MONSIEURGERMAIN。
Thisgamblerwasoflowbirth，hisparentskeepinganordinaryinHolland，wherehewasborn，asstatedbytheoldchronicler，`inthehappyRevolutionof1688。’
HiscareerisremarkableonaccountofhisconnectionwithLadyMaryMordaunt，wifeof`theDukeofNorfolk，who，provingherguiltyofadultery，wasdivorcedfromher。ShethenlivedpubliclywithGermain。’
ThisGermainwasthefirsttointroducewhatwascalledthe_SpanishWhist_，statedtobe`amerebite，performedafterthismanner:——Havingapackofcards，thefourtreysareprivatelylaidonthetopofthem，underthemanace，andnexttothatadeuce；then，lettingyouradversarycutthecards，youdonotpackthem，butdealallofthemthatarecutoff，oneatatime，betweenyou；then，takinguptheotherparcelofcards，youdealmorecards，givingyourselftwotreysandadeuce，andtotheotherpersonstwotreysandanace，when，layingtheremainderofthecardsdown——whereinareallowednotrumps，butonlythehighestcardswin——sotheyarebutofthesamesuit，whilstyouareplaying，givingyourantagonistallyoucan，asthoughitisnotinyourpowertopreventhim。Youseemtofret，andcryyouhavegood_put-cards；_he，havingtwotreysandanace，willbeapttolayawagerwithyouthatyoucannothavebetterthanhe；thenyoubindingthewager，hesoonseeshismistake。Butinthistrickyoumustobservetoputtheotherthreedeucesunderyourswhenyoudeal。’
ItseemsthatthisMonsieurGermainisnotonlyremarkablefortheabovepreciousadditiontohumanknowledge，butalsoonaccountofhisexpertnessatthegameof_Ombre_，celebratedandsoelegantlydescribedbyPopeinhis`RapeoftheLock。’
HeappearstohavelivedwiththeDuchessofNorfolkeverafterthedivorce；andhediedalittleafterLadyMary，in1712，aged46years。[140]
[140]_ubisupra_。
TOMHUGHES。
ThisIrishmanwasborninDublin，andwasthesonofarespectabletradesman。Fallingintodissipatedcompany，hesoonleftthecitytotryhisfortuneinLondon，whereheplayedverydeepandverysuccessfully。
Hethrewawayhisgainsasfastashemadethem，chieflyamongthefrailsisterhood，atanotorioushouseinthosedays，inthePiazza，CoventGarden。HefrequentedCarlisleHouseinSohoSquare，andwasaproprietorofEOtableskeptbyaDrGrahaminPallMall。
Hehadarencontre，inconsequenceofadisputeatplay，andwaswounded。ThemeetingtookplaceunderthePiazza，andhisantagonist’sswordstruckarib，whichcounteracteditsdangerouseffect。
SoonafterwardshewonL3000fromayoungmanjustofage，whomadeovertohimalandedestatefortheamount，andhewasshortlyafteradmittedamemberoftheJockeyClub。
Hisfortunenowchanged，andfallingintothehandsofOldPope，themoney-lender，hewasnotlongbeforehehadtotransferhisestatetohim。
Aftermanyupsanddownshebecameaninmateofthespunging-houseoftheinfamousScoldwell，whowasafterwardstransported。Heactuallyusedhisprisonasagaminghouse，towhichhisinfatuatedfriendsresorted；buthismeansfailed，hisfriendscooled，andhewasremoved`overthewater，’fromwhichhewasonlyreleasedbytheInsolventAct，withabrokenconstitution。Arrestsoonrestoredhimtohisoldhabitation，alock-uphouse，wherehediedsopoor，avictimtogrief，misery，anddisease，thathedidnotleaveenoughtopayforacoffin，whichwasprocuredbyhisquondamfriend，MrThornton，atwhosecosthewasburied。Perhapsmorethanhalfamillionofmoneyhad`passedthroughhishands。’
ANDREWS，THEGREATBILLIARD-PLAYER。
