have, as M. Houdin reminds + us, only succeeded in ruining themselves and those who conformed to their + precepts. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Et s'il est un joueur qui vive de son pain, + On en voit tous les jours mille mourir de faim. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'If ONE player there be that can live by his gain, + There are thousands that starve and strive ever in vain!' +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS. + </h2> + <p> + The knights of hazard and devotees of chance, who live in and by the + rattle of the box, little know, or care, perhaps, to whom they are + indebted for the invention of their favourite cube. They will solace + themselves, no doubt, on being told that they are pursuing a diversion of + the highest antiquity, and which has been handed down through all + civilized as well as barbarous nations to our own times. + </p> + <p> + The term 'cube,' which is the figure of a die, comes originally from the + Arabic word 'ca'b,' or 'ca'be,' whence the Greeks derived their cubos, and + cubeia, which is used to signify any solid figure perfectly square every + way—such as the geometrical cube, the die used in play, and the + temple at Mecca, which is of the same figure. The Persic name for 'die' is + 'dad,' and from this word is derived the name of the thing in Spanish, + Portuguese, and Italian, namely, dado. In the old French it is det, in the + plural dets; in modern French de and dez, whence our English name 'die,' + and its plural 'dies,' or 'dice.' + </p> + <p> + Plato tells us that dice and gaming originated with a certain demon, whom + he calls Theuth, which seems very much like the original patronymic of our + Teutonic races, always famous for their gambling propensity. The Greeks + generally, however, ascribed the invention of dice to one of their race, + named Palamedes, a sort of universal genius, who hit upon many other + contrivances, among the rest, weights and measures. But this worthy lived + in the times of the Trojan war, and yet Homer makes no mention of dice—the + astragaloi named by the poet being merely knuckle-bones. Dice, however, + are mentioned by Aristophanes in his comedies, and so it seems that the + invention must be placed between the times of the two poets, that is, + about 2300 years ago. At any rate the cube or die has been in use as an + instrument of play, at least, during that period of time. + </p> + <p> + The great antiquity, therefore, of the die as an instrument of pastime is + unquestionable, and the general reason assigned for its invention was the + amusement and relaxation of the mind from the pressure of difficulties, or + from the fatigues and toils of protracted war. Indeed, one conjecture is, + that gaming was invented by the Lydians when under the pressure of a great + famine; to divert themselves from their sufferings they contrived dice, + balls, tables, &c. This seems, however, rather a bad joke. + </p> + <p> + The afflicted Job asks—'Can a man fill his belly with the east + wind?' And we can imagine that plenty of tobacco to smoke and 'chaw' would + mitigate the pangs of starvation to an army in the field, as has been + seriously suggested; but you might just as well present a soldier with a + stone instead of bread, as invite him to amuse himself with dice, or + anything else, to assuage the pangs of hunger. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may, time soon matured this instrument of recreation into an + engine of destruction; and the intended palliative of care and labour has + proved the fostering nurse of innumerable evils. This diminutive cube has + usurped a tyranny over mankind for more than two thousand years, and + continues at this day to rule the world with despotic sway—levelling + all distinctions of fortune in an instant by the fiat of its single turn. + </p> + <p> + The use of dice was probably brought into this island by the Romans, if + not before known; it became more frequent in the times of our Saxon + ancestry, and has prevailed with almost unimpaired vigour from those days + to our own. + </p> + <p> + The Astragalos of the Greeks and Talus of the Romans were, as before + stated, nothing but the knuckle-bones of sheep and goats, numbered, and + used for gaming, being tossed up in the air and caught on the back of the + hand. Two persons played together at this game, using four bones, which + they threw up into the air or emptied out of a dice-box (fritillus), + observing the numbers of the opposite sides. The numbers on the four sides + of the four bones admitted of thirty-five different combinations. The + lowest throw of all was four aces; but the value of the throw was not in + all cases the sum of the four numbers turned up. The highest in value was + that called Venus, in which the numbers cast up were all different; the + sum of them being only fourteen. It was by obtaining this throw, hence + called basilicus, that 'the King of the Feast' was appointed by the + Romans. Certain other throws were called by particular names, taken from + the gods, heroes, kings, courtesans, animals; altogether there were + sixty-four such names. Thus, the throw consisting of two aces and two + treys, making eight, was denominated Stesichorus. When the object was + simply to throw the highest number, the game was called pleistobolinda, a + Greek word of that meaning. When a person threw the tali, he often invoked + either a god or his mistress. + </p> + <p> + Dice were also made of ivory, bone, or some close-grained wood, especially + privet ligustris tesseris utilissima, (Plin. H. N.). They were numbered as + at present. + </p> + <p> + Arsacides, King of the Parthians, presented Demetrius Nicator, among other + presents, with golden dice—it is said, in contempt for his frivolous + propensity to play—in exprobationem puerilis levitatis.'(58) + </p> + <p> + (58) Justini Hist., lib. xxxviii. 9. 9. + </p> + <p> + Dice are also mentioned in the New Testament, where occurs the word cubeia + (Eph. iv. 14), ('the only word for "gambling" used in the Bible'), a word + in very common use, among Paul's kith and kin, for 'cube,' 'dice,' + 'dicery,' and it occurs frequently in the Talmud and Midrash. The Mishna + declares unfit either as 'judge or witness,' 'a cubea-player, a usurer, a + pigeon-flier (betting-man), a vendor of illegal (seventh-year) produce, + and a slave.' A mitigating clause—proposed by one of the weightiest + legal authorities, to the effect that the gambler and his kin should only + be disqualified 'if they have but that one profession'—is distinctly + negatived by the majority, and the rule remains absolute. The classical + word for the gambler or dice-player, cubeutes, appears aramaized in the + same sources into something like kubiustis, as the following curious + instances may show: When the Angel, after having wrestled with Jacob all + night, asks him to let him go, 'for the dawn has risen' (A. V., 'the day + breaketh'), Jacob is made to reply to him, 'Art thou, then, a thief or a + kubiustis, that thou art afraid of the day?' To which the Angel replies, + 'No, I am not; but it is my turn to-day, and for the first time, to sing + the Angelic Hymn of Praise in Heaven: let me go.' In another Tadmudical + passage an early biblical critic is discussing certain arithmetical + difficulties in the Pentateuch. Thus he finds the number of Levites (in + Numbers) to differ, when summed up from the single items, from that given + in the total. Worse than that, he finds that all the gold and silver + contributed to the sanctuary is not accounted for, and, clinching his + argument, he cries, 'Is, then, your master Moses a thief or a kubiustis? + Or could he not make up his accounts properly?' The critic is then + informed of a certain difference between 'sacred' and other coins; and he + further gets a lesson in the matter of Levites and Firstborn, which + silences him. Again, the Talmud decides that, if a man have bought a slave + who turns out to be a thief or a kubiustis,—which has here been + erroneously explained to mean a 'manstealer,'—he has no redress. He + must keep him, as he bought him, or send him away; for he has bought him + with all his vices. + </p> + <p> + Regarding the translation 'sleight' in the A.V., this seems a correct + enough rendering of the term as far as the SENSE of the passage goes, and + comes very near the many ancient translations—'nequitia,' + 'versutia,' 'inanis labor,' 'vana et inepta (?) subtilitas,' &c., of + the Fathers. Luther has 'Schalkheit,'—a word the meaning of which at + his time differed considerably from our acceptation of the term. The + Thesaurus takes Paul's cubeia (s.v.) more literally, to mean 'in alea + hominum, i. e., in certis illis casibus quibus jactantur homines.'(59) + </p> + <p> + (59) E. Deutseh in the Athenaeum of Sept. 28, 1867. + </p> + <p> + The ancient tali, marked and thrown as above described, were also used in + DIVINATION, just as dice are at the present day; and doubtless the + interpretations were the same among the ancients—for all + superstitions are handed down from generation to generation with wondrous + fidelity. The procedure is curious enough, termed 'the art of telling + fortunes by dice.' + </p> + <p> + Three dice are taken and well shaken in the box with the left hand, and + then cast out on a board or table on which a circle is previously drawn + with chalk; and the following are the supposed predictions of the throws:— + </p> + <p> + Three, a pleasing surprise; four, a disagreeable one; five, a stranger who + will prove a friend; six, loss of property; seven, undeserved scandal; + eight, merited reproach; nine, a wedding; ten, a christening, at which + some important event will occur; eleven, a death that concerns you; + twelve, a letter speedily; thirteen, tears and sighs; fourteen, beware + that you are not drawn into some trouble or plot by a secret enemy; + fifteen, immediate prosperity and happiness; sixteen, a pleasant journey; + seventeen, you will either be on the water, or have dealings with those + belonging to it, to your advantage; eighteen, a great profit, rise in + life, or some desirable good will happen almost immediately, for the + answers to the dice are said to be fulfilled within nine days. To throw + the same number twice at one trial shows news from abroad, be the number + what it may. If the dice roll over the circle, the number thrown goes for + nothing, but the occurrence shows sharp words impending; and if they fall + on the floor it is blows. In throwing the dice if one remain on the top of + the other, 'it is a present of which you must take care,' namely, 'a + little stranger' at hand. + </p> + <p> + Two singular facts throw light on the kind of dice used some 100 and 150 + years ago. In an old cribbage card-box, curiously ornamented, supposed to + have been made by an amateur in the reign of Queen Anne, and now in my + possession, I found a die with one end fashioned to a point, evidently for + the purpose of spinning—similar to the modern teetotum. With the + same lot at the sale where it was bought, was a pack of cards made of + ivory, about an inch and a half in length and one inch in width—in + other respects exactly like the cards of the period. + </p> + <p> + Again, it is stated that in taking up the floors of the Middle Temple + Hall, about the year 1764, nearly 100 pairs of dice were found, which had + dropped, on different occasions, through the chinks or joints of the + boards. They were very small, at least one-third less that those now in + use. Certainly the benchers of those times did not keep the floor of their + magnificent hall in a very decent condition. + </p> + <p> + A curious fact relating to dice may here be pointed out. Each of the six + sides of a die is so dotted or numbered that the top and bottom of every + die (taken together) make 7; for if the top or uppermost side is 5, the + bottom or opposite side will be 2; and the same holds through every face; + therefore, let the number of dice be what it may, their top and bottom + faces, added together, must be equal to the number of dice multiplied by + 7. In throwing three dice, if 2, 3, and 4 are thrown, making 9, their + corresponding bottom faces will be 5, 4, and 3, making 12, which together + are 21—equal to the three dice multiplied by 7. + </p> + <p> + CARDS. + </p> + <p> + The origin of cards is as doubtful as that of dice. All that we know for + certain is that they were first used in the East. Some think that the + figures at first used on them were of moral import: the Hindoo and Chinese + cards are certainly emblematic in a very high degree; the former + illustrate the ten avatars, or incarnations of the deity Vishnu; and the + so-called 'paper-tickets' of the Chinese typify the stars, the human + virtues, and, indeed, every variety of subject. Sir William Jones was + convinced that the Hindoo game of Chaturaji—that is, 'the Four + Rajahs or Kings'—a species of highly-complicated chess—was the + first germ of that parti-coloured pasteboard, which has been the ruin of + so many modern fortunes. A pack of Hindoostani cards, in the possession of + the Royal Asiatic Society, and presented to Captain Cromline Smith in + 1815, by a high caste Brahman, was declared by the donor to be actually + 1000 years old: 'Nor,' said the Brahman, 'can any of us now play at them, + for they are not like our modern cards at all.' Neither, indeed, do they + bear any remarkable resemblance to our own—the pack consisting of no + less than eight sorts of divers colours, the kings being mounted upon + elephants, and viziers, or second honours, upon horses, tigers, and bulls. + Moreover, there are other marks distinguishing the respective value of the + common cards, which would puzzle our club-quidnuncs not a little—such + as 'a pine-apple in a shallow cup,' and a something like a parasol without + a handle, and with two broken ribs sticking through the top. The Chinese + cards have the advantage over those of Hindoostan by being oblong instead + of circular. + </p> + <p> + It was not before the end of the 14th century that cards became known in + Europe; and it is a curious fact that the French clergy took greatly to + card-playing about that time—their favourite game being the rather + ungenteel 'All Fours,' as now reputed; for they were specially forbidden + that pastime by the Synod of Langres in 1404. + </p> + <p> + The ancient cards of both Spain and France, particularly the + 'court-cards,' exhibit strong marks of the age of chivalry; but here we + may observe that the word is written by some ancient writers, + 'coate-cards,' evidently signifying no more than figures in particular + dresses. The giving pre-eminence or victory to a certain suit, by the name + of 'trump,' which is only a corruption of the word 'triumph,' is a strong + trait of the martial ideas of the inventors of these games. So that, if + the Chinese started the idea, it seems clear that the French and Spanish + improved upon it and gave it a plain significance; and there is no reason + to doubt that cards were actually employed to amuse Charles VI. in his + melancholy and dejection. + </p> + <p> + The four suits of cards are supposed to represent the four estates of a + kingdom:—1. The nobility and gentry; 2. The ecclesiastics or + priesthood; 3. The citizens or commercial men; 4. The peasantry or + Husbandmen. The nobility are represented in the old Spanish cards by the + espada, or sword, corrupted by us into 'spades,'—by the French with + piques, 'pikes or spears.' The ecclesiastical order is pointed out by + copas, or sacramental cups, which are painted in one of the suits of old + Spanish cards, and by coeurs, or 'hearts,' on French cards, as in our own—thereby + signifying choir-men, gens de choeur, or ecclesiastics—from choeur + de l'eglise, 'the choir of the church,' that being esteemed the most + important part or the HEART of the church. + </p> + <p> + The Spaniards depicted their citizens or commercial men under dineros, a + small coin, an emblem very well adapted to the productive classes; the + French by carreaux, squares or lozenges—importing, perhaps, unity of + interest, equality of condition, regularity of manners, and the + indispensable duty of this class of men to deal with one another 'on the + square.' The Spaniards made bastos, or knotty clubs, the emblem of the + 'bold peasantry,' taken probably from the custom that the plebeians were + permitted to challenge or fight each other with sticks and quarter-staves + only, but not with the sword, or any arms carried by a gentleman; while + the French peasantry were pointed out under the ideas of husbandry, + namely, by the trefles, trefoil or clover-grass. So much for the SUITS. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the depicted figures of cards, each nation likewise + followed its own inventions, though grounded in both on those ideas of + chivalry which then strongly prevailed. The Spanish cards were made to + carry the insignia and accoutrements of the King of Spain, the ace of + deneros being emblazoned with the royal arms, supported by an eagle. The + French ornamented their cards with fleurs de lis, their royal emblem. The + Spanish kings, in conformity to the martial spirit of the times when cards + were introduced, were all mounted on horseback, as befitted generals and + commanders-in-chief; but their next in command (among the cards) was el + caballo, the knight-errant on horseback—for the old Spanish cards + had no queens; and the third in order was the soto, or attendant, that is, + the esquire, or armour-bearer of the knight—all which was exactly + conformable to those ideas of chivalry which ruled the age. It is said + that David (king of spades), tormented by a rebellious son, is the emblem + of Charles VII., menaced by his son (Louis XI.), and that Argine (queen of + clubs) is the anagram of Regina, and the emblem of Marie d'Anjou, the wife + of that prince; that Pallas (queen of spades) represents Joan of Arc, the + Maid of Orleans; that Rachel (queen of diamonds) is Agnes Sorel; lastly, + that Judith (queen of hearts) is the Queen Isabeau. The French call the + queens at cards dames. + </p> + <p> + The four knaves (called in French, valets or varlets) are four valiant + captains—Ogier and Lancelot, the companions of Charlemagne, Hector + de Gallard, and Lahire, the generals of Charles VII. The remainder of the + pack equally presents a sort of martial allegory; the heart is bravery; + the spade (espad, 'sword') and the diamond (carreau, that is, a square or + shield) are the arms of war; the club (in French trefle, 'trefoil') is the + emblem of provisions; and the ace (in French as, from the Latin aes, + 'coin') is the emblem of money—the sinews of war. + </p> + <p> + In accordance with this allegorical meaning, the function of the ace is + most significant. It leads captive every other card, queen and king + included—thus indicating the omnipotence of gold or mammon! + </p> + <p> + 'To the mighty god of this nether world—To the spirit that roams + with banner unfurl'd O'er the Earth and the rolling Sea—And hath + conquer'd all to his thraldom Where his eye hath glanced or his footstep + sped—Who hath power alike o'er the living and dead—Mammon!(59) + I sing to thee! + </p> + <p> + (59) Steinmetz Ode to Mammon. + </p> + <p> + Some say that the four kings represent those famous champions of antiquity—David, + Alexander, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne; and that the four queens, + Argine, Pallas, Esther, and Judith, are the respective symbols of majesty, + wisdom, piety, and fortitude; and there can be no doubt, if you look + attentively on the queens of a pack of cards, you will easily discern the + appropriate expressions of all these attributes in the faces of the + grotesque ladies therein depicted. The valets, or attendants, whom we call + knaves, are not necessarily 'rascals,' but simply servants royal; at first + they were knights, as appears from the names of some of the famous French + knights being formerly painted on the cards. + </p> + <p> + Thus a pack of cards is truly a monument of the olden time—the days + of chivalry and its numberless associations. + </p> + <p> + In addition to the details I have given in the previous chapter respecting + the probability of holding certain cards, there are a few other curious + facts concerning them, which it may be interesting to know. + </p> + <p> + There is a difference in the eyes of two of the knaves—those of + diamonds and hearts, more apparent in the old patterns, suggesting the + inference that they are blind. This has been made the basis of a card + trick, as to which two of the four knaves presenting themselves would be + selected as servants. Of course the blind ones would be rejected. A bet is + sometimes proposed to the unwary, at Whist, but one of the party will have + in his hand, after the deal, only one of a suit, or none of a suit. The + bet should not be taken, as this result very frequently happens. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there is an arithmetical puzzle of the most startling effect to be + contrived with a pack of cards, as follows. Let a party make up parcels of + cards, beginning with a number of pips on any card, and then counting up + to twelve with individual cards. In the first part of the trick it must be + understood that the court cards count as ten, all others according to the + pips. Thus, a king put down will require only two cards to make up 12, + whereas the ace will require 11, and so on. Now, when all the parcels are + completed, the performer of the trick requires to know only the number of + parcels thus made, and the remainder, if any, to declare after a momentary + calculation, the exact number of pips on the first cards laid down—to + the astonishment of those not in the secret. In fact, there is no possible + arrangement of the cards, according to this method, which can prevent an + adept from declaring the number of pips required, after being informed of + the number of parcels, and the remainder, if any. This startling + performance will be explained in a subsequent chapter—amusing card + tricks. + </p> + <p> + Cards must soon have made their way among our countrymen, from the great + intercourse that subsisted between England and France about the time of + the first introduction of cards into the latter kingdom. If the din of + arms in the reign of our fifth Henry should seem unfavourable to the + imitation of an enemy's private diversions, it must be remembered that + France was at that period under the dominion of England, that the English + lived much in that country, and consequently joined in the amusements of + the private hour, as well as in the public dangers of the field. + </p> + <p> + Very soon, however, the evil consequences of their introduction became + apparent. One would have thought that in such a tumultuous reign at home + as that of our sixth Henry, there could not have been so much use made of + cards as to have rendered them an object of public apprehension and + governmental solicitude; but a record appears in the beginning of the + reign of Edward IV., after the deposition of the unfortunate Henry, by + which playing cards, as well as dice, tennis-balls, and chessmen, were + forbidden to be imported. + </p> + <p> + If this tended to check their use for a time, the subsequent Spanish + connection with the court of England renewed an acquaintance with cards + and a love for them. The marriage of Prince Arthur with the Infanta + Catherine of Arragon, brought on an intimacy between the two nations, + which probably increased card-playing in England,—it being a + diversion to which the Spaniards were extremely addicted at that period. + </p> + <p> + Cards were certainly much in use, and all ideas concerning them very + familiar to the minds of the English, during the reign of Henry VIII., as + may be inferred from a remarkable sermon of the good bishop Latimer. This + sermon was preached in St Edward's church, Cambridge, on the Sunday before + Christmas day, 1527, and in this discourse he may be said to have 'dealt' + out an exposition of the precepts of Christianity according to the terms + of card-playing. 'Now ye have heard what is meant by this "first card," + and how you ought to "play" with it, I purpose again to "deal" unto you + "another card almost of the same suit," for they be of so nigh affinity + that one cannot be well "played" without the other, &c.' 'It seems,' + says Fuller, 'that he suited his sermon rather to the TIME—being + about Christmas, when cards were much used—than to the text, which + was the Baptist's question to our Lord—"Who art thou?"—taking + thereby occasion to conform his discourse to the "playing at cards," + making the "heart triumph."' + </p> + <p> + This blunt preaching was in those days admirably effectual, but it would + be considered ridiculous in ours—except from the lips of such + original geniuses as Mr Spurgeon, who hit upon this vein and made a + fortune of souls as well as money. He is, however, inimitable, and any + attempt at entering into his domain would probably have the same result as + that which attended an imitation of Latimer by a country minister, + mentioned by Fuller. 'I remember,' he says, 'in my time (about the middle + of the seventeenth century), a country minister preached at St Mary's, + from Rom. xii. 3,—"As God has DEALT to every man the measure of + faith." In a fond imitation of Latimer's sermon he followed up the + metaphor of DEALING,—that men should PLAY ABOVE-BOARD, that is, + avoid all dissembling,—should not POCKET CARDS, but improve their + gifts and graces,—should FOLLOW SUIT, that is, wear the surplice, + &c.,—all which produced nothing but laughter in the audience. + Thus the same actions by several persons at several times are made not the + same actions, yea, differenced from commendable discretion to ridiculous + absurdity. And thus he will make but bad music who hath the instruments + and fiddlesticks, but none of the "resin" of Latimer.' + </p> + <p> + The habit of card-playing must have been much confirmed and extended by + the marriage of Philip of Spain with our Queen Mary, whose numerous and + splendid retinue could not but bring with them that passionate love of + cards which prevailed in the Spanish court. + </p> + <p> + It seems also probable that the cards then used (whatever they might have + been before) were of Spanish form and figure, in compliment to the + imperious Philip; since even to this day the names of two Spanish suits + are retained on English cards, though without any reference to their + present figure. Thus, we call one suit spades, from the Spanish espada, + 'sword,' although we retain no similitude of the sword in the figure,—and + another clubs, in Spanish, bastos, but without regard to the figure also. + </p> + <p> + Old Roger Ascham, the tutor of Queen Elizabeth, gives us a picture of the + gambling arts of his day, as follows:—How will they use these + shiftes when they get a plaine man that cannot skill of them! How they + will go about, if they perceive an honest man have moneye, which list not + playe, to provoke him to playe! They will seek his companye; they will let + him pay noughte, yea, and as I hearde a man once saye that he did, they + will send for him to some house, and spend perchaunce a crowne on him, + and, at last, will one begin to saye: "at, my masters, what shall we do? + Shall every man playe his twelve-pence while an apple roste in the fire, + and then we will drincke and departe?" "Naye" will another saye (as false + as he), "you cannot leave when you begin, and therefore I will not playe: + but if you will gage, that every man as he hath lost his twelve-pence, + shall sit downe, I am contente, for surelye I would Winne no manne's + moneye here, but even as much as woulde pay for my supper." Then speaketh + the thirde to the honeste man that thought not to play:—"What? Will + you play your twelve-pence?" If he excuse him—"Tush! man!" will the + other saye, "sticke not in honeste company for twelve-pence; I will beare + your halfe, and here is my moneye." Nowe all this is to make him to + beginne, for they knowe if he be once in, and be a loser, that he will not + sticke at his twelve-pence, but hopeth ever to get it againe, whiles + perhappes he will lose all. Then every one of them setteth his shiftes + abroache, some with false dyse, some with settling of dyse, some with + having outlandish silver coynes guilded, to put awaye at a time for good + golde. Then, if there come a thing in controversye, must you be judged by + the table, and then farewell the honeste man's parte, for he is borne + downe on every syde.' + </p> + <p> + It is evident from this graphic description of the process, that the + villany of sharpers has been ever the same; for old Roger's account of the + matter in his day exactly tallies with daily experience at the present + time. + </p> + <p> + The love of card-playing was continued through the reign of Elizabeth and + James I.,(60) and in the reign of the latter it had reached so high a + pitch that the audiences used to amuse themselves with cards at the + play-house, while they were waiting for the beginning of the play. The + same practice existed at Florence. If the thing be not done at the present + day, something analogous prevails in our railway carriages throughout the + kingdom. It is said that professed card-sharpers take season-tickets on + all the lines, and that a great DEAL of money is made by the gentry by + duping unwary travellers into a game or by betting. + </p> + <p> + (60) King James, the British Solomon, although he could not 'abide' + tobacco, and denounced it in a furious 'Counterblaste,' could not 'utterly + condemn' play, or, as he calls it, 'fitting house-pastimes.' 'I will not,' + he says, 'agree in forbidding cards, dice, and other like games of + Hazard,' and enters into an argument for his opinion, which is scarcely + worth quoting. See Basilicon Doron—a prodigy of royal fatuity—but + the perfect 'exponent' of the characteristics of the Stuart royal race in + England. + </p> + <p> + There is no reason to suppose that the fondness for this diversion abated, + except during the short 'trump or triumph of the fanatic suit'—in + the hard times of Old Oliver—when undoubtedly cards were styled 'the + devil's books.' But, indeed, by that time they had become an engine of + much fraud and destruction; so that one of the early acts of Charles II.'s + reign inflicted large penalties on those who should use cards for + fraudulent purposes. + </p> + <p> + 'Primero was the fashionable game at the court of England during the Tudor + dynasty. Shakspeare represents Henry VIII. playing at it with the Duke of + Suffolk; and Falstaff says, "I never prospered since I forswore myself at + Primero." In the Earl of Northumberland's letters about the + Gunpowder-plot, it is noticed that Joscelin Percy was playing at this game + on Sunday, when his uncle, the conspirator, called on him at Essex House. + In the Sidney papers, there is an account of a desperate quarrel between + Lord Southampton, the patron of Shakspeare, and one Ambrose Willoughby. + Lord Southampton was then "Squire of the Body" to Queen Elizabeth, and the + quarrel was occasioned by Willoughby persisting to play with Sir Walter + Raleigh and another at Primero, in the Presence Chamber, after the queen + had retired to rest, a course of proceeding which Southampton would not + permit. Primero, originally a Spanish game, is said to have been made + fashionable in England by Philip of Spain, after his marriage with Queen + Mary. + </p> + <p> + Maw succeeded Primero as the fashionable game at the English court, and + was the favourite game of James I., who appears to have played at cards, + just as he played with affairs of state, in an indolent manner; requiring + in both cases some one to hold his cards, if not to prompt him what to + play. Weldon, alluding to the poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury, in his + Court and Character of King James, says: 'The next that came on the stage + was Sir Thomas Monson, but the night before he was to come to his trial, + the king being at the game of Maw, said, "To-morrow comes Thomas Monson to + his trial." "Yea," said the king's card-holder, "where, if he do not play + his master's prize, your Majesty shall never trust me." This so ran in the + king's mind, that at the next game he said he was sleepy, and would play + out that set the next night. + </p> + <p> + 'It is evident that Maw differed very slightly from Five Cards, the most + popular game in Ireland at the present day. As early as 1674 this game was + popular in Ireland, as we learn from Cotton's Compleat Gamester, which + says: "Five Cards is an Irish game, and is much played in that kingdom for + considerable sums of money, as All-fours is played in Kent, and + Post-and-pair in the west of England." + </p> + <p> + 'Noddy was one of the old English court games. This has been supposed to + have been a children's game, and it was certainly nothing of the kind. Its + nature is thus fully described in a curious satirical poem, entitled Batt + upon Batt, published in 1694. + </p> + <p> + "Show me a man can turn up Noddy still, And deal himself three fives too, + when he will; Conclude with one-and-thirty, and a pair, Never fail ten in + Stock, and yet play fair, If Batt be not that wight, I lose my aim." + </p> + <p> + 'From these lines, there can be no doubt that the ancient Noddy was the + modern cribbage—the Nod of to-day, rejoicing in the name of Noddy, + and the modern Crib, being termed the Stock. + </p> + <p> + 'Ombre was most probably introduced into this country by Catherine of + Portugal, the queen of Charles II.; Waller, the court poet, has a poem on + a card torn at Ombre by the queen. This royal lady also introduced to the + English court the reprehensible practice of playing cards on Sunday. + Pepys, in 1667, writes: "This evening, going to the queen's side to see + the ladies, I did find the queen, the Duchess of York, and another at + cards, with the room full of ladies and great men; which I was amazed at + to see on a Sunday, having not believed, but contrarily flatly denied the + same, a little while since, to my cousin."(61) + </p> + <p> + (61) Hombre, or rather El Hombre, or 'The Man,' was so named as requiring + thought and reflection, which are qualities peculiar to man; or rather, + alluding to him who undertakes to play the game against the rest of the + gamesters, emphatically called The Man. It requires very great application + to play it well: and let a man be ever so expert, he will be apt to fall + into mistakes if he thinks of anything else, or is disturbed by the + conversation of those that look on. It is a game of three, with 40 cards, + that is, rejecting the eights, nines, and tens of all the suits. + </p> + <p> + 'In a passage from Evelyn's Memoirs, the writer impressively describes + another Sunday-evening scene at Whitehall, a few days before the death of + Charles II., in which a profligate assemblage of courtiers is represented + as deeply engaged in the game of Basset. This was an Italian game, brought + by Cardinal Mazarin to France; Louis XIV. is said to have lost large sums + at it; and it was most likely brought to England by some of the French + ladies of the court. It did not stand its ground, however, in this + country; Ombre continuing the fashionable game in England, down till after + the expiration of the first quarter of the last century. + </p> + <p> + 'Quadrille succeeded Ombre, but for a curious reason did not reign so long + as its predecessor. From the peculiar nature of Quadrille, an unfair + confederacy might be readily established, by any two persons, by which the + other players could be cheated. + </p> + <p> + 'While the preceding games were in vogue the magnificent temple of Whist, + destined to outshine and overshadow them, was in course of erection. + </p> + <p> + "Let India vaunt her children's vast address, Who first contrived the + warlike sport of Chess; Let nice Piquette the boast of France remain, And + studious Ombre be the pride of Spain; Invention's praise shall England + yield to none, When she can call delightful Whist her own." + </p> + <p> + 'All great inventions and discoveries are works of time, and Whist is no + exception to the rule; it did not come into the world perfect at all + points, as Minerva emerged from the head of Jupiter. Nor were its + wonderful merits early recognized. Under the vulgar appellations of Whisk + and Swobbers, it long lingered in the servants'-hall ere it could ascend + to the drawing-room. At length, some gentlemen, who met at the Crown + coffee-house, in Bedford Row, studied the game, gave it rules, established + its principles, and then Edward Hoyle, in 1743, blazoned forth its fame to + all the world. + </p> + <p> + 'Many attempts have been made, at various times, to turn playing-cards to + a very different use from that for which they were originally intended. + Thus, in 1518, a learned Franciscan friar, named Murner, published a + Logica Memorativa, a mode of teaching logic, by a pack of cards; and, + subsequently, he attempted to teach a summary of civil law in the same + manner. In 1656, an Englishman, named Jackson, published a work, entitled + the Scholar's Sciential Cards, in which he proposed to teach reading, + spelling, grammar, writing, and arithmetic, with various arts and + sciences, by playing-cards; premising that the learner was well grounded + in all the games played at the period. And later still, about the close of + the seventeenth century, there was published the Genteel Housekeeper's + Pastime; or the Mode of Carving at Table represented in a Pack of + Playing-Cards, by which any one of ordinary Capacity may learn how to + Carve, in Mode, all the most usual Dishes of Flesh, Fish, Fowl, and Baked + Meats, with the several Sauces and Garnishes proper to Every Dish of Meat. + In this system, flesh was represented by hearts, fish by clubs, fowl by + diamonds, and baked-meat by spades. The king of hearts ruled a noble + sirloin of roast-beef; the monarch of clubs presided over a pickled + herring; and the king of diamonds reared his battle-axe over a turkey; + while his brother of spades smiled benignantly on a well-baked + venison-pasty. + </p> + <p> + 'The kind of advertisements, now called circulars, were often, formerly, + printed on the backs of playing-cards. Visiting-cards, too, were + improvised, by writing the name on the back of playing-cards. About twenty + years ago, when a house in Dean Street, Soho, was under repair, several + visiting-cards of this description were found behind a marble + chimney-piece, one of them bearing the name of Isaac Newton. Cards of + invitation were written in a similar manner. In the fourth picture, in + Hogarth's series of "Marriage a-la-Mode," several are seen lying on the + floor, upon one of which is inscribed: "Count Basset begs to no how Lade + Squander sleapt last nite." Hogarth, when he painted this inscription, was + most probably thinking of Mrs Centlivre's play, The Basset Table, which a + critic describes as containing a great deal of plot and business, without + much sentiment or delicacy. + </p> + <p> + 'A curious and undoubtedly authentic historical anecdote is told of a pack + of cards. Towards the end of the persecuting reign of Queen Mary, a + commission was granted to a Dr Cole to go over to Ireland, and commence a + fiery crusade against the Protestants of that country. On coming to + Chester, on his way, the doctor was waited on by the mayor, to whom he + showed his commission, exclaiming, with premature triumph, "Here is what + shall lash the heretics of Ireland." Mrs Edmonds, the landlady of the inn, + having a brother in Dublin, was much disturbed by overhearing these words; + so, when the doctor accompanied the mayor downstairs, she hastened into + his room, opened his box, took out the commission, and put a pack of cards + in its place. When the doctor returned to his apartment, he put the box + into his portmanteau without suspicion, and the next morning sailed for + Dublin. On his arrival he waited on the lord-lieutenant and privy council, + to whom he made a speech on the subject of his mission, and then presented + the box to his Lordship; but on opening it, there appeared only a pack of + cards, with the knave of clubs uppermost. The doctor was petrified, and + assured the council that he had had a commission, but what was become of + it he could not tell. The lord-lieutenant answered, "Let us have another + commission, and, in the mean while, we can shuffle the cards." Before the + doctor could get his commission renewed Queen Mary died, and thus the + persecution was prevented. We are further informed that, when Queen + Elizabeth was made acquainted with the circumstances, she settled a + pension of L40 per annum on Mrs Edmonds, for having saved her Protestant + subjects in Ireland.'(62) + </p> + <p> + (62) The Book of Days, Dec. 28. + </p> + <p> + All the pursuits of life, all the trades and occupations of men, have, in + all times, lent expressions to the languages of nations, and those + resulting from the propensity of GAMING are among those which perpetually + recur in daily conversation, and with the greatest emphasis. Thus we have:—'He + has played his cards well or ill,'—applied to the management of + fortune or one's interest; jacta est alea, 'the die is cast,' as exclaimed + Julius Caesar before crossing the Rubicon; 'he has run his RACE—reached + the GOAL' a turf adage applied to consummate success or disastrous + failure; 'a lucky throw or hit;' 'within an ACE,' meaning one point of + gaining a thing; 'he HAZARDS everything;' 'chances are for and against;' + 'he was PIQUED,' from the game of piquet, meaning, angry at losing + something; 'left in the lurch,' from the French game l'Ourche, wherein on + certain points happening the stake is to be paid double, and meaning, + 'under circumstances unexpected and peculiarly unfavourable;' 'to save + your bacon or gamon,' from the game Back-gammon(63) a blot is hit,' from + the same; 'checked in his career,' that is, stopped in his designs from + the game of chess. + </p> + <p> + (63) The etymology of the word Back-gamon has been disputed. Hyde seems to + have settled it. A certain portion of the hog is called in Italian + gambone, whence our English word gambon or gammon. Confounding things that + differ, many think that 'gamon' in the game has the same meaning, and + therefore they say—'he saved his gamon or bacon,' which is absurd, + although it is a proverbial phrase of sufficient emphasis. The word + Backgamon seems to be derived from the very nature of the game itself, + namely, back-game-on, that is, when one of your pieces is taken, you must + go back—begin again—and then game on—'Back-game-on'. + </p> + <p> + The fabrication of cards is a most important manufacture of France; and + Paris and Nancy are the two places where most cards are made. The annual + consumption of cards in France amounts to 1,500,000 francs, or L62,500; + but France also supplies foreigners with the article, especially the + Spanish, American, Portuguese, and English colonies, to the value of + 1,000,000 francs, or L41,666. The government derives from this branch of + French industry not much less than L25,000 annual revenue, that is, from + 20 to 25 per cent. of the product. The duty on cards is secured and + enforced by severe penalties. + </p> + <p> + English cards are about a third larger than the French. The double-headed + cards are an English invention, and they are being adopted by the French. + Their advantage is obvious, in securing the secrecy of the hand, for by + observing a party in arranging his cards after the deal, the act of + turning up a card plainly shows that it must be at least a face card, and + the oftener this is done the stronger the hand, in general. In Germany, a + fourth face-card is sometimes added to the pack, called the Knight, or + Chevalier. The Italians have also in use long cards, called tarots, which, + however, must not be confounded with the French cards called tarotees, + with odd figures on them, and used by fortune-tellers. + </p> + <p> + The method of making playing-cards seems to have given the first hint to + the invention of printing, as appears from the first specimens of printing + at Haerlem, and those in the Bodleian Library. + </p> + <p> + 'The manufacture of playing-cards comprises many interesting processes. + The cardboard employed for this purpose is formed of several thicknesses + of paper pasted together; there are usually four such thicknesses; and the + paper is so selected as to take paste, paint, and polish equally well. The + sheets of paper are pasted with a brush, and are united by successive + processes of cold-drying, hot-drying, and hydraulic pressure. Each sheet + is large enough for forty cards. The outer surfaces of the outer sheets + are prepared with a kind of flinty coating, which gives sharpness to the + outline of the various coloured devices. Most packs of cards are now made + with coloured backs. The ground-tint is laid on with a brush, and consists + of dis-temper colour, or pigments mixed with warm melted size. The device + impressed on this ground-tint is often very beautiful. Messrs De la Rue, + the leading firm in the manufacture, employ tasteful artists, and invest a + large amount of capital in the introduction of new patterns. On cards sold + at moderate prices, the colours at the back are generally two—one + for the ground, and one for the device; but some of the choicer specimens + display several colours; and many of the designs are due to the pencil of + Mr Owen Jones. The printing of the design is done on the sheets of paper, + before the pasting to form cardboard. The pips or spots on the faces of + playing-cards are now spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds; but at + different times, and in different countries, there have been leaves, + acorns, bells, cups, swords, fruit, heads, parasols, and other objects + similarly represented. In English cards the colours are red and black; + Messrs De la Rue once introduced red, black, green, and blue for the four + suits; but the novelty was not encouraged by card-players. The same makers + have also endeavoured to supersede the clumsy devices of kings, queens, + and knaves, by something more artistic; but this, too, failed + commercially; for the old patterns, like the old willow-pattern + dinner-plates, are still preferred—simply because the users have + become accustomed to them. Until within the last few years the printing of + cards was generally done by stencilling, the colour being applied through + perforated devices in a stencil-plate. The colour employed for this + purpose is mixed up with a kind of paste. When there is a device at the + back, the outline of the device is printed from an engraved wood-block, + and the rest filled in by stencilling. The stencilling of the front and + back can be done either before or after the pasting of the sheets into + cardboard. One great improvement in the manufacture has been the + substitution of oil colour for paste or size colour; and another, the + substitution of printing for stencilling. Messrs De la Rue have expended + large sums of money on these novelties; for many experiments had to be + made, to determine how best to employ oil colour so that the spots or pips + may be equal-tinted, the outline clear and sharp, the pigment well + adherent to the surface, and the drying such as to admit of polishing + without stickiness. The plates for printing are engraved on copper or + brass, or are produced by electrotype, or are built up with small pieces + of metal or interlaced wire. The printing is done in the usual way of + colour-printing, with as many plates as there are colours (usually five), + and one for the outlines; it is executed on the sheets of paper, before + being pasted into cardboard. When the printing, drying, and pasting are + all completed, a careful polish is effected by means of brush-wheels, + pasteboard wheels, heated plates, and heated rollers; in such a way that + the polish on the back may differ from that on the face—since it is + found that too equally polished surfaces do not slide quite so readily + over each other. Formerly, every pack of cards made in England for home + use paid a duty of one shilling, which duty was levied on the ace of + spades. + </p> + <p> + The maker engraved a plate for twenty aces of spades; the printing was + done by the government at Somerset House, and L1 was paid by the maker for + every sheet of aces so printed. The law is now altered. Card sellers pay + an annual license of 2s. 6d., and to each pack of cards is affixed a + three-pence stamp, across which the seller must write or stamp his name, + under a penalty of L5 for the omission. + </p> + <p> + The cardboard, when all the printing is finished, is cut up into cards; + every card is minutely examined, and placed among the 'Moguls,' 'Harrys,' + or 'Highlanders,' as they are technically called, according to the degree + in which they may be faultless or slightly specked; and the cards are + finally made up into packs.'(64) + </p> + <p> + (64) Chambers's Cyclopaedia. + </p> + <p> + Machinery has been called into requisition in card-playing. In 1815 a case + was tried in which part of the debt claimed was for an instrument to cut + cards so as to give an unfair advantage to the person using it. The + alleged debtor had been most fortunate in play, winning at one time + L11,000 from an officer in India. For an exactly opposite reason another + machine was used in 1818 by the Bennet Street Club. It consisted of a box + curiously constructed for dealing cards, and was invented by an American + officer. + </p> + <p> + Another curious fact relating to cards is the duty derived from them. In + the year 1775 the number of packs stamped was 167,000, amounting to + between L3000 and L4000 duty. Lord North put on another sixpence. Of + course, a vast number of packs were smuggled in, paying no duty, as in the + case of tobacco, in all times since its fiscal regulations. In the time of + Pitt, 1789, L9000 were to be raised by an additional duty of sixpence on + cards and dice, consequently there must have been no less than 360,000 + packs of cards and pairs of dice stamped in the year 1788, to justify the + calculation—a proof that gaming in England was not on the decline. + In the year 1790, the duty on cards was two shillings per pack, and on + dice thirteen shillings per pair. + </p> + <p> + This duty on cards went on increasing its annual addition to the revenue, + so that about the year 1820 the monthly payments of Mr Hunt alone, the + card-maker of Picadilly, for the stamp-duty on cards, varied from L800 to + L1000, that is, from L9600 to L12,000 per annum. In 1833 the stamp-duty on + cards was 6d., and it yielded L15,922, showing a consumption of 640,000 + packs per annum. Much of this, however, was sheer waste, on account of the + rule of gamesters requiring a fresh pack at every game. + </p> + <p> + In the Harleian Miscellany(65) will be found a satirical poem entitled + 'The Royal Gamesters; or, the Odd Cards new shuffled for a Conquering + Game,' referring to the political events of the years from 1702 to 1706, + and concluding with the following lines— + </p> + <p> + 'Thus ends the game which Europe has in view, Which, by the stars, may + happen to be true.' + </p> + <p> + (65) Vol. i. p. 177. + </p> + <p> + In vol. iv. of the same work there is another poem of the kind, entitled + 'The State Gamesters; or, the Old Cards new packed and shuffled,' which + characteristically concludes as follows— + </p> + <p> + 'But we this resolution have laid down—Never to play so high as for + a Crown.' + </p> + <p> + Finally, as to allusions to gaming, the reader may remember the famous + sarcasm of the late Earl of Derby (as Lord Stanley) some thirty years ago, + comparing the Government to Thimble-riggers in operation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, PASSE-DIX, PUT, CROSS AND PILE, + </h2> + <p> + THIMBLE-RIG. PIQUET + </p> + <p> + Piquet is said to have derived its name from that of its inventor, who + contrived it to amuse Charles VI. of France. The game was played with + thirty two cards, that is, discarding out of the pack all the deuces, + treys, fours, fives, and sixes. Regular piquet-packs were sold. In + reckoning up the points, every card counted for its value, as ten for ten, + nine for nine, and so on down to seven, which was, of course, the lowest; + but the ace reckoned for eleven. All court cards reckoned for ten. As in + other games, the ace won the king, the king the queen, and so on, to the + knave, which won the ten. The cards were dealt at option by fours, threes, + or twos, to the number of twelve, which was the hand—'discarding' + being allowed; but both the dealer and he that led were OBLIGED to discard + at least one card, let their game be ever so good. When the cards were + played out, each counted his tricks; and he that had most reckoned 10 for + winning the cards; if the tricks were equal, neither reckoned at all. He + who, without playing (that is, according to the various terms of the + game), could reckon up 30 in hand, when his antagonist reckoned nothing, + scored 90 for them; this was called a repic; and all above 30 counted so + many,—32 counting 92, and so on. He who could make up 30, part in + hand and part by play, before the other made anything, scored 60; this was + called a pic. + </p> + <p> + The game was also played as pool precisely according to the rules briefly + sketched as above, the penalty for losing being a guinea to the pool. + </p> + <p> + Piquet required much practice to play it well. It became so great a + favourite that, by the middle of the 18th century, the meanest people were + well acquainted with it, and 'let into all the tricks and secrets of it, + in order to render them complete sharpers.' Such are the words of an old + author, who adds that the game was liable to great imposition, and he + explains the methods in use. Short cards were used for cutting, as in + Whist, at the time. Of these cards there were two sorts, one longer than + the rest; and the advantage gained by them was as the adversary managed + it, by cutting the longer or broader, as best suited his purpose, or + imposing on the dealer, when it was his turn, to cut those which made most + against him. The aces, kings, queens, and knaves were marked with dots at + the corners, and in the very old book from which I am quoting precise + directions are given how this marking can be effected in such a manner 'as + not to be discovered by your ADVERSARY, and at the same time appear plain + to YOURSELF.' With a fine pointed pen and some clear spring water, players + made dots upon the glazed card at the corners according to the above + method; or they coloured the water with india ink, to make the marks more + conspicuous. The work concludes as follows:—'There are but 32 cards + made use of at Piquet, so that just half of them will be known to you; and + in dealing you may have an opportunity to give yourself those you LIKE + best; and if you cannot conveniently CHANGE the PACK according to your + desire, you will commonly KNOW what YOU are to TAKE IN, which is a + demonstrative advantage to win any one's money.' + </p> + <p> + Evidently they did not 'assume a virtue' in those days, 'if they had it + not.' + </p> + <p> + BASSET. + </p> + <p> + The game of Basset (in French Wassette) was considered one of the most + polite games with cards, and only fit for persons of the highest rank to + play at, on account of the great losses or gains that might accrue on one + side or the other. + </p> + <p> + The sums of money lost in France at this game were so considerable that + the princes of the blood were in danger of being undone; and after many + persons of distinction were ruined the court of France thought fit to + forbid Basset. Then Faro was invented; and both were soon introduced into + England, and after three or four years' play here, they impoverished so + many families, that Parliament enacted a suppression of both games, with + severe penalties. The two games are, therefore, of historical interest, + and deserve an explanation. + </p> + <p> + Basset was a sort of lottery. The dealer who kept the bank at Basset, + having the sole disposal of the first and last card, and other + considerable privileges in dealing the cards, had a much greater prospect + of gaining than those who played. This was a truth so acknowledged in + France that the king, by public edict, ordered that the privilege of a + talliere, or banker at Basset, should only be allowed to the 'chief + cadets,' or sons of noblemen—supposing that whoever kept the bank + must, in a very short time, acquire a considerable fortune. + </p> + <p> + In this game there was: 1. The Talliere, the banker, who laid down a sum + of money to answer every winning card which might turn up. 2. The + Croupiere, the assistant of the former, standing by to supervise the + losing cards,—so that when there were many at play he might not lose + by overlooking anything which might turn up to his profit. 3. The Punter, + or every player. 4. The Fasse, that is, the first card turned up by the + talliere, by which he gained half the value of the money laid upon every + card of THAT SORT by the punters or players. 5. The Couch, which was the + first stake that every punter laid upon each card—every player + having a book of 13 cards before him, upon which he must lay his money, + more or less, according to his fancy. 6. The Paroli: in this, whoever won + the couch, and intended to go on for another advantage, crooked the corner + of his card, letting his money lie, without being paid the value by the + talliere. 7. The Masse, which was, when those who had won the couch, would + venture more money on the SAME card. 8. The Pay, which was when the player + had won the couch, and, being doubtful of making the paroli, left off; for + by going the pay, if the card turned up wrong, he lost nothing, having won + the couch before; but if by this adventure fortune favoured him, he won + double the money he had staked. 9. The Alpieu was when the couch was won + by turning up, or crooking, the corner of the winning card. 10. The + Sept-et-le-va was the first great chance that showed the advantages of the + game, namely, if the player had won the couch, and then made a paroli by + crooking the corner of his card, and going on to a SECOND chance, if his + winning card turned up again it became a sept-et-le-va, which was seven + times as much as he had laid upon his card. 11. Quinze-et-le-va, was + attending the player's humour, who, perhaps, was resolved to follow his + fancy, and still lay his money upon the SAME card, which was done by + crooking the third corner of his card: if this card came up by the dealing + of the talliere, it made him win fifteen times as much money as he staked. + 12. Trent-et-le-va was marked by the lucky player by crooking the end of + the fourth corner of his card, which, coming up, made him win thirty-three + times as much money as he staked. 13. Soissante-et-le-va was the highest + chance that could happen in the game, for it paid sixty-seven times as + much money as was staked. It was seldom won except by some player who + resolved to push his good fortune to the utmost. + </p> + <p> + The players sat round a table, the talliere in the midst of them, with the + bank of gold before him, and the punters or players each having a book of + 13 cards, laying down one, two, three, or more, as they pleased, with + money upon them, as stakes; then the talliere took the pack in his hand + and turned them up—the bottom card appearing being called the fasse; + he then paid half the value of the stakes laid down by the punters upon + any card of THAT SORT. + </p> + <p> + After the fasse was turned up, and the talliere and croupiere had looked + round the cards on the table, and taken advantage of the money laid on + them, the former proceeded with his deal; and the next card appearing, + whether the king, queen, ace, or whatever it might be, won for the player, + the latter might receive it, or making paroli, as before said, go on to + sept-et-le-va. The card after that won for the talliere, who took money + from each player's card of that sort, and brought it into his bank—obviously + a prodigious advantage in the talliere over the players. + </p> + <p> + The talliere, if the winning card was a king, and the next after it was a + ten, said (showing the cards all round), 'King wins, ten loses,' paying + the money to such cards as are of the winning sort, and taking the money + from those who lost, added it to his bank. This done, he went on with the + deal, it might be after this fashion—'Ace wins, five loses;' 'Knave + wins, seven loses;' and so on, every other card alternately winning and + losing, till all the pack was dealt but the last card. + </p> + <p> + The LAST card turned up was, by the rules of the game, for the advantage + of the talliere; although a player might have one of the same sort, still + it was allowed to him as one of the dues of his office, and he paid + nothing on it. + </p> + <p> + The bold player who was lucky and adventurous, and could push on his couch + with a considerable stake to sept-et-le-va, quinze-et-le-va, + trente-et-le-va, &c., must in a wonderful manner have multiplied his + couch, or first stake; but this was seldom done; and the loss of the + players, by the very nature of the game, invariably exceeded that of the + bank; in fact, this game was altogether in favour of the bank; and yet it + is evident that—in spite of this obvious conviction—the game + must have been one of the most tempting and fascinating that was ever + invented. + </p> + <p> + Our English adventurers made this game very different to what it was in + France, for there, by royal edict, the public at large were not allowed to + play at more than a franc or ten-penny bank,—and the losses or gains + could not bring desolation to a family; but in England our punters could + do as they liked—staking from one guinea to one hundred guineas and + more, upon a card, 'as was often seen at court,' says the old author, my + informant. When the couch was alpieued, parolied, to sept-et-le-va, + quinze-et-le-va, trente-et-le-va, &c., the punter's gains were + prodigious, miraculous; and if fortune befriended him so as to bring his + stake to soissante-et-le-va, he was very likely to break the bank, by + gaining a sum which no talliere could pay after such tremendous + multiplication. But this rarely happened. The general advantage was with + the bank—as must be quite evident from the explanation of the game—besides + the standing rule that no two cards of the same sort turning up could win + for the players; the second always won for the bank. In addition to this + there were other 'privileges' which operated vastly in favour of the + banker. + </p> + <p> + However, it was 'of so bewitching a nature,' says our old writer, 'by + reason of the several multiplications and advantages which it seemingly + offered to the unwary punter, that a great many like it so well that they + would play at small game rather than give out; and rather than not play at + all would punt at six-penny, three-penny, nay, a twopenny bank,—so + much did the hope of winning the quinze-et-le-va and the trente-et-le-va + intoxicate them.' + </p> + <p> + Of course there were frauds practised at Basset by the talliere, or + banker, in addition to his prescriptive advantages. The cards might be + dealt so as not to allow the punter any winning throughout the pack; and + it was in the power of the dealer to let the punter have as many winnings + as he thought convenient, and no more! + </p> + <p> + It is said that Basset was invented by a noble Venetian, who was punished + with exile for the contrivance. The game was prohibited by Louis XIV., in + 1691, and soon after fell into oblivion in France, although flourishing in + England. It was also called Barbacole and Hocca. + </p> + <p> + FARO, OR PHARAOH. + </p> + <p> + Although both Basset and Faro were forbidden in France, on severe + penalties, yet these games still continued in great vogue in England + during the 18th century, especially Faro; for the alleged reasons that it + was easy to learn, that it appeared to be very fair, and, lastly, that it + was a very quiet game. It was, however, the most dangerous game for the + destruction of families ever invented. The Faro bankers seem to have + employed some 'gentlemen' to give a very favourable report of the game to + the town, and so every one took it upon trust without further inquiry. + Faro was the daughter of Basset—both alike notorious frauds, there + being no one, except professed gamblers, who could be said to understand + the secrets of these games. + </p> + <p> + Faro was played with an entire pack of cards, and admitted of an + indeterminate number of players, termed 'punters,' and a 'banker.' Each + player laid his stake on one of the 52 cards. The banker held a similar + pack, from which he drew cards, one for himself, placed on the right, and + the other, called the carte anglaise, or English card, for the players, + placed on the left. The banker won all the money staked on the card on the + right, and had to pay double the sums staked on those on the left. Certain + advantages were reserved to the banker:—if he drew a doublet, that + is, two equal cards, he won half of the stakes upon the card which + equalled the doublet; if he drew for the players the last card of the + pack, he was exempt from doubling the stakes deposited on that card. + </p> + <p> + Suppose a person to put down 20s. upon a card when only eight are in hand; + the last card was a cipher, so there were four places to lose, and only + three to win, the odds against being as 4 to 3. If 10 cards only were in, + then it was 5 to 4 against the player; in the former case it was the + seventh part of the money, whatever it was, L1 or L100; in the latter + case, a ninth. The odds from the beginning of the deal insensibly stole + upon the player at every pull, till from the first supposed 4 per cent. it + became about 15 per cent. + </p> + <p> + At the middle of the 18th century the expenses of a Faro bank, in all its + items of servants, rent, puffs, and other incidental charges of candles, + wine, arrack-punch, suppers, and safeguard money, &c., in Covent + Garden, amounted to L1000 per annum. Throughout this century Faro was the + favourite game. 'Our life here,' writes Gilly Williams to George Selwyn in + 1752, 'would not displease you, for we eat and drink well, and the Earl of + Coventry holds a Pharaoh-bank every night to us, which we have plundered + considerably.' Charles James Fox preferred Faro to any other game. + </p> + <p> + HAZARD. + </p> + <p> + This game was properly so called; for it made a man or undid him in the + twinkling of an eye. + </p> + <p> + It is played with only two dice; 20 persons may be engaged, or as many as + will. The chief things in the game are the Main and the Chance. The chance + is the caster's and the main is the setter's. + </p> + <p> + There can be no main thrown above 9, nor under 5; so that 5, 6, 7, 8, and + 9 are all the mains which are flung at Hazard. Chances and nicks are from + 4 to 10. Thus 4 is a chance to 9, 5 to 8, 6 to 7, 7 to 6, 8 to 5, and 9 + and 10 a chance to 5, 6, 7, and 8; in short, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are + chances to any main, if any of these 'nick' it not. + </p> + <p> + Nicks are either when the chance is the same with the main, as 5 and 5, 6 + and 6, 7 and 7, and so on; or 6 and 12, 7 and 11, 8 and 12, where observe, + that 12 is out to 9, 7, and 5, and 11 is out to 9, 8, 6, and 5. + </p> + <p> + The better to illustrate the game we shall give an example. Let 7 be the + main named. The caster throws 5, and that is his chance; and so he has 5 + to 7. If the caster throws his own chance he wins all the money set to him + by the setter; but if he throws 7, which is the main, he must pay as much + money as is on the table. + </p> + <p> + If, again, 7 be the main, and the caster throws 11, that is a nick, and + sweeps away all the money on the table; but if he throws a chance he must + wait which will come first. + </p> + <p> + The worst chances in the game are 4 to 10, and 7 is considered the best + and easiest main to be thrown. It might be thought that 6 and 8 should + admit of no difference in advantage to 7, but it is just the reverse, + although 6, 7, and 8 have eight equal chances. + </p> + <p> + For 6, or sice, we have quatre-duce, cinque-ace, and two treys; for 8, we + have sice-duce, cinque-trey, and two quatres; but the disadvantage is in + the doublets required—two treys, two quatres; therefore sice-duce is + easier thrown than two quatres, and so, consequently, cinque-ace or + quatre-duce sooner than two treys. + </p> + <p> + 'I saw an old rook (gambler),' says the writer before quoted, 'take up a + young fellow in a tavern upon this very bet. The bargain was made that the + rook should have seven always, and the young gentleman six, and throw + continually. To play they went; the rook won the first day L10, and the + next day the like sum; and so for six days together, in all L60. + Notwithstanding the gentleman, I am confident, had fair dice, and threw + them always himself. And further to confirm what I alleged before, not + only this gamester, but many more have told me that they desired no + greater advantage than this bet of 7 to 6. But it is the opinion of most + that at the first throw the caster hath the worst of it. + </p> + <p> + 'Hazard is certainly the most bewitching game that is played with dice; + for when a man begins to play, he knows not when to leave off; and having + once accustomed himself to it, he hardly ever after minds anything + else.'(66) + </p> + <p> + (66) The Compleat Gamester, by Richard Seymour, Esq. 1739. + </p> + <p> + As this game is of a somewhat complicated character, another account of + it, which appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette for Sept. 3, 1869, may not be + unacceptable. + </p> + <p> + 'The players assemble round a circular table, a space being reserved for + the "groom-porter," who occupies a somewhat elevated position, and whose + duty it is to call the odds and see that the game is played correctly. + Whoever takes the box and dice places in the centre of the table as much + money as he wishes to risk, which is at once covered with an equal amount + either by some individual speculator, or by the contributions of several. + The player (technically called the "caster") then proceeds to call a + "main." There are five mains on the dice, namely, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9; of + these he mentally selects that one which either chance or superstition may + suggest, calls it aloud, shakes the box, and delivers the dice. If he + throws the exact number he called, he "nicks" it and wins; if he throws + any other number (with a few exceptions, which will be mentioned), he + neither wins nor loses. The number, however, which he thus throws becomes + his "chance," and if he can succeed in repeating it before he throws what + was his main, he wins; if not, he loses. In other words, having completely + failed to throw his main in the first instance, he should lose, but does + not in consequence of the equitable interference of his newly-made + acquaintance, which constitutes itself his chance. For example, suppose + the caster "sets"—that is, places on the table—a stake of L10, + and it is covered by an equal amount, and he then calls 7 as his main and + throws 5; the groom-porter at once calls aloud, "5 to 7"—that means, + 5 is the number to win and 7 the number to lose, and the player continues + throwing until the event is determined by the turning up of either the + main or the chance. During this time, however, a most important feature in + the game comes into operation—the laying and taking of the odds + caused by the relative proportions of the main and the chance. These, as + has been said, are calculated with mathematical nicety, are proclaimed by + the groom-porter, and are never varied. In the above instance, as the + caster stands to win with 5 and to lose with 7, the odds are declared to + be 3 to 2 against him, inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing 7, and + only two of throwing 5. As soon as the odds are declared, the caster may + increase his stake by any sum he wishes, and the other players may cover + it by putting down (in this instance) two-thirds of the amount, the masse, + or entire sum, to await the turning up of either main or chance. If a + player "throws out" three times in succession, the box passes to the next + person on his left, who at once takes up the play. He may, however, "throw + in" without interruption, and if he can do so some half-dozen times and + back his luck, the gains will be enormous. + </p> + <p> + 'The choice of a main is quite optional: many prefer 7 because they may + make a coup at once by throwing that number or by throwing 11, which is a + "nick" to 7, but to 7 only. Shrewd players, however, prefer some other + main, with the view of having a more favourable chance to depend upon of + winning both stake and odds. For example, let us reverse what was + mentioned above, and suppose the caster to call 5 and throw 7; he then + will have 7 as his chance to win with odds of 3 to 2 IN HIS FAVOUR. + </p> + <p> + 'Such is the game of English Hazard, at which large fortunes have been won + and lost. It is exceedingly simple, and at times can become painfully + interesting. Cheating is impossible, unless with loaded dice, which have + been used and detected by their splitting in two, but never, perhaps, + unless at some disreputable silver hell. The mode of remunerating the + owner of the rooms was a popular one. The loser never paid, and the winner + only when he succeeded in throwing three mains in succession; and even + then the "box fee," as it was called, was limited to 5s.—a mere + trifle from what he must have gained. In French Hazard a bank is + constituted at a board of green cloth, and the proceedings are carried on + in a more subdued and regular mode than is the case in the rough-and-ready + English game. Every stake that is "set" is covered by the bank, so that + the player runs no risk of losing a large amount, when, if successful, he + may win but a trifling one; but en revanche, the scale of odds is so + altered as to put the double zero of roulette and the "aprez" of Rouge et + Noir to the blush, and to operate most predjudicially to the player. In no + case is an equal rate of odds between main and chance laid by the French + "banquier," as is insisted on by the English groomporter; while again + "direct nicks" alone are recognized by the former. Very extraordinary runs + of luck have occurred at Hazard, one player sometimes throwing five, + seven, and even eleven mains in a single hand. In such cases as these the + peculiar feature in the French game becomes valuable, the bank being + prepared to pay all winnings, while, generally speaking, a hand of six or + seven mains at English Hazard would exhaust all the funds of the players, + and leave the caster in the position of "setting the table" and finding + the stakes totally unnoticed or only partially covered. + </p> + <p> + 'In addition to the fixed rules of English Hazard, there are several + regulations which require to be observed. The round table on which it is + played has a deeply bevelled edge, which is intended to prevent the dice + from landing on the floor, which would be no throw. Again, if either die + after having left the box should strike any object on the table (such as a + man's elbow or stick) except MONEY, it would be called no throw. Again, + each player has the privilege of "calling dice," even when the dice are in + transitu, which, if done, renders the throw void, and causes another set + to be handed to the caster by the groom-porter. Many a lucky coup has + become manque by some captious player exercising this privilege, and many + an angry rencontre has ensued between the officious meddler and the + disappointed caster, who finds that he has nicked his main to no + advantage. Sometimes one die remains in the box after the other has been + landed; then the caster may either throw it quickly, or may tantalize + those interested in the event by gently coaxing it from the bow. If one + die lands on the top of another, it is removed by the groom-porter and + declared a throw. + </p> + <p> + 'Some thirty years ago English Hazard was a favourite game in Ireland, and + Dublin could boast of three or four hells doing a brisk trade. The most + frequented and longest established was called "The Coal Hole," being + situated on the coal quay. Here, at any hour after midnight, a motley + company might be seen, each individual, however, well known to the porter, + who jealously scanned his features before drawing back the noiseless bolts + which secured the door. The professional gambler trying to live by his + winnings, the fashionable swell finishing his round of excitement, the + struggling tradesman hoping to avert impending bankruptcy, the + prize-fighter, and, more conspicuous than any, the keen-eyed usurer with + his roll of notes and sheaf of bill stamps, were to be found there. Many + strange scenes have occurred in this house, some followed by tragic + consequences too painful to relate, others ridiculous and amusing. Here it + was that an angry caster, having lost his last sovereign and his temper, + also placed his black hat in the centre of the table, swore that it was + white, and finding no one disposed to dispute his accuracy, flung himself + from the room, and enabled the next player who had won so largely and + smiled so good-humouredly to take the box in turn. But fortune deserted + him also, and left him penniless, when, glaring savagely round the room, + and striking the table violently, he thundered forth the inquiry, "Where + was the rascal who said his hat was white?" It was here also (although the + venue has been changed by story-mongers) that a well-known frequenter of + the house, a sporting M.P., on one occasion dropped on the 'door or in the + passage a bank-note without discovering his loss till he had reached home. + On the next evening he returned to inquire for it in a forlorn-hope + spirit, when the following conversation took place between him and the + porter:— + </p> + <p> + "M.P. I think, Simpson, I dropped a note here last night—did you see + it? + </p> + <p> + "Porter. Shure, then, mony a note was dropped here beside yours. + </p> + <p> + "M. P. Ah! but I mean out of my pocket. I did not lose it at play. It was + for L20, one of Ball's Bank, and very old." + </p> + <p> + 'Hereupon the porter brought the senator into a corner, fumbled the note + out of his fob, and, placing it in his hands, whispered, "Shure, I know + it's yours, and here it is; but (looking cautiously round) wasn't it lucky + that none of the jintlemin found it?" + </p> + <p> + 'Another establishment much patronized in those days was in Nassau Street, + where early in the evening unlimited Loo, never under "three and three," + sometimes "six and six," might be indulged in, while a little later + Roulette formed the attraction of an adjacent room, and still later at + night all flocked down-stairs to the hot supper and rattling English + Hazard. For one or two seasons St Stephen's Green lent one of its lordly + mansions, formerly the residence of a cruel and witty Lord Chief Justice, + to the votaries of fortune; here everything was done in grand style, with + gilded saloons, obsequious waiters, and champagne suppers. All this has + long since become matter of the past, and it would now puzzle the keenest + detective to find the trace even of a silver hell in the Irish capital. No + one will be hardy enough to defend the vice of gambling, but some have + argued, and not without truth, that if a man will play it is far better + for him to indulge the propensity at Hombourg or Baden, where he cannot + lose more money than he has with him, than to do so in the cozy club-room + of a private "salon," where indulgent friends may tempt him to become + bankrupt not only in fortune but in reputation.' + </p> + <p> + Passing over other less important games, called Biribi, and Kraps (played + with dice), we come to Passe-Dix, which seems to demand some notice. + </p> + <p> + PASSE-DIX. + </p> + <p> + This game, considered the most ancient of all games of chance, is said to + have actually been made use of by the executioners at the crucifixion of + our Saviour, when they 'parted his garments, casting lots,' Matt. xxvii. + 35. + </p> + <p> + It is played with three dice. There is always a banker, and the number of + players is unlimited. Each gamester holds the box by turns, and the other + players follow his chance; every time he throws a point UNDER ten he, as + well as the other players, loses the entire stakes, which go to the + banker. Every time he throws a point ABOVE ten (or PASSES TEN—whence + the name of the game), the banker must double the player's stakes and the + stakes of all those who have risked their money on the same chance. When + the game is played by many together, each gamester is banker in his turn. + </p> + <p> + PUT. + </p> + <p> + This was and doubtless still is the special card-game of our London + sharpers. Many of these are men who have run through a fortune in the + early part of their lives, by associating with gamblers and sharpers, set + up for themselves, set honour and conscience at defiance, become + blacklegs, and are scouted out of even the gambler's company; and, as a + last resource, are obliged to resort to low pot-houses, robbing the + poorest and most ignorant of society. + </p> + <p> + Behind the dupe there stood a confederate sharper, looking over the + novice's hand, and telling his opponent, by his fingers, what cards he + holds—hence he was said to work the telegraph, of which more in the + sequel. Another confederate plied the novice with drink. + </p> + <p> + 'The game of Put is played with an entire pack of cards, generally by two, + and sometimes by four persons. At this game the cards rank differently + from all others; a trey being the best, then a two, then an ace, then the + king, queen, &c. The game consists of five points. The parties cut for + deal, as in Whist. The deal is made by giving three cards, one at a time, + to each player. The non-dealer then examines his cards, and if he thinks + them bad, he is at liberty to PUT them upon the pack, and his adversary + scores one point to his game. This, however, should never be done. Either + party saying—"I put," that is, I play, cannot retract, but must + abide the event of the game, or pay the stakes. + </p> + <p> + 'The THREE being the best card, if the sharper can make certain of having + a three every time his opponent deals, he must have considerably the best + of the game; and this is effected as follows:—the sharper places a + three underneath an old gentleman (a card somewhat larger and thicker than + the rest of the pack), and it does not signify how much his opponent + shuffles the pack, it is about five to one that he does not disturb the + OLD GENTLEMAN or the three. The sharper then cuts the cards, which he does + by feeling for the old gentleman; the three being then the top card, it is + dealt to the sharper by his opponent. That is one way of securing a three, + and this alone is quite sufficient to make a certainty of winning.'(67) + </p> + <p> + (67) Doings in London. + </p> + <p> + CROSS AND PILE. + </p> + <p> + Cross and Pile, so called because anciently English coins were stamped on + one side with a cross, now bears the names, Head and Tail, and is a + pastime well known among the lowest and most vulgar classes of the + community, and to whom it is now confined; formerly, however, it held a + higher rank and was introduced at Court. Edward II. was partial to this + and other frivolous diversions, and spent much of his time in the pursuit + of them. In one of his wardrobe 'rolls,' or accounts, we find the + following entries—'Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money + which he lent to the king to play at Cross and Pile, five shillings. Item, + paid to Pires Bernard, usher of the king's chamber, money which he lent + the king, and which he lost at Cross and Pile; to Monsieur Robert + Wartewille, eight-pence.' + </p> + <p> + A half-penny is now generally used in playing this game; but any other + coin with a head impressed will answer the purpose. One person tosses the + half-penny up and the other cries at pleasure HEAD or TAIL, and loses + according to the result. + </p> + <p> + Cross and Pile is evidently derived from the Greek pastime called Ostra + Kinda, played by the boys of ancient Greece. Having procured a shell, they + smeared it over with pitch on one side and left the other side white. A + boy tossed up this shell, and his antagonist called white or black,(68) as + he thought proper, and his success was determined by the white or black + part of the shell being uppermost. + </p> + <p> + (68) In the Greek, nux kai hmera, that is, 'night and day.' + </p> + <p> + It is the favourite game of the boys of London and the vicinity, now, + however, considerably, if not entirely, discontinued through the vigilance + of the police and the severity of the magistrates. Not long ago, however, + I witnessed a sad and striking scene of it at Twickenham. It was on a + Sunday morning. Several boys surrounded two players, one of the latter + being about 14 years of age, well dressed, and the other of about 10 + years, all in tatters and shoeless. The younger urchin had a long run of + good luck, whereat his antagonist exhibited much annoyance, swearing + intemperately. At length, however, his luck changed in turn, and he went + on winning until the former refused to play any longer, saying—'There, + you've got back all I won from you.' The bigger boy became enraged at this + refusal to continue the play, and seemed inclined to resort to fisticuff, + but I interposed and put a stop to the affray. I then questioned the elder + boy, and gathered from him that he played as often as he could, sometimes + winning or losing from eight to ten shillings. 'And do you generally win? + was my next question.' 'No, sir,' he replied, 'I oftener lose.' I + shuddered to conjecture what would be the future of this boy. The word of + warning I gave him was received with a shrug of the shoulder, and he + walked off with the greatest unconcern. + </p> + <p> + THIMBLE-RIG. + </p> + <p> + All races, fairs, and other such conglomerations of those whom Heaven had + blessed with more money than wit, used to be frequented by minor members + of 'The Fancy,' who are technically called flat-catchers, and who picked + up a very pretty living by a quick hand, a rattling tongue, a deal board, + three thimbles, and a pepper-corn. The game they played with these three + curious articles is a sort of Lilliputian game at cups and balls; and the + beauty of it lies in dexterously seeming to place the pepper-corn under + one particular thimble, getting a green to bet that it was there, and then + winning his money by showing that it is not. Every operator at this game + was attended by certain of his friends called eggers and bonnetters—the + eggers to 'egg' on the green ones to bet, by betting themselves; and the + bonnetters to 'bonnet' any green one who might happen to win—that is + to say, to knock his hat over his eyes, whilst the operator and the others + bolted with the stakes. + </p> + <p> + Some years ago a curious case was tried, exemplifying the mode of + procedure. A Frenchman, M. Panchaud, was at Ascot Races, and he there saw + the defendant and several other 'gentlemen' betting away, and apparently + winning 'lots of sovereigns,' at one of these same thimble-rigs. 'Try your + luck, gentlemen,' cried the operator; 'I'll bet any gentleman anything, + from half-a-crown to five sovereigns, that he doesn't name the thimble as + covers the corn!' M. Panchaud betted half-a-crown—won it; betted a + sovereign—won it; betted a second sovereign—LOST it. 'Try your + luck, gentlemen!' cried the operator again, shifting his thimbles and + pepper-corn about the board, here and there and everywhere in a moment; + and this done, he offered M. Panchaud a bet of five sovereigns that he + could not 'name the thimble what covered the corn.' 'Bet him! Bet him! Why + don't you bet him?' said the defendant (a landlord), nudging M. Panchaud + on the elbow; and M. Panchaud, convinced in his 'own breast' that he knew + the right thimble, said—'I shall betta you five sovereign if you + will not touch de timbles again till I name.' 'Done!' cried the operator; + and M. Panchaud was DONE—for, laying down his L10 note, it was + caught up by SOMEBODY, the board was upset, the operator and his friends + vanished 'like a flash of lightning,' and M. Panchaud was left full of + amazement, but with empty pockets, with the defendant standing by his + side. 'They are a set of rascals!' said the defendant; 'but don't fret, my + fine fellow! I'll take you to somebody that shall soon get your money + again; and so saying he led him off in a direction thus described in court + by the fleeced Frenchman.—'You tooke me the WRONG way! The thieves + ran one way, and you took me the other, you know, ahah! You know what you + are about—you took me the WRONG WAY—ahah!' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. COCK-FIGHTING. + </h2> + <p> + Cock-fighting is a practice of high antiquity, like many other detestable + and abominable things that still cling to our social fabric. It was much + in vogue in Greece and the adjacent isles. There was an annual festival at + Athens called 'The Cock-fighting,' instituted by Themistocles at the end + of the Persian war, under the following circumstances. When Themistocles + was leading his army against the Persians, he saw some cocks fighting; he + halted his troops, looked on, and said:—'These animals fight neither + for the gods of their country, nor for the monuments of their ancestors, + nor for glory, nor for freedom, nor for their children, but for the sake + of victory, and in order that one may not yield to the other;' and from + this topic he inspirited the Athenians. After his victorious return, as an + act of gratitude for this accidental occasion of inspiring his troops with + courage, he instituted the above festival, 'in order that what was an + incitement to valour at that time might be perpetuated as an encouragement + to the like bravery hereafter.' One cannot help smiling at these naive + stories of the ancients to account for their mightiest results. Only think + of any modern warrior halting his troops to make use of a cock-fight for + the purpose of inspiriting them to victory! + </p> + <p> + On one occasion during the Peninsular war, when an important point was to + be carried by assault, the officers were required to say something + encouraging to their men, in order to brace them up for the encounter; but + whilst the majority of the former recalled the remembrance of previous + victories, an Irish captain contented himself with exclaiming—'Now, + my lads, you see those fellows up there. Well, if you don't kill THEM, + SHURE they'll kill YOU. That's all!' Struck with the comic originality of + this address, the men rushed forward with a laugh and a shout, carrying + all before them. + </p> + <p> + Among the ancient Greeks the cock was sacred to Apollo, Mercury, and + aesculapius, on account of his vigilance, inferred from his early rising—the + natural consequence of his 'early to bed'—and also to Mars, on + account of his magnanimous and daring spirit. + </p> + <p> + It seems, then, that at first cock-fighting was partly a religious, and + partly a political, institution at Athens; and was there continued—according + to the above legend—for the purpose of cherishing the seeds of + valour in the minds of youth; but that it was afterwards abused and + perverted, both there and in other parts of Greece, by being made a common + pastime, and applied to the purpose of gambling just as it was (and is + still secretly) practised in England. An Attic law ran as follows—'Let + cocks fight publicly in the theatre one day in the year.'(69) + </p> + <p> + (69) Pegge, in Archoeologia, quoting aelian, Columella, &c. + </p> + <p> + As to cock-fighting at Rome, Pegge, in the same work, gives his opinion, + that it was not customary there till very late; but that quails were more + pitted against each other for gambling purposes than cocks. This opinion + seems confirmed by the thankfulness expressed by the good Antoninus—'that + he had imbibed such dispositions from his preceptor, as had prevented him + from breeding quails for the fight.' + </p> + <p> + 'One cannot but regret,' wrote Pegge in 1775, 'that a creature so useful + and so noble as the cock should be so enormously abused by us. It is true + the massacre of Shrove Tuesday seems in a declining way, and in a few + years, it is to be hoped, will be totally disused; but the cock-pit still + continues a reproach to the humanity of Englishmen. It is unknown to me + when the pitched battle first entered England; but it was probably brought + hither by the Romans. The bird was here before Caesar's arrival; but no + notice of his fighting has occurred to me earlier than the time of William + Fitz-Stephen, who wrote the Life of Archbishop Becket, some time in the + reign of Henry II. William describes the cocking as the sport of + school-boys on Shrove Tuesday. "Every year, on the day which is called + Carnelevaria (Carnival)—to begin with the sports of the London boys,—for + we have all been boys—all the boys are wont to carry to their + schoolmaster their fighting-cocks, and the whole of the forenoon is made a + holiday for the boys to see the fights of their cocks in their + schoolrooms." The theatre, it seems, was their school, and the master was + the controller and director of the sport. From this time at least the + diversion, however absurd, and even impious, was continued among us.' + </p> + <p> + 'Although disapproved of by many, and prohibited by law, cock-fighting + continued in vogue, patronized even by royalty, and commonly called "the + royal diversion." St James's Park, which, in the time of Henry VIII., + belonged to the Abbot of Westminster, was bought by that monarch and + converted into a park, a tennis court, and a cockpit, which was situated + where Downing Street now is. The park was approached by two noble gates, + and until the year 1708 the Cock-pit Gate, which opened into the court + where Queen Anne lived, was standing. It was surmounted with lofty towers + and battlements, and had a portcullis, and many rich decorations. + Westminster Gate, the other entrance, was designed by Hans Holbein, and + some foreign architect doubtless erected the Cockpit Gate. The scene of + the cruel diversion of cock-fighting was, however, obliterated before + Anne's time, and the palace, which was a large range of apartments and + offices reaching to the river, extended over that space.'(69) + </p> + <p> + (69) Wharton, Queens of Society. + </p> + <p> + Cock-fighting was the favourite amusement of James I., in whose reign + there were cock-pits in St James's Park, Drury Lane, Tufton Street, Shoe + Lane, and Jermyn Street. There was a cock-pit in Whitehall, erected for + the more magnificent exhibition of the sport; and the present room in + Westminster in which her Majesty's Privy Council hold their sittings, is + called the Cock-pit, from its being the site of the veritable arena of + old. + </p> + <p> + Cock-fighting was prohibited by one of Oliver's acts in 1654; but with the + return of Charles and his profligacy, the sport again flourished in + England. Pepys often alludes to it in his 'Diary.' + </p> + <p> + Thus, Dec. 21, 1663, he writes:— + </p> + <p> + 'To Shoe Lane, to see a cocke-fighting at a new pit there, a spot I was + never at in my life; but, Lord! to see the strange variety of people, from + Parliament man, by name Wildes, that was Deputy-Governor of the Tower when + Robinson was Lord Mayor, to the poorest 'prentices, bakers, brewers, + butchers, draymen, and what not; and all these fellows one with another + cursing and betting. I soon had enough of it. It is strange to see how + people of this poor rank, that look as if they had not bread to put in + their mouths, shall bet three or four pounds at a time, and lose it, and + yet bet as much the next battle; so that one of them will lose L10 or L20 + at a meeting.' + </p> + <p> + Again, April 6, 1668:— + </p> + <p> + 'I to the new Cocke-pit by the king's gate, and there saw the manner of + it, and the mixed rabble of people that came thither, and saw two battles + of cockes, wherein is no great sport; but only to consider how these + creatures, without any provocation, do fight and kill one another, and aim + only at one another's heads!' + </p> + <p> + Up to the middle of the 18th century cock-fighting was 'all the rage' in + England. 'Cocking,' says a writer of the time, 'is a sport or pastime so + full of delight and pleasure, that I know not any game in that respect + which is to be preferred before it.' + </p> + <p> + The training of the pugnacious bird had now become a sort of art, and this + is as curious as anything about the old 'royal diversion.' A few extracts + from a treatise on the subject may be interesting as leaves from the book + of manners and customs of the good old times. + </p> + <p> + The most minute details are given as to the selection of fighting-cocks, + the breeding of game cocks, and 'the dieting and ordering a cock for + battle.' Under this last head we read:—'In the morning take him out + of the pen, and let him spar a while with another cock. Sparring is after + this manner. Cover each of your cock's heels with a pair of hots made of + bombasted rolls of leather, so covering the spurs that they cannot bruise + or wound one another, and so setting them down on straw in a room, or + green grass abroad; let them fight a good while, but by no means suffer + them to draw blood of one another. The benefit that accrues hereby is + this: it heateth and chafeth their bodies, and it breaketh the fat and + glut that is within them. Having sparred as much as is sufficient, which + you may know when you see them pant and grow weary, then take them up, + and, taking off their hots, give them a diaphoretic or sweating, after + this manner. You must put them in deep straw-baskets, made for this + purpose, and fill these with straw half way, then put in your cocks + severally, and cover them over with straw to the top; then shut down the + lids, and let them sweat; but don't forget to give them first some white + sugar-candy, chopped rosemary, and butter, mingled and incorporated + together. Let the quantity be about the bigness of a walnut; by so doing + you will cleanse him of his grease, increase his strength, and prolong his + breath. Towards four or five o'clock in the evening take them out of their + stoves, and, having licked their eyes and head with your tongue, and put + them into their pens, and having filled their throats with square-cut + manchet, **** therein, and let them feed whilst the****is hot; for this + will cause their scouring to work, and will wonderfully cleanse both head + and body.' + </p> + <p> + Was ever poor animal subjected to such indignity? The preparation of the + other animal, the jockey, is nothing to it. But, to continue:— + </p> + <p> + 'The second day after his sparring, take your cock into a fair green + close, and, having a dunghill cock in your arms, show it him, and then run + from him, that thereby you may entice him to follow, permitting him to + have now and then a blow, and thus chafe him up and down about half an + hour; when he begins to pant, being well-heated, take him up and carry him + home, and give him this scouring, &c.' + </p> + <p> + This training continued for six weeks, which was considered a sufficient + time for 'ordering a cock for the battle;' and then, after the 'matching,' + came the last preparation of the poor biped for the terrible fight in + which he would certainly be either killed or kill his antagonist, if both + were not doomed to bite the dust. This consisted in the following + disfigurement of the beautiful creature:— + </p> + <p> + 'With a pair of fine cock-shears cut all his mane off close into his neck + from the head to the setting on of the shoulders: secondly, clip off all + the feathers from the tail close to his rump; the redder it appears the + better is the cock in condition: thirdly, take his wings and spread them + forth by the length of the first rising feather, and clip the rest + slope-wise with sharp points, that in his rising he may therewith endanger + the eye of his adversary; fourthly, scrape, smooth, and sharpen his spurs + with a pen-knife; fifthly, and lastly, see that there be no feathers on + the crown of his head for his adversary to take hold of; then, with your + spittle moistening his head all over, turn him into the pit TO MOVE TO HIS + FORTUNE.' + </p> + <p> + I should, perhaps, state that, instead of the natural spurs, long + artificial ones of well-tempered steel were fixed to the cock's heels in + later times, and these were frequently driven into the body of his + antagonist with such vigour that the two cocks were spitted together, and + had to be separated. + </p> + <p> + The dreadful fight having come off, the following was the treatment + prescribed for the fortunate conqueror. + </p> + <p> + 'The battle being ended, immediately search your cock's wounds, as many as + you can find. SUCK the blood out of them; then wash them well with warm + ****, and that will keep them from rankling; after this give him a roll of + your best SCOURING, and so stove him up as hot as you can for that night; + in the morning, if you find his head swelled, you must suck his wounds + again, and bathe them with warm ****; then take the powder of herb Robert, + and put it into a fine bag, and pounce his wounds therewith; after this, + give him a good handful of bread to eat out of warm ****, and so put him + into the stove again, and let him not feel the air till the swelling be + fallen.' + </p> + <p> + A cock sometimes took a long time to recover from his wounds—as, + indeed, may be well supposed from the terrible 'punishment' which he + necessarily received; and so our professor goes on to say:—'If after + you have put out your wounded cock to their walks, and visiting them a + month or two after, you find about their head any swollen bunches, hard + and blackish at one end, you may then conclude that in such bunches there + are unsound cores, which must be opened and crushed out with your thumbs; + and after this, you must suck out the corruption, and filling the holes + full of fresh butter, you need not doubt a cure.' + </p> + <p> + A poetical description of a cock-fight, by Dr R. Wild, written at the + commencement of the last century, will give an idea of the 'diversion.' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + 'No sooner were the doubtful people set, + The match made up, and all that would had bet, + But straight the skilful judges of the play; + Brought forth their sharp-heel'd warriors, and they + Were both in linnen bags—as if 'twere meet, + Before they died, to have their winding-sheet. + Into the pit they're brought, and being there, + Upon the stage, the Norfolk Chanticleer + Looks stoutly at his ne'er before seen foe, + And like a challenger began to crow, + And clap his wings, as if he would display + His warlike colours, which were black and grey. + + 'Meantime, the wary Wisbich walks and breathes + His active body, and in fury wreathes + His comely crest, and often with a sound, + He whets his angry beak upon the ground. + This done, they meet, not like that coward breed + Of Aesop; these can better fight than feed: + They scorn the dunghill; 'tis their only prize + TO DIG FOR PEARLS WITHIN EACH OTHER'S EYES. + + 'They fought so nimbly that 'twas hard to know, + E'en to the skill'd, whether they fought or no; + If that the blood which dyed the fatal floor + Had not borne witness of 't. Yet fought they more; + As if each wound were but a spur to prick + Their fury forward. Lightning's not more quick, + Or red, than were their eyes: 'twas hard to know + Whether 'twas blood or anger made them so. + I'm sure they had been out had they not stood + More safe by being fenced in with blood. + + Thus they vied blows; but yet (alas!) at length, + Altho' their courage was full tried, their strength + And blood began to ebb. + + Their wings, which lately at each blow they clapp'd + (As if they did applaud themselves), now flapp'd. + And having lost th' advantage of the heel, + Drunk with each other's blood, they only reel. + From either eyes such drops of blood did fall + As if they wept them for their funeral. + And yet they fain would fight; they came so near, + Methought they meant into each other's ear + TO WHISPER WOUNDS; and when they could not rise, + They lay and look'd blows into each other's eyes. + + But now the tragic part! After this fit, + When Norfolk cock had got the best of it, + And Wisbich lay a dying, so that none, + Tho' sober, but might venture Seven to One; + Contracting, like a dying taper, all + His strength, intending with the blow to fall, + He struggles up, and having taken wind, + Ventures a blow, and strikes the other blind! + + 'And now poor Norfolk, having lost his eyes, + Fights only guided by antipathies: + With him, alas! the proverb holds not true— + The blows his eyes ne'er saw his heart most rue. + At length, by chance, he stumbled on his foe, + Not having any power to strike a blow. + He falls upon him with his wounded head, + And makes his conqueror's wings his feather-bed; + Where lying sick, his friends were very chary + Of him, and fetch'd in haste a Pothecary; + But all in vain! His body did so blister + That 'twas incapable of any glyster; + Wherefore, at length, opening his fainting bill, + He call'd a scriv'ner and thus made his Will. + + 'IMPRIMIS—Let it never be forgot, + My body freely I bequeath to th' pot, + Decently to be boil'd. + **** + ITEM: Executors I will have none + But he that on my side laid Seven to One; + And, like a gentleman that he may live, + To him, and to his heirs, my COMB I give, + Together with my brains, that all may know + That oftentimes his brains did use to crow. + **** + To him that 's dull I do my SPURS impart, + And to the coward I bequeath my HEART. + To ladies that are light, it is my will + My FEATHERS shall be given; and for my BILL + I'd give 't a tailor, but it is so short, + That I'm afraid he'll rather curse me for 't: + **** + Lastly, because I feel my life decay, + I yield and give to Wisbich COCK THE DAY!'(70) +</pre> + <p> + (70) The passages left out in the Will, as marked by asterisks, though + witty, are rather too gross for modern eyes. + </p> + <p> + To quote from Pegge once more:—What aggravates the reproach and + disgrace upon us Englishmen, are those species of fighting which are + called—"the battle royal and the Welsh main"—known nowhere in + the world, as I think, but here; neither in China, nor in Persia, nor in + Malacca, nor among the savage tribes of America. These are scenes so + bloody as almost to be too shocking to relate; and yet as many may not be + acquainted with the horrible nature of them, it may be proper, for the + excitement of our aversion and detestation, to describe them in a few + words. + </p> + <p> + 'In the battle royal, an unlimited number of fowls are pitted; and after + they have slaughtered one another, for the diversion (dii boni!) of the + otherwise generous and humane Englishman, the single surviving bird is to + be esteemed the victor, and carries away the prize. The Welsh main + consists, we will suppose, of sixteen pairs of cocks; of these the sixteen + conquerors are pitted a second time; and, lastly, the two conquerors of + these are pitted a fifth time; so that (incredible barbarity!) thirty-one + cocks are sure to be most inhumanly murdered for the sport and pleasure, + the noise and nonsense, nay, I may say the profane cursing and swearing, + of those who have the effrontery to call themselves, with all these bloody + doings, and with all this impiety about them—Christians!' Moreover, + this ungenerous diversion was the bane and destruction of thousands, who + thus dissipated their patrimonial fortunes. That its attractions were + irresistible is evident from the difficulty experienced in suppressing the + practice. Down to a very recent date cock-fighting was carried on in + secret,—the police now and then breaking into the secret pits, + dispersing and chasing a motley crew of noblemen, gentlemen, and 'the scum + of rascaldom.' + </p> + <p> + The practice is very far from having died out; mains are still fought in + various parts of the country; but of course the greatest precautions are + taken to insure secrecy and to prevent the interference of the police. + </p> + <p> + In connection with cock-fighting I remember a horrible incident that + occurred in the West Indies. A gentleman who was passionately fond of the + sport, and prided himself on the victories of his cocks, had the + misfortune to see one of his birds so terribly wounded in the first onset + that, although not killed, it was impossible for it to continue the fight. + His rage at the mishap knew no bounds, and he vented it madly on the poor + creature. He roasted it alive—standing by and hearing its piteous + cries. In the midst of the horrible torture the wretched man became so + excited that a fit of apoplexy supervened, and he positively expired + before the poor bird at the fire! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL. + </h2> + <p> + It appears that horse-races were customary at public festivals even as + early as the times of the patriarchs. They originated among the eastern + nations, who were the first to discover the physical aptitudes of the + noble animal and the spirited emulation of which he is capable. The + Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, in succession, all indulged in the + excitement; and it is a curious fact that the Romans, like the English + jockeys of the present day, rode in different colours. + </p> + <p> + Horse-racing began very early in England. Fitz-Stephen, who wrote in the + time of Henry VIII., mentions the delight taken by the citizens of London + in the diversion. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth it appears to have + greatly flourished, and to have been carried to such an excess as to have + ruined many of the nobility. + </p> + <p> + The celebrated George, Earl of Cumberland, is said to have wasted more of + his estates than any of his ancestors, and principally by his love of the + turf and the tilt-yard. In the reign of James I., Croydon in the South, + and Garterly in the North, were celebrated courses. Camden also states + that in 1607 there were meetings near York, and the prize was a small + golden bell; hence the origin of the saying 'bearing off the bell.' + </p> + <p> + Lord Herbert of Cherbury denounced the practice. 'The exercise,' says this + gallant philosopher, 'I do not approve of is running of horses—there + being much CHEATING in that kind,—neither do I see why a brave man + should delight in a creature whose chief use is to help him to run away.' + As far as the cheating is concerned, the philosopher may be right, but + most assuredly his views of the horse do no credit to his Lordship's + understanding. + </p> + <p> + It appears that the turf-men of those days went on breeding for shape and + speed alone, without considering 'bottom,' until the reign of Queen Anne; + when a public-spirited nobleman left thirteen plates or purses to be run + for, at such places as the Crown should appoint, upon condition that every + horse should carry twelve stone for the best of three heats—four + miles. By this means a stronger horse was raised, who, if he was not good + enough upon the race-course, made a hunter. + </p> + <p> + The Merry Monarch, Charles II., had given cups or bowls, estimated at one + hundred guineas value, and upon which the names of the winning horses, the + winner, and jockey were usually engraved. William III. added to the + plates, as did Queen Anne; but in 1720 George I. discontinued this royal + encouragement to the sport, apparently through sheer meanness. Since that + period 'King's Plates' and 'Queen's Plates' have been paid in specie. + </p> + <p> + In the reign of Charles I. races were performed in Hyde Park; and until a + very recent period 'the Ring' in the Park was the rendezvous of + gentlemen's servants, for the purpose of betting or making up their + betting books. + </p> + <p> + Newmarket races were established by Charles II., in 1667. Epsom, by Mr + Parkhurst, in 1711. Ascot, by the Duke of Cumberland, uncle to George III. + Doncaster, by Colonel St Leger, in 1778. Goodwood, by the Duke of + Richmond, who died in 1806. + </p> + <p> + The Jockey Club began in the time of George II. Its latest rules, by which + races are regulated, were enacted in 1828. + </p> + <p> + Tattersall's, the 'High Change of Horse-flesh,' was established by Richard + Tattersall, near Hyde Park Corner—hence termed 'The Corner'—in + 1766, for the sale of horses. The lease of the ground having expired, the + new premises at Brompton were erected, and opened for business, in 1803. + </p> + <p> + On the accession of Queen Victoria the Royal stud was sold for L16,476, in + Oct., 1837.(71) + </p> + <p> + (71) Haydon, Book of Dates. + </p> + <p> + Among the distinguished men who have supported the turf in this country + may be mentioned George IV.(72) and William IV.; the late Duke of York; + the Dukes of Richmond, Cleveland, Grafton, Bedford, and Beaufort; + Marquises of Exeter and Westminster; Earls of Glasgow, Stradbrooke, + Wilton, Chesterfield, Eglintoun, Verulam, and Lonsdale; Lords George + Bentinck, Foley, Kinnaird, &c.; and last, though not least, the Right + Honourable Charles James Fox. As to the turf, Fox used always to + animadvert on his losses, and repeatedly observed—that 'his horses + had as much bottom as other people's, but that they were such slow, good + ones that they never went fast enough to tire themselves.' He had, + however, the gratification of experiencing some few exceptions to this + imaginary rule. In April, 1772, he was so lucky at Newmarket as to win + nearly L16,000—the greater part of which he got by betting against + the celebrated Pincher, who lost the match by only half a neck. The odds + at STARTING were two to one on the losing horse. At the spring meeting at + Newmarket, in 1789, Fox is said to have won not less than L50,000; and at + the October meeting, at the same place, the following year, he sold two of + his horses—Seagull and Chanticleer—for 4400 guineas. In the + course of 1788 Fox and the Duke of Bedford won 8000 guineas between them + at the Newmarket spring meeting, and during these races Fox and Lord + Barrymore had a heavy match, which was given as a dead heat, and the bets + were off. + </p> + <p> + (72) For some period previous to 1790, George IV. had patronized + horse-racing and pugilism; but in that year, having attended a prize fight + in which one of the boxers was killed, he ceased to support the ring, + declaring that he would never be present at such a scene of murder again; + and in 1791 he disposed of his stud, on account of some apparently + groundless suspicion being attached to his conduct with regard to a race, + in the event of which he had little or no real interest. + </p> + <p> + On coming into office with Lord North, in 1783, Mr Fox sold his horses, + and erased his name from several of the clubs of which he was a member. It + was not long, however, before he again purchased a stud, and in October he + attended the Newmarket meeting. The king's messenger was obliged to appear + on the course, to seek one of the ministers of England among the sportsmen + on the heath, in order to deliver despatches upon which perhaps the fate + of the country might have depended. The messenger on these occasions had + his badge of office, the greyhound, not liking that the world should know + that the king's adviser was amusing himself at Newmarket, when he should + have been serving him in the metropolis. But Charles Fox preferred the + betting rooms to Downing Street. + </p> + <p> + Again, in the year 1790, his horse Seagull won the Oatlands stakes at + Ascot, of 100 guineas (19 subscribers), beating the Prince of Wales's + Escape, Serpent, and several of the very best horses of that year—to + the great mortification of His Royal Highness, who immediately matched + Magpie against him, to run four days afterwards, two miles, for 500 + guineas. This match, on which immense sums were depending, was won with + ease by Seagull. At this period Lord Foley and Mr Fox were confederates. + In those days the plates averaged from L50 to L100. + </p> + <p> + Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with a clear estate of + L1800 a year, and L100,000 ready money, which was considerably diminished + by his losses at Newmarket, Ascot, and Epsom. + </p> + <p> + The race-horse of this country excels those of the whole world, not only + for speed, but bottom. There is a great difference, however, between the + present race and that of fifty or sixty years ago; for in those days + four-mile heats were the fashion. The sporting records at the end of the + last century give the following exploits of horses of that and previous + periods. + </p> + <p> + Childers, known by the name of Flying Childers, the property of the Duke + of Devonshire, was looked upon as the fleetest horse that ever was bred. + He was never beaten; the sire of this celebrated horse was an Arabian. + </p> + <p> + Dorimont, belonging to Lord Ossory, won prizes to the amount of L13,360. + </p> + <p> + Eclipse was allowed to be the fastest horse that ever ran in England since + the time of Childers. After winning largely for his owner, he covered, by + subscription, forty mares at 30 guineas each, or 1200 guineas. + </p> + <p> + Highflyer, by King Herod, was the best horse of his day; was never beaten, + nor paid forfeit but once. His winnings amounted to above L9000, although + he only ran as a three, four, and five years old. + </p> + <p> + Matchem stood high both as a racer and as the sire of many of our most + favourite horses. As a stallion he realized for his master more than + L12,000. He died in 1781, at the advanced age of thirty-three. + </p> + <p> + Shark won a cup value 120 guineas, eleven hogsheads of claret, and above + L16,000 in plates, matches, and forfeits.(73) + </p> + <p> + (73) Lord William Lennox, Merrie England. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Among recent celebrities must be mentioned Lord Stamford, who is said +to have engaged Jemmy Grimshaw, a light-weighted jockey, at a salary of +L1000 a year. + + The most astounding 'event' of late years was that of 1867, when +the horse Hermit—previously represented as being in an unfit condition +even to run, won the race—to the unspeakable ruin of very many, and +inflicting on the late Marquis of Hastings the enormous loss of about +L100,000, which, however, in spite of unseemly rumours and, it is said, +hopes of that nobleman's ruin, was honourably paid, to the day and hour. +</pre> + <p> + But if ruin did not immediately come upon the young marquis, still the + wound was deadly, inflicted as though with the ferocity of a demon. In his + broken health and rapid decay sympathy was not withheld from him; and when + a premature death put an end to his sufferings, and was speedily followed + by the breaking up of his establishment and the dispersion of his + ancestral effects, most men felt that he had, perhaps, atoned for his + errors and indiscretions, whilst all united in considering him another + unfortunate victim added to the long list of those who have sacrificed + their fortune, health, and honour to the Gambling Moloch presiding over + the Turf of England.(74) + </p> + <p> + (74) The 'Odds' or probabilities of horse racing are explained in chapter + VIII., in which the entire 'Doctrine of Chances' is discussed. + </p> + <p> + Such are the leading facts of horse-racing in England. One cannot help + observing that the sturdy strength and muscular exertions of an Olympic + charioteer of old exhibit a striking contrast to the spider-like form and + emaciated figure of a Newmarket jockey. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam, +Multa tulit, fecitque puer, SUDAVAT et alsit. + + 'Who in a race would reach the long'd-for goal, + Must suffer much, do much, in youth, indeed, + Must SWEAT and fag.' +</pre> + <p> + This is literally true respecting the English jockey, whose attenuated + form is accounted for in the following dialogue in an old work entitled + 'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' 1771. + </p> + <p> + 'Stop, stop, OLD GENTLEMAN! I desire to speak a word to you; pray which is + the way to——.' + </p> + <p> + 'I beg, sir, you will not interrupt me. I am a Newmarket jockey—am + to ride in a few days a match, upon which there is a great deal depending, + and I am now PREPARING.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, I see now, you are a YOUNG man, instead of that old one for whom I + mistook you by your wrappings; but pray, explain.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, your Honour must know that we jockeys, in order to bring ourselves + down to the weight required for the horses we are to ride, sweat under a + load of flannel wrapped about us beneath coats and great coats, and walk + two or three miles in the heat of summer, till we are ready to faint under + our burden.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed! Why, you go through a deal!' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah, sir, a great deal indeed! Why, we sometimes lie hours and hours + between two feather-beds—to melt away our extraordinary weight.' + </p> + <p> + 'But will you give me leave to examine your present dress? Hum! Two + flannel waistcoats, a thick cloth coat, a Bath surtout! It is a vast + weight to carry this warm weather. I only hope you won't sink under it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Never fear, sir, I do not doubt but I shall do very well.' + </p> + <p> + The rewards of victory were as plain and simple in the Grecian games as + they were distinguishing and honourable. A garland of palm, or laurel, or + parsley, or pine leaves, served to adorn the brow of the fortunate victor, + whilst his name stood a chance of being transmitted to posterity in the + strains of some lofty Pindar. The rewards of modern days are indeed more + substantial and solid, being paid in weighty gold or its equivalent, no + matter whether obtained by the ruin of others, while the fleet coursers + and their exulting proprietors stand conspicuous in the list of the Racing + Calendar. The ingenious and ironical author of 'Newmarket, or an Essay on + the Turf,' in the year 1771, bestowed the following titles and honours on + the most famous horse of the day—Kelly's Eclipse:—'Duke of + Newmarket, Marquis of Barnet, Earl of Epsom and York, Viscount Canterbury, + Baron Eclipse of Mellay; Lord of Lewes, Salisbury, Ipswich, and + Northampton; Comptroller-General of the race-grounds, and Premier Racer of + All England.' To bear coat of arms—'A Pegasus argent on a field + verd;—the supporters—two Englishmen in ermined robes and ducal + coronets;—the crest—a purse, Or;—the motto—"Volat + ocior Euro." '(75) + </p> + <p> + (75) 'He flies swifter than the east wind.' + </p> + <p> + Again, in the exhibition of those useful and honourable Olympic pastimes + of old, the cause of morality was not overlooked:—there was in them + a happy union of utility, pleasure, and virtue. A spotless life and + unblameable manners, a purity of descent by being born in wedlock through + several generations, and a series of creditable relations, were + indispensable qualifications of a candidate on the Olympic turf. It is + true, there is at least as much attention paid to purity and faultlessness + on the plains of Newmarket; but the application is to the blood and + pedigree of the horse, not of his rider. + </p> + <p> + Nay, it was, and is, notorious that the word 'jockey' has acquired the + meaning of 'to trick,' 'to cheat,' as appears in all our dictionaries and + in common parlance. What is the inference from this but that the winning + of races is no absolute proof of the superiority of the horse—for + whose improvement racing is said to be encouraged; but rather the result + of a secret combination of expedients or arrangements—in a word, + jockeying, that is, cheating, tricking. The only 'moral' character + required in the jockey is the determination to do whatsoever may be agreed + upon or determined by those who are willing and able to give 'a + consideration' for the convenient accommodation. + </p> + <p> + But it is, or was, the associations, the inevitable concomitants, of the + turf and racing that stamp it, not only as something questionable, but as + a bane and infamy to the nation; and if there is one spot more eminently + distinguished for a general rendezvous of fraud and gambling, that place + is Newmarket. + </p> + <p> + The diversions of these plains have proved a decoy to many a noble and + ingenuous mind, caught in the snares laid to entrap youth and + inexperience. Newmarket was a wily labyrinth of loss and gain, a fruitful + field for the display of gambling abilities, the school of the sharping + crew, the academy of the Greeks, the unfathomable gulf that absorbed + princely fortunes. + </p> + <p> + The amusements of the turf were in all other places intermixed with a + variety of social diversions, which were calculated to promote innocent + mirth and gaiety. The breakfastings, the concerts, the plays, the + assemblies, attracted the circle of female beauty, enlivened the scene, + engaged the attention of gentlemen, and thus prevented much of the evil + contagion and destruction of midnight play. But encouragement to the + GAMBLER of high and low degree was the very charter of Newmarket. Every + object that met the eye was encompassed with gambling—from the + aristocratic Rouge et Noir, Roulette, and Hazard, down to Thimble-rig, + Tossing, and Tommy Dodd. Every hour of the day and night was beset with + gambling diversified; in short, gambling must occupy the whole man, or he + was lost to the sport and spirit of the place. The inhumanity of the + cock-pit, the iniquitous vortex of the Hazard table, employed each leisure + moment from the race, and either swallowed up the emoluments of the + victorious field, or sank the jockey still deeper in the gulf of ruin. + </p> + <p> + The common people of England have been stigmatized (and perhaps too + justly) for their love of bloody sports and cruel diversions; + cock-fighting, bull-baiting, boxing, and the crowded attendance on + executions, are but too many proofs of this sanguinary turn. But why the + imputation should lie at the door of the vulgar alone may well be + questioned; for while the star of nobility and dignified distinction was + seen to glitter at a cock-match or on a boxing-stage, or near the 'Ring'—where + its proprietor was liable to be elbowed by their highnesses of grease and + soot, and to be hemmed in by knights of the post and canditates for Tyburn + tree—when this motley group alike were fixed in eager attention, + alike betted on and enjoyed each blood-drawing stroke of the artificial + spur, or blow of the fist well laid in—what distinction was to be + made between peer and plebeian, except in derogation of the former? + </p> + <p> + The race-course at Newmarket always presented a rare assemblage of grooms, + gamblers, and greatness. + </p> + <p> + 'See, side by side, the jockey and Sir John Discuss the important point of + six to one; For, O my Muse! the deep-felt bliss how dear—How great + the pride to gain a jockey's ear!'(76) + </p> + <p> + (76) Wharton's Newmarket. + </p> + <p> + Newmarket fame was an object of ambition sought by the most distinguished + personages. + </p> + <p> + 'Go on, brave youths, till in some future age Whips shall become the + senatorial badge; Till England see her thronging senators Meet all at + Westminster in boots and spurs; See the whole House with mutual phrensy + mad, Her patriots all in leathern breeches clad; Of bets for taxes + learnedly debate, And guide with equal reins a steed or state.'(77) + </p> + <p> + (77) Ibid. + </p> + <p> + And then at the winning-post what motley confusion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ——————————'A thousand tongues + Jabber harsh jargon from a thousand lungs. + **** + Dire was the din—as when in caverns pent, + Hoarse Boreas storms and Eurus works for vent, + The aeolian brethren heave the labouring earth, + And roar with elemental strife for birth.'(78) +</pre> + <p> + (78) 'The Gamblers.' Horace had said long before—Tanto cum strepitu + ludi spectantur, 'So great a noise attends the games! + </p> + <p> + The frauds and stratagems of wily craft which once passed current at + Newmarket, surpassed everything that can be imagined at the present day. + The intruding light of the morning was execrated by the nightly gamblers. + 'Grant us but to perish in the light,' was the prayer of the warlike Ajax:—'Grant + us black night for ever,' exclaimed the gambler; and his wishes were + consistent with the place and the foul deeds perpetrated therein.(79) + </p> + <p> + (79) The principal gambling-room at Newmarket was called the 'Little + Hell.' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sit mihi fas audita loqui—sit numine vestro, + Pandere res alta terra et caligine mersas. +</pre> + <p> + The turf-events of every succeeding year verify the lament of the late + Lord Derby:— + </p> + <p> + 'The secession from the turf of men who have station and character, and + the accession of men who have neither, are signs visible to the dullest + apprehension. The once national sport of horse-racing is being degraded to + a trade in which it is difficult to perceive anything either sportive or + national. The old pretence about the improvement of the breed of horses + has become a delusion, too stale for jesting.' + </p> + <p> + Nothing is more incontestable than the fact that the breed of English + horses has not been really improved, certainly not by racing and its + requirements. It has been truly observed that 'what is called the turf is + merely a name for the worst kind of gambling. The men who engage in it are + as far as possible from any ideal of sporting men. It is a grim joke, in + fact, to speak of "sport" at all in their connection. The turf to them is + but a wider and more vicious sort of tapis vert—the racing but the + rolling of the balls—the horses but animated dice. It is difficult + to name a single honest or manly instinct which is propagated by the turf + as it is, or which does not become debased and vitiated by the + association. From a public recreation the thing has got to be a public + scandal. Every year witnesses a holocaust of great names sacrificed to the + insatiable demon of horse-racing—ancient families ruined, old + historic memories defiled at the shrine of this vulgarest and most vicious + of popular passions.' + </p> + <p> + Among those who have sought to reform the turf is Sir Joseph Hawley, who + last year succeeded in procuring the abolition of two-year-old races + before the 1st of May. He is now endeavouring, to go much further, and has + given notice of a motion for the appointment of a committee of the Jockey + Club to consider the question of the whole condition of the turf. + </p> + <p> + There can be no doubt, that, if Sir Joseph Hawley's propositions, as + announced, be adopted, even in a modified form, they would go to the very + root of the evil, and purify the turf of the worst of the present + scandals. + </p> + <p> + It would require a volume, or perhaps many volumes, to treat of the + subject of the present chapter—the Turf, Historical, Social, Moral; + but I must now leave this topic, of such terrible national interest, to + some other conscientious writer capable of 'doing justice' to the theme, + in all its requirements. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES). + </h2> + <p> + It must be admitted that this practice—however absurd in its object + and application—does great credit to human ingenuity. Once admitting + the possibility of such conjuring, it is impossible to deny the propriety + of the reasonings deduced from the turning up, the collocation, or the + juxta-position of the various cards, when the formalities of the peculiar + shuffle and cut required have been duly complied with by the consulter. + </p> + <p> + The cards are first shuffled ad libitum, then cut three different times, + and laid on a table, face upwards, one by one, in the form of a circle, or + more frequently nine in a row. If the conjurer is a man he chooses one of + the kings as his representative; if a woman, she selects one of the + queens. This is on the supposition that persons are consulting for + themselves; otherwise it is the fortune-teller who selects the + representative card. Then the queen of the chosen king, or the king of the + chosen queen, stands for a husband or wife, mistress or lover, of the + party whose fortune is to be told. The knave of the suit represents the + most intimate person of their family. + </p> + <p> + The ninth card every way, that is, counted from the representative, is of + the greatest consequence, and that interval comprises the 'circle' of the + inquirer, for good or for evil. + </p> + <p> + Now, all the cards have had assigned to them arbitrary, but plausible, + characteristics. Thus, the ace of clubs (that suit representing originally + the 'fortunate husbandmen') promises great wealth, much prosperity in + life, and tranquillity of mind—if it turns up within your circle, as + before mentioned. King of clubs announces a man of dark complexion who is + humane, upright, &c., in fact, just the man for a husband. Queen of + clubs is equally propitious as the emblem of a dark lady who would prove a + paragon wife. Knave of clubs, a jolly good friend in every way. Ten of + clubs always flurries the heart of the inquirer—especially if 'hard + up'—for it denotes riches speedily forthcoming from an unexpected + quarter—which is usually the case in such circumstances; but then it + also threatens the loss of some dear friend—which, however, cannot + signify much if you get 'the money.' Seven of clubs promises the most + brilliant fortune, and the most exquisite bliss this world can afford; but + then you are ungallantly warned that you must 'beware of the opposite sex'—which + seems a contradiction in terms—for how call 'the most exquisite + bliss this world can afford' be secured without the aid of 'the opposite + sex'? Five of clubs is the main point of maid-servants, young girls from + the country, governesses, in short, of all the floating womanhood of the + land—for 'it declares that you will shortly be married to a person + who will—MEND your CIRCUMSTANCES.' The trey of clubs is scarcely + less exhilarating, for it promises that you will be married three times, + and each time to a wealthy person. On the whole the suit of clubs is very + lucky, but, very appropriately, the deuce thereof portends some + 'unfortunate opposition to your favourite inclination, which will disturb + you.'(80) + </p> + <p> + (80) According to other authorities, the ace of clubs means a letter; the + nine, danger caused by drunkenness; the eight, danger from covetousness; + the seven, a prison, and danger from the opposite sex; the six, competence + by hard-working industry; the five, a happy but NOT wealthy marriage; the + four, danger of misfortunes caused by inconstancy or capricious temper; + the trey, quarrels. + </p> + <p> + The suit of diamonds is by no means so satisfactory as the gem of a name + would seem to indicate; but perhaps we must remember that this suit + represented originally the COMMERCIAL CLASSES, and that probably this + divination by cards was invented by some proud ARISTOCRAT in those times + when tradesmen did not stand so high as they now do in morality, + uprightness, &c. The ace of diamonds puts you on the qui vive for the + postman; it means a LETTER. It is only to be hoped that it is not one of + those nasty things, yellow outside and blue within—a dun from some + importunate butcher, baker, grocer, or—tailor. The king of diamonds + shows a revengeful, fiery, obstinate fellow of very fair complexion in + your circle; the queen of diamonds is nothing but a gay coquette, of the + same complexion as the king, and not 'over-virtuous'—a very odd + phrase in use for the absence of virtue altogether; the knave of diamonds + is a selfish, impracticable fellow; ten of diamonds is one of the few + exceptions to the evil omens of this suit, it promises a country husband + or a wife with great wealth and many children—the number of the + latter being indicated by the next card to it; it also signifies a purse + of gold—but where? Oh, where? Nine of diamonds indicates simply a + vagabond, full of vexation and disappointment; eight of diamonds shows an + enemy to marriage, who may, however, 'marry late,' and find himself in a + terrible 'fix;' seven of diamonds is worse still, portending all the + horrors of the divorce court and the bankruptcy court—conjugal + profligacy and extravagance; six of diamonds means early marriage and + premature widowhood, and a second marriage, which will probably be worse; + five of diamonds is the next exception to the misery of this suit, it + promises 'good children, who will KEEP YOU FROM GRIEF'—at best, + however, only a makeshift; four of diamonds is as bad as seven of diamonds—portending + the same results; the trey of diamonds threatens all manner of strife, + law-suits, &c., promises a vixen for a wife, to your great domestic + misery; the deuce of diamonds concludes the catalogue of wretchedness with + the assurance that you will fall in love early, that your parents will not + approve of your choice, and if you marry, notwithstanding, that they will + hardly ever forgive you.(81) + </p> + <p> + (81) Otherwise the ace of diamonds means a wedding ring, the king, a fiery + but a placable person, of very fair complexion; the ten, money, success in + honourable business; the eight, a happy prudent marriage, though late in + life; the five, unexpected and most likely good news; the four, a + faithless friend, a betrayed secret. + </p> + <p> + The suit of hearts, as previously explained, represented originally the + ecclesiastical order, the jolly monks, churchmen of all degrees; how far + the indications tally must be left to the ingenious reader to determine. + The ace of hearts means feasting and pleasure; but if attended by spades, + it foretells quarrelling; if by hearts it shows affection and friendship; + if by diamonds, you will hear of some absent friend; if by clubs, of + merry-making: the king of hearts denotes a not VERY fair man, + good-natured, but hot and hasty individual, and very amorous; the queen of + hearts promises a lady of golden locks (not necessarily 'carrots'), + faithful and affectionate; the knave of hearts is a particular friend, and + great attention must be paid to the card that stands next to him, as from + it alone you can judge whether the person it represents will favour your + inclination or not, because he is always the dearest friend or nearest + relation of the consulting party; the ten of hearts shows good nature and + many children, and is a corrective of the bad tidings of the cards that + stand next to it; and if its neighbouring cards are of good import, it + ascertains and confirms their value: nine of hearts promises wealth, + grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that are unfavourable stand near it, + you may expect disappointments; and the reverse, if favourable cards + follow; if these last be at a small distance, expect to retrieve your + losses, whether of peace or goods: eight of hearts signifies drinking and + feasting; seven of hearts shows a fickle and unfaithful person, vicious, + spiteful, malicious; six of hearts promises a generous, open, credulous + disposition, often a dupe; if this card comes before your king or queen + (as the case may be) YOU will be the dupe; if after, you will get the + upper hand: five of hearts portends a wavering, unsteady, unreliable + individual of either sex: four of hearts indicates late marriage from + 'delicacy in making a choice:' trey of hearts is rather a 'poser;' 'it + shows that your own impudence will greatly contribute to your experiencing + the ill-will of others:' deuce of hearts promises extraordinary success + and good fortune, though, perhaps, you may have to wait long for 'the good + time coming.'(82) + </p> + <p> + (82) Or,—the ace of hearts denotes the house of the consulter; the + queen, a lady not VERY fair; seven, many good friends; six, honourable + courtship; five, a present; four, domestic troubles caused by jealousy. + </p> + <p> + The suit of spades originally represented the NOBILITY, and the following + are its significances in fortune-telling. The ace of spades wholly relates + to love-affairs, without specifying whether lawful or unlawful—a + pretty general occupation of the 'nobility,' of course; it also denotes + death when the card is upside down: the king of spades shows a man + ambitious and successful at court, or with some great man who will have it + in his power to advance him—but, let him beware of the reverse! the + queen of spades shows that a person will be corrupted by the rich of both + sexes; if she is handsome great attempts will be made on her virtue: the + knave of spades shows a fellow that requires much rousing, although 'quite + willing to serve you' with his influence and patronage—like many a + member in the case of his importunate constituents: the ten of spades is a + card of caution, counteracting the good effect of the card near you: the + nine of spades is positively the worst card in the whole pack; it portends + dangerous sickness, total loss of fortune, cruel calamities, endless + dissension in your family, and death at last—I hope you may never + see it near you: the eight of spades indicates much opposition from your + FRIENDS, or those you imagine to be such; if this card comes near you, + leave your plan and adopt another: seven of spades shows the loss of a + most valuable, influential friend, whose death will plunge you in very + great distress and poverty: the six of spades announces a mediocrity of + fortune, and great uncertainty in your undertakings: the five of spades is + rather doubtful as to success or a rise in life; but it promises luck in + the choice of your companion for life, although it shows that your own + temper is rather sullen—and so to get a 'fond creature' to take care + of you, with such a temper, is a mighty great blessing, and more than you + deserve: the four of spades shows sickness speedily, and injury of fortune + by friends: the trey of spades shows that you will be fortunate in + marriage, but that your inconstant temper will make you unhappy: the deuce + of spades is the UNDERTAKER, at last; it positively shows a COFFIN, but + who it is for must depend entirely on the cards that are near it.(83) + </p> + <p> + (83) Or,—the ace of spades denotes death, malice, a duel, a general + misfortune; the king, a man of very dark complexion, ambitious, and + unscrupulous; the queen, a very dark-complexioned woman of malicious + disposition, or a widow; the knave, a lawyer, a person to be shunned; the + ten, disgrace, crime, imprisonment, death on the scaffold; the eight, + great danger from imprudence; the six, a child, to the unmarried a card of + caution; the five, great danger from giving way to bad temper; the trey, a + journey by land,—tears; the deuce, a removal. + </p> + <p> + 'The nine of hearts is termed the wish card. After the general fortune has + been told, a separate and different manipulation is performed, to learn if + the pryer into futurity will obtain a particular wish; and from the + position of the wish card in the pack the required answer is deduced. + </p> + <p> + 'The foregoing is merely the alphabet of the art; the letters, as it were, + of the sentences formed by the various combinations of the cards. A + general idea only can be given here of the manner in which those prophetic + sentences are formed. As before stated, if a married woman consults the + cards, the king of her own suit, or complexion, represents her husband; + but with single women, the lover, either in esse or posse, is represented + by his own colour; and all cards, when representing persons, lose their + own normal significations. There are exceptions, however, to these general + rules. A man, no matter what his complexion, if he wear uniform, even if + he be the negro cymbal-player in a regimental band, can be represented by + the king of diamonds:—note, the dress of policemen and volunteers is + not considered as uniform. On the other hand, a widow, even if she be an + albiness, can be represented only by the queen of spades. + </p> + <p> + 'The ace of hearts always denoting the house of the person consulting the + decrees of fate, some general rules are applicable to it. Thus the ace of + clubs signifying a letter, its position, either before or after the ace of + hearts, shows whether the letter is to be sent to or from the house. The + ace of diamonds when close to the ace of hearts foretells a wedding in the + house; but the ace of spades betokens sickness and death. + </p> + <p> + 'The knaves represent the thoughts of their respective kings and queens, + and consequently the thoughts of the persons whom those kings and queens + represent, in accordance with their complexions. + </p> + <p> + For instance, a young lady of a rather but not decidedly dark complexion, + represented by the queen of clubs, when consulting the cards, may be + shocked to find her fair lover (the king of diamonds) flirting with a + wealthy widow (the queen of spades, attended by the ten of diamonds), but + she will be reassured by finding his thoughts (the knave of diamonds) in + combination with a letter (ace of clubs), a wedding ring (ace of + diamonds), and her house (the ace of hearts); clearly signifying that, + though he is actually flirting with the rich widow, he is, nevertheless, + thinking of sending a letter, with an offer of marriage, to the young lady + herself. And look, where are her own thoughts, represented by the knave of + clubs; they are far away with the old lover, that dark man (king of + spades) who, as is plainly shown by his being attended by the nine of + diamonds, is prospering at the Australian diggings or elsewhere. Let us + shuffle the cards once more, and see if the dark man, at the distant + diggings, ever thinks of his old flame, the club-complexioned young lady + in England. No! he does not. Here are his thoughts (the knave of spades), + directed to this fair, but rather gay and coquettish, woman (the queen of + diamonds); they are separated but by a few hearts, one of them, the sixth + (honourable courtship), showing the excellent understanding that exists + between them. Count, now, from the six of hearts to the ninth card from + it, and lo! it is a wedding ring (the ace of diamonds); they will be + married before the expiration of a twelvemonth.' + </p> + <p> + Such is the scheme of fortune-telling by cards, as propounded in the + learned disquisitions of the adepts, and Betty, or Martha, or her mistress + can consult them by themselves according to the established method—without + exposing themselves to the extortionate cunning of the wandering gipsies + or the permanent crone of the city or village. They may just as well + believe what comes out according to their own manipulation as by that of + the heartless cheats in question. Your ordinary fortune-tellers are not + over-particular, being only anxious to tell you exactly what you want to + know. So if a black court card gets in juxta-position with and looking + towards a red court card, the fair consulter's representative, then it is + evident that some 'dark gentleman' is 'after her;' and vice versa; and if + a wife, suspecting her husband's fidelity, consults the cards, the + probability is that her SUSPICIONS will receive 'confirmation strong' from + the fact that 'some dark woman,' that is, a black queen, 'is after her + husband;' or vice versa, if a husband consults the card-woman respecting + the suspicions he may have reason to entertain with regard to his 'weaker + rib' or his 'intended.' + </p> + <p> + It need scarcely be observed that fortune-tellers in any place are 'posted + up' in all information or gossip in the neighbourhood; and therefore they + readily turn their knowledge to account in the answers they give to + anxious inquirers. + </p> + <p> + Apart from this, however, the interpretations are so elaborately + comprehensive that 'something' MUST come true in the revelations; and we + all know that in such matters that something coming to pass will far + outweigh the non-fulfilment of other fatal ordinations. Of course no + professional fortune-teller would inform an old man that some dark or fair + man was 'after' his old woman; but nothing is more probable than the + converse, and much family distraction has frequently resulted from such + perverse revelation of 'the cards.' In like manner your clever + fortune-teller will never promise half-a-dozen children to 'an old lady,' + but she will very probably hold forth that pleasant prospect—if such + it be—to a buxom lass of seventeen or eighteen—especially in + those counties of England where the ladies are remarkable for such profuse + bounty to their husbands. + </p> + <p> + As a general proposition, it matters very little what may be the means of + vaticination or prediction—whether cards, the tea-grounds in the + cup, &c.,—all POSSIBLE events have a degree of probability of + coming to pass, which may vary from 20 to 1 down to a perfect equality of + chance; and the clever fortune-teller, who may be mindful of her + reputation, will take care to regulate her promises or predictions + according to that proposition. + </p> + <p> + Many educated ladies give their attention to the cards, and some have + acquired great proficiency in the art. On board a steamer sailing for New + York, on one occasion a French lady among the saloon-passengers undertook + to amuse the party by telling their fortunes. A Scotch young gentleman, + who was going out to try and get a commission in the Federal army, had his + fortune told. Among the announcements, as interpreted by the lady, was the + rather unpleasant prospect that two constables would be 'after' him! We + all laughed heartily at the odd things that came out for everybody, and + then the thing was forgotten; the steamer reached her destination; and all + the companions of the pleasant voyage separated and went their different + ways. + </p> + <p> + Some months after, I met the young gentleman above alluded to, and among + the various adventures which he had had, he mentioned the following. He + said that shortly after his arrival in New York he presented a ten-dollar + note which he had received, at a drinking-house, that it was declared a + forged note, and that he was given into custody; but that the magistrate, + on being conclusively convinced of his respectability, dismissed the + charge without even taking the trouble to establish the alleged fact that + the note was a forgery. So far so good; but on the following morning, + whilst at breakfast at his hotel, another police-officer pounced upon him, + and led him once more on the same charge to another magistrate, who, + however, dismissed the case like the other.