Tothereadersofthepresentgenerationmuchofthisbookwill，doubtless，seemincredible。Stillitisabookoffacts——asectionofoursocialhistory，whichis，Ithink，worthwriting，anddeservingofmeditation。
Fortyorfiftyyearsago——thatis，withinthememoryofmanyalivingman——gamblingwas`therage’inEngland，especiallyinthemetropolis。Streetsnowmeaninglessanddull——suchasOsendonStreet，andstreetsandsquaresnowinhabitedbythemostrespectableintheland——forinstance，StJames’sSquare，THEN
openeddoorstocountlessvotariesofthefickleandcapriciousgoddessofFortune；intheroomsofwhichmanyanobleman，manyagentleman，manyanofficeroftheArmyandNavy，clergymen，tradesmen，clerks，andapprentices，were`cleanedout’——ruined，anddriventoself-murder，ortocrimesthatledtothegallows。
`Ihavemyself，’saysawriterofthetime，`seenhanginginchainsamanwhomashorttimebeforeIsawataHazardtable！’
History，asitiscommonlywritten，doesnotsufficientlytakecognizanceofthesocialpursuitsandpracticesthatsapthevitalityofanation；andyetthesearetheleadinginfluencesinitsdestiny——makingitwhatitisandwillbe，atleastthroughmanygenerations，byexampleandtheinexorablelawsthatpresideoverwhatiscalled`hereditarytransmission。’
Havenotthegamblingpropensitiesofourforefathersinfluencedthepresentgeneration？……
Nodoubtgambling，inthesensetreatedofinthisbook，hasceasedinEngland。IftherebehereandthereaRouletteorRougeetNoirtableinoperation，itsexistenceisnowknownonlytoafew`sworn-brethren；’ifgamblingatcards`prevails’
incertainquarters，itis`keptquiet。’Theviceisnotbarefaced。Itslinksandskulksawayintocornersandholes，likeapoisonedrat。Therefore，publicmoralityhastriumphed，or，tousethecard-phrase，`trumped’overthisdreadfulabuse；
andthelawhasdoneitsduty，orhasreasontoexpectcongratulationforitssuccess，in`puttingdown’gaminghouses。
Butwegamblestill。ThegamblingontheTurf(nowthemostuncertainofall`gamesofchance’)was，lately，somethingthatrangthroughandstartledtheentirenation。Wegambleinthefunds。Wegambleinendlesscompanies(limited)——allresultingfromthesamepassionofournature，whichledtothegamblingofformertimeswithcards，withdice，atPiquet，Basset，Faro，Hazard，EO，_Roulette_，and_RougeetNoir_。Atarecentmemorabletrial，theLordChiefJusticeofEnglandexclaimed——
`Therecanbenodoubt——anyonewholooksaroundhimcannotfailtoperceive——thataspiritofspeculationandgamblinghastakenholdofthemindsoflargeclassesofthepopulation。Menwhowerewonttobesatisfiedwithmoderategainandsafeinvestmentsseemnowtobeanimatedbyaspiritofgreedaftergain，whichmakesthemreadytoembarktheirfortunes，howeverhardlygained，inthevainhopeofrealizingimmensereturnsbypremiumsuponshares，andofmakingmorethansafeandreasonablegains。Weseethatcontinually。’Infact，wemaynotbeajotbettermorallythanourforefathers。Butthatisnoreasonwhyweshouldnotfrownoverthestoryoftheirhorridsins，and，`havingagoodconscience，’thinkwhatsaddogstheywereintheirgeneration——knowing，aswedo，thatnoneofusatthepresentdaylose_FIFTYORAHUNDREDTHOUSANDPOUNDS_atplay，atasitting，inonesinglenight——aswascertainlynoveryuncommon`event’inthosepalmydaysofgaming；andthatwecouldnot——aswasdonein1820——producealistof_FIVEHUNDRED_names(inLondonalone)ofnoblemen，gentlemen，officersoftheArmyandNavy，andclergymen，whowereveteranorindefatigablegamesters，besides`clerks，grocers，horse-dealers，linen-
drapers，silk-mercers，masons，builders，timber-merchants，booksellers，&c。，&c。，andmenoftheverylowestwalksoflife，’
whofrequentedthenumerousgaminghousesthroughoutthemetropolis——totheirruinandthatoftheirfamiliesmoreorless(asdeploringlylamentedbyCaptainGronow)，andnotafewofthem，nodoubt，findingthemselvesinthatpositioninwhichtheycouldexclaim，at_OUR_remonstrance，asfeelinglyasdidKingRichard——
`Slave！Ihavesetmylifeupona_CAST_，AndIwillstandthe_HAZARDOFTHEDIE！_’
Norisgamingasyetextinctamongus。Everynowandthenabatchofyoungstersisbroughtbeforethemagistrateschargedwithvulgar`tossing’inthestreets；andeverynowandthenwehearofsomevictimofgenteelgambling，asrecently——inthemonthofFebruary，1868——when`ayoungmemberofthearistocracylostL10，000atWhist。’
Nay，atthecommencementofthepresentyearthereappearedinadailypaperthefollowingstartlingannouncementtotheeditor:——
`Sir，——Allowme，throughthecolumnsofyourpaper，tocalltheattentionoftheparentsandfriendsoftheyoungofficersintheChannel-fleettothegreatextentgamblingiscarriedonatLisbon。Sincethefleethasbeenthereanothergamblinghousehasbeenopened，andisfilledeveryeveningwithyoungofficers，manyofwhomareunder18yearsofage。Onthe1stofJanuaryitiscomputedthatupwardsofL800waslostbyofficersofthefleetinthegamblinghouses，andifthefleetistostaytherethreemonthstherewillsoonbeagreatnumberoftheofficersinvolvedindebt。Iwillrelateoneincidentthatcameundermypersonalnotice。Ayoungmidshipman，whohadlatelyjoinedtheChannelfleetfromtheBristol，drewahalf-year’spayinDecember，besideshisquarterlyallowance，andImethimonshorethenexteveningwithoutmoneyenoughtopayaboattogoofftohisship，havinglostallatagamblinghouse。
Hopingthatthismaybeofsomeuseinstoppingthegamblingamongtheyoungerofficers，Iremain，yoursrespectfully，ANOFFICER。’[1]
[1]Standard，Jan。12，1870。
Inconclusion，Ihavecontemplatedthepassionofgaminginallitsbearings，aswillbeevidentfromtherangeofsubjectsindicatedbythetableofcontentsandindex。Ihaveransacked(andsacked)hundredsofvolumesforentertaining，amusing，curious，orinstructivematter。
Withoutdeprecatingcriticismonmylabours，perhapsImaystatethattheseresearcheshaveprobablyterminatedmycareerasanauthor。ImmediatelyafterthecompletionofthisworkIwasafflictedwithadegreeofblindnessrenderingitimpossibleformetoreadanyprintwhatever，andcompellingmetowriteonlybydictation。
ANDREWSTEINMETZ。
CONTENTSOFVOL。I。
CHAP。
I
THEUNIVERSALPASSIONOFGAMING；OR，GAMINGALLTHEWORLDOVER
II
GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTHINDOOS——
AHINDOOLEGENDANDITSMODERNPARALLEL
III
GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTEGYPTIANS，PERSIANSANDGREEKS
IV
GAMINGAMONGTHEANCIENTROMANEMPERORS
V
GAMBLINGINFRANCEINALLTIMES
VI
THERISEANDPROGRESSOFMODERNGAMINGINENGLAND
VII
GAMBLINGINBRIGHTONIN1817
VIII
GAMBLINGATTHEGERMANBATHING-PLACES
IX
GAMBLINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES
X
LADYGAMESTRESSES
XI
GAMBLINGPOETS，SAVANTS，PHILOSOPHERS，WITS，ANDSTATESMEN
XII
REMARKABLEGAMESTERS
XIII
THELOTTERIESANDTHEIRBEWILDERMENTS
XIVTHELAWSAGAINSTGAMINGINVARIOUSCOUNTRIES
THEGAMINGTABLE。
CHAPTERI。
THEUNIVERSALPASSIONOFGAMING；OR，GAMINGALLTHEWORLDOVER。
AveryaptallegoryhasbeenimaginedastheoriginofGaming。
ItissaidthattheGoddessofFortune，oncesportingneartheshadypoolofOlympus，wasmetbythegayandcaptivatingGodofWar，whosoonalluredhertohisarms。Theywereunited；butthematrimonywasnotholy，andtheresultoftheunionwasamisfeaturedchildnamedGaming。Fromthemomentofherbirththiswaywardthingcouldonlybepleasedbycards，dice，orcounters。
Shewasnotwithoutfascinations，andmanywereheradmirers。Asshegrewupshewascourtedbyallthegayandextravagantofbothsexes，forshewasofneithersex，andyetcombiningtheattractionsofeach。Atlength，however，beingmostlybesetbymenofthesword，sheformedanunnaturalunionwithoneofthem，andgavebirthtotwins——onecalledDUELLING，andtheotheragrimandhideousmonsternamedSUICIDE。Thesebecametheirmother’sdarlings，nursedbyherwithconstantcareandtenderness，andherperpetualcompanions。
TheGoddessFortuneeverhadaneyeonherpromisingdaughter——
Gaming；andendowedherwithsplendidresidences，inthemostconspicuousstreets，nearthepalacesofkings。Theyweremagnificentlydesignedandelegantlyfurnished。Lamps，alwaysburningattheportals，wereasignandaperpetualinvitationuntoalltoenter；and，likethegatesoftheInferno，theywereeveropentodailyandnightlyvisitants；but，unlikethelatter，theypermitted_EXIT_toallwhoentered——someexultingwithgoldenspoil，——otherswiththeirhandsinemptypockets，——someledbyherhalf-wittedsonDuelling，——othersescortedbyhermalignantmonsterSuicide，andhismate，thedemonDespair。
`Religion，morals，virtue，allgiveway，Andconsciencedies，theprostituteofplay。
Eternityne’erstealsonethoughtbetween，Tillsuicidecompletesthefatalscene。’
Suchisthe_ALLEGORY_；[2]anditmayservewellenoughtorepresentthethinginaccordancewiththeusagesofcivilizedormodernlife；butGamingisa_UNIVERSAL_thing——thecharacteristicofthehumanbipedalltheworldover。
[2]Itappearedoriginally，Ithink，intheHarleianMiscellany。Ihavetakenthelibertytore-touchithereandthere，withtheviewtoimprovement。
Thedeterminationofeventsby`lot’wasapracticefrequentlyresortedtobytheIsraelites；as，bylotitwasdeterminedwhichofthegoatsshouldbeofferedbyAaron；bylotthelandofCanaanwasdivided；bylotSaulwasmarkedoutfortheHebrewkingdom；bylotJonahwasdiscoveredtobethecauseofthestorm。ItwasconsideredanappealtoHeaventodeterminethepoints，andwasthoughtnottodependonblindchance，orthatimaginarybeingcalledFortune，who，`——Withmaliciousjoy，Promotes，degrades，delightsinstrife，Andmakesa_LOTTERY_oflife。’
TheHindooCode——apromulgationofveryhighantiquity——
denouncesgambling，whichprovesthatthereweredesperategamestersamongtheHindoosintheearliesttimes。Mengamed，too，itwouldappear，aftertheexamplesetthembythegods，whohadgamestersamongthem。ThepriestsofEgyptassuredHerodotusthatoneoftheirkingsvisitedalivethelowerregionscalledinfernal，andthathetherejoinedagamingparty，atwhichhebothlostandwon。[3]PlutarchtellsaprettyEgyptianstorytotheeffect，thatMercuryhavingfalleninlovewithRhea，ortheEarth，andwishingtodoherafavour，gambledwiththeMoon，andwonfromhereveryseventiethpartofthetimesheilluminedthehorizon——allwhichpartsheunitedtogether，makingup_FIVE