AndrewswasreckonedsotheoreticallyandpracticallyperfectatthegameofBilliardsthathehadnoequalexceptAbrahamCarter，whokeptthetablesatthecornerofthePiazza，RussellStreet，CoventGarden。
HeonenightwonofColonelW——eaboutathousandpounds；andtheColonelappointedtomeethimnextdaytotransactforstockaccordingly。Goinginahackney-coachtotheBankofEnglandforthispurpose，theytossedupwhoshouldpayforthecoach。
Andrewslost——andpositivelyonthissmallbeginninghewasexcitedtocontinuebetting，untilhelostthewholesumhehadwonthenightbefore！Whenthecoachmanstoppedhewasorderedtodrivethembackagain，astheyhadnooccasiontogetout！
Thus，inafewyears，HazardandothergamesofchancestrippedhimofhisimmensewinningsatBilliards，andhehadnothingleftbutasmallannuity，fortunatelyforhimsosettledthathecouldnotdisposeofit——thoughhemadeeveryefforttodoso！
HeafterwardsretiredinthecountyofKent，andwasheardtodeclarethatheneverknewcontentmentwhenwallowinginriches；
butthatsincehewascompelledtoliveonascantypittance，hewasoneofthehappiestmenintheworld。
WHIGMIDDLETON。
WhigMiddletonwasatall，handsome，fashionableman，withanadequatefortune。Heonenighthadarunofill-luckatArthur’s，andlostaboutathousandguineas。LordMontford，inthegamingphrase，askedhimwhathewoulddoorwhathewouldnotdo，togethome？`Mylord，’saidhe，`prescribeyourownterms。’
`Then，’resumedLordMontford，`dressdirectlyoppositetothefashionfortenyears。Willyouagreetoit？’Middletonsaidthathewould，andkepthisword。Nay，hediednineyearsafterwardssounfashionablythathedidnotoweatradesmanafarthing——leftsomeplayingdebtsunliquidated，andhiscoatandwigwereofthecutofQueenAnne’sreign。
LordMontfordissaidtohavediedinaverydifferentbutquitefashionablemanner。
CAPTAINCAMPBELL。
CaptainCampbell，oftheGuards，wasanaturalsonoftheDukeof。HelostathousandguineastoaShark，whichhecouldnotpay。Beingquestionedbythedukeonedayatdinnerastothecauseofhisdejection，hereluctantlyconfessedthefact。
`Sir，’saidhisGrace，`youdonotoweafarthingtotheblackguard。Mystewardsettledwithhimthismorningfor_TEN_
guineas，andhewasgladtotakethem，onlysaying——\"IwasdamnedfarNorth，anditwaswellitwasnoworse。\"’
WROTHESLY，DUKEOFBEDFORD。
Wrothesly，DukeofBedford，wasthesubjectofaconspiracyatBath，formedbyseveralfirst-ratesharpers，amongwhomwerethemanagerofatheatre，andBeauNash，masteroftheceremonies。
AfterbeingplunderedofaboveL70，000atHazard，hisGraceroseinapassion，putthediceinhispocket，andintimatedhisresolutiontoinspectthem。Hethenretiredintoanotherroom，and，flinginghimselfuponasofa，fellasleep。
Thewinners，toescapedisgrace，andobtaintheirmoney，castlotswhoshouldpickhispocketsoftheloadeddice，andintroducefaironesintheirplace。Thelotfellonthemanagerofthetheatre，whoperformedhispartwithoutdiscovery。Thedukeinspectedthedicewhenheawoke，andfindingthemcorrect，renewedhisparty，andlostL30，000more。
TheconspiratorshadreceivedL5000，butdisagreedonitsdivision，andBeauNash，thinkinghimselfill-used，divulgedthefacttohisGrace，whosavedtherebytheremainderofthemoney。
HemadeNashahandsomepresent，andeveraftergavehimhiscountenance，supposingthatthesecrethadbeendivulgedthroughpurefriendship。
THEDUKEOFNORFOLK。