(84) + </p> + <p> + (84) It appears that this is allowable in New York. The explanation of the + perverse prosecution was, that the young gentleman did not 'fee' the + worthy policemen, according to custom in such cases. + </p> + <p> + Thereupon I said—'Why, the French lady's card-prediction on board + came to pass! Don't you remember what she said about two constables being + "after you"?' + </p> + <p> + 'Now I remember it,' he said; 'but I had positively forgotten all about + it. Well, she was right there—but I am sorry to say that nothing + else she PROMISED has come to pass.' + </p> + <p> + Doubtless all other consulters of the cards and of astrologers can say the + same, although all would not wisely conclude that a system must be + erroneous which misleads human hope in the great majority of cases. In + fact, like the predictions in our weather-almanacks, the fortune-teller's + announcements are only right BY CHANCE, and wrong ON PRINCIPLE. + </p> + <p> + FORTUNE-TELLING FORTY YEARS AGO, OR, THE STORY OF MARTHA CARNABY. + </p> + <p> + A certain Martha Carnaby, a tidy but rather 'unsettled' servant girl, some + forty years ago went to an old fortune-teller, to have her fortune told, + and the doings on both sides came out as follows, before the magistrate at + the Bow Street police-court. The fortune-teller was 'had up,' as usual, + 'for obtaining money and other valuables' from the former. + </p> + <p> + Miss Martha Carnaby said that this celebrated old fortune-teller had first + gained her acquaintance by attending at her master's house, before the + family had risen, and urging her to have her fortune told. At length, + after much persuasion, she consented; but the fortune-teller told her that + before the secrets of her future destiny were revealed, she must deposit + in her hands some little token, TO BIND THE CHARM, which the old lady said + she would invoke the same evening—'if I would call at her lodgings, + and also cast my nativity by her cards, and tell me every particular of + the future progress of my life. I accordingly gave her what money I had; + but that, she told me, was not enough to buy the ingredients with which + she was to compose the charm. I at length gave her four silver teaspoons + and two tablespoons, which she put carefully in her pocket; and then asked + me to let her look at my hand, which I showed her. She told me there were + many lines in it which clearly indicated great wealth and happiness; and, + after telling her my name was Martha Carnaby, she took her departure, and + I agreed to meet her at her lodgings the same evening. Agreeably to her + directions, I dressed myself in as fashionable a manner as I could, + because I WAS TO SEE MY SWEETHEART THROUGH A MIRROR, AND HE WAS TO SEE + ME.' + </p> + <p> + The poor deluded creature then stated that she attended punctually at the + hour appointed, at the old lady's sanctum, and seating herself upon an old + chair, beheld with astonishment quite as much as she bargained for. 'I + felt myself,' said poor Martha, 'on entering the room, all of a twitter. + The old woman was seated in her chair of state, and, reaching down from + the mantel-piece a pack of cards, began, after muttering a few words in a + language I could not understand, to lay them very carefully in her lap; + she then foretold that I should get married, but not to the person in our + house, as I expected, but to another young man, whom, if I could afford a + trifle, she would show me through her MATRIMONIAL MIRROR. To this I + consented, and she desired me to shut my eyes and keep my face covered + while she made the necessary preparations; and there she kept me, with my + face hid in her lap, until I was nearly smothered; when suddenly she told + me to turn round, and look through the mirror, which was seen through a + hole in a curtain, and I saw a young man pass quickly before me, staring + me in the face, at which I was much surprised, she assuring me that he + would be my husband. It was then agreed that she was to call on me the + next morning, and return the silver spoons; but, your Worship,' said the + poor girl, 'she never came; and as I was afraid my mistress would soon + want them, I asked the advice of a woman in our neighbourhood, as to what + I had better do, and to whom I related all the circumstances I have told + your Worship; when the woman asked me how I could have been such a fool as + to be duped by that old cheat at the bar,—that she was a notorious + old woman, that she had in her employ some young man, who was always hid + in the room, to overhear the conversation, and to run from out of the + hiding-place before the mirror; and that I ought to be thankful I came + away as well as I did, as many young girls had been ruined through going + to this old creature; that, from her acquaintance with so many servant + girls, she always contrived to get from them such intelligence as enabled + her to answer those questions that might be put to her, as to the + business, name, place of abode, country, and other circumstances of the + party applying, the answering of which always convinced the credulous + creatures who went to her, of her great skill in the art of astrology; and + when she was right in her guessing, she always took care to have it well + published.' + </p> + <p> + Of course, and again, as usual, the magistrate 'hoped it would be a lesson + to Martha, and to all other foolish girls, never to hearken to those + infernal, wicked old wretches, the fortune-tellers—many a girl + having lost her character and virtue by listening to their nonsense;' but + there have been hundreds and thousands of such Marthas since then, and no + doubt there will be very many more in future—in spite of the + ridiculous exposure of such dupes ever and anon, in courts of justice and + in the columns of the daily papers. + </p> + <p> + 'The art of cartomancy, or divination by playing-cards, dates from an + early period of their obscure history. In the museum of Nantes there is a + painting, said to be by Van Eyck, representing Philippe le Bon, Archduke + of Austria, and subsequently King of Spain, consulting a fortune-teller by + cards. This picture cannot be of a later date than the fifteenth century. + Then the art was introduced into England is unknown; probably, however, + the earliest printed notice of it in this country is the following curious + story, extracted from Rowland's Judicial Astrology Condemned:—"Cuffe, + an excellent Grecian, and secretary to the Earl of Essex, was told, twenty + years before his death, that he should come to an untimely end, at which + Cuffe laughed, and in a scornful manner entreated the soothsayer to show + him in what manner he should come to his end, who condescended to him, and + calling for cards, entreated Cuffe to draw out of the pack any three which + pleased him. He did so, and drew three knaves, and laid them on the table + by the wizard's direction, who then told him, if he desired to see the sum + of his bad fortune, to take up those cards. Cuffe, as he was prescribed, + took up the first card, and looking on it, he saw the portraiture of + himself cap-a-pie, having men encompassing him with bills and halberds. + Then he took up the second, and there he saw the judge that sat upon him; + and taking up the last card, he saw Tyburn, the place of his execution, + and the hangman, at which he laughed heartily. But many years after, being + condemned, he remembered and declared this prediction." + </p> + <p> + 'The earliest work on cartomancy was written or compiled by one Francesco + Marcolini, and printed at Venice in 1540.'(85) + </p> + <p> + (85) The Book of Days, Feb. 21. In this work there is a somewhat different + account of cartomancy to that which I have expounded 'on the best + authorities' and from practical experience with the adepts in the art; + but, in a matter of such immense importance to ladies of all degrees, I + have thought proper to give, in foot-notes, the differing interpretations + of the writer in the Book of Days, who professes to speak with some + authority, not however, I think, superior to mine, for I have investigated + the subject to the utmost. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. AMUSING CARD TRICKS.(86) + </h2> + <p> + (86) These tricks appeared originally in Beeton's Christmas Annual, and + are here reproduced with permission. + </p> + <p> + Although my work is a history of gambling, in all its horrors, and with + all its terrible moral warnings, I gladly conclude it 'happily,' after the + manner of the most pleasing novels and romances,—namely, by a method + of contriving innocent and interesting amusement with cards, without the + 'chance' of encountering the risks, calamities, and disgrace of gambling. + </p> + <p> + I was led to the investigation of this branch of my subject by the + following incident. Being present at a party when a gentleman performed + one of the tricks described, No. 7, the rest of the company and myself + were all much surprised at the result, and urgently requested him to + explain the method of his performance, which, however, he stoutly refused + to do, averring that he would not take L1000 for it. This was so + ridiculously provoking that I offered to bet him L5 that I would discover + the method within 24 hours. To my astonishment he declined the bet, not, + however, without a sort of compliment, admitting that I MIGHT do so. He + was right; for, as Edgar Poe averred, no man can invent a puzzle which + some other man cannot unravel. In effect, I called upon him the following + day, and performed the trick not only according to his method, but also by + another, equally successful. I have reason to believe that most of the + tricks of my selection had not previously appeared in print; at any rate, + I have given to all of them an exposition which may entitle them to some + claim of originality. + </p> + <p> + PRELIMINARY HINTS. + </p> + <p> + I. Shuffling, in the simple and inoffensive sense of the expression, is an + important point in all tricks with cards. For the most part, it is only a + pretence or dexterous management—keeping a card or cards in your + command whilst seeming to shuffle them into the pack. + </p> + <p> + Every performer has his method of such shuffling. Some hold the pack + perpendicularly with the left hand, then with the right take a portion of + the pack—about one half—and make a show of shuffling the two + parts together edgeways, but, in reality, replace them as they were. With + rapidity of execution every eye is thus deceived. + </p> + <p> + If a single card is to be held in command, place it at the bottom of the + pack, which you hold in your left, and then, with your right thumb and + middle finger, raise and throw successively portions of the pack, leaving + the bottom card in contact with the fingers of the left hand. + </p> + <p> + With dexterity, any portion of the pack may be shuffled, leaving the + remainder just as it was, by separating it during the process by inserting + one or more fingers of the left hand between it and the portions shuffled. + </p> + <p> + II. Cutting—not in the sense of bolting at the sight of 'blue,' + though that is of consequence to card-sharpers—is of importance in + all card tricks. In many tricks cutting the cards is only a pretence, as + it is necessary for the success of the trick to replace them as they were; + in technical terms, we must 'blow up the cut.'(87) + </p> + <p> + (87) This is the sauter la coupe referred to in the chapter on the Gaming + Clubs, in the account of the trial of Lord de Ros. See 'Graham's Club.' + </p> + <p> + There are several ways of performing this sleight-of-hand. The cards being + cut, and forming two lots on the table, smartly snatch up the lot which + should be placed on the other, with the left hand. + </p> + <p> + This lot being taken up and the hand being in the position shown in the + figure, snatch up in like manner the other lot, and, by a movement of the + palm of the hand and the tips of the fingers, pass the second lot under + the first. + </p> + <p> + The deception of the trick depends upon its dexterity, and this can only + be acquired by practice. But really it may be dispensed with; for it is a + curious fact that, in every case when the cards are cut, you may actually + replace them just as they were without being observed by the spectators—for + the simple reason that the ruse is not suspected, especially if their + attention is otherwise engaged with your pointed observations. + </p> + <p> + The 'gift of the gab' is in this case, as in many others, a very great + resource. A striking remark or bon mot will easily mystify the spectators, + and attract their attention from what you are DOING. Hence all + prestidigitators are always well stocked with anecdotes and funny + observations; indeed, they talk incessantly: they speak well, too, and + they take care to time the word accurately with the moment when their + fingers act most energetically. + </p> + <p> + III. To slip a card.—To slip a card is to pretend to take the bottom + card of the pack, and in reality to take the card which precedes it. To + perform this feat without detection is a very simple affair, but it + requires practice. + </p> + <p> + The pack of cards being held in the right hand, advance the left hand—palm + upwards—just as if you were seizing the last card with the middle + finger; but, having slightly moistened this finger with the lips, push + back this card, and make it slip under the palm of the right hand, whilst + you seize the preceding card with the thumb and forefinger. + </p> + <p> + In this manner you may successively draw out several cards besides the + last, and only draw the last as the sixth, seventh, &c., which will + serve to effect several interesting tricks to be explained in the sequel. + </p> + <p> + IV. To file the card.—To file the card is, when a card has been + taken from the pack to pretend to place it about the middle of the pack, + whilst, in reality, you place it at the bottom. + </p> + <p> + The pack must be held in the left hand, between the thumb and forefinger, + so that the three other fingers be free. One of the middle cards should + project a little. Then take the card to be filed between the forefinger + and the middle finger of the right hand; advance the right hand from the + left, and whilst the three disengaged fingers of the left hand seize and + place the card under the pack, the thumb and forefinger of the right seize + the projecting card before mentioned, so that it seems to be that card + which you have slipped into the middle of the pack. These movements are + very easy, and, when rapidly performed, the illusion is complete. + </p> + <p> + TRICKS. + </p> + <p> + 1. To tell a card thought of by a party after three deals. + </p> + <p> + Take twenty-one cards of a pack, and deal them out one by one in three + lots, requesting the party to think of a card, and remember in which lot + it is. + </p> + <p> + Having dealt out the cards, ask the party in which lot the card is. + </p> + <p> + Take up the lots successively, and place the lot containing the card in + the MIDDLE. + </p> + <p> + Deal out the cards again, and ask the party to state in which lot the card + is; and proceed as before, placing the lot containing the card in the + middle. + </p> + <p> + Deal out the cards in like manner a third time, proceeding as before. + </p> + <p> + Then deal them out as usual, and the eleventh card will be the one thought + of, infallibly. This is the usual way of showing the card thought of; but, + as the trick may be partly discovered by the counting, it is better to + hold the cards in your hand, and take out the eleventh card, counting to + yourself, of course, from the left hand, but pretending to be considering + the guess. + </p> + <p> + This is apparently a most mysterious trick, although a necessary + consequence of the position of the lot containing the card in the three + deals. + </p> + <p> + 2. The four inseparable kings. + </p> + <p> + Take four kings. Beneath the last place any two cards, which you take care + to conceal. Then show the four kings and replace the six cards under the + pack. + </p> + <p> + Then take a king and place it in the top of the pack, place one of the TWO + OTHER CARDS in the middle, and the other about the same place, and then, + turning up the pack, show that one king is still at the bottom. Then let + the cards be cut, and as three kings were left below, all must necessarily + get together somewhere about the middle of the pack. Of course in placing + the two other cards you pretend to be placing two kings. + </p> + <p> + 3. The barmaid and the three victimizers. + </p> + <p> + For this amusing trick you arrange the cards thus: Holding the pack in + your hands, find all the knaves, place one of them next to your left hand, + and the other three on the table. Then find a queen, which also place on + the table. Then say:— + </p> + <p> + 'Three scamps went into a tavern, and ordered drink. Here they are—the + three knaves. "Who's to pay? I can't," said the first. + </p> + <p> + "I won't," said the second. "I wish she may get it," said the third. "I'll + manage it," said the first, the greatest rogue of the three. "I say, my + pretty girl, haven't you some very old wine in your cellar?" Here's the + barmaid thus addressed by the rogue in question (showing the queen), and + she replied:—"Oh yes, sir, prime old wine." "Let's have a bottle." + (Off went the barmaid. Put the queen in your pocket.) "Now for it, my + lads," said the knave in question; "'mizzle' is the word. Let's be off in + opposite directions, and meet to-night; you know where." Hereupon they + decamped, taking opposite directions, which I will indicate by placing one + on the top of the pack, one at the bottom, and the other in the middle. + </p> + <p> + 'When the poor barmaid returned (taking out the queen from your pocket) + with the wine, great was her astonishment to find the room empty. "Lor!" + she exclaimed, "why, I do declare—did you ever!—Oh! but I'm + not agoing to be sarved so. I'll catch the rogues, all of them—that + I will." And off she went after them, as shown by placing her ON, or at + any rate, AFTER the first. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, to catch the three seemed impossible; but the ladies have always + smiled at impossibilities, and wonders never cease; for, if you have the + goodness to cut these cards, you will find that she HAS caught the three + rogues.' + </p> + <p> + When the cards are cut, proceed in the USUAL WAY after cutting—NOT + as required in the last trick; and taking up the cards, you will find the + queen and three knaves together, which you take out and exhibit to the + astonished audience. + </p> + <p> + Of course, one of these knaves is not one of the three first exhibited, + but the one which you slipped on your left hand at first. There is no + chance of detection, however; simply for the reason before given—nobody + suspects the trick. + </p> + <p> + 4. How to name every card in a pack successively turned up by a second + party, and win every trick at a hand of Whist. + </p> + <p> + This is, perhaps, the most astonishing of all tricks with cards. Although + it may be true that whatever puzzle one man invents, some other man may + unravel, as before observed, I am decidedly of opinion that this trick + defies detection. At the first blush it seems very difficult to learn; but + it is simplicity itself in explanation. + </p> + <p> + Begin by laying out the cards in four rows according to the suits, all of + a suit in a row side by side. + </p> + <p> + The cards must now be arranged for the trick. Take up the six in the top + or bottom row, then the two in the next row, the ten in the third, and the + nine in the fourth, placing them one upon the other in the left hand. Then + begin again with the row from which you took the six, and take up the + three. From the next row take the king. These numbers will be easily + remembered with a little practice, amounting altogether to 30, made up + thus—6 and 2 are 8, 8 and 10 are 18, 18 and 9 are 27, 27 and 3 are + 30—KING. + </p> + <p> + By repeating this addition a few times, it will be fixed in the memory. + </p> + <p> + Proceed by next beginning with the row next to the one from which you took + the last card or the king, and take the eight; from the next row take the + four; from the next the ace; from the next the knave. These cards make up + 13. Therefore say, 8 and 4 are 12 and 1 are 13—knave. + </p> + <p> + From the next row to that whence you took the knave, take the seven; from + the next row take the five; from the next the queen. These cards make up + 12. Thus, 7 and 5 are 12—queen. + </p> + <p> + It thus appears that you have taken up thirteen cards consisting of the + four suits, successively taken and being arranged as follows:—6, 2, + 10, 9, 3, king; 8, 4, 1, knave; 7, 5, queen. + </p> + <p> + Proceed in like manner with the remainder of the cards, beginning with the + row next to that from which you took the queen, and take the six, then + from the next row the two, and so on as before, making up another batch of + 13 cards. + </p> + <p> + Repeat the process for a third batch, and finish with the remainder for + the fourth—always remembering to take the card from the next row in + succession continually; in other words, only one card must be taken from + each row at a time. + </p> + <p> + When the cards are thus arranged, request a party to cut them. This is + only pretence; for you must take care dexterously to replace the cut just + as it was before. Let them be cut again, and replace them as before. Your + ruse will not be detected, simply because nobody suspects the possibility + of the thing. + </p> + <p> + Now take up the pack, and from the BOTTOM take the first four cards; + handing the remainder to a party, sitting before you, saying—'I + shall now call every card in succession from the top of the pack in your + hand.' + </p> + <p> + To do this, two things must be remembered; and there is no difficulty in + it. First, the numbers 6, 2, 10, 9, 3, king, &c., before given; and + next the SUIT of those cards. + </p> + <p> + Now you know the NUMBERS by heart, and the SUIT is shown by the four cards + which you hold in your hand, fan-like, in the usual way. If the first of + the four cards be a club, the first card you call will be the six of + clubs; if the next be a heart, the next card called will be the two of + hearts, and so on throughout the thirteen made up from every row, as + before given, and the suits of each card will be indicated successively by + the suit of each of your four indicator cards, thus, as the case may be, + clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades; clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades, and so + on. + </p> + <p> + After a little private practice, you will readily and rapidly call, as the + case may be, from the four cards in your hand:—the six of clubs, two + of hearts, ten of diamonds, nine of spades, three of clubs, king of + hearts, eight of diamonds, four of spades, ace of clubs, knave of hearts, + seven of diamonds, five of spades, queen of clubs—and so on to the + last card in the pack. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the astonishment produced by this seemingly prodigious + display of memory, say—'Now, if you like, we will have a hand at + Whist, and I undertake to win every trick if I be allowed to deal.' + </p> + <p> + Let the Whist party be formed, and get the cards cut as usual—only + taking care to REPLACE them, as before enjoined, precisely as they were. + Deal the cards, and the result will be that your thirteen cards will be + ALL TRUMPS. Let the game proceed until your opponents 'give it up' in + utter bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + This splendid trick seems difficult in description, but it is one of the + easiest; and even were it ten times more difficult than it is, the reader + will perhaps admit that it is worth mastering. Once committed to memory + the figures are never forgotten, and a few repetitions, with the cards + before you, will suffice to enable you to retain them. + </p> + <p> + 5. Two persons having each drawn a card and replaced them in the pack, to + guess these cards. + </p> + <p> + Make a set of all the clubs and spades, and another set of hearts and + diamonds. Shuffle well each set, and even let them be shuffled by the + spectators. Then request a person to draw a card from one of the sets, and + another person to draw one from the second set. + </p> + <p> + You now take a set in each hand, presenting them to the two persons, + requesting them to replace the drawn cards. You must pretend to present to + each person the set from which he drew his card, but in reality you + present the red set to the person who drew the black card, and the black + set to the person who drew the red card. + </p> + <p> + Each person having replaced his card, you get each set shuffled. Then you + take them in hand, and by running them over you easily find the red card + amongst the black, and the black card amongst the red. + </p> + <p> + Of course you will have prepared the sets beforehand, and take care to + alter the arrangement as soon as possible after the trick. But you can + prepare the pack in the presence of others without their detecting it. + Distribute the cards by dealing according to the two colours; take them + up, and having placed the red set a little projecting over the black, set + them down, and, pretending to cut them, separate the sets. + </p> + <p> + 6. Twenty cards being arranged upon a table, a person thinks of two, and + you undertake to guess them. + </p> + <p> + Lay out twenty cards of any kind, two by two, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + | c | i | c | o | s | + | d | e | d | i | t | + | t | u | m | u | s | + | n | e | m | o | n | +</pre> + <p> + and request a party to think of two in a line; that is, one of the ten + sets formed by the twenty cards. This done you take up the sets in the + order in which they lie, and place them in rows according to the letters + of the words. You may use a diagram like the preceding, but as the words + are easily retained it had better be dispensed with, distributing the + cards on the table just as though upon the diagram, which will make the + trick more puzzling and extraordinary. Proceed as follows:—Place the + cards two by two on similar letters: thus, place the two cards of the + first set on the two d's in dedit; the two cards of the second set on the + two i's of cicos and dedit; the two of the third set on the two c's, and + so on with the ten sets. + </p> + <p> + All the letters of the words being thus covered, ask the party who has + thought of the cards to tell you in which lines these cards are. If both + are in the first line (cicos), they must be those on the two c's; if they + are both in the second line, they cover the d's in dedit; both in the + third line, they cover the u's in tumus; both in the fourth, they cover + the n's in nemon. + </p> + <p> + If one be in the first line and the other in the second, they cover the + i's in cicos and dedit, and thus of the rest—the two cards thought + of NECESSARILY covering two SIMILAR LETTERS, whilst each of the letters + occurs only TWICE in the diagram. + </p> + <p> + 7. To tell a card thought of without even looking at the cards. + </p> + <p> + Take any number of cards,—say twenty. Pretend to shuffle them with + the faces towards you, and REMEMBER THE FIRST CARD as you close the pack—suppose + the ten of diamonds. Tell the party that the only condition you require is + to be told the ORDER in which the card is dealt out by you; in other + words, he must tell you whether in dealing it comes out first, second, + third, &c. + </p> + <p> + Remembering your first card, you may then turn your back to him, and deal + out the cards one by one, and one upon the top of the other, requesting + him to think of a card and its order as before said. + </p> + <p> + Then take up the cards, and shuffle them repeatedly, by throwing a portion + of them from the bottom to the top, taking care not to mix the cards or + let any drop, and then let the party cut them as often as he pleases. + Then, take the cards in hand. Pretend to examine them mysteriously, but in + reality only look for YOUR card—the first dealt out—the ten of + diamonds for instance. Now, suppose he tells you that the card he thought + of came out FIFTH. Then, for a certainty, it is the fourth card on the + RIGHT of the ten of diamonds, in spite of all YOUR shuffling, and all + regular cutting, for such shuffling and regular cutting cannot alter the + order or sequence of the cards. Always remember to count from your own + card inclusive to the number of the card thought of towards your right + hand. But should your card happen to be so near the right hand or the top + as not to allow sufficient counting, then count as far as it admits to the + RIGHT and then continue at the LEFT. Thus, suppose there are only two + cards above the ten of diamonds, then count two more on the left, making + the fifth. If the card you remember, or your first card, is first, then + count the requisite number on the left, always beginning with YOUR card, + however. + </p> + <p> + The REASON of this trick is simply that by merely cutting the cards, and + shuffling them in the way indicated, you do not alter the SEQUENCE of the + cards. With regard to this sort of SHUFFLING, I may say that it is simply + CUTTING the cards—always preserving their sequence—a most + important fact for card-players, since it may lead to a pretty accurate + conjecture of all the hands after a deal, from the study of the one in + hand, with reference to the tricks turned down after the previous deal, as + already suggested. Hence, in shuffling for whist or other games, the cards + should not be shuffled in this way, but more thoroughly mixed by the + edgewise shuffling of certain players. + </p> + <p> + This is the trick I alluded to at the commencement of the chapter, the + mode of performing which I succeeded in discovering. + </p> + <p> + Of course ANY NUMBER of persons may think of cards, remembering their + order, and the operator will tell them, in like manner. + </p> + <p> + 8. A person having thought of one of fifteen cards presented to him, to + guess the card thought of. + </p> + <p> + Form three ranks of five cards each, and request a party to think of one + of these cards, and tell you in which rank it is. Take up the cards of the + three ranks, taking care to place the cards of the ranks in which is the + card thought of between those of the two other ranks. + </p> + <p> + Make three more ranks as before. Ask the party again in which rank the + card is, and take them up, placing the rank in which the card is between + the two others. Operate in like manner a third time, and the card thought + of will infallibly be the THIRD of the rank named by the party. + </p> + <p> + Observe, however, you must not form each rank with five consecutive cards; + but you must place the cards one by one, placing one successively in each + rank; thus, one at the top on the left of the first rank, one below that + first for the second rank, one below the second for the third rank, then + one in the first, one in the second, one in the third, and so on. + </p> + <p> + This trick, which is very easy, always produces a great effect. It only + requires a little attention, and it can never fail unless you make a + mistake in arranging the cards, which, however, is too simple to admit of + error. + </p> + <p> + 9. Two persons having each drawn a card from a pack, and having replaced + them, to tell these cards after the pack has been shuffled and cut by the + spectators as often as they like. + </p> + <p> + The cards may be easily divided into two numerical parts, even and odd: by + taking a king for four points, a queen for three, a knave for two, and the + other cards for their especial points, we may make up two sets of sixteen + cards each, the even composing one, and the odd the other. These two sets + being before the performer, he takes one, shuffles it well, and lets a + party take a card. He then takes the other, shuffles it, and lets another + party take a card. Then, whilst each party is looking at his card, which + HE IS REQUESTED TO DO, the performer dexterously changes the place of the + two sets, and he requests the parties to replace the cards in the set + whence they took them. It follows that the party who took a card from the + EVEN set places it in the ODD set, and he who took it from the ODD set + places it in the even set. Consequently, all the shuffling and cutting in + the world will be useless, for the performer has only to spread out the + cards of each set to point out the cards drawn. + </p> + <p> + 10. Singular arrangement of sixteen cards. + </p> + <p> + Take the four kings, the four queens, the four knaves, and the four tens + of a pack, and ask if there be any one in the company who can form a + square with them in such a manner that, taken in any direction, from right + to left, from the top to the bottom, by the diagonal—anyhow, in fact—there + will always be in each line a king, queen, knave, and a ten. Everybody + will think the thing easy, but it is certain that no one will succeed in + doing it. When they 'give it up,' take the sixteen cards and arrange them + as shown, when the king, queen, knave, and ten will stand as required. + </p> + <p> + 11. The seven trick. + </p> + <p> + Make up the four sevens of a pack, and take seven other cards, no matter + which, for another lot, and, presenting both lots, you say:—Here are + two lots totally dissimilar; nevertheless, there is one of seven, and I + declare it will be the first touched by any party present. Of course, when + touched, you at once prove your words by exhibiting either the sevens or + the seven cards—taking care to mix the cards into the pack + immediately to prevent detection. + </p> + <p> + 12. Infallible method for guessing any number that a party has thought of. + </p> + <p> + Take the first ten cards of a pack of 52 cards. Set out these ten cards as + shown below, so that the point A should correspond to the ace, and to 1—the + point F to the card representing the 6—and E to the 10. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 2 3 4 + B C D + 1 A————E 5 + 10 K————F 6 + I H G + 9 8 7 +</pre> + <p> + Thus prepared, you request a party to think of a card, and then you tell + him to touch any number he pleases, requesting him to name it aloud. Then, + adding the whole number of the cards to the number touched, you tell him + to count backwards to himself, beginning with the card touched, and giving + to that card the number of the one thought of. By counting in this way, + the party will at length count the entire number on the card thought of, + which you will thus be able to designate with certainty. + </p> + <p> + Example:—Suppose the card thought of is G, marking 7; again, + supposing the one touched to be D, equal to 4; you add to this number the + entire number of cards, which is, in this case, 10, which will make 14. + Then, making the party count this sum, from the number touched, D to C, B, + A, and so on, backwards, so that in commencing to count the number thought + of, 7 on D, the party will continue, saying, 8 on C, 9 on B, 10 on A, 11 + on K, 12 on I, 13 on H, and end with counting 14 on G; and you will thus + discover that the number thought of is 7, which corresponds to G. + </p> + <p> + Of course the party counts TO himself, and only speaks to designate the + point on which he stops, namely, G in this example. + </p> + <p> + This trick may be performed with any number of cards—as few as six, + or as many as fifteen. Then you must always add to the number the total of + the cards used. The trick will be much more interesting and striking if + you turn the cards face downwards, only trusting to your memory to retain + the order of the numbers. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the letters are only used to facilitate the explanation. The + cards really form a sort of circle, beginning at 1 or the ace on the left, + and then continuing with the 2, the 3, the 4, the 5, and so on, to the 10 + below the ace; and, by necessity, the party must end his counting with the + very card he thought of, beginning from the one he happens to point out. + </p> + <p> + 13. The card that cannot be found. + </p> + <p> + Take any number of cards and spread them out fan-like in your hand, faces + fronting the spectators. + </p> + <p> + Ask one of them to select a card. You tell him to take it, and then to + place it at the bottom of the pack. You hold up the pack, so that the + spectators may see that the card is really at the bottom. Suppose this + card is the king of hearts. + </p> + <p> + Then, pretending to take that card, you take the card preceding it, and + place it at a point corresponding to A in the following figure. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A C + B D +</pre> + <p> + You then take the card drawn, namely, the king of hearts, and place it at + the point corresponding to B in the above figure. Finally, you take any + two other cards, and place them at C and D. + </p> + <p> + Of course, the cards are placed face downwards. + </p> + <p> + After this location of the cards, you tell the party who has chosen the + card that you will change the position of the cards, by pushing + alternately that at the point A to B, and that at D to C, and vice versa; + and you defy him to follow you in these gyrations of the card, and to find + it. + </p> + <p> + Of course, seeing no difficulty in the thing, and believing with everybody + that his card is placed at the point A, he will undertake to follow and + find his card. Then performing what you undertake to do, you rapidly + change the places of the cards, and yet slowly enough to enable the party + to keep in view the card which he thinks his own, and so that you may not + lose sight of the one you placed at B. + </p> + <p> + Having thus arranged the cards for a few moments, you ask the party to + perform his promise by pointing out his card. Feeling sure that he never + lost sight of it, he instantly turns one of the cards and is astonished to + find that it is not his own. Then you say:—'I told you you would not + be able to follow your card in its ramble. But I have done what you + couldn't do: here is your card!' + </p> + <p> + The astonishment of the spectators is increased when you actually show the + card; for, having made them observe in the first instance, that you did + not even look at the drawn card, they are utterly at a loss to discover + the means you employed to find out and produce the card in question. + </p> + <p> + 14. Cards being drawn from a pack, to get them guessed by a person + blindfolded. + </p> + <p> + At all these performances there are always amongst the spectators persons + in league with the prestidigitator. In the present case a woman is the + assistant, with whom he has entered into an arrangement by which each card + is represented by a letter of the alphabet; and the following are the + cards selected for the trick with their representative letters. + </p> + <p> + The performer takes a handkerchief and blindfolds the lady in question, + and places her in the centre of the circle of spectators. Then spreading + out the cards, he requests each of the spectators to draw a card. + </p> + <p> + He requests the first to give him the card he has drawn; he looks at it, + and placing it on the table face downwards, he asks the lady to name the + card, which she does instantly and without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + Of course this appears wonderful to the spectators, and their astonishment + goes on increasing whilst the lady names every card in succession to the + last. + </p> + <p> + It is, however, a very simple affair. Each card represents a letter of the + alphabet, as we see by the figure, and all the performer has to do is to + begin every question with the letter corresponding to the card. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the party has drawn the king of hearts. Its letter is A. + </p> + <p> + The performer exclaims—'Ah! I'm sure you know this!' The A at once + suggests the card in question. Suppose it is the ace of clubs. He says—'Jump + at conclusions if you like, but be sure in hitting this card on the nail.' + J begins the phrase, and represents the card in question. Suppose it is + the ten of spades, he cries out—'Zounds! if you mistake this you are + not so clever a medium as I took you for.' The ace of diamonds—'Quite + easy, my dear sir,' or 'my dear ma'am,' as the case may be. Q represents + the ace of diamonds. The queen of diamonds—'Oh, the beauty!' The ace + of hearts—'Dear me! what is this?' The ace of spades—'You are + always right, name it.' The nine of diamonds—'So! so! well, I'm sure + she knows it.' + </p> + <p> + Doubtless these specimens will suffice to suggest phrases for every other + card. Such phrases may be written out and got by heart—only + twenty-three being required; but this seems useless, for it does not + require much tact at improvisation to hit upon a phrase commencing with + any letter. However, it will be better to take every precaution rather + than run the risk of stopping in the performance, whose success mainly + depends upon the apparently inspired rapidity of the answers. The + performer might conceal in the hollow of his hand a small table exactly + like the figure, to facilitate his questions. As for the medium, he, or + she, must rely entirely on memory. Of course the spectators may be allowed + to see that the medium is completely blindfolded. This modern trick has + always puzzled the keenest spectators + </p> + <p> + 15. The mystery of double sight. + </p> + <p> + All the cards of a pack, or indeed any common object touched by a + spectator, may be named by an assistant in the following way—whilst + in another apartment, or blindfolded. + </p> + <p> + Take 32 cards and arrange them in four lines, one under the other. You + arrange with your assistant to name the first line after the days of the + week; the second will represent the weeks, the third the months, the + fourth the years. The assistant is enjoined to count the days aloud, and + the first card by the left. + </p> + <p> + The following is the entire scheme:— + </p> + <p> + Days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Months 1 2 3** 4 5 6 7 8 Years + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7*** 8 + </p> + <p> + The cards being thus arranged, the party who has to guess them retires + from the room. When he is recalled, whether blindfolded or not, he + pretends to count to himself for a considerable time, so as to allow his + associate time to say to him, without affectation or exciting suspicion of + collusion—'I give you,' or 'I give him SO MUCH TIME to guess what is + required; 'for it is in this phrase that the whole secret of the trick is + contained, as I shall proceed to demonstrate. + </p> + <p> + Suppose the card touched be one of those marked with the asterisks * ** + ***; if it be the first, the associate says,; I give him eight days to + guess it.' Then the medium, beginning with the upper line, that of the + days, will at once be able to say that the card touched is the eighth of + the first horizontal line, or the first of the eighth vertical line. + </p> + <p> + If it be the card holding the place of the number marked with two + asterisks ** the associate says 'three months,' and 'seven years' for the + one marked with three asterisks ***. + </p> + <p> + Thus, whatever card is touched, it will be easy to indicate it, by + beginning with the line of days at the top, counting one from the left of + the associate and medium. + </p> + <p> + Such is the simple process; and the following is the conventional + catechism adopted by all theoperators in double sight, with a few + variations adapted to circumstances. + </p> + <p> + With this collection of words and phrases, every existing object can be + guessed, provided care be taken to classify them according to the + following indications. + </p> + <p> + To operate, two persons must establish a perfect understanding between + them. One undertakes the questions, the other the answers, the latter + having his eyes perfectly blindfolded. Both of them must thoroughly know + the following numbers with their correspondences:— + </p> + <p> + 1. Now. 9. Quick. 2. Answer or reply. 10. Say. 3. Name. 20. Tell me. 4. + What is the object, or thing. 30. I request you. 5. Try. 40. Will you. 6. + Again. 50. Will you (to) me. 7. Instantly. 60. Will you (to) us. 8. Which? + </p> + <p> + Example:—Add the question of the simple number to the question of + the decade or ten. Thus, in pronouncing the words 'Say now,' 11—for + say is 10, and now is 1, total 11. This, therefore, forms question 11. + </p> + <p> + Again—'Tell me which number,' 28—for 'tell me' is 20, and + 'which' is 8, total 28. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly:—'I request you instantly,' 37; for 'I request you' is 30, + and 'instantly' is 7, total 37. + </p> + <p> + All the expressions or words that follow are totally independent of the + answer, and are only adapted to embellish or mystify the question as far + as the audience is concerned. For instance: + </p> + <p> + Question 7. Instantly, what I have in my hand? Answer, A watch. + </p> + <p> + Question 9. Quick, the hour? Answer, nine o'clock. + </p> + <p> + Question 30, I request you (2) reply—the minutes. Answer, 32 + minutes, that is 30 and 2, equal to 32. + </p> + <p> + It would be useless to give the entire correspondence invented for this + apparently mysterious revelation, as a few specimens will suffice to show + the principle. + </p> + <p> + Say what I hold? A handkerchief. Say now what I hold? A snuff-box. Say, + reply, what I hold? A pair of spectacles. Say and name what I hold? A box. + Say and try to say what I hold? A hat. Say quickly what I hold? An + umbrella. + </p> + <p> + Tell me, reply, what I hold? A knife. Tell me what I hold? A purse. Tell + me now what I hold? A pipe. Tell me and try to say what I hold? A needle. + Tell me quickly what I hold? A cane. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + +Say what I hold? A handkerchief. +Say now what I hold? A snuff-box. +Say, reply, what I hold? A pair of spectacles. +Say and name what I hold? A box. +Say and try to say what I hold? A hat. +Say quickly what I hold? An umbrella. + +Tell me, reply, what I hold? A knife. +Tell me what I hold? A purse. +Tell me now what I hold? A pipe. +Tell me and try to say what I hold? A needle. +Tell me quickly what I hold? A cane. + +I request you to say what I hold? A portfolio. +I request you to say now what I hold? Paper. +I request you to say, reply, what I hold? A book. +I request you to say quickly what I hold? A coin. + +Will you say, reply, what I hold?--A cigar. +Will you say, name what I hold?--A cane. +Will you say, again, what I hold?--A newspaper. + +Now, what I hold?--A bottle. +Reply, what I hold?--A jug. +Name what I hold?--A glass. +Again, what contains this vessel?--Wine. +Instantly, what this vessel contains?--Beer. +Now the form?--Triangular. +Reply, the form?--Round. +Name the form?--Square. +The form?--Oval. +Try to indicate the form?--Pointed. +Again, indicate the form?--Flat. + +Now, the colour?--White. +Reply, the colour?--Blue. +Name the colour?--Red. +The colour of this object?--Black. +Try to tell the colour?--Green. +Again, the colour?--Yellow. + +Now, the metal?--Gold. +Reply, the metal?--Silver. +The metal of the thing?--Copper. +Again, the metal?--Iron. +Instantly, the metal?--Lead. + +Ah! the figure or hour?--1. +Well?--2. 'Tis good?--3. +'Tis well?--4. +Good?--5. +But?--6. +Let's see?--7. +That's it?--8. +&c. + +Now name the suit of this card?--Clubs. +Reply, the suit of this card?--Hearts. +Name the suit of this card?--Spades. +The suit of this card?--Diamonds. + + +</pre> + <p> + It is obvious, from the preceding specimen, that a conventional catechism + involving every object can be contrived by two persons, and adapted to + every circumstance. The striking performances of the most notorious + mesmeric 'patients' in this line prove the possibility of the achievement. + The 'agent' who receives the questions in writing or in a whisper thus + communicates the answer to the patient, who is laboriously trained in the + entire encyclopaedia of 'common things' and things generally known; but it + MAY happen that the question proposed by the spectator has been omitted in + the scheme. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion, when the famous Prudence was the 'patient,' and was + telling the taste of all manner of liquids from a glass of water, I + proposed 'Blood' to the 'agent.' He shook his head, said he would try; but + it was useless. She said she 'couldn't do it,' and the agent frankly + admitted that it was a failure. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the mesmeric consciousness were really, as pretended, the result + of mental intercommunication between the agent and patient, it is obvious + that the well-known taste of blood could be communicated as well as any + other taste. This experiment suffices to prove that the revelations are + communicated in the matter-of-fact way which I have sufficiently + described. + </p> + <p> + Should it happen that a spectator has discovered the method, the + performers easily turn the tables against him. They have always ready a + conventional list of common things; and the agent undertakes that his + mesmeric patient will indicate them without hearing a word from him, even + in another apartment. The agent then merely touches the object, and the + patient begins with the first name in his list. The patient takes care to + give the agent sufficient time, lest he should name the object next to be + touched before the agent applies his finger, and thus, as it were, call + for it rather than name it when touched, as required by the case. + </p> + <p> + 1. Guessing. + </p> + <p> + Five persons having each thought of a different card, to guess five cards. + </p> + <p> + Take twenty-five cards, show five of them to a party, requesting him to + think of one, then place them one upon the other. Proceed in like manner + with five more to a second party, and so on, five parties in all, placing + the fives on the top of each other. Then, beginning with the top cards, + make five lots, placing one card successively in each lot; and ask the + five parties, one after the other, in which lot their card is. As the + first five cards are the first of each lot, it is evident that the card + thought of by the first party is the first of the lot he points to; that + of the second, is the second of the lot he points to; that of the third, + the third of the third lot; that of the fourth, the fourth of the fourth + lot; that of the fifth, the fifth of the fifth lot. + </p> + <p> + Of course five persons are not necessary. If there be but one person, the + card must be the first of the lot he points to. + </p> + <p> + It would be more artistic, perhaps, if you dispense with seeing the cards, + making the lots up with your eyes turned away from the table. Then request + the parties to observe in which lot their respective card is, and, taking + the lots successively in hand, present to each the card thought of without + looking at it yourself. + </p> + <p> + 17. The Arithmetical Puzzle. + </p> + <p> + This card trick, to which I have alluded in a previous page, cannot fail + to produce astonishment; and it is one of the most difficult to unravel. + </p> + <p> + Hand a pack of cards to a party, requesting him to make up parcels of + cards, in the following manner. He is to count the number of pips on the + first card that turns up, say a five, and then add as many cards as are + required to make up the number 12; in the case here supposed, having a + five before him, he will place seven cards upon it, turning down the + parcel. All the court cards count as 10 pips; consequently, only two cards + will be placed on such to make up 12. The ace counts as only one pip. + </p> + <p> + He will then turn up another, count the pips upon it, adding cards as + before to make up the number 12; and so on, until no more such parcels can + be made, the remainder, if any, to be set aside, all being turned down. + </p> + <p> + During this operation, the performer of the trick may be out of the room, + at any rate, at such a distance that it will be impossible for him to see + the first cards of the parcels which have been turned down; and yet he is + able to announce the number of pips made up by all the first cards laid + down, provided he is only informed of the number of parcels made up and + the number of the remainder, if any. + </p> + <p> + The secret is very simple. It consists merely in multiplying the number of + parcels over four by 13 (or rather vice versa), and adding the remaining + cards, if any, to the product. + </p> + <p> + Thus, there have just been made up seven packets, with five cards over. + Deducting 4 from 7, 3 remain; and I say to myself 13 times 3 (or rather 3 + times 13) are 39, and adding to this the five cards over, I at once + declare the number of pips made up by the first cards turned down to be + 44. + </p> + <p> + There is another way of performing this striking trick. Direct six parcels + of cards to be made up in the manner aforesaid, and then, on being + informed of the number of cards remaining over, add that number to 26, and + the sum will be the number of pips made up by the first cards of the six + parcels. + </p> + <p> + Such are the methods prescribed for performing this trick; but I have + discovered another, which although, perhaps, a little more complicated, + has the desirable advantage of explaining the seeming mystery. + </p> + <p> + Find the number of cards in the parcels, by subtracting the remainder, if + any, from 52. Subtract the number of pip cards therefrom, deduct this last + from the number made up of the number of parcels multiplied by 12, and the + remainder will be the number of pips on the first cards. + </p> + <p> + To demonstrate this take the case just given. There are seven parcels and + five cards over. First, this proves that there are 47 cards in the seven + parcels made up of pips and cards. Secondly, subtract the number of pip + cards—seven from the number of cards in the parcels; then, 7 from + 47, 40 remain (cards). Thirdly, now, as the seven parcels are made up both + of the pip cards and cards, it is evident that we have only to find the + number of cards got at as above, to get the number of pips required. Thus, + there being seven packets, 7 times 12 make 84; take 40, as above found + (the number of cards), and the remainder is 44, the number of pips as + found by the first method explained,—the process being as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 52 - 5 = 47 - 7 = 40. + + Then, 7 X 12 = 84 - 40 = 44. +</pre> + <p> + In general, however, the first method, being the easiest of performance, + should be adopted. The second is in many respects very objectionable. + </p> + <p> + 18. To get a card into a pack firmly held by a party. + </p> + <p> + This trick strikingly shows how easily we may all be deceived by + appearances. + </p> + <p> + Select the five or seven of any suit, say the seven of hearts, and handing + the remainder of the pack to a party, show him the card, with your thumb + on the seventh pip, so as to conceal it, saying:—'Now, hold the pack + as firmly as you can, and keep your eye upon it to see that there is no + trickery, and yet I undertake to get into it this six of hearts.' This + injunction rivets his attention, and doubtless, like other wise people + destined to be deceived, he feels quite sure that nobody can 'take him + in.' In this satisfactory condition for the operation on both sides, you + flourish the card so as just to reach the level of the top of your hat (if + you wear an Alpine scolloped, so much the better), and then, bringing down + the card, rapidly strike it on the pack twice, uttering the words one, + two, at each stroke; but, on the third raising of the card, leave it on + the top of your hat, striking the pack with your hand—with the word + three. Then request the party to look for the six of hearts in the pack, + and he will surely find it, to his amazement. + </p> + <p> + This trick may be performed in a drawing-room, if the operator be seated, + dropping the card behind his back, especially in an easy-chair. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><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 531-h.htm or 531-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/531/ + +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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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 II (of II) + +Author: Andrew Steinmetz + +Release Date: March, 1996 [Etext #531] +Posting Date: November 29, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GAMING TABLE *** + + + + +Produced by Mike Lough + + + + + +THE GAMING TABLE: ITS VOTARIES AND VICTIMS, + +In all Times and Countries, especially in England and in France. + +IN TWO VOLUMES.--VOL. II. + + +By Andrew Steinmetz + + +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. Author Of 'The History Of The Jesuits,' +'Japan And Her People,' 'The Romance Of Duelling,' &C., &C. + + + 'The sharp, the blackleg, and the knowing one, + Livery or lace, the self-same circle, run; + The same the passion, end and means the same-- + Dick and his Lordship differ but in name.' + + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. II. + + +I. CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS II. PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS +AND THEIR FRAUDS III. ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF +GAMESTERS IV. ACTROCITIES, DUELS. SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS V. +ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS VI. THE GAMING CLUBS VII. DOINGS IN +GAMING HOUSES VIII. THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING +IX. THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS X. PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, +PASSE-DIX, PUT, CROSS AND PILE, THIMBLE-RIG + XI. COCK-FIGHTING XII. THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL XIII. +FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES) XIV. AMUSING CARD TRICKS + + + + + +THE GAMING TABLE. + + + +CHAPTER I. CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS. + +Chevaliers d'industrie, or polite and accomplished sharpers, have always +existed in every city, from the earliest times to the present. The +ordinary progress of these interesting gentlemen is as follows. Their +debut is often difficult, and many of them are stopped short in their +career. They only succeed by means of great exertion and severe trials; +but they endure everything in order to be tolerated or permitted to +exercise their calling. To secure credit they ally themselves with men +of respectability, or those who pass for such. When they have no titles +they fabricate them; and few persons dispute their claims. They are +found useful for the pleasures of society, the expenses of which they +often pay--at the cost of the dupes they make in the world. The income +of chevaliers d'industrie is at first derived from those inexperienced +persons whom they get in their clutches by means of every kind +of enticement, in order to ruin them some day--if they have any +'expectations' or are likely to be rich; or in order to make accomplices +of them if they have only aptitudes for the purpose. After having led +them from error to error, after suggesting to them all sorts of wants +and vices, they make them gamble, if they are of age; they hold up play +to them as an inexhaustible source of wealth. + +The 'protector' next hands over his 'young friends' to 'executioners,' +who fleece them for the common benefit of the confederates. They do +not always wait for the coming of age of their young dupes in order to +strike the grand 'stroke.' When they find that the father of a family +shudders at the idea of a public scandal, they immolate their victim at +once--for fear lest he should escape from their hands. Of course they +are always open to 'capitulate'--to come to terms; and if the aid of the +law is invoked they give in discreetly. + +About a century ago there flourished at Paris one of these adventurers, +who made a great noise and did a vast amount of evil. This man of a +thousand faces, this Proteus, as great a corrupter as he was corrupted, +changed his name, his quarters, and field of operations, according to +the exigences of business. Although a man of ardent temperament and +inconceivable activity, his cold-blooded rascality was never in a hurry. +He could wait; he could bide his time. Taking in, at a glance, all the +requirements of a case, and seeing through all its difficulties, he +worked out his scheme with the utmost patience and consummated his crime +with absolute security. + +Sometimes he gave a concert for amateurs, elegant suppers for gay +ladies, and special soirees for the learned and the witty. He was not +particular as to the means of doing business; thus he trafficked +in everything,--for the sale of a living, or the procuration of a +mistress--for he had associates in all ranks, among all professions of +men. + +He had twenty Faro tables in operation every night, whilst his +emissaries were on the watch for new arrivals, and for those who had +recently come into property. + +In general, rogues soon betray themselves by some stupid bungle; but +such was not the case with this man; he defended himself, as it were, on +all sides, and always kept himself in position so as to oppose to +each of his vices the proof positive of the contrary virtues. Thus, if +accused of usury, he could prove that he had lent, without interest, +considerable sums of money. Cowardly and base in a tete-a-tete, he was +bold and redoubtable in public; those who had made him tremble in secret +were then compelled to acknowledge him a man of courage. Even his more +than suspected probity was defended by such as believed themselves his +depositaries, whereas they were, in point of fact, only receivers of +stolen property. + +Affable, insinuating to a degree, he might be compared to those brigands +of Egypt who embraced their victims in order to strangle them.(1) He +never showed more devotedness than when he meditated some perfidy, nor +more assurance than when convicted of the rascality. Playing fast and +loose with honour and the laws, he was sure to find, when threatened by +the arm of justice, the female relatives of the judges themselves +taking his part and doing their best to 'get him off.' Such was this +extraordinary chevalier d'industrie, who might have gone on with his +diabolical perpetrations had he not, at last, attempted too much, +failing in the grandest stroke he had ever meditated--and yet a vulgar +fraud--when he was convicted, branded, and sent to the galleys.(2) + +(1) Senec., Epist. Ii. (2) Dusaulx, De la Passion du Jeu. + +The following narrative elucidates a still more modern phase of this +elegant 'industry.' My authority is M. Robert-Houdin. + +CAUGHT IN A TRAP. + +M. Olivier de ---- was a dissipated young gentleman. His family was +one of the oldest and most respectable of the country, and deservedly +enjoyed the highest consideration. M. Olivier de ----, his father, was +not rich, and therefore could not do much for his son; the consequence +was that owing to his outrageous prodigality the son was sorely pinched +for means to keep up his position; he exhausted his credit, and was soon +overwhelmed with debt. Among the companions of his dissipation was a +young man whose abundant means filled him with admiration and envy; he +lived like a prince and had not a single creditor. One day he asked his +friend to explain the mystery of the fact that, without possessing any +fortune, he could gratify all his tastes and fancies, whilst he himself, +with certain resources, was compelled to submit to privations, still +getting into debt. + +Chauvignac--such was the name of the friend thus addressed--was a +card-sharper, and he instantly seized the opportunity to make something +out of the happy disposition of this modern prodigal son, this scion of +gentility. With the utmost frankness he explained to the young man his +wonderful method of keeping his pockets full of money, and showed that +nothing could be easier than for Olivier to go and do likewise in his +terrible condition;--in short, on one hand there were within his grasp, +riches, pleasure, all manner of enjoyment; on the other, pitiless +creditors, ruin, misery, and contempt. The tempter, moreover, offered to +initiate his listener in his infallible method of getting rich. In +his frame of mind Olivier yielded to the temptation, with the full +determination, if not to get money by cheating at cards, at any rate to +learn the method which might serve as a means of self-defence should +he not think proper to use it for attack--such was the final argument +suggested by the human Mephistopheles to his pupil. + +Taking Olivier to his house, he showed him a pack of cards. 'Now here is +a pack of cards,' he said; 'there seems to be nothing remarkable about +it, does there?' Olivier examined the pack and declared that the cards +did not appear to differ in the least from all others. 'Well,' said +Chauvignac, 'nevertheless they have been subjected to a preparation +called biseautage, or having one end of the cards made narrower than the +other. This disposition enables us to remove from the pack such and such +cards and then to class them in the necessary order so that they may get +into the hand of the operator.' Chauvignac then proceeded to apply his +precepts by an example, and although the young man had no particular +qualification for the art of legerdemain, he succeeded at once to +admiration in a game at Ecarte, for he had already mastered the +first process of cheating. Having thus, as he thought, sufficiently +compromised his victim, Chauvignac left him to his temptations, and took +leave of him. + +Two days afterwards the professor returned to his pupil and invited him +to accompany him on a pleasure trip. Olivier excused himself on account +of his desperate condition--one of his creditors being in pursuit of him +for a debt of one thousand francs. 'Is that all?' said Chauvignac; and +pulling out his pocket-book he added,--'Here's a bank-note; you can +repay me to-morrow.' 'Why, man, you are mad!' exclaimed Olivier. 'Be it +so,' said Chauvignac; 'and in my madness I give you credit for another +thousand-franc bank-note to go and get thirty thousand francs which +are waiting for you.' 'Now, do explain yourself, for you are driving +ME mad.' 'Nothing more easy. Here is the fact,' said Chauvignac. 'M. le +Comte de Vandermool, a wealthy Belgian capitalist, a desperate gamester +if ever there was one, and who can lose a hundred thousand francs +without much inconvenience, is now at Boulogne, where he will remain a +week. This millionnaire must be thinned a little. Nothing is easier. One +of my friends and confreres, named Chaffard, is already with the count +to prepare the way. We have only now to set to work. You are one of +us--that's agreed--and in a few days you will return, to satisfy your +creditors and buy your mistress a shawl.' + +'Stop a bit. You are going too fast. Wait a little. I haven't as yet +said Yes,' replied Olivier. 'I don't want your Yes now; you will say +it at Boulogne. For the present go and pay your bill. We set out in +two hours; the post-horses are already ordered; we shall start from my +house: be punctual.' + +The party reached Boulogne and put up at the Hotel de l'Univers. On +their arrival they were informed that no time was to be lost, as the +count talked of leaving next day. The two travellers took a hasty +dinner, and at once proceeded to the apartment of the Belgian +millionnaire. Chaffard, who had preceded them, introduced them as two of +his friends, whose property was situated in the vicinity of Boulogne. + +M. le Comte de Vandermool was a man about fifty years of age, with +an open, candid countenance. He wore several foreign decorations. He +received the two gentlemen with charming affability; he did more; he +invited them to spend the evening with him. Of course the invitation +was accepted. When the conversation began to flag, the count proposed +a game--which was also, of course, very readily agreed to by the three +comperes. + +While the table was prepared, Chauvignac gave his young friend two packs +of cards, to be substituted for those which should be furnished by the +count. Ecarte was to be the game, and Olivier was to play, the two other +associates having pretended to know nothing about the game, and saying +that they would content themselves by betting with each other. Of course +Olivier was rather surprised at this declaration, but he soon understood +by certain signs from Chauvignac that this reservation was intended to +do away with the count's suspicions, in case of their success. + +The count, enormously rich as he was, would only play for bank-notes. +'Metal smells bad in a room,' he said. The novice, at first confused +at being a party to the intended roguery, followed the dictates of his +conscience and, neglecting the advantages of his hands, trusted merely +to chance. The result was that the only thousand-franc bank-note he had +was speedily transferred to the count. At that moment Chauvignac gave +him a significant look, and this, together with the desire to retrieve +his loss, induced him to put into execution the culpable manoeuvres +which his friend had taught him. His work was of the easiest; the count +was so short-sighted that he had to keep his nose almost upon the cards +to see them. Chance now turned, as might be expected, and thousand-franc +bank-notes soon accumulated in the hands of Olivier, who, intoxicated by +this possession, worked away with incredible ardour. Moreover, the +count was not in the least out of humour at losing so immensely; on the +contrary, he was quite jovial; indeed, from his looks he might have been +supposed to be the winner. At length, however, he said with a smile, +taking a pinch from his golden snuff-box--'I am evidently not in vein. I +have lost eighty thousand francs. I see that I shall soon be in for one +hundred thousand. But it is proper, my dear sir, that I should say I +don't make a habit of losing more than this sum at a sitting; and if +it must be so, I propose to sup before losing my last twenty thousand +francs. Perhaps this will change my vein. I think you will grant me this +indulgence.' The proposal was agreed to. + +Olivier, almost out of his senses at the possession of eighty thousand +francs, could not resist the desire of expressing his gratitude to +Chauvignac, which he did, grasping his hand with emotion and leading him +into a corner of the room. + +Alas! the whole thing was only an infamous conspiracy to ruin the young +man. The Belgian capitalist, this count apparently so respectable, was +only an expert card-sharper whom Chauvignac had brought from Paris to +play out the vile tragi-comedy, the denouement of which would be the +ruin of the unfortunate Olivier. + +At the moment when the latter left the card-table to go to Chauvignac, +the pretended millionnaire changed the pack of cards they had been using +for two other packs. + +Supper went off very pleasantly. They drank very moderately, for the +head had to be kept cool for what had to follow. They soon sat down +again at the card-table. 'Now,' said the Parisian card-shaper, on +resuming his seat, 'I should like to end the matter quickly: I will +stake the twenty thousand francs in a lump.' + +Olivier, confident of success after his previous achievement, readily +assented; but, alas, the twenty thousand francs of which he made sure +was won by his adversary. + +Forty thousand francs went in like manner. Olivier, breathless, utterly +prostrate, knew not what to do. All his manoeuvres were practised in +vain; he could give himself none but small cards. His opponent had +his hands full of trumps, and HE dealt them to him! In his despair he +consulted Chauvignac by a look, and the latter made a sign to him to go +on. The wretched young man went on, and lost again. Bewildered, beside +himself, he staked fabulous sums to try and make up for his losses, and +very soon found, in his turn, that he owed his adversary one hundred +thousand francs(L4166)! + +At this point the horrible denouement commenced. The pretended count +stopped, and crossing his arms on his breast, said sternly--'Monsieur +Olivier de ----, you must be very rich to stake so glibly such enormous +sums. Of course you know your fortune and can square yourself with +it; but, however rich you may be, you ought to know that it is not +sufficient to lose a hundred thousand francs, but that you must pay it. +Besides, I have given you the example. Begin, therefore, by putting down +the sum I have won from you; after which we can go on.' . . . + +'Nothing can be more proper, sir,' stammered out young Olivier, 'I am +ready to satisfy you; but, after all, you know that . . . . + +gaming debts . . . . my word . . . .' + +'The d--l! sir,' said the pretended count, giving the table a violent +blow with his fist--'Why do you talk to me about your WORD. Gad! You are +well entitled to appeal to the engagements of honour! Well! We have +now to play another game on this table, and we must speak out plainly. +Monsieur Olivier de ----, you are a rogue . . . Yes, a rogue! The cards +we have been using are biseautees and YOU brought them hither.' + +'Sir! . . You insult me!' said Olivier. + +'Indeed? Well, sir, that astonishes me!' replied the false Belgian +ironically. + +'That is too much, sir. I demand satisfaction, and that on the very +instant. Do you understand me? Let us go out at once.' + +'No! no! We must end this quarrel here, sir. Look here--your two friends +shall be your "seconds;" I am now going to send for MINE.' + +The card-sharper, who had risen at these words, rang the bell violently. +His own servant entered. 'Go,' said he, 'to the Procureur de Roi, and +request him to come here on a very important matter. Be as quick as you +can.' + +'Oh, sir, be merciful! Don't ruin me!' exclaimed the wretched Olivier; +'I will do what you like.' At these words, the sharper told his servant +to wait behind the door, and to execute his order if he should hear +nothing to the contrary in ten minutes. + +'And now, sir,' continued the sharper, turning to Olivier, 'and +now, sir, for the business between you and me. These cards have been +substituted by you in the place of those which I supplied . . . You must +do them up, write your name upon the cover, and seal it with the coat of +arms on your ring.' + +Olivier looked first at Chauvignac and then at Chaffard, but both the +fellows only made signs to him to resign himself to the circumstances. +He did what was ordered. + +'That is not all, sir,' added the false Belgian; 'I have fairly won +money from you and have a right to demand a guarantee for payment. You +must draw me short bills for the sum of one hundred thousand francs.' + +As the wretched young man hesitated to comply with this demand, his +pitiless creditor rose to ring the bell. + +'Don't ring, sir, don't ring,' said Olivier, 'I'll sign.' + +He signed, and the villany was consummated. Olivier returned to his +family and made an humble avowal of his fault and his engagements. His +venerable father received the terrible blow with resignation, and paid +the 100,000 francs, estimating his honour far above that amount of +money.(3) + +(3) This narrative is condensed from the account of the affair by +Robert-Hondin, Tricherics des Grecs devoilees. + + +AN ATTORNEY 'DONE' BY A GAMBLER. + +A turfite and gambler, represented under the letters of Mr H--e, having +lost all his money at Doncaster and the following York Meeting, devised +a plan, with his coadjutor, to obtain the means for their departure from +York, which, no doubt, will be considered exceedingly ingenious. + +He had heard of an attorney in the town who was very fond of Backgammon; +and on this simple piece of information an elaborate plan was concocted. +Mr H--e feigned illness, went to bed, and sent for a large quantity of +tartar emetic, which he took. After he had suffered the operation of +the first dose he sent for a doctor, who pronounced him, of course, very +languid and ill; and not knowing the cause, ordered him more medicine, +which the patient took good care not to allow to stay on his stomach. + +On the second day he asked the doctor, with great gravity, if he +considered him in danger, adding, 'because he had never made a WILL to +bequeath his property.' The doctor replied, 'No, not in absolute danger, +but there was no harm in making a WILL.' + +The attorney, accordingly, was sent for--of course the very man wished +for--the lover of Backgammon before mentioned. The good man came; he +took the 'instructions,' and drew up the last will and testament of the +ruined turfite, who left (in the will) about L50,000, which no man ever +heard of, living or dead. + +The BUSINESS being done, the patient said that if he had a moment's +relaxation he thought he should rally and overcome the malady. The poor +lawyer said if he could in any way contribute to his comfort he should +be happy. The offer was embraced by observing that if he could sit up in +bed--but he was afraid he was not able--a hit at Backgammon would be a +great source of amusement. + +The lawyer, like all adepts in such matters, was only too willing to +catch at the idea; the board was brought. + +Of course the man who had L50,000 to leave behind could not be expected +to play 'for love;' and so when Mr H--e proposed 'a pound a hit or +treble a gammon,' the lawyer not only thought it reasonable, but, +conscious of his power in the game, eagerly accepted the terms of +playing. They played; but the lawyer was gammoned almost +incessantly, till he lost L50. Then H--e proposed 'double or quits to +L1000,'--thereupon the poor lawyer, believing that fortune could not +always forsake him, said he had but L2000 in the world, but that he +would set the L1000. He lost; and became almost frantic. In the midst +of his excessive grief, H--e said, 'You have a HORSE, what is it worth?' +L50 was the answer. 'Well, well, you may win all back now, and I'll set +L50 on your horse.' + +They began again. Lost! 'You have a COW in your paddock, haven't you? +What's that worth?' asked Mr H--e. The attorney said L12. 'Well, I'll +set that sum by way of giving you a chance.' The game proceeded, and the +poor lawyer, equally unfortunate, raved and swore he had lost his last +shilling. 'No, no!' said H--e,' you have not: I saw a HAY-RICK in your +ground. It is of no use now that the horse and cow are gone--what is +that worth?' L15, replied the attorney, with a sigh. 'I set L15 then,' +said H--e. + +This seemed to be 'rather too much' for the lawyer. The loss of +the hay-rick--like the last straw laid on the overladen camel's +back--staggered him. Besides, he thought he saw--as doubtless he did +see--H--e twisting his fingers round one of the dice. Up he started at +once, and declared that he was cheated! + +Thereupon the sick man forgot his sickness, jumped out of bed, and gave +the lawyer a regular drubbing, got the cheque for the L2000,--but the +horse, cow, and hay he said he would leave 'until further orders.' + + +A VERY CURIOUS STORY. + +An Archbishop of Canterbury was once on a tour, when a genteel man, +apparently in earnest conversation, though alone in a wood, attracted +his notice. His Grace made up to him, and, after a little previous +conversation, asked him what he was about. + + + Stranger. 'I am at play.' + Archbishop. 'At play? With whom? I see nobody.' + Sir. 'I own, sir, my antagonist is not visible: I am playing + with God.' + Abp. 'At what game, pray, sir?' + Str. 'At Chess.' + Abp. 'Do you play for anything?' + Str. 'Certainly.' + Abp. 'You cannot have any chance, as your adversary must be so + superior to you.' + Str. 'He takes no advantage, but plays merely as a man.' + Abp. 'When you win or lose, how do you settle accounts?' + Str. 'Very exactly and punctually.' + Abp. 'Indeed! Pray, how stands your game now?' + Str. 'There! I have just lost!' + Abp. 'How much have you lost?' + Str. 'Fifty guineas.' + Abp. 'How do you manage to pay it? Does God take your money?' + Str. 'No! The poor are his treasurers. He always sends some + worthy person to receive it, and you are at present his + purse-bearer.' + + +Saying this, the stranger put fifty guineas into his Grace's hand, and +retired, adding--'I shall play no more to-day.' + +The prelate was delighted; though he could not tell what to make of this +extraordinary man. The guineas were all good; and the archbishop applied +them to the use of the poor, as he had been directed. + +The archbishop, on his return, stopped at the same town, and could +not help going in search of the chess-player, whom he found engaged as +before, when the following dialogue ensued:-- + + + Abp. 'How has the chance stood since we met before?' + Str. 'Sometimes for me--sometimes against me. I have lost and + won.' + Abp. 'Are you at play now?' + Str. 'Yes, sir. We have played several games to-day.' + Abp. 'Who wins?' + Str. 'The advantage is on my side. The game is just over. I + have a fine stroke--check-mate--there it is.' + Abp. 'How much have you won?' + Str. 'Five hundred guineas.' + Abp. 'That is a large sum. How are you to be paid?' + Str. 'God always sends some good rich man when I win, and YOU + are the person. He is remarkably punctual on these occasions.' + +The archbishop had received a considerable sum on that day, as the +stranger knew; and so, producing a pistol by way of receipt, he +compelled the delivery of it. His Grace now discovered that he had +been the dupe of a thief; and though he had greatly bruited his first +adventure, he prudently kept his own counsel in regard to the last. + +Such is the tale. Se non e vero e ben trovato. + + +SKITTLE SHARPERS. + +'I know a respectable tradesman,' says a writer in Cassell's +Magazine--'I know him now, for he lives in the house he occupied at the +time of my tale--who was sent for to see a French gentleman at a tavern, +on business connected with the removal of this gentleman's property from +one of the London docks. The business, as explained by the messenger, +promising to be profitable, he of course promptly obeyed the summons, +and during his walk found that his conductor had once been in service +in France. This delighted Mr Chase--the name by which I signify the +tradesman--for he, too, had once so lived in France; and by the time he +reached the tavern he had talked himself into a very good opinion of +his new patron. The French gentleman was very urbane, gave Mr Chase his +instructions, let him understand expense was not to be studied, and, as +he was at lunch, would not be satisfied unless the tradesman sat down +with him. This was a great honour for the latter, as he found his +employer was a baron. Well, the foreigner was disposed to praise +everything English; he was glad he had come to live in London--Paris was +nothing to it; they had nothing in France like the English beer, with +which, in the exuberance of his hospitality, he filled and refilled Mr +Chase's glass; but that which delighted him above all that he had seen +"vos de leetle game vid de ball--vot you call--de--de--aha! de skittel." +Mr Chase assented that it was a very nice game certainly; and the French +gentleman seeming by this time to have had quite enough beer, insisted, +before they went to the docks--which was essential--that they should see +just one game played. + +'As he insisted on paying Mr Chase for all the time consumed with him, +and as his servant, of course, could not object, the party adjourned +to the "Select Subscription Ground" at once. In the ground there was a +quiet, insignificant-looking little man, smoking a cigar; and as +they were so few, he was asked to assist, which, after considerable +hesitation and many apologies for his bad play, he did. The end is of +course guessed. The French gentleman was a foolish victim, with more +money than wits, who backed himself to do almost impossible feats, when +it was evident he could not play at all, and laid sovereigns against the +best player, who was the little stranger, doing the easiest. What with +the excitement, and what with the beer, which was probably spiced with +some unknown relish a little stronger than nutmeg, Mr Chase could not +help joining in winning the foreign gentleman's money; it seemed no +harm, he had so much of it. + +'By a strange concurrence of events, it so happened that by random +throws the Frenchman sometimes knocked all the pins down at a +single swoop, though he clearly could not play--Mr Chase was sure +of that--while the skilful player made every now and then one of the +blunders to which the best players are liable. That the tradesman lost +forty sovereigns will be easily understood; and did his tale end here +it would have differed so little from a hundred others as scarcely to +deserve telling; but it will surprise many, as it did me, to learn that +he then walked to and from his own house--a distance of precisely a +mile each way--fetched a bill for thirty pounds, which a customer had +recently paid him, got it discounted, went back to the skittle-ground, +and, under the same malignant star, lost the whole. + +'It was the only case in my experience of the work going on smoothly +after such a break. I never could account for it, nor could Mr Chase. +Great was the latter's disgust, on setting the police to work, to find +that the French nobleman, his servant, and the quiet stranger, were all +dwellers within half a mile or so of his own house, and slightly known +to him--men who had trusted, and very successfully, to great audacity +and well-arranged disguise.' + +A vast deal of gambling still goes on with skittles all over the +country. At a place not ten miles from London, I am told that as much as +two thousand pounds has been seen upon the table in a single 'alley,' +or place of play. The bets were, accordingly, very high. The instances +revealed by exposure at the police-courts give but a faint idea of the +extent of skittle sharping. + +Amidst such abuses of the game, it can scarcely surprise us that the +police have been recently directed to prohibit all playing at skittles +and bowls. However much we may regret the interference with popular +pastimes, in themselves unobjectionable, it is evident that their +flagrant abuse warrants the most stringent measures in order to prevent +their constantly repeated and dismal consequences. Even where money was +not played for, pots of beer were the wager--leading, in many instances, +to intoxication, or promoting this habit, which is the cause of so much +misery among the lower orders. + + + +CHAPTER II. PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS AND THEIR FRAUDS. + +A gambling house at the end of the last century was conducted by the +following officials:-- + +1. A Commissioner,--who was always a proprietor; who looked in of a +night, and audited the week's account with two other proprietors. + +2. A Director,--who superintended the room. + +3. An Operator,--who dealt the cards at the cheating game called Faro. + +4. Two Croupiers, or crow-pees, as they were vulgarly called, whose duty +it was to watch the cards and gather or rake in the money for the bank. + +5. Two Puffs,--who had money given to them to decoy others to play. + +6. A Clerk,--who was a check on the Puffs, to see that they sank none of +the money given to them to play with. + +7. A Squib,--who was a puff of a lower rank, serving at half salary, +whilst learning to deal. + +8. A Flasher,--to swear how often the bank had been stripped by lucky +players. + +9. A Dunner,--who went about to recover money lost at play. + +10. A Waiter,--to fill out wine, snuff candles, and attend the room. + +11. An Attorney,--who was generally a Newgate solicitor. + +12. A Captain,--who was to fight any gentleman who might be peevish at +losing his money. + +13. An Usher,--who lighted the gentlemen up and down stairs, and gave +the word to the porter. + +14. A Porter,--who was generally a soldier of the Foot Guards. + +15. An Orderly-man,--who walked up and down the outside of the door, to +give notice to the porter, and alarm the house at the approach of the +constables. + +16. A Runner,--who was to get intelligence of the Justices' meetings. + +17. Link Boys, Coachmen, Chairmen, Drawers, and others, who brought the +first intelligence of Justices' meetings, of constables going out, at +half a guinea reward. + +18. Common Bail, Affidavit Men, Ruffians, Bravos, Assassins, &c. &c. + +It may be proper to remark that the above list of officials was only +calculated for gambling houses of an inferior order. In these it is +evident that the fear of interruption and the necessity for precaution +presided over the arrangements. There were others, however, which seemed +to defy law, to spurn at justice, and to remain secure, in every way, by +the 'respectability' of their frequenters. These were houses supported +at an amazing expense--within sight of the palace--which were open +every night and all night--where men of the first rank were to be +found gambling away immense sums of money, such as no man, whatever +his fortune might be, could sustain. 'What, then,' says a writer at +the time, 'are the consequences? Why, that the UNDONE part of them sell +their VOTES for bread, and the successful give them for honours. + +'He who has never seen the gamblers' apartments in some of the +magnificent houses in the neighbourhood of St James's, has never +seen the most horrid sight that the imagination of a thinking man can +conceive. + +'A new pack of cards is called for at every deal, and the "old" ones are +then thrown upon the floor, and in such an immense quantity, that the +writer of this letter has seen a very large room nearly ANKLE-DEEP, in +the greatest part of it, by four o'clock in the morning! Judge, then, to +what height they must have risen by daylight.' + +It is a melancholy truth, but confirmed by the history of all nations, +that the most polite and refined age of a kingdom is never the most +virtuous; not, indeed, that any such compliment can be paid to that +gross age, but still it was refined compared with the past. The +distinctions of personal merit being but little regarded--in the +low moral tone that prevailed--there needed but to support a certain +'figure' in life (managed by the fashionable tailor)(4), to be +conversant with a few etiquettes of good breeding and sentiments of +modern or current honour, in order to be received with affability and +courteous attention in the highest circles. The vilest sharper, having +once gained admission, was sure of constant entertainment, for nothing +formed a greater cement of union than the spirit of HIGH GAMING. There +being so little cognizance taken of the good qualities of the heart in +fashionable assemblies, no wonder that amid the medley of characters to +be found in these places the 'sharper' of polite address should gain too +easy an admission. + +(4) + + 'How shalt THOU to Caesar's hall repair? + For, ah! no DAMAGED coat can enter there!' + + BEATTIE'S Minstrel. + +This fraternity of artists--whether they were to be denominated +rooks,(5) sharps, sharpers, black-legs, Greeks, or gripes--were +exceedingly numerous, and were dispersed among all ranks of society. + +(5) So called because rooks are famous for stealing materials out of +other birds' nests to build their own. + + +The follies and vices of others--of open-hearted youth in +particular--were the great game or pursuit of this odious crew. Though +cool and dispassionate themselves, they did all in their power to throw +others off their guard, that they might make their advantage of them. + +In others they promoted excess of all kinds, whilst they themselves took +care to maintain the utmost sobriety and temperance. 'Gamesters,' says +Falconer, 'whose minds must be always on the watch to take advantages, +and prepared to form calculations, and to employ the memory, constantly +avoid a full meal of animal food, which they find incapacitates them for +play nearly as much as a quantity of strong liquor would have done, for +which reason they feed chiefly on milk and vegetables.' + +As profit, not pleasure, was the aim of these knights of darkness, they +lay concealed under all shapes and disguises, and followed up their game +with all wariness and discretion. Like wise traders, they made it the +business of their lives to excel in their calling. + +For this end they studied the secret mysteries of their art by night +and by day; they improved on the scientific schemes of their profound +master, Hoyle, and on his deep doctrines and calculations of chances. +They became skilful without a rival where skill was necessary, and +fraudulent without conscience where fraud was safe and advantageous; and +while fortune or chance appeared to direct everything, they practised +numberless devices by which they insured her ultimate favours to +themselves. + +Of these none were more efficacious, because none are more ensnaring, +than bribing their young and artless dupes to future play by suffering +them to win at their first onsets. By rising a winner the dupe imbibed a +confidence in his own gambling abilities, or deemed himself a favourite +of fortune. He engaged again, and was again successful--which increased +his exultation and confirmed his future confidence; and thus did the +simple gudgeon swallow their bait, till it became at last fast hooked. + +When rendered thus secure of their prey, they began to level their +whole train of artillery against the boasted honours of his short-lived +triumph. Then the extensive manors, the ancient forests, the paternal +mansions, began to tremble for their future destiny. The pigeon was +marked down, and the infernal crew began in good earnest to pluck his +rich plumage. The wink was given on his appearance in the room, as +a signal of commencing their covert attacks. The shrug, the nod, the +hem--every motion of the eyes, hands, feet--every air and gesture, look +and word--became an expressive, though disguised, language of fraud and +cozenage, big with deceit and swollen with ruin. Besides this, the +card was marked, or 'slipped,' or COVERED. The story is told of a noted +sharper of distinction, a foreigner, whose hand was thrust through with +a fork by his adversary, Captain Roche, and thus nailed to the table, +with this cool expression of concern--'I ask your pardon, sir, if you +have not the knave of clubs under your hand.' The cards were packed, +or cut, or even SWALLOWED. A card has been eaten between two slices of +bread and butter, for the purpose of concealment. + +With wily craft the sharpers substituted their deceitful 'doctors' or +false dice; and thus 'crabs,' or 'a losing game,' became the portion of +the 'flats,' or dupes. + +There were different ways of throwing dice. There was the 'Stamp'--when +the caster with an elastic spring of the wrist rapped the cornet or box +with vehemence on the table, the dice as yet not appearing from under +the box. The 'Dribble' was, when with an air of easy but ingenious +motion, the caster poured, as it were, the dice on the board--when, if +he happened to be an old practitioner, he might suddenly cog with his +fore-finger one of the cubes. The 'Long Gallery' was when the dice were +flung or hurled the whole length of the board. Sometimes the dice were +thrown off the table, near a confederate, who, in picking them up, +changed one of the fair for a false die with two sixes. This was +generally done at the first throw, and at the last, when the fair die +was replaced. The sixes were on the opposite squares, so that the fraud +could only be detected by examination. Of course this trick could only +be practised at raffles, where only three throws are required. + +A pair of false dice was arranged as follows:-- + + {Two fours + On one die, {Two fives + {Two sixes + + {Two fives + On the other, {Two threes + {Two aces + +With these dice it was impossible to throw what is at Hazard denominated +Crabs, or a losing game--that is, aces, or ace and deuce, twelve, or +seven. Hence, the caster always called for his main; consequently, as he +could neither throw one nor seven, let his chance be what it might, +he was sure to win, and he and those who were in the secret of course +always took the odds. The false dice being concealed in the left hand, +the caster took the box with the fair dice in it in his right hand, +and in the act of shaking it caught the fair dice in his hand, and +unperceived shifted the box empty to his left, from which he dropped +the false dice into the box, which he began to rattle, called his main +seven, and threw. Having won his stake he repeated it as often as he +thought proper. He then caught the false dice in the same way, shifted +the empty box again, and threw till he threw out, still calling the same +main, by which artifice he escaped suspicion. + +Two gambling adventurers would set out with a certain number of signs +and signals. The use of the handkerchief during the game was the +certain evidence of a good hand. The use of the snuff-box a sign equally +indicative of a bad one. An affected cough, apparently as a natural one, +once, twice, three, or four times repeated, was an assurance of so +many honours in hand. Rubbing the left eye was an invitation to lead +trumps,--the right eye the reverse,--the cards thrown down with one +finger and the thumb was a sign of one trump; two fingers and the thumb, +two trumps, and so on progressively, and in exact explanation of the +whole hand, with a variety of manoeuvres by which chance was reduced to +certainty, and certainty followed by ruin.(6) + +(6) Bon Ton Magazine, 1791. + + +CHEATING AT WHIST. + +In an old work on cards the following curious disclosures are made +respecting cheating at whist:-- + +'He that can by craft overlook his adversary's game hath a great +advantage; for by that means he may partly know what to play securely; +or if he can have some petty glimpse of his partner's hand. There is a +way by making some sign by the fingers, to discover to their partners +what honours they have, or by the wink of one eye it signifies one +honour, shutting both eyes two, placing three fingers or four on the +table, three or four honours. FOR WHICH REASON ALL NICE GAMSTERS PLAY +BEHIND CURTAINS. + +'Dealing the cards out by one and one to each person is the best method +of putting it out of the dealer's power to impose on you. But I shall +demonstrate that, deal the cards which way you will, a confederacy of +two sharpers will beat any two persons in the world, though ever so good +players, that are not of the gang, or in the secret, and "THREE poll +ONE" is as safe and secure as if the money was in their pockets. All +which will appear presently. + +The first necessary instructions to be observed at Whist, as principals +of the secret, which may be likewise transferred to most other games at +cards, are:-- + +Brief or short cards, + +Corner-bend, + +Middle-bend (or Kingston-bridge). + +'Of brief cards there are two sorts: one is a card longer than the +rest,--the other is a card broader than the rest. The long sort are such +as three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine; the broad sort are +such as aces, kings, queens, and knaves. The use and advantage of each +are as follows:-- + +'Example:--When you cut the cards to your adversary, cut them long, or +endways, and he will have a three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or +nine at bottom. When your adversary cuts the cards to you, put them +broadside to him, and he will naturally cut (without ever suspecting +what you do) ace, king, queen, or knave, &c., which is sufficient +advantage to secure any game. + +'And in case you cannot get cards of proper sizes ready-made to mix with +others, you may shave them with a razor or penknife from the threes to +the nines each side, and from the aces to the knaves each end; then put +them up in the same case or cover, and if they are done as they ought to +be, they will pass upon anybody. + +'As Whist is a tavern-game, the sharpers generally take care to put +about the bottle before the game begins, so quick, that a BUBBLE cannot +be said to see clearly even when he begins to play. + +'The next is the corner-bend, which is four cards turned down finely at +one corner--a signal to cut by. + +'The other is vulgarly called Kingston-bridge, or the middle-bend. It is +done by bending your own or adversary's TRICKS two different ways, which +will cause an opening, or arch, in the middle, which is of the same use +and service as the other two ways, and only practised in its turn to +amuse you. + +'The next thing to be considered is, who deals the cards, you or your +adversary; because that is a main point, and from whence your advantage +must arise. Suppose, for example, + + + {Sharpers, + A and B { + {Partners, + + {Bubbles, or Flats, + C and D { + { Partners. + +After a deal or two is formally played, A and B will begin to operate in +the following manner:-- + +'When A or B is to deal, they observe the PRECEDING DEAL to take up the +tricks thus:-- + + + 1. A bad card. 2. A good card. + 3. A bad card. 4. A good card. + +(Meaning the best and worst that fall in that list). + +'When C or D deals, they must be taken up thus:-- + + + 1. A good card. 2. A bad card. + 3. A good card. 4. A bad card. + +'By this rule it is plain that the best cards fall to A and B every +deal. How is it possible, therefore, that C and D should ever win a game +without permission? But it would be deemed ill policy, and contrary to +the true interest of A and B, to act thus every deal. I will, therefore, +suppose it is practised just when they please, according as bets happen +in company; though the rule with gamesters, in low life, is at the first +setting out to stupify you with wine and the loss of your money, that +you may never come to a perfect understanding of what you are doing. It +may be truly said that many an honest gentleman has been kept a month in +such a condition by the management and contrivance of a set of sharpers. + +'Now you may imagine it not in the power of A and B to cause the tricks +to be taken up after the manner aforesaid: there is nothing so easy nor +so frequently practised, especially at Three poll One; for in playing +the cards the confederates will not only take care of their own tricks, +but also of yours, for the cards may be so played, and shoved together +in such a manner, as will even cause you to take them right yourself; +and if a trick should lie untowardly on the table, A or B will pay you +the compliment of taking it up for you, and say--"Sir, that's yours." +This operation will the more readily be apprehended by seeing it +practised half a score times; when once you are aware of it, it will +otherwise (I may say fairly) pass upon any person that has not been let +into the secret. This being allowed, the next point and difficulty is to +shuffle and cut. + +'I say, that either A or B are such curious workmen, and can make a sham +shuffle with a pack of cards so artfully, that you would believe they +were splitting them, when at the time they will not displace a single +card from its order! Such is the SHARPER'S shuffling. + +'Now, to cut the cards, a BEND is prepared for you to cut to--the middle +is the best; and it is odds but you unwarily cut to it; if not, SLIP is +the word; but if you have no opportunity to do that neither, then deal +away at all hazards, it is but an equal bet that they come in your +favour; if right, proceed; if otherwise, miss a card in its course, and +it brings the cards according to your first design; it is but giving two +at last where you missed; and if that cannot be conveniently done, you +only lose the deal, and there is an end of it. + +'But when A or B is to cut, they make it all safe; for then they make +the CORNER-BEND, which any one that knows may cut to, a hundred times +together. + +'Piping at Whist. By piping I mean, when one of the company that does +not play, which frequently happens, sits down in a convenient place to +smoke a pipe, and so look on, pretending to amuse himself that way. Now, +the disposing of his fingers on the pipe whilst smoking discovers the +principal cards that are in the person's hand he overlooks; which was +always esteemed a sufficient advantage whereby to win a game. There is +another method, namely, by uttering words. "Indeed" signifies diamonds; +"truly," hearts; "upon my word," clubs; "I assure you," spades. But as +soon as these methods become known, new ones are invented; and it is +most curious that two persons may discover to each other what sort +of cards they have in hand, and which ought first to be played, many +different ways, without speaking a word.' + +There can be no doubt that the act of sorting the cards is capable of +giving an acute observer a tolerably accurate idea of his partner's or +either of his opponents' hands; so that where cheating is suspected it +would be better to play the cards without sorting them. The number of +times a sorter carries a card to a particular part indicates so many of +a suit; your own hand and his play will readily indicate the nature of +the cards in which he is either strong or weak. + +I now quote Robert-Houdin's account of + +CARD TELEGRAPHY. + +Although there are 32 cards in the game of Piquet, all of them may be +designated by twelve different signs, namely, eight for the nature of +the cards, and four for the colours. + +At Ecarte, the number of the signals is still less, as it is only the +figures that require indication: but to make these indications it is +necessary to execute a sort of pantomime, according to certain authors, +such as blowing the nose, coughing, drumming on the table, sneezing, &c. +Such evolutions, however, are totally unworthy of your modern Greek, and +would soon be denounced as gross fraud. The signals which he employs are +only appreciable by his confederate,--as follows:-- + +If he looks + +1. At his confederate, he designates A king. + +2. At the play of his adversary . . . A queen. + +3. At the stake . . . . . . . . . . . A knave. + +4. At the opposite side . . . . . . . An ace. + +And whilst he indicates the nature of the cards he at the same time +makes known the colour by the following signs:-- + + 1. The mouth slightly open . . . . . Hearts. + + 2. The mouth shut . . . . . . . . . . Diamonds. + + 3. The upper-lip slightly pouting + over the lower . . . . . . . Clubs. + + 4. The lower-lip drawn over the + upper . . . . . . . . . . . Spades. + +Thus, if the Greek wishes to announce, for instance, the knave and +ace of hearts, he successively directs his looks upon the play of his +adversary, upon the stake, and to the opposite side, whilst keeping his +mouth slightly open. + +It is evident that this telegraphy may be employed at all games where +there is a gallery. In effect, nothing is easier at Piquet than to +indicate, by the aid of these signals, the colour in which the player +should discard and that in which he should keep what cards he has. + +These are the simplest signs; but some of the Greeks have a great number +of them, to designate everything; and even sometimes to communicate +and receive intelligence, when necessary. This telegraphy is so +imperceptible that it is difficult to describe it, and altogether +impossible to detect it.(7) + +(7) Tricheries des Grecs devoilees. + + +Robert-Houdin has exhausted the subject of card-trickery, in connection +with that prestidigitation which, it seems, all card-sharpers cultivate, +the description of which, however, is by no means so entertaining as the +visible performance. I find, nevertheless, in his book, under the title +of 'Small Trickeries made innocent by Custom,' certain things alluded to +which I can attest by experience. + +I. At Whist, no communication whatever must be made by a player to his +partner, excepting those authorized by the laws of the game; but some +persons go further, and by the play of their features 'telegraph' to +their partners the value of their hands. + +II. Any one with a good memory and endowed with quick perception may +form a very accurate estimate of the hands held by all the players by +remembering THE TRICKS AS THEY ARE PLAYED AND TURNED DOWN--all of a +suit, or trumped. Cards 'stick together' most lovingly, and the ordinary +shuffling scarcely alters their sequence; and so, if a trick has been +taken by an ace over a king, for instance, and in the next deal you get +the same king, you may be sure that the ace is either on your right or +your left, according to the deal; of course, if you get the ace, then +the same probability, or rather necessity, exists as to the king; and +so on. Knave, queen, king, ace, of the same name, are almost sure to be +separated in the deal between the four players, or one player will have +two of them. The observation is a tax upon the faculties; but I am sure, +quite sure, that the thing can be done, and is, when done, of material +service; although, of course, the knowledge can be turned to account +only by an expert player, with a partner who can understand the game +which he wishes to play. + +Whist is, decidedly, one of the fairest of games; but for that very +reason, it is open to the greatest over-reaching, or, if you like, +cheating. + +With regard to dice, of course, they were and, doubtless, are still +loaded. Such were formerly called 'dispatches,' because they would +'in five minutes dispatch L500 out of the pocket of any young man when +intoxicated with champagne.' + +Roulette and Rouge et Noir tables were and are so arranged as always to +make the bank win at the will of the attendant, regulating them with a +touch. + +At Hazard, they used 'low or high dice,' that is, with only certain +numbers on them, high or low,--a pair of which every sharper always had +in his possession, changing them with great dexterity. They also used +'cramped' boxes, by which they 'cogged' or fastened the dice in the box +as they dropped them IN, and so could drop them OUT with the required +face upwards. + + + +CHAPTER III. ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF GAMESTERS. + +Although all the motives of human action have long been known--although +psychology, or the science of soul and sentiment, has ceased to present +us with any new facts--it is quite certain that our edifice of Morals is +not quite built up. We may rest assured that as long as intellectual man +exists the problem will be considered unsolved, and the question will +be agitated. Future generations will destroy what we establish, and will +fashion a something according to their advancement, and so on; for +if there be a term which, of all others, should be expunged from the +dictionaries of all human beings, it seems to be Lord Russell's word +FINALITY. Something NEW will always be wanted. 'Sensation' is the very +life of humanity; it is motion--the reverse of 'death'--which we all +abhor. + +The gamester lives only for the 'sensation' of gaming. Menage tells us +of a gamester who declared that he had never seen any luminary above the +horizon but the moon. Saint Evremond, writing to the Count de Grammont, +says--'You play from morning to night, or rather from night to morning. +All the rays of the gamester's existence terminate in play; it is on +this centre that his very existence depends. He enjoys not an hour of +calm or serenity. During the day he longs for night, and during the +night he dreads the return of day.' + +Being always pre-occupied, gamesters are subject to a ridiculous absence +of mind. Tacitus tells us that the Emperor Vitellius was so torpid that +he would have forgotten he was a prince unless people had reminded him +of it from time to time.(8) Many gamesters have forgotten that they were +husbands and fathers. During play some one said that the government were +about to levy a tax on bachelors. 'Then I shall be ruined!' exclaimed +one of the players absorbed in the game. 'Why, man, you have a wife and +five children,' said the speaker. + +(8) Tanta torpedo invaserat animum Vitellii, ut si principem eum fuisse +non meminissent, ipse oblivisceretur. Hist., lib. iii. + + +This infatuation may be simply ridiculous; but it has also a horrible +aspect. A distracted wife has rushed to the gaming table, imploring her +husband, who had for two entire days been engaged at play, to return to +his home. + +'Only let me stay one moment longer--only one moment. . . . . I shall +return perhaps the day after to-morrow,' he stammered out to the +wretched woman, who retired. Alas! he returned sooner than he had +promised. His wife was in bed, holding the last of her children to her +breast. + +'Get up, madam,' said the ruined gambler, 'the bed on which you lie +belongs to us no longer!' . . . + +When the gamester is fortunate, he enjoys his success elsewhere; to his +home he brings only consternation. + +A wife had received the most solemn promise from her husband that he +would gamble no more. One night, however, he slunk out of bed, rushed +to the gaming table, and lost all the money he had with him. He tried +to borrow more, but was refused. He went home. His wife had taken the +precaution to lock the drawer that contained their last money. Vain +obstacle! The madman broke it open, carried off two thousand crowns--to +take his revenge, as he said, but in reality to lose the whole as +before. + +But it is to the gaming room that we must go to behold the progress of +the terrible drama--the ebb and flow of opposite movements--the shocks +of alternate hope and fear, infinitely varied in the countenance, +not only of the actors, but also of the spectators. What is visible, +however, is nothing in comparison to the secret agony. It is in his +heart that the tempest roars most fiercely. + +Two players once exhibited their rage, the one by a mournful silence, +the other by repeated imprecations. The latter, shocked at the +sang-froid of his neighbour, reproached him for enduring, without +complaint, such losses one after the other. 'Look here!' said the other, +uncovering his breast and displaying it all bloody with lacerations. + +It is only at play that we can observe, from moment to moment, all the +phases of despair; from time to time there occur new ones--strange, +eccentric, or terrible. After having lost quietly, and even with +serenity, half his fortune, the father of a family staked the remainder, +and lost it without a murmur. Facere solent extrema securos mala.(9) +The bystanders looked at him; his features changed not; only it was +perceived that they were fixed. It seemed that he was unconscious of +life. Two streams of tears trickled from his eyes, and yet his features +remained the same. He was literally a weeping statue. The spectators +were seized with fright, and, although gamesters, they melted into pity. + +(9) 'Great calamities render us CARELESS.' + + +At Bayonne, in 1725, a French officer, in a rage at billiards, jammed a +billiard-ball in his mouth, where it stuck fast, arresting respiration, +until it was, with difficulty, extracted by a surgeon. Dusaulx +states that he was told the fact by a lieutenant-general, who was an +eye-witness. + +It is well known that gamblers, like dogs that bite a stone flung at +them, have eaten up the cards, crushed up the dice, broken the tables, +damaged the furniture, and finally 'pitched into' each other--as +described by Lucian in his Saturnalia. Dusaulx assures us that he saw +an enraged gambler put a burning candle into his mouth, chew it, and +swallow it. A mad player at Naples bit the table with such violence that +his teeth went deep into the wood; thus he remained, as it were, nailed +to it, and suddenly expired. + +The other players took to flight; the officers of justice visited the +place; and the corpse was deprived of the usual ceremony of burial.(10) + +(10) Gazette de Deux-Ponts, du 26 Novembre, 1772. + + +The following strange but apparently authentic fact, is related in the +Mercure Francois (Tome I. Annee 1610). + +'A man named Pennichon, being a prisoner in the Conciergerie during the +month of September, 1610, died there of a wonderfully sudden death. He +could not refrain from play. Having one day lost his money, he uttered +frightful imprecations against his body and against his soul, swearing +that he would never play at cards again. Nevertheless, a few days after, +he began to play again with those in his apartment, and on a dispute +respecting discarding, he repeated his execrable oaths. And when one of +the company told him he should fear the Divine justice, he only swore +the more, and made such confusion that there had to be another deal. But +as soon as three other cards were given him, he placed them in his hat, +which he held before him, and whilst looking at them, with his elbows +on the table and his face in the hat, he so suddenly expired that one +of the party said--"Come, now play," and pushed him with his elbow, +thinking he was asleep, when he fell down dead upon the floor.' + +In some cases the effect of losses at play is simply stupefaction. Some +players, at the end of the sitting, neither know what they do nor +what they say. M. de Crequi, afterwards Duc de Lesdiguieres, leaving a +gambling party with Henry IV., after losing a large sum, met M. de Guise +in the court-yard of the castle. 'My friend,' said he to the latter, +'where are the quarters of the Guards now-a-days?' M. de Guise stepped +back, saying, 'Excuse me, sir, I don't belong to this country,' and +immediately went to the king, whom he greatly amused with the anecdote. + +A dissipated buck, who had been sitting all night at Hazard, went to a +church, not far from St James's, just before the second reading of the +Lord's Prayer, on Sunday. He was scarcely seated before he dozed, and +the clerk in a short time bawled out AMEN, which he pronounced A--main. +The buck jumped up half asleep and roared out, 'I'll bet the caster 20 +guineas!' The congregation was thrown into a titter, and the buck ran +out, overwhelmed with shame. A similar anecdote is told of another +'dissipated buck' in a church. The grand masquerade given on the opening +of the Union Club House, in Pall Mall, was not entirely over till a late +hour on the following Sunday. A young man nearly intoxicated--certainly +not knowing what he was about--reeled into St. James's church, in +his masquerade dress, with his hat on. The late Rev. Thomas Bracken, +attracted by the noise of his entrance, looked directly at him as he +chanced to deliver the following words:--'Friend! how camest thou in +hither, not having on a wedding garment?' It seemed so to strike the +culprit that he instantly took off his hat and withdrew in confusion. + +At play, a winner redoubles his caution and sang-froid just in +proportion as his adversary gets bewildered by his losses, becoming +desperate; he takes advantage of the weakness of the latter, giving +him the law, and striving for greater success. When the luck changes, +however, the case is reversed, and the former loser becomes, in his +turn, ten times more pitiless--like that Roman prefect, mentioned by +Tacitus, who was the more inexorable because he had been harshly treated +in his youth, co immmitior quia toleraverat. The joy at winning back +his money only makes a gamester the more covetous of winning that of +his adversary. A wealthy man once lost 100,000 crowns, and begged to be +allowed to go and sell his property, which was worth double the amount +he had lost. 'Why sell it?' said his adversary; 'let us play for the +remainder.' They played; luck changed; and the late LOSER ruined the +other. + +Sometimes avidity makes terrible mistakes; many, in order to win more, +have lost their all to persons who had not a shilling to lose. During +the depth of a severe winter, a gamester beheld with terror the bottom +of his purse. Unable to resolve on quitting the gaming table--for +players in that condition are always the most stubborn--he shouted to +his valet--'Go and fetch my great sack.' These words, uttered without +design, stimulated the cupidity of those who no longer cared to play +with him, and now they were eager for it. His luck changed, and he won +thrice as much as he had lost. Then his 'great sack' was brought to him: +it was a BEAR-SKIN SACK he used as a cloak! + +In the madness of gaming the player stakes everything after losing his +money--his watch, his rings, his clothing; and some have staked their +EARS, and others their very LIVES--instances of all which will be +related in the sequel. + +Not very long ago a publican, who lost all his money, staked his +public-house, lost it, and had to 'clear out.' The man who won it is +alive and flourishing. + +'The debt of honour must be paid: 'these are the terrible words that +haunt the gamester as he wakes (if he has slept) on the morning after +the night of horrors: these are the furies that take him in hand, and +drag him to torture, laughing the while. . . . + +What a 'sensation' it must be to lose one's ALL! A man, intoxicated +with his gains, left one gaming house and entered another. As soon as he +entered he exclaimed, 'Well, I am filled, my pockets are full of gold, +and here goes, ODDS OR EVEN?' 'Odds,' cried a player. It was ODDS, and +the fortunate winner pocketed the enormous sum just boasted of by the +other. + +On the other hand, sudden prosperity has deranged more heads and killed +more people than reverses and grief; either because it takes a longer +time to get convinced of utter ruin than great good fortune, or because +the instinct of self-preservation compels us to seek, in adversity, for +resources to mitigate despair; whereas, in the assault of excessive joy, +the soul's spring is distended and broken when it is suddenly compressed +by too many thoughts and too many sensations. Sophocles, Diagoras, +Philippides, died of joy. Another Greek expired at the sight of the +three crowns won by his three sons at the Olympic games. + +Many fine intellects among players have been brutified by loses; others, +in greater number, have been so by their winnings. Some in the course of +their prosperity perish from idleness, get deranged, and ruin themselves +after ruining others. An instance is mentioned of an officer who won +so enormously that he actually lost his senses in counting his gains. +Astonished at himself, he thought he was no longer an ordinary mortal; +and required his valets to do him extraordinary honours, flinging +handfuls of gold to them. The same night, however, he returned to the +gaming house, and recovered from his madness when he had lost not only +all his gains, but even the value of an appointment which he held. + +UNFORTUNATE WINNING. + +M. G--me was a most estimable man, combining in himself the best +qualities of both heart and head. He was good-humoured, witty, and +benevolent. With these qualifications, and one other which seldom +operates to a man's disadvantage--a clear income of three thousand a +year--the best society in Paris was open to him. He had been a visitor +in that capital about a month, when he received an invitation to one of +the splendid dinners given weekly at the salon. As he never played, he +hesitated about the propriety of accepting it, but on the assurance that +it would not be expected of him to play; and, moreover, as he might not +again have so good an opportunity of visiting an establishment of the +kind, he resolved to go--merely for the satisfaction of his curiosity. +He had a few stray napoleons in his purse, to throw them--'just for the +good of the house,' as he considered it--could hardly be called PLAY, +so he threw them. Poor fellow! He left off a winner of fourteen hundred +napoleons, or about as many pounds sterling--and so easily won! He went +again, again, and again; but he was not always a winner; and within +fifteen months of the moment when his hand first grasped the dice-box he +was lying dead in a jail! + +LORD WORTHALL'S DESPERATE WAGER. + +At a gambling party Lord Worthall had lost all his money, and in a fit +of excitement staked his whole estate against L1000, at cutting low with +cards, and in cutting exclaimed,-- + + 'Up now Deuce, or else a Trey, + Or Worthall's gone for ever and aye.' + +He had the luck to cut the deuce of diamonds; and to commemorate the +serious event, he got the deuce of diamonds cut in marble and had it +fixed on the parapet of his mansion. + +THE CELEBRATED THADDEUS STEVENS. + +He was an inveterate gamester on a small scale, and almost invariably, +after a day's duty in the House, would drop in at a favourite casino, +and win or lose fifty dollars--that being the average limit of his +betting. + +A PROVIDENT GAMBLER. + +A Monsieur B--, well known in Parisian life, having recently lost every +shilling at a certain sporting club where play is carried on in Paris, +went to the country, where his sister lent him L150. + +He won all back again, and got a considerable sum of money in hand. He +then went to his hotel, to his bootmaker, and tailor, paid them, and +made arrangements to be fed, clothed, and shod for ten years. + +A MAGNIFICENT FORTUNE WASTED. + +Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with an estate +of L18,000 per annum, and L100,000 ready money. He left with a ruined +constitution, an encumbered estate, and not a shilling of ready money! + +AN ENTERPRISING CLERK. + +Lord Kenyon, in 1795, tried a clerk 'for misapplying his master's +confidence,' and the facts were as follows. He went with a bank note +of L1000 to a gaming house in Osendon Street, where he won a little. +He also won two hundred guineas at another in Suffolk Street. He next +accompanied some keepers of a third house to their tables, where he +lost above nine hundred pounds. He played there almost every night; and +finally lost about L2500! + +GAMBLING FOR RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY. + +An Irish officer struck out a mode of gambling, for recruits. He +gave five guineas bounty, and one hundred to be raffled for by young +recruits,--the winner to be paid immediately, and to purchase his +discharge, if he pleased, for L20. The dice-box was constantly going at +his recruiting office in Dublin. + +DOUBLING THE STAKES. + +A dashing young man of large fortune, about the year 1820, lost at a +subscription house at the West End, L80,000. The winner was a person +of high rank. The young man, however, by doubling the stakes, not +only recovered his losses, but in his turn gained considerably of his +antagonist. + +AN ANNUITY FOR A GAMBLING DEBT. + +A fashionable nobleman had won from a young and noble relative the sum +of L40,000. The cash not being forthcoming, he accepted an annuity of +L4000. + +SIR WILLIAM COLEPEPPER. + +It is told of Sir William Colepepper that, after he had been ruined +himself at the gaming table, his whole delight was to sit there and see +others ruined. Hardened wretch--'Who though he plays no more, overlooks +the cards'--with this diabolical disposition! + +THE BITER BITTEN. + +A certain duchess, of a ci-devant lord-lieutenant, who expected to make +a pigeon of Marshal Blucher, was fleeced of L200,000; to pay which her +lord was obliged to sell a great part of his property, and reside on the +continent. + +HUNTED DOWN. + +A stout-hearted and gallant military baronet lost an immense sum at a +celebrated gaming house; but was so fortunate as to recover it, with +L1200 more. This last sum HE PRESENTED TO THE WAITERS. He was pursued by +two of the 'play-wrights' to a northern watering-place, where he was +so plucked that all his possessions were brought to the hammer. A +competency was, however, saved from the magnificent wreck. + +COMING OF AGE. + +When Sir C-- T--, a weak young man, with a large fortune, came of age, +the Greeks, thinking him an excellent quarry, went to York Races, made +him drunk and plundered him of a large sum. The next morning one of the +party waited upon him to acquaint him of his loss--(L20,000 or L30,000), +and brought bonds for his signature to that amount! + +HEAVY LIABILITIES TO BEGIN WITH. + +In the year 1799, when the Marquis of Donegal succeeded to the title +on his father's death, his debts, principally to gamblers and +money-lenders, amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand pounds +sterling! + +A GENTLEMAN TURNED BARBER. + +In an old magazine I find the following curious statement:-- + +'There is now living in Barnaby Street, Carnaby Market, a man who, +although exercising the menial office of penny barber, was in his +younger days in possession of estates and personal property to a large +amount, and is the only lineal descendant remaining of the very ancient +family of the H--s of Bristol. + +'His relations dying when he was young, he was placed under proper +guardians, and received a liberal education, first at Westminster, and +afterwards at Cambridge, suitable to his rank and fortune. When of age +he converted his estates into money, and retired to Dublin, where he +remained some time. He then made the tour of Europe, and returned to +Ireland, where he went through all the scenes of dissipation to which +young men are so much addicted, till at last he was beset by those +harpies the gamblers, and stripped of his immense fortune in one single +night! + +'He then subsisted for some little time on the bounty of his undoers, +who intended to make him one of them; but, not having sufficient address +for the profession, he was dismissed and "left in the lurch;" and most +of his friends discarding him, he embarked with his last guinea for +England. Here he has encountered many difficulties, often been in gaol +for debt, and passed through various scenes of life, as valet, footman, +thief-taker, and at length, a penny-barber! He has a wife and large +family and lives in a very penurious manner, often lamenting his early +folly.'(11) + +(11) 'The Western County Magazine, 1791. By a Society of Gentlemen.' +This well-conducted old magazine was printed and published at Salisbury, +and was decidedly a credit to the town and county. + +PENSIONED OFF BY A GAMING HOUSE. + +A visitor at Frascati's gaming house in Paris tells us:-- + +'I saw the Chevalier de la C--(a descendant of the once celebrated +romance-writer) when he was nearly ninety. The mode of life of this old +man was singular. He had lost a princely property at the play-table, +and by a piece of good fortune of rare occurrence to gamesters, and +unparalleled generosity, the proprietors of the salon allowed him a +pension to support him in his miserable senility, just sufficient to +supply him with a wretched lodging--bread, and a change of raiment +once in every three or four years! In addition to this he was allowed a +supper--which was, in fact, his dinner--at the gaming house, whither he +went every night at about eleven o'clock. Till supper-time (two o'clock +in the morning) he amused himself in watching the games and calculating +the various chances, although incapable of playing a single coup. At +four o'clock he returned to his lodging, retired to bed, and lay till +between nine and ten o'clock on the following night. A cup of coffee was +then brought to him, and, having dressed himself, at the usual hour +he again proceeded to the salon. This had been his round of life for +several years; and he told me that during all that time (excepting on a +few mornings about Midsummer) he had never beheld the sun!' + +A Mr R--y, son of a baronet, left Wattier's club one night with only L4 +in his pocket, saying that he would look in at the hells. + +He did so, and, returning after three o'clock in the morning, offered to +bet L500 that he had above L4000. The result proved that he had L4300, +all won at gaming tables, from the small beginning of L4. He then sat +down to play games of skill at Wattier's, and went home at six o'clock +without a single pound! The same man subsequently won L30,000, and +afterwards lost it all, with L15,000 more, and then 'went to the +Continent.' + +A major of the Rifle Brigade, in consequence of gambling in London, by +which he lost vast sums of money, went out of his senses and died a +few years ago in an asylum. This occurred within the last ten or twelve +years. + +Says Mr Seymour Harcourt, in his 'Gaming Calendar,' 'I have myself seen +hanging in chains a man whom, a short time before, I saw at a Hazard +table!' + +Hogarth lent his tremendous power to the portrayal of the ruined +gamester, and shows it to the life in his print of the gaming house in +the 'Rake's Progress.' + +Three stages of that species of madness which attends gaming are there +described. On the first shock all is inward dismay. The ruined gamester +is represented leaning against a wall with his arms across, lost in an +agony of horror. Shortly after this horrible gloom bursts into a storm +and fury. He tears in pieces whatever comes near him, and, kneeling +down, invokes curses on himself. His next attack is on others--on every +one whom he imagines to have been instrumental in his ruin. The eager +joy of the winning gamester, the attention of the usurer, and the +profound reverie of the highwayman, are all strongly marked in this +wonderful picture. + +HOW MANY GAMESTERS LIVE BY PLAY? + +It is an observation made by those who calculate on the gaming world, +that above nine-tenths of the persons who play LIVE by it. + +Now, as the ordinary establishment of a GENTEEL gamester, as he is +commonly called, cannot be less than L1000 per annum, luck, which turns +out EQUAL in the long run, will not support him; he must therefore LIVE +by what they call among themselves the BEST OF THE GAME--or, in plain +English, cheating. + +So much for the inner and outer life of gamblers. And now I shall +introduce Mr Ben. Disraeli, recounting, in the happiest vein of his +younger days, a magnificent gambling scene, quite on a par with the +legend of the Hindoo epic before quoted,(12) and which, I doubt not, +will (to use the young Disraeli's own words) make the reader 'scud along +and warm up into friskiness.' + +(12) Chapter II. + + +A curious phrase occurs in the 9th chapter of 'The Young Duke,' in the +paragraph at the beginning, after the words--'O ye immortal gods!' + +Although the scene of the drama is part of a novel, yet there can be no +doubt of its being 'founded on fact'--at any rate, I think there never +was a narrative of greater verisimilitude. + +'After dinner, with the exception of Cogit, who was busied in +compounding some wonderful liquid for the future refreshment, they sat +down to Ecarte. Without having exchanged a word upon the subject, there +seemed a general understanding among all the parties, that to-night was +to be a pitched battle--and they began at once, very briskly. Yet, +in spite of their universal determination, midnight arrived without +anything very decisive. Another hour passed over, and then Tom Cogit +kept touching the baron's elbow, and whispering in a voice which +everybody could understand. All this meant that supper was ready. It was +brought into the room. + +'Gaming has one advantage--it gives you an appetite; that is to say, +so long as you have a chance remaining. The duke had thousands,--for +at present his resources were unimpaired, and he was exhausted by +the constant attention and anxiety of five hours. He passed over the +delicacies, and went to the side-table, and began cutting himself some +cold roast beef. Tom Cogit ran up, not to his Grace, but to the baron, +to announce the shocking fact, that the Duke of St James was enduring +great trouble; and then the baron asked his Grace to permit Mr Cogit to +serve him. + +'Our hero devoured--we use the word advisedly, as fools say in the House +of Commons--he devoured the roast beef, and rejecting the hermitage with +disgust, asked for porter. + +'They set to again, fresh as eagles. At six o'clock, accounts were so +complicated, that they stopped to make up their books. Each played with +his memorandums and pencil at his side. Nothing fatal had yet happened. +The duke owed Lord Dice about L5000, and Temple Grace owed him as many +hundreds. Lord Castlefort also was his debtor to the tune of 750, and +the baron was in his books, but slightly. + +'Every half-hour they had a new pack of cards, and threw the used ones +on the floor. All this time Tom Cogit did nothing but snuff the candles, +stir the fire, bring them a new pack, and occasionally made a tumbler +for them. + +'At eight o'clock the duke's situation was worsened. The run was greatly +against him, and perhaps his losses were doubled. He pulled up again +the next hour or two; but, nevertheless, at ten o'clock owed every one +something. No one offered to give over; and every one, perhaps, felt +that his object was not obtained. They made their toilets, and went +down-stairs to breakfast. In the mean time the shutters were opened, the +room aired; and in less than an hour they were at it again. + +'They played till dinner-time without intermission; and though the duke +made some desperate efforts, and some successful ones, his losses were, +nevertheless, trebled. Yet he ate an excellent dinner, and was not at +all depressed; because the more he lost the more his courage and his +resources seemed to expand. At first, he had limited himself to 10,000; +after breakfast, it was to have been 20,000; then 30,000 was the +ultimatum; and now he dismissed all thoughts of limits from his mind, +and was determined to risk or gain everything. + +'At midnight he had lost L48,000. + +'Affairs now began to be serious. His supper was not so hearty. While +the rest were eating, he walked about the room, and began to limit his +ambition to recovery, and not to gain. + +'When you play to win back, the fun is over: there is nothing to +recompense you for your bodily tortures and your degraded feelings; and +the very best result that can happen, while it has no charms, seems to +your cowed mind impossible. + +'On they played, and the duke lost more. His mind was jaded. He +floundered--he made desperate efforts, but plunged deeper in the slough. +Feeling that, to regain his ground, each card must tell, he acted on +each as if it must win, and the consequences of this insanity (for a +gamester at such a crisis is really insane) were, that his losses were +prodigious. + +'Another morning came, and there they sat, ankle-deep in cards. No +attempt at breakfast now--no affectation of making a toilet, or airing +the room. The atmosphere was hot, to be sure, but it well became such a +hell. There they sat, in total, in positive forgetfulness of everything +but the hot game they were hunting down. There was not a man in the +room, except Tom Cogit, who could have told you the name of the town +in which they were living. There they sat, almost breathless, watching +every turn with the fell look in their cannibal eyes, which showed their +total inability to sympathize with their fellow-beings. All the forms of +society had been forgotten. There was no snuff-box handed about now, for +courtesy, admiration, or a pinch; no affectation of occasionally making +a remark upon any other topic but the all-engrossing one. + +'Lord Castlefort rested with his arms on the table:--a false tooth had +got unhinged. His Lordship, who, at any other time, would have been +most annoyed, coolly put it in his pocket. His cheeks had fallen, and he +looked twenty years older. + +'Lord Dice had torn off his cravat, and his hair flung down over his +callous, bloodless checks, straight as silk. + +'Temple Grace looked as if he were blighted by lightning; and his +deep-blue eyes gleamed like a hyaena. + +'The baron was least changed. + +'Tom Cogit, who smelt that the crisis was at hand, was as quiet as a +bribed rat. + +'On they played till six o'clock in the evening, and then they agreed +to desist till after dinner. Lord Dice threw himself on a sofa. Lord +Castlefort breathed with difficulty. The rest walked about. While they +were resting on their oars, the young duke roughly made up his accounts. +He found that he was minus about L100,000. + +'Immense as this loss was, he was more struck--more appalled, let us +say--at the strangeness of the surrounding scene, than even by his own +ruin. As he looked upon his fellow-gamesters, he seemed, for the first +time in his life, to gaze upon some of those hideous demons of whom he +had read. He looked in the mirror at himself. A blight seemed to have +fallen over his beauty, and his presence seemed accursed. He had pursued +a dissipated, even more than a dissipated, career. Many were the +nights that had been spent by him not on his couch; great had been the +exhaustion that he had often experienced; haggard had sometimes even +been the lustre of his youth. But when had been marked upon his brow +this harrowing care? When had his features before been stamped with +this anxiety, this anguish, this baffled desire, this strange, unearthly +scowl, which made him even tremble? What! was it possible?--it could not +be--that in time he was to be like those awful, those unearthly, those +unhallowed things that were around him. He felt as if he had fallen from +his state, as if he had dishonoured his ancestry, as if he had betrayed +his trust. He felt a criminal. + +'In the darkness of his meditations a flash burst from his lurid mind, +a celestial light appeared to dissipate this thickening gloom, and his +soul felt, as it were, bathed with the softening radiancy. He thought +of May Dacre, he thought of everything that was pure, and holy, and +beautiful, and luminous, and calm. It was the innate virtue of the +man that made this appeal to his corrupted nature. His losses seemed +nothing; his dukedom would be too slight a ransom for freedom from these +ghouls, and for the breath of the sweet air. + +'He advanced to the baron, and expressed his desire to play no more. +There was an immediate stir. All jumped up, and now the deed was done. +Cant, in spite of their exhaustion, assumed her reign. They begged him +to have his revenge,--were quite annoyed at the result,--had no doubt he +would recover if he proceeded. + +'Without noticing their remarks, he seated himself at the table, and +wrote cheques for their respective amounts, Tom Cogit jumping up and +bringing him the inkstand. Lord Castlefort, in the most affectionate +manner, pocketed the draft; at the same time recommending the duke not +to be in a hurry, but to send it when he was cool. Lord Dice received +his with a bow, Temple Grace with a sigh, the baron with an avowal of +his readiness always to give him his revenge. + +'The duke, though sick at heart, would not leave the room with +any evidence of a broken spirit; and when Lord Castlefort again +repeated--"Pay us when we meet again," he said, "I think it very +improbable that we shall meet again, my Lord. I wished to know what +gaming was. I had heard a great deal about it. It is not so very +disgusting; but I am a young man, and cannot play tricks with my +complexion." + +'He reached his house. The Bird was out. He gave orders for himself not +to be disturbed, and he went to bed; but in vain he tried to sleep. What +rack exceeds the torture of an excited brain and an exhausted body? His +hands and feet were like ice, his brow like fire; his ears rung with +supernatural roaring; a nausea had seized upon him, and death he would +have welcomed. In vain, in vain he courted repose; in vain he had +recourse to every expedient to wile himself to slumber. Each minute he +started from his pillow with some phrase which reminded him of his late +fearful society. Hour after hour moved on with its leaden pace; each +hour he heard strike, and each hour seemed an age. Each hour was only +a signal to cast off some covering, or shift his position. It was, at +length, morning. With a feeling that he should go mad if he remained any +longer in bed, he rose, and paced his chamber. The air refreshed him. +He threw himself on the floor, the cold crept over his senses, and he +slept.'(13) + +(13) 'The Young Duke,' by B. Disraeli, chapter VIII. This gambling +is the turning-point in the young duke's career; he proves himself +at length not unworthy of his noble ancestry arm his high hereditary +position,--takes his place in the Senate, and weds the maiden of his +love. + + + +CHAPTER IV. ATROCITIES, DUELS, SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS. + +The history of all nations is but the record of their cupidity; and when +the fury of gaming appears on the scene, it has never failed to double +the insolence and atrocities of tyranny. + +The atrocious gambling of the Hindoo Rajas has been related;(14) and I +have incidentally adverted to similar concomitants of the vice among +all nations. I now propose to bring together a series of facts specially +elucidative of the harrowing theme. + +(14) Chapter II. + + +One of the Ptolemys, kings of Egypt, required all causes to be submitted +to him whilst at play, and pronounced even sentence of death according +to chance. On one occasion his wife, Berenice, pronounced thereanent +those memorable words:--'There cannot be too much deliberation when +the death of a man is concerned'--afterwards adopted by Juvenal--Nulla +unquam de morte hominis cunctatio longa est.