Itisimpossiblenottoremark，inthehistoryofnations，thatdelicacyandgoodfaithdeclineinproportiontothespreadofgambling。Howeverselectmaybethesocietyofgamesters，itisseldomthatitisexemptfromallbaseness。WehaveseenaproofofthepracticeofcheatingamongtheHindoos。ItexistedalsoamongtheRomans，asprovedbythe`cogged’orloadeddicedugupatHerculaneum。Thefactisthatcheatingisanatural，ifnotanecessary，incidentofgambling。ItmaybeinferredfromapassageintheoldFrenchpoetbeforequoted，thatcheats，duringthereignofCharlesVI。，werepunishedwith`bonnetting，’[43]butnoinstanceofthekindisonrecord；onthecontrary，itiscertainthatmanyoftheFrenchkingspatronizedandapplaudedwell-knowncheatsatthegamingtable。
[43]SevotreamiquibienvoussertEnjouantvouschangeoitlesDez，Auroit-ilpas_Chapeaudevert_。
LOUISXI——BrantomesaysthatLouisXI。，whoseemsnottohavehadaspecialsecretary，beingonedaydesirousofgettingsomethingwritten，perceivedanecclesiasticwhohadaninkstandhangingathisside；andthelatterhavingopeneditattheking’srequest，asetofdicefellout。`Whatkindof_SUGAR-
PLUMS_arethese？’askedhisMajesty。`Sire，’repliedthepriest，`theyarearemedyforthePlague。’`Wellsaid，’
exclaimedtheking，`youareafine_Paillard_(awordheoftenused)；`_YOUARETHEMANFORME_，’andtookhimintohisservice；forthiskingwasfondofbon-motsandsharpwits，anddidnotevenobjecttothieves，providedtheywereoriginalandprovocativeofhumour，asthefollowingveryfunnyanecdotewillshow。`AcertainFrenchbaronwhohadlosteverythingatplay，eventohisclothes，happeningtobeintheking’schamber，quietlylaidhandsonasmallclock，ornamentedwithmassivegold，andconcealeditinhissleeve。Verysoonafter，whilsthewasamongthetroopoflordsandgentlemen，theclockbegantostrikethehour。Wecanwellimaginetheconsternationofthebaronatthiscontretemps。Ofcourseheblushedred-hot，andtightenedhisarmtotryandstifletheimplacablesoundofdetectionmanifest——the_flagransdelictum_——stilltheclockwentonstrikingthelonghour，sothatateachstrokethebystanderslookedateachotherfromheadtofootinutterbewilderment。
`Theking，who，asitchanced，haddetectedthetheft，burstoutlaughing，notonlyattheastonishmentofthegentlemenpresent，whowereatalosstoaccountforthesound，butalsoattheoriginalityofthestunningevent。AtlengthMonsieurleBaron，byhisownblusheshalf-convictedoflarceny，fellonhiskneesbeforetheking，humblysaying:——\"Sire，thepricksofgamingaresopowerfulthattheyhavedrivenmetocommitadishonestaction，forwhichIbegyourmercy。\"Andashewasgoingoninthisstrain，thekingcutshorthiswords，exclaiming:——\"The_PASTIME_whichyouhavecontrivedforussofarsurpassestheinjuryyouhavedonemethattheclockisyours:Igiveityouwithallmyheart。\"’[44]
[44]Duverdier，_DiversesLecons_。
HENRYIII——InthelatterpartofthesixteenthcenturyPariswasinundatedwithbrigandsofeverydescription。AbandofItaliangamesters，havingbeeninformedbytheircorrespondentsthatHenryIII。hadestablishedcard-roomsanddice-roomsintheLouvre，gotadmissionatcourt，andwonthirtythousandcrownsfromtheking。[45]
[45]JournaldeHenriIII。
IfallthekingsofFrancehadimitatedthedisinterestednessofHenryIII。，theviceofgamingwouldnothavemadesuchprogressasbecameeverywhereevident。
Brantomegivesaveryhighideaofthisking’sgenerosity，whilsthelasheshiscontemporaries。HenryIII。playedattennisandwasveryfondofthegame——not，however，throughcupidityoravarice，forhedistributedallhiswinningsamonghiscompanions。Whenhelosthepaidthewager，nay，heevenpaidthelossesofallengagedinthegame。Thebetswerenothigherthantwo，three，orfourhundredcrowns——never，assubsequently，fourthousand，sixthousand，ortwelvethousand——when，however，paymentwasnotasreadilymade，butratherfrequentlycompoundedfor。[46]
[46]HenryIII。wasalsopassionatelyfondofthechildishtoy_Bilboquet_，or`CupandBall，’whichheusedtoplayevenwhilstwalkinginthestreet。JournaldeHenriIII。，i。
Therewas，indeed，atthattimeaFrenchcaptainnamedLaRoue，whoplayedhighstakes，uptosixthousandcrowns，whichwasthendeemedexorbitant。ThisintrepidgamesterproposedabetoftwentythousandcrownsagainstoneofAndrewDoria’swar-galleys。
Doriatookthebet，butheimmediatelydeclareditoff，inapprehensionoftheridiculouspositioninwhichhewouldbeplacedifhelost，saying，——`Idon’twishthatthisyoungadventurer，whohasnothingworthnamingtolose，shouldwinmygalleytogoandtriumphinFranceovermyfortuneandmyhonour。’
Soon，however，highstakesbecameinvogue，andtosuchanextentthatthenaturalsonoftheDucdeBellegardewasenabledtopay，outofhiswinnings，thelargesumoffiftythousandcrownstogethimselflegitimated。Curiouslyenough，itissaidthatthegreaterpartofthissumhadbeenwoninEngland。[47]
[47]AmelotdelaHouss。_Mem。Hist_。iii。
HENRYIV——HenryIV。earlyevincedhispassionforgaming。Whenveryyoungandstintedinfortune，hecontrivedthemeansofsatisfyingthisgrowingpropensity。Wheninwantofmoneyheusedtosendapromissorynote，writtenandsignedbyhimself，tohisfriends，requestingthemtoreturnthenoteorcashit——anexpedientwhichcouldnotbutsucceed，aseverymanwasonlytoogladtohavetheprince’snoteofhand。[48]
[48]Mem。deNevers。ii。
TherecanbenodoubtthattheexampleofHenryIV。was，inthematterofgaming，asinothervices，mostpernicious。`HenryIV。，’saysPerefixe，`wasnotaskilfulplayer，butgreedyofgain，timidinhighstakes，andill-temperedwhenhelost。’Headdsrathernaively，`Thisgreatkingwasnotwithoutspotsanymorethanthesun。’[49]
[49]Hist。deHenrileGrand。
Underhimgamblingbecametherage。Manydistinguishedfamilieswereutterlyruinedbyit。TheDucdeBironlostinasingleyearmorethanfivehundredthousandcrowns(aboutL250，000)。
`MysonConstant，’saysD’Aubigne，`losttwentytimesmorethanhewasworth；sothat，findinghimselfwithoutresources，heabjuredhisreligion。’
ItwasatthecourtofHenryIV。thatwasinventedthemethodofspeedyruinbymeansofwrittenvouchersforlossandgain——whichsimplifiedthethinginallsubsequenttimes。ItwasthenalsothatcertainItalianmastersofthegamingartdisplayedtheirtalents，theirsuppleness，anddexterity。Oneofthem，namedPimentello，having，inthepresenceoftheDucdeSully，appealedtothehonourwhichheenjoyedinhavingoftenplayedwithHenryIV。，thedukeexclaimed，——`Byheavens！SoyouaretheItalianblood-suckerwhoiseverydaywinningtheking’smoney！Youhavefallenintothewrongbox，forIneitherlikenorwishtohaveanythingtodowithsuchfellows。’Pimentellogotwarm。`Goaboutyourbusiness，’saidSully，givinghimashove；`yourinfernalgibberishwillnotaltermyresolve。Go！’[50]
[50]Mem。deSully。
TheFrenchnation，foralongtimeagitatedbycivilwar，settleddownatlastinpeaceandabundance——thefruitsofwhichprosperityareoftenpoisoned。Theyweresobythegamblingpropensityofthepeopleatlarge，nowfirstmanifested。Thewarrior，thelawyer，theartisan，inaword，almostallprofessionsandtrades，werecarriedawaybythefuryofgaming。
Magistratessoldforapricethepermissiontogamble——inthefaceoftheenactedlawsagainstthepractice。
Wecanscarcelyformanideaoftheextentofthegamingatthisperiod。Bassompierredeclares，inhisMemoirs，thathewonmorethanfivehundredthousandlivres(L25，000)inthecourseofayear。`Iwonthem，’hesays，`althoughIwasledawaybyathousandfolliesofyouth；andmyfriendPimentellowonmorethantwohundredthousandcrowns(L100，000)。EvidentlythisPimentellomightwellbecalleda_blood-sucker_bySully。[51]
Heisevensaidtohavegotallthedice-sellersinParistosubstituteloadeddiceinsteadoffairones，inordertoaidhisoperations。
[51]Intheoriginal，however，thewordispiffre，(vulgo)
`greedy-guts。’
NothingmoreforciblyshowsthedangerofconsortingwithsuchbadcharactersthanthecalumnycirculatedrespectingtheconnectionbetweenHenryIV。andthisinfamousItalian:——itwassaidthatHenrywaswellawareofPimentello’smanoeuvres，andthatheencouragedthemwiththeviewofimpoverishinghiscourtiers，hopingtherebytorenderthemmoresubmissive！Nerohimselfwouldhaveblushedatsuchaconnivance。Doubtlessthecalumnywasasfalseasitwasstupid。
ThewinningsofthecourtierBassompierrewereenormous。HewonattheDucd’Epernon’ssufficienttopayhisdebts，todressmagnificently，topurchaseallsortsofextravagantfinery，aswordornamentedwithdiamonds——`andafteralltheseexpenses，’
hesays，`Ihadstillfiveorsixthousandcrowns(twotothreethousandpounds)left，_TOKILLTIMEWITH_，pourtuerletemps。’
Onanotheroccasion，andatamoreadvancedage，hewononehundredthousandcrowns(L50，000)atasinglesitting，fromM。