Asimilaranecdoteistoldofanothergamester。`ThelateDukeofNorfolk，’saystheauthorof`RougeetNoir，’writingin1823，`inoneeveninglostthesumofL70，000inagaminghouseontherightsideofStJames’sStreet:suspectingfoulplay，heputthediceinhispocket，and，aswashiscustomwhenuplate，tookabedinthehouse。Theblacklegswerealldismayed，tilloneoftheworthies，whoisbelievedtohavebeenaprincipalinpoisoningthehorsesatNewmarket，forwhichDanDawsonwashanged，offeredforL5000togototheduke’sroomwithabraceofpistolsandapairofdice，and，ifthedukewasawake，toshoothim，ifasleeptochangethedice！Fortunatelyforthegang，theduke\"snored，\"astheagentstated，\"likeapig；\"
thedicewerechanged。HisGracehadthembrokeninthemorning，when，findingthemgood，hepaidthemoney，andleftoffgambling。’[141]
[141]RougeetNoir；theAcademiciansof1823。
GENERALOGLE:ABOLDSTROKE。
AfewweeksbeforeGeneralOglewastosailforIndia，heconstantlyattendedPaine’s，inCharlesStreet，StJames’sSquare。Oneeveningtherewerebeforehimtwowoodenbowlsfullofgold，whichheldL1500guineaseach，andL4000inrouleaus，whichhehadwon。
Whentheboxcametohim，heshookthediceandwithgreatcoolnessandpleasantrysaid——`Come，I’lleitherwinorloseseventhousanduponthishand。Willanygentlemansetonthewhole？_SEVEN_isthemain。’Thenrattlingthediceoncemore，casttheboxfromhimandquittedit，thediceremaininguncovered。
AlthoughtheGeneraldidnotthinkthistoolargeasumforonemantoriskatasinglethrow，therestofthegentlemendid，andforsometimetheboldgamesterremainedunset。
Hethensaid——`Well，gentlemen，willyoumakeitupamongstyou？’
Onesethim500guineas，another500。`Come，’saidhe，`whilstyouaremakingupthemoneyI’lltellyouastory。’Herehebegan——butperceivingthathewasatlastcompletelysetforthecast，stoptshort——laidhishandonthebox，saying——`IbelieveI
amcompletelyset，gentlemen？’`Yes，sir，andSevenisthemain，’wasthereply。TheGeneralthrewout，andlost！
Seventhousandguineas！
Thenwithastonishingcoolnesshetookuphissnuff-boxandsmilingexclaimed——`Now，gentlemen，ifyouplease，I’llfinishmystory。’
HORACEWALPOLE。
TherecanbenodoubtthatHoraceWalpolewasaninveterategambler，althoughhemanagedtokeepalwaysafloatandmerrilysailing——forhesayshimself:——`Agoodladylastyearwasdelightedatmybecomingpeer，andsaid——\"IhopeyouwillgetanActofParliamentforputtingdownFaro。\"AsifIcouldmakeActsofParliament！andcouldI，itwouldbeveryconsistenttooinme，whoforsomeyearsplayedmoreatFarothananybody。’[142]
[142]Letters，IX。
THEEARLOFMARCH。
Thisextraordinaryandstillfamouspersonage，betterknownastheDukeofQueensberry，wasthe`observedofallobservers’
almostfromhisboyhoodtoextremeoldage。Hispassionswereforwomenandtheturf；andthesensualdevotednesswithwhichhepursuedtheone，andtheeccentricitywhichhedisplayedintheenjoymentofboth，addedtotheobservationwhichheattractedfromhispositionasamanofhighrankandprincelyfortune，renderedhimanobjectofunceasingcuriosity。Hewasdeeplyversedinthemysteriesoftheturf，andinallpracticalandtheoreticalknowledgeconnectedwiththerace-coursewasacknowledgedtobethemostaccomplishedadeptofhisowntime。
Heseemsalsotohavebeenaskilfulgamesterandplayerofbilliards。WritingtoGeorgeSelwynfromParisin1763，hesays:——`IwonthefirstdayaboutL2000，ofwhichIbroughtoffaboutL1500。Allthingsareexaggerated，Iamsupposedtohavewonatleasttwiceasmuch。’In1765heissaidtohavewontwothousandlouisofaGermanatbilliards。WritingtoSelwyn，GillyWilliamssaysofhim:`Ididnotknowhewasmoreanadeptatthatgamethanyouareatanyother，butIthinkyouarebothsaidtobelosersonthewhole，atleastBettysaysthatherlettersmentionyouaspillaged。’
AmongthenumerousoccasionsonwhichthenameoftheDukeofQueensberrycamebeforethepublicinconnectionwithsportingmatters，maybementionedthecircumstanceofthefollowingcurioustrial，whichtookplacebeforeLordMansfieldintheCourtofKing’sBench，in1771。TheDukeofQueensberry，thenLordMarch，wastheplaintiff，andaMrPigotthedefendant。Theobjectofthistrialwastorecoverthesumoffivehundredguineas，beingtheamountofawagerlaidbythedukeWithMrPigot——whetherSirWilliamCodringtonor_OLD_MrPigotshoulddiefirst。IthadsingularlyhappenedthatMrPigotdiedsuddenlythe_SAMEMORNING_，ofthegoutinhishead，butbeforeeitherofthepartiesinterestedintheresultofthewagercouldbyanypossibilityhavebeenmadeacquaintedwiththefact。Inthecontemporaryaccountsofthetrial，theDukeofQueensberryismentionedashavingbeenaccommodatedwithaseatonthebench；whileLordOssory，andseveralothernoblemen，wereexaminedonthemeritsofthecase。Bythecounselforthedefendantitwasarguedthat(asinthecaseofahorsedyingbeforethedayonwhichhewastoberun)thewagerwasinvalidandannulled。LordMansfield，however，wasofadifferentopinion；andafterabriefchargefromthatgreatlawyer，thejurybroughtinaverdictfortheplaintiffforfivehundredguineas，andhesentencedthedefendanttodefraythecostsofthesuit。[143]
[143]Jesse，GeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries，vol。i。p。
194。
Thisprinceofdebaucheesseemstohavesurpassedeverymodelofthekind，ancientormodern。Inhisprimehereproducedinhisowndrawing-roomthesceneofParisandtheGoddesses，exactlyasweseeitinclassicpictures，threeofthemostbeautifulwomenofLondonrepresentingthedivinitiesastheyappearedtoParisonMountIda，whilehehimself，dressedastheDardanshepherdholdinga_GILDED_apple(itshouldhavebeenreallygolden)inhishand，conferredtheprizeonherwhomhedeemedthefairest。Inhisdecrepitoldageitwashiscustom，infinesunnyweather，toseathimselfinhisbalconyinPiccadilly，wherehisfigurewasfamiliartoeverypersonwhowasinthehabitofpassingthroughthatgreatthoroughfare。Here(hisemaciatedfigurerenderedthemoreconspicuousfromhiscustomofholdingaparasoloverhishead)hewasinthehabitofwatchingeveryattractivefemaleform，andoglingeveryprettyfacethatmethiseye。Heissaid，indeed，tohavekeptaponyandaservantinconstantreadiness，inordertofollowandascertaintheresidenceofanyfairgirlwhoseattractionsparticularlycaughthisfancy！Atthisperiodtheoldmanwasdeafwithoneear，blindwithoneeye，nearlytoothless，andlabouringundermultipliedinfirmities。Butthehideouspropensitiesofhisprimestillpursuedhimwhenallenjoymentwasimpossible。Cantherebeagreaterpenaltyforunbridledlicentiousness？
MRLUMSDEN。