(15) + +(15) Aelian, Var. Hist. lib. XLIV. c. xiii.; Juvenal, Sat. vi. + + +Tolomnius, King of the Veii, happened to be playing at dice when the +arrival of Roman ambassadors was announced. At the very instant he +uttered the word KILL, a term of the game; the word was misinterpreted +by the hearers, and they went forthwith and massacred the ambassadors. +Livy suggests that this was an excuse alleged AFTER the commission of +the deed; but gamesters are subject to such absence of mind that +there is really nothing incredible or astonishing in the act. 'Sire,' +exclaimed a messenger to the Caliph Alamin, 'it is no longer time for +play--Babylon is besieged!' 'Silence!' said the caliph, 'don't you see +I am on the point of giving checkmate?' The same story is told of a Duke +of Normandy. + +Wars have arisen from very trivial causes--among the rest gambling. +Henry, the son of William the Conqueror, was playing at chess with +Louis, the son of Philip, King of France. The latter, perceiving that he +was losing the game got into a passion, and calling Henry the son of a +bastard, flung the chess-board into his face. Henry took the chess-board +and struck Louis with it so violently that he drew blood, and would have +killed him if his brother, who happened to come in, had not prevented +him. The two brothers took to flight, but a great and lasting war was +the consequence of the gambling fracas. + +A gaming quarrel was the cause of the slap in the face given by the Duc +Rene to Louis XII., then only Duc d'Orleans. This slap was the origin of +a ligue which was termed 'the mad war.' The resentment of the outraged +prince was not appeased until he mounted the throne, when he uttered +these memorable words:--'A King of France does not avenge insults +offered to a Duke of Orleans.' + +Many narratives of suicide committed by desperate gamblers are on +record, some of which I now adduce. + +SIR JOHN BLAND, OF KIPPAX PARK. + +Sir John Bland, of Kippax Park, flirted away his whole fortune at +Hazard. 'He, t'other night,' says Walpole, 'exceeded what was lost by +the late Duke of Bedford, having at one period of the night (though he +recovered the greater part of it) lost two and thirty thousand pounds.' +Sir John Kippax shot himself in 1705. + +LORD MOUNTFORD. + +Lord Mountford came to a tragic end through his gambling. He had +lost money; feared to be reduced to distress; asked for a government +appointment, and determined to throw the die of life or death on the +answer received from court. The answer was unfavourable. He consulted +several persons, indirectly at first, afterwards pretty directly, on +the easiest mode of finishing life; invited a dinner-party for the day +after; supped at White's, and played at Whist till one o'clock of the +New Year's morning. Lord Robert Bertie drank to him 'a happy new year;' +he clapped his hand strangely to his eyes. In the morning, he sent for +a lawyer and three witnesses, executed his will, made them read it over +twice, paragraph by paragraph, asked the lawyer if that will would stand +good though a man were to shoot himself. Being assured it would, he +said--'Pray stay, while I step into the next room;' went into the next +room and shot himself, placing the muzzle of the pistol so close to his +head that the report was not heard. + +A SUICIDE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. + +Gamblers have been known to set as coolly and deliberately about blowing +out their brains as if they had only been going to light their cigars. +Lord Orford, in his correspondence with Horace Walpole, mentions two +curious instances. + +One of the fashionable young men of Lord Orford's day had been unhappily +decoyed into a gambling house, where his passion for play became so +great that he spent nearly the whole of his time in throwing the dice. +He continued to gamble until he had not only lost a princely fortune, +but had incurred a large amount of debt among his tradesmen. With the +loss of his money, and the utter beggary which stared him in the face, +the unfortunate victim of play lost all relish for life; and sought in +death the only refuge he could fancy from the infamy and misery which he +had brought upon himself. But whilst fully resolved on self-destruction, +he thought, before carrying his fatal purpose into execution, he might +as well do his tradesmen an act of justice, even if in so doing he +should do injustice to others. He insured his life to the extent of +his debts, amounting to several thousand pounds. Being acquainted +with several of the directors of the company (he called them his +life-and-death brokers) in which he insured, he invited them to +dinner the following day, with the ostensible view of celebrating the +completion of the insurance. The tradesmen also received strict orders +to be present; and as the non-payment of their accounts for a long +period to come was the penalty of not acceding to his wishes in +this respect, it can scarcely be necessary to say that they were all +'punctual as lovers to the moment sworn.' The dinner over, and a liberal +allowance of wine having been quaffed, the ruined gambler desired the +servant to call up all who were in the hall below. In a few seconds the +dining-room was filled with tradesmen, all eager to receive payment +of their accounts. 'Now, gentlemen,' said the gambler, addressing his +guests, and pointing to the little crowd of tradesmen,--'now, gentlemen, +these are all my tradesmen; they are honest industrious men, to whom I +am indebted, and as I see no other earthly means of being ever able to +meet their just claims, you will be so kind as to pay them out of the +sum for which I insured my life yesterday. Allow me, gentlemen, to bid +you farewell.' And so saying, he pulled a pistol from his pocket, and +placing it to his head, that instant blew out his brains. Of course his +insurance office must have been one that undertook to pay insurances +whatever might be the cause of death, not excepting suicide--which, like +duelling, has usually been a bar to such claims. + +REVELATIONS OF A GAMBLER ON THE POINT OF COMMITTING SELF-MURDER. + +The following is 'A full and particular account of a person who threw +himself into the Thames, from Blackfriars Bridge, on Wednesday, July 10, +1782; with the melancholy paper he left behind him, accounting to +his wife and children for so rash an action.' It is said that several +thousands of the papers were dispersed through London, and it is to be +hoped that some of them might produce that good effect which seems +to have been so anxiously desired by the person who wished them to be +distributed. + + 'Midnight, July 10, 1782. + +'Whoever thou art that readest this paper, listen to the voice of one +from the DEAD. While thine eyes peruse the lines their writer may be +suffering the most horrid punishments which an incensed Creator can +inflict upon the greatest sinner. + +'Reader, art thou of my own sex? Art thou a man? Oh, in whatever rank +of life, whether high or low,--beware of gambling! Beware of so much as +approaching an E O table! Had I ever met with such a dreadful warning as +I now offer thee, I might perhaps have been saved from death--have been +snatched from damnation. Reader, art thou a woman? Oh, whether rich or +poor, whether wife, mother, sister, or daughter,--if thou suspect that +the late hours, the feverish body, the disturbed mind, the ruffled +temper, the sudden extravagance of him whom thou lovest, are caused +by frequenting the gaming table, oh, fail not to discover thy +suspicions--fail not to remonstrate! Had but my dear wife remonstrated +with me, when she saw me, in consequence of my winnings, indulge in +expense, which she must have known I could not honestly afford, she +would not now, within the next hour, be deprived of her husband--of the +only support of herself and her three poor children in this world,--and +deprived of him in a manner which effectually cuts off all hopes of our +ever meeting in the happiness of another. * * * * + +'Yes, in less than an hour, coward as I am, I shall have deserted my +duty and my family in this world; and, wretch as I am, shall have rushed +into all the horrors of hell in another world, by drowning myself. + +'By curiosity I was first led to the E O table. Ashamed to stand idle +I put upon E, it came E; upon O, it came O. Fortune favoured me (as I +foolishly called it), and I came away a winner. + +Something worse than curiosity, though hardly more dangerous, carried me +to another table another night. My view in going was answered. My view +was to WIN, and again I WON in the course of the evening. Again I went, +and again I won. For some weeks this was the constant story. Oh, happy +had I lost at first! Now I went every night. Everything I ought to have +done, neglected. Up all night, I was forced to lie in bed all day. The +strength of my mind, which at THIS moment might save me, was hourly +wasting away. My wife was deceived with continual falsehoods, to which +nothing but her fondness for me blinded her. Even my winnings, with the +expense and extravagance in which I indulged myself and family, were +every day more than half exhausted. But I felt that I was always to win. +Fortune favoured me. Fortune was now my deity. * * * * + +'But fortune, my new, my false deity, deserted me. My luck TURNED. I +am undone! Ruined! A beggar! My wife and children will want a morsel of +bread to eat. * * * * To destroy myself is the only way to preserve my +family from want, and to keep myself from the GALLOWS. This morning I +absolutely hesitated whether I should not procure a sum of money with +which to try my luck by FORGERY. Gamesters, think of that--FORGERY! O +my dear wife, is not anything better than seeing me conveyed to Tyburn? +Yes, it is better that before many hours you and your three helpless +daughters should be hanging in tears (I little merit) over my lifeless, +cold, and swollen body. + +'Readers, farewell! From my sad and voluntary death, learn wisdom. In +consequence of gaming I go to seek my destruction in the Thames. Oh, +think in what manner he deserves to be punished who commits a crime +which he is fully persuaded merits, and will not fail to meet, the +severest punishment.' + + The narrative proceeds to state that, 'between one and two +o'clock in the morning he took a sad farewell of this world, and leaped +over Blackfriars Bridge. It pleased Providence, however, that he should +be seen committing this desperate action by two watermen, who found his +body after it had been a considerable time under water. In consequence +of the methods used by the men of the Humane Society, he was at length +almost miraculously restored to life and to his family. It is further +stated that--'In consequence of the advice of a worthy clergyman he was +restored to reason and to religion. He now wonders how he could think of +committing so horrid a crime; and is not without hope that by a life +of continual repentance and exemplary religion, he may obtain pardon +hereafter. The paper which he wrote before he set forth to drown himself +he still desires should be made as public as possible, and that this +narrative should be added to it. + +INCORRIGIBLE. + +In the year 1799, Sir W. L--, Bart., finding his eldest son extremely +distressed and embarrassed, told him that he would relieve him from +all his difficulties, on condition that he would state to him, without +reserve, their utmost extent, and give him his honour never to play +again for any considerable sum. The debts--amounting to L22,000--were +instantly discharged. Before a week had elapsed he fell into his old +habits again, and lost L5000 more at a sitting; upon which he next +morning shot himself! + +SUICIDE IN 1816. + +In 1816 a gentleman, the head of a first-rate concern in the city, put +a period to his existence by blowing out his brains. He had gone to the +Argyle Rooms a few nights before the act, and accompanied a female home +in a coach, with two men, friends of the woman. When they got to her +residence the two men proposed to the gentleman to play for a dozen +champagne to treat the lady with, which the gentleman declined. They, +however, after a great deal of persuasion, prevailed on him to play for +small sums, and, according to the usual trick of gamblers, allowed him +to win at first, till they began to play for double, when there is no +doubt the fellows produced loaded dice, and the gentleman lost to the +amount of L1800! This brought him to his senses--as well it might. He +then invented an excuse for not paying that sum, by saying that he was +under an agreement with his partner not to draw for a larger amount than +L300 for his private account--and gave them a draft for that amount, +promising the remainder at a future day. This promise, however, he +did not attend to, not feeling himself bound by such a villainous +transaction, especially after giving them so much. But the robbers found +out who he was and his residence, and had the audacity to go, armed with +bludgeons, and attack him publicly on his own premises, in the presence +of those employed there, demanding payment of their nefarious 'debt of +honour,' and threatening him, if he did not pay, that he should fight! + +This exposure had such an effect on his feelings that he made an excuse +to retire--did so--and blew out his brains with a pistol! + +This rash act was the more to be lamented because it prevented the +bringing to condign punishment, the plundering villains who were the +cause of it.(16) + +(16) Annual Register, vol. lviii. + + +OTHER INSTANCES. + +A gallant Dutch officer, after having lost a splendid fortune not long +since (1823) in a gambling house at Aix-la-Chapelle, shot himself. A +Russian general, also, of immense wealth, terminated his existence +in the same manner and for the same cause. More recently, a young +Englishman, who lost the whole of an immense fortune by gambling at +Paris, quitted this world by stabbing himself in the neck with a fork. A +short time previously another Englishman, whose birth was as high as his +wealth had been considerable, blew his brains out in the Palais Royal, +after having literally lost his last shilling. Finally, an unfortunate +printer at Paris, who had a wife and five children, finished his earthly +career for the same cause, by suffocating himself with the fumes of +charcoal; he said, in his farewell note to his unhappy wife--'Behold the +effect of gaming!'(17) + +(17) Ubi supra. + + +'IF I LOSE I SHALL COMMIT SUICIDE.' + +A young man having gambled away his last shilling, solicited the loan +of a few pounds from one of the proprietors of the hell in which he had +been plundered. 'What security will you give me?' asked the fellow. +'My word of honour,' was the reply. 'Your word of honour! That's poor +security, and won't do,' rejoined the hellite; 'if you can pawn nothing +better than that, you'll get no money out of me.' 'Then you won't lend +me a couple of pounds?' 'Not without security,' was the reply. 'Why, +surely, you won't refuse me a couple of sovereigns, after having lost so +much?' 'I won't advance you a couple of shillings without security.' + +Still bent upon play, and greedy for the means to gratify his passion, +the unhappy man, as if struck by a sudden thought, exclaimed--'I'll +give you security--the clothes on my back are quite new, and worth eight +guineas; you shall have them as security. Lend me two sovereigns on +them.' + +'Suppose you lose,' doggedly rejoined the other, 'I cannot strip them +off your back.' 'Don't trouble yourself on that head,' replied the +desperate wretch; 'if I lose I shall commit suicide, which I have been +meditating for some time, and you shall surely have my clothes. I +shall return to my lodgings before daylight, in the most worn-out and +worthless dressing-gown or great-coat you can procure for me, leaving my +clothes with you.' + +The two sovereigns were advanced, and in ten or twelve minutes were +lost. The keeper of the table demanded the clothes, and the unfortunate +man stripped himself with the utmost coolness of manner, and wrapping +his body in a worn-out greatcoat, quitted the place with the full +purpose of committing self-murder. He did not direct his steps homeward, +however, but resolved to accomplish the horrid deed by suspending +himself from a lamp-post in a dark lane near the place. While making the +necessary preparations he was observed by a constable, who at once took +him into custody, and on the following morning he was carried before the +magistrate, where all the circumstances of the affair came out. + +SUICIDE AT VERDUN. + +During the great French War, among other means resorted to in order to +ease the English prisoners at Verdun of their loose cash, a gaming table +was set up for their sole accommodation, and, as usual, led to scenes of +great depravity and horror. For instance, a young man was enticed into +this sink of iniquity, when he was tempted to throw on the table a +five-franc piece; he won, and repeated the experiment several times +successfully, until luck turned against him, and he lost everything he +had. The manager immediately offered a rouleau of a thousand francs, +which, in the heat of play, he thoughtlessly accepted, and also lost. He +then drew a bill on his agent, which his captain (he was an officer in +the English army) endorsed. The proceeds of this went the way of the +rouleau. He drew two more bills, and lost again. The next morning he was +found dead in his bed, with his limbs much distorted and his fingers +dug into his sides. On his table was found an empty laudanum bottle, and +some scraps of paper on which he had been practising the signature of +Captain B----. On inquiry it was found that he had forged that officer's +name to the two last bills. + +'IN AT THE DEATH.' + +In 1819 an inquest was held on the body of a gentleman found hanging +from one of the trees in St James's Park. The evidence established +the melancholy fact that the deceased was in the habit of frequenting +gambling houses, and had sunk into a state of dejection on account of +his losses; and it seemed probable that it was immediately after his +departure from one of these receptacles of rogues and their dupes that +he committed suicide. The son of the gate-keeper at St James's saw +several persons round the body at four o'clock in the morning, one of +whom, a noted gambler, said: 'Look at his face; why, have you forgotten +last night? Don't you recollect him now?' They were, no doubt, all +gamblers--in at the death.' + +The three following stories, if not of actual suicide, relate crimes +which bear a close resemblance to self-murder. + +A GAMBLER PAWNING HIS EARS. + +A clerk named Chambers, losing his monthly pay, which was his all, at +a gaming table, begged to borrow of the manager's; but they knew his +history too well to lend without security, and therefore demanded +something in pawn. 'I have nothing to give but my ears,' he replied. +'Well,' said one of the witty demons, 'let us have them.' The youth +immediately took a knife out of his pocket and actually cut off all +the fleshy part of one of his cars and threw it on the table, to the +astonishment of the admiring gamesters. He received his two dollars, and +gambled on. + +A GAMBLER SUBMITTING TO BE HANGED. + +The following incident is said to have occurred in London:--Two fellows +were observed by a patrol sitting at a lamp-post in the New Road; and, +on closely watching them, the latter discovered that one was tying up +the other, who offered no resistance, by the neck. The patrol interfered +to prevent such a strange kind of murder, and was assailed by both, and +very considerably beaten for his good offices; the watchmen, however, +poured in, and the parties were secured. On examination next morning, it +appeared that the men had been gambling; that one had lost all his money +to the other, and had at last proposed to stake his clothes. The winner +demurred--observing that he could not strip his adversary naked in the +event of his losing. 'Oh,' replied the other, 'do not give yourself +any uneasiness about that; if I lose I shall be unable to live, and you +shall hang me, and take my clothes after I am dead, for I shall then, +you know, have no occasion for them.' The proposed arrangement was +assented to; and the fellow having lost, was quietly submitting to +the terms of the treaty when he was interrupted by the patrol, whose +impertinent interference he so angrily resented. + +TWO GAMBLERS TOSSING WHO SHOULD HANG THE OTHER. + +In the year 1812 an extraordinary investigation took place at Bow +Street. Croker, the officer, was passing along Hampstead Road; he +observed at a short distance before him two men on a wall, and directly +after saw the tallest of them, a stout man, about six feet high, hanging +by his neck from a lamp-post attached to the wall, being that instant +tied up and turned off by the short man. + +This unexpected and extraordinary sight astonished the officer; he made +up to the spot with all speed, and just after he arrived there the tall +man, who had been hanged, fell to the ground, the handkerchief with +which he had been suspended having given way. Croker produced his staff, +said he was an officer, and demanded to know of the other man the cause +of such conduct; in the mean time the man who had been hanged recovered, +got up, and on Croker's interfering, gave him a violent blow on his +nose, which nearly knocked him backward. The short man was endeavouring +to make off; however, the officer procured assistance, and both were +brought to the office, where the account they gave was that they worked +on canals. They had been together on Wednesday afternoon, tossed for +money, and afterwards for their CLOTHES; the tall man who was hanged +won the other's jacket, trousers, and shoes; they then tossed up which +should HANG THE OTHER, and the short one won the toss. They got upon +the wall, the one to submit, and the other to hang him on the lamp-iron. +They both agreed in this statement. The tall one, who had been hanged, +said if he had won the toss he would have hanged the other. He said he +then felt the effects upon his neck of his hanging, and his eyes were so +much swelled that he saw DOUBLE. + +The magistrates, continues the report in the 'Annual Register,' +expressed their horror and disgust; and ordered the man who had been +hanged to find bail for the violent and unjustifiable assault upon the +officer; and the short one, for hanging the other--a very odd decision +in the latter case--since the act was murder 'to all intents and +purposes' designed and intended. The report says, however, that, not +having bail, they were committed to Bridewell for trial.(20) The result +I have not discovered. + +(20) Annual Register, 1812, vol. liv. + + +Innumerable duels have resulted from quarrels over the gaming table, +although nothing could be more Draconic than the law especially directed +against such duels. By the Act of Queen Anne against gaming, all persons +sending a challenge on account of gaming disputes were liable to forfeit +all their goods and to be committed to prison for two years. No case of +the kind, however, was ever prosecuted on that clause of the Act, which +was, in other respects, very nearly inoperative. + +GAMBLING DUELS IN THE YEAR 1818. + +It so happened that almost every month of the year 1818 was +'distinguished' by a duel or two, resulting from quarrels at gambling or +in gambling houses. + +January. 'A meeting took place yesterday at an early hour, between +Captain B--r--y and Lieutenant T--n--n, in consequence of a dispute at +play. Wimbledon Common was the ground, and the parties fired twice, when +the lieutenant was slightly wounded in the pistol hand, the ball grazing +the right side; and here the affair ended.' + +January. 'A meeting took place on the 9th instant, at Calais, between +Lieut. Finch, 20th regiment of Dragoons, and Lieut. Boileau, on half-pay +of the 41st regiment. Lieut. Finch was bound over, some days back, +to keep the peace in England; in consequence of which he proceeded +to Calais, accompanied by his friend, Captain Butler, where they were +followed by Lieut. Boileau and his friend Lieut. Hartley. It was settled +by Captain Butler, previous to Lieut. Finch taking his ground, that HE +WAS BOUND IN HONOUR to receive LIEUT. BOILEAU'S FIRE as he had given +so serious a provocation as a blow. This arrangement was, however, +defeated, by Lieut. Finch's pistol "accidentally" going off, apparently +in the direction of his opponent, which would probably have led to fatal +consequences had it not been for the IMPLICIT RELIANCE placed by Lieut. +Boileau's friend on the STRICT HONOUR of Capt. Butler, whose anxiety, +steadiness, and gentlemanly conduct on this and every other occasion, +were too well known to leave a doubt on the minds of the opposite +party, that Lieut. Finch's pistol going off was ENTIRELY ACCIDENTAL. A +reconciliation, therefore, immediately took place.' + +February 17. 'Information was received at the public office, Marlborough +Street, on Saturday last, that a duel was about to take place yesterday, +in the fields contiguous to Chalk Farm, between Colonel Tucker and +Lieut. Nixon, the latter having challenged the former in public company, +for which and previous abuse the colonel inflicted severe chastisement +with a thick stick. Subsequent information was received that the +colonel's friends deemed it unnecessary for him to meet the challenger, +but that his remedy was to repeat the former chastisement when insulted. +It was further stated that a few half-pay officers, of inferior rank, +had leagued together for the purpose of procuring others to give a +challenge, and which it was the determination to put down by adopting +the colonel's plan.' + +February. 'A captain in the army shook hands with a gallant +lieut.-colonel (who had distinguished himself in the Peninsula) at +one of the West End gaming houses, and Lieut. N--, who was present, +upbraided the colonel with the epithet of "poltroon." On a fit +opportunity the colonel inflicted summary justice upon the lieutenant +with a cane or horse-whip. This produced a challenge; but the colonel +was advised that he would degrade himself by combat with the challenger, +and he therefore declined it, but promised similar chastisement to that +inflicted. It was then stated that the colonel was bound to fight any +other person who would stand forth as the champion of Lieut. N--, to +which the colonel consented,--when a Lieut. J--n--e appeared as the +champion, and the meeting was appointed for Tuesday morning at Turnham +Green. The information of the police was renewed, and Thomas Foy +apprehended the parties at an inn near the spot, early in the morning. +They were consequently bound over to keep the peace. It appears, +however, that the lieutenant in this instance was not the champion of +the former, but had been challenged by the colonel.' + +April. 'A meeting was to have taken place yesterday in consequence of a +dispute at play, between Captain R--n--s and Mr B--e--r, a gentleman of +fortune; but it was prevented by the interference of the police, and +the parties escaped. It took place, however, on the following day, on +Wimbledon Common, and after exchanging a single shot the matter was +adjusted.' + +May. 'In consequence of a dispute at a gaming table, on Monday night, +in the vicinity of Piccadilly, Mr M--, who was an officer in the British +service at Brussels, and Mr B--n, a medical man, met, at three in the +morning, on Tuesday, in the King's Road. They fought at twelve paces. +Mr B--n was wounded on the back part of the hand, and the affair was +adjusted.' + +July. 'A duel was fought yesterday morning, on Wimbledon Common, between +a Mr Arrowsmith and Lieut. Flynn, which ended in the former being +wounded in the thigh. The dispute which occasioned the meeting +originated in a gaming transaction.' + +September. 'A duel was fought this morning on Hounslow Heath, between +Messrs Hillson and Marsden. The dispute arose in one of the stands at +Egham races. The latter was seriously wounded in the left side, and +conveyed away in a gig.' + +November. 'A duel originating, over a dispute at play was fixed to +take place on Wimbledon Common, at daybreak, yesterday morning, but +information having been received that police officers were waiting, the +parties withdrew.' + +GAMING DUEL AT PARIS, 1827. + +A medical student, named Goulard, quarrelled at billiards with a +fellow-student named Caire. Their mutual friends, having in vain tried +every means of persuasion to prevent the consequences of the dispute, +accompanied the young men without the walls of Paris. Goulard seemed +disposed to submit to an arrangement, but Cairo obstinately refused. +The seconds measured the ground, and the first shot having been won by +Goulard, he fired, and Caire fell dead. Goulard did not appear during +the prosecution that followed; he continued absent on the day fixed +for judgment, and the court, conformably to the code of criminal +proceedings, pronounced on the charge without the intervention of a +jury. It acquitted Goulard of premeditation, but condemned him for +contumacy, to perpetual hard labour, and to be branded; and this in +spite of the fact that the advocate-general had demanded Goulard's +acquittal of the charge. + +THE END OF A GAMESTER. + +In 1788, a Scotch gentleman, named William Brodie, was tried and +convicted at Edinburgh, for stealing bank-notes and money, with +violence. This man, at the death of his father, twelve years before, +inherited a considerable estate in houses, in the city of Edinburgh, +together with L10,000 in money; but, by an unhappy connection and a +too great propensity to gaming, he was reduced to the desperation which +brought him at last to the scaffold. It is stated that his demeanour +on receiving the dreadful sentence was equally cool and determined; +moreover, that he was dressed in a blue coat, fancy vest, satin +breeches, and white silk stockings; a cocked hat; his hair full dressed +and powdered; and, lastly, that he was carried back to prison in a +chair. Such was the respectful treatment of 'gentlemen' prisoners in +Scotland towards the end of the last century. + +DUEL WITH A SHARPER. + +A Monsieur de Boisseuil, one of the Kings equerries, being at a +card-party, detected one of the players cheating, and exposed his +conduct. + +The insulted 'gentleman' demanded satisfaction, when Boisseuil replied +that he did not fight with a person who was a rogue. + +'That MAY be,' said the other, 'but I do not like to be CALLED one.' + +They met on the ground, and Boisseuil received two desperate wounds from +the sharper. + +This man's plea against Boisseuil is a remarkable trait. Madame de +Stael has alluded to it in her best style. 'In France,' she says, 'we +constantly see persons of distinguished rank, who, when accused of an +improper action, will say--"It may have been wrong, but no one will +dare assert it to my face!" Such an expression is an evident proof of +confirmed depravity; for, what would be the condition of society if it +was only requisite to kill one another, to commit with impunity every +evil action,--to break one's word and assert falsehood--provided no one +dared tell you that you lied?' + +In countries where public opinion is more severe on the want of probity +and fair-dealing, should a man transgress the laws of these principles +of human conduct, ten duels a day would not enable him to recover the +esteem he has forfeited. + +MAJOR ONEBY AND MR GOWER. + +This duel originated as follows:--It appears that a Major Oneby, being +in company with a Mr Gower and three other persons, at a tavern, in a +friendly manner, after some time began playing at Hazard; when one +of the company, named Rich, asked if any one would set him three +half-crowns; whereupon Mr Gower, in a jocular manner, laid down three +half-pence, telling Rich he had set him three pieces, and Major Oneby at +the same time set Rich three half-crowns, and lost them to him. + +Immediately after this, Major Oneby, in a angry manner, turned about to +Mr Gower and said--'It was an impertinent thing to set down half-pence,' +and called him 'an impertinent puppy' for so doing. To this Mr Gower +answered--'Whoever calls me so is a rascal. 'Thereupon Major Oneby took +up a bottle, and with great force threw it at Mr Gower's head, but did +not hit him, the bottle only brushing some of the powder out of his +hair. Mr Gower, in return, immediately tossed a candlestick or a bottle +at Major Oneby, which missed him; upon which they both rose to fetch +their swords, which were then hung in the room, and Mr Gower drew his +sword, but the Major was prevented from drawing his by the company. +Thereupon Mr Gower threw away his sword, and the company interposing, +they sat down again for the space of an hour. + +At the expiration of that time, Mr Gower said to Major Oneby--'We have +had hot words, and you were the aggressor, but I think we may pass +it over'--at the same time offering him his hand; but the Major +replied--'No, d--n you, I WILL HAVE YOUR BLOOD.' + +After this, the reckoning being paid, all the company, excepting Major +Oneby, went out to go home, and he called to Mr Gower, saying--'Young +man, come back, I have something to say to you.' Whereupon Mr Gower +returned to the room, and immediately the door was closed, and the rest +of the company excluded--when a clashing of swords was heard, and Major +Oneby gave Mr Gower a mortal wound. It was found, on the breaking up of +the company, that Major Oneby had his great coat over his shoulders, and +that he had received three slight wounds in the fight. Mr Gower, being +asked on his death-bed whether he had received his wounds in a manner +among swordsmen called fair, answered--'I think I did.' Major Oneby was +tried for the offence, and found guilty of murder, 'having acted upon +malice and deliberation, and not from sudden passion.' + +THE NEPHEW OF A BRITISH PEER. + +In 1813, the nephew of a British peer was executed at Lisbon. He had +involved himself by gambling, and being detected in robbing the house of +an English friend, by a Portuguese servant, he shot the latter dead to +prevent discovery. This desperate act, however, did not enable him to +escape the hands of justice. After execution, his head was severed from +his body and fixed on a pole opposite the house in which the murder and +robbery were committed. + +The following facts will show the intimate connection between gambling +and Robbery or Forgery. + +EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGU AND THE JEW ABRAHAM PAYBA. + +Edward Wortley Montagu was the only son of the celebrated Lady Mary +Wortley Montagu, whose eccentricities he inherited without her genius. +Montagu, together with Lords Taffe and Southwell, was accused of having +invited one Abraham Payba, alias James Roberts, a Jew, to dine with them +at Paris, in the year 1751; and of having plied him with wine till he +became intoxicated, and so lost at play the sum of 800 louis d'ors. It +was affirmed that they subsequently called at his house, and that on +his exhibiting an evident disinclination to satisfy their demands, +they threatened to cut him across the face with their swords unless he +instantly paid them. Terrified by their violence, and, at the same time, +unwilling to part with his gold, the Jew had cunning enough to give them +drafts on a Paris banker, by whom, as he had no dealings with him, +he well knew that his bills would be dishonoured; and, to escape the +vengeance of those whom he had outwitted, quitted Paris. On ascertaining +how completely they had been duped, Montagu, with his associates +Lords Taffe and Southwell, repaired to the house of the Jew, and after +ransacking his drawers and strong boxes, are said to have possessed +themselves of a very considerable sum of money, in addition to diamonds, +jewels, and other valuable articles. The Jew had it now in his power to +turn on his persecutors, and accordingly he appealed to the legislature +for redress. Lord Southwell contrived to effect his escape, but Lord +Taffe and Montagu were arrested, and were kept in separate dungeons in +the Grand Chatelet, for nearly three months. The case was subsequently +tried in a court of law, and decided in favour of the accused,--the +Jew being adjudged to make reparation and defray the costs! Against the +injustice of this sentence he appealed to the high court of La Tournelle +at Paris, which reversed it. Lord Taffe and Montagu afterwards appealed, +in their turn, but of the definitive result there is no record. + +DR WILLIAM DODD. + +Le Sage, in his 'Gil Blas,' says that 'the devil has a particular +spite against private tutors;' and he might have added, against popular +preachers. By popular preachers I do not mean such grand old things as +Bossuet, Massillon, and Bourdaloue. All such men were proof against the +fiery darts of the infernal tempter. From their earliest days they had +been trained to live up to the Non nobis Domine, 'Not unto us, O Lord, +but unto thy name, give glory.' All of them had only at heart the glory +of their church-cause; though, of course, the Jesuit Bourdaloue worked +also for his great Order, then culminating in glory. + +The last-named, too, was another La Fontaine in simplicity, preparing +for his grandest predications by sorrily rasping on an execrable fiddle. +So, if the devil had lifted him up to a high mountain, showing him all +he would give him, he would have simply invited him to his lonely cell, +to have a jig to the tune of his catguts. + +Your popular preachers in England have been, and are, a different +sort of spiritual workers. They have been, and are, individualities, +perpetually reminded of the fact, withal; and fiercely tempted +accordingly. The world, the flesh, and the devil, incessantly knock at +their door. If they fall into the snare it is but natural, and much to +be lamented. + +Dr Dodd had many amiable qualities; but his reputation as a scholar, and +his notoriety as a preacher, appear to have entirely turned his head. + +He had presented to him a good living in Bedfordshire; but the income +thereof was of no avail in supplying his wants: he was vain, pompous, in +debt, a gambler. Temptation came upon him. To relieve himself he tried +by indirect means to obtain the rectory of St George's, Hanover Square, +by sending an anonymous letter to Lady Apsley, offering the sum of L3000 +if by her means he could be presented to the living; the letter was +immediately sent to the chancellor, and, after being traced to the +sender, laid before the king. His name was ordered to be struck out of +the list of chaplains; the press abounded with satire and invective; +Dodd was abused and ridiculed, and even Foote, in one of his +performances at the Haymarket, made him a subject of entertainment. +Dodd then decamped, and went to his former pupil, Lord Chesterfield, +in Switzerland, who gave him another living; but his extravagance being +undiminished, he was driven to schemes which covered him with infamy. +After the most extravagant and unseemly conduct in France, he returned +to England, and forged a bond as from his pupil, Lord Chesterfield, for +the sum of L4200, and, upon the credit of it, obtained a large sum of +money; but detection instantly following, he was committed to prison, +tried and convicted at the Old Bailey, Feb. 24, and executed at Tyburn, +June 27 (after a delay of four months), exhibiting every appearance of +penitence. The great delay between the sentence and execution was owing +to a doubt for some time respecting the admissibility of an evidence +which had been made use of to convict him. + +Lord Chesterfield has been accused of a cold and relentless disposition +in having deserted his old tutor in his extremity. But Mr Jesse says +that he heard it related by a person who lived at the period, that at a +preliminary examination of the unfortunate divine, Lord Chesterfield, on +some pretence, placed the forged document in Dodd's hands, with the kind +intention that he should take the opportunity of destroying it, but the +latter wanted either the courage or the presence of mind enough to avail +himself of the occasion. This, however, is scarcely an excuse, for, +certainly, it was not for Dr Dodd to destroy the fatal document. If Lord +Chesterfield had wished to suppress that vital evidence he could have +done so. + +Dr Johnson exerted himself to the utmost to try and save poor Dodd; but +George III. was inexorable. Respecting this benevolent attempt of the +Doctor, Chalmers writes as follows:-- + +Dr Johnson appears indeed in this instance to have been more swayed by +popular judgment than he would perhaps have been willing to allow. The +cry was--"the honour of the clergy;" but if the honour of the clergy was +tarnished, it was by Dodd's crime, and not his punishment; for his life +had been so long a disgrace to his cloth that he had deprived himself of +the sympathy which attaches to the first deviation from rectitude, and +few criminals could have had less claim to such a display of popular +feeling.' + +All applications for the Royal mercy having failed, Dr Dodd prepared +himself for death, and with a warmth of gratitude wrote to Dr Johnson as +follows:-- + + 'June 25, Midnight. + +'Accept, thou GREAT and GOOD heart, my earnest and fervent thanks and +prayers for all thy benevolent and kind efforts in my behalf.--Oh! Dr +Johnson! as I sought your knowledge at an early hour in my life, would +to Heaven I had cultivated the love and acquaintance of so excellent +a man!--I pray God most sincerely to bless you with the highest +transports--the infelt satisfaction of HUMANE and benevolent +exertions!--And admitted, as I trust I shall be, to the realms of bliss +before you, I shall hail YOUR arrival there with transport, and rejoice +to acknowledge that you were my comforter, my advocate, and my FRIEND. +God be EVER with YOU!' + +Dr Johnson's reply. + +'To the Reverend Dr Dodd. + +'Dear Sir,--That which is appointed to all men is now coming upon you. +Outward circumstances, the eyes and thoughts of men, are below the +notice of an immortal being about to stand the trial for eternity, +before the Supreme Judge of heaven and earth. Be comforted: your crime, +morally or religiously considered, has no very deep dye of turpitude. +It corrupted no man's principles. It attacked no man's life. It involved +only a temporary and reparable injury. Of this, and of all other sins, +you are earnestly to repent; and may God, who knoweth our frailty, and +desireth not our death, accept your repentance, for the sake of His Son +Jesus Christ our Lord! + +'In requital of those well-intended offices which you are pleased so +emphatically to acknowledge, let me beg that you make in your devotions +one petition for my eternal welfare. 'I am, dear Sir, + + 'Your affectionate servant, + + 'SAM. JOHNSON. + +Next day, 27th June, Dr Dodd was executed. + +CAPTAIN DAVIS. + +Captain Davis was some time in the Life Guards, and a lieutenant in the +Yeomen of the Household--a situation which placed him often about the +persons of the Royal family. He was seldom known to play for less +stakes than L50, often won or lost large sums, and was represented as +a gentleman of extensive and independent fortune, although some of +his enemies declared otherwise, and repeated anecdotes to confirm +the assertion. He was at length committed for forgeries to an immense +amount. To the fidelity of a servant he owed his escape from Giltspur +Street prison--another fatal example of the sure result of gambling. +Heir to a title--moving in the first society--having held a commission +in the most distinguished of the Royal regiments--he was reduced to +the alternative of an ignominious flight with outlawry, or risking the +forfeiture of his wretched life, to the outraged laws of his country. +When in Paris, he at one time had won L30,000, and on his way home he +dropped into another gambling house, where he lost it all but L3000. He +set out in life with L20,000 in money! + +DESPERATE CAREER OF HENRY WESTON. + +Henry Weston was nephew to the distinguished Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser. + +Having unlimited control of the large property of his employer, a Mr +Cowan, during the absence of the latter from town, he was tempted first +to gamble in the funds, wherein being unfortunate, he next went to a +gambling house in Pall Mall, and lost a very large sum; and at length, +gamed away nearly all his master's property. + +In this tremendous result--lost to all intents and purposes--he made a +supreme effort to 'patch up' the ruin he had made. He forged the name +of General Tonyn; and so dexterously, that he obtained from the Bank of +England the sum of L10,000. + +This huge robbery from Peter was not to pay Paul. Not a bit of it. It +was to try the fickle goddess of gaming once more--a Napoleonic stroke +for an Austerlitz of fortune. + +He lost this L10,000 in two nights. + +Did he despair at this hideous catastrophe? Did he tear his hair--rush +out of the room--blow his brains out or drown himself? + +Not a bit of it. He 'set his wits to work' once more. He procured a +woman to personate General Tonyn's sister--forged again--and again +obtained from the Bank of England another large supply of ready +cash--with which, however, he 'went off' this time. + +He was caught; and then only he thought of self-murder, and cut his +throat--but not effectually. He recovered, was tried at the Old Bailey, +and hanged on the 6th of July, 1796. + +No doubt the reader imagines that the man of such a career was an OLD +stager--some long-visaged, parchment-faced fellow the OTHER side of +forty at least. Well, this hero of the gaming table, Henry Weston, was +aged only TWENTY-THREE years! What terrible times those must have been +to produce such a prodigy! + +To the judge who tried him Henry Weston sent a list of a number of +PROFESSIONAL GAMBLERS, among them was a person of high rank. Weston, +at different times, lost above L46,000 at play; and at a house in Pall +Mall, where he lost a considerable part of it, three young officers also +lost no less than L35,000. + +ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD. + +It seems that the wretched traitor Arthur Thistlewood, who paid the +forfeit of his life for his crimes, had dissipated by gaming the +property he had acquired by a matrimonial connection--L12,000. An +unfortunate transaction at cards, during the Lincoln races, involved him +in difficulties, which he found it impossible to meet; and he fled +to avoid the importunities of his more fortunate associates. He was +afterwards known only as the factious demagogue and the professed +gambler! + +FOUNTLEROY, THE FORGER. + +Henry Fountleroy was a gentleman of rank, a partner in the banking +house of Marsh, Sibbold, and Co., of Berners Street. He was convicted of +having forged a deed for the transfer of L5450 long annuities, in fraud +of a certain Frances Young. Like Thurtell, Fountleroy defended himself, +and battled with the prejudicial reports circulated against him--among +the rest his addiction to gambling. 'I am accused,' he said, 'of being +an habitual gambler, an accusation which, if true, might easily account +for the diffusion of the property. I am, indeed, a member of two clubs, +the Albion and the Stratford, but never in my life did I play in either +at cards, or dice, or any game of chance; this is well known to the +gentlemen of these clubs; and my private friends, with whom I more +intimately associated, can equally assert my freedom from all habit or +disposition to play.'(21) + +(21) See the case in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi + +I close this record of crime and misery by a few narratives of a more +miscellaneous character. + +GAMBLING FOR LIFE. + +Marshal Grammont used to tell a story of three soldiers, who, having +committed offences punishable by death, it was ordered that one of them +should be hanged as an example, and the three were directed to decide +which of them should suffer by throwing dice. The first threw fourteen, +the second seventeen, and the last, taking up the dice as coolly as +though he were engaged in a trivial game, threw eighteen! Thereupon +he exclaimed, with an expression of vexation, 'Ah, now! if I had been +playing for money I should not have been so lucky!' + +This may appear 'taking it very cool;' but I think the following cases +of Englishmen' rather stronger.' + +ONE OF MANY INSTANCES. + +In the Times of February 11th, 1819, mention is made of a gang of nearly +thirty persons, male and female, and all presenting the most shocking +appearance of both want and depravity, who were brought to the +Marlborough Street Office. Among these wretched beings was a woman named +Hewitt, said to be the wife of one Captain Hewitt, a leader of the ton, +who, after ruining himself and family at the gambling table, ran away +from them, and was not since heard of. His wife being left to herself, +and having probably been tainted by his evil example, by an easy +gradation became first embarrassed, then a prostitute, then a thief, and +on the occasion above mentioned exhibited one of the most distressing +spectacles of vice and misery that could be conceived. + +TRURTELL THE MURDERER. + +This man, it is well known, was executed for the murder of Weare. + +Thurtell was evidently no common man. His spoken defence, as reported, +is one of the finest specimens of impassioned eloquence--perfectly +Demosthenic. His indignation at the reports circulated in prejudice of +his case was overwhelming. Nothing can be finer than the turn of the +following sentence:--'I have been represented by the Press--WHICH +CARRIES ITS BENEFITS OR CURSES ON RAPID WINGS from one extremity of +the kingdom to the other--as a man more depraved, more gratuitously +and habitually profligate and cruel, than has ever appeared in modern +times.' + +Touching his gambling pursuits, he said:--'I have been represented to +you as a man who was given to gambling, and the constant companion +of gamblers. To this accusation in some part my heart, with feeling +penitence, pleads guilty. I have gambled; I have been a gambler, but not +for the last three years. During that time I have not attended or betted +upon a horse-race, or a fight, or any public exhibition of that nature. +If I have erred in these things, half of the nobility of the land have +been my examples; some of the most enlightened statesmen of the country +have been my companions in them. I have, indeed, been a gambler; I have +been an unfortunate one. But whose fortune have I ruined?--whom undone? +My own family have I ruined; I have undone myself!'(22) + +(22) See the entire speech in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi. 547. + + +A MOST WONDERFUL END OF A GAMBLER. + +In the Annual Register for the year 1766 occurs the following +'circumstantial and authentic account of the memorable case of Richard +Parsons,' transmitted by the high sheriff of Gloucestershire to his +friend in London. + +On the 20th of February, 1766, Richard Parsons and three more met at a +private house in Chalfold, in order to play at cards, about six o'clock +in the evening. They played at Loo till about eleven or twelve that +night, when they changed their game for Whist. After a few deals a +dispute arose about the state of the game. Parsons asserted with oaths +that they were six, which the others denied; upon which he wished 'that +he might never enter the kingdom of heaven, and that his flesh might rot +upon his bones, if there were not six in the game.' These wishes were +several times repeated both then and afterwards. Upon this the candle +was put out by a party present, who said he was shocked with the oaths +and expressions he heard, and that he put out the candle with a design +to put an end to the game. Presently upon this they adjourned to another +house, and there began a fresh game, when Parsons and his partner had +great success. They then played at Loo again till four in the morning. +During the second playing Parsons complained to one Rolles, his partner, +of a bad pain in his leg, which from that time increased. There was an +appearance of a swelling, and afterwards the colour changing to that of +a mortified state. On the following Sunday he took advice of a surgeon, +who attended him until his death. Notwithstanding all the applications +that were made the mortification increased, and showed itself in +different parts of the body. He was visited by a clergyman, who +administered the sacrament to him, without any knowledge of what had +happened before--the man appearing to be extremely ignorant of religion, +having been accustomed to swear, to drink, to game, and to profane the +Sabbath. After receiving the sacrament he said--'Now, I must never sin +again.' He hoped God would forgive him, having been wicked not above six +years, and that whatever should happen he would not play at cards again. + +After this he was in great agony--chiefly delirious; spoke of his +companions by name, and seemed as if his imagination was engaged at +cards. He started, had distracted looks and gestures, and in a dreadful +fit of shaking and trembling died on the 4th of March, just about a +fortnight after the utterance of his terrible imprecation. + +The worthy sheriff of Gloucestershire goes on to say that the man's eyes +were open when he died, and could not be closed by the common method, +so that they remained open when he was put into the coffin. From this +circumstance arose a report that he WISHED HIS EYES MIGHT NEVER +CLOSE; 'but,' says the sheriff, 'this is a mistake; for, from the most +creditable witnesses, I am fully convinced no such wish was uttered; +and the fact is, that he did close his eyes after he was taken with the +mortification, and either dozed or slept several times. + +'When the body came to be laid out, it appeared all over discoloured +or spotted; and it might, in the most literal sense, be said, that his +flesh rotted on his bones before he died.' + +At the request of the sheriff, the surgeon (a Mr Pegler) who attended +the unfortunate man, sent in the following report:--'Sir,--You desire me +to acquaint you, in writing, with what I know relating to the melancholy +case of the late Richard Parsons; a request I readily comply with, +hoping that his sad catastrophe will serve to admonish all those who +profane the sacred name of God. + +'February 27th last I visited Richard Parsons, who, I found, had an +inflamed leg, stretching from the foot almost to the knee, tending to a +gangrene. The tenseness and redness of the skin was almost gone off, +and became of a duskish and livid colour, and felt very lax and flabby. +Symptoms being so dangerous, some incisions were made down to the quick, +some spirituous fomentations made use of, and the whole limb dressed +up with such applications as are most approved in such desperate +circumstances, joined with proper internal medicines. The next day he +seemed much the same; but on March the 1st he was worse, the incisions +discharged a sharp fetid odor (which is generally of the worst +consequence). On the next day, which was Sunday, the symptoms seemed to +be a little more favourable; but, to my great surprise, the very next +day I found his leg not only mortified up to the knee, but the same +began anew in four different parts, viz., under each eye, on the top of +his shoulder, and on one hand; and in about twelve hours after he died. +I shall not presume to say there was anything supernatural in the case; +but, however, it must be confessed, that such cases are rather uncommon +in subjects so young, and of so good a habit as he had always been +previous to his illness.' + +On one occasion Justice Maule was about to pass sentence on a prisoner, +who upon being asked to say why judgment should not be pronounced, +'wished that God might strike him dead if he was not innocent of the +crime.' After a pause, the judge said:--'As the Almighty has not thought +proper to comply with your request, the sentence of the court is,' &c. + +A SAD REMINDER. + +Every Englishman recollects the fate of that unhappy heiress, the +richest of all Europe, married to a man of rank and family, who was +plundered in the course of a few years of the whole of his wealth, in +one of those club houses, and was obliged to surrender himself to a +common prison, and ultimately fly from his country, leaving his wife +with her relations in the greatest despair and despondency.'(23) + +(23) Rouge et Noir: the Academicians of 1823. + + +GEORGE IV. There are few departments of human distinction in which Great +Britain cannot boast a 'celebrity'--genteel or ungenteel. In the matter +of gambling we have been unapproachable--not only in the 'thorough' +determination with which we have exhausted the pursuit--but in the vast, +the fabulous millions which make up the sum total that Englishmen have +'turned over' at the gaming table. + +I think that many thousands of millions would be 'within the mark' as +the contribution of England to the insatiate god of gambling. + +I have presented to the reader the record of gambling all the world +over--the gambling of savages--the gambling of the ancient Persians, +Greeks, and Romans--the gambling of the gorgeous monarchs of France +and their impassioned subjects; but I have now to introduce upon the +horrible stage a Prince Royal, who surpassed all his predecessors in +the gaming art, having right royally lost at play not much less than +a million sterling, or, as stated, L800,000--before he was twenty-one +years of age! + +If the following be facts, vouched for by a writer of authority,(24) the +results were most atrocious. + +(24) James Grant (Editor of the Morning Advertiser), Sketches in London. + + +'Every one is aware that George IV., when Prince of Wales, was, as the +common phrase is, over-head-and-ears in debt; and that it was because +he would thereby be enabled to meet the claims of his creditors, that he +consented to marry the Princess Caroline of Brunswick. But although this +is known to every one, comparatively few people are acquainted with the +circumstances under which his debts were contracted. Those debts, then, +were the result of losses at the gaming table. He was an inveterate +gambler--a habit which he most probably contracted through his intimacy +with Fox. It is a well-ascertained fact that in two short years, after +he attained his majority, he lost L800,000 at play. + +'It was with the view and in the hope that marriage would cure his +propensity for the gaming table, that his father was so anxious to see +him united to Caroline; and it was solely on account of his marriage +with that princess constituting the only condition of his debts being +paid by the country, that he agreed to lead her to the hymeneal altar. + +'The unfortunate results of this union are but too well known, not only +as regarded the parties themselves, but as regarded society generally. +To the gambling habits, then, of the Prince of Wales are to be ascribed +all the unhappiness which he entailed on the unfortunate Caroline, +and the vast amount of injury which the separation from her, and the +subsequent trial, produced on the morals of the nation generally.' + + + +CHAPTER V. ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS. + +OSTENTATIOUS GAMESTERS. + +Certain grandees and wealthy persons, more through vanity or weakness +than generosity, have sacrificed their avidity to ostentation--some +by renouncing their winnings, others by purposely losing. The greater +number of such eccentrics, however, seem to have allowed themselves to +be pillaged merely because they had not the generosity or the courage to +give away what was wanted. + +The Cardinal d'Este, playing one day with the Cardinal de Medicis, his +guest, thought that his magnificence required him to allow the latter to +win a stake of 10,000 crowns--'not wishing,' he said, 'to make him pay +his reckoning or allow him to depart unsatisfied.' Brantome calls this +'greatness;' the following is an instance of what he calls 'kindness.' + +'Guilty or innocent,' he says, 'everybody was well received at the +house of this cardinal, who kept an open table at Rome for the French +chevaliers. These gentlemen having appropriated a portion of his plate, +it was proposed to search them: 'No, no!' said the cardinal, 'they are +poor companions who have only their sword, cloak, and crucifixes; they +are brave fellows; the plate will be a great benefit to them, and the +loss of it will not make me poorer.' + +Vigneul de Marville tells us of certain extravagant abbes, named +Ruccellai and Frangipani, who carried their ostentation to such a pitch +as to set gold in dishes on their tables when entertaining their gaming +companions! Were any of these base enough to put their hands in and help +themselves? This is not stated by the historian. These two Italian abbes +were ne plus ultras in luxury and effeminacy. In the reign of Henry IV., +they laid before their guests vermilion dishes filled with gloves, fans, +coins to play with after the repast, essences and perfumes.(25) I wonder +if the delightful scent called Frangipani, vouchsafed to us by Rimmel +and Piesse and Lubin, was named after this exquisite ecclesiastic of +old? + +(25) Melanges d' Hist. et de Lit. + + +One day when Henry IV. was dining at the Duc de Sully's, the latter, as +soon as the cloth was raised, brought in cards and dice, and placed upon +the table two purses of 4000 pistoles each, one for the King, the other +to lend to the lords of his suite. Thereupon the king exclaimed:--'Great +master, come and let me embrace you, for I love you as you deserve: I +feel so comfortable here that I shall sup and stay the night.' Evidently +Sully was more a courtier than usual on this occasion--as no doubt +the whole affair was by the king's order, with which he complied +reluctantly; but he made the king play with his own money only. The Duc +de Lerme, when entertaining Monsieur the brother of Louis XIII. at his +quarters near Maestricht, had the boldness to bring in, at the end of +the repast, two bags of 1000 pistoles each, declaring that he gave them +up to the players without any condition except to return them when they +pleased.(26) + +(26) Mem. de Jeu M. le Duc d'Orleans. + + +This Duc de Lerme was at least a great lord, and the army which he +commanded may have warranted his extravagance; but what are we to think +when we find the base and mean-spirited Fouquet giving himself the +same princely airs? During certain festivities prepared for Louis XIV., +Fouquet placed in the room of every courtier of the king's suite, a +purse of gold for gambling, in case any of them should be short of +money. Well might Duclos remark that 'Nobody was shocked at this +MAGNIFICENT SCANDAL!(27) + +(27) Consideration sur les Moeeurs. + + +They tell of a certain lordly gamester who looked upon any money that +fell from his hands as lost, and would never stoop to pick it up! This +reminds us of the freedman Pallas mentioned by Tacitus, who wrote down +what he had to say to his slaves, lest he should degrade his voice to +their level--ne vocem consociaret!(28) + +(28) Ann. l. xiii + + +AN INSINUATING, ELEGANT GAMESTER. + +Osterman, Grand Chancellor of Russia, during the reign of the Empress +Anne, obtained information that the court of Versailles had formed a +scheme to send an insinuating, elegant gamester, to attack the Duke of +Biran on his weak side--a rage for play--and thereby probably gain some +political advantage over him. + +The chancellor called on the duke to make the necessary communication, +but the minister did not choose to be at home. The chancellor, then +pretending to be suffering from a severe fit of gout, wrote to his +sovereign, stating that he had important matter to reveal, but was +unable to move, and the Duke of Biran was consequently ordered to wait +on him by the empress. Osterman, affecting great pain, articulated with +apparent difficulty these words--'The French are sending a gamester!' +Thereupon the duke withdrew in a pet, and represented to the empress +that the chancellor was delirious from the gout, and had really nothing +to communicate. + +The subject had long been forgotten by the duke, when an elegant, easy, +dissipated marquis actually arrived. He had extensive credit on a house +of the English Factory, and presently insinuated himself into the good +graces of the duke, whom he soon eased of all his superfluous cash. + +The chancellor became alarmed for the consequences, and resolved to try +and play off the French for their clever finesse. He looked about for a +match for the redoubtable French gamester, and soon got information of +a party who might serve his turn. This was a midshipman at Moscow, named +Cruckoff, who, he was assured, was without an equal in the MANAGEMENT of +cards, and the knowledge of Quizze--then the fashionable court game--and +that at which the Duke of Biran had lost his money. The chancellor +immediately despatched a courier to Moscow to fetch the Russian +gamester. + +The midshipman was forthwith made an ensign of the Guards, in order to +entitle him to play at court. He set to work at once in accordance with +his instructions, but after his own plan in the execution. He began +with losing freely; and was, of course, soon noticed by the marquis, and +marked as a pigeon worth plucking. The young Russian, however, forced +him into high play, and he lost the greater part of his former gain. +The marquis got nettled, lost his self-command, and proposed a monstrous +stake, to the extent of his credit and gains, of which he thought he +might make himself sure by some master-stroke of art. Accordingly, by +means of a sleight, he managed to hold fifteen in hand, but his wily +antagonist was equal to the occasion: by the aid of some sweetmeats from +an adjoining table he SWALLOWED a card, and, being first in hand, the +chance was determined in his favour, and he ruined the marquis. + +Once more the chancellor waited on the duke, and plainly told him that +he had been anxious to guard him against the French gamester, purposely +sent to fleece him, if he had had the patience to hear him. The duke +then became outrageous, and wished to arrest the Frenchman as a cheat; +but Osterman coolly said he had punished him in kind; and, producing a +large bag, returned the duke's money, bidding him in future not to be so +impatient when information was to be communicated by gouty persons. + +The clever ensign was allowed to retain the rest of the spoil, with an +injunction, however, never to touch a card again, unless he wished to +end his days among the exiles of Siberia. + +A PENITENT SONNET. + +written by the Lord Fitz-Gerald(29) (a great gamester) a little before +his death, which was in the year 1580. + +(29) This Lord Fitzgerald was eldest son to the Earl of Kildare, and +died at the age of twenty-one. + + + 'By loss in play, men oft forget + The duty they do owe + To Him that did bestow the same, + And thousand millions moe. + + 'I loath to hear them swear and stare, + When they the Main have lost, + Forgetting all the Byes that wear + With God and Holy Ghost. + + 'By wounds and nails they think to win, + But truly 'tis not so; + For all their frets and fumes in sin + They moneyless must go. + + 'There is no wight that used it more + Than he that wrote this verse, + Who cries Peccavi now, therefore; + His oaths his heart do pierce. + + 'Therefore example take by me, + That curse the luckless time + That ever dice mine eyes did see, + Which bred in me this crime. + + 'Pardon me for that is past, + I will offend no more, + In this most vile and sinful cast, + Which I will still abhor.'(30) + +(30) Harl. Miscel. + + +LOVE AND GAMBLING. + +Horace Walpole, writing to Mann, says:--'The event that has made most +noise since my last is the extempore wedding of the youngest of the two +Gunnings, two ladies of surpassing loveliness, named respectively Mary +and Elizabeth, the daughters of John Gunning, Esq., of Castle Coote, in +Ireland, whom Mrs Montague calls "those goddesses the Gunnings." Lord +Coventry, a grave young lord, of the remains of the patriot breed, has +long dangled after the eldest, virtuously, with regard to her honour, +not very honourably with regard to his own credit. About six weeks +ago Duke Hamilton, the very reverse of the earl, hot, debauched, +extravagant, and equally damaged in his fortune and person, fell in love +with the youngest at the masquerade, and determined to marry her in +the spring. About a fortnight since, at an immense assembly at my +Lord Chesterfield's, made to show the house, which is really most +magnificent, Duke Hamilton made violent love at one end of the room, +while he was playing at Faro at the other end; that is, he saw neither +the bank nor his own cards, which were of three hundred pounds each: he +soon lost a thousand. I own I was so little a professor in love that +I thought all this parade looked ill for the poor girl; and could not +conceive, if he was so much engaged with his mistress as to disregard +such sums, why he played at all. However, two nights afterwards, being +left alone with her, while her mother and sister were at Bedford House, +he found himself so impatient that he sent for a parson. The Doctor +refused to perform the ceremony without license or ring; the duke swore +he would send for the archbishop; at last they were married with a ring +of the BED-CURTAIN, at half-an-hour after twelve at night, at May-fair +Chapel.' + +This incident occurred in 1752, and reminds us of the marriage-scene +described by Dryden in one of his tales, which was quoted by Lord +Lyndhurst on that memorable occasion when he opposed Lord Campbell's +Bill for the suppression of indecent publications, and made a speech +which was more creditable to his wit than his taste, and perfectly +horrifying to Lord Campbell, who inflicted a most damaging verbal +castigation on his very sprightly but imprudent opponent. + +'MANNERS MAKE THE MAN. + +Mr Manners, a relation of the Duke of Rutland, many years ago, lost a +considerable sum to a well-known gamester, who set up his carriage +in consequence. Being at a loss for a motto, Mr Manners suggested the +following:-- + +MANNERS MAKE(S) THE MAN. + +SHARP PRACTICE--NOT BY AN ATTORNEY. + +The commanding officer of a Militia regiment having passed an evening +with several of his officers, carried one of them, who was much +intoxicated, to town with him. How the rest of the night was passed was +not known--at least to the young man; but in the morning the colonel +slipped into his hand a memorandum of his having lost to him at play +L700--for which sum he was actually arrested ON THE PARADE the same day, +and was compelled to grant an annuity to a nominee of the colonel for +L100 per annum! + +A GAMESTER TO THE BACK-BONE. + +Archdeacon Bruges mentions a gentleman who was so thorough a gamester, +that he left in his will an injunction that his bones should be +made into dice, and his skin prepared so as to be a covering for +dice-boxes!(31) + +(31) A similar anecdote is related of a Frenchman. + + +FOOTE'S WITTICISMS. + +A blackleg, famous for 'cogging a die,' said that there had been great +sport at Newmarket. 'What!' said Foote, 'I suppose you were detected, +and kicked out of the Hazard room.' + +F--d, the Clerk of the Arraigns, brought off Lookup when indicted for +perjury. Foote, afterwards playing with him at Whist, said, 'F--d, +you can do anything, after bringing of Lookup. I don't wonder you hold +thirteen trumps in your hand. The least he could do was to teach you the +"long shuffle" for your services.' + +The Rev. Dr Dodd was a very unlucky gamester, and received a guinea +to forfeit twenty if he ever played again above a guinea. This, among +gamblers, is termed being TIED UP. When the doctor was executed for +forgery a gentleman observed to Foote--'I suppose the doctor is launched +into eternity by this time.' 'How so?' said Foote, 'he was TIED UP long +ago.' + +EFFECT OF A SEVERE LOSS AT PLAY. + +Lord C-- lost one night L33,000 to General Scott. The amiable peer, +however, benefited by the severe lesson, and resolved never again to +lose more than one hundred at a sitting! He is said to have strictly +kept his resolve. + +PADDY'S DECISION. + +Some gamblers duping a country fellow at the game called Put, in a +public-house near St Pancras, one of them appealed to an Irishman who +was looking on whether he had not THREE TREYS IN HIS HAND? 'You had all +that,' said Paddy; 'and what's more, I saw you TAKE THEM ALL out of your +pocket.' + +GAMBLING CAUSED BY GRIEF. + +The Honourable Jesse Anker, in order to dissipate the gloom occasioned +by the loss of his wife, whom he passionately loved, had recourse to +gaming, by which, at different times, he lost considerable sums, but +not so as to injure his property, which was very large, in any material +degree. The remedy did not prove effectual; he shot himself at his +lodgings at Bath. + +A GAMBLER'S EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING A SECOND IN A DUEL. + +A gentleman who had been called out, applied to a friend who had won +a large sum of money to be his second. 'My dear friend,' answered the +gamester, 'I won fifteen hundred guineas last night, and shall cut a +poor figure at fighting to-day; but if you apply to the person I won +them of, he will fight like a devil, for he has not a farthing left.' + +'MORE FORTUNATE.' + +Lord Mark Stair and Lord Stair were at play in a coffee-house, when a +stranger overlooked the game, and disturbed them with questions. +Lord Mark said--'Let us throw dice to see which of us shall pink this +impudent fellow.' Lord Stair won. The other exclaimed--'Ah! Stair, +Stair! you have been always more fortunate in life than I.' + +CAPTAIN ROCHE. + +Captain Roche, alias Tyger, alias Savage Roche, who stuck his gaming +companion's hand to the table with a fork for concealing a card under +it, happened to be at the Bedford Billiard-table, which was extremely +crowded. Roche was knocking the balls about with his cue, and Major +Williamson, another celebrity, with whom he was engaged on business, +desired him to leave off, as he hindered gentlemen from playing. +'Gentlemen?' sneeringly exclaimed Roche; 'why, major, except you and me +(and two or three more) there is not a gentleman in the room--the rest +are all blacklegs.' + +On leaving the place, the major expressed his astonishment at his +rudeness, and wondered, out of so numerous a company, it was not +resented. 'Oh, sir,' said Roche, 'there was no fear of that; there was +not a thief in the room who did not suppose himself one of "the two or +three gentlemen" I mentioned.' + +FARO AT ROUTS. + +The following advertisement appeared in the Courier newspaper in 1794:-- + +'As Faro is the most fashionable circular game in the haut ton in +exclusion of melancholy Whist, and to prevent a company being cantoned +into separate parties, a gentleman of unexceptionable character will, +on invitation, do himself the honour to attend the rout of any lady, +nobleman, or gentleman, with a Faro Bank and Fund, adequate to the style +of play, from 500 to 2000 guineas. + +'Address, G. A., by letter, to be left at Mr Harding's, Piccadilly, +nearly opposite Bond Street. + +'N.B.--This advertisement will not appear again.' + +PROSPECT OF L5200 PER ANNUM FROM A CAPITAL OF L2000. + +The following advertisement appeared in the Morning Chronicle in 1817:-- + +'Any person who can command Two Thousand Pounds in ready money, may +advance it in a speculation which will realize at least L100 per week, +and perhaps not require the advance of above one half the money. The +personal attendance of the party engaging is requisite; but there will +be no occasion for articles of partnership, or any establishment, as the +profits may be divided daily.' + +OF WHAT TRADE IS A GAMING-HOUSE KEEPER? + +At a Westminster election the keeper of a notorious gaming house in +St Ann's parish was asked, as usual, what his trade was, when, after a +little hesitation, he said, 'I am an ivory turner.' + +THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY. + +Mrs Law, executrix of George Law, late proprietor of the Smyrna Coffee +House, St James's Street, in 1807, found, among her husband's papers, +several notes and memoranda of money advanced to a Mr Nelthorpe, +which she put in suit. The latter alleged that they were for gambling +purposes, and called Mrs Law to say whether her husband did not keep a +common gambling house; and his counsel contended that it was clear the +notes were for gaming transactions, BECAUSE they were for 100 GUINEAS, +200 GUINEAS, and so on--disdaining the vulgar enumeration of pounds. +But the lord chancellor said that THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF +CHANCERY--as far as counsel was concerned--was for GUINEAS. + +THE ORIGINAL OF A RECENT PROPOSAL. + +Not long since an advertisement appeared, and was noticed by several of +the papers, purporting to enable any person to realize a large fortune +by a small advance to the advertiser. It will readily be seen that +the following is the ORIGINAL of the scheme, put forth in the Morning +Chronicle, in 1818:-- + +'Important Offer. A gentleman of respectability has discovered a method +of winning at any game of chance, fairly and honourably, to a +certainty, by a method hitherto unknown;--he will SELL THE SECRET for a +consideration, or treat with a gentleman able to join him with a capital +of L300, by which a fortune may be made; in either case he will engage +with one person only. This will be found well worth the attention of +a member of the superior clubs. **** No personal application will be +answered.' + +GAME AND GAMBLING. + +A gentleman celebrated for his quickness at repartee, when informed that +a young nobleman of his acquaintance (remarkably fond of a fashionable +game) had shot an immense number of RED partridges, and also of the +BLACK game, which abounded on his estates, replied--'I am not in the +least surprised; he was at all times, EVEN WHEN IN LONDON, devotedly +attached to the GAME OF ROUGE ET NOIR.' + +CATCHING A TARTAR. + +'My skill at billiards,' says a confessing gamester, 'gave me a +superiority over most I met with. I could also hide my skill very +dexterously, which is generally found a work of great difficulty, +and judiciously winning or losing, I contrived to make it answer my +purpose,--until one day, going to a table which I was very much in +the practice of frequenting, and where no one was then engaged, I was +invited by a stranger to play. I accepted the invitation for a small +stake, and won very easily, so much so, that on commencing a new game I +offered to give him six, to place us more on an equality. He accepted it +eagerly, but it produced him no benefit; he played so badly, and managed +both his cue and mace so awkwardly--for I made no objection to his +changing them as often as he pleased--that, playing very carelessly, I +could not avoid beating him. We continued increasing the stakes every +successive game; money seemed of no value to him; he appeared to have +plenty, and lost it with a spirit that told me I had got hold of an +excellent subject, who could pay me well for beating him. I did not +wish to win too palpably, and therefore kept increasing the advantage I +yielded him, till it amounted to sixteen. He now proposed making the bet +ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, and that I should give him eighteen. His eagerness, +as well as the manner in which he handled his tools, convinced me of his +inexperience, and I accepted the proposal;--but, to my surprise, he won +the game. He laughed so heartily at the event, and conducted himself +so extravagantly, that I felt persuaded the thing was accidental. He +proposed doubling the stakes, which I refused; yet I agreed to play him +for the same sum as before, but giving him only fourteen. By some chance +he won again; and then I declined playing any more; but he pushed me so +hard, and offered to play the even game rather than I should give over, +that I was induced to yield. He declared he did not want my money, and +wished to give me an opportunity of recovering it. It was the depth of +artifice, and I discovered it too late. He won . . . and I had no money +to pay! One of the bystanders took part with him; my case did not invite +or interest any one to stand by me. I was treated with great indignity; +and though I gave up my watch and every article of value I possessed, +yet I was not allowed to depart without very ill usage. I had +transgressed the laws of gaming, by betting after I had ceased to be +able to pay; but I had so confidently felt that I had my antagonist in +my own power, that I considered the stake as my own as soon as the bet +was made. The injuries I received were very severe, and confined me to +my bed for several days.'(32) + +(32) Confessions of a Gamester. + + +The splendid and fascinating game of Billiards seems to have been an +English invention; and it became greatly in vogue during the reign of +Louis XIV. of France, to whom it was recommended by his physicians as an +exercise after meals. + +It is said that Chamillard, who played with the king, entirely owed +his political fortune to the skill which he displayed in this game. +Billiards has not as yet been placed, like skittles and bowls, under the +interdict of the police authorities, and it is difficult to see how they +could venture upon so tremendous an experiment. The game seems to be +more in vogue than ever, and doubtless heavy sums are lost and won at +it. Billiard matches have during the last three years become quite one +of the winter exhibitions, and particularly this season have the public +shown their taste for the game. Perhaps the extraordinary performances +of some of the first-class cueists have stirred up the shades of +Kentfield's days, his homely game of cannons off list cushions and +gently-played strength strokes; or by chance those that favour Marden's +style, his losing hazards and forcing half balls, have revived once +more, and we yearn with wonder to see the great spot strokes of the +present age, when as many red hazards can be scored in one break as were +made in olden times in an evening's play. At the present time Roberts, +sen., may claim the honour in the billiard world of having brought the +spot stroke to light: he has made no less than 104 consecutive hazards +in one break, and up to the present winter that wonderful performance +stood unparalleled. Cook, however, very recently in an exhibition match +with J. Bennett, scored the spot hazard no less than 119 times, making +388 off the balls, the biggest break on record. Such feats as these, +supplemented by the but little inferior play of Roberts, jun., and +Bennett, have done more than excite surprise, and have caused old heads +carefully to look into the style of play of 1869 and to ponder thereon. +It appears that they affirm, and not without reason, that much of the +success of the spot stroke arises from the position of the spot being +further from the top cushion than formerly, and by this means not +only is the angle of the striker's ball for position made easier, by a +greater scope for screw or side, but the mouth of the pockets themselves +are easier of access; and the chance of a wobble all but avoided. +Billiard players and table makers should meet and arrange a regular +standard size for table pockets and balls, with the spots at regulated +positions. We should then be able to compare merits with greater +certainty, and such terrible scores would not trouble the markers. + +As a healthful exercise, and in its tendency to promote the physical +development of the body, the game of Billiards is unsurpassed; but it is +much to be regretted that it is generally-played in ill-ventilated and +crowded rooms, often reeking with the pestilential fumes of tobacco, and +not without the adjunct of frequent alcoholic potations. Moreover, there +can be no doubt that many modern instances of billiard sharping occur, +such as I have just quoted, in which the unwary are unscrupulously +'fleeced.' I know of several. + +'NOT KNOWING YOUR MAN.' + +A certain high military character sat down to play with a Russian +prince, who introduced loaded dice. The travelled Englishman lost every +bet; for the Russian never missed his seven or eleven, and modestly +threw only ten times. The supposed pigeon then took up the box with fair +dice; and, having learned to 'secure,'(33) called different mains at +pleasure; threw sixteen times; won all the aristocrat's money, and +wished him good night. Such is the effect of not knowing your man! + +(33) This term means making sure of what you throw. + + +A BLIND GAMESTER. + +John Metcalfe, much better known by the nickname of blind Jack of +Knaresborough, was a celebrity at Harrowgate during the first quarter +of the present century. This extraordinary man had been deprived of his +eyesight at so early a period that he retained no idea of either light +or vision; but his remaining faculties were so actively employed that +few persons in the full enjoyment of sight have surpassed him in the +execution of undertakings, which seemed particularly to require the +exercise of that faculty. He traversed the neighbourhood without a guide +or companion; surveyed tracts of country to plan and lay down roads, +where none had ever been before; contracted for the building of bridges, +and fulfilled his contracts without the assistance of another person, +either as architect or superintendent of the work; became a guide +to those who, possessing sight, could not find their way across the +neighbouring moors when covered with deep falls of snow and impenetrable +fogs; rode well, and followed the hounds with a zeal and spirit equal to +that of the most dashing horseman in the field, and, finally, played +at many games of chance, or skill, with a knowledge and ingenuity that +enabled him to come off victorious in many contests with persons eager +to try his ability or to prove their own. + +Such a man was sure to attract notice in any place or neighbourhood, +but particularly at a place of general resort. Besides, he possessed +a facetious mode of talking, and on several occasions exercised a +practical sort of wit, which was equally certain of gaining patronage. +Visitors of the highest rank treated him with kindness, and even +familiarity; and as he never forgot himself, or trespassed upon those +who thus favoured him, he continued in fashion as long as he lived, and +terminated his singular career at more than 80 years of age. + +Among his many exploits was the following. Various trials of his skill +and activity were proposed by gentlemen who offered to support their +opinions with their money. But Metcalfe had a determination of his own, +and refused taking a share in any of the ingenious proposals urged upon +him, until a country squire, the Nimrod of a neighbouring district, +submitted a plan which he expected would baffle all his manoeuvres. +He asked the blind man if he was willing to run 100 yards against his +favourite mare. The offer was immediately accepted--provided he might +CHOOSE THE GROUND, which should be an open space on the adjoining moor. +The stakes were deposited the same evening; and a fine level space being +selected, and the distance marked out with great exactness early the +following morning, the decision followed with little delay. The +party selected to ride against the blind man was much admired for +his horsemanship; and at the appointed time, every preparation being +completed, the signal was given and the race commenced. The horseman was +instantly far ahead, but before he could finish his stipulated distance +the fore feet of his hunter sank deep in a bog, from which, being unable +to extricate them, he came completely over, treating his rider with a +tremendous somerset. The loud shouts of the spectators announced to +the blind man that his expectations were realized. The turf showed no +apparent difference, and was sufficiently strong to carry a man with +safety,--perhaps it would have borne a horse going only at a moderate +pace, but at full speed his feet pierced the sod, and entangled him in +the hidden danger. Metcalfe passed his extended rival, terminated his +career, and won the race before those who had run to the prostrate +horseman could render him any assistance. Indeed, it was too late for +that purpose, he had finished his earthly course having ruptured a +vessel near the heart in his fall! + +A NOBLE LORD AND A COMMONER, IN 1823. + +A young and wealthy commoner, who seemed to vie with the pea-green in +the desperate folly of getting rid of a suddenly obtained fortune of +L130,000 in ready money, as fast as possible, and whose relish for the +society of legs, bullies, and fighting men was equally notorious, went +to the Fishmonger's Hall Club late one morning, much flushed with wine. +The well-lighted avenues directed him to the French Hazard table. There +was no play going on at the time, but at the entrance of this PIGEON, +who before had been DRAWN of a good round sum, the box and dice were +soon put in motion, and 'seven's the main, seven,' was promptly the cry. +A certain noble lord, who had been for years an experienced NURSE of the +dice, and who knew how to NICK the MAINS or THROW CRABS, as well as the +best leg in England, held the bow. The commoner commenced by backing the +noble lord IN. The noble lord threw OUT. He then backed the noble lord +OUT, and the noble lord threw in. He backed the noble lord OUT again, +who threw five to the main. The commoner betted the odds deeply at +the rate of three to two. The noble lord threw the FIVE. The commoner, +uneasy, changed about, and backed the noble lord IN for a large +stake,--the noble lord then threw OUT. The commoner now rose in a rage, +and insinuated broadly that he was cheated, robbed, and it could not be +fair play. Of course much indignation was shown by the noble lord, and +it was with difficulty that a fight was prevented; but his lordship, +nevertheless, condescended to demonstrate that he played his own money +at the time, and what he lost found its way into the bank, with which +'he was not at all connected.' This reasoning satisfied the suspicious +young commoner (poor easy man!); an apology was given; and peace was +restored. + +DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. + +A party of players were assembled to throw for a stake, which was +enormous. It was, however, agreed that the LOWEST throw should win. +The players threw until one of them turned up two aces. All but one had +thrown, and shouts of applause greeted the lucky caster, when the last +who was to throw exclaimed--'Hold! I'll try and beat that.' . . . + +Rattling the dice, he turned down the box on the table, and on lifting +it up displayed the two dice ONE UPON THE TOP OF THE OTHER, and both +aces! He was therefore declared the winner.(34) + +(34) Menageana. + + +A TENDER MOTHER. + +A French lady had an only child, a handsome young man, much addicted +to gaming. He lost at one sitting L40,000, and being destitute of other +resources, he joined a company of strolling players. They chanced +some time afterwards to pass a short time at Worcester, near which +his mother, who was considerably advanced in years, resided. The lady, +though highly displeased with her son's life, yet, hearing of his +performance, could not resist a wish to see him; and for this purpose +she went thither incog. He supported the principal character in 'The +Gamester.' + +The feelings of the mother were so excited at the passages which closely +applied to her son's conduct, that she exclaimed aloud, 'Ay, there he +is--the--the beggar--the scoundrel! Always the same--no change in him!' +The delusion so increased at the fifth act, when Beverley lifts his +hand to kill the child, that the lady in a most distressing tone cried +out--'Wretch that thou art, don't kill the child--I'll take it home with +me!' + +TWO MASTERS OF THE ART. + +A Frenchman who had become notorious for the unerring certainty with +which he won from all who ventured to play with him, at length found +himself unable to induce persons to sit down to the table with him, +there being not the slightest chance of winning against his play. After +being thus idle for some time, an Englishman, who had heard of his +triumphs, expressed his readiness to enter the lists against him. They +sat down, and played for three hours without intermission, and at the +end of that time were exactly in the same position as when they begun. +They at length paused to take some refreshment. 'Sare,' said the +Frenchman, in a sort of whisper, to a party who accompanied his +antagonist, 'your friend is a very clever man at de cards--deuced +clever, sare.' 'He is a very clever fellow,' observed the Englishman. 'I +shall try him again,' said Monsieur; and as he made the observation +he proceeded to the room in which they had been playing, and which +was fixed on as the scene of their continued contest. He had scarcely +quitted the place when the other made his appearance, and observed that +the Frenchman was the most skilful player he had ever met with. The +parties again met, and the cards were again produced. The game was +renewed at eleven o'clock, and continued without intermission till +six o'clock on the following morning, at which time they found, to the +surprise of each other, that they were still as they began. 'Sare,' +said the Frenchman, 'you are the best player I ever met with.' 'And you, +Monsieur,' returned the other, 'are the only gentleman I ever played +with, from whom I could win nothing.' 'Indeed, sare!' said Monsieur, +hesitatingly. 'It is a fact, I assure you.' 'Sare, I am quite astonished +at your skill.' 'And I'm not less so at yours, Monsieur.' 'You're de +most skilfullest man at de cards in England.' 'Not while you are in it, +Monsieur,' replied the Englishman, with a smile. 'Sare, I CHEATED, and +yet could not win from you!' remarked the Frenchman, hurriedly and with +much emphasis, feeling it impossible any longer to conceal his surprise +at the circumstance of being unable to play a winning game with the +Englishman. 'And, Monsieur, I did the same thing with you, and yet you +are no loser!' remarked the other, with corresponding energy of tone. + +The problem was thus solved: both had been cheating during the whole +night, and were exactly equal in dexterity, both being unconscious of +the dishonest practices of each other; and the result was that each got +up from the table with the same amount of money as he had when he sat +down. The cheats cordially shook hands, apparently much gratified that +they had at length ascertained how it had happened that neither could +pluck the other. + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE GAMING CLUBS. + +On the subject of Clubs Mr Cunningham in his 'Clubs of London,' and Mr +Timbs in his 'Club Life in London,' have said pretty well everything +that we want to know, and by their help, and that of other writers, I +shall endeavour to give an account of the gambling carried on in such +places. + +1. ALMACK'S. + +'The gaming at Almack's,' writes Walpole to Horace Mann, 'which has +taken the pas of White's, is worthy of the decline of our empire, or +commonwealth, which you please. The young men of the age lose ten, +fifteen, twenty thousand pounds in an evening there. Lord Stavordale, +not one-and-twenty, lost L11,000 there last Tuesday, but recovered it +by one great hand at Hazard. He swore a great oath--"Now, if I had been +playing DEEP I might have won millions!" His cousin, Charles Fox, shines +equally here and in the House of Commons.' + +Among the rules of the establishment, it was ordered 'that every person +playing at the twenty-guinea table do not keep less than twenty guineas +before him,' and 'that every person playing at the new guinea table do +keep fifty guineas before him.' That the play ran high may be inferred +from a note against the name of Mr Thynne, in the Club-books:--'Mr +Thynne having won ONLY 12,000 guineas during the last two months, +retired in disgust, March 21st, 1772.' Indeed, the play was unusually +high--for rouleaus of L50 each, and generally there was L10,000 +in specie on the table. The gamesters began by pulling off their +embroidered clothes, and putting on frieze great coats, or turned their +coats inside out for luck! They put on pieces of leather (such as are +worn by footmen when they clean knives) to save their laced ruffles; +and to guard their eyes from the light, and to keep their hair in order, +wore high-crowned straw hats with broad brims adorned with flowers and +ribbons; they also wore masks to conceal their emotions when they played +at quinz.(35) Each gamester had a small neat stand by him, to hold his +tea, or a wooden bowl with an edge of ormolu, to hold the rouleaus of +guineas. + +(35) Quinze, the French for fifteen. This is a game at cards, in which +the winner is he who counts fifteen, or nearest to that number, in all +the points of his hand. Three, five, or six might play at it. Two entire +packs of cards are used, so disposed that the spades and clubs are on +one side, and the hearts and diamonds on the other. The entire art of +the game consists in making fifteen; below that number the party loses. + +2. THE COCOA-TREE CLUB. + +This club was remarkable for high if not for foul play. Walpole, writing +to Horace Mann in 1780, says:--'Within this week there has been a cast +at Hazard at the Cocoa-tree (in St James's Street) the difference of +which amounted to one hundred and fourscore thousand pounds! Mr O'Birne, +an Irish gamester, had won one hundred thousand pounds of a young Mr +Harvey of Chigwell, just started into an estate by his elder brother's +death. O'Birne said,--"You can never pay me." "I can," said the youth, +"my estate will sell for the debt." "No," said O'Birne, "I will win ten +thousand,--you shall throw for the odd ninety." They did, and Harvey +won!' + +3. GRAHAM'S CLUB. + +This gaming club is remarkable for a scandal which made some noise at +the time of its occurrence, and one version of which a writer in the +Times has been at some pains to rectify. In Mr Duncombe's 'Life' of his +father occurs the following account of this curious transaction. + +'In Graham's Club there was also a good deal of play, and large sums +were lost and won among the noblemen and gentlemen who were its members. +An unpleasant rumour circulated in town in the winter of 1836, to the +effect that a noble lord had been detected in cheating by means of +marked cards. The presumed offender was well known in society as a +skilful card-player, but by those who had been most intimate with him +was considered incapable of any unfair practice. He was abroad when the +scandal was set afloat, but returned to England directly he heard of it, +and having traced the accusation to its source, defied his traducers. +Thus challenged, they had no alternative but to support their +allegation, and it took this shape:--They accused Henry William Lord de +Ros of marking the edges of the court cards with his thumb-nail, as well +as of performing a certain trick by which he unfairly secured an ace as +the turn-up card. His accusers were ---- ----, who had formerly kept +a gaming table; Mr ---- ----, also a professional gambler; Lord Henry +Bentinck, and Mr F. Cumming. Lord Henry appears to have taken no very +active part in the proceedings; the other three had lost money in play +with Lord de Ros, and, as unsuccessful gamblers have done before and +since, considered that they had lost it unfairly. + +'Lord de Ros, instead of prosecuting the four for a libel, brought an +action only against Cumming, which permitted the others to come forward +as witnesses against him. The cause came on in the Court of King's Bench +before Lord Denman. The plaintiff's witnesses were Lord Wharncliffe, +Lord Robert Grosvenor, the Earl of Clare, and Sir Charles Dalbiac, who +had known and played with him from between 20 to 30 years, as a very +skilful but honourable Whist player. The evidence of Mr Lawrence, the +eminent surgeon, proved that Lord de Ros had long suffered under a +stiffness of the joints of the fingers that made holding a pack of +cards difficult, and the performance of the imputed trick of legerdemain +impossible. For the defence appeared the keeper of the house and +his son; two or three gamblers who had lived by their winnings; one +acknowledged to have won L35,000 in 15 years. Mr Baring Wall, one of the +witnesses, swore that he had never witnessed anything improper in the +play of Lord de Ros, though he had played with and against him many +years; another witness, the Hon. Colonel Anson, had observed nothing +suspicious; but the testimony of others went to prove that the aces and +kings had been marked inside their edges; and one averred that he had +seen Lord de Ros perform sauter la coupe a hundred times. The whole case +wore much the look of a combination among a little coterie who lived +by gambling to drive from the field a player whose skill had diminished +their income; nevertheless, the incidents sworn to by some of them wore +a suspicious significance, and a verdict was given against Lord de Ros, +which he only survived a short time.' + +On this statement the Times' reviewer comments as follows:-- + +'If many old scandals may be revived with impunity, there are some that +cannot. Mr Duncombe the younger has hit on one which affects several +gentlemen still living, and his injurious version of it cannot be +neutralized or atoned for by an apology to one. We call attention to it +in the hope that any more serious notice will be rendered needless by +the simple exposure of its inaccuracies. + +'It is difficult to conceive a more inexcusable misstatement, for the +case was fully reported,(36) and the public judgment perfectly coincided +with the verdict. Lord de Ros was not abroad when the scandal was set +afloat. He went abroad after the scene at Graham's had set all London +talking, and he returned in consequence of a peremptory call from his +friends. He was most reluctantly induced to take the required steps for +the vindication of his character; and it is preposterous to suppose that +any little coterie would have dreamt of accusing a man of his rank and +position with the view of driving a skilful player from the field. His +accusers were not challenged. Neither were they volunteers. They became +his accusers, because they formed the Whist party at which he was first +openly denounced. They signed a paper particularizing their charge, and +offered to refer the question to a tribunal of gentlemen, with the Duke +of Wellington or Lord Wharncliffe to preside. Would a little coterie, +who lived by gambling, have made this offer? Or would Lord de Ros have +refused it if he had been the intended victim of a conspiracy? Lord +Henry Bentinck signed the paper, appeared as a witness, and took quite +as active a part in the proceedings as any of the four, except Mr +Cumming, who undertook the sole legal liability by admitting the +publication of the paper. + +(36) The Times of February 11 and 13, 1837. + + +'The evidence was overwhelming. Suspicions had long been rife; and on no +less than ten or twelve occasions the marked packs had been examined in +the presence of unimpeachable witnesses, and sealed up. These packs +were produced at the trial. Several witnesses swore to the trick called +sauter la coupe. It was the late Sir William Ingilby who swore that he +had seen Lord de Ros perform it from 50 to 100 times; and when asked +why he did not at once denounce him, he replied that if he had done +so before his Lordship began to get blown upon, he should have had no +alternative between the window and the door. Of course, every one who +had been in the habit of playing with Lord de Ros prior to the exposure +would have said the same as Sir Charles Dalbiac and Mr Baring Wall. +With regard to the gentlemen whose names we have omitted we take it +for granted that the author is not aware of the position they held, and +continue to hold, or he would hardly have ventured to describe them so +offensively. He has apologized to one, and he had better apologize to +the other without delay. + +'The case was complete without the evidence of either of the original +accusers, and the few friends of Lord de Ros who tried to bear him up +against the resulting obloquy were obliged to go with the stream. When +Lord Alvanley was asked whether he meant to leave his card, he replied, +"No, he will stick it in his chimney-piece and count it among his +honours.'" + +Having read through the long case as reported in the Times, I must +declare that I do not find that the evidence against Lord de Ros was, +after all, so 'overwhelming' as the reviewer declares; indeed, the +'leader' in the Times on the trial emphatically raises a doubt on the +subject. Among other passages in it there is the following:-- + +'In the process of the trial it appeared that the most material part of +the evidence against Lord de Ros, that called sauter la coupe,--which, +for the sake of our English readers we shall translate into CHANGING THE +TURN-UP CARD,--the times and places at which it was said to have been +done could not be specified. Some of the witnesses had seen the trick +done 50 or 100 times by Lord de Ros, but could neither say on what day, +in what week, month, or even year, they had so seen it done. People +were excessively struck at this deviation from the extreme punctuality +required in criminal cases by the British courts of law.' + +'The disclosures,' says Mr Grant,(27) 'which took place in the Court of +Queen's Bench, on the occasion of the trial of Lord de Ros, for cheating +at cards, furnished the strongest demonstration that he was not the only +person who was in the habit of cheating in certain clubs; while there +were others who, if they could not be charged with direct cheating, +or cheating in their own persons, did cheat indirectly, and by proxy, +inasmuch as they, by their own admission, were, on frequent occasions, +partners with Lord de Ros, long after they knew that he habitually or +systematically cheated. The noble lord, by the confession of the titled +parties to whom I allude, thus cheated for himself and them at the same +time.' + +(37) Sketches in London. + + +Lord de Ros was at the head of the barons of England. He was the son of +Lord Henry Fitzgerald, and Lady de Ros, who inherited in her own right +that ancient title, which dates from the reign of Henry III. He had +studied at Eton and Oxford, and afterwards on the Continent, and +there was not a more accomplished man in Europe. He possessed an ample +fortune, was a member of several of the clubs--White's, Boodle's, +Brookes', and Graham's, and one of the best Whist players in England. + +It appears that at Graham's Club, at the commencement of the season, +and before Lord de Ros came to town, whispers were circulated of unfair +play, and various persons were supposed guilty. A determination was +therefore formed that the club should be dissolved and reconstructed, +leaving out the names of certain persons to whom suspicion attached. The +main object of the master of the club, and of some of those who attended +it for the purpose of professional gain, was that its character should +be cleared. Not long after Lord de Ros came to town he received an +anonymous letter, cautioning him against continuing to play at Graham's, +and intimating to him, if he did so, that measures would be taken which +he would have reason to regret. Of course his Lordship disregarded the +threat; he attended the club for several days more assiduously than +before, and continued to play until the end of the season, in the +beginning of July. In September the Satirist newspaper published a +distinct charge of unfair play against Lord de Ros, whilst the latter +was at Baden, and he returned to England and commenced an action for +libel against the newspaper. + +He was charged with being in the habit of marking the cards, the effect +being to create a very slight and almost imperceptible indentation, and +to make a ridge or wave on the back, so that a practised eye would be +able, on looking at the right place, knowing where to expect a mark, +to discern whether the ace was there or not. He was also charged with +cheating by reversing the cut--that is, when the cards had come to him, +after having been cut by his adversary, instead of putting the bottom +card at the top, keeping the bottom card at the bottom, by some +shuffling contrivance when he dealt. Another witness said:-- + +'When he took up the two parcels of cards, after the operation of +cutting the pack by his right-hand adversary, he was always attacked +with a hacking cough, or what I may properly denominate, especially from +the result it produced, a 'king cough,' because a king or an ace was +invariably its effect. The cough always came on at the most convenient +moment to distract the attention of the other players, and was evidently +indulged in for the purpose of abstracting their attention from the +table and from the manoeuvre he was about to perform. However, I never +saw him "slip the card," and I never had cognizance of its execution, +but certain it was that the ace or the king, which was at the bottom of +the pack prior to the cut, invariably found its way to the same position +after the cut, and hence was the turn-up card. With regard to the +operation of dealing, his Lordship delivered the cards particularly +slow, examining every card minutely towards its corners, as if looking +for some mark.' + +Many curious facts came out during the trial. + +It was Mr Brooke Greville who admitted that he was a considerable winner +at play--having 'no hesitation in saying that he had won L35,000 in the +course of 15 years,' chiefly at Whist; that he had followed play as an +occupation, at Graham's Club. He lost, however, L14,000 at Brighton in +1828, a considerable portion of it to Lord de Ros; but this loss he +made up in three or four years (that is, won L14,000 in that time), and, +excepting that reverse, he was generally fortunate at play.' + +A Captain J. Alexander, half-pay R. N., declared that he had won as much +as L700 at a time, having, however, to pay half to another partner; his +winnings might be L1600 a-year. 'I began to play,' he said, 'about 25 or +28 years ago, and, expecting that I should be asked the question, I have +looked into my accounts, and find that I am about L10,000 better than +as though I had not played. That is a yearly average of L500.' He had, +however, lost about L1000 during the previous year. + +This Captain Alexander was asked how many hours he played before dinner, +and he answered--'From three to five hours'--adding, however, that 'he +HAD played ALL NIGHT.' Then the counsel said, 'I suppose you take but a +slight dinner?' He replied:-- + +'Why, I generally make as good a dinner as I can get.' The learned +counsel continued:-- + +'A small boiled chicken and a glass of lemonade, perhaps?' This seemed +an offensive question, and the captain said,-- + +'I believe never, and (with increased earnestness of manner) mind, I +DENY THE LEMONADE ALTOGETHER; I never take lemonade. (Laughter, in which +the noble lords on the bench joined involuntarily.) + +Sir W. Ingilby entered into a description and practical illustration of +the trick of sauter la coupe with a pack of cards, and it is said that +the performance of the honourable baronet elicited demonstrations of +laughter, which the judge suppressed, and even REPROBATED. Altogether, +it must have been a most interesting and exciting trial. + +As before stated, Lord Denman was the presiding judge; there was a +special jury; the attorney-general, Sir W. Follet, and Mr Wightman +appeared for the noble plaintiff; and the keen-witted and exquisitely +polished Mr Thesiger (now Lord Cholmondeley), Mr Alexander, and Mr W. +H. Watson for the defendant. A great many of the nobility were present, +together with several foreigners of distinction. + +4. BROOKES' CLUB, IN ST JAMES'S STREET. + +This was a house notorious for very high gaming, and was frequented +by the most desperate of gamblers, among the rest Fox, Brummell, and +Alderman Combe. According to Captain Gronow:-- + +At Brookes's, for nearly half a century, the play was of a more gambling +character than at White's. . . . On one occasion Lord Robert Spencer +contrived to lose the last shilling of his considerable fortune given +him by his brother, the Duke of Marlborough. General Fitzpatrick being +much in the same condition, they agreed to raise a sum of money, in +order that they might keep a Faro bank. The members of the club made no +objection, and ere long they carried out their design. As is generally +the case, the bank was a winner, and Lord Robert bagged, as his share +of the proceeds, L100,000. He retired, strange to say, from the fetid +atmosphere of play, with the money in his pocket, and never again +gambled. The lowest stake at Brookes' was L50; and it was a common event +for a gentleman to lose or win L10,000 in an evening. Sometimes a whole +fortune was lost at a single sitting.(38) + +(38) Walpole, passim. + + +5. WHITE'S CLUB. + +White's Club seems to have won the darkest reputation for gambling. +Lord Lyttleton, writing to Dr Doddridge, in 1750, says:--'The Dryads +of Hogley are at present pretty secure, but I tremble to think that the +rattling of a dice-box at White's may one day or other (if my son should +be a member of that noble academy) shake down all our fine oaks. It is +dreadful to see, not only there, but almost in every house in the town, +what devastations are made by that destructive fury, the spirit of +play.' A fact stated by Walpole to Horace Mann shows the character of +the company at this establishment:--'There is a man about town, Sir +William Burdett, a man of very good family, but most infamous character. +In short, to give you his character at once--there is a wager in the +bet-book at White's (a MS. of which I may one day or other give you an +account), that the first baronet that will be hanged is this Sir William +Burdett.' Swift says:--'I have heard that the late Earl of Oxford, in +the time of his ministry, never passed by White's chocolate-house +(the common rendezvous of infamous sharpers and noble cullies) without +bestowing a curse upon that famous academy as the bane of half the +English nobility.' + +It was from the beginning a gaming club, 'pure and simple.' The play was +mostly at Hazard and Faro. No member was to hold a Faro bank. Whist was +comparatively harmless. Professional gamblers, who lived by dice and +cards, provided they were free from the imputation of cheating, procured +admission to White's. It was a great supper-house, and there was play +before and after supper, carried on to a late hour and to heavy amounts. + +At White's they betted on every possible thing, as shown by the +betting-book of the establishment--on births, deaths, and marriages; the +length of a life; the duration of a ministry; a placeman's prospect of a +coronet; the last scandal at Ranelagh or Madame Cornely's; or the shock +of an earthquake! 'A man dropped down at the door of White's; he was +carried into the house. Was he dead or not? The odds were immediately +given and taken for and against. It was proposed to bleed him. Those +who had taken the odds that the man was dead protested that the use of a +lancet would affect the fairness of the bet.' I have met with a similar +anecdote elsewhere. A waiter in a tavern in Westminster, being engaged +in attendance on some young men of distinction, suddenly fell down in a +fit. Bets were immediately proposed by some of the most thoughtless +on his recovery, and accepted by others. The more humane part of the +company were for sending immediately for medical assistance, but this +was overruled; since, by the tenor of the bets, he was to be 'left to +himself,' and he died accordingly! + +According to Walpole--'A person coming into the club on the morning of +the earthquake, in 1750, and hearing bets laid whether the shock was +caused by an earthquake or the blowing up of powder-mills, went away in +horror, protesting they were such an impious set that he believed if the +last trump were to sound they would bet puppet-show against Judgment.' + +And again: 'One of the youths at White's, in 1744, has committed a +murder, and intends to repeat it. He betted L1500 that a man could live +twelve hours under water; hired a desperate fellow, sunk him in a ship, +by way of experiment, and both ship and man have not appeared since. +Another man and ship are to be tried for their lives instead of Mr +Blake, the assassin.' + +He also tells us of a very curious entry in the betting-book. Lord +Mountford bets Sir John Bland twenty guineas that Nash outlives Cibber.' +'How odd,' says Walpole, 'that these two old creatures, selected for +their antiquities, should live to see both their wagerers put an end +to their own lives! Cibber is within a few days of eighty-four, still +hearty, and clear, and well. I told him I was glad to see him look +so well. "Faith," said he, "it is very well that I look at all." Lord +Mountford would have been the winner: Cibber died in 1757, Nash in +1761.' + +Hogarth's scene at the gambling house is taken at White's. 'We see the +highwayman, with his pistols peeping out of his pocket, waiting by +the fireside till the heaviest winner takes his departure, in order to +"recoup" himself for his losings; and in the Beaux' Stratagem, Aimwell +asks of Gibbet--"Ha'n't I seen your face at White's?" "Ay, and at Will's +too," is the highwayman's answer.' + +According to Captain Gronow, George Harley Drummond, of the famous +banking-house, Charing Cross, only played once in his whole life at +White's Club, at Whist, on which occasion he lost L20,000 to Brummell. +This even caused him to retire from the banking-house, of which he was a +partner. + +'Walpole and a party of friends (Dick Edgecumbe, George Selwyn, and +Williams), in 1756, composed a piece of heraldic satire--a coat of arms +for the two gaming clubs at White's--which was "actually engraven from a +very pretty painting of Edgecumbe, whom Mr Chute, as Strawberry King at +Arms," appointed their chief herald-painter. The blazon is vert (for +a card-table); three parolis proper on a chevron sable (for a Hazard +table); two rouleaux in saltire between two dice proper, on a canton +sable; a white ball (for election) argent. The supporters are an old and +young knave of clubs; the crest, an arm out of an earl's coronet +shaking a dice-box; and the motto, Cogit amor nummi--"The love of money +compels." Round the arms is a claret-bottle ticket by way of order.' + +6. WATTIER'S CLUB. + +This great Macao gaming house was of short duration. Mr Raikes says of +it:--'The club did not endure for twelve years altogether; the pace was +too quick to last; it died a natural death in 1819, from the paralyzed +state of its members. The house was then taken by a set of blacklegs, +who instituted a common bank of gambling. To form an idea of the ruin +produced by this short-lived establishment among men whom I have so +intimately known, a cursory glance to the past suggests the following +melancholy list, which only forms a part of its deplorable results: none +of the dead reached the average age of man.' Among the members were Beau +Brummell and the madman Bligh. + +7. CROCKFORD'S CLUB. + +This once celebrated gaming house is now 'The Wellington,' where the +rattle of knives and forks has succeeded that of dice. It was erected in +1827, and at its opening it was described as 'the new Pandemonium--the +drawing-rooms, or real hell, consisting of four chambers: the first an +ante-room, opening to a saloon embellished to a degree which baffles +description; thence to a small curiously-formed cabinet or boudoir, +which opens to the supper-room. All these rooms are panelled in the most +gorgeous manner; spaces are left to be filled up with mirrors and silk, +or gold enrichments; while the ceilings are as superb as the walls. +A billiard-room on the upper floor completes the number of apartments +professedly dedicated to the use of the members. Whenever any secret +manoeuvre is to be carried on, there are smaller and more retired +places, both under this roof and the next, whose walls will tell no +tales.' + +'It rose,' says a writer in the Edinburgh Review, 'like a creation of +Aladdin's lamp; and the genii themselves could hardly have surpassed +the beauty of the internal decorations, or furnished a more accomplished +maitre d'hotel than Ude. To make the company as select as possible, +the estabishment was regularly organized as a club, and the election of +members vested in a committee. "Crockford's" became the rage, and the +votaries of fashion, whether they like play or not, hastened to enroll +themselves. The Duke of Wellington was an original member, though +(unlike Blucher, who repeatedly lost everything he had at play) the +great captain was never known to play deep at any game but war or +politics. Card-tables were regularly placed, and Whist was played +occasionally; but the aim, end, and final cause of the whole was the +Hazard bank, at which the proprietor took his nightly stand, prepared +for all comers. Le Wellington des Joueurs lost L23,000 at a sitting, +beginning at twelve at night, and ending at seven the following evening. +He and three other noblemen could not have lost less, sooner or +later, than L100,000 a piece.(39) Others lost in proportion (or out of +proportion) to their means; but we leave it to less occupied moralists +and better calculators to say how many ruined families went to make Mr +Crockford a MILLIONNAIRE--for a millionnaire he was in the English sense +of the term, after making the largest possible allowance for bad debts. +A vast sum, perhaps half a million, was sometimes due to him; but as he +won, all his debtors were able to raise, and easy credit was the most +fatal of his lures. He retired in 1840, much as an Indian chief retires +from a hunting country when there is not game enough left for his tribe, +and the club tottered to its fall.' + +(39) 'Le Wellington des Joueurs was the name given to Lord Rivers in +Paris. The other three, we believe, were Lord Sefton, Lord Chesterfield, +and Lord Granville or Lord Talbot.' Times, 7 Jan. 1868. + + +Crockford was originally a FISHMONGER, keeping a shop near Temple Bar. +By embarking in this speculation he laid the foundation of the most +colossal fortune that was ever made by play. + +It was said there were persons of rank and station, who had never paid +their debts to Crockford, up to 1844, and that some of his creditors +compounded with him for their gambling debts. His proprietorship had +lasted 15 or 16 years. + +Crockford himself was examined by the committee of the House of Commons +on the Gaming Houses; but in spite of his assurance by the members that +were indemnified witnesses in respect of pending actions, he resolutely +declined to 'tell the secrets of his prison-house.' When asked whether a +good deal of play was carried on at his club, he said:--'There may have +been so; but I do not feel myself at liberty to answer that question--to +DIVULGE THE PURSUITS OF PRIVATE GENTLEMEN. Situated as I was, I do not +feel myself at liberty to do so. I do not feel myself at liberty to +answer that question.' + +When asked to whom he had given up the house, he fenced in like +manner, saying that he had given it up to a 'committee' of about 200 +gentlemen,--concerning which committee he professed to 'know absolutely +nothing'--he could not even say to whom he had given up the house--he +gave it up to the gentlemen of the club four years before--he could not +even say (upon his word) whether he signed any paper in giving it up--he +believed he did not--adding--'I said I grew too old, and I could not +continue in the club any longer, and I wished to give up the club to the +gentlemen, who made their own arrangement.' + +Being asked, 'Do you think that a person is just as honourably bound to +pay a debt which he loses upon a game of Hazard, as he would be to pay +a bet which he loses on a horse-race?' Crockford replied--'I think most +certainly he would honourably be bound to pay it.'--'Do you think that +if the loser of a bet on a game at Hazard had no charge to make of any +kind of unfairness, and he were to commence an action to recover that +money back again, he would lay himself open to a charge in the world of +having acted dishonourably?' The old gambler's reply was most emphatic, +overwhelming, indignant--'I should take all the pains I could to avoid +such a man.' + +If this evidence was not satisfactory, it was, at any rate, very +characteristic. + +A few interesting facts came out before the parliamentary committee on +Gaming, in 1844, respecting Crockford's. + +It was said that Crockford gave up the business in 1840, because there +were no more very high players visiting his house. + +'A number of persons,' according to the admission of the Honourable +Frederick Byng, 'who were born to very large properties, were very +nearly ruined at Crockford's.' + +The sums won on the turf were certainly larger than those won by players +at Crockford's; a man might lose L20,000 in one or more bets, to one or +more persons; but against this he might have won an equivalent amount in +small sums from 200 or more persons.(40) + +(40) This is not very clearly put, but the meaning is that much more +money was lost at Crockford's than on the turf. + + +Some years previously to Crockford's retirement, it is said that he +found the debts so bad that he was obliged to leave off his custom of +paying cheques; and said he would cancel all previous debts, but that in +future gentlemen would have to pay with money. + +He made them play for money instead of with counters, in consequence of +the large sums that were owing to him upon those counters. + +8. THE TRAVELLERS' CLUB, + +next the Athenaeum in Pall Mall, originated soon after the peace +of 1814, in a suggestion of the late Lord Londonderry, then Lord +Castlereagh, for the resort of gentlemen who had resided or travelled +abroad, as well as with a view to the accommodation of foreigners, who, +when properly recommended, receive an invitation for the period of their +stay.(41) Here Prince Talleyrand was fond of a game at Whist. With all +the advantage of his great imperturbability of face, he is said to have +been an indifferent player. + +(41) Quarterly Review, No. cx. p. 481. + + +Rule 10 of the club directs, 'that no dice and no game of hazard be +allowed in the rooms of the club, nor any higher stake than guinea +points, and that no cards be introduced before dinner.' + +CHAPTER VII. DOINGS IN GAMING HOUSES. + +Besides the aristocratic establishments just described, there were +numerous houses or places of resort for gambling, genteel and ungenteel. +In vain did the officers of the law seem to exert their utmost +vigilance; if they drove the serpent out of one hole it soon glided +into another; never was the proverb--'Where there's a will there's a +way'--more strikingly fulfilled. + +COFFEE-HOUSE SHARPERS. + +Sir John Fielding thus describes the men in the year 1776. 'The +deceivers of this denomination are generally descended from families +of some repute, have had the groundwork of a genteel education, and are +capable of making a tolerable appearance. Having been equally profuse +of their own substance and character, and learnt, by having been undone, +the ways of undoing, they lie in wait for those who have more wealth +and less knowledge of the town. By joining you in discourse, by admiring +what you say, by an officiousness to wait upon you, and to assist you +in anything you want to have or know, they insinuate themselves into the +company and acquaintance of strangers, whom they watch every opportunity +of fleecing. And if one finds in you the least inclination to cards, +dice, the billiard table, bowling-green, or any other sort of Gaming, +you are morally sure of being taken in. + +For this set of gentry are adepts in all the arts of knavery and +tricking. If, therefore, you should observe a person, without any +previous acquaintance, paying you extraordinary marks of civility; if +he puts in for a share of your conversation with a pretended air of +deference; if he tenders his assistance, courts your acquaintance, and +would be suddenly thought your friend, avoid him as a pest; for these +are the usual baits by which the unwary are caught.'(42) + +(42) The Magistrate: Description of London and Westminster. + + +In 1792, Mr Br--gh--n, the son of a baronet, one day at a billiard-table +in St James's Street, won L7000 from a Mr B--, but the latter, at the +close of the day, recovered the loss, and won L15,000 more. Payment +was thus arranged--L5000 on the death of the father of the former, and +L10,000 secured by a reversionary annuity, to commence on the father's +decease, on the life of the Duc de Pienne, between whom and B-- a +previous gaming account existed. + +In 1794, Mr ---- was a billiard player of the first class, ranking with +Brenton, Phillips, Orrel, and Captain Wallis, who were the leaders of +the day in this noble game of skill, tact, and discretion.(43) Having +accidentally sported his abilities with two other players, he was marked +as a 'pigeon' whom every preparation was made for 'plucking.' Captain +Cates, of Covent Garden celebrity, was pitted against him at the +coffee-room billiard-table, during Epsom races, to play 21 games, for +two guineas each game, and five guineas the odds. Mr ---- won 13 games +to eight from his veteran opponent, who was invariably backed by +the leading sportingmen of the day, whilst the company at large were +casually the adherents of Mr ----. + +(43) The game of Chess may be played in application of the principles of +Strategy; the game of Billiards in application of Tactics; indeed, all +man's favourite diversions and pastimes most significantly relate to +war--which has been called his natural state--exemplifying always either +the brute-force that crushes, the skill that foils, the stratagem that +surprises, or the ruse that deceives; and such is war to all intents and +purposes. The philosophic diversions of science also come in and lend +their aid in the game of war--the pastime of heroes and the necessary +defence of nations. + +The match was renewed at the ensuing Ascot meeting, at the rooms of the +celebrated Simson, so much frequented by the Etonians--where Mr ---- +again obtained the victory, by 36 games to 17. Immense sums were sported +on these occasions. + +Mr ---- resided at Windsor, and was surprised by a message on the Sunday +evening preceding the Winchester races, purporting that a gentleman +wished to see him on very particular business. It proved to be a request +to play a match at Billiards during the races at Winchester, for which +the parties offered 10 guineas for the journey. But it was explained +to him that the match was of a particular kind, and must be played in a +PARTICULAR way--either to WIN or LOSE--so that those concerned might be +sure of winning upon the whole, let the match terminate how it would! . +. . . + +This villainous proposal being made without the presence of a third +person, Mr ---- indignantly rejected it, instantly left the room, and +communicated the facts for the protection of the unwary against a set of +desperate sharpers. + +MILLER'S GAMING HOUSE. + +In 1796, one Thomas Miller was indicted for keeping a gaming house; and +wished to have the matter settled summarily by admitting conviction; +but Lord Kenyon, the presiding judge, chose to have evidence brought +forward. John Shepherd, an attorney of the King's Bench, who had himself +been plundered, stated that he was at the defendant's, Leicester Street, +on a certain night, and saw Hazard played. Sometimes L20 or L30 depended +on a throw. One morning between three and four o'clock, a gentleman +came in much intoxicated. He had a great deal of money about him. Miller +said--'I did not mean to play; but now I'll set to with this fellow.' +Miller scraped a little wax with his finger off one of the candles, and +put the dice together, so that they came seven every way. Seven was the +main, and he could not throw anything but seven. A dispute arose, and +the persons at the table gave it in Miller's favour. The young man said +he had lost about L70. Miller observed--'We have cleaned him.' If the +attorney had remarked on this at the time, they would have broken his +head, or thrown him out of the window. + +He had often seen men pawn their watches and rings to Miller, and once +a man actually pawned his coat, and went away without it! When articles +were offered to be pawned, Liston, who was a partner in the concern, +said--'I don't understand the value of these things well,' and he would +then call Miller.(44) + +(44) Even at the present day it is said that other 'articles' +besides 'valuables' are 'left' with the marker at billiards 'for a +consideration.' A fine umbrella, very little used, was lately shown to +me as having been sold for five shillings, by a marker; it probably cost +twenty-five. + + +Miller said there was no disgrace in standing in the pillory for gaming. +He could spare L500 out of his coffers without missing it. His gaming +table was once broken up by a warrant from Bow Street, when he said it +was too good a thing to relinquish, and he set up another, one large +enough for 20 or 30 persons to sit at. They played at it all night, and +on one or two occasions all the next day too, so that Miller said to +witness on his return in the evening--'Some of the people are still here +who came last night. They stick to it rarely.' Sunday was the grand day. +He had seen more than 40 persons at a time there, and they frequently +offered half-a-crown for a seat. Wine and suppers were furnished gratis. +Some looked over the backs of others and betted. A Mr Smith, the very +man who had pawned his coat, confirmed the above evidence. Miller +was convicted, and the judge, Lord Kenyon, made the following solemn +observations before passing sentence:-- + +'Gaming is a crime of greater enormity, and of more destructive +consequences to society, than many which the laws of the country have +made capital. What is the crime of stealing a sheep, or picking a pocket +of a handkerchief, when placed in comparison with this crime, traced +through all its consequences? + +'With regard to those in the higher walks of life, experience tells us +it often leads to self-murder and duelling, about gambling debts, which +terminate in the total ruin of families once opulent, and reduce to +beggary their innocent and helpless children; and as for those in a +lower sphere of life, when they have lost their money, they often betake +themselves to housebreaking and the highway, in order to replenish their +coffers, and at last end their lives by the hand of justice.' + +With many other most excellent observations on the tendency of this +selfish and avaricious vice, he concluded by sentencing Miller to a fine +of L500, one year's imprisonment, and security for his good behaviour +for seven years, himself in L500 and two others in L250 each, +adding:--'It appeared that you played with loaded dice. The Court has +not taken that into consideration, because it was not charged in the +indictment.' + +ATTACKS ON GAMING HOUSES. + +In 1797 the Bedford Arms, Covent Garden, kept by one John Twycross, was +attacked, under warrant. The gaming-room stood an hour's siege, for +the doors were so plated with iron that the repeated blows of a +sledge-hammer made no impression on them. The officers at length entered +the back through the window. They found fifteen persons at table, but +not actually playing, so no conviction could take place. + +In the same year a party of Bow Street officers searched a gaming +house at 19, Great Suffolk Street. They were an hour in effecting their +entrance. Two very stout doors, strongly bolted and barred, obstructed +them. All the gamesters but one escaped by a subterraneous passage, +through a long range of cellars, terminating at a house in Whitcomb +Street, whence their leader, having the keys of every door, conducted +them safely into the open air. + +In the previous year a party, mostly French emigrants, were taken at a +house in Oxendon Street, with the table, cards, &c. A city magistrate +and a city officer had a dispute at cards, and a knock-down game ensued. + +In 1799 the Marlborough Street officers apprehended at the gaming house, +No. 3, Leicester Square, thirteen out of twenty persons, from the first +floor, playing at Rouge et Noir. One of the gamblers, when they first +entered, threw up the sash, and, stepping from the leads, fell into the +area, and died in being conveyed to the hospital. + +In the same year, two notorious gaming houses, Nos. 1 and 3, King's +Place, were attacked, by authority of a search warrant. All the +paraphernalia of the profession, as tables, dice, counters, &c., were +seized; but the inmates effected their escape over the roofs of the +adjoining houses. The proprietor of No. 3 was smoked in a chimney, and +three French emigrants intercepted in their retreat. On one of them was +found a gold watch, which appeared, by the robbery-book, to have +been stolen about five years previously. The banks had been conveyed +away,--at least, they were not among the captures. + +'SOMETHING HONOURABLE TO THE BRITISH FLAG.' + +It is stated as highly honourable to the British flag that, among the +gamesters of the first quarter of the present century, no Admirals +were seen at the INFERIOR tables. Their proper pride kept them from +a familiar association with pursers, clerks, grocers, horse-dealers, +linen-drapers, silk-mercers, masons, builders, timber-merchants, +booksellers, &c., &c., and men of the very lowest walks of life. + +COARSE LANGUAGE OF GAMESTERS. + +'I heard those who, in another place, even in the most polished courts, +would take a high rank for good breeding and gentlemanly education, at +these tables make use of language which, I hope, Billingsgate itself +would turn from with disgust. It cannot be repeated; neither would it +be believed, unless by such as, like myself, have had "confirmation +strong," too strong to be rejected, if I did not, at the same time, +reject the evidence of my senses.'(45) + +(45) Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + + +BOASTED PROTECTION OF GREAT NAMES TO GAMING HOUSES. + +'On one occasion I was at the Pigeon Hole, in St James's Square (since +removed to King Street), when the apprehensions which the rapid sale of +The Greeks (a work exposing the system) excited among the players were +warmly debated. To my great astonishment, a person who I supposed was +a proprietor, boasted the impenetrability of HIS house, and on what +ground, think you? Why, on that of it having the countenance of the +Lord Chief Justice of England! True or false, it seemed to revive the +flagging spirits of its visitors. They knew better. Not even the warm +feelings of a father would turn the scale of justice in the even hand of +Lord Ellenborough.' + +It must not, however, be taken for granted, merely because these fellows +assert it, that the sons of the late Chief Justice really frequented +that den of iniquity. It is part of the system of these houses to delude +the ignorant, by pretending that this or the other person uses their +tables. I had an instance of that myself at ----, in Pall Mall. Asking +who that gentleman was, pointing to the party, I was answered--'That +is Mr Hay, private secretary to Lord Melville, the First Lord of the +Admiralty.' Now, I believe I may safely say, and from my own knowledge, +too, that Mr Hay, whose character and conduct is deservedly held in the +highest estimation, NEVER was at that or any such house; yet his name +was constantly quoted, and particularly to young officers of the navy +and marines, to whom his acquaintance held out hopes of future advantage +in their profession!(46) + +(46) Id. ibid. + + +FORTUNATE RISE OF A CLUB-HOUSE WAITER. + +'A waitership at a club sometimes led to fortune. Thomas Rumbold, +originally a waiter at White's gaming club, got an appointment in India, +and suddenly rose to be Sir Thomas, and Governor of Madras! On his +return, with immense wealth, a bill of pains and penalties was brought +into the House by Dundas, with the view of stripping Sir Thomas of +his ill-gotten gains. This bill was briskly pushed through the earlier +stages; suddenly the proceedings were arrested by adjournment, and the +measure fell to the ground. The rumour of the day attributed Rumbold's +escape to the corrupt assistance of Rigby; who, in 1782, found himself, +by Lord North's retirement, deprived of his place in the Pay Office, and +called upon to refund a large amount of public moneys unaccounted for. +In this strait, Rigby was believed to have had recourse to Rumbold. +Their acquaintance had commenced in earlier days, when Rigby was one +of the boldest "punters" at White's, and Rumbold bowed to him for +half-crowns as waiter. Rumbold is said to have given Rigby a large sum +of money, on condition of the former being released from the impending +pains and penalties. The truth of the report has been vehemently denied; +but the circumstances are suspicious. The bill was dropped; Dundas, its +introducer, was Rigby's intimate associate. Rigby's nephew and heir +soon after married Rumbold's daughter. Sir Thomas himself had married +a daughter of Dr Law, Bishop of Carlisle. The worthy bishop stood +godfather to one of Rumbold's children; the other godfather was the +Nabob of Arcot, and the child was christened "Mahomet." So, at least, +Walpole informs Mann.'(47) + +(47) Timbs, Club Life in London. + + +PLAY IN 1820. + +According to the Morning Post of May 15, 1820, at one of the gaming +houses at the West End, in one night, property to the amount of L50,000 +is said to have changed hands. + +ACCOUNT OF A GAME AT HAZARD. + +The following account of a game at Hazard was given by a young man, who, +in the year 1820, was decoyed into one of the gambling houses in the +city, kept by one John Morley, who was convicted by the Lord Mayor, in +the penalty of L200, 'for keeping Hazard;' but who, it is stated, left +this country for Ireland the moment proceedings were instituted. + +'The house in question was to all appearance devoted to the game of +billiards, and most of those who frequented it engaged merely in that +game. Through the agency of professed gamesters, who shared in the +profits of the concern, those who appeared to be proper objects of +plunder were soon introduced to the Hazard table, which was kept in a +retired and private part of the house. + +'The evidence of the young man was to the following effect:--He had been +in Morley's house; the game of Hazard was played in the front room on +the second floor; a door led into it from the landing-place, and another +from the public billiard-room, which was the back room on the same +floor; both these doors were during the time of play kept barred and +locked, and never opened except to the voice of some person known to +the master of the house. During the play the door was seldom or never +opened, but before the play commenced there was an understanding given +that proceedings were about to begin. + +'In the centre of the room was a large circular table, over which a +lamp was suspended, and round the table the players sat, in number, +generally, from six to ten. + +'The play commenced by one of the players taking the dice-box with +two dice in it; two other dice were covered on the table, and might be +substituted for those in the box, upon application to Morley, who acted +as "groom porter." The person who held the box was called the caster, +and he called a main, that is, he mentioned aloud any number on the +dice from five to nine; and throwing the dice on the table, counted the +number on the two dice as his chance, the number which he called being +the chance of his setter. Before the main is called, the caster throws +down his stake, which any person present has the option of covering, or, +as it is called, "setting," by placing a similar sum on the table. For +instance, if the caster, after being "set," call five the main, and +throws immediately four and one, or three and two, he "nicks" it, that +is, wins his money at once. If he throws six and one, five and two, or +four and three, each of which two numbers makes seven, he bets the ODDS, +which are three to two in his favour--inasmuch as there are three ways +of throwing seven, and only two of throwing five; and he continues +throwing until either five or seven come off. By the former he loses, by +the latter he wins. + +'If he calls seven the main, and throws three and one, or six and four, +the odds are two to one against him--inasmuch as there are only three +ways each of throwing, the four and the ten and six wins, throwing the +seven, that is, three on each die.(48) If the caster wishes, he calls +a main, and continues to do so till he loses, which, in the technical +phraseology, is "throwing out." He then passes the bow to the person +next on the left hand, who, in like manner, passes it to his neighbour. +Morley is remunerated for his table very handsomely. When the caster +throws in three mains successively, he pays to Morley what is called a +box (one of the pieces of the house with which the game is played). The +prices are eighteen-pence each, and he gives them in exchange for notes, +and retakes them. The caster pays nothing unless he wins. The players +generally leave off play at eleven or twelve o'clock. On Saturday +there is most play, as Morley on that day always gives a dinner at four +o'clock, immediately after which the play commences. On other days tea +and coffee are given.' + +(48) I confess I do not understand the above passage. + + +A number of young men, most of whom were clerks, were called to confirm +the evidence as to the system, but none of them appeared. + +In a letter published in the Times of July 22, 1824, we read as +follows:-- + +'The action against the keepers of a certain notorious "hell," which was +noticed in the different journals as "coming on," is withdrawn, or, more +properly speaking, is "compromised." Thus it will always be; and the +different hells still flourish with impunity, to the enrichment of a +few knaves, and the ruin of many thousands, till more effectual laws are +framed to meet the evil. As they net thousands a night, a few hundreds +or even thousands can be well spared to smother a few actions and +prosecutions, which are very rarely instituted against them, and never +but by ruined men, who are easily quieted by a small consideration, +which, from recent judgments, will not be withheld; therefore we shall +see recorded but very few convictions if any at all. At the head of +these infamous establishments is one yclept "Fishmollgers' Hall,"(49) +which sacks more plunder than all the others put together, though they +consist of about a dozen. This place has been fitted up at an expense of +L40,000, and is the most splendid house, interiorly and exteriorly, in +all the neighbourhood. It is established as a bait for the fortunes of +the great, many of whom have already been severe sufferers. Invitations +to dinner are sent to noblemen and gentlemen, at which they are treated +with every delicacy, and the most intoxicating wines. + +(49) Otherwise called Crock-odile Hall. + + +'After such "liberal" entertainment, a visit to the French Hazard table, +in the adjoining room, is a matter of course, when the consequences are +easily divined. A man thus allured to the den may determine not to lose +more than the few pounds he has about him; but in the intoxication +of the moment, and the delirium of play, it frequently happens that, +notwithstanding the best resolves, he borrows money on his cheques, +which are known to be good, and are readily cashed to very considerable +amounts. In this manner L10,000, L20,000, L30,000, or more, have been +often swept away! + +They left King Street about three years ago, when, in conjunction with +T ---- (a man who a few years ago took the benefit of the act, and +subsequently took one or two "hells" in Pall Mall, but has amassed full +L150,000 of plunder) and A ----, who has L70,000 of plunder, they opened +a club-house in Piccadilly, with a French Hazard bank of L10,000, when +in a short time they divided between the four--after all their heavy +expenses were covered--upwards of L200,000. In proportion to the extent +of the bank and the stakes, so do they collect the plunder.' + +PROGRESS IN THE GAMING TRADE. + +In the minor gaming houses the players assembled in parties of from 40 +to 50 persons, who probably brought on an average, each night, from one +to twenty shillings to play with. As the money was lost, the losers fell +off, if they could not borrow or beg more; and this went on sometimes in +the winter season for 14 to 16 hours in succession; so that from 100 to +150 persons might be calculated to visit one gaming table in the course +of a night; and it not unfrequently happened that ultimately all the +money brought to the table got into the hands of one or two of the +most fortunate adventurers, save that which was paid to the table for +'box-hands'--that is, when a player won three times in succession. At +these establishments the price of a box varied from one shilling to +half-a-crown. Every man thus engaged was destined to become either a +more finished and mischievous gambler, or to appear at the bar of the +Old Bailey. The successful players by degrees improved their external +appearance, and obtained admittance into houses of higher play, where +two shillings and sixpence or three shillings and fourpence was +demanded for the box-hand. If success attended them in the first step of +advancement, they next got initiated into better houses, and associated +with gamblers of a higher grade. + +PLAY IN 1838. + +About the year 1838 the gaming houses were kept open all day, the dice +were scarcely ever idle, day or night. From Sunday to Sunday, all the +year round, persons were to be found in these places, losing their +money, and wasting away their very bodies by the consuming anxiety +consequent on their position at the Hazard or Roulette table. + +STATISTICS OF GAMBLING IN 1844. + +The following facts came out in evidence before the committee of the +House of Commons, in 1844. + +Down to that year there were no less than 12 gaming houses in St James's +and St George's. The play was higher in old times, but not so GENERAL. + +'The increase of gambling houses was entirely the offspring of +Crockford's.' Such was the opinion of the Honourable Frederick Byng, +before the committee, who added, 'that the facility to everybody to +gamble at Crockford's led to the establishment of other gambling houses +fitted up in a superior style, and attractive to gentlemen who never +would have thought of going into them formerly.' + +Previously, in the clubs, the gambling was confined to a very high rate +and to a very few people. The above-named witness said he 'could have +named all the gamblers in his early days at the clubs. No person coming +into a room where Hazard was carried on would have been permitted to +play for a SMALL SUM, and therefore he left it.' + +The same gentleman remembered the time when gambling tables were kept in +private houses. + +'It is a fact that most of those who played very high were pretty well +cleaned out.' + +'Crockford increased gambling everywhere.' 