Thereareadozenortwoeminentmenhere，nottobeseenintheplay-rooms，whoaretakingthewaters——LordClarendon，BaronRothschild，PrinceSouvarof，andafewmore——butthegeneralrunofguestsisbynomeansremarkableforbirth，wealth，orrespectability；andweareshockinglyoffforladies。Asaset-offagainstthisdeficiency，itwouldseemthatalltheaged，broken-downcourtesansofParis，Vienna，andBerlinhaveagreedtomakeWiesbadentheirautumnrendezvous。Arrayedinallthecoloursoftherainbow，painteduptotherootsoftheirdyedhair，shamelessly_decolletees_，prodigalof\"free\"talkandunseemlygesture，theseghastlycreatures，hideouscaricaturesofyouthandbeauty，flauntabouttheplay-roomsandgardens，levyingblack-mailuponthosewhoareimprudentenoughtoengagethemin\"chaff\"orbadinage，anddesperatelyendeavouringtohookthemselvesontothewealthierandyoungermembersofthemalecommunity。Theypoisontheairroundthemwithsicklyperfumes；theyassumetitles，andspeakofoneanotheras\"cettecherecomtesse；\"theirwalkissomethingbetweenapranceandawriggle；theyprowlabouttheterracewhilstthemusicisplaying，seekingwhomtheymaydevour，orratherwhomtheymayinveigleintopayingfortheirdevouring:
and，_bonDieu！_howtheydogorgethemselveswithfoodanddrinkwhensomesillyladoragedroueallowshimselftobebulliedorwheedledintopayingtheirscot！Theirnameislegion；andtheyconstitutetheveryworstfeatureofaplacewhich，naturallyaParadise，isturnedintoaseventhhellbytheuncontrolledriotingofhumanpassions。Theyhavenofriends——no\"protectors；\"theyaredependentuponaccidentforamealorapieceofgoldtothrowawayatthetables；theyareplague-spotsuponthefaceofsociety；theyare，asarule，crasslyignorantandhorriblycynical；andyettherearemanymenherewhoareproudoftheiracquaintance，alwaysreadytoentertaintheminthemostexpensivemanner，andwhospeakofthemasiftheyweretheonlydesirablecompanionsintheworld！
`Amongstournotabilitiesoftheeccentricsort，nottheleastsingularinherbehaviouristheCountessC——o，anagedpatricianofimmensefortune，whoisasconstanttoWiesbadenasoldMadamedeK——fistoHombourgontheHeights。Likethelast-namedlady，sheisdailywheeledtoherplaceintheBlackandRedtemple，andplaysawayforeightorninehourswithwonderfulspiritandperseverance。Shehaswithhera_suite_ofeightdomestics；andwhenshewins(whichisnotoften)，onreturningtoherhotelatnight，shepresentseachmemberofherretinuewith——twopence！\"not，\"asshenaivelyavows，\"fromafeelingofgenerosity，buttopropitiateFortune。\"Whensheloses，noneofthem，savethemanwhowheelsherhome，getanythingbuthardwordsfromher；andhe，happyfellow，receivesadonationofsixkreutzers。Shedoesnotcursethecroupiersloudlyforherbadluck，likehercontemporary，theoncelovelyRussianAmbassadress；but，beingveryfaradvancedinyears，andofatenderdisposition，shedstearsoverhermisfortunes，restingherchinontheedgeofthetable。Anedifyingsightisthisvenerabledame，bearinganexaltedtitle，asshemopesandmouthsoverhervaryingluck，missingherstaketwiceoutofthreetimes，whenshefainwouldpushitwithherrakeintosomeparticularsectionofthetable！Sheisveryintimatewithoneortwoantediluviandiplomatistsandwarriors，whoareherestrivingtobolsterthemselvesupforanotheryearwiththewaters，andmaybeheardcrowingoutlamentationsoverherfatalpassionforplay，interspersedwithbitsofmoss-grownscandal，disinterredfromthesocialruinsofanagelongpast:Radetzky，Wratislaw(lebeausabreur)，thetwoSchwarzenbergs(heofLeipsic，andtheformerPrimeMinister)，PaulEszterhazy，Wrangel，andBlucherwerefriendsofheryouth；judgingfromherappearance，onewouldnotbesurprisedtohearthatshehadreceiveda\"poulet\"fromBaronTrenck，orplayedwhistwithMariaTheresa。Shehasoutlivedallhumanfriendshipsoraffections，andexistsonlyforthechinkofthegoldasitjinglesonthegamingtable。Icannothelpfancyingthatherlastwordswillbe\"Riennevaplus！\"Sheisagreatandconvincingmoral，ifonebutinterpretherrightly。’[83]
[83]DailyTelegraph，Aug。15，1868。
ThedoomoftheGermangaminghousesseemstobesettled。Theywillallbeclosedin1872，asappearsbythefollowingannouncement:——
`ThePrussiangovernment，nothavingbeenabletoobtainfromthelesseesofthegamingtablesatWiesbaden，Ems，andHombourgtheirconsenttotheircancellingoftheircontracts，hasresolvedtoterminatetheirprivilegesbyalegislativemeasure。
IthaspresentedabilltotheChamberofDeputiesatBerlin，fixingtheyear1872asthelimittotheexistenceoftheseestablishments，andevenauthorizingthegovernmenttosuppressthematanearlierperiodbyaroyalordinance。Noindemnityistobeallowedtothepersonsholdingconcessions。’——_Feb_。23，1868。
ALondonnewspaperdefendsthismeasureinaverysuccessfulmanner。
`Prussiahasdeclaredherpurposetoeradicatefromtheterritoriessubjecttoherincreasedsway，andfromothersrecognizingherinfluence，thedisgraceofthe_RougeetNoir_
andtheRoulettetableaspublicinstitutions。HerreasoningistotheeffectthattheybringscandaluponGermany；thattheyassociatewiththenamesofitsfavouritewatering-placestheappellationof\"hells；\"thattheyattractswindlersandadventurersofeverydegree；andthattheyhaveformanyayearpastbeenhelduptotheopprobriumofEurope。ForwhyshouldthispracticebealawfulpracticeofGermanyandofnoothercountryinEurope？WhynotinFrance，inSpain，inItaly，intheNorthernStates，inGreatBritainitself？Letusnotgivetothislastpropositionmoreimportancethanitisworth。TheGermanwatering-placesareplacesofleisure，oftrifling，of_ennui_。Thatiswhy，originally，theywereselectedasencampmentsbythetribeswhichfattenuponhazards。Buttherewasanotherreason:theybroughtinwelcomerevenuestoneedyprinces。Evennow，inviewofthecontemplatedexpurgation，Monacoisnamed，withGeneva，assuccessortotheperishinggloriesofHombourg，Wiesbaden，andthegreatBadenitself。Thatistosay，thegamblers，or，rather，theprofessionalswholiveuponthegamblingpropensitiesofothers，havingreceivedfromPrussiaandherfriendsnoticetoquit，areinsearchofnewlodgings。
`Thequestionis，theybeingdetermined，andtheaccommodationbeingnotlesscertainlyreadyforthemthantheseaisforthetributeofariver，willthereformdesignedbeareallyprogressivestepinthecivilizationofEurope？Prussiasays——
decidedlyso；becauseitwilldemolishaninfamousprivilege。
Sheaffirmsthataninstitutionwhichmighthavebeenexcusableunderalandgrave，withafewthousandacresofterritory，isinconsistentwiththedignityand，toquotecontinentalphraseology，themissionofafirst-classstate。Hereagainthereasoningisincontrovertible。Ofoneotherthing，moreover，wemayfeelperfectlysure，thatPrussiahavingdeterminedtosuppressthesecentresandsourcesofcorruption，theywillgraduallydisappearfromEurope。Concedetothematemporarybreathing-timeatMonaco；thetimeleftforevenanominallyindependentexistencetoMonacoisshort:imaginethattheyfindafreshoutletatGeneva；Prussiawillhaverepresentedthepublicopinionoftheage，againstwhichnoteventheRepublicanismofSwitzerlandcanlongmakeasuccessfulstand。
Uponthewhole，historycanneverblamePrussiaforsuchauseeitherofherconquestsorherinfluence。Saywhatyouwill，gamblingisanindulgenceblushedoverinEngland；abroad，practisedasalittleluxuryindissipation，itmaybepardonedasvenial；habitually，however，itisaleprosy。Andasitisbyhabitualgamblersthatthesehauntsaremadetoflourish，thisaloneshouldreconciletheworldoftouriststoadeprivationwhichforthemmustbeslight；whiletotheclasstheyimitate，withoutequalling，itwillbetheprohibitionofanabominablehabit。’[84]
[84]Extractsfroma`leader’intheStandardofSept。4，1869。
CHAPTERIX。
GAMBLINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES。
Itisnotsurprisingthatapeoplesointenselyspeculative，excitable，andeagerastheAmericans，shouldbedesperatelyaddictedtogambling。Indeed，thespiritofgamblinghasincessantlypervadedalltheiroperations，political，commercial，andsocial。[85]Itisbutoneofthemanifestationsofthatthoroughlicensearrogatedtoitselfbythenation，findingitstrueexpressionintheAmericanmaximrecordedbyMrHepworthDixon，socoarselyworded，butsosignificant，——`Everymanhasarighttodowhathe_DAMNED_pleases。’[86]
[85]IntheAmericancorrespondenceoftheMorningAdvertiser，Feb。6，1868，thewritersays:——`Itwasonlyyesterday(Jan。24)
thataneminentAmericanmerchantofthiscity(NewYork)said，inreferringtothestateofaffairs——\"wearesocially，politically，andcommerciallydemoralized。\"’
[86]`SpiritualWives。’——Aworktheextraordinarydisclosuresofwhichtendtoshowthatasimilarspirit，destined，perhaps，tobringaboutthegreatestsocialchanges，isgaininggroundelsewherethaninAmerica。
AlthoughlawssimilartothoseofEnglandareenactedinAmericaagainstgambling，itmaybesaidtoexisteverywhere，but，ofcourse，tothegreatestextentinthevicinityofthefashionablequartersofthelargecities。InNewYorkthereisscarcelyastreetwithoutitsgamblinghouse——`private，’ofcourse，butwellknowntothosewhoindulgeinthevice。TheordinarypublicgameisFaro。