DAYS_，andaddedthemtotheEarth’syear，whichhadpreviouslyconsistedofonly360days。[4]
[3]Herod。1。ii。
[4]Plutarch，_DeIsid。etOsirid。_
ButnotonlydidthegodsplayamongthemselvesonOlympus，buttheygambledwithmortals。AccordingtoPlutarch，thepriestofthetempleofHerculesamusedhimselfwithplayingatdicewiththegod，thestakeorconditionsbeingthatifhewonheshouldobtainsomesignalfavour，butifhelosthewouldprocureabeautifulcourtesanforHercules。[5]
[5]_InVitaRomuli_。
BythenumerousnationsoftheEastdice，andthatpugnaciouslittlebirdthecock，havebeenandarethechiefinstrumentsemployedtoproduceasensation——toagitatetheirmindsandtoruintheirfortunes。TheChinesehaveinalltimes，wesuppose，hadcards——hencetheabsurdityofthenotionthattheywere`invented’fortheamusementofCharlesVI。ofFrance，inhis`lucidintervals，’asisconstantlyassertedineverycollectionofhistoricfacts。TheChineseinventedcards，astheyinventedalmosteverythingelsethatadministerstooursocialanddomesticcomfort。[6]
[6]ObservationsonCards，byMrGough，inArchaeologia，vol。
viii。1787。
TheAsiaticgamblerisdesperate。Whenallotherpropertyisplayedaway，hescruplesnottostakehiswife，hischild，onthecastofadieoronthecourageofthemartialbirdbeforementioned。Naymore，ifstillunsuccessful，thelastventurehemakesisthatofhislimbs——hispersonalliberty——hislife——whichhehazardsonthecapriceofchance，andagreestobeatthemercy，ortobecometheslave，ofhisfortunateantagonist。
TheMalayan，however，doesnotalwaystamelysubmittothislaststrokeoffortune。Whenreducedtoastateofdesperationbyrepeatedill-luck，heloosensacertainlockofhaironhishead，which，whenflowingdown，isasignofwaranddestruction。Heswallowsopiumorsomeintoxicatingliquor，tillheworkshimselfupintoafitoffrenzy，andbeginstobiteandkilleverythingthatcomesinhisway；whereupon，astheaforesaidlockofhairisseenflowing，itislawfultofireatanddestroyhimasquicklyaspossible——hebeingconsiderednobetterthanamaddog。Averyrationalconclusion。
OfcoursetheChinesearemosteagergamesters，ortheywouldnothavebeencapableofinventingthosedear，preciouskillersoftime——cards，theEVENINGsolaceofsomanyahouseholdinthemostrespectableand`proper’walksoflife。Indeed，theyplaynightandday——untiltheyhavelostalltheyareworth，andthentheyusuallygo——andhangthemselves。
Ifweturnourcoursenorthward，andpenetratetheregionsoficeperpetual，wefindthatthedrivensnowcannoteffectuallyquenchtheflamesofgambling。Theyglowamidtheregionsofthefrozenpole。TheGreenlandersgamblewithaboard，whichhasafinger-pieceuponit，turningroundonanaxle；andthepersontowhomthefingerpointsonthestoppingoftheboard，whichiswhirledround，`sweeps’allthe`stakes’thathavebeendeposited。
IfwedescendthenceintotheWesternhemisphere，wefindthatthepassionforgamblingformsadistinguishingfeatureinthecharacterofalltherudenativesoftheAmericancontinent。
JustasintheEast，thesesavageswilllosetheiraims(onwhichsubsistencedepends)，theirapparel，andatlengththeirpersonalliberty，ongamesofchance。Thereisonething，however，whichmustberecordedtotheircredit——andtoourshame。Whentheyhavelosttheir`all，’theydonotfollowtheexampleofourrefinedgamesters。Theyneithermurmurnorrepine。Notafretfulwordescapesthem。Theybearthefrownsoffortunewithaphilosophiccomposure。[7]
[7]Carver，_Travels_。
IfwecrosstheAtlanticandlandontheAfricanshore，wefindthatthe`everlastingNegro’isagambler——usingshellsasdice——
andfollowingthepracticeofhis`betters’ineveryway。Hestakesnotonlyhis`fortune，’butalsohischildrenandliberty，whichhecaresverylittleabout，everywhere，untilweincitehimtodoso——as，ofcourse，weoughttodo，foreverymotive`humananddivine。’
Thereisnodoubt，then，thatthispropensityispartandparcelof`theunsophisticatedsavage。’Letusturntotheeminentlycivilizedracesofantiquity——themenwhoseexamplewehavemoreorlessfollowedineverypossiblematter，sociality，politics，religion——theywereallgamblers，moreorless。TakethegrandprototypesofBritons，theRomansofold。Thatgamesterstheywere！Andhowgamblingrecruitedtheranksofthedesperadoeswhogavetheminsurrectionarytrouble！Catiline’s`armyofscoundrels，’forinstance。`Everymandishonouredbydissipation，’saysSallust，`whobyhisfolliesorlossesatthegamingtablehadconsumedtheinheritanceofhisfathers，andallthosewhoweresufferersbysuchmisery，werethefriendsofthisperverseman。’Horace，Juvenal，Persius，Cicero，andotherwriters，attestthefactofRomangamblingmosteloquently，mostindignantly。
TheRomanshad`lotteries，’orgamesofchance，andsomeoftheirprizeswereofgreatvalue，asagoodestateandslaves，orrichvases；othersoflittlevalue，asvasesofcommonearth，butofthismoreinthesequel。
AmongtheGothickingswho，inthefulnessoftimeandaccomplishments，`succeeded’tothatempire，wereadofaTheodoric，`awiseandvaliantprince，’whowas`greatloverofdice；’hissolicitudeinplaywasonlyforvictory；andhiscompanionsknewhowtoseizethemomentofhissuccess，asconsummatecourtiers，toputforwardtheirpetitionsandtomaketheirrequests。`WhenIhaveapetitiontoprefer，’saysoneofthem，`IameasilybeateninthegamethatImaywinmycause。’[8]Whataclevercontrivance！Butscarcelyequaltothatofthe_GREAT_(inpoliteness)LordChesterfield，who，togainavoteforaparliamentaryfriend，actuallysubmittedtobe_BLED！_Itappearsthatthevoterwasdeemedverydifficult，butChesterfieldfoundoutthatthemanwasadoctor，whowasaperfectSangrado，recommendingbleedingforeveryailment。Hewenttohim，asinconsultation，agreedwiththeman’sarguments，andatoncebaredhisarmfortheoperation。Onthepointofdeparturehislordship`edged’inthequestionaboutthevoteforhisfriend，whichwas，ofcourse，gushinglypromisedandgiven。
[8]Sedegoaliquidobsecraturusfacilevincor；etmihitabulaperitutcausasalvetur——SidoniusApollinaris，_Epist_。
AlthoughtheremaynotbemuchGothicbloodamongus，itisquitecertainthatthereisplentyofGermanmixtureinournation——
takingtheterminitsverywideandcomprehensiveethnology。
Now，TacitusdescribestheancientstoutandvaliantGermansas`makinggamingwithadieaveryseriousoccupationoftheirsoberhours。’Likethe`everlastingNegro，’they，too，madetheirlastthrowforpersonalliberty，thelosergoingintovoluntaryslavery，andthewinnersellingsuchslavesassoonaspossibletostrangers，inordernottohavetoblushforsuchavictory！Ifthe`nigger’couldblush，hemightcertainlydosoforthewhitemaninsuchaconjuncture。
AtNaplesandotherplacesinItaly，atleastinformertimes，theboatmenusedthustostaketheirlibertyforacertainnumberofyears。AccordingtoHyde，[9]theIndiansstaketheirfingersandcutthemoffthemselvestopaythedebtofhonour。
Englishmenhavecutofftheirears，bothasa`security’foragamblingloan，andasastake；othershavestakedtheirlivesbyhanging，inlikemanner！Instanceswillbegiveninthesequel。
[9]DeLudisOrient。
Butleavingthesesavagesandthesemi-savagesoftheveryoldentime，letusturntothosenearertoourtimes，withjustasmuchreligioustruthandprincipleamongthemasamongourselves。
Thewarmthwithwhich`dice-playing’iscondemnedinthewritingsofthe_Fathers_，thevenerableexpoundersofChristianity，aswellasby`edicts’and`canons’oftheChurch，isunquestionablyasufficientproofofitsgeneralandexcessiveprevalencethroughoutthenationsofEurope。Whencardswereintroduced，inthefourteenthcentury，theyonlyaddedfueltotheinfernalflameofgambling；anditsoonbecameasnecessarytorestraintheiruseasithadbeenthatofdice。Thetwoheldajointempireofruinanddesolationovertheirdevotedvictims。AkingofFrancesettheruinousexample——HenryIV。，theroue，thelibertine，theduellist，thegambler，——andyet(historically)the_BonHenri_，the`goodking，’whowishedtoorderthingssothateveryFrenchmanmighthavea_pot-au-feu_，ordishoffleshsavoury，everySundayfordinner。ThemoneythatHenryIV。lostatplaywouldhavecoveredgreatpublicexpenses。
TherecanbenodoubtthatthespiritofgamingwentonacquiringnewstrengthanddevelopmentthroughouteverysubsequentreigninFrance；andweshallseethatundertheEmpirethethingwasagreatnationalinstitution，andmadetoputagreatdealofmoneyas`revenue’intothehandsofFouche。
ButtheSpaniardshavealwaysbeen，ofallnations，themostaddictedtogambling。Atravellersays:——`IhavewanderedthroughallpartsofSpain，andthoughinmanyplacesIhavescarcelybeenabletoprocureaglassofwine，orabitofbread，oranyofthefirstconveniencesoflife，yetIneverwentthroughavillagesomeanandoutoftheway，inwhichIcouldnothavepurchasedapackofcards。’Thiswasinthemiddleoftheseventeenthcentury，butIhavenodoubtitistrueatthepresentmoment。
IfwecanbelieveVoltaire，theSpaniardswereformerlyverygenerousintheirgaming。`ThegrandeesofSpain，’hesays，`hadagenerousostentation；thiswastodividethemoneywonatplayamongallthebystanders，ofwhatevercondition。
MontreforrelatesthatwhentheDukeofLerma，theSpanishminister，entertainedGaston，brotherofLouisXIII。，withallhisretinueintheNetherlands，hedisplayedamagnificenceofanextraordinarykind。Theprimeminister，withwhomGastonspentseveraldays，usedtoputtwothousandlouisd’orsonalargegaming-tableafterdinner。WiththismoneyGaston’sattendantsandeventheprincehimselfsatdowntoplay。Itisprobable，however，thatVoltaireextendedasingleinstanceortwointoageneralhabitorcustom。Thatwriteralwayspreferredtodealwiththesplendidandthemarvellousratherthanwithplainmatteroffact。