'Persons of the middling +classes, butchers, and gentleman's servants went to the low gambling +houses.' + +These places held out inducements to robbery. 'If a servant or shopman +could scrape together L200 or L300, he had, by the agency of the keepers +of these houses, the opportunity of lending out his money to the losers +at 60 per cent.' + +DESPERATION AT GAMING HOUSES. + +The most particular inspection was made of the player's person by the +gaming house keeper's spies, and even his dress was strictly observed. +He was obliged, before entering the saloon, to deposit his great coat +and cane, which might perchance afford the introduction of some WEAPON; +and the elegance of the covering did not save him from the humiliation +of having it taken from him at the door. The attempts which +were sometimes made on the lives of the bankers led to these +precautions--like the indignities which are practised only in prisons +for the security of the unhappy inmates. It is certain that gamesters, +reduced to desperation, and on the eve of committing suicide, have +conveyed into these places infernal machines with an intention of +destroying at once their cruel plunderers and themselves. + +'DEVILISH DOINGS IN A "HELL." ' + +In 'Doings in London,' a work published as lately as the year 1850, we +find under this startling title a strange story. + +'A scandalous scene of violence, which often happens at these places, +but seldom becomes publicly known, on account of the disgrace attending +exposures, occurred lately at a low "hell" in King Street, St James's. +A gentleman who had lost considerable sums of money at various times, +announced his full determination never to come to a place of the sort +again with money. His visits, therefore, were no longer wanted, and +so orders were given to the porters not to admit him again. About two +o'clock on a subsequent night, which happened to be Saturday, he sought +admittance, and was refused. A warm altercation ensued in the passage +between him and the porters, which brought down some of the proprietors. +One of them--a powerful man--a bankrupt butcher--struck him a tremendous +blow, which broke the bridge of his nose, covered his face with blood, +and knocked him down. On getting up he was knocked down again. He arose +once more, and instantly received another blow, which would have laid +him upon his back, but one of the porters by this time had got behind +him, and as he was falling struck him at the back of his head, which +sent him upon his face. The watch had now arrived, into whose hands the +keeper of the "hell" and the porter were given. At the watch-house they +were ordered to find bail. The gentleman was then about quitting, when +he was suddenly called back. A certain little lawyer, who alternately +prosecutes and defends keepers of gaming houses, was sent for. He +whispered to the ex-butcher to charge the gentleman with stealing +his handkerchief and hat, which, it was alleged, had been lost in the +affray. Though nothing was found upon the gentleman, who desired to be +searched, this preposterous and groundless charge was taken, and the +hellites admitted to bail; but the gentleman who had been so cruelly +beaten, being charged with a felony on purpose to cause his detention, +and the power held by magistrates to take bail in doubtful cases not +extending to night-constables, he was locked up below with two wretches +who had stolen lead, and five disorderlies--his face a mass of blood +and bruises--and there detained till Monday morning, in a most pitiable +condition. The magistrate before whom the party appeared on that day, +understanding that the affair took place at a gaming house, dismissed +both complaints, leaving the parties to their remedy at the sessions.' + +GAFFING. + +Gaffing is or was one of the ten thousand modes of swindling practised +in London. Formerly it was a game in very great vogue among the macers, +who congregated nightly at the 'flash houses.' One of these is described +as follows:--This gaffer laughed a great deal and whistled Moore's +melodies, and extracted music from a deal table with his elbow and +wrist. When he hid a half-penny, and a flat cried 'head' for L10, a +'tail' was sure to turn up. One of his modes of commanding the turn-up +was this: he had a half-penny with two heads, and a half-penny with two +tails. + +When he gaffed, he contrived to have both half-pence under his hand, and +long practice enabled him to catch up in the wrinkles or muscles of +it the half-penny which it was his interest to conceal. If 'tail' was +called a 'head' appeared, and the 'tail' half-penny ran down his wrist +with astonishing fidelity. This ingenious fellow often won 200 or 300 +sovereigns a night by gaffing; but the landlord and other men, who were +privy to the robbery, and 'pitched the baby card' (that is, encouraged +the loser by sham betting), always came in for the 'regulars,' that is, +their share of the plunder. + +This gaffer contrived to 'bilk' all the turnpikes in the kingdom. + +In going to a fight or to a race-course, when he reached a turnpike he +held a shilling between his fingers, and said to the gatekeeper--'Here, +catch,' and made a movement of the hand towards the man, who endeavoured +to catch what he saw. The shilling, however, by a backward jerk, +ran down the sleeve of the coat, as if it had life in it, and the +gate-keeper turned round to look in the dust, when the tall gaffer drove +on, saying--'Keep the change.' + +A young fellow, who previously was a marker at a billiard-table, and +who had the appearance of a soft, inexperienced country-lad, was another +great hand at gaffing. There was a strong adhesive power in his hand, +and such exquisite sensibility about it, that he could ascertain by +dropping his palm, even upon a worn-out half-penny or shilling, what +side was turned up. Indeed, so perfect a master was he of the science +that Breslaw could never have done more upon cards than he could do with +a pair of 'grays' (gaffing-coins). + +A well-known macer, who was celebrated for slipping an 'old gentleman' +(a long card) into the pack, and was the inheritor by birth of all the +propensities of this description, although the inheritance was equally +divided between his brother and himself, got hold of a young fellow who +had L170 in his pocket, and introduced him to one of the 'cock-and-hen' +houses near Drury Lane Theatre, well-primed with wine. Gaffing began, +and the billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the +stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost, as well +as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the landlord, who +was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was over, the +billiard-marker refused to make any division of the spoil, or even to +return the L10 which had been lost to him in 'bearing up' the cull. The +landlord pressed his demand upon the macer, who, in fact, was privately +reimbursed by the marker; but he was coolly told that he ought not to +allow such improper practices in his house, and that the sum was not +recoverable, the transaction being illegal. + +How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am assured +that they are still in use and often made to do service at public-houses +and other places. + +TOMMY DODD. + +This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present time. It is +often played at public-houses among parties to decide who is to pay the +reckoning. Each party turns down a half-penny, and, on uncovering it, +the matter is decided as in 'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious +method is also used in gambling for money. Not long ago a retired +tradesman, happening to be in a public-house, where such things were +connived at, allowed himself to be induced to play at Tommy Dodd with +two low sharpers. They soon eased him of all the cash he had about him. +A bright idea, however, occurred to him. 'Stop a bit,' he said, 'I must +have my revenge. Just wait till I go home for more money.' The sharpers +were rejoiced at the idea, and rubbed their hands with delight, whilst +the tradesman went, as they felt sure, only to bring more money into +their 'till.' The man made all haste, for he was determined to have his +revenge, and soon returned with a large bag of money, which he clinked +on the table. + +He first pulled out some coppers, telling them to choose from the lot +the coins they would play with. They assented, although they did not +seem 'much to like it.' 'And now,' said the tradesman, 'let's set to +business.' + +The game proceeded with alternate success on both sides; but the +tradesman went on DOUBLING THE STAKES EVERY TIME, WHETHER HE LOST OR +WON, and, of course, at length completely broke their bank, and went off +with their money. + +GAMBLING AT THE WINE AND OYSTER ROOMS, OR 'SALOONS.' + +The gambling which was carried on in the private rooms of the wine and +oyster houses, about thirty years ago, and perhaps later, was just such +as that which had so long flourished in the low vicinity of St James's. +Indeed, the constant frequenters of the former had attained the most +profound knowledge of the art of robbing at the West End gaming houses. +The blacklegs visited the saloons every night, in order to pick up +new acquaintances among the young and inexperienced. They were polite, +well-dressed, gentlemanlike persons; and if they could trace anything +'soft' in the countenance of a new visitor, their wits went to work at +once to establish an acquaintance with him. Wine was set a-going, and +cards were proposed. The master of the concern soon provided a room, and +play advanced, accompanied by the certainty of loss to the unfortunate +stranger. But if the invitation to play was rejected, they made another +plant upon him. The ruffians attacked him through a passion of a +different kind. They gave the word to one of their female 'pals,' who +threw herself in his way, and prevailed upon him to accompany her to HER +establishment. In the morning the 'gentleman,' who in vain had solicited +him to play at the saloon the night before, would call--just to pay 'a +friendly visit.' Cards were again spoken of, and again proposed, with +the additional recommendation of the 'lady,' who offered to be the +partner of her friend in the game. The consequence was inevitable. Many +young noblemen and gentlemen were plundered by this scheme, of hundreds, +nay, of thousands of pounds. To escape without loss was impossible. They +packed and distributed the cards with such amazing dexterity, that they +could give a man, as it were, whatever cards they pleased. + +CARDS THAT WOULD BEAT THE D--L HIMSELF! + +A number of sharpers were detected in a trick by which they had won +enormous sums. An Ecarte party, consisting of a nobleman, a captain in +the army, an Armenian gentleman, and an Irish gentleman, sat down in one +of the private chambers attached to one of the large wine and shell-fish +rooms. The Armenian and the Irishman were partners, and were wonderfully +successful; indeed, so extraordinary was their luck in turning up cards, +that the captain, who had been in the town for some time, suspected the +integrity of his competitors, and, accordingly, handled the cards very +minutely. He soon discovered that there was an 'old gentleman' (a +card somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of the pack, and in +considerable use among the LEGS) in the midst of them. The captain and +his partner exclaimed that they were robbed, and the cards were sealed +up, and referred to a card-maker for his opinion. + +'The old saying,' said the referee, 'that THE CARDS WOULD BEAT THE +CARD-MAKER, was never more true than it is in this instance, for this +pack would beat not only me, but the very d--l himself; there is not +only an OLD GENTLEMAN, but an OLD LADY (a card broader than the rest) +amongst them.' + +The two 'gentlemen' were immediately accused of the imposition, but +they feigned ignorance of the fraud, refused to return a farthing of the +'swag,' and, in their turn, charged the losers with having got up the +story in order to recover what they had fairly lost. + +GENEROSITY (?) OF A GAMING HOUSE KEEPER. + +A young West Indian chanced one night to enter one of the gaming houses +in London, and began trying his chance at Roulette. Fortune favoured him +at first, and he won about a hundred pounds. + +Instead of leaving off he only became the more excited by his success, +when his luck began to change, and he lost and lost until he staked +the last coin he had in his pocket. He then pawned to the master of the +table successively every ring and trinket he had, for money to continue +the stakes. All in vain. His luck never returned; and he made his way +down-stairs in a mood which may well be imagined. But what was +his surprise when the master of the table came running after him, +saying--'Sir, these things may be valuable to you--do me the favour +to take them with you. Next time I hope you will be more lucky,' and +returned all his rings and trinkets. + +The moon was shining brightly at the time, and the young man swore by +it, that he would never again enter a gaming house, and he kept his +oath. Of course the generosity was but a decoy to entice the youth to +further ruin. + +HOSPITALITY OF GAMING HOUSES, AND POPULARITY OF CITY MEN AT THEM. + +Joseph Atkinson and his wife, who for many years kept a gaming house +at No. 15 under the Piazza, Covent Garden, gave daily magnificent play +dinners,--cards of invitation for which were sent to the clerks of +merchants, bankers, and brokers in the city. Atkinson used to say that +he liked CITIZENS--whom he called FLATS--better than any one else, for +when they had DINED they played freely, and after they had lost all +their money they had credit to borrow more. When he had CLEANED THEM +OUT, when THE PIGEONS WERE COMPLETELY PLUCKED, they were sent to some +of their solvent friends. After dinner play was introduced, and, till +dinner time the nest day, different games at cards, dice, and E O were +continually going on. + +THE TRAFFIC IN HUSH MONEY. + +Theophilus Bellasis, an infamous character, was well known at Bow +Street, where he had been charged with breaking into the counting-house +of Sir James Sanderson, Bart. Bellasis was sometimes clerk and sometimes +client to John Shepherd, an attorney of Bow Street; while at other times +Shepherd was prosecutor of those who kept gaming houses, and Bellasis +attorney. Sir William Addington, the magistrate, was so well aware that +these two men commenced prosecutions solely for the purpose of HUSH +MONEY, that he refused to act. The Joseph Atkinson just mentioned at one +time gave them L100, at another L80; and in this way they had amassed an +immense sum, and undertook, for a specific amount, to defend keepers of +gaming houses against all prosecutions! + +WALKING OFF WITH A L200 BANK-NOTE. + +The runaway son of an extensive linen-draper went to a gaming house in +King Street, and pocketed a L200 bank-note from the table. He was not +kicked out, because it would not be safe for the proprietors of these +houses to run the risk of getting involved in law; but he was civilly +walked down-stairs by the master of the establishment, who forbad him +the house evermore. The dashing youth, however, put both the money and +the affront in his pocket, and was only too thankful to get away in so +good a plight. + +PERQUISITES OF GAMBLING HOUSE WAITERS. + +A waiter in one of the gambling houses in St James's Street received in +Christmas boxes above L500. A nobleman, who had in the course of a week +won L80,000, gave him L100 of his winnings. He was said to have actually +borrowed of the waiter the money which led to his extraordinary success! + +PAUL ROUBEL. + +Paul Roubel was a gaming house keeper, who seems to have been an +exception to his class, according to the following account:--'A +foreigner once applied for the situation of croupier at old Paul +Roubel's, stating as his qualification that he could cut or turn up +whatever card he pleased. The old man (for he was nearly eighty, and a +very good hearty fellow in his way) declined the offer, saying--"You +are too clever for me; my customers must have some chance!" It is true +Roubel kept a gambling house; but it is also true that few men in higher +walks of life possessed a kinder heart, or a hand which opened more +freely or more liberally to the calls of humanity! Peace be to his +manes!' + +TITLED GREEKS, OR 'DECOYS.' + +In all the gaming houses of any note there were unprincipled and +reckless persons paid by the hellites, employed in various capacities, +and for various purposes. Sometimes they played for the proprietors +against any one who chose to put down his money; at other times, when +there were no other individuals playing at all, they pretended to be +strangers themselves, and got up sham games with the proprietors, with +the view of practising a deception on any strangers who might be in the +room, and by that means inducing them to put down their money. They were +dressed in the most fashionable manner, always exhibiting a profusion of +jewellery, and living in great splendour when they have any particular +person in their eye, in the various hotels throughout town.(50) + +(50) Grant, Sketches in London. + + +In some cases, in the higher class of gaming establishments, the Greeks, +or decoys, being men of title or considerable standing in society, did +not receive a fixed salary for seducing young men of fortune, but being +in every case very needy men, they nominally borrowed, from time to +time, large sums of money from the hell-keepers. It was, however, +perfectly understood on both sides that the amount so borrowed was never +to be repaid.(51) + +(51) Grant, Ubi supra. + + +WHY CHEATS WERE CALLED GREEKS. + +M. Robert-Houdin says that this application of the term 'Greek' +originated from a certain modern Greek, named Apoulos, who in the reign +of Louis XIV. was caught cheating at court, and was condemned to 20 +years at the galleys. I think this a very improbable derivation, and +unnecessary withal. Aristotle of old, as before stated, ranked gamesters +'with thieves and plunderers, who for the sake of gain do not scruple to +despoil their best friends.' We afterwards find them bearing just as bad +a character among the Romans. Says Juvenal-- + + Graeculus esuriens in coelum jusseris, ibit. +'Bid the hungry Greek to heaven, to heaven he goes.' + +Dr Johnson translated the words, 'Bid him to h--l, to h--l he +goes'--which is wrong. A DIFFICULTY is implied, and everybody knows that +it is easier to go to the latter place than the former. It means that a +needy Greek was capable of doing anything. Lord Byron protested that he +saw no difference between Greeks and Jews--of course, meaning 'Jews' +in the offensive sense of the word. Among gamblers the term was chiefly +applied to 'decoys.' + +GAMING TABLE SLANG AND MANOEUVRES. + +Captain Sharp. A cheating bully, whose office it was to bully any +'Pigeon,' who, suspecting roguery, refused to pay what he had lost. + +St Hugh's bones. Dice. A bale of bard cinque deuces; a bale of flat +cinque deuces; a bale of flat size aces; a bale of bard cater treys; a +bale of flat cater treys; a bale of Fulhams; a bale of light graniers; +a bale of gordes, with as many highmen and lowmen for passage; a bale of +demies; a bale of long dice for even or odd; a bale of bristles; a bale +of direct contraries,--names of false dice. + +Do. To cheat. + +Done up. Ruined. + +Down-hills. False dice which run low. + +Elbow-shaker. A gamester. + +Fulhams. Loaded dice. + +Fuzz. To shuffle cards closely: to change the pack. + +Game. Bubbles, Flats, Pigeons. + +Gull Gropers. Usurers who lend money to gamesters. + +Greeks. Cheats at play. + +Hedge. To secure a bet by betting on the other side. + +High Jinks. A gambler who drinks to intoxicate his Pigeon. + +Hunting. Drawing in the unwary. + +Main. Any number on the dice from five to nine. + +Paum. To hide a card or die. + +Pigeons. Dupes of sharpers at play. + +Vincent's Law. The art of cheating at cards, by the banker, who plays +booty, Gripe, who bets, and the Vincent, who is cheated. The gain is +called termage. + +Vowel. To give an I. O. U. in payment. + +Up-hills. False dice which run high. + +SPECIMEN OF A QUASI GAMING HOUSE CIRCULAR. + +'SIR,--I hope you will join with the rest of the parishioners in +recommending what friends you can to my shops. They shall have good +candles and fair play. Sir, we are a not gang of swindlers, + + + Like other Gaming Houses, + We are men of character. + Our Party is, + Tom Carlos--alias Pistol, + Ned Mogg,--from Charing Cross, + Union Clarke, ------------ + + {The best in the world at + A Frenchman,{ + {sleight of hand. + My poor Brother, + and + Melting Billy, + Your humble Servant. + To the Church-Wardens, Overseers, and each + respectable inhabitant in the Parish.' + + A card was enclosed, as follows:-- + '**** + Gaming House Keeper, + and **** **** to + The Honourable House of Commons + No. 7 and 8 **** St, St James's.' + + +This circular was sent to Stockdale, the publisher, in 1820, who +published it with the names in asterisks suppressed. It was evidently +intended to expose some doings in high places. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING. + +A distinction must be made between games of skill and games of chance. +The former require application, attention, and a certain degree of +ability to insure success in them; while the latter are devoid of all +that is rational, and are equally within the reach of the highest and +lowest capacity. To be successful in throwing the dice is one of the +most fickle achievements of fickle fortune; and therefore the principal +game played with them is very properly and emphatically called 'Hazard.' +It requires, indeed, some exertion of the mental powers, of memory, at +least, and a turn for such diversions, to play well many games at cards. + +Nevertheless, it is often found that those who do so give no further +proofs of superior memory and judgment, whilst persons of superior +memory and judgment not unfrequently fail egregiously at the card-table. + +The gamester of skill, in games of skill, may at first sight seem to +have more advantage than the gamester of chance, in games of chance; and +while cards are played merely as an amusement, there is no doubt that a +recreation is more rational when it requires some degree of skill than +one, like dice, totally devoid of all meaning whatever. But when the +pleasure becomes a business, and a matter of mere gain, there is more +innocence, perhaps, in a perfect equality of antagonists--which games of +chance, fairly played, always secure--than where one party is likely to +be an overmatch for the other by his superior knowledge or ability. + +Nevertheless, even games of chance may be artfully managed; and the most +apparently casual throw of the dice be made subservient to the purposes +of chicanery and fraud, as will be shown in the sequel. + +In the matter of skill and chance the nature of cards is mixed,--most +games having in them both elements of interest,--since the success of +the player must depend as much on the chance of the 'deal' as on his +skill in playing the game. But even the chance of the deal is liable to +be perverted by all the tricks of shuffling and cutting--not to mention +how the honourable player may be deceived in a thousand ways by the +craft of the sharper, during the playing, of the cards themselves; +consequently professed gamblers of all denominations, whether their +games be of apparent skill or mere chance, may be confounded together +or considered in the same category, as being equally meritorious and +equally infamous. + +Under the name of the Doctrine of Chances or Probabilities, a very +learned science,--much in vogue when lotteries were prevalent,--has been +applied to gambling purposes; and in spite of the obvious abstruseness +of the science, it is not impossible to give the general reader an idea +of its processes and conclusions. + +The probability of an event is greater or less according to the number +of chances by which it may happen, compared with the whole number +of chances by which it may either happen or fail. Wherefore, if we +constitute a fraction whereof the numerator be the number of chances +whereby an event may happen, and the denominator the number of all the +chances whereby it may either happen or fail, that fraction will be a +proper designation of the probability of happening. Thus, if an event +has 3 chances to happen, and 2 to fail, then the fraction 3/5 will +fairly represent the probability of its happening, and may be taken to +be the measure of it. + +The same may be said of the probability of failing, which will likewise +be measured by a fraction whose numerator is the number of chances +whereby it may fail, and the denominator the whole number of chances +both for its happening and failing; thus the probability of the failing +of that event which has 2 chances to fail and 3 to happen will be +measured by the fraction 2/5. + +The fractions which represent the probabilities of happening and +failing, being added together, their sum will always be equal to +unity, since the sum of their numerators will be equal to their common +denominator. Now, it being a certainty that an event will either happen +or fail, it follows that certainty, which may be conceived under +the notion of an infinitely great degree of probability, is fitly +represented by unity. + +These things will be easily apprehended if it be considered that the +word probability includes a double idea; first, of the number of chances +whereby an event may happen; secondly, of the number of chances whereby +it may either happen or fail. If I say that I have three chances to +win any sum of money, it is impossible from the bare assertion to +judge whether I am likely to obtain it; but if I add that the number of +chances either to obtain it or miss it, is five in all, from this will +ensue a comparison between the chances that are for and against me, +whereby a true judgment will be formed of my probability of success; +whence it necessarily follows that it is the comparative magnitude +of the number of chances to happen, in respect of the whole number +of chances either to happen or to fail, which is the true measure of +probability. + +To find the probability of throwing an ace in two throws with a single +die. The probability of throwing an ace the first time is 1/6; whereof +1/ is the first part of the probability required. If the ace be +missed the first time, still it may be thrown on the second; but the +probability of missing it the first time is 5/6, and the probability of +throwing it the second time is 1/6; therefore the probability of missing +it the first time and throwing it the second, is 5/6 X 1/6 = 5/36 and +this is the second part of the probability required, and therefore the +probability required is in all 1/6 + 5/36 = 11/36. + +To this case is analogous a question commonly proposed about throwing +with two dice either six or seven in two throws, which will be easily +solved, provided it be known that seven has 6 chances to come up, and +six 5 chances, and that the whole number of chances in two dice is 36; +for the number of chances for throwing six or seven 11, it follows that +the probability of throwing either chance the first time is 11/36, but +if both are missed the first time, still either may be thrown the second +time; but the probability of missing both the first time is 25/36, +and the probability of throwing either of them on the second is 11/36; +therefore the probability of missing both of them the first time, and +throwing either of them the second time, is 25/36 X 11/36 = 275/1296, +and therefore the probability required is 11/36 + 275/1296 = 671/1296, +and the probability of the contrary is 625/1296. + +Among the many mistakes that are committed about chances, one of the +most common and least suspected was that which related to lotteries. +Thus, supposing a lottery wherein the proportion of the blanks to +the prizes was as five to one, it was very natural to conclude that, +therefore, five tickets were requisite for the chance of a prize; and +yet it is demonstrable that four tickets were more than sufficient +for that purpose. In like manner, supposing a lottery in which the +proportion of the blanks to the prize is as thirty-nine to one (as was +the lottery of 1710), it may be proved that in twenty-eight tickets a +prize is as likely to be taken as not, which, though it may contradict +the common notions, is nevertheless grounded upon infallible +demonstrations. + +When the Play of the Royal Oak was in use, some persons who lost +considerably by it, had their losses chiefly occasioned by an argument +of which they could not perceive the fallacy. The odds against any +particular point of the ball were one and thirty to one, which entitled +the adventurers, in case they were winners, to have thirty-two stakes +returned, including their own; instead of which, as they had but +twenty-eight, it was very plain that, on the single account of the +disadvantage of the play, they lost one-eighth part of all the money +played for. But the master of the ball maintained that they had no +reason to complain, since he would undertake that any particular point +of the ball should come up in two and twenty throws; of this he would +offer to lay a wager, and actually laid it when required. The seeming +contradiction between the odds of one and thirty to one, and twenty-two +throws for any chance to come up, so perplexed the adventurers that +they began to think the advantage was on their side, and so they went on +playing and continued to lose. + +The doctrine of chances tends to explode the long-standing superstition +that there is in play such a thing as LUCK, good or bad. If by saying +that a man has good luck, nothing more were meant than that he has been +generally a gainer at play, the expression might be allowed as very +proper in a short way of speaking; but if the word 'good luck' be +understood to signify a certain predominant quality, so inherent in a +man that he must win whenever he plays, or at least win oftener than +lose, it may be denied that there is any such thing in nature. The +asserters of luck maintain that sometimes they have been very lucky, and +at other times they have had a prodigious run of bad luck against them, +which whilst it continued obliged them to be very cautious in engaging +with the fortunate. They asked how they could lose fifteen games running +if bad luck had not prevailed strangely against them. But it is quite +certain that although the odds against losing so many times together +be very great, namely, 32,767 to 1,--yet the POSSIBILITY of it is not +destroyed by the greatness of the odds, there being ONE chance in 32,768 +that it may so happen; therefore it follows that the succession of lost +games was still possible, without the intervention of bad luck. The +accident of losing fifteen games is no more to be imputed to bad luck +than the winning, with one single ticket, the highest prize in a lottery +of 32,768 tickets is to be imputed to good luck, since the chances in +both cases are perfectly equal. But if it be said that luck has been +concerned in the latter case, the answer will be easy; for let us +suppose luck not existing, or at least let us suppose its influence to +be suspended,--yet the highest prize must fall into some hand or other, +not as luck (for, by the hypothesis, that has been laid aside), but from +the mere necessity of its falling somewhere. + +Among the many curious results of these inquiries according to the +doctrine of chances, is the prodigious advantage which the repetition +of odds will amount to. Thus, 'supposing I play with an adversary who +allows me the odds of 43 to 40, and agrees with me to play till 100 +stakes are won or lost on either side, on condition that I give him +an equivalent for the gain I am entitled to by the advantage of my +odds;--the question is, what I am to give him, supposing we play at a +guinea a stake? The answer is 99 guineas and above 18 shillings,(52) +which will seem almost incredible, considering the smallness of the +odds--43 to 40. Now let the odds be in any proportion, and let +the number of stakes played for be never so great, yet one general +conclusion will include all the possible cases, and the application of +it to numbers may be worked out in less than a minute's time.'(53) + +(52) The guinea was worth 21s. 6d. when the work quoted was written. + + +(53) De Moivre, Doctrine of Chances. + + +The possible combinations of cards in a hand as dealt out by chance are +truly wonderful. It has been established by calculation that a player +at Whist may hold above 635 thousand millions of various hands! So that, +continually varied, at 50 deals per evening, for 313 evenings, or 15,650 +hands per annum, he might be above 40 millions of years before he would +have the same hand again! + +The chance is equal, in dealing cards, that every hand will have seven +trumps in two deals, or seven trumps between two partners, and also four +court cards in every deal. It is also certain on an average of hands, +that nothing can be more superstitious and absurd than the prevailing +notions about luck or ill-luck. Four persons, constantly playing at +Whist during a long voyage, were frequently winners and losers to +a large amount, but as frequently at 'quits;' and at the end of the +voyage, after the last game, one of them was minus only one franc! + +The chance of having a particular card out of 13 is 13/52, or 1 to +4, and the chance of holding any two cards is 1/4 of 1/4 or 1/16. The +chances of a game are generally inversely as the number got by each, or +as the number to be got to complete each game. + +The chances against holding seven trumps are 160 to 1; against six, it +is 26 to 1; against five, 6 to 1; and against four nearly 2 to 1. It is +8 to 1 against holding any two particular cards. + +Similar calculations have been made respecting the probabilities with +dice. There are 36 chances upon two dice. + +It is an even chance that you throw 8. It is 35 to 1 against throwing +any particular doublets, and 6 to 1 against any doublets at all. It is +17 to 1 against throwing any two desired numbers. It is 4 to 9 against +throwing a single number with either of the dice, so as to hit a blot +and enter. Against hitting with the amount of two dice, the chances +against 7, 8, and 9 are 5 to 1; against 10 are 11 to 1; against 11 are +17 to 1; and against sixes, 35 to 1. + +The probabilities of throwing required totals with two dice, depend on +the number of ways in which the totals can be made up by the dice;--2, +3, 11, or 12 can only be made up one way each, and therefore the chance +is but 1/36;--4, 5, 9, 10 may be made up two ways, or 1/8;--6, 7, 8 +three ways, or 1/12. The chance of doublets is 1/36, the chance of +PARTICULAR doublets 1/216. + +The method was largely applied to lotteries, cock-fighting, and +horse-racing. It may be asked how it is possible to calculate the odds +in horse-racing, when perhaps the jockeys in a great measure know before +they start which is to win? + +In answer to this a question may be proposed:--Suppose I toss up a +half-penny, and you are to guess whether it will be head or tail--must +it not be allowed that you have an equal chance to win as to lose? Or, +if I hide a half-penny under a hat, and I know what it is, have you not +as good a chance to guess right, as if it were tossed up? My KNOWING IT +TO BE HEAD can be no hindrance to you, as long as you have liberty of +choosing either head or tail. In spite of this reasoning, there are +people who build so much upon their own opinion, that should their +favourite horse happen to be beaten, they will have it to be owing to +some fraud. + +The following fact is mentioned as a 'paradox.' + +It happened at Malden, in Essex, in the year 1738, that three horses +(and no more than three) started for a L10 plate, and they were all +three distanced the first heat, according to the common rules in +horse-racing, without any quibble or equivocation; and the following was +the solution:--The first horse ran on the inside of the post; the second +wanted weight; and the third fell and broke a fore-leg.(54) + +(54) Cheany's Horse-racing Book. + + +In horse-racing the expectation of an event is considered as the +present value, or worth, of whatsoever sum or thing is depending on the +happening of that event. Therefore if the expectation on an event be +divided by the value of the thing expected, on the happening of that +event, the quotient will be the probability of happening. + +Example I. Suppose two horses, A and B, to start for L50, and there are +even bets on both sides; it is evident that the present value or worth +of each of their expectations will be L25, and the probabilities 25/50 +or 1/2. For, if they had agreed to divide the prize between them, +according as the bets should be at the time of their starting, they +would each of them be entitled to L25; but if A had been thought so much +superior to B that the bets had been 3 to 2 in his favour, then the real +value of A's expectation would have been L30, and that of B's only L20, +and their several probabilities 30/50 and 20/50. + +Example II. Let us suppose three horses to start for a sweepstake, +namely, A, B, and C, and that the odds are 8 to 6 A against B, and 6 to +4 B against C--what are the odds--A against C, and the field against A? +Answer:--2 to 1 A against C, and 10 to 8, or 5 to 4 the field against A. +For + + + A's expectation is 8 + B's expectation is 6 + C's expectation is 4 + ---- + 18 + +But if the bets had been 7 to 4 A against B; and even money B against +C, then the odds would have been 8 to 7 the field against A, as shown in +the following scheme:-- + + + 7 A + 4 B + 4 C + ---- + 15 + +But as this is the basis upon which all the rest depends, another +example or two may be required to make it as plain as possible. + +Example III. Suppose the same three as before, and the common bets 7 to +4 A against B; 21 to 20 (or 'gold to silver') B against C; we must state +it thus:--7 guineas to 4 A against B; and 4 guineas to L4, B against C; +which being reduced into shillings, the scheme will stand as follows:-- + +147 A's expectation. 81 B's expectation. + 80 C's expectation.----311 + +By which it will be 164 to 147 the field against A, (something more +than 39 to 35). Now, if we compare this with the last example, we may +conclude it to be right; for if it had been 40 to 35, then it would have +been 8 to 7, exactly as in the last example. But, as some persons may +be at a loss to know why the numbers 39 and 35 are selected, it is +requisite to show the same by means of the Sliding Rule. Set 164 upon +the line A to 147 upon the slider B, and then look along till you see +two whole numbers which stand exactly one against the other (or as near +as you can come), which, in this case, you find to be 39 on A, standing +against 35 on the slider B (very nearly). But as 164/311 and 147/311 are +in the lowest terms, there are no less numbers, in the same proportion, +as 164 to 147,--39 and 35 being the nearest, but not quite exact. + +Example IV. There are four horses to start for a sweepstake, namely, +A, B, C, D, and they are supposed to be as equally matched as possible. +Now, Mr Sly has laid 10 guineas A against C, and also 10 guineas A +against D. Likewise Mr Rider has laid 10 guineas A against C, and also +10 guineas B against D. After which Mr Dice laid Mr Sly 10 guineas to +4 that he will not win both his bets. Secondly, he laid Mr Rider 10 +guineas to 4 that he will not win both his bets. + +Now, we wish to know what Mr Dice's advantage or disadvantage is, in +laying these two last-mentioned wagers. + +First, the probability of Mr Sly's winning both his bets is 1/3 of 14 +guineas; and Mr Dice's expectation is 2/3 of 14 guineas, or L9 16s., +which being deducted from his own stake (10 guineas), there remains +14s., which is his disadvantage in that bet. + +Secondly, Mr Rider's expectation of winning his two bets is 1/4, and, +therefore, Mr Dice's expectation of the 14 guineas, is 3/4, or L11 0s. +6d., from which deduct 10 guineas (his own stake), and there remains +10s. 6d., his advantage in this bet,--which being deducted from 14s. +(his disadvantage in the other), there remains 3s 6d., his disadvantage +in paying both these bets. + +These examples may suffice to show the working of the system; regular +tables exist adapted to all cases; and there can be no doubt that those +who have realized large fortunes by horse-racing managed to do so +by uniformly acting on some such principles, as well as by availing +themselves of such 'valuable information' as may be secured, before +events come off, by those who make horse-racing their business. + +The same system was applied, and with still greater precision, to +Cock-fighting, to Lotteries, Raffles, Backgammon, Cribbage, Put, All +Fours, and Whist, showing all the chances of holding any particular card +or cards. Thus, it is 2 to 1 that your partner has not one certain card; +17 to 2 that he has not two certain cards; 31 to 26 that he has not one +of them only; and 32 to 25 (or 5 to 4) that he has one or both--that is, +when two cards are in question. It is 31 to 1 that he has three certain +cards; 7 to 2 that he has not two; 7 to 6 that he has not one; 13 to +6 that he has either one or two; 5 to 2 that he has one, two, or three +cards; that is, when three cards are in question. + +With regard to the dealer and his partner, it is 57,798 to 7176 (better +than 8 to 1) that they are not four by honours; it is 32,527 to 32,448 +(or about an even bet) that they are not two by honours; it is 36,924 +to 25,350 (or 11 to 7 nearly) that the honours count; it is 42,237 to +22,737 (or 15 to 8 nearly) that the dealer is nothing by honours.(55) + +(55) Proctor, The Sportsman's Sure Guide. Lond. A.D. 1733. + + +Such is a general sketch of the large subject included under the term of +the calculation of probabilities, which comprises not only the +chances of games of hazard, insurances, lotteries, &c., but also the +determination of future events from observations made relative to events +of the same nature. This subject of inquiry dates only from the 17th +century, and occupied the minds of Pascal, Huygens, Fermot, Bernouilli, +Laplace, Fourier, Lacroix, Poisson, De Moivre; and in more modern times, +Cournot, Quetelet, and Professor De Morgan. + +In the matter of betting, or in estimating the 'odds' in betting, of +course an acquaintance with the method must be of some service, and +there can be no doubt that professional gamesters endeavoured to master +the subject. + +M. Robert-Houdin, in his amusing work, Les Tricheries des Grecs +devoilees, has propounded some gaming axioms which are at least curious +and interesting; they are presented as those of a professional gambler +and cheat. + +1. 'Every game of chance presents two kinds of chances which are very +distinct,--namely, those relating to the person interested, that is, the +player; and those inherent in the combinations of the game.' + +In the former there is what must be called, for the want of a better +name, 'good luck' or 'bad luck,' that is, some mysterious cause which at +times gives the play a 'run' of good or bad luck; in the latter there is +the entire doctrine of 'probabilities' aforesaid, which, according to +M. Houdin's gaming hero, may be completely discarded for the following +axiom:-- + +2. 'If chance can bring into the game all possible combinations, there +are, nevertheless, certain limits at which it seems to stop. Such, for +instance, as a certain number turning up ten times in succession at +Roulette. This is possible, but it has never happened.' + +Nevertheless a most remarkable fact is on record. In 1813, a Mr Ogden +betted 1000 guineas to ONE guinea, that calling seven as the main, the +caster would not throw that number ten times successively. Wonderful to +relate! the caster threw seven nine times following. Thereupon Mr Ogden +offered him 470 guineas to be off the bet--which he refused. The caster +took the box again and threw nine,--and so Mr Ogden won his guinea!(56) +In this case there seems to have been no suspicion whatever of unfair +dice being used. + +(56) Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + + +3. 'In a game of chance, the oftener the same combination has occurred +in succession, the nearer we are to the certainty that it will not recur +at the next cast or turn up. This is the most elementary of the theories +on probabilities; it is termed the MATURITY OF THE CHANCES.' + +'Hence,' according to this great authority, 'a player must come to the +table not only "in luck," but he must not risk his money excepting at +the instant prescribed by the rules of the maturity of the chances.' + +Founded on this theory we have the following precepts for gamesters:-- + +1. 'For gaming, prefer Roulette, because it presents several ways of +staking your money(57)--which permits the study of several. + +(57) 'Pair, impair, passe, manque, and the 38 numbers of the Roulette, +besides the different combinations of POSITION' and 'maturities' +together. + + +2. 'A player should approach the gaming table perfectly calm and +cool--just as a merchant or tradesman in treaty about any affair. + +If he gets into a passion, it is all over with prudence, all over with +good luck--for the demon of bad luck invariably pursues a passionate +player. + +3. 'Every man who finds a pleasure in playing runs the risk of losing. + +4. 'A prudent player, before undertaking anything, should put himself +to the test to discover if he is "in vein"--in luck. In all doubt, you +should abstain.' + +I remember a curious incident in my childhood, which seems much to +the point of this axiom. A magnificent gold watch and chain were given +towards the building of a church, and my mother took three chances, +which were at a very high figure, the watch and chain being valued at +more than L100. One of these chances was entered in my name, one in my +brother's, and the third in my mother's. I had to throw for her as well +as myself. My brother threw an insignificant figure; for myself I did +the same; but, oddly enough, I refused to throw for my mother on +finding that I had lost my chance, saying that I should wait a little +longer--rather a curious piece of prudence for a child of thirteen. The +raffle was with three dice; the majority of the chances had been thrown, +and 34 was the highest. After declining to throw I went on throwing +the dice for amusement, and was surprised to find that every throw was +better than the one I had in the raffle. I thereupon said--'Now I'll +throw for mamma.' I threw thirty-six, which won the watch! My mother had +been a large subscriber to the building of the church, and the priest +said that my winning the watch for her was quite PROVIDENTIAL. According +to M. Houdin's authority, however, it seems that I only got into +'vein'--but how I came to pause and defer throwing the last chance, has +always puzzled me respecting this incident of my childhood, which made +too great an impression ever to be effaced. + +5. 'There are persons who are constantly pursued by bad luck. To such I +say--NEVER PLAY. + +6. 'Stubborness at play is ruin. + +7. 'Remember that Fortune does not like people to be overjoyed at her +favours, and that she prepares bitter deceptions for the imprudent, who +are intoxicated by success.' + +Such are the chief axioms of a most experienced gamester, and M. Houdin +sums up the whole into the following:-- + +8. 'Before risking your money at play, you must deeply study your "vein" +and the different probabilities of the game--termed the maturity of the +chances.' + +M. Robert-Houdin got all this precious information from a gamester named +Raymond. It appears that the first meeting between him and this man +was at a subscription-ball, where the sharper managed to fleece him +and others to a considerable amount, contriving a dexterous escape when +detected. Houdin afterwards fell in with him at Spa, where he found him +in the greatest poverty, and lent him a small sum--to practise his grand +theories as just explained--but which he lost--whereupon Houdin advised +him 'to take up a less dangerous occupation.' He then appears to have +revealed to Houdin the entertaining particulars which form the bulk of +his book, so dramatically written. A year afterwards Houdin unexpectedly +fell in with him again; but this time the fellow was transformed into +what he called 'a demi-millionnaire,' having succeeded to a large +fortune by the death of his brother, who died intestate. According +to Houdin the following was the man's declaration at the auspicious +meeting:--'I have,' said Raymond, 'completely renounced gaming. I am +rich enough, and care no longer for fortune. And yet,' he added proudly, +'if I now cared for the thing, how I could BREAK those bloated banks in +their pride, and what a glorious vengeance I could take of BAD LUCK and +its inflexible agents! But my heart is too full of my happiness to allow +the smallest place for the desire of vengeance.' + +A very proper speech, unquestionably, and rendered still more edifying +by M. Houdin's assurance that Raymond, at his death three years after, +bequeathed the whole of his fortune to various charitable institutions +at Paris. + +With regard to the man's gaming theories, however, it may be just +as well to consider the fact, that very many clever people, after +contriving fine systems and schemes for ruining gaming banks, have, as +M. Houdin reminds us, only succeeded in ruining themselves and those who +conformed to their precepts. + + Et s'il est un joueur qui vive de son pain, On en voit tous les +jours mille mourir de faim. + + 'If ONE player there be that can live by his gain, There are +thousands that starve and strive ever in vain!' + + + +CHAPTER IX. THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS. + +The knights of hazard and devotees of chance, who live in and by the +rattle of the box, little know, or care, perhaps, to whom they are +indebted for the invention of their favourite cube. They will solace +themselves, no doubt, on being told that they are pursuing a diversion +of the highest antiquity, and which has been handed down through all +civilized as well as barbarous nations to our own times. + +The term 'cube,' which is the figure of a die, comes originally from the +Arabic word 'ca'b,' or 'ca'be,' whence the Greeks derived their cubos, +and cubeia, which is used to signify any solid figure perfectly square +every way--such as the geometrical cube, the die used in play, and the +temple at Mecca, which is of the same figure. The Persic name for +'die' is 'dad,' and from this word is derived the name of the thing in +Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, namely, dado. In the old French it is +det, in the plural dets; in modern French de and dez, whence our English +name 'die,' and its plural 'dies,' or 'dice.' + +Plato tells us that dice and gaming originated with a certain demon, +whom he calls Theuth, which seems very much like the original patronymic +of our Teutonic races, always famous for their gambling propensity. +The Greeks generally, however, ascribed the invention of dice to one of +their race, named Palamedes, a sort of universal genius, who hit upon +many other contrivances, among the rest, weights and measures. But this +worthy lived in the times of the Trojan war, and yet Homer makes +no mention of dice--the astragaloi named by the poet being merely +knuckle-bones. Dice, however, are mentioned by Aristophanes in his +comedies, and so it seems that the invention must be placed between the +times of the two poets, that is, about 2300 years ago. At any rate the +cube or die has been in use as an instrument of play, at least, during +that period of time. + +The great antiquity, therefore, of the die as an instrument of pastime +is unquestionable, and the general reason assigned for its invention +was the amusement and relaxation of the mind from the pressure of +difficulties, or from the fatigues and toils of protracted war. Indeed, +one conjecture is, that gaming was invented by the Lydians when +under the pressure of a great famine; to divert themselves from their +sufferings they contrived dice, balls, tables, &c. This seems, however, +rather a bad joke. + +The afflicted Job asks--'Can a man fill his belly with the east wind?' +And we can imagine that plenty of tobacco to smoke and 'chaw' would +mitigate the pangs of starvation to an army in the field, as has been +seriously suggested; but you might just as well present a soldier with +a stone instead of bread, as invite him to amuse himself with dice, or +anything else, to assuage the pangs of hunger. + +Be that as it may, time soon matured this instrument of recreation into +an engine of destruction; and the intended palliative of care and labour +has proved the fostering nurse of innumerable evils. This diminutive +cube has usurped a tyranny over mankind for more than two thousand +years, and continues at this day to rule the world with despotic +sway--levelling all distinctions of fortune in an instant by the fiat of +its single turn. + +The use of dice was probably brought into this island by the Romans, +if not before known; it became more frequent in the times of our Saxon +ancestry, and has prevailed with almost unimpaired vigour from those +days to our own. + +The Astragalos of the Greeks and Talus of the Romans were, as before +stated, nothing but the knuckle-bones of sheep and goats, numbered, and +used for gaming, being tossed up in the air and caught on the back of +the hand. Two persons played together at this game, using four +bones, which they threw up into the air or emptied out of a dice-box +(fritillus), observing the numbers of the opposite sides. The numbers +on the four sides of the four bones admitted of thirty-five different +combinations. The lowest throw of all was four aces; but the value of +the throw was not in all cases the sum of the four numbers turned up. +The highest in value was that called Venus, in which the numbers cast +up were all different; the sum of them being only fourteen. It was by +obtaining this throw, hence called basilicus, that 'the King of the +Feast' was appointed by the Romans. Certain other throws were called +by particular names, taken from the gods, heroes, kings, courtesans, +animals; altogether there were sixty-four such names. Thus, the throw +consisting of two aces and two treys, making eight, was denominated +Stesichorus. When the object was simply to throw the highest number, +the game was called pleistobolinda, a Greek word of that meaning. When a +person threw the tali, he often invoked either a god or his mistress. + +Dice were also made of ivory, bone, or some close-grained wood, +especially privet ligustris tesseris utilissima, (Plin. H. N.). They were +numbered as at present. + +Arsacides, King of the Parthians, presented Demetrius Nicator, among +other presents, with golden dice--it is said, in contempt for his +frivolous propensity to play--in exprobationem puerilis levitatis.'(58) + +(58) Justini Hist., lib. xxxviii. 9. 9. + + +Dice are also mentioned in the New Testament, where occurs the word +cubeia (Eph. iv. 14), ('the only word for "gambling" used in the +Bible'), a word in very common use, among Paul's kith and kin, for +'cube,' 'dice,' 'dicery,' and it occurs frequently in the Talmud and +Midrash. The Mishna declares unfit either as 'judge or witness,' 'a +cubea-player, a usurer, a pigeon-flier (betting-man), a vendor +of illegal (seventh-year) produce, and a slave.' A mitigating +clause--proposed by one of the weightiest legal authorities, to the +effect that the gambler and his kin should only be disqualified 'if they +have but that one profession'--is distinctly negatived by the majority, +and the rule remains absolute. The classical word for the gambler +or dice-player, cubeutes, appears aramaized in the same sources into +something like kubiustis, as the following curious instances may show: +When the Angel, after having wrestled with Jacob all night, asks him to +let him go, 'for the dawn has risen' (A. V., 'the day breaketh'), Jacob +is made to reply to him, 'Art thou, then, a thief or a kubiustis, that +thou art afraid of the day?' To which the Angel replies, 'No, I am not; +but it is my turn to-day, and for the first time, to sing the Angelic +Hymn of Praise in Heaven: let me go.' In another Tadmudical passage an +early biblical critic is discussing certain arithmetical difficulties +in the Pentateuch. Thus he finds the number of Levites (in Numbers) to +differ, when summed up from the single items, from that given in +the total. Worse than that, he finds that all the gold and silver +contributed to the sanctuary is not accounted for, and, clinching his +argument, he cries, 'Is, then, your master Moses a thief or a kubiustis? +Or could he not make up his accounts properly?' The critic is then +informed of a certain difference between 'sacred' and other coins; and +he further gets a lesson in the matter of Levites and Firstborn, which +silences him. Again, the Talmud decides that, if a man have bought a +slave who turns out to be a thief or a kubiustis,--which has here been +erroneously explained to mean a 'manstealer,'--he has no redress. He +must keep him, as he bought him, or send him away; for he has bought him +with all his vices. + +Regarding the translation 'sleight' in the A.V., this seems a correct +enough rendering of the term as far as the SENSE of the passage +goes, and comes very near the many ancient translations--'nequitia,' +'versutia,' 'inanis labor,' 'vana et inepta (?) subtilitas,' &c., of the +Fathers. Luther has 'Schalkheit,'--a word the meaning of which at +his time differed considerably from our acceptation of the term. The +Thesaurus takes Paul's cubeia (s.v.) more literally, to mean 'in alea +hominum, i. e., in certis illis casibus quibus jactantur homines.'(59) + +(59) E. Deutseh in the Athenaeum of Sept. 28, 1867. + + +The ancient tali, marked and thrown as above described, were also used +in DIVINATION, just as dice are at the present day; and doubtless the +interpretations were the same among the ancients--for all superstitions +are handed down from generation to generation with wondrous fidelity. +The procedure is curious enough, termed 'the art of telling fortunes by +dice.' + +Three dice are taken and well shaken in the box with the left hand, and +then cast out on a board or table on which a circle is previously +drawn with chalk; and the following are the supposed predictions of the +throws:-- + +Three, a pleasing surprise; four, a disagreeable one; five, a stranger +who will prove a friend; six, loss of property; seven, undeserved +scandal; eight, merited reproach; nine, a wedding; ten, a christening, +at which some important event will occur; eleven, a death that concerns +you; twelve, a letter speedily; thirteen, tears and sighs; fourteen, +beware that you are not drawn into some trouble or plot by a secret +enemy; fifteen, immediate prosperity and happiness; sixteen, a pleasant +journey; seventeen, you will either be on the water, or have dealings +with those belonging to it, to your advantage; eighteen, a great profit, +rise in life, or some desirable good will happen almost immediately, for +the answers to the dice are said to be fulfilled within nine days. To +throw the same number twice at one trial shows news from abroad, be the +number what it may. If the dice roll over the circle, the number thrown +goes for nothing, but the occurrence shows sharp words impending; and if +they fall on the floor it is blows. In throwing the dice if one remain +on the top of the other, 'it is a present of which you must take care,' +namely, 'a little stranger' at hand. + +Two singular facts throw light on the kind of dice used some 100 and 150 +years ago. In an old cribbage card-box, curiously ornamented, supposed +to have been made by an amateur in the reign of Queen Anne, and now +in my possession, I found a die with one end fashioned to a point, +evidently for the purpose of spinning--similar to the modern teetotum. +With the same lot at the sale where it was bought, was a pack of cards +made of ivory, about an inch and a half in length and one inch in +width--in other respects exactly like the cards of the period. + +Again, it is stated that in taking up the floors of the Middle Temple +Hall, about the year 1764, nearly 100 pairs of dice were found, which +had dropped, on different occasions, through the chinks or joints of the +boards. They were very small, at least one-third less that those now +in use. Certainly the benchers of those times did not keep the floor of +their magnificent hall in a very decent condition. + +A curious fact relating to dice may here be pointed out. Each of the six +sides of a die is so dotted or numbered that the top and bottom of every +die (taken together) make 7; for if the top or uppermost side is 5, +the bottom or opposite side will be 2; and the same holds through every +face; therefore, let the number of dice be what it may, their top +and bottom faces, added together, must be equal to the number of dice +multiplied by 7. In throwing three dice, if 2, 3, and 4 are thrown, +making 9, their corresponding bottom faces will be 5, 4, and 3, making +12, which together are 21--equal to the three dice multiplied by 7. + +CARDS. + +The origin of cards is as doubtful as that of dice. All that we know for +certain is that they were first used in the East. Some think that the +figures at first used on them were of moral import: the Hindoo and +Chinese cards are certainly emblematic in a very high degree; the former +illustrate the ten avatars, or incarnations of the deity Vishnu; and +the so-called 'paper-tickets' of the Chinese typify the stars, the human +virtues, and, indeed, every variety of subject. Sir William Jones was +convinced that the Hindoo game of Chaturaji--that is, 'the Four Rajahs +or Kings'--a species of highly-complicated chess--was the first germ +of that parti-coloured pasteboard, which has been the ruin of so many +modern fortunes. A pack of Hindoostani cards, in the possession of the +Royal Asiatic Society, and presented to Captain Cromline Smith in 1815, +by a high caste Brahman, was declared by the donor to be actually 1000 +years old: 'Nor,' said the Brahman, 'can any of us now play at them, +for they are not like our modern cards at all.' Neither, indeed, do they +bear any remarkable resemblance to our own--the pack consisting of no +less than eight sorts of divers colours, the kings being mounted upon +elephants, and viziers, or second honours, upon horses, tigers, and +bulls. Moreover, there are other marks distinguishing the respective +value of the common cards, which would puzzle our club-quidnuncs not a +little--such as 'a pine-apple in a shallow cup,' and a something like a +parasol without a handle, and with two broken ribs sticking through the +top. The Chinese cards have the advantage over those of Hindoostan by +being oblong instead of circular. + +It was not before the end of the 14th century that cards became known in +Europe; and it is a curious fact that the French clergy took greatly +to card-playing about that time--their favourite game being the rather +ungenteel 'All Fours,' as now reputed; for they were specially forbidden +that pastime by the Synod of Langres in 1404. + +The ancient cards of both Spain and France, particularly the +'court-cards,' exhibit strong marks of the age of chivalry; but here +we may observe that the word is written by some ancient writers, +'coate-cards,' evidently signifying no more than figures in particular +dresses. The giving pre-eminence or victory to a certain suit, by the +name of 'trump,' which is only a corruption of the word 'triumph,' is +a strong trait of the martial ideas of the inventors of these games. So +that, if the Chinese started the idea, it seems clear that the French +and Spanish improved upon it and gave it a plain significance; and there +is no reason to doubt that cards were actually employed to amuse Charles +VI. in his melancholy and dejection. + +The four suits of cards are supposed to represent the four estates of +a kingdom:--1. The nobility and gentry; 2. The ecclesiastics or +priesthood; 3. The citizens or commercial men; 4. The peasantry or +Husbandmen. The nobility are represented in the old Spanish cards by +the espada, or sword, corrupted by us into 'spades,'--by the French with +piques, 'pikes or spears.' The ecclesiastical order is pointed out by +copas, or sacramental cups, which are painted in one of the suits of old +Spanish cards, and by coeurs, or 'hearts,' on French cards, as in +our own--thereby signifying choir-men, gens de choeur, or +ecclesiastics--from choeur de l'eglise, 'the choir of the church,' that +being esteemed the most important part or the HEART of the church. + +The Spaniards depicted their citizens or commercial men under dineros, +a small coin, an emblem very well adapted to the productive classes; the +French by carreaux, squares or lozenges--importing, perhaps, unity +of interest, equality of condition, regularity of manners, and the +indispensable duty of this class of men to deal with one another 'on the +square.' The Spaniards made bastos, or knotty clubs, the emblem of the +'bold peasantry,' taken probably from the custom that the plebeians +were permitted to challenge or fight each other with sticks and +quarter-staves only, but not with the sword, or any arms carried by a +gentleman; while the French peasantry were pointed out under the ideas +of husbandry, namely, by the trefles, trefoil or clover-grass. So much +for the SUITS. + +With regard to the depicted figures of cards, each nation likewise +followed its own inventions, though grounded in both on those ideas of +chivalry which then strongly prevailed. The Spanish cards were made to +carry the insignia and accoutrements of the King of Spain, the ace of +deneros being emblazoned with the royal arms, supported by an eagle. The +French ornamented their cards with fleurs de lis, their royal emblem. +The Spanish kings, in conformity to the martial spirit of the times +when cards were introduced, were all mounted on horseback, as befitted +generals and commanders-in-chief; but their next in command (among +the cards) was el caballo, the knight-errant on horseback--for the old +Spanish cards had no queens; and the third in order was the soto, or +attendant, that is, the esquire, or armour-bearer of the knight--all +which was exactly conformable to those ideas of chivalry which ruled the +age. It is said that David (king of spades), tormented by a rebellious +son, is the emblem of Charles VII., menaced by his son (Louis XI.), and +that Argine (queen of clubs) is the anagram of Regina, and the emblem +of Marie d'Anjou, the wife of that prince; that Pallas (queen of spades) +represents Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans; that Rachel (queen of +diamonds) is Agnes Sorel; lastly, that Judith (queen of hearts) is the +Queen Isabeau. The French call the queens at cards dames. + +The four knaves (called in French, valets or varlets) are four valiant +captains--Ogier and Lancelot, the companions of Charlemagne, Hector de +Gallard, and Lahire, the generals of Charles VII. The remainder of the +pack equally presents a sort of martial allegory; the heart is bravery; +the spade (espad, 'sword') and the diamond (carreau, that is, a square +or shield) are the arms of war; the club (in French trefle, 'trefoil') +is the emblem of provisions; and the ace (in French as, from the Latin +aes, 'coin') is the emblem of money--the sinews of war. + +In accordance with this allegorical meaning, the function of the ace +is most significant. It leads captive every other card, queen and king +included--thus indicating the omnipotence of gold or mammon! + +'To the mighty god of this nether world--To the spirit that roams with +banner unfurl'd O'er the Earth and the rolling Sea--And hath conquer'd +all to his thraldom Where his eye hath glanced or his footstep sped--Who +hath power alike o'er the living and dead--Mammon!(59) I sing to thee! + +(59) Steinmetz Ode to Mammon. + + +Some say that the four kings represent those famous champions of +antiquity--David, Alexander, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne; and that +the four queens, Argine, Pallas, Esther, and Judith, are the respective +symbols of majesty, wisdom, piety, and fortitude; and there can be no +doubt, if you look attentively on the queens of a pack of cards, you +will easily discern the appropriate expressions of all these attributes +in the faces of the grotesque ladies therein depicted. The valets, or +attendants, whom we call knaves, are not necessarily 'rascals,' but +simply servants royal; at first they were knights, as appears from the +names of some of the famous French knights being formerly painted on the +cards. + +Thus a pack of cards is truly a monument of the olden time--the days of +chivalry and its numberless associations. + +In addition to the details I have given in the previous chapter +respecting the probability of holding certain cards, there are a few +other curious facts concerning them, which it may be interesting to +know. + +There is a difference in the eyes of two of the knaves--those of +diamonds and hearts, more apparent in the old patterns, suggesting the +inference that they are blind. This has been made the basis of a card +trick, as to which two of the four knaves presenting themselves would be +selected as servants. Of course the blind ones would be rejected. A bet +is sometimes proposed to the unwary, at Whist, but one of the party will +have in his hand, after the deal, only one of a suit, or none of a suit. +The bet should not be taken, as this result very frequently happens. + +Lastly, there is an arithmetical puzzle of the most startling effect +to be contrived with a pack of cards, as follows. Let a party make up +parcels of cards, beginning with a number of pips on any card, and then +counting up to twelve with individual cards. In the first part of the +trick it must be understood that the court cards count as ten, all +others according to the pips. Thus, a king put down will require only +two cards to make up 12, whereas the ace will require 11, and so on. +Now, when all the parcels are completed, the performer of the trick +requires to know only the number of parcels thus made, and the +remainder, if any, to declare after a momentary calculation, the exact +number of pips on the first cards laid down--to the astonishment of +those not in the secret. In fact, there is no possible arrangement of +the cards, according to this method, which can prevent an adept from +declaring the number of pips required, after being informed of the +number of parcels, and the remainder, if any. This startling performance +will be explained in a subsequent chapter--amusing card tricks. + +Cards must soon have made their way among our countrymen, from the great +intercourse that subsisted between England and France about the time of +the first introduction of cards into the latter kingdom. If the din of +arms in the reign of our fifth Henry should seem unfavourable to the +imitation of an enemy's private diversions, it must be remembered +that France was at that period under the dominion of England, that +the English lived much in that country, and consequently joined in the +amusements of the private hour, as well as in the public dangers of the +field. + +Very soon, however, the evil consequences of their introduction became +apparent. One would have thought that in such a tumultuous reign at home +as that of our sixth Henry, there could not have been so much use made +of cards as to have rendered them an object of public apprehension and +governmental solicitude; but a record appears in the beginning of the +reign of Edward IV., after the deposition of the unfortunate Henry, by +which playing cards, as well as dice, tennis-balls, and chessmen, were +forbidden to be imported. + +If this tended to check their use for a time, the subsequent Spanish +connection with the court of England renewed an acquaintance with cards +and a love for them. The marriage of Prince Arthur with the Infanta +Catherine of Arragon, brought on an intimacy between the two nations, +which probably increased card-playing in England,--it being a diversion +to which the Spaniards were extremely addicted at that period. + +Cards were certainly much in use, and all ideas concerning them very +familiar to the minds of the English, during the reign of Henry VIII., +as may be inferred from a remarkable sermon of the good bishop Latimer. +This sermon was preached in St Edward's church, Cambridge, on the Sunday +before Christmas day, 1527, and in this discourse he may be said to have +'dealt' out an exposition of the precepts of Christianity according +to the terms of card-playing. 'Now ye have heard what is meant by this +"first card," and how you ought to "play" with it, I purpose again to +"deal" unto you "another card almost of the same suit," for they be of +so nigh affinity that one cannot be well "played" without the other, +&c.' 'It seems,' says Fuller, 'that he suited his sermon rather to the +TIME--being about Christmas, when cards were much used--than to +the text, which was the Baptist's question to our Lord--"Who art +thou?"--taking thereby occasion to conform his discourse to the "playing +at cards," making the "heart triumph."' + +This blunt preaching was in those days admirably effectual, but it would +be considered ridiculous in ours--except from the lips of such original +geniuses as Mr Spurgeon, who hit upon this vein and made a fortune of +souls as well as money. He is, however, inimitable, and any attempt at +entering into his domain would probably have the same result as that +which attended an imitation of Latimer by a country minister, mentioned +by Fuller. 'I remember,' he says, 'in my time (about the middle of the +seventeenth century), a country minister preached at St Mary's, from +Rom. xii. 3,--"As God has DEALT to every man the measure of faith." In +a fond imitation of Latimer's sermon he followed up the metaphor +of DEALING,--that men should PLAY ABOVE-BOARD, that is, avoid all +dissembling,--should not POCKET CARDS, but improve their gifts and +graces,--should FOLLOW SUIT, that is, wear the surplice, &c.,--all which +produced nothing but laughter in the audience. Thus the same actions +by several persons at several times are made not the same actions, yea, +differenced from commendable discretion to ridiculous absurdity. +And thus he will make but bad music who hath the instruments and +fiddlesticks, but none of the "resin" of Latimer.' + +The habit of card-playing must have been much confirmed and extended by +the marriage of Philip of Spain with our Queen Mary, whose numerous and +splendid retinue could not but bring with them that passionate love of +cards which prevailed in the Spanish court. + +It seems also probable that the cards then used (whatever they might +have been before) were of Spanish form and figure, in compliment to the +imperious Philip; since even to this day the names of two Spanish suits +are retained on English cards, though without any reference to their +present figure. Thus, we call one suit spades, from the Spanish +espada, 'sword,' although we retain no similitude of the sword in the +figure,--and another clubs, in Spanish, bastos, but without regard to +the figure also. + +Old Roger Ascham, the tutor of Queen Elizabeth, gives us a picture +of the gambling arts of his day, as follows:--How will they use these +shiftes when they get a plaine man that cannot skill of them! How they +will go about, if they perceive an honest man have moneye, which list +not playe, to provoke him to playe! They will seek his companye; they +will let him pay noughte, yea, and as I hearde a man once saye that he +did, they will send for him to some house, and spend perchaunce a crowne +on him, and, at last, will one begin to saye: "at, my masters, what shall +we do? Shall every man playe his twelve-pence while an apple roste in +the fire, and then we will drincke and departe?" "Naye" will another +saye (as false as he), "you cannot leave when you begin, and therefore I +will not playe: but if you will gage, that every man as he hath lost his +twelve-pence, shall sit downe, I am contente, for surelye I would Winne +no manne's moneye here, but even as much as woulde pay for my supper." +Then speaketh the thirde to the honeste man that thought not to +play:--"What? Will you play your twelve-pence?" If he excuse him--"Tush! +man!" will the other saye, "sticke not in honeste company for +twelve-pence; I will beare your halfe, and here is my moneye." Nowe all +this is to make him to beginne, for they knowe if he be once in, and be +a loser, that he will not sticke at his twelve-pence, but hopeth ever to +get it againe, whiles perhappes he will lose all. Then every one of them +setteth his shiftes abroache, some with false dyse, some with settling +of dyse, some with having outlandish silver coynes guilded, to put awaye +at a time for good golde. Then, if there come a thing in controversye, +must you be judged by the table, and then farewell the honeste man's +parte, for he is borne downe on every syde.' + +It is evident from this graphic description of the process, that the +villany of sharpers has been ever the same; for old Roger's account +of the matter in his day exactly tallies with daily experience at the +present time. + +The love of card-playing was continued through the reign of Elizabeth +and James I.,(60) and in the reign of the latter it had reached so high +a pitch that the audiences used to amuse themselves with cards at the +play-house, while they were waiting for the beginning of the play. +The same practice existed at Florence. If the thing be not done at +the present day, something analogous prevails in our railway carriages +throughout the kingdom. It is said that professed card-sharpers take +season-tickets on all the lines, and that a great DEAL of money is made +by the gentry by duping unwary travellers into a game or by betting. + +(60) King James, the British Solomon, although he could not 'abide' +tobacco, and denounced it in a furious 'Counterblaste,' could not +'utterly condemn' play, or, as he calls it, 'fitting house-pastimes.' +'I will not,' he says, 'agree in forbidding cards, dice, and other like +games of Hazard,' and enters into an argument for his opinion, which +is scarcely worth quoting. See Basilicon Doron--a prodigy of royal +fatuity--but the perfect 'exponent' of the characteristics of the Stuart +royal race in England. + + +There is no reason to suppose that the fondness for this diversion +abated, except during the short 'trump or triumph of the fanatic +suit'--in the hard times of Old Oliver--when undoubtedly cards were +styled 'the devil's books.' But, indeed, by that time they had become an +engine of much fraud and destruction; so that one of the early acts of +Charles II.'s reign inflicted large penalties on those who should use +cards for fraudulent purposes. + +'Primero was the fashionable game at the court of England during the +Tudor dynasty. Shakspeare represents Henry VIII. playing at it with the +Duke of Suffolk; and Falstaff says, "I never prospered since I forswore +myself at Primero." In the Earl of Northumberland's letters about the +Gunpowder-plot, it is noticed that Joscelin Percy was playing at this +game on Sunday, when his uncle, the conspirator, called on him at Essex +House. In the Sidney papers, there is an account of a desperate quarrel +between Lord Southampton, the patron of Shakspeare, and one Ambrose +Willoughby. Lord Southampton was then "Squire of the Body" to Queen +Elizabeth, and the quarrel was occasioned by Willoughby persisting to +play with Sir Walter Raleigh and another at Primero, in the Presence +Chamber, after the queen had retired to rest, a course of proceeding +which Southampton would not permit. Primero, originally a Spanish game, +is said to have been made fashionable in England by Philip of Spain, +after his marriage with Queen Mary. + +Maw succeeded Primero as the fashionable game at the English court, and +was the favourite game of James I., who appears to have played at +cards, just as he played with affairs of state, in an indolent manner; +requiring in both cases some one to hold his cards, if not to prompt him +what to play. Weldon, alluding to the poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury, +in his Court and Character of King James, says: 'The next that came on +the stage was Sir Thomas Monson, but the night before he was to come +to his trial, the king being at the game of Maw, said, "To-morrow comes +Thomas Monson to his trial." "Yea," said the king's card-holder, "where, +if he do not play his master's prize, your Majesty shall never trust +me." This so ran in the king's mind, that at the next game he said he +was sleepy, and would play out that set the next night. + +'It is evident that Maw differed very slightly from Five Cards, the most +popular game in Ireland at the present day. As early as 1674 this game +was popular in Ireland, as we learn from Cotton's Compleat Gamester, +which says: "Five Cards is an Irish game, and is much played in that +kingdom for considerable sums of money, as All-fours is played in Kent, +and Post-and-pair in the west of England." + +'Noddy was one of the old English court games. This has been supposed to +have been a children's game, and it was certainly nothing of the kind. +Its nature is thus fully described in a curious satirical poem, entitled +Batt upon Batt, published in 1694. + +"Show me a man can turn up Noddy still, And deal himself three fives +too, when he will; Conclude with one-and-thirty, and a pair, Never fail +ten in Stock, and yet play fair, If Batt be not that wight, I lose my +aim." + +'From these lines, there can be no doubt that the ancient Noddy was the +modern cribbage--the Nod of to-day, rejoicing in the name of Noddy, and +the modern Crib, being termed the Stock. + +'Ombre was most probably introduced into this country by Catherine of +Portugal, the queen of Charles II.; Waller, the court poet, has a poem +on a card torn at Ombre by the queen. This royal lady also introduced to +the English court the reprehensible practice of playing cards on Sunday. +Pepys, in 1667, writes: "This evening, going to the queen's side to see +the ladies, I did find the queen, the Duchess of York, and another at +cards, with the room full of ladies and great men; which I was amazed +at to see on a Sunday, having not believed, but contrarily flatly denied +the same, a little while since, to my cousin."(61) + +(61) Hombre, or rather El Hombre, or 'The Man,' was so named as +requiring thought and reflection, which are qualities peculiar to man; +or rather, alluding to him who undertakes to play the game against the +rest of the gamesters, emphatically called The Man. It requires very +great application to play it well: and let a man be ever so expert, he +will be apt to fall into mistakes if he thinks of anything else, or is +disturbed by the conversation of those that look on. It is a game of +three, with 40 cards, that is, rejecting the eights, nines, and tens of +all the suits. + + +'In a passage from Evelyn's Memoirs, the writer impressively describes +another Sunday-evening scene at Whitehall, a few days before the +death of Charles II., in which a profligate assemblage of courtiers is +represented as deeply engaged in the game of Basset. This was an Italian +game, brought by Cardinal Mazarin to France; Louis XIV. is said to have +lost large sums at it; and it was most likely brought to England by some +of the French ladies of the court. It did not stand its ground, however, +in this country; Ombre continuing the fashionable game in England, down +till after the expiration of the first quarter of the last century. + +'Quadrille succeeded Ombre, but for a curious reason did not reign +so long as its predecessor. From the peculiar nature of Quadrille, an +unfair confederacy might be readily established, by any two persons, by +which the other players could be cheated. + +'While the preceding games were in vogue the magnificent temple of +Whist, destined to outshine and overshadow them, was in course of +erection. + +"Let India vaunt her children's vast address, Who first contrived the +warlike sport of Chess; Let nice Piquette the boast of France remain, +And studious Ombre be the pride of Spain; Invention's praise shall +England yield to none, When she can call delightful Whist her own." + +'All great inventions and discoveries are works of time, and Whist is +no exception to the rule; it did not come into the world perfect at +all points, as Minerva emerged from the head of Jupiter. Nor were its +wonderful merits early recognized. Under the vulgar appellations of +Whisk and Swobbers, it long lingered in the servants'-hall ere it could +ascend to the drawing-room. At length, some gentlemen, who met at the +Crown coffee-house, in Bedford Row, studied the game, gave it rules, +established its principles, and then Edward Hoyle, in 1743, blazoned +forth its fame to all the world. + +'Many attempts have been made, at various times, to turn playing-cards +to a very different use from that for which they were originally +intended. Thus, in 1518, a learned Franciscan friar, named Murner, +published a Logica Memorativa, a mode of teaching logic, by a pack of +cards; and, subsequently, he attempted to teach a summary of civil law +in the same manner. In 1656, an Englishman, named Jackson, published a +work, entitled the Scholar's Sciential Cards, in which he proposed to +teach reading, spelling, grammar, writing, and arithmetic, with various +arts and sciences, by playing-cards; premising that the learner was well +grounded in all the games played at the period. And later still, about +the close of the seventeenth century, there was published the Genteel +Housekeeper's Pastime; or the Mode of Carving at Table represented in a +Pack of Playing-Cards, by which any one of ordinary Capacity may learn +how to Carve, in Mode, all the most usual Dishes of Flesh, Fish, Fowl, +and Baked Meats, with the several Sauces and Garnishes proper to Every +Dish of Meat. In this system, flesh was represented by hearts, fish by +clubs, fowl by diamonds, and baked-meat by spades. The king of hearts +ruled a noble sirloin of roast-beef; the monarch of clubs presided over +a pickled herring; and the king of diamonds reared his battle-axe over +a turkey; while his brother of spades smiled benignantly on a well-baked +venison-pasty. + +'The kind of advertisements, now called circulars, were often, formerly, +printed on the backs of playing-cards. Visiting-cards, too, were +improvised, by writing the name on the back of playing-cards. About +twenty years ago, when a house in Dean Street, Soho, was under repair, +several visiting-cards of this description were found behind a marble +chimney-piece, one of them bearing the name of Isaac Newton. Cards of +invitation were written in a similar manner. In the fourth picture, in +Hogarth's series of "Marriage a-la-Mode," several are seen lying on the +floor, upon one of which is inscribed: "Count Basset begs to no how Lade +Squander sleapt last nite." Hogarth, when he painted this inscription, +was most probably thinking of Mrs Centlivre's play, The Basset Table, +which a critic describes as containing a great deal of plot and +business, without much sentiment or delicacy. + +'A curious and undoubtedly authentic historical anecdote is told of a +pack of cards. Towards the end of the persecuting reign of Queen Mary, a +commission was granted to a Dr Cole to go over to Ireland, and commence +a fiery crusade against the Protestants of that country. On coming to +Chester, on his way, the doctor was waited on by the mayor, to whom he +showed his commission, exclaiming, with premature triumph, "Here is what +shall lash the heretics of Ireland." Mrs Edmonds, the landlady of the +inn, having a brother in Dublin, was much disturbed by overhearing +these words; so, when the doctor accompanied the mayor downstairs, she +hastened into his room, opened his box, took out the commission, and put +a pack of cards in its place. When the doctor returned to his apartment, +he put the box into his portmanteau without suspicion, and the +next morning sailed for Dublin. On his arrival he waited on the +lord-lieutenant and privy council, to whom he made a speech on the +subject of his mission, and then presented the box to his Lordship; but +on opening it, there appeared only a pack of cards, with the knave of +clubs uppermost. The doctor was petrified, and assured the council that +he had had a commission, but what was become of it he could not tell. +The lord-lieutenant answered, "Let us have another commission, and, in +the mean while, we can shuffle the cards." Before the doctor could get +his commission renewed Queen Mary died, and thus the persecution was +prevented. We are further informed that, when Queen Elizabeth was made +acquainted with the circumstances, she settled a pension of L40 per +annum on Mrs Edmonds, for having saved her Protestant subjects in +Ireland.'(62) + +(62) The Book of Days, Dec. 28. + + +All the pursuits of life, all the trades and occupations of men, have, +in all times, lent expressions to the languages of nations, and +those resulting from the propensity of GAMING are among those which +perpetually recur in daily conversation, and with the greatest emphasis. +Thus we have:--'He has played his cards well or ill,'--applied to the +management of fortune or one's interest; jacta est alea, 'the die is +cast,' as exclaimed Julius Caesar before crossing the Rubicon; 'he +has run his RACE--reached the GOAL' a turf adage applied to consummate +success or disastrous failure; 'a lucky throw or hit;' 'within an ACE,' +meaning one point of gaining a thing; 'he HAZARDS everything;' 'chances +are for and against;' 'he was PIQUED,' from the game of piquet, meaning, +angry at losing something; 'left in the lurch,' from the French game +l'Ourche, wherein on certain points happening the stake is to be paid +double, and meaning, 'under circumstances unexpected and peculiarly +unfavourable;' 'to save your bacon or gamon,' from the game +Back-gammon(63) a blot is hit,' from the same; 'checked in his career,' +that is, stopped in his designs from the game of chess. + +(63) The etymology of the word Back-gamon has been disputed. Hyde seems +to have settled it. A certain portion of the hog is called in Italian +gambone, whence our English word gambon or gammon. Confounding things +that differ, many think that 'gamon' in the game has the same meaning, +and therefore they say--'he saved his gamon or bacon,' which is absurd, +although it is a proverbial phrase of sufficient emphasis. The word +Backgamon seems to be derived from the very nature of the game itself, +namely, back-game-on, that is, when one of your pieces is taken, you +must go back--begin again--and then game on--'Back-game-on'. + + +The fabrication of cards is a most important manufacture of France; and +Paris and Nancy are the two places where most cards are made. The annual +consumption of cards in France amounts to 1,500,000 francs, or L62,500; +but France also supplies foreigners with the article, especially the +Spanish, American, Portuguese, and English colonies, to the value of +1,000,000 francs, or L41,666. The government derives from this branch of +French industry not much less than L25,000 annual revenue, that is, +from 20 to 25 per cent. of the product. The duty on cards is secured and +enforced by severe penalties. + +English cards are about a third larger than the French. The +double-headed cards are an English invention, and they are being adopted +by the French. Their advantage is obvious, in securing the secrecy of +the hand, for by observing a party in arranging his cards after the +deal, the act of turning up a card plainly shows that it must be at +least a face card, and the oftener this is done the stronger the hand, +in general. In Germany, a fourth face-card is sometimes added to the +pack, called the Knight, or Chevalier. The Italians have also in use +long cards, called tarots, which, however, must not be confounded with +the French cards called tarotees, with odd figures on them, and used by +fortune-tellers. + +The method of making playing-cards seems to have given the first hint +to the invention of printing, as appears from the first specimens of +printing at Haerlem, and those in the Bodleian Library. + +'The manufacture of playing-cards comprises many interesting processes. +The cardboard employed for this purpose is formed of several thicknesses +of paper pasted together; there are usually four such thicknesses; and +the paper is so selected as to take paste, paint, and polish equally +well. The sheets of paper are pasted with a brush, and are united by +successive processes of cold-drying, hot-drying, and hydraulic pressure. +Each sheet is large enough for forty cards. The outer surfaces of the +outer sheets are prepared with a kind of flinty coating, which gives +sharpness to the outline of the various coloured devices. Most packs of +cards are now made with coloured backs. The ground-tint is laid on with +a brush, and consists of dis-temper colour, or pigments mixed with warm +melted size. The device impressed on this ground-tint is often very +beautiful. Messrs De la Rue, the leading firm in the manufacture, +employ tasteful artists, and invest a large amount of capital in the +introduction of new patterns. On cards sold at moderate prices, the +colours at the back are generally two--one for the ground, and one for +the device; but some of the choicer specimens display several colours; +and many of the designs are due to the pencil of Mr Owen Jones. The +printing of the design is done on the sheets of paper, before +the pasting to form cardboard. The pips or spots on the faces of +playing-cards are now spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds; but at +different times, and in different countries, there have been leaves, +acorns, bells, cups, swords, fruit, heads, parasols, and other objects +similarly represented. In English cards the colours are red and black; +Messrs De la Rue once introduced red, black, green, and blue for the +four suits; but the novelty was not encouraged by card-players. The same +makers have also endeavoured to supersede the clumsy devices of kings, +queens, and knaves, by something more artistic; but this, too, failed +commercially; for the old patterns, like the old willow-pattern +dinner-plates, are still preferred--simply because the users have become +accustomed to them. Until within the last few years the printing of +cards was generally done by stencilling, the colour being applied +through perforated devices in a stencil-plate. The colour employed for +this purpose is mixed up with a kind of paste. When there is a device +at the back, the outline of the device is printed from an engraved +wood-block, and the rest filled in by stencilling. The stencilling of +the front and back can be done either before or after the pasting of the +sheets into cardboard. One great improvement in the manufacture has been +the substitution of oil colour for paste or size colour; and another, +the substitution of printing for stencilling. Messrs De la Rue have +expended large sums of money on these novelties; for many experiments +had to be made, to determine how best to employ oil colour so that the +spots or pips may be equal-tinted, the outline clear and sharp, the +pigment well adherent to the surface, and the drying such as to admit +of polishing without stickiness. The plates for printing are engraved +on copper or brass, or are produced by electrotype, or are built up with +small pieces of metal or interlaced wire. The printing is done in the +usual way of colour-printing, with as many plates as there are colours +(usually five), and one for the outlines; it is executed on the sheets +of paper, before being pasted into cardboard. When the printing, drying, +and pasting are all completed, a careful polish is effected by means of +brush-wheels, pasteboard wheels, heated plates, and heated rollers; +in such a way that the polish on the back may differ from that on the +face--since it is found that too equally polished surfaces do not slide +quite so readily over each other. Formerly, every pack of cards made in +England for home use paid a duty of one shilling, which duty was levied +on the ace of spades. + +The maker engraved a plate for twenty aces of spades; the printing was +done by the government at Somerset House, and L1 was paid by the maker +for every sheet of aces so printed. The law is now altered. Card sellers +pay an annual license of 2s. 6d., and to each pack of cards is affixed a +three-pence stamp, across which the seller must write or stamp his name, +under a penalty of L5 for the omission. + +The cardboard, when all the printing is finished, is cut up into +cards; every card is minutely examined, and placed among the 'Moguls,' +'Harrys,' or 'Highlanders,' as they are technically called, according to +the degree in which they may be faultless or slightly specked; and the +cards are finally made up into packs.'(64) + +(64) Chambers's Cyclopaedia. + + +Machinery has been called into requisition in card-playing. In 1815 a +case was tried in which part of the debt claimed was for an instrument +to cut cards so as to give an unfair advantage to the person using it. +The alleged debtor had been most fortunate in play, winning at one time +L11,000 from an officer in India. For an exactly opposite reason another +machine was used in 1818 by the Bennet Street Club. It consisted of +a box curiously constructed for dealing cards, and was invented by an +American officer. + +Another curious fact relating to cards is the duty derived from them. +In the year 1775 the number of packs stamped was 167,000, amounting to +between L3000 and L4000 duty. Lord North put on another sixpence. Of +course, a vast number of packs were smuggled in, paying no duty, as in +the case of tobacco, in all times since its fiscal regulations. In the +time of Pitt, 1789, L9000 were to be raised by an additional duty of +sixpence on cards and dice, consequently there must have been no less +than 360,000 packs of cards and pairs of dice stamped in the year 1788, +to justify the calculation--a proof that gaming in England was not on +the decline. In the year 1790, the duty on cards was two shillings per +pack, and on dice thirteen shillings per pair. + +This duty on cards went on increasing its annual addition to the +revenue, so that about the year 1820 the monthly payments of Mr Hunt +alone, the card-maker of Picadilly, for the stamp-duty on cards, varied +from L800 to L1000, that is, from L9600 to L12,000 per annum. In 1833 +the stamp-duty on cards was 6d., and it yielded L15,922, showing a +consumption of 640,000 packs per annum. Much of this, however, was sheer +waste, on account of the rule of gamesters requiring a fresh pack at +every game. + +In the Harleian Miscellany(65) will be found a satirical poem entitled +'The Royal Gamesters; or, the Odd Cards new shuffled for a Conquering +Game,' referring to the political events of the years from 1702 to 1706, +and concluding with the following lines-- + +'Thus ends the game which Europe has in view, Which, by the stars, may +happen to be true.' + +(65) Vol. i. p. 177. + + +In vol. iv. of the same work there is another poem of the kind, entitled +'The State Gamesters; or, the Old Cards new packed and shuffled,' which +characteristically concludes as follows-- + +'But we this resolution have laid down--Never to play so high as for a +Crown.' + +Finally, as to allusions to gaming, the reader may remember the famous +sarcasm of the late Earl of Derby (as Lord Stanley) some thirty years +ago, comparing the Government to Thimble-riggers in operation. + + + +CHAPTER X. PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, PASSE-DIX, PUT, CROSS AND PILE, +THIMBLE-RIG. + +PIQUET + +Piquet is said to have derived its name from that of its inventor, who +contrived it to amuse Charles VI. of France. The game was played with +thirty two cards, that is, discarding out of the pack all the deuces, +treys, fours, fives, and sixes. Regular piquet-packs were sold. In +reckoning up the points, every card counted for its value, as ten for +ten, nine for nine, and so on down to seven, which was, of course, the +lowest; but the ace reckoned for eleven. All court cards reckoned for +ten. As in other games, the ace won the king, the king the queen, and so +on, to the knave, which won the ten. The cards were dealt at option +by fours, threes, or twos, to the number of twelve, which was the +hand--'discarding' being allowed; but both the dealer and he that led +were OBLIGED to discard at least one card, let their game be ever so +good. When the cards were played out, each counted his tricks; and he +that had most reckoned 10 for winning the cards; if the tricks were +equal, neither reckoned at all. He who, without playing (that is, +according to the various terms of the game), could reckon up 30 in +hand, when his antagonist reckoned nothing, scored 90 for them; this was +called a repic; and all above 30 counted so many,--32 counting 92, and +so on. He who could make up 30, part in hand and part by play, before +the other made anything, scored 60; this was called a pic. + +The game was also played as pool precisely according to the rules +briefly sketched as above, the penalty for losing being a guinea to the +pool. + +Piquet required much practice to play it well. It became so great a +favourite that, by the middle of the 18th century, the meanest people +were well acquainted with it, and 'let into all the tricks and secrets +of it, in order to render them complete sharpers.' Such are the words +of an old author, who adds that the game was liable to great imposition, +and he explains the methods in use. Short cards were used for cutting, +as in Whist, at the time. Of these cards there were two sorts, one +longer than the rest; and the advantage gained by them was as the +adversary managed it, by cutting the longer or broader, as best suited +his purpose, or imposing on the dealer, when it was his turn, to cut +those which made most against him. The aces, kings, queens, and knaves +were marked with dots at the corners, and in the very old book from +which I am quoting precise directions are given how this marking can be +effected in such a manner 'as not to be discovered by your ADVERSARY, +and at the same time appear plain to YOURSELF.' With a fine pointed pen +and some clear spring water, players made dots upon the glazed card at +the corners according to the above method; or they coloured the water +with india ink, to make the marks more conspicuous. The work concludes +as follows:--'There are but 32 cards made use of at Piquet, so that +just half of them will be known to you; and in dealing you may have +an opportunity to give yourself those you LIKE best; and if you cannot +conveniently CHANGE the PACK according to your desire, you will commonly +KNOW what YOU are to TAKE IN, which is a demonstrative advantage to win +any one's money.' + +Evidently they did not 'assume a virtue' in those days, 'if they had it +not.' + +BASSET. + +The game of Basset (in French Wassette) was considered one of the most +polite games with cards, and only fit for persons of the highest rank +to play at, on account of the great losses or gains that might accrue on +one side or the other. + +The sums of money lost in France at this game were so considerable that +the princes of the blood were in danger of being undone; and after many +persons of distinction were ruined the court of France thought fit to +forbid Basset. Then Faro was invented; and both were soon introduced +into England, and after three or four years' play here, they +impoverished so many families, that Parliament enacted a suppression +of both games, with severe penalties. The two games are, therefore, of +historical interest, and deserve an explanation. + +Basset was a sort of lottery. The dealer who kept the bank at Basset, +having the sole disposal of the first and last card, and other +considerable privileges in dealing the cards, had a much greater +prospect of gaining than those who played. This was a truth so +acknowledged in France that the king, by public edict, ordered that the +privilege of a talliere, or banker at Basset, should only be allowed to +the 'chief cadets,' or sons of noblemen--supposing that whoever kept the +bank must, in a very short time, acquire a considerable fortune. + +In this game there was: 1. The Talliere, the banker, who laid down a +sum of money to answer every winning card which might turn up. 2. The +Croupiere, the assistant of the former, standing by to supervise the +losing cards,--so that when there were many at play he might not lose by +overlooking anything which might turn up to his profit. 3. The Punter, +or every player. 4. The Fasse, that is, the first card turned up by the +talliere, by which he gained half the value of the money laid upon every +card of THAT SORT by the punters or players. 5. The Couch, which was the +first stake that every punter laid upon each card--every player having +a book of 13 cards before him, upon which he must lay his money, more +or less, according to his fancy. 6. The Paroli: in this, whoever won the +couch, and intended to go on for another advantage, crooked the corner +of his card, letting his money lie, without being paid the value by the +talliere. 7. The Masse, which was, when those who had won the couch, +would venture more money on the SAME card. 8. The Pay, which was when +the player had won the couch, and, being doubtful of making the paroli, +left off; for by going the pay, if the card turned up wrong, he lost +nothing, having won the couch before; but if by this adventure fortune +favoured him, he won double the money he had staked. 9. The Alpieu was +when the couch was won by turning up, or crooking, the corner of the +winning card. 10. The Sept-et-le-va was the first great chance that +showed the advantages of the game, namely, if the player had won the +couch, and then made a paroli by crooking the corner of his card, and +going on to a SECOND chance, if his winning card turned up again it +became a sept-et-le-va, which was seven times as much as he had laid +upon his card. 11. Quinze-et-le-va, was attending the player's humour, +who, perhaps, was resolved to follow his fancy, and still lay his money +upon the SAME card, which was done by crooking the third corner of his +card: if this card came up by the dealing of the talliere, it made him +win fifteen times as much money as he staked. 12. Trent-et-le-va was +marked by the lucky player by crooking the end of the fourth corner +of his card, which, coming up, made him win thirty-three times as much +money as he staked. 13. Soissante-et-le-va was the highest chance that +could happen in the game, for it paid sixty-seven times as much money as +was staked. It was seldom won except by some player who resolved to push +his good fortune to the utmost. + +The players sat round a table, the talliere in the midst of them, with +the bank of gold before him, and the punters or players each having a +book of 13 cards, laying down one, two, three, or more, as they pleased, +with money upon them, as stakes; then the talliere took the pack in +his hand and turned them up--the bottom card appearing being called +the fasse; he then paid half the value of the stakes laid down by the +punters upon any card of THAT SORT. + +After the fasse was turned up, and the talliere and croupiere had looked +round the cards on the table, and taken advantage of the money laid on +them, the former proceeded with his deal; and the next card appearing, +whether the king, queen, ace, or whatever it might be, won for the +player, the latter might receive it, or making paroli, as before said, +go on to sept-et-le-va. The card after that won for the talliere, who +took money from each player's card of that sort, and brought it into his +bank--obviously a prodigious advantage in the talliere over the players. + +The talliere, if the winning card was a king, and the next after it +was a ten, said (showing the cards all round), 'King wins, ten loses,' +paying the money to such cards as are of the winning sort, and taking +the money from those who lost, added it to his bank. This done, he went +on with the deal, it might be after this fashion--'Ace wins, five loses;' +'Knave wins, seven loses;' and so on, every other card alternately +winning and losing, till all the pack was dealt but the last card. + +The LAST card turned up was, by the rules of the game, for the advantage +of the talliere; although a player might have one of the same sort, +still it was allowed to him as one of the dues of his office, and he +paid nothing on it. + +The bold player who was lucky and adventurous, and could push on his +couch with a considerable stake to sept-et-le-va, quinze-et-le-va, +trente-et-le-va, &c., must in a wonderful manner have multiplied his +couch, or first stake; but this was seldom done; and the loss of the +players, by the very nature of the game, invariably exceeded that of the +bank; in fact, this game was altogether in favour of the bank; and yet +it is evident that--in spite of this obvious conviction--the game +must have been one of the most tempting and fascinating that was ever +invented. + +Our English adventurers made this game very different to what it was in +France, for there, by royal edict, the public at large were not allowed +to play at more than a franc or ten-penny bank,--and the losses or gains +could not bring desolation to a family; but in England our punters could +do as they liked--staking from one guinea to one hundred guineas and +more, upon a card, 'as was often seen at court,' says the old author, +my informant. When the couch was alpieued, parolied, to sept-et-le-va, +quinze-et-le-va, trente-et-le-va, &c., the punter's gains were +prodigious, miraculous; and if fortune befriended him so as to bring his +stake to soissante-et-le-va, he was very likely to break the bank, +by gaining a sum which no talliere could pay after such tremendous +multiplication. But this rarely happened. The general advantage was +with the bank--as must be quite evident from the explanation of the +game--besides the standing rule that no two cards of the same sort +turning up could win for the players; the second always won for the +bank. In addition to this there were other 'privileges' which operated +vastly in favour of the banker. + +However, it was 'of so bewitching a nature,' says our old writer, 'by +reason of the several multiplications and advantages which it seemingly +offered to the unwary punter, that a great many like it so well that +they would play at small game rather than give out; and rather than +not play at all would punt at six-penny, three-penny, nay, a twopenny +bank,--so much did the hope of winning the quinze-et-le-va and the +trente-et-le-va intoxicate them.' + +Of course there were frauds practised at Basset by the talliere, or +banker, in addition to his prescriptive advantages. The cards might be +dealt so as not to allow the punter any winning throughout the pack; +and it was in the power of the dealer to let the punter have as many +winnings as he thought convenient, and no more! + +It is said that Basset was invented by a noble Venetian, who was +punished with exile for the contrivance. The game was prohibited by +Louis XIV., in 1691, and soon after fell into oblivion in France, +although flourishing in England. It was also called Barbacole and Hocca. + +FARO, OR PHARAOH. + +Although both Basset and Faro were forbidden in France, on severe +penalties, yet these games still continued in great vogue in England +during the 18th century, especially Faro; for the alleged reasons that +it was easy to learn, that it appeared to be very fair, and, lastly, +that it was a very quiet game. It was, however, the most dangerous game +for the destruction of families ever invented. The Faro bankers seem to +have employed some 'gentlemen' to give a very favourable report of the +game to the town, and so every one took it upon trust without further +inquiry. Faro was the daughter of Basset--both alike notorious frauds, +there being no one, except professed gamblers, who could be said to +understand the secrets of these games. + +Faro was played with an entire pack of cards, and admitted of an +indeterminate number of players, termed 'punters,' and a 'banker.' Each +player laid his stake on one of the 52 cards. The banker held a similar +pack, from which he drew cards, one for himself, placed on the right, +and the other, called the carte anglaise, or English card, for the +players, placed on the left. The banker won all the money staked on the +card on the right, and had to pay double the sums staked on those on +the left. Certain advantages were reserved to the banker:--if he drew +a doublet, that is, two equal cards, he won half of the stakes upon the +card which equalled the doublet; if he drew for the players the last +card of the pack, he was exempt from doubling the stakes deposited on +that card. + +Suppose a person to put down 20s. upon a card when only eight are in +hand; the last card was a cipher, so there were four places to lose, and +only three to win, the odds against being as 4 to 3. If 10 cards only +were in, then it was 5 to 4 against the player; in the former case it +was the seventh part of the money, whatever it was, L1 or L100; in the +latter case, a ninth. The odds from the beginning of the deal insensibly +stole upon the player at every pull, till from the first supposed 4 per +cent. it became about 15 per cent. + +At the middle of the 18th century the expenses of a Faro bank, in all +its items of servants, rent, puffs, and other incidental charges of +candles, wine, arrack-punch, suppers, and safeguard money, &c., in +Covent Garden, amounted to L1000 per annum. Throughout this century Faro +was the favourite game. 'Our life here,' writes Gilly Williams to George +Selwyn in 1752, 'would not displease you, for we eat and drink well, and +the Earl of Coventry holds a Pharaoh-bank every night to us, which we +have plundered considerably.' Charles James Fox preferred Faro to any +other game. + +HAZARD. + +This game was properly so called; for it made a man or undid him in the +twinkling of an eye. + +It is played with only two dice; 20 persons may be engaged, or as many +as will. The chief things in the game are the Main and the Chance. The +chance is the caster's and the main is the setter's. + +There can be no main thrown above 9, nor under 5; so that 5, 6, 7, 8, +and 9 are all the mains which are flung at Hazard. Chances and nicks are +from 4 to 10. Thus 4 is a chance to 9, 5 to 8, 6 to 7, 7 to 6, 8 to 5, +and 9 and 10 a chance to 5, 6, 7, and 8; in short, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and +10 are chances to any main, if any of these 'nick' it not. + +Nicks are either when the chance is the same with the main, as 5 and +5, 6 and 6, 7 and 7, and so on; or 6 and 12, 7 and 11, 8 and 12, where +observe, that 12 is out to 9, 7, and 5, and 11 is out to 9, 8, 6, and 5. + +The better to illustrate the game we shall give an example. Let 7 be the +main named. The caster throws 5, and that is his chance; and so he has +5 to 7. If the caster throws his own chance he wins all the money set to +him by the setter; but if he throws 7, which is the main, he must pay as +much money as is on the table. + +If, again, 7 be the main, and the caster throws 11, that is a nick, and +sweeps away all the money on the table; but if he throws a chance he +must wait which will come first. + +The worst chances in the game are 4 to 10, and 7 is considered the best +and easiest main to be thrown. It might be thought that 6 and 8 should +admit of no difference in advantage to 7, but it is just the reverse, +although 6, 7, and 8 have eight equal chances. + +For 6, or sice, we have quatre-duce, cinque-ace, and two treys; for 8, +we have sice-duce, cinque-trey, and two quatres; but the disadvantage is +in the doublets required--two treys, two quatres; therefore sice-duce +is easier thrown than two quatres, and so, consequently, cinque-ace or +quatre-duce sooner than two treys. + +'I saw an old rook (gambler),' says the writer before quoted, 'take up +a young fellow in a tavern upon this very bet. The bargain was made +that the rook should have seven always, and the young gentleman six, and +throw continually. To play they went; the rook won the first day L10, +and the next day the like sum; and so for six days together, in all L60. +Notwithstanding the gentleman, I am confident, had fair dice, and threw +them always himself. And further to confirm what I alleged before, not +only this gamester, but many more have told me that they desired no +greater advantage than this bet of 7 to 6. But it is the opinion of most +that at the first throw the caster hath the worst of it. + +'Hazard is certainly the most bewitching game that is played with dice; +for when a man begins to play, he knows not when to leave off; and +having once accustomed himself to it, he hardly ever after minds +anything else.'(66) + +(66) The Compleat Gamester, by Richard Seymour, Esq. 1739. + + +As this game is of a somewhat complicated character, another account of +it, which appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette for Sept. 3, 1869, may not +be unacceptable. + +'The players assemble round a circular table, a space being reserved for +the "groom-porter," who occupies a somewhat elevated position, and whose +duty it is to call the odds and see that the game is played correctly. +Whoever takes the box and dice places in the centre of the table as +much money as he wishes to risk, which is at once covered with an equal +amount either by some individual speculator, or by the contributions of +several. The player (technically called the "caster") then proceeds to +call a "main." There are five mains on the dice, namely, 5, 6, 7, 8, +and 9; of these he mentally selects that one which either chance or +superstition may suggest, calls it aloud, shakes the box, and delivers +the dice. If he throws the exact number he called, he "nicks" it and +wins; if he throws any other number (with a few exceptions, which will +be mentioned), he neither wins nor loses. The number, however, which he +thus throws becomes his "chance," and if he can succeed in repeating it +before he throws what was his main, he wins; if not, he loses. In other +words, having completely failed to throw his main in the first +instance, he should lose, but does not in consequence of the equitable +interference of his newly-made acquaintance, which constitutes itself +his chance. For example, suppose the caster "sets"--that is, places on +the table--a stake of L10, and it is covered by an equal amount, and he +then calls 7 as his main and throws 5; the groom-porter at once calls +aloud, "5 to 7"--that means, 5 is the number to win and 7 the number to +lose, and the player continues throwing until the event is determined +by the turning up of either the main or the chance. During this time, +however, a most important feature in the game comes into operation--the +laying and taking of the odds caused by the relative proportions of +the main and the chance. These, as has been said, are calculated with +mathematical nicety, are proclaimed by the groom-porter, and are never +varied. In the above instance, as the caster stands to win with 5 and to +lose with 7, the odds are declared to be 3 to 2 against him, inasmuch as +there are three ways of throwing 7, and only two of throwing 5. As soon +as the odds are declared, the caster may increase his stake by any sum +he wishes, and the other players may cover it by putting down (in this +instance) two-thirds of the amount, the masse, or entire sum, to await +the turning up of either main or chance. If a player "throws out" three +times in succession, the box passes to the next person on his left, +who at once takes up the play. He may, however, "throw in" without +interruption, and if he can do so some half-dozen times and back his +luck, the gains will be enormous. + +'The choice of a main is quite optional: many prefer 7 because they may +make a coup at once by throwing that number or by throwing 11, which is +a "nick" to 7, but to 7 only. Shrewd players, however, prefer some other +main, with the view of having a more favourable chance to depend upon +of winning both stake and odds. For example, let us reverse what was +mentioned above, and suppose the caster to call 5 and throw 7; he then +will have 7 as his chance to win with odds of 3 to 2 IN HIS FAVOUR. + +'Such is the game of English Hazard, at which large fortunes have +been won and lost. It is exceedingly simple, and at times can become +painfully interesting. Cheating is impossible, unless with loaded dice, +which have been used and detected by their splitting in two, but +never, perhaps, unless at some disreputable silver hell. The mode of +remunerating the owner of the rooms was a popular one. The loser never +paid, and the winner only when he succeeded in throwing three mains in +succession; and even then the "box fee," as it was called, was limited +to 5s.--a mere trifle from what he must have gained. In French Hazard a +bank is constituted at a board of green cloth, and the proceedings are +carried on in a more subdued and regular mode than is the case in the +rough-and-ready English game. Every stake that is "set" is covered by +the bank, so that the player runs no risk of losing a large amount, +when, if successful, he may win but a trifling one; but en revanche, the +scale of odds is so altered as to put the double zero of roulette +and the "aprez" of Rouge et Noir to the blush, and to operate most +predjudicially to the player. In no case is an equal rate of odds +between main and chance laid by the French "banquier," as is insisted +on by the English groomporter; while again "direct nicks" alone are +recognized by the former. Very extraordinary runs of luck have occurred +at Hazard, one player sometimes throwing five, seven, and even eleven +mains in a single hand. In such cases as these the peculiar feature in +the French game becomes valuable, the bank being prepared to pay all +winnings, while, generally speaking, a hand of six or seven mains at +English Hazard would exhaust all the funds of the players, and leave +the caster in the position of "setting the table" and finding the stakes +totally unnoticed or only partially covered. + +'In addition to the fixed rules of English Hazard, there are several +regulations which require to be observed. The round table on which it is +played has a deeply bevelled edge, which is intended to prevent the dice +from landing on the floor, which would be no throw. Again, if either die +after having left the box should strike any object on the table (such +as a man's elbow or stick) except MONEY, it would be called no throw. +Again, each player has the privilege of "calling dice," even when the +dice are in transitu, which, if done, renders the throw void, and causes +another set to be handed to the caster by the groom-porter. Many a +lucky coup has become manque by some captious player exercising this +privilege, and many an angry rencontre has ensued between the officious +meddler and the disappointed caster, who finds that he has nicked his +main to no advantage. Sometimes one die remains in the box after the +other has been landed; then the caster may either throw it quickly, or +may tantalize those interested in the event by gently coaxing it from +the bow. If one die lands on the top of another, it is removed by the +groom-porter and declared a throw. + +'Some thirty years ago English Hazard was a favourite game in Ireland, +and Dublin could boast of three or four hells doing a brisk trade. The +most frequented and longest established was called "The Coal Hole," +being situated on the coal quay. Here, at any hour after midnight, a +motley company might be seen, each individual, however, well known to +the porter, who jealously scanned his features before drawing back the +noiseless bolts which secured the door. The professional gambler trying +to live by his winnings, the fashionable swell finishing his round +of excitement, the struggling tradesman hoping to avert impending +bankruptcy, the prize-fighter, and, more conspicuous than any, the +keen-eyed usurer with his roll of notes and sheaf of bill stamps, were +to be found there. Many strange scenes have occurred in this house, some +followed by tragic consequences too painful to relate, others ridiculous +and amusing. Here it was that an angry caster, having lost his last +sovereign and his temper, also placed his black hat in the centre of the +table, swore that it was white, and finding no one disposed to dispute +his accuracy, flung himself from the room, and enabled the next player +who had won so largely and smiled so good-humouredly to take the box +in turn. But fortune deserted him also, and left him penniless, when, +glaring savagely round the room, and striking the table violently, he +thundered forth the inquiry, "Where was the rascal who said his hat +was white?" It was here also (although the venue has been changed by +story-mongers) that a well-known frequenter of the house, a sporting +M.P., on one occasion dropped on the 'door or in the passage a bank-note +without discovering his loss till he had reached home. On the next +evening he returned to inquire for it in a forlorn-hope spirit, when the +following conversation took place between him and the porter:-- + +"M.P. I think, Simpson, I dropped a note here last night--did you see +it? + +"Porter. Shure, then, mony a note was dropped here beside yours. + +"M. P. Ah! but I mean out of my pocket. I did not lose it at play. It +was for L20, one of Ball's Bank, and very old." + +'Hereupon the porter brought the senator into a corner, fumbled the note +out of his fob, and, placing it in his hands, whispered, "Shure, I know +it's yours, and here it is; but (looking cautiously round) wasn't it +lucky that none of the jintlemin found it?" + +'Another establishment much patronized in those days was in Nassau +Street, where early in the evening unlimited Loo, never under "three and +three," sometimes "six and six," might be indulged in, while a little +later Roulette formed the attraction of an adjacent room, and still +later at night all flocked down-stairs to the hot supper and rattling +English Hazard. For one or two seasons St Stephen's Green lent one of +its lordly mansions, formerly the residence of a cruel and witty Lord +Chief Justice, to the votaries of fortune; here everything was done +in grand style, with gilded saloons, obsequious waiters, and champagne +suppers. All this has long since become matter of the past, and it would +now puzzle the keenest detective to find the trace even of a silver hell +in the Irish capital. No one will be hardy enough to defend the vice +of gambling, but some have argued, and not without truth, that if a man +will play it is far better for him to indulge the propensity at Hombourg +or Baden, where he cannot lose more money than he has with him, than +to do so in the cozy club-room of a private "salon," where indulgent +friends may tempt him to become bankrupt not only in fortune but in +reputation.' + +Passing over other less important games, called Biribi, and Kraps +(played with dice), we come to Passe-Dix, which seems to demand some +notice. + +PASSE-DIX. + +This game, considered the most ancient of all games of chance, is said +to have actually been made use of by the executioners at the crucifixion +of our Saviour, when they 'parted his garments, casting lots,' Matt. +xxvii. 35. + +It is played with three dice. There is always a banker, and the number +of players is unlimited. Each gamester holds the box by turns, and the +other players follow his chance; every time he throws a point UNDER ten +he, as well as the other players, loses the entire stakes, which go +to the banker. Every time he throws a point ABOVE ten (or PASSES +TEN--whence the name of the game), the banker must double the player's +stakes and the stakes of all those who have risked their money on the +same chance. When the game is played by many together, each gamester is +banker in his turn. + +PUT. + +This was and doubtless still is the special card-game of our London +sharpers. Many of these are men who have run through a fortune in the +early part of their lives, by associating with gamblers and sharpers, +set up for themselves, set honour and conscience at defiance, become +blacklegs, and are scouted out of even the gambler's company; and, as +a last resource, are obliged to resort to low pot-houses, robbing the +poorest and most ignorant of society. + +Behind the dupe there stood a confederate sharper, looking over the +novice's hand, and telling his opponent, by his fingers, what cards he +holds--hence he was said to work the telegraph, of which more in the +sequel. Another confederate plied the novice with drink. + +'The game of Put is played with an entire pack of cards, generally +by two, and sometimes by four persons. At this game the cards rank +differently from all others; a trey being the best, then a two, then +an ace, then the king, queen, &c. The game consists of five points. +The parties cut for deal, as in Whist. The deal is made by giving three +cards, one at a time, to each player. The non-dealer then examines his +cards, and if he thinks them bad, he is at liberty to PUT them upon the +pack, and his adversary scores one point to his game. This, however, +should never be done. Either party saying--"I put," that is, I play, +cannot retract, but must abide the event of the game, or pay the stakes. + +'The THREE being the best card, if the sharper can make certain of +having a three every time his opponent deals, he must have considerably +the best of the game; and this is effected as follows:--the sharper +places a three underneath an old gentleman (a card somewhat larger and +thicker than the rest of the pack), and it does not signify how much +his opponent shuffles the pack, it is about five to one that he does not +disturb the OLD GENTLEMAN or the three. The sharper then cuts the cards, +which he does by feeling for the old gentleman; the three being then the +top card, it is dealt to the sharper by his opponent. That is one way of +securing a three, and this alone is quite sufficient to make a certainty +of winning.'(67) + +(67) Doings in London. + + +CROSS AND PILE. + +Cross and Pile, so called because anciently English coins were stamped +on one side with a cross, now bears the names, Head and Tail, and is +a pastime well known among the lowest and most vulgar classes of the +community, and to whom it is now confined; formerly, however, it held a +higher rank and was introduced at Court. Edward II. was partial to +this and other frivolous diversions, and spent much of his time in the +pursuit of them. In one of his wardrobe 'rolls,' or accounts, we find +the following entries--'Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, +for money which he lent to the king to play at Cross and Pile, five +shillings. Item, paid to Pires Bernard, usher of the king's chamber, +money which he lent the king, and which he lost at Cross and Pile; to +Monsieur Robert Wartewille, eight-pence.' + +A half-penny is now generally used in playing this game; but any other +coin with a head impressed will answer the purpose. One person tosses +the half-penny up and the other cries at pleasure HEAD or TAIL, and +loses according to the result. + +Cross and Pile is evidently derived from the Greek pastime called Ostra +Kinda, played by the boys of ancient Greece. Having procured a shell, +they smeared it over with pitch on one side and left the other side +white. A boy tossed up this shell, and his antagonist called white or +black,(68) as he thought proper, and his success was determined by the +white or black part of the shell being uppermost. + +(68) In the Greek, nux kai hmera, that is, 'night and day.' + + +It is the favourite game of the boys of London and the vicinity, +now, however, considerably, if not entirely, discontinued through the +vigilance of the police and the severity of the magistrates. Not long +ago, however, I witnessed a sad and striking scene of it at Twickenham. +It was on a Sunday morning. Several boys surrounded two players, one of +the latter being about 14 years of age, well dressed, and the other of +about 10 years, all in tatters and shoeless. The younger urchin had a +long run of good luck, whereat his antagonist exhibited much annoyance, +swearing intemperately. At length, however, his luck changed in turn, +and he went on winning until the former refused to play any longer, +saying--'There, you've got back all I won from you.' The bigger boy +became enraged at this refusal to continue the play, and seemed inclined +to resort to fisticuff, but I interposed and put a stop to the affray. +I then questioned the elder boy, and gathered from him that he played +as often as he could, sometimes winning or losing from eight to ten +shillings. 'And do you generally win? was my next question.' 'No, sir,' +he replied, 'I oftener lose.' I shuddered to conjecture what would be +the future of this boy. The word of warning I gave him was received with +a shrug of the shoulder, and he walked off with the greatest unconcern. + +THIMBLE-RIG. + +All races, fairs, and other such conglomerations of those whom Heaven +had blessed with more money than wit, used to be frequented by minor +members of 'The Fancy,' who are technically called flat-catchers, and +who picked up a very pretty living by a quick hand, a rattling tongue, a +deal board, three thimbles, and a pepper-corn. The game they played with +these three curious articles is a sort of Lilliputian game at cups and +balls; and the beauty of it lies in dexterously seeming to place the +pepper-corn under one particular thimble, getting a green to bet that it +was there, and then winning his money by showing that it is not. Every +operator at this game was attended by certain of his friends called +eggers and bonnetters--the eggers to 'egg' on the green ones to bet, +by betting themselves; and the bonnetters to 'bonnet' any green one who +might happen to win--that is to say, to knock his hat over his eyes, +whilst the operator and the others bolted with the stakes. + +Some years ago a curious case was tried, exemplifying the mode of +procedure. A Frenchman, M. Panchaud, was at Ascot Races, and he there +saw the defendant and several other 'gentlemen' betting away, +and apparently winning 'lots of sovereigns,' at one of these same +thimble-rigs. 'Try your luck, gentlemen,' cried the operator; 'I'll bet +any gentleman anything, from half-a-crown to five sovereigns, that +he doesn't name the thimble as covers the corn!' M. Panchaud betted +half-a-crown--won it; betted a sovereign--won it; betted a second +sovereign--LOST it. 'Try your luck, gentlemen!' cried the operator +again, shifting his thimbles and pepper-corn about the board, here and +there and everywhere in a moment; and this done, he offered M. Panchaud +a bet of five sovereigns that he could not 'name the thimble what +covered the corn.' 'Bet him! Bet him! Why don't you bet him?' said +the defendant (a landlord), nudging M. Panchaud on the elbow; and M. +Panchaud, convinced in his 'own breast' that he knew the right thimble, +said--'I shall betta you five sovereign if you will not touch de timbles +again till I name.' 'Done!' cried the operator; and M. Panchaud was +DONE--for, laying down his L10 note, it was caught up by SOMEBODY, the +board was upset, the operator and his friends vanished 'like a flash of +lightning,' and M. Panchaud was left full of amazement, but with empty +pockets, with the defendant standing by his side. 'They are a set of +rascals!' said the defendant; 'but don't fret, my fine fellow! I'll take +you to somebody that shall soon get your money again; and so saying +he led him off in a direction thus described in court by the fleeced +Frenchman.--'You tooke me the WRONG way! The thieves ran one way, and +you took me the other, you know, ahah! You know what you are about--you +took me the WRONG WAY--ahah!' + + + +CHAPTER XI. COCK-FIGHTING. + +Cock-fighting is a practice of high antiquity, like many other +detestable and abominable things that still cling to our social fabric. +It was much in vogue in Greece and the adjacent isles. There was an +annual festival at Athens called 'The Cock-fighting,' instituted +by Themistocles at the end of the Persian war, under the following +circumstances. When Themistocles was leading his army against the +Persians, he saw some cocks fighting; he halted his troops, looked on, +and said:--'These animals fight neither for the gods of their country, +nor for the monuments of their ancestors, nor for glory, nor for +freedom, nor for their children, but for the sake of victory, and in +order that one may not yield to the other;' and from this topic he +inspirited the Athenians. After his victorious return, as an act of +gratitude for this accidental occasion of inspiring his troops with +courage, he instituted the above festival, 'in order that what was +an incitement to valour at that time might be perpetuated as an +encouragement to the like bravery hereafter.' One cannot help smiling +at these naive stories of the ancients to account for their mightiest +results. Only think of any modern warrior halting his troops to make use +of a cock-fight for the purpose of inspiriting them to victory! + +On one occasion during the Peninsular war, when an important point was +to be carried by assault, the officers were required to say something +encouraging to their men, in order to brace them up for the encounter; +but whilst the majority of the former recalled the remembrance +of previous victories, an Irish captain contented himself with +exclaiming--'Now, my lads, you see those fellows up there. Well, if you +don't kill THEM, SHURE they'll kill YOU. That's all!' Struck with the +comic originality of this address, the men rushed forward with a laugh +and a shout, carrying all before them. + +Among the ancient Greeks the cock was sacred to Apollo, Mercury, and +aesculapius, on account of his vigilance, inferred from his early +rising--the natural consequence of his 'early to bed'--and also to Mars, +on account of his magnanimous and daring spirit. + +It seems, then, that at first cock-fighting was partly a religious, +and partly a political, institution at Athens; and was there +continued--according to the above legend--for the purpose of cherishing +the seeds of valour in the minds of youth; but that it was afterwards +abused and perverted, both there and in other parts of Greece, by being +made a common pastime, and applied to the purpose of gambling just as +it was (and is still secretly) practised in England. An Attic law ran +as follows--'Let cocks fight publicly in the theatre one day in the +year.'(69) + +(69) Pegge, in Archoeologia, quoting aelian, Columella, &c. + + +As to cock-fighting at Rome, Pegge, in the same work, gives his opinion, +that it was not customary there till very late; but that quails were +more pitted against each other for gambling purposes than cocks. This +opinion seems confirmed by the thankfulness expressed by the good +Antoninus--'that he had imbibed such dispositions from his preceptor, as +had prevented him from breeding quails for the fight.' + +'One cannot but regret,' wrote Pegge in 1775, 'that a creature so useful +and so noble as the cock should be so enormously abused by us. It is +true the massacre of Shrove Tuesday seems in a declining way, and in a +few years, it is to be hoped, will be totally disused; but the cock-pit +still continues a reproach to the humanity of Englishmen. It is unknown +to me when the pitched battle first entered England; but it was probably +brought hither by the Romans. The bird was here before Caesar's arrival; +but no notice of his fighting has occurred to me earlier than the time +of William Fitz-Stephen, who wrote the Life of Archbishop Becket, some +time in the reign of Henry II. William describes the cocking as the +sport of school-boys on Shrove Tuesday. "Every year, on the day which is +called Carnelevaria (Carnival)--to begin with the sports of the London +boys,--for we have all been boys--all the boys are wont to carry to +their schoolmaster their fighting-cocks, and the whole of the forenoon +is made a holiday for the boys to see the fights of their cocks in their +schoolrooms." The theatre, it seems, was their school, and the master +was the controller and director of the sport. From this time at least +the diversion, however absurd, and even impious, was continued among +us.' + +'Although disapproved of by many, and prohibited by law, cock-fighting +continued in vogue, patronized even by royalty, and commonly called "the +royal diversion." St James's Park, which, in the time of Henry VIII., +belonged to the Abbot of Westminster, was bought by that monarch and +converted into a park, a tennis court, and a cockpit, which was situated +where Downing Street now is. The park was approached by two noble gates, +and until the year 1708 the Cock-pit Gate, which opened into the court +where Queen Anne lived, was standing. It was surmounted with lofty +towers and battlements, and had a portcullis, and many rich decorations. +Westminster Gate, the other entrance, was designed by Hans Holbein, and +some foreign architect doubtless erected the Cockpit Gate. The scene of +the cruel diversion of cock-fighting was, however, obliterated before +Anne's time, and the palace, which was a large range of apartments and +offices reaching to the river, extended over that space.'(69) + +(69) Wharton, Queens of Society. + + +Cock-fighting was the favourite amusement of James I., in whose reign +there were cock-pits in St James's Park, Drury Lane, Tufton Street, Shoe +Lane, and Jermyn Street. There was a cock-pit in Whitehall, erected for +the more magnificent exhibition of the sport; and the present room in +Westminster in which her Majesty's Privy Council hold their sittings, is +called the Cock-pit, from its being the site of the veritable arena of +old. + +Cock-fighting was prohibited by one of Oliver's acts in 1654; but with +the return of Charles and his profligacy, the sport again flourished in +England. Pepys often alludes to it in his 'Diary.' + +Thus, Dec. 21, 1663, he writes:-- + +'To Shoe Lane, to see a cocke-fighting at a new pit there, a spot I was +never at in my life; but, Lord! to see the strange variety of people, +from Parliament man, by name Wildes, that was Deputy-Governor of the +Tower when Robinson was Lord Mayor, to the poorest 'prentices, bakers, +brewers, butchers, draymen, and what not; and all these fellows one with +another cursing and betting. I soon had enough of it. It is strange to +see how people of this poor rank, that look as if they had not bread to +put in their mouths, shall bet three or four pounds at a time, and lose +it, and yet bet as much the next battle; so that one of them will lose +L10 or L20 at a meeting.' + +Again, April 6, 1668:-- + +'I to the new Cocke-pit by the king's gate, and there saw the manner +of it, and the mixed rabble of people that came thither, and saw two +battles of cockes, wherein is no great sport; but only to consider how +these creatures, without any provocation, do fight and kill one another, +and aim only at one another's heads!' + +Up to the middle of the 18th century cock-fighting was 'all the rage' in +England. 