MrLumsden，whoseinveterateloveofgamblingeventuallycausedhisruin，wastobeseeneverydayatFrascati’s，thecelebratedgamblinghousekeptbyMmeDunan，wheresomeofthemostcelebratedwomenofthe_demi-monde_usuallycongregated。Hewasamartyrtothegout，andhishandsandknuckleswereamassofchalk-stones。Hestucktothe_RougeetNoir_tableuntileverybodyhadleft；andwhileplayingwouldtakefromhispocketasmallslate，uponwhichhewouldrubhischalk-stonesuntilbloodflowed。`Havingononeoccasionbeenplacednearhimatthe_RougeetNoir_table，Iventured，’saysCaptainGronow，`toexpostulatewithhimforrubbinghisknucklesagainsthisslate。
Hecoollyanswered，\"IfeelrelievedwhenIseethebloodoozeout。\"’
MrLumsdenwasremarkableforhiscourtlymanners；buthisabsenceofmindwasastonishing，forhewouldfrequentlyaskhisneighbour_WHEREHEWAS_！Crowdsofmenandwomenwouldcongregatebehindhischair，tolookat`themadEnglishman，’ashewascalled；andhiseccentricitiesusedtoamuseeventhecroupiers。Afterlosingalargefortuneatthisdenofiniquity，MrLumsdenencounteredeveryevilofpoverty，anddiedinawretchedlodgingintheRueStMarc。[144]
[144]Gronow，_LastRecollections。_
GENERALSCOTT，THEHONESTWINNEROFL200，000。
GeneralScott，thefather-in-lawofGeorgeCanningandtheDukeofPortland，wasknowntohavewonatWhite’sL200，000，thankstohisnotorioussobrietyandknowledgeofthegameofWhist。
Thegeneralpossessedagreatadvantageoverhiscompanionsbyavoidingthoseindulgencesatthetablewhichusedtomuddleothermen’sbrains。Heconfinedhimselftodiningoffsomethinglikeaboiledchicken，withtoastandwater；bysucharegimenhecametotheWhisttablewithaclearhead；andpossessingashedidaremarkablememory，withgreatcoolnessofjudgment，hewasablehonestlytowintheenormoussumofL200，000。
RICHARDBENNET。
RichardBennethadgonethrougheverywalkofablackleg，frombeingabilliardsharperatatableinBellAlleyuntilhebecameakeeperorpartnerinallthe`hells’inStJames’s。Ineachstageofhisjourneyhehadcontrivedtohavesomuchthebetterofhiscompetitors，thathewasenabledtolivewell，tobringupandeducatealargelegitimatefamily，andtogratifyallhispassionsandsensuality。Butbesidesallthis，heaccumulatedanamplefortune，whichthisinveterategamesterdidactuallypossesswhentheterriersofjusticeovertookandhuntedhimintothecustodyoftheMarshaloftheCourtofQueen’sBench。Herehewassentencedtobeimprisonedacertaintime，ondistinctindictments，forkeepingdifferentgaminghouses，andwasorderedtobekeptincustodyuntilhehadalsopaidfinestotheamount，webelieve，ofL4000。Bennet，however，afterundergoingtheimprisonment，managedtogethimselfdischargedwithoutpayingthefines。
DENNISO’KELLY。
DennisO’KellywastheNapoleonoftheturfandthegamingtable。Ascotwashiselysium。HishorsesoccupiedhimbydayandtheHazardtablebynight。Atthelatteronenighthewasseenrepeatedlyturningovera_QUIREOFBANKNOTES_，andagentlemanaskedhimwhathewaslookingfor，whenhereplied，`I
amlookingfora_LITTLEONE_。’Theinquirersaidhecouldaccommodatehim，anddesiredtoknowforwhatsum。DennisO’Kellyanswered，`IwantaFIFTY，orsomethingof_THATSORT_，justtosetthe_CASTER_。Atthismomentitwassupposedhehadsevenoreight_THOUSAND_poundsinnotesinhishand，butnotoneforlessthana_HUNDRED！_
DennisO’Kellyalwaysthrewwithgreatsuccess；andwhenheheldtheboxhewasseldomknowntorefusethrowingfor_ANYSUM_