TherecanbelittledoubtthattheSpaniardspursuedgaminginthevulgarfashion，justasotherpeople。AtanyratethefollowinganecdotegivesusnoveryfavourableideaofSpanishgenerositytostrangersinthematterofgamblinginmoderntimes；andtheworstofitisthesuitablenessofitsapplicationtomorecapitalsthanoneamongthekingdomsofEurope。`Afterthebull-feastIwasinvitedtopasstheeveningatthehotelofalady，whohadapubliccard-assembly……ThisvilemethodofsubsistingonthefollyofmankindisconfinedinSpaintothenobility。Nonebutwomenofqualityarepermittedtoholdbanks，andtherearemanywhosefaro-banksbringtheminaclearincomeofathousandguineasayear。TheladytowhomIwasintroducedisanoldcountess，whohaslivednearlythirtyyearsontheprofitsofthecard-tablesinherhouse。Theyarefrequentedeveryday，andthoughbothnativesandforeignersaredupedoflargesumsbyher，andhercabinet-junto，yetitisthegreatesthouseofresortinallMadrid。Shegoestocourt，visitspeopleofthefirstfashion，andisreceivedwithasmuchrespectandvenerationasifsheexercisedthemostsacredfunctionsofadivineprofession。Manywidowsofgreatmenkeepgaming-housesandlivesplendidlyonthevicesofmankind。Ifyoubenotdisposedtoplay，beeitherasharperoradupe，youcannotbeadmittedasecondtimetotheirassemblies。Iwasnosoonerpresentedtotheladythansheofferedmecards；andonmyexcusingmyself，becauseIreallycouldnotplay，shemadeaverywryface，turnedfromme，andsaidtoanotherladyinmyhearing，thatshewonderedhowanyforeignercouldhavetheimpertinencetocometoherhousefornootherpurposethantomakeanapologyfornotplaying。MySpanishconductor，unfortunatelyforhimself，hadnotthesameapology。Heplayedandlosthismoney——twocircumstanceswhichconstantlyfollowinthesehouses。Whilemyfriendwasthusplaying_THEFOOL_，I
attentivelywatchedthecountenanceandmotionsoftheladyofthehouse。Heranxiety，address，andassiduitywereequaltothatofsomeskilfulshopkeeper，whohasacertainattractiontoengagealltobuy，anddiligencetotakecarethatnoneshallescapethenet。Ifoundoutallherprivy-counsellors，byherarrangementofherpartiesatthedifferenttables；andwheneversheshowedanextraordinaryeagernesstofixoneparticularpersonwithastranger，thegamewasalwaysdecidedthesameway，andhergoodfriendwassuretowinthemoney。
`Inshort，itishardlypossibletoseegoodcompanyatMadridunlessyouresolvetoleaveapurseofgoldatthecard-
assembliesoftheirnobility。’[10]
[10]`ObservationsinaTourthroughSpain。’
Weareassuredthatthisstateofthingsisbynomeans`obsolete’inSpain，evenatthepresenttime。Atthetimeinquestion，however，thebeginningofthepresentcentury，therewasnoEuropeannationamongwhichgamingdidnotconstituteoneofitspoliteandfashionableamusements——withtheexceptionofthe_Turks_，who，totheshameofChristians，strictlyobeyedthepreceptsofMahomet，andscrupulouslyavoidedthe`gamblingitch’
ofournature。
InEnglandgamblingprevailedduringthereignofHenryVIII。；
indeed，itseemsthatthekingwashimselfagamesterofthemostunscrupuloussort；andthereisampleevidencethatthepracticeflourishedduringthereignofElizabeth，JamesI。，andsubsequently，especiallyinthetimesofCharlesII。WritingonthedaywhenJamesII。wasproclaimedking，Evelynsays，`Icanneverforgettheinexpressibleluxuryandprofaneness，gamingandalldissoluteness，andasitweretotalforgetfulnessofGod(itbeingSundayevening)whichthisdayse’nnightIwaswitnessof，thekingsittingandtoyingwithhisconcubines，Portsmouth，Cleaveland，andMazarine，&c。，aFrenchboysinginglove-songs，inthatgloriousgallery，whilstabouttwentyofthegreatcourtiersandotherdissolutepersonswereatBassetroundalargetable；abankofatleastL2000ingoldbeforethem，uponwhichtwogentlemenwhowerewithmemadereflectionswithastonishment。Sixdaysafterallwasinthedust！’
Thefollowingcuriousobservationsonthegaminginvogueduringtheyear1668arefromtheHarleianMiscellany:
`Onepropoundedthisquestion，\"Whethermeninshipsatseaweretobeaccountedamongstthelivingorthedead——becausetherewerebutfewinchesbetwixtthemanddrowning？\"Thesamequerymaybemadeofgamesters，thoughtheirestatesbeneversoconsiderable——whethertheyaretobeesteemedrichorpoor，sincetherearebutafewcastsatdicebetwixtapersonoffortune(inthatcircumstance)andabeggar。
`Betwixttwelveandoneoftheclockagooddinnerispreparedbywayofordinary，andsomegentlemenofcivilityandconditionoftentimeseatthere，andplayawhileforrecreationafterdinner，bothmoderatelyandmostcommonlywithoutdeservingreproof。Towardsnight，whenravenousbeastsusuallyseektheirprey，therecomeinshoalsofhectors，trepanners，gilts，pads，biters，prigs，divers，lifters，kidnappers，vouchers，millkens，piemen，decoys，shop-lifters，foilers，bulkers，droppers，gamblers，donnakers，crossbiters，&c。，underthegeneralappellationof\"rooks；\"andinthisparticularitservesasanurseryforTyburn，foreveryyearsomeofthisgangmarchthither。
`Wouldyouimagineittobetrue——thatagravegentleman，wellstrickeninyears，insomuchashecannotseethepipsofthedice，issoinfatuatedwiththiswitcheryastoplayherewithothers’eyes，——ofwhomthisquibblewasraised，\"MrSuchaoneplaysatdicebytheear。\"Anothergentleman，starkblind，I
haveseenplayatHazard，andsurelythatmustbebytheeartoo。
`Lateatnight，whenthecompanygrowsthin，andyoureyesdimwithwatching，falsediceareoftenputupontheignorant，ortheyareotherwisecozened，withtoppingorslurring，&；c。；and，ifyoubenotvigilant，thebox-keepershallscoreyouupdoubleortrebleboxes，and，thoughyouhavelostyourmoney，dunyouasseverelyforitasifitwerethejustestdebtintheworld。
`Thereareyetsomegenteelerandmoresubtlerooks，whomyoushallnotdistinguishbytheiroutwarddemeanourfrompersonsofcondition；andwhowillsitbyawholeevening，andobservewhowins；andthen，ifthewinnerbe\"bubbleable，\"theywillinsinuatethemselvesintohisacquaintance，andcivillyinvitehimtodrinkaglassofwine，——wheedlehimintoplay，andwinallhismoney，eitherbyfalsedice，ashighfulhams，[11]lowfulhams，orbypalming，topping，&c。Notebytheway，thatwhentheyhaveyouatthetavernandthinkyouasure\"bubble，\"
theywillmanytimespurposelylosesomesmallsumtoyouthefirsttime，toengageyoumorefreelyto_BLEED_(astheycallit)atthesecondmeeting，towhichtheywillbesuretoinviteyou。
[11]Itappearsthatfalsedicewereoriginallymadeat_Fulham；_hencesocalled，highandlowfulhams；thehighoneswerethenumbers4，5，6。
`Agentlemanwhomill-fortunehadhurriedintopassion，tookaboxanddicetoaside-table，andthenfelltothrowingbyhimself；atlengthheswearswithanemphasis，\"D——e，nowI
throwfornothin；，Icanwinathousandpounds；butwhenIlayformoneyIlosemyall。\"
`Ifthehousefindyoufreetobox，andaconstantcaster，youshallbetreatedbelowwithsuppersatnight，andcaudleinthemorning，andhavethehonourtobestyled，\"aloverofthehouse，\"whilstyourmoneylasts，whichcertainlywillnotbelong。
`Mostgamestersbeginatsmallgames，andbydegrees，iftheirmoneyorestatesholdout，theyrisetogreatsums；somehaveplayedfirstalltheirmoney，thentheirrings，coachandhorses，eventheirwearingclothesand_perukes；_andthen，suchafarm；
andatlast，perhapsalordship。
`Youmayreadinourhistories，howSirMilesPartridgeplayedatdicewithKingHenrytheEighth，forJesusBells(socalled)，whichwerethegreatestinEngland，andhunginatowerofStPaul’schurch，andwonthem；wherebyhebroughtthemtoringinhispocket；buttheropesafterwardscatchedabouthisneck；for，inEdwardtheSixth’sdays，hewashangedforsomecriminaloffences。[12]
[12]TheclochierinPaul’sChurchyard——abell-house，foursquare，buildedofstone，withfourbells；thesewerecalled_Jesus_Bells。Thesamehadagreatspireoftimber，coveredwithlead，withtheimageofStPaulonthetop，butwaspulleddownbySirMilesPartridge，Kt，inthereignofHenryVIII。ThecommonspeechthenwasthathedidsetL100uponacastatdiceagainstit，andsowonthesaidclochierandbellsoftheking。Andthencausingthebellstobebrokenastheyhung，therestwaspulleddown，andbrokenalso。ThismanwasafterwardsexecutedonTowerHill，formattersconcerningtheDukeofSomerset，intheyear1551，the5thofEdwardVI——Stowe，B。iii。
148。
`SirArthurSmithhouseisyetfreshinmemory。Hehadafairestate，whichinafewyearshesolostatplay，thathediedingreatwantandpenury。SincethatMrBa——，whowasaclerkintheSix-ClerksOffice，andwellcliented，felltoplay，andwonbyextraordinaryfortunetwothousandpiecesinreadygold；wasnotcontentwiththat，playedon，lostallhehadwon，andalmostallhisownestate；soldhisplaceintheoffice，andatlastmarchedofftoaforeignplantation，tobeginanewworldwiththesweatofhisbrow；forthatiscommonlythedestinyofadecayedgamester——eithertogotosomeforeignplantation，ortobepreferredtothedignityofa_box-keeper_。
`Itisnotdeniedbutmostgamestershave，atonetimeorother，aconsiderablerunofwinning，butsuchistheinfatuationofplay，Icouldneverhearofamanthatgaveoverawinner——I
mean，togiveoversoasnevertoplayagain。Iamsureitis_raraavis_，forifyouonce\"breakbulk，\"astheyphraseit，youareinagainforall。SirHumphryFosterhadlostthegreatestpartofhisestate，andthenplaying，asitissaid，_FORADEADHORSE_，did，byhappyfortune，recoveritagain；thengaveover，andwiselytoo。’[13]
[13]HarleianMisc。ii。108。
Thesequelwillshowtheincreaseofgamblinginourcountryduringthesubsequentreigns，uptoarecentperiod。
Thus，then，thepassionofgamingis，andhaseverbeen，universal。ItissaidthattwoFrenchmencouldnotexisteveninadesertwithout_QUARRELLING；_anditisquitecertainthatnotwohumanbeingscanbeanywherewithouterelongofferingto`bet’uponsomething。Indolenceandwantofemployment——
`vacuity，’asDrJohnsonwouldcallit——isthecauseofthepassion。Itarisesfromawantofhabitualemploymentinsomematerialandregularlineofconduct。Yourveryinnocentcard-
partiesathome——merelytokill_TIME_(whatamurder！)explainsalltheapparentmystery！Somethingmustbesubstitutedtocallforththenaturalactivityofthemind；andthisisinnowaymoreeffectuallyaccomplished，inallindolentpursuits，thanbythose_EMOTIONSANDAGITATIONS_whichgamblingproduces。
Suchisthesourceofthethinginour_NATURE；_butthencomesthefurioushankeringafterwealth——thedesiretohaveitwithout_WORKING_forit——whichisthewishofsomanyofus；and_THIS_isthesourceofthathideousgamblingwhichhasproducedthecontemptiblecharactersandcriminalactswhicharetheburthenofthisvolume。
Weloveplaybecauseitsatisfiesouravarice，——thatistosay，ourdesireofhavingmore；itflattersourvanitybytheideaofpreferencethatfortunegivesus，andoftheattentionthatotherspaytooursuccess；itsatisfiesourcuriosity，givingusaspectacle；inshort，itgivesusthedifferentpleasuresofsurprise。