DeGuise，Joinville，andtheMarechald’Ancre。
InreadinghisMemoirsweareapttogetindignantatthefellow’ssuccesses；butatlastwearetemptedtolaughathismisery。Hediedsopoorthathedidnotleaveenoughtopaythetwentiethpartofhisdebts！Such，doubtless，istheendofmostgamblers。
ButtoreturntoHenryIV。，thegreatgamblingexemplarofthenation。Theaccountgivenofhimatthegamingtableismostafflicting，whenwerememberhisroyalgreatness，hissublimequalities。Hisonlyobjectwasto_WIN_，andthosewhoplayedwithhimwerethusalwaysplacedinadreadfuldilemma——eithertolosetheirmoneyoroffendthekingbybeatinghim！TheDukeofSavoyonceplayedwithhim，andinordertosuithishumour，dissimulatedhisgame——thussacrificingorgivingupfortythousandpistoles(aboutL28，000)。
Whenthekinglosthewasmostexactingforhis`revanche，’orrevenge，asitistermedatplay。Afterwinningconsiderablyfromtheking，ononeoccasion，Bassompierre，underthepretextofhisofficialengagements，furtivelydecamped:thekingimmediatelysentafterhim；hewasstopped，broughtback，andallowedtodepartonlyaftergivingthe`revanche’tohisMajesty。This`goodHenri，’whowasincapableoftheleastdissimulationeitheringoodorinevil，oftenbetrayedadegreeofcupiditywhichmadehisminister，Sully，ashamedofhim；——inordertopayhisgamingdebts，thekingonedaydeductedseventy-
twothousandlivresfromtheproceedsofaconfiscationonwhichhehadnoclaimwhatever。
Onanotheroccasionhewaswonderfullystruckwithsomegold-
pieceswhichBassompierrebroughttoFontainebleau，called_Portugalloises_。Hecouldnotrestwithouthavingthem。Playwasnecessarytowinthem，butthekingwasalsoanxioustobeintimeforahunt。Inordertoconciliatethetwopassions，heorderedagamingpartyatthePalace，leftarepresentativeofhisgameduringhisabsence，andreturnedsoonerthanusual，totryandwinthesomuchcoveted_Portugalloises_。
Evenlove——ifthatnamecanbeappliedtothegrovellingpassionofHenryIV。，intenselyviolentasitwas——couldnot，withitssensuousenticements，dragthekingfromthegamingtableorstiflehisdespicablecovetousness。Ononeoccasion，whilstatplay，itwaswhisperedtohimthatacertainprincesswhomhelovedwaslikelytofallintootherarms:——`Takecareofmymoney，’saidhetoBassompierre，`andkeepupthegamewhilstIamabsentonparticularbusiness。’
Duringthisreigngamesterswereinhighfavour，asmaywellbeimagined。Oneofthemreceivedanhonourneverconcededeventoprincesanddukes。`Thelatter，’saysAmelotdelaHoussaie，`didnotenterthecourt-yardoftheroyalmansionsinacarriagebeforetheyear1607，andtheyareindebtedfortheprivilegetothefirstDucd’Epernon，thefavouriteofthelateking，HenryIII。，whobeingwonttogoeverydaytoplaywiththequeen，MariedeMedicis，tookitintohisheadtohavehiscarriagedrivenintothecourt-yardoftheLouvre，andhadhimselfcarriedbodilybyhisfootmenintotheverychamberofthequeen——underthepretextofbeingdreadfullytormentedwiththegout，soasnottobeabletostandonhislegs。’[52]
[52]Mem。Hist。iii。
Itissaid，however，thatHenryIV。wasfinallycuredofgambling。_CredatJudaeus！_Buttheanecdoteisasfollows。
Thekinglostanimmensesumatplay，andrequestedSullytolethimhavethemoneytopayit。Thelatterdemurred，sothatthekinghadtosendtohimseveraltimes。Atlast，however，Sullytookhimthemoney，andspreaditoutbeforehimonthetable，exclaiming——`There’sthesum。’Henryfixedhiseyesonthevastamount。ItissaidtohavebeenenoughtopurchaseAmiensfromtheSpaniards，whothenheldit。Thekingthereuponexclaimed:——`Iamcorrected。Iwillneveragainlosemymoneyatgaming。’
DuringthisreignParisswarmedwithgamesters。Thenforthefirsttimewereestablished_AcademiesdeJeu_，`GamingAcademies，’forthusweretermedthegaminghousestowhichallclassesofsocietybeneaththenobilityandgentility，downtothelowest，rushedincrowdsandincessantly。Notadaypassedwithouttheruinofsomebody。Thesonofamerchant，whopossessedtwentythousandcrowns，lostsixtythousand。Itseemed，saysacontemporary，thatathousandpistolesatthattimewerevaluedlessthana_sou_inthetimeofFrancisI。
Theresultofthisstateofthingswasincalculablesocialaffliction。Usuryandlaw-suitscompletedtheruinofgamblers。
Theprofitsofthekeepersofgaminghousesmusthavebeenenormous，tojudgefromtherentstheypaid。AhouseintheFaubourgSaint-GermainwassecuredattherentalofaboutL70
forafortnight，forthepurposeofgamblingduringthetimeofthefair。Smallroomsandevenclosetswerehiredattherateofmanypistolesorhalf-sovereignsperhour；togetpaid，however，generallyentailedafightoralaw-suit。
Allthistookplaceintheveryteethofthemoststringentlawsenactedagainstgamingandgamesters。Thefactwas，thatamongthemagistratessomeclosedtheireyes，andothersheldouttheirhandstoreceivethebribeoftheirconnivance。
LOUISXIII——AtthecommencementofthereignofLouisXIII。thelawsagainstgamingwererevived，andsevererpenaltieswereenacted。Forty-sevengaminghousesatParis，whichhadbeenlicensed，andfromwhichseveralmagistratesdrewaperquisiteofapistoleorhalfasovereignaday，wereshutupandsuppressed。
Thesestringentmeasurescheckedthegamblingofthe`people，’
butnotthatof`thegreat，’whowentonmerrilyasbefore。
Ofcoursethey`keptthethingquiet’——gambledinsecret——butmoredesperatelythanever。TheMarechald’Ancrecommonlystakedtwentythousandpistoles(L10，000)。
LouisXIII。wasnotagambler，andso，duringthisreign，thecourtdidnotsetsobadanexample。Thekingwasaversetoallgamesofchance。Heonlylikedchess，butperhapsrathertoomuch，tojudgefromthefactthat，inordertoenablehimtoplaychessonhisjourneys，achessboardwasfittedinhiscarriage，thepiecesbeingfurnishedwithpinsatthebottomsoasnottobederangedorknockeddownbythemotion。Thereaderwillrememberthat，asalreadystated，asimilargamingaccommodationwasprovidedfortheRomanEmperorClaudius。
ThecupandballofHenryIII。andthechessboardofLouisXIII。
aremerelyridiculous。Wemustexcusewell-intentionedmonarchswhentheyonlyindulgethemselveswithfrivolousandchildishtrifles。Itissomethingtobethankfulforifwehavenottoapplytothemtheadage——Quic-quiddelirantregesplectunturAchivi——`Whenkingsgomadtheirpeoplegettheirblows。’
LOUISXIV——ThereignofLouisXIV。wasagreatdevelopmentineverypointofview，gamingincluded。
TherevolutionseffectedinthegovernmentandinpublicmoralsbyCardinalRichelieu，whoplayedagamestillmoreseriousthanthoseweareconsidering，hadveryconsiderablycheckedthelatter；buttheseresumedtheirvigour，withinterest，underanotherCardinal，profoundlyimbuedwiththeItalianspirit——thecelebratedMazarin。Thisminister，independentlyofhisparticulartastethatway，knewhowtoallygamingwithhispoliticaldesigns。Bymeansofgaminghecontrivedtoprotracttheminorityofthekingunderwhomhegovernedthenation。
`Mazarin，’saysStPierre，`introducedgamingatthecourtofLouisXIV。intheyear1648。Heinducedthekingandthequeenregenttoplay；andpreferencewasgiventogamesofchance。Theyear1648wastheeraofcard-playingatcourt。CardinalMazarinplayeddeepandwithfinesse，andeasilydrewinthekingandqueentocountenancethisnewentertainment，sothateveryonewhohadanyexpectationatcourtlearnedtoplayatcards。Soonafterthehumourchanged，andgamesofchancecameintovogue——totheruinofmanyconsiderablefamilies:thiswaslikewiseverydestructivetohealth，forbesidesthevariousviolentpassionsitexcited，wholenightswerespentatthisexecrableamusement。Theworstofallwasthatcard-playing，whichthecourthadtakenfromthearmy，soonspreadfromthecourtintothecity，andfromthecitypervadedthecountrytowns。
`Beforethistherewassomethingdoneforimprovingconversation；
everyonewasambitiousofqualifyinghimselfforitbyreadingancientandmodernbooks；memoryandreflectionweremuchmoreexercised。Butontheintroductionofgamingmenlikewiseleftoftennis，billiards，andothergamesofskill，andconsequentlybecameweakerandmoresickly，moreignorant，lesspolished，andmoredissipated。
`Thewomen，whotillthenhadcommandedrespect，accustomedmentotreatthemfamiliarly，byspendingthewholenightwiththematplay。Theywereoftenunderthenecessityofborrowingeithertoplay，ortopaytheirlosings；andhowveryductileandcomplyingtheyweretothoseofwhomtheyhadtoborrowwaswellknown。’
FromthattimegamestersswarmedalloverFrance；theymultipliedrapidlyineveryprofession，evenamongthemagistracy。TheCardinaldeRetztellsus，inhisMemoirs，thatin1650theoldestmagistrateintheparliamentofBordeaus，andonewhopassedforthewisest，wasnotashamedtostakeallhispropertyonenightatplay，andthattoo，headds，withoutriskinghisreputation——sogeneralwasthefuryofgambling。Itbecameverysoonmixedupwiththemostmomentouscircumstancesoflifeandaffairsofthegravestimportance。TheStates-general，orparliamentaryassemblies，consistedaltogetherofgamblers。`Itisagame，’saysMadamedeSevigne，`itisanentertainment，aliberty-halldayandnight，attractingalltheworld。IneverbeforebeheldtheStates-generalofBretagne。TheStates-generalaredecidedlyaveryfinething。’
ThesamedelightfulcorrespondentrelatesthatoneofheramusementswhenshewenttothecourtwastoadmireDangeauatthecard-table；andthefollowingistheaccountofagamingpartyatwhichshewaspresent:——
`29thJuly，1676。
`IwentonSaturdaywithVillarstoVersailles。Ineednottellyouofthequeen’stoilette，themass，thedinner——youknowitall；butatthreeo’clockthekingrosefromtable，andhe，thequeen，Monsieur，Madame，Mademoiselle，alltheprincesandprincesses，MadamedeMontespan，allhersuite，allthecourtiers，alltheladies，inshort，whatwecallthecourtofFrance，wereassembledinthatbeautifulapartmentwhichyouknow。Itisdivinelyfurnished，everythingismagnificent；onedoesnotknowwhatitistobetoohot；wewalkabouthereandthere，andarenotincommodedanywhere:——atlastatableofreversi[53]givesaformtothecrowd，andaplacetoeveryone。
_THEKINGISNEXTTOMADAMEDEMONTESPAN_，whodeals；theDukeofOrleans，thequeen，andMadamedeSoubise；DangeauandCo。；
LangeeandCo。；athousandlouisarepouredoutonthecloth——
therearenoothercounters。IsawDangeauplay！——whatfoolsweallarecomparedtohim——hemindsnothingbuthisbusiness，andwinswheneveryoneelseloses:heneglectsnothing，takesadvantageofeverything，isneverabsent；inaword，hisskilldefiesfortune，andaccordingly200，000francsintendays，100，000crownsinafortnight，allgotohisreceiptbook。
[53]Akindofgamelongsinceoutoffashion，andnowalmostforgotten；itseemstohavebeenacompoundofLooandCommerce——
the_Quinola_or_Pam_wastheknaveofhearts。
`HewassogoodastosayIwasapartnerinhisplay，bywhichIgotaveryconvenientandagreeableplace。Isalutedthekinginthewayyoutaughtme，whichhereturnedasifIhadbeenyoungandhandsome——Ireceivedathousandcompliments——youknowwhatitistohaveawordfromeverybody！Thisagreeableconfusionwithoutconfusionlastsfromthreeo’clocktillsix。
Ifacourtierarrives，thekingretiresforamomenttoreadhisletters，andreturnsimmediately。Thereisalwayssomemusicgoingon，whichhasaverygoodeffect；thekinglistenstothemusicandchatstotheladiesabouthim。Atlast，atsixo’clock，theystopplaying——theyhavenotroubleinsettlingtheirreckonings——therearenocounters——thelowestpoolsarefive，six，sevenhundredlouis，thegreatonesathousand，ortwelvehundred；theyputinfiveeachatfirst，thatmakesonehundred，andthedealerputsintenmore——thentheygivefourlouiseachtowhoeverhasQuinola——somepass，othersplay，butwhenyouplaywithoutwinningthepool，youmustputinsixteentoteachyouhowtoplayrashly:theytalkalltogether，andforever，andofeverything。\"Howmanyhearts？\"\"Two！\"\"I
havethree！\"\"Ihaveone！\"\"Ihavefour！\"\"Hehasonlythree！\"andDangeau，delightedwithallthisprattle，turnsupthetrump，makeshiscalculations，seeswhomhehasagainsthim，inshort——inshort，Iwasgladtoseesuchanexcessofskill。Heitiswhoreallyknows\"ledessousdescartes。\"
`Atteno’clocktheygetintotheircarriages:_THEKING，MADAME
DEMONTESPAN_，theDukeofOrleans，andMadamedeThianges，andthegoodHendicourtonthedickey，thatisasifonewereintheuppergallery。Youknowhowthesecalashesaremade。
`Thequeenwasinanotherwiththeprincesses；andtheneverybodyelse，groupedastheyliked。Thentheygoonthewateringondolas，withmusic；theyreturnatten；theplayisready，itisover；twelvestrikes，supperisbroughtin，andsopassesSaturday。’
Thislivelypictureofsuchfrightfulgambling，oftheadulteroustriumphofMadamedeMontespan，andofthehumiliatingparttowhichthequeenwascondemned，willinduceourreaderstoconcurwithMadamedeSevigne，who，amusedasshehadbeenbythesceneshehasdescribed，callsitnevertheless，withherusualpuretasteandgoodjudgment，_l’iniquacorte_，`theiniquitouscourt。’
Indeed，MadamedeSevignehadamplereasontodenouncethissourceofherdomesticmisery。Writingtohersonanddaughter，shesays:——`Youloseallyouplayfor。Youhavepaidfiveorsixthousandfrancsforyouramusement，andtobeabusedbyfortune。’
Ifshehadatfirstbeenfascinatedbythespectaclewhichshesoglowinglydescribes，theinterestofherchildrensoonopenedhereyestotheyawninggulfatthebrinkoftheflowerysurface。
Sometimessheexplainsherselfplainly:——`Youbelievethateverybodyplaysashonestlyasyourself？CalltomindwhattookplacelatelyattheHoteldelaVieuville。Doyourememberthat_ROBBERY？_’
Thefavourofthatcourt，somuchcoveted，seemedtohertobepurchasedattoohighapriceifitwastobegainedbyruinouscomplaisances。ShetrembledeverytimehersonlefthertogotoVersailles。Shesays:——`Hetellsmeheisgoingtoplaywithhisyoungmaster；[54]Ishudderatthethought。Fourhundredpistolesareveryeasilylost:_cen’estrienpourAdmeteetc’estbeaucouppourlui_。[55]IfDangeauisinthegamehewillwinallthepools:heisaneagle。Thenwillcometopass，mydaughter，allthatGodmayvouchsafe——_ilenarivera，mafille，toutcequ’ilplairaaDieu_。’
[54]TheDauphin。
[55]`ItisnothingforAdmetus，but’tismuchforhim。’
Andagain，`Thegameof_Hoca_isprohibitedatParis_UNDERTHE
PENALTYOFDEATH_，andyetitisplayedatcourt。Fivethousandpistolesbeforedinnerisnothing。Thatgameisaregularcut-
throat。’
Hocawasprodigiouslyunfavourabletotheplayers；thelatterhadonlytwenty-eightchancesagainstthirty。IntheseventeenthcenturythisgamecausedsuchdisorderatRomethatthePopeprohibiteditandexpelledthebankers。
TheItalianswhomMazarinbroughtintoFranceobtainedfromthekingpermissiontosetup_Hoca_tablesinParis。Theparliamentlaunchedtwoedictsagainstthem，andthreatenedtopunishthemseverely。Theking’sedictswereequallysevere。Everyofoffenderwastobefined1000livres，andthepersoninwhosehouseFaro，Basset，oranysuchgamewassuffered，incurredthepenaltyof6000livresforeachoffence。Thepersonswhoplayedweretobeimprisoned。GamingwasforbiddentheFrenchcavalryunderthepenaltyofdeath，andeverycommandingofficerwhoshouldpresumetosetupaHazardtablewastobecashiered，andallconcernedtoberigorouslyimprisoned。Thesepenaltiesmightshowgreathorrorofgaming，buttheyweretooseveretobesteadilyinflicted，andthereforefailedtorepressthecrimeagainstwhichtheyweredirected。Thesevererthelawthelessthelikelihoodofitsapplication，andconsequentlyitspowerofrepression。
MadamedeSevignehadbeheldthegamestersonlyinthepresenceoftheirmastertheking，orinthecircleswhichwereregulatedwithinviolablepropriety；butwhatwouldshehavesaidifshecouldhaveseenthegamblersatthesecretsuppersandinthecountry-housesoftheSuperintendentFouquet，wheretwenty`qualified’players，suchastheMarshalsdeRichelieu，deClairembaut，&c。，assembledtogether，withadashofbadcompany，toplayforlands，houses，jewels，evenforpoint-laceandneckties？Thereshewouldhaveseensomethingmorethangoldstaked，sincetheplayersdebasedthemselvessolowastocircumventcertainopulentdupes，whowerethefirstinvited。Toleaveonehundredpistoles，ostensiblyfor`thecards，’butreallyastheperquisiteofthemasterofthelordlyhouse；
torecouphimwhenhelost；and，whentheyhadtodealwithsomeunimportantbutwealthyindividual，toundohimcompletely，compellinghimtosignhisruinonthegamingtable——suchwastheconductwhichrenderedaman_recherche_，andsecuredthetitleofafineplayer！
Itwaspreciselythusthatthefamous(orinfamous)Gourville，successivelyvalet-de-chambretotheDucdelaRochefoucault，hangedineffigyatParis，king’senvoyinGermany，andafterwardsproposedtoreplaceColbert——itwasthusprecisely，I
say，thatGourvillesecuredfavour，`consideration，’fortune；forhedeclares，inhisMemoirs，thathisgainsinafewyearsamountedtomorethanamillion。Andfortuneseemstohavecherishedandblessedhimthroughouthisdetestablecareer。
Afterhavingmadehisfortune，heretiredtowritethescandalousMemoirsfromwhichIhavebeenquoting，anddiedoutofdebt！[56]
[56]Mem。deGourville，i。
Francebecametoonarrowatheatreforthechevaliersd’industrieandallwhowereapreytothefuryofgambling。TheCountdeGrammont，averysuspiciousplayer，turnedhistalentstoaccountinEngland，Italy，andSpain。