'Cocking,' says a writer of the time, 'is a sport or pastime so +full of delight and pleasure, that I know not any game in that respect +which is to be preferred before it.' + +The training of the pugnacious bird had now become a sort of art, and +this is as curious as anything about the old 'royal diversion.' A few +extracts from a treatise on the subject may be interesting as leaves +from the book of manners and customs of the good old times. + +The most minute details are given as to the selection of fighting-cocks, +the breeding of game cocks, and 'the dieting and ordering a cock for +battle.' Under this last head we read:--'In the morning take him out of +the pen, and let him spar a while with another cock. Sparring is after +this manner. Cover each of your cock's heels with a pair of hots made +of bombasted rolls of leather, so covering the spurs that they cannot +bruise or wound one another, and so setting them down on straw in a +room, or green grass abroad; let them fight a good while, but by no +means suffer them to draw blood of one another. The benefit that accrues +hereby is this: it heateth and chafeth their bodies, and it breaketh +the fat and glut that is within them. Having sparred as much as is +sufficient, which you may know when you see them pant and grow weary, +then take them up, and, taking off their hots, give them a diaphoretic +or sweating, after this manner. You must put them in deep straw-baskets, +made for this purpose, and fill these with straw half way, then put in +your cocks severally, and cover them over with straw to the top; then +shut down the lids, and let them sweat; but don't forget to give them +first some white sugar-candy, chopped rosemary, and butter, mingled +and incorporated together. Let the quantity be about the bigness of a +walnut; by so doing you will cleanse him of his grease, increase his +strength, and prolong his breath. Towards four or five o'clock in the +evening take them out of their stoves, and, having licked their eyes and +head with your tongue, and put them into their pens, and having filled +their throats with square-cut manchet, **** therein, and let them feed +whilst the****is hot; for this will cause their scouring to work, and +will wonderfully cleanse both head and body.' + +Was ever poor animal subjected to such indignity? The preparation of the +other animal, the jockey, is nothing to it. But, to continue:-- + +'The second day after his sparring, take your cock into a fair green +close, and, having a dunghill cock in your arms, show it him, and then +run from him, that thereby you may entice him to follow, permitting him +to have now and then a blow, and thus chafe him up and down about half +an hour; when he begins to pant, being well-heated, take him up and +carry him home, and give him this scouring, &c.' + +This training continued for six weeks, which was considered a sufficient +time for 'ordering a cock for the battle;' and then, after the +'matching,' came the last preparation of the poor biped for the +terrible fight in which he would certainly be either killed or kill his +antagonist, if both were not doomed to bite the dust. This consisted in +the following disfigurement of the beautiful creature:-- + +'With a pair of fine cock-shears cut all his mane off close into his +neck from the head to the setting on of the shoulders: secondly, clip +off all the feathers from the tail close to his rump; the redder it +appears the better is the cock in condition: thirdly, take his wings and +spread them forth by the length of the first rising feather, and +clip the rest slope-wise with sharp points, that in his rising he may +therewith endanger the eye of his adversary; fourthly, scrape, smooth, +and sharpen his spurs with a pen-knife; fifthly, and lastly, see that +there be no feathers on the crown of his head for his adversary to take +hold of; then, with your spittle moistening his head all over, turn him +into the pit TO MOVE TO HIS FORTUNE.' + +I should, perhaps, state that, instead of the natural spurs, long +artificial ones of well-tempered steel were fixed to the cock's heels +in later times, and these were frequently driven into the body of his +antagonist with such vigour that the two cocks were spitted together, +and had to be separated. + +The dreadful fight having come off, the following was the treatment +prescribed for the fortunate conqueror. + +'The battle being ended, immediately search your cock's wounds, as many +as you can find. SUCK the blood out of them; then wash them well with +warm ****, and that will keep them from rankling; after this give him +a roll of your best SCOURING, and so stove him up as hot as you can for +that night; in the morning, if you find his head swelled, you must suck +his wounds again, and bathe them with warm ****; then take the powder +of herb Robert, and put it into a fine bag, and pounce his wounds +therewith; after this, give him a good handful of bread to eat out of +warm ****, and so put him into the stove again, and let him not feel the +air till the swelling be fallen.' + +A cock sometimes took a long time to recover from his wounds--as, +indeed, may be well supposed from the terrible 'punishment' which he +necessarily received; and so our professor goes on to say:--'If after +you have put out your wounded cock to their walks, and visiting them a +month or two after, you find about their head any swollen bunches, hard +and blackish at one end, you may then conclude that in such bunches +there are unsound cores, which must be opened and crushed out with your +thumbs; and after this, you must suck out the corruption, and filling +the holes full of fresh butter, you need not doubt a cure.' + +A poetical description of a cock-fight, by Dr R. Wild, written at the +commencement of the last century, will give an idea of the 'diversion.' + + + 'No sooner were the doubtful people set, + The match made up, and all that would had bet, + But straight the skilful judges of the play; + Brought forth their sharp-heel'd warriors, and they + Were both in linnen bags--as if 'twere meet, + Before they died, to have their winding-sheet. + Into the pit they're brought, and being there, + Upon the stage, the Norfolk Chanticleer + Looks stoutly at his ne'er before seen foe, + And like a challenger began to crow, + And clap his wings, as if he would display + His warlike colours, which were black and grey. + + 'Meantime, the wary Wisbich walks and breathes + His active body, and in fury wreathes + His comely crest, and often with a sound, + He whets his angry beak upon the ground. + This done, they meet, not like that coward breed + Of Aesop; these can better fight than feed: + They scorn the dunghill; 'tis their only prize + TO DIG FOR PEARLS WITHIN EACH OTHER'S EYES. + + 'They fought so nimbly that 'twas hard to know, + E'en to the skill'd, whether they fought or no; + If that the blood which dyed the fatal floor + Had not borne witness of 't. Yet fought they more; + As if each wound were but a spur to prick + Their fury forward. Lightning's not more quick, + Or red, than were their eyes: 'twas hard to know + Whether 'twas blood or anger made them so. + I'm sure they had been out had they not stood + More safe by being fenced in with blood. + + Thus they vied blows; but yet (alas!) at length, + Altho' their courage was full tried, their strength + And blood began to ebb. + + Their wings, which lately at each blow they clapp'd + (As if they did applaud themselves), now flapp'd. + And having lost th' advantage of the heel, + Drunk with each other's blood, they only reel. + From either eyes such drops of blood did fall + As if they wept them for their funeral. + And yet they fain would fight; they came so near, + Methought they meant into each other's ear + TO WHISPER WOUNDS; and when they could not rise, + They lay and look'd blows into each other's eyes. + + But now the tragic part! After this fit, + When Norfolk cock had got the best of it, + And Wisbich lay a dying, so that none, + Tho' sober, but might venture Seven to One; + Contracting, like a dying taper, all + His strength, intending with the blow to fall, + He struggles up, and having taken wind, + Ventures a blow, and strikes the other blind! + + 'And now poor Norfolk, having lost his eyes, + Fights only guided by antipathies: + With him, alas! the proverb holds not true-- + The blows his eyes ne'er saw his heart most rue. + At length, by chance, he stumbled on his foe, + Not having any power to strike a blow. + He falls upon him with his wounded head, + And makes his conqueror's wings his feather-bed; + Where lying sick, his friends were very chary + Of him, and fetch'd in haste a Pothecary; + But all in vain! His body did so blister + That 'twas incapable of any glyster; + Wherefore, at length, opening his fainting bill, + He call'd a scriv'ner and thus made his Will. + + 'IMPRIMIS--Let it never be forgot, + My body freely I bequeath to th' pot, + Decently to be boil'd. + **** + ITEM: Executors I will have none + But he that on my side laid Seven to One; + And, like a gentleman that he may live, + To him, and to his heirs, my COMB I give, + Together with my brains, that all may know + That oftentimes his brains did use to crow. + **** + To him that 's dull I do my SPURS impart, + And to the coward I bequeath my HEART. + To ladies that are light, it is my will + My FEATHERS shall be given; and for my BILL + I'd give 't a tailor, but it is so short, + That I'm afraid he'll rather curse me for 't: + **** + Lastly, because I feel my life decay, + I yield and give to Wisbich COCK THE DAY!'(70) + + +(70) The passages left out in the Will, as marked by asterisks, though +witty, are rather too gross for modern eyes. + + +To quote from Pegge once more:--What aggravates the reproach and +disgrace upon us Englishmen, are those species of fighting which are +called--"the battle royal and the Welsh main"--known nowhere in the +world, as I think, but here; neither in China, nor in Persia, nor in +Malacca, nor among the savage tribes of America. These are scenes so +bloody as almost to be too shocking to relate; and yet as many may not +be acquainted with the horrible nature of them, it may be proper, for +the excitement of our aversion and detestation, to describe them in a +few words. + +'In the battle royal, an unlimited number of fowls are pitted; and after +they have slaughtered one another, for the diversion (dii boni!) of the +otherwise generous and humane Englishman, the single surviving bird is +to be esteemed the victor, and carries away the prize. The Welsh main +consists, we will suppose, of sixteen pairs of cocks; of these the +sixteen conquerors are pitted a second time; and, lastly, the two +conquerors of these are pitted a fifth time; so that (incredible +barbarity!) thirty-one cocks are sure to be most inhumanly murdered +for the sport and pleasure, the noise and nonsense, nay, I may say the +profane cursing and swearing, of those who have the effrontery to call +themselves, with all these bloody doings, and with all this impiety +about them--Christians!' Moreover, this ungenerous diversion was the +bane and destruction of thousands, who thus dissipated their patrimonial +fortunes. That its attractions were irresistible is evident from the +difficulty experienced in suppressing the practice. Down to a very +recent date cock-fighting was carried on in secret,--the police now and +then breaking into the secret pits, dispersing and chasing a motley crew +of noblemen, gentlemen, and 'the scum of rascaldom.' + +The practice is very far from having died out; mains are still fought in +various parts of the country; but of course the greatest precautions are +taken to insure secrecy and to prevent the interference of the police. + +In connection with cock-fighting I remember a horrible incident that +occurred in the West Indies. A gentleman who was passionately fond of +the sport, and prided himself on the victories of his cocks, had the +misfortune to see one of his birds so terribly wounded in the first +onset that, although not killed, it was impossible for it to continue +the fight. His rage at the mishap knew no bounds, and he vented it madly +on the poor creature. He roasted it alive--standing by and hearing its +piteous cries. In the midst of the horrible torture the wretched man +became so excited that a fit of apoplexy supervened, and he positively +expired before the poor bird at the fire! + + + +CHAPTER XII. THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL. + +It appears that horse-races were customary at public festivals even as +early as the times of the patriarchs. They originated among the eastern +nations, who were the first to discover the physical aptitudes of the +noble animal and the spirited emulation of which he is capable. The +Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, in succession, all indulged in the +excitement; and it is a curious fact that the Romans, like the English +jockeys of the present day, rode in different colours. + +Horse-racing began very early in England. Fitz-Stephen, who wrote in +the time of Henry VIII., mentions the delight taken by the citizens of +London in the diversion. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth it appears to +have greatly flourished, and to have been carried to such an excess as +to have ruined many of the nobility. + +The celebrated George, Earl of Cumberland, is said to have wasted more +of his estates than any of his ancestors, and principally by his love +of the turf and the tilt-yard. In the reign of James I., Croydon in the +South, and Garterly in the North, were celebrated courses. Camden also +states that in 1607 there were meetings near York, and the prize was +a small golden bell; hence the origin of the saying 'bearing off the +bell.' + +Lord Herbert of Cherbury denounced the practice. 'The exercise,' +says this gallant philosopher, 'I do not approve of is running of +horses--there being much CHEATING in that kind,--neither do I see why a +brave man should delight in a creature whose chief use is to help him to +run away.' As far as the cheating is concerned, the philosopher may be +right, but most assuredly his views of the horse do no credit to his +Lordship's understanding. + +It appears that the turf-men of those days went on breeding for shape +and speed alone, without considering 'bottom,' until the reign of Queen +Anne; when a public-spirited nobleman left thirteen plates or purses to +be run for, at such places as the Crown should appoint, upon condition +that every horse should carry twelve stone for the best of three +heats--four miles. By this means a stronger horse was raised, who, if he +was not good enough upon the race-course, made a hunter. + +The Merry Monarch, Charles II., had given cups or bowls, estimated +at one hundred guineas value, and upon which the names of the winning +horses, the winner, and jockey were usually engraved. William III. added +to the plates, as did Queen Anne; but in 1720 George I. discontinued +this royal encouragement to the sport, apparently through sheer +meanness. Since that period 'King's Plates' and 'Queen's Plates' have +been paid in specie. + +In the reign of Charles I. races were performed in Hyde Park; and +until a very recent period 'the Ring' in the Park was the rendezvous +of gentlemen's servants, for the purpose of betting or making up their +betting books. + +Newmarket races were established by Charles II., in 1667. Epsom, by Mr +Parkhurst, in 1711. Ascot, by the Duke of Cumberland, uncle to George +III. Doncaster, by Colonel St Leger, in 1778. Goodwood, by the Duke of +Richmond, who died in 1806. + +The Jockey Club began in the time of George II. Its latest rules, by +which races are regulated, were enacted in 1828. + +Tattersall's, the 'High Change of Horse-flesh,' was established by +Richard Tattersall, near Hyde Park Corner--hence termed 'The Corner'--in +1766, for the sale of horses. The lease of the ground having expired, +the new premises at Brompton were erected, and opened for business, in +1803. + +On the accession of Queen Victoria the Royal stud was sold for L16,476, +in Oct., 1837.(71) + +(71) Haydon, Book of Dates. + + +Among the distinguished men who have supported the turf in this country +may be mentioned George IV.(72) and William IV.; the late Duke of +York; the Dukes of Richmond, Cleveland, Grafton, Bedford, and Beaufort; +Marquises of Exeter and Westminster; Earls of Glasgow, Stradbrooke, +Wilton, Chesterfield, Eglintoun, Verulam, and Lonsdale; Lords George +Bentinck, Foley, Kinnaird, &c.; and last, though not least, the Right +Honourable Charles James Fox. As to the turf, Fox used always to +animadvert on his losses, and repeatedly observed--that 'his horses had +as much bottom as other people's, but that they were such slow, good +ones that they never went fast enough to tire themselves.' He had, +however, the gratification of experiencing some few exceptions to this +imaginary rule. In April, 1772, he was so lucky at Newmarket as to win +nearly L16,000--the greater part of which he got by betting against the +celebrated Pincher, who lost the match by only half a neck. The odds at +STARTING were two to one on the losing horse. At the spring meeting at +Newmarket, in 1789, Fox is said to have won not less than L50,000; and +at the October meeting, at the same place, the following year, he sold +two of his horses--Seagull and Chanticleer--for 4400 guineas. In the +course of 1788 Fox and the Duke of Bedford won 8000 guineas between them +at the Newmarket spring meeting, and during these races Fox and Lord +Barrymore had a heavy match, which was given as a dead heat, and the +bets were off. + +(72) For some period previous to 1790, George IV. had patronized +horse-racing and pugilism; but in that year, having attended a prize +fight in which one of the boxers was killed, he ceased to support the +ring, declaring that he would never be present at such a scene of +murder again; and in 1791 he disposed of his stud, on account of some +apparently groundless suspicion being attached to his conduct with +regard to a race, in the event of which he had little or no real +interest. + + +On coming into office with Lord North, in 1783, Mr Fox sold his horses, +and erased his name from several of the clubs of which he was a member. +It was not long, however, before he again purchased a stud, and in +October he attended the Newmarket meeting. The king's messenger was +obliged to appear on the course, to seek one of the ministers of England +among the sportsmen on the heath, in order to deliver despatches upon +which perhaps the fate of the country might have depended. The messenger +on these occasions had his badge of office, the greyhound, not liking +that the world should know that the king's adviser was amusing himself +at Newmarket, when he should have been serving him in the metropolis. +But Charles Fox preferred the betting rooms to Downing Street. + +Again, in the year 1790, his horse Seagull won the Oatlands stakes at +Ascot, of 100 guineas (19 subscribers), beating the Prince of Wales's +Escape, Serpent, and several of the very best horses of that year--to +the great mortification of His Royal Highness, who immediately matched +Magpie against him, to run four days afterwards, two miles, for 500 +guineas. This match, on which immense sums were depending, was won with +ease by Seagull. At this period Lord Foley and Mr Fox were confederates. +In those days the plates averaged from L50 to L100. + +Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with a clear estate +of L1800 a year, and L100,000 ready money, which was considerably +diminished by his losses at Newmarket, Ascot, and Epsom. + +The race-horse of this country excels those of the whole world, not only +for speed, but bottom. There is a great difference, however, between +the present race and that of fifty or sixty years ago; for in those days +four-mile heats were the fashion. The sporting records at the end of the +last century give the following exploits of horses of that and previous +periods. + +Childers, known by the name of Flying Childers, the property of the Duke +of Devonshire, was looked upon as the fleetest horse that ever was bred. +He was never beaten; the sire of this celebrated horse was an Arabian. + +Dorimont, belonging to Lord Ossory, won prizes to the amount of L13,360. + +Eclipse was allowed to be the fastest horse that ever ran in England +since the time of Childers. After winning largely for his owner, he +covered, by subscription, forty mares at 30 guineas each, or 1200 +guineas. + +Highflyer, by King Herod, was the best horse of his day; was never +beaten, nor paid forfeit but once. His winnings amounted to above L9000, +although he only ran as a three, four, and five years old. + +Matchem stood high both as a racer and as the sire of many of our most +favourite horses. As a stallion he realized for his master more than +L12,000. He died in 1781, at the advanced age of thirty-three. + +Shark won a cup value 120 guineas, eleven hogsheads of claret, and above +L16,000 in plates, matches, and forfeits.(73) + +(73) Lord William Lennox, Merrie England. + + +Among recent celebrities must be mentioned Lord Stamford, who is said +to have engaged Jemmy Grimshaw, a light-weighted jockey, at a salary of +L1000 a year. + + The most astounding 'event' of late years was that of 1867, when +the horse Hermit--previously represented as being in an unfit condition +even to run, won the race--to the unspeakable ruin of very many, and +inflicting on the late Marquis of Hastings the enormous loss of about +L100,000, which, however, in spite of unseemly rumours and, it is said, +hopes of that nobleman's ruin, was honourably paid, to the day and hour. + +But if ruin did not immediately come upon the young marquis, still the +wound was deadly, inflicted as though with the ferocity of a demon. In +his broken health and rapid decay sympathy was not withheld from +him; and when a premature death put an end to his sufferings, and +was speedily followed by the breaking up of his establishment and the +dispersion of his ancestral effects, most men felt that he had, +perhaps, atoned for his errors and indiscretions, whilst all united in +considering him another unfortunate victim added to the long list of +those who have sacrificed their fortune, health, and honour to the +Gambling Moloch presiding over the Turf of England.(74) + +(74) The 'Odds' or probabilities of horse racing are explained in +chapter VIII., in which the entire 'Doctrine of Chances' is discussed. + + +Such are the leading facts of horse-racing in England. One cannot help +observing that the sturdy strength and muscular exertions of an Olympic +charioteer of old exhibit a striking contrast to the spider-like form +and emaciated figure of a Newmarket jockey. + + Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam, +Multa tulit, fecitque puer, SUDAVAT et alsit. + + 'Who in a race would reach the long'd-for goal, + Must suffer much, do much, in youth, indeed, + Must SWEAT and fag.' + +This is literally true respecting the English jockey, whose attenuated +form is accounted for in the following dialogue in an old work entitled +'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' 1771. + +'Stop, stop, OLD GENTLEMAN! I desire to speak a word to you; pray which +is the way to----.' + +'I beg, sir, you will not interrupt me. I am a Newmarket jockey--am to +ride in a few days a match, upon which there is a great deal depending, +and I am now PREPARING.' + +'Oh, I see now, you are a YOUNG man, instead of that old one for whom I +mistook you by your wrappings; but pray, explain.' + +'Why, your Honour must know that we jockeys, in order to bring ourselves +down to the weight required for the horses we are to ride, sweat under a +load of flannel wrapped about us beneath coats and great coats, and walk +two or three miles in the heat of summer, till we are ready to faint +under our burden.' + +'Indeed! Why, you go through a deal!' + +'Ah, sir, a great deal indeed! Why, we sometimes lie hours and hours +between two feather-beds--to melt away our extraordinary weight.' + +'But will you give me leave to examine your present dress? Hum! Two +flannel waistcoats, a thick cloth coat, a Bath surtout! It is a vast +weight to carry this warm weather. I only hope you won't sink under it.' + +'Never fear, sir, I do not doubt but I shall do very well.' + +The rewards of victory were as plain and simple in the Grecian games as +they were distinguishing and honourable. A garland of palm, or laurel, +or parsley, or pine leaves, served to adorn the brow of the fortunate +victor, whilst his name stood a chance of being transmitted to posterity +in the strains of some lofty Pindar. The rewards of modern days are +indeed more substantial and solid, being paid in weighty gold or its +equivalent, no matter whether obtained by the ruin of others, while the +fleet coursers and their exulting proprietors stand conspicuous in +the list of the Racing Calendar. The ingenious and ironical author of +'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' in the year 1771, bestowed +the following titles and honours on the most famous horse of the +day--Kelly's Eclipse:--'Duke of Newmarket, Marquis of Barnet, Earl of +Epsom and York, Viscount Canterbury, Baron Eclipse of Mellay; Lord of +Lewes, Salisbury, Ipswich, and Northampton; Comptroller-General of +the race-grounds, and Premier Racer of All England.' To bear coat of +arms--'A Pegasus argent on a field verd;--the supporters--two Englishmen +in ermined robes and ducal coronets;--the crest--a purse, Or;--the +motto--"Volat ocior Euro." '(75) + +(75) 'He flies swifter than the east wind.' + + +Again, in the exhibition of those useful and honourable Olympic pastimes +of old, the cause of morality was not overlooked:--there was in them +a happy union of utility, pleasure, and virtue. A spotless life and +unblameable manners, a purity of descent by being born in wedlock +through several generations, and a series of creditable relations, were +indispensable qualifications of a candidate on the Olympic turf. It +is true, there is at least as much attention paid to purity and +faultlessness on the plains of Newmarket; but the application is to the +blood and pedigree of the horse, not of his rider. + +Nay, it was, and is, notorious that the word 'jockey' has acquired the +meaning of 'to trick,' 'to cheat,' as appears in all our dictionaries +and in common parlance. What is the inference from this but that +the winning of races is no absolute proof of the superiority of the +horse--for whose improvement racing is said to be encouraged; but rather +the result of a secret combination of expedients or arrangements--in a +word, jockeying, that is, cheating, tricking. The only 'moral' character +required in the jockey is the determination to do whatsoever may be +agreed upon or determined by those who are willing and able to give 'a +consideration' for the convenient accommodation. + +But it is, or was, the associations, the inevitable concomitants, of the +turf and racing that stamp it, not only as something questionable, +but as a bane and infamy to the nation; and if there is one spot more +eminently distinguished for a general rendezvous of fraud and gambling, +that place is Newmarket. + +The diversions of these plains have proved a decoy to many a noble +and ingenuous mind, caught in the snares laid to entrap youth and +inexperience. Newmarket was a wily labyrinth of loss and gain, a +fruitful field for the display of gambling abilities, the school of the +sharping crew, the academy of the Greeks, the unfathomable gulf that +absorbed princely fortunes. + +The amusements of the turf were in all other places intermixed with a +variety of social diversions, which were calculated to promote innocent +mirth and gaiety. The breakfastings, the concerts, the plays, the +assemblies, attracted the circle of female beauty, enlivened the scene, +engaged the attention of gentlemen, and thus prevented much of the evil +contagion and destruction of midnight play. But encouragement to the +GAMBLER of high and low degree was the very charter of Newmarket. +Every object that met the eye was encompassed with gambling--from the +aristocratic Rouge et Noir, Roulette, and Hazard, down to Thimble-rig, +Tossing, and Tommy Dodd. Every hour of the day and night was beset with +gambling diversified; in short, gambling must occupy the whole man, or +he was lost to the sport and spirit of the place. The inhumanity of +the cock-pit, the iniquitous vortex of the Hazard table, employed each +leisure moment from the race, and either swallowed up the emoluments +of the victorious field, or sank the jockey still deeper in the gulf of +ruin. + +The common people of England have been stigmatized (and perhaps +too justly) for their love of bloody sports and cruel diversions; +cock-fighting, bull-baiting, boxing, and the crowded attendance on +executions, are but too many proofs of this sanguinary turn. But why +the imputation should lie at the door of the vulgar alone may well be +questioned; for while the star of nobility and dignified distinction +was seen to glitter at a cock-match or on a boxing-stage, or near +the 'Ring'--where its proprietor was liable to be elbowed by their +highnesses of grease and soot, and to be hemmed in by knights of the +post and canditates for Tyburn tree--when this motley group alike were +fixed in eager attention, alike betted on and enjoyed each blood-drawing +stroke of the artificial spur, or blow of the fist well laid in--what +distinction was to be made between peer and plebeian, except in +derogation of the former? + +The race-course at Newmarket always presented a rare assemblage of +grooms, gamblers, and greatness. + +'See, side by side, the jockey and Sir John Discuss the important point +of six to one; For, O my Muse! the deep-felt bliss how dear--How great +the pride to gain a jockey's ear!'(76) + +(76) Wharton's Newmarket. + + +Newmarket fame was an object of ambition sought by the most +distinguished personages. + +'Go on, brave youths, till in some future age Whips shall become the +senatorial badge; Till England see her thronging senators Meet all at +Westminster in boots and spurs; See the whole House with mutual phrensy +mad, Her patriots all in leathern breeches clad; Of bets for taxes +learnedly debate, And guide with equal reins a steed or state.'(77) + +(77) Ibid. + + +And then at the winning-post what motley confusion. + + + --------------------'A thousand tongues + Jabber harsh jargon from a thousand lungs. + **** + Dire was the din--as when in caverns pent, + Hoarse Boreas storms and Eurus works for vent, + The aeolian brethren heave the labouring earth, + And roar with elemental strife for birth.'(78) + +(78) 'The Gamblers.' Horace had said long before--Tanto cum strepitu +ludi spectantur, 'So great a noise attends the games! + + +The frauds and stratagems of wily craft which once passed current at +Newmarket, surpassed everything that can be imagined at the present +day. The intruding light of the morning was execrated by the nightly +gamblers. 'Grant us but to perish in the light,' was the prayer of the +warlike Ajax:--'Grant us black night for ever,' exclaimed the gambler; +and his wishes were consistent with the place and the foul deeds +perpetrated therein.(79) + +(79) The principal gambling-room at Newmarket was called the 'Little +Hell.' + + Sit mihi fas audita loqui--sit numine vestro, + Pandere res alta terra et caligine mersas. + + +The turf-events of every succeeding year verify the lament of the late +Lord Derby:-- + +'The secession from the turf of men who have station and character, and +the accession of men who have neither, are signs visible to the dullest +apprehension. The once national sport of horse-racing is being degraded +to a trade in which it is difficult to perceive anything either sportive +or national. The old pretence about the improvement of the breed of +horses has become a delusion, too stale for jesting.' + +Nothing is more incontestable than the fact that the breed of English +horses has not been really improved, certainly not by racing and its +requirements. It has been truly observed that 'what is called the turf +is merely a name for the worst kind of gambling. The men who engage in +it are as far as possible from any ideal of sporting men. It is a grim +joke, in fact, to speak of "sport" at all in their connection. The turf +to them is but a wider and more vicious sort of tapis vert--the racing +but the rolling of the balls--the horses but animated dice. It is +difficult to name a single honest or manly instinct which is propagated +by the turf as it is, or which does not become debased and vitiated +by the association. From a public recreation the thing has got to be +a public scandal. Every year witnesses a holocaust of great names +sacrificed to the insatiable demon of horse-racing--ancient families +ruined, old historic memories defiled at the shrine of this vulgarest +and most vicious of popular passions.' + +Among those who have sought to reform the turf is Sir Joseph Hawley, +who last year succeeded in procuring the abolition of two-year-old races +before the 1st of May. He is now endeavouring, to go much further, and +has given notice of a motion for the appointment of a committee of the +Jockey Club to consider the question of the whole condition of the turf. + +There can be no doubt, that, if Sir Joseph Hawley's propositions, as +announced, be adopted, even in a modified form, they would go to the +very root of the evil, and purify the turf of the worst of the present +scandals. + +It would require a volume, or perhaps many volumes, to treat of the +subject of the present chapter--the Turf, Historical, Social, Moral; but +I must now leave this topic, of such terrible national interest, to some +other conscientious writer capable of 'doing justice' to the theme, in +all its requirements. + + + +CHAPTER XIII. FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES). + +It must be admitted that this practice--however absurd in its object and +application--does great credit to human ingenuity. Once admitting the +possibility of such conjuring, it is impossible to deny the propriety +of the reasonings deduced from the turning up, the collocation, or +the juxta-position of the various cards, when the formalities of the +peculiar shuffle and cut required have been duly complied with by the +consulter. + +The cards are first shuffled ad libitum, then cut three different times, +and laid on a table, face upwards, one by one, in the form of a circle, +or more frequently nine in a row. If the conjurer is a man he chooses +one of the kings as his representative; if a woman, she selects one of +the queens. This is on the supposition that persons are consulting +for themselves; otherwise it is the fortune-teller who selects the +representative card. Then the queen of the chosen king, or the king of +the chosen queen, stands for a husband or wife, mistress or lover, of +the party whose fortune is to be told. The knave of the suit represents +the most intimate person of their family. + +The ninth card every way, that is, counted from the representative, is +of the greatest consequence, and that interval comprises the 'circle' of +the inquirer, for good or for evil. + +Now, all the cards have had assigned to them arbitrary, but plausible, +characteristics. Thus, the ace of clubs (that suit representing +originally the 'fortunate husbandmen') promises great wealth, much +prosperity in life, and tranquillity of mind--if it turns up within +your circle, as before mentioned. King of clubs announces a man of dark +complexion who is humane, upright, &c., in fact, just the man for a +husband. Queen of clubs is equally propitious as the emblem of a dark +lady who would prove a paragon wife. Knave of clubs, a jolly good +friend in every way. Ten of clubs always flurries the heart of the +inquirer--especially if 'hard up'--for it denotes riches speedily +forthcoming from an unexpected quarter--which is usually the case in +such circumstances; but then it also threatens the loss of some dear +friend--which, however, cannot signify much if you get 'the money.' +Seven of clubs promises the most brilliant fortune, and the most +exquisite bliss this world can afford; but then you are ungallantly +warned that you must 'beware of the opposite sex'--which seems a +contradiction in terms--for how call 'the most exquisite bliss this +world can afford' be secured without the aid of 'the opposite sex'? +Five of clubs is the main point of maid-servants, young girls from the +country, governesses, in short, of all the floating womanhood of the +land--for 'it declares that you will shortly be married to a person +who will--MEND your CIRCUMSTANCES.' The trey of clubs is scarcely less +exhilarating, for it promises that you will be married three times, and +each time to a wealthy person. On the whole the suit of clubs is +very lucky, but, very appropriately, the deuce thereof portends some +'unfortunate opposition to your favourite inclination, which will +disturb you.'(80) + +(80) According to other authorities, the ace of clubs means a letter; +the nine, danger caused by drunkenness; the eight, danger from +covetousness; the seven, a prison, and danger from the opposite sex; +the six, competence by hard-working industry; the five, a happy but NOT +wealthy marriage; the four, danger of misfortunes caused by inconstancy +or capricious temper; the trey, quarrels. + + +The suit of diamonds is by no means so satisfactory as the gem of a +name would seem to indicate; but perhaps we must remember that this suit +represented originally the COMMERCIAL CLASSES, and that probably this +divination by cards was invented by some proud ARISTOCRAT in those +times when tradesmen did not stand so high as they now do in morality, +uprightness, &c. The ace of diamonds puts you on the qui vive for the +postman; it means a LETTER. It is only to be hoped that it is not one +of those nasty things, yellow outside and blue within--a dun from some +importunate butcher, baker, grocer, or--tailor. The king of diamonds +shows a revengeful, fiery, obstinate fellow of very fair complexion in +your circle; the queen of diamonds is nothing but a gay coquette, of the +same complexion as the king, and not 'over-virtuous'--a very odd phrase +in use for the absence of virtue altogether; the knave of diamonds is +a selfish, impracticable fellow; ten of diamonds is one of the few +exceptions to the evil omens of this suit, it promises a country husband +or a wife with great wealth and many children--the number of the latter +being indicated by the next card to it; it also signifies a purse +of gold--but where? Oh, where? Nine of diamonds indicates simply a +vagabond, full of vexation and disappointment; eight of diamonds shows +an enemy to marriage, who may, however, 'marry late,' and find himself +in a terrible 'fix;' seven of diamonds is worse still, portending all +the horrors of the divorce court and the bankruptcy court--conjugal +profligacy and extravagance; six of diamonds means early marriage and +premature widowhood, and a second marriage, which will probably be +worse; five of diamonds is the next exception to the misery of this +suit, it promises 'good children, who will KEEP YOU FROM GRIEF'--at +best, however, only a makeshift; four of diamonds is as bad as seven of +diamonds--portending the same results; the trey of diamonds threatens +all manner of strife, law-suits, &c., promises a vixen for a wife, +to your great domestic misery; the deuce of diamonds concludes the +catalogue of wretchedness with the assurance that you will fall in love +early, that your parents will not approve of your choice, and if you +marry, notwithstanding, that they will hardly ever forgive you.(81) + +(81) Otherwise the ace of diamonds means a wedding ring, the king, a +fiery but a placable person, of very fair complexion; the ten, money, +success in honourable business; the eight, a happy prudent marriage, +though late in life; the five, unexpected and most likely good news; the +four, a faithless friend, a betrayed secret. + + +The suit of hearts, as previously explained, represented originally the +ecclesiastical order, the jolly monks, churchmen of all degrees; how far +the indications tally must be left to the ingenious reader to determine. +The ace of hearts means feasting and pleasure; but if attended by +spades, it foretells quarrelling; if by hearts it shows affection and +friendship; if by diamonds, you will hear of some absent friend; if by +clubs, of merry-making: the king of hearts denotes a not VERY fair man, +good-natured, but hot and hasty individual, and very amorous; the queen +of hearts promises a lady of golden locks (not necessarily 'carrots'), +faithful and affectionate; the knave of hearts is a particular friend, +and great attention must be paid to the card that stands next to him, as +from it alone you can judge whether the person it represents will favour +your inclination or not, because he is always the dearest friend or +nearest relation of the consulting party; the ten of hearts shows good +nature and many children, and is a corrective of the bad tidings of the +cards that stand next to it; and if its neighbouring cards are of good +import, it ascertains and confirms their value: nine of hearts promises +wealth, grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that are unfavourable stand +near it, you may expect disappointments; and the reverse, if favourable +cards follow; if these last be at a small distance, expect to retrieve +your losses, whether of peace or goods: eight of hearts signifies +drinking and feasting; seven of hearts shows a fickle and unfaithful +person, vicious, spiteful, malicious; six of hearts promises a generous, +open, credulous disposition, often a dupe; if this card comes before +your king or queen (as the case may be) YOU will be the dupe; if +after, you will get the upper hand: five of hearts portends a wavering, +unsteady, unreliable individual of either sex: four of hearts indicates +late marriage from 'delicacy in making a choice:' trey of hearts +is rather a 'poser;' 'it shows that your own impudence will greatly +contribute to your experiencing the ill-will of others:' deuce of hearts +promises extraordinary success and good fortune, though, perhaps, you +may have to wait long for 'the good time coming.'(82) + +(82) Or,--the ace of hearts denotes the house of the consulter; the +queen, a lady not VERY fair; seven, many good friends; six, honourable +courtship; five, a present; four, domestic troubles caused by jealousy. + + +The suit of spades originally represented the NOBILITY, and the +following are its significances in fortune-telling. The ace of spades +wholly relates to love-affairs, without specifying whether lawful or +unlawful--a pretty general occupation of the 'nobility,' of course; +it also denotes death when the card is upside down: the king of spades +shows a man ambitious and successful at court, or with some great man +who will have it in his power to advance him--but, let him beware of the +reverse! the queen of spades shows that a person will be corrupted by +the rich of both sexes; if she is handsome great attempts will be made +on her virtue: the knave of spades shows a fellow that requires much +rousing, although 'quite willing to serve you' with his influence +and patronage--like many a member in the case of his importunate +constituents: the ten of spades is a card of caution, counteracting the +good effect of the card near you: the nine of spades is positively the +worst card in the whole pack; it portends dangerous sickness, total loss +of fortune, cruel calamities, endless dissension in your family, and +death at last--I hope you may never see it near you: the eight of spades +indicates much opposition from your FRIENDS, or those you imagine to be +such; if this card comes near you, leave your plan and adopt another: +seven of spades shows the loss of a most valuable, influential friend, +whose death will plunge you in very great distress and poverty: the six +of spades announces a mediocrity of fortune, and great uncertainty in +your undertakings: the five of spades is rather doubtful as to success +or a rise in life; but it promises luck in the choice of your companion +for life, although it shows that your own temper is rather sullen--and +so to get a 'fond creature' to take care of you, with such a temper, is +a mighty great blessing, and more than you deserve: the four of spades +shows sickness speedily, and injury of fortune by friends: the trey +of spades shows that you will be fortunate in marriage, but that your +inconstant temper will make you unhappy: the deuce of spades is the +UNDERTAKER, at last; it positively shows a COFFIN, but who it is for +must depend entirely on the cards that are near it.(83) + +(83) Or,--the ace of spades denotes death, malice, a duel, a general +misfortune; the king, a man of very dark complexion, ambitious, and +unscrupulous; the queen, a very dark-complexioned woman of malicious +disposition, or a widow; the knave, a lawyer, a person to be shunned; +the ten, disgrace, crime, imprisonment, death on the scaffold; the +eight, great danger from imprudence; the six, a child, to the unmarried +a card of caution; the five, great danger from giving way to bad temper; +the trey, a journey by land,--tears; the deuce, a removal. + + +'The nine of hearts is termed the wish card. After the general fortune +has been told, a separate and different manipulation is performed, to +learn if the pryer into futurity will obtain a particular wish; and +from the position of the wish card in the pack the required answer is +deduced. + +'The foregoing is merely the alphabet of the art; the letters, as it +were, of the sentences formed by the various combinations of the cards. +A general idea only can be given here of the manner in which those +prophetic sentences are formed. As before stated, if a married woman +consults the cards, the king of her own suit, or complexion, represents +her husband; but with single women, the lover, either in esse or posse, +is represented by his own colour; and all cards, when representing +persons, lose their own normal significations. There are exceptions, +however, to these general rules. A man, no matter what his complexion, +if he wear uniform, even if he be the negro cymbal-player in a +regimental band, can be represented by the king of diamonds:--note, the +dress of policemen and volunteers is not considered as uniform. On the +other hand, a widow, even if she be an albiness, can be represented only +by the queen of spades. + +'The ace of hearts always denoting the house of the person consulting +the decrees of fate, some general rules are applicable to it. Thus the +ace of clubs signifying a letter, its position, either before or after +the ace of hearts, shows whether the letter is to be sent to or from the +house. The ace of diamonds when close to the ace of hearts foretells a +wedding in the house; but the ace of spades betokens sickness and death. + +'The knaves represent the thoughts of their respective kings and queens, +and consequently the thoughts of the persons whom those kings and queens +represent, in accordance with their complexions. + +For instance, a young lady of a rather but not decidedly dark +complexion, represented by the queen of clubs, when consulting the +cards, may be shocked to find her fair lover (the king of diamonds) +flirting with a wealthy widow (the queen of spades, attended by the ten +of diamonds), but she will be reassured by finding his thoughts (the +knave of diamonds) in combination with a letter (ace of clubs), a +wedding ring (ace of diamonds), and her house (the ace of hearts); +clearly signifying that, though he is actually flirting with the rich +widow, he is, nevertheless, thinking of sending a letter, with an offer +of marriage, to the young lady herself. And look, where are her own +thoughts, represented by the knave of clubs; they are far away with the +old lover, that dark man (king of spades) who, as is plainly shown +by his being attended by the nine of diamonds, is prospering at the +Australian diggings or elsewhere. Let us shuffle the cards once more, +and see if the dark man, at the distant diggings, ever thinks of his +old flame, the club-complexioned young lady in England. No! he does not. +Here are his thoughts (the knave of spades), directed to this fair, +but rather gay and coquettish, woman (the queen of diamonds); they +are separated but by a few hearts, one of them, the sixth (honourable +courtship), showing the excellent understanding that exists between +them. Count, now, from the six of hearts to the ninth card from it, and +lo! it is a wedding ring (the ace of diamonds); they will be married +before the expiration of a twelvemonth.' + +Such is the scheme of fortune-telling by cards, as propounded in the +learned disquisitions of the adepts, and Betty, or Martha, or her +mistress can consult them by themselves according to the established +method--without exposing themselves to the extortionate cunning of the +wandering gipsies or the permanent crone of the city or village. +They may just as well believe what comes out according to their own +manipulation as by that of the heartless cheats in question. Your +ordinary fortune-tellers are not over-particular, being only anxious to +tell you exactly what you want to know. So if a black court card gets +in juxta-position with and looking towards a red court card, the +fair consulter's representative, then it is evident that some 'dark +gentleman' is 'after her;' and vice versa; and if a wife, suspecting +her husband's fidelity, consults the cards, the probability is that her +SUSPICIONS will receive 'confirmation strong' from the fact that 'some +dark woman,' that is, a black queen, 'is after her husband;' or vice +versa, if a husband consults the card-woman respecting the suspicions +he may have reason to entertain with regard to his 'weaker rib' or his +'intended.' + +It need scarcely be observed that fortune-tellers in any place are +'posted up' in all information or gossip in the neighbourhood; and +therefore they readily turn their knowledge to account in the answers +they give to anxious inquirers. + +Apart from this, however, the interpretations are so elaborately +comprehensive that 'something' MUST come true in the revelations; and +we all know that in such matters that something coming to pass will far +outweigh the non-fulfilment of other fatal ordinations. Of course no +professional fortune-teller would inform an old man that some dark or +fair man was 'after' his old woman; but nothing is more probable than +the converse, and much family distraction has frequently resulted from +such perverse revelation of 'the cards.' In like manner your clever +fortune-teller will never promise half-a-dozen children to 'an old +lady,' but she will very probably hold forth that pleasant prospect--if +such it be--to a buxom lass of seventeen or eighteen--especially in +those counties of England where the ladies are remarkable for such +profuse bounty to their husbands. + +As a general proposition, it matters very little what may be the means +of vaticination or prediction--whether cards, the tea-grounds in the +cup, &c.,--all POSSIBLE events have a degree of probability of coming to +pass, which may vary from 20 to 1 down to a perfect equality of chance; +and the clever fortune-teller, who may be mindful of her reputation, +will take care to regulate her promises or predictions according to that +proposition. + +Many educated ladies give their attention to the cards, and some have +acquired great proficiency in the art. On board a steamer sailing for +New York, on one occasion a French lady among the saloon-passengers +undertook to amuse the party by telling their fortunes. A Scotch young +gentleman, who was going out to try and get a commission in the Federal +army, had his fortune told. Among the announcements, as interpreted by +the lady, was the rather unpleasant prospect that two constables would +be 'after' him! We all laughed heartily at the odd things that came out +for everybody, and then the thing was forgotten; the steamer reached her +destination; and all the companions of the pleasant voyage separated and +went their different ways. + +Some months after, I met the young gentleman above alluded to, and among +the various adventures which he had had, he mentioned the following. +He said that shortly after his arrival in New York he presented a +ten-dollar note which he had received, at a drinking-house, that it was +declared a forged note, and that he was given into custody; but that +the magistrate, on being conclusively convinced of his respectability, +dismissed the charge without even taking the trouble to establish the +alleged fact that the note was a forgery. So far so good; but on +the following morning, whilst at breakfast at his hotel, another +police-officer pounced upon him, and led him once more on the same +charge to another magistrate, who, however, dismissed the case like the +other.(84) + +(84) It appears that this is allowable in New York. The explanation of +the perverse prosecution was, that the young gentleman did not 'fee' the +worthy policemen, according to custom in such cases. + + +Thereupon I said--'Why, the French lady's card-prediction on board came +to pass! Don't you remember what she said about two constables being +"after you"?' + +'Now I remember it,' he said; 'but I had positively forgotten all about +it. Well, she was right there--but I am sorry to say that nothing else +she PROMISED has come to pass.' + +Doubtless all other consulters of the cards and of astrologers can say +the same, although all would not wisely conclude that a system must be +erroneous which misleads human hope in the great majority of cases. +In fact, like the predictions in our weather-almanacks, the +fortune-teller's announcements are only right BY CHANCE, and wrong ON +PRINCIPLE. + +FORTUNE-TELLING FORTY YEARS AGO, OR, THE STORY OF MARTHA CARNABY. + +A certain Martha Carnaby, a tidy but rather 'unsettled' servant girl, +some forty years ago went to an old fortune-teller, to have her fortune +told, and the doings on both sides came out as follows, before the +magistrate at the Bow Street police-court. The fortune-teller was +'had up,' as usual, 'for obtaining money and other valuables' from the +former. + +Miss Martha Carnaby said that this celebrated old fortune-teller had +first gained her acquaintance by attending at her master's house, +before the family had risen, and urging her to have her fortune told. +At length, after much persuasion, she consented; but the fortune-teller +told her that before the secrets of her future destiny were revealed, +she must deposit in her hands some little token, TO BIND THE CHARM, +which the old lady said she would invoke the same evening--'if I would +call at her lodgings, and also cast my nativity by her cards, and tell +me every particular of the future progress of my life. I accordingly +gave her what money I had; but that, she told me, was not enough to buy +the ingredients with which she was to compose the charm. I at length +gave her four silver teaspoons and two tablespoons, which she put +carefully in her pocket; and then asked me to let her look at my hand, +which I showed her. She told me there were many lines in it which +clearly indicated great wealth and happiness; and, after telling her my +name was Martha Carnaby, she took her departure, and I agreed to meet +her at her lodgings the same evening. Agreeably to her directions, I +dressed myself in as fashionable a manner as I could, because I WAS TO +SEE MY SWEETHEART THROUGH A MIRROR, AND HE WAS TO SEE ME.' + +The poor deluded creature then stated that she attended punctually at +the hour appointed, at the old lady's sanctum, and seating herself upon +an old chair, beheld with astonishment quite as much as she bargained +for. 'I felt myself,' said poor Martha, 'on entering the room, all of a +twitter. The old woman was seated in her chair of state, and, reaching +down from the mantel-piece a pack of cards, began, after muttering a few +words in a language I could not understand, to lay them very carefully +in her lap; she then foretold that I should get married, but not to the +person in our house, as I expected, but to another young man, whom, if I +could afford a trifle, she would show me through her MATRIMONIAL MIRROR. +To this I consented, and she desired me to shut my eyes and keep my face +covered while she made the necessary preparations; and there she kept +me, with my face hid in her lap, until I was nearly smothered; when +suddenly she told me to turn round, and look through the mirror, which +was seen through a hole in a curtain, and I saw a young man pass quickly +before me, staring me in the face, at which I was much surprised, she +assuring me that he would be my husband. It was then agreed that she was +to call on me the next morning, and return the silver spoons; but, your +Worship,' said the poor girl, 'she never came; and as I was afraid my +mistress would soon want them, I asked the advice of a woman in our +neighbourhood, as to what I had better do, and to whom I related all the +circumstances I have told your Worship; when the woman asked me how +I could have been such a fool as to be duped by that old cheat at the +bar,--that she was a notorious old woman, that she had in her employ +some young man, who was always hid in the room, to overhear the +conversation, and to run from out of the hiding-place before the mirror; +and that I ought to be thankful I came away as well as I did, as many +young girls had been ruined through going to this old creature; that, +from her acquaintance with so many servant girls, she always contrived +to get from them such intelligence as enabled her to answer those +questions that might be put to her, as to the business, name, place +of abode, country, and other circumstances of the party applying, the +answering of which always convinced the credulous creatures who went to +her, of her great skill in the art of astrology; and when she was right +in her guessing, she always took care to have it well published.' + +Of course, and again, as usual, the magistrate 'hoped it would be a +lesson to Martha, and to all other foolish girls, never to hearken to +those infernal, wicked old wretches, the fortune-tellers--many a girl +having lost her character and virtue by listening to their nonsense;' +but there have been hundreds and thousands of such Marthas since then, +and no doubt there will be very many more in future--in spite of the +ridiculous exposure of such dupes ever and anon, in courts of justice +and in the columns of the daily papers. + +'The art of cartomancy, or divination by playing-cards, dates from an +early period of their obscure history. In the museum of Nantes there +is a painting, said to be by Van Eyck, representing Philippe le Bon, +Archduke of Austria, and subsequently King of Spain, consulting a +fortune-teller by cards. This picture cannot be of a later date than the +fifteenth century. Then the art was introduced into England is unknown; +probably, however, the earliest printed notice of it in this country is +the following curious story, extracted from Rowland's Judicial Astrology +Condemned:--"Cuffe, an excellent Grecian, and secretary to the Earl of +Essex, was told, twenty years before his death, that he should come +to an untimely end, at which Cuffe laughed, and in a scornful manner +entreated the soothsayer to show him in what manner he should come to +his end, who condescended to him, and calling for cards, entreated Cuffe +to draw out of the pack any three which pleased him. He did so, and drew +three knaves, and laid them on the table by the wizard's direction, who +then told him, if he desired to see the sum of his bad fortune, to take +up those cards. Cuffe, as he was prescribed, took up the first card, and +looking on it, he saw the portraiture of himself cap-a-pie, having men +encompassing him with bills and halberds. Then he took up the second, +and there he saw the judge that sat upon him; and taking up the last +card, he saw Tyburn, the place of his execution, and the hangman, at +which he laughed heartily. But many years after, being condemned, he +remembered and declared this prediction." + +'The earliest work on cartomancy was written or compiled by one +Francesco Marcolini, and printed at Venice in 1540.'(85) + +(85) The Book of Days, Feb. 21. In this work there is a somewhat +different account of cartomancy to that which I have expounded 'on the +best authorities' and from practical experience with the adepts in +the art; but, in a matter of such immense importance to ladies of all +degrees, I have thought proper to give, in foot-notes, the differing +interpretations of the writer in the Book of Days, who professes to +speak with some authority, not however, I think, superior to mine, for I +have investigated the subject to the utmost. + + + +CHAPTER XIV. AMUSING CARD TRICKS.(86) + +(86) These tricks appeared originally in Beeton's Christmas Annual, and +are here reproduced with permission. + + +Although my work is a history of gambling, in all its horrors, and with +all its terrible moral warnings, I gladly conclude it 'happily,' after +the manner of the most pleasing novels and romances,--namely, by a +method of contriving innocent and interesting amusement with cards, +without the 'chance' of encountering the risks, calamities, and disgrace +of gambling. + +I was led to the investigation of this branch of my subject by the +following incident. Being present at a party when a gentleman performed +one of the tricks described, No. 7, the rest of the company and myself +were all much surprised at the result, and urgently requested him +to explain the method of his performance, which, however, he stoutly +refused to do, averring that he would not take L1000 for it. This was +so ridiculously provoking that I offered to bet him L5 that I would +discover the method within 24 hours. To my astonishment he declined the +bet, not, however, without a sort of compliment, admitting that I MIGHT +do so. He was right; for, as Edgar Poe averred, no man can invent a +puzzle which some other man cannot unravel. In effect, I called upon +him the following day, and performed the trick not only according to +his method, but also by another, equally successful. I have reason +to believe that most of the tricks of my selection had not previously +appeared in print; at any rate, I have given to all of them an +exposition which may entitle them to some claim of originality. + +PRELIMINARY HINTS. + +I. Shuffling, in the simple and inoffensive sense of the expression, is +an important point in all tricks with cards. For the most part, it is +only a pretence or dexterous management--keeping a card or cards in your +command whilst seeming to shuffle them into the pack. + +Every performer has his method of such shuffling. Some hold the pack +perpendicularly with the left hand, then with the right take a portion +of the pack--about one half--and make a show of shuffling the two parts +together edgeways, but, in reality, replace them as they were. With +rapidity of execution every eye is thus deceived. + +If a single card is to be held in command, place it at the bottom of the +pack, which you hold in your left, and then, with your right thumb +and middle finger, raise and throw successively portions of the pack, +leaving the bottom card in contact with the fingers of the left hand. + +With dexterity, any portion of the pack may be shuffled, leaving +the remainder just as it was, by separating it during the process +by inserting one or more fingers of the left hand between it and the +portions shuffled. + +II. Cutting--not in the sense of bolting at the sight of 'blue,' though +that is of consequence to card-sharpers--is of importance in all card +tricks. In many tricks cutting the cards is only a pretence, as it is +necessary for the success of the trick to replace them as they were; in +technical terms, we must 'blow up the cut.'(87) + +(87) This is the sauter la coupe referred to in the chapter on the +Gaming Clubs, in the account of the trial of Lord de Ros. See 'Graham's +Club.' + + +There are several ways of performing this sleight-of-hand. The cards +being cut, and forming two lots on the table, smartly snatch up the lot +which should be placed on the other, with the left hand. + +This lot being taken up and the hand being in the position shown in the +figure, snatch up in like manner the other lot, and, by a movement of +the palm of the hand and the tips of the fingers, pass the second lot +under the first. + +The deception of the trick depends upon its dexterity, and this can only +be acquired by practice. But really it may be dispensed with; for it +is a curious fact that, in every case when the cards are cut, you may +actually replace them just as they were without being observed by +the spectators--for the simple reason that the ruse is not suspected, +especially if their attention is otherwise engaged with your pointed +observations. + +The 'gift of the gab' is in this case, as in many others, a very +great resource. A striking remark or bon mot will easily mystify the +spectators, and attract their attention from what you are DOING. Hence +all prestidigitators are always well stocked with anecdotes and funny +observations; indeed, they talk incessantly: they speak well, too, and +they take care to time the word accurately with the moment when their +fingers act most energetically. + +III. To slip a card.--To slip a card is to pretend to take the bottom +card of the pack, and in reality to take the card which precedes it. +To perform this feat without detection is a very simple affair, but it +requires practice. + +The pack of cards being held in the right hand, advance the left +hand--palm upwards--just as if you were seizing the last card with the +middle finger; but, having slightly moistened this finger with the lips, +push back this card, and make it slip under the palm of the right hand, +whilst you seize the preceding card with the thumb and forefinger. + +In this manner you may successively draw out several cards besides the +last, and only draw the last as the sixth, seventh, &c., which will +serve to effect several interesting tricks to be explained in the +sequel. + +IV. To file the card.--To file the card is, when a card has been taken +from the pack to pretend to place it about the middle of the pack, +whilst, in reality, you place it at the bottom. + +The pack must be held in the left hand, between the thumb and +forefinger, so that the three other fingers be free. One of the middle +cards should project a little. Then take the card to be filed between +the forefinger and the middle finger of the right hand; advance the +right hand from the left, and whilst the three disengaged fingers of +the left hand seize and place the card under the pack, the thumb and +forefinger of the right seize the projecting card before mentioned, so +that it seems to be that card which you have slipped into the middle of +the pack. These movements are very easy, and, when rapidly performed, +the illusion is complete. + +TRICKS. + +1. To tell a card thought of by a party after three deals. + +Take twenty-one cards of a pack, and deal them out one by one in three +lots, requesting the party to think of a card, and remember in which lot +it is. + +Having dealt out the cards, ask the party in which lot the card is. + +Take up the lots successively, and place the lot containing the card in +the MIDDLE. + +Deal out the cards again, and ask the party to state in which lot the +card is; and proceed as before, placing the lot containing the card in +the middle. + +Deal out the cards in like manner a third time, proceeding as before. + +Then deal them out as usual, and the eleventh card will be the one +thought of, infallibly. This is the usual way of showing the card +thought of; but, as the trick may be partly discovered by the counting, +it is better to hold the cards in your hand, and take out the eleventh +card, counting to yourself, of course, from the left hand, but +pretending to be considering the guess. + +This is apparently a most mysterious trick, although a necessary +consequence of the position of the lot containing the card in the three +deals. + +2. The four inseparable kings. + +Take four kings. Beneath the last place any two cards, which you take +care to conceal. Then show the four kings and replace the six cards +under the pack. + +Then take a king and place it in the top of the pack, place one of the +TWO OTHER CARDS in the middle, and the other about the same place, and +then, turning up the pack, show that one king is still at the bottom. +Then let the cards be cut, and as three kings were left below, all must +necessarily get together somewhere about the middle of the pack. Of +course in placing the two other cards you pretend to be placing two +kings. + +3. The barmaid and the three victimizers. + +For this amusing trick you arrange the cards thus: Holding the pack in +your hands, find all the knaves, place one of them next to your left +hand, and the other three on the table. Then find a queen, which also +place on the table. Then say:-- + +'Three scamps went into a tavern, and ordered drink. Here they are--the +three knaves. "Who's to pay? I can't," said the first. + +"I won't," said the second. "I wish she may get it," said the third. +"I'll manage it," said the first, the greatest rogue of the three. "I +say, my pretty girl, haven't you some very old wine in your cellar?" +Here's the barmaid thus addressed by the rogue in question (showing the +queen), and she replied:--"Oh yes, sir, prime old wine." "Let's have a +bottle." (Off went the barmaid. Put the queen in your pocket.) "Now for +it, my lads," said the knave in question; "'mizzle' is the word. Let's +be off in opposite directions, and meet to-night; you know where." +Hereupon they decamped, taking opposite directions, which I will +indicate by placing one on the top of the pack, one at the bottom, and +the other in the middle. + +'When the poor barmaid returned (taking out the queen from your pocket) +with the wine, great was her astonishment to find the room empty. "Lor!" +she exclaimed, "why, I do declare--did you ever!--Oh! but I'm not agoing +to be sarved so. I'll catch the rogues, all of them--that I will." And +off she went after them, as shown by placing her ON, or at any rate, +AFTER the first. + +'Now, to catch the three seemed impossible; but the ladies have always +smiled at impossibilities, and wonders never cease; for, if you have the +goodness to cut these cards, you will find that she HAS caught the three +rogues.' + +When the cards are cut, proceed in the USUAL WAY after cutting--NOT as +required in the last trick; and taking up the cards, you will find the +queen and three knaves together, which you take out and exhibit to the +astonished audience. + +Of course, one of these knaves is not one of the three first exhibited, +but the one which you slipped on your left hand at first. There is no +chance of detection, however; simply for the reason before given--nobody +suspects the trick. + +4. How to name every card in a pack successively turned up by a second +party, and win every trick at a hand of Whist. + +This is, perhaps, the most astonishing of all tricks with cards. +Although it may be true that whatever puzzle one man invents, some other +man may unravel, as before observed, I am decidedly of opinion that this +trick defies detection. At the first blush it seems very difficult to +learn; but it is simplicity itself in explanation. + +Begin by laying out the cards in four rows according to the suits, all +of a suit in a row side by side. + +The cards must now be arranged for the trick. Take up the six in the top +or bottom row, then the two in the next row, the ten in the third, and +the nine in the fourth, placing them one upon the other in the left +hand. Then begin again with the row from which you took the six, and +take up the three. From the next row take the king. These numbers will +be easily remembered with a little practice, amounting altogether to 30, +made up thus--6 and 2 are 8, 8 and 10 are 18, 18 and 9 are 27, 27 and 3 +are 30--KING. + +By repeating this addition a few times, it will be fixed in the memory. + +Proceed by next beginning with the row next to the one from which you +took the last card or the king, and take the eight; from the next row +take the four; from the next the ace; from the next the knave. These +cards make up 13. Therefore say, 8 and 4 are 12 and 1 are 13--knave. + +From the next row to that whence you took the knave, take the seven; +from the next row take the five; from the next the queen. These cards +make up 12. Thus, 7 and 5 are 12--queen. + +It thus appears that you have taken up thirteen cards consisting of the +four suits, successively taken and being arranged as follows:--6, 2, 10, +9, 3, king; 8, 4, 1, knave; 7, 5, queen. + +Proceed in like manner with the remainder of the cards, beginning with +the row next to that from which you took the queen, and take the six, +then from the next row the two, and so on as before, making up another +batch of 13 cards. + +Repeat the process for a third batch, and finish with the remainder for +the fourth--always remembering to take the card from the next row in +succession continually; in other words, only one card must be taken from +each row at a time. + +When the cards are thus arranged, request a party to cut them. This is +only pretence; for you must take care dexterously to replace the cut +just as it was before. Let them be cut again, and replace them as +before. Your ruse will not be detected, simply because nobody suspects +the possibility of the thing. + +Now take up the pack, and from the BOTTOM take the first four cards; +handing the remainder to a party, sitting before you, saying--'I shall +now call every card in succession from the top of the pack in your +hand.' + +To do this, two things must be remembered; and there is no difficulty in +it. First, the numbers 6, 2, 10, 9, 3, king, &c., before given; and next +the SUIT of those cards. + +Now you know the NUMBERS by heart, and the SUIT is shown by the four +cards which you hold in your hand, fan-like, in the usual way. If the +first of the four cards be a club, the first card you call will be the +six of clubs; if the next be a heart, the next card called will be the +two of hearts, and so on throughout the thirteen made up from every +row, as before given, and the suits of each card will be indicated +successively by the suit of each of your four indicator cards, thus, +as the case may be, clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades; clubs, hearts, +diamonds, spades, and so on. + +After a little private practice, you will readily and rapidly call, as +the case may be, from the four cards in your hand:--the six of clubs, +two of hearts, ten of diamonds, nine of spades, three of clubs, king +of hearts, eight of diamonds, four of spades, ace of clubs, knave of +hearts, seven of diamonds, five of spades, queen of clubs--and so on to +the last card in the pack. + +In the midst of the astonishment produced by this seemingly prodigious +display of memory, say--'Now, if you like, we will have a hand at Whist, +and I undertake to win every trick if I be allowed to deal.' + +Let the Whist party be formed, and get the cards cut as usual--only +taking care to REPLACE them, as before enjoined, precisely as they were. +Deal the cards, and the result will be that your thirteen cards will be +ALL TRUMPS. Let the game proceed until your opponents 'give it up' in +utter bewilderment. + +This splendid trick seems difficult in description, but it is one of +the easiest; and even were it ten times more difficult than it is, the +reader will perhaps admit that it is worth mastering. Once committed to +memory the figures are never forgotten, and a few repetitions, with the +cards before you, will suffice to enable you to retain them. + +5. Two persons having each drawn a card and replaced them in the pack, +to guess these cards. + +Make a set of all the clubs and spades, and another set of hearts and +diamonds. Shuffle well each set, and even let them be shuffled by the +spectators. Then request a person to draw a card from one of the sets, +and another person to draw one from the second set. + +You now take a set in each hand, presenting them to the two persons, +requesting them to replace the drawn cards. You must pretend to present +to each person the set from which he drew his card, but in reality you +present the red set to the person who drew the black card, and the black +set to the person who drew the red card. + +Each person having replaced his card, you get each set shuffled. Then +you take them in hand, and by running them over you easily find the red +card amongst the black, and the black card amongst the red. + +Of course you will have prepared the sets beforehand, and take care to +alter the arrangement as soon as possible after the trick. But you can +prepare the pack in the presence of others without their detecting it. +Distribute the cards by dealing according to the two colours; take them +up, and having placed the red set a little projecting over the black, +set them down, and, pretending to cut them, separate the sets. + +6. Twenty cards being arranged upon a table, a person thinks of two, and +you undertake to guess them. + +Lay out twenty cards of any kind, two by two, + + + | c | i | c | o | s | + | d | e | d | i | t | + | t | u | m | u | s | + | n | e | m | o | n | + + +and request a party to think of two in a line; that is, one of the ten +sets formed by the twenty cards. This done you take up the sets in the +order in which they lie, and place them in rows according to the letters +of the words. You may use a diagram like the preceding, but as the words +are easily retained it had better be dispensed with, distributing the +cards on the table just as though upon the diagram, which will make the +trick more puzzling and extraordinary. Proceed as follows:--Place the +cards two by two on similar letters: thus, place the two cards of the +first set on the two d's in dedit; the two cards of the second set on +the two i's of cicos and dedit; the two of the third set on the two c's, +and so on with the ten sets. + +All the letters of the words being thus covered, ask the party who has +thought of the cards to tell you in which lines these cards are. If both +are in the first line (cicos), they must be those on the two c's; if +they are both in the second line, they cover the d's in dedit; both in +the third line, they cover the u's in tumus; both in the fourth, they +cover the n's in nemon. + +If one be in the first line and the other in the second, they cover the +i's in cicos and dedit, and thus of the rest--the two cards thought +of NECESSARILY covering two SIMILAR LETTERS, whilst each of the letters +occurs only TWICE in the diagram. + +7. To tell a card thought of without even looking at the cards. + +Take any number of cards,--say twenty. Pretend to shuffle them with +the faces towards you, and REMEMBER THE FIRST CARD as you close +the pack--suppose the ten of diamonds. Tell the party that the only +condition you require is to be told the ORDER in which the card is dealt +out by you; in other words, he must tell you whether in dealing it comes +out first, second, third, &c. + +Remembering your first card, you may then turn your back to him, and +deal out the cards one by one, and one upon the top of the other, +requesting him to think of a card and its order as before said. + +Then take up the cards, and shuffle them repeatedly, by throwing a +portion of them from the bottom to the top, taking care not to mix the +cards or let any drop, and then let the party cut them as often as +he pleases. Then, take the cards in hand. Pretend to examine them +mysteriously, but in reality only look for YOUR card--the first dealt +out--the ten of diamonds for instance. Now, suppose he tells you that +the card he thought of came out FIFTH. Then, for a certainty, it is the +fourth card on the RIGHT of the ten of diamonds, in spite of all YOUR +shuffling, and all regular cutting, for such shuffling and regular +cutting cannot alter the order or sequence of the cards. Always remember +to count from your own card inclusive to the number of the card thought +of towards your right hand. But should your card happen to be so near +the right hand or the top as not to allow sufficient counting, then +count as far as it admits to the RIGHT and then continue at the LEFT. +Thus, suppose there are only two cards above the ten of diamonds, then +count two more on the left, making the fifth. If the card you remember, +or your first card, is first, then count the requisite number on the +left, always beginning with YOUR card, however. + +The REASON of this trick is simply that by merely cutting the cards, and +shuffling them in the way indicated, you do not alter the SEQUENCE of +the cards. With regard to this sort of SHUFFLING, I may say that it +is simply CUTTING the cards--always preserving their sequence--a most +important fact for card-players, since it may lead to a pretty accurate +conjecture of all the hands after a deal, from the study of the one in +hand, with reference to the tricks turned down after the previous deal, +as already suggested. Hence, in shuffling for whist or other games, the +cards should not be shuffled in this way, but more thoroughly mixed by +the edgewise shuffling of certain players. + +This is the trick I alluded to at the commencement of the chapter, the +mode of performing which I succeeded in discovering. + +Of course ANY NUMBER of persons may think of cards, remembering their +order, and the operator will tell them, in like manner. + +8. A person having thought of one of fifteen cards presented to him, to +guess the card thought of. + +Form three ranks of five cards each, and request a party to think of one +of these cards, and tell you in which rank it is. Take up the cards of +the three ranks, taking care to place the cards of the ranks in which is +the card thought of between those of the two other ranks. + +Make three more ranks as before. Ask the party again in which rank the +card is, and take them up, placing the rank in which the card is between +the two others. Operate in like manner a third time, and the card +thought of will infallibly be the THIRD of the rank named by the party. + +Observe, however, you must not form each rank with five consecutive +cards; but you must place the cards one by one, placing one successively +in each rank; thus, one at the top on the left of the first rank, one +below that first for the second rank, one below the second for the third +rank, then one in the first, one in the second, one in the third, and so +on. + +This trick, which is very easy, always produces a great effect. It only +requires a little attention, and it can never fail unless you make a +mistake in arranging the cards, which, however, is too simple to admit +of error. + +9. Two persons having each drawn a card from a pack, and having replaced +them, to tell these cards after the pack has been shuffled and cut by +the spectators as often as they like. + +The cards may be easily divided into two numerical parts, even and odd: +by taking a king for four points, a queen for three, a knave for two, +and the other cards for their especial points, we may make up two sets +of sixteen cards each, the even composing one, and the odd the other. +These two sets being before the performer, he takes one, shuffles it +well, and lets a party take a card. He then takes the other, shuffles +it, and lets another party take a card. Then, whilst each party +is looking at his card, which HE IS REQUESTED TO DO, the performer +dexterously changes the place of the two sets, and he requests the +parties to replace the cards in the set whence they took them. It +follows that the party who took a card from the EVEN set places it in +the ODD set, and he who took it from the ODD set places it in the even +set. Consequently, all the shuffling and cutting in the world will be +useless, for the performer has only to spread out the cards of each set +to point out the cards drawn. + +10. Singular arrangement of sixteen cards. + +Take the four kings, the four queens, the four knaves, and the four tens +of a pack, and ask if there be any one in the company who can form a +square with them in such a manner that, taken in any direction, from +right to left, from the top to the bottom, by the diagonal--anyhow, in +fact--there will always be in each line a king, queen, knave, and a ten. +Everybody will think the thing easy, but it is certain that no one will +succeed in doing it. When they 'give it up,' take the sixteen cards and +arrange them as shown, when the king, queen, knave, and ten will stand +as required. + +11. The seven trick. + +Make up the four sevens of a pack, and take seven other cards, no matter +which, for another lot, and, presenting both lots, you say:--Here are +two lots totally dissimilar; nevertheless, there is one of seven, and +I declare it will be the first touched by any party present. Of course, +when touched, you at once prove your words by exhibiting either the +sevens or the seven cards--taking care to mix the cards into the pack +immediately to prevent detection. + +12. Infallible method for guessing any number that a party has thought +of. + +Take the first ten cards of a pack of 52 cards. Set out these ten cards +as shown below, so that the point A should correspond to the ace, and to +1--the point F to the card representing the 6--and E to the 10. + + 2 3 4 + B C D + 1 A--------E 5 + 10 K--------F 6 + I H G + 9 8 7 + +Thus prepared, you request a party to think of a card, and then you tell +him to touch any number he pleases, requesting him to name it aloud. +Then, adding the whole number of the cards to the number touched, you +tell him to count backwards to himself, beginning with the card touched, +and giving to that card the number of the one thought of. By counting in +this way, the party will at length count the entire number on the card +thought of, which you will thus be able to designate with certainty. + +Example:--Suppose the card thought of is G, marking 7; again, supposing +the one touched to be D, equal to 4; you add to this number the entire +number of cards, which is, in this case, 10, which will make 14. Then, +making the party count this sum, from the number touched, D to C, B, A, +and so on, backwards, so that in commencing to count the number thought +of, 7 on D, the party will continue, saying, 8 on C, 9 on B, 10 on A, 11 +on K, 12 on I, 13 on H, and end with counting 14 on G; and you will thus +discover that the number thought of is 7, which corresponds to G. + +Of course the party counts TO himself, and only speaks to designate the +point on which he stops, namely, G in this example. + +This trick may be performed with any number of cards--as few as six, or +as many as fifteen. Then you must always add to the number the total of +the cards used. The trick will be much more interesting and striking +if you turn the cards face downwards, only trusting to your memory to +retain the order of the numbers. + +Of course, the letters are only used to facilitate the explanation. The +cards really form a sort of circle, beginning at 1 or the ace on the +left, and then continuing with the 2, the 3, the 4, the 5, and so on, to +the 10 below the ace; and, by necessity, the party must end his counting +with the very card he thought of, beginning from the one he happens to +point out. + +13. The card that cannot be found. + +Take any number of cards and spread them out fan-like in your hand, +faces fronting the spectators. + +Ask one of them to select a card. You tell him to take it, and then to +place it at the bottom of the pack. You hold up the pack, so that the +spectators may see that the card is really at the bottom. Suppose this +card is the king of hearts. + +Then, pretending to take that card, you take the card preceding it, and +place it at a point corresponding to A in the following figure. + + A C + B D + +You then take the card drawn, namely, the king of hearts, and place it +at the point corresponding to B in the above figure. Finally, you take +any two other cards, and place them at C and D. + +Of course, the cards are placed face downwards. + +After this location of the cards, you tell the party who has chosen +the card that you will change the position of the cards, by pushing +alternately that at the point A to B, and that at D to C, and vice +versa; and you defy him to follow you in these gyrations of the card, +and to find it. + +Of course, seeing no difficulty in the thing, and believing with +everybody that his card is placed at the point A, he will undertake to +follow and find his card. Then performing what you undertake to do, you +rapidly change the places of the cards, and yet slowly enough to enable +the party to keep in view the card which he thinks his own, and so that +you may not lose sight of the one you placed at B. + +Having thus arranged the cards for a few moments, you ask the party to +perform his promise by pointing out his card. Feeling sure that he never +lost sight of it, he instantly turns one of the cards and is astonished +to find that it is not his own. Then you say:--'I told you you would +not be able to follow your card in its ramble. But I have done what you +couldn't do: here is your card!' + +The astonishment of the spectators is increased when you actually show +the card; for, having made them observe in the first instance, that +you did not even look at the drawn card, they are utterly at a loss +to discover the means you employed to find out and produce the card in +question. + +14. Cards being drawn from a pack, to get them guessed by a person +blindfolded. + +At all these performances there are always amongst the spectators +persons in league with the prestidigitator. In the present case a woman +is the assistant, with whom he has entered into an arrangement by which +each card is represented by a letter of the alphabet; and the following +are the cards selected for the trick with their representative letters. + +The performer takes a handkerchief and blindfolds the lady in question, +and places her in the centre of the circle of spectators. Then spreading +out the cards, he requests each of the spectators to draw a card. + +He requests the first to give him the card he has drawn; he looks at it, +and placing it on the table face downwards, he asks the lady to name the +card, which she does instantly and without hesitation. + +Of course this appears wonderful to the spectators, and their +astonishment goes on increasing whilst the lady names every card in +succession to the last. + +It is, however, a very simple affair. Each card represents a letter of +the alphabet, as we see by the figure, and all the performer has to do +is to begin every question with the letter corresponding to the card. + +Suppose the party has drawn the king of hearts. Its letter is A. + +The performer exclaims--'Ah! I'm sure you know this!' The A at once +suggests the card in question. Suppose it is the ace of clubs. He +says--'Jump at conclusions if you like, but be sure in hitting this card +on the nail.' J begins the phrase, and represents the card in question. +Suppose it is the ten of spades, he cries out--'Zounds! if you mistake +this you are not so clever a medium as I took you for.' The ace of +diamonds--'Quite easy, my dear sir,' or 'my dear ma'am,' as the case may +be. Q represents the ace of diamonds. The queen of diamonds--'Oh, +the beauty!' The ace of hearts--'Dear me! what is this?' The ace of +spades--'You are always right, name it.' The nine of diamonds--'So! so! +well, I'm sure she knows it.' + +Doubtless these specimens will suffice to suggest phrases for every +other card. Such phrases may be written out and got by heart--only +twenty-three being required; but this seems useless, for it does not +require much tact at improvisation to hit upon a phrase commencing with +any letter. However, it will be better to take every precaution rather +than run the risk of stopping in the performance, whose success mainly +depends upon the apparently inspired rapidity of the answers. The +performer might conceal in the hollow of his hand a small table exactly +like the figure, to facilitate his questions. As for the medium, he, +or she, must rely entirely on memory. Of course the spectators may be +allowed to see that the medium is completely blindfolded. This modern +trick has always puzzled the keenest spectators + +15. The mystery of double sight. + +All the cards of a pack, or indeed any common object touched by a +spectator, may be named by an assistant in the following way--whilst in +another apartment, or blindfolded. + +Take 32 cards and arrange them in four lines, one under the other. You +arrange with your assistant to name the first line after the days of +the week; the second will represent the weeks, the third the months, the +fourth the years. The assistant is enjoined to count the days aloud, and +the first card by the left. + +The following is the entire scheme:-- + +Days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Months 1 2 3** 4 5 6 7 8 +Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7*** 8 + +The cards being thus arranged, the party who has to guess them retires +from the room. When he is recalled, whether blindfolded or not, he +pretends to count to himself for a considerable time, so as to allow his +associate time to say to him, without affectation or exciting suspicion +of collusion--'I give you,' or 'I give him SO MUCH TIME to guess what is +required; 'for it is in this phrase that the whole secret of the trick +is contained, as I shall proceed to demonstrate. + +Suppose the card touched be one of those marked with the asterisks * ** +***; if it be the first, the associate says,; I give him eight days to +guess it.' Then the medium, beginning with the upper line, that of the +days, will at once be able to say that the card touched is the eighth of +the first horizontal line, or the first of the eighth vertical line. + +If it be the card holding the place of the number marked with two +asterisks ** the associate says 'three months,' and 'seven years' for +the one marked with three asterisks ***. + +Thus, whatever card is touched, it will be easy to indicate it, by +beginning with the line of days at the top, counting one from the left +of the associate and medium. + +Such is the simple process; and the following is the conventional +catechism adopted by all theoperators in double sight, with a few +variations adapted to circumstances. + +With this collection of words and phrases, every existing object can +be guessed, provided care be taken to classify them according to the +following indications. + +To operate, two persons must establish a perfect understanding between +them. One undertakes the questions, the other the answers, the latter +having his eyes perfectly blindfolded. Both of them must thoroughly know +the following numbers with their correspondences:-- + +1. Now. 9. Quick. 2. Answer or reply. 10. Say. 3. Name. 20. Tell me. 4. +What is the object, or thing. 30. I request you. 5. Try. 40. Will you. +6. Again. 50. Will you (to) me. 7. Instantly. 60. Will you (to) us. 8. +Which? + + +Example:--Add the question of the simple number to the question of the +decade or ten. Thus, in pronouncing the words 'Say now,' 11--for say is +10, and now is 1, total 11. This, therefore, forms question 11. + +Again--'Tell me which number,' 28--for 'tell me' is 20, and 'which' is +8, total 28. + +Thirdly:--'I request you instantly,' 37; for 'I request you' is 30, and +'instantly' is 7, total 37. + +All the expressions or words that follow are totally independent of the +answer, and are only adapted to embellish or mystify the question as far +as the audience is concerned. For instance: + +Question 7. Instantly, what I have in my hand? Answer, A watch. + +Question 9. Quick, the hour? Answer, nine o'clock. + +Question 30, I request you (2) reply--the minutes. Answer, 32 minutes, +that is 30 and 2, equal to 32. + +It would be useless to give the entire correspondence invented for this +apparently mysterious revelation, as a few specimens will suffice to +show the principle. + + + Say what I hold? A handkerchief. + Say now what I hold? A snuff-box. + Say, reply, what I hold? A pair of spectacles. + Say and name what I hold? A box. + Say and try to say what I hold? A hat. + Say quickly what I hold? An umbrella. + + Tell me, reply, what I hold? A knife. + Tell me what I hold? A purse. + Tell me now what I hold? A pipe. + Tell me and try to say what I hold? A needle. + Tell me quickly what I hold? A cane. + + I request you to say what I hold? A portfolio. + I request you to say now what I hold? Paper. + I request you to say, reply, what I hold? A book. + I request you to say quickly what I hold? A coin. + + Will you say, reply, what I hold?--A cigar. + Will you say, name what I hold?--A cane. + Will you say, again, what I hold?--A newspaper. + + Now, what I hold?--A bottle. + Reply, what I hold?--A jug. + Name what I hold?--A glass. + Again, what contains this vessel?--Wine. + Instantly, what this vessel contains?--Beer. + Now the form?--Triangular. + Reply, the form?--Round. + Name the form?--Square. + The form?--Oval. + Try to indicate the form?--Pointed. + Again, indicate the form?--Flat. + + Now, the colour?--White. + Reply, the colour?--Blue. + Name the colour?--Red. + The colour of this object?--Black. + Try to tell the colour?--Green. + Again, the colour?--Yellow. + + Now, the metal?--Gold. + Reply, the metal?--Silver. + The metal of the thing?--Copper. + Again, the metal?--Iron. + Instantly, the metal?--Lead. + + Ah! the figure or hour?--1. + Well?--2. 'Tis good?--3. + 'Tis well?--4. + Good?--5. + But?--6. + Let's see?--7. + That's it?--8. + &c. + + Now name the suit of this card?--Clubs. + Reply, the suit of this card?--Hearts. + Name the suit of this card?--Spades. + The suit of this card?--Diamonds. + + +It is obvious, from the preceding specimen, that a conventional +catechism involving every object can be contrived by two persons, and +adapted to every circumstance. The striking performances of the most +notorious mesmeric 'patients' in this line prove the possibility of the +achievement. The 'agent' who receives the questions in writing or in a +whisper thus communicates the answer to the patient, who is laboriously +trained in the entire encyclopaedia of 'common things' and things +generally known; but it MAY happen that the question proposed by the +spectator has been omitted in the scheme. + +On one occasion, when the famous Prudence was the 'patient,' and was +telling the taste of all manner of liquids from a glass of water, I +proposed 'Blood' to the 'agent.' He shook his head, said he would try; +but it was useless. She said she 'couldn't do it,' and the agent frankly +admitted that it was a failure. + +Now, if the mesmeric consciousness were really, as pretended, the +result of mental intercommunication between the agent and patient, it is +obvious that the well-known taste of blood could be communicated as +well as any other taste. This experiment suffices to prove that the +revelations are communicated in the matter-of-fact way which I have +sufficiently described. + +Should it happen that a spectator has discovered the method, the +performers easily turn the tables against him. They have always ready +a conventional list of common things; and the agent undertakes that his +mesmeric patient will indicate them without hearing a word from him, +even in another apartment. The agent then merely touches the object, and +the patient begins with the first name in his list. The patient takes +care to give the agent sufficient time, lest he should name the object +next to be touched before the agent applies his finger, and thus, as it +were, call for it rather than name it when touched, as required by the +case. + +1. Guessing. + +Five persons having each thought of a different card, to guess five +cards. + +Take twenty-five cards, show five of them to a party, requesting him to +think of one, then place them one upon the other. Proceed in like +manner with five more to a second party, and so on, five parties in all, +placing the fives on the top of each other. Then, beginning with the top +cards, make five lots, placing one card successively in each lot; and +ask the five parties, one after the other, in which lot their card is. +As the first five cards are the first of each lot, it is evident that +the card thought of by the first party is the first of the lot he points +to; that of the second, is the second of the lot he points to; that of +the third, the third of the third lot; that of the fourth, the fourth of +the fourth lot; that of the fifth, the fifth of the fifth lot. + +Of course five persons are not necessary. If there be but one person, +the card must be the first of the lot he points to. + +It would be more artistic, perhaps, if you dispense with seeing the +cards, making the lots up with your eyes turned away from the table. +Then request the parties to observe in which lot their respective card +is, and, taking the lots successively in hand, present to each the card +thought of without looking at it yourself. + +17. The Arithmetical Puzzle. + +This card trick, to which I have alluded in a previous page, cannot fail +to produce astonishment; and it is one of the most difficult to unravel. + +Hand a pack of cards to a party, requesting him to make up parcels of +cards, in the following manner. He is to count the number of pips on the +first card that turns up, say a five, and then add as many cards as are +required to make up the number 12; in the case here supposed, having +a five before him, he will place seven cards upon it, turning down the +parcel. All the court cards count as 10 pips; consequently, only two +cards will be placed on such to make up 12. The ace counts as only one +pip. + +He will then turn up another, count the pips upon it, adding cards as +before to make up the number 12; and so on, until no more such parcels +can be made, the remainder, if any, to be set aside, all being turned +down. + +During this operation, the performer of the trick may be out of the +room, at any rate, at such a distance that it will be impossible for him +to see the first cards of the parcels which have been turned down; and +yet he is able to announce the number of pips made up by all the first +cards laid down, provided he is only informed of the number of parcels +made up and the number of the remainder, if any. + +The secret is very simple. It consists merely in multiplying the number +of parcels over four by 13 (or rather vice versa), and adding the +remaining cards, if any, to the product. + +Thus, there have just been made up seven packets, with five cards over. +Deducting 4 from 7, 3 remain; and I say to myself 13 times 3 (or rather +3 times 13) are 39, and adding to this the five cards over, I at once +declare the number of pips made up by the first cards turned down to be +44. + +There is another way of performing this striking trick. Direct six +parcels of cards to be made up in the manner aforesaid, and then, on +being informed of the number of cards remaining over, add that number to +26, and the sum will be the number of pips made up by the first cards of +the six parcels. + +Such are the methods prescribed for performing this trick; but I have +discovered another, which although, perhaps, a little more complicated, +has the desirable advantage of explaining the seeming mystery. + +Find the number of cards in the parcels, by subtracting the remainder, +if any, from 52. Subtract the number of pip cards therefrom, deduct this +last from the number made up of the number of parcels multiplied by 12, +and the remainder will be the number of pips on the first cards. + +To demonstrate this take the case just given. There are seven parcels +and five cards over. First, this proves that there are 47 cards in the +seven parcels made up of pips and cards. Secondly, subtract the number +of pip cards--seven from the number of cards in the parcels; then, 7 +from 47, 40 remain (cards). Thirdly, now, as the seven parcels are made +up both of the pip cards and cards, it is evident that we have only +to find the number of cards got at as above, to get the number of pips +required. Thus, there being seven packets, 7 times 12 make 84; take +40, as above found (the number of cards), and the remainder is 44, the +number of pips as found by the first method explained,--the process +being as follows:-- + + + 52 - 5 = 47 - 7 = 40. + + Then, 7 X 12 = 84 - 40 = 44. + +In general, however, the first method, being the easiest of performance, +should be adopted. The second is in many respects very objectionable. + +18. To get a card into a pack firmly held by a party. + +This trick strikingly shows how easily we may all be deceived by +appearances. + +Select the five or seven of any suit, say the seven of hearts, and +handing the remainder of the pack to a party, show him the card, with +your thumb on the seventh pip, so as to conceal it, saying:--'Now, hold +the pack as firmly as you can, and keep your eye upon it to see that +there is no trickery, and yet I undertake to get into it this six of +hearts.' This injunction rivets his attention, and doubtless, like other +wise people destined to be deceived, he feels quite sure that nobody can +'take him in.' In this satisfactory condition for the operation on both +sides, you flourish the card so as just to reach the level of the top +of your hat (if you wear an Alpine scolloped, so much the better), +and then, bringing down the card, rapidly strike it on the pack twice, +uttering the words one, two, at each stroke; but, on the third raising +of the card, leave it on the top of your hat, striking the pack with +your hand--with the word three. Then request the party to look for the +six of hearts in the pack, and he will surely find it, to his amazement. + +This trick may be performed in a drawing-room, if the operator be +seated, dropping the card behind his back, especially in an easy-chair. + + + + + + +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 531.txt or 531.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/531/ + +Produced by Mike Lough + +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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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + +Scanned with OmniPage Professional OCR software +donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. +Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> + + + + + +THE GAMING TABLE: ITS VOTARIES AND VICTIMS, + +In all Times and Countries, especially in England and in France. + +BY ANDREW STEINMETZ, ESQ., + + + + + +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. AUTHOR OF 'THE +HISTORY OF THE JESUITS,' 'JAPAN AND HER PEOPLE,' 'THE ROMANCE OF +DUELLING,' &c., &c. + +'The sharp, the blackleg, and the knowing one, +Livery or lace, the self-same circle, run; +The same the passion, end and means the same-- +Dick and his Lordship differ but in name.' + + + + +IN TWO VOLUMES.--VOL. II. + + +CONTENTS OF VOL. II. + + +I. CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS +II. PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS AND THEIR FRAUDS +III. ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF GAMESTERS +IV. ACTROCITIES, DUELS. SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS +V. ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS +VI. THE GAMING CLUBS +VII. DOINGS IN GAMING HOUSES +VIII. THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING +IX. THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS +X. PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, PASSE-DIX, PUT, + CROSS AND PILE, THIMBLE-RIG +XI. COCK-FIGHTING +XII. THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL +XIII. FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES) +XIV. AMUSING CARD TRICKS + + + + + +THE GAMING TABLE. + + +CHAPTER I. + +CHEVALIERS D'INDUSTRIE, OR POLITE SHARPERS. + +Chevaliers d'industrie, or polite and accomplished sharpers, have +always existed in every city, from the earliest times to the +present. The ordinary progress of these interesting gentlemen is +as follows. Their debut is often difficult, and many of them are +stopped short in their career. They only succeed by means of +great exertion and severe trials; but they endure everything in +order to be tolerated or permitted to exercise their calling. To +secure credit they ally themselves with men of respectability, or +those who pass for such. When they have no titles they fabricate +them; and few persons dispute their claims. They are found +useful for the pleasures of society, the expenses of which they +often pay--at the cost of the dupes they make in the world. The +income of chevaliers d'industrie is at first derived from those +inexperienced persons whom they get in their clutches by means of +every kind of enticement, in order to ruin them some day--if they +have any 'expectations' or are likely to be rich; or in order to +make accomplices of them if they have only aptitudes for the +purpose. After having led them from error to error, after +suggesting to them all sorts of wants and vices, they make them +gamble, if they are of age; they hold up play to them as an +inexhaustible source of wealth. + +The 'protector' next hands over his 'young friends' to +'executioners,' who fleece them for the common benefit of the +confederates. They do not always wait for the coming of age of +their young dupes in order to strike the grand 'stroke.' When +they find that the father of a family shudders at the idea of a +public scandal, they immolate their victim at once--for fear lest +he should escape from their hands. Of course they are always +open to 'capitulate'--to come to terms; and if the aid of the law +is invoked they give in discreetly. + +About a century ago there flourished at Paris one of these +adventurers, who made a great noise and did a vast amount of +evil. This man of a thousand faces, this Proteus, as great a +corrupter as he was corrupted, changed his name, his quarters, +and field of operations, according to the exigences of business. +Although a man of ardent temperament and inconceivable activity, +his cold-blooded rascality was never in a hurry. He could wait; +he could bide his time. Taking in, at a glance, all the +requirements of a case, and seeing through all its difficulties, +he worked out his scheme with the utmost patience and consummated +his crime with absolute security. + +Sometimes he gave a concert for amateurs, elegant suppers for gay +ladies, and special soirees for the learned and the witty. He +was not particular as to the means of doing business; thus he +trafficked in everything,--for the sale of a living, or the +procuration of a mistress--for he had associates in all ranks, +among all professions of men. + +He had twenty Faro tables in operation every night, whilst his +emissaries were on the watch for new arrivals, and for those who +had recently come into property. + +In general, rogues soon betray themselves by some stupid bungle; +but such was not the case with this man; he defended himself, as +it were, on all sides, and always kept himself in position so as +to oppose to each of his vices the proof positive of the contrary +virtues. Thus, if accused of usury, he could prove that he had +lent, without interest, considerable sums of money. Cowardly and +base in a tete-a-tete, he was bold and redoubtable in public; +those who had made him tremble in secret were then compelled to +acknowledge him a man of courage. Even his more than suspected +probity was defended by such as believed themselves his +depositaries, whereas they were, in point of fact, only receivers +of stolen property. + +Affable, insinuating to a degree, he might be compared to those +brigands of Egypt who embraced their victims in order to strangle +them.[1] He never showed more devotedness than when he meditated +some perfidy, nor more assurance than when convicted of the +rascality. Playing fast and loose with honour and the laws, he +was sure to find, when threatened by the arm of justice, the +female relatives of the judges themselves taking his part and +doing their best to 'get him off.' Such was this extraordinary +chevalier d'industrie, who might have gone on with his diabolical +perpetrations had he not, at last, attempted too much, failing in +the grandest stroke he had ever meditated--and yet a vulgar +fraud--when he was convicted, branded, and sent to the +galleys.[2] + +[1] Senec., Epist. Ii. +[2] Dusaulx, De la Passion du Jeu. + +The following narrative elucidates a still more modern phase of +this elegant 'industry.' My authority is M. Robert-Houdin. + +CAUGHT IN A TRAP. + +M. Olivier de ---- was a dissipated young gentleman. His family +was one of the oldest and most respectable of the country, and +deservedly enjoyed the highest consideration. M. Olivier de +----, his father, was not rich, and therefore could not do much +for his son; the consequence was that owing to his outrageous +prodigality the son was sorely pinched for means to keep up his +position; he exhausted his credit, and was soon overwhelmed with +debt. Among the companions of his dissipation was a young man +whose abundant means filled him with admiration and envy; he +lived like a prince and had not a single creditor. One day he +asked his friend to explain the mystery of the fact that, without +possessing any fortune, he could gratify all his tastes and +fancies, whilst he himself, with certain resources, was compelled +to submit to privations, still getting into debt. + +Chauvignac--such was the name of the friend thus addressed--was a +card-sharper, and he instantly seized the opportunity to make +something out of the happy disposition of this modern prodigal +son, this scion of gentility. With the utmost frankness he +explained to the young man his wonderful method of keeping his +pockets full of money, and showed that nothing could be easier +than for Olivier to go and do likewise in his terrible +condition;--in short, on one hand there were within his grasp, +riches, pleasure, all manner of enjoyment; on the other, pitiless +creditors, ruin, misery, and contempt. The tempter, moreover, +offered to initiate his listener in his infallible method of +getting rich. In his frame of mind Olivier yielded to the +temptation, with the full determination, if not to get money by +cheating at cards, at any rate to learn the method which might +serve as a means of self-defence should he not think proper to +use it for attack--such was the final argument suggested by the +human Mephistopheles to his pupil. + +Taking Olivier to his house, he showed him a pack of cards. 'Now +here is a pack of cards,' he said; 'there seems to be nothing +remarkable about it, does there?' Olivier examined the pack and +declared that the cards did not appear to differ in the least +from all others. 'Well,' said Chauvignac, 'nevertheless they +have been subjected to a preparation called biseautage, or having +one end of the cards made narrower than the other. This +disposition enables us to remove from the pack such and such +cards and then to class them in the necessary order so that they +may get into the hand of the operator.' Chauvignac then +proceeded to apply his precepts by an example, and although the +young man had no particular qualification for the art of +legerdemain, he succeeded at once to admiration in a game at +Ecarte, for he had already mastered the first process of +cheating. Having thus, as he thought, sufficiently compromised +his victim, Chauvignac left him to his temptations, and took +leave of him. + +Two days afterwards the professor returned to his pupil and +invited him to accompany him on a pleasure trip. Olivier excused +himself on account of his desperate condition--one of his +creditors being in pursuit of him for a debt of one thousand +francs. 'Is that all?' said Chauvignac; and pulling out his +pocket-book he added,--'Here's a bank-note; you can repay me to- +morrow.' 'Why, man, you are mad!' exclaimed Olivier. 'Be it +so,' said Chauvignac; 'and in my madness I give you credit for +another thousand-franc bank-note to go and get thirty thousand +francs which are waiting for you.' 'Now, do explain yourself, +for you are driving ME mad.' 'Nothing more easy. Here is the +fact,' said Chauvignac. 'M. le Comte de Vandermool, a wealthy +Belgian capitalist, a desperate gamester if ever there was one, +and who can lose a hundred thousand francs without much +inconvenience, is now at Boulogne, where he will remain a week. +This millionnaire must be thinned a little. Nothing is easier. +One of my friends and confreres, named Chaffard, is already with +the count to prepare the way. We have only now to set to work. +You are one of us--that's agreed--and in a few days you will +return, to satisfy your creditors and buy your mistress a shawl.' + +'Stop a bit. You are going too fast. Wait a little. I haven't +as yet said Yes,' replied Olivier. 'I don't want your Yes now; +you will say it at Boulogne. For the present go and pay your +bill. We set out in two hours; the post-horses are already +ordered; we shall start from my house: be punctual.' + +The party reached Boulogne and put up at the Hotel de l'Univers. +On their arrival they were informed that no time was to be lost, +as the count talked of leaving next day. The two travellers took +a hasty dinner, and at once proceeded to the apartment of the +Belgian millionnaire. Chaffard, who had preceded them, +introduced them as two of his friends, whose property was +situated in the vicinity of Boulogne. + +M. le Comte de Vandermool was a man about fifty years of age, +with an open, candid countenance. He wore several foreign +decorations. He received the two gentlemen with charming +affability; he did more; he invited them to spend the evening +with him. Of course the invitation was accepted. When the +conversation began to flag, the count proposed a game--which was +also, of course, very readily agreed to by the three comperes. + +While the table was prepared, Chauvignac gave his young friend +two packs of cards, to be substituted for those which should be +furnished by the count. Ecarte was to be the game, and Olivier +was to play, the two other associates having pretended to know +nothing about the game, and saying that they would content +themselves by betting with each other. Of course Olivier was +rather surprised at this declaration, but he soon understood by +certain signs from Chauvignac that this reservation was intended +to do away with the count's suspicions, in case of their success. + +The count, enormously rich as he was, would only play for +bank-notes. 'Metal smells bad in a room,' he said. The novice, +at first confused at being a party to the intended roguery, +followed the dictates of his conscience and, neglecting the +advantages of his hands, trusted merely to chance. The result +was that the only thousand-franc bank-note he had was speedily +transferred to the count. At that moment Chauvignac gave him a +significant look, and this, together with the desire to retrieve +his loss, induced him to put into execution the culpable +manoeuvres which his friend had taught him. His work was of the +easiest; the count was so short-sighted that he had to keep his +nose almost upon the cards to see them. Chance now turned, as +might be expected, and thousand-franc bank-notes soon accumulated +in the hands of Olivier, who, intoxicated by this possession, +worked away with incredible ardour. Moreover, the count was not +in the least out of humour at losing so immensely; on the +contrary, he was quite jovial; indeed, from his looks he might +have been supposed to be the winner. At length, however, he said +with a smile, taking a pinch from his golden snuff-box--'I am +evidently not in vein. I have lost eighty thousand francs. I +see that I shall soon be in for one hundred thousand. But it is +proper, my dear sir, that I should say I don't make a habit of +losing more than this sum at a sitting; and if it must be so, I +propose to sup before losing my last twenty thousand francs. +Perhaps this will change my vein. I think you will grant me this +indulgence.' The proposal was agreed to. + +Olivier, almost out of his senses at the possession of eighty +thousand francs, could not resist the desire of expressing his +gratitude to Chauvignac, which he did, grasping his hand with +emotion and leading him into a corner of the room. + +Alas! the whole thing was only an infamous conspiracy to ruin the +young man. The Belgian capitalist, this count apparently so +respectable, was only an expert card-sharper whom Chauvignac had +brought from Paris to play out the vile tragi-comedy, the +denouement of which would be the ruin of the unfortunate Olivier. + +At the moment when the latter left the card-table to go to +Chauvignac, the pretended millionnaire changed the pack of cards +they had been using for two other packs. + +Supper went off very pleasantly. They drank very moderately, for +the head had to be kept cool for what had to follow. They soon +sat down again at the card-table. 'Now,' said the Parisian card- +shaper, on resuming his seat, 'I should like to end the matter +quickly: I will stake the twenty thousand francs in a lump.' + +Olivier, confident of success after his previous achievement, +readily assented; but, alas, the twenty thousand francs of which +he made sure was won by his adversary. + +Forty thousand francs went in like manner. Olivier, breathless, +utterly prostrate, knew not what to do. All his manoeuvres were +practised in vain; he could give himself none but small cards. +His opponent had his hands full of trumps, and HE dealt them to +him! In his despair he consulted Chauvignac by a look, and the +latter made a sign to him to go on. The wretched young man went +on, and lost again. Bewildered, beside himself, he staked +fabulous sums to try and make up for his losses, and very soon +found, in his turn, that he owed his adversary one hundred +thousand francs(L4166)! + +At this point the horrible denouement commenced. The pretended +count stopped, and crossing his arms on his breast, said +sternly--'Monsieur Olivier de ----, you must be very rich to +stake so glibly such enormous sums. Of course you know your +fortune and can square yourself with it; but, however rich you +may be, you ought to know that it is not sufficient to lose a +hundred thousand francs, but that you must pay it. Besides, I +have given you the example. Begin, therefore, by putting down +the sum I have won from you; after which we can go on.' . . . + +'Nothing can be more proper, sir,' stammered out young Olivier, +'I am ready to satisfy you; but, after all, you know that . . . . + +gaming debts . . . . my word . . . .' + +'The d--l! sir,' said the pretended count, giving the table a +violent blow with his fist--'Why do you talk to me about your +WORD. Gad! You are well entitled to appeal to the engagements +of honour! Well! We have now to play another game on this +table, and we must speak out plainly. Monsieur Olivier de ----, +you are a rogue . . . Yes, a rogue! The cards we have been +using are biseautees and YOU brought them hither.' + +'Sir! . . You insult me!' said Olivier. + +'Indeed? Well, sir, that astonishes me!' replied the false +Belgian ironically. + +'That is too much, sir. I demand satisfaction, and that on the +very instant. Do you understand me? Let us go out at once.' + +'No! no! We must end this quarrel here, sir. Look here--your +two friends shall be your "seconds;" I am now going to send for +MINE.' + +The card-sharper, who had risen at these words, rang the bell +violently. His own servant entered. 'Go,' said he, 'to the +Procureur de Roi, and request him to come here on a very +important matter. Be as quick as you can.' + +'Oh, sir, be merciful! Don't ruin me!' exclaimed the wretched +Olivier; 'I will do what you like.' At these words, the sharper +told his servant to wait behind the door, and to execute his +order if he should hear nothing to the contrary in ten minutes. + +'And now, sir,' continued the sharper, turning to Olivier, 'and +now, sir, for the business between you and me. These cards have +been substituted by you in the place of those which I supplied . +. . You must do them up, write your name upon the cover, and +seal it with the coat of arms on your ring.' + +Olivier looked first at Chauvignac and then at Chaffard, but both +the fellows only made signs to him to resign himself to the +circumstances. He did what was ordered. + +'That is not all, sir,' added the false Belgian; 'I have fairly +won money from you and have a right to demand a guarantee for +payment. You must draw me short bills for the sum of one hundred +thousand francs.' + +As the wretched young man hesitated to comply with this demand, +his pitiless creditor rose to ring the bell. + +'Don't ring, sir, don't ring,' said Olivier, 'I'll sign.' + +He signed, and the villany was consummated. Olivier returned to +his family and made an humble avowal of his fault and his +engagements. His venerable father received the terrible blow +with resignation, and paid the 100,000 francs, estimating his +honour far above that amount of money.[3] + +[3] This narrative is condensed from the account of the affair by +Robert-Hondin, Tricherics des Grecs devoilees. + + +AN ATTORNEY 'DONE' BY A GAMBLER. + +A turfite and gambler, represented under the letters of Mr H--e, +having lost all his money at Doncaster and the following York +Meeting, devised a plan, with his coadjutor, to obtain the means +for their departure from York, which, no doubt, will be +considered exceedingly ingenious. + +He had heard of an attorney in the town who was very fond of +Backgammon; and on this simple piece of information an elaborate +plan was concocted. Mr H--e feigned illness, went to bed, and +sent for a large quantity of tartar emetic, which he took. After +he had suffered the operation of the first dose he sent for a +doctor, who pronounced him, of course, very languid and ill; and +not knowing the cause, ordered him more medicine, which the +patient took good care not to allow to stay on his stomach. + +On the second day he asked the doctor, with great gravity, if he +considered him in danger, adding, 'because he had never made a +WILL to bequeath his property.' The doctor replied, 'No, not in +absolute danger, but there was no harm in making a WILL.' + +The attorney, accordingly, was sent for--of course the very man +wished for--the lover of Backgammon before mentioned. The good +man came; he took the 'instructions,' and drew up the last will +and testament of the ruined turfite, who left (in the will) about +L50,000, which no man ever heard of, living or dead. + +The BUSINESS being done, the patient said that if he had a +moment's relaxation he thought he should rally and overcome the +malady. The poor lawyer said if he could in any way contribute +to his comfort he should be happy. The offer was embraced by +observing that if he could sit up in bed--but he was afraid he +was not able--a hit at Backgammon would be a great source of +amusement. + +The lawyer, like all adepts in such matters, was only too willing +to catch at the idea; the board was brought. + +Of course the man who had L50,000 to leave behind could not be +expected to play 'for love;' and so when Mr H--e proposed 'a +pound a hit or treble a gammon,' the lawyer not only thought it +reasonable, but, conscious of his power in the game, eagerly +accepted the terms of playing. They played; but the lawyer was +gammoned almost incessantly, till he lost L50. Then H--e +proposed 'double or quits to L1000,'--thereupon the poor lawyer, +believing that fortune could not always forsake him, said he had +but L2000 in the world, but that he would set the L1000. He +lost; and became almost frantic. In the midst of his excessive +grief, H--e said, 'You have a HORSE, what is it worth?' L50 was +the answer. 'Well, well, you may win all back now, and I'll set +L50 on your horse.' + +They began again. Lost! 'You have a COW in your paddock, +haven't you? What's that worth?' asked Mr H--e. The attorney +said L12. 'Well, I'll set that sum by way of giving you a +chance.' The game proceeded, and the poor lawyer, equally +unfortunate, raved and swore he had lost his last shilling. 'No, +no!' said H--e,' you have not: I saw a HAY-RICK in your ground. +It is of no use now that the horse and cow are gone-- what is +that worth?' L15, replied the attorney, with a sigh. 'I set L15 +then,' said H--e. + +This seemed to be 'rather too much' for the lawyer. The loss of +the hay-rick--like the last straw laid on the overladen camel's +back--staggered him. Besides, he thought he saw--as doubtless he +did see--H--e twisting his fingers round one of the dice. Up he +started at once, and declared that he was cheated! + +Thereupon the sick man forgot his sickness, jumped out of bed, +and gave the lawyer a regular drubbing, got the cheque for the +L2000,--but the horse, cow, and hay he said he would leave 'until +further orders.' + + +A VERY CURIOUS STORY. + +An Archbishop of Canterbury was once on a tour, when a genteel +man, apparently in earnest conversation, though alone in a wood, +attracted his notice. His Grace made up to him, and, after a +little previous conversation, asked him what he was about. +Stranger. 'I am at play.' +Archbishop. 'At play? With whom? I see nobody.' +Sir. 'I own, sir, my antagonist is not visible: I am playing +with God.' +Abp. 'At what game, pray, sir?' +Str. 'At Chess.' +Abp. 'Do you play for anything?' +Str. 'Certainly.' +Abp. 'You cannot have any chance, as your adversary must be so +superior to you.' +Str. 'He takes no advantage, but plays merely as a man.' +Abp. 'When you win or lose, how do you settle accounts?' +Str. 'Very exactly and punctually.' +Abp. 'Indeed! Pray, how stands your game now?' +Str. 'There! I have just lost!' +Abp. 'How much have you lost?' +Str. 'Fifty guineas.' +Abp. 'How do you manage to pay it? Does God take your money?' +Str. 'No! The poor are his treasurers. He always sends some +worthy person to receive it, and you are at present his +purse-bearer.' + +Saying this, the stranger put fifty guineas into his Grace's +hand, and retired, adding--'I shall play no more to-day.' + +The prelate was delighted; though he could not tell what to make +of this extraordinary man. The guineas were all good; and the +archbishop applied them to the use of the poor, as he had been +directed. + +The archbishop, on his return, stopped at the same town, and +could not help going in search of the chess-player, whom he found +engaged as before, when the following dialogue ensued:-- +Abp. 'How has the chance stood since we met before?' +Str. 'Sometimes for me--sometimes against me. I have lost and +won.' +Abp. 'Are you at play now?' +Str. 'Yes, sir. We have played several games to-day.' +Abp. 'Who wins?' +Str. 'The advantage is on my side. The game is just over. I +have a fine stroke--check-mate-- there it is.' +Abp. 'How much have you won?' +Str. 'Five hundred guineas.' +Abp. 'That is a large sum. How are you to he paid?' +Str. 'God always sends some good rich man when I win, and YOU +are the person. He is remarkably punctual on these occasions.' + +The archbishop had received a considerable sum on that day, as +the stranger knew; and so, producing a pistol by way of receipt, +he compelled the delivery of it. His Grace now discovered that +he had been the dupe of a thief; and though he had greatly +bruited his first adventure, he prudently kept his own counsel in +regard to the last. + +Such is the tale. Se non e vero e ben trovato. + + +SKITTLE SHARPERS. + +'I know a respectable tradesman,' says a writer in Cassell's +Magazine--'I know him now, for he lives in the house he occupied +at the time of my tale--who was sent for to see a French +gentleman at a tavern, on business connected with the removal of +this gentleman's property from one of the London docks. The +business, as explained by the messenger, promising to be +profitable, he of course promptly obeyed the summons, and during +his walk found that his conductor had once been in service in +France. This delighted Mr Chase--the name by which I signify the +tradesman--for he, too, had once so lived in France; and by the +time he reached the tavern he had talked himself into a very good +opinion of his new patron. The French gentleman was very urbane, +gave Mr Chase his instructions, let him understand expense was +not to be studied, and, as he was at lunch, would not be +satisfied unless the tradesman sat down with him. This was a +great honour for the latter, as he found his employer was a +baron. Well, the foreigner was disposed to praise everything +English; he was glad he had come to live in London--Paris was +nothing to it; they had nothing in France like the English beer, +with which, in the exuberance of his hospitality, he filled and +refilled Mr Chase's glass; but that which delighted him above all +that he had seen "vos de leetle game vid de ball--vot you call-- +de--de--aha! de skittel." Mr Chase assented that it was a very +nice game certainly; and the French gentleman seeming by this +time to have had quite enough beer, insisted, before they went to +the docks--which was essential--that they should see just one +game played. + +'As he insisted on paying Mr Chase for all the time consumed with +him, and as his servant, of course, could not object, the party +adjourned to the "Select Subscription Ground" at once. In the +ground there was a quiet, insignificant-looking little man, +smoking a cigar; and as they were so few, he was asked to assist, +which, after considerable hesitation and many apologies for his +bad play, he did. The end is of course guessed. The French +gentleman was a foolish victim, with more money than wits, who +backed himself to do almost impossible feats, when it was evident +he could not play at all, and laid sovereigns against the best +player, who was the little stranger, doing the easiest. What +with the excitement, and what with the beer, which was probably +spiced with some unknown relish a little stronger than nutmeg, Mr +Chase could not help joining in winning the foreign gentleman's +money; it seemed no harm, he had so much of it. + +'By a strange concurrence of events, it so happened that by +random throws the Frenchman sometimes knocked all the pins down +at a single swoop, though he clearly could not play--Mr Chase was +sure of that--while the skilful player made every now and then +one of the blunders to which the best players are liable. That +the tradesman lost forty sovereigns will be easily understood; +and did his tale end here it would have differed so little from a +hundred others as scarcely to deserve telling; but it will +surprise many, as it did me, to learn that he then walked to and +from his own house--a distance of precisely a mile each +way--fetched a bill for thirty pounds, which a customer had +recently paid him, got it discounted, went back to the skittle- +ground, and, under the same malignant star, lost the whole. + +'It was the only case in my experience of the work going on +smoothly after such a break. I never could account for it, nor +could Mr Chase. Great was the latter's disgust, on setting the +police to work, to find that the French nobleman, his servant, +and the quiet stranger, were all dwellers within half a mile or +so of his own house, and slightly known to him--men who had +trusted, and very successfully, to great audacity and well- +arranged disguise.' + +A vast deal of gambling still goes on with skittles all over the +country. At a place not ten miles from London, I am told that as +much as two thousand pounds has been seen upon the table in a +single 'alley,' or place of play. The bets were, accordingly, +very high. The instances revealed by exposure at the police- +courts give but a faint idea of the extent of skittle sharping. + +Amidst such abuses of the game, it can scarcely surprise us that +the police have been recently directed to prohibit all playing at +skittles and bowls. However much we may regret the interference +with popular pastimes, in themselves unobjectionable, it is +evident that their flagrant abuse warrants the most stringent +measures in order to prevent their constantly repeated and dismal +consequences. Even where money was not played for, pots of beer +were the wager--leading, in many instances, to intoxication, or +promoting this habit, which is the cause of so much misery among +the lower orders. + + +CHAPTER II. + +PROFESSIONAL GAMESTERS AND THEIR FRAUDS. + +A gambling house at the end of the last century was conducted by +the following officials:-- + +1. A Commissioner,--who was always a proprietor; who looked in +of a night, and audited the week's account with two other +proprietors. + +2. A Director,--who superintended the room. + +3. An Operator,--who dealt the cards at the cheating game called +Faro. + +4. Two Croupiers, or crow-pees, as they were vulgarly called, +whose duty it was to watch the cards and gather or rake in the +money for the bank. + +5. Two Puffs,--who had money given to them to decoy others to +play. + +6. A Clerk,--who was a check on the Puffs, to see that they sank +none of the money given to them to play with. + +7. A Squib,--who was a puff of a lower rank, serving at half +salary, whilst learning to deal. + +8. A Flasher,--to swear how often the bank had been stripped by +lucky players. + +9. A Dunner,--who went about to recover money lost at play. + +10. A Waiter,--to fill out wine, snuff candles, and attend the +room. + +11. An Attorney,--who was generally a Newgate solicitor. + +12. A Captain,--who was to fight any gentleman who might be +peevish at losing his money. + +13. An Usher,--who lighted the gentlemen up and down stairs, and +gave the word to the porter. + +14. A Porter,--who was generally a soldier of the Foot Guards. + +15. An Orderly-man,--who walked up and down the outside of the +door, to give notice to the porter, and alarm the house at the +approach of the constables. + +16. A Runner,--who was to get intelligence of the Justices' +meetings. + +17. Link Boys, Coachmen, Chairmen, Drawers, and others, who +brought the first intelligence of Justices' meetings, of +constables going out, at half a guinea reward. + +18. Common Bail, Affidavit Men, Ruffians, Bravos, Assassins, &c. +&c. + +It may be proper to remark that the above list of officials was +only calculated for gambling houses of an inferior order. In +these it is evident that the fear of interruption and the +necessity for precaution presided over the arrangements. There +were others, however, which seemed to defy law, to spurn at +justice, and to remain secure, in every way, by the +'respectability' of their frequenters. These were houses +supported at an amazing expense--within sight of the palace-- +which were open every night and all night--where men of the first +rank were to be found gambling away immense sums of money, such +as no man, whatever his fortune might be, could sustain. 'What, +then,' says a writer at the time, 'are the consequences? Why, +that the UNDONE part of them sell their VOTES for bread, and the +successful give them for honours. + +'He who has never seen the gamblers' apartments in some of the +magnificent houses in the neighbourhood of St James's, has never +seen the most horrid sight that the imagination of a thinking man +can conceive. + +'A new pack of cards is called for at every deal, and the "old" +ones are then thrown upon the floor, and in such an immense +quantity, that the writer of this letter has seen a very large +room nearly ANKLE-DEEP, in the greatest part of it, by four +o'clock in the morning! Judge, then, to what height they must +have risen by daylight.' + +It is a melancholy truth, but confirmed by the history of all +nations, that the most polite and refined age of a kingdom is +never the most virtuous; not, indeed, that any such compliment +can be paid to that gross age, but still it was refined compared +with the past. The distinctions of personal merit being but +little regarded--in the low moral tone that prevailed--there +needed but to support a certain 'figure' in life (managed by the +fashionable tailor)[4], to be conversant with a few etiquettes of +good breeding and sentiments of modern or current honour, in +order to be received with affability and courteous attention in +the highest circles. The vilest sharper, having once gained +admission, was sure of constant entertainment, for nothing formed +a greater cement of union than the spirit of HIGH GAMING. There +being so little cognizance taken of the good qualities of the +heart in fashionable assemblies, no wonder that amid the medley +of characters to be found in these places the 'sharper' of polite +address should gain too easy an admission. + +[4] 'How shalt THOU to Caesar's hall repair? + For, ah! no DAMAGED coat can enter there!' + + BEATTIE'S Minstrel. + +This fraternity of artists--whether they were to be denominated +rooks,[5] sharps, sharpers, black-legs, Greeks, or gripes--were +exceedingly numerous, and were dispersed among all ranks of +society. + +[5] So called because rooks are famous for stealing materials out +of other birds' nests to build their own. + + +The follies and vices of others--of open-hearted youth in +particular--were the great game or pursuit of this odious crew. +Though cool and dispassionate themselves, they did all in their +power to throw others off their guard, that they might make their +advantage of them. + +In others they promoted excess of all kinds, whilst they +themselves took care to maintain the utmost sobriety and +temperance. 'Gamesters,' says Falconer, 'whose minds must be +always on the watch to take advantages, and prepared to form +calculations, and to employ the memory, constantly avoid a full +meal of animal food, which they find incapacitates them for play +nearly as much as a quantity of strong liquor would have done, +for which reason they feed chiefly on milk and vegetables.' + +As profit, not pleasure, was the aim of these knights of +darkness, they lay concealed under all shapes and disguises, and +followed up their game with all wariness and discretion. Like +wise traders, they made it the business of their lives to excel +in their calling. + +For this end they studied the secret mysteries of their art by +night and by day; they improved on the scientific schemes of +their profound master, Hoyle, and on his deep doctrines and +calculations of chances. They became skilful without a rival +where skill was necessary, and fraudulent without conscience +where fraud was safe and advantageous; and while fortune or +chance appeared to direct everything, they practised numberless +devices by which they insured her ultimate favours to themselves. + +Of these none were more efficacious, because none are more +ensnaring, than bribing their young and artless dupes to future +play by suffering them to win at their first onsets. By rising a +winner the dupe imbibed a confidence in his own gambling +abilities, or deemed himself a favourite of fortune. He engaged +again, and was again successful--which increased his exultation +and confirmed his future confidence; and thus did the simple +gudgeon swallow their bait, till it became at last fast hooked. + +When rendered thus secure of their prey, they began to level +their whole train of artillery against the boasted honours of his +short-lived triumph. Then the extensive manors, the ancient +forests, the paternal mansions, began to tremble for their future +destiny. The pigeon was marked down, and the infernal crew began +in good earnest to pluck his rich plumage. The wink was given on +his appearance in the room, as a signal of commencing their +covert attacks. The shrug, the nod, the hem--every motion of the +eyes, hands, feet--every air and gesture, look and word--became +an expressive, though disguised, language of fraud and cozenage, +big with deceit and swollen with ruin. Besides this, the card +was marked, or 'slipped,' or COVERED. The story is told of a +noted sharper of distinction, a foreigner, whose hand was thrust +through with a fork by his adversary, Captain Roche, and thus +nailed to the table, with this cool expression of concern-- 'I +ask your pardon, sir, if you have not the knave of clubs under +your hand.' The cards were packed, or cut, or even SWALLOWED. A +card has been eaten between two slices of bread and butter, for +the purpose of concealment. + +With wily craft the sharpers substituted their deceitful +'doctors' or false dice; and thus 'crabs,' or 'a losing game,' +became the portion of the 'flats,' or dupes. + +There were different ways of throwing dice. There was the +'Stamp'--when the caster with an elastic spring of the wrist +rapped the cornet or box with vehemence on the table, the dice as +yet not appearing from under the box. The 'Dribble' was, when +with an air of easy but ingenious motion, the caster poured, as +it were, the dice on the board--when, if he happened to be an old +practitioner, he might suddenly cog with his fore-finger one of +the cubes. The 'Long Gallery' was when the dice were flung or +hurled the whole length of the board. Sometimes the dice were +thrown off the table, near a confederate, who, in picking them +up, changed one of the fair for a false die with two sixes. This +was generally done at the first throw, and at the last, when the +fair die was replaced. The sixes were on the opposite squares, +so that the fraud could only be detected by examination. Of +course this trick could only be practised at raffles, where only +three throws are required. + +A pair of false dice was arranged as follows:-- + + {Two fours +On one die, {Two fives + {Two sixes + + {Two fives +On the other, {Two threes + {Two aces + +With these dice it was impossible to throw what is at Hazard +denominated Crabs, or a losing game--that is, aces, or ace and +deuce, twelve, or seven. Hence, the caster always called for his +main; consequently, as he could neither throw one nor seven, let +his chance be what it might, he was sure to win, and he and those +who were in the secret of course always took the odds. The false +dice being concealed in the left hand, the caster took the box +with the fair dice in it in his right hand, and in the act of +shaking it caught the fair dice in his hand, and unperceived +shifted the box empty to his left, from which he dropped the +false dice into the box, which he began to rattle, called his +main seven, and threw. Having won his stake he repeated it as +often as he thought proper. He then caught the false dice in the +same way, shifted the empty box again, and threw till he threw +out, still calling the same main, by which artifice he escaped +suspicion. + +Two gambling adventurers would set out with a certain number of +signs and signals. The use of the handkerchief during the game +was the certain evidence of a good hand. The use of the snuff- +box a sign equally indicative of a bad one. An affected cough, +apparently as a natural one, once, twice, three, or four times +repeated, was an assurance of so many honours in hand. Rubbing +the left eye was an invitation to lead trumps,--the right eye the +reverse,--the cards thrown down with one finger and the thumb was +a sign of one trump; two fingers and the thumb, two trumps, and +so on progressively, and in exact explanation of the whole hand, +with a variety of manoeuvres by which chance was reduced to +certainty, and certainty followed by ruin.