Certainitisthatthepassionforgamblingeasilygetsdeeplyrooted，andthatitcannotbeeasilyeradicated。Themostexquisitemelody，ifcomparedwiththemusicofdice，isthenbutdiscord；andthefinestprospectinnatureonlyamiserableblankwhenputincompetitionwiththeattractionsofthe`honours’atarubberofWhist。
Wealthisthegeneralcentreofinclination。Whateveristheultimatedesign，theimmediatecareistoberich。Nodesirecanbeformedwhichrichesdonotassisttogratify。Theymaybeconsideredastheelementaryprinciplesofpleasure，whichmaybecombinedwithendlessdiversity。Therearenearerwaystoprofitthanupthesteepsoflabour。Theprospectofgainingspeedilywhatisardentlydesired，hassofarprevaileduponthepassionsofmankind，thatthepeaceoflifeisdestroyedbyageneralandincessantstruggleforriches。Itisobservedofgoldbyanoldepigrammatist，thattohaveistobeinfear；andtowantitistobeinsorrow。Thereisnoconditionwhichisnotdisquietedeitherwiththecareofgainingorkeepingmoney。
Nonationhasexceededoursinthepursuitofgaming。Informertimes——andyetnotmorethan30or40yearsago——thepassionforplaywaspredominantamongthehighestclasses。
Geniusandabilitiesofthehighestorderbecameitsvotaries；
andtheveryframersofthelawsagainstgamblingwerethefirsttofallunderthetemptationoftheirbreach！Thespiritofgamblingpervadedeveryinferiororderofsociety。Thegentlemanwasaslavetoitsindulgence；themerchantandthemechanicwerethedupesofitsimaginaryprospects；itengrossedthecitizenandoccupiedtherustic。Townandcountrybecameapreytoitsdespotism。Therewasscarcelyanobscurevillagetobefoundwhereinthisbewitchingbasiliskdidnotexerciseitspowersoffascinationanddestruction。
GaminginEnglandbecameratherasciencethananamusementofsocialintercourse。The`doctrineofchances’wasstudiedwithanassiduitythatwouldhavedonehonourtobettersubjects；
andcalculationsweremadeonarithmeticalandgeometricalprinciples，todeterminethedegreesofprobabilityattendantongamesofmixedskillandchance，orevenonthefortuitousthrowsofdice。Ofcourse，inspiteofallcalculations，thereweremiserablefailures——frightfullosses。Thepolitegamester，likethesavage，didnotscrupletohazardthedearestinterestsofhisfamily，ortobringhiswifeandchildrentopoverty，misery，andruin。Hecouldnotgivetheseoverinliquidationofagamblingdebt；indeed，nobodywould，probably，havethematagift；andyettherewereinstancesinwhichthehonourofawifewasthestakeoftheinfernalgame！……WellmighttheEmperorJustinianexclaim，——`Canwecall_PLAY_thatwhichcausescrime？’[14]
[14]Quisenimludosappelleteos，exquibuscriminaoriuntur？——_DeConcept。Digest_。II。lib。iv。Sec。9。
CHAPTERII。
GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTHINDOOS——AHINDOO
LEGENDANDITSMODERNPARALLEL。
TherecentgreatcontributiontothehistoryofIndia，publishedbyMrWheeler，[15]givesacompleteinsightintothisinterestingtopic；andthispassageoftheancientSanskritepicformsoneofthemostwonderfulandthrillingscenesinthatmostacceptablepublication。
[15]TheHistoryofIndiafromtheEarliestAges。ByJ。
TalboysWheeler。Vol。I——TheVedicPeriodandtheMahaBharata。
AsMrWheelerobserves，thespecialtiesofHindoogamblingareworthyofsomeattention。Thepassionforplay，whichhaseverbeentheviceofwarriorsintimesofpeace，becomesamadnessamidstthelassitudeofatropicalclimate；andmorethanoneHindoolegendhasbeenpreservedofRajasplayingtogetherfordays，untilthewretchedloserhasbeendeprivedofeverythinghepossessedandreducedtotheconditionofanexileoraslave。
ButgamblingamongsttheHindoosdoesnotappeartohavebeenaltogetherdependentuponchance。TheancientHindoodice，knownbythenameofcoupun，arealmostpreciselysimilartothemoderndice，beingthrownoutofabox；butthepracticeofloadingisplainlyalludedto，andsomeskillseemstohavebeenoccasionallyexercisedintherattlingofthedice-box。Inthemoremoderngame，knownbythenameofpasha，thedicearenotcubic，butoblong；andtheyarethrownfromthehandeitherdirectupontheground，oragainstapostorboard，whichwillbreakthefall，andrendertheresultmoreamatterofchance。
ThegreatgamblingmatchoftheHindooepicwastheresultofaconspiracytoruinYudhishthira，asuccessfulwarrior，therepresentativeofamightyfamily——thePandavas，whowereincessantlypursuedbytheenvyoftheKauravas，theirrivals。
ThefortunesofthePandavaswereattheheightofhumanprosperity；andatthispointtheuniversalconceptionofanavengingNemesisthathumblestheproudandcastsdownthemighty，findsfullexpressionintheHindooepic。ThegrandeurofthePandavasexcitedthejealousyofDuryodhana，andrevivedtheoldfeudbetweentheKauravasandtheformer。
DuryodhanaplottedwithhisbrotherDuhsasanaandhisuncleSakuni，howtheymightdispossessthePandavasoftheirnewly-
acquiredterritory；andatlengththeydeterminedtoinvitetheirkinsmentoagamblingmatch，andseekbyunderhandmeanstodepriveYudhishthiraofhisRaj，orkingdom。[16]
[16]TheoldSanskritwords_Raj_，`kingdom，’andRaja，`king，’areevidentlytheoriginoftheLatin_reg-num，reg-o，rex，regula_，`rule，’&c，reproducedinthewordsofthatancientlanguage，andcontinuedinthederivativevernacularsofmodernnames——_re，rey，roy，roi，regal，royal，rule_，&c。&c。
ItappearsfromthepoemthatYudhishthirawasinvitedtoagameatcoupun；andthelegendofthegreatgamblingmatch，whichtookplaceatHastinapur，isrelatedasfollows:
`AnditcametopassthatDuryodhanawasveryjealousofthe_Rajasuya_ortriumphthathiscousinYudhishthirahadperformed，andhedesiredinhishearttodestroythePandavas，andgainpossessionoftheirRaj。NowSakuniwasthebrotherofGandhari，whowasthemotheroftheKauravas；andhewasveryskilfulinthrowingdice，andinplayingwithdicethatwereloaded；
insomuchthatwheneverheplayedhealwayswonthegame。SoDuryodhanaplottedwithhisuncle，thatYudhishthirashouldbeinvitedtoamatchatgambling，andthatSakunishouldchallengehimtoagame，andwinallhiswealthandlands。
`AfterthisthewickedDuryodhanaproposedtohisfathertheMaharaja，thattheyshouldhaveagreatgamblingmatchatHastinapur，andthatYudhishthiraandhisbrethrenshouldbeinvitedtothefestival。AndtheMaharajawasgladinhisheartthathissonsshouldbefriendlywiththesonsofhisdeceasedbrother，Pandu；andhesenthisyoungerbrother，Vidura，tothecityofIndra-prasthatoinvitethePandavastothegame。AndVidurawenthiswaytothecityofthePandavas，andwasreceivedbythemwitheverysignofattentionandrespect。AndYudhishthirainquiredwhetherhiskinsfolkandfriendsatHastinapurwereallwellinhealth，andVidurareplied，\"Theyareallwell。\"ThenVidurasaidtothePandavas:——\"Youruncle，theMaharaja，isabouttogiveagreatfeast，andhehassentmetoinviteyouandyourmother，andyourjointwife，tocometohiscity，andtherewillbeagreatmatchatdice-playing。\"
WhenYudhishthiraheardthesewordshewastroubledinmind，forheknewthatgamingwasafrequentcauseofstrife，andthathewasinnowayskilfulinthrowingthedice；andhelikewiseknewthatSakuniwasdwellingatHastinapur，andthathewasafamousgambler。ButYudhishthirarememberedthattheinvitationoftheMaharajawasequaltothecommandofafather，andthatnotrueKshatriyacouldrefuseachallengeeithertowarorplay。
SoYudhishthiraacceptedtheinvitation，andgavecommandmentthatontheappointeddayhisbrethren，andtheirmother，andtheirjointwifeshouldaccompanyhimtothecityofHastinapur。
`WhenthedayarrivedforthedepartureofthePandavastheytooktheirmotherKunti，andtheirjointwifeDraupadi，andjourneyedfromIndra-prasthatothecityofHastinapur。AndwhentheyenteredthecitytheyfirstpaidavisitofrespecttotheMaharaja，andtheyfoundhimsittingamongsthisChieftains；andtheancientBhishma，andthepreceptorDrona，andKarna，whowasthefriendofDuryodhana，andmanyothers，weresittingtherealso。
`AndwhenthePandavashaddonereverencetotheMaharaja，andrespectfullysalutedallpresent，theypaidavisittotheirauntGandhari，anddidherreverencelikewise。
`Andaftertheyhaddonethis，theirmotherandjointwifeenteredthepresenceofGandhari，andrespectfullysalutedher；
andthewivesoftheKauravascameinandweremadeknowntoKuntiandDraupadi。AndthewivesoftheKauravasweremuchsurprisedwhentheybeheldthebeautyandfineraimentofDraupadi；andtheywereveryjealousoftheirkinswoman。Andwhenalltheirvisitshadbeenpaid，thePandavasretiredwiththeirwifeandmothertothequarterswhichhadbeenpreparedforthem，andwhenitwaseveningtheyreceivedthevisitsofalltheirfriendswhoweredwellingatHastinapur。
`Now，onthemorrowthegamblingmatchwastobeplayed；sowhenthemorninghadcome，thePandavasbathedanddressed，andleftDraupadiinthelodgingwhichhadbeenpreparedforher，andwenttheirwaytothepalace。AndthePandavasagainpaidtheirrespectstotheiruncletheMaharaja，andwerethenconductedtothepavilionwheretheplaywastobe；andDuryodhanawentwiththem，togetherwithallhisbrethren，andallthechieftainsoftheroyalhouse。Andwhentheassemblyhadalltakentheirseats，SakunisaidtoYudhishthira:——\"Thegroundherehasallbeenprepared，andthediceareallready:Comenow，Iprayyou，andplayagame。\"ButYudhishthirawasdisinclined，andreplied:——\"Iwillnotplayexceptinguponfairterms；butifyouwillpledgeyourselftothrowwithoutartificeordeceit，Iwillacceptyourchallenge。\"Sakunisaid，——\"Ifyouaresofearfuloflosing，youhadbetternotplayatall。\"AtthesewordsYudhishthirawaswroth，andreplied:——\"Ihavenofeareitherinplayorwar；butletmeknowwithwhomIamtoplay，andwhoistopaymeifIwin。\"SoDuryodhanacameforwardandsaid:——\"I
amthemanwithwhomyouaretoplay，andIshalllayanystakesagainstyourstakes；butmyuncleSakuniwillthrowthediceforme。\"ThenYudhishthirasaid，——\"Whatmannerofgameisthis，whereonemanthrowsandanotherlaysthestakes？\"Neverthelessheacceptedthechallenge，andheandSakunibegantoplay。