ThissameCountdeGrammontfiguredwellatcourtononeoccasionwhenLouisXIV。seemedinclinedtocheatorotherwiseplayunfairly。Playingatbackgammon，andhavingadoubtfulthrow，adisputearose，andthesurroundingcourtiersremainedsilent。TheCountdeGrammonthappeningtocomein，thekingdesiredhimtodecideit。Heinstantlyanswered——`Sire，yourMajestyisinthewrong。’`How，’saidtheking，`canyoudecidebeforeyouknowthequestion？’`Because，’repliedthecount，`hadtherebeenanydoubt，allthesegentlemenwouldhavegivenitinfavourofyourMajesty。’Theplaininferenceisthatthis(atthetime)greatworld’sidolandVoltaire’sgod，was`uptoalittlecheating。’Itwas，however，asmuchtotheking’screditthathesubmittedtothedecision，asitwastothatofthecourtierwhogavehimsuchalesson。
ThemagnanimityofLouisXIV。wasstillmorestrikinglyshownonanothergamblingoccasion。Veryhighplaywasgoingonatthecardinal’s，andtheChevalierdeRohanlostavastsumtotheking。Theagreementwastopayonlyin_louisd’ors；_andthechevalier，aftercountingoutsevenoreighthundred，proposedtocontinuethepaymentinSpanishpistoles。`Youpromisedme_louisd’ors_，andnotpistoles，’saidtheking。`SinceyourMajestyrefusesthem，’repliedthechevalier，`Idon’twantthemeither；’andthereuponheflungthemoutofthewindow。Thekinggotangry，andcomplainedtoMazarin，whoreplied:——`TheChevalierdeRohanhasplayedtheking，andyoutheChevalierdeRohan。’Thekingacquiesced。[57]
[57]Mem。etReflex。，&e。，parM。L。M。L。F。(theMarquisdelaFare)。
Asbeforestated，thecourtoftheRomanEmperorAugustus，inspiteofthemanylawsenactedagainstgambling，diffusedthefrenzythroughRome；inlikemannerthecourtofLouisXIV。，almostinthesamecircumstances，infectedParisandtheentirekingdomwiththevice。
ThereisthisdifferencebetweentheFrenchmonarchandtheRomanemperor，thatthelatterdidnotteachhissuccessorstoplayagainstthepeople，whereasLouis，afterhavingdenouncedgaming，andbecomealmostdisgustedwithit，finishedwithestablishedlotteries。Highplaywasalwaystheetiquetteatcourt，butthesittingsbecamelessfrequentandwereabridged。`Theking，’
saysMadamedeSevigne，`hasnotgivenoverplaying，butthesittingsarenotsolong。’
LOUISXV——AtthedeathofLouisXIV。three-fourthsofthenationthoughtofnothingbutgambling。Gambling，indeed，becameitselfanobjectofspeculation，inconsequenceoftheestablishmentanddevelopmentoflotteries——thefirsthavingbeendesignedtocelebratetherestorationofpeaceandthemarriageofLouisXIV。
Thenationseemedallmadwiththeexcitementofplay。DuringtheminorityofLouisXV。aforeigngamester，thecelebratedScotchman，JohnLaw，havingbecomeController-GeneralofFrance，undertooktorestorethefinancesofthenationbymakingeverymanaplayerorgamester。Hepropoundeda_SYSTEM；_heestablishedabank，whichnearlyupsetthestate；andseducedeventhosewhohadescapedtheepidemicofgamesofchance。Hewasfinallyexpelledlikeafoulfog；buttheyoughttohavehangedhimasadeliberatecorrupter。AndyetthisisthemanofwhomVoltairewroteasfollows:`WearefarfromevincingthegratitudewhichisduetoJohnLaw。[58]Voltaire’spraisewasalwaysassuspiciousashisblame。JustletusconsiderthetendencyofJohnLaw’s`system。’Howevergeneralmaybethefuryofgambling，_EVERYBODY_doesnotgamble；certainprofessionsimposeacertainrestraint，andtheirmemberswouldblushtoresorttogamestheturpitudeofwhichwouldsubjectthemtounanimouscondemnation。Butonlychangethe_NAMES_ofthesegames——onlychangetheir_FORM_，andletthebaitbepresentedunderthesanctionofthelegislature:then，althoughthe_THING_benotlessvicious，norlessrepugnanttotrueprinciple，thenwewitnessthegamblingardourofsavages，suchaswehavedescribedit，manifestingitselfwithmorerisk，andcommunicatedtotheentirenation——theministersofthealtar，themagistracy，themembersofeveryprofession，fathers，mothersoffamilies，withoutdistinctionofrank，means，orduties……Letthisshortgeneralizationbewellpondered，andtheconclusionmustbereachedthatthisScotchadventurer，JohnLaw，wasguiltyofthecrimeoftreasonagainsthumanity。
[57]NoussommesloindelareconnoissancequiestdueaJeanLaw。Mel。deLitt。，d’Hist。，&c。ii。
JohnLaw，whomtheFrenchcalled_JeanLass_，openedagulfintowhichhalfthenationeagerlypoureditsmoney。Fortunesweremadeinafewdays——inafew_HOURS_。Manywereenrichedbymerelylendingtheirsignatures。Asuddenandhorriblerevolutionamazedtheentirepeople——liketheburstingofabomb-
shelloranincendiaryexplosion。Sixhundredthousandofthebestfamilies，whohadtaken_PAPER_onthefaithofthegovernment，lost，togetherwiththeirfortunes，theirofficesandappointments，andwerealmostannihilated。Someofthestock-
jobbersescaped；otherswerecompelledtodisgorgetheirgains——
althoughtheystoutlyand，itmustbeadmitted，consistentlyappealedtothesanctionofthecourt。
Oddlyenough，whilstthegovernmentmadeallFranceplayatthisJohnLawgame——themostseductiveandvoraciousthateverexisted——somethirtyorfortypersonswereimprisonedforhavingbrokenthelawsenactedagainstgamesofchance！
Itmaybesomewhatconsolatorytoknowthattheauthorofsomuchcalamitydidnotlongenjoyhisshareoftheinfernalsuccess——
thepartitionofapeople’sruin。Afterextortingsomanymillions，thisfamousgamblerwasreducedtothenecessityofsellinghislastdiamondinordertoraisemoneytogambleon。
Thisgreatcatastrophe，thecommotionofwhichwasfelteveninHollandandinEngland，wasthelastsighoftruehonouramongtheFrench。Probityreceivedablow。Publicmoralitywasabashed。Moregaminghousesthaneverwereopened，andthenitwasthattheyreceivedthenameof_Enfers_，or`Hells，’bywhichtheyweredesignatedinEngland。`Thegreaternumberofthosewhogotothewatering-places，’writesacontemporary，`underthepretextofhealth，onlygoaftergamesters。IntheStates-
generalitislesstheinterestofthepeoplethantheattractionofterriblegambling，thatbringstogetheraportionofthenobility。Thenatureoftheplaymaybeinferredfromthenameoftheplaceatwhichittakesplaceinoneoftheprovinces——
namely，_Enfer_。Thissalon，soappropriatelycalled，wasintheHoteloftheking’scommissionersinBretagne。Ihavebeentoldthatagentleman，tothegreatdisgustofthenoblemenpresent，andevenofthebankers，actuallyofferedtostakehissword。
`Thisnameof_Enfers_hasbeengiventoseveralgaminghouses，somethemsituatedintheinteriorofParis，othersintheenvirons。
`Peoplenolongerblush，asdidCaligula，atgamblingontheirreturnfromthefuneraloftheirrelativesorfriends。A
gamester，returningfromtheburialofhisbrother，wherehehadexhibitedthesignsofprofoundgrief，playedandwonaconsiderablesumofmoney。\"Howdoyoufeelnow？\"hewasasked。\"Alittlebetter，\"hereplied，\"thisconsolesme。\"
`AllisexcitementwhilstIwrite。Withoutmentioningthebasedeedsthathavebeencommitted，Ihavecountedfoursuicidesandagreatcrime。
`Besidesthelicensedgaminghouses，newonesarefurtivelyestablishedintheprivilegedmansionsoftheambassadorsandrepresentativesofforeigncourts。Certainchevaliersd’industrierecentlyproposedtoagentlemanofquality，whohadjustbeenappointedplenipotentiary，tohireanhotelforhim，andtopaytheexpenses，onconditionthathewouldgiveuptothemanapartmentandpermitthemtohavevaletswearinghislivery！Thisbaseproposalwasrejectedwithcontempt，becausetheBaronde——isoneofthemosthonourableandenlightenedmenoftheage。
`Themostdifficultbargainsareoftenamicablysettledbyagame。Ihaveseenpersonsgamingwhilsttakingawalkandwhilsttravellingintheircarriages。Peoplegameatthedoorsofthetheatres；ofcoursetheygambleforthepriceoftheticket。
Ineverypossiblemanner，andineverysituation，thetruegamesterstrivestoturneveryinstanttoprofit。
`IfIrelatewhatIhaveseeninthematterofplayduringsleep，itwillbedifficulttounderstandme。Agamester，exhaustedbyfatigue，couldnotgiveupplayingbecausehewasaloser；soherequestedhisadversarytoplayforhimwithhislefthand，whilsthedozedoffandslept！Strangetosay，thelefthandofhisadversaryincessantlywon，whilsthesnoredtothesoundofthedice！
`Ihavejustreadinanewspaper，[59]thattwoEnglishmen，wholefttheircountrytofightaduelinaforeignland，neverthelessplayedatthehigheststakesonthevoyage；andhavingarrivedonthefield，oneofthemlaidawagerthathewouldkillhisadversary。Itisstatedthatthespectatorsoftheaffairlookeduponitasagamingtransaction。
[59]JournaldePolitique，Dec。15，1776。
`InspeakingofthisaffairIwastoldofaGerman，who，beingcompelledtofightaduelonaccountofaquarrelatthegamingtable，allowedhisadversarytofireathim。Hewasmissed。
hesaidtohisopponent，\"Inevermiss。IbetyouahundredducatsthatIbreakyourrightorleftarm，justasyouplease。\"Thebetwastaken，andhewon。
`Ihavefoundcardsanddiceinmanyplaceswherepeoplewereinwantofbread。Ihaveseenthemerchantandtheartisanstakinggoldbyhandfuls。Asmallfarmerhasjustgamedawayhisharvest，valuedat3000francs。’[60]
[60]Dusaulx，_DelaPassionduJeu_，1779。
GaminghousesinPariswerefirstlicensedin1775，bythelieutenantofpolice，Sartines，who，todiminishtheodiumofsuchestablishments，decreedthattheprofitresultingfromthemshouldbeappliedtothefoundationofhospitals。Theirnumbersoonamountedtotwelve；andwomenwereallowedtoresorttothemtwodaysintheweek。Besidesthelicensedestablishments，severalillegalonesweretolerated，andespeciallystyled_enfers_，or`hells。’
Gaminghavingbeenfoundprolificinmisfortunesandcrimes，wasprohibitedin1778；butitwasstillpractisedatthecourtandinthehotelsofambassadors，wherepolice-officerscouldnotenter。Bydegreesthepublicestablishmentsresumedtheirwontedactivity，andextendedtheirperniciouseffects。Thenumeroussuicidesandbankruptcieswhichtheyoccasionedattractedtheattentionofthe_Parlement_，whodrewupregulationsfortheirobservance，andthreatenedthosewhoviolatedthemwiththepilloryandwhipping。Thelicensedhouses，aswellasthoserecognized，however，stillcontinuedtheirformerpractices，andbreachesoftheregulationsweremerelyvisitedwithtrivialpunishment。
Atlength，thepassionforplayprevailinginthesocietiesestablishedinthePalaisRoyal，underthetitleof_clubs_or_salons_，apoliceordinancewasissuedin1785，prohibitingthemfromgaming。In1786，freshdisorderhavingarisenintheunlicensedestablishments，additionalprohibitingmeasureswereenforced。DuringtheRevolutionthegaming-houseswerefrequentlyprosecuted，andlicenseswithheld；butnotwithstandingtherigourofthelawsandthevigilanceofthepolice，theystillcontrivedtoexist。
LOUISXVI。TILLTHEPRESENTTIME——Inthegeneralcorruptionofmorals，whichrosetoitsheightduringthereignofLouisXVI。，gamblingkeptpacewith，ifitdidnotoutstrip，everyotherlicentiousnessofthatdismalepoch。[61]Indeed，theuniversalexcitementofthenationnaturallytendedtodevelopeeverydesperatepassionofournature；andthattherevolutionarytroublesandagitationoftheempirehelpedtoincreasethegamblingpropensityoftheFrench，isevidentfromthemagnitudeoftheresultsonrecord。
[61]ItwillbeseeninthesequelthatgamblingwasvastlyincreasedinEnglandbytheFrench`emigres’whosoughtrefugeamongus，bringingwiththemalltheirvices，unchastenedbymisfortune。
Fouche，theministerofpolice，derivedanincomeofL128，000ayearforlicensingor`privileging’gaminghouses，towhichcardsofaddresswereregularlyfurnished。
Besideswhatthe`farmers’ofthegaminghousespaidtoFouche，theywerecompelledtohireandpay120，000persons，employedinthosehousesas_croupiers_orattendantsatthegamingtable，fromhalf-a-crowntohalf-a-guineaaday；andallthese120，000personswere_SPIESOFFOUCHE！_Averycleverideanodoubtitwas，thustodrawarevenuefromtheproceedsofavice，andusetheinstitutionforthepurposesofgovernment；
but，perhaps，asRousseauremarks，`itisagreaterrorindomesticaswellascivileconomytowishtocombatonevicebyanother，ortoformbetweenthemasortofequilibrium，asifthatwhichsapsthefoundationsofordercaneverservetoestablishit。’[62]AministeroftheEmperorTheodosiusII。，intheyear431，thevirtuousFlorentius，inordertoteachhismasterthatitwaswrongtomakethevicescontributetotheState，becausesuchaprocedureauthorizesthem，gavetothepublictreasuryoneofhislandstherevenueofwhichequalledtheproductoftheannualtaxleviedonprostitution。[63]
[62]Nouv。Heloise，t。iv。
[63]Novel。Theodos。18。
AftertherestorationoftheBourbons，itbecamequiteevidentthatplayintheEmpirehadbeenquiteasNapoleonicinitsvigouranddimensionsasanyother`idea’oftheepoch。
ThefollowingdetailofthepublicgamingtablesofPariswaspublishedinanumberofthe_BibliothequeHistorique_，1818，underthetitleof`BudgetofPublicGames。’
STATEOFTHEANNUALEXPENSESOFTHEGAMESOFPARIS。
UnderthepresentAdministration，thereare:——
7TablesofTrente-et-un。
9dittoofRoulette。
1dittoofPasse-Dix。
1TableofCraps。
1dittoofHazard。
1dittoofBiribi——
20
These20Tablesaredividedintoninehouses，fourofwhicharesituatedinthePalaisRoyal。
Toservetheseventablesof_Trente-et-un_，thereare:——francs28Dealers，at550fr。amonth，making……15，400
28Croupiers，at380……10，640
42Assistants，at200……8，400
SERVICEFORTHENINEROULETTESANDONEPASSE-DIX。
80Dealers，at275fr。amonth……22，000
60Assistants，at150……9，000
SERVICEOFTHECRAPS，BIRIBI，ANDHAZARD，12Dealers，at300fr。amonth……3，600
12Inspectors，at120……1，440
10Aids，at100……1，000
6ChefsdePartieattheprincipalhouses，at700fr。amonth……4，200
3ChefsdePartiefortheRoulettes，at500fr。amonth……1，500
20SecretInspectors，at200fr。amonth……4，000
1Inspector-General，at……1，000
130Waiters，at75fr。amonth……9，750
Cardsamonth……1，500
Beerandrefreshments，amonth……3，000
Lights……5，500
Refreshmentforthegrandsaloon，includingtwodinnerseveryweek，permonth……12，000
Totalexpenseofeachmonth……113，930——
Multipliedbytwelve，is……1，367，160
Rentof10Houses，perannum……130，000
ExpenseofOffices……50，000——
Totalperannum……1，547，160
Ifthe`privilege’orlicenseis……6，000，000
Ifabonusofamillionisgivenforsixyears，thesixthpart，oroneyear，willbe……166，666——
Totalexpenditure……7，713，826
Theprofitsareestimatedat，permonth，……800，000——
Whichyield，perannum，……9，600，000
Deductingtheexpenditure……7，713，826——
Theannualprofitsare……fr。1，886，174——
ThusgivingtheannualprofitatL7860sterling。
Weomittheprofitsresultingfromthewatering-places，amountingtofr。200，000。
OneofthenewconditionsimposedontheParisgaminghousesistheexclusionoffemales。
Thus，atParis，thePalaisRoyal，Frascati，andnumerousotherplaces，presentedgaminghouses，whithermillionsofwretchescrowdedinsearchoffortune，but，forthemostpart，tofindonlyruinorevendeathbysuicideorduelling，sooftenresultingfromquarrelsatthegamingtable。
Thisstateofthingswas，however，alteredintheyear1836，atthepropositionofM。B。Delessert，andallthegaminghouseswereorderedtobeclosedfromthe1stofJanuary，1838，sothatthepresentgamblinginFranceisonthesamefootingasgamblinginEngland，——utterlyprohibited，butcarriedoninsecret。
CHAPTERVI。
THERISEANDPROGRESSOFMODERNGAMINGINENGLAND。
ItseemsthattheriseofmoderngaminginEnglandmaybedatedfromtheyear1777or1778。
Beforethistimegamingappearsnevertohaveassumedanalarmingaspect。Themethodicalsystemofpartnership，enablingmentoembarklargecapitalingamblingestablishments，wasunknown；
thoughfromthatperiodthissystembecamethespecialcharacteristicofthepursuitamongallclassesofthecommunity。
Thedevelopmentoftheevilwasasubjectofgreatconcerntothoughtfulmen，andoneofthese，intheyear1784，putforthapamphlet，whichseemstogive`theveryageandbodyofthetime，hisformandpressure。’[64]
[64]Thepamphlet(intheLibraryoftheBritishMuseum)isentitled:——`HintsforaReform，particularlyoftheGamingClubs。
ByaMemberofParliament。1784。’
`Aboutthirtyyearsago，’saysthiswriter，`therewasbutoneclubinthemetropolis。Itwasregulatedandrespectable。
Therewerefewofthememberswhobettedhigh。Suchstakesatpresentwouldbereckonedverylowindeed。Therewerethenassembliesonceaweekinmostofthegreathouses。Anagreeablesocietymetatseveno’clock；theyplayedforcrownsorhalf-
crowns；andreachedtheirownhousesabouteleven。
`Therewasbutoneladywhogameddeeply，andshewasviewedinthelightofaphenomenon。Wereshenowtobeaskedherrealopinionofthosefriendswhowereherformer_PLAY_-fellows，therecanbenodoubtbutthattheyrankverylowinheresteem。
`Inthepresenteraofviceanddissipation，howmanyfemalesattendthecard-tables！Whatistheconsequence？Theeffectsaretooclearlytobetracedtothefrequent_DIVORCES_whichhavelatelydisgracedourcountry，andtheyaretoovisibleintheshamefulconductofmanyladiesoffashion，sincegamblingbecametheirchiefamusement。
`Thereisnownosociety。Theroutsbeginatmidnight。
Theyarepainfulandtroublesometotheladywhoreceivescompany，andtheyareabsolutelyanuisancetothosewhoarehonouredwithacardofinvitation。Itisinvaintoattemptconversation。Thesocialpleasuresareentirelybanished，andthosewhohaveanyrelishforthem，orwhoarefondofearlyhours，arenecessarilyexcluded。Sucharethecompaniesofmoderntimes，andmodernpeopleoffashion。Thosewhoarenotinvitedflytothe_GamingClubs_——
\"Tokilltheiridlehoursandcure_ennui！_\"
`Togiveanaccountofthepresentencumberedsituationofmanyfamilies，whosepropertywasoncelargeandample，wouldfillavolume。Whencespringthedifficultieswhicheverysucceedingdayincreases？Fromthe_GAMBLINGCLUBS_。Whyaretheycontinuallyhuntedbytheircreditors？Thereplyis——the_GAMBLINGCLUBS_。Whyaretheyobligedcontinuallytoracktheirinventioninordertosaveappearances？Theanswerstillis——the_GAMBLINGCLUBS！_
`Thefatherfrequentlyruinshischildren；andsons，andevengrandsons，longbeforethesuccessionopenstothem，areinvolvedsodeeplythatduringtheirfuturelivestheircircumstancesarerenderednarrow；andtheyhaverankorfamilyhonours，withoutbeingabletosupportthem。
`Howmanyinfamousvillainshaveamassedimmenseestates，bytakingadvantageofunfortunateyoungmen，whohavebeenfirstseducedandthenruinedbytheGamblingClubs！
`Itiswellknownthattheoldmembersofthosegamblingsocietiesexerteverynervetoenlistyoungmenoffortune；andifwetakeaviewoftheprincipalestatesonthisisland，weshallfindmanyinfamous_CHRISTIAN_brokerswhoarenowlivingluxuriouslyandinsplendouronthewrecksofsuchunhappyvictims。
`Atpresent，whenaboyhaslearnedalittlefromhisfather’sexample，heissenttoschool，tobe_INITIATED_。Inthecourseofafewyearsheacquiresaprofoundknowledgeofthescienceofgambling，andbeforeheleavestheUniversityheisperfectlyfittedforamemberofthe_GAMINGCLUBS_，intowhichheiselectedbeforehetakeshisseatineitherHouseofParliament。
Thereisnonecessityforhisbeingofage，asthesoonerheisballottedfor，themoreadvantageoushisadmissionwillprovetothe_OLD_members。
`Scarcelyisthehopefulyouthenrolledamongthese_HONOURABLE_
associates，thanheisintroducedtoJews，toannuity-brokers，andtothelongtrainofmoney-lenders。Theytakecaretoanswerhispecuniarycalls，andthegreaterpartofthenightandmorningisconsumedatthe_CLUB_。Tohiscreditorsandtradesmen，insteadofpayinghisbills，heoffersa_BOND_or_ANNUITY_。HerisesjusttimeenoughtoridetoKensingtonGardens；returnstodress；dineslate；andthenattendsthepartyofgamblers，ashehaddonethenightbefore，unlessheallowshimselftobedetainedforafewmomentsbythenewspaper，orsomepoliticalpublication。
`Suchdowefindthepresentfashionablestyleoflife，from\"hisGrace\"tothe\"Ensign\"intheGuards。Willthismodeofeducationrearupheroes，toleadforthourarmies，ortoconductourfleetstovictory？Reviewtheconductofyourgeneralsabroad，andofyourstatesmenathome，duringthelateunfortunatewar，andthesequestionsareanswered。[65]
[65]OfcoursethisisanallusiontotheAmericanWarofIndependenceandthepoliticaleventsathome，from1774to1784。
`Atpresent，tradesmenmustthemselvesbegamblersbeforetheygivecredittoamemberoftheseclubs；butifareformsucceedstheywillbeplacedinastateofsecurity。Atpresenttheymustmake_REGULAR_familiespayanenormouspricefortheirgoods，toenablethemtoruntheriskofneverreceivingasingleshillingfromtheirgamblingcustomers。’
Suchisthepictureofthetimesinquestion，drawnbyacontemporary；anditmaybesaidthatprivaterecklessandunscrupulouspoliticalmachinationswerethespringsandfountainsofallthecalamitiesthatsubsequentlyoverflowed，asitwere，the`openingoftheseals’ofdoomuponthenation。
NotwithstandingthepurityofmoralsenjoinedbythecourtofGeorgeIII。，theearlypartofhisreignpresentsapictureofdissolutemannersaswellasoffuriouspartyspirit。Themostfashionableofourladiesofrankwereimmersedinplay，ordevotedtopolitics:thesamespiritcarriedthemintoboth。TheSabbathwasdisregarded，spentoftenincards，ordesecratedbythemeetingsofpartisansofbothfactions；moraldutieswereneglectedanddecorumoutraged。Thefactwas，thataminorcourthadbecomethecentreofallthebadpassionsandreprehensiblepursuitsinvogue。CarltonHouse，inPallMall，whicheventheoldestofuscanbarelyremember，withitselegantopenscreen，thepillarsinfront，itslowexterior，itsmanysmallrooms，itsdecorationsinvulgartaste，and，tocrownthewhole，itsassociationsofacorruptingrevelry，——CarltonHousewas，inthedaysofgoodKingGeorge，almostasgreatascandaltothecountryasWhitehallinthetimeofimproperKingCharlesII。[66]Theinfluencewhichtheexampleofayoungprince，ofmannerseminentlypopular，producedupontheyoungnobilityoftherealmwasmostdisastrousineverywayandruinoustopublicmorality。
[66]Wharton，`TheQueensofSociety。’Mem。of_Georgiana，DuchessofDevonshire。_
Afterthatperiod，thevastlicensegiventothoseabominableenginesoffraud，theE。O。tables，[67]andthegreatlengthoftimewhichelapsedbeforetheymetwithanycheckfromthepolice，affordedanumberofdissoluteandabandonedcharactersanopportunityofacquiringproperty。Thistheyafterwardsincreasedinthelowgaminghouses，andbyfollowingupthesamesystematNewmarketandtheotherfashionableplacesofresort，andfinallybymeansofthelottery，thatmodeofinsensategambling；tillatlengththeyacquiredasumofmoneynothingshortof_ONEMILLIONSTERLING_。
[67]SocalledfromthelettersEandO，theturningupofwhichdecidedthebet。Theywereotherwisecalled_Roulette_and_RolyPoly_，fromtheballsusedinthem。TheyseemtohavebeenintroducedinEnglandabouttheyear1739。ThefirstwassetupatTunbridgeandprovedextremelyprofitabletotheproprietors。
Thisenormouswealthwasthenusedasanefficientcapitalincarryingonvariousillegalestablishments，particularlygaminghouses，theexpensesofafirst-ratehousebeingL7000perannum，whichwereagainemployedasthemeansofincreasingtheseill-gottenriches。
Thesystemwasprogressivebutsteadyinitsdevelopment。
Severaloftheseconspicuousmembersoftheworldoffashion，rollingintheirgaudycarriagesandassociatingwithmenofhighrankandinfluence，mightbefoundontheregistersoftheOldBailey，orhadbeenformerlyoccupiedinturning，withtheirownhands，E。O。tablesinthepublicstreets。
Thefollowing_Queries_，whichareextractedfromthe_MorningPost_ofJulythe5th，1797，throwconsiderablelightuponthiscurioussubject，andshowhowseriouslythematterwasregardedwhensopublicadenunciationwasdeemednecessaryandventuredupon:——
`IsMrOgden(nowtheNewmarketoracle)thesamepersonwho，five-and-twentyyearssince，wasanannualpedestriantoAscot，coveredwithdust，amusinghimselfwith\"_PRICKINGinthe_
belt，\"\"_HUSTLING_inthehat，\"&c。，amongthelowestclassofrustics，attheinferiorboothsofthefair？
’IsD-k-yB——nwhonowhashissnugfarm，thesamepersonwho，someyearssince，_DROVEAPOSTCHAISE_forT——y，ofBagshot，couldneitherreadnorwrite，andwasintroducedto_THEFAMILY_
onlybyhispre-eminenceatcribbage？
`IsMrTwycross(withhisphaeton)thesamepersonwhosomeyearssincebecameabankruptinTavistockStreet，immediatelycommencedtheManofFashionatBath，keptrunninghorses，&c。，_secundumartem？_
`IsMrPhillips(whohasnowhistownandcountryhouse，inthemostfashionablestyle)thesamewhowasoriginallyalinen-
draperandbankruptatSalisbury，andwhomadehisfirst_familyentre_inthemetropolis，byhissuperiorityat_Billiards_
(withCaptainWallace，Orrell，&c。)atCropley’s，inBowStreet？
`WaspoorcarbuncledP——e(somanyyearsthefavouritedecoyduckof_THEFAMILY_)theverybarberofOxford，who，inthemidstoftheoperationuponagentleman’sface，laiddownhisrazor，swearingthathewouldnevershaveanothermansolongashelived，andimmediatelybecametheheroofthecardtable，the_bones_，the_box_，andthe_Cockpit？_’
CapitalwasnottheonlyqualificationforadmissionintotheConfederacyofGambling。Someofthemembersweretakenintopartnershiponaccountoftheirdexterityin`securing’diceor`dealing’cards。Oneissaidtohavebeenactuallyasharerinevery`Hell’attheWest-EndoftheTown，becausehewasfearedasmuchashewasdetestedbythefirms，whohadreasontoknowthathewould`peach’ifnotkeptquiet。Informersagainsttheillegalandiniquitousassociationswerearrestedandimprisoneduponwrits，obtainedbyperjury——todeterothersfromsimilarattacks；witnessesweresuborned；officersofjusticebribed；
ruffiansandbludgeon-menemployed，wheregratuitiesfailed；
personalviolenceandevenassassinationthreatenedtoallwhodaredtoexposethecryingevil——amongothers，toStockdale，thewell-knownpublisheroftheday，inPiccadilly。
ThencameuponthenationthemuddyfloodofFrenchemigrants，pouredforthbytheGreatRevolution——asetofmen，speakinggenerally，whosevicescontaminatedtheveryatmosphere。
Beforetheadventoftheseworthiesthenumberofgamblinghousesinthemetropolis，exclusiveofthosesolongestablishedbysubscription，wasnotmorethanhalf-a-dozen；butbytheyear1820theyhadincreasedtonearlyfifty。Besides_Faro_and_Hazard_，theforeigngamesof_Macao，Roulette，RougeetNoir_，&c。，wereintroduced，andtherewasagraduatedaccommodationforallranks，fromthePeeroftheRealmtotheHighwayman，theBurglar，andthePicket。
Atoneofthewatering-places，in1803，abaronetlostL20，000
atplay，andabondforL7000。Thiswillscarcelysurpriseuswhenweconsiderthatatthetimeabovefivehundrednotoriouscharacterssupportedthemselvesinthemetropolisbythisspeciesofrobbery，andinthesummerspreadthemselvesthroughthewatering-placesfortheirprofessionaloperations。Someofthemkeptbankers，andwerepossessedofconsiderablepropertyinthefundsandinland，andwenttheir_circuits_asregularlyasthejudges。Mostexcellentjudgestheywere，too，oftheconditionofa`pigeon。’
Inagreatcommercialcitywhere，fromtheextentofitstrade，manufacture，andrevenue，theremustbeanimmensecirculationofproperty，thedangerisnottobeconceivedoftheallurementswhichwerethusheldouttoyoungmeninbusinesshavingthecommandofmoney，aswellastheclerksofmerchants，bankers，andothers。Infact，toomanyofthisclassproved，atthebarofjustice，theconsequenceoftheirresorttothesecomplicatedscenesofvice，idleness，extravagance，misfortune，andcrime。
Amonginnumerableinstancesarethefollowing:——In1796，ashopmantoagrocerinthecitywasseducedintoagamingparty，wherehefirstlostallhisownmoney，andultimatelywhathismasterhadintrustedhimwith。Hehangedhimselfinhisbed-roomafewhoursafterwards。
Inthesameyear，LordKenyoninsummingupacaseofthekindsaid:——`Itwasextremelytobelamentedthattheviceofgamblinghaddescendedtotheverylowestordersofthepeople。Itwasprevalentamongthehighestranksofsociety，whohadsettheexampletotheirinferiors，andwho，itseemed，weretoogreatforthelaw。Iwishtheycouldbepunished。Ifanyprosecutionsarefairlybroughtbeforeme，andthepartiesarejustlyconvicted，whatevermaybetheirrankorstationinthecountry——thoughtheyshouldbethefirstladiesintheland——theyshallcertainlyexhibitthemselvesinthepillory。’
In1820，JamesLloyd，oneoftheharpieswhopractisedonthecredulityofthelowerordersbykeepinga_LittleGo_，orillegallottery，wasbroughtupforthetwentiethtime，toanswerforthatoffence。Thismanwasamethodistpreacher，andassembledhisneighbourstogetherathisdwellingonaSaturdaytopreachthegospeltothem，andtheremainderoftheweekhewastobefound，withanequallynumerousparty，instructingthemintheruinousviceofgambling。Thechargewasclearlyproved，andtheprisonerwassentencedtothreemonths’imprisonmentwithhardlabour。
InthesameyearnumbersofyoungpersonsrobbedtheirmasterstoplayatacertainestablishmentcalledMorley’sGamblingHouse，intheCity，andwereruinedthere。SomewerebroughttojusticeattheOldBailey；others，inthemadnesscausedbytheirlosses，destroyedthemselves；andsomeescapedtoothercountries，bytheirownactivity，orthroughtheinfluenceoftheirfriends。
Atravellerofthecoachmakers，MessrsHoulditchofLongAcre，embezzledorappliedtohisownuseconsiderablesumsofmoneybelongingtothem。ItappearedinevidencethattheprisonerwassentbyhisemployerstotheContinenttotakeordersforcarriages；hewasallowedahandsomesalary，andwasfurnishedwithcarriagesforsale。Themoneyhereceivedforthemhewastosendtohisemployers，afterdeductinghisexpenses；butinsteadofsodoing，hegamblednearlythewholeofitaway。Thefollowinglettertohismasterwasputinbywayofexplanationofhiscareer:——`Sir，——TheerrorsintowhichIhavefallenhavemademesohatemyselfthatIhaveadoptedthehorribleresolutionofdestroyingmyself。IamsensibleofthecrimeI
commitagainstGod，myfamily，andsociety，buthavenotcouragetolivedishonoured。ThegenerousconfidenceyouplacedinmeI
havebaselyviolated；Ihaverobbedyou，andthoughnottoenrichmyself，theconsciousnessofitdestroysme。Bankruptcy，poverty，beggary，andwantIcouldbear——consciousintegritywouldsupportme:buttheill-fatedacquaintanceIformedledmetothoseearthlyhells——gamblinghouses；andthencommencedmyvillainiesanddeceptionstoyou。Mylosseswerenotlargeatfirst；andthestoriesthatweretoldmeofgainmademehopetheywouldsoonberecovered。AtthisperiodIreceivedtheordertogotoVienna，andonsettlingatthehotelIfoundmydebtstreblewhatIhadexpected。Iwasinconsequencecompelledtoleavethetwocarriagesasaguaranteeforpartofthedebt，whichIhadnotinmypowertodischarge。IhadhopedsuchsuccessatViennaaswouldenablemetostatealltoyou；butdisappointmentblastedeveryhope，anddespair，onmyreturntoParis，begantogeneratethefatalresolutionwhich，atthemomentyoureadthis，willhavematureditselftoconsummation。
Ifeelthatmyreputationisblasted；nowayleftofre-imbursingthemoneywasted，yourconfidenceinmetotallydestroyed，andnothinglefttomebuttoseemywifeandchildren，anddie。
Affectionforthemholdsmeinexistencealittlelonger。Thegamingtableagainpresenteditselftomyimaginationastheonlypossiblemeansofextricatingmyself。CountMontoni’s3000
francs，whichIreceivedbeforeyoucametoParis，furnishedmewiththemeans——mydeathspeakstheresult！Afterrobberysobaseasmine，Ifearitwillbeofnouseformetosolicityourkindnessformywretchedwifeandforlornfamily。Oh，Sir，ifyouhavepityonthemandtreatthemkindly，anddonotleavethemtoperishinaforeignland，theconsciousnessoftheactwillcheeryouinyourlastmoments，andGodwillrewardyouandyoursforittenfold。Theirsensibilitieswillnotcausethemtoneedhumanaid。ThusIshallbethreefoldthemurderer。Ithankyouforthekindnessyouhaverenderedme；andIassureyourbrotherthathehas，inthisdreadfulmoment，myardentwishesforhiswelfarehereandhereafter。IhavesocontriveditthatyouwillseeapersonatthePrince’stomorrow，whowillinterpretforyou。Inmentioningmyfatetohim，youwillnotmuchserveyourowninterestbyblackeningmycharacterandmemory。Isubjointherewardofmyvillainiesandthecorrectbalanceoftheaccount。CountEdmond’sregularbillsIhavenotreceived；hisvaletwillgiveyouthem；theothersareinapocket-book，whichwillbefoundonmycorpsesomewhereinthewoodofBoulogne。
`Signed，W。KINSBY。’
Itappears，however，thatthegentlemanchangedhismindanddidnotcommitsuicide，butsurrenderedattheInsolventDebtor’sCourttobedealtwithaccordingtolaw，whichwasamuchwiserresolution。
TothegamesofFaro，Hazard，Macao，Doodle-do，andRougeetNoir，moreeventhantohorse-racing，manytradesmen，oncepossessinggoodfortunesandgreatbusiness，owedtheirdestruction。ThousandsuponthousandshavebeenruinedinthevicinityofStJames’s。Itwasnotconfinedtoyouthsoffortuneonly，butthedecentandrespectabletradesman，aswellasthedashingclerkofthemerchantandbanker，wasingulfedinitsvortes。
Theproprietorsofgaminghouseswerealsoconcernedinfraudulentinsurances，andemployedanumberofclerkswhilethelotteriesweredrawing，whoconductedthebusinesswithoutrisk，incounting-houses，wherenoinsurancesweretaken，buttowhichbookswerecarried，aswellasfromthedifferentofficesineverypartofthetown，asfromthe_Morocco-men_，whowentfromdoortodoortakinginsurancesandenticingthepoorandmiddlingrankstoadventure。
Itwasgambling，andnottheburdensofthelongwar，northerevulsionfromwartopeace，thatmadesomanybankruptciesinthefewyearssucceedingtheBattleofWaterloo。Itwastheplunderersatgamingtablesthatfilledthegazettesandmadethegaolsoverflowwithsomanyvictims。
AforeignerhasadvancedanopinionastothesourceofthegamblingpropensityofEnglishmen。`TheEnglish，’saysM。
Dunne，[68]`themostspeculativenationonearth，calculateevenuponfuturecontingences。Nowhereelseistheadventurousrageforstock-jobbingcarriedontosogreatanextent。Thefuryofgambling，socommoninEngland，isundoubtedlyadaughterofthisspeculativegenius。The_Greeks_ofGreatBritainare，however，muchinferiortothoseofFranceincunningandindustry。A
certainFrenchmanwhoassumedinLondonthetitleandmannersofabaron，hasbeenknowntosurpassallthemostdexterousroguesofthethreekingdomsintheartofrobbing。Hisaide-de-campwasakindofGermancaptain，orrather_chevalierd’industrie_，apersonwhohadactedthedoublecharacterofaFrenchspyandanEnglishofficeratthesametime。Theirtacticsbeingatlengthdiscovered，thebaronwasobligedtoquitthecountry；
andheissaidtohaveafterwardsenteredthemonasteryofLaTrappe，’wheredoubtless，inthesevereandgloomyreligiouspracticesofthatterriblepenitentiary，heatonedforhispastenormities。
[68]`Refexionssurl’Homme。’