[6] + +[6] Bon Ton Magazine, 1791. + + + CHEATING AT WHIST. + +In an old work on cards the following curious disclosures are +made respecting cheating at whist:-- + +'He that can by craft overlook his adversary's game hath a great +advantage; for by that means he may partly know what to play +securely; or if he can have some petty glimpse of his partner's +hand. There is a way by making some sign by the fingers, to +discover to their partners what honours they have, or by the wink +of one eye it signifies one honour, shutting both eyes two, +placing three fingers or four on the table, three or four +honours. FOR WHICH REASON ALL NICE GAMSTERS PLAY BEHIND +CURTAINS. + +'Dealing the cards out by one and one to each person is the best +method of putting it out of the dealer's power to impose on you. +But I shall demonstrate that, deal the cards which way you will, +a confederacy of two sharpers will beat any two persons in the +world, though ever so good players, that are not of the gang, or +in the secret, and "THREE poll ONE" is as safe and secure as if +the money was in their pockets. All which will appear presently. + +The first necessary instructions to be observed at Whist, as +principals of the secret, which may be likewise transferred to +most other games at cards, are:-- + +Brief or short cards, + +Corner-bend, + +Middle-bend (or Kingston-bridge). + +'Of brief cards there are two sorts: one is a card longer than +the rest,--the other is a card broader than the rest. The long +sort are such as three, four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine; +the broad sort are such as aces, kings, queens, and knaves. The +use and advantage of each are as follows:-- + +'Example:--When you cut the cards to your adversary, cut them +long, or endways, and he will have a three, four, five, six, +seven, eight, or nine at bottom. When your adversary cuts the +cards to you, put them broadside to him, and he will naturally +cut (without ever suspecting what you do) ace, king, queen, or +knave, &c., which is sufficient advantage to secure any game. + +'And in case you cannot get cards of proper sizes ready-made to +mix with others, you may shave them with a razor or penknife from +the threes to the nines each side, and from the aces to the +knaves each end; then put them up in the same case or cover, and +if they are done as they ought to be, they will pass upon +anybody. + +'As Whist is a tavern-game, the sharpers generally take care to +put about the bottle before the game begins, so quick, that a +BUBBLE cannot be said to see clearly even when he begins to play. + +'The next is the corner-bend, which is four cards turned down +finely at one corner--a signal to cut by. + +'The other is vulgarly called Kingston-bridge, or the middle- +bend. It is done by bending your own or adversary's TRICKS two +different ways, which will cause an opening, or arch, in the +middle, which is of the same use and service as the other two +ways, and only practised in its turn to amuse you. + +'The next thing to be considered is, who deals the cards, you or +your adversary; because that is a main point, and from whence +your advantage must arise. Suppose, for example, + {Sharpers, +A and B { + {Partners, + + {Bubbles, or Flats, +C and D { + { Partners. + +After a deal or two is formally played, A and B will begin to +operate in the following manner:-- + +'When A or B is to deal, they observe the PRECEDING DEAL to take +up the tricks thus:-- +1. A bad card. 2. A good card. +3. A bad card. 4. A good card. + +(Meaning the best and worst that fall in that list). + +'When C or D deals, they must be taken up thus:-- +1. A good card. 2. A bad card. +3. A good card. 4. A bad card. + +'By this rule it is plain that the best cards fall to A and B +every deal. How is it possible, therefore, that C and D should +ever win a game without permission? But it would be deemed ill +policy, and contrary to the true interest of A and B, to act thus +every deal. I will, therefore, suppose it is practised just when +they please, according as bets happen in company; though the rule +with gamesters, in low life, is at the first setting out to +stupify you with wine and the loss of your money, that you may +never come to a perfect understanding of what you are doing. It +may be truly said that many an honest gentleman has been kept a +month in such a condition by the management and contrivance of a +set of sharpers. + +'Now you may imagine it not in the power of A and B to cause the +tricks to be taken up after the manner aforesaid: there is +nothing so easy nor so frequently practised, especially at Three +poll One; for in playing the cards the confederates will not only +take care of their own tricks, but also of yours, for the cards +may be so played, and shoved together in such a manner, as will +even cause you to take them right yourself; and if a trick should +lie untowardly on the table, A or B will pay you the compliment +of taking it up for you, and say--"Sir, that's yours." This +operation will the more readily be apprehended by seeing it +practised half a score times; when once you are aware of it, it +will otherwise (I may say fairly) pass upon any person that has +not been let into the secret. This being allowed, the next point +and difficulty is to shuffle and cut. + +'I say, that either A or B are such curious workmen, and can make +a sham shuffle with a pack of cards so artfully, that you would +believe they were splitting them, when at the time they will not +displace a single card from its order! Such is the SHARPER'S +shuffling. + +'Now, to cut the cards, a BEND is prepared for you to cut to-- +the middle is the best; and it is odds but you unwarily cut to +it; if not, SLIP is the word; but if you have no opportunity to +do that neither, then deal away at all hazards, it is but an +equal bet that they come in your favour; if right, proceed; if +otherwise, miss a card in its course, and it brings the cards +according to your first design; it is but giving two at last +where you missed; and if that cannot be conveniently done, you +only lose the deal, and there is an end of it. + +'But when A or B is to cut, they make it all safe; for then they +make the CORNER-BEND, which any one that knows may cut to, a +hundred times together. + +'Piping at Whist. By piping I mean, when one of the company that +does not play, which frequently happens, sits down in a +convenient place to smoke a pipe, and so look on, pretending to +amuse himself that way. Now, the disposing of his fingers on the +pipe whilst smoking discovers the principal cards that are in the +person's hand he overlooks; which was always esteemed a +sufficient advantage whereby to win a game. There is another +method, namely, by uttering words. "Indeed" signifies diamonds; +"truly," hearts; "upon my word," clubs; "I assure you," spades. +But as soon as these methods become known, new ones are invented; +and it is most curious that two persons may discover to each +other what sort of cards they have in hand, and which ought first +to be played, many different ways, without speaking a word.' + +There can be no doubt that the act of sorting the cards is +capable of giving an acute observer a tolerably accurate idea of +his partner's or either of his opponents' hands; so that where +cheating is suspected it would be better to play the cards +without sorting them. The number of times a sorter carries a +card to a particular part indicates so many of a suit; your own +hand and his play will readily indicate the nature of the cards +in which he is either strong or weak. + +I now quote Robert-Houdin's account of + +CARD TELEGRAPHY. + +Although there are 32 cards in the game of Piquet, all of them +may be designated by twelve different signs, namely, eight for +the nature of the cards, and four for the colours. + +At Ecarte, the number of the signals is still less, as it is only +the figures that require indication: but to make these +indications it is necessary to execute a sort of pantomime, +according to certain authors, such as blowing the nose, coughing, +drumming on the table, sneezing, &c. Such evolutions, however, +are totally unworthy of your modern Greek, and would soon be +denounced as gross fraud. The signals which he employs are only +appreciable by his confederate,--as follows:-- + +If he looks + +1. At his confederate, he designates A king. + +2. At the play of his adversary . . . A queen. + +3. At the stake . . . . . . . . . . . A knave. + +4. At the opposite side . . . . . . . An ace. + +And whilst he indicates the nature of the cards he at the same +time makes known the colour by the following signs:-- + +1. The mouth slightly open . . . . . Hearts. + +2. The mouth shut . . . . . . . . . . Diamonds. + +3. The upper-lip slightly pouting + over the lower . . . . . . . Clubs. + +4. The lower-lip drawn over the + upper . . . . . . . . . . . Spades. + +Thus, if the Greek wishes to announce, for instance, the knave +and ace of hearts, he successively directs his looks upon the +play of his adversary, upon the stake, and to the opposite side, +whilst keeping his mouth slightly open. + +It is evident that this telegraphy may be employed at all games +where there is a gallery. In effect, nothing is easier at Piquet +than to indicate, by the aid of these signals, the colour in +which the player should discard and that in which he should keep +what cards he has. + +These are the simplest signs; but some of the Greeks have a great +number of them, to designate everything; and even sometimes to +communicate and receive intelligence, when necessary. This +telegraphy is so imperceptible that it is difficult to describe +it, and altogether impossible to detect it.[7] + +[7] Tricheries des Grecs devoilees. + + +Robert-Houdin has exhausted the subject of card-trickery, in +connection with that prestidigitation which, it seems, all card- +sharpers cultivate, the description of which, however, is by no +means so entertaining as the visible performance. I find, +nevertheless, in his book, under the title of 'Small Trickeries +made innocent by Custom,' certain things alluded to which I can +attest by experience. + +I. At Whist, no communication whatever must be made by a player +to his partner, excepting those authorized by the laws of the +game; but some persons go further, and by the play of their +features 'telegraph' to their partners the value of their hands. + +II. Any one with a good memory and endowed with quick perception +may form a very accurate estimate of the hands held by all the +players by remembering THE TRICKS AS THEY ARE PLAYED AND TURNED +DOWN--all of a suit, or trumped. Cards 'stick together' most +lovingly, and the ordinary shuffling scarcely alters their +sequence; and so, if a trick has been taken by an ace over a +king, for instance, and in the next deal you get the same king, +you may be sure that the ace is either on your right or your +left, according to the deal; of course, if you get the ace, then +the same probability, or rather necessity, exists as to the king; +and so on. Knave, queen, king, ace, of the same name, are almost +sure to be separated in the deal between the four players, or one +player will have two of them. The observation is a tax upon the +faculties; but I am sure, quite sure, that the thing can be done, +and is, when done, of material service; although, of course, the +knowledge can be turned to account only by an expert player, with +a partner who can understand the game which he wishes to play. + +Whist is, decidedly, one of the fairest of games; but for that +very reason, it is open to the greatest over-reaching, or, if you +like, cheating. + +With regard to dice, of course, they were and, doubtless, are +still loaded. Such were formerly called 'dispatches,' because +they would 'in five minutes dispatch L500 out of the pocket of +any young man when intoxicated with champagne.' + +Roulette and Rouge et Noir tables were and are so arranged as +always to make the bank win at the will of the attendant, +regulating them with a touch. + +At Hazard, they used 'low or high dice,' that is, with only +certain numbers on them, high or low,--a pair of which every +sharper always had in his possession, changing them with great +dexterity. They also used 'cramped' boxes, by which they +'cogged' or fastened the dice in the box as they dropped them IN, +and so could drop them OUT with the required face upwards. + + +CHAPTER III. + +ANECDOTES OF THE PASSIONS AND VICISSITUDES OF GAMESTERS. + +Although all the motives of human action have long been known-- +although psychology, or the science of soul and sentiment, has +ceased to present us with any new facts--it is quite certain that +our edifice of Morals is not quite built up. We may rest assured +that as long as intellectual man exists the problem will be +considered unsolved, and the question will be agitated. Future +generations will destroy what we establish, and will fashion a +something according to their advancement, and so on; for if there +be a term which, of all others, should be expunged from the +dictionaries of all human beings, it seems to be Lord Russell's +word FINALITY. Something NEW will always be wanted. 'Sensation' +is the very life of humanity; it is motion--the reverse of +'death'--which we all abhor. + +The gamester lives only for the 'sensation' of gaming. Menage +tells us of a gamester who declared that he had never seen any +luminary above the horizon but the moon. Saint Evremond, writing +to the Count de Grammont, says--'You play from morning to night, +or rather from night to morning. All the rays of the gamester's +existence terminate in play; it is on this centre that his very +existence depends. He enjoys not an hour of calm or serenity. +During the day he longs for night, and during the night he dreads +the return of day.' + +Being always pre-occupied, gamesters are subject to a ridiculous +absence of mind. Tacitus tells us that the Emperor Vitellius was +so torpid that he would have forgotten he was a prince unless +people had reminded him of it from time to time.[8] Many +gamesters have forgotten that they were husbands and fathers. +During play some one said that the government were about to levy +a tax on bachelors. 'Then I shall be ruined!' exclaimed one of +the players absorbed in the game. 'Why, man, you have a wife and +five children,' said the speaker. + +[8] Tanta torpedo invaserat animum Vitellii, ut si principem eum +fuisse non meminissent, ipse oblivisceretur. Hist., lib. iii. + + +This infatuation may be simply ridiculous; but it has also a +horrible aspect. A distracted wife has rushed to the gaming +table, imploring her husband, who had for two entire days been +engaged at play, to return to his home. + +'Only let me stay one moment longer--only one moment. . . . . I +shall return perhaps the day after to-morrow,' he stammered out +to the wretched woman, who retired. Alas! he returned sooner +than he had promised. His wife was in bed, holding the last of +her children to her breast. + +'Get up, madam,' said the ruined gambler, 'the bed on which you +lie belongs to us no longer!' . . . + +When the gamester is fortunate, he enjoys his success elsewhere; +to his home he brings only consternation. + +A wife had received the most solemn promise from her husband that +he would gamble no more. One night, however, he slunk out of +bed, rushed to the gaming table, and lost all the money he had +with him. He tried to borrow more, but was refused. He went +home. His wife had taken the precaution to lock the drawer that +contained their last money. Vain obstacle! The madman broke it +open, carried off two thousand crowns--to take his revenge, as he +said, but in reality to lose the whole as before. + +But it is to the gaming room that we must go to behold the +progress of the terrible drama--the ebb and flow of opposite +movements--the shocks of alternate hope and fear, infinitely +varied in the countenance, not only of the actors, but also of +the spectators. What is visible, however, is nothing in +comparison to the secret agony. It is in his heart that the +tempest roars most fiercely. + +Two players once exhibited their rage, the one by a mournful +silence, the other by repeated imprecations. The latter, shocked +at the sang-froid of his neighbour, reproached him for enduring, +without complaint, such losses one after the other. 'Look here!' +said the other, uncovering his breast and displaying it all +bloody with lacerations. + +It is only at play that we can observe, from moment to moment, +all the phases of despair; from time to time there occur new +ones--strange, eccentric, or terrible. After having lost +quietly, and even with serenity, half his fortune, the father of +a family staked the remainder, and lost it without a murmur. +Facere solent extrema securos mala.[9] The bystanders looked at +him; his features changed not; only it was perceived that they +were fixed. It seemed that he was unconscious of life. Two +streams of tears trickled from his eyes, and yet his features +remained the same. He was literally a weeping statue. The +spectators were seized with fright, and, although gamesters, they +melted into pity. + +[9] 'Great calamities render us CARELESS.' + + +At Bayonne, in 1725, a French officer, in a rage at billiards, +jammed a billiard-ball in his mouth, where it stuck fast, +arresting respiration, until it was, with difficulty, extracted +by a surgeon. Dusaulx states that he was told the fact by a +lieutenant-general, who was an eye-witness. + +It is well known that gamblers, like dogs that bite a stone flung +at them, have eaten up the cards, crushed up the dice, broken the +tables, damaged the furniture, and finally 'pitched into' each +other--as described by Lucian in his Saturnalia. Dusaulx assures +us that he saw an enraged gambler put a burning candle into his +mouth, chew it, and swallow it. A mad player at Naples bit the +table with such violence that his teeth went deep into the wood; +thus he remained, as it were, nailed to it, and suddenly expired. + +The other players took to flight; the officers of justice visited +the place; and the corpse was deprived of the usual ceremony of +burial.[10] + +[10] Gazette de Deux-Ponts, du 26 Novembre, 1772. + + +The following strange but apparently authentic fact, is related +in the Mercure Francois (Tome I. Annee 1610). + +'A man named Pennichon, being a prisoner in the Conciergerie +during the month of September, 1610, died there of a wonderfully +sudden death. He could not refrain from play. Having one day +lost his money, he uttered frightful imprecations against his +body and against his soul, swearing that he would never play at +cards again. Nevertheless, a few days after, he began to play +again with those in his apartment, and on a dispute respecting +discarding, he repeated his execrable oaths. And when one of the +company told him he should fear the Divine justice, he only swore +the more, and made such confusion that there had to be another +deal. But as soon as three other cards were given him, he placed +them in his hat, which he held before him, and whilst looking at +them, with his elbows on the table and his face in the hat, he so +suddenly expired that one of the party said--"Come, now play," +and pushed him with his elbow, thinking he was asleep, when he +fell down dead upon the floor.' + +In some cases the effect of losses at play is simply +stupefaction. Some players, at the end of the sitting, neither +know what they do nor what they say. M. de Crequi, afterwards +Duc de Lesdiguieres, leaving a gambling party with Henry IV., +after losing a large sum, met M. de Guise in the court-yard of +the castle. 'My friend,' said he to the latter, 'where are the +quarters of the Guards now-a-days?' M. de Guise stepped back, +saying, 'Excuse me, sir, I don't belong to this country,' and +immediately went to the king, whom he greatly amused with the +anecdote. + +A dissipated buck, who had been sitting all night at Hazard, went +to a church, not far from St James's, just before the second +reading of the Lord's Prayer, on Sunday. He was scarcely seated +before he dozed, and the clerk in a short time bawled out AMEN, +which he pronounced A--main. The buck jumped up half asleep and +roared out, 'I'll bet the caster 20 guineas!' The congregation +was thrown into a titter, and the buck ran out, overwhelmed with +shame. A similar anecdote is told of another 'dissipated buck' +in a church. The grand masquerade given on the opening of the +Union Club House, in Pall Mall, was not entirely over till a late +hour on the following Sunday. A young man nearly +intoxicated--certainly not knowing what he was about-- reeled +into St. James's church, in his masquerade dress, with his hat +on. The late Rev. Thomas Bracken, attracted by the noise of his +entrance, looked directly at him as he chanced to deliver the +following words:--'Friend! how camest thou in hither, not having +on a wedding garment?' It seemed so to strike the culprit that +he instantly took off his hat and withdrew in confusion. + +At play, a winner redoubles his caution and sang-froid just in +proportion as his adversary gets bewildered by his losses, +becoming desperate; he takes advantage of the weakness of the +latter, giving him the law, and striving for greater success. +When the luck changes, however, the case is reversed, and the +former loser becomes, in his turn, ten times more pitiless--like +that Roman prefect, mentioned by Tacitus, who was the more +inexorable because he had been harshly treated in his youth, co +immmitior quia toleraverat. The joy at winning back his money +only makes a gamester the more covetous of winning that of his +adversary. A wealthy man once lost 100,000 crowns, and begged to +be allowed to go and sell his property, which was worth double +the amount he had lost. 'Why sell it?' said his adversary; 'let +us play for the remainder.' They played; luck changed; and the +late LOSER ruined the other. + +Sometimes avidity makes terrible mistakes; many, in order to win +more, have lost their all to persons who had not a shilling to +lose. During the depth of a severe winter, a gamester beheld +with terror the bottom of his purse. Unable to resolve on +quitting the gaming table--for players in that condition are +always the most stubborn--he shouted to his valet--'Go and fetch +my great sack.' These words, uttered without design, stimulated +the cupidity of those who no longer cared to play with him, and +now they were eager for it. His luck changed, and he won thrice +as much as he had lost. Then his 'great sack' was brought to +him: it was a BEAR-SKIN SACK he used as a cloak! + +In the madness of gaming the player stakes everything after +losing his money--his watch, his rings, his clothing; and some +have staked their EARS, and others their very LIVES-- instances +of all which will be related in the sequel. + +Not very long ago a publican, who lost all his money, staked his +public-house, lost it, and had to 'clear out.' The man who won +it is alive and flourishing. + +'The debt of honour must be paid: 'these are the terrible words +that haunt the gamester as he wakes (if he has slept) on the +morning after the night of horrors: these are the furies that +take him in hand, and drag him to torture, laughing the while. . +. . + +What a 'sensation' it must be to lose one's ALL! A man, +intoxicated with his gains, left one gaming house and entered +another. As soon as he entered he exclaimed, 'Well, I am filled, +my pockets are full of gold, and here goes, ODDS OR EVEN?' +'Odds,' cried a player. It was ODDS, and the fortunate winner +pocketed the enormous sum just boasted of by the other. + +On the other hand, sudden prosperity has deranged more heads and +killed more people than reverses and grief; either because it +takes a longer time to get convinced of utter ruin than great +good fortune, or because the instinct of self- preservation +compels us to seek, in adversity, for resources to mitigate +despair; whereas, in the assault of excessive joy, the soul's +spring is distended and broken when it is suddenly compressed by +too many thoughts and too many sensations. Sophocles, Diagoras, +Philippides, died of joy. Another Greek expired at the sight of +the three crowns won by his three sons at the Olympic games. + +Many fine intellects among players have been brutified by loses; +others, in greater number, have been so by their winnings. Some +in the course of their prosperity perish from idleness, get +deranged, and ruin themselves after ruining others. An instance +is mentioned of an officer who won so enormously that he actually +lost his senses in counting his gains. Astonished at himself, he +thought he was no longer an ordinary mortal; and required his +valets to do him extraordinary honours, flinging handfuls of gold +to them. The same night, however, he returned to the gaming +house, and recovered from his madness when he had lost not only +all his gains, but even the value of an appointment which he +held. + +UNFORTUNATE WINNING. + +M. G--me was a most estimable man, combining in himself the best +qualities of both heart and head. He was good-humoured, witty, +and benevolent. With these qualifications, and one other which +seldom operates to a man's disadvantage--a clear income of three +thousand a year--the best society in Paris was open to him. He +had been a visitor in that capital about a month, when he +received an invitation to one of the splendid dinners given +weekly at the salon. As he never played, he hesitated about the +propriety of accepting it, but on the assurance that it would not +be expected of him to play; and, moreover, as he might not again +have so good an opportunity of visiting an establishment of the +kind, he resolved to go--merely for the satisfaction of his +curiosity. He had a few stray napoleons in his purse, to throw +them--'just for the good of the house,' as he considered it-- +could hardly be called PLAY, so he threw them. Poor fellow! He +left off a winner of fourteen hundred napoleons, or about as many +pounds sterling--and so easily won! He went again, again, and +again; but he was not always a winner; and within fifteen months +of the moment when his hand first grasped the dice-box he was +lying dead in a jail! + +LORD WORTHALL'S DESPERATE WAGER. + +At a gambling party Lord Worthall had lost all his money, and in +a fit of excitement staked his whole estate against L1000, at +cutting low with cards, and in cutting exclaimed,-- + + 'Up now Deuce, or else a Trey, + Or Worthall's gone for ever and aye.' + +He had the luck to cut the deuce of diamonds; and to commemorate +the serious event, he got the deuce of diamonds cut in marble and +had it fixed on the parapet of his mansion. + +THE CELEBRATED THADDEUS STEVENS. + +He was an inveterate gamester on a small scale, and almost +invariably, after a day's duty in the House, would drop in at a +favourite casino, and win or lose fifty dollars--that being the +average limit of his betting. + +A PROVIDENT GAMBLER. + +A Monsieur B--, well known in Parisian life, having recently lost +every shilling at a certain sporting club where play is carried +on in Paris, went to the country, where his sister lent him L150. + +He won all back again, and got a considerable sum of money in +hand. He then went to his hotel, to his bootmaker, and tailor, +paid them, and made arrangements to be fed, clothed, and shod for +ten years. + +A MAGNIFICENT FORTUNE WASTED. + +Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with an +estate of L18,000 per annum, and L100,000 ready money. He left +with a ruined constitution, an encumbered estate, and not a +shilling of ready money! + +AN ENTERPRISING CLERK. + +Lord Kenyon, in 1795, tried a clerk 'for misapplying his master's +confidence,' and the facts were as follows. He went with a bank +note of L1000 to a gaming house in Osendon Street, where he won a +little. He also won two hundred guineas at another in Suffolk +Street. He next accompanied some keepers of a third house to +their tables, where he lost above nine hundred pounds. He played +there almost every night; and finally lost about L2500! + +GAMBLING FOR RECRUITS FOR THE ARMY. + +An Irish officer struck out a mode of gambling, for recruits. He +gave five guineas bounty, and one hundred to be raffled for by +young recruits,--the winner to be paid immediately, and to +purchase his discharge, if he pleased, for L20. The dice-box was +constantly going at his recruiting office in Dublin. + +DOUBLING THE STAKES. + +A dashing young man of large fortune, about the year 1820, lost +at a subscription house at the West End, L80,000. The winner was +a person of high rank. The young man, however, by doubling the +stakes, not only recovered his losses, but in his turn gained +considerably of his antagonist. + +AN ANNUITY FOR A GAMBLING DEBT. + +A fashionable nobleman had won from a young and noble relative +the sum of L40,000. The cash not being forthcoming, he accepted +an annuity of L4000. + +SIR WILLIAM COLEPEPPER. + +It is told of Sir William Colepepper that, after he had been +ruined himself at the gaming table, his whole delight was to sit +there and see others ruined. Hardened wretch--'Who though he +plays no more, overlooks the cards'--with this diabolical +disposition! + +THE BITER BITTEN. + +A certain duchess, of a ci-devant lord-lieutenant, who expected +to make a pigeon of Marshal Blucher, was fleeced of L200,000; to +pay which her lord was obliged to sell a great part of his +property, and reside on the continent. + +HUNTED DOWN. + +A stout-hearted and gallant military baronet lost an immense sum +at a celebrated gaming house; but was so fortunate as to recover +it, with L1200 more. This last sum HE PRESENTED TO THE WAITERS. +He was pursued by two of the 'play-wrights' to a northern +watering-place, where he was so plucked that all his possessions +were brought to the hammer. A competency was, however, saved +from the magnificent wreck. + +COMING OF AGE. + +When Sir C-- T--, a weak young man, with a large fortune, came of +age, the Greeks, thinking him an excellent quarry, went to York +Races, made him drunk and plundered him of a large sum. The next +morning one of the party waited upon him to acquaint him of his +loss--(L20,000 or L30,000), and brought bonds for his signature +to that amount! + +HEAVY LIABILITIES TO BEGIN WITH. + +In the year 1799, when the Marquis of Donegal succeeded to the +title on his father's death, his debts, principally to gamblers +and money-lenders, amounted to two hundred and fifty thousand +pounds sterling! + +A GENTLEMAN TURNED BARBER. + +In an old magazine I find the following curious statement:-- + +'There is now living in Barnaby Street, Carnaby Market, a man +who, although exercising the menial office of penny barber, was +in his younger days in possession of estates and personal +property to a large amount, and is the only lineal descendant +remaining of the very ancient family of the H--s of Bristol. + +'His relations dying when he was young, he was placed under +proper guardians, and received a liberal education, first at +Westminster, and afterwards at Cambridge, suitable to his rank +and fortune. When of age he converted his estates into money, +and retired to Dublin, where he remained some time. He then made +the tour of Europe, and returned to Ireland, where he went +through all the scenes of dissipation to which young men are so +much addicted, till at last he was beset by those harpies the +gamblers, and stripped of his immense fortune in one single +night! + +'He then subsisted for some little time on the bounty of his +undoers, who intended to make him one of them; but, not having +sufficient address for the profession, he was dismissed and "left +in the lurch;" and most of his friends discarding him, he +embarked with his last guinea for England. Here he has +encountered many difficulties, often been in gaol for debt, and +passed through various scenes of life, as valet, footman, thief- +taker, and at length, a penny-barber! He has a wife and large +family and lives in a very penurious manner, often lamenting his +early folly.'[11] + +[11] 'The Western County Magazine, 1791. By a Society of +Gentlemen.' This well-conducted old magazine was printed and +published at Salisbury, and was decidedly a credit to the town +and county. + +PENSIONED OFF BY A GAMING HOUSE. + +A visitor at Frascati's gaming house in Paris tells us:-- + +'I saw the Chevalier de la C--(a descendant of the once +celebrated romance-writer) when he was nearly ninety. The mode +of life of this old man was singular. He had lost a princely +property at the play-table, and by a piece of good fortune of +rare occurrence to gamesters, and unparalleled generosity, the +proprietors of the salon allowed him a pension to support him in +his miserable senility, just sufficient to supply him with a +wretched lodging--bread, and a change of raiment once in every +three or four years! In addition to this he was allowed a +supper--which was, in fact, his dinner--at the gaming house, +whither he went every night at about eleven o'clock. Till +supper-time (two o'clock in the morning) he amused himself in +watching the games and calculating the various chances, although +incapable of playing a single coup. At four o'clock he returned +to his lodging, retired to bed, and lay till between nine and ten +o'clock on the following night. A cup of coffee was then brought +to him, and, having dressed himself, at the usual hour he again +proceeded to the salon. This had been his round of life for +several years; and he told me that during all that time +(excepting on a few mornings about Midsummer) he had never beheld +the sun!' + +A Mr R--y, son of a baronet, left Wattier's club one night with +only L4 in his pocket, saying that he would look in at the hells. + +He did so, and, returning after three o'clock in the morning, +offered to bet L500 that he had above L4000. The result proved +that he had L4300, all won at gaming tables, from the small +beginning of L4. He then sat down to play games of skill at +Wattier's, and went home at six o'clock without a single pound! +The same man subsequently won L30,000, and afterwards lost it +all, with L15,000 more, and then 'went to the Continent.' + +A major of the Rifle Brigade, in consequence of gambling in +London, by which he lost vast sums of money, went out of his +senses and died a few years ago in an asylum. This occurred +within the last ten or twelve years. + +Says Mr Seymour Harcourt, in his 'Gaming Calendar,' 'I have +myself seen hanging in chains a man whom, a short time before, I +saw at a Hazard table!' + +Hogarth lent his tremendous power to the portrayal of the ruined +gamester, and shows it to the life in his print of the gaming +house in the 'Rake's Progress.' + +Three stages of that species of madness which attends gaming are +there described. On the first shock all is inward dismay. The +ruined gamester is represented leaning against a wall with his +arms across, lost in an agony of horror. Shortly after this +horrible gloom bursts into a storm and fury. He tears in pieces +whatever comes near him, and, kneeling down, invokes curses on +himself. His next attack is on others--on every one whom he +imagines to have been instrumental in his ruin. The eager joy of +the winning gamester, the attention of the usurer, and the +profound reverie of the highwayman, are all strongly marked in +this wonderful picture. + +HOW MANY GAMESTERS LIVE BY PLAY? + +It is an observation made by those who calculate on the gaming +world, that above nine-tenths of the persons who play LIVE by it. + +Now, as the ordinary establishment of a GENTEEL gamester, as he +is commonly called, cannot be less than L1000 per annum, luck, +which turns out EQUAL in the long run, will not support him; he +must therefore LIVE by what they call among themselves the BEST +OF THE GAME--or, in plain English, cheating. + +So much for the inner and outer life of gamblers. And now I +shall introduce Mr Ben. Disraeli, recounting, in the happiest +vein of his younger days, a magnificent gambling scene, quite on +a par with the legend of the Hindoo epic before quoted,[12] and +which, I doubt not, will (to use the young Disraeli's own words) +make the reader 'scud along and warm up into friskiness.' + +[12] Chapter II. + + +A curious phrase occurs in the 9th chapter of 'The Young Duke,' +in the paragraph at the beginning, after the words--'O ye +immortal gods!' + +Although the scene of the drama is part of a novel, yet there can +be no doubt of its being 'founded on fact'--at any rate, I think +there never was a narrative of greater verisimilitude. + +'After dinner, with the exception of Cogit, who was busied in +compounding some wonderful liquid for the future refreshment, +they sat down to Ecarte. Without having exchanged a word upon +the subject, there seemed a general understanding among all the +parties, that to-night was to be a pitched battle--and they began +at once, very briskly. Yet, in spite of their universal +determination, midnight arrived without anything very decisive. +Another hour passed over, and then Tom Cogit kept touching the +baron's elbow, and whispering in a voice which everybody could +understand. All this meant that supper was ready. It was +brought into the room. + +'Gaming has one advantage--it gives you an appetite; that is to +say, so long as you have a chance remaining. The duke had +thousands,--for at present his resources were unimpaired, and he +was exhausted by the constant attention and anxiety of five +hours. He passed over the delicacies, and went to the side- +table, and began cutting himself some cold roast beef. Tom Cogit +ran up, not to his Grace, but to the baron, to announce the +shocking fact, that the Duke of St James was enduring great +trouble; and then the baron asked his Grace to permit Mr Cogit to +serve him. + +'Our hero devoured--we use the word advisedly, as fools say in +the House of Commons--he devoured the roast beef, and rejecting +the hermitage with disgust, asked for porter. + +'They set to again, fresh as eagles. At six o'clock, accounts +were so complicated, that they stopped to make up their books. +Each played with his memorandums and pencil at his side. Nothing +fatal had yet happened. The duke owed Lord Dice about L5000, and +Temple Grace owed him as many hundreds. Lord Castlefort also was +his debtor to the tune of 750, and the baron was in his books, +but slightly. + +'Every half-hour they had a new pack of cards, and threw the used +ones on the floor. All this time Tom Cogit did nothing but snuff +the candles, stir the fire, bring them a new pack, and +occasionally made a tumbler for them. + +'At eight o'clock the duke's situation was worsened. The run was +greatly against him, and perhaps his losses were doubled. He +pulled up again the next hour or two; but, nevertheless, at ten +o'clock owed every one something. No one offered to give over; +and every one, perhaps, felt that his object was not obtained. +They made their toilets, and went down-stairs to breakfast. In +the mean time the shutters were opened, the room aired; and in +less than an hour they were at it again. + +'They played till dinner-time without intermission; and though +the duke made some desperate efforts, and some successful ones, +his losses were, nevertheless, trebled. Yet he ate an excellent +dinner, and was not at all depressed; because the more he lost +the more his courage and his resources seemed to expand. At +first, he had limited himself to 10,000; after breakfast, it was +to have been 20,000; then 30,000 was the ultimatum; and now he +dismissed all thoughts of limits from his mind, and was +determined to risk or gain everything. + +'At midnight he had lost L48,000. + +'Affairs now began to be serious. His supper was not so hearty. +While the rest were eating, he walked about the room, and began +to limit his ambition to recovery, and not to gain. + +'When you play to win back, the fun is over: there is nothing to +recompense you for your bodily tortures and your degraded +feelings; and the very best result that can happen, while it has +no charms, seems to your cowed mind impossible. + +'On they played, and the duke lost more. His mind was jaded. He +floundered--he made desperate efforts, but plunged deeper in the +slough. Feeling that, to regain his ground, each card must tell, +he acted on each as if it must win, and the consequences of this +insanity (for a gamester at such a crisis is really insane) were, +that his losses were prodigious. + +'Another morning came, and there they sat, ankle-deep in cards. +No attempt at breakfast now--no affectation of making a toilet, +or airing the room. The atmosphere was hot, to be sure, but it +well became such a hell. There they sat, in total, in positive +forgetfulness of everything but the hot game they were hunting +down. There was not a man in the room, except Tom Cogit, who +could have told you the name of the town in which they were +living. There they sat, almost breathless, watching every turn +with the fell look in their cannibal eyes, which showed their +total inability to sympathize with their fellow-beings. All the +forms of society had been forgotten. There was no snuff-box +handed about now, for courtesy, admiration, or a pinch; no +affectation of occasionally making a remark upon any other topic +but the all-engrossing one. + +'Lord Castlefort rested with his arms on the table:--a false +tooth had got unhinged. His Lordship, who, at any other time, +would have been most annoyed, coolly put it in his pocket. His +cheeks had fallen, and he looked twenty years older. + +'Lord Dice had torn off his cravat, and his hair flung down over +his callous, bloodless checks, straight as silk. + +'Temple Grace looked as if he were blighted by lightning; and his +deep-blue eyes gleamed like a hyaena. + +'The baron was least changed. + +'Tom Cogit, who smelt that the crisis was at hand, was as quiet +as a bribed rat. + +'On they played till six o'clock in the evening, and then they +agreed to desist till after dinner. Lord Dice threw himself on a +sofa. Lord Castlefort breathed with difficulty. The rest walked +about. While they were resting on their oars, the young duke +roughly made up his accounts. He found that he was minus about +L100,000. + +'Immense as this loss was, he was more struck--more appalled, let +us say--at the strangeness of the surrounding scene, than even by +his own ruin. As he looked upon his fellow-gamesters, he seemed, +for the first time in his life, to gaze upon some of those +hideous demons of whom he had read. He looked in the mirror at +himself. A blight seemed to have fallen over his beauty, and his +presence seemed accursed. He had pursued a dissipated, even more +than a dissipated, career. Many were the nights that had been +spent by him not on his couch; great had been the exhaustion that +he had often experienced; haggard had sometimes even been the +lustre of his youth. But when had been marked upon his brow this +harrowing care? When had his features before been stamped with +this anxiety, this anguish, this baffled desire, this strange, +unearthly scowl, which made him even tremble? What! was it +possible?--it could not be--that in time he was to be like those +awful, those unearthly, those unhallowed things that were around +him. He felt as if he had fallen from his state, as if he had +dishonoured his ancestry, as if he had betrayed his trust. He +felt a criminal. + +'In the darkness of his meditations a flash burst from his lurid +mind, a celestial light appeared to dissipate this thickening +gloom, and his soul felt, as it were, bathed with the softening +radiancy. He thought of May Dacre, he thought of everything that +was pure, and holy, and beautiful, and luminous, and calm. It +was the innate virtue of the man that made this appeal to his +corrupted nature. His losses seemed nothing; his dukedom would +be too slight a ransom for freedom from these ghouls, and for the +breath of the sweet air. + +'He advanced to the baron, and expressed his desire to play no +more. There was an immediate stir. All jumped up, and now the +deed was done. Cant, in spite of their exhaustion, assumed her +reign. They begged him to have his revenge,--were quite annoyed +at the result,--had no doubt he would recover if he proceeded. + +'Without noticing their remarks, he seated himself at the table, +and wrote cheques for their respective amounts, Tom Cogit jumping +up and bringing him the inkstand. Lord Castlefort, in the most +affectionate manner, pocketed the draft; at the same time +recommending the duke not to be in a hurry, but to send it when +he was cool. Lord Dice received his with a bow, Temple Grace +with a sigh, the baron with an avowal of his readiness always to +give him his revenge. + +'The duke, though sick at heart, would not leave the room with +any evidence of a broken spirit; and when Lord Castlefort again +repeated--"Pay us when we meet again," he said, "I think it very +improbable that we shall meet again, my Lord. I wished to know +what gaming was. I had heard a great deal about it. It is not +so very disgusting; but I am a young man, and cannot play tricks +with my complexion." + +'He reached his house. The Bird was out. He gave orders for +himself not to be disturbed, and he went to bed; but in vain he +tried to sleep. What rack exceeds the torture of an excited +brain and an exhausted body? His hands and feet were like ice, +his brow like fire; his ears rung with supernatural roaring; a +nausea had seized upon him, and death he would have welcomed. In +vain, in vain he courted repose; in vain he had recourse to every +expedient to wile himself to slumber. Each minute he started +from his pillow with some phrase which reminded him of his late +fearful society. Hour after hour moved on with its leaden pace; +each hour he heard strike, and each hour seemed an age. Each +hour was only a signal to cast off some covering, or shift his +position. It was, at length, morning. With a feeling that he +should go mad if he remained any longer in bed, he rose, and +paced his chamber. The air refreshed him. He threw himself on +the floor, the cold crept over his senses, and he slept.'[13] + +[13] 'The Young Duke,' by B. Disraeli, chapter VIII. This +gambling is the turning-point in the young duke's career; he +proves himself at length not unworthy of his noble ancestry arm +his high hereditary position,--takes his place in the Senate, and +weds the maiden of his love. + + +CHAPTER IV. + +ATROCITIES, DUELS, SUICIDES, AND EXECUTION OF GAMBLERS. + +The history of all nations is but the record of their cupidity; +and when the fury of gaming appears on the scene, it has never +failed to double the insolence and atrocities of tyranny. + +The atrocious gambling of the Hindoo Rajas has been related;[14] +and I have incidentally adverted to similar concomitants of the +vice among all nations. I now propose to bring together a series +of facts specially elucidative of the harrowing theme. + +[14] Chapter II. + + +One of the Ptolemys, kings of Egypt, required all causes to be +submitted to him whilst at play, and pronounced even sentence of +death according to chance. On one occasion his wife, Berenice, +pronounced thereanent those memorable words:--'There cannot be +too much deliberation when the death of a man is concerned'-- +afterwards adopted by Juvenal--Nulla unquam de morte hominis +cunctatio longa est.[15] + +[15] Aelian, Var. Hist. lib. XLIV. c. xiii.; Juvenal, Sat. vi. + + +Tolomnius, King of the Veii, happened to be playing at dice when +the arrival of Roman ambassadors was announced. At the very +instant he uttered the word KILL, a term of the game; the word +was misinterpreted by the hearers, and they went forthwith and +massacred the ambassadors. Livy suggests that this was an excuse +alleged AFTER the commission of the deed; but gamesters are +subject to such absence of mind that there is really nothing +incredible or astonishing in the act. 'Sire,' exclaimed a +messenger to the Caliph Alamin, 'it is no longer time for play-- +Babylon is besieged!' 'Silence!' said the caliph, 'don't you see +I am on the point of giving checkmate?' The same story is told +of a Duke of Normandy. + +Wars have arisen from very trivial causes--among the rest +gambling. Henry, the son of William the Conqueror, was playing +at chess with Louis, the son of Philip, King of France. The +latter, perceiving that he was losing the game got into a +passion, and calling Henry the son of a bastard, flung the chess- +board into his face. Henry took the chess-board and struck Louis +with it so violently that he drew blood, and would have killed +him if his brother, who happened to come in, had not prevented +him. The two brothers took to flight, but a great and lasting +war was the consequence of the gambling fracas. + +A gaming quarrel was the cause of the slap in the face given by +the Duc Rene to Louis XII., then only Duc d'Orleans. This slap +was the origin of a ligue which was termed 'the mad war.' The +resentment of the outraged prince was not appeased until he +mounted the throne, when he uttered these memorable words:--'A +King of France does not avenge insults offered to a Duke of +Orleans.' + +Many narratives of suicide committed by desperate gamblers are on +record, some of which I now adduce. + +SIR JOHN BLAND, OF KIPPAX PARK. + +Sir John Bland, of Kippax Park, flirted away his whole fortune at +Hazard. 'He, t'other night,' says Walpole, 'exceeded what was +lost by the late Duke of Bedford, having at one period of the +night (though he recovered the greater part of it) lost two and +thirty thousand pounds.' Sir John Kippax shot himself in 1705. + +LORD MOUNTFORD. + +Lord Mountford came to a tragic end through his gambling. He had +lost money; feared to be reduced to distress; asked for a +government appointment, and determined to throw the die of life +or death on the answer received from court. The answer was +unfavourable. He consulted several persons, indirectly at first, +afterwards pretty directly, on the easiest mode of finishing +life; invited a dinner-party for the day after; supped at +White's, and played at Whist till one o'clock of the New Year's +morning. Lord Robert Bertie drank to him 'a happy new year;' he +clapped his hand strangely to his eyes. In the morning, he sent +for a lawyer and three witnesses, executed his will, made them +read it over twice, paragraph by paragraph, asked the lawyer if +that will would stand good though a man were to shoot himself. +Being assured it would, he said--'Pray stay, while I step into +the next room;' went into the next room and shot himself, placing +the muzzle of the pistol so close to his head that the report was +not heard. + +A SUICIDE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. + +Gamblers have been known to set as coolly and deliberately about +blowing out their brains as if they had only been going to light +their cigars. Lord Orford, in his correspondence with Horace +Walpole, mentions two curious instances. + +One of the fashionable young men of Lord Orford's day had been +unhappily decoyed into a gambling house, where his passion for +play became so great that he spent nearly the whole of his time +in throwing the dice. He continued to gamble until he had not +only lost a princely fortune, but had incurred a large amount of +debt among his tradesmen. With the loss of his money, and the +utter beggary which stared him in the face, the unfortunate +victim of play lost all relish for life; and sought in death the +only refuge he could fancy from the infamy and misery which he +had brought upon himself. But whilst fully resolved on self- +destruction, he thought, before carrying his fatal purpose into +execution, he might as well do his tradesmen an act of justice, +even if in so doing he should do injustice to others. He insured +his life to the extent of his debts, amounting to several +thousand pounds. Being acquainted with several of the directors +of the company (he called them his life-and-death brokers) in +which he insured, he invited them to dinner the following day, +with the ostensible view of celebrating the completion of the +insurance. The tradesmen also received strict orders to be +present; and as the non-payment of their accounts for a long +period to come was the penalty of not acceding to his wishes in +this respect, it can scarcely be necessary to say that they were +all 'punctual as lovers to the moment sworn.' The dinner over, +and a liberal allowance of wine having been quaffed, the ruined +gambler desired the servant to call up all who were in the hall +below. In a few seconds the dining-room was filled with +tradesmen, all eager to receive payment of their accounts. 'Now, +gentlemen,' said the gambler, addressing his guests, and pointing +to the little crowd of tradesmen,--'now, gentlemen, these are all +my tradesmen; they are honest industrious men, to whom I am +indebted, and as I see no other earthly means of being ever able +to meet their just claims, you will be so kind as to pay them out +of the sum for which I insured my life yesterday. Allow me, +gentlemen, to bid you farewell.' And so saying, he pulled a +pistol from his pocket, and placing it to his head, that instant +blew out his brains. Of course his insurance office must have +been one that undertook to pay insurances whatever might be the +cause of death, not excepting suicide--which, like duelling, has +usually been a bar to such claims. + +REVELATIONS OF A GAMBLER ON THE POINT OF COMMITTING SELF-MURDER. + +The following is 'A full and particular account of a person who +threw himself into the Thames, from Blackfriars Bridge, on +Wednesday, July 10, 1782; with the melancholy paper he left +behind him, accounting to his wife and children for so rash an +action.' It is said that several thousands of the papers were +dispersed through London, and it is to be hoped that some of them +might produce that good effect which seems to have been so +anxiously desired by the person who wished them to be +distributed. + + 'Midnight, July 10, 1782. + +'Whoever thou art that readest this paper, listen to the voice of +one from the DEAD. While thine eyes peruse the lines their +writer may be suffering the most horrid punishments which an +incensed Creator can inflict upon the greatest sinner. + +'Reader, art thou of my own sex? Art thou a man? Oh, in +whatever rank of life, whether high or low,--beware of gambling! +Beware of so much as approaching an E O table! Had I ever met +with such a dreadful warning as I now offer thee, I might perhaps +have been saved from death--have been snatched from damnation. +Reader, art thou a woman? Oh, whether rich or poor, whether +wife, mother, sister, or daughter,--if thou suspect that the late +hours, the feverish body, the disturbed mind, the ruffled temper, +the sudden extravagance of him whom thou lovest, are caused by +frequenting the gaming table, oh, fail not to discover thy +suspicions--fail not to remonstrate! Had but my dear wife +remonstrated with me, when she saw me, in consequence of my +winnings, indulge in expense, which she must have known I could +not honestly afford, she would not now, within the next hour, be +deprived of her husband--of the only support of herself and her +three poor children in this world,--and deprived of him in a +manner which effectually cuts off all hopes of our ever meeting +in the happiness of another. * * * * + +'Yes, in less than an hour, coward as I am, I shall have deserted +my duty and my family in this world; and, wretch as I am, shall +have rushed into all the horrors of hell in another world, by +drowning myself. + +'By curiosity I was first led to the E O table. Ashamed to stand +idle I put upon E, it came E; upon O, it came O. Fortune +favoured me (as I foolishly called it), and I came away a winner. + +Something worse than curiosity, though hardly more dangerous, +carried me to another table another night. My view in going was +answered. My view was to WIN, and again I WON in the course of +the evening. Again I went, and again I won. For some weeks this +was the constant story. Oh, happy had I lost at first! Now I +went every night. Everything I ought to have done, neglected. +Up all night, I was forced to lie in bed all day. The strength +of my mind, which at THIS moment might save me, was hourly +wasting away. My wife was deceived with continual falsehoods, to +which nothing but her fondness for me blinded her. Even my +winnings, with the expense and extravagance in which I indulged +myself and family, were every day more than half exhausted. But +I felt that I was always to win. Fortune favoured me. Fortune +was now my deity. * * * * + +'But fortune, my new, my false deity, deserted me. My luck +TURNED. I am undone! Ruined! A beggar! My wife and children +will want a morsel of bread to eat. * * * * To destroy myself is +the only way to preserve my family from want, and to keep myself +from the GALLOWS. This morning I absolutely hesitated whether I +should not procure a sum of money with which to try my luck by +FORGERY. Gamesters, think of that-- FORGERY! O my dear wife, is +not anything better than seeing me conveyed to Tyburn? Yes, it +is better that before many hours you and your three helpless +daughters should be hanging in tears (I little merit) over my +lifeless, cold, and swollen body. + +'Readers, farewell! From my sad and voluntary death, learn +wisdom. In consequence of gaming I go to seek my destruction in +the Thames. Oh, think in what manner he deserves to be punished +who commits a crime which he is fully persuaded merits, and will +not fail to meet, the severest punishment.' + + The narrative proceeds to state that, 'between one and two +o'clock in the morning he took a sad farewell of this world, and +leaped over Blackfriars Bridge. It pleased Providence, however, +that he should be seen committing this desperate action by two +watermen, who found his body after it had been a considerable +time under water. In consequence of the methods used by the men +of the Humane Society, he was at length almost miraculously +restored to life and to his family. It is further stated that-- +'In consequence of the advice of a worthy clergyman he was +restored to reason and to religion. He now wonders how he could +think of committing so horrid a crime; and is not without hope +that by a life of continual repentance and exemplary religion, he +may obtain pardon hereafter. The paper which he wrote before he +set forth to drown himself he still desires should be made as +public as possible, and that this narrative should be added to +it. + +INCORRIGIBLE. + +In the year 1799, Sir W. L--, Bart., finding his eldest son +extremely distressed and embarrassed, told him that he would +relieve him from all his difficulties, on condition that he would +state to him, without reserve, their utmost extent, and give him +his honour never to play again for any considerable sum. The +debts--amounting to L22,000--were instantly discharged. Before a +week had elapsed he fell into his old habits again, and lost +L5000 more at a sitting; upon which he next morning shot himself! + +SUICIDE IN 1816. + +In 1816 a gentleman, the head of a first-rate concern in the +city, put a period to his existence by blowing out his brains. +He had gone to the Argyle Rooms a few nights before the act, and +accompanied a female home in a coach, with two men, friends of +the woman. When they got to her residence the two men proposed +to the gentleman to play for a dozen champagne to treat the lady +with, which the gentleman declined. They, however, after a great +deal of persuasion, prevailed on him to play for small sums, and, +according to the usual trick of gamblers, allowed him to win at +first, till they began to play for double, when there is no doubt +the fellows produced loaded dice, and the gentleman lost to the +amount of L1800! This brought him to his senses--as well it +might. He then invented an excuse for not paying that sum, by +saying that he was under an agreement with his partner not to +draw for a larger amount than L300 for his private account--and +gave them a draft for that amount, promising the remainder at a +future day. This promise, however, he did not attend to, not +feeling himself bound by such a villainous transaction, +especially after giving them so much. But the robbers found out +who he was and his residence, and had the audacity to go, armed +with bludgeons, and attack him publicly on his own premises, in +the presence of those employed there, demanding payment of their +nefarious 'debt of honour,' and threatening him, if he did not +pay, that he should fight! + +This exposure had such an effect on his feelings that he made an +excuse to retire--did so--and blew out his brains with a pistol! + +This rash act was the more to be lamented because it prevented +the bringing to condign punishment, the plundering villains who +were the cause of it.[16] + +[16] Annual Register, vol. lviii. + + +OTHER INSTANCES. + +A gallant Dutch officer, after having lost a splendid fortune not +long since (1823) in a gambling house at Aix-la-Chapelle, shot +himself. A Russian general, also, of immense wealth, terminated +his existence in the same manner and for the same cause. More +recently, a young Englishman, who lost the whole of an immense +fortune by gambling at Paris, quitted this world by stabbing +himself in the neck with a fork. A short time previously another +Englishman, whose birth was as high as his wealth had been +considerable, blew his brains out in the Palais Royal, after +having literally lost his last shilling. Finally, an unfortunate +printer at Paris, who had a wife and five children, finished his +earthly career for the same cause, by suffocating himself with +the fumes of charcoal; he said, in his farewell note to his +unhappy wife--'Behold the effect of gaming!'[17] + +[17] Ubi supra. + + +'IF I LOSE I SHALL COMMIT SUICIDE.' + +A young man having gambled away his last shilling, solicited the +loan of a few pounds from one of the proprietors of the hell in +which he had been plundered. 'What security will you give me?' +asked the fellow. 'My word of honour,' was the reply. 'Your +word of honour! That's poor security, and won't do,' rejoined +the hellite; 'if you can pawn nothing better than that, you'll +get no money out of me.' 'Then you won't lend me a couple of +pounds?' 'Not without security,' was the reply. 'Why, surely, +you won't refuse me a couple of sovereigns, after having lost so +much?' 'I won't advance you a couple of shillings without +security.' + +Still bent upon play, and greedy for the means to gratify his +passion, the unhappy man, as if struck by a sudden thought, +exclaimed--'I'll give you security--the clothes on my back are +quite new, and worth eight guineas; you shall have them as +security. Lend me two sovereigns on them.' + +'Suppose you lose,' doggedly rejoined the other, 'I cannot strip +them off your back.' 'Don't trouble yourself on that head,' +replied the desperate wretch; 'if I lose I shall commit suicide, +which I have been meditating for some time, and you shall surely +have my clothes. I shall return to my lodgings before daylight, +in the most worn-out and worthless dressing-gown or great-coat +you can procure for me, leaving my clothes with you.' + +The two sovereigns were advanced, and in ten or twelve minutes +were lost. The keeper of the table demanded the clothes, and the +unfortunate man stripped himself with the utmost coolness of +manner, and wrapping his body in a worn-out greatcoat, quitted +the place with the full purpose of committing self-murder. He +did not direct his steps homeward, however, but resolved to +accomplish the horrid deed by suspending himself from a lamp-post +in a dark lane near the place. While making the necessary +preparations he was observed by a constable, who at once took him +into custody, and on the following morning he was carried before +the magistrate, where all the circumstances of the affair came +out. + +SUICIDE AT VERDUN. + +During the great French War, among other means resorted to in +order to ease the English prisoners at Verdun of their loose +cash, a gaming table was set up for their sole accommodation, +and, as usual, led to scenes of great depravity and horror. For +instance, a young man was enticed into this sink of iniquity, +when he was tempted to throw on the table a five-franc piece; he +won, and repeated the experiment several times successfully, +until luck turned against him, and he lost everything he had. +The manager immediately offered a rouleau of a thousand francs, +which, in the heat of play, he thoughtlessly accepted, and also +lost. He then drew a bill on his agent, which his captain (he +was an officer in the English army) endorsed. The proceeds of +this went the way of the rouleau. He drew two more bills, and +lost again. The next morning he was found dead in his bed, with +his limbs much distorted and his fingers dug into his sides. On +his table was found an empty laudanum bottle, and some scraps of +paper on which he had been practising the signature of Captain +B----. On inquiry it was found that he had forged that officer's +name to the two last bills. + +'IN AT THE DEATH.' + +In 1819 an inquest was held on the body of a gentleman found +hanging from one of the trees in St James's Park. The evidence +established the melancholy fact that the deceased was in the +habit of frequenting gambling houses, and had sunk into a state +of dejection on account of his losses; and it seemed probable +that it was immediately after his departure from one of these +receptacles of rogues and their dupes that he committed suicide. +The son of the gate-keeper at St James's saw several persons +round the body at four o'clock in the morning, one of whom, a +noted gambler, said: 'Look at his face; why, have you forgotten +last night? Don't you recollect him now?' They were, no doubt, +all gamblers--in at the death.' + +The three following stories, if not of actual suicide, relate +crimes which bear a close resemblance to self-murder. + +A GAMBLER PAWNING HIS EARS. + +A clerk named Chambers, losing his monthly pay, which was his +all, at a gaming table, begged to borrow of the manager's; but +they knew his history too well to lend without security, and +therefore demanded something in pawn. 'I have nothing to give +but my ears,' he replied. 'Well,' said one of the witty demons, +'let us have them.' The youth immediately took a knife out of +his pocket and actually cut off all the fleshy part of one of his +cars and threw it on the table, to the astonishment of the +admiring gamesters. He received his two dollars, and gambled on. + +A GAMBLER SUBMITTING TO BE HANGED. + +The following incident is said to have occurred in London:--Two +fellows were observed by a patrol sitting at a lamp-post in the +New Road; and, on closely watching them, the latter discovered +that one was tying up the other, who offered no resistance, by +the neck. The patrol interfered to prevent such a strange kind +of murder, and was assailed by both, and very considerably beaten +for his good offices; the watchmen, however, poured in, and the +parties were secured. On examination next morning, it appeared +that the men had been gambling; that one had lost all his money +to the other, and had at last proposed to stake his clothes. The +winner demurred--observing that he could not strip his adversary +naked in the event of his losing. 'Oh,' replied the other, 'do +not give yourself any uneasiness about that; if I lose I shall be +unable to live, and you shall hang me, and take my clothes after +I am dead, for I shall then, you know, have no occasion for +them.' The proposed arrangement was assented to; and the fellow +having lost, was quietly submitting to the terms of the treaty +when he was interrupted by the patrol, whose impertinent +interference he so angrily resented. + +TWO GAMBLERS TOSSING WHO SHOULD HANG THE OTHER. + +In the year 1812 an extraordinary investigation took place at Bow +Street. Croker, the officer, was passing along Hampstead Road; +he observed at a short distance before him two men on a wall, and +directly after saw the tallest of them, a stout man, about six +feet high, hanging by his neck from a lamp-post attached to the +wall, being that instant tied up and turned off by the short man. + +This unexpected and extraordinary sight astonished the officer; +he made up to the spot with all speed, and just after he arrived +there the tall man, who had been hanged, fell to the ground, the +handkerchief with which he had been suspended having given way. +Croker produced his staff, said he was an officer, and demanded +to know of the other man the cause of such conduct; in the mean +time the man who had been hanged recovered, got up, and on +Croker's interfering, gave him a violent blow on his nose, which +nearly knocked him backward. The short man was endeavouring to +make off; however, the officer procured assistance, and both were +brought to the office, where the account they gave was that they +worked on canals. They had been together on Wednesday afternoon, +tossed for money, and afterwards for their CLOTHES; the tall man +who was hanged won the other's jacket, trousers, and shoes; they +then tossed up which should HANG THE OTHER, and the short one won +the toss. They got upon the wall, the one to submit, and the +other to hang him on the lamp-iron. They both agreed in this +statement. The tall one, who had been hanged, said if he had won +the toss he would have hanged the other. He said he then felt +the effects upon his neck of his hanging, and his eyes were so +much swelled that he saw DOUBLE. + +The magistrates, continues the report in the 'Annual Register,' +expressed their horror and disgust; and ordered the man who had +been hanged to find bail for the violent and unjustifiable +assault upon the officer; and the short one, for hanging the +other--a very odd decision in the latter case--since the act was +murder 'to all intents and purposes' designed and intended. The +report says, however, that, not having bail, they were committed +to Bridewell for trial.[20] The result I have not discovered. + +[20] Annual Register, 1812, vol. liv. + + +Innumerable duels have resulted from quarrels over the gaming +table, although nothing could be more Draconic than the law +especially directed against such duels. By the Act of Queen Anne +against gaming, all persons sending a challenge on account of +gaming disputes were liable to forfeit all their goods and to be +committed to prison for two years. No case of the kind, however, +was ever prosecuted on that clause of the Act, which was, in +other respects, very nearly inoperative. + +GAMBLING DUELS IN THE YEAR 1818. + +It so happened that almost every month of the year 1818 was +'distinguished' by a duel or two, resulting from quarrels at +gambling or in gambling houses. + +January. 'A meeting took place yesterday at an early hour, +between Captain B--r--y and Lieutenant T--n--n, in consequence of +a dispute at play. Wimbledon Common was the ground, and the +parties fired twice, when the lieutenant was slightly wounded in +the pistol hand, the ball grazing the right side; and here the +affair ended.' + +January. 'A meeting took place on the 9th instant, at Calais, +between Lieut. Finch, 20th regiment of Dragoons, and Lieut. +Boileau, on half-pay of the 41st regiment. Lieut. Finch was +bound over, some days back, to keep the peace in England; in +consequence of which he proceeded to Calais, accompanied by his +friend, Captain Butler, where they were followed by Lieut. +Boileau and his friend Lieut. Hartley. It was settled by Captain +Butler, previous to Lieut. Finch taking his ground, that HE WAS +BOUND IN HONOUR to receive LIEUT. BOILEAU'S FIRE as he had given +so serious a provocation as a blow. This arrangement was, +however, defeated, by Lieut. Finch's pistol "accidentally" going +off, apparently in the direction of his opponent, which would +probably have led to fatal consequences had it not been for the +IMPLICIT RELIANCE placed by Lieut. Boileau's friend on the STRICT +HONOUR of Capt. Butler, whose anxiety, steadiness, and +gentlemanly conduct on this and every other occasion, were too +well known to leave a doubt on the minds of the opposite party, +that Lieut. Finch's pistol going off was ENTIRELY ACCIDENTAL. A +reconciliation, therefore, immediately took place.' + +February 17. 'Information was received at the public office, +Marlborough Street, on Saturday last, that a duel was about to +take place yesterday, in the fields contiguous to Chalk Farm, +between Colonel Tucker and Lieut. Nixon, the latter having +challenged the former in public company, for which and previous +abuse the colonel inflicted severe chastisement with a thick +stick. Subsequent information was received that the colonel's +friends deemed it unnecessary for him to meet the challenger, but +that his remedy was to repeat the former chastisement when +insulted. It was further stated that a few half-pay officers, of +inferior rank, had leagued together for the purpose of procuring +others to give a challenge, and which it was the determination to +put down by adopting the colonel's plan.' + +February. 'A captain in the army shook hands with a gallant +lieut.-colonel (who had distinguished himself in the Peninsula) +at one of the West End gaming houses, and Lieut. N--, who was +present, upbraided the colonel with the epithet of "poltroon." +On a fit opportunity the colonel inflicted summary justice upon +the lieutenant with a cane or horse-whip. This produced a +challenge; but the colonel was advised that he would degrade +himself by combat with the challenger, and he therefore declined +it, but promised similar chastisement to that inflicted. It was +then stated that the colonel was bound to fight any other person +who would stand forth as the champion of Lieut. N--, to which the +colonel consented,--when a Lieut. J--n--e appeared as the +champion, and the meeting was appointed for Tuesday morning at +Turnham Green. The information of the police was renewed, and +Thomas Foy apprehended the parties at an inn near the spot, early +in the morning. They were consequently bound over to keep the +peace. It appears, however, that the lieutenant in this instance +was not the champion of the former, but had been challenged by +the colonel.' + +April. 'A meeting was to have taken place yesterday in +consequence of a dispute at play, between Captain R--n--s and Mr +B--e--r, a gentleman of fortune; but it was prevented by the +interference of the police, and the parties escaped. It took +place, however, on the following day, on Wimbledon Common, and +after exchanging a single shot the matter was adjusted.' + +May. 'In consequence of a dispute at a gaming table, on Monday +night, in the vicinity of Piccadilly, Mr M--, who was an officer +in the British service at Brussels, and Mr B--n, a medical man, +met, at three in the morning, on Tuesday, in the King's Road. +They fought at twelve paces. Mr B--n was wounded on the back +part of the hand, and the affair was adjusted.' + +July. 'A duel was fought yesterday morning, on Wimbledon Common, +between a Mr Arrowsmith and Lieut. Flynn, which ended in the +former being wounded in the thigh. The dispute which occasioned +the meeting originated in a gaming transaction.' + +September. 'A duel was fought this morning on Hounslow Heath, +between Messrs Hillson and Marsden. The dispute arose in one of +the stands at Egham races. The latter was seriously wounded in +the left side, and conveyed away in a gig.' + +November. 'A duel originating, over a dispute at play was fixed +to take place on Wimbledon Common, at daybreak, yesterday +morning, but information having been received that police +officers were waiting, the parties withdrew.' + +GAMING DUEL AT PARIS, 1827. + +A medical student, named Goulard, quarrelled at billiards with a +fellow-student named Caire. Their mutual friends, having in vain +tried every means of persuasion to prevent the consequences of +the dispute, accompanied the young men without the walls of +Paris. Goulard seemed disposed to submit to an arrangement, but +Cairo obstinately refused. The seconds measured the ground, and +the first shot having been won by Goulard, he fired, and Caire +fell dead. Goulard did not appear during the prosecution that +followed; he continued absent on the day fixed for judgment, and +the court, conformably to the code of criminal proceedings, +pronounced on the charge without the intervention of a jury. It +acquitted Goulard of premeditation, but condemned him for +contumacy, to perpetual hard labour, and to be branded; and this +in spite of the fact that the advocate-general had demanded +Goulard's acquittal of the charge. + +THE END OF A GAMESTER. + +In 1788, a Scotch gentleman, named William Brodie, was tried and +convicted at Edinburgh, for stealing bank-notes and money, with +violence. This man, at the death of his father, twelve years +before, inherited a considerable estate in houses, in the city of +Edinburgh, together with L10,000 in money; but, by an unhappy +connection and a too great propensity to gaming, he was reduced +to the desperation which brought him at last to the scaffold. It +is stated that his demeanour on receiving the dreadful sentence +was equally cool and determined; moreover, that he was dressed in +a blue coat, fancy vest, satin breeches, and white silk +stockings; a cocked hat; his hair full dressed and powdered; and, +lastly, that he was carried back to prison in a chair. Such was +the respectful treatment of 'gentlemen' prisoners in Scotland +towards the end of the last century. + +DUEL WITH A SHARPER. + +A Monsieur de Boisseuil, one of the Kings equerries, being at a +card-party, detected one of the players cheating, and exposed his +conduct. + +The insulted 'gentleman' demanded satisfaction, when Boisseuil +replied that he did not fight with a person who was a rogue. + +'That MAY be,' said the other, 'but I do not like to be CALLED +one.' + +They met on the ground, and Boisseuil received two desperate +wounds from the sharper. + +This man's plea against Boisseuil is a remarkable trait. Madame +de Stael has alluded to it in her best style. 'In France,' she +says, 'we constantly see persons of distinguished rank, who, when +accused of an improper action, will say--"It may have been wrong, +but no one will dare assert it to my face!" Such an expression +is an evident proof of confirmed depravity; for, what would be +the condition of society if it was only requisite to kill one +another, to commit with impunity every evil action,--to break +one's word and assert falsehood--provided no one dared tell you +that you lied?' + +In countries where public opinion is more severe on the want of +probity and fair-dealing, should a man transgress the laws of +these principles of human conduct, ten duels a day would not +enable him to recover the esteem he has forfeited. + +MAJOR ONEBY AND MR GOWER. + +This duel originated as follows:--It appears that a Major Oneby, +being in company with a Mr Gower and three other persons, at a +tavern, in a friendly manner, after some time began playing at +Hazard; when one of the company, named Rich, asked if any one +would set him three half-crowns; whereupon Mr Gower, in a jocular +manner, laid down three half-pence, telling Rich he had set him +three pieces, and Major Oneby at the same time set Rich three +half-crowns, and lost them to him. + +Immediately after this, Major Oneby, in a angry manner, turned +about to Mr Gower and said--'It was an impertinent thing to set +down half-pence,' and called him 'an impertinent puppy' for so +doing. To this Mr Gower answered--'Whoever calls me so is a +rascal. 'Thereupon Major Oneby took up a bottle, and with great +force threw it at Mr Gower's head, but did not hit him, the +bottle only brushing some of the powder out of his hair. Mr +Gower, in return, immediately tossed a candlestick or a bottle at +Major Oneby, which missed him; upon which they both rose to fetch +their swords, which were then hung in the room, and Mr Gower drew +his sword, but the Major was prevented from drawing his by the +company. Thereupon Mr Gower threw away his sword, and the +company interposing, they sat down again for the space of an +hour. + +At the expiration of that time, Mr Gower said to Major Oneby--'We +have had hot words, and you were the aggressor, but I think we +may pass it over'--at the same time offering him his hand; but +the Major replied--'No, d--n you, I WILL HAVE YOUR BLOOD.' + +After this, the reckoning being paid, all the company, excepting +Major Oneby, went out to go home, and he called to Mr Gower, +saying--'Young man, come back, I have something to say to you.' +Whereupon Mr Gower returned to the room, and immediately the door +was closed, and the rest of the company excluded--when a clashing +of swords was heard, and Major Oneby gave Mr Gower a mortal +wound. It was found, on the breaking up of the company, that +Major Oneby had his great coat over his shoulders, and that he +had received three slight wounds in the fight. Mr Gower, being +asked on his death-bed whether he had received his wounds in a +manner among swordsmen called fair, answered--'I think I did.' +Major Oneby was tried for the offence, and found guilty of +murder, 'having acted upon malice and deliberation, and not from +sudden passion.' + +THE NEPHEW OF A BRITISH PEER. + +In 1813, the nephew of a British peer was executed at Lisbon. He +had involved himself by gambling, and being detected in robbing +the house of an English friend, by a Portuguese servant, he shot +the latter dead to prevent discovery. This desperate act, +however, did not enable him to escape the hands of justice. +After execution, his head was severed from his body and fixed on +a pole opposite the house in which the murder and robbery were +committed. + +The following facts will show the intimate connection between +gambling and Robbery or Forgery. + +EDWARD WORTLEY MONTAGU AND THE JEW ABRAHAM PAYBA. + +Edward Wortley Montagu was the only son of the celebrated Lady +Mary Wortley Montagu, whose eccentricities he inherited without +her genius. Montagu, together with Lords Taffe and Southwell, +was accused of having invited one Abraham Payba, alias James +Roberts, a Jew, to dine with them at Paris, in the year 1751; and +of having plied him with wine till he became intoxicated, and so +lost at play the sum of 800 louis d'ors. It was affirmed that +they subsequently called at his house, and that on his exhibiting +an evident disinclination to satisfy their demands, they +threatened to cut him across the face with their swords unless he +instantly paid them. Terrified by their violence, and, at the +same time, unwilling to part with his gold, the Jew had cunning +enough to give them drafts on a Paris banker, by whom, as he had +no dealings with him, he well knew that his bills would be +dishonoured; and, to escape the vengeance of those whom he had +outwitted, quitted Paris. On ascertaining how completely they +had been duped, Montagu, with his associates Lords Taffe and +Southwell, repaired to the house of the Jew, and after ransacking +his drawers and strong boxes, are said to have possessed +themselves of a very considerable sum of money, in addition to +diamonds, jewels, and other valuable articles. The Jew had it +now in his power to turn on his persecutors, and accordingly he +appealed to the legislature for redress. Lord Southwell +contrived to effect his escape, but Lord Taffe and Montagu were +arrested, and were kept in separate dungeons in the Grand +Chatelet, for nearly three months. The case was subsequently +tried in a court of law, and decided in favour of the +accused,--the Jew being adjudged to make reparation and defray +the costs! Against the injustice of this sentence he appealed to +the high court of La Tournelle at Paris, which reversed it. Lord +Taffe and Montagu afterwards appealed, in their turn, but of the +definitive result there is no record. + +DR WILLIAM DODD. + +Le Sage, in his 'Gil Blas,' says that 'the devil has a particular +spite against private tutors;' and he might have added, against +popular preachers. By popular preachers I do not mean such grand +old things as Bossuet, Massillon, and Bourdaloue. All such men +were proof against the fiery darts of the infernal tempter. From +their earliest days they had been trained to live up to the Non +nobis Domine, 'Not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name, give +glory.' All of them had only at heart the glory of their church- +cause; though, of course, the Jesuit Bourdaloue worked also for +his great Order, then culminating in glory. + +The last-named, too, was another La Fontaine in simplicity, +preparing for his grandest predications by sorrily rasping on an +execrable fiddle. So, if the devil had lifted him up to a high +mountain, showing him all he would give him, he would have simply +invited him to his lonely cell, to have a jig to the tune of his +catguts. + +Your popular preachers in England have been, and are, a different +sort of spiritual workers. They have been, and are, +individualities, perpetually reminded of the fact, withal; and +fiercely tempted accordingly. The world, the flesh, and the +devil, incessantly knock at their door. If they fall into the +snare it is but natural, and much to be lamented. + +Dr Dodd had many amiable qualities; but his reputation as a +scholar, and his notoriety as a preacher, appear to have entirely +turned his head. + +He had presented to him a good living in Bedfordshire; but the +income thereof was of no avail in supplying his wants: he was +vain, pompous, in debt, a gambler. Temptation came upon him. To +relieve himself he tried by indirect means to obtain the rectory +of St George's, Hanover Square, by sending an anonymous letter to +Lady Apsley, offering the sum of L3000 if by her means he could +be presented to the living; the letter was immediately sent to +the chancellor, and, after being traced to the sender, laid +before the king. His name was ordered to be struck out of the +list of chaplains; the press abounded with satire and invective; +Dodd was abused and ridiculed, and even Foote, in one of his +performances at the Haymarket, made him a subject of +entertainment. Dodd then decamped, and went to his former pupil, +Lord Chesterfield, in Switzerland, who gave him another living; +but his extravagance being undiminished, he was driven to schemes +which covered him with infamy. After the most extravagant and +unseemly conduct in France, he returned to England, and forged a +bond as from his pupil, Lord Chesterfield, for the sum of L4200, +and, upon the credit of it, obtained a large sum of money; but +detection instantly following, he was committed to prison, tried +and convicted at the Old Bailey, Feb. 24, and executed at +Tyburn, June 27 (after a delay of four months), exhibiting every +appearance of penitence. The great delay between the sentence +and execution was owing to a doubt for some time respecting the +admissibility of an evidence which had been made use of to +convict him. + +Lord Chesterfield has been accused of a cold and relentless +disposition in having deserted his old tutor in his extremity. +But Mr Jesse says that he heard it related by a person who lived +at the period, that at a preliminary examination of the +unfortunate divine, Lord Chesterfield, on some pretence, placed +the forged document in Dodd's hands, with the kind intention that +he should take the opportunity of destroying it, but the latter +wanted either the courage or the presence of mind enough to avail +himself of the occasion. This, however, is scarcely an excuse, +for, certainly, it was not for Dr Dodd to destroy the fatal +document. If Lord Chesterfield had wished to suppress that vital +evidence he could have done so. + +Dr Johnson exerted himself to the utmost to try and save poor +Dodd; but George III. was inexorable. Respecting this benevolent +attempt of the Doctor, Chalmers writes as follows:-- + +Dr Johnson appears indeed in this instance to have been more +swayed by popular judgment than he would perhaps have been +willing to allow. The cry was--"the honour of the clergy;" but +if the honour of the clergy was tarnished, it was by Dodd's +crime, and not his punishment; for his life had been so long a +disgrace to his cloth that he had deprived himself of the +sympathy which attaches to the first deviation from rectitude, +and few criminals could have had less claim to such a display of +popular feeling.' + +All applications for the Royal mercy having failed, Dr Dodd +prepared himself for death, and with a warmth of gratitude wrote +to Dr Johnson as follows:-- + + 'June 25, Midnight. + +'Accept, thou GREAT and GOOD heart, my earnest and fervent thanks +and prayers for all thy benevolent and kind efforts in my +behalf.--Oh! Dr Johnson! as I sought your knowledge at an early +hour in my life, would to Heaven I had cultivated the love and +acquaintance of so excellent a man!--I pray God most sincerely to +bless you with the highest transports--the infelt satisfaction of +HUMANE and benevolent exertions!--And admitted, as I trust I +shall be, to the realms of bliss before you, I shall hail YOUR +arrival there with transport, and rejoice to acknowledge that you +were my comforter, my advocate, and my FRIEND. God be EVER with +YOU!' + +Dr Johnson's reply. + +'To the Reverend Dr Dodd. + +'Dear Sir,--That which is appointed to all men is now coming upon +you. Outward circumstances, the eyes and thoughts of men, are +below the notice of an immortal being about to stand the trial +for eternity, before the Supreme Judge of heaven and earth. Be +comforted: your crime, morally or religiously considered, has no +very deep dye of turpitude. It corrupted no man's principles. +It attacked no man's life. It involved only a temporary and +reparable injury. Of this, and of all other sins, you are +earnestly to repent; and may God, who knoweth our frailty, and +desireth not our death, accept your repentance, for the sake of +His Son Jesus Christ our Lord! + +'In requital of those well-intended offices which you are pleased +so emphatically to acknowledge, let me beg that you make in your +devotions one petition for my eternal welfare. +'I am, dear Sir, + 'Your affectionate servant, + + 'SAM. JOHNSON. + +Next day, 27th June, Dr Dodd was executed. + +CAPTAIN DAVIS. + +Captain Davis was some time in the Life Guards, and a lieutenant +in the Yeomen of the Household--a situation which placed him +often about the persons of the Royal family. He was seldom known +to play for less stakes than L50, often won or lost large sums, +and was represented as a gentleman of extensive and independent +fortune, although some of his enemies declared otherwise, and +repeated anecdotes to confirm the assertion. He was at length +committed for forgeries to an immense amount. To the fidelity of +a servant he owed his escape from Giltspur Street prison--another +fatal example of the sure result of gambling. Heir to a +title--moving in the first society--having held a commission in +the most distinguished of the Royal regiments--he was reduced to +the alternative of an ignominious flight with outlawry, or +risking the forfeiture of his wretched life, to the outraged laws +of his country. When in Paris, he at one time had won L30,000, +and on his way home he dropped into another gambling house, where +he lost it all but L3000. He set out in life with L20,000 in +money! + +DESPERATE CAREER OF HENRY WESTON. + +Henry Weston was nephew to the distinguished Admiral Sir Hugh +Palliser. + +Having unlimited control of the large property of his employer, a +Mr Cowan, during the absence of the latter from town, he was +tempted first to gamble in the funds, wherein being unfortunate, +he next went to a gambling house in Pall Mall, and lost a very +large sum; and at length, gamed away nearly all his master's +property. + +In this tremendous result--lost to all intents and purposes--he +made a supreme effort to 'patch up' the ruin he had made. He +forged the name of General Tonyn; and so dexterously, that he +obtained from the Bank of England the sum of L10,000. + +This huge robbery from Peter was not to pay Paul. Not a bit of +it. It was to try the fickle goddess of gaming once more--a +Napoleonic stroke for an Austerlitz of fortune. + +He lost this L10,000 in two nights. + +Did he despair at this hideous catastrophe? Did he tear his +hair--rush out of the room--blow his brains out or drown himself? + +Not a bit of it. He 'set his wits to work' once more. He +procured a woman to personate General Tonyn's sister--forged +again--and again obtained from the Bank of England another large +supply of ready cash--with which, however, he 'went off' this +time. + +He was caught; and then only he thought of self-murder, and cut +his throat--but not effectually. He recovered, was tried at the +Old Bailey, and hanged on the 6th of July, 1796. + +No doubt the reader imagines that the man of such a career was an +OLD stager--some long-visaged, parchment-faced fellow the OTHER +side of forty at least. Well, this hero of the gaming table, +Henry Weston, was aged only TWENTY-THREE years! What terrible +times those must have been to produce such a prodigy! + +To the judge who tried him Henry Weston sent a list of a number +of PROFESSIONAL GAMBLERS, among them was a person of high rank. +Weston, at different times, lost above L46,000 at play; and at a +house in Pall Mall, where he lost a considerable part of it, +three young officers also lost no less than L35,000. + +ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD. + +It seems that the wretched traitor Arthur Thistlewood, who paid +the forfeit of his life for his crimes, had dissipated by gaming +the property he had acquired by a matrimonial connection-- +L12,000. An unfortunate transaction at cards, during the Lincoln +races, involved him in difficulties, which he found it impossible +to meet; and he fled to avoid the importunities of his more +fortunate associates. He was afterwards known only as the +factious demagogue and the professed gambler! + +FOUNTLEROY, THE FORGER. + +Henry Fountleroy was a gentleman of rank, a partner in the +banking house of Marsh, Sibbold, and Co., of Berners Street. He +was convicted of having forged a deed for the transfer of L5450 +long annuities, in fraud of a certain Frances Young. Like +Thurtell, Fountleroy defended himself, and battled with the +prejudicial reports circulated against him--among the rest his +addiction to gambling. 'I am accused,' he said, 'of being an +habitual gambler, an accusation which, if true, might easily +account for the diffusion of the property. I am, indeed, a +member of two clubs, the Albion and the Stratford, but never in +my life did I play in either at cards, or dice, or any game of +chance; this is well known to the gentlemen of these clubs; and +my private friends, with whom I more intimately associated, can +equally assert my freedom from all habit or disposition to +play.'[21] + +[21] See the case in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi + +I close this record of crime and misery by a few narratives of a +more miscellaneous character. + +GAMBLING FOR LIFE. + +Marshal Grammont used to tell a story of three soldiers, who, +having committed offences punishable by death, it was ordered +that one of them should be hanged as an example, and the three +were directed to decide which of them should suffer by throwing +dice. The first threw fourteen, the second seventeen, and the +last, taking up the dice as coolly as though he were engaged in a +trivial game, threw eighteen! Thereupon he exclaimed, with an +expression of vexation, 'Ah, now! if I had been playing for money +I should not have been so lucky!' + +This may appear 'taking it very cool;' but I think the following +cases of Englishmen' rather stronger.' + +ONE OF MANY INSTANCES. + +In the Times of February 11th, 1819, mention is made of a gang of +nearly thirty persons, male and female, and all presenting the +most shocking appearance of both want and depravity, who were +brought to the Marlborough Street Office. Among these wretched +beings was a woman named Hewitt, said to be the wife of one +Captain Hewitt, a leader of the ton, who, after ruining himself +and family at the gambling table, ran away from them, and was not +since heard of. His wife being left to herself, and having +probably been tainted by his evil example, by an easy gradation +became first embarrassed, then a prostitute, then a thief, and on +the occasion above mentioned exhibited one of the most +distressing spectacles of vice and misery that could be +conceived. + +TRURTELL THE MURDERER. + +This man, it is well known, was executed for the murder of Weare. + +Thurtell was evidently no common man. His spoken defence, as +reported, is one of the finest specimens of impassioned +eloquence--perfectly Demosthenic. His indignation at the reports +circulated in prejudice of his case was overwhelming. Nothing +can be finer than the turn of the following sentence:--'I have +been represented by the Press--WHICH CARRIES ITS BENEFITS OR +CURSES ON RAPID WINGS from one extremity of the kingdom to the +other--as a man more depraved, more gratuitously and habitually +profligate and cruel, than has ever appeared in modern times.' + +Touching his gambling pursuits, he said:--'I have been +represented to you as a man who was given to gambling, and the +constant companion of gamblers. To this accusation in some part +my heart, with feeling penitence, pleads guilty. I have gambled; +I have been a gambler, but not for the last three years. During +that time I have not attended or betted upon a horse-race, or a +fight, or any public exhibition of that nature. If I have erred +in these things, half of the nobility of the land have been my +examples; some of the most enlightened statesmen of the country +have been my companions in them. I have, indeed, been a gambler; +I have been an unfortunate one. But whose fortune have I +ruined?--whom undone? My own family have I ruined; I have undone +myself!'[22] + +[22] See the entire speech in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi. 547. + + +A MOST WONDERFUL END OF A GAMBLER. + +In the Annual Register for the year 1766 occurs the following +'circumstantial and authentic account of the memorable case of +Richard Parsons,' transmitted by the high sheriff of +Gloucestershire to his friend in London. + +On the 20th of February, 1766, Richard Parsons and three more met +at a private house in Chalfold, in order to play at cards, about +six o'clock in the evening. They played at Loo till about eleven +or twelve that night, when they changed their game for Whist. +After a few deals a dispute arose about the state of the game. +Parsons asserted with oaths that they were six, which the others +denied; upon which he wished 'that he might never enter the +kingdom of heaven, and that his flesh might rot upon his bones, +if there were not six in the game.' These wishes were several +times repeated both then and afterwards. Upon this the candle +was put out by a party present, who said he was shocked with the +oaths and expressions he heard, and that he put out the candle +with a design to put an end to the game. Presently upon this +they adjourned to another house, and there began a fresh game, +when Parsons and his partner had great success. They then played +at Loo again till four in the morning. During the second playing +Parsons complained to one Rolles, his partner, of a bad pain in +his leg, which from that time increased. There was an appearance +of a swelling, and afterwards the colour changing to that of a +mortified state. On the following Sunday he took advice of a +surgeon, who attended him until his death. Notwithstanding all +the applications that were made the mortification increased, and +showed itself in different parts of the body. He was visited by +a clergyman, who administered the sacrament to him, without any +knowledge of what had happened before--the man appearing to be +extremely ignorant of religion, having been accustomed to swear, +to drink, to game, and to profane the Sabbath. After receiving +the sacrament he said--'Now, I must never sin again.' He hoped +God would forgive him, having been wicked not above six years, +and that whatever should happen he would not play at cards again. + +After this he was in great agony--chiefly delirious; spoke of his +companions by name, and seemed as if his imagination was engaged +at cards. He started, had distracted looks and gestures, and in +a dreadful fit of shaking and trembling died on the 4th of March, +just about a fortnight after the utterance of his terrible +imprecation. + +The worthy sheriff of Gloucestershire goes on to say that the +man's eyes were open when he died, and could not be closed by the +common method, so that they remained open when he was put into +the coffin. From this circumstance arose a report that he WISHED +HIS EYES MIGHT NEVER CLOSE; 'but,' says the sheriff, 'this is a +mistake; for, from the most creditable witnesses, I am fully +convinced no such wish was uttered; and the fact is, that he did +close his eyes after he was taken with the mortification, and +either dozed or slept several times. + +'When the body came to be laid out, it appeared all over +discoloured or spotted; and it might, in the most literal sense, +be said, that his flesh rotted on his bones before he died.' + +At the request of the sheriff, the surgeon (a Mr Pegler) who +attended the unfortunate man, sent in the following report:-- +'Sir,--You desire me to acquaint you, in writing, with what I +know relating to the melancholy case of the late Richard Parsons; +a request I readily comply with, hoping that his sad catastrophe +will serve to admonish all those who profane the sacred name of +God. + +'February 27th last I visited Richard Parsons, who, I found, had +an inflamed leg, stretching from the foot almost to the knee, +tending to a gangrene. The tenseness and redness of the skin was +almost gone off, and became of a duskish and livid colour, and +felt very lax and flabby. Symptoms being so dangerous, some +incisions were made down to the quick, some spirituous +fomentations made use of, and the whole limb dressed up with such +applications as are most approved in such desperate +circumstances, joined with proper internal medicines. The next +day he seemed much the same; but on March the 1st he was worse, +the incisions discharged a sharp fetid odor (which is generally +of the worst consequence). On the next day, which was Sunday, +the symptoms seemed to be a little more favourable; but, to my +great surprise, the very next day I found his leg not only +mortified up to the knee, but the same began anew in four +different parts, viz., under each eye, on the top of his +shoulder, and on one hand; and in about twelve hours after he +died. I shall not presume to say there was anything supernatural +in the case; but, however, it must be confessed, that such cases +are rather uncommon in subjects so young, and of so good a habit +as he had always been previous to his illness.' + +On one occasion Justice Maule was about to pass sentence on a +prisoner, who upon being asked to say why judgment should not be +pronounced, 'wished that God might strike him dead if he was not +innocent of the crime.' After a pause, the judge said:--'As the +Almighty has not thought proper to comply with your request, the +sentence of the court is,' &c. + +A SAD REMINDER. + +Every Englishman recollects the fate of that unhappy heiress, the +richest of all Europe, married to a man of rank and family, who +was plundered in the course of a few years of the whole of his +wealth, in one of those club houses, and was obliged to surrender +himself to a common prison, and ultimately fly from his country, +leaving his wife with her relations in the greatest despair and +despondency.'[23] + +[23] Rouge et Noir: the Academicians of 1823. + + +GEORGE IV. + +There are few departments of human distinction in which Great +Britain cannot boast a 'celebrity'--genteel or ungenteel. In the +matter of gambling we have been unapproachable--not only in the +'thorough' determination with which we have exhausted the +pursuit--but in the vast, the fabulous millions which make up the +sum total that Englishmen have 'turned over' at the gaming table. + +I think that many thousands of millions would be 'within the +mark' as the contribution of England to the insatiate god of +gambling. + +I have presented to the reader the record of gambling all the +world over--the gambling of savages--the gambling of the ancient +Persians, Greeks, and Romans--the gambling of the gorgeous +monarchs of France and their impassioned subjects; but I have now +to introduce upon the horrible stage a Prince Royal, who +surpassed all his predecessors in the gaming art, having right +royally lost at play not much less than a million sterling, or, +as stated, L800,000--before he was twenty-one years of age! + +If the following be facts, vouched for by a writer of +authority,[24] the results were most atrocious. + +[24] James Grant (Editor of the Morning Advertiser), Sketches in +London. + + +'Every one is aware that George IV., when Prince of Wales, was, +as the common phrase is, over-head-and-ears in debt; and that it +was because he would thereby be enabled to meet the claims of his +creditors, that he consented to marry the Princess Caroline of +Brunswick. But although this is known to every one, +comparatively few people are acquainted with the circumstances +under which his debts were contracted. Those debts, then, were +the result of losses at the gaming table. He was an inveterate +gambler--a habit which he most probably contracted through his +intimacy with Fox. It is a well-ascertained fact that in two +short years, after he attained his majority, he lost L800,000 at +play. + +'It was with the view and in the hope that marriage would cure +his propensity for the gaming table, that his father was so +anxious to see him united to Caroline; and it was solely on +account of his marriage with that princess constituting the only +condition of his debts being paid by the country, that he agreed +to lead her to the hymeneal altar. + +'The unfortunate results of this union are but too well known, +not only as regarded the parties themselves, but as regarded +society generally. To the gambling habits, then, of the Prince +of Wales are to be ascribed all the unhappiness which he entailed +on the unfortunate Caroline, and the vast amount of injury which +the separation from her, and the subsequent trial, produced on +the morals of the nation generally.' + + +CHAPTER V. + +ODDITIES AND WITTICISMS OF GAMBLERS. + +OSTENTATIOUS GAMESTERS. + +Certain grandees and wealthy persons, more through vanity or +weakness than generosity, have sacrificed their avidity to +ostentation--some by renouncing their winnings, others by +purposely losing. The greater number of such eccentrics, +however, seem to have allowed themselves to be pillaged merely +because they had not the generosity or the courage to give away +what was wanted. + +The Cardinal d'Este, playing one day with the Cardinal de +Medicis, his guest, thought that his magnificence required him to +allow the latter to win a stake of 10,000 crowns--'not wishing,' +he said, 'to make him pay his reckoning or allow him to depart +unsatisfied.' Brantome calls this 'greatness;' the following is +an instance of what he calls 'kindness.' + +'Guilty or innocent,' he says, 'everybody was well received at +the house of this cardinal, who kept an open table at Rome for +the French chevaliers. These gentlemen having appropriated a +portion of his plate, it was proposed to search them: 'No, no!' +said the cardinal, 'they are poor companions who have only their +sword, cloak, and crucifixes; they are brave fellows; the plate +will be a great benefit to them, and the loss of it will not make +me poorer.' + +Vigneul de Marville tells us of certain extravagant abbes, named +Ruccellai and Frangipani, who carried their ostentation to such a +pitch as to set gold in dishes on their tables when entertaining +their gaming companions! Were any of these base enough to put +their hands in and help themselves? This is not stated by the +historian. These two Italian abbes were ne plus ultras in luxury +and effeminacy. In the reign of Henry IV., they laid before +their guests vermilion dishes filled with gloves, fans, coins to +play with after the repast, essences and perfumes.[25] I wonder +if the delightful scent called Frangipani, vouchsafed to us by +Rimmel and Piesse and Lubin, was named after this exquisite +ecclesiastic of old? + +[25] Melanges d' Hist. et de Lit. + + +One day when Henry IV. was dining at the Duc de Sully's, the +latter, as soon as the cloth was raised, brought in cards and +dice, and placed upon the table two purses of 4000 pistoles each, +one for the King, the other to lend to the lords of his suite. +Thereupon the king exclaimed:--'Great master, come and let me +embrace you, for I love you as you deserve: I feel so comfortable +here that I shall sup and stay the night.' Evidently Sully was +more a courtier than usual on this occasion--as no doubt the +whole affair was by the king's order, with which he complied +reluctantly; but he made the king play with his own money only. +The Duc de Lerme, when entertaining Monsieur the brother of Louis +XIII. at his quarters near Maestricht, had the boldness to bring +in, at the end of the repast, two bags of 1000 pistoles each, +declaring that he gave them up to the players without any +condition except to return them when they pleased.[26] + +[26] Mem. de Jeu M. le Duc d'Orleans. + + +This Duc de Lerme was at least a great lord, and the army which +he commanded may have warranted his extravagance; but what are we +to think when we find the base and mean-spirited Fouquet giving +himself the same princely airs? During certain festivities +prepared for Louis XIV., Fouquet placed in the room of every +courtier of the king's suite, a purse of gold for gambling, in +case any of them should be short of money. Well might Duclos +remark that 'Nobody was shocked at this MAGNIFICENT SCANDAL![27] + +[27] Consideration sur les Moeeurs, + + +They tell of a certain lordly gamester who looked upon any money +that fell from his hands as lost, and would never stoop to pick +it up! This reminds us of the freedman Pallas mentioned by +Tacitus, who wrote down what he had to say to his slaves, lest he +should degrade his voice to their level--ne vocem +consociaret![28] + +[28] Ann. l. xiii + + +AN INSINUATING, ELEGANT GAMESTER. + +Osterman, Grand Chancellor of Russia, during the reign of the +Empress Anne, obtained information that the court of Versailles +had formed a scheme to send an insinuating, elegant gamester, to +attack the Duke of Biran on his weak side--a rage for play--and +thereby probably gain some political advantage over him. + +The chancellor called on the duke to make the necessary +communication, but the minister did not choose to be at home. +The chancellor, then pretending to be suffering from a severe fit +of gout, wrote to his sovereign, stating that he had important +matter to reveal, but was unable to move, and the Duke of Biran +was consequently ordered to wait on him by the empress. +Osterman, affecting great pain, articulated with apparent +difficulty these words--'The French are sending a gamester!' +Thereupon the duke withdrew in a pet, and represented to the +empress that the chancellor was delirious from the gout, and had +really nothing to communicate. + +The subject had long been forgotten by the duke, when an elegant, +easy, dissipated marquis actually arrived. He had extensive +credit on a house of the English Factory, and presently +insinuated himself into the good graces of the duke, whom he soon +eased of all his superfluous cash. + +The chancellor became alarmed for the consequences, and resolved +to try and play off the French for their clever finesse. He +looked about for a match for the redoubtable French gamester, and +soon got information of a party who might serve his turn. This +was a midshipman at Moscow, named Cruckoff, who, he was assured, +was without an equal in the MANAGEMENT of cards, and the +knowledge of Quizze--then the fashionable court game--and that at +which the Duke of Biran had lost his money. The chancellor +immediately despatched a courier to Moscow to fetch the Russian +gamester. + +The midshipman was forthwith made an ensign of the Guards, in +order to entitle him to play at court. He set to work at once in +accordance with his instructions, but after his own plan in the +execution. He began with losing freely; and was, of course, soon +noticed by the marquis, and marked as a pigeon worth plucking. +The young Russian, however, forced him into high play, and he +lost the greater part of his former gain. The marquis got +nettled, lost his self-command, and proposed a monstrous stake, +to the extent of his credit and gains, of which he thought he +might make himself sure by some master-stroke of art. +Accordingly, by means of a sleight, he managed to hold fifteen in +hand, but his wily antagonist was equal to the occasion: by the +aid of some sweetmeats from an adjoining table he SWALLOWED a +card, and, being first in hand, the chance was determined in his +favour, and he ruined the marquis. + +Once more the chancellor waited on the duke, and plainly told him +that he had been anxious to guard him against the French +gamester, purposely sent to fleece him, if he had had the +patience to hear him. The duke then became outrageous, and +wished to arrest the Frenchman as a cheat; but Osterman coolly +said he had punished him in kind; and, producing a large bag, +returned the duke's money, bidding him in future not to be so +impatient when information was to be communicated by gouty +persons. + +The clever ensign was allowed to retain the rest of the spoil, +with an injunction, however, never to touch a card again, unless +he wished to end his days among the exiles of Siberia. + +A PENITENT SONNET, + +written by the Lord Fitz-Gerald[29] (a great gamester) a little +before his death, which was in the year 1580. + +[29] This Lord Fitzgerald was eldest son to the Earl of Kildare, +and died at the age of twenty-one. + +'By loss in play, men oft forget +The duty they do owe +To Him that did bestow the same, +And thousand millions moe. + +'I loath to hear them swear and stare, +When they the Main have lost, +Forgetting all the Byes that wear +With God and Holy Ghost. + +'By wounds and nails they think to win, +But truly 'tis not so; +For all their frets and fumes in sin +They moneyless must go. + +'There is no wight that used it more +Than he that wrote this verse, +Who cries Peccavi now, therefore; +His oaths his heart do pierce. + +'Therefore example take by me, +That curse the luckless time +That ever dice mine eyes did see, +Which bred in me this crime. + +'Pardon me for that is past, +I will offend no more, +In this most vile and sinful cast, +Which I will still abhor.'[30] + +[30] Harl. Miscel. + + +LOVE AND GAMBLING. + +Horace Walpole, writing to Mann, says:-- 'The event that has made +most noise since my last is the extempore wedding of the youngest +of the two Gunnings, two ladies of surpassing loveliness, named +respectively Mary and Elizabeth, the daughters of John Gunning, +Esq., of Castle Coote, in Ireland, whom Mrs Montague calls "those +goddesses the Gunnings." Lord Coventry, a grave young lord, of +the remains of the patriot breed, has long dangled after the +eldest, virtuously, with regard to her honour, not very +honourably with regard to his own credit. About six weeks ago +Duke Hamilton, the very reverse of the earl, hot, debauched, +extravagant, and equally damaged in his fortune and person, fell +in love with the youngest at the masquerade, and determined to +marry her in the spring. About a fortnight since, at an immense +assembly at my Lord Chesterfield's, made to show the house, which +is really most magnificent, Duke Hamilton made violent love at +one end of the room, while he was playing at Faro at the other +end; that is, he saw neither the bank nor his own cards, which +were of three hundred pounds each: he soon lost a thousand. I +own I was so little a professor in love that I thought all this +parade looked ill for the poor girl; and could not conceive, if +he was so much engaged with his mistress as to disregard such +sums, why he played at all. However, two nights afterwards, +being left alone with her, while her mother and sister were at +Bedford House, he found himself so impatient that he sent for a +parson. The Doctor refused to perform the ceremony without +license or ring; the duke swore he would send for the archbishop; +at last they were married with a ring of the BED-CURTAIN, at +half-an-hour after twelve at night, at May-fair Chapel.' + +This incident occurred in 1752, and reminds us of the marriage- +scene described by Dryden in one of his tales, which was quoted +by Lord Lyndhurst on that memorable occasion when he opposed Lord +Campbell's Bill for the suppression of indecent publications, and +made a speech which was more creditable to his wit than his +taste, and perfectly horrifying to Lord Campbell, who inflicted a +most damaging verbal castigation on his very sprightly but +imprudent opponent. + +'MANNERS MAKE THE MAN. + +Mr Manners, a relation of the Duke of Rutland, many years ago, +lost a considerable sum to a well-known gamester, who set up his +carriage in consequence. Being at a loss for a motto, Mr Manners +suggested the following:-- + +MANNERS MAKE(S) THE MAN.' + +SHARP PRACTICE--NOT BY AN ATTORNEY. + +The commanding officer of a Militia regiment having passed an +evening with several of his officers, carried one of them, who +was much intoxicated, to town with him. How the rest of the +night was passed was not known--at least to the young man; but in +the morning the colonel slipped into his hand a memorandum of his +having lost to him at play L700--for which sum he was actually +arrested ON THE PARADE the same day, and was compelled to grant +an annuity to a nominee of the colonel for L100 per annum! + +A GAMESTER TO THE BACK-BONE. + +Archdeacon Bruges mentions a gentleman who was so thorough a +gamester, that he left in his will an injunction that his bones +should be made into dice, and his skin prepared so as to be a +covering for dice-boxes![31] + +[31] A similar anecdote is related of a Frenchman. + + +FOOTE'S WITTICISMS. + +A blackleg, famous for 'cogging a die,' said that there had been +great sport at Newmarket. 'What!' said Foote, 'I suppose you +were detected, and kicked out of the Hazard room.' + +F--d, the Clerk of the Arraigns, brought off Lookup when indicted +for perjury. Foote, afterwards playing with him at Whist, said, +'F--d, you can do anything, after bringing of Lookup. I don't +wonder you hold thirteen trumps in your hand. The least he could +do was to teach you the "long shuffle" for your services.' + +The Rev. Dr Dodd was a very unlucky gamester, and received a +guinea to forfeit twenty if he ever played again above a guinea. +This, among gamblers, is termed being TIED UP. When the doctor +was executed for forgery a gentleman observed to Foote--'I +suppose the doctor is launched into eternity by this time.' 'How +so?' said Foote, 'he was TIED UP long ago.' + +EFFECT OF A SEVERE LOSS AT PLAY. + +Lord C-- lost one night L33,000 to General Scott. The amiable +peer, however, benefited by the severe lesson, and resolved never +again to lose more than one hundred at a sitting! He is said to +have strictly kept his resolve. + +PADDY'S DECISION. + +Some gamblers duping a country fellow at the game called Put, in +a public-house near St Pancras, one of them appealed to an +Irishman who was looking on whether he had not THREE TREYS IN HIS +HAND? 'You had all that,' said Paddy; 'and what's more, I saw +you TAKE THEM ALL out of your pocket.' + +GAMBLING CAUSED BY GRIEF. + +The Honourable Jesse Anker, in order to dissipate the gloom +occasioned by the loss of his wife, whom he passionately loved, +had recourse to gaming, by which, at different times, he lost +considerable sums, but not so as to injure his property, which +was very large, in any material degree. The remedy did not prove +effectual; he shot himself at his lodgings at Bath. + +A GAMBLER'S EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING A SECOND IN A DUEL. + +A gentleman who had been called out, applied to a friend who had +won a large sum of money to be his second. 'My dear friend,' +answered the gamester, 'I won fifteen hundred guineas last night, +and shall cut a poor figure at fighting to-day; but if you apply +to the person I won them of, he will fight like a devil, for he +has not a farthing left.' + +'MORE FORTUNATE.' + +Lord Mark Stair and Lord Stair were at play in a coffee-house, +when a stranger overlooked the game, and disturbed them with +questions. Lord Mark said--'Let us throw dice to see which of us +shall pink this impudent fellow.' Lord Stair won. The other +exclaimed--'Ah! Stair, Stair! you have been always more +fortunate in life than I.' + +CAPTAIN ROCHE. + +Captain Roche, alias Tyger, alias Savage Roche, who stuck his +gaming companion's hand to the table with a fork for concealing a +card under it, happened to be at the Bedford Billiard-table, +which was extremely crowded. Roche was knocking the balls about +with his cue, and Major Williamson, another celebrity, with whom +he was engaged on business, desired him to leave off, as he +hindered gentlemen from playing. 'Gentlemen?' sneeringly +exclaimed Roche; 'why, major, except you and me (and two or three +more) there is not a gentleman in the room--the rest are all +blacklegs.' + +On leaving the place, the major expressed his astonishment at his +rudeness, and wondered, out of so numerous a company, it was not +resented. 'Oh, sir,' said Roche, 'there was no fear of that; +there was not a thief in the room who did not suppose himself one +of "the two or three gentlemen" I mentioned.' + +FARO AT ROUTS. + +The following advertisement appeared in the Courier newspaper in +1794:-- + +'As Faro is the most fashionable circular game in the haut ton in +exclusion of melancholy Whist, and to prevent a company being +cantoned into separate parties, a gentleman of unexceptionable +character will, on invitation, do himself the honour to attend +the rout of any lady, nobleman, or gentleman, with a Faro Bank +and Fund, adequate to the style of play, from 500 to 2000 +guineas. + +'Address, G. A., by letter, to be left at Mr Harding's, +Piccadilly, nearly opposite Bond Street. + +'N.B.--This advertisement will not appear again.' + +PROSPECT OF L5200 PER ANNUM FROM A CAPITAL OF L2000. + +The following advertisement appeared in the Morning Chronicle in +1817:-- + +'Any person who can command Two Thousand Pounds in ready money, +may advance it in a speculation which will realize at least L100 +per week, and perhaps not require the advance of above one half +the money. The personal attendance of the party engaging is +requisite; but there will be no occasion for articles of +partnership, or any establishment, as the profits may be divided +daily.' + +OF WHAT TRADE IS A GAMING-HOUSE KEEPER? + +At a Westminster election the keeper of a notorious gaming house +in St Ann's parish was asked, as usual, what his trade was, when, +after a little hesitation, he said, 'I am an ivory turner.' + +THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY. + +Mrs Law, executrix of George Law, late proprietor of the Smyrna +Coffee House, St James's Street, in 1807, found, among her +husband's papers, several notes and memoranda of money advanced +to a Mr Nelthorpe, which she put in suit. The latter alleged +that they were for gambling purposes, and called Mrs Law to say +whether her husband did not keep a common gambling house; and his +counsel contended that it was clear the notes were for gaming +transactions, BECAUSE they were for 100 GUINEAS, 200 GUINEAS, and +so on--disdaining the vulgar enumeration of pounds. But the lord +chancellor said that THE GAME PLAYED IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY--as +far as counsel was concerned--was for GUINEAS. + +THE ORIGINAL OF A RECENT PROPOSAL. + +Not long since an advertisement appeared, and was noticed by +several of the papers, purporting to enable any person to realize +a large fortune by a small advance to the advertiser. It will +readily be seen that the following is the ORIGINAL of the scheme, +put forth in the Morning Chronicle, in 1818:-- + +'Important Offer. A gentleman of respectability has discovered a +method of winning at any game of chance, fairly and honourably, +to a certainty, by a method hitherto unknown;--he will SELL THE +SECRET for a consideration, or treat with a gentleman able to +join him with a capital of L300, by which a fortune may be made; +in either case he will engage with one person only. This will be +found well worth the attention of a member of the superior clubs. +**** No personal application will be answered.' + +GAME AND GAMBLING. + +A gentleman celebrated for his quickness at repartee, when +informed that a young nobleman of his acquaintance (remarkably +fond of a fashionable game) had shot an immense number of RED +partridges, and also of the BLACK game, which abounded on his +estates, replied--'I am not in the least surprised; he was at all +times, EVEN WHEN IN LONDON, devotedly attached to the GAME OF +ROUGE ET NOIR.' + +CATCHING A TARTAR. + +'My skill at billiards,' says a confessing gamester, 'gave me a +superiority over most I met with. I could also hide my skill +very dexterously, which is generally found a work of great +difficulty, and judiciously winning or losing, I contrived to +make it answer my purpose,--until one day, going to a table which +I was very much in the practice of frequenting, and where no one +was then engaged, I was invited by a stranger to play. I +accepted the invitation for a small stake, and won very easily, +so much so, that on commencing a new game I offered to give him +six, to place us more on an equality. He accepted it eagerly, +but it produced him no benefit; he played so badly, and managed +both his cue and mace so awkwardly--for I made no objection to +his changing them as often as he pleased--that, playing very +carelessly, I could not avoid beating him. We continued +increasing the stakes every successive game; money seemed of no +value to him; he appeared to have plenty, and lost it with a +spirit that told me I had got hold of an excellent subject, who +could pay me well for beating him. I did not wish to win too +palpably, and therefore kept increasing the advantage I yielded +him, till it amounted to sixteen. He now proposed making the bet +ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, and that I should give him eighteen. His +eagerness, as well as the manner in which he handled his tools, +convinced me of his inexperience, and I accepted the +proposal;--but, to my surprise, he won the game. He laughed so +heartily at the event, and conducted himself so extravagantly, +that I felt persuaded the thing was accidental. He proposed +doubling the stakes, which I refused; yet I agreed to play him +for the same sum as before, but giving him only fourteen. By +some chance he won again; and then I declined playing any more; +but he pushed me so hard, and offered to play the even game +rather than I should give over, that I was induced to yield. He +declared he did not want my money, and wished to give me an +opportunity of recovering it. It was the depth of artifice, and +I discovered it too late. He won . . . and I had no money to +pay! One of the bystanders took part with him; my case did not +invite or interest any one to stand by me. I was treated with +great indignity; and though I gave up my watch and every article +of value I possessed, yet I was not allowed to depart without +very ill usage. I had transgressed the laws of gaming, by +betting after I had ceased to be able to pay; but I had so +confidently felt that I had my antagonist in my own power, that I +considered the stake as my own as soon as the bet was made. The +injuries I received were very severe, and confined me to my bed +for several days.'[32] + +[32] Confessions of a Gamester. + + +The splendid and fascinating game of Billiards seems to have been +an English invention; and it became greatly in vogue during the +reign of Louis XIV. of France, to whom it was recommended by his +physicians as an exercise after meals. + +It is said that Chamillard, who played with the king, entirely +owed his political fortune to the skill which he displayed in +this game. Billiards has not as yet been placed, like skittles +and bowls, under the interdict of the police authorities, and it +is difficult to see how they could venture upon so tremendous an +experiment. The game seems to be more in vogue than ever, and +doubtless heavy sums are lost and won at it. Billiard matches +have during the last three years become quite one of the winter +exhibitions, and particularly this season have the public shown +their taste for the game. Perhaps the extraordinary performances +of some of the first-class cueists have stirred up the shades of +Kentfield's days, his homely game of cannons off list cushions +and gently-played strength strokes; or by chance those that +favour Marden's style, his losing hazards and forcing half balls, +have revived once more, and we yearn with wonder to see the great +spot strokes of the present age, when as many red hazards can be +scored in one break as were made in olden times in an evening's +play. At the present time Roberts, sen., may claim the honour in +the billiard world of having brought the spot stroke to light: he +has made no less than 104 consecutive hazards in one break, and +up to the present winter that wonderful performance stood +unparalleled. Cook, however, very recently in an exhibition +match with J. Bennett, scored the spot hazard no less than 119 +times, making 388 off the balls, the biggest break on record. +Such feats as these, supplemented by the but little inferior play +of Roberts, jun., and Bennett, have done more than excite +surprise, and have caused old heads carefully to look into the +style of play of 1869 and to ponder thereon. It appears that +they affirm, and not without reason, that much of the success of +the spot stroke arises from the position of the spot being +further from the top cushion than formerly, and by this means not +only is the angle of the striker's ball for position made easier, +by a greater scope for screw or side, but the mouth of the +pockets themselves are easier of access; and the chance of a +wobble all but avoided. Billiard players and table makers should +meet and arrange a regular standard size for table pockets and +balls, with the spots at regulated positions. We should then be +able to compare merits with greater certainty, and such terrible +scores would not trouble the markers. + +As a healthful exercise, and in its tendency to promote the +physical development of the body, the game of Billiards is +unsurpassed; but it is much to be regretted that it is generally- +played in ill-ventilated and crowded rooms, often reeking with +the pestilential fumes of tobacco, and not without the adjunct of +frequent alcoholic potations. Moreover, there can be no doubt +that many modern instances of billiard sharping occur, such as I +have just quoted, in which the unwary are unscrupulously +'fleeced.' I know of several. + +'NOT KNOWING YOUR MAN.' + +A certain high military character sat down to play with a Russian +prince, who introduced loaded dice. The travelled Englishman +lost every bet; for the Russian never missed his seven or eleven, +and modestly threw only ten times. The supposed pigeon then took +up the box with fair dice; and, having learned to 'secure,'[33] +called different mains at pleasure; threw sixteen times; won all +the aristocrat's money, and wished him good night. Such is the +effect of not knowing your man! + +[33] This term means making sure of what you throw. + + +A BLIND GAMESTER. + +John Metcalfe, much better known by the nickname of blind Jack of +Knaresborough, was a celebrity at Harrowgate during the first +quarter of the present century. This extraordinary man had been +deprived of his eyesight at so early a period that he retained no +idea of either light or vision; but his remaining faculties were +so actively employed that few persons in the full enjoyment of +sight have surpassed him in the execution of undertakings, which +seemed particularly to require the exercise of that faculty. He +traversed the neighbourhood without a guide or companion; +surveyed tracts of country to plan and lay down roads, where none +had ever been before; contracted for the building of bridges, and +fulfilled his contracts without the assistance of another person, +either as architect or superintendent of the work; became a guide +to those who, possessing sight, could not find their way across +the neighbouring moors when covered with deep falls of snow and +impenetrable fogs; rode well, and followed the hounds with a zeal +and spirit equal to that of the most dashing horseman in the +field, and, finally, played at many games of chance, or skill, +with a knowledge and ingenuity that enabled him to come off +victorious in many contests with persons eager to try his ability +or to prove their own. + +Such a man was sure to attract notice in any place or +neighbourhood, but particularly at a place of general resort. +Besides, he possessed a facetious mode of talking, and on several +occasions exercised a practical sort of wit, which was equally +certain of gaining patronage. Visitors of the highest rank +treated him with kindness, and even familiarity; and as he never +forgot himself, or trespassed upon those who thus favoured him, +he continued in fashion as long as he lived, and terminated his +singular career at more than 80 years of age. + +Among his many exploits was the following. Various trials of his +skill and activity were proposed by gentlemen who offered to +support their opinions with their money. But Metcalfe had a +determination of his own, and refused taking a share in any of +the ingenious proposals urged upon him, until a country squire, +the Nimrod of a neighbouring district, submitted a plan which he +expected would baffle all his manoeuvres. He asked the blind man +if he was willing to run 100 yards against his favourite mare. +The offer was immediately accepted--provided he might CHOOSE THE +GROUND, which should be an open space on the adjoining moor. The +stakes were deposited the same evening; and a fine level space +being selected, and the distance marked out with great exactness +early the following morning, the decision followed with little +delay. The party selected to ride against the blind man was much +admired for his horsemanship; and at the appointed time, every +preparation being completed, the signal was given and the race +commenced. The horseman was instantly far ahead, but before he +could finish his stipulated distance the fore feet of his hunter +sank deep in a bog, from which, being unable to extricate them, +he came completely over, treating his rider with a tremendous +somerset. The loud shouts of the spectators announced to the +blind man that his expectations were realized. The turf showed +no apparent difference, and was sufficiently strong to carry a +man with safety,--perhaps it would have borne a horse going only +at a moderate pace, but at full speed his feet pierced the sod, +and entangled him in the hidden danger. Metcalfe passed his +extended rival, terminated his career, and won the race before +those who had run to the prostrate horseman could render him any +assistance. Indeed, it was too late for that purpose, he had +finished his earthly course having ruptured a vessel near the +heart in his fall! + +A NOBLE LORD AND A COMMONER, IN 1823. + +A young and wealthy commoner, who seemed to vie with the pea- +green in the desperate folly of getting rid of a suddenly +obtained fortune of L130,000 in ready money, as fast as possible, +and whose relish for the society of legs, bullies, and fighting +men was equally notorious, went to the Fishmonger's Hall Club +late one morning, much flushed with wine. The well-lighted +avenues directed him to the French Hazard table. There was no +play going on at the time, but at the entrance of this PIGEON, +who before had been DRAWN of a good round sum, the box and dice +were soon put in motion, and 'seven's the main, seven,' was +promptly the cry. A certain noble lord, who had been for years +an experienced NURSE of the dice, and who knew how to NICK the +MAINS or THROW CRABS, as well as the best leg in England, held +the bow. The commoner commenced by backing the noble lord IN. +The noble lord threw OUT. He then backed the noble lord OUT, and +the noble lord threw in. He backed the noble lord OUT again, who +threw five to the main. The commoner betted the odds deeply at +the rate of three to two. The noble lord threw the FIVE. The +commoner, uneasy, changed about, and backed the noble lord IN for +a large stake,--the noble lord then threw OUT. The commoner now +rose in a rage, and insinuated broadly that he was cheated, +robbed, and it could not be fair play. Of course much +indignation was shown by the noble lord, and it was with +difficulty that a fight was prevented; but his lordship, +nevertheless, condescended to demonstrate that he played his own +money at the time, and what he lost found its way into the bank, +with which 'he was not at all connected.' This reasoning +satisfied the suspicious young commoner (poor easy man!); an +apology was given; and peace was restored. + +DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. + +A party of players were assembled to throw for a stake, which was +enormous. It was, however, agreed that the LOWEST throw should +win. The players threw until one of them turned up two aces. +All but one had thrown, and shouts of applause greeted the lucky +caster, when the last who was to throw exclaimed--'Hold! I'll try +and beat that.' . . . + +Rattling the dice, he turned down the box on the table, and on +lifting it up displayed the two dice ONE UPON THE TOP OF THE +OTHER, and both aces! He was therefore declared the winner.[34] + +[34] Menageana. + + +A TENDER MOTHER. + +A French lady had an only child, a handsome young man, much +addicted to gaming. He lost at one sitting L40,000, and being +destitute of other resources, he joined a company of strolling +players. They chanced some time afterwards to pass a short time +at Worcester, near which his mother, who was considerably +advanced in years, resided. The lady, though highly displeased +with her son's life, yet, hearing of his performance, could not +resist a wish to see him; and for this purpose she went thither +incog. He supported the principal character in 'The Gamester.' + +The feelings of the mother were so excited at the passages which +closely applied to her son's conduct, that she exclaimed aloud, +'Ay, there he is--the--the beggar--the scoundrel! Always the +same--no change in him!' The delusion so increased at the fifth +act, when Beverley lifts his hand to kill the child, that the +lady in a most distressing tone cried out--'Wretch that thou art, +don't kill the child--I'll take it home with me!' + +TWO MASTERS OF THE ART. + +A Frenchman who had become notorious for the unerring certainty +with which he won from all who ventured to play with him, at +length found himself unable to induce persons to sit down to the +table with him, there being not the slightest chance of winning +against his play. After being thus idle for some time, an +Englishman, who had heard of his triumphs, expressed his +readiness to enter the lists against him. They sat down, and +played for three hours without intermission, and at the end of +that time were exactly in the same position as when they begun. +They at length paused to take some refreshment. 'Sare,' said the +Frenchman, in a sort of whisper, to a party who accompanied his +antagonist, 'your friend is a very clever man at de cards--deuced +clever, sare.' 'He is a very clever fellow,' observed the +Englishman. 'I shall try him again,' said Monsieur; and as he +made the observation he proceeded to the room in which they had +been playing, and which was fixed on as the scene of their +continued contest. He had scarcely quitted the place when the +other made his appearance, and observed that the Frenchman was +the most skilful player he had ever met with. The parties again +met, and the cards were again produced. The game was renewed at +eleven o'clock, and continued without intermission till six +o'clock on the following morning, at which time they found, to +the surprise of each other, that they were still as they began. +'Sare,' said the Frenchman, 'you are the best player I ever met +with.' 'And you, Monsieur,' returned the other, 'are the only +gentleman I ever played with, from whom I could win nothing.' +'Indeed, sare!' said Monsieur, hesitatingly. 'It is a fact, I +assure you.' 'Sare, I am quite astonished at your skill.' 'And +I'm not less so at yours, Monsieur.' 'You're de most skilfullest +man at de cards in England.' 'Not while you are in it, +Monsieur,' replied the Englishman, with a smile. 'Sare, I +CHEATED, and yet could not win from you!' remarked the Frenchman, +hurriedly and with much emphasis, feeling it impossible any +longer to conceal his surprise at the circumstance of being +unable to play a winning game with the Englishman. 'And, +Monsieur, I did the same thing with you, and yet you are no +loser!' remarked the other, with corresponding energy of tone. + +The problem was thus solved: both had been cheating during the +whole night, and were exactly equal in dexterity, both being +unconscious of the dishonest practices of each other; and the +result was that each got up from the table with the same amount +of money as he had when he sat down. The cheats cordially shook +hands, apparently much gratified that they had at length +ascertained how it had happened that neither could pluck the +other. + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE GAMING CLUBS. + +On the subject of Clubs Mr Cunningham in his 'Clubs of London,' +and Mr Timbs in his 'Club Life in London,' have said pretty well +everything that we want to know, and by their help, and that of +other writers, I shall endeavour to give an account of the +gambling carried on in such places. + +1. ALMACK'S. + +'The gaming at Almack's,' writes Walpole to Horace Mann, 'which +has taken the pas of White's, is worthy of the decline of our +empire, or commonwealth, which you please. The young men of the +age lose ten, fifteen, twenty thousand pounds in an evening +there. Lord Stavordale, not one-and-twenty, lost L11,000 there +last Tuesday, but recovered it by one great hand at Hazard. He +swore a great oath--"Now, if I had been playing DEEP I might have +won millions!" His cousin, Charles Fox, shines equally here and +in the House of Commons.' + +Among the rules of the establishment, it was ordered 'that every +person playing at the twenty-guinea table do not keep less than +twenty guineas before him,' and 'that every person playing at the +new guinea table do keep fifty guineas before him.' That the +play ran high may be inferred from a note against the name of Mr +Thynne, in the Club-books:--'Mr Thynne having won ONLY 12,000 +guineas during the last two months, retired in disgust, March +21st, 1772.' Indeed, the play was unusually high--for rouleaus +of L50 each, and generally there was L10,000 in specie on the +table. The gamesters began by pulling off their embroidered +clothes, and putting on frieze great coats, or turned their coats +inside out for luck! They put on pieces of leather (such as are +worn by footmen when they clean knives) to save their laced +ruffles; and to guard their eyes from the light, and to keep +their hair in order, wore high-crowned straw hats with broad +brims adorned with flowers and ribbons; they also wore masks to +conceal their emotions when they played at quinz.[35] Each +gamester had a small neat stand by him, to hold his tea, or a +wooden bowl with an edge of ormolu, to hold the rouleaus of +guineas. + +[35] Quinze, the French for fifteen. This is a game at cards, in +which the winner is he who counts fifteen, or nearest to that +number, in all the points of his hand. Three, five, or six might +play at it. Two entire packs of cards are used, so disposed that +the spades and clubs are on one side, and the hearts and diamonds +on the other. The entire art of the game consists in making +fifteen; below that number the party loses. + +2. THE COCOA-TREE CLUB. + +This club was remarkable for high if not for foul play. Walpole, +writing to Horace Mann in 1780, says:--'Within this week there +has been a cast at Hazard at the Cocoa-tree (in St James's +Street) the difference of which amounted to one hundred and +fourscore thousand pounds! Mr O'Birne, an Irish gamester, had +won one hundred thousand pounds of a young Mr Harvey of Chigwell, +just started into an estate by his elder brother's death. +O'Birne said,--"You can never pay me." "I can," said the youth, +"my estate will sell for the debt." "No," said O'Birne, "I will +win ten thousand,--you shall throw for the odd ninety." They +did, and Harvey won!' + +3. GRAHAM'S CLUB. + +This gaming club is remarkable for a scandal which made some +noise at the time of its occurrence, and one version of which a +writer in the Times has been at some pains to rectify. In Mr +Duncombe's 'Life' of his father occurs the following account of +this curious transaction. + +'In Graham's Club there was also a good deal of play, and large +sums were lost and won among the noblemen and gentlemen who were +its members. An unpleasant rumour circulated in town in the +winter of 1836, to the effect that a noble lord had been detected +in cheating by means of marked cards. The presumed offender was +well known in society as a skilful card-player, but by those who +had been most intimate with him was considered incapable of any +unfair practice. He was abroad when the scandal was set afloat, +but returned to England directly he heard of it, and having +traced the accusation to its source, defied his traducers. Thus +challenged, they had no alternative but to support their +allegation, and it took this shape:--They accused Henry William +Lord de Ros of marking the edges of the court cards with his +thumb-nail, as well as of performing a certain trick by which he +unfairly secured an ace as the turn-up card. His accusers were +---- ----, who had formerly kept a gaming table; Mr ---- ----, +also a professional gambler; Lord Henry Bentinck, and Mr F. +Cumming. Lord Henry appears to have taken no very active part in +the proceedings; the other three had lost money in play with Lord +de Ros, and, as unsuccessful gamblers have done before and since, +considered that they had lost it unfairly. + +'Lord de Ros, instead of prosecuting the four for a libel, +brought an action only against Cumming, which permitted the +others to come forward as witnesses against him. The cause came +on in the Court of King's Bench before Lord Denman. The +plaintiff's witnesses were Lord Wharncliffe, Lord Robert +Grosvenor, the Earl of Clare, and Sir Charles Dalbiac, who had +known and played with him from between 20 to 30 years, as a very +skilful but honourable Whist player. The evidence of Mr +Lawrence, the eminent surgeon, proved that Lord de Ros had long +suffered under a stiffness of the joints of the fingers that made +holding a pack of cards difficult, and the performance of the +imputed trick of legerdemain impossible. For the defence +appeared the keeper of the house and his son; two or three +gamblers who had lived by their winnings; one acknowledged to +have won L35,000 in 15 years. Mr Baring Wall, one of the +witnesses, swore that he had never witnessed anything improper in +the play of Lord de Ros, though he had played with and against +him many years; another witness, the Hon. Colonel Anson, had +observed nothing suspicious; but the testimony of others went to +prove that the aces and kings had been marked inside their edges; +and one averred that he had seen Lord de Ros perform sauter la +coupe a hundred times. The whole case wore much the look of a +combination among a little coterie who lived by gambling to drive +from the field a player whose skill had diminished their income; +nevertheless, the incidents sworn to by some of them wore a +suspicious significance, and a verdict was given against Lord de +Ros, which he only survived a short time.' + +On this statement the Times' reviewer comments as follows:-- + +'If many old scandals may be revived with impunity, there are +some that cannot. Mr Duncombe the younger has hit on one which +affects several gentlemen still living, and his injurious version +of it cannot be neutralized or atoned for by an apology to one. +We call attention to it in the hope that any more serious notice +will be rendered needless by the simple exposure of its +inaccuracies. + +'It is difficult to conceive a more inexcusable misstatement, for +the case was fully reported,[36] and the public judgment +perfectly coincided with the verdict. Lord de Ros was not abroad +when the scandal was set afloat. He went abroad after the scene +at Graham's had set all London talking, and he returned in +consequence of a peremptory call from his friends. He was most +reluctantly induced to take the required steps for the +vindication of his character; and it is preposterous to suppose +that any little coterie would have dreamt of accusing a man of +his rank and position with the view of driving a skilful player +from the field. His accusers were not challenged. Neither were +they volunteers. They became his accusers, because they formed +the Whist party at which he was first openly denounced. They +signed a paper particularizing their charge, and offered to refer +the question to a tribunal of gentlemen, with the Duke of +Wellington or Lord Wharncliffe to preside. Would a little +coterie, who lived by gambling, have made this offer? Or would +Lord de Ros have refused it if he had been the intended victim of +a conspiracy? Lord Henry Bentinck signed the paper, appeared as +a witness, and took quite as active a part in the proceedings as +any of the four, except Mr Cumming, who undertook the sole legal +liability by admitting the publication of the paper. + +[36] The Times of February 11 and 13, 1837. + + +'The evidence was overwhelming. Suspicions had long been rife; +and on no less than ten or twelve occasions the marked packs had +been examined in the presence of unimpeachable witnesses, and +sealed up. These packs were produced at the trial. Several +witnesses swore to the trick called sauter la coupe. It was the +late Sir William Ingilby who swore that he had seen Lord de Ros +perform it from 50 to 100 times; and when asked why he did not at +once denounce him, he replied that if he had done so before his +Lordship began to get blown upon, he should have had no +alternative between the window and the door. Of course, every +one who had been in the habit of playing with Lord de Ros prior +to the exposure would have said the same as Sir Charles Dalbiac +and Mr Baring Wall. With regard to the gentlemen whose names we +have omitted we take it for granted that the author is not aware +of the position they held, and continue to hold, or he would +hardly have ventured to describe them so offensively. He has +apologized to one, and he had better apologize to the other +without delay. + +'The case was complete without the evidence of either of the +original accusers, and the few friends of Lord de Ros who tried +to bear him up against the resulting obloquy were obliged to go +with the stream. When Lord Alvanley was asked whether he meant +to leave his card, he replied, "No, he will stick it in his +chimney-piece and count it among his honours.' " + +Having read through the long case as reported in the Times, I +must declare that I do not find that the evidence against Lord de +Ros was, after all, so 'overwhelming' as the reviewer declares; +indeed, the 'leader' in the Times on the trial emphatically +raises a doubt on the subject. Among other passages in it there +is the following:-- + +'In the process of the trial it appeared that the most material +part of the evidence against Lord de Ros, that called sauter la +coupe,--which, for the sake of our English readers we shall +translate into CHANGING THE TURN-UP CARD,--the times and places +at which it was said to have been done could not be specified. +Some of the witnesses had seen the trick done 50 or 100 times by +Lord de Ros, but could neither say on what day, in what week, +month, or even year, they had so seen it done. People were +excessively struck at this deviation from the extreme punctuality +required in criminal cases by the British courts of law.' + +'The disclosures,' says Mr Grant,[27] 'which took place in the +Court of Queen's Bench, on the occasion of the trial of Lord de +Ros, for cheating at cards, furnished the strongest demonstration +that he was not the only person who was in the habit of cheating +in certain clubs; while there were others who, if they could not +be charged with direct cheating, or cheating in their own +persons, did cheat indirectly, and by proxy, inasmuch as they, by +their own admission, were, on frequent occasions, partners with +Lord de Ros, long after they knew that he habitually or +systematically cheated. The noble lord, by the confession of the +titled parties to whom I allude, thus cheated for himself and +them at the same time.' + +[37] Sketches in London. + + +Lord de Ros was at the head of the barons of England. He was the +son of Lord Henry Fitzgerald, and Lady de Ros, who inherited in +her own right that ancient title, which dates from the reign of +Henry III. He had studied at Eton and Oxford, and afterwards on +the Continent, and there was not a more accomplished man in +Europe. He possessed an ample fortune, was a member of several +of the clubs--White's, Boodle's, Brookes', and Graham's, and one +of the best Whist players in England. + +It appears that at Graham's Club, at the commencement of the +season, and before Lord de Ros came to town, whispers were +circulated of unfair play, and various persons were supposed +guilty. A determination was therefore formed that the club +should be dissolved and reconstructed, leaving out the names of +certain persons to whom suspicion attached. The main object of +the master of the club, and of some of those who attended it for +the purpose of professional gain, was that its character should +be cleared. Not long after Lord de Ros came to town he received +an anonymous letter, cautioning him against continuing to play at +Graham's, and intimating to him, if he did so, that measures +would be taken which he would have reason to regret. Of course +his Lordship disregarded the threat; he attended the club for +several days more assiduously than before, and continued to play +until the end of the season, in the beginning of July. In +September the Satirist newspaper published a distinct charge of +unfair play against Lord de Ros, whilst the latter was at Baden, +and he returned to England and commenced an action for libel +against the newspaper. + +He was charged with being in the habit of marking the cards, the +effect being to create a very slight and almost imperceptible +indentation, and to make a ridge or wave on the back, so that a +practised eye would be able, on looking at the right place, +knowing where to expect a mark, to discern whether the ace was +there or not. He was also charged with cheating by reversing the +cut--that is, when the cards had come to him, after having been +cut by his adversary, instead of putting the bottom card at the +top, keeping the bottom card at the bottom, by some shuffling +contrivance when he dealt. Another witness said:-- + +'When he took up the two parcels of cards, after the operation of +cutting the pack by his right-hand adversary, he was always +attacked with a hacking cough, or what I may properly denominate, +especially from the result it produced, a 'king cough,' because a +king or an ace was invariably its effect. The cough always came +on at the most convenient moment to distract the attention of the +other players, and was evidently indulged in for the purpose of +abstracting their attention from the table and from the manoeuvre +he was about to perform. However, I never saw him "slip the +card," and I never had cognizance of its execution, but certain +it was that the ace or the king, which was at the bottom of the +pack prior to the cut, invariably found its way to the same +position after the cut, and hence was the turn-up card. With +regard to the operation of dealing, his Lordship delivered the +cards particularly slow, examining every card minutely towards +its corners, as if looking for some mark.' + +Many curious facts came out during the trial. + +It was Mr Brooke Greville who admitted that he was a considerable +winner at play--having 'no hesitation in saying that he had won +L35,000 in the course of 15 years,' chiefly at Whist; that he had +followed play as an occupation, at Graham's Club. He lost, +however, L14,000 at Brighton in 1828, a considerable portion of +it to Lord de Ros; but this loss he made up in three or four +years (that is, won L14,000 in that time), and, excepting that +reverse, he was generally fortunate at play.' + +A Captain J. Alexander, half-pay R. N., declared that he had won +as much as L700 at a time, having, however, to pay half to +another partner; his winnings might be L1600 a-year. 'I began to +play,' he said, 'about 25 or 28 years ago, and, expecting that I +should be asked the question, I have looked into my accounts, and +find that I am about L10,000 better than as though I had not +played. That is a yearly average of L500.' He had, however, +lost about L1000 during the previous year. + +This Captain Alexander was asked how many hours he played before +dinner, and he answered--'From three to five hours'--adding, +however, that 'he HAD played ALL NIGHT.' Then the counsel said, +'I suppose you take but a slight dinner?' He replied:-- + +'Why, I generally make as good a dinner as I can get.' The +learned counsel continued:-- + +'A small boiled chicken and a glass of lemonade, perhaps?' This +seemed an offensive question, and the captain said,-- + +'I believe never, and (with increased earnestness of manner) +mind, I DENY THE LEMONADE ALTOGETHER; I never take lemonade. +(Laughter, in which the noble lords on the bench joined +involuntarily.) + +Sir W. Ingilby entered into a description and practical +illustration of the trick of sauter la coupe with a pack of +cards, and it is said that the performance of the honourable +baronet elicited demonstrations of laughter, which the judge +suppressed, and even REPROBATED. Altogether, it must have been a +most interesting and exciting trial. + +As before stated, Lord Denman was the presiding judge; there was +a special jury; the attorney-general, Sir W. Follet, and Mr +Wightman appeared for the noble plaintiff; and the keen-witted +and exquisitely polished Mr Thesiger (now Lord Cholmondeley), Mr +Alexander, and Mr W. H. Watson for the defendant. A great many +of the nobility were present, together with several foreigners of +distinction. + +4. BROOKES' CLUB, IN ST JAMES'S STREET. + +This was a house notorious for very high gaming, and was +frequented by the most desperate of gamblers, among the rest Fox, +Brummell, and Alderman Combe. According to Captain Gronow:-- + +At Brookes's, for nearly half a century, the play was of a more +gambling character than at White's. . . . On one occasion Lord +Robert Spencer contrived to lose the last shilling of his +considerable fortune given him by his brother, the Duke of +Marlborough. General Fitzpatrick being much in the same +condition, they agreed to raise a sum of money, in order that +they might keep a Faro bank. The members of the club made no +objection, and ere long they carried out their design. As is +generally the case, the bank was a winner, and Lord Robert +bagged, as his share of the proceeds, L100,000. He retired, +strange to say, from the fetid atmosphere of play, with the money +in his pocket, and never again gambled. The lowest stake at +Brookes' was L50; and it was a common event for a gentleman to +lose or win L10,000 in an evening. Sometimes a whole fortune was +lost at a single sitting.[38] + +[38] Walpole, passim. + + +5. WHITE'S CLUB. + +White's Club seems to have won the darkest reputation for +gambling. Lord Lyttleton, writing to Dr Doddridge, in 1750, +says:--'The Dryads of Hogley are at present pretty secure, but I +tremble to think that the rattling of a dice-box at White's may +one day or other (if my son should be a member of that noble +academy) shake down all our fine oaks. It is dreadful to see, +not only there, but almost in every house in the town, what +devastations are made by that destructive fury, the spirit of +play.' A fact stated by Walpole to Horace Mann shows the +character of the company at this establishment:--'There is a man +about town, Sir William Burdett, a man of very good family, but +most infamous character. In short, to give you his character at +once--there is a wager in the bet-book at White's (a MS. of which +I may one day or other give you an account), that the first +baronet that will be hanged is this Sir William Burdett.' Swift +says:--'I have heard that the late Earl of Oxford, in the time of +his ministry, never passed by White's chocolate-house (the common +rendezvous of infamous sharpers and noble cullies) without +bestowing a curse upon that famous academy as the bane of half +the English nobility.' + +It was from the beginning a gaming club, 'pure and simple.' The +play was mostly at Hazard and Faro. No member was to hold a Faro +bank. Whist was comparatively harmless. Professional gamblers, +who lived by dice and cards, provided they were free from the +imputation of cheating, procured admission to White's. It was a +great supper-house, and there was play before and after supper, +carried on to a late hour and to heavy amounts. + +At White's they betted on every possible thing, as shown by the +betting-book of the establishment--on births, deaths, and +marriages; the length of a life; the duration of a ministry; a +placeman's prospect of a coronet; the last scandal at Ranelagh or +Madame Cornely's; or the shock of an earthquake! 'A man dropped +down at the door of White's; he was carried into the house. Was +he dead or not? The odds were immediately given and taken for +and against. It was proposed to bleed him. Those who had taken +the odds that the man was dead protested that the use of a lancet +would affect the fairness of the bet.' I have met with a similar +anecdote elsewhere. A waiter in a tavern in Westminster, being +engaged in attendance on some young men of distinction, suddenly +fell down in a fit. Bets were immediately proposed by some of +the most thoughtless on his recovery, and accepted by others. +The more humane part of the company were for sending immediately +for medical assistance, but this was overruled; since, by the +tenor of the bets, he was to be 'left to himself,' and he died +accordingly! + +According to Walpole--'A person coming into the club on the +morning of the earthquake, in 1750, and hearing bets laid whether +the shock was caused by an earthquake or the blowing up of +powder-mills, went away in horror, protesting they were such an +impious set that he believed if the last trump were to sound they +would bet puppet-show against Judgment.' + +And again: 'One of the youths at White's, in 1744, has committed +a murder, and intends to repeat it. He betted L1500 that a man +could live twelve hours under water; hired a desperate fellow, +sunk him in a ship, by way of experiment, and both ship and man +have not appeared since. Another man and ship are to be tried +for their lives instead of Mr Blake, the assassin.' + +He also tells us of a very curious entry in the betting-book. +Lord Mountford bets Sir John Bland twenty guineas that Nash +outlives Cibber.' 'How odd,' says Walpole, 'that these two old +creatures, selected for their antiquities, should live to see +both their wagerers put an end to their own lives! Cibber is +within a few days of eighty-four, still hearty, and clear, and +well. I told him I was glad to see him look so well. "Faith," +said he, "it is very well that I look at all." Lord Mountford +would have been the winner: Cibber died in 1757, Nash in 1761.' + +Hogarth's scene at the gambling house is taken at White's. 'We +see the highwayman, with his pistols peeping out of his pocket, +waiting by the fireside till the heaviest winner takes his +departure, in order to "recoup" himself for his losings; and in +the Beaux' Stratagem, Aimwell asks of Gibbet--"Ha'n't I seen your +face at White's?" "Ay, and at Will's too," is the highwayman's +answer.' + +According to Captain Gronow, George Harley Drummond, of the +famous banking-house, Charing Cross, only played once in his +whole life at White's Club, at Whist, on which occasion he lost +L20,000 to Brummell. This even caused him to retire from the +banking-house, of which he was a partner. + +'Walpole and a party of friends (Dick Edgecumbe, George Selwyn, +and Williams), in 1756, composed a piece of heraldic satire--a +coat of arms for the two gaming clubs at White's--which was +"actually engraven from a very pretty painting of Edgecumbe, whom +Mr Chute, as Strawberry King at Arms," appointed their chief +herald-painter. The blazon is vert (for a card-table); three +parolis proper on a chevron sable (for a Hazard table); two +rouleaux in saltire between two dice proper, on a canton sable; a +white ball (for election) argent. The supporters are an old and +young knave of clubs; the crest, an arm out of an earl's coronet +shaking a dice-box; and the motto, Cogit amor nummi--"The love of +money compels." Round the arms is a claret-bottle ticket by way +of order.' + +6. WATTIER'S CLUB. + +This great Macao gaming house was of short duration. Mr Raikes +says of it:--'The club did not endure for twelve years +altogether; the pace was too quick to last; it died a natural +death in 1819, from the paralyzed state of its members. The +house was then taken by a set of blacklegs, who instituted a +common bank of gambling. To form an idea of the ruin produced by +this short-lived establishment among men whom I have so +intimately known, a cursory glance to the past suggests the +following melancholy list, which only forms a part of its +deplorable results: none of the dead reached the average age of +man.' Among the members were Beau Brummell and the madman Bligh. + +7. CROCKFORD'S CLUB. + +This once celebrated gaming house is now 'The Wellington,' where +the rattle of knives and forks has succeeded that of dice. It +was erected in 1827, and at its opening it was described as 'the +new Pandemonium--the drawing-rooms, or real hell, consisting of +four chambers: the first an ante-room, opening to a saloon +embellished to a degree which baffles description; thence to a +small curiously-formed cabinet or boudoir, which opens to the +supper-room. All these rooms are panelled in the most gorgeous +manner; spaces are left to be filled up with mirrors and silk, or +gold enrichments; while the ceilings are as superb as the walls. +A billiard-room on the upper floor completes the number of +apartments professedly dedicated to the use of the members. +Whenever any secret manoeuvre is to be carried on, there are +smaller and more retired places, both under this roof and the +next, whose walls will tell no tales.' + +'It rose,' says a writer in the Edinburgh Review, 'like a +creation of Aladdin's lamp; and the genii themselves could hardly +have surpassed the beauty of the internal decorations, or +furnished a more accomplished maitre d'hotel than Ude. To make +the company as select as possible, the estabishment was regularly +organized as a club, and the election of members vested in a +committee. "Crockford's" became the rage, and the votaries of +fashion, whether they like play or not, hastened to enroll +themselves. The Duke of Wellington was an original member, +though (unlike Blucher, who repeatedly lost everything he had at +play) the great captain was never known to play deep at any game +but war or politics. Card-tables were regularly placed, and +Whist was played occasionally; but the aim, end, and final cause +of the whole was the Hazard bank, at which the proprietor took +his nightly stand, prepared for all comers. Le Wellington des +Joueurs lost L23,000 at a sitting, beginning at twelve at night, +and ending at seven the following evening. He and three other +noblemen could not have lost less, sooner or later, than L100,000 +a piece.[39] Others lost in proportion (or out of proportion) to +their means; but we leave it to less occupied moralists and +better calculators to say how many ruined families went to make +Mr Crockford a MILLIONNAIRE--for a millionnaire he was in the +English sense of the term, after making the largest possible +allowance for bad debts. A vast sum, perhaps half a million, was +sometimes due to him; but as he won, all his debtors were able to +raise, and easy credit was the most fatal of his lures. He +retired in 1840, much as an Indian chief retires from a hunting +country when there is not game enough left for his tribe, and the +club tottered to its fall.' + +[39] 'Le Wellington des Joueurs was the name given to Lord Rivers +in Paris. The other three, we believe, were Lord Sefton, Lord +Chesterfield, and Lord Granville or Lord Talbot.' Times, 7 Jan. +1868. + + +Crockford was originally a FISHMONGER, keeping a shop near Temple +Bar. By embarking in this speculation he laid the foundation of +the most colossal fortune that was ever made by play. + +It was said there were persons of rank and station, who had never +paid their debts to Crockford, up to 1844, and that some of his +creditors compounded with him for their gambling debts. His +proprietorship had lasted 15 or 16 years. + +Crockford himself was examined by the committee of the House of +Commons on the Gaming Houses; but in spite of his assurance by +the members that were indemnified witnesses in respect of pending +actions, he resolutely declined to 'tell the secrets of his +prison-house.' When asked whether a good deal of play was +carried on at his club, he said:--'There may have been so; but I +do not feel myself at liberty to answer that question--to DIVULGE +THE PURSUITS OF PRIVATE GENTLEMEN. Situated as I was, I do not +feel myself at liberty to do so. I do not feel myself at liberty +to answer that question.' + +When asked to whom he had given up the house, he fenced in like +manner, saying that he had given it up to a 'committee' of about +200 gentlemen,--concerning which committee he professed to 'know +absolutely nothing'--he could not even say to whom he had given +up the house--he gave it up to the gentlemen of the club four +years before--he could not even say (upon his word) whether he +signed any paper in giving it up--he believed he did not-- +adding--'I said I grew too old, and I could not continue in the +club any longer, and I wished to give up the club to the +gentlemen, who made their own arrangement.' + +Being asked, 'Do you think that a person is just as honourably +bound to pay a debt which he loses upon a game of Hazard, as he +would be to pay a bet which he loses on a horse-race?' Crockford +replied--'I think most certainly he would honourably be bound to +pay it.'--'Do you think that if the loser of a bet on a game at +Hazard had no charge to make of any kind of unfairness, and he +were to commence an action to recover that money back again, he +would lay himself open to a charge in the world of having acted +dishonourably?' The old gambler's reply was most emphatic, +overwhelming, indignant--'I should take all the pains I could to +avoid such a man.' + +If this evidence was not satisfactory, it was, at any rate, very +characteristic. + +A few interesting facts came out before the parliamentary +committee on Gaming, in 1844, respecting Crockford's. + +It was said that Crockford gave up the business in 1840, because +there were no more very high players visiting his house. + +'A number of persons,' according to the admission of the +Honourable Frederick Byng, 'who were born to very large +properties, were very nearly ruined at Crockford's.' + +The sums won on the turf were certainly larger than those won by +players at Crockford's; a man might lose L20,000 in one or more +bets, to one or more persons; but against this he might have won +an equivalent amount in small sums from 200 or more persons.[40] + +[40] This is not very clearly put, but the meaning is that much +more money was lost at Crockford's than on the turf. + + +Some years previously to Crockford's retirement, it is said that +he found the debts so bad that he was obliged to leave off his +custom of paying cheques; and said he would cancel all previous +debts, but that in future gentlemen would have to pay with money. + +He made them play for money instead of with counters, in +consequence of the large sums that were owing to him upon those +counters. + +8. THE TRAVELLERS' CLUB, + +next the Athenseum in Pall Mall, originated soon after the peace +of 1814, in a suggestion of the late Lord Londonderry, then Lord +Castlereagh, for the resort of gentlemen who had resided or +travelled abroad, as well as with a view to the accommodation of +foreigners, who, when properly recommended, receive an invitation +for the period of their stay.[41] Here Prince Talleyrand was +fond of a game at Whist. With all the advantage of his great +imperturbability of face, he is said to have been an indifferent +player. + +[41] Quarterly Review, No. cx. p. 481. + + +Rule 10 of the club directs, 'that no dice and no game of hazard +be allowed in the rooms of the club, nor any higher stake than +guinea points, and that no cards be introduced before dinner.' + +CHAPTER VII. + +DOINGS IN GAMING HOUSES. + +Besides the aristocratic establishments just described, there +were numerous houses or places of resort for gambling, genteel +and ungenteel. In vain did the officers of the law seem to exert +their utmost vigilance; if they drove the serpent out of one hole +it soon glided into another; never was the proverb--'Where +there's a will there's a way'--more strikingly fulfilled. + +COFFEE-HOUSE SHARPERS. + +Sir John Fielding thus describes the men in the year 1776. 'The +deceivers of this denomination are generally descended from +families of some repute, have had the groundwork of a genteel +education, and are capable of making a tolerable appearance. +Having been equally profuse of their own substance and character, +and learnt, by having been undone, the ways of undoing, they lie +in wait for those who have more wealth and less knowledge of the +town. By joining you in discourse, by admiring what you say, by +an officiousness to wait upon you, and to assist you in anything +you want to have or know, they insinuate themselves into the +company and acquaintance of strangers, whom they watch every +opportunity of fleecing. And if one finds in you the least +inclination to cards, dice, the billiard table, bowling-green, or +any other sort of Gaming, you are morally sure of being taken in. + +For this set of gentry are adepts in all the arts of knavery and +tricking. If, therefore, you should observe a person, without +any previous acquaintance, paying you extraordinary marks of +civility; if he puts in for a share of your conversation with a +pretended air of deference; if he tenders his assistance, courts +your acquaintance, and would be suddenly thought your friend, +avoid him as a pest; for these are the usual baits by which the +unwary are caught.'[42] + +[42] The Magistrate: Description of London and Westminster. + + +In 1792, Mr Br--gh--n, the son of a baronet, one day at a +billiard-table in St James's Street, won L7000 from a Mr B--, but +the latter, at the close of the day, recovered the loss, and won +L15,000 more. Payment was thus arranged--L5000 on the death of +the father of the former, and L10,000 secured by a reversionary +annuity, to commence on the father's decease, on the life of the +Duc de Pienne, between whom and B-- a previous gaming account +existed. + +In 1794, Mr ---- was a billiard player of the first class, +ranking with Brenton, Phillips, Orrel, and Captain Wallis, who +were the leaders of the day in this noble game of skill, tact, +and discretion.[43] Having accidentally sported his abilities +with two other players, he was marked as a 'pigeon' whom every +preparation was made for 'plucking.' Captain Cates, of Covent +Garden celebrity, was pitted against him at the coffee-room +billiard-table, during Epsom races, to play 21 games, for two +guineas each game, and five guineas the odds. Mr ---- won 13 +games to eight from his veteran opponent, who was invariably +backed by the leading sportingmen of the day, whilst the company +at large were casually the adherents of Mr ----. + +[43] The game of Chess may be played in application of the +principles of Strategy; the game of Billiards in application of +Tactics; indeed, all man's favourite diversions and pastimes most +significantly relate to war--which has been called his natural +state--exemplifying always either the brute-force that crushes, +the skill that foils, the stratagem that surprises, or the ruse +that deceives; and such is war to all intents and purposes. The +philosophic diversions of science also come in and lend their aid +in the game of war--the pastime of heroes and the necessary +defence of nations. + +The match was renewed at the ensuing Ascot meeting, at the rooms +of the celebrated Simson, so much frequented by the Etonians-- +where Mr ---- again obtained the victory, by 36 games to 17. +Immense sums were sported on these occasions. + +Mr ---- resided at Windsor, and was surprised by a message on the +Sunday evening preceding the Winchester races, purporting that a +gentleman wished to see him on very particular business. It +proved to be a request to play a match at Billiards during the +races at Winchester, for which the parties offered 10 guineas for +the journey. But it was explained to him that the match was of a +particular kind, and must be played in a PARTICULAR way-- either +to WIN or LOSE--so that those concerned might be sure of winning +upon the whole, let the match terminate how it would! . . . . +This +villainous proposal being made without the presence of a +third person, Mr ---- indignantly rejected it, instantly left the +room, and communicated the facts for the protection of the unwary +against a set of desperate sharpers. + +MILLER'S GAMING HOUSE. + +In 1796, one Thomas Miller was indicted for keeping a gaming +house; and wished to have the matter settled summarily by +admitting conviction; but Lord Kenyon, the presiding judge, chose +to have evidence brought forward. John Shepherd, an attorney of +the King's Bench, who had himself been plundered, stated that he +was at the defendant's, Leicester Street, on a certain night, and +saw Hazard played. Sometimes L20 or L30 depended on a throw. +One morning between three and four o'clock, a gentleman came in +much intoxicated. He had a great deal of money about him. +Miller said--'I did not mean to play; but now I'll set to with +this fellow.' Miller scraped a little wax with his finger off +one of the candles, and put the dice together, so that they came +seven every way. Seven was the main, and he could not throw +anything but seven. A dispute arose, and the persons at the +table gave it in Miller's favour. The young man said he had lost +about L70. Miller observed--'We have cleaned him.' If the +attorney had remarked on this at the time, they would have broken +his head, or thrown him out of the window. + +He had often seen men pawn their watches and rings to Miller, and +once a man actually pawned his coat, and went away without it! +When articles were offered to be pawned, Liston, who was a +partner in the concern, said--'I don't understand the value of +these things well,' and he would then call Miller.[44] + +[44] Even at the present day it is said that other 'articles' +besides 'valuables' are 'left' with the marker at billiards 'for +a consideration.' A fine umbrella, very little used, was lately +shown to me as having been sold for five shillings, by a marker; +it probably cost twenty-five. + + +Miller said there was no disgrace in standing in the pillory for +gaming. He could spare L500 out of his coffers without missing +it. His gaming table was once broken up by a warrant from Bow +Street, when he said it was too good a thing to relinquish, and +he set up another, one large enough for 20 or 30 persons to sit +at. They played at it all night, and on one or two occasions all +the next day too, so that Miller said to witness on his return in +the evening--'Some of the people are still here who came last +night. They stick to it rarely.' Sunday was the grand day. He +had seen more than 40 persons at a time there, and they +frequently offered half-a-crown for a seat. Wine and suppers +were furnished gratis. Some looked over the backs of others and +betted. A Mr Smith, the very man who had pawned his coat, +confirmed the above evidence. Miller was convicted, and the +judge, Lord Kenyon, made the following solemn observations before +passing sentence:-- + +'Gaming is a crime of greater enormity, and of more destructive +consequences to society, than many which the laws of the country +have made capital. What is the crime of stealing a sheep, or +picking a pocket of a handkerchief, when placed in comparison +with this crime, traced through all its consequences? + +'With regard to those in the higher walks of life, experience +tells us it often leads to self-murder and duelling, about +gambling debts, which terminate in the total ruin of families +once opulent, and reduce to beggary their innocent and helpless +children; and as for those in a lower sphere of life, when they +have lost their money, they often betake themselves to +housebreaking and the highway, in order to replenish their +coffers, and at last end their lives by the hand of justice.' + +With many other most excellent observations on the tendency of +this selfish and avaricious vice, he concluded by sentencing +Miller to a fine of L500, one year's imprisonment, and security +for his good behaviour for seven years, himself in L500 and two +others in L250 each, adding:--'It appeared that you played with +loaded dice. The Court has not taken that into consideration, +because it was not charged in the indictment.' + +ATTACKS ON GAMING HOUSES. + +In 1797 the Bedford Arms, Covent Garden, kept by one John +Twycross, was attacked, under warrant. The gaming-room stood an +hour's siege, for the doors were so plated with iron that the +repeated blows of a sledge-hammer made no impression on them. +The officers at length entered the back through the window. They +found fifteen persons at table, but not actually playing, so no +conviction could take place. + +In the same year a party of Bow Street officers searched a gaming +house at 19, Great Suffolk Street. They were an hour in +effecting their entrance. Two very stout doors, strongly bolted +and barred, obstructed them. All the gamesters but one escaped +by a subterraneous passage, through a long range of cellars, +terminating at a house in Whitcomb Street, whence their leader, +having the keys of every door, conducted them safely into the +open air. + +In the previous year a party, mostly French emigrants, were taken +at a house in Oxendon Street, with the table, cards, &c. A city +magistrate and a city officer had a dispute at cards, and a +knock-down game ensued. + +In 1799 the Marlborough Street officers apprehended at the gaming +house, No. 3, Leicester Square, thirteen out of twenty persons, +from the first floor, playing at Rouge et Noir. One of the +gamblers, when they first entered, threw up the sash, and, +stepping from the leads, fell into the area, and died in being +conveyed to the hospital. + +In the same year, two notorious gaming houses, Nos. 1 and 3, +King's Place, were attacked, by authority of a search warrant. +All the paraphernalia of the profession, as tables, dice, +counters, &c., were seized; but the inmates effected their escape +over the roofs of the adjoining houses. The proprietor of No. 3 +was smoked in a chimney, and three French emigrants intercepted +in their retreat. On one of them was found a gold watch, which +appeared, by the robbery-book, to have been stolen about five +years previously. The banks had been conveyed away,--at least, +they were not among the captures. + +'SOMETHING HONOURABLE TO THE BRITISH FLAG.' + +It is stated as highly honourable to the British flag that, among +the gamesters of the first quarter of the present century, no +Admirals were seen at the INFERIOR tables. Their proper pride +kept them from a familiar association with pursers, clerks, +grocers, horse-dealers, linen-drapers, silk-mercers, masons, +builders, timber-merchants, booksellers, &c., &c., and men of the +very lowest walks of life. + +COARSE LANGUAGE OF GAMESTERS. + +'I heard those who, in another place, even in the most polished +courts, would take a high rank for good breeding and gentlemanly +education, at these tables make use of language which, I hope, +Billingsgate itself would turn from with disgust. It cannot be +repeated; neither would it be believed, unless by such as, like +myself, have had "confirmation strong," too strong to be +rejected, if I did not, at the same time, reject the evidence of +my senses.'[45] + +[45] Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + + +BOASTED PROTECTION OF GREAT NAMES TO GAMING HOUSES. + +'On one occasion I was at the Pigeon Hole, in St James's Square +(since removed to King Street), when the apprehensions which the +rapid sale of The Greeks (a work exposing the system) excited +among the players were warmly debated. To my great astonishment, +a person who I supposed was a proprietor, boasted the +impenetrability of HIS house, and on what ground, think you? +Why, on that of it having the countenance of the Lord Chief +Justice of England! True or false, it seemed to revive the +flagging spirits of its visitors. They knew better. Not even +the warm feelings of a father would turn the scale of justice in +the even hand of Lord Ellenborough.' + +It must not, however, be taken for granted, merely because these +fellows assert it, that the sons of the late Chief Justice really +frequented that den of iniquity. It is part of the system of +these houses to delude the ignorant, by pretending that this or +the other person uses their tables. I had an instance of that +myself at ----, in Pall Mall. Asking who that gentleman was, +pointing to the party, I was answered--'That is Mr Hay, private +secretary to Lord Melville, the First Lord of the Admiralty.' +Now, I believe I may safely say, and from my own knowledge, too, +that Mr Hay, whose character and conduct is deservedly held in +the highest estimation, NEVER was at that or any such house; yet +his name was constantly quoted, and particularly to young +officers of the navy and marines, to whom his acquaintance held +out hopes of future advantage in their profession![46] + +[46] Id. ibid. + + +FORTUNATE RISE OF A CLUB-HOUSE WAITER. + +'A waitership at a club sometimes led to fortune. Thomas +Rumbold, originally a waiter at White's gaming club, got an +appointment in India, and suddenly rose to be Sir Thomas, and +Governor of Madras! On his return, with immense wealth, a bill +of pains and penalties was brought into the House by Dundas, with +the view of stripping Sir Thomas of his ill-gotten gains. This +bill was briskly pushed through the earlier stages; suddenly the +proceedings were arrested by adjournment, and the measure fell to +the ground. The rumour of the day attributed Rumbold's escape to +the corrupt assistance of Rigby; who, in 1782, found himself, by +Lord North's retirement, deprived of his place in the Pay Office, +and called upon to refund a large amount of public moneys +unaccounted for. In this strait, Rigby was believed to have had +recourse to Rumbold. Their acquaintance had commenced in earlier +days, when Rigby was one of the boldest "punters" at White's, and +Rumbold bowed to him for half-crowns as waiter. Rumbold is said +to have given Rigby a large sum of money, on condition of the +former being released from the impending pains and penalties. +The truth of the report has been vehemently denied; but the +circumstances are suspicious. The bill was dropped; Dundas, its +introducer, was Rigby's intimate associate. Rigby's nephew and +heir soon after married Rumbold's daughter. Sir Thomas himself +had married a daughter of Dr Law, Bishop of Carlisle. The worthy +bishop stood godfather to one of Rumbold's children; the other +godfather was the Nabob of Arcot, and the child was christened +"Mahomet." So, at least, Walpole informs Mann.'[47] + +[47] Timbs, Club Life in London. + + +PLAY IN 1820. + +According to the Morning Post of May 15, 1820, at one of the +gaming houses at the West End, in one night, property to the +amount of L50,000 is said to have changed hands. + +ACCOUNT OF A GAME AT HAZARD. + +The following account of a game at Hazard was given by a young +man, who, in the year 1820, was decoyed into one of the gambling +houses in the city, kept by one John Morley, who was convicted by +the Lord Mayor, in the penalty of L200, 'for keeping Hazard;' but +who, it is stated, left this country for Ireland the moment +proceedings were instituted. + +'The house in question was to all appearance devoted to the +game of billiards, and most of those who frequented it engaged +merely in that game. Through the agency of professed gamesters, +who shared in the profits of the concern, those who appeared to +be proper objects of plunder were soon introduced to the Hazard +table, which was kept in a retired and private part of the house. + +'The evidence of the young man was to the following effect:--He +had been in Morley's house; the game of Hazard was played in the +front room on the second floor; a door led into it from the +landing-place, and another from the public billiard-room, which +was the back room on the same floor; both these doors were during +the time of play kept barred and locked, and never opened except +to the voice of some person known to the master of the house. +During the play the door was seldom or never opened, but before +the play commenced there was an understanding given that +proceedings were about to begin. + +'In the centre of the room was a large circular table, over which +a lamp was suspended, and round the table the players sat, in +number, generally, from six to ten. + +'The play commenced by one of the players taking the dice-box +with two dice in it; two other dice were covered on the table, +and might be substituted for those in the box, upon application +to Morley, who acted as "groom porter." The person who held the +box was called the caster, and he called a main, that is, he +mentioned aloud any number on the dice from five to nine; and +throwing the dice on the table, counted the number on the two +dice as his chance, the number which he called being the chance +of his setter. Before the main is called, the caster throws down +his stake, which any person present has the option of covering, +or, as it is called, "setting," by placing a similar sum on the +table. For instance, if the caster, after being "set," call five +the main, and throws immediately four and one, or three and two, +he "nicks" it, that is, wins his money at once. If he throws six +and one, five and two, or four and three, each of which two +numbers makes seven, he bets the ODDS, which are three to two in +his favour--inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing seven, +and only two of throwing five; and he continues throwing until +either five or seven come off. By the former he loses, by the +latter he wins. + +'If he calls seven the main, and throws three and one, or six and +four, the odds are two to one against him--inasmuch as there are +only three ways each of throwing, the four and the ten and six +wins, throwing the seven, that is, three on each die.[48] If the +caster wishes, he calls a main, and continues to do so till he +loses, which, in the technical phraseology, is "throwing out." +He then passes the bow to the person next on the left hand, who, +in like manner, passes it to his neighbour. Morley is +remunerated for his table very handsomely. When the caster +throws in three mains successively, he pays to Morley what is +called a box (one of the pieces of the house with which the game +is played). The prices are eighteen-pence each, and he gives +them in exchange for notes, and retakes them. The caster pays +nothing unless he wins. The players generally leave off play at +eleven or twelve o'clock. On Saturday there is most play, as +Morley on that day always gives a dinner at four o'clock, +immediately after which the play commences. On other days tea +and coffee are given.' + +[48] I confess I do not understand the above passage. + + +A number of young men, most of whom were clerks, were called to +confirm the evidence as to the system, but none of them appeared. + +In a letter published in the Times of July 22, 1824, we read as +follows:-- + +'The action against the keepers of a certain notorious "hell," +which was noticed in the different journals as "coming on," is +withdrawn, or, more properly speaking, is "compromised." Thus it +will always be; and the different hells still flourish with +impunity, to the enrichment of a few knaves, and the ruin of many +thousands, till more effectual laws are framed to meet the evil. +As they net thousands a night, a few hundreds or even thousands +can be well spared to smother a few actions and prosecutions, +which are very rarely instituted against them, and never but by +ruined men, who are easily quieted by a small consideration, +which, from recent judgments, will not be withheld; therefore we +shall see recorded but very few convictions if any at all. At +the head of these infamous establishments is one yclept +"Fishmollgers' Hall,"[49] which sacks more plunder than all the +others put together, though they consist of about a dozen. This +place has been fitted up at an expense of L40,000, and is the +most splendid house, interiorly and exteriorly, in all the +neighbourhood. It is established as a bait for the fortunes of +the great, many of whom have already been severe sufferers. +Invitations to dinner are sent to noblemen and gentlemen, at +which they are treated with every delicacy, and the most +intoxicating wines. + +[49] Otherwise called Crock-odile Hall. + + +'After such "liberal" entertainment, a visit to the French Hazard +table, in the adjoining room, is a matter of course, when the +consequences are easily divined. A man thus allured to the den +may determine not to lose more than the few pounds he has about +him; but in the intoxication of the moment, and the delirium of +play, it frequently happens that, notwithstanding the best +resolves, he borrows money on his cheques, which are known to be +good, and are readily cashed to very considerable amounts. In +this manner L10,000, L20,000, L30,000, or more, have been often +swept away! + +They left King Street about three years ago, when, in conjunction +with T ---- (a man who a few years ago took the benefit of the +act, and subsequently took one or two "hells" in Pall Mall, but +has amassed full L150,000 of plunder) and A ----, who has L70,000 +of plunder, they opened a club-house in Piccadilly, with a French +Hazard bank of L10,000, when in a short time they divided between +the four--after all their heavy expenses were covered--upwards of +L200,000. In proportion to the extent of the bank and the +stakes, so do they collect the plunder.' + +PROGRESS IN THE GAMING TRADE. + +In the minor gaming houses the players assembled in parties of +from 40 to 50 persons, who probably brought on an average, each +night, from one to twenty shillings to play with. As the money +was lost, the losers fell off, if they could not borrow or beg +more; and this went on sometimes in the winter season for 14 to +16 hours in succession; so that from 100 to 150 persons might be +calculated to visit one gaming table in the course of a night; +and it not unfrequently happened that ultimately all the money +brought to the table got into the hands of one or two of the most +fortunate adventurers, save that which was paid to the table for +'box-hands'--that is, when a player won three times in +succession. At these establishments the price of a box varied +from one shilling to half-a-crown. Every man thus engaged was +destined to become either a more finished and mischievous +gambler, or to appear at the bar of the Old Bailey. The +successful players by degrees improved their external appearance, +and obtained admittance into houses of higher play, where two +shillings and sixpence or three shillings and fourpence was +demanded for the box-hand. If success attended them in the first +step of advancement, they next got initiated into better houses, +and associated with gamblers of a higher grade. + +PLAY IN 1838. + +About the year 1838 the gaming houses were kept open all day, the +dice were scarcely ever idle, day or night. From Sunday to +Sunday, all the year round, persons were to be found in these +places, losing their money, and wasting away their very bodies by +the consuming anxiety consequent on their position at the Hazard +or Roulette table. + +STATISTICS OF GAMBLING IN 1844. + +The following facts came out in evidence before the committee of +the House of Commons, in 1844. + +Down to that year there were no less than 12 gaming houses in St +James's and St George's. The play was higher in old times, but +not so GENERAL. + +'The increase of gambling houses was entirely the offspring of +Crockford's.' Such was the opinion of the Honourable Frederick +Byng, before the committee, who added, 'that the facility to +everybody to gamble at Crockford's led to the establishment of +other gambling houses fitted up in a superior style, and +attractive to gentlemen who never would have thought of going +into them formerly.' + +Previously, in the clubs, the gambling was confined to a very +high rate and to a very few people. The above-named witness said +he 'could have named all the gamblers in his early days at the +clubs. No person coming into a room where Hazard was carried on +would have been permitted to play for a SMALL SUM, and therefore +he left it.' + +The same gentleman remembered the time when gambling tables were +kept in private houses. + +'It is a fact that most of those who played very high were pretty +well cleaned out.' + +'Crockford increased gambling everywhere.' 'Persons of the +middling classes, butchers, and gentleman's servants went to the +low gambling houses.' + +These places held out inducements to robbery. 'If a servant or +shopman could scrape together L200 or L300, he had, by the agency +of the keepers of these houses, the opportunity of lending out +his money to the losers at 60 per cent.' + +DESPERATION AT GAMING HOUSES. + +The most particular inspection was made of the player's person by +the gaming house keeper's spies, and even his dress was strictly +observed. He was obliged, before entering the saloon, to deposit +his great coat and cane, which might perchance afford the +introduction of some WEAPON; and the elegance of the covering did +not save him from the humiliation of having it taken from him at +the door. The attempts which were sometimes made on the lives of +the bankers led to these precautions--like the indignities which +are practised only in prisons for the security of the unhappy +inmates. It is certain that gamesters, reduced to desperation, +and on the eve of committing suicide, have conveyed into these +places infernal machines with an intention of destroying at once +their cruel plunderers and themselves. + +'DEVILISH DOINGS IN A "HELL." ' + +In 'Doings in London,' a work published as lately as the year +1850, we find under this startling title a strange story. + +'A scandalous scene of violence, which often happens at these +places, but seldom becomes publicly known, on account of the +disgrace attending exposures, occurred lately at a low "hell" in +King Street, St James's. A gentleman who had lost considerable +sums of money at various times, announced his full determination +never to come to a place of the sort again with money. His +visits, therefore, were no longer wanted, and so orders were +given to the porters not to admit him again. About two o'clock +on a subsequent night, which happened to be Saturday, he sought +admittance, and was refused. A warm altercation ensued in the +passage between him and the porters, which brought down some of +the proprietors. One of them--a powerful man--a bankrupt +butcher--struck him a tremendous blow, which broke the bridge of +his nose, covered his face with blood, and knocked him down. On +getting up he was knocked down again. He arose once more, and +instantly received another blow, which would have laid him upon +his back, but one of the porters by this time had got behind him, +and as he was falling struck him at the back of his head, which +sent him upon his face. The watch had now arrived, into whose +hands the keeper of the "hell" and the porter were given. At the +watch-house they were ordered to find bail. The gentleman was +then about quitting, when he was suddenly called back. A certain +little lawyer, who alternately prosecutes and defends keepers of +gaming houses, was sent for. He whispered to the ex- butcher to +charge the gentleman with stealing his handkerchief and hat, +which, it was alleged, had been lost in the affray. Though +nothing was found upon the gentleman, who desired to be searched, +this preposterous and groundless charge was taken, and the +hellites admitted to bail; but the gentleman who had been so +cruelly beaten, being charged with a felony on purpose to cause +his detention, and the power held by magistrates to take bail in +doubtful cases not extending to night-constables, he was locked +up below with two wretches who had stolen lead, and five +disorderlies--his face a mass of blood and bruises--and there +detained till Monday morning, in a most pitiable condition. The +magistrate before whom the party appeared on that day, +understanding that the affair took place at a gaming house, +dismissed both complaints, leaving the parties to their remedy at +the sessions.' + +GAFFING. + +Gaffing is or was one of the ten thousand modes of swindling +practised in London. Formerly it was a game in very great vogue +among the macers, who congregated nightly at the 'flash houses.' +One of these is described as follows:--This gaffer laughed a +great deal and whistled Moore's melodies, and extracted music +from a deal table with his elbow and wrist. When he hid a +half-penny, and a flat cried 'head' for L10, a 'tail' was sure to +turn up. One of his modes of commanding the turn-up was this: he +had a half-penny with two heads, and a half-penny with two tails. + +When he gaffed, he contrived to have both half-pence under his +hand, and long practice enabled him to catch up in the wrinkles +or muscles of it the half-penny which it was his interest to +conceal. If 'tail' was called a 'head' appeared, and the 'tail' +half-penny ran down his wrist with astonishing fidelity. This +ingenious fellow often won 200 or 300 sovereigns a night by +gaffing; but the landlord and other men, who were privy to the +robbery, and 'pitched the baby card' (that is, encouraged the +loser by sham betting), always came in for the 'regulars,' that +is, their share of the plunder. + +This gaffer contrived to 'bilk' all the turnpikes in the kingdom. + +In going to a fight or to a race-course, when he reached a +turnpike he held a shilling between his fingers, and said to the +gatekeeper--'Here, catch,' and made a movement of the hand +towards the man, who endeavoured to catch what he saw. The +shilling, however, by a backward jerk, ran down the sleeve of the +coat, as if it had life in it, and the gate-keeper turned round +to look in the dust, when the tall gaffer drove on, saying--'Keep +the change.' + +A young fellow, who previously was a marker at a billiard-table, +and who had the appearance of a soft, inexperienced country-lad, +was another great hand at gaffing. There was a strong adhesive +power in his hand, and such exquisite sensibility about it, that +he could ascertain by dropping his palm, even upon a worn-out +half-penny or shilling, what side was turned up. Indeed, so +perfect a master was he of the science that Breslaw could never +have done more upon cards than he could do with a pair of 'grays' +(gaffing-coins). + +A well-known macer, who was celebrated for slipping an 'old +gentleman' (a long card) into the pack, and was the inheritor by +birth of all the propensities of this description, although the +inheritance was equally divided between his brother and himself, +got hold of a young fellow who had L170 in his pocket, and +introduced him to one of the 'cock-and-hen' houses near Drury +Lane Theatre, well-primed with wine. Gaffing began, and the +billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the +stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost, +as well as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the +landlord, who was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was +over, the billiard-marker refused to make any division of the +spoil, or even to return the L10 which had been lost to him in +'bearing up' the cull. The landlord pressed his demand upon the +macer, who, in fact, was privately reimbursed by the marker; but +he was coolly told that he ought not to allow such improper +practices in his house, and that the sum was not recoverable, the +transaction being illegal. + +How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am +assured that they are still in use and often made to do service +at public-houses and other places. + +TOMMY DODD. + +This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present +time. It is often played at public-houses among parties to +decide who is to pay the reckoning. Each party turns down a +half-penny, and, on uncovering it, the matter is decided as in +'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious method is also used +in gambling for money. Not long ago a retired tradesman, +happening to be in a public-house, where such things were +connived at, allowed himself to be induced to play at Tommy Dodd +with two low sharpers. They soon eased him of all the cash he +had about him. A bright idea, however, occurred to him. 'Stop a +bit,' he said, 'I must have my revenge. Just wait till I go home +for more money.' The sharpers were rejoiced at the idea, and +rubbed their hands with delight, whilst the tradesman went, as +they felt sure, only to bring more money into their 'till.' The +man made all haste, for he was determined to have his revenge, +and soon returned with a large bag of money, which he clinked on +the table. + +He first pulled out some coppers, telling them to choose from the +lot the coins they would play with. They assented, although they +did not seem 'much to like it.' 'And now,' said the tradesman, +'let's set to business.' + +The game proceeded with alternate success on both sides; but the +tradesman went on DOUBLING THE STAKES EVERY TIME, WHETHER HE LOST +OR WON, and, of course, at length completely broke their bank, +and went off with their money. + +GAMBLING AT THE WINE AND OYSTER ROOMS, OR 'SALOONS.' + +The gambling which was carried on in the private rooms of the +wine and oyster houses, about thirty years ago, and perhaps +later, was just such as that which had so long flourished in the +low vicinity of St James's. Indeed, the constant frequenters of +the former had attained the most profound knowledge of the art of +robbing at the West End gaming houses. The blacklegs visited the +saloons every night, in order to pick up new acquaintances among +the young and inexperienced. They were polite, well-dressed, +gentlemanlike persons; and if they could trace anything 'soft' in +the countenance of a new visitor, their wits went to work at once +to establish an acquaintance with him. Wine was set a- going, +and cards were proposed. The master of the concern soon provided +a room, and play advanced, accompanied by the certainty of loss +to the unfortunate stranger. But if the invitation to play was +rejected, they made another plant upon him. The ruffians +attacked him through a passion of a different kind. They gave +the word to one of their female 'pals,' who threw herself in his +way, and prevailed upon him to accompany her to HER +establishment. In the morning the 'gentleman,' who in vain had +solicited him to play at the saloon the night before, would +call--just to pay 'a friendly visit.' Cards were again spoken +of, and again proposed, with the additional recommendation of the +'lady,' who offered to be the partner of her friend in the game. +The consequence was inevitable. Many young noblemen and +gentlemen were plundered by this scheme, of hundreds, nay, of +thousands of pounds. To escape without loss was impossible. +They packed and distributed the cards with such amazing +dexterity, that they could give a man, as it were, whatever cards +they pleased. + +CARDS THAT WOULD BEAT THE D--L HIMSELF! + +A number of sharpers were detected in a trick by which they had +won enormous sums. An Ecarte party, consisting of a nobleman, a +captain in the army, an Armenian gentleman, and an Irish +gentleman, sat down in one of the private chambers attached to +one of the large wine and shell-fish rooms. The Armenian and the +Irishman were partners, and were wonderfully successful; indeed, +so extraordinary was their luck in turning up cards, that the +captain, who had been in the town for some time, suspected the +integrity of his competitors, and, accordingly, handled the cards +very minutely. He soon discovered that there was an 'old +gentleman' (a card somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of +the pack, and in considerable use among the LEGS) in the midst of +them. The captain and his partner exclaimed that they were +robbed, and the cards were sealed up, and referred to a card- +maker for his opinion. + +'The old saying,' said the referee, 'that THE CARDS WOULD BEAT +THE CARD-MAKER, was never more true than it is in this instance, +for this pack would beat not only me, but the very d--l himself; +there is not only an OLD GENTLEMAN, but an OLD LADY (a card +broader than the rest) amongst them.' + +The two 'gentlemen' were immediately accused of the imposition, +but they feigned ignorance of the fraud, refused to return a +farthing of the 'swag,' and, in their turn, charged the losers +with having got up the story in order to recover what they had +fairly lost. + +GENEROSITY (?) OF A GAMING HOUSE KEEPER. + +A young West Indian chanced one night to enter one of the gaming +houses in London, and began trying his chance at Roulette. +Fortune favoured him at first, and he won about a hundred pounds. + +Instead of leaving off he only became the more excited by his +success, when his luck began to change, and he lost and lost +until he staked the last coin he had in his pocket. He then +pawned to the master of the table successively every ring and +trinket he had, for money to continue the stakes. All in vain. +His luck never returned; and he made his way down-stairs in a +mood which may well be imagined. But what was his surprise when +the master of the table came running after him, saying--'Sir, +these things may be valuable to you--do me the favour to take +them with you. Next time I hope you will be more lucky,' and +returned all his rings and trinkets. + +The moon was shining brightly at the time, and the young man +swore by it, that he would never again enter a gaming house, and +he kept his oath. Of course the generosity was but a decoy to +entice the youth to further ruin. + +HOSPITALITY OF GAMING HOUSES, AND POPULARITY OF CITY MEN AT THEM. + +Joseph Atkinson and his wife, who for many years kept a gaming +house at No. 15 under the Piazza, Covent Garden, gave daily +magnificent play dinners,--cards of invitation for which were +sent to the clerks of merchants, bankers, and brokers in the +city. Atkinson used to say that he liked CITIZENS--whom he +called FLATS--better than any one else, for when they had DINED +they played freely, and after they had lost all their money they +had credit to borrow more. When he had CLEANED THEM OUT, when +THE PIGEONS WERE COMPLETELY PLUCKED, they were sent to some of +their solvent friends. After dinner play was introduced, and, +till dinner time the nest day, different games at cards, dice, +and E O were continually going on. + +THE TRAFFIC IN HUSH MONEY. + +Theophilus Bellasis, an infamous character, was well known at Bow +Street, where he had been charged with breaking into the +counting-house of Sir James Sanderson, Bart. Bellasis was +sometimes clerk and sometimes client to John Shepherd, an +attorney of Bow Street; while at other times Shepherd was +prosecutor of those who kept gaming houses, and Bellasis +attorney. Sir William Addington, the magistrate, was so well +aware that these two men commenced prosecutions solely for the +purpose of HUSH MONEY, that he refused to act. The Joseph +Atkinson just mentioned at one time gave them L100, at another +L80; and in this way they had amassed an immense sum, and +undertook, for a specific amount, to defend keepers of gaming +houses against all prosecutions! + +WALKING OFF WITH A L200 BANK-NOTE. + +The runaway son of an extensive linen-draper went to a gaming +house in King Street, and pocketed a L200 bank-note from the +table. He was not kicked out, because it would not be safe for +the proprietors of these houses to run the risk of getting +involved in law; but he was civilly walked down-stairs by the +master of the establishment, who forbad him the house evermore. +The dashing youth, however, put both the money and the affront in +his pocket, and was only too thankful to get away in so good a +plight. + +PERQUISITES OF GAMBLING HOUSE WAITERS. + +A waiter in one of the gambling houses in St James's Street +received in Christmas boxes above L500. A nobleman, who had in +the course of a week won L80,000, gave him L100 of his winnings. +He was said to have actually borrowed of the waiter the money +which led to his extraordinary success! + +PAUL ROUBEL. + +Paul Roubel was a gaming house keeper, who seems to have been an +exception to his class, according to the following account:--'A +foreigner once applied for the situation of croupier at old Paul +Roubel's, stating as his qualification that he could cut or turn +up whatever card he pleased. The old man (for he was nearly +eighty, and a very good hearty fellow in his way) declined the +offer, saying--"You are too clever for me; my customers must have +some chance!" It is true Roubel kept a gambling house; but it is +also true that few men in higher walks of life possessed a kinder +heart, or a hand which opened more freely or more liberally to +the calls of humanity! Peace be to his manes!' + +TITLED GREEKS, OR 'DECOYS.' + +In all the gaming houses of any note there were unprincipled and +reckless persons paid by the hellites, employed in various +capacities, and for various purposes. Sometimes they played for +the proprietors against any one who chose to put down his money; +at other times, when there were no other individuals playing at +all, they pretended to be strangers themselves, and got up sham +games with the proprietors, with the view of practising a +deception on any strangers who might be in the room, and by that +means inducing them to put down their money. They were dressed +in the most fashionable manner, always exhibiting a profusion of +jewellery, and living in great splendour when they have any +particular person in their eye, in the various hotels throughout +town.[50] + +[50] Grant, Sketches in London. + + +In some cases, in the higher class of gaming establishments, the +Greeks, or decoys, being men of title or considerable standing in +society, did not receive a fixed salary for seducing young men of +fortune, but being in every case very needy men, they nominally +borrowed, from time to time, large sums of money from the hell- +keepers. It was, however, perfectly understood on both sides +that the amount so borrowed was never to be repaid.[51] + +[51] Grant, Ubi supra. + + +WHY CHEATS WERE CALLED GREEKS. + +M. Robert-Houdin says that this application of the term 'Greek' +originated from a certain modern Greek, named Apoulos, who in the +reign of Louis XIV. was caught cheating at court, and was +condemned to 20 years at the galleys. I think this a very +improbable derivation, and unnecessary withal. Aristotle of old, +as before stated, ranked gamesters 'with thieves and plunderers, +who for the sake of gain do not scruple to despoil their best +friends.' We afterwards find them bearing just as bad a +character among the Romans. Says Juvenal-- + + Graeculus esuriens in coelum jusseris, ibit. +'Bid the hungry Greek to heaven, to heaven he goes.' + +Dr Johnson translated the words, 'Bid him to h--l, to h--l he +goes'--which is wrong. A DIFFICULTY is implied, and everybody +knows that it is easier to go to the latter place than the +former. It means that a needy Greek was capable of doing +anything. Lord Byron protested that he saw no difference between +Greeks and Jews--of course, meaning 'Jews' in the offensive sense +of the word. Among gamblers the term was chiefly applied to +'decoys.' + +GAMING TABLE SLANG AND MANOEUVRES. + +Captain Sharp. A cheating bully, whose office it was to bully +any 'Pigeon,' who, suspecting roguery, refused to pay what he had +lost. + +St Hugh's bones. Dice. A bale of bard cinque deuces; a bale of +flat cinque deuces; a bale of flat size aces; a bale of bard +cater treys; a bale of flat cater treys; a bale of Fulhams; a +bale of light graniers; a bale of gordes, with as many highmen +and lowmen for passage; a bale of demies; a bale of long dice for +even or odd; a bale of bristles; a bale of direct +contraries,--names of false dice. + +Do. To cheat. + +Done up. Ruined. + +Down-hills. False dice which run low. + +Elbow-shaker. A gamester. + +Fulhams. Loaded dice. + +Fuzz. To shuffle cards closely: to change the pack. + +Game. Bubbles, Flats, Pigeons. + +Gull Gropers. Usurers who lend money to gamesters. + +Greeks. Cheats at play. + +Hedge. To secure a bet by betting on the other side. + +High Jinks. A gambler who drinks to intoxicate his Pigeon. + +Hunting. Drawing in the unwary. + +Main. Any number on the dice from five to nine. + +Paum. To hide a card or die. + +Pigeons. Dupes of sharpers at play. + +Vincent's Law. The art of cheating at cards, by the banker, who +plays booty, Gripe, who bets, and the Vincent, who is cheated. +The gain is called termage. + +Vowel. To give an I. O. U. in payment. + +Up-hills. False dice which run high. + +SPECIMEN OF A QUASI GAMING HOUSE CIRCULAR. + +'SIR,--I hope you will join with the rest of the parishioners in +recommending what friends you can to my shops. They shall have +good candles and fair play. Sir, we are a not gang of swindlers, + + Like other Gaming Houses, + We are men of character. + Our Party is, + Tom Carlos--alias Pistol, + Ned Mogg,--from Charing Cross, + Union Clarke, ------------ + + {The best in the world at + A Frenchman,{ + {sleight of hand. + My poor Brother, + and + Melting Billy, + Your humble Servant. +To the Church-Wardens, Overseers, and each +respectable inhabitant in the Parish.' + + A card was enclosed, as follows:-- + '**** + Gaming House Keeper, + and **** **** to + The Honourable House of Commons + No. 7 and 8 **** St, St James's.' + +This circular was sent to Stockdale, the publisher, in 1820, who +published it with the names in asterisks suppressed. It was +evidently intended to expose some doings in high places. + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILITIES APPLIED TO GAMBLING. + +A distinction must be made between games of skill and games of +chance. The former require application, attention, and a certain +degree of ability to insure success in them; while the latter are +devoid of all that is rational, and are equally within the reach +of the highest and lowest capacity. To be successful in throwing +the dice is one of the most fickle achievements of fickle +fortune; and therefore the principal game played with them is +very properly and emphatically called 'Hazard.' It requires, +indeed, some exertion of the mental powers, of memory, at least, +and a turn for such diversions, to play well many games at cards. + +Nevertheless, it is often found that those who do so give no +further proofs of superior memory and judgment, whilst persons of +superior memory and judgment not unfrequently fail egregiously at +the card-table. + +The gamester of skill, in games of skill, may at first sight seem +to have more advantage than the gamester of chance, in games of +chance; and while cards are played merely as an amusement, there +is no doubt that a recreation is more rational when it requires +some degree of skill than one, like dice, totally devoid of all +meaning whatever. But when the pleasure becomes a business, and +a matter of mere gain, there is more innocence, perhaps, in a +perfect equality of antagonists--which games of chance, fairly +played, always secure--than where one party is likely to be an +overmatch for the other by his superior knowledge or ability. + +Nevertheless, even games of chance may be artfully managed; and +the most apparently casual throw of the dice be made subservient +to the purposes of chicanery and fraud, as will be shown in the +sequel. + +In the matter of skill and chance the nature of cards is mixed,-- +most games having in them both elements of interest,--since the +success of the player must depend as much on the chance of the +'deal' as on his skill in playing the game. But even the chance +of the deal is liable to be perverted by all the tricks of +shuffling and cutting--not to mention how the honourable player +may be deceived in a thousand ways by the craft of the sharper, +during the playing, of the cards themselves; consequently +professed gamblers of all denominations, whether their games be +of apparent skill or mere chance, may be confounded together or +considered in the same category, as being equally meritorious and +equally infamous. + +Under the name of the Doctrine of Chances or Probabilities, a +very learned science,--much in vogue when lotteries were +prevalent,--has been applied to gambling purposes; and in spite +of the obvious abstruseness of the science, it is not impossible +to give the general reader an idea of its processes and +conclusions. + +The probability of an event is greater or less according to the +number of chances by which it may happen, compared with the whole +number of chances by which it may either happen or fail. +Wherefore, if we constitute a fraction whereof the numerator be +the number of chances whereby an event may happen, and the +denominator the number of all the chances whereby it may either +happen or fail, that fraction will be a proper designation of the +probability of happening. Thus, if an event has 3 chances to +happen, and 2 to fail, then the fraction 3/5 will fairly +represent the probability of its happening, and may be taken to +be the measure of it. + +The same may be said of the probability of failing, which will +likewise be measured by a fraction whose numerator is the number +of chances whereby it may fail, and the denominator the whole +number of chances both for its happening and failing; thus the +probability of the failing of that event which has 2 chances to +fail and 3 to happen will be measured by the fraction 2/5. + +The fractions which represent the probabilities of happening and +failing, being added together, their sum will always be equal to +unity, since the sum of their numerators will be equal to their +common denominator. Now, it being a certainty that an event will +either happen or fail, it follows that certainty, which may be +conceived under the notion of an infinitely great degree of +probability, is fitly represented by unity. + +These things will be easily apprehended if it be considered that +the word probability includes a double idea; first, of the number +of chances whereby an event may happen; secondly, of the number +of chances whereby it may either happen or fail. If I say that I +have three chances to win any sum of money, it is impossible from +the bare assertion to judge whether I am likely to obtain it; but +if I add that the number of chances either to obtain it or miss +it, is five in all, from this will ensue a comparison between the +chances that are for and against me, whereby a true judgment will +be formed of my probability of success; whence it necessarily +follows that it is the comparative magnitude of the number of +chances to happen, in respect of the whole number of chances +either to happen or to fail, which is the true measure of +probability. + +To find the probability of throwing an ace in two throws with a +single die. The probability of throwing an ace the first time is +1/6; whereof 1/ is the first part of the probability required. +If the ace be missed the first time, still it may be thrown on +the second; but the probability of missing it the first time is +5/6, and the probability of throwing it the second time is 1/6; +therefore the probability of missing it the first time and +throwing it the second, is 5/6 X 1/6 = 5/36 and this is the +second part of the probability required, and therefore the +probability required is in all 1/6 + 5/36 = 11/36. + +To this case is analogous a question commonly proposed about +throwing with two dice either six or seven in two throws, which +will be easily solved, provided it be known that seven has 6 +chances to come up, and six 5 chances, and that the whole number +of chances in two dice is 36; for the number of chances for +throwing six or seven 11, it follows that the probability of +throwing either chance the first time is 11/36, but if both are +missed the first time, still either may be thrown the second +time; but the probability of missing both the first time is +25/36, and the probability of throwing either of them on the +second is 11/36; therefore the probability of missing both of +them the first time, and throwing either of them the second time, +is 25/36 X 11/36 = 275/1296, and therefore the probability +required is 11/36 + 275/1296 = 671/1296, and the probability of +the contrary is 625/1296. + +Among the many mistakes that are committed about chances, one of +the most common and least suspected was that which related to +lotteries. Thus,supposing a lottery wherein the proportion of +the blanks to the prizes was as five to one, it was very natural +to conclude that, therefore, five tickets were requisite for the +chance of a prize; and yet it is demonstrable that four tickets +were more than sufficient for that purpose. In like manner, +supposing a lottery in which the proportion of the blanks to the +prize is as thirty-nine to one (as was the lottery of 1710), it +may be proved that in twenty-eight tickets a prize is as likely +to be taken as not, which, though it may contradict the common +notions, is nevertheless grounded upon infallible demonstrations. + +When the Play of the Royal Oak was in use, some persons who lost +considerably by it, had their losses chiefly occasioned by an +argument of which they could not perceive the fallacy. The odds +against any particular point of the ball were one and thirty to +one, which entitled the adventurers, in case they were winners, +to have thirty-two stakes returned, including their own; instead +of which, as they had but twenty-eight, it was very plain that, +on the single account of the disadvantage of the play, they lost +one-eighth part of all the money played for. But the master of +the ball maintained that they had no reason to complain, since he +would undertake that any particular point of the ball should come +up in two and twenty throws; of this he would offer to lay a +wager, and actually laid it when required. The seeming +contradiction between the odds of one and thirty to one, and +twenty-two throws for any chance to come up, so perplexed the +adventurers that they began to think the advantage was on their +side, and so they went on playing and continued to lose. + +The doctrine of chances tends to explode the long-standing +superstition that there is in play such a thing as LUCK, good or +bad. If by saying that a man has good luck, nothing more were +meant than that he has been generally a gainer at play, the +expression might be allowed as very proper in a short way of +speaking; but if the word 'good luck' be understood to signify a +certain predominant quality, so inherent in a man that he must +win whenever he plays, or at least win oftener than lose, it may +be denied that there is any such thing in nature. The asserters +of luck maintain that sometimes they have been very lucky, and at +other times they have had a prodigious run of bad luck against +them, which whilst it continued obliged them to be very cautious +in engaging with the fortunate. They asked how they could lose +fifteen games running if bad luck had not prevailed strangely +against them. But it is quite certain that although the odds +against losing so many times together be very great, namely, +32,767 to 1,--yet the POSSIBILITY of it is not destroyed by the +greatness of the odds, there being ONE chance in 32,768 that it +may so happen; therefore it follows that the succession of lost +games was still possible, without the intervention of bad luck. +The accident of losing fifteen games is no more to be imputed to +bad luck than the winning, with one single ticket, the highest +prize in a lottery of 32,768 tickets is to be imputed to good +luck, since the chances in both cases are perfectly equal. But +if it be said that luck has been concerned in the latter case, +the answer will be easy; for let us suppose luck not existing, or +at least let us suppose its influence to be suspended,--yet the +highest prize must fall into some hand or other, not as luck +(for, by the hypothesis, that has been laid aside), but from the +mere necessity of its falling somewhere. + +Among the many curious results of these inquiries according to +the doctrine of chances, is the prodigious advantage which the +repetition of odds will amount to. Thus, 'supposing I play with +an adversary who allows me the odds of 43 to 40, and agrees with +me to play till 100 stakes are won or lost on either side, on +condition that I give him an equivalent for the gain I am +entitled to by the advantage of my odds;--the question is, what I +am to give him, supposing we play at a guinea a stake? The +answer is 99 guineas and above 18 shillings,[52] which will seem +almost incredible, considering the smallness of the odds--43 to +40. Now let the odds be in any proportion, and let the number of +stakes played for be never so great, yet one general conclusion +will include all the possible cases, and the application of it to +numbers may be worked out in less than a minute's time.'[53] + +[52] The guinea was worth 21s. 6d. when the work quoted was +written. + + +[53] De Moivre, Doctrine of Chances. + + +The possible combinations of cards in a hand as dealt out by +chance are truly wonderful. It has been established by +calculation that a player at Whist may hold above 635 thousand +millions of various hands! So that, continually varied, at 50 +deals per evening, for 313 evenings, or 15,650 hands per annum, +he might be above 40 millions of years before he would have the +same hand again! + +The chance is equal, in dealing cards, that every hand will have +seven trumps in two deals, or seven trumps between two partners, +and also four court cards in every deal. It is also certain on +an average of hands, that nothing can be more superstitious and +absurd than the prevailing notions about luck or ill-luck. Four +persons, constantly playing at Whist during a long voyage, were +frequently winners and losers to a large amount, but as +frequently at 'quits;' and at the end of the voyage, after the +last game, one of them was minus only one franc! + +The chance of having a particular card out of 13 is 13/52, or 1 +to 4, and the chance of holding any two cards is 1/4 of 1/4 or +1/16. The chances of a game are generally inversely as the +number got by each, or as the number to be got to complete each +game. + +The chances against holding seven trumps are 160 to 1; against +six, it is 26 to 1; against five, 6 to 1; and against four nearly +2 to 1. It is 8 to 1 against holding any two particular cards. + +Similar calculations have been made respecting the probabilities +with dice. There are 36 chances upon two dice. + +It is an even chance that you throw 8. It is 35 to 1 against +throwing any particular doublets, and 6 to 1 against any doublets +at all. It is 17 to 1 against throwing any two desired numbers. +It is 4 to 9 against throwing a single number with either of the +dice, so as to hit a blot and enter. Against hitting with the +amount of two dice, the chances against 7, 8, and 9 are 5 to 1; +against 10 are 11 to 1; against 11 are 17 to 1; and against +sixes, 35 to 1. + +The probabilities of throwing required totals with two dice, +depend on the number of ways in which the totals can be made up +by the dice;--2, 3, 11, or 12 can only be made up one way each, +and therefore the chance is but 1/36;--4, 5, 9, 10 may be made up +two ways, or 1/8;--6, 7, 8 three ways, or 1/12. The chance of +doublets is 1/36, the chance of PARTICULAR doublets 1/216. + +The method was largely applied to lotteries, cock-fighting, and +horse-racing. It may be asked how it is possible to calculate +the odds in horse-racing, when perhaps the jockeys in a great +measure know before they start which is to win? + +In answer to this a question may be proposed:--Suppose I toss up +a half-penny, and you are to guess whether it will be head or +tail--must it not be allowed that you have an equal chance to win +as to lose? Or, if I hide a half-penny under a hat, and I know +what it is, have you not as good a chance to guess right, as if +it were tossed up? My KNOWING IT TO BE HEAD can be no hindrance +to you, as long as you have liberty of choosing either head or +tail. In spite of this reasoning, there are people who build so +much upon their own opinion, that should their favourite horse +happen to be beaten, they will have it to be owing to some fraud. + +The following fact is mentioned as a 'paradox.' + +It happened at Malden, in Essex, in the year 1738, that three +horses (and no more than three) started for a L10 plate, and they +were all three distanced the first heat, according to the common +rules in horse-racing, without any quibble or equivocation; and +the following was the solution:--The first horse ran on the +inside of the post; the second wanted weight; and the third fell +and broke a fore-leg.[54] + +[54] Cheany's Horse-racing Book. + + +In horse-racing the expectation of an event is considered as the +present value, or worth, of whatsoever sum or thing is depending +on the happening of that event. Therefore if the expectation on +an event be divided by the value of the thing expected, on the +happening of that event, the quotient will be the probability of +happening. + +Example I. Suppose two horses, A and B, to start for L50, and +there are even bets on both sides; it is evident that the present +value or worth of each of their expectations will be L25, and the +probabilities 25/50 or 1/2. For, if they had agreed to divide +the prize between them, according as the bets should be at the +time of their starting, they would each of them be entitled to +L25; but if A had been thought so much superior to B that the +bets had been 3 to 2 in his favour, then the real value of A's +expectation would have been L30, and that of B's only L20, and +their several probabilities 30/50 and 20/50. + +Example II. Let us suppose three horses to start for a +sweepstake, namely, A, B, and C, and that the odds are 8 to 6 A +against B, and 6 to 4 B against C--what are the odds--A against +C, and the field against A? Answer:--2 to 1 A against C, and 10 +to 8, or 5 to 4 the field against A. For + A's expectation is 8 + B's expectation is 6 + C's expectation is 4 + ---- + 18 + +But if the bets had been 7 to 4 A against B; and even money B +against C, then the odds would have been 8 to 7 the field against +A, as shown in the following scheme:-- +7 A +4 B +4 C +---- +15 + +But as this is the basis upon which all the rest depends, another +example or two may be required to make it as plain as possible. + +Example III. Suppose the same three as before, and the common +bets 7 to 4 A against B; 21 to 20 (or 'gold to silver') B against +C; we must state it thus:--7 guineas to 4 A against B; and 4 +guineas to L4, B against C; which being reduced into shillings, +the scheme will stand as follows:-- + +147 A's expectation. + 81 B's expectation. + 80 C's expectation. +---- +311 + +By which it will be 164 to 147 the field against A, (something +more than 39 to 35). Now, if we compare this with the last +example, we may conclude it to be right; for if it had been 40 to +35, then it would have been 8 to 7, exactly as in the last +example. But, as some persons may be at a loss to know why the +numbers 39 and 35 are selected, it is requisite to show the same +by means of the Sliding Rule. Set 164 upon the line A to 147 +upon the slider B, and then look along till you see two whole +numbers which stand exactly one against the other (or as near as +you can come), which, in this case, you find to be 39 on A, +standing against 35 on the slider B (very nearly). But as +164/311 and 147/311 are in the lowest terms, there are no less +numbers, in the same proportion, as 164 to 147,--39 and 35 being +the nearest, but not quite exact. + +Example IV. There are four horses to start for a sweepstake, +namely, A, B, C, D, and they are supposed to be as equally +matched as possible. Now, Mr Sly has laid 10 guineas A against +C, and also 10 guineas A against D. Likewise Mr Rider has laid +10 guineas A against C, and also 10 guineas B against D. After +which Mr Dice laid Mr Sly 10 guineas to 4 that he will not win +both his bets. Secondly, he laid Mr Rider 10 guineas to 4 that +he will not win both his bets. + +Now, we wish to know what Mr Dice's advantage or disadvantage is, +in laying these two last-mentioned wagers. + +First, the probability of Mr Sly's winning both his bets is 1/3 +of 14 guineas; and Mr Dice's expectation is 2/3 of 14 guineas, or +L9 16s., which being deducted from his own stake (10 guineas), +there remains 14s., which is his disadvantage in that bet. + +Secondly, Mr Rider's expectation of winning his two bets is 1/4, +and, therefore, Mr Dice's expectation of the 14 guineas, is 3/4, +or L11 0s. 6d., from which deduct 10 guineas (his own stake), and +there remains 10s. 6d., his advantage in this bet,--which being +deducted from 14s. (his disadvantage in the other), there remains +3s 6d., his disadvantage in paying both these bets. + +These examples may suffice to show the working of the system; +regular tables exist adapted to all cases; and there can be no +doubt that those who have realized large fortunes by horse-racing +managed to do so by uniformly acting on some such principles, as +well as by availing themselves of such 'valuable information' as +may be secured, before events come off, by those who make +horse-racing their business. + +The same system was applied, and with still greater precision, to +Cock-fighting, to Lotteries, Raffles, Backgammon, Cribbage, Put, +All Fours, and Whist, showing all the chances of holding any +particular card or cards. Thus, it is 2 to 1 that your partner +has not one certain card; 17 to 2 that he has not two certain +cards; 31 to 26 that he has not one of them only; and 32 to 25 +(or 5 to 4) that he has one or both--that is, when two cards are +in question. It is 31 to 1 that he has three certain cards; 7 to +2 that he has not two; 7 to 6 that he has not one; 13 to 6 that +he has either one or two; 5 to 2 that he has one, two, or three +cards; that is, when three cards are in question. + +With regard to the dealer and his partner, it is 57,798 to 7176 +(better than 8 to 1) that they are not four by honours; it is +32,527 to 32,448 (or about an even bet) that they are not two by +honours; it is 36,924 to 25,350 (or 11 to 7 nearly) that the +honours count; it is 42,237 to 22,737 (or 15 to 8 nearly) that +the dealer is nothing by honours.[55] + +[55] Proctor, The Sportsman's Sure Guide. Lond. A.D. 1733. + + +Such is a general sketch of the large subject included under the +term of the calculation of probabilities, which comprises not +only the chances of games of hazard, insurances, lotteries, &c., +but also the determination of future events from observations +made relative to events of the same nature. This subject of +inquiry dates only from the 17th century, and occupied the minds +of Pascal, Huygens, Fermot, Bernouilli, Laplace, Fourier, +Lacroix, Poisson, De Moivre; and in more modern times, Cournot, +Quetelet, and Professor De Morgan. + +In the matter of betting, or in estimating the 'odds' in betting, +of course an acquaintance with the method must be of some +service, and there can be no doubt that professional gamesters +endeavoured to master the subject. + +M. Robert-Houdin, in his amusing work, Les Tricheries des Grecs +devoilees, has propounded some gaming axioms which are at least +curious and interesting; they are presented as those of a +professional gambler and cheat. + +1. 'Every game of chance presents two kinds of chances which are +very distinct,--namely, those relating to the person interested, +that is, the player; and those inherent in the combinations of +the game.' + +In the former there is what must be called, for the want of a +better name, 'good luck' or 'bad luck,' that is, some mysterious +cause which at times gives the play a 'run' of good or bad luck; +in the latter there is the entire doctrine of 'probabilities' +aforesaid, which, according to M. Houdin's gaming hero, may be +completely discarded for the following axiom:-- + +2. 'If chance can bring into the game all possible combinations, +there are, nevertheless, certain limits at which it seems to +stop. Such, for instance, as a certain number turning up ten +times in succession at Roulette. This is possible, but it has +never happened.' + +Nevertheless a most remarkable fact is on record. In 1813, a Mr +Ogden betted 1000 guineas to ONE guinea, that calling seven as +the main, the caster would not throw that number ten times +successively. Wonderful to relate! the caster threw seven nine +times following. Thereupon Mr Ogden offered him 470 guineas to +be off the bet--which he refused. The caster took the box again +and threw nine,--and so Mr Ogden won his guinea![56] In this +case there seems to have been no suspicion whatever of unfair +dice being used. + +[56] Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar. + + +3. 'In a game of chance, the oftener the same combination has +occurred in succession, the nearer we are to the certainty that +it will not recur at the next cast or turn up. This is the most +elementary of the theories on probabilities; it is termed the +MATURITY OF THE CHANCES.' + +'Hence,' according to this great authority, 'a player must come +to the table not only "in luck," but he must not risk his money +excepting at the instant prescribed by the rules of the maturity +of the chances.' + +Founded on this theory we have the following precepts for +gamesters:-- + +1. 'For gaming, prefer Roulette, because it presents several +ways of staking your money[57]--which permits the study of +several. + +[57] 'Pair, impair, passe, manque, and the 38 numbers of the +Roulette, besides the different combinations of POSITION' and +'maturities' together. + + +2. 'A player should approach the gaming table perfectly calm and +cool--just as a merchant or tradesman in treaty about any affair. + +If he gets into a passion, it is all over with prudence, all over +with good luck--for the demon of bad luck invariably pursues a +passionate player. + +3. 'Every man who finds a pleasure in playing runs the risk of +losing. + +4. 'A prudent player, before undertaking anything, should put +himself to the test to discover if he is "in vein"--in luck. In +all doubt, you should abstain.' + +I remember a curious incident in my childhood, which seems much +to the point of this axiom. A magnificent gold watch and chain +were given towards the building of a church, and my mother took +three chances, which were at a very high figure, the watch and +chain being valued at more than L100. One of these chances was +entered in my name, one in my brother's, and the third in my +mother's. I had to throw for her as well as myself. My brother +threw an insignificant figure; for myself I did the same; but, +oddly enough, I refused to throw for my mother on finding that I +had lost my chance, saying that I should wait a little longer-- +rather a curious piece of prudence for a child of thirteen. The +raffle was with three dice; the majority of the chances had been +thrown, and 34 was the highest. After declining to throw I went +on throwing the dice for amusement, and was surprised to find +that every throw was better than the one I had in the raffle. I +thereupon said--'Now I'll throw for mamma.' I threw thirty-six, +which won the watch! My mother had been a large subscriber to +the building of the church, and the priest said that my winning +the watch for her was quite PROVIDENTIAL. According to M. +Houdin's authority, however, it seems that I only got into +'vein'--but how I came to pause and defer throwing the last +chance, has always puzzled me respecting this incident of my +childhood, which made too great an impression ever to be effaced. + +5. 'There are persons who are constantly pursued by bad luck. +To such I say--NEVER PLAY. + +6. 'Stubborness at play is ruin. + +7. 'Remember that Fortune does not like people to be overjoyed +at her favours, and that she prepares bitter deceptions for the +imprudent, who are intoxicated by success.' + +Such are the chief axioms of a most experienced gamester, and M. +Houdin sums up the whole into the following:-- + +8. 'Before risking your money at play, you must deeply study +your "vein" and the different probabilities of the game--termed +the maturity of the chances.' + +M. Robert-Houdin got all this precious information from a +gamester named Raymond. It appears that the first meeting +between him and this man was at a subscription-ball, where the +sharper managed to fleece him and others to a considerable +amount, contriving a dexterous escape when detected. Houdin +afterwards fell in with him at Spa, where he found him in the +greatest poverty, and lent him a small sum--to practise his grand +theories as just explained--but which he lost--whereupon Houdin +advised him 'to take up a less dangerous occupation.' He then +appears to have revealed to Houdin the entertaining particulars +which form the bulk of his book, so dramatically written. A year +afterwards Houdin unexpectedly fell in with him again; but this +time the fellow was transformed into what he called 'a demi- +millionnaire,' having succeeded to a large fortune by the death +of his brother, who died intestate. According to Houdin the +following was the man's declaration at the auspicious meeting:-- +'I have,' said Raymond, 'completely renounced gaming. I am rich +enough, and care no longer for fortune. And yet,' he added +proudly, 'if I now cared for the thing, how I could BREAK those +bloated banks in their pride, and what a glorious vengeance I +could take of BAD LUCK and its inflexible agents! But my heart +is too full of my happiness to allow the smallest place for the +desire of vengeance.' + +A very proper speech, unquestionably, and rendered still more +edifying by M. Houdin's assurance that Raymond, at his death +three years after, bequeathed the whole of his fortune to various +charitable institutions at Paris. + +With regard to the man's gaming theories, however, it may be just +as well to consider the fact, that very many clever people, after +contriving fine systems and schemes for ruining gaming banks, +have, as M. Houdin reminds us, only succeeded in ruining +themselves and those who conformed to their precepts. + + Et s'il est un joueur qui vive de son pain, On en voit tous les +jours mille mourir de faim. + + 'If ONE player there be that can live by his gain, There are +thousands that starve and strive ever in vain!' + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HISTORY OF DICE AND CARDS. + +The knights of hazard and devotees of chance, who live in and by +the rattle of the box, little know, or care, perhaps, to whom +they are indebted for the invention of their favourite cube. +They will solace themselves, no doubt, on being told that they +are pursuing a diversion of the highest antiquity, and which has +been handed down through all civilized as well as barbarous +nations to our own times. + +The term 'cube,' which is the figure of a die, comes originally +from the Arabic word 'ca'b,' or 'ca'be,' whence the Greeks +derived their cubos, and cubeia, which is used to signify any +solid figure perfectly square every way--such as the geometrical +cube, the die used in play, and the temple at Mecca, which is of +the same figure. The Persic name for 'die' is 'dad,' and from +this word is derived the name of the thing in Spanish, +Portuguese, and Italian, namely, dado. In the old French it is +det, in the plural dets; in modern French de and dez, whence our +English name 'die,' and its plural 'dies,' or 'dice.' + +Plato tells us that dice and gaming originated with a certain +demon, whom he calls Theuth, which seems very much like the +original patronymic of our Teutonic races, always famous for +their gambling propensity. The Greeks generally, however, +ascribed the invention of dice to one of their race, named +Palamedes, a sort of universal genius, who hit upon many other +contrivances, among the rest, weights and measures. But this +worthy lived in the times of the Trojan war, and yet Homer makes +no mention of dice--the astragaloi named by the poet being merely +knuckle-bones. Dice, however, are mentioned by Aristophanes in +his comedies, and so it seems that the invention must be placed +between the times of the two poets, that is, about 2300 years +ago. At any rate the cube or die has been in use as an +instrument of play, at least, during that period of time. + +The great antiquity, therefore, of the die as an instrument of +pastime is unquestionable, and the general reason assigned for +its invention was the amusement and relaxation of the mind from +the pressure of difficulties, or from the fatigues and toils of +protracted war. Indeed, one conjecture is, that gaming was +invented by the Lydians when under the pressure of a great +famine; to divert themselves from their sufferings they contrived +dice, balls, tables, &c. This seems, however, rather a bad joke. + +The afflicted Job asks--'Can a man fill his belly with the east +wind?' And we can imagine that plenty of tobacco to smoke and +'chaw' would mitigate the pangs of starvation to an army in the +field, as has been seriously suggested; but you might just as +well present a soldier with a stone instead of bread, as invite +him to amuse himself with dice, or anything else, to assuage the +pangs of hunger. + +Be that as it may, time soon matured this instrument of +recreation into an engine of destruction; and the intended +palliative of care and labour has proved the fostering nurse of +innumerable evils. This diminutive cube has usurped a tyranny +over mankind for more than two thousand years, and continues at +this day to rule the world with despotic sway-- levelling all +distinctions of fortune in an instant by the fiat of its single +turn. + +The use of dice was probably brought into this island by the +Romans, if not before known; it became more frequent in the times +of our Saxon ancestry, and has prevailed with almost unimpaired +vigour from those days to our own. + +The Astragalos of the Greeks and Talus of the Romans were, as +before stated, nothing but the knuckle-bones of sheep and goats, +numbered, and used for gaming, being tossed up in the air and +caught on the back of the hand. Two persons played together at +this game, using four bones, which they threw up into the air or +emptied out of a dice-box (fritillus), observing the numbers of +the opposite sides. The numbers on the four sides of the four +bones admitted of thirty-five different combinations. The lowest +throw of all was four aces; but the value of the throw was not in +all cases the sum of the four numbers turned up. The highest in +value was that called Venus, in which the numbers cast up were +all different; the sum of them being only fourteen. It was by +obtaining this throw, hence called basilicus, that 'the King of +the Feast' was appointed by the Romans. Certain other throws +were called by particular names, taken from the gods, heroes, +kings, courtesans, animals; altogether there were sixty- four +such names. Thus, the throw consisting of two aces and two +treys, making eight, was denominated Stesichorus. When the +object was simply to throw the highest number, the game was +called pleistobolinda, a Greek word of that meaning. When a +person threw the tali, he often invoked either a god or his +mistress. + +Dice were also made of ivory, bone, or some close-grained wood, +especially privet ligustris tesseris utilissima, Plin. H. N.). +They were numbered as at present. + +Arsacides, King of the Parthians, presented Demetrius Nicator, +among other presents, with golden dice--it is said, in contempt +for his frivolous propensity to play--in exprobationem puerilis +levitatis.'[58] + +[58] Justini Hist., lib. xxxviii. 9. 9. + + +Dice are also mentioned in the New Testament, where occurs the +word cubeia (Eph. iv. 14), ('the only word for "gambling" used in +the Bible'), a word in very common use, among Paul's kith and +kin, for 'cube,' 'dice,' 'dicery,' and it occurs frequently in +the Talmud and Midrash. The Mishna declares unfit either as +'judge or witness,' 'a cubea-player, a usurer, a pigeon-flier +(betting-man), a vendor of illegal (seventh-year) produce, and a +slave.' A mitigating clause--proposed by one of the weightiest +legal authorities, to the effect that the gambler and his kin +should only be disqualified 'if they have but that one +profession'--is distinctly negatived by the majority, and the +rule remains absolute. The classical word for the gambler or +dice-player, cubeutes, appears aramaized in the same sources into +something like kubiustis, as the following curious instances may +show: When the Angel, after having wrestled with Jacob all +night, asks him to let him go, 'for the dawn has risen' (A. V., +'the day breaketh'), Jacob is made to reply to him, 'Art thou, +then, a thief or a kubiustis, that thou art afraid of the day?' +To which the Angel replies, 'No, I am not; but it is my turn to- +day, and for the first time, to sing the Angelic Hymn of Praise +in Heaven: let me go.' In another Tadmudical passage an early +biblical critic is discussing certain arithmetical difficulties +in the Pentateuch. Thus he finds the number of Levites (in +Numbers) to differ, when summed up from the single items, from +that given in the total. Worse than that, he finds that all the +gold and silver contributed to the sanctuary is not accounted +for, and, clinching his argument, he cries, 'Is, then, your +master Moses a thief or a kubiustis? Or could he not make up his +accounts properly?' The critic is then informed of a certain +difference between 'sacred' and other coins; and he further gets +a lesson in the matter of Levites and Firstborn, which silences +him. Again, the Talmud decides that, if a man have bought a +slave who turns out to be a thief or a kubiustis,--which has here +been erroneously explained to mean a 'manstealer,'--he has no +redress. He must keep him, as he bought him, or send him away; +for he has bought him with all his vices. + +Regarding the translation 'sleight' in the A.V., this seems a +correct enough rendering of the term as far as the SENSE of the +passage goes, and comes very near the many ancient +translations--'nequitia,' 'versutia,' 'inanis labor,' 'vana et +inepta (?) subtilitas,' &c., of the Fathers. Luther has +'Schalkheit,'--a word the meaning of which at his time differed +considerably from our acceptation of the term. The Thesaurus +takes Paul's cubeia (s.v.) more literally, to mean 'in alea +hominum, i. e., in certis illis casibus quibus jactantur +homines.'[59] + +[59] E. Deutseh in the Athenaeum of Sept. 28, 1867. + + +The ancient tali, marked and thrown as above described, were also +used in DIVINATION, just as dice are at the present day; and +doubtless the interpretations were the same among the ancients-- +for all superstitions are handed down from generation to +generation with wondrous fidelity. The procedure is curious +enough, termed 'the art of telling fortunes by dice.' + +Three dice are taken and well shaken in the box with the left +hand, and then cast out on a board or table on which a circle is +previously drawn with chalk; and the following are the supposed +predictions of the throws:-- + +Three, a pleasing surprise; four, a disagreeable one; five, a +stranger who will prove a friend; six, loss of property; seven, +undeserved scandal; eight, merited reproach; nine, a wedding; +ten, a christening, at which some important event will occur; +eleven, a death that concerns you; twelve, a letter speedily; +thirteen, tears and sighs; fourteen, beware that you are not +drawn into some trouble or plot by a secret enemy; fifteen, +immediate prosperity and happiness; sixteen, a pleasant journey; +seventeen, you will either be on the water, or have dealings with +those belonging to it, to your advantage; eighteen, a great +profit, rise in life, or some desirable good will happen almost +immediately, for the answers to the dice are said to be fulfilled +within nine days. To throw the same number twice at one trial +shows news from abroad, be the number what it may. If the dice +roll over the circle, the number thrown goes for nothing, but the +occurrence shows sharp words impending; and if they fall on the +floor it is blows. In throwing the dice if one remain on the top +of the other, 'it is a present of which you must take care,' +namely, 'a little stranger' at hand. + +Two singular facts throw light on the kind of dice used some 100 +and 150 years ago. In an old cribbage card-box, curiously +ornamented, supposed to have been made by an amateur in the reign +of Queen Anne, and now in my possession, I found a die with one +end fashioned to a point, evidently for the purpose of spinning-- +similar to the modern teetotum. With the same lot at the sale +where it was bought, was a pack of cards made of ivory, about an +inch and a half in length and one inch in width--in other +respects exactly like the cards of the period. + +Again, it is stated that in taking up the floors of the Middle +Temple Hall, about the year 1764, nearly 100 pairs of dice were +found, which had dropped, on different occasions, through the +chinks or joints of the boards. They were very small, at least +one-third less that those now in use. Certainly the benchers of +those times did not keep the floor of their magnificent hall in a +very decent condition. + +A curious fact relating to dice may here be pointed out. Each of +the six sides of a die is so dotted or numbered that the top and +bottom of every die (taken together) make 7; for if the top or +uppermost side is 5, the bottom or opposite side will be 2; and +the same holds through every face; therefore, let the number of +dice be what it may, their top and bottom faces, added together, +must be equal to the number of dice multiplied by 7. In throwing +three dice, if 2, 3, and 4 are thrown, making 9, their +corresponding bottom faces will be 5, 4, and 3, making 12, which +together are 21--equal to the three dice multiplied by 7. + +CARDS. + +The origin of cards is as doubtful as that of dice. All that we +know for certain is that they were first used in the East. Some +think that the figures at first used on them were of moral +import: the Hindoo and Chinese cards are certainly emblematic in +a very high degree; the former illustrate the ten avatars, or +incarnations of the deity Vishnu; and the so-called 'paper- +tickets' of the Chinese typify the stars, the human virtues, and, +indeed, every variety of subject. Sir William Jones was +convinced that the Hindoo game of Chaturaji--that is, 'the Four +Rajahs or Kings'--a species of highly-complicated chess--was the +first germ of that parti-coloured pasteboard, which has been the +ruin of so many modern fortunes. A pack of Hindoostani cards, in +the possession of the Royal Asiatic Society, and presented to +Captain Cromline Smith in 1815, by a high caste Brahman, was +declared by the donor to be actually 1000 years old: 'Nor,' said +the Brahman, 'can any of us now play at them, for they are not +like our modern cards at all.' Neither, indeed, do they bear any +remarkable resemblance to our own--the pack consisting of no less +than eight sorts of divers colours, the kings being mounted upon +elephants, and viziers, or second honours, upon horses, tigers, +and bulls. Moreover, there are other marks distinguishing the +respective value of the common cards, which would puzzle our +club-quidnuncs not a little--such as 'a pine-apple in a shallow +cup,' and a something like a parasol without a handle, and with +two broken ribs sticking through the top. The Chinese cards have +the advantage over those of Hindoostan by being oblong instead of +circular. + +It was not before the end of the 14th century that cards became +known in Europe; and it is a curious fact that the French clergy +took greatly to card-playing about that time--their favourite +game being the rather ungenteel 'All Fours,' as now reputed; for +they were specially forbidden that pastime by the Synod of +Langres in 1404. + +The ancient cards of both Spain and France, particularly the +'court-cards,' exhibit strong marks of the age of chivalry; but +here we may observe that the word is written by some ancient +writers, 'coate-cards,' evidently signifying no more than figures +in particular dresses. The giving pre-eminence or victory to a +certain suit, by the name of 'trump,' which is only a corruption +of the word 'triumph,' is a strong trait of the martial ideas of +the inventors of these games. So that, if the Chinese started +the idea, it seems clear that the French and Spanish improved +upon it and gave it a plain significance; and there is no reason +to doubt that cards were actually employed to amuse Charles VI. +in his melancholy and dejection. + +The four suits of cards are supposed to represent the four +estates of a kingdom:--1. The nobility and gentry; 2. The +ecclesiastics or priesthood; 3. The citizens or commercial men; +4. The peasantry or Husbandmen. The nobility are represented in +the old Spanish cards by the espada, or sword, corrupted by us +into 'spades,'--by the French with piques, 'pikes or spears.' +The ecclesiastical order is pointed out by copas, or sacramental +cups, which are painted in one of the suits of old Spanish cards, +and by coeurs, or 'hearts,' on French cards, as in our +own--thereby signifying choir-men, gens de choeur, or +ecclesiastics--from choeur de l'eglise, 'the choir of the +church,' that being esteemed the most important part or the HEART +of the church. + +The Spaniards depicted their citizens or commercial men under +dineros, a small coin, an emblem very well adapted to the +productive classes; the French by carreaux, squares or +lozenges--importing, perhaps, unity of interest, equality of +condition, regularity of manners, and the indispensable duty of +this class of men to deal with one another 'on the square.' The +Spaniards made bastos, or knotty clubs, the emblem of the 'bold +peasantry,' taken probably from the custom that the plebeians +were permitted to challenge or fight each other with sticks and +quarter-staves only, but not with the sword, or any arms carried +by a gentleman; while the French peasantry were pointed out under +the ideas of husbandry, namely, by the trefles, trefoil or +clover-grass. So much for the SUITS. + +With regard to the depicted figures of cards, each nation +likewise followed its own inventions, though grounded in both on +those ideas of chivalry which then strongly prevailed. The +Spanish cards were made to carry the insignia and accoutrements +of the King of Spain, the ace of deneros being emblazoned with +the royal arms, supported by an eagle. The French ornamented +their cards with fleurs de lis, their royal emblem. The Spanish +kings, in conformity to the martial spirit of the times when +cards were introduced, were all mounted on horseback, as befitted +generals and commanders-in-chief; but their next in command +(among the cards) was el caballo, the knight-errant on +horseback--for the old Spanish cards had no queens; and the third +in order was the soto, or attendant, that is, the esquire, or +armour-bearer of the knight--all which was exactly conformable to +those ideas of chivalry which ruled the age. It is said that +David (king of spades), tormented by a rebellious son, is the +emblem of Charles VII., menaced by his son (Louis XI.), and that +Argine (queen of clubs) is the anagram of Regina, and the emblem +of Marie d'Anjou, the wife of that prince; that Pallas (queen of +spades) represents Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans; that Rachel +(queen of diamonds) is Agnes Sorel; lastly, that Judith (queen of +hearts) is the Queen Isabeau. The French call the queens at +cards dames. + +The four knaves (called in French, valets or varlets) are four +valiant captains--Ogier and Lancelot, the companions of +Charlemagne, Hector de Gallard, and Lahire, the generals of +Charles VII. The remainder of the pack equally presents a sort +of martial allegory; the heart is bravery; the spade (espad, +'sword') and the diamond (carreau, that is, a square or shield) +are the arms of war; the club (in French trefle, 'trefoil') is +the emblem of provisions; and the ace (in French as, from the +Latin aes, 'coin') is the emblem of money--the sinews of war. + +In accordance with this allegorical meaning, the function of the +ace is most significant. It leads captive every other card, +queen and king included--thus indicating the omnipotence of gold +or mammon! + +'To the mighty god of this nether world-- +To the spirit that roams with banner unfurl'd +O'er the Earth and the rolling Sea-- +And hath conquer'd all to his thraldom +Where his eye hath glanced or his footstep sped-- +Who hath power alike o'er the living and dead-- +Mammon![59] I sing to thee! + +[59] Steinmetz Ode to Mammon. + + +Some say that the four kings represent those famous champions of +antiquity--David, Alexander, Julius Caesar, and Charlemagne; and +that the four queens, Argine, Pallas, Esther, and Judith, are the +respective symbols of majesty, wisdom, piety, and fortitude; and +there can be no doubt, if you look attentively on the queens of a +pack of cards, you will easily discern the appropriate +expressions of all these attributes in the faces of the grotesque +ladies therein depicted. The valets, or attendants, whom we call +knaves, are not necessarily 'rascals,' but simply servants royal; +at first they were knights, as appears from the names of some of +the famous French knights being formerly painted on the cards. + +Thus a pack of cards is truly a monument of the olden time--the +days of chivalry and its numberless associations. + +In addition to the details I have given in the previous chapter +respecting the probability of holding certain cards, there are a +few other curious facts concerning them, which it may be +interesting to know. + +There is a difference in the eyes of two of the knaves--those of +diamonds and hearts, more apparent in the old patterns, +suggesting the inference that they are blind. This has been made +the basis of a card trick, as to which two of the four knaves +presenting themselves would be selected as servants. Of course +the blind ones would be rejected. A bet is sometimes proposed to +the unwary, at Whist, but one of the party will have in his hand, +after the deal, only one of a suit, or none of a suit. The bet +should not be taken, as this result very frequently happens. + +Lastly, there is an arithmetical puzzle of the most startling +effect to be contrived with a pack of cards, as follows. Let a +party make up parcels of cards, beginning with a number of pips +on any card, and then counting up to twelve with individual +cards. In the first part of the trick it must be understood that +the court cards count as ten, all others according to the pips. +Thus, a king put down will require only two cards to make up 12, +whereas the ace will require 11, and so on. Now, when all the +parcels are completed, the performer of the trick requires to +know only the number of parcels thus made, and the remainder, if +any, to declare after a momentary calculation, the exact number +of pips on the first cards laid down--to the astonishment of +those not in the secret. In fact, there is no possible +arrangement of the cards, according to this method, which can +prevent an adept from declaring the number of pips required, +after being informed of the number of parcels, and the remainder, +if any. This startling performance will be explained in a +subsequent chapter--amusing card tricks. + +Cards must soon have made their way among our countrymen, from +the great intercourse that subsisted between England and France +about the time of the first introduction of cards into the latter +kingdom. If the din of arms in the reign of our fifth Henry +should seem unfavourable to the imitation of an enemy's private +diversions, it must be remembered that France was at that period +under the dominion of England, that the English lived much in +that country, and consequently joined in the amusements of the +private hour, as well as in the public dangers of the field. + +Very soon, however, the evil consequences of their introduction +became apparent. One would have thought that in such a +tumultuous reign at home as that of our sixth Henry, there could +not have been so much use made of cards as to have rendered them +an object of public apprehension and governmental solicitude; but +a record appears in the beginning of the reign of Edward IV., +after the deposition of the unfortunate Henry, by which playing +cards, as well as dice, tennis-balls, and chessmen, were +forbidden to be imported. + +If this tended to check their use for a time, the subsequent +Spanish connection with the court of England renewed an +acquaintance with cards and a love for them. The marriage of +Prince Arthur with the Infanta Catherine of Arragon, brought on +an intimacy between the two nations, which probably increased +card-playing in England,--it being a diversion to which the +Spaniards were extremely addicted at that period. + +Cards were certainly much in use, and all ideas concerning them +very familiar to the minds of the English, during the reign of +Henry VIII., as may be inferred from a remarkable sermon of the +good bishop Latimer. This sermon was preached in St Edward's +church, Cambridge, on the Sunday before Christmas day, 1527, and +in this discourse he may be said to have 'dealt' out an +exposition of the precepts of Christianity according to the terms +of card-playing. 'Now ye have heard what is meant by this "first +card," and how you ought to "play" with it, I purpose again to +"deal" unto you "another card almost of the same suit," for they +be of so nigh affinity that one cannot be well "played" without +the other, &c.' 'It seems,' says Fuller, 'that he suited his +sermon rather to the TIME--being about Christmas, when cards were +much used--than to the text, which was the Baptist's question to +our Lord--"Who art thou?"--taking thereby occasion to conform his +discourse to the "playing at cards," making the "heart triumph."' + +This blunt preaching was in those days admirably effectual, +but it would be considered ridiculous in ours--except from the +lips of such original geniuses as Mr Spurgeon, who hit upon this +vein and made a fortune of souls as well as money. He is, +however, inimitable, and any attempt at entering into his domain +would probably have the same result as that which attended an +imitation of Latimer by a country minister, mentioned by Fuller. +'I remember,' he says, 'in my time (about the middle of the +seventeenth century), a country minister preached at St Mary's, +from Rom. xii. 3,--"As God has DEALT to every man the measure of +faith." In a fond imitation of Latimer's sermon he followed up +the metaphor of DEALING,--that men should PLAY ABOVE-BOARD, that +is, avoid all dissembling,--should not POCKET CARDS, but improve +their gifts and graces,--should FOLLOW SUIT, that is, wear the +surplice, &c.,-- all which produced nothing but laughter in the +audience. Thus the same actions by several persons at several +times are made not the same actions, yea, differenced from +commendable discretion to ridiculous absurdity. And thus he will +make but bad music who hath the instruments and fiddlesticks, but +none of the "resin" of Latimer.' + +The habit of card-playing must have been much confirmed and +extended by the marriage of Philip of Spain with our Queen Mary, +whose numerous and splendid retinue could not but bring with them +that passionate love of cards which prevailed in the Spanish +court. + +It seems also probable that the cards then used (whatever they +might have been before) were of Spanish form and figure, in +compliment to the imperious Philip; since even to this day the +names of two Spanish suits are retained on English cards, though +without any reference to their present figure. Thus, we call one +suit spades, from the Spanish espada, 'sword,' although we retain +no similitude of the sword in the figure,--and another clubs, in +Spanish, bastos, but without regard to the figure also. + +Old Roger Ascham, the tutor of Queen Elizabeth, gives us a +picture of the gambling arts of his day, as follows:--How will +they use these shiftes when they get a plaine man that cannot +skill of them! How they will go about, if they perceive an +honest man have moneye, which list not playe, to provoke him to +playe! They will seek his companye; they will let him pay +noughte, yea, and as I hearde a man once saye that he did, they +will send for him to some house, and spend perchaunce a crowne on +him, and, at last, will one begin to saye: at, my masters, what +shall we do? Shall every man playe his twelve-pence while an +apple roste in the fire, and then we will drincke and departe?" +"Naye" will another saye (as false as he), "you cannot leave when +you begin, and therefore I will not playe: but if you will gage, +that every man as he hath lost his twelve-pence, shall sit downe, +I am contente, for surelye I would Winne no manne's moneye here, +but even as much as woulde pay for my supper." Then speaketh the +thirde to the honeste man that thought not to play:--"What? Will +you play your twelve-pence?" If he excuse him--"Tush! man!" will +the other saye, "sticke not in honeste company for twelve-pence; +I will beare your halfe, and here is my moneye." Nowe all this +is to make him to beginne, for they knowe if he be once in, and +be a loser, that he will not sticke at his twelve-pence, but +hopeth ever to get it againe, whiles perhappes he will lose all. +Then every one of them setteth his shiftes abroache, some with +false dyse, some with settling of dyse, some with having +outlandish silver coynes guilded, to put awaye at a time for good +golde. Then, if there come a thing in controversye, must you be +judged by the table, and then farewell the honeste man's parte, +for he is borne downe on every syde.' + +It is evident from this graphic description of the process, that +the villany of sharpers has been ever the same; for old Roger's +account of the matter in his day exactly tallies with daily +experience at the present time. + +The love of card-playing was continued through the reign of +Elizabeth and James I.,[60] and in the reign of the latter it had +reached so high a pitch that the audiences used to amuse +themselves with cards at the play-house, while they were waiting +for the beginning of the play. The same practice existed at +Florence. If the thing be not done at the present day, something +analogous prevails in our railway carriages throughout the +kingdom. It is said that professed card-sharpers take +season-tickets on all the lines, and that a great DEAL of money +is made by the gentry by duping unwary travellers into a game or +by betting. + +[60] King James, the British Solomon, although he could not +'abide' tobacco, and denounced it in a furious 'Counterblaste,' +could not 'utterly condemn' play, or, as he calls it, 'fitting +house-pastimes.' 'I will not,' he says, 'agree in forbidding +cards, dice, and other like games of Hazard,' and enters into an +argument for his opinion, which is scarcely worth quoting. See +Basilicon Doron--a prodigy of royal fatuity--but the perfect +'exponent' of the characteristics of the Stuart royal race in +England. + + +There is no reason to suppose that the fondness for this +diversion abated, except during the short 'trump or triumph of +the fanatic suit'--in the hard times of Old Oliver--when +undoubtedly cards were styled 'the devil's books.' But, indeed, +by that time they had become an engine of much fraud and +destruction; so that one of the early acts of Charles II.'s reign +inflicted large penalties on those who should use cards for +fraudulent purposes. + +'Primero was the fashionable game at the court of England during +the Tudor dynasty. Shakspeare represents Henry VIII. playing at +it with the Duke of Suffolk; and Falstaff says, "I never +prospered since I forswore myself at Primero." In the Earl of +Northumberland's letters about the Gunpowder-plot, it is noticed +that Joscelin Percy was playing at this game on Sunday, when his +uncle, the conspirator, called on him at Essex House. In the +Sidney papers, there is an account of a desperate quarrel between +Lord Southampton, the patron of Shakspeare, and one Ambrose +Willoughby. Lord Southampton was then "Squire of the Body" to +Queen Elizabeth, and the quarrel was occasioned by Willoughby +persisting to play with Sir Walter Raleigh and another at +Primero, in the Presence Chamber, after the queen had retired to +rest, a course of proceeding which Southampton would not permit. +Primero, originally a Spanish game, is said to have been made +fashionable in England by Philip of Spain, after his marriage +with Queen Mary. + +Maw succeeded Primero as the fashionable game at the English +court, and was the favourite game of James I., who appears to +have played at cards, just as he played with affairs of state, in +an indolent manner; requiring in both cases some one to hold his +cards, if not to prompt him what to play. Weldon, alluding to +the poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury, in his Court and Character +of King James, says: 'The next that came on the stage was Sir +Thomas Monson, but the night before he was to come to his trial, +the king being at the game of Maw, said, "To-morrow comes Thomas +Monson to his trial." "Yea," said the king's card-holder, +"where, if he do not play his master's prize, your Majesty shall +never trust me." This so ran in the king's mind, that at the +next game he said he was sleepy, and would play out that set the +next night. + +'It is evident that Maw differed very slightly from Five Cards, +the most popular game in Ireland at the present day. As early as +1674 this game was popular in Ireland, as we learn from Cotton's +Compleat Gamester, which says: "Five Cards is an Irish game, and +is much played in that kingdom for considerable sums of money, as +All-fours is played in Kent, and Post-and-pair in the west of +England." + +'Noddy was one of the old English court games. This has been +supposed to have been a children's game, and it was certainly +nothing of the kind. Its nature is thus fully described in a +curious satirical poem, entitled Batt upon Batt, published in +1694. + +"Show me a man can turn up Noddy still, +And deal himself three fives too, when he will; +Conclude with one-and-thirty, and a pair, +Never fail ten in Stock, and yet play fair, +If Batt be not that wight, I lose my aim." + +'From these lines, there can be no doubt that the ancient Noddy +was the modern cribbage--the Nod of to-day, rejoicing in the name +of Noddy, and the modern Crib, being termed the Stock. + +'Ombre was most probably introduced into this country by +Catherine of Portugal, the queen of Charles II.; Waller, the +court poet, has a poem on a card torn at Ombre by the queen. +This royal lady also introduced to the English court the +reprehensible practice of playing cards on Sunday. Pepys, in +1667, writes: "This evening, going to the queen's side to see +the ladies, I did find the queen, the Duchess of York, and +another at cards, with the room full of ladies and great men; +which I was amazed at to see on a Sunday, having not believed, +but contrarily flatly denied the same, a little while since, to +my cousin."[61] + +[61] Hombre, or rather El Hombre, or 'The Man,' was so named as +requiring thought and reflection, which are qualities peculiar to +man; or rather, alluding to him who undertakes to play the game +against the rest of the gamesters, emphatically called The Man. +It requires very great application to play it well: and let a man +be ever so expert, he will be apt to fall into mistakes if he +thinks of anything else, or is disturbed by the conversation of +those that look on. It is a game of three, with 40 cards, that +is, rejecting the eights, nines, and tens of all the suits. + + +'In a passage from Evelyn's Memoirs, the writer impressively +describes another Sunday-evening scene at Whitehall, a few days +before the death of Charles II., in which a profligate assemblage +of courtiers is represented as deeply engaged in the game of +Basset. This was an Italian game, brought by Cardinal Mazarin to +France; Louis XIV. is said to have lost large sums at it; and it +was most likely brought to England by some of the French ladies +of the court. It did not stand its ground, however, in this +country; Ombre continuing the fashionable game in England, down +till after the expiration of the first quarter of the last +century. + +'Quadrille succeeded Ombre, but for a curious reason did not +reign so long as its predecessor. From the peculiar nature of +Quadrille, an unfair confederacy might be readily established, by +any two persons, by which the other players could be cheated. + +'While the preceding games were in vogue the magnificent temple +of Whist, destined to outshine and overshadow them, was in course +of erection. + +"Let India vaunt her children's vast address, +Who first contrived the warlike sport of Chess; +Let nice Piquette the boast of France remain, +And studious Ombre be the pride of Spain; +Invention's praise shall England yield to none, +When she can call delightful Whist her own." + +'All great inventions and discoveries are works of time, and +Whist is no exception to the rule; it did not come into the world +perfect at all points, as Minerva emerged from the head of +Jupiter. Nor were its wonderful merits early recognized. Under +the vulgar appellations of Whisk and Swobbers, it long lingered +in the servants'-hall ere it could ascend to the drawing-room. +At length, some gentlemen, who met at the Crown coffee-house, in +Bedford Row, studied the game, gave it rules, established its +principles, and then Edward Hoyle, in 1743, blazoned forth its +fame to all the world. + +'Many attempts have been made, at various times, to turn playing- +cards to a very different use from that for which they were +originally intended. Thus, in 1518, a learned Franciscan friar, +named Murner, published a Logica Memorativa, a mode of teaching +logic, by a pack of cards; and, subsequently, he attempted to +teach a summary of civil law in the same manner. In 1656, an +Englishman, named Jackson, published a work, entitled the +Scholar's Sciential Cards, in which he proposed to teach reading, +spelling, grammar, writing, and arithmetic, with various arts and +sciences, by playing-cards; premising that the learner was well +grounded in all the games played at the period. And later still, +about the close of the seventeenth century, there was published +the Genteel Housekeeper's Pastime; or the Mode of Carving at +Table represented in a Pack of Playing-Cards, by which any one of +ordinary Capacity may learn how to Carve, in Mode, all the most +usual Dishes of Flesh, Fish, Fowl, and Baked Meats, with the +several Sauces and Garnishes proper to Every Dish of Meat. In +this system, flesh was represented by hearts, fish by clubs, fowl +by diamonds, and baked-meat by spades. The king of hearts ruled +a noble sirloin of roast-beef; the monarch of clubs presided over +a pickled herring; and the king of diamonds reared his battle-axe +over a turkey; while his brother of spades smiled benignantly on +a well-baked venison-pasty. + +'The kind of advertisements, now called circulars, were often, +formerly, printed on the backs of playing-cards. Visiting-cards, +too, were improvised, by writing the name on the back of playing- +cards. About twenty years ago, when a house in Dean Street, +Soho, was under repair, several visiting-cards of this +description were found behind a marble chimney-piece, one of them +bearing the name of Isaac Newton. Cards of invitation were +written in a similar manner. In the fourth picture, in Hogarth's +series of "Marriage a-la-Mode," several are seen lying on the +floor, upon one of which is inscribed: "Count Basset begs to no +how Lade Squander sleapt last nite." Hogarth, when he painted +this inscription, was most probably thinking of Mrs Centlivre's +play, The Basset Table, which a critic describes as containing a +great deal of plot and business, without much sentiment or +delicacy. + +'A curious and undoubtedly authentic historical anecdote is told +of a pack of cards. Towards the end of the persecuting reign of +Queen Mary, a commission was granted to a Dr Cole to go over to +Ireland, and commence a fiery crusade against the Protestants of +that country. On coming to Chester, on his way, the doctor was +waited on by the mayor, to whom he showed his commission, +exclaiming, with premature triumph, "Here is what shall lash the +heretics of Ireland." Mrs Edmonds, the landlady of the inn, +having a brother in Dublin, was much disturbed by overhearing +these words; so, when the doctor accompanied the mayor +downstairs, she hastened into his room, opened his box, took out +the commission, and put a pack of cards in its place. When the +doctor returned to his apartment, he put the box into his +portmanteau without suspicion, and the next morning sailed for +Dublin. On his arrival he waited on the lord-lieutenant and +privy council, to whom he made a speech on the subject of his +mission, and then presented the box to his Lordship; but on +opening it, there appeared only a pack of cards, with the knave +of clubs uppermost. The doctor was petrified, and assured the +council that he had had a commission, but what was become of it +he could not tell. The lord-lieutenant answered, "Let us have +another commission, and, in the mean while, we can shuffle the +cards." Before the doctor could get his commission renewed Queen +Mary died, and thus the persecution was prevented. We are +further informed that, when Queen Elizabeth was made acquainted +with the circumstances, she settled a pension of L40 per annum on +Mrs Edmonds, for having saved her Protestant subjects in +Ireland.'[62] + +[62] The Book of Days, Dec. 28. + + +All the pursuits of life, all the trades and occupations of men, +have, in all times, lent expressions to the languages of nations, +and those resulting from the propensity of GAMING are among those +which perpetually recur in daily conversation, and with the +greatest emphasis. Thus we have:--'He has played his cards well +or ill,'--applied to the management of fortune or one's interest; +jacta est alea, 'the die is cast,' as exclaimed Julius Caesar +before crossing the Rubicon; 'he has run his RACE--reached the +GOAL' a turf adage applied to consummate success or disastrous +failure; 'a lucky throw or hit;' 'within an ACE,' meaning one +point of gaining a thing; 'he HAZARDS everything;' 'chances are +for and against;' 'he was PIQUED,' from the game of piquet, +meaning, angry at losing something; 'left in the lurch,' from the +French game l'Ourche, wherein on certain points happening the +stake is to he paid double, and meaning, 'under circumstances +unexpected and peculiarly unfavourable;' 'to save your bacon or +gamon,' from the game Back-gammon[63] a blot is hit,' from the +same; 'checked in his career,' that is, stopped in his designs +from the game of chess. + +[63] The etymology of the word Back-gamon has been disputed. +Hyde seems to have settled it. A certain portion of the hog is +called in Italian gambone, whence our English word gambon or +gammon. Confounding things that differ, many think that 'gamon' +in the game has the same meaning, and therefore they say--'he +saved his gamon or bacon,' which is absurd, although it is a +proverbial phrase of sufficient emphasis. The word Backgamon +seems to be derived from the very nature of the game itself, +namely, back-game-on, that is, when one of your pieces is taken, +you must go back--begin again--and then game on-- 'Back-game-on'. + + +The fabrication of cards is a most important manufacture of +France; and Paris and Nancy are the two places where most cards +are made. The annual consumption of cards in France amounts to +1,500,000 francs, or L62,500; but France also supplies foreigners +with the article, especially the Spanish, American, Portuguese, +and English colonies, to the value of 1,000,000 francs, or +L41,666. The government derives from this branch of French +industry not much less than L25,000 annual revenue, that is, from +20 to 25 per cent. of the product. The duty on cards is secured +and enforced by severe penalties. + +English cards are about a third larger than the French. The +double-headed cards are an English invention, and they are being +adopted by the French. Their advantage is obvious, in securing +the secrecy of the hand, for by observing a party in arranging +his cards after the deal, the act of turning up a card plainly +shows that it must be at least a face card, and the oftener this +is done the stronger the hand, in general. In Germany, a fourth +face-card is sometimes added to the pack, called the Knight, or +Chevalier. The Italians have also in use long cards, called +tarots, which, however, must not be confounded with the French +cards called tarotees, with odd figures on them, and used by +fortune-tellers. + +The method of making playing-cards seems to have given the first +hint to the invention of printing, as appears from the first +specimens of printing at Haerlem, and those in the Bodleian +Library. + +'The manufacture of playing-cards comprises many interesting +processes. The cardboard employed for this purpose is formed of +several thicknesses of paper pasted together; there are usually +four such thicknesses; and the paper is so selected as to take +paste, paint, and polish equally well. The sheets of paper are +pasted with a brush, and are united by successive processes of +cold-drying, hot-drying, and hydraulic pressure. Each sheet is +large enough for forty cards. The outer surfaces of the outer +sheets are prepared with a kind of flinty coating, which gives +sharpness to the outline of the various coloured devices. Most +packs of cards are now made with coloured backs. The ground-tint +is laid on with a brush, and consists of dis-temper colour, or +pigments mixed with warm melted size. The device impressed on +this ground-tint is often very beautiful. Messrs De la Rue, the +leading firm in the manufacture, employ tasteful artists, and +invest a large amount of capital in the introduction of new +patterns. On cards sold at moderate prices, the colours at the +back are generally two--one for the ground, and one for the +device; but some of the choicer specimens display several +colours; and many of the designs are due to the pencil of Mr Owen +Jones. The printing of the design is done on the sheets of +paper, before the pasting to form cardboard. The pips or spots +on the faces of playing-cards are now spades, clubs, hearts, and +diamonds; but at different times, and in different countries, +there have been leaves, acorns, bells, cups, swords, fruit, +heads, parasols, and other objects similarly represented. In +English cards the colours are red and black; Messrs De la Rue +once introduced red, black, green, and blue for the four suits; +but the novelty was not encouraged by card-players. The same +makers have also endeavoured to supersede the clumsy devices of +kings, queens, and knaves, by something more artistic; but this, +too, failed commercially; for the old patterns, like the old +willow-pattern dinner-plates, are still preferred--simply because +the users have become accustomed to them. Until within the last +few years the printing of cards was generally done by +stencilling, the colour being applied through perforated devices +in a stencil-plate. The colour employed for this purpose is +mixed up with a kind of paste. When there is a device at the +back, the outline of the device is printed from an engraved wood- +block, and the rest filled in by stencilling. The stencilling of +the front and back can be done either before or after the pasting +of the sheets into cardboard. One great improvement in the +manufacture has been the substitution of oil colour for paste or +size colour; and another, the substitution of printing for +stencilling. Messrs De la Rue have expended large sums of money +on these novelties; for many experiments had to be made, to +determine how best to employ oil colour so that the spots or pips +may be equal-tinted, the outline clear and sharp, the pigment +well adherent to the surface, and the drying such as to admit of +polishing without stickiness. The plates for printing are +engraved on copper or brass, or are produced by electrotype, or +are built up with small pieces of metal or interlaced wire. The +printing is done in the usual way of colour-printing, with as +many plates as there are colours (usually five), and one for the +outlines; it is executed on the sheets of paper, before being +pasted into cardboard. When the printing, drying, and pasting +are all completed, a careful polish is effected by means of +brush-wheels, pasteboard wheels, heated plates, and heated +rollers; in such a way that the polish on the back may differ +from that on the face--since it is found that too equally +polished surfaces do not slide quite so readily over each other. +Formerly, every pack of cards made in England for home use paid a +duty of one shilling, which duty was levied on the ace of spades. + +The maker engraved a plate for twenty aces of spades; the +printing was done by the government at Somerset House, and L1 was +paid by the maker for every sheet of aces so printed. The law is +now altered. Card sellers pay an annual license of 2s. 6d., and +to each pack of cards is affixed a three-pence stamp, across +which the seller must write or stamp his name, under a penalty of +L5 for the omission. + +The cardboard, when all the printing is finished, is cut up into +cards; every card is minutely examined, and placed among the +'Moguls,' 'Harrys,' or 'Highlanders,' as they are technically +called, according to the degree in which they may be faultless or +slightly specked; and the cards are finally made up into +packs.'[64] + +[64] Chambers's Cyclopaedia. + + +Machinery has been called into requisition in card-playing. In +1815 a case was tried in which part of the debt claimed was for +an instrument to cut cards so as to give an unfair advantage to +the person using it. The alleged debtor had been most fortunate +in play, winning at one time L11,000 from an officer in India. +For an exactly opposite reason another machine was used in 1818 +by the Bennet Street Club. It consisted of a box curiously +constructed for dealing cards, and was invented by an American +officer. + +Another curious fact relating to cards is the duty derived from +them. In the year 1775 the number of packs stamped was 167,000, +amounting to between L3000 and L4000 duty. Lord North put on +another sixpence. Of course, a vast number of packs were +smuggled in, paying no duty, as in the case of tobacco, in all +times since its fiscal regulations. In the time of Pitt, 1789, +L9000 were to be raised by an additional duty of sixpence on +cards and dice, consequently there must have been no less than +360,000 packs of cards and pairs of dice stamped in the year +1788, to justify the calculation--a proof that gaming in England +was not on the decline. In the year 1790, the duty on cards was +two shillings per pack, and on dice thirteen shillings per pair. + +This duty on cards went on increasing its annual addition to the +revenue, so that about the year 1820 the monthly payments of Mr +Hunt alone, the card-maker of Picadilly, for the stamp-duty +on cards, varied from L800 to L1000, that is, from L9600 to +L12,000 per annum. In 1833 the stamp-duty on cards was 6d., and +it yielded L15,922, showing a consumption of 640,000 packs per +annum. Much of this, however, was sheer waste, on account of the +rule of gamesters requiring a fresh pack at every game. + +In the Harleian Miscellany[65] will be found a satirical poem +entitled 'The Royal Gamesters; or, the Odd Cards new shuffled for +a Conquering Game,' referring to the political events of the +years from 1702 to 1706, and concluding with the following +lines-- + +'Thus ends the game which Europe has in view, +Which, by the stars, may happen to be true.' + +[65] Vol. i. p. 177. + + +In vol. iv. of the same work there is another poem of the kind, +entitled 'The State Gamesters; or, the Old Cards new packed and +shuffled,' which characteristically concludes as follows-- + +'But we this resolution have laid down-- +Never to play so high as for a Crown.' + +Finally, as to allusions to gaming, the reader may remember the +famous sarcasm of the late Earl of Derby (as Lord Stanley) some +thirty years ago, comparing the Government to Thimble-riggers in +operation. + + +CHAPTER X. + +PIQUET, BASSET, FARO, HAZARD, PASSE-DIX, PUT, CROSS AND PILE, +THIMBLE-RIG. + +---- + +PIQUET + +Piquet is said to have derived its name from that of its +inventor, +who contrived it to amuse Charles VI. of France. The game was +played with thirty two cards, that is, discarding out of the pack +all the deuces, treys, fours, fives, and sixes. Regular +piquet-packs were sold. In reckoning up the points, every card +counted for its value, as ten for ten, nine for nine, and so on +down to seven, which was, of course, the lowest; but the ace +reckoned for eleven. All court cards reckoned for ten. As in +other games, the ace won the king, the king the queen, and so on, +to the knave, which won the ten. The cards were dealt at option +by +fours, threes, or twos, to the number of twelve, which was the +hand--'discarding' being allowed; but both the dealer and he that +led were OBLIGED to discard at least one card, let their game be +ever so good. When the cards were played out, each counted his +tricks; and he that had most reckoned 10 for winning the cards; +if the tricks were equal, neither reckoned at all. He who, +without playing (that is, according to the various terms of the +game), could reckon up 30 in hand, when his antagonist reckoned +nothing, scored 90 for them; this was called a repic; and all +above 30 counted so many,--32 counting 92, and so on. He who +could make up 30, part in hand and part by play, before the other +made anything, scored 60; this was called a pic. + +The game was also played as pool precisely according to the rules +briefly sketched as above, the penalty for losing being a guinea +to the pool. + +Piquet required much practice to play it well. It became so +great a favourite that, by the middle of the 18th century, the +meanest people were well acquainted with it, and 'let into all +the tricks and secrets of it, in order to render them complete +sharpers.' Such are the words of an old author, who adds that +the game was liable to great imposition, and he explains the +methods in use. Short cards were used for cutting, as in Whist, +at the time. Of these cards there were two sorts, one longer +than the rest; and the advantage gained by them was as the +adversary managed it, by cutting the longer or broader, as best +suited his purpose, or imposing on the dealer, when it was his +turn, to cut those which made most against him. The aces, kings, +queens, and knaves were marked with dots at the corners, and in +the very old book from which I am quoting precise directions are +given how this marking can be effected in such a manner 'as not +to be discovered by your ADVERSARY, and at the same time appear +plain to YOURSELF.' With a fine pointed pen and some clear +spring water, players made dots upon the glazed card at the +corners according to the above method; or they coloured the water +with india ink, to make the marks more conspicuous. The work +concludes as follows:--'There are but 32 cards made use of at +Piquet, so that just half of them will be known to you; and in +dealing you may have an opportunity to give yourself those you +LIKE best; and if you cannot conveniently CHANGE the PACK +according to your desire, you will commonly KNOW what YOU are to +TAKE IN, which is a demonstrative advantage to win any one's +money.' + +Evidently they did not 'assume a virtue' in those days, 'if they +had it not.' + +BASSET. + +The game of Basset (in French Wassette) was considered one of the +most polite games with cards, and only fit for persons of the +highest rank to play at, on account of the great losses or gains +that might accrue on one side or the other. + +The sums of money lost in France at this game were so +considerable that the princes of the blood were in danger of +being undone; and after many persons of distinction were ruined +the court of France thought fit to forbid Basset. Then Faro was +invented; and both were soon introduced into England, and after +three or four years' play here, they impoverished so many +families, that Parliament enacted a suppression of both games, +with severe penalties. The two games are, therefore, of +historical interest, and deserve an explanation. + +Basset was a sort of lottery. The dealer who kept the bank at +Basset, having the sole disposal of the first and last card, and +other considerable privileges in dealing the cards, had a much +greater prospect of gaining than those who played. This was a +truth so acknowledged in France that the king, by public edict, +ordered that the privilege of a talliere, or banker at Basset, +should only be allowed to the 'chief cadets,' or sons of +noblemen--supposing that whoever kept the bank must, in a very +short time, acquire a considerable fortune. + +In this game there was: 1. The Talliere, the banker, who laid +down a sum of money to answer every winning card which might turn +up. 2. The Croupiere, the assistant of the former, standing by +to supervise the losing cards,--so that when there were many at +play he might not lose by overlooking anything which might turn +up to his profit. 