`Atthispointinthenarrativeitmaybedesirabletopause，andendeavourtoobtainapictureofthescene。Theso-calledpavilionwasprobablyatemporaryboothconstructedofbamboosandinterlacedwithbasket-work；andverylikelyitwasdecoratedwithflowersandleavesaftertheHindoofashion，andhungwithfruits，suchascocoa-nuts，mangoes，plantains，andmaize。TheChieftainspresentseemtohavesatupontheground，andwatchedthegame。Thestakesmayhavebeenpiecesofgoldorsilver，orcattle，orlands；although，accordingtothelegendaryaccountwhichfollows，theyincludedarticlesofafarmoreextravagantandimaginativecharacter。Withthesepassingremarks，thetraditionofthememorablegamemayberesumedasfollows:——
`SoYudhishthiraandSakunisatdowntoplay，andwhateverYudhishthiralaidasstakes，Duryodhanalaidsomethingofequalvalue；butYudhishthiralosteverygame。Hefirstlostaverybeautifulpearl；nextathousandbags，eachcontainingathousandpiecesofgold；nextapieceofgoldsopurethatitwasassoftaswax；nextachariotsetwithjewelsandhungallroundwithgoldenbells；nextathousandwarelephantswithgoldenhowdahssetwithdiamonds；nextalakhofslavesalldressedingoodgarments；nextalakhofbeautifulslavegirls，adornedfromheadtofootwithgoldenornaments；nextalltheremainderofhisgoods；nextallhiscattle；andthenthewholeofhisRaj，exceptingonlythelandswhichhadbeengrantedtotheBrahmans。[17]
[17]`Alakhisahundredthousand，andacroreisahundredlakhs，ortenmillions。TheHindootermmightthereforehavebeenconvertedintoEnglishnumerals，onlythatitdoesnotseemcertainthatthebardsmeantpreciselyahundredthousandslaves，butonlyaverylargenumber。TheexceptionalclauseinfavouroftheBrahmansisverysignificant。WhenthelittlesettlementatIndra-prasthahadbeenswelledbytheimaginationofthelaterbardsintoanextensiveRaj，thethoughtmayhaveenteredthemindsoftheBrahmanicalcompilersthatinlosingtheRaj，theBrahmansmighthavelostthosefreelands，knownasinamsorjagheers，whicharefrequentlygrantedbypiousRajasforthesubsistenceofBrahmans。Hencetheinsertionoftheclause。’
`NowwhenYudhishthirahadlosthisRaj，theChieftainspresentinthepavilionwereofopinionthatheshouldceasetoplay，buthewouldnotlistentotheirwords，butpersistedinthegame。
Andhestakedallthejewelsbelongingtohisbrothers，andhelostthem；andhestakedhistwoyoungerbrothers，oneaftertheother，andhelostthem；andhethenstakedArjuna，andBhima，andfinallyhimself；andhelosteverygame。ThenSakunisaidtohim:——\"Youhavedoneabadact，Yudhishthira，ingamingawayyourselfandbecomingaslave。Butnow，stakeyourwife，Draupadi，andifyouwinthegameyouwillagainbefree。\"AndYudhishthiraansweredandsaid:——\"IwillstakeDraupadi！\"
AndallassembledweregreatlytroubledandthoughtevilofYudhishthira；andhisuncleViduraputhishandtohisheadandfaintedaway，whilstBhishmaandDronaturneddeadlypale，andmanyofthecompanywereverysorrowful；butDuryodhanaandhisbrotherDuhsasana，andsomeothersoftheKauravas，weregladintheirhearts，andplainlymanifestedtheirjoy。ThenSakunithrewthedice，andwonDraupadiforDuryodhana。
`Thenallinthatassemblywereingreatconsternation，andtheChieftainsgazedupononeanotherwithoutspeakingaword。AndDuryodhanasaidtohisuncleVidura:——\"GonowandbringDraupadihither，andbidhersweeptherooms。\"ButViduracriedoutagainsthimwithaloudvoice，andsaid:——\"Whatwickednessisthis？Willyouorderawomanwhoisofnoblebirth，andthewifeofyourownkinsman，tobecomeahouseholdslave？Howcanyouvexyourbrethrenthus？ButDraupadihasnotbecomeyourslave；
forYudhishthiralosthimselfbeforehestakedhiswife，andhavingfirstbecomeaslave，hecouldnolongerhavepowertostakeDraupadi。\"Vidurathenturnedtotheassemblyandsaid:——
\"TakenoheedtothewordsofDuryodhana，forhehaslosthissensesthisday。\"Duryodhanathensaid:——\"AcursebeuponthisVidura，whowilldonothingthatIdesirehim。\"
`AfterthisDuryodhanacalledoneofhisservants，anddesiredhimtogotothelodgingsofthePandavas，andbringDraupadiintothepavilion。Andthemandepartedout，andwenttothelodgingsofthePandavas，andenteredthepresenceofDraupadi，andsaidtoher:——\"RajaYudhishthirahasplayedyouaway，andyouhavebecometheslaveofRajaDuryodhana:Socomenowanddoyourdutylikehisotherslavegirls。\"AndDraupadiwasastonishedatthesewords，andexceedinglywroth，andshereplied:——\"WhoseslavewasIthatIcouldbegambledaway？Andwhoissuchasenselessfoolastogambleawayhisownwife？\"
Theservantsaid:——\"RajaYudhishthirahaslosthimself，andhisfourbrothers，andyoualso，toRajaDuryodhana，andyoucannotmakeanyobjection:Arise，therefore，andgotothehouseoftheRaja！\"
`ThenDraupadicriedout:——\"GoyounowandinquirewhetherRajaYudhishthiralostmefirstorhimselffirst；forifheplayedawayhimselffirst，hecouldnotstakeme。\"Sothemanreturnedtotheassembly，andputthequestiontoYudhishthira；butYudhishthirahungdownhisheadwithshame，andanswerednotaword。
`ThenDuryodhanawasfilledwithwrath，andhecriedouttohisservant:——\"Whatwasteofwordsisthis？GoyouandbringDraupadihither，thatifshehasaughttosay，shemaysayitinthepresenceofusall。\"Andthemanessayedtogo，buthebeheldthewrathfulcountenanceofBhimaandhewassoreafraid，andherefusedtogo，andremainedwherehewas。ThenDuryodhanasenthisbrotherDuhsasana；andDuhsasanawenthiswaytothelodgingsofDraupadiandsaid:——\"RajaYudhishthirahaslostyouinplaytoRajaDuryodhana，andhehassentforyou:Soarisenow，andwaituponhimaccordingtohiscommands；andifyouhaveanythingtosay，youcansayitinthepresenceoftheassembly。\"Draupadireplied:——\"ThedeathoftheKauravasisnotfardistant，sincetheycandosuchdeedsasthese。\"Andsheroseupingreattrepidationandsetout，butwhenshecameneartothepalaceoftheMaharaja，sheturnedasidefromthepavilionwheretheChieftainswereassembled，andranawaywithallspeedtowardstheapartmentsofthewomen。AndDuhsasanahastenedafterher，andseizedherbyherhair，whichwasverydarkandlong，anddraggedherbymainforceintothepavilionbeforealltheChieftains。
`Andshecriedout:——\"Takeyourhandsfromoffme！\"ButDuhsasanaheedednotherwords，andsaid:——\"Youarenowaslavegirl，andslavegirlscannotcomplainofbeingtouchedbythehandsofmen。\"
`WhentheChieftainsthusbeheldDraupadi，theyhungdowntheirheadsfromshame；andDraupadicalledupontheeldersamongstthem，suchasBhishmaandDrona，toacquaintherwhetherornoRajaYudhishthirahadgamedawayhimselfbeforehehadstakedher；buttheylikewisehelddowntheirheadsandanswerednotaword。
`ThenshecasthereyeuponthePandavas，andherglancewaslikethestabbingofathousanddaggers，buttheymovednothandorfoottohelpher；forwhenBhimawouldhavesteppedforwardtodeliverherfromthehandsofDuhsasana，Yudhishthiracommandedhimtoforbear，andbothheandtheyoungerPandavaswereobligedtoobeythecommandoftheirelderbrother。
`AndwhenDuhsasanasawthatDraupadilookedtowardsthePandavas，hetookherbythehand，anddrewheranotherway，saying:——\"Why，Oslave，areyouturningyoureyesaboutyou？\"
AndwhenKarnaandSakuniheardDuhsasanacallingheraslave，theycriedout:——\"Wellsaid！wellsaid！\"
`ThenDraupadiweptverybitterly，andappealedtoalltheassembly，saying:——\"Allofyouhavewivesandchildrenofyourown，andwillyoupermitmetobetreatedthus？Iaskyouonequestion，andIprayyoutoanswerit。’Duhsasanathenbrokeinandspokefoullanguagetoher，andusedherrudely，sothatherveilcameoffinhishands。AndBhimacouldrestrainhiswrathnolonger，andspokevehementlytoYudhishthira；andArjunareprovedhimforhisangeragainsthiselderbrother，butBhimaanswered:——\"Iwillthrustmyhandsintothefirebeforethesewretchesshalltreatmywifeinthismannerbeforemyeyes。\"
`ThenDuryodhanasaidtoDraupadi:——\"Comenow，Iprayyou，andsituponmythigh！\"AndBhimagnashedhisteeth，andcriedoutwithaloudvoice:——\"Hearmyvowthisday！IfforthisdeedI
donotbreakthethighofDuryodhana，anddrinkthebloodofDuhsasana，IamnotthesonofKunti！\"
`MeanwhiletheChieftainVidurahadlefttheassembly，andtoldtheblindMaharajaDhritarashtraallthathadtakenplacethatday；andtheMaharajaorderedhisservantstoleadhimintothepavilionwherealltheChieftainsweregatheredtogether。
AndallpresentweresilentwhentheysawtheMaharaja，andtheMaharajasaidtoDraupadi:——\"Odaughter，mysonshavedoneeviltoyouthisday:Butgonow，youandyourhusbands，toyourownRaj，andremembernotwhathasoccurred，andletthememoryofthisdaybeblottedoutforever。\"SothePandavasmadehastewiththeirwifeDraupadi，anddepartedoutofthecityofHastinapur。
`ThenDuryodhanawasexceedinglywroth，andhesaidtohisfather，\"OMaharaja，isitnotasayingthatwhenyourenemyhathfallendown，heshouldbeannihilatedwithoutawar？AndnowthatwehadthrownthePandavastotheearth，andhadtakenpossessionofalltheirwealth，youhaverestoredthemalltheirstrength，andpermittedthemtodepartwithangerintheirhearts；andnowtheywillpreparetomakewarthattheymayrevengethemselvesuponusforallthathasbeendone，andtheywillreturnwithinashortwhileandslayusall:Giveusleavethen，Iprayyou，toplayanothergamewiththesePandavas，andletthesidewhichlosesgointoexilefortwelveyears；forthusandthusonlycanawarbepreventedbetweenourselvesandthePandavas。\"AndtheMaharajagrantedtherequestofhisson，andmessengersweresenttobringbackthebrethren；andthePandavasobeyedthecommandsoftheiruncle，andreturnedtohispresence；anditwasagreeduponthatYudhishthirashouldplayonegamemorewithSakuni，andthatifYudhishthirawontheKauravasweretogointoexile，andthatifSakuniwon，thePandavasweretogointoexile；andtheexilewastobefortwelveyears，andoneyearmore；andduringthatthirteenthyearthosewhowereinexileweretodwellinanycitytheypleased，buttokeepthemselvessoconcealedthattheothersshouldneverdiscoverthem；andiftheothersdiddiscoverthembeforethethirteenthyearwasover，thenthosewhowereinexileweretocontinuesoforanotherthirteenyears。Sotheysatdownagaintoplay，andSakunihadasetofcheatingdiceasbefore，andwiththemhewonthegame。
`WhenDuhsasanasawthatSakunihadwonthegame，hedancedaboutforjoy；andhecriedout:——\"NowisestablishedtheRajofDuryodhana。\"ButBhimasaid，\"Benotelatedwithjoy，butremembermywords:ThedaywillcomewhenIwilldrinkyourblood，orIamnotthesonofKunti。\"AndthePandavas，seeingthattheyhadlost，threwofftheirgarmentsandputondeer-
skins，andpreparedtodepartintotheforestwiththeirwifeandmother，andtheirpriestDhaumya；butVidurasaidtoYudhishthira:——\"Yourmotherisoldandunfittedtotravel，soleaveherundermycare；\"andthePandavasdidso。Andthebrethrenwentoutfromtheassemblyhangingdowntheirheadswithshame，andcoveringtheirfaceswiththeirgarments；butBhimathrewouthislongarmsandlookedattheKauravasfuriously，andDraupadispreadherlongblackhairoverherfaceandweptbitterly。AndDraupadivowedavow，saying:——
`\"Myhairshallremaindishevelledfromthisday，untilBhimashallhaveslainDuhsasanaanddrankhisblood；andthenheshalltieupmyhairagainwhilsthishandsaredrippingwiththebloodofDuhsasana。\"’
SuchwasthegreatgamblingmatchatHastinapurintheheroicageofIndia。Itappearstherecanbelittledoubtofthetruthoftheincident，althoughtheverisimilitudewouldhavebeenmorecompletewithouttheperpetualwinningofthecheatSakuni——whichwouldbecalculatedtoarousethesuspicionofYudhishthira，andwhichcouldscarcelybeindulgedinbyaprofessionalcheat，mindfulofthesuspicionitwouldexcite。
Throughoutthenarrative，however，thereisatruthfulnesstohumannature，andatruthfulnesstothatparticularphaseofhumannaturewhichispre-eminentlymanifestedbyahigh-mindedraceinitsprimitivestageofcivilization。
ToourmodernmindsthemaininterestofthestorybeginsfromthemomentthatDraupadiwaslost；butitmustberememberedthatamongthatancientpeople，wherewomenwerechieflyprizedonsensualgrounds，suchstakeswereevidentlyrecognized。
TheconductofDraupadiherselfontheoccasionshowsthatshewasbynomeansunfamiliarwiththeidea:sheprotested——notonthegroundofsentimentormatrimonialobligation——butsolelyonwhatmaybecalledatechnicalpointoflaw，namely，`HadYudhishthirabecomeaslavebeforehestakedhiswifeuponthelastgame？’For，ofcourse，havingceasedtobeafreeman，hehadnorighttostakeherliberty。
TheconcludingsceneofthedramaformsanimpressivefigureinthemindoftheHindoo。TheterriblefigureofDraupadi，asshedishevelsherlongblackhair，istheveryimpersonationofrevenge；andaHindooaudienceneverfailstoshudderatherfearfulvow——thatthestragglingtressesshallneveragainbetiedupuntilthedaywhenBhimashallhavefulfilledhisvow，andshallthenbindthemupwhilsthisfingersarestilldrippingwiththebloodofDuhsasana。
Theavengingbattlesubsequentlyensued。BhimastruckdownDuhsasanawithaterribleblowofhismace，saying，——`ThisdayI
fulfilmyvowagainstthemanwhoinsultedDraupadi！’ThensettinghisfootonthebreastofDuhsasana，hedrewhissword，andcutofftheheadofhisenemy；andholdinghistwohandstocatchtheblood，hedrankitoff，cryingout，`Ho！ho！NeverdidItasteanythinginthisworldsosweetasthisblood。’
Thisstakingofwivesbygamblersisacurioussubject。Thepracticemaybesaidtohavebeenuniversal，havingfurnishedcasesamongcivilizedaswellasbarbarousnations。OfcoursetheNegroesofAfricastaketheirwivesandchildren；
accordingtoSchouten，aChinesestakedhiswifeandchildren，andlostthem；PaschasiusJustusstatesthataVenetianstakedhiswife；andnotahundredyearsagocertaindebaucheesatParisplayedatdiceforthepossessionofacelebratedcourtesan。Butthisisanoldthing。Hegesilochus，andotherrulersofRhodes，wereaccustomedtoplayatdiceforthehonourofthemostdistinguishedladiesofthatisland——theagreementbeingthatthepartywholosthadtobringtothearmsofthewinnertheladydesignatedbylottothatindignity。[18]
[18]Athen。lib。XI。cap。xii。
Therearetraditionsofsuchstakeshavingbeenlaidandlostbyhusbandsin_England；_andaremarkablecaseofthekindwillbefoundrelatedinAinsworth’s`OldSaintPaul’s，’ashavingoccurredduringthePlagueofLondon，intheyear1665。Therecanbelittledoubtthatitisfoundedonfact；andtheconductoftheEnglishwife，curiouslyenough，bearsastrikingresemblancetothatofDraupadiintheIndiannarrative。
ACaptainDisbroweoftheking’sbody-guardlostalargesumofmoneytoanotoriousdebauchee，agamblerandbully，namedSirPaulParravicin。ThelatterhadmadeanoffensiveallusiontothewifeofCaptainDisbrowe，afterwinninghismoney；andthen，pickingupthedice-box，andspreadingalargeheapofgoldonthetable，hesaidtotheofficerwhoanxiouslywatchedhismovements:——`Imentionedyourwife，CaptainDisbrowe，notwithanyintentionofgivingyouoffence，buttoshowyouthat，althoughyouhavelostyourmoney，youhavestillavaluablestakeleft。’
`Idonotunderstandyou，SirPaul，’returnedDisbrowe，withalookofindignantsurprise。
`Tobeplain，then，’repliedParravicin，`Ihavewonfromyoutwohundredpounds——allyoupossess。Youarearuinedman，andassuch，willrunanyhazardtoretrieveyourlosses。Igiveyoualastchance。Iwillstakeallmywinnings——nay，doubletheamount——againstyourwife。Youhaveakeyofthehouseyouinhabit，bywhichyouadmityourselfatallhours；soatleastI
aminformed。IfIwin，thatkeyshallbemine。Iwilltakemychanceoftherest。Doyouunderstandmenow？’
`Ido，’repliedtheyoungman，withconcentratedfury。`I
understandthatyouareavillain。Youhaverobbedmeofmymoney，andwouldrobmeofmyhonour。’
`Theseareharshwords，sir，’repliedtheknightcalmly；`butletthempass。Wewillplayfirst，andfightafterwards。Butyourefusemychallenge？’
`Itisfalse！’repliedDisbrowe，fiercely，`Iacceptit。’Andproducingakey，hethrewitonthetable。`Mylifeis，intruth，setonthedie，’headded，withadesperatelook；`forifIlose，Iwillnotsurvivemyshame。’
`Youwillnotforgetourterms，’observedParravicin。`Iamtobeyourrepresentativeto-night。Youcanreturnhometo-morrow。’
`Throw，sir，——throw，’criedtheyoungman，fiercely。
`Pardonme，’repliedtheknight；`thefirstcastiswithyou。A
singlemaindecidesit。’
`Beitso，’returnedDisbrowe，seizingthebow。Andasheshookthedicewithafrenziedair，thebystandersdrewnearthetabletowatchtheresult。
`Twelve！’criedDisbrowe，asheremovedthebox。`Myhonourissaved！Myfortuneretrieved——Huzza！’
`Notsofast，’returnedParravicin，shakingtheboxinhisturn。
`Youwerealittlehasty，’headded，uncoveringthedice。`I
amtwelvetoo。Wemustthrowagain。’
`Thisistodecide，’criedtheyoungofficer，rattlingthedice，——`Six！’
Parravicinsmiled，tookthebox，andthrew_TEN_。
`Perdition！’ejaculatedDisbrowe，strikinghisbrowwithhisclenchedhand。`Whatdeviltemptedmetomyundoing？……Mywifetrustedtothisprofligate！……Horror！Itmustnotbe！’
`Itistoolatetoretract，’repliedParravicin，takingupthekey，andturningwithatriumphantlooktohisfriends。
Disbrowenoticedthesmile，and，stungbeyondendurance，drewhissword，andcalledtotheknighttodefendhimself。Inaninstantpasseswereexchanged。Buttheconflictwasbrief。Fortune，asbefore，declaredherselfinfavourofParravicin。Hedisarmedhisassailant，whorushedoutoftheroom，utteringthewildestejaculationsofrageanddespair。
******
Thewinnerofthekeyproceededatoncetouse。Hegainedadmittancetothecaptain’shouse，andfoundhiswaytothechamberofhiswife，whowastheninbed。AtfirstmistakenforherhusbandParravicinheardwordsoftenderreproachforhislateness；andthen，declaringhimself，hebeliedherhusband，statingthathewasfalsetoher，andhadsurrenderedhertohim。
AtthisannouncementMrsDisbroweutteredaloudscream，andfellbackinthebed。Parravicinwaitedforamoment；butnothearinghermove，broughtthelamptoseewhatwasthematter。Shehadfainted，andwaslyingacrossthepillow，withhernight-dresspartlyopen，soastoexposeherneckandshoulders。Theknightwasatfirstravishedwithherbeauty；buthiscountenancesuddenlyfell，andanexpressionofhorrorandalarmtookpossessionofit。Heappearedrootedtothespot，andinsteadofattemptingtorenderheranyassistance，remainedwithhisgazefixeduponherneck。Rousinghimselfatlength，herushedoutoftheroom，hurrieddown-stairs，andwithoutpausingforamoment，threwopenthestreetdoor。Asheissuedfromithisthroatwasforciblygriped，andthepointofaswordwasplacedathisbreast。
Itwasthedesperatehusband，whowaswaitingtoavengehiswife’shonour。
`Youareinmypower，villain，’criedDisbrowe，`andshallnotescapemyvengeance。’
`Youarealreadyavenged，’repliedParravicin，shakingoffhisassailant——`_YOURWIFEHASTHEPLAGUE_。’
Theprofligatehadbeenscaredawaybythesightofthe`plaguespot’ontheneckoftheunfortunatelady。
Thehusbandenteredandfoundhiswaytohiswife’schamber。
Instantaneousexplanationsensued。`Hetoldmeyouwerefalse——
thatyoulovedanother——andhadabandonedme，’exclaimedthefranticwife。
`Helied！’shoutedDisbrowe，inavoiceofuncontrollablefury。
`Itistruethat，inamomentoffrenzy，Iwastemptedtosetyou——yes，_YOU_，Margaret——againstallIhadlostatplay，andwascompelledtoyieldupthekeyofmyhousetothewinner。ButIhaveneverbeenfaithlesstoyou——never。’
`Faithlessornot，’repliedhiswifebitterly，`itisplainyouvaluemelessthanplay，oryouwouldnothaveactedthus。’
`Reproachmenot，Margaret，’repliedDisbrowe。`IwouldgiveworldstoundowhatIhavedone。’
`Whoshallguardmeagainsttherecurrenceofsuchconduct？’saidMrsDisbrowe，coldly。`ButyouhavenotyetinformedmehowI
wassaved！’
Disbroweavertedhishead。
`Whatmeanyou？’shecried，seizinghisarm。`Whathashappened？
Donotkeepmeinsuspense？Wereyoumypreserver？’
`Yourpreserverwastheplague，’rejoinedDisbrowe，mournfully。
Theunfortunateladythen，forthefirsttime，perceivedthatshewasattackedbythepestilence，andalonganddreadfulpauseensued，brokenonlybyexclamationsofanguishfromboth。
`Disbrowe！’criedMargaretatlength，raisingherselfinbed，`youhavedeeply，irrecoverablyinjuredme。Butpromisemeonething。’
`Isweartodowhateveryoumaydesire，’hereplied。
`Iknownot，afterwhatIhaveheard，whetheryouhavecourageforthedeed，’shecontinued。`ButIwouldhaveyoukillthisman。’
`Iwilldoit，’repliedDisbrowe。
`Nothingbuthisbloodcanwipeoutthewronghehasdoneme，’
sherejoined。`Challengehimtoaduel——amortalduel。Ifhesurvives，bymysoul，Iwillgivemyselftohim。’
`Margaret！’exclaimedDisbrowe。
`Iswearit，’sherejoined，’andyouknowmypassionatenaturetoowelltodoubtIwillkeepmyword。’