`TillnearthecommencementofthepresentcenturythefavouritegamewasFaro，andasitwasadecidedadvantagetoholdtheBank，mastersandmistresses，lessscrupulousthanWilberforce，frequentlyvolunteeredtofleeceandamusethecompany。Butscandalhavingmadebusywiththenamesofsomeofthem，itbecameusualtohireaprofessedgamesteratfiveortenguineasanight，tosetupatablefortheevening，justasanyoperaticprofessionalmightnow-a-daysbehiredforaconcert，oraband-
masterforaball。
`Farograduallydroppedoutoffashion；Macaotookitsplace；
Hazardwasneverwanting；andWhistbegantobeplayedforstakeswhichwouldhavesatisfiedFoxhimself，who，thoughitwascalculatedthathemighthavenettedfourorfivethousandayearbygamesofskill，complainedthattheyaffordednoexcitement。
`Wattier’sClub，inPiccadilly，wastheresortoftheMacaoplayers。Itwaskeptbyanold_maitred’hotel_ofGeorgeIV。，acharacterinhisway，whotookajustprideinthecookeryandwinesofhisestablishment。
`Allthebrilliantstarsoffashion(andfashionwaspowerthen)
frequentedWattier’s，withBeauBrummellfortheirsun。`PoorBrummell，dead，inmiseryandidiotcy，atCaen！andIrememberhiminallhisglory，cuttinghisjokesaftertheopera，atWhite’s，inablackvelvetgreat-coat，andacockedhatonhiswell-powderedhead。
`Nearlythesameturnofreflectionissuggestedaswerunoverthenamesofhisassociates。Almostallofthemwereruined——
threeoutoffourirretrievably。Indeed，itwastheforcedexpatriationofitssupportersthatcausedtheclubtobebrokenup。
`Duringthesameperiod(from1810to1815orthereabouts)therewasagreatdealofhighplayatWhite’sandBrookes’，particularlyatWhist。AtBrookes’figuredsomeremarkablecharacters——asTippooSmith，bycommonconsentthebestWhist-
playerofhisday；andanoldgentlemannicknamedNeptune，fromhishavingonceflunghimselfintotheseainafitofdespairatbeing，ashethought，ruined。Hewasfishedoutintime，foundhewasnotruined，andplayedonduringtheremainderofhislife。
`ThemostdistinguishedplayeratWhite’swasthenoblemanwhowaspresentedattheSalonsinParisasLeWellingtondesJoueurs(LordRivers)；andherichlymeritedthename，ifskill，temper，andthemostdaringcouragearetitlestoit。Thegreatestgenius，however，isnotinfallible。HeoncelostthreethousandfourhundredpoundsatWhistbynotrememberingthatthesevenofheartswasin！HeplayedatHazardforthehigheststakesthatanyonecouldbegottoplayforwithhim，andatonetimewassupposedtohavewonnearlyahundredthousandpounds；but_IT
ALLWENT_，alongwithagreatdealmore，atCrockford’s。
`TherewasalsoagreatdealofplayatGraham’s，theUnion，theCocoaTree，andotherclubsofthesecondorderinpointoffashion。Herelargesumswerehazardedwithequalrashness，andremarkablecharactersstartedup。AmongthemostconspicuouswasthelateColonelAubrey，wholiterallypassedhislifeatplay。
Hedidnothingelse，morning，noon，andnight；anditwascomputedthathehadpaidmorethansixtythousandpoundsforcard-money。Hewasaveryfineplayeratallgames，andashrewd，cleverman。HehadbeentwicetoIndiaandmadetwofortunes。Itwassaidthathelostthefirstonhiswayhome，transferredhimselffromoneshiptoanotherwithoutlanding，wentback，andmadethesecond。Hislifewasacontinualalternationbetweenpovertyandwealth；andheusedtosay，thegreatestpleasureinlifeiswinningatcards——thenextgreatest，losing！
`Forseveralyearsdeepplaywentonatalltheseclubs，fluctuatingbothastoamountandlocality，tillbydegreesitbegantoflag。IthadgottoalowebbwhenMrCrockfordcametoLondonandestablishedthecelebratedclubwhichborehisname。
`Somegoodwascertainlyproducedbythesystem。Inthefirstplace，privategambling(betweengentlemanandgentleman)，withitsdegradingincidents，isatanend。Inthesecondplace，thisverycircumstancebringstheworstpartofthepracticewithinthereachofthelaw。Publicgambling，whichonlyexistedbyandthroughwhatwerepopularlytermed_hells_，mightbeeasilysuppressed。Therewere，in1844，morethantwentyoftheseestablishmentsinPallMall，Piccadilly，andStJames’s，calledintoexistencebyCrockford’ssuccess。’[69]
[69]PrivateMS。(EdinburghReview，vol。LXXX)。
Whilstsuchwasthestateofthingsamongthearistocracyandthosewhowereabletoconsortwiththem，itseemsthatthelowerorderswerepursuing`privategambling，’intheir`ungenteel’
fashion，toaverysadextent。In1834awriterinthe`Quarterly’speaksasfollows:——
`Doncaster，Epsom，Ascot，andWarwick，andmostofournumerousrace-groundsandrace-towns，arescenesofdestructiveanduniversalgamblingamongthelowerorders，whichourabsurdlylaxpoliceneverattempttosuppress；andyet，withouttheslightestapproachtoanimproperlyharshinterferencewiththepleasuresofthepeople，theRouletteandE。O。tables，whichplunderthepeasantryattheseplacesforthebenefitoftravellingsharpers(certainlyequallyrespectablewithsomebipedsofpreywhodrivecoronetedcabsnearStJames’s)，mightbeputdownbyanywatchfulmagistrate。’[70]
[70]QuarterlyReview，vol。LII。
Ifearthatsomethingsimilarmaybesuggestedatthepresentday，astothesamenotoriouslocalities。
MrSala，writingsomeyearsagoongamblinginEngland，said:——
`Thepassionforgamblingis，Ibelieve，innate；butthereis，happily，averysmallpercentageofthepopulationwhoarebornwithapropensityforhighplay。Wearespeculativeandeagerlycommercial；butitisraretodiscoveramongusthatinveterateloveforgambling，asgambling，whichyoumayfindamongtheItalians，theSouthAmericanSpaniards，theRussians，andthePoles。Moro，Baccara，Tchuka——thesearegamesatwhichcontinentalpeasantswillwagerandlosetheirlittlefields，theirstandingcrops，theirharvestinembryo，theirverywiveseven。TheAmericanssurpassusintheardouroftheirpropitiationofthegamblinggoddess，andonboardtheMississippisteamboats，anenchantinggame，called_Poker_，isplayedwithadeliriumofexcitement，whoseintensitycanonlybeimaginedbyrealizingthatfamousboutat\"catchhimwhocan，\"
whichtookplaceatthehorticultural_fete_immortalizedbyMrSamuelFoote，comedian，atwhichwaspresentthegreat_Panjandrum_himself，withthelittleroundbuttonattop，thefestivitiescontinuingtillthegunpowderranoutattheheelsofthecompany’sboots。
`WhenIwasaboy，notsoverylong——saytwentyyears——
since，theWest-endofLondonswarmedwithillicitgamblinghouses，knownbyanameIwillnotoffendyourearsbyrepeating。
Oneveryrace-coursetherewasapublicgamblingboothandanabundanceofthimble-riggers’stalls。These，Iamhappytostate，existnolonger；andthefoolswhoarealwaysreadytobeplucked，canonly，ingambling，fallvictimstothecommonestandcoarsestofswindlers；skittlesharps，beer-houseroguesandsharpers，andknaveswhotraveltoentraptheunwaryinrailwaycarriageswithloadeddice，markedcards，andlittlesquaresofgreenbaizefortables，andagainstwhomtheauthoritiesoftherailwaycompaniesveryproperlywarntheirpassengers。A
notoriousgamblinghouseinStJames’sStreet——Crockford’s，——
whereitmaybesaid，withoutexaggeration，thatmillionsofpoundssterlinghavebeendicedawaybythefoolsoffashion，isnowoneofthemostsumptuousandbestconducteddiningestablishmentsinLondon——the\"Wellington。\"ThesemipatricianHadesthatweretobefoundinthepurlieusofStJames’s，suchasthe\"CocoaTree，\"the\"Berkeley，\"andthe\"stick-shop，\"
atthecornerofAlbemarleStreet——awholePandemoniumofrosewoodandplate-glassdens——neverrecoveredfromarazziamadeonthemsimultaneouslyonenightbythepolice，whowereorganizedonaplanofmilitarytactics，andunderthecommandofInspectorBeresford；andataconcertedsignalassailedtheportalsoftheinfamousplaceswithsledge-hammers。AtthetimetowhichIrefer，inParis，thePalaisRoyal，andtheenvironsoftheBoulevardsdesItaliens，aboundedwithmagnificentgamblingroomssimilartothosestillinexistenceinHombourg，whichwereregularlylicensedbythepolice，andfarmedunderthemunicipalityoftheVilledeParis；ahandsomeper-centageoftheiniquitousprofitsbeingpaidtowardsthecharitableinstitutionsoftheFrenchmetropolis。ThereareverymanynotabilitiesoftheFrenchImperialCourt，whowerethen_fermiersdesjeux_，orgamblinghousecontractors；andonlyayearortwosinceDoctorLouisVeron，ex-dealerinquackmedicines，ex-manageroftheGrandOpera，andex-proprietorofthe\"Constitutionnel\"
newspaper，offeredanenormousroyaltytoGovernmentfortheprivilegeofestablishingagamblinghouseinParis。ButtheEmperorNapoleon——allex-memberofCrockford’sasheis——
sensiblydeclinedthetemptingbait。Asimilarly\"generous\"offerwasmadelastyeartotheBelgianGovernmentbyajoint-stockcompanywhowantedtoestablishpublicgamingtablesatthewatering-placesofOstend，andwhoofferedtoestablishanhospitalfromtheirprofits；butKingLeopold，theastuteproprietorofClaremont，wasasprudentashisImperialcousinofFrance，andrefusedtosoilhishandswithcoggeddice。
