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+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: 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
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