`Butyouhavetheplague！’
`Whatdoesthatmatter？Imayrecover。’
`Notso，’mutteredDisbrowe。`IfIfall，Iwilltakecareyoudonotrecover……Iwillfighthimto-morrow，’headdedaloud。
AboutnoononthefollowingdayDisbroweproceededtotheSmyrnaCoffee-house，where，asheexpected，hefoundParravicinandhiscompanions。Theknightinstantlyadvancedtowardshim，andlayingasideforthemomenthisrecklessair，inquired，withalookofcommiseration，afterhiswife。
`Sheisbetter，’repliedDisbrowe，fiercely。`Iamcometosettleaccountswithyou。’
`Ithoughttheyweresettledlongago，’returnedParravicin，instantlyresuminghiswontedmanner。`ButIamgladtofindyouconsiderthedebtunpaid。’
Disbroweliftedthecaneheheldinhishand，andstrucktheknightwithitforciblyontheshoulder。`Bethatmyanswer，’hesaid。
`Iwillhaveyourlifefirst，andyourwifeafterwards，’repliedParravicinfiercely。
`Youshallhaveherifyouslayme，butnototherwise，’
retortedDisbrowe。`Itmustbeamortalduel。’
`Itmust，’repliedParravicin。`Iwillnotspareyouthistime。
IshallinstantlyproceedtothewestsideofHydePark，beneaththetrees。Ishallexpectyouthere。OnmyreturnIshallcallonyourwife。’
`Iprayyoudoso，sir，’repliedDisbrowe，disdainfully。
BoththenquittedtheCoffee-house，Parravicinattendedbyhiscompanions，andDisbroweaccompaniedbyamilitaryfriend，whomheaccidentallyencountered。Eachpartytakingacoach，theysoonreachedtheground，aretiredspotcompletelyscreenedfromobservationbytrees。Thepreliminariesweresoonarranged，forneitherwouldadmitofdelay。Theconflictthencommencedwithgreatfuryonbothsides；butParravicin，inspiteofhispassion，observedfarmorecautionthanhisantagonist；andtakingadvantageofanunguardedmovement，occasionedbytheother’simpetuosity，passedhisswordthroughhisbody。Disbrowefell。
`Youareagainsuccessful，’hegroaned，`butsavemywife——saveher！’
`Whatmeanyou？’criedParravicin，leaningoverhim，ashewipedhissword。
ButDisbrowecouldmakenoanswer。Hisutterancewaschokedbyasuddeneffusionofbloodonthelungs，andheinstantlyexpired。
Leavingthebodyincareofthesecond，Parravicinandhisfriendsreturnedtothecoach，hisfriendscongratulatinghimontheissueoftheconflict；buttheknightlookedgrave，andpondereduponthewordsofthedyingman。Afteratime，however，herecoveredhisspirits，anddinedwithhisfriendsattheSmyrna；buttheyobservedthathedrankmoredeeplythanusual。
Hisexcessesdidnot，however，preventhimfromplayingwithhisusualskill，andhewonalargesumfromoneofhiscompanionsatHazard。
Flushedwithsuccess，andheatedwithwine，hewalkeduptoDisbrowe’sresidenceaboutanhouraftermidnight。Asheapproachedthehouse，heobservedastrangely-shapedcartatthedoor，and，haltingforamoment，sawabody，wrappedinashroud，broughtout。CoulditbeMrsDisbrowe？Rushingforwardtooneoftheassistantsinblackcloaks，heaskedwhomhewasabouttointer。
`ItisaMrsDisbrowe，’repliedthecoffin-maker。`Shediedofgrief，becauseherhusbandwaskilledthismorninginaduel；
butasshehadtheplague，itmustbeputdowntothat。Wearenotparticularinsuchmatters，andshallburyherandherhusbandtogether；andasthereisnomoneylefttopayforcoffins，theymustgotothegravewithoutthem。’
Andasthebodyofhisvictimalsowasbroughtforth，Parravicinfellagainstthewallinastateofstupefaction。Atthismoment，SolomonEagle，theweirdplague-prophet，withhisburningbrazieronhishead，suddenlyturnedthecornerofthestreet，and，stationinghimselfbeforethedead-cart，criedinavoiceofthunder——`Woetothelibertine！Woetothehomicide！forheshallperishineverlastingfire！Woe！woe！’
SuchisthisEnglishlegend，asrelatedbyAinsworth，butwhichI
havecondensedintoitsmainelements。IthinkitbidsfairtoequalininterestthatoftheHindooepic；andifitbenottrueineveryparticular，somuchthebetterforthesakeofhumannature。
CHAPTERIII。
GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTEGYPTIANS，PERSIANS，ANDGREEKS。
ConcerningtheancientEgyptianswehavenoparticularfactstodetailinthematterofgambling；butitissufficienttodeterminetheexistenceofanyspecialviceinanationtofindthatthereareseverelawsprohibitingandpunishingitspractice。Now，thistestimonynotonlyexists，butthepenaltyisoftheutmostseverity，fromwhichmaybeinferredboththehorrorconceivedofthepracticebytherulersoftheEgyptians，andthestrongpropensitywhichrequiredthatseveritytosuppressorholditincheck。InEgypt，`everymanwaseasilyadmittedtotheaccusationofagamesterordice-player；andifthepersonwasconvicted，hewassenttoworkinthequarries。’[19]Gamblingwas，therefore，prevalentinEgyptintheearliesttimes。
[19]Taylor，_DuctorDubitantium_，B。iv。c。1。
ThatgamingwithdicewasausualandfashionablespeciesofdiversionatthePersiancourtinthetimesoftheyoungerCyrus(about400yearsbeforetheChristianera)，togonohigher，isevidentfromtheanecdoterelatedbysomehistoriansofthosedaysconcerningQueenParysatis，themotherofCyrus，whousedallherartandskillingamblingtosatiateherrevenge，andtoaccomplishherbloodthirstyprojectsagainstthemurderersofherfavouriteson。Sheplayedforthelifeordeathofanunfortunateslave，whohadonlyexecutedthecommandsofhismaster。Theanecdoteisasfollows，asrelatedbyPlutarch，intheLifeofArtaxerxes。
`ThereonlyremainedforthefinalexecutionofQueenParysatis’sprojects，andfullytosatiatehervengeance，thepunishmentoftheking’sslaveMesabetes，whobyhismaster’sorderhadcutofftheheadandhandoftheyoungCyrus，whowasbelovedbyParysatis(theircommonmother)aboveArtaxerses，hiselderbrotherandthereigningmonarch。Butastherewasnothingtotakeholdofinhisconduct，thequeenlaidthissnareforhim。
Shewasawomanofgoodaddress，hadabundanceofwit，and_EXCELLEDATPLAYINGACERTAINGAMEWITHDICE_。ShehadbeenapparentlyreconciledtothekingafterthedeathofCyrus，andwaspresentatallhispartiesofpleasureandgambling。Oneday，seeingthekingtotallyunemployed，sheproposedplayingwithhimforathousand_darics_(aboutL500)，towhichhereadilyconsented。Shesufferedhimtowin，andpaiddownthemoney。But，affectingregretandvexation，shepressedhimtobeginagain，andtoplaywithher——_FORASLAVE_。Theking，whosuspectednothing，complied，andthestipulationwasthatthewinnerwastochoosetheslave。
`Thequeenwasnowallattentiontothegame，andmadeuseofherutmostskillandaddress，whichaseasilyprocuredhervictory，asherstudiedneglectbeforehadcausedherdefeat。Shewon——
andchoseMesabetes——theslayerofherson——who，beingdeliveredintoherhands，wasputtothemostcrueltorturesandtodeathbyhercommand。
`Whenthekingwouldhaveinterfered，sheonlyrepliedwithasmileofcontempt——\"Surelyyoumustbeagreatloser，tobesomuchoutoftemperforgivingupadecrepitoldslave，whenI，wholostathousandgood_darics_，andpaidthemdownonthespot，donotsayaword，andamsatisfied。\"’
Thusearlyweredicemadesubservienttothepurposesofcrueltyandmurder。ThemodernPersians，beingMohammedans，arerestrainedfromtheopenpracticeofgambling。Yetevasionsarecontrivedinfavourofgamesinthetables，which，astheyareonlyliabletochanceonthe`throwofthedice，’buttotallydependentonthe`skill’in`themanagementofthegame，’cannot(theyargue)bemeanttobeprohibitedbytheirprophetanymorethanchess，whichisuniversallyallowedtohisfollowers；and，moreover，toevadethedifficultyofbeingforbiddentoplayformoney，theymakeanalmsoftheirwinnings，distributingthemtothepoor。Thismaybedonebythemorescrupulous；butnodoubttherearenumberswhoseconsciencesdonotpreventthedisposaloftheirgamblingprofitsnearerhome。Allexcessofgaming，however，isabsolutelyprohibitedinPersia；andanyplacewhereinitismuchexercisediscalled`ahabitationofcorruptedcarcasesorcarrionhouse。’[20]
[20]Hyde，_DeLudisOriental_。
InancientGreecegamblingprevailedtoavastextent。Ofthistherecanbenodoubtwhatever；anditisequallycertainthatithadaninfluence，togetherwithothermodesofdissipationandcorruption，towardssubjugatingitscivillibertiestothepowerofMacedon。
SoshamelesslyweretheAtheniansaddictedtothisvice，thattheyforgotallpublicspiritintheircontinuedhabitsofgaming，andenteredintoconvivialassociations，orformed`clubs，’forthepurposesofdicing，attheverytimewhenPhilipofMacedonwasmakingonegrand`throw’fortheirlibertiesattheBattleofChaeronea。
Thispoliticmonarchwellknewthepowerofdepravityinenervatingandenslavingthehumanmind；hethereforeencouragedprofusion，dissipation，andgambling，asbeingsureofmeetingwithlittleoppositionfromthosewhopossessedsuchcharacters，inhisprojectsofambition——asDemosthenesdeclaredinoneofhisorations。[21]Indeed，gamblinghadarrivedatsuchaheightinGreece，thatAristotlescruplesnottorankgamblers`withthievesandplunderers，whoforthesakeofgaindonotscrupletodespoiltheirbestfriends；’[22]andhispupilAlexandersetafineuponsomeofhiscourtiersbecausehedidnotperceivetheymadeasportorpastimeofdice，butseemedtobeemployedasinamostseriousbusiness。[23]
[21]FirstOlynthia。SeealsoAthenaeus，lib。vi。260。
[22]Ethic。AdNicomachum，lib。iv。
[23]Plutarch，_inReg。etImp。Apothegm_
TheGreeksgamblednotonlywithdice，andattheirequivalentfor_CrossandPile_，butalsoatcock-fighting，aswillappearinthesequel。
FromaremarkmadebytheAthenianoratorCallistratus，itisevidentthatdesperategamblingwasinvogue；hesaysthatthegamesinwhichthelosersgoondoublingtheirstakesresembleever-recurringwars，whichterminateonlywiththeextinctionofthecombatants。[24]
[24]Xenophon，_Hist。Graec_。lib。VI。c。iii。
CHAPTERIV。
GAMINGAMONGTHEANCIENTROMANEMPERORS。
Inspiteofthelawsenactedagainstgaming，thecourtoftheEmperorAugustuswasgreatlyaddictedtothatvice，andgaveitadditionalstimulusamongthenation。Although，however，hewaspassionatelyfondofgambling，andmadelightoftheimputationonhischaracter，[25]itappearsthatinfrequentingthegamblingtablehehadothermotivesbesidesmerecupidity。Writingtohisdaughterhesaid，`IsendyouasumwithwhichIshouldhavegratifiedmycompanions，iftheyhadwishedtoplayatdiceor_oddsandevens_。’OnanotheroccasionhewrotetoTiberius:——