3. The Punter, or every player. 4. The Fasse, +that is, the first card turned up by the talliere, by which he +gained half the value of the money laid upon every card of THAT +SORT by the punters or players. 5. The Couch, which was the +first stake that every punter laid upon each card-- every player +having a book of 13 cards before him, upon which he must lay his +money, more or less, according to his fancy. 6. The Paroli: in +this, whoever won the couch, and intended to go on for another +advantage, crooked the corner of his card, letting his money lie, +without being paid the value by the talliere. 7. The Masse, +which was, when those who had won the couch, would venture more +money on the SAME card. 8. The Pay, which was when the player +had won the couch, and, being doubtful of making the paroli, left +off; for by going the pay, if the card turned up wrong, he lost +nothing, having won the couch before; but if by this adventure +fortune favoured him, he won double the money he had staked. 9. +The Alpieu was when the couch was won by turning up, or crooking, +the corner of the winning card. 10. The Sept-et-le-va was the +first great chance that showed the advantages of the game, +namely, if the player had won the couch, and then made a paroli +by crooking the corner of his card, and going on to a SECOND +chance, if his winning card turned up again it became a +sept-et-le-va, which was seven times as much as he had laid upon +his card. 11. Quinze-et-le-va, was attending the player's +humour, who, perhaps, was resolved to follow his fancy, and still +lay his money upon the SAME card, which was done by crooking the +third corner of his card: if this card came up by the dealing of +the talliere, it made him win fifteen times as much money as he +staked. 12. Trent-et-le-va was marked by the lucky player by +crooking the end of the fourth corner of his card, which, coming +up, made him win thirty-three times as much money as he staked. +13. Soissante-et-le-va was the highest chance that could happen +in the game, for it paid sixty-seven times as much money as was +staked. It was seldom won except by some player who resolved to +push his good fortune to the utmost. + +The players sat round a table, the talliere in the midst of them, +with the bank of gold before him, and the punters or players each +having a book of 13 cards, laying down one, two, three, or more, +as they pleased, with money upon them, as stakes; then the +talliere took the pack in his hand and turned them up--the bottom +card appearing being called the fasse; he then paid half the +value of the stakes laid down by the punters upon any card of +THAT SORT. + +After the fasse was turned up, and the talliere and croupiere had +looked round the cards on the table, and taken advantage of the +money laid on them, the former proceeded with his deal; and the +next card appearing, whether the king, queen, ace, or whatever it +might be, won for the player, the latter might receive it, or +making paroli, as before said, go on to sept-et-le-va. The card +after that won for the talliere, who took money from each +player's card of that sort, and brought it into his +bank--obviously a prodigious advantage in the talliere over the +players. + +The talliere, if the winning card was a king, and the next after +it was a ten, said (showing the cards all round), 'King wins, ten +loses,' paying the money to such cards as are of the winning +sort, and taking the money from those who lost, added it to his +bank. This done, he went on with the deal, it might be after +this fashion--'Ace wins, five loses; ' 'Knave wins, seven loses;' +and so on, every other card alternately winning and losing, till +all the pack was dealt but the last card. + +The LAST card turned up was, by the rules of the game, for the +advantage of the talliere; although a player might have one of +the same sort, still it was allowed to him as one of the dues of +his office, and he paid nothing on it. + +The bold player who was lucky and adventurous, and could push on +his couch with a considerable stake to sept-et-le-va, quinze- +et-le-va, trente-et-le-va, &c., must in a wonderful manner have +multiplied his couch, or first stake; but this was seldom done; +and the loss of the players, by the very nature of the game, +invariably exceeded that of the bank; in fact, this game was +altogether in favour of the bank; and yet it is evident that--in +spite of this obvious conviction--the game must have been one of +the most tempting and fascinating that was ever invented. + +Our English adventurers made this game very different to what it +was in France, for there, by royal edict, the public at large +were not allowed to play at more than a franc or ten-penny +bank,--and the losses or gains could not bring desolation to a +family; but in England our punters could do as they liked-- +staking from one guinea to one hundred guineas and more, upon a +card, 'as was often seen at court,' says the old author, my +informant. When the couch was alpieued, parolied, to sept- +et-le-va, quinze-et-le-va, trente-et-le-va, &c., the punter's +gains were prodigious, miraculous; and if fortune befriended him +so as to bring his stake to soissante-et-le-va, he was very +likely to break the bank, by gaining a sum which no talliere +could pay after such tremendous multiplication. But this rarely +happened. The general advantage was with the bank--as must be +quite evident from the explanation of the game--besides the +standing rule that no two cards of the same sort turning up could +win for the players; the second always won for the bank. In +addition to this there were other 'privileges' which operated +vastly in favour of the banker. + +However, it was 'of so bewitching a nature,' says our old writer, +'by reason of the several multiplications and advantages which it +seemingly offered to the unwary punter, that a great many like it +so well that they would play at small game rather than give out; +and rather than not play at all would punt at six-penny, +three-penny, nay, a twopenny bank,--so much did the hope of +winning the quinze-et-le-va and the trente-et-le-va intoxicate +them.' + +Of course there were frauds practised at Basset by the talliere, +or banker, in addition to his prescriptive advantages. The cards +might be dealt so as not to allow the punter any winning +throughout the pack; and it was in the power of the dealer to let +the punter have as many winnings as he thought convenient, and no +more! + +It is said that Basset was invented by a noble Venetian, who was +punished with exile for the contrivance. The game was prohibited +by Louis XIV., in 1691, and soon after fell into oblivion in +France, although flourishing in England. It was also called +Barbacole and Hocca. + +FARO, OR PHARAOH. + +Although both Basset and Faro were forbidden in France, on severe +penalties, yet these games still continued in great vogue in +England during the 18th century, especially Faro; for the alleged +reasons that it was easy to learn, that it appeared to be very +fair, and, lastly, that it was a very quiet game. It was, +however, the most dangerous game for the destruction of families +ever invented. The Faro bankers seem to have employed some +'gentlemen' to give a very favourable report of the game to the +town, and so every one took it upon trust without further +inquiry. Faro was the daughter of Basset--both alike notorious +frauds, there being no one, except professed gamblers, who could +be said to understand the secrets of these games. + +Faro was played with an entire pack of cards, and admitted of an +indeterminate number of players, termed 'punters,' and a +'banker.' Each player laid his stake on one of the 52 cards. +The banker held a similar pack, from which he drew cards, one for +himself, placed on the right, and the other, called the carte +anglaise, or English card, for the players, placed on the left. +The banker won all the money staked on the card on the right, and +had to pay double the sums staked on those on the left. Certain +advantages were reserved to the banker:--if he drew a doublet, +that is, two equal cards, he won half of the stakes upon the card +which equalled the doublet; if he drew for the players the last +card of the pack, he was exempt from doubling the stakes +deposited on that card. + +Suppose a person to put down 20s. upon a card when only eight are +in hand; the last card was a cipher, so there were four places to +lose, and only three to win, the odds against being as 4 to 3. +If 10 cards only were in, then it was 5 to 4 against the player; +in the former case it was the seventh part of the money, whatever +it was, L1 or L100; in the latter case, a ninth. The odds from +the beginning of the deal insensibly stole upon the player at +every pull, till from the first supposed 4 per cent. it became +about 15 per cent. + +At the middle of the 18th century the expenses of a Faro bank, in +all its items of servants, rent, puffs, and other incidental +charges of candles, wine, arrack-punch, suppers, and safeguard +money, &c., in Covent Garden, amounted to L1000 per annum. +Throughout this century Faro was the favourite game. 'Our life +here,' writes Gilly Williams to George Selwyn in 1752, 'would not +displease you, for we eat and drink well, and the Earl of +Coventry holds a Pharaoh-bank every night to us, which we have +plundered considerably.' Charles James Fox preferred Faro to any +other game. + +HAZARD. + +This game was properly so called; for it made a man or undid him +in the twinkling of an eye. + +It is played with only two dice; 20 persons may be engaged, or as +many as will. The chief things in the game are the Main and the +Chance. The chance is the caster's and the main is the setter's. + +There can be no main thrown above 9, nor under 5; so that 5, 6, +7, 8, and 9 are all the mains which are flung at Hazard. Chances +and nicks are from 4 to 10. Thus 4 is a chance to 9, 5 to 8, 6 +to 7, 7 to 6, 8 to 5, and 9 and 10 a chance to 5, 6, 7, and 8; in +short, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are chances to any main, if any +of these 'nick' it not. + +Nicks are either when the chance is the same with the main, as 5 +and 5, 6 and 6, 7 and 7, and so on; or 6 and 12, 7 and 11, 8 and +12, where observe, that 12 is out to 9, 7, and 5, and 11 is out +to 9, 8, 6, and 5. + +The better to illustrate the game we shall give an example. Let +7 be the main named. The caster throws 5, and that is his +chance; and so he has 5 to 7. If the caster throws his own +chance he wins all the money set to him by the setter; but if he +throws 7, which is the main, he must pay as much money as is on +the table. + +If, again, 7 be the main, and the caster throws 11, that is a +nick, and sweeps away all the money on the table; but if he +throws a chance he must wait which will come first. + +The worst chances in the game are 4 to 10, and 7 is considered +the best and easiest main to be thrown. It might be thought that +6 and 8 should admit of no difference in advantage to 7, but it +is just the reverse, although 6, 7, and 8 have eight equal +chances. + +For 6, or sice, we have quatre-duce, cinque-ace, and two treys; +for 8, we have sice-duce, cinque-trey, and two quatres; but the +disadvantage is in the doublets required-- two treys, two +quatres; therefore sice-duce is easier thrown than two quatres, +and so, consequently, cinque-ace or quatre-duce sooner than two +treys. + +'I saw an old rook (gambler),' says the writer before quoted, +'take up a young fellow in a tavern upon this very bet. The +bargain was made that the rook should have seven always, and the +young gentleman six, and throw continually. To play they went; +the rook won the first day L10, and the next day the like sum; +and so for six days together, in all L60. Notwithstanding the +gentleman, I am confident, had fair dice, and threw them always +himself. And further to confirm what I alleged before, not only +this gamester, but many more have told me that they desired no +greater advantage than this bet of 7 to 6. But it is the opinion +of most that at the first throw the caster hath the worst of it. + +'Hazard is certainly the most bewitching game that is played with +dice; for when a man begins to play, he knows not when to leave +off; and having once accustomed himself to it, he hardly ever +after minds anything else.'[66] + +[66] The Compleat Gamester, by Richard Seymour, Esq. 1739. + + +As this game is of a somewhat complicated character, another +account of it, which appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette for Sept. +3, 1869, may not be unacceptable. + +'The players assemble round a circular table, a space being +reserved for the "groom-porter," who occupies a somewhat elevated +position, and whose duty it is to call the odds and see that the +game is played correctly. Whoever takes the box and dice places +in the centre of the table as much money as he wishes to risk, +which is at once covered with an equal amount either by some +individual speculator, or by the contributions of several. The +player (technically called the "caster") then proceeds to call a +"main." There are five mains on the dice, namely, 5, 6, 7, 8, +and 9; of these he mentally selects that one which either chance +or superstition may suggest, calls it aloud, shakes the box, and +delivers the dice. If he throws the exact number he called, he +"nicks" it and wins; if he throws any other number (with a few +exceptions, which will be mentioned), he neither wins nor loses. +The number, however, which he thus throws becomes his "chance," +and if he can succeed in repeating it before he throws what was +his main, he wins; if not, he loses. In other words, having +completely failed to throw his main in the first instance, he +should lose, but does not in consequence of the equitable +interference of his newly-made acquaintance, which constitutes +itself his chance. For example, suppose the caster "sets"--that +is, places on the table--a stake of L10, and it is covered by an +equal amount, and he then calls 7 as his main and throws 5; the +groom-porter at once calls aloud, "5 to 7"-- that means, 5 is the +number to win and 7 the number to lose, and the player continues +throwing until the event is determined by the turning up of +either the main or the chance. During this time, however, a most +important feature in the game comes into operation--the laying +and taking of the odds caused by the relative proportions of the +main and the chance. These, as has been said, are calculated +with mathematical nicety, are proclaimed by the groom-porter, and +are never varied. In the above instance, as the caster stands to +win with 5 and to lose with 7, the odds are declared to be 3 to 2 +against him, inasmuch as there are three ways of throwing 7, and +only two of throwing 5. As soon as the odds are declared, the +caster may increase his stake by any sum he wishes, and the other +players may cover it by putting down (in this instance) +two-thirds of the amount, the masse, or entire sum, to await the +turning up of either main or chance. If a player "throws out" +three times in succession, the box passes to the next person on +his left, who at once takes up the play. He may, however, "throw +in" without interruption, and if he can do so some half-dozen +times and back his luck, the gains will be enormous. + +'The choice of a main is quite optional: many prefer 7 because +they may make a coup at once by throwing that number or by +throwing 11, which is a "nick" to 7, but to 7 only. Shrewd +players, however, prefer some other main, with the view of having +a more favourable chance to depend upon of winning both stake and +odds. For example, let us reverse what was mentioned above, and +suppose the caster to call 5 and throw 7; he then will have 7 as +his chance to win with odds of 3 to 2 IN HIS FAVOUR. + +'Such is the game of English Hazard, at which large fortunes have +been won and lost. It is exceedingly simple, and at times can +become painfully interesting. Cheating is impossible, unless +with loaded dice, which have been used and detected by their +splitting in two, but never, perhaps, unless at some disreputable +silver hell. The mode of remunerating the owner of the rooms was +a popular one. The loser never paid, and the winner only when he +succeeded in throwing three mains in succession; and even then +the "box fee," as it was called, was limited to 5s.--a mere +trifle from what he must have gained. In French Hazard a bank is +constituted at a board of green cloth, and the proceedings are +carried on in a more subdued and regular mode than is the case in +the rough-and-ready English game. Every stake that is "set" is +covered by the bank, so that the player runs no risk of losing a +large amount, when, if successful, he may win but a trifling one; +but en revanche, the scale of odds is so altered as to put the +double zero of roulette and the "aprez" of Rouge et Noir to the +blush, and to operate most predjudicially to the player. In no +case is an equal rate of odds between main and chance laid by the +French "banquier," as is insisted on by the English groomporter; +while again "direct nicks" alone are recognized by the former. +Very extraordinary runs of luck have occurred at Hazard, one +player sometimes throwing five, seven, and even eleven mains in a +single hand. In such cases as these the peculiar feature in the +French game becomes valuable, the bank being prepared to pay all +winnings, while, generally speaking, a hand of six or seven mains +at English Hazard would exhaust all the funds of the players, and +leave the caster in the position of "setting the table" and +finding the stakes totally unnoticed or only partially covered. + +'In addition to the fixed rules of English Hazard, there are +several regulations which require to be observed. The round +table on which it is played has a deeply bevelled edge, which is +intended to prevent the dice from landing on the floor, which +would be no throw. Again, if either die after having left the +box should strike any object on the table (such as a man's elbow +or stick) except MONEY, it would be called no throw. Again, each +player has the privilege of "calling dice," even when the dice +are in transitu, which, if done, renders the throw void, and +causes another set to be handed to the caster by the groom- +porter. Many a lucky coup has become manque by some captious +player exercising this privilege, and many an angry rencontre has +ensued between the officious meddler and the disappointed caster, +who finds that he has nicked his main to no advantage. Sometimes +one die remains in the box after the other has been landed; then +the caster may either throw it quickly, or may tantalize those +interested in the event by gently coaxing it from the bow. If +one die lands on the top of another, it is removed by the +groom-porter and declared a throw. + +'Some thirty years ago English Hazard was a favourite game in +Ireland, and Dublin could boast of three or four hells doing a +brisk trade. The most frequented and longest established was +called "The Coal Hole," being situated on the coal quay. Here, +at any hour after midnight, a motley company might be seen, each +individual, however, well known to the porter, who jealously +scanned his features before drawing back the noiseless bolts +which secured the door. The professional gambler trying to live +by his winnings, the fashionable swell finishing his round of +excitement, the struggling tradesman hoping to avert impending +bankruptcy, the prize-fighter, and, more conspicuous than any, +the keen-eyed usurer with his roll of notes and sheaf of bill +stamps, were to be found there. Many strange scenes have +occurred in this house, some followed by tragic consequences too +painful to relate, others ridiculous and amusing. Here it was +that an angry caster, having lost his last sovereign and his +temper, also placed his black hat in the centre of the table, +swore that it was white, and finding no one disposed to dispute +his accuracy, flung himself from the room, and enabled the next +player who had won so largely and smiled so good-humouredly to +take the box in turn. But fortune deserted him also, and left +him penniless, when, glaring savagely round the room, and +striking the table violently, he thundered forth the inquiry, +"Where was the rascal who said his hat was white?" It was here +also (although the venue has been changed by story-mongers) that +a well-known frequenter of the house, a sporting M.P., on one +occasion dropped on the 'door or in the passage a bank-note +without discovering his loss till he had reached home. On the +next evening he returned to inquire for it in a forlorn-hope +spirit, when the following conversation took place between him +and the porter:-- + +"M.P. I think, Simpson, I dropped a note here last night--did +you see it? + +"Porter. Shure, then, mony a note was dropped here beside yours. + +"M. P. Ah! but I mean out of my pocket. I did not lose it at +play. It was for L20, one of Ball's Bank, and very old." + +'Hereupon the porter brought the senator into a corner, fumbled +the note out of his fob, and, placing it in his hands, whispered, +"Shure, I know it's yours, and here it is; but (looking +cautiously round) wasn't it lucky that none of the jintlemin +found it?" + +'Another establishment much patronized in those days was in +Nassau Street, where early in the evening unlimited Loo, never +under "three and three," sometimes "six and six," might be +indulged in, while a little later Roulette formed the attraction +of an adjacent room, and still later at night all flocked down- +stairs to the hot supper and rattling English Hazard. For one or +two seasons St Stephen's Green lent one of its lordly mansions, +formerly the residence of a cruel and witty Lord Chief Justice, +to the votaries of fortune; here everything was done in grand +style, with gilded saloons, obsequious waiters, and champagne +suppers. All this has long since become matter of the past, and +it would now puzzle the keenest detective to find the trace even +of a silver hell in the Irish capital. No one will be hardy +enough to defend the vice of gambling, but some have argued, and +not without truth, that if a man will play it is far better for +him to indulge the propensity at Hombourg or Baden, where he +cannot lose more money than he has with him, than to do so in the +cozy club-room of a private "salon," where indulgent friends may +tempt him to become bankrupt not only in fortune but in +reputation.' + +Passing over other less important games, called Biribi, and Kraps +(played with dice), we come to Passe-Dix, which seems to demand +some notice. + +PASSE-DIX. + +This game, considered the most ancient of all games of chance, is +said to have actually been made use of by the executioners at the +crucifixion of our Saviour, when they 'parted his garments, +casting lots,' Matt. xxvii. 35. + +It is played with three dice. There is always a banker, and the +number of players is unlimited. Each gamester holds the box by +turns, and the other players follow his chance; every time he +throws a point UNDER ten he, as well as the other players, loses +the entire stakes, which go to the banker. Every time he throws +a point ABOVE ten (or PASSES TEN--whence the name of the game), +the banker must double the player's stakes and the stakes of all +those who have risked their money on the same chance. When the +game is played by many together, each gamester is banker in his +turn. + +PUT. + +This was and doubtless still is the special card-game of our +London sharpers. Many of these are men who have run through a +fortune in the early part of their lives, by associating with +gamblers and sharpers, set up for themselves, set honour and +conscience at defiance, become blacklegs, and are scouted out of +even the gambler's company; and, as a last resource, are obliged +to resort to low pot-houses, robbing the poorest and most +ignorant of society. + +Behind the dupe there stood a confederate sharper, looking over +the novice's hand, and telling his opponent, by his fingers, what +cards he holds--hence he was said to work the telegraph, of which +more in the sequel. Another confederate plied the novice with +drink. + +'The game of Put is played with an entire pack of cards, +generally by two, and sometimes by four persons. At this game +the cards rank differently from all others; a trey being the +best, then a two, then an ace, then the king, queen, &c. The +game consists of five points. The parties cut for deal, as in +Whist. The deal is made by giving three cards, one at a time, to +each player. The non-dealer then examines his cards, and if he +thinks them bad, he is at liberty to PUT them upon the pack, and +his adversary scores one point to his game. This, however, +should never be done. Either party saying--"I put," that is, I +play, cannot retract, but must abide the event of the game, or +pay the stakes. + +'The THREE being the best card, if the sharper can make certain +of having a three every time his opponent deals, he must have +considerably the best of the game; and this is effected as +follows:--the sharper places a three underneath an old gentleman +(a card somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of the pack), +and it does not signify how much his opponent shuffles the pack, +it is about five to one that he does not disturb the OLD +GENTLEMAN or the three. The sharper then cuts the cards, which +he does by feeling for the old gentleman; the three being then +the top card, it is dealt to the sharper by his opponent. That +is one way of securing a three, and this alone is quite +sufficient to make a certainty of winning.'[67] + +[67] Doings in London. + + +CROSS AND PILE. + +Cross and Pile, so called because anciently English coins were +stamped on one side with a cross, now bears the names, Head and +Tail, and is a pastime well known among the lowest and most +vulgar classes of the community, and to whom it is now confined; +formerly, however, it held a higher rank and was introduced at +Court. Edward II. was partial to this and other frivolous +diversions, and spent much of his time in the pursuit of them. +In one of his wardrobe 'rolls,' or accounts, we find the +following entries--'Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for +money which he lent to the king to play at Cross and Pile, five +shillings. Item, paid to Pires Bernard, usher of the king's +chamber, money which he lent the king, and which he lost at Cross +and Pile; to Monsieur Robert Wartewille, eight- pence.' + +A half-penny is now generally used in playing this game; but any +other coin with a head impressed will answer the purpose. One +person tosses the half-penny up and the other cries at pleasure +HEAD or TAIL, and loses according to the result. + +Cross and Pile is evidently derived from the Greek pastime called +Ostra Kinda, played by the boys of ancient Greece. Having +procured a shell, they smeared it over with pitch on one side and +left the other side white. A boy tossed up this shell, and his +antagonist called white or black,[68] as he thought proper, and +his success was determined by the white or black part of the +shell being uppermost. + +[68] In the Greek, nux kai hmera, that is, 'night and day.' + + +It is the favourite game of the boys of London and the vicinity, +now, however, considerably, if not entirely, discontinued through +the vigilance of the police and the severity of the magistrates. +Not long ago, however, I witnessed a sad and striking scene of it +at Twickenham. It was on a Sunday morning. Several boys +surrounded two players, one of the latter being about 14 years of +age, well dressed, and the other of about 10 years, all in +tatters and shoeless. The younger urchin had a long run of good +luck, whereat his antagonist exhibited much annoyance, swearing +intemperately. At length, however, his luck changed in turn, and +he went on winning until the former refused to play any longer, +saying--'There, you've got back all I won from you.' The bigger +boy became enraged at this refusal to continue the play, and +seemed inclined to resort to fisticuff, but I interposed and put +a stop to the affray. I then questioned the elder boy, and +gathered from him that he played as often as he could, sometimes +winning or losing from eight to ten shillings. 'And do you +generally win? was my next question.' 'No, sir,' he replied, 'I +oftener lose.' I shuddered to conjecture what would be the +future of this boy. The word of warning I gave him was received +with a shrug of the shoulder, and he walked off with the greatest +unconcern. + +THIMBLE-RIG. + +All races, fairs, and other such conglomerations of those whom +Heaven had blessed with more money than wit, used to be +frequented by minor members of 'The Fancy,' who are technically +called flat-catchers, and who picked up a very pretty living by a +quick hand, a rattling tongue, a deal board, three thimbles, and +a pepper-corn. The game they played with these three curious +articles is a sort of Lilliputian game at cups and balls; and the +beauty of it lies in dexterously seeming to place the pepper-corn +under one particular thimble, getting a green to bet that it was +there, and then winning his money by showing that it is not. +Every operator at this game was attended by certain of his +friends called eggers and bonnetters--the eggers to 'egg' on the +green ones to bet, by betting themselves; and the bonnetters to +'bonnet' any green one who might happen to win-- that is to say, +to knock his hat over his eyes, whilst the operator and the +others bolted with the stakes. + +Some years ago a curious case was tried, exemplifying the mode of +procedure. A Frenchman, M. Panchaud, was at Ascot Races, and he +there saw the defendant and several other 'gentlemen' betting +away, and apparently winning 'lots of sovereigns,' at one of +these same thimble-rigs. 'Try your luck, gentlemen,' cried the +operator; 'I'll bet any gentleman anything, from half-a-crown to +five sovereigns, that he doesn't name the thimble as covers the +corn!' M. Panchaud betted half-a-crown--won it; betted a +sovereign--won it; betted a second sovereign--LOST it. 'Try your +luck, gentlemen!' cried the operator again, shifting his thimbles +and pepper-corn about the board, here and there and everywhere in +a moment; and this done, he offered M. Panchaud a bet of five +sovereigns that he could not 'name the thimble what covered the +corn.' 'Bet him! Bet him! Why don't you bet him?' said the +defendant (a landlord), nudging M. Panchaud on the elbow; and M. +Panchaud, convinced in his 'own breast' that he knew the right +thimble, said--'I shall betta you five sovereign if you will not +touch de timbles again till I name.' 'Done!' cried the operator; +and M. Panchaud was DONE-- for, laying down his L10 note, it was +caught up by SOMEBODY, the board was upset, the operator and his +friends vanished 'like a flash of lightning,' and M. Panchaud was +left full of amazement, but with empty pockets, with the +defendant standing by his side. 'They are a set of rascals!' +said the defendant; 'but don't fret, my fine fellow! I'll take +you to somebody that shall soon get your money again; and so +saying he led him off in a direction thus described in court by +the fleeced Frenchman.--'You tooke me the WRONG way! The thieves +ran one way, and you took me the other, you know, ahah! You know +what you are about--you took me the WRONG WAY--ahah!' + + +CHAPTER XI. + +COCK-FIGHTING. + +Cock-fighting is a practice of high antiquity, like many other +detestable and abominable things that still cling to our social +fabric. It was much in vogue in Greece and the adjacent isles. +There was an annual festival at Athens called 'The Cock- +fighting,' instituted by Themistocles at the end of the Persian +war, under the following circumstances. When Themistocles was +leading his army against the Persians, he saw some cocks +fighting; he halted his troops, looked on, and said:--'These +animals fight neither for the gods of their country, nor for the +monuments of their ancestors, nor for glory, nor for freedom, nor +for their children, but for the sake of victory, and in order +that one may not yield to the other;' and from this topic he +inspirited the Athenians. After his victorious return, as an act +of gratitude for this accidental occasion of inspiring his troops +with courage, he instituted the above festival, 'in order that +what was an incitement to valour at that time might be +perpetuated as an encouragement to the like bravery hereafter.' +One cannot help smiling at these naive stories of the ancients to +account for their mightiest results. Only think of any modern +warrior halting his troops to make use of a cock-fight for the +purpose of inspiriting them to victory! + +On one occasion during the Peninsular war, when an important +point was to be carried by assault, the officers were required to +say something encouraging to their men, in order to brace them up +for the encounter; but whilst the majority of the former recalled +the remembrance of previous victories, an Irish captain contented +himself with exclaiming--'Now, my lads, you see those fellows up +there. Well, if you don't kill THEM, SHURE they'll kill YOU. +That's all!' Struck with the comic originality of this address, +the men rushed forward with a laugh and a shout, carrying all +before them. + +Among the ancient Greeks the cock was sacred to Apollo, Mercury, +and aesculapius, on account of his vigilance, inferred from his +early rising--the natural consequence of his 'early to bed'--and +also to Mars, on account of his magnanimous and daring spirit. + +It seems, then, that at first cock-fighting was partly a +religious, and partly a political, institution at Athens; and was +there continued--according to the above legend--for the purpose +of cherishing the seeds of valour in the minds of youth; but that +it was afterwards abused and perverted, both there and in other +parts of Greece, by being made a common pastime, and applied to +the purpose of gambling just as it was (and is still secretly) +practised in England. An Attic law ran as follows--'Let cocks +fight publicly in the theatre one day in the year.'[69] + +[69] Pegge, in Archoeologia, quoting aelian, Columella, &c. + + +As to cock-fighting at Rome, Pegge, in the same work, gives his +opinion, that it was not customary there till very late; but that +quails were more pitted against each other for gambling purposes +than cocks. This opinion seems confirmed by the thankfulness +expressed by the good Antoninus--'that he had imbibed such +dispositions from his preceptor, as had prevented him from +breeding quails for the fight.' + +'One cannot but regret,' wrote Pegge in 1775, 'that a creature so +useful and so noble as the cock should be so enormously abused by +us. It is true the massacre of Shrove Tuesday seems in a +declining way, and in a few years, it is to be hoped, will be +totally disused; but the cock-pit still continues a reproach to +the humanity of Englishmen. It is unknown to me when the pitched +battle first entered England; but it was probably brought hither +by the Romans. The bird was here before Caesar's arrival; but no +notice of his fighting has occurred to me earlier than the time +of William Fitz-Stephen, who wrote the Life of Archbishop Becket, +some time in the reign of Henry II. William describes the +cocking as the sport of school-boys on Shrove Tuesday. "Every +year, on the day which is called Carnelevaria (Carnival)--to +begin with the sports of the London boys,--for we have all been +boys--all the boys are wont to carry to their schoolmaster their +fighting-cocks, and the whole of the forenoon is made a holiday +for the boys to see the fights of their cocks in their +schoolrooms." The theatre, it seems, was their school, and the +master was the controller and director of the sport. From this +time at least the diversion, however absurd, and even impious, +was continued among us.' + +'Although disapproved of by many, and prohibited by law, cock- +fighting continued in vogue, patronized even by royalty, and +commonly called "the royal diversion." St James's Park, which, +in the time of Henry VIII., belonged to the Abbot of Westminster, +was bought by that monarch and converted into a park, a tennis +court, and a cockpit, which was situated where Downing Street now +is. The park was approached by two noble gates, and until the +year 1708 the Cock-pit Gate, which opened into the court where +Queen Anne lived, was standing. It was surmounted with lofty +towers and battlements, and had a portcullis, and many rich +decorations. Westminster Gate, the other entrance, was designed +by Hans Holbein, and some foreign architect doubtless erected the +Cockpit Gate. The scene of the cruel diversion of cock-fighting +was, however, obliterated before Anne's time, and the palace, +which was a large range of apartments and offices reaching to the +river, extended over that space.'[69] + +[69] Wharton, Queens of Society. + + +Cock-fighting was the favourite amusement of James I., in whose +reign there were cock-pits in St James's Park, Drury Lane, Tufton +Street, Shoe Lane, and Jermyn Street. There was a cock-pit in +Whitehall, erected for the more magnificent exhibition of the +sport; and the present room in Westminster in which her Majesty's +Privy Council hold their sittings, is called the Cock-pit, from +its being the site of the veritable arena of old. + +Cock-fighting was prohibited by one of Oliver's acts in 1654; but +with the return of Charles and his profligacy, the sport again +flourished in England. Pepys often alludes to it in his 'Diary.' + +Thus, Dec. 21, 1663, he writes:-- + +'To Shoe Lane, to see a cocke-fighting at a new pit there, a spot +I was never at in my life; but, Lord! to see the strange variety +of people, from Parliament man, by name Wildes, that was Deputy- +Governor of the Tower when Robinson was Lord Mayor, to the +poorest 'prentices, bakers, brewers, butchers, draymen, and what +not; and all these fellows one with another cursing and betting. +I soon had enough of it. It is strange to see how people of this +poor rank, that look as if they had not bread to put in their +mouths, shall bet three or four pounds at a time, and lose it, +and yet bet as much the next battle; so that one of them will +lose L10 or L20 at a meeting.' + +Again, April 6, 1668:-- + +'I to the new Cocke-pit by the king's gate, and there saw the +manner of it, and the mixed rabble of people that came thither, +and saw two battles of cockes, wherein is no great sport; but +only to consider how these creatures, without any provocation, do +fight and kill one another, and aim only at one another's heads!' + +Up to the middle of the 18th century cock-fighting was 'all the +rage' in England. 'Cocking,' says a writer of the time, 'is a +sport or pastime so full of delight and pleasure, that I know not +any game in that respect which is to be preferred before it.' + +The training of the pugnacious bird had now become a sort of art, +and this is as curious as anything about the old 'royal +diversion.' A few extracts from a treatise on the subject may be +interesting as leaves from the book of manners and customs of the +good old times. + +The most minute details are given as to the selection of +fighting-cocks, the breeding of game cocks, and 'the dieting and +ordering a cock for battle.' Under this last head we read:--'In +the morning take him out of the pen, and let him spar a while +with another cock. Sparring is after this manner. Cover each of +your cock's heels with a pair of hots made of bombasted rolls of +leather, so covering the spurs that they cannot bruise or wound +one another, and so setting them down on straw in a room, or +green grass abroad; let them fight a good while, but by no means +suffer them to draw blood of one another. The benefit that +accrues hereby is this: it heateth and chafeth their bodies, and +it breaketh the fat and glut that is within them. Having sparred +as much as is sufficient, which you may know when you see them +pant and grow weary, then take them up, and, taking off their +hots, give them a diaphoretic or sweating, after this manner. +You must put them in deep straw- baskets, made for this purpose, +and fill these with straw half way, then put in your cocks +severally, and cover them over with straw to the top; then shut +down the lids, and let them sweat; but don't forget to give them +first some white sugar-candy, chopped rosemary, and butter, +mingled and incorporated together. Let the quantity be about the +bigness of a walnut; by so doing you will cleanse him of his +grease, increase his strength, and prolong his breath. Towards +four or five o'clock in the evening take them out of their +stoves, and, having licked their eyes and head with your tongue, +and put them into their pens, and having filled their throats +with square-cut manchet, **** therein, and let them feed whilst +the****is hot; for this will cause their scouring to work, and +will wonderfully cleanse both head and body.' + +Was ever poor animal subjected to such indignity? The +preparation of the other animal, the jockey, is nothing to it. +But, to continue:-- + +'The second day after his sparring, take your cock into a fair +green close, and, having a dunghill cock in your arms, show it +him, and then run from him, that thereby you may entice him to +follow, permitting him to have now and then a blow, and thus +chafe him up and down about half an hour; when he begins to pant, +being well-heated, take him up and carry him home, and give him +this scouring, &c.' + +This training continued for six weeks, which was considered a +sufficient time for 'ordering a cock for the battle;' and then, +after the 'matching,' came the last preparation of the poor biped +for the terrible fight in which he would certainly be either +killed or kill his antagonist, if both were not doomed to bite +the dust. This consisted in the following disfigurement of the +beautiful creature:-- + +'With a pair of fine cock-shears cut all his mane off close into +his neck from the head to the setting on of the shoulders: +secondly, clip off all the feathers from the tail close to his +rump; the redder it appears the better is the cock in condition: +thirdly, take his wings and spread them forth by the length of +the first rising feather, and clip the rest slope-wise with sharp +points, that in his rising he may therewith endanger the eye of +his adversary; fourthly, scrape, smooth, and sharpen his spurs +with a pen-knife; fifthly, and lastly, see that there be no +feathers on the crown of his head for his adversary to take hold +of; then, with your spittle moistening his head all over, turn +him into the pit TO MOVE TO HIS FORTUNE.' + +I should, perhaps, state that, instead of the natural spurs, long +artificial ones of well-tempered steel were fixed to the cock's +heels in later times, and these were frequently driven into the +body of his antagonist with such vigour that the two cocks were +spitted together, and had to be separated. + +The dreadful fight having come off, the following was the +treatment prescribed for the fortunate conqueror. + +'The battle being ended, immediately search your cock's wounds, +as many as you can find. SUCK the blood out of them; then wash +them well with warm ****, and that will keep them from rankling; +after this give him a roll of your best SCOURING, and so stove +him up as hot as you can for that night; in the morning, if you +find his head swelled, you must suck his wounds again, and bathe +them with warm ****; then take the powder of herb Robert, and put +it into a fine bag, and pounce his wounds therewith; after this, +give him a good handful of bread to eat out of warm ****, and so +put him into the stove again, and let him not feel the air till +the swelling be fallen.' + +A cock sometimes took a long time to recover from his wounds--as, +indeed, may be well supposed from the terrible 'punishment' which +he necessarily received; and so our professor goes on to say:-- +'If after you have put out your wounded cock to their walks, and +visiting them a month or two after, you find about their head any +swollen bunches, hard and blackish at one end, you may then +conclude that in such bunches there are unsound cores, which must +be opened and crushed out with your thumbs; and after this, you +must suck out the corruption, and filling the holes full of fresh +butter, you need not doubt a cure.' + +A poetical description of a cock-fight, by Dr R. Wild, written at +the commencement of the last century, will give an idea of the +'diversion.' + +'No sooner were the doubtful people set, +The match made up, and all that would had bet, +But straight the skilful judges of the play; +Brought forth their sharp-heel'd warriors, and they +Were both in linnen bags--as if 'twere meet, +Before they died, to have their winding-sheet. +Into the pit they're brought, and being there, +Upon the stage, the Norfolk Chanticleer +Looks stoutly at his ne'er before seen foe, + And like a challenger began to crow, +And clap his wings, as if he would display +His warlike colours, which were black and grey. + +'Meantime, the wary Wisbich walks and breathes +His active body, and in fury wreathes +His comely crest, and often with a sound, +He whets his angry beak upon the ground. +This done, they meet, not like that coward breed +Of Aesop; these can better fight than feed: +They scorn the dunghill; 'tis their only prize +TO DIG FOR PEARLS WITHIN EACH OTHER'S EYES. + +'They fought so nimbly that 'twas hard to know, +E'en to the skill'd, whether they fought or no; +If that the blood which dyed the fatal floor +Had not borne witness of 't. Yet fought they more; +As if each wound were but a spur to prick +Their fury forward. Lightning's not more quick, +Or red, than were their eyes: 'twas hard to know +Whether 'twas blood or anger made them so. +I'm sure they had been out had they not stood +More safe by being fenced in with blood. + +Thus they vied blows; but yet (alas!) at length, +Altho' their courage was full tried, their strength +And blood began to ebb. + +Their wings, which lately at each blow they clapp'd +(As if they did applaud themselves), now flapp'd. +And having lost th' advantage of the heel, +Drunk with each other's blood, they only reel. +From either eyes such drops of blood did fall +As if they wept them for their funeral. +And yet they fain would fight; they came so near, +Methought they meant into each other's ear +TO WHISPER WOUNDS; and when they could not rise, +They lay and look'd blows into each other's eyes. + +But now the tragic part! After this fit, +When Norfolk cock had got the best of it, +And Wisbich lay a dying, so that none, +Tho' sober, but might venture Seven to One; +Contracting, like a dying taper, all +His strength, intending with the blow to fall, +He struggles up, and having taken wind, +Ventures a blow, and strikes the other blind! + +'And now poor Norfolk, having lost his eyes, +Fights only guided by antipathies: +With him, alas! the proverb holds not true-- +The blows his eyes ne'er saw his heart most rue. +At length, by chance, he stumbled on his foe, +Not having any power to strike a blow. +He falls upon him with his wounded head, +And makes his conqueror's wings his feather-bed; +Where lying sick, his friends were very chary +Of him, and fetch'd in haste a Pothecary; +But all in vain! His body did so blister +That 'twas incapable of any glyster; +Wherefore, at length, opening his fainting bill, +He call'd a scriv'ner and thus made his Will. + +'IMPRIMIS--Let it never be forgot, +My body freely I bequeath to th' pot, +Decently to be boil'd. +**** + ITEM: Executors I will have none +But he that on my side laid Seven to One; +And, like a gentleman that he may live, +To him, and to his heirs, my COMB I give, +Together with my brains, that all may know +That oftentimes his brains did use to crow. +**** +To him that 's dull I do my SPURS impart, +And to the coward I bequeath my HEART. +To ladies that are light, it is my will +My FEATHERS shall be given; and for my BILL +I'd give 't a tailor, but it is so short, +That I'm afraid he'll rather curse me for 't: +**** +Lastly, because I feel my life decay, +I yield and give to Wisbich COCK THE DAY!'[70] + +[70] The passages left out in the Will, as marked by asterisks, +though witty, are rather too gross for modern eyes. + + +To quote from Pegge once more:--What aggravates the reproach and +disgrace upon us Englishmen, are those species of fighting which +are called--"the battle royal and the Welsh main"--known nowhere +in the world, as I think, but here; neither in China, nor in +Persia, nor in Malacca, nor among the savage tribes of America. +These are scenes so bloody as almost to be too shocking to +relate; and yet as many may not be acquainted with the horrible +nature of them, it may be proper, for the excitement of our +aversion and detestation, to describe them in a few words. + +'In the battle royal, an unlimited number of fowls are pitted; +and after they have slaughtered one another, for the diversion +(dii boni!) of the otherwise generous and humane Englishman, the +single surviving bird is to be esteemed the victor, and carries +away the prize. The Welsh main consists, we will suppose, of +sixteen pairs of cocks; of these the sixteen conquerors are +pitted a second time; and, lastly, the two conquerors of these +are pitted a fifth time; so that (incredible barbarity!) +thirty-one cocks are sure to be most inhumanly murdered for the +sport and pleasure, the noise and nonsense, nay, I may say the +profane cursing and swearing, of those who have the effrontery to +call themselves, with all these bloody doings, and with all this +impiety about them--Christians!' Moreover, this ungenerous +diversion was the bane and destruction of thousands, who thus +dissipated their patrimonial fortunes. That its attractions were +irresistible is evident from the difficulty experienced in +suppressing the practice. Down to a very recent date cock- +fighting was carried on in secret,--the police now and then +breaking into the secret pits, dispersing and chasing a motley +crew of noblemen, gentlemen, and 'the scum of rascaldom.' + +The practice is very far from having died out; mains are still +fought in various parts of the country; but of course the +greatest precautions are taken to insure secrecy and to prevent +the interference of the police. + +In connection with cock-fighting I remember a horrible incident +that occurred in the West Indies. A gentleman who was +passionately fond of the sport, and prided himself on the +victories of his cocks, had the misfortune to see one of his +birds so terribly wounded in the first onset that, although not +killed, it was impossible for it to continue the fight. His rage +at the mishap knew no bounds, and he vented it madly on the poor +creature. He roasted it alive--standing by and hearing its +piteous cries. In the midst of the horrible torture the wretched +man became so excited that a fit of apoplexy supervened, and he +positively expired before the poor bird at the fire! + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE TURF, HISTORICAL, SOCIAL, MORAL. + +It appears that horse-races were customary at public festivals +even as early as the times of the patriarchs. They originated +among the eastern nations, who were the first to discover the +physical aptitudes of the noble animal and the spirited emulation +of which he is capable. The Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, in +succession, all indulged in the excitement; and it is a curious +fact that the Romans, like the English jockeys of the present +day, rode in different colours. + +Horse-racing began very early in England. Fitz-Stephen, who +wrote in the time of Henry VIII., mentions the delight taken by +the citizens of London in the diversion. In the reign of Queen +Elizabeth it appears to have greatly flourished, and to have been +carried to such an excess as to have ruined many of the nobility. + +The celebrated George, Earl of Cumberland, is said to have wasted +more of his estates than any of his ancestors, and principally by +his love of the turf and the tilt-yard. In the reign of James +I., Croydon in the South, and Garterly in the North, were +celebrated courses. Camden also states that in 1607 there were +meetings near York, and the prize was a small golden bell; hence +the origin of the saying 'bearing off the bell.' + +Lord Herbert of Cherbury denounced the practice. 'The exercise,' +says this gallant philosopher, 'I do not approve of is running of +horses--there being much CHEATING in that kind,--neither do I see +why a brave man should delight in a creature whose chief use is +to help him to run away.' As far as the cheating is concerned, +the philosopher may be right, but most assuredly his views of the +horse do no credit to his Lordship's understanding. + +It appears that the turf-men of those days went on breeding for +shape and speed alone, without considering 'bottom,' until the +reign of Queen Anne; when a public-spirited nobleman left +thirteen plates or purses to be run for, at such places as the +Crown should appoint, upon condition that every horse should +carry twelve stone for the best of three heats--four miles. By +this means a stronger horse was raised, who, if he was not good +enough upon the race-course, made a hunter. + +The Merry Monarch, Charles II., had given cups or bowls, +estimated at one hundred guineas value, and upon which the names +of the winning horses, the winner, and jockey were usually +engraved. William III. added to the plates, as did Queen Anne; +but in 1720 George I. discontinued this royal encouragement to +the sport, apparently through sheer meanness. Since that period +'King's Plates' and 'Queen's Plates' have been paid in specie. + +In the reign of Charles I. races were performed in Hyde Park; and +until a very recent period 'the Ring' in the Park was the +rendezvous of gentlemen's servants, for the purpose of betting or +making up their betting books. + +Newmarket races were established by Charles II., in 1667. Epsom, +by Mr Parkhurst, in 1711. Ascot, by the Duke of Cumberland, +uncle to George III. Doncaster, by Colonel St Leger, in 1778. +Goodwood, by the Duke of Richmond, who died in 1806. + +The Jockey Club began in the time of George II. Its latest +rules, by which races are regulated, were enacted in 1828. + +Tattersall's, the 'High Change of Horse-flesh,' was established +by Richard Tattersall, near Hyde Park Corner--hence termed 'The +Corner'--in 1766, for the sale of horses. The lease of the +ground having expired, the new premises at Brompton were erected, +and opened for business, in 1803. + +On the accession of Queen Victoria the Royal stud was sold for +L16,476, in Oct., 1837.[71] + +[71] Haydon, Book of Dates. + + +Among the distinguished men who have supported the turf in this +country may be mentioned George IV.[72] and William IV.; the late +Duke of York; the Dukes of Richmond, Cleveland, Grafton, Bedford, +and Beaufort; Marquises of Exeter and Westminster; Earls of +Glasgow, Stradbrooke, Wilton, Chesterfield, Eglintoun, Verulam, +and Lonsdale; Lords George Bentinck, Foley, Kinnaird, &c.; and +last, though not least, the Right Honourable Charles James Fox. +As to the turf, Fox used always to animadvert on his losses, and +repeatedly observed--that 'his horses had as much bottom as other +people's, but that they were such slow, good ones that they never +went fast enough to tire themselves.' He had, however, the +gratification of experiencing some few exceptions to this +imaginary rule. In April, 1772, he was so lucky at Newmarket as +to win nearly L16,000--the greater part of which he got by +betting against the celebrated Pincher, who lost the match by +only half a neck. The odds at STARTING were two to one on the +losing horse. At the spring meeting at Newmarket, in 1789, Fox +is said to have won not less than L50,000; and at the October +meeting, at the same place, the following year, he sold two of +his horses--Seagull and Chanticleer--for 4400 guineas. In the +course of 1788 Fox and the Duke of Bedford won 8000 guineas +between them at the Newmarket spring meeting, and during these +races Fox and Lord Barrymore had a heavy match, which was given +as a dead heat, and the bets were off. + +[72] For some period previous to 1790, George IV. had patronized +horse-racing and pugilism; but in that year, having attended a +prize fight in which one of the boxers was killed, he ceased to +support the ring, declaring that he would never be present at +such a scene of murder again; and in 1791 he disposed of his +stud, on account of some apparently groundless suspicion being +attached to his conduct with regard to a race, in the event of +which he had little or no real interest. + + +On coming into office with Lord North, in 1783, Mr Fox sold his +horses, and erased his name from several of the clubs of which he +was a member. It was not long, however, before he again +purchased a stud, and in October he attended the Newmarket +meeting. The king's messenger was obliged to appear on the +course, to seek one of the ministers of England among the +sportsmen on the heath, in order to deliver despatches upon which +perhaps the fate of the country might have depended. The +messenger on these occasions had his badge of office, the +greyhound, not liking that the world should know that the king's +adviser was amusing himself at Newmarket, when he should have +been serving him in the metropolis. But Charles Fox preferred +the betting rooms to Downing Street. + +Again, in the year 1790, his horse Seagull won the Oatlands +stakes at Ascot, of 100 guineas (19 subscribers), beating the +Prince of Wales's Escape, Serpent, and several of the very best +horses of that year--to the great mortification of His Royal +Highness, who immediately matched Magpie against him, to run four +days afterwards, two miles, for 500 guineas. This match, on +which immense sums were depending, was won with ease by Seagull. +At this period Lord Foley and Mr Fox were confederates. In those +days the plates averaged from L50 to L100. + +Lord Foley, who died in 1793, entered upon the turf with a clear +estate of L1800 a year, and L100,000 ready money, which was +considerably diminished by his losses at Newmarket, Ascot, and +Epsom. + +The race-horse of this country excels those of the whole world, +not only for speed, but bottom. There is a great difference, +however, between the present race and that of fifty or sixty +years ago; for in those days four-mile heats were the fashion. +The sporting records at the end of the last century give the +following exploits of horses of that and previous periods. + +Childers, known by the name of Flying Childers, the property of +the Duke of Devonshire, was looked upon as the fleetest horse +that ever was bred. He was never beaten; the sire of this +celebrated horse was an Arabian. + +Dorimont, belonging to Lord Ossory, won prizes to the amount of +L13,360. + +Eclipse was allowed to be the fastest horse that ever ran in +England since the time of Childers. After winning largely for +his owner, he covered, by subscription, forty mares at 30 guineas +each, or 1200 guineas. + +Highflyer, by King Herod, was the best horse of his day; was +never beaten, nor paid forfeit but once. His winnings amounted +to above L9000, although he only ran as a three, four, and five +years old. + +Matchem stood high both as a racer and as the sire of many of our +most favourite horses. As a stallion he realized for his master +more than L12,000. He died in 1781, at the advanced age of +thirty-three. + +Shark won a cup value 120 guineas, eleven hogsheads of claret, +and above L16,000 in plates, matches, and forfeits.[73] + +[73] Lord William Lennox, Merrie England. + + +Among recent celebrities must be mentioned Lord Stamford, who is +said to have engaged Jemmy Grimshaw, a light-weighted jockey, at +a salary of L1000 a year. + + The most astounding 'event' of late years was that of 1867, when +the horse Hermit--previously represented as being in an unfit +condition even to run, won the race--to the unspeakable ruin of +very many, and inflicting on the late Marquis of Hastings the +enormous loss of about L100,000, which, however, in spite of +unseemly rumours and, it is said, hopes of that nobleman's ruin, +was honourably paid, to the day and hour. + +But if ruin did not immediately come upon the young marquis, +still the wound was deadly, inflicted as though with the ferocity +of a demon. In his broken health and rapid decay sympathy was +not withheld from him; and when a premature death put an end to +his sufferings, and was speedily followed by the breaking up of +his establishment and the dispersion of his ancestral effects, +most men felt that he had, perhaps, atoned for his errors and +indiscretions, whilst all united in considering him another +unfortunate victim added to the long list of those who have +sacrificed their fortune, health, and honour to the Gambling +Moloch presiding over the Turf of England.[74] + +[74] The 'Odds' or probabilities of horse racing are explained in +chapter VIII., in which the entire 'Doctrine of Chances' is +discussed. + + +Such are the leading facts of horse-racing in England. One +cannot help observing that the sturdy strength and muscular +exertions of an Olympic charioteer of old exhibit a striking +contrast to the spider-like form and emaciated figure of a +Newmarket jockey. + + Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam, +Multa tulit, fecitque puer, SUDAVAT et alsit. + + 'Who in a race would reach the long'd-for goal, + Must suffer much, do much, in youth, indeed, + Must SWEAT and fag.' + +This is literally true respecting the English jockey, whose +attenuated form is accounted for in the following dialogue in an +old work entitled 'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' 1771. + +'Stop, stop, OLD GENTLEMAN! I desire to speak a word to you; pray +which is the way to----.' + +'I beg, sir, you will not interrupt me. I am a Newmarket +jockey--am to ride in a few days a match, upon which there is a +great deal depending, and I am now PREPARING.' + +'Oh, I see now, you are a YOUNG man, instead of that old one for +whom I mistook you by your wrappings; but pray, explain.' + +'Why, your Honour must know that we jockeys, in order to bring +ourselves down to the weight required for the horses we are to +ride, sweat under a load of flannel wrapped about us beneath +coats and great coats, and walk two or three miles in the heat of +summer, till we are ready to faint under our burden.' + +'Indeed! Why, you go through a deal!' + +'Ah, sir, a great deal indeed! Why, we sometimes lie hours and +hours between two feather-beds--to melt away our extraordinary +weight.' + +'But will you give me leave to examine your present dress? Hum! +Two flannel waistcoats, a thick cloth coat, a Bath surtout! It +is a vast weight to carry this warm weather. I only hope you +won't sink under it.' + +'Never fear, sir, I do not doubt but I shall do very well.' + +The rewards of victory were as plain and simple in the Grecian +games as they were distinguishing and honourable. A garland of +palm, or laurel, or parsley, or pine leaves, served to adorn the +brow of the fortunate victor, whilst his name stood a chance of +being transmitted to posterity in the strains of some lofty +Pindar. The rewards of modern days are indeed more substantial +and solid, being paid in weighty gold or its equivalent, no +matter whether obtained by the ruin of others, while the fleet +coursers and their exulting proprietors stand conspicuous in the +list of the Racing Calendar. The ingenious and ironical author +of 'Newmarket, or an Essay on the Turf,' in the year 1771, +bestowed the following titles and honours on the most famous +horse of the day--Kelly's Eclipse:--'Duke of Newmarket, Marquis +of Barnet, Earl of Epsom and York, Viscount Canterbury, Baron +Eclipse of Mellay; Lord of Lewes, Salisbury, Ipswich, and +Northampton; Comptroller-General of the race-grounds, and Premier +Racer of All England.' To bear coat of arms--'A Pegasus argent +on a field verd;--the supporters--two Englishmen in ermined robes +and ducal coronets;--the crest--a purse, Or;--the motto--"Volat +ocior Euro." '[75] + +[75] 'He flies swifter than the east wind.' + + +Again, in the exhibition of those useful and honourable Olympic +pastimes of old, the cause of morality was not overlooked:--there +was in them a happy union of utility, pleasure, and virtue. A +spotless life and unblameable manners, a purity of descent by +being born in wedlock through several generations, and a series +of creditable relations, were indispensable qualifications of a +candidate on the Olympic turf. It is true, there is at least as +much attention paid to purity and faultlessness on the plains of +Newmarket; but the application is to the blood and pedigree of +the horse, not of his rider. + +Nay, it was, and is, notorious that the word 'jockey' has +acquired the meaning of 'to trick,' 'to cheat,' as appears in all +our dictionaries and in common parlance. What is the inference +from this but that the winning of races is no absolute proof of +the superiority of the horse--for whose improvement racing is +said to be encouraged; but rather the result of a secret +combination of expedients or arrangements--in a word, jockeying, +that is, cheating, tricking. The only 'moral' character required +in the jockey is the determination to do whatsoever may be agreed +upon or determined by those who are willing and able to give 'a +consideration' for the convenient accommodation. + +But it is, or was, the associations, the inevitable concomitants, +of the turf and racing that stamp it, not only as something +questionable, but as a bane and infamy to the nation; and if +there is one spot more eminently distinguished for a general +rendezvous of fraud and gambling, that place is Newmarket. + +The diversions of these plains have proved a decoy to many a +noble and ingenuous mind, caught in the snares laid to entrap +youth and inexperience. Newmarket was a wily labyrinth of loss +and gain, a fruitful field for the display of gambling abilities, +the school of the sharping crew, the academy of the Greeks, the +unfathomable gulf that absorbed princely fortunes. + +The amusements of the turf were in all other places intermixed +with a variety of social diversions, which were calculated to +promote innocent mirth and gaiety. The breakfastings, the +concerts, the plays, the assemblies, attracted the circle of +female beauty, enlivened the scene, engaged the attention of +gentlemen, and thus prevented much of the evil contagion and +destruction of midnight play. But encouragement to the GAMBLER +of high and low degree was the very charter of Newmarket. Every +object that met the eye was encompassed with gambling--from the +aristocratic Rouge et Noir, Roulette, and Hazard, down to +Thimble-rig, Tossing, and Tommy Dodd. Every hour of the day and +night was beset with gambling diversified; in short, gambling +must occupy the whole man, or he was lost to the sport and spirit +of the place. The inhumanity of the cock-pit, the iniquitous +vortex of the Hazard table, employed each leisure moment from the +race, and either swallowed up the emoluments of the victorious +field, or sank the jockey still deeper in the gulf of ruin. + +The common people of England have been stigmatized (and perhaps +too justly) for their love of bloody sports and cruel diversions; +cock-fighting, bull-baiting, boxing, and the crowded attendance +on executions, are but too many proofs of this sanguinary turn. +But why the imputation should lie at the door of the vulgar alone +may well be questioned; for while the star of nobility and +dignified distinction was seen to glitter at a cock-match or on a +boxing-stage, or near the 'Ring'--where its proprietor was liable +to be elbowed by their highnesses of grease and soot, and to be +hemmed in by knights of the post and canditates for Tyburn tree-- +when this motley group alike were fixed in eager attention, alike +betted on and enjoyed each blood-drawing stroke of the artificial +spur, or blow of the fist well laid in--what distinction was to +be made between peer and plebeian, except in derogation of the +former? + +The race-course at Newmarket always presented a rare assemblage +of grooms, gamblers, and greatness. + +'See, side by side, the jockey and Sir John +Discuss the important point of six to one; +For, O my Muse! the deep-felt bliss how dear-- +How great the pride to gain a jockey's ear!'[76] + +[76] Wharton's Newmarket. + + +Newmarket fame was an object of ambition sought by the most +distinguished personages. + +'Go on, brave youths, till in some future age +Whips shall become the senatorial badge; +Till England see her thronging senators +Meet all at Westminster in boots and spurs; +See the whole House with mutual phrensy mad, +Her patriots all in leathern breeches clad; +Of bets for taxes learnedly debate, And guide with equal reins +a steed or state.'[77] + +[77] Ibid. + + +And then at the winning-post what motley confusion. + + --------------------'A thousand tongues +Jabber harsh jargon from a thousand lungs. + **** +Dire was the din--as when in caverns pent, +Hoarse Boreas storms and Eurus works for vent, +The aeolian brethren heave the labouring earth, +And roar with elemental strife for birth.'[78] + +[78] 'The Gamblers.' Horace had said long before--Tanto cum +strepitu ludi spectantur, 'So great a noise attends the games! + + +The frauds and stratagems of wily craft which once passed current +at Newmarket, surpassed everything that can be imagined at the +present day. The intruding light of the morning was execrated by +the nightly gamblers. 'Grant us but to perish in the light,' was +the prayer of the warlike Ajax:--'Grant us black night for ever,' +exclaimed the gambler; and his wishes were consistent with the +place and the foul deeds perpetrated therein.[79] + +[79] The principal gambling-room at Newmarket was called the +'Little Hell.' + + Sit mihi fas audita loqui--sit numine vestro, + Pandere res alta terra et caligine mersas. + + +The turf-events of every succeeding year verify the lament of the +late Lord Derby:-- + +'The secession from the turf of men who have station and +character, and the accession of men who have neither, are signs +visible to the dullest apprehension. The once national sport of +horse-racing is being degraded to a trade in which it is +difficult to perceive anything either sportive or national. The +old pretence about the improvement of the breed of horses has +become a delusion, too stale for jesting.' + +Nothing is more incontestable than the fact that the breed of +English horses has not been really improved, certainly not by +racing and its requirements. It has been truly observed that +'what is called the turf is merely a name for the worst kind of +gambling. The men who engage in it are as far as possible from +any ideal of sporting men. It is a grim joke, in fact, to speak +of "sport" at all in their connection. The turf to them is but a +wider and more vicious sort of tapis vert--the racing but the +rolling of the balls--the horses but animated dice. It is +difficult to name a single honest or manly instinct which is +propagated by the turf as it is, or which does not become debased +and vitiated by the association. From a public recreation the +thing has got to be a public scandal. Every year witnesses a +holocaust of great names sacrificed to the insatiable demon of +horse-racing--ancient families ruined, old historic memories +defiled at the shrine of this vulgarest and most vicious of +popular passions.' + +Among those who have sought to reform the turf is Sir Joseph +Hawley, who last year succeeded in procuring the abolition of +two-year-old races before the 1st of May. He is now +endeavouring, to go much further, and has given notice of a +motion for the appointment of a committee of the Jockey Club to +consider the question of the whole condition of the turf. + +There can be no doubt, that, if Sir Joseph Hawley's propositions, +as announced, be adopted, even in a modified form, they would go +to the very root of the evil, and purify the turf of the worst of +the present scandals. + +It would require a volume, or perhaps many volumes, to treat of +the subject of the present chapter--the Turf, Historical, Social, +Moral; but I must now leave this topic, of such terrible national +interest, to some other conscientious writer capable of 'doing +justice' to the theme, in all its requirements. + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS (FOR LADIES). + +It must be admitted that this practice--however absurd in its +object and application--does great credit to human ingenuity. +Once admitting the possibility of such conjuring, it is +impossible to deny the propriety of the reasonings deduced from +the turning up, the collocation, or the juxta-position of the +various cards, when the formalities of the peculiar shuffle and +cut required have been duly complied with by the consulter. + +The cards are first shuffled ad libitum, then cut three different +times, and laid on a table, face upwards, one by one, in the form +of a circle, or more frequently nine in a row. If the conjurer +is a man he chooses one of the kings as his representative; if a +woman, she selects one of the queens. This is on the supposition +that persons are consulting for themselves; otherwise it is the +fortune-teller who selects the representative card. Then the +queen of the chosen king, or the king of the chosen queen, stands +for a husband or wife, mistress or lover, of the party whose +fortune is to be told. The knave of the suit represents the most +intimate person of their family. + +The ninth card every way, that is, counted from the +representative, is of the greatest consequence, and that interval +comprises the 'circle' of the inquirer, for good or for evil. + +Now, all the cards have had assigned to them arbitrary, but +plausible, characteristics. Thus, the ace of clubs (that suit +representing originally the 'fortunate husbandmen') promises +great wealth, much prosperity in life, and tranquillity of mind-- +if it turns up within your circle, as before mentioned. King of +clubs announces a man of dark complexion who is humane, upright, +&c., in fact, just the man for a husband. Queen of clubs is +equally propitious as the emblem of a dark lady who would prove a +paragon wife. Knave of clubs, a jolly good friend in every way. +Ten of clubs always flurries the heart of the inquirer-- +especially if 'hard up'--for it denotes riches speedily +forthcoming from an unexpected quarter--which is usually the case +in such circumstances; but then it also threatens the loss of +some dear friend--which, however, cannot signify much if you get +'the money.' Seven of clubs promises the most brilliant fortune, +and the most exquisite bliss this world can afford; but then you +are ungallantly warned that you must 'beware of the opposite +sex'--which seems a contradiction in terms--for how call 'the +most exquisite bliss this world can afford' be secured without +the aid of 'the opposite sex'? Five of clubs is the main point +of maid-servants, young girls from the country, governesses, in +short, of all the floating womanhood of the land--for 'it +declares that you will shortly be married to a person who +will--MEND your CIRCUMSTANCES.' The trey of clubs is scarcely +less exhilarating, for it promises that you will be married three +times, and each time to a wealthy person. On the whole the suit +of clubs is very lucky, but, very appropriately, the deuce +thereof portends some 'unfortunate opposition to your favourite +inclination, which will disturb you.'[80] + +[80] According to other authorities, the ace of clubs means a +letter; the nine, danger caused by drunkenness; the eight, danger +from covetousness; the seven, a prison, and danger from the +opposite sex; the six, competence by hard-working industry; the +five, a happy but NOT wealthy marriage; the four, danger of +misfortunes caused by inconstancy or capricious temper; the trey, +quarrels. + + +The suit of diamonds is by no means so satisfactory as the gem of +a name would seem to indicate; but perhaps we must remember that +this suit represented originally the COMMERCIAL CLASSES, and that +probably this divination by cards was invented by some proud +ARISTOCRAT in those times when tradesmen did not stand so high as +they now do in morality, uprightness, &c. The ace of diamonds +puts you on the qui vive for the postman; it means a LETTER. It +is only to be hoped that it is not one of those nasty things, +yellow outside and blue within--a dun from some importunate +butcher, baker, grocer, or--tailor. The king of diamonds shows a +revengeful, fiery, obstinate fellow of very fair complexion in +your circle; the queen of diamonds is nothing but a gay coquette, +of the same complexion as the king, and not 'over- virtuous'--a +very odd phrase in use for the absence of virtue altogether; the +knave of diamonds is a selfish, impracticable fellow; ten of +diamonds is one of the few exceptions to the evil omens of this +suit, it promises a country husband or a wife with great wealth +and many children--the number of the latter being indicated by +the next card to it; it also signifies a purse of gold--but +where? Oh, where? Nine of diamonds indicates simply a vagabond, +full of vexation and disappointment; eight of diamonds shows an +enemy to marriage, who may, however, 'marry late,' and find +himself in a terrible 'fix;' seven of diamonds is worse still, +portending all the horrors of the divorce court and the +bankruptcy court--conjugal profligacy and extravagance; six of +diamonds means early marriage and premature widowhood, and a +second marriage, which will probably be worse; five of diamonds +is the next exception to the misery of this suit, it promises +'good children, who will KEEP YOU FROM GRIEF'--at best, however, +only a makeshift; four of diamonds is as bad as seven of +diamonds--portending the same results; the trey of diamonds +threatens all manner of strife, law-suits, &c., promises a vixen +for a wife, to your great domestic misery; the deuce of diamonds +concludes the catalogue of wretchedness with the assurance that +you will fall in love early, that your parents will not approve +of your choice, and if you marry, notwithstanding, that they will +hardly ever forgive you.[81] + +[81] Otherwise the ace of diamonds means a wedding ring, the +king, a fiery but a placable person, of very fair complexion; the +ten, money, success in honourable business; the eight, a happy +prudent marriage, though late in life; the five, unexpected and +most likely good news; the four, a faithless friend, a betrayed +secret. + + +The suit of hearts, as previously explained, represented +originally the ecclesiastical order, the jolly monks, churchmen +of all degrees; how far the indications tally must be left to the +ingenious reader to determine. The ace of hearts means feasting +and pleasure; but if attended by spades, it foretells +quarrelling; if by hearts it shows affection and friendship; if +by diamonds, you will hear of some absent friend; if by clubs, of +merry-making: the king of hearts denotes a not VERY fair man, +good-natured, but hot and hasty individual, and very amorous; the +queen of hearts promises a lady of golden locks (not necessarily +'carrots'), faithful and affectionate; the knave of hearts is a +particular friend, and great attention must be paid to the card +that stands next to him, as from it alone you can judge whether +the person it represents will favour your inclination or not, +because he is always the dearest friend or nearest relation of +the consulting party; the ten of hearts shows good nature and +many children, and is a corrective of the bad tidings of the +cards that stand next to it; and if its neighbouring cards are of +good import, it ascertains and confirms their value: nine of +hearts promises wealth, grandeur, and high esteem; if cards that +are unfavourable stand near it, you may expect disappointments; +and the reverse, if favourable cards follow; if these last be at +a small distance, expect to retrieve your losses, whether of +peace or goods: eight of hearts signifies drinking and feasting; +seven of hearts shows a fickle and unfaithful person, vicious, +spiteful, malicious; six of hearts promises a generous, open, +credulous disposition, often a dupe; if this card comes before +your king or queen (as the case may be) YOU will be the dupe; if +after, you will get the upper hand: five of hearts portends a +wavering, unsteady, unreliable individual of either sex: four of +hearts indicates late marriage from 'delicacy in making a +choice:' trey of hearts is rather a 'poser;' 'it shows that your +own impudence will greatly contribute to your experiencing the +ill-will of others:' deuce of hearts promises extraordinary +success and good fortune, though, perhaps, you may have to wait +long for 'the good time coming.'[82] + +[82] Or,--the ace of hearts denotes the house of the consulter; +the queen, a lady not VERY fair; seven, many good friends; six, +honourable courtship; five, a present; four, domestic troubles +caused by jealousy. + + +The suit of spades originally represented the NOBILITY, and the +following are its significances in fortune-telling. The ace of +spades wholly relates to love-affairs, without specifying whether +lawful or unlawful--a pretty general occupation of the +'nobility,' of course; it also denotes death when the card is +upside down: the king of spades shows a man ambitious and +successful at court, or with some great man who will have it in +his power to advance him--but, let him beware of the reverse! the +queen of spades shows that a person will be corrupted by the rich +of both sexes; if she is handsome great attempts will be made on +her virtue: the knave of spades shows a fellow that requires much +rousing, although 'quite willing to serve you' with his influence +and patronage--like many a member in the case of his importunate +constituents: the ten of spades is a card of caution, +counteracting the good effect of the card near you: the nine of +spades is positively the worst card in the whole pack; it +portends dangerous sickness, total loss of fortune, cruel +calamities, endless dissension in your family, and death at +last--I hope you may never see it near you: the eight of spades +indicates much opposition from your FRIENDS, or those you imagine +to be such; if this card comes near you, leave your plan and +adopt another: seven of spades shows the loss of a most valuable, +influential friend, whose death will plunge you in very great +distress and poverty: the six of spades announces a mediocrity of +fortune, and great uncertainty in your undertakings: the five of +spades is rather doubtful as to success or a rise in life; but it +promises luck in the choice of your companion for life, although +it shows that your own temper is rather sullen--and so to get a +'fond creature' to take care of you, with such a temper, is a +mighty great blessing, and more than you deserve: the four of +spades shows sickness speedily, and injury of fortune by friends: +the trey of spades shows that you will be fortunate in marriage, +but that your inconstant temper will make you unhappy: +the deuce of spades is the UNDERTAKER, at last; it positively +shows a COFFIN, but who it is for must depend entirely on the +cards that are near it.[83] + +[83] Or,--the ace of spades denotes death, malice, a duel, a +general misfortune; the king, a man of very dark complexion, +ambitious, and unscrupulous; the queen, a very dark- complexioned +woman of malicious disposition, or a widow; the knave, a lawyer, +a person to be shunned; the ten, disgrace, crime, imprisonment, +death on the scaffold; the eight, great danger from imprudence; +the six, a child, to the unmarried a card of caution; the five, +great danger from giving way to bad temper; the trey, a journey +by land,--tears; the deuce, a removal. + + +'The nine of hearts is termed the wish card. After the general +fortune has been told, a separate and different manipulation is +performed, to learn if the pryer into futurity will obtain a +particular wish; and from the position of the wish card in the +pack the required answer is deduced. + +'The foregoing is merely the alphabet of the art; the letters, as +it were, of the sentences formed by the various combinations of +the cards. A general idea only can be given here of the manner +in which those prophetic sentences are formed. As before stated, +if a married woman consults the cards, the king of her own suit, +or complexion, represents her husband; but with single women, the +lover, either in esse or posse, is represented by his own colour; +and all cards, when representing persons, lose their own normal +significations. There are exceptions, however, to these general +rules. A man, no matter what his complexion, if he wear uniform, +even if he be the negro cymbal-player in a regimental band, can +be represented by the king of diamonds:-- note, the dress of +policemen and volunteers is not considered as uniform. On the +other hand, a widow, even if she be an albiness, can be +represented only by the queen of spades. + +'The ace of hearts always denoting the house of the person +consulting the decrees of fate, some general rules are applicable +to it. Thus the ace of clubs signifying a letter, its position, +either before or after the ace of hearts, shows whether the +letter is to be sent to or from the house. The ace of diamonds +when close to the ace of hearts foretells a wedding in the house; +but the ace of spades betokens sickness and death. + +'The knaves represent the thoughts of their respective kings and +queens, and consequently the thoughts of the persons whom those +kings and queens represent, in accordance with their complexions. + +For instance, a young lady of a rather but not decidedly dark +complexion, represented by the queen of clubs, when consulting +the cards, may be shocked to find her fair lover (the king of +diamonds) flirting with a wealthy widow (the queen of spades, +attended by the ten of diamonds), but she will be reassured +by finding his thoughts (the knave of diamonds) in combination +with a letter (ace of clubs), a wedding ring (ace of diamonds), +and her house (the ace of hearts); clearly signifying that, +though he is actually flirting with the rich widow, he is, +nevertheless, thinking of sending a letter, with an offer of +marriage, to the young lady herself. And look, where are her own +thoughts, represented by the knave of clubs; they are far away +with the old lover, that dark man (king of spades) who, as is +plainly shown by his being attended by the nine of diamonds, is +prospering at the Australian diggings or elsewhere. Let us +shuffle the cards once more, and see if the dark man, at the +distant diggings, ever thinks of his old flame, the club- +complexioned young lady in England. No! he does not. Here are +his thoughts (the knave of spades), directed to this fair, but +rather gay and coquettish, woman (the queen of diamonds); they +are separated but by a few hearts, one of them, the sixth +(honourable courtship), showing the excellent understanding that +exists between them. Count, now, from the six of hearts to the +ninth card from it, and lo! it is a wedding ring (the ace of +diamonds); they will be married before the expiration of a +twelvemonth.' + +Such is the scheme of fortune-telling by cards, as propounded in +the learned disquisitions of the adepts, and Betty, or Martha, or +her mistress can consult them by themselves according to the +established method--without exposing themselves to the +extortionate cunning of the wandering gipsies or the permanent +crone of the city or village. They may just as well believe what +comes out according to their own manipulation as by that of the +heartless cheats in question. Your ordinary fortune-tellers are +not over-particular, being only anxious to tell you exactly what +you want to know. So if a black court card gets in juxta- +position with and looking towards a red court card, the fair +consulter's representative, then it is evident that some 'dark +gentleman' is 'after her;' and vice versa; and if a wife, +suspecting her husband's fidelity, consults the cards, the +probability is that her SUSPICIONS will receive 'confirmation +strong' from the fact that 'some dark woman,' that is, a black +queen, 'is after her husband;' or vice versa, if a husband +consults the card-woman respecting the suspicions he may have +reason to entertain with regard to his 'weaker rib' or his +'intended.' + +It need scarcely be observed that fortune-tellers in any place +are 'posted up' in all information or gossip in the +neighbourhood; and therefore they readily turn their knowledge to +account in the answers they give to anxious inquirers. + +Apart from this, however, the interpretations are so elaborately +comprehensive that 'something' MUST come true in the revelations; +and we all know that in such matters that something coming to +pass will far outweigh the non-fulfilment of other fatal +ordinations. Of course no professional fortune-teller would +inform an old man that some dark or fair man was 'after' his old +woman; but nothing is more probable than the converse, and much +family distraction has frequently resulted from such perverse +revelation of 'the cards.' In like manner your clever +fortune-teller will never promise half-a-dozen children to 'an +old lady,' but she will very probably hold forth that pleasant +prospect--if such it be--to a buxom lass of seventeen or +eighteen--especially in those counties of England where the +ladies are remarkable for such profuse bounty to their husbands. + +As a general proposition, it matters very little what may be the +means of vaticination or prediction--whether cards, the tea- +grounds in the cup, &c.,--all POSSIBLE events have a degree of +probability of coming to pass, which may vary from 20 to 1 down +to a perfect equality of chance; and the clever fortune-teller, +who may be mindful of her reputation, will take care to regulate +her promises or predictions according to that proposition. + +Many educated ladies give their attention to the cards, and some +have acquired great proficiency in the art. On board a steamer +sailing for New York, on one occasion a French lady among the +saloon-passengers undertook to amuse the party by telling their +fortunes. A Scotch young gentleman, who was going out to try and +get a commission in the Federal army, had his fortune told. +Among the announcements, as interpreted by the lady, was the +rather unpleasant prospect that two constables would be 'after' +him! We all laughed heartily at the odd things that came out for +everybody, and then the thing was forgotten; the steamer reached +her destination; and all the companions of the pleasant voyage +separated and went their different ways. + +Some months after, I met the young gentleman above alluded to, +and among the various adventures which he had had, he mentioned +the following. He said that shortly after his arrival in New +York he presented a ten-dollar note which he had received, at a +drinking-house, that it was declared a forged note, and that he +was given into custody; but that the magistrate, on being +conclusively convinced of his respectability, dismissed the +charge without even taking the trouble to establish the alleged +fact that the note was a forgery. So far so good; but on the +following morning, whilst at breakfast at his hotel, another +police-officer pounced upon him, and led him once more on the +same charge to another magistrate, who, however, dismissed the +case like the other.[84] + +[84] It appears that this is allowable in New York. The +explanation of the perverse prosecution was, that the young +gentleman did not 'fee' the worthy policemen, according to custom +in such cases. + + +Thereupon I said--'Why, the French lady's card-prediction on +board came to pass! Don't you remember what she said about two +constables being "after you"?' + +'Now I remember it,' he said; 'but I had positively forgotten all +about it. Well, she was right there--but I am sorry to say that +nothing else she PROMISED has come to pass.' + +Doubtless all other consulters of the cards and of astrologers +can say the same, although all would not wisely conclude that a +system must be erroneous which misleads human hope in the great +majority of cases. In fact, like the predictions in our weather- +almanacks, the fortune-teller's announcements are only right BY +CHANCE, and wrong ON PRINCIPLE. + +FORTUNE-TELLING FORTY YEARS AGO, OR, THE STORY OF MARTHA CARNABY. + +A certain Martha Carnaby, a tidy but rather 'unsettled' servant +girl, some forty years ago went to an old fortune-teller, to have +her fortune told, and the doings on both sides came out as +follows, before the magistrate at the Bow Street police-court. +The fortune-teller was 'had up,' as usual, 'for obtaining money +and other valuables' from the former. + +Miss Martha Carnaby said that this celebrated old fortune-teller +had first gained her acquaintance by attending at her master's +house, before the family had risen, and urging her to have her +fortune told. At length, after much persuasion, she consented; +but the fortune-teller told her that before the secrets of her +future destiny were revealed, she must deposit in her hands some +little token, TO BIND THE CHARM, which the old lady said she +would invoke the same evening--'if I would call at her lodgings, +and also cast my nativity by her cards, and tell me every +particular of the future progress of my life. I accordingly gave +her what money I had; but that, she told me, was not enough to +buy the ingredients with which she was to compose the charm. I +at length gave her four silver teaspoons and two tablespoons, +which she put carefully in her pocket; and then asked me to let +her look at my hand, which I showed her. She told me there were +many lines in it which clearly indicated great wealth and +happiness; and, after telling her my name was Martha Carnaby, she +took her departure, and I agreed to meet her at her lodgings the +same evening. Agreeably to her directions, I dressed myself in +as fashionable a manner as I could, because I WAS TO SEE MY +SWEETHEART THROUGH A MIRROR, AND HE WAS TO SEE ME.' + +The poor deluded creature then stated that she attended +punctually at the hour appointed, at the old lady's sanctum, and +seating herself upon an old chair, beheld with astonishment quite +as much as she bargained for. 'I felt myself,' said poor Martha, +'on entering the room, all of a twitter. The old woman was +seated in her chair of state, and, reaching down from the +mantel-piece a pack of cards, began, after muttering a few words +in a language I could not understand, to lay them very carefully +in her lap; she then foretold that I should get married, but not +to the person in our house, as I expected, but to another young +man, whom, if I could afford a trifle, she would show me through +her MATRIMONIAL MIRROR. To this I consented, and she desired me +to shut my eyes and keep my face covered while she made the +necessary preparations; and there she kept me, with my face hid +in her lap, until I was nearly smothered; when suddenly she told +me to turn round, and look through the mirror, which was seen +through a hole in a curtain, and I saw a young man pass quickly +before me, staring me in the face, at which I was much surprised, +she assuring me that he would be my husband. It was then agreed +that she was to call on me the next morning, and return the +silver spoons; but, your Worship,' said the poor girl, 'she never +came; and as I was afraid my mistress would soon want them, I +asked the advice of a woman in our neighbourhood, as to what I +had better do, and to whom I related all the circumstances I have +told your Worship; when the woman asked me how I could have been +such a fool as to be duped by that old cheat at the bar,--that +she was a notorious old woman, that she had in her employ some +young man, who was always hid in the room, to overhear the +conversation, and to run from out of the hiding-place before the +mirror; and that I ought to be thankful I came away as well as I +did, as many young girls had been ruined through going to this +old creature; that, from her acquaintance with so many servant +girls, she always contrived to get from them such intelligence as +enabled her to answer those questions that might be put to her, +as to the business, name, place of abode, country, and other +circumstances of the party applying, the answering of which +always convinced the credulous creatures who went to her, of her +great skill in the art of astrology; and when she was right in +her guessing, she always took care to have it well published.' + +Of course, and again, as usual, the magistrate 'hoped it would be +a lesson to Martha, and to all other foolish girls, never to +hearken to those infernal, wicked old wretches, the +fortune-tellers--many a girl having lost her character and virtue +by listening to their nonsense;' but there have been hundreds and +thousands of such Marthas since then, and no doubt there will be +very many more in future--in spite of the ridiculous exposure of +such dupes ever and anon, in courts of justice and in the columns +of the daily papers. + +'The art of cartomancy, or divination by playing-cards, dates +from an early period of their obscure history. In the museum of +Nantes there is a painting, said to be by Van Eyck, representing +Philippe le Bon, Archduke of Austria, and subsequently King of +Spain, consulting a fortune-teller by cards. This picture cannot +be of a later date than the fifteenth century. Then the art was +introduced into England is unknown; probably, however, the +earliest printed notice of it in this country is the following +curious story, extracted from Rowland's Judicial Astrology +Condemned:--"Cuffe, an excellent Grecian, and secretary to the +Earl of Essex, was told, twenty years before his death, that he +should come to an untimely end, at which Cuffe laughed, and in a +scornful manner entreated the soothsayer to show him in what +manner he should come to his end, who condescended to him, and +calling for cards, entreated Cuffe to draw out of the pack any +three which pleased him. He did so, and drew three knaves, and +laid them on the table by the wizard's direction, who then told +him, if he desired to see the sum of his bad fortune, to take up +those cards. Cuffe, as he was prescribed, took up the first +card, and looking on it, he saw the portraiture of himself +cap-a-pie, having men encompassing him with bills and halberds. +Then he took up the second, and there he saw the judge that sat +upon him; and taking up the last card, he saw Tyburn, the place +of his execution, and the hangman, at which he laughed heartily. +But many years after, being condemned, he remembered and declared +this prediction." + +'The earliest work on cartomancy was written or compiled by one +Francesco Marcolini, and printed at Venice in 1540.'[85] + +[85] The Book of Days, Feb. 21. In this work there is a somewhat +different account of cartomancy to that which I have expounded +'on the best authorities' and from practical experience with the +adepts in the art; but, in a matter of such immense importance to +ladies of all degrees, I have thought proper to give, in +foot-notes, the differing interpretations of the writer in the +Book of Days, who professes to speak with some authority, not +however, I think, superior to mine, for I have investigated the +subject to the utmost. + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +AMUSING CARD TRICKS.[86] + +[86] These tricks appeared originally in Beeton's Christmas +Annual, and are here reproduced with permission. + + +Although my work is a history of gambling, in all its horrors, +and with all its terrible moral warnings, I gladly conclude it +'happily,' after the manner of the most pleasing novels and +romances,--namely, by a method of contriving innocent and +interesting amusement with cards, without the 'chance' of +encountering the risks, calamities, and disgrace of gambling. + +I was led to the investigation of this branch of my subject by +the following incident. Being present at a party when a +gentleman performed one of the tricks described, No. 7, the rest +of the company and myself were all much surprised at the result, +and urgently requested him to explain the method of his +performance, which, however, he stoutly refused to do, averring +that he would not take L1000 for it. This was so ridiculously +provoking that I offered to bet him L5 that I would discover the +method within 24 hours. To my astonishment he declined the bet, +not, however, without a sort of compliment, admitting that I +MIGHT do so. He was right; for, as Edgar Poe averred, no man can +invent a puzzle which some other man cannot unravel. In effect, +I called upon him the following day, and performed the trick not +only according to his method, but also by another, equally +successful. I have reason to believe that most of the tricks of +my selection had not previously appeared in print; at any rate, I +have given to all of them an exposition which may entitle them to +some claim of originality. + +PRELIMINARY HINTS. + +I. Shuffling, in the simple and inoffensive sense of the +expression, is an important point in all tricks with cards. For +the most part, it is only a pretence or dexterous management-- +keeping a card or cards in your command whilst seeming to shuffle +them into the pack. + +Every performer has his method of such shuffling. Some hold the +pack perpendicularly with the left hand, then with the right take +a portion of the pack--about one half--and make a show of +shuffling the two parts together edgeways, but, in reality, +replace them as they were. With rapidity of execution every eye +is thus deceived. + +If a single card is to be held in command, place it at the bottom +of the pack, which you hold in your left, and then, with your +right thumb and middle finger, raise and throw successively +portions of the pack, leaving the bottom card in contact with the +fingers of the left hand. + +With dexterity, any portion of the pack may be shuffled, leaving +the remainder just as it was, by separating it during the process +by inserting one or more fingers of the left hand between it and +the portions shuffled. + +II. Cutting--not in the sense of bolting at the sight of 'blue,' +though that is of consequence to card-sharpers--is of importance +in all card tricks. In many tricks cutting the cards is only a +pretence, as it is necessary for the success of the trick to +replace them as they were; in technical terms, we must 'blow up +the cut.'[87] + +[87] This is the sauter la coupe referred to in the chapter on +the Gaming Clubs, in the account of the trial of Lord de Ros. +See 'Graham's Club.' + + +There are several ways of performing this sleight-of-hand. The +cards being cut, and forming two lots on the table, smartly +snatch up the lot which should be placed on the other, with the +left hand. + +This lot being taken up and the hand being in the position shown +in the figure, snatch up in like manner the other lot, and, by a +movement of the palm of the hand and the tips of the fingers, +pass the second lot under the first. + +The deception of the trick depends upon its dexterity, and this +can only be acquired by practice. But really it may be dispensed +with; for it is a curious fact that, in every case when the cards +are cut, you may actually replace them just as they were without +being observed by the spectators--for the simple reason that the +ruse is not suspected, especially if their attention is otherwise +engaged with your pointed observations. + +The 'gift of the gab' is in this case, as in many others, a very +great resource. A striking remark or bon mot will easily mystify +the spectators, and attract their attention from what you are +DOING. Hence all prestidigitators are always well stocked with +anecdotes and funny observations; indeed, they talk incessantly: +they speak well, too, and they take care to time the word +accurately with the moment when their fingers act most +energetically. + +III. To slip a card.--To slip a card is to pretend to take the +bottom card of the pack, and in reality to take the card which +precedes it. To perform this feat without detection is a very +simple affair, but it requires practice. + +The pack of cards being held in the right hand, +advance the left hand--palm upwards--just as if you were seizing +the last card with the middle finger; but, having slightly +moistened this finger with the lips, push back this card, and +make it slip under the palm of the right hand, whilst you seize +the preceding card with the thumb and forefinger. + +In this manner you may successively draw out several cards +besides the last, and only draw the last as the sixth, seventh, +&c., which will serve to effect several interesting tricks to be +explained in the sequel. + +IV. To file the card.--To file the card is, when a card has been +taken from the pack to pretend to place it about the middle of +the pack, whilst, in reality, you place it at the bottom. + +The pack must be held in the left hand, between the thumb and +forefinger, so that the three other fingers be free. One of the +middle cards should project a little. Then take the card to be +filed between the forefinger and the middle finger of the right +hand; advance the right hand from the left, and whilst the three +disengaged fingers of the left hand seize and place the card +under the pack, the thumb and forefinger of the right seize the +projecting card before mentioned, so that it seems to be that +card which you have slipped into the middle of the pack. These +movements are very easy, and, when rapidly performed, the +illusion is complete. + +TRICKS. + +1. To tell a card thought of by a party after three deals. + +Take twenty-one cards of a pack, and deal them out one by one in +three lots, requesting the party to think of a card, and remember +in which lot it is. + +Having dealt out the cards, ask the party in which lot the card +is. + +Take up the lots successively, and place the lot containing the +card in the MIDDLE. + +Deal out the cards again, and ask the party to state in which lot +the card is; and proceed as before, placing the lot containing +the card in the middle. + +Deal out the cards in like manner a third time, proceeding as +before. + +Then deal them out as usual, and the eleventh card will be the +one thought of, infallibly. This is the usual way of showing the +card thought of; but, as the trick may be partly discovered by +the counting, it is better to hold the cards in your hand, and +take out the eleventh card, counting to yourself, of course, from +the left hand, but pretending to be considering the guess. + +This is apparently a most mysterious trick, although a necessary +consequence of the position of the lot containing the card in the +three deals. + +2. The four inseparable kings. + +Take four kings. Beneath the last place any two cards, which you +take care to conceal. Then show the four kings and replace the +six cards under the pack. + +Then take a king and place it in the top of the pack, place one +of the TWO OTHER CARDS in the middle, and the other about the +same place, and then, turning up the pack, show that one king is +still at the bottom. Then let the cards be cut, and as three +kings were left below, all must necessarily get together +somewhere about the middle of the pack. Of course in placing the +two other cards you pretend to be placing two kings. + +3. The barmaid and the three victimizers. + +For this amusing trick you arrange the cards thus: Holding the +pack in your hands, find all the knaves, place one of them next +to your left hand, and the other three on the table. Then find a +queen, which also place on the table. Then say:-- + +'Three scamps went into a tavern, and ordered drink. Here they +are--the three knaves. "Who's to pay? I can't," said the first. + +"I won't," said the second. "I wish she may get it," said the +third. "I'll manage it," said the first, the greatest rogue of +the three. "I say, my pretty girl, haven't you some very old +wine in your cellar?" Here's the barmaid thus addressed by the +rogue in question (showing the queen), and she replied:--"Oh yes, +sir, prime old wine." "Let's have a bottle." [Off went the +barmaid. Put the queen in your pocket.] "Now for it, my lads," +said the knave in question; " 'mizzle' is the word. Let's be off +in opposite directions, and meet to- night; you know where." +Hereupon they decamped, taking opposite directions, which I will +indicate by placing one on the top of the pack, one at the +bottom, and the other in the middle. + +'When the poor barmaid returned [taking out the queen from your +pocket] with the wine, great was her astonishment to find the +room empty. "Lor!" she exclaimed, "why, I do declare--did you +ever!--Oh! but I'm not agoing to be sarved so. I'll catch the +rogues, all of them--that I will." And off she went after them, +as shown by placing her ON, or at any rate, AFTER the first. + +'Now, to catch the three seemed impossible; but the ladies have +always smiled at impossibilities, and wonders never cease; for, +if you have the goodness to cut these cards, you will find that +she HAS caught the three rogues.' + +When the cards are cut, proceed in the USUAL WAY after +cutting--NOT as required in the last trick; and taking up the +cards, you will find the queen and three knaves together, which +you take out and exhibit to the astonished audience. + +Of course, one of these knaves is not one of the three first +exhibited, but the one which you slipped on your left hand at +first. There is no chance of detection, however; simply for the +reason before given--nobody suspects the trick. + +4. How to name every card in a pack successively turned up by a +second party, and win every trick at a hand of Whist. + +This is, perhaps, the most astonishing of all tricks with cards. +Although it may be true that whatever puzzle one man invents, +some other man may unravel, as before observed, I am decidedly of +opinion that this trick defies detection. At the first blush it +seems very difficult to learn; but it is simplicity itself in +explanation. + +Begin by laying out the cards in four rows according to the +suits, all of a suit in a row side by side. + +The cards must now be arranged for the trick. Take up the six in +the top or bottom row, then the two in the next row, the ten in +the third, and the nine in the fourth, placing them one upon the +other in the left hand. Then begin again with the row from which +you took the six, and take up the three. From the next row take +the king. These numbers will be easily remembered with a little +practice, amounting altogether to 30, made up thus--6 and 2 are +8, 8 and 10 are 18, 18 and 9 are 27, 27 and 3 are 30--KING. + +By repeating this addition a few times, it will be fixed in the +memory. + +Proceed by next beginning with the row next to the one from which +you took the last card or the king, and take the eight; from the +next row take the four; from the next the ace; from the next the +knave. These cards make up 13. Therefore say, 8 and 4 are 12 +and 1 are 13--knave. + +From the next row to that whence you took the knave, take the +seven; from the next row take the five; from the next the queen. +These cards make up 12. Thus, 7 and 5 are 12--queen. + +It thus appears that you have taken up thirteen cards consisting +of the four suits, successively taken and being arranged as +follows:--6, 2, 10, 9, 3, king; 8, 4, 1, knave; 7, 5, queen. + +Proceed in like manner with the remainder of the cards, beginning +with the row next to that from which you took the queen, and take +the six, then from the next row the two, and so on as before, +making up another batch of 13 cards. + +Repeat the process for a third batch, and finish with the +remainder for the fourth--always remembering to take the card +from the next row in succession continually; in other words, only +one card must be taken from each row at a time. + +When the cards are thus arranged, request a party to cut them. +This is only pretence; for you must take care dexterously to +replace the cut just as it was before. Let them be cut again, +and replace them as before. Your ruse will not be detected, +simply because nobody suspects the possibility of the thing. + +Now take up the pack, and from the BOTTOM take the first four +cards; handing the remainder to a party, sitting before you, +saying--'I shall now call every card in succession from the top +of the pack in your hand.' + +To do this, two things must be remembered; and there is no +difficulty in it. First, the numbers 6, 2, 10, 9, 3, king, &c., +before given; and next the SUIT of those cards. + +Now you know the NUMBERS by heart, and the SUIT is shown by the +four cards which you hold in your hand, fan-like, in the usual +way. If the first of the four cards be a club, the first card +you call will be the six of clubs; if the next be a heart, the +next card called will be the two of hearts, and so on throughout +the thirteen made up from every row, as before given, and the +suits of each card will be indicated successively by the suit of +each of your four indicator cards, thus, as the case may be, +clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades; clubs, hearts, diamonds, spades, +and so on. + +After a little private practice, you will readily and rapidly +call, as the case may be, from the four cards in your hand:--the +six of clubs, two of hearts, ten of diamonds, nine of spades, +three of clubs, king of hearts, eight of diamonds, four of +spades, ace of clubs, knave of hearts, seven of diamonds, five of +spades, queen of clubs--and so on to the last card in the pack. + +In the midst of the astonishment produced by this seemingly +prodigious display of memory, say--'Now, if you like, we will +have a hand at Whist, and I undertake to win every trick if I be +allowed to deal.' + +Let the Whist party be formed, and get the cards cut as usual-- +only taking care to REPLACE them, as before enjoined, precisely +as they were. Deal the cards, and the result will be that your +thirteen cards will be ALL TRUMPS. Let the game proceed until +your opponents 'give it up' in utter bewilderment. + +This splendid trick seems difficult in description, but it is one +of the easiest; and even were it ten times more difficult than it +is, the reader will perhaps admit that it is worth mastering. +Once committed to memory the figures are never forgotten, and a +few repetitions, with the cards before you, will suffice to +enable you to retain them. + +5. Two persons having each drawn a card and replaced them in the +pack, to guess these cards. + +Make a set of all the clubs and spades, and another set of hearts +and diamonds. Shuffle well each set, and even let them be +shuffled by the spectators. Then request a person to draw a card +from one of the sets, and another person to draw one from the +second set. + +You now take a set in each hand, presenting them to the two +persons, requesting them to replace the drawn cards. You must +pretend to present to each person the set from which he drew his +card, but in reality you present the red set to the person who +drew the black card, and the black set to the person who drew the +red card. + +Each person having replaced his card, you get each set shuffled. +Then you take them in hand, and by running them over you easily +find the red card amongst the black, and the black card amongst +the red. + +Of course you will have prepared the sets beforehand, and take +care to alter the arrangement as soon as possible after the +trick. But you can prepare the pack in the presence of others +without their detecting it. Distribute the cards by dealing +according to the two colours; take them up, and having placed the +red set a little projecting over the black, set them down, and, +pretending to cut them, separate the sets. + +6. Twenty cards being arranged upon a table, a person thinks of +two, and you undertake to guess them. + +Lay out twenty cards of any kind, two by two, + + +--------------------- +| c | i | c | o | s | +--------------------- +| d | e | d | i | t | +--------------------- +| t | u | m | u | s | +--------------------- +| n | e | m | o | n | +--------------------- + +and request a party to think of two in a line; that is, one of +the ten sets formed by the twenty cards. This done you take up +the sets in the order in which they lie, and place them in rows +according to the letters of the words. You may use a diagram +like the preceding, but as the words are easily retained it had +better be dispensed with, distributing the cards on the table +just as though upon the diagram, which will make the trick more +puzzling and extraordinary. Proceed as follows:-- Place the +cards two by two on similar letters: thus, place the two cards of +the first set on the two d's in dedit; the two cards of the +second set on the two i's of cicos and dedit; the two of the +third set on the two c's, and so on with the ten sets. + +All the letters of the words being thus covered, ask the party +who has thought of the cards to tell you in which lines these +cards are. If both are in the first line (cicos), they must be +those on the two c's; if they are both in the second line, they +cover the d's in dedit; both in the third line, they cover the +u's in tumus; both in the fourth, they cover the n's in nemon. + +If one be in the first line and the other in the second, they +cover the i's in cicos and dedit, and thus of the rest-- the two +cards thought of NECESSARILY covering two SIMILAR LETTERS, whilst +each of the letters occurs only TWICE in the diagram. + +7. To tell a card thought of without even looking at the cards. + +Take any number of cards,--say twenty. Pretend to shuffle them +with the faces towards you, and REMEMBER THE FIRST CARD as you +close the pack--suppose the ten of diamonds. Tell the party that +the only condition you require is to be told the ORDER in which +the card is dealt out by you; in other words, he must tell you +whether in dealing it comes out first, second, third, &c. + +Remembering your first card, you may then turn your back to him, +and deal out the cards one by one, and one upon the top of the +other, requesting him to think of a card and its order as before +said. + +Then take up the cards, and shuffle them repeatedly, by throwing +a portion of them from the bottom to the top, taking care not to +mix the cards or let any drop, and then let the party cut them as +often as he pleases. Then, take the cards in hand. Pretend to +examine them mysteriously, but in reality only look for YOUR +card--the first dealt out--the ten of diamonds for instance. +Now, suppose he tells you that the card he thought of came out +FIFTH. Then, for a certainty, it is the fourth card on the RIGHT +of the ten of diamonds, in spite of all YOUR shuffling, and all +regular cutting, for such shuffling and regular cutting cannot +alter the order or sequence of the cards. Always remember to +count from your own card inclusive to the number of the card +thought of towards your right hand. But should your card happen +to be so near the right hand or the top as not to allow +sufficient counting, then count as far as it admits to the RIGHT +and then continue at the LEFT. Thus, suppose there are only two +cards above the ten of diamonds, then count two more on the left, +making the fifth. If the card you remember, or your first card, +is first, then count the requisite number on the left, always +beginning with YOUR card, however. + +The REASON of this trick is simply that by merely cutting the +cards, and shuffling them in the way indicated, you do not alter +the SEQUENCE of the cards. With regard to this sort of +SHUFFLING, I may say that it is simply CUTTING the cards-- always +preserving their sequence--a most important fact for +card-players, since it may lead to a pretty accurate conjecture +of all the hands after a deal, from the study of the one in hand, +with reference to the tricks turned down after the previous deal, +as already suggested. Hence, in shuffling for whist or other +games, the cards should not be shuffled in this way, but more +thoroughly mixed by the edgewise shuffling of certain players. + +This is the trick I alluded to at the commencement of the +chapter, the mode of performing which I succeeded in discovering. + +Of course ANY NUMBER of persons may think of cards, remembering +their order, and the operator will tell them, in like manner. + +8. A person having thought of one of fifteen cards presented to +him, to guess the card thought of. + +Form three ranks of five cards each, and request a party to think +of one of these cards, and tell you in which rank it is. Take up +the cards of the three ranks, taking care to place the cards of +the ranks in which is the card thought of between those of the +two other ranks. + +Make three more ranks as before. Ask the party again in which +rank the card is, and take them up, placing the rank in which the +card is between the two others. Operate in like manner a third +time, and the card thought of will infallibly be the THIRD of the +rank named by the party. + +Observe, however, you must not form each rank with five +consecutive cards; but you must place the cards one by one, +placing one successively in each rank; thus, one at the top on +the left of the first rank, one below that first for the second +rank, one below the second for the third rank, then one in the +first, one in the second, one in the third, and so on. + +This trick, which is very easy, always produces a great effect. +It only requires a little attention, and it can never fail unless +you make a mistake in arranging the cards, which, however, is too +simple to admit of error. + +9. Two persons having each drawn a card from a pack, and having +replaced them, to tell these cards after the pack has been +shuffled and cut by the spectators as often as they like. + +The cards may be easily divided into two numerical parts, even +and odd: by taking a king for four points, a queen for three, a +knave for two, and the other cards for their especial points, we +may make up two sets of sixteen cards each, the even composing +one, and the odd the other. These two sets being before the +performer, he takes one, shuffles it well, and lets a party take +a card. He then takes the other, shuffles it, and lets another +party take a card. Then, whilst each party is looking at his +card, which HE IS REQUESTED TO DO, the performer dexterously +changes the place of the two sets, and he requests the parties to +replace the cards in the set whence they took them. It follows +that the party who took a card from the EVEN set places it in the +ODD set, and he who took it from the ODD set places it in the +even set. Consequently, all the shuffling and cutting in the +world will be useless, for the performer has only to spread out +the cards of each set to point out the cards drawn. + +10. Singular arrangement of sixteen cards. + +Take the four kings, the four queens, the four knaves, and the +four tens of a pack, and ask if there be any one in the company +who can form a square with them in such a manner that, taken in +any direction, from right to left, from the top to the bottom, by +the diagonal--anyhow, in fact--there will always be in each line +a king, queen, knave, and a ten. Everybody will think the thing +easy, but it is certain that no one will succeed in doing it. +When they 'give it up,' take the sixteen cards and arrange them +as shown, when the king, queen, knave, and ten will stand as +required. + +11. The seven trick. + +Make up the four sevens of a pack, and take seven other cards, no +matter which, for another lot, and, presenting both lots, you +say:--Here are two lots totally dissimilar; nevertheless, there +is one of seven, and I declare it will be the first touched by +any party present. Of course, when touched, you at once prove +your words by exhibiting either the sevens or the seven cards-- +taking care to mix the cards into the pack immediately to prevent +detection. + +12. Infallible method for guessing any number that a party has +thought of. + +Take the first ten cards of a pack of 52 cards. Set out these +ten cards as shown below, so that the point A should correspond +to the ace, and to 1--the point F to the card representing the +6--and E to the 10. + + 2 3 4 + B C D + 1 A--------E 5 + 10 K--------F 6 + I H G + 9 8 7 + +Thus prepared, you request a party to think of a card, and then +you tell him to touch any number he pleases, requesting him to +name it aloud. Then, adding the whole number of the cards to the +number touched, you tell him to count backwards to himself, +beginning with the card touched, and giving to that card the +number of the one thought of. By counting in this way, the party +will at length count the entire number on the card thought of, +which you will thus be able to designate with certainty. + +Example:--Suppose the card thought of is G, marking 7; again, +supposing the one touched to be D, equal to 4; you add to this +number the entire number of cards, which is, in this case, 10, +which will make 14. Then, making the party count this sum, from +the number touched, D to C, B, A, and so on, backwards, so that +in commencing to count the number thought of, 7 on D, the party +will continue, saying, 8 on C, 9 on B, 10 on A, 11 on K, 12 on I, +13 on H, and end with counting 14 on G; and you will thus +discover that the number thought of is 7, which corresponds to G. + +Of course the party counts TO himself, and only speaks to +designate the point on which he stops, namely, G in this example. + +This trick may be performed with any number of cards-- as few as +six, or as many as fifteen. Then you must always add to the +number the total of the cards used. The trick will be much more +interesting and striking if you turn the cards face downwards, +only trusting to your memory to retain the order of the numbers. + +Of course, the letters are only used to facilitate the +explanation. The cards really form a sort of circle, beginning +at 1 or the ace on the left, and then continuing with the 2, the +3, the 4, the 5, and so on, to the 10 below the ace; and, by +necessity, the party must end his counting with the very card he +thought of, beginning from the one he happens to point out. + +13. The card that cannot be found. + +Take any number of cards and spread them out fan-like in your +hand, faces fronting the spectators. + +Ask one of them to select a card. You tell him to take it, and +then to place it at the bottom of the pack. You hold up the +pack, so that the spectators may see that the card is really at +the bottom. Suppose this card is the king of hearts. + +Then, pretending to take that card, you take the card preceding +it, and place it at a point corresponding to A in the following +figure. + + A C + B D + +You then take the card drawn, namely, the king of hearts, and +place it at the point corresponding to B in the above figure. +Finally, you take any two other cards, and place them at C and D. + +Of course, the cards are placed face downwards. + +After this location of the cards, you tell the party who has +chosen the card that you will change the position of the cards, +by pushing alternately that at the point A to B, and that at D to +C, and vice versa; and you defy him to follow you in these +gyrations of the card, and to find it. + +Of course, seeing no difficulty in the thing, and believing with +everybody that his card is placed at the point A, he will +undertake to follow and find his card. Then performing what you +undertake to do, you rapidly change the places of the cards, and +yet slowly enough to enable the party to keep in view the card +which he thinks his own, and so that you may not lose sight of +the one you placed at B. + +Having thus arranged the cards for a few moments, you ask the +party to perform his promise by pointing out his card. Feeling +sure that he never lost sight of it, he instantly turns one of +the cards and is astonished to find that it is not his own. Then +you say:--'I told you you would not be able to follow your card +in its ramble. But I have done what you couldn't do: here is +your card!' + +The astonishment of the spectators is increased when you actually +show the card; for, having made them observe in the first +instance, that you did not even look at the drawn card, they are +utterly at a loss to discover the means you employed to find out +and produce the card in question. + +14. Cards being drawn from a pack, to get them guessed by a +person blindfolded. + +At all these performances there are always amongst the spectators +persons in league with the prestidigitator. In the present case +a woman is the assistant, with whom he has entered into an +arrangement by which each card is represented by a letter of the +alphabet; and the following are the cards selected for the trick +with their representative letters. + +The performer takes a handkerchief and blindfolds the lady in +question, and places her in the centre of the circle of +spectators. Then spreading out the cards, he requests each of +the spectators to draw a card. + +He requests the first to give him the card he has drawn; he looks +at it, and placing it on the table face downwards, he asks the +lady to name the card, which she does instantly and without +hesitation. + +Of course this appears wonderful to the spectators, and their +astonishment goes on increasing whilst the lady names every card +in succession to the last. + +It is, however, a very simple affair. Each card represents a +letter of the alphabet, as we see by the figure, and all the +performer has to do is to begin every question with the letter +corresponding to the card. + +Suppose the party has drawn the king of hearts. Its letter is A. + +The performer exclaims--'Ah! I'm sure you know this!' The A at +once suggests the card in question. Suppose it is the ace of +clubs. He says--'Jump at conclusions if you like, but be sure in +hitting this card on the nail.' J begins the phrase, and +represents the card in question. Suppose it is the ten of +spades, he cries out--'Zounds! if you mistake this you are not so +clever a medium as I took you for.' The ace of diamonds--'Quite +easy, my dear sir,' or 'my dear ma'am,' as the case may be. Q +represents the ace of diamonds. The queen of diamonds--'Oh, the +beauty!' The ace of hearts--'Dear me! what is this?' The ace of +spades--'You are always right, name it.' The nine of diamonds-- +'So! so! well, I'm sure she knows it.' + +Doubtless these specimens will suffice to suggest phrases for +every other card. Such phrases may be written out and got by +heart--only twenty-three being required; but this seems useless, +for it does not require much tact at improvisation to hit upon a +phrase commencing with any letter. However, it will be better to +take every precaution rather than run the risk of stopping in the +performance, whose success mainly depends upon the apparently +inspired rapidity of the answers. The performer might conceal in +the hollow of his hand a small table exactly like the figure, to +facilitate his questions. As for the medium, he, or she, must +rely entirely on memory. Of course the spectators may be allowed +to see that the medium is completely blindfolded. This modern +trick has always puzzled the keenest spectators + +15. The mystery of double sight. + +All the cards of a pack, or indeed any common object touched by a +spectator, may be named by an assistant in the following way-- +whilst in another apartment, or blindfolded. + +Take 32 cards and arrange them in four lines, one under the +other. You arrange with your assistant to name the first line +after the days of the week; the second will represent the weeks, +the third the months, the fourth the years. The assistant is +enjoined to count the days aloud, and the first card by the left. + +The following is the entire scheme:-- + +Days 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* +Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 +Months 1 2 3** 4 5 6 7 8 +Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7*** 8 + +The cards being thus arranged, the party who has to guess them +retires from the room. When he is recalled, whether blindfolded +or not, he pretends to count to himself for a considerable time, +so as to allow his associate time to say to him, without +affectation or exciting suspicion of collusion--'I give you,' or +'I give him SO MUCH TIME to guess what is required; 'for it is in +this phrase that the whole secret of the trick is contained, as I +shall proceed to demonstrate. + +Suppose the card touched be one of those marked with the +asterisks * ** ***; if it be the first, the associate says,; I +give him eight days to guess it.' Then the medium, beginning +with the upper line, that of the days, will at once be able to +say that the card touched is the eighth of the first horizontal +line, or the first of the eighth vertical line. + +If it be the card holding the place of the number marked with two +asterisks ** the associate says 'three months,' and 'seven years' +for the one marked with three asterisks ***. + +Thus, whatever card is touched, it will be easy to indicate it, +by beginning with the line of days at the top, counting one from +the left of the associate and medium. + +Such is the simple process; and the following is the conventional +catechism adopted by all theoperators in double sight, with a few +variations adapted to circumstances. + +With this collection of words and phrases, every existing object +can be guessed, provided care be taken to classify them according +to the following indications. + +To operate, two persons must establish a perfect understanding +between them. One undertakes the questions, the other the +answers, the latter having his eyes perfectly blindfolded. Both +of them must thoroughly know the following numbers with their +correspondences:-- + +1. Now. 9. Quick. +2. Answer or reply. 10. Say. +3. Name. 20. Tell me. +4. What is the object, or thing. 30. I request you. +5. Try. 40. Will you. +6. Again. 50. Will you (to) me. +7. Instantly. 60. Will you (to) us. +8. Which? + + +Example:--Add the question of the simple number to the question +of the decade or ten. Thus, in pronouncing the words 'Say now,' +11--for say is 10, and now is 1, total 11. This, therefore, +forms question 11. + +Again--'Tell me which number,' 28--for 'tell me' is 20, and +'which' is 8, total 28. + +Thirdly:--'I request you instantly,' 37; for 'I request you' is +30, and 'instantly' is 7, total 37. + +All the expressions or words that follow are totally independent +of the answer, and are only adapted to embellish or mystify the +question as far as the audience is concerned. For instance: + +Question 7. Instantly, what I have in my hand? Answer, A watch. + +Question 9. Quick, the hour? Answer, nine o'clock. + +Question 30, I request you (2) reply--the minutes. Answer, 32 +minutes, that is 30 and 2, equal to 32. + +It would be useless to give the entire correspondence invented +for this apparently mysterious revelation, as a few specimens +will suffice to show the principle. + +Say what I hold? A handkerchief. +Say now what I hold? A snuff-box. +Say, reply, what I hold? A pair of spectacles. +Say and name what I hold? A box. +Say and try to say what I hold? A hat. +Say quickly what I hold? An umbrella. + +Tell me, reply, what I hold? A knife. +Tell me what I hold? A purse. +Tell me now what I hold? A pipe. +Tell me and try to say what I hold? A needle. +Tell me quickly what I hold? A cane. + +I request you to say what I hold? A portfolio. +I request you to say now what I hold? Paper. +I request you to say, reply, what I hold? A book. +I request you to say quickly what I hold? A coin. + +Will you say, reply, what I hold?--A cigar. +Will you say, name what I hold?--A cane. +Will you say, again, what I hold?--A newspaper. + +Now, what I hold?--A bottle. +Reply, what I hold?--A jug. +Name what I hold?--A glass. +Again, what contains this vessel?--Wine. +Instantly, what this vessel contains?--Beer. +Now the form?--Triangular. +Reply, the form?--Round. +Name the form?--Square. +The form?--Oval. +Try to indicate the form?--Pointed. +Again, indicate the form?--Flat. + +Now, the colour?--White. +Reply, the colour?--Blue. +Name the colour?--Red. +The colour of this object?--Black. +Try to tell the colour?--Green. +Again, the colour?--Yellow. + +Now, the metal?--Gold. +Reply, the metal?--Silver. +The metal of the thing?--Copper. +Again, the metal?--Iron. +Instantly, the metal?--Lead. + +Ah! the figure or hour?--1. +Well?--2. 'Tis good?--3. +'Tis well?--4. +Good?--5. +But?--6. +Let's see?--7. +That's it?--8. +&c. + +Now name the suit of this card?--Clubs. +Reply, the suit of this card?--Hearts. +Name the suit of this card?--Spades. +The suit of this card?--Diamonds. + +It is obvious, from the preceding specimen, that a conventional +catechism involving every object can be contrived by two persons, +and adapted to every circumstance. The striking performances of +the most notorious mesmeric 'patients' in this line prove the +possibility of the achievement. The 'agent' who receives the +questions in writing or in a whisper thus communicates the answer +to the patient, who is laboriously trained in the entire +encyclopaedia of 'common things' and things generally known; but +it MAY happen that the question proposed by the spectator has +been omitted in the scheme. + +On one occasion, when the famous Prudence was the 'patient,' and +was telling the taste of all manner of liquids from a glass of +water, I proposed 'Blood' to the 'agent.' He shook his head, +said he would try; but it was useless. She said she 'couldn't do +it,' and the agent frankly admitted that it was a failure. + +Now, if the mesmeric consciousness were really, as pretended, the +result of mental intercommunication between the agent and +patient, it is obvious that the well-known taste of blood could +be communicated as well as any other taste. This experiment +suffices to prove that the revelations are communicated in the +matter-of-fact way which I have sufficiently described. + +Should it happen that a spectator has discovered the method, the +performers easily turn the tables against him. They have always +ready a conventional list of common things; and the agent +undertakes that his mesmeric patient will indicate them without +hearing a word from him, even in another apartment. The agent +then merely touches the object, and the patient begins with the +first name in his list. The patient takes care to give the agent +sufficient time, lest he should name the object next to be +touched before the agent applies his finger, and thus, as it +were, call for it rather than name it when touched, as required +by the case. + +1. Guessing. + +Five persons having each thought of a different card, to guess +five cards. + +Take twenty-five cards, show five of them to a party, requesting +him to think of one, then place them one upon the other. Proceed +in like manner with five more to a second party, and so on, five +parties in all, placing the fives on the top of each other. +Then, beginning with the top cards, make five lots, placing one +card successively in each lot; and ask the five parties, one +after the other, in which lot their card is. As the first five +cards are the first of each lot, it is evident that the card +thought of by the first party is the first of the lot he points +to; that of the second, is the second of the lot he points to; +that of the third, the third of the third lot; that of the +fourth, the fourth of the fourth lot; that of the fifth, the +fifth of the fifth lot. + +Of course five persons are not necessary. If there be but one +person, the card must be the first of the lot he points to. + +It would be more artistic, perhaps, if you dispense with seeing +the cards, making the lots up with your eyes turned away from the +table. Then request the parties to observe in which lot their +respective card is, and, taking the lots successively in hand, +present to each the card thought of without looking at it +yourself. + +17. The Arithmetical Puzzle. + +This card trick, to which I have alluded in a previous page, +cannot fail to produce astonishment; and it is one of the most +difficult to unravel. + +Hand a pack of cards to a party, requesting him to make up +parcels of cards, in the following manner. He is to count the +number of pips on the first card that turns up, say a five, and +then add as many cards as are required to make up the number 12; +in the case here supposed, having a five before him, he will +place seven cards upon it, turning down the parcel. All the +court cards count as 10 pips; consequently, only two cards will +be placed on such to make up 12. The ace counts as only one pip. + +He will then turn up another, count the pips upon it, adding +cards as before to make up the number 12; and so on, until no +more such parcels can be made, the remainder, if any, to be set +aside, all being turned down. + +During this operation, the performer of the trick may be out of +the room, at any rate, at such a distance that it will be +impossible for him to see the first cards of the parcels which +have been turned down; and yet he is able to announce the number +of pips made up by all the first cards laid down, provided he is +only informed of the number of parcels made up and the number of +the remainder, if any. + +The secret is very simple. It consists merely in multiplying the +number of parcels over four by 13 (or rather vice versa), and +adding the remaining cards, if any, to the product. + +Thus, there have just been made up seven packets, with five cards +over. Deducting 4 from 7, 3 remain; and I say to myself 13 times +3 (or rather 3 times 13) are 39, and adding to this the five +cards over, I at once declare the number of pips made up by the +first cards turned down to be 44. + +There is another way of performing this striking trick. Direct +six parcels of cards to be made up in the manner aforesaid, and +then, on being informed of the number of cards remaining over, +add that number to 26, and the sum will be the number of pips +made up by the first cards of the six parcels. + +Such are the methods prescribed for performing this trick; but I +have discovered another, which although, perhaps, a little more +complicated, has the desirable advantage of explaining the +seeming mystery. + +Find the number of cards in the parcels, by subtracting the +remainder, if any, from 52. Subtract the number of pip cards +therefrom, deduct this last from the number made up of the number +of parcels multiplied by 12, and the remainder will be the number +of pips on the first cards. + +To demonstrate this take the case just given. There are seven +parcels and five cards over. First, this proves that there are +47 cards in the seven parcels made up of pips and cards. +Secondly, subtract the number of pip cards--seven from the number +of cards in the parcels; then, 7 from 47, 40 remain (cards). +Thirdly, now, as the seven parcels are made up both of the pip +cards and cards, it is evident that we have only to find the +number of cards got at as above, to get the number of pips +required. Thus, there being seven packets, 7 times 12 make 84; +take 40, as above found (the number of cards), and the remainder +is 44, the number of pips as found by the first method +explained,--the process being as follows:-- + + 52 - 5 = 47 - 7 = 40. + + Then, 7 X 12 = 84 - 40 = 44. + +In general, however, the first method, being the easiest of +performance, should be adopted. The second is in many respects +very objectionable. + +18. To get a card into a pack firmly held by a party. + +This trick strikingly shows how easily we may all be deceived by +appearances. + +Select the five or seven of any suit, say the seven of hearts, +and handing the remainder of the pack to a party, show him the +card, with your thumb on the seventh pip, so as to conceal it, +saying:--'Now, hold the pack as firmly as you can, and keep your +eye upon it to see that there is no trickery, and yet I undertake +to get into it this six of hearts.' This injunction rivets his +attention, and doubtless, like other wise people destined to be +deceived, he feels quite sure that nobody can 'take him in.' In +this satisfactory condition for the operation on both sides, you +flourish the card so as just to reach the level of the top of +your hat (if you wear an Alpine scolloped, so much the better), +and then, bringing down the card, rapidly strike it on the pack +twice, uttering the words one, two, at each stroke; but, on the +third raising of the card, leave it on the top of your hat, +striking the pack with your hand--with the word three. Then +request the party to look for the six of hearts in the pack, and +he will surely find it, to his amazement. + +This trick may be performed in a drawing-room, if the operator be +seated, dropping the card behind his back, especially in an easy- +chair. + + + + + +****End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Andrew Steinmetz's**** +**********The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims*********** +Volume #2 + diff --git a/old/tgamt210.zip b/old/tgamt210.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..10453bd --- /dev/null +++ b/old/tgamt210.zip |