Highandlow，richandpoor，areperfectlysuitedintheirrequirements；whilstatsomeplacesthestakesareunlimited，atotherstheymustnotexceedonedollar，andaplayermaywageraslowasfivecents，ortwopence-halfpenny。Thesearefortheaccommodationoftheverypoorestworkmen，dischargedsoldiers，broken-downgamblers，andstreet-boys。
`Ithink，’saysarecentwriter，[87]`ofallthestreet-boysintheworld，thoseofNewYorkarethemostprecocious。Ihaveseenashoe-black，aboutthreefeethigh，walkuptothetableor`Bank，’asitisgenerallycalled，andstakehismoney(fivecents)withtheairofayoungspendthrifttowhom\"moneyisnoobject。\"’
[87]`StJames’sMagazine，’Sept。，1867。
ThechiefgamblinghousesofNewYorkwereestablishedbymenwhoareAmericancelebrities，andamongthesethemostprominenthavebeenPatHernandJohnMorrissey。
PATHERN。
SomeyearsagothiscelebratedIrishmankeptupasplendidestablishmentinBroadway，nearHaustonStreet。Atthattimehishousewasthecentreofattractiontowardswhich`alltheworld’
gravitated，anddidthethingrightgrandly——combiningtheApiciuswiththeBeauNashorBrummell。Hewasprofuselylavishwithhiswinesandexuberantinhissuppers；anditwasgenerallysaidthatthegameinactionthere，_Faro_，wasplayedinallfairness。PatHernwasamanofjovialdispositionandgenialwit，andwouldhaveadornedabetterposition。Duringthetrout-
fishingseasonheusedtovisitawell-knownplacecalledIslipinLongIsland，muchfrequentedbygentlemendevotedtoanglingandfondofgoodliving。
AtIsliptheequallyrenownedObySnedeckerkeptthetavernwhichwastheresortofPatHernandhiscompanions。Ithadattachedtoitastreamandlaketowhichthegentlemenwhohadtheprivilegeofthehousewereadmitted。MrsObadiahSnedecker，thebuxomwifeof`minehost，’wasfamousfortheexquisitewayinwhichshecookedvealcutlets。Thereweretwoniggersintheestablishment，namedSteveandDick，whoaccompaniedthegentlemenintheiranglingexcursions，amusingthemwiththeirstolidityandtheenormousquantityofgintheycouldimbibewithoutbeingmorethannormallyfuddled。
Afterfishing，thegentlemenusedtotaketogamblingattheusualFrenchgames；butherePatHernappearednotinthecharacterofgambler，butasaprivategentleman。Hewasalwayswellreceivedbythevisitors，andcausedthemmanyaheartylaughwithhisoverflowinghumour。Hediedaboutnineyearsago，Ithinktolerablywelloff。
JOHNMORRISSEY。
JohnMorrisseywasoriginallyaprize-fighter，——havingfoughtwithHeenanandalsowithYankeeSullivan，andlivedbyteachingtheyoungAmericansthenobleartofself-defence。Heafterwardssetupa`Bar，’orpublic-house，andoverthisheestablishedasmallFarobank，whichheenlargedandimprovedbydegreesuntilitbecamewellknown，andwasverymuchfrequentedbythegamblersofNewYork。Heisnow，Ibelieve，amemberofCongressforthatcity，andimmenselywealthy。NotcontentwithhissuccessfulgamblingoperationsinNewYork，hehasopenedasplendidestablishmentatthefashionablesummerresortofSaratoga，consistingofanimmensehotel，ballrooms，andgambling-rooms，andissaidtohaveaprofitoftwomillionsofdollars(aboutL400，000)duringtheseason。[88]Heismentionedasoneofthosewhopaythemostincometax。
[88]_Ubisupra_。
Morrissey’sgamblinghouseisinUnionSquare，andissaidtobemagnificentlyfurnishedanddistinguishedbythemostprincelyhospitality。Atallhoursofthedayornighttablesarelaidoutwitheverydescriptionofrefreshment，towhichallwhovisittheplacearewelcome。
ThisisaremarkablefeatureintheAmericansystem。Atall`Bars，’orpublic-houses，youfindprovided，freeofcharge，suppliesofcheese，biscuits，&c。，andsometimesevensomesavourysoup——whichareoftenresortedtobythoseunfortunateswhoare`cleanbroke’or`usedup，’withlittleelsetoassuagethepangsofhungerbuttheeverlastingquidoftobacco，furiously`chawed。’AnothergenerousfeatureoftheAmericansystemisthatthebar-mandoesnotmeasureouttoyou，afterourstingyfashion，whatdrinkyoumayrequire，buthandsyouthetumblerandbottletohelpyourself，unlessinthecaseofmadedrinks，suchas`mint-juleps，’&c。However，youmustdrinkyourliquoratagulp，aftertheYankeefashion；forifyoutakeasipandturnyourbacktothecounter，yourglasswilldisappear——asitisnotcustomarytohaveglassesstandingabout。Morrissey’swinesareverygood，andalwayssuppliedinabundance。
Almosteverygameofchanceisplayedatthisestablishment，andthestakesareveryhighandunlimited。ThevisitorsarethewealthyandwildyoungmenofNewYork，andoccasionallyaSouthern-lookingmanwho，perhaps，hassavedsomeofhisproperty，beingstillthesameprofessionalgambler；foritmaybeaffirmedthatalltheSouthernplanterswereaddictedtogambling。
`Thesameflocksofwell-dressedandfashionable-lookingmenofallagespassinandoutallthroughthedayandnight；tensofthousandsofdollarsarelostandwon；the\"click\"ofthemarkersneverceases；allspeakinalowtone；everythinghasaserious，quietappearance。Thedealersseemtoknoweveryone，andnodfamiliarlytoallwhoapproachtheirtables。JohnMorrisseyisoccasionallytobeseen，walkingthroughtherooms，apparentlyadisinterestedspectator。Heisashort，thick-setman，ofabout40years，darkcomplexion，andwearsalongbeard，dressesinaslovenlymanner，andwalkswithaswagger。Nowandthenheapproachesthetable；makesafewbets，andisthenlostinthecrowd。’[89]
[89]_Ubisupra_。
OTHERGAMING-HOUSES。
Thesamewriterfurnishesotherveryinterestingfacts。
`Aftertheopera-houseandtheatresareclosed，Morrissey’sgamblinghousebecomesveryfull；infact，thebesttimetoseeittoadvantageisabouttwoorthreeo’clockinthemorning。
`AlittlebelowtheNewYorkHotel，andontheoppositesideofBroadway，thereisagamblinghouse，notquiteso\"respectable\"astheoneIhavebeendescribing；herethestakesarenotbelowadollar，andnotmorethantwenty-five；
therearenorefreshmentsgratis，andtheroomsarenotsowellfurnished。ThementobeseengaminginthishousedifferbutverylittleinappearancefromthoseinUnionSquare，butthereseemstobelessdisciplineamongstthem，andmorenoiseandconfusion。Itisararethingtoseeanintoxicatedmaninagamblinghouse；thedoor-keepersareveryparticularastowhomtheyadmit，andanydisturbancewhichmightcallfortheinterferenceofthepolicewouldberuinoustotheirbusiness。
Thepoliceareundoubtedlyawareofeverythinggoingoninthesehouses，anddonotinterfereaslongaseverythinggoesonquietly。
`Nowandthenaclerkspendshisemployer’smoney，andifitisdiscoveredwherehelostitthena_RAID_ismadebythepoliceinforce，thetablesandallthegamingparaphernaliaarecarriedoff，andtheproprietorsheavilyfined。
`Iwitnessedacaseofthis:ayoungmanintheemploymentofacommissionmerchantappropriatedalargesumofhisemployer’smoney，andlostitatFaro。Hewasarrested，andconfessedwhathehaddonewithit。ThepoliceatonceproceededtothehousewheretheFarobankwaskept，andthescene，whenitwasknownthatthepolicewerebelow，beggarsdescription。Thetableswereupset，andnotesandmarkerswereflyingaboutinalldirections。Men，sprawlingandscramblingonthefloor，foughtwithoneanotherforwhatevertheycouldseize；thenthepoliceenteredandclearedthehouse，havingarrestedtheownersofthebank。Thiswasinoneofthelowestgaminghouses，where\"skin\"games(cheatinggames)arepractised。
`InthegamblinghouseinBroadway，neartheNewYorkHotel，I
haveoftennoticedayoungman，apparentlyofsome18or20yearsofage，fashionablydressed，andofprepossessingappearance。Onsomedayshewouldplayveryhigh，andseemedtohavemostremarkableluck；buthealwaysplayedwiththeairofanoldgamester，seemingcarelessastowhetherhewonorlost。Onenighthelostsoheavilythatheattractedthenoticeofalltheplayers；everystakeofhiswassweptaway；andhestillplayedonuntilhislastdollarwaslost；thenhequietlywalkedout，whistlingapopularYankeeair。Hewastherenextday_MINUS_hisgreat-coatandwatchandchain——helostagain，wentoutandreturnedinhisshirtsleeves，havingpawnedhiscoat，studs，andeverythinghecouldwithdecencydivesthimselfof。
Helosteverything；andwhenInextsawhimhewassellingnewspapersinfrontofthepost-office！
`Themaniaforgamblingisamostsingularone。Ihaveknownamantowinathousanddollarsinafewhours，andyethewouldnotspendadollartogetadinner，butwhenhefelthungryhewenttoabaker’sshopandboughtaloafofbread，andthatsamenightlostallhismoneyatRoulette。
`ThereisanotherhouseonthecornerofCentreandGrandStreets，openduringnightandday。ThestakesherearethesameasintheoneinBroadway，andthepeoplewhoplayareverymuchthesame——infact，thesamefacesareconstantlytobemetwithinallthegamblinghouses，fromthehighesttothelowest。Whenagamblerhasbutsmallcapital，hewillgotoasmallhouse，wheresmallstakesareadmissible。Isawamanwin50or60
dollarsatthisplace，andthenhandinhischecks(markers)tobecashed。Thedealerhandedhimthemoney，andsaid——\"Nowyougooff，straightawaytoUnionSquare，andpayawayallyouhavewonfromheretoJohnMorrissey。Thisisthewaywithallofthem；theynevercomehereuntiltheyaredeadbroke，andhaveonlyadirtydollarorsotorisk。\"Therewassometruthinwhathesaid，butnotwithstandinghemanagedtokeepthebankgoingon。Thereisagreattemptationtoamanwhohaswonasumofmoneyatasmallgamblinghousetogotoahigherone，ashemaythen，atasinglestake，winasmuchashecouldpossiblywinifhehadarunofluckinadozenstakesatthesmallerbank。
`InNo。102，intheBowery，thereisoneofthelowestofthegaminghousesIhaveseenintheEmpirecity。TheproprietorisanIrishman；heemploysthreemenasdealers，andtheyrelieveoneanothereveryfourhoursduringthedayandnight。Thestakeshereareofthelowest，andthepeopletobeseenhereoftheroughesttobefoundinthecity。ThegameisFaro，aselsewhere。
`InthisplaceImetanoldfriendwithwhomIhadservedinthearmyofNorthernVirginia，underGeneralLee，inhisVirginiacampaignof1865。HetoldmehehadbeeninNewYorksincetheendofthewar，andlivedaveryuncertainsortoflife。
Whatevermoneyhecouldearnhespentatthegamingtable。
Sometimeshehadarunofluck，andwhilstitlastedhedressedwell，andstoppedatthemostexpensivehotels。OnenighthewouldsleepattheAstorHouse；andperhapsthenextnighthewouldnotbeabletopayforhisbed，andwouldstayallnightintheparks。Strangetosay，hundredsliveinthisway，whichisvulgarlycalled\"scratching\"inNewYork。Iafterwardssawmyfrienddrivinganomnibus；andwhenIcouldspeaktohim，Ifoundthathewasstillattendingthebankswitheverycentheearned！
`ItisamusingtowatchtheproprietorofthisplaceattheBowery；hehasajokeforeveryonehesees。\"Hallo，oldsport！\"hecries，\"comeandtryyourluck——youlookluckythisevening；andifyoumakeagoodrunyoumaysportagoldwatchandchain，andavelvetvest，likemyself。\"Thentoanother，\"Youngclear-the-way，youlookdownatthemouthto-night！Comealongandhaveaturn——andnevermindyoursuppertonight。’Inthiswaythedaysandnightsarepassedinthosegamblinghouses。’
ThereisalsoinNewYorkanassociationforthepreventionofgambling。Thesocietyemploysdetectivestovisitthegamblingsaloons，andprocureevidenceforthesuppressionoftheestablishments。
Itisthebusinessoftheseagentsalsotoascertainthenamesandoccupationsofthosewhofrequentthegamblingrooms，andalistofthepersonsthusdetectedissentperiodicallytothesubscriberstothesociety，thattheymayknowwhoarethepersonswastingtheirmoney，orperhapsthemoneyoftheiremployers，ingambling。Manylargehousesofbusinesssubscribe。
InthemonthofAugustthesociety’sagentsdetectedamongthegamblers68clerksofmercantilehouses，andintheprevioussixmonthsreported623cases。ItisstatedthatthereareinNewYorkandBrooklyn1017policyandlotteryoffices，and163Farobanks，andthattheirnetannualgainsarenotlessthan36，000，000dollars。
AMERICANGAMBLERS。
AtAmericangamblinghouses`itisveryeasy，’saysthesamewriter，`todistinguishtheprofessionalfromtheordinarygambler。Thelatterhasanervousexpressionaboutthemouth，andanintensegazeuponthecards，andaltogetheraveryseriousnervousappearance；whiletheprofessionalplaysinaveryquietmanner，andseemstocarebutlittlehowthegamegoes；andhisdesiretoappearasifthegamewasnewtohimisalmostcertaintoexposehimtothosewhoknowthemanoeuvre。
`PrevioustothestruggleforindependenceintheSouth，thereweremanyhundredsofgamblersscatteredthroughtheSoutherntowns，andtheMississippisteam-boatsusedtoaboundwiththem。
IntheSouth，agamblerwasregardedasoutsidethepaleofsociety，andclassedwiththeslave-trader，whowaslookeduponwithloathingbytheverysamemenwhotradedwithhim；suchwastheinconsistencyofpublicopinion。
`TheAmericangamblerdiffersfromhisEuropeanbrethreninmanyrespects。Heisveryfrequently，ineducation，appearance，andmanner，agentleman，andifhisprivatehistorywereknown，itwouldbefoundthathewasofgoodbirth，andwasatonetimepossessedofconsiderablefortune；buthavinglostallatthegamblingtable，hegraduallycamedowntothelevelofthosewhoprovedhisruin，andhavingnoprofessionnormeansoflivelihoodlefttohim，headoptedtheirmodeoflife。
`OnoneoccasionImetabrotherofaSouthernGeneral(veryfamousinthelatewarandstillawealthyman)who，atonetime，wasoneoftherichestplantersintheStateofLouisiana，andisnowactingasanagentforasetofgamblerstotheirgaminghouses。Afterlosingeverythinghehad，hebecameacroupiertoagamblinghouseinNewOrleans，andafterwardspliedhistradeontheMississippiforsomeyears；thenhewentintoMexico，andfinallytoNewYork，whereheopenedahouseonhisownaccount。
`Duringthewarhespeculatedin\"greenbacks，\"andlostallhisill-gottengains，andhadtodescendtohispresentposition。’[90]
[90]_Ubisupra_。
AMERICANGAMES:——DRAWPOKER，ORBLUFF。
DrawPoker，orBluff，isafavouritegamewiththeAmericans。Itisplayedbyanynumberofpersons，fromfourtoseven；four，five，orsixplayersarepreferred；sevenareonlyengagedwhereapartyoffriendsconsistsofthatnumber，andallrequiretobeequallyamused。
Thedealisusuallydeterminedbyfixingonacard，anddealinground，faceupwards，untilsuchcardappears。Thedealerthenplacesinthepoolan_Ante_，orcertainagreed-uponsum，andproceedstodealtoeachpersonfivecards。Theplayernexttothedealer，beforelookingathiscards，hastheoptionofstakingacertainsum。Thisiscalledthe`blind，’andmakeshimtheelderhand，orlastplayer；andwhenhisturncomesroundhecan，bygivinguphisfirststake，withdrawfromthegame，or，ifhepleases，bymakinggoodanysumstakedbyapreviousplayer，raisethestakestoanysumhepleases，provided，ofcourse，thatnolimithasbeenfixedbeforesittingdown。Theprivilegeofraisingordoublingonthe_blind_maybeexercisedbyanyoneroundthetable，providedhehasnotlookedathiscards。Ifnointerveningplayerhasmettheoriginal_blind_，thatis，stakeddoublethesum，thismustbedonebyallwhowishtoplay，and，ofcourse，mustbemadegoodbythelastplayer。Eachpersonthenlooksathiscards，anddecidesonhisplanofaction。Itshouldbeunderstoodthateveryone，exceptthe_blind_，maylookathiscardsinhisturnbeforedecidingifhewillmeetthe_blind_。Beforespeakingofthemannerofdrawingitwillbebettertogivetherelativevalueofthehands，whichwillmuchsimplifythematter，andmakeitmoreeasilyunderstood。Thus:fouracesarethebestcardsthatcanbeheld；
fourkingsnext，andsoon，downtofourtwos；fourcardsofthesamevaluebeatinganythingexceptfourofahigherdenomination。
Thenextbesthandiscalleda_full_，andismadeupthus:——
threeacesandapairofsixes；threeninesandpairoftwos；infact，anythreecardsofthesamevalueandapairconstituteafullhand，andcanonlybebeatenbyafullhandofahigherdenominationorfours。Thenexthandthattakesprecedenceisa_flush_，orfivecardsofonecolour；afterthiscomes_threes_，vis。，threecardsallofthesamevalue，say，threeaces，kings，queens，andsoon，downwards(thetworemaining，beingoddones，areofnovalue)。Thenextisasequence，asfivefollowingcards，forinstance，nine。eight，seven，six，five；itisnotnecessarytheyshouldallbeofonecolour，asthis，ofcourse，wouldconstitutea_flush_。Nextcometwopairs，say，twoknavesandtwofives；and，lastofall，isasinglepairofcards。
Havingexplainedthevalueofthehands，letusshowhowyouendeavourtogetthem。Thebetshavingbeenmade，andthe_blind_madegoodorabandoned，orgivenup，thedealerproceedstoaskeachplayerinhisturnhowmanycardshewants；andherebeginsthefirststudyofthegame——_TOKNOWWHATTOTHROWAWAY_
inordertogetinotherstomakethehandbetterifpossible。
Yourhandmay，ofcourse，besoutterlybadastomakeitnecessarytothrowawaythewholefiveanddrawfivenewones；
thisisnotverylikely，asfewplayerswillputastakeinthepoolunless，onlookingfirstathiscards，hehasseensomething，sayapair，tostartwith。Wewillsupposehehasthis，and，ofcourse，hethrowsawaythreecards，anddrawsthreeinplaceofthem。Todescribetheproperwaytofillupahandisimpossible；wecanbutgiveaninstancehereandtheretoshowthevaryinginterestwhichattachestothegame；——thus，youmayhavethreesintheoriginalhanddealt；someplayerswillthrowawaythetwooddcardsanddrawtwomore，totryandmakethehandfours，or，atleast，afull；whileaplayerknowingthathisisnotaverygoodhand，willendeavourto_DECEIVE_therestbystandingout，thatis，nottakinganyfreshcards；ofcourseallroundthetablemakeremarksastowhathecanpossiblyhave。
Itisusuallytakentobeasequence，asthisrequiresnodrawing，iforiginallydealt。Thesameremarkappliestoa_flush；_twopairsorfourtoaflush，ofcourse，requireonecardtomakethemintogoodhands，aplayerbeingonlyentitledtodrawonce；andthehandsbeingmadegood，therealandexcitingpartofthegamebegins。Eachoneendeavourstokeephisrealpositionasecretfromhisneighbours。Someputonalookofcalmindifference，andtrytoseemself-possessed；somewillgrinandtalkallsortsofnonsense；somewillutterslybitsof_badinage；_whileotherswillstudyintentlytheircards，orgazeattheceiling——allwhichisdonemerelytodistractattention，ortoconcealthefeelings，asthechanceofsuccessorfailurebefororagainst；andthenbeginsthebettingorgamblingpartofthegame。Theplayernextthe_blind_isthefirsttodeclarehisbet；inwhich，ofcourse，heisentirelygovernedbycircumstances。Some，beingthefirsttobet，andhavingaverygoodcardindeed，will`betsmall，’inhopesthatsomeoneelsewillseeit，and`gobetter，’thatis，betmore，sothatwhenitcomesroundtohisturnagainhemayseeallpreviousbets，andbetasmuchhigherashethinksproper；foritmustbeborneinmindthataplayer’sfirstbetdoesnotprecludehimfromcominginagainifhisfirstbethasbeenraiseduponbyanyplayerroundthetableinhisturn；butifoncetheoriginalbetgoesroundandcomestothe_blind_，orlastplayer，withoutanyonegoingbetter，thegameisclosed，anditbecomesa_showofhands_，toseewhotakesthepoolandallthebets。Thisdoesnotoftenhappen，asthereisusuallysomeoneroundthetabletoraiseit；butmyinformanthasseenitoccur，andhasbeenhighlyamusedatwatchingthecountenanceoftheexpectant_smallbetter_athavingtoshowafinehandforameretrifle。Someplayerswill，inordertoconcealtheirmethodofplay，occasionallythrowtheircardsamongthewasteonesandabandontheirstakes；thisisnotoftendone；butitsometimeshappenswherethestakeshavebeensmall，ortheplayerhasbeen_tryingabluff_，andhasfoundsomeonewhomhecouldnot_bluffoff_。
Theforegoingisaconciseaccountofthegame，asplayedinAmerica，whereitisofuniversalinterest，andexercisesgreatfascination。Itisoftenplayedbypartiesoffriendswhomeetregularlyforthepurpose，andinstancescanbefoundwherefortuneshavebeenlostinanight。
ThegameofPokersdiffersfromtheonejustdescribed，insofarthattheplayersreceiveonlytheoriginalfivecardsdealtwithoutdrawingfreshones，andmusteitherplayorrefuseonthem。Inthisgame，astherearemorecards，asmanyastenpersonscanplay。
LANSQUENET。[91]
LansquenetismuchplayedbytheAmericans，andisoneofthemostexcitinggamesinvogue。
Thedealerorbankerstakesacertainsum，andthismustbemetbythenearesttothedealerfirst，andsoon。Whenthestakeismet，thedealerturnsuptwocards，onetotheright，——thelatterforhimself，theformerforthetableortheplayers。Hethenkeepsonturningupthecardsuntileitherofthecardsismatched，whichconstitutesthewinning，——as，forinstance，supposethefiveofdiamondsishiscard，thenshouldthefiveofanyothersuitturnup，hewins。Ifheloses，thenthenextplayerontheleftbecomesbankerandproceedsinthesameway。
[91]ThisnameisderivedfromtheGerman`_landsknecht_’
(`valetofthefief’)，appliedtoamercenarysoldier。
Whenthedealer’scardturnsup，hemaytakethestakeandpassthebank；orhemayallowthestaketoremain，whereatofcourseitbecomesdoubledifmet。Hecancontinuethusaslongasthecardsturnupinhisfavour——havingtheoptionatanymomentofgivingupthebankandretiringforthattime。Ifhedoesthat，theplayertowhomhepassesthebankhastheoptionofcontinuingitatthesameamountatwhichitwasleft。Thepoolmaybemadeupbycontributionsofalltheplayersincertainproportions。Thetermsusedrespectingthestandingofthestakeare，`I’llsee’(_amoiletout)_and_Jetiens_。When_jumelle_(twins)，ortheturningupofsimilarcardsonbothsides，occurs，thenthedealertakeshalfthestake。
Sometimesthereisarunofseveralconsecutivewinnings；butononeoccasion，onboardoneoftheCunardsteamers，abankeratthegameturnedupinhisownfavourIthinknolessthaneighteentimes。Theoriginalstakewasonlysix-pence；buthadeachstakebeenmetaswon，thefinaldoublingwouldhaveamountedtotheimmensesumofL3，23616_s_。！Thiswillappearbythefollowingscheme:——
Ls。d。Ls。d。
1stturnup00610thturnup12160
2nd，，01011th，，25120
3rd，，02012th，，5140
4th，，04013th，，10280
5th，，08014th，，204160
6th，，016015th，，409120
7th，，112016th，，81940
8th，，34017th，，1，61880
9th，，68018th，，3，236160
Infairplay，asthisisrepresentedtohavebeen，suchalongsequenceofmatchesmustbeconsideredveryremarkable，althoughsixorsevenisnotunfrequent。
Unfortunately，however，thereisaveryeasymeansbywhichcardsharpersmanagethethingtoperfection。Theypreparebeforehandaseriesofadozencardsarrangedasfollows:——
1stQueen6thNine2ndQueen7thNine3rdTen8thAce4thSeven9thEight5thTen10thAceSeriesthusarrangedareplacedinsidepocketsoutsidethewaistcoat，justundertheleftbreast。Whenthesharperbecomesbankerheleansnegligentlyoverthetable，andinthispositionhisfingersareascloseaspossibletothepreparedcards，termed_portees_。Atthepropermomentheseizesthecardsandplacesthemonthepack。Thetrickisrenderedveryeasybythefactthatthecard-sharperhashiscoatbuttonedatthetop，sothatthelowerpartofitliesopenandpermitstheintroductionofthehand，whichiscompletelymasked。
Somesharpersareskilfulenoughtotakeupsomeofthematchesalreadydealt，whichtheyplaceintheir_costieres_，orside-
pocketsabovedescribed，inreadinessfortheirnextoperation；
otherskeepthemskilfullyhiddenintheirhand，tolaythem，attheconvenientmoment，uponthepackofcards。Bythismeans，thepackisnotaugmented。[92]
[92]RobertHoudin，`LesTricheriesdesGrecsdevoilees。’
InFrancethestakescommenceat5francs；anditmaybeeasilyimaginedhowsoonvastsumsofmoneymaychangehandsiftheplayersaredeterminedandreckless。
EUCHRE。
ThisisalsoagamemuchplayedintheStates。IsupposeitisaYankeeinvention，namedbyoneoftheirlearnedprofessors，fromtheGreek(eucheir)，meaning`wellinthehand’
or`strong’——averyappropriatedesignationofthegame，whichisasfollows:——
Inthisgameallthecardsareexcludeduptothesixes，——sevenbeingthelowestintheEuchrepack。Fivecardsaredealtout，aftertheusualshufflingandcutting，withaturn-up，ortrump。
Thedealerhastheprivilegeofdiscardingoneofhiscardsandtakingupthetrump——notshowing，however，theonehediscards。
TheKnaveisthebestcardinthegame——apeculiarYankee`notion。’TheKnaveoftrumpsiscalledtheRightBower，andtheotherKnaveofthe_samecolour_istheLeftBower。Henceitappearsthatthenauticalpropensityofthisgreatpeopleisthereinrepresented——`bower’beinginfactasheetanchor。Ifbothareheld，itisevidentthatthe_point_ofthedealisdecided——sinceitresultsfromtakingthreetricksoutofthefive；for，ofcourse，thetrumpcardappropriatedbythedealerwill，mostprobably，secureatrick，andthetwoKnavesmustnecessarilymaketwo。Thegamemaybefiveorsevenpoints，asagreedupon。Euchreisrapidanddecisive，and，therefore，eminentlyAmerican。
FLYLOO。
SomeofthegamesplayedbytheAmericansarepeculiartothemselves。Forinstance，vastsumsofmoneychangehandsoverFlyLoo，ortheattractionexistingbetweenlumpsofsugarandadventurousflies！Thisgameisnotwithoutitsexcitement。Thegamblerssitroundatable，eachwithalumpofsugarbeforehim，andtheplayeruponwhoselumpaflyfirstperchescarriesoffthepool——whichissometimesenormous。
Theytellananecdoteofa’cuteYankee，whowoninvariablyandimmenselyatthegame。Thereseemedtobeasortofmagicalormesmericattractionforthefliestohislump。Atlengthitwasascertainedthathetouchedthelumpwithhisfinger，afterhavingsmeareditwithsomethingthatnaturallyandirresistiblyattractsflieswhenevertheycangetatit。IamtoldthatthisgameisalsoplayedinEngland；ifso，thepartiesmustinsistuponfreshlumpsofsugar，andpreventalltouching。
Thereaderwillprobablyask——whatnextwillgamblersthinkofbettingon？ButIcantellofastillmorecurioussourceofgamblinginfatuation。Inthe_OxfordMagazine_，[93]isthefollowingstatement:——
[93]Vol。V。
`Afewdaysago，assomesprigsofnobilitywerediningtogetheratatavern，theytookthefollowingconceitintotheirheadsafterdinner。Oneofthemobservingamaggotcomefromafilbert，whichseemedtobeuncommonlylarge，attemptedtogetitfromhiscompanion，who，notchoosingtoletitgo，wasimmediatelyofferedfiveguineasforit，whichwasaccepted。Hethenproposedtorunitagainstanyothertwomaggotsthatcouldbeproducedattable。Matcheswereaccordinglymade，andthesepoorreptileswerethemeansofL500beingwonandlostinafewminutes！’
THECRIMESOFAMERICANGAMBLERS。
Suicides，duels，andmurdershavefrequentlyresultedfromgamblinghereaselsewhere。Manyoftheduelsindarkroomsoriginateindisputesatthegamingtable。Thecombatantsrushfromplaytoanupperoradjoiningroom，andsettletheirdifferencewithrevolver-shots，oftenfataltoboth。
Oneofthesewasaserio-comicaffairwhichisperhapsworthrelating。Twoplayershadagamblingdispute，andresolvedtosettleitinadarkroomwithpistols。Thedoorwaslockedandoneofthemfired，butmissed。Onthistheotherexclaimed——
`Now，yourascal，I’llfinishyouatmyleisure。’Hethenbegantosearchforhisopponent。Threeorfourtimeshewalkedstealthilyroundtheroom——butallinvain——hecouldnotfindhisman；helistened；hecouldnothearhimbreathe。Whathadbecomeofhim？`Oh！’atlengthheexclaimed——`NowI’vegotyou，you——sneak——heregoes！’`Hold！Hold！’criedavoicefromthechimney，`Don’tfire！I’llpayyouanything——Dotakeawaythat——pistol。’Ineffecthisadversaryheldthemuzzleofhispistolclosetotheseatofhonourasthefellowstoodstuffedupthechimney！
`You’llpay，willyou？’saidtheformer；`Verywell——800
dollars——is’tabargain？’
`Yes，yes！’gaspedthevoiceinthechimney。
`Verywell，’rejoinedthetormentor，`butjustwaitabit；Imusthaveavoucher。I’lljustcutoffthebottomofyourbreechesbywayofvoucher。’Sosayinghepulledouthisknifeandsuitedtheactiontothewords。
`Nowgetdown，’hesaid，`andoutwiththemoney；’whichwaspaid，whentheabove-namedvoucherwasreturnedtothechimney-
groper。
ThetownofVicksburg，ontheMississippi，wasformerlynotoriousastherendezvousofallsortsofdesperadoes。Itwasacityofmen；yousawnowomen，exceptatnight；andneveranychildren。
Vicksburgwasasinkofiniquity；andtheregamblingragedwithunrestrictedfury。ItwasalwaysaftertouchingatVicksburgthattheMississippiboatsbecamethewell-knownsceneofgambling——someoftheVicksburghersinvariablygettingonboardtoplytheirprofession。
Ononeoccasion，oneofthesecameonboard，andsooninducedsomeofthepassengerstoproceedtotheupperpromenade-deckforgambling。Soonthestakesincreasedandaheapofgoldwasonthetable，whenadisputearose，inthemidstofwhichoneoftheplayersplacedhishandonthestake。ThereupontheVicksburggamblerdrewhisknifeandplungeditintothehandoftheformer，withaterribleimprecation。
ThroughouttheSouthernStates，asbeforeobserved，gamblingprevailedtoaverygreatextent，anditsresultswereoftendeplorable。
Aplanterwenttoagamblinghouse，accompaniedbyoneofhisnegroes，whomheleftatthedoortowaithisreturn。Whilstthemasterwasgamblingtheslavedidthesamewithanotherwhomhefoundatthedoor。MeanwhileaMexicancameupandstoodbylookingatthegameofthenegroes。By-and-byoneofthemaccusedtheotherofcheating，whichwasdenied，whentheMexicaninterposedandtoldthenegrothathesawhimcheat。ThelattertoldtheMexicanthathelied——whereupontheMexicanstabbedhimtotheheart，killinghimonthespot。
Soonthenegro’smastercameout，andonbeinginformedoftheaffair，turnedtotheMexican，saying——`Now，sir，wemustsettlethematterbetweenus——mynegro’squarrelismine。’`Agreed，’
saidtheMexican；theyenteredthehouse，proceededtoadarkroom，firedateachother，andbothwerekilled。
AboutsixandtwentyyearsagotherelivedinNewYorkawell-to-
domerchant，ofthenameofOsborne，whohadanonlyson，whowasapartnerintheconcern。TheyoungmanfellinlovewiththedaughterofaSouthernplanter，thenonavisitatNewYork，towhomheengagedhimselftobemarried，withtheperfectconsentofallpartiesconcerned。
Onthereturnoftheplanterandhisdaughter，youngOsborneaccompaniedthemtoMobile。Ontheverynightoftheirarrival，theplanterproposedtohisintendedson-in-lawtovisitthegamingtable。Theywent；Osbornewasunlucky；andaftersomehours’playlostanimmenseamounttothefatherofhissweetheart。Hegavebills，drawnonhishouse，inpaymentofthedebtofhonour。
Onthefollowingmorningtheplanterreferredtothesubject，hintingthatOsbornemustberuined。
`Indeed，Iam！’saidtheyoungman；`butthepossessionofyourdaughterwillconsolemeforthecalamity，which，Idoubtnot，I
shallbeabletomakeupforbyindustryandexertion。’
`Thepossessionof_MY_daughter？’exclaimedtheplanter；`doyouthinkIwouldmarrymydaughtertoabeggar？No，no，sir，theaffairisendedbetweenyou——andIinsistuponitsbeingutterlybrokenoff。’Suchwastheactionoftheheartlessgambler，renderedcalloustoallsentimentsofrealhonourbyhisdebasingpursuit。
YoungOsbornewasequaltotheoccasion。Summoningallhispowerstomanfullybearthisadditionalshockoffate，hecalmlyreplied:——
`Sobeit，sir，asyouwishit。Dependuponit，however，thatmybillswillbedulyhonoured’——andsosayinghebowedanddeparted，withoutevenwishingtotakeleaveofhisbetrothed。
OnreturningtoNewYorkOsborneimmediatelydisclosedthetransactiontohisfather，who，inspiteoftheutterruinwhichimpended，andthebrutalityofthecauseoftheruin，resolvedtomeetthebillswhendue，andmaintainthehonourofhisson——
whatevermightbetheconsequencestohimself。
Thebillswerepaid；theconcernwasbrokenup；oldMrOsbornesoondiedbroken-hearted；andyoungOsbornewentasclerktosomehouseofbusinessinWallStreet。
Ayearorsopassedaway，andonedayaladypresentedherselfattheoldhouseofOsborne——nownolongertheirs——inquiringforyoungOsborne。Shewasdirectedtohisnewplaceofbusiness；
beingnootherthanhisbetrothed，wholovedhimaspassionatelyasever，andtowhomherfatherhadaccountedforthenon-
fulfilmentoftheengagementinaveryunsatisfactorymanner。OfcourseOsbornecouldnotfailtobedelightedatthisproofofherdevotedness；themeetingwasmostaffectionateonbothsides；and，withtheviewofcomingtoadecisionrespectingtheirfutureproceedings，theyadjournedtoanhotelinthevicinity。Here，whilstseatedatatableandinearnestconversation，theyounglady’sfatherrushedin，andinstantlyshotdownOsborne，whoexpiredathisfeet。Withafranticshriekthepoorgirlfellonthebodyofherbetrothed，andfindingaponiardoraknifeconcealedinhisbreast，sheseizedit，instantlyplungeditintoherheart，andwassoonacorpsebesideherlover。
CHAPTERX。
LADYGAMESTRESSES。
Thepassionsofthetwosexesaresimilarinthemain；thedistinctionsbetweenthemresultlessfromnaturethanfromeducation。Oftenwemeetwithwomen，especiallytheliterarysort，whoseemveritablemen，ifnotso，asthelawyerssay，`toallintentsandpurposes；’andoftenwemeetwithmen，especiallytown-dandies，whocanonlybecomparedtoveryordinarywomen。
Almostalltheancientshadthebadtastetospeakillofwomen；
amongtheresteventhatdelightfuloldFather`ofthegoldenmouth，’StChrysostom。[94]Sothat，evidently，DrJohnson’sfiercedictumcannotapplyuniversally——`Onlyscoundrelsspeakillofwomen。’
[94]Hom。II。
Senecatookthepartofwomen，exclaiming:——`Bynomeansbelievethattheirsoulsareinferiortoours，orthattheyarelessendowedwiththevirtues。Asforhonour，itisequallygreatandenergeticamongthem。’
AforeignladywassurprisedatbeholdingtheequalityestablishedbetweenthemenandwomenatSparta；whereuponthewifeofLeonidas，theKingofSparta，saidtoher:——`Doyounotknowthatitiswewhobringforththemen？Itisnotthefathers，butthemothers，thateffectuallyformtheheart。’
Napoleonseemstohaveformedwhatmaybecalledaprofessionalestimateofwomen。WhenthedemonstrativeMadamedeStaelaskedhim——evidentlyexpectinghimtopayheracompliment——`Whomdoyouthinkthegreatestwomandeadoralive？’Napoleonreplied，`Her，Madame，_WHOHASBORNEMOSTSONS_。’Nettledbythissarcasticreply，shereturnedtothecharge，observing，`Itissaidyouarenotfriendlytothesex。’Napoleonwashermatchagain；`Madame，’heexclaimed，`Iampassionatelyfondofmywife；’andoffhewalked。Assuredlyitwouldnotmendmattersinthisworld(orthenext)ifallmenwereNapoleonsandallwomendeStaels。
Ifweconsiderthequestioninotherpointsofview，havetherebeen，proportionally，fewercelebratedwomenthanillustriousmen？fewergreatqueensthantrulygreatkings？
Compare，onallsides，themeansandthecircumstances；countthereigns，anddecide。
Thefactisthatthisquestionhasbeenarguedonlybytyrannicalorverysillymen，whofounditdifficulttogetridoftheabsurdprejudiceswhichretainthefinesthalfofhumannatureinslavery，andcondemnittoobscurityunderthepretextthatitisessentiallycorrupted。Towardstheendofthe15thcenturyacertaindementedwriterattemptedtoprovethatwomendonotevendeservethetitleofreasonablecreatures，whichintheoriginalsoundsoddlyenough，namely，_probarenititurmulieresnonhominesesse_。Another，averylearnedJesuit，endeavouredtodemonstratethatwomenhavenosouls！Somesaythatwomensurpassusinwickedness；others，thattheyarebothworseandbetterthanmen。
Thatmorbidwretch，AlexanderPope，said，`Everywomanisatheartarake；’andarecentwriterinthe_Times_putsmorevenominthedictumbysaying，`Everywomanis(orlikes)atheartarake。’Boththeseopinionsmaybesetdownasmereclaptrap，witty，butvile。
Butatrucetosuchinsultsagainstthosewhobeautifytheearth；
_THEIR_vicescannotexcuseours。Itiswewhohavedepravedthembyassociatingthemwithexcesseswhicharerepugnanttotheirdelicacy。Thecontagion，however，hasnotaffectedallofthem。Amongour`plebeians，’andevenamongnobility，manywomenremindusofthemodestyandcourageofthoseancientrepublicanmatrons，who，sotospeak，founded，themannersandmoralsoftheircountry；andamongallclassesofthecommunitytherearethousandswhoinspiretheirhusbandswithgenerousimpulsesinthebattleoflife，eitherbycheeringwordsofcomfort，orbythatmuteeloquenceofdutieswellfulfilled，whichnothingcanresistifweareworthyofthenameofmen。Howmanyagamblerhasbeenreformedbythetenderappealsofagoodanddevotedwife。`Venerablewomen！’oneofthemexclaims，`inwhateverrankHeavenhasplacedyou，receivemyhomage。’Thegentlenessofyoursoulssmoothsdowntheroughnessofoursandchecksitsviolence。Withoutyourvirtueswhatwouldwebe？WithoutYOU，mydearwife，whatwouldhavebecomeofme？Youbeheldthebeginningandtheendofthegamingfuryinme，whichInowdetest；anditisnottome，buttoyoualone，thatthevictorymustbeascribed。’[95]
[95]Dusaulx，_DelaPassionduJeu_。
Averyprettyanecdoteistoldofsuchawifeandagaminghusband。
Inordertosimplifythesignsoflossandgain，soasnottobeoverburdenedwiththeweightofgoldandsilver，theFrenchplayersusedtocarrytherepresentationoftheirfortunesinsmallboxes，moreorlesselegant。Alady(whoelsecouldhavethoughtofsuchadevice？)，tremblingforthefateofherhusband，madehimapresentofoneofthesedreadboxes。Thislittlemaster-pieceofconjugalandmaternalaffectionrepresentedawifeintheattitudeofsupplication，andweepingchildren，seemingtosaytotheirfather——_THINKOFUS！_……
Itis，therefore，onlywiththeviewofavenginggoodandhonourablewomen，thatInowproceedtospeakofthosewhohavedisgracedtheirsex。
Ihavealreadydescribedaremarkablegamestress——thePersianQueenParysatis。[96]
[96]ChapterIII。
TherewerenogamestressesamongtheGreeks；andtheRomanwomenwerealwaystoomuchoccupiedwiththeirdomesticaffairstofindtimeforplay。Whatwillourmodernladiesthink，whenI
statethattheEmperorAugustusscarcelyworeagarmentwhichhadnotbeenwovenbyhiswife，hissister，orgrand-daughters。[97]
[97]Vestenontemerealiaquamdomesticaususest，abuxoreetfilianepotibusqueconfecta。Suet。inVitaAugusti。
AlthoughdeeplycorruptedunderNeroandthesovereignsthatresembledhim，theRomanwomennevergambledamongthemselvesexceptduringthecelebrationofthefestivaloftheBonaDea。
Thisceremonial，sooftenprofanedwithlicentiousness，wasnotattendedbydesperategambling。Themostdepravedwomenabstainedfromit，evenwhenthatmaniawasatitsheight，notonlyaroundtheCapitol，butevenintheremainderoftheEmpire。
Contemporaryauthors，whohavenotsparedtheRomanladies，neverreproachedthemwiththisvice，which，inmoderntimes，hasbeendesperatelypractisedbywomenwhoinlicentiousnessviedwithMessalina。
InFrance，womenwhowishedtogamblewere，atfirst，obligedtokeepthethingsecret；forifitbecameknowntheylostcaste。InthereignofLouisXIV。，andstillmoreinthatofLouisXV。，theybecamebolder，andthewivesofthegreatengagedinthedeepestplayintheirmansions；butstillagamestresswasalwaysdenouncedwithhorror。`Suchwomen，’saysLaBruyiere，`makeuschaste；theyhavenothingofthesexbutitsgarments。’
Bytheendofthe18thcentury，gamestressesbecamesonumerousthattheyexcitednosurprise，especiallyamongthehigherclasses；andthemajorityofthemwerenotoriousforunfairplayordownrightcheating。Astrangeroncebettedonthegameofaladyatagaming-table，whoclaimedastakealthoughonalosingcard。Outofconsiderationforthedistinguishedtrickstress，thebankerwishedtopaythestrangeraswell；butthelatterwithablush，exclaimed——`Possiblymadamewon，butasformyself，IamquitesurethatIlost。’
Butifwomencheatedatplay，theyalsofrequentlylost；andwereoftenreducedtobeggary，ortowhatisfarviler，tosacrifice，notonlytheirownhonour，butthatoftheirdaughters。
Gamingsometimesledtoothercrimes。TheCountessofSchwiechelt，ayoungandbeautifulladyfromHanover，wasmuchgiventogambling，andlost50，000livresatParis。Inordertorepairthisgreatloss，sheplannedandexecutedtherobberyofafinecoronetofemeralds，thepropertyofMadameDemidoff。Shehadmadeherselfacquaintedwiththeplacewhereitwaskept，andataballgivenbyitsownertheHanoverianladycontrivedtopurloinit。Heryouthandrankinlifeinducedmanypersonstosolicitherpardon；butBuonapartelefthertothepunishmenttowhichshewascondemned。Thisoccurredin1804。
InEngland，too，thepracticeofgamblingwasfraughtwiththeworstconsequencestothefinestfeelingsandbestqualitiesofthesex。Thechiefdangerisveryplainlyhintedatinthecomedyof_TheProvokedHusband_。
_LordTownley_——’Tisnotyourillhoursthatalwaysdistractme，but，asoften，theillcompanythatoccasionsthosehours。
_LadyTownley_——SureIdon’tunderstandyounow，mylord。WhatillcompanydoIkeep？
_LordTownley_——Why，atbest，womenthatlosetheirmoney，andmenthatwinit；_or，perhaps，menthatarevoluntarybubblesatonegame，inhopesaladywillgivethemfairplayatanother。_
`Thefacts，’saysMrMassey，[98]`confirmthetheory。
Walpole’sLettersandMrJesse’svolumesonGeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries，teemwithallusionstoprovedorunderstoodcasesofmatrimonialinfidelity；andthemannerinwhichnotoriousirregularitieswerebrazenedout，showsthattheoffendersdidnotalwaysencountertheuniversalreprobationofsociety。
[98]HistoryofEngland，ii。
`Whistwasnotmuchinvogueuntilalaterperiod，andwasfartooabstruseandslowtosuitthedepravedtastewhichrequiredunadulteratedstimulants。’
Theordinarystakesatthesemixedassemblieswould，atthepresentday，beconsideredhigh，evenattheclubswherearubberisstillallowed。
`Theconsequencesofsuchgamingwereoftenstillmorelamentablethanthosewhichusuallyattendedsuchpractices。Itwouldhappenthataladylostmorethanshecouldventuretoconfesstoherhusbandorfather。Hercreditorwasprobablyafinegentleman，orshebecameindebtedtosomerichadmirerforthemeansofdischargingherliabilities。Ineitherevent，theresultmaybeguessed。Intheonecase，thedebtofhonourwasliquidatedontheoldprincipleofthelaw-merchant，accordingtowhichtherewasbutonealternativetopaymentinpurse。Intheother，therewaslikewisebutonemodeinwhichtheacknowledgmentofobligationbyafinewomanwouldbeacceptabletoamanoftheworld。’
`Theperniciousconsequencesofgamblingtothenationatlarge，’
saysanotherwriter，`wouldhavebeenintolerableenoughhadtheybeenconfinedtothestrongersex；but，unfortunately，thewomenofthedaywereequallycarriedawaybythiscriminalinfatuation。Thedisgustinginfluenceofthissordidvicewassodisastroustofemaleminds，thattheylosttheirfairestdistinctionandprivileges，togetherwiththeblushinghonoursofmodesty。Theirhighgamingwasnecessarilyaccompaniedwithgreatlosses。Ifalltheirresources，regularandirregular，honestandfraudulent，weredissipated，still，_GAME-DEBTSMUST
BEPAID！_Thecunningwinnerwasnostrangertothenecessitiesofthecase。Hehintedat_commutations_——whichwerenottoberefused。
\"Sotenderthese，——ifdebtscrowdfastuponher，She’llpawnher_VIRTUE_topreserveher_HONOUR！_\"
Thus，thelastinvaluablejeweloffemalepossessionwasunavoidablyresigned。Thatwasindeedtheforestofallevils，butaneviltowhicheverydeepgamestresswasinevitablyexposed。’
HogarthstrikinglyillustratedthisphaseofwomanhoodinEngland，inhissmallpicturepaintedfortheEarlofCharlemont，andentitled`_Picquet，orVirtueinDanger_。’Itshowsayounglady，who，duringa_tete-a-tete_，hadjustlostallhermoneytoahandsomeofficerofherownage。Heisrepresentedintheactofreturningherahandfulofbank-bills，withthehopeofexchangingthemforanotheracquisitionandmoredelicateplunder。Onthechimney-pieceareawatch-caseandafigureofTime，overitthismotto——_Nunc_，`Now！’Hogarthhascaughthisheroineduringthismomentofhesitation——thisstrugglewithherself——andhasexpressedherfeelingswithuncommonsuccess。
But，indeed，thethingwasperfectlyunderstood。Inthe_Guardian_(No。120)weread:——`Allplay-debtsmustbepaidinspecieorbyequivalent。The\"man\"thatplaysbeyondhisincomepawnshisestate；the\"woman\"mustfindoutsomethingelsetomortgagewhenherpin-moneyisgone。Thehusbandhashislandstodisposeof；thewifeherperson。Nowwhenthefemalebodyisoncedipped，ifthecreditorbeveryimportunate，I
leavemyreadertoconsidertheconsequences。’……
Aladywasmarriedwhenveryyoungtoanoblelord，thehonourandornamentofhiscountry，whohopedtopreserveherfromthecontagionofthetimesbyhisownexample，and，tosaythetruth，shehadeverygoodqualitythatcouldrecommendhertothebosomofamanofdiscernmentandworth。But，alas！howfrailandshortarethejoysofmortals！Oneunfortunatehourruinedhisdarlingvisionaryschemeofhappiness:shewasintroducedtoaninfamouswoman，wasdrawnintoplay，likedit，and，astheunavoidableconsequence，shewasruined，——havinglostmoreinonenightthanwouldhavemaintainedahundredusefulfamiliesforatwelvemonth；and，dismaltotell，shefeltcompelledtosacrificehervirtuetothewretchwhohadwonhermoney，inordertorecovertheloss！Fromthismomentshemightwellexclaim——
`Farewellthetranquilmind！farewellcontent！’
Theaffectionatewife，theagreeablecompanion，theindulgentmistress，werenownomore。Invainsheflatteredherselfthattheinjuryshehaddoneherhusbandwouldforeverremainoneofthosesecretswhichcanonlybedisclosedatthelastday。
Vengeancepursuedhersteps，shewaslost；thevillaintowhomshehadsacrificedherselfboastedofthefavourshehadreceived。Thefatalreportwasconveyedtoherinjuredhusband。
Herefusedtobelievewhathethoughtimpossible，buthonourobligedhimtocalltheboastertothefield。Thewretchreceivedthechallengewithmuchmorecontentmentthanconcern；
ashehadresolutionenoughtomurderanymanwhomhehadinjured，sohewascertain，ifhehadthegoodfortunetoconquerhisantagonist，heshouldbelookeduponastheheadofallmodernbucksandbloods——esteemedbythemenasabravefellow，andadmiredbytheladiesasafinegentlemanandanagreeablerake。Themeetingtookplace——theprofligategamblernotcontentwithdeclaring，actuallyexultedinhisguilt。Buthistriumphwasofshortdate——abulletthroughtheheadsettledhisaccountwiththisworld。
Thehusband，afteralongconflictinhisbosom，betweenjusticeandmercy，tendernessandrage，resolved——onwhatisveryseldompractisedbyanEnglishhusband——topardonhiswife，concealhercrime，andpreserveher，ifpossible，fromutterdestruction。
Butthegatesofmercywereopenedinvain——theoffenderrefusedtoreceiveforgivenessbecauseshehadoffended。Thelustofgamblinghadabsorbedallherotherdesires。Shegaveherselfupentirelytotheinfamouspursuitanditsconcomitants，whilstherhusbandsankbyaquickdecay，anddiedthevictimofgriefandanguish。[99]
[99]DoingsinLondon。
OfotherEnglishgamestresses，however，nothingbuttheordinarysuccessorinconveniencesofgamblingarerecorded。Intheyear1776，aladyattheWestEndlostonenight，atasitting，3000
guineasatLoo。[100]Again，aladyhavingwonarubberof20
guineasfromacitymerchant，thelatterpulledouthispocket-
book，andtenderedL21inbanknotes。Thefairgamestress，withadisdainfultossofthehead，observed——`InthegreathouseswhichIfrequent，sir，wealwaysusegold。’`Thatmaybe，madam，’saidthegentleman，`but，inthe_LITTLE_houseswhichI
frequent，wealwaysusepaper。’
[100]AnnualRegister。
Goldsmithmentionsanoldladyinthecountrywho，havingbeengivenoverbyherphysician，playedwiththecurateoftheparishtopassthetimeaway。Havingwonallhismoney，shenextproposedplayingforthefuneralchargestowhichshewouldbeliable。Unfortunately，theladyexpiredjustasshehadtakenupthegame！
Aladywhowasdesperatelyfondofplaywasconfessingherself。
Thepriestrepresented，amongotherargumentsagainstgaming，thegreatlossoftimeitoccasioned。`Ah！’saidthelady，`thatiswhatvexesme——somuchtimelostinshufflingthecards！’
ThecelebratedMrsCreweseemstohavebeenfondofgaming。
CharlesJamesFoxrankedamongheradmirers。Agentlemanlostaconsiderablesumtothisladyatplay；andbeingobligedtoleavetownsuddenly，hegaveFoxthemoneytopayher，begginghimtoapologizetotheladyforhisnothavingpaidthedebtofhonourinperson。Foxunfortunatelylosteveryshillingofitbeforemorning。MrsCreweoftenmetthesupposeddebtorafterwards，and，surprisedthathenevernoticedthecircumstance，atlengthdelicatelyhintedthemattertohim。`Blessme，’saidhe，`I
paidthemoneytoMrFoxthreemonthsago！’`Oh，youdid，sir？’
saidMrsCrewegood-naturedly，`thenprobablyhepaidmeandI
forgotit。’
ThisfamousMrsCrewewasthewifeofMrCrewe，whowascreated，in1806，LordCrewe。Shewasasremarkableforheraccomplishmentsandherworthasforherbeauty；neverthelessshepermittedtheadmirationoftheprofligateFox，whowasintherankofheradmirers，andshewasagamestress，asweremostofthegrandladiesinthosedays。ThelinesFoxwroteonherwerenotexaggerated。Theybeganthus:——
`Wheretheloveliestexpressiontofeaturesisjoin’d，ByNature’smostdelicatepencildesign’d；
Whereblushesunhidden，andsmileswithoutart，Speakthesoftnessandfeelingthatdwellintheheart，Whereinmannersenchantingnoblemishwetrace，Butthesoulkeepsthepromisewehadfromtheface；
Surephilosophy，reason，andcoldnessmustproveDefencesunequaltoshieldusfromlove。’
`NearlyeightyearsafterthefamouselectionatWestminster，whenshepersonallycanvassedforFox，MrsCrewewasstillinperfection，withasonone-and-twenty，wholookedlikeherbrother。Theformofherfacewasexquisitelylovely，hercomplexionradiant。\"Iknownot，\"MissBurneywrites，\"anyfemaleinherfirstyouthwhocouldbearthecomparison。She_uglifies_everyonenearher。\"
`ThischarmingpartisanofFoxhadbeenactiveinhiscause；
andheroriginalityofcharacter，hergood-humour，herrecklessnessofconsequences，madeheracapitalcanvasser。’[101]
[101]Wharton，_TheQueensofSociety。_
THEGAMBLINGBARROW-WOMEN。
In1776thebarrow-womenofLondonusedgenerallytocarrydicewiththem，andchildrenwereinducedtothrowforfruitandnuts。
However，theperniciousconsequencesofthepracticebeginningtobefelt，theLordMayorissuedanordertoapprehendallsuchoffenders，whichspeedilyputanendtosuchstreet-gambling。Atthepresentdayasortofrouletteisusedforthesamepurposebytheitinerantcatererstothesweetmeatandfruit-lovinglittleones。
GAMESTRESSESATBADEN-BADEN。
MrsTrollopehasdescribedtwospecimensofthemoderngamestressesattheGermanwatering-places，oneofwhomseemstohavespeciallyattractedhernotice:——
`Therewasoneofthisset，’shesays，`whomIwatched，dayafterday，duringthewholeperiodofourstay，withmoreinterestthan，Ibelieve，wasreasonable；forhadIstudiedanyotherasattentivelyImighthavefoundlesstolament。
`Shewasyoung——certainlynotmorethantwenty-five——and，thoughnotregularlynorbrilliantlyhandsome，mostsingularlywinningbothinpersonanddemeanour。Herdresswaselegant，butpeculiarlyplainandsimple，——aclosewhitesilkbonnetandgauzeveil；aquiet-colouredsilkgown，withlessofflourishandfrill，byhalf，thananyotherperson；adelicatelittlehandwhich，whenungloved，displayedsomehandsomerings；ajewelledwatch，ofpeculiarsplendour；andacountenanceexpressiveofanxiousthoughtfulness——mustberememberedbymanywhowereatBadeninAugust，1833。Theymustremember，too，that，entertheroomswhentheywould，morning，noon，ornight，stilltheyfoundhernearlyatthesameplaceatthe_RougeetNoir_table。
`Herhusband，whohadasunquestionablytheairofagentlemanasshehadofalady，thoughnotalwaysclosetoher，wasneververydistant。Hedidnotplayhimself，andIfancied，ashehoverednearher，thathiscountenanceexpressedanxiety。Buthereturnedhersweetsmile，withwhichshealwaysmethiseye，withanansweringsmile；andIsawnottheslightestindicationthathewishedtowithdrawherfromthetable。
`Therewasanexpressionintheupperpartofherfacethatmyblunderingsciencewouldhaveconstruedintosomethingveryforeigntothepropensitysheshowed；butthereshesat，hourafterhour，dayafterday，notevenallowingtheblessedsabbath，thatgivesresttoall，tobringittoher；——thereshesat，constantlythrowingdownhandfulsoffive-francpieces，andsometimesdrawingthembackagain，tillheryoungfacegrewrigidfromweariness，andallthelustreofhereyefadedintoaglareofvexedinanity。Alas！alas！isthatfairwomanamother？Godforbid！
`Anotherfigureatthegamingtable，whichdailydrewourattention，wasapale，anxiousoldwoman，whoseemednolongertohavestrengthtoconcealhereageragitationundertheairofcallousindifference，whichallpractisedplayersendeavourtoassume。Shetrembled，tillhershakinghandcouldhardlygrasptheinstrumentwithwhichshepushedorwithdrewherpieces；thedewofagonystooduponherwrinkledbrow；yet，hourafterhour，anddayafterday，shetoosatintheenchantedchair。I
neversawageandstationinapositionsoutterlybeyondthepaleofrespect。Iwasassuredshewasapersonofrank；andmyinformantadded，butItrustshewasmistaken，thatshewasan_ENGLISH_woman。’[102]
[102]BelgiumandWesternGermany，in1833。
GAMINGHOUSESKEPTBYLADIES。
Thereisnodoubtthatduringthelasthalfofthelastcenturymanytitledladiesnotonlygambled，butkeptgaminghouses。
ThereisevenevidencethatoneofthemactuallyappealedtotheHouseofLordsforprotectionagainsttheintrusionofthepeaceofficersintoherestablishmentinCoventGarden，onthepleaofherPeerage！AllthisisprovedbyacuriousrecordfoundintheJournalsoftheHouseofLords，bytheeditorofthe_Athenaeum_。Itisasfollows:——
`DieLunae，29Aprilis，1745——_Gaming_。ABillforpreventingtheexcessiveanddeceitfuluseofithavingbeenbroughtfromtheCommons，andproceededonsofarastobeagreedtoinaCommitteeofthewholeHousewithamendments，——
informationwasgiventotheHousethatMrBurdus，ChairmanoftheQuarterSessionsforthecityandlibertyofWestminster，SirThomasdeVeil，andMrLane，ChairmanoftheQuarterSessionsforthecountyofMiddlesex，wereatthedoor；
theywerecalledin，andattheBarseverallygaveanaccountthatclaimsofprivilegeofPeerageweremadeandinsistedonbytheLadiesMordingtonandCasselis，inordertointimidatethepeaceofficersfromdoingtheirdutyinsuppressingthepublicgaminghouseskeptbythesaidladies。AndthesaidBurdusthereupondeliveredinaninstrumentinwritingunderthehandofthesaidLadyMordington，containingtheclaimshemadeofprivilegeforherofficersandservantsemployedbyherinhersaidgaminghouse。Andthentheyweredirectedtowithdraw。Andthesaidinstrumentwasreadasfollows:——\"I，DameMary，BaronessofMordington，doholdahouseintheGreatPiazza，CoventGarden，forandasanAssembly，whereallpersonsofcreditareatlibertytofrequentandplayatsuchdiversionsasareusedatotherAssemblys。AndIhavehiredJosephDewberry，WilliamHorsely，HamCropper，andGeorgeSandersasmyservantsormanagers(underme)thereof。Ihavegiventhemorderstodirectthemanagementoftheotherinferiorservants(namely):
JohnBright，RichardDavis，JohnHill，JohnVandenvoren，asbox-keepers，——GilbertRichardson，housekeeper，JohnChaplain，regulator，WilliamStanleyandHenryHuggins，servantsthatwaitonthecompanyatthesaidAssembly，WilliamPennyandJosephPennyasportersthereof。Andalltheabove-mentionedpersonsI
claimasmydomestickservants，anddemandallthoseprivilegesthatbelongtomeasapeeressofGreatBritainappertainingtomysaidAssembly。M。MORDINGTON。Dated8thJan。，1744。\"
`ResolvedanddeclaredthatnopersonisentitledtoprivilegeofPeerageagainstanyprosecutionorproceedingforkeepinganypublicorcommongaminghouse，oranyhouse，room，orplaceforplayingatanygameorgamesprohibitedbyanylawnowinforce。’
ThatsuchpracticecontinuedinvogueisevidentfromthepoliceproceedingssubsequentlytakenagainstTHEFAMOUSLADYBUCKINGHAMSHIRE。
ThisnotoriousgamestressofStJames’sSquare，atthecloseofthelastcentury，actuallysleptwithablunderbussandapairofpistolsatherside，toprotectherFarobank。
Onthe11thofMarch，1797，herLadyship，togetherwithLadyE。LutterellandaMrsSturt，wereconvictedattheMarlboroughStreetPolice-court，inthepenaltyofL50，forplayingatthegameofFaro；andHenryMartindalewasconvictedinthesumofL200，forkeepingtheFarotableatLadyBuckinghamshire’s。
ThewitnesseshadbeenservantsofherLadyship，recentlydischargedonaccountofalateextraordinarylossof500guineasfromherLadyship’shouse，belongingtotheFarobank。[103]
[103]ThecaseisreportedintheTimesofMarch13th，1797。
OnecannothelpbeingstruckwiththeappearanceoftheTimesnewspaperatthatperiod——70yearsago。Itwasprintedononesmallsheet，aboutequaltoasinglepageofthepresentissue，andcontainedfourpages，twoofwhichwereadvertisements，whiletheothersgaveonlyashortsummaryofnews——noleaderatall。
Inthesameyear，thecroupierattheCountessofBuckinghamshire’sonenightannouncedtheunaccountabledisappearanceofthecash-boxoftheFarobank。AlleyeswereturnedtowardsherLadyship。MrsConcannonsaidsheoncelostagoldsnuff-boxfromthetable，whileshewenttospeaktoLordC。Anotherladysaidshelostherpursetherelastwinter。