thatthecompanychosetosethim。Hewasalwaysliberalin_SETTINGTHECASTER_，andpreventingastagnationoftradeatthe_TABLE_，which，fromthegreatpropertyalwaysabouthim，itwashisgoodfortuneveryfrequentlytodepriveofitslastfloatingguinea，whentheboxofcoursebecamedormantforwantofasingleadventurer。
Itwashiscustomtocarryagreatnumberofbanknotesinhiswaistcoatpocket，twisteduptogether，withthegreatestindifference；andononeoccasion，inhisattendanceataHazardtableatWindsor，duringtheraces，beinga_STANDING_betterandeverychairfull，aperson’shandwasobserved，bythoseontheoppositesideofthetable，justintheactofdrawingtwonotesoutofhispocket。Thealarmwasgiven，andthehand，fromthepersonbehind，wasinstantlywithdrawn，andthenotesleftstickingout。Thecompanybecameclamorousfortakingtheoffenderbeforeamagistrate，andmanyattemptedtosecurehimforthepurpose；butCaptainDennisO’Kellyveryphilosophicallyseizedhimbythecollar，kickedhimdown-stairs，andexultinglyexclaimed，`’Twasa_SUFFICIENTPUNISHMENT_tobedeprivedofthepleasureofkeepingcompanywith_JONTLEMEN_。’
Abetforalargesumwasonceproposedtothis`AdmirableCrichton’oftheturfandthegamingtable，andaccepted。TheproposeraskedO’Kellywherelayhis_ESTATES_toanswerfortheamountifhelost？’`Myestates！’criedO’Kelly。`Oh，ifthat’swhatyou_MANE_，I’vea_MAP_ofthemhere’——andopeninghispocket-bookheexhibitedbanknotesto_TENTIMES_thesuminquestion，andultimatelyaddedthe_INQUIRER’S_contributiontothem。
SuchwasthewonderfulsonofErin，`Captain’or`Colonel’
DennisO’Kelly。Onewouldliketoknowwhatultimatelybecameofhim。
DICKENGLAND。
JackTether，BobW——r，TomH——ll，CaptainO’Kelly，andothers，spentwithDickEnglandagreatpartoftheplunderofpoorClutterbuck，aclerkoftheBankofEngland，whonotonlylosthisall，butrobbedtheBankofanimmensesumtopayhis`debtsofhonour。’
AMrB——，aYorkshiregentleman，proposedtohisbrother-in-law，whowaswithhim，toputdowntenpoundseachandtrytheirluckatthe`Hell’keptby`theClerksoftheMinster，’intheMinsterYard，nexttheChurch。Itwastherace-week。TherewereaboutthirteenGreeksthere，DickEnglandattheirhead。MrB——putdownL10。Englandthencalled`Seventhemain——ifsevenorelevenisthrownnext，theCasterwins。’OfcourseDickintendedtowin；butheblunderedinhisoperation；he_LANDED_atsixandtheotherdidnotanswerhishopes。Yet，withmatchlesseffrontery，hesworehehadcalled_SIX_andnotseven；andasitwasreferredtothemajorityofthegoodlycompany，thirteen_HONESTGENTLEMEN_gaveitinDickEngland’sfavour，andwithhimdividedthespoil。
AMrD——，agentlemanofconsiderablelandedpropertyintheNorth，proposedpassingafewdaysatScarborough。DickEnglandsawhiscarriageenterthetown，andcontrivedtogetintohiscompanyandgowithhimtotherooms。Whentheassemblywasover，heprevailedonMrD——tosupwithhim。AftersupperMrD——wascompletelyintoxicated，andeveryefforttomakehimplaywastriedinvain。
Thiswas，ofcourse，veryprovoking；butstillsomethingmustbedone，andaverycleverschemetheyhitupontotryand`do’this`youngmanfromthecountry。’DickEnglandandtwoofhisassociatesplayedforfiveminutes，andtheneachofthemmarkedacardasfollows:——`D——owesmeonehundredguineas，’`D——owesmeeightyguineas；’butDickmarked_HIS_card——`IoweD——
thirtyguineas。’