`IfIhadexactedmywinningsduringthefestivalofMinerva；ifIhadnotlavishedmymoneyonallsides；insteadoflosingtwentythousandsestercii[aboutL1000]，Ishouldhavegainedonehundredandfiftythousand[L7500]。Ipreferitthus，however；formybountyshouldwinmeimmenseglory。’[26]
[25]Aleaerumoremnullomodoexpavit。Suet。inVitaAugusti。
[26]Sedhocmalo:benignitasenimmeameadcoelestemgloriamefferet。_Ubisupra_。
ThisgamblingpropensitysubjectedAugustustothelashofpopularepigrams；amongtherest，thefollowing:
Postquambisclassevictusnavesperdidit，Aliquandoutvincat，luditassidudaleam。
`Helostatsea；wasbeatentwice，Andtriestowinatleastwithdice。’
Butalthoughasatiristbyprofession，thesleekcourtierHoracesparedtheemperor’svice，contentinghimselfwithonlydeclaringthatplaywasforbidden。[27]Thetwofollowingversesofhis，usuallyappliedtotheeffectsofgaming，reallyreferonlyto_RAILLERY。_
[27]Carm。lib。III。Od。xxiv。
Ludusenimgenuittrepidumcertamenetiram；
Iratrucesinimicitiasetfunebrebellum。[28]
[28]Epist。lib。I。xix。
He，however，hasrecordedthecuriousfactofanoldRomangambler，whowasalwaysattendedbyaslave，topickuphisdiceforhimandputtheminthebox。[29]Doubtless，Horacewouldhavelashedtheviceofgamblinghaditnotbeenthe`habitualsin’ofhiscourtlypatrons。
[29]Lib。II。Sat。vii。v。15。
ItseemsthatAugustusnotonlygambledtoexcess，butthathegloriedinthecharacterofagamester。Ofhimselfhesays，`Betweenmealsweplayedlikeoldcronesbothyesterdayandtoday。’[30]
[30]Intercoenamlusimusetheriethodie。
Whenhehadnoregularplayersnearhim，hewouldplaywithchildrenatdice，atnuts，orbones。Ithasbeensuggestedthatthisemperorgaveintotheindulgenceofgamblinginordertostiflehisremorse。Ifhisobjectinencouragingthisvicewastomakepeopleforgethisproscriptionsandtocreateadiversioninhisfavour，theartificemaybeconsideredequaltoanyofthepoliticalrusesofthisastuteruler，whosefalsevirtueswereforalongtimevauntedonlythroughignorance，orinordertoflatterhisimitators。
Thepassionofgamblingwastransmitted，withtheempire，tothefamilyoftheCaesars。AtthegamingtableCaligulastoopedeventofalsehoodandperjury。Itwaswhilstgamblingthatheconceivedhismostdiabolicalprojects；whenthegamewasagainsthimhewouldquitthetableabruptly，andthen，monsterashewas，satiatedwithrapine，wouldroamabouthispalaceventinghisdispleasure。
Oneday，insuchahumour，hecaughtaglimpseoftwoRomanknights；hehadthemarrestedandconfiscatedtheirproperty。
Thenreturningtothegamingtable，heexultinglyexclaimedthathehadnevermadeabetterthrow！[31]Onanotheroccasion，afterhavingcondemnedtodeathseveralGaulsofgreatopulence，heimmediatelywentbacktohisgamblingcompanionsandsaid:——`I
pityyouwhenIseeyouloseafewsestertii，whilst，withastrokeofthepen，Ihavejustwonsixhundredmillions。’[32]
[31]Exultansrediit，gloriansquesenunquamprosperiorealeausum。Suet。in_VitaCalig_。
[32]Thirtymillionsofpoundssterling。Thesestertiuswasworth1_s_。33/4_d_。
TheEmperorClaudiusplayedlikeanimbecile，andNerolikeamadman。Theformerwouldsendforthepersonswhomhehadexecutedthedaybefore，toplaywithhim；andthelatter，lavishingthetreasuresofthepublicexchequer，wouldstakefourhundredthousandsestertii(L20，000)onasinglethrowofthedice。
Claudiusplayedatdiceonhisjourneys，havingtheinteriorofhiscarriagesoarrangedastopreventthemotionfrominterferingwiththegame。
Fromthatperiodthetitleofcourtierandgamblerbecamesynonymous。Gamingwasthemeansofsecuringpreferment；itwasbygamblingthatVitelliusopenedtohimselfsograndacareer；
gamingmadehimindispensabletoClaudius。[33]
[33]Claudioperaleaestudiumfamiliaris。Suet。inVitaVitelli。
Seneca，inhisPlayonthedeathofClaudius，representshimasinthelowerregionscondemnedtopickupdiceforever，puttingthemintoaboxwithoutabottom！[34]
[34]Namquotiensmissuruseratresonantefritillo，Utraquesubductofugiebattesserafundo。
_LususdeMorteClaud。Caesar_。
Caligulawasreproachedforhavingplayedatdiceonthedayofhissister’sfuneral；andDomitianwasblamedforgamingfrommorningtonight，andwithoutexceptingthefestivalsoftheRomancalendar；butitseemsridiculoustonotesuchimproprietiesincomparisonwiththeirhabitualandatrociouscrimes。
TheterribleandinexorablesatiristJuvenalwasthecontemporaryofDomitianandtenotheremperors；andthefollowingishisdescriptionoftheviceinthegamingdaysofRome:
`Whenwasthemadnessofgamesofchancemorefurious？Now-a-
days，notcontentwithcarryinghispursetothegamingtable，thegamesterconveyshisironchesttotheplay-room。Itistherethat，assoonasthegaminginstrumentsaredistributed，youwitnessthemostterriblecontests。Isitnotmeremadnesstoloseonehundredthousandsestertiiandrefuseagarmenttoaslaveperishingwithcold？’[35]
[35]Sat。I。87。
ItseemsthattheRomansplayedforreadymoney，andhadnotinventedthatmultitudeofsignsbytheaidofwhich，withoutbeingretardedbytheweightofgoldandsilver，moderngamblerscanruinthemselvessecretlyandwithoutdisplay。
TherageforgamblingspreadovertheRomanprovinces，andamongbarbarousnationswhohadneverbeensomuchaddictedtotheviceasaftertheyhadthemisfortunetominglewiththeRomans。
Theevilcontinuedtoincrease，stimulatedbyimperialexample。
ThedayonwhichDidiusJulianuswasproclaimedEmperor，hewalkedoverthedeadandbloodybodyofPertinax，andbegantoplayatdiceinthenextroom。[36]
[36]DionCass。_Hist。Rom_。l。lxxiii。
Attheendofthefourthcentury，thefollowingstateofthingsatRomeisdescribedbyGibbon，quotingfromAmmianusMarcellinus:
`Anothermethodofintroductionintothehousesandsocietyofthe\"great，\"isderivedfromtheprofessionofgaming；or，asitismorepolitelystyled，ofplay。Theconfederatesareunitedbyastrictandindissolublebondoffriendship，orratherofconspiracy；asuperiordegreeofskillinthe\"tessarian\"art，isasureroadtowealthandreputation。Amasterofthatsublimesciencewho，inasupperorassembly，isplacedbelowamagistrate，displaysinhiscountenancethesurpriseandindignationwhichCatomightbesupposedtofeelwhenhewasrefusedthepraetorshipbythevotesofacapriciouspeople。’[37]
[37]Amm。Marcellin。lib。XIV。c。vi。
Finally，attheepochwhenConstantineabandonedRomenevertoreturn，everyinhabitantofthatcity，downtothepopulace，wasaddictedtogambling。
CHAPTERV。
GAMBLINGINFRANCEINALLTIMES。
CHARLESVI。andCHARLESVII——TheearlyFrenchannalsrecordthedeedsofhaughtyandidlelords，whosechiefoccupationsweretormentingtheirvassals，drinking，fighting，andgaming；formostofthemweredesperategamblers，settingatdefianceallthelawsenactedagainstthepractice，andoutragingallthedecenciesofsociety。ThebrotherofSaintLouisplayedatdiceinspiteoftherepeatedprohibitionsofthatvirtuousprince。
EventhegreatDuguesclingamedawayallhispropertyinprison。[38]TheDucdeTouraine，brotherofCharlesVI。，`settoworkeagerlytowintheking’smoney，’saysFroissart；andtransportedwithjoyonedayathavingwonfivethousandlivres，hisfirstcrywas——_Monseigneur，faites-moipayer_，`Pleasetopay，Sire。’
[38]Hist。deDugueselin，parMenard。
Gamingwentoninthecamp，andeveninthepresenceoftheenemy。Generals，afterhavingruinedtheirownfortunes，compromisedthesafetyofthecountry。Amongtherest，PhilibertdeChalon，Princed’Orange，whowasincommandatthesiegeofFlorence，undertheEmperorCharlestheFifth，gambledawaythemoneywhichhadbeenconfidedtohimforthepayofthesoldiers，andwascompelled，afterastruggleofelevenmonths，tocapitulatewiththosewhomhemighthaveforcedtosurrender。[39]
[39]Paul。Jov。_Hist_。lib。xxix。
InthereignofCharlesVI。wereadofanHoteldeNeslewhichwasfamousforterriblegamingcatastrophes。Morethanoneofitsfrequenterslosttheirlivesthere，andsometheirhonour，dearerthanlife。Thishotelwasnotaccessibletoeverybody，likemoremoderngaming_salons_，called_Gesvres_and_Soissons；_itsgatewasopenonlytothenobility，orthemostopulentgentlemenoftheday。
ThereexistsanoldpoemwhichdescribesthedoingsatthiscelebratedHoteldeNesle。[40]Theauthor，afterdescribingtheconvulsionsoftheplayersandrecordingtheirblasphemies，says:——
[40]Thetitleofthiscuriousoldpoemisasfollows:——
`C’estleditduGieudesDezfaitparEustace，etlamaniereetcontenancedesJoueursquietoientaNeele，ouetoientMesseigneursdeBerry，deBourgogne，etplusieursautres。’
QuemaintsGentils-hommestreshaulxYontperduarmesetchevaux，Argent，honour，etSeignourie，Dontc’etoithorriblefolie。
`Howmanyveryeminentgentlemenhavetherelosttheirarmsandhorses，theirmoneyandlordship——ahorriblefolly。’
Inanotherpartofthepoemhesays:——
LijeuneenfantdeviennentRufien，JoueursdeDez，gourmandsetplainsd’yvresse，Hautainsdecuer，etneleurchantenrienD’onneur，&c。
`Thereyoungmenbecomeruffians，dice-players，gluttons，anddrunkards，haughtyofheart，andbereftofhonour。’
Stillitseemsthatgaminghadnotthenconfoundedallconditions，asatalaterperiod。Itisevident，fromthehistoryandmemoirsofthetimes，thatthepeopleweremoregiventogamesofskillandexercisethangamesofchance。Beforetheintroductionofthearquebusandgunpowder，theyappliedthemselvestothepracticeofarchery，andinalltimestheyplayedatquoits，ninepins，bowls，andothersimilargamesofskill。[41]
[41]Sauval，_AntiquitesdeParis_，ii。
Theinventionofcardsbroughtaboutsomechangeinthemodeofamusement。Thevariousgamesofthiskind，however，costmoretimethanmoney；butstillthethingattractedtheattentionofthemagistratesandtheclergy。AnAugustinianfriar，inthereignofCharlesVII。，effectedawonderfulreformationinthematterbyhispreaching。Athisvoicethepeoplelitfiresinseveralquartersofthecity，andeagerlyflungintothemtheircardsandbilliard-balls。[42]
[42]Pasquier，_RecherchedesRecherches_。
Withtheexceptionofafewtransientfollies，nothinglikearageforgamblingcanbedetectedatthatperiodamongthelowerranksandthemiddleclasses。Thevice，however，continuedtoprevailwithoutabatementinthepalacesofkingsandthemansionsofthegreat。