Andastorywastoldthatacertainladyhadtaken，_BY
MISTAKE_，acloakwhichdidnotbelongtoher，ataroutgivenbytheCountessof。Unfortunatelyadiscoveryofthecloakwasmade，andwhentheservantknockedatthedoortodemandit，someveryvaluablelacewhichitwastrimmedwithhadbeentakenoff。SomesurmisedthattheladywhostolethecloakmightalsohavestolentheFarobankcash-box。
Soonafter，thesameMartindale，whohadkepttheFarobankatLadyBuckinghamshire’s，becameabankrupt，andhisdebtsamountedtoL328，000，besides`debtsofhonour，’whichwerestruckofftotheamountofL150，000。Hisfailureissaidtohavebeenowingtomisplacedconfidenceinasubordinate，whorobbedhimofthousands。ThefirstsuspicionwasoccasionedbyhispurchasinganestateofL500ayear；butotherpurchasesfollowedtoaconsiderableextent；anditwassoondiscoveredthattheFarobankhadbeenrobbedsometimesof2000guineasaweek！Onthe14thofApril，1798，otherarrears，toalargeamount，weresubmittedto，andrejectedby，theCommissionersinBankruptcy，whodeclaredafirstdividendofoneshillingandfive-penceinthepound。[104]
[104]SeymourHarcourt，_GamingCalendar。_
Thischaptercannotbebetterconcludedthanwithquotingthe_Epilogue_of`TheOxonianinTown，’1767，humorouslypaintingsomeofthemischiefsofgambling，andexpresslyaddressedtotheladies:——
`Lo！next，tomypropheticeyetherestartsAbeauteousgamestressintheQueenofHearts。
Thecardsaredealt，thefatalpoolislost，Andallhergoldenhopesforevercross’d。
Yetstillthiscard-devotedfairIview——
Whate’erherluck，to\"_honour_\"evertrue。
Sotenderthere，——ifdebtscrowdfastuponher，She’llpawnher\"virtue\"topreserveher\"honour。\"
Thricehappyweremyart，couldIforetell，Cardswouldbesoonabjuredbyeverybelle！
Yet，Ipronounce，whocherishstillthevice，Andthepalevigilskeepofcardsanddice——
’Twillintheircharmssadhavocmake，yefair！
Which\"rouge\"invainshalllabourtorepair。
Beautieswillgrowmerehags，toastswither’djades，Frightfulanduglyas——the_QUEENOFSPADES_。’
CHAPTERXI。
GAMBLINGPOETS，SAVANTS，PHILOSOPHERS，WITS，ANDSTATESMEN。
Perhapsthesternmoralistwhomayhaveturnedoverthesepageshasfrownedatthefactsoftheprecedingchapter。Ifso，IknownotwhathewilldoatthosewhichIamabouttorecord。
Ifitmaybesaidthatgamestersmustbemadmen，orrogues，howhasitcometopassthatmenofgenius，talent，andvirtuewithal，havebeengamesters？
Menofgenius，`giftedmen，’astheyarecalled，aremuchtobepitied。Oneofthemhassaid——`Oh！ifmypillowcouldrevealmysufferingslastnight！’Hiswastruegrief——forithadnowitness。[105]Theendowmentsofthisnatureofoursaresostrangelymixed——theeventsofourlivesaresounexpectedlyruled，thatonemightalmostprefertohavebeenfashionedafterthoseimaginarybeingswhoactso_CONSISTENTLY_inthenurserytalesandotherfigments。Mostmenseemtohaveadoublesoul；
andinyourmenofgenius——yourcelebrities——thebattlebetweenthetwoseemslikethetremendousconflictsograndly(andhorribly)describedbyMilton。WholovedhiscountrymorethanCato？Whocaredmoreforhiscountry’shonour？AndyetCatowasnotonlyunabletoresistthesoftimpeachmentsofalcohol——
NarraturetprisciCatonisSaepemerocaluissevirtus——
buthewasalsoadice-player，agambler。[106]
[105]Illedoletverequisinetestedolet。Martial，lib。I。
[106]Plutarch，_Cato。_
JuliusCaesardidnotdrink；butwhataprofligatehewas！AndIhavenodoubtthathewasagambler:itiscertainthathegotridofmillionsnobodyknewhow。
Ibelieve，however，thatthefollowingisanundeniablefact。
Youmayfindsuspiciousgamestersineveryrankoflife，butamongmenofgeniusyouwillgenerally，ifnotalways，findonlyvictimsresignedtothecapricesoffortune。Theprofessionswhichimplythegreatestenthusiasmnaturallyfurnishthegreaternumberofgamesters。Thus，perhaps，wemaynametenpoet-gamesterstoonesavantorphilosopherwhodeservedthetitleorinfamy。
Coquillart，apoetofthe15thcentury，famousforhissatiricalversesagainstwomen，diedofgriefafterhavingruinedhimselfbygaming。ThegreatpainterGuido——andapainteriscertainlyapoet——wasanotherexample。Bynaturegentleandhonourable，hemighthavebeenthemostfortunateofmenifthedemonofgamblinghadnotpoisonedhisexistence，theendofwhichwastrulywretched。
Rotrou，theacknowledgedmasterofCorneille，hurriedhispoeticaleffusionsinordertoraisemoneyforgambling。Thismanofgeniuswasbutaspoiltchildinthematterofplay。Heoncereceivedtwoorthreehundred_louis_，andmistrustinghimself，wentandhidthemundersomevine-branches，inordernottogambleallawayatonce。Vainprecaution！Onthefollowingnighthisbagwasempty。
ThepoetVoiturewasthedelightofhiscontemporaries，conspicuousashewasforthemostexquisitepolishandinexhaustiblewit；buthewasalsooneofthemostdesperategamestersofhistime。LikeRotrou，hemistrustedhisfolly，andsometimesrefrained。`Ihavediscovered，’heoncewrotetoafriend，`aswellasAristotle，thatthereisnobeatitudeinplay；andinfactIhavegivenovergambling；itisnowsevenmonthssinceIplayed——whichisveryimportantnews，andwhichI
forgottotellyou。’Hewouldhavediedrichhadhealwaysrefrained。Hisrelapseswereterrible；onenighthelostfifteenhundredpistoles(aboutL750)。
Thelistofforeignpoetsruinedbygamblingmightbeextended；
whilst，ontheotherhand，itisimpossible，Ibelieve，toquoteasingleinstanceofthekindamongthepoetsofEngland，——
perhapsbecauseveryfewofthemhadanythingtolose。ThereaderwillprobablyrememberDrJohnson’sexclamationonhearingofthelargedebtleftunpaidbypoorGoldsmithathisdeath——
`Waseverpoetsotrustedbefore！’……
ThegreatphilosophersMontaigneandDescartes，seducedatanearlyagebytheallurementsofgambling，managedatlengthtoovercometheevil，presentingexamplesofreformation——whichprovesthatthismaniaisnotabsolutelyincurable。
Descartesbecameagamesterinhisseventeenthyear；butitissaidthatthecombinationsofcards，orthedoctrineofprobabilities，interestedhimmorethanhiswinnings。[107]
[107]Hist。desPhilos。Modernes:_Descartes_。
ThecelebratedCardan，oneofthemostuniversalandmosteccentricgeniusesofhisage，declaresinhisautobiography，thattherageforgamblinglongentaileduponhimthelossofreputationandfortune，andthatitretardedhisprogressinthesciences。`Nothing，’sayshe，`couldjustifyme，unlessitwasthatmyloveofgamingwaslessthanmyhorrorofprivation。’A
verybadexcuse，indeed；butCardanreformedandceasedtobeagambler。
ThreeofthegreatestgeniusesofEngland——LordsHalifax，Anglesey，andShaftesbury——weregamblers；andLocketellsaveryfunnystoryaboutoneoftheirgamblingbouts。Thisphilosopher，whoneglectednothing，howevereccentric，thathadanyrelationtotheworkingofthehumanunderstanding，happenedtobepresentwhilemyLordsHalifax，Anglesey，andShaftesburywereplaying，andhadthepatiencetowritedown，wordforword，alltheirdiscordantutterancesduringthephasesofthegame；theresultbeingadialogueofspeakerswhoonlyusedexclamations——alltalkinginchorus，butmoretothemselvesthantoeachother。
LordAngleseyobservingLocke’soccupation，askedhimwhathewaswriting。`MyLord，’repliedLocke，`Iamanxiousnottoloseanythingyouutter。’Thisironymadethemallblush，andputanendtothegame。
M。Sallo，CounsellortotheParliamentofParis，died，saysVigneuldeMarville，ofadiseasetowhichthechildrenoftheMusesarerarelysubject，andforwhichwefindnoremedyinHippocratesandGalen；——hediedofalingeringdiseaseafterhavinglost100，000crownsatthegamingtable——allhepossessed。
Bywayofdiversiontohiscankeringgrief，hestartedthewell-
known_JournaldesSavans_，butlivedtowriteonly13sheetsofit，forhewaswoundedtothedeath。[108]
[108]Melanges，d’Hist。etdeLitt。i。
ThephysicianPaschasiusJustuswasadeplorableinstanceofanincorrigiblegambler。Thisotherwisemostexcellentandlearnedmanhavingpassedthree-fourthsofhislifeinacontinualstrugglewithvice，atlengthresolvedtocurehimselfofthediseasebyoccupyinghismindwithaworkwhichmightbeusefultohiscontemporariesandposterity。[109]Hebeganhisbook，butstillhegamed；hefinishedit，buttheevilwasstillinhim。`IhavelosteverythingbutGod！’heexclaimed。Heprayedfordeliveryfromhissoul’sdisease；[110]buthisprayerwasnotheard；hediedlikeanygambler——morewretchedthanreformed。
[109]`DeAlea，sivedecurandainpecuniamcupiditate，’pub。in1560。
[110]Illumanimimorbum，utDeustolleret，serioetfrequenteroptavit。
M。Dusaulx，authorofaworkonGaming，exclaimstherein——`Ihavegambledlikeyou，Paschasius，perhapswithgreaterfury。LikeyouIwriteagainstgaming。CanIsaythatIamstrongerthanyou，inmorecriticalcircumstances？’[111]
[111]LaPassionduJeu。
What，then，isthatmaniawhichcanbeovercomeneitherbytheloveofglorynorthestudyofwisdom！
TheliterarymenofGreeceandRomerarelyplayedanygamesbutthoseofskill，suchastennis，backgammon，andchess；andevenintheseitwasconsidered`indecent’toappeartooskilful。
Cicerostigmatizestwoofhiscontemporariesfortakingtoogreatadelightinsuchgames，onaccountoftheirskillinplayingthem。[112]
[112]Astalii，quiapraeclarefaciunt，vehementiusquamcausapostulatdelectantur，utTitiuspila，Brullatalis。DeOrat。
lib。iii。