Thenextday，MrD——metDickEnglandonthecliffandapologizedforhisexcessthenightbefore，hopinghehadgivennooffence`whendrunkandincapable。’Havingsatisfiedthegentlemanonthispoint，DickEnglandpresentedhimwithathirty-guineanote，which，inspiteofcontradiction，remonstrance，anddenialofanyplayhavingtakenplace，heforcedonMrD——ashis_FAIR
WINNING_——addingthathehadpaidhundredstogentlemeninliquor，whoknewnothingofittillhehadproducedtheaccount。
OfcourseMrD——couldnothelpcongratulatinghimselfathavingfalleninwithaperfectgentleman，aswellasconsolinghimselfforanyhead-acheorotherinconvenienceresultingfromhisnight’spotation。Theypartedwithgushingcivilitiesbetweenthem。
Soonafterwards，however，twoothergentlemencameuptoMrD——，whomthelatterhadsomevaguerecollectionofhavingseentheeveningbefore，incompanywithDickEngland；andatlength，fromwhatthetwogentlemensaid，hehadnodoubtofthefact，andthoughtitafitopportunitytomakeadueacknowledgmentofthegentlemanlyconductoftheirfriend，whohadpaidhimabetwhichhehadnoremembranceofhavingmade。
Nomoodcouldbebetterforthepurposeofthemeeting；sothetwogentlemennotonlyapprovedoftheconductofDick，anddescantedontheproprietyofpayingdrunkenmenwhattheywon，butalsodeclaredthatno_GENTLEMAN_wouldrefusetopayadebtofhonourwonfromhimwhendrunk；andatoncebeggedleaveto`remind’MrD——thathehadlosttothem180guineas！
InvaintheastoundedMrD——deniedallknowledgeofthetransaction；thegentlemenaffectedtobehighlyindignant，andtalkedloudlyofinjuredhonour。Besides，hadhenotreceived30
guineasfromtheirfriend？Soheassented，andappointedthenextmorningtosettlethematter。
FortunatelyforMrD——，however，someintelligentfriendsofhisarrivedinthemeantime，andhavingheardhisstatementaboutthewholeaffair，they`smeltarat，’anddeterminedtoferretitout。Theyexaminedthewaiter——previouslyhandinghimoverfiveguineas——andthismandeclaredthetruththatMrD——didnotplayatall——infact，thathewasinsuchaconditionthattherecouldnotbeanyrealplay。DickEnglandwastherefore`blown’onthisoccasion。MrD——returnedhimhisthirtyguineas，andpaidfiveguineasforhisshareofthesupper；andwellhemight，consideringthatitverynearlycosthim150guineas——thatis，havingtoreceive30guineasandtopay180guineastotheGreeks——profitandlosswithavengeance。
Beingthus`blown’atScarborough，DickEnglandandhisassociatesdecampedonthefollowingmorning。
Henextformedaconnectionwithalieutenantonhalfpay，nephewtoanIrishearl。WiththislieutenanthewenttoSpa，andrealizedsomethingconsiderable；butnotwithoutsuspicion——forafewdiceweremissed。
DickEnglandreturnedtoLondon，whereheshortlydisagreedwiththelieutenant。Thelatterjoinedtheworthybeforedescribed，CaptainO’Kelly，whowasalsoatenmitywithDickEngland；andthelattertookanopportunityofknockingtheirheadstogetherinapubliccoffee-room，andthrashingthembothtilltheytookshelterunderthetables。Dickhadthestrengthofanox，theferocityofabull-dog，and`thecunningoftheserpent，’
althoughwhatthelatterisnonaturalisthaseveryetdiscoveredorexplained。
Thelieutenantdeterminedonrevengeforthethrashing。Hehadjoinedhisregiment，andhe`peached’againsthisformerfriend，disclosingtotheofficersthecircumstanceofthediceatSpa，beforementioned；and，ofcourse，upsetallthedesignsofDickEnglandandhisassociates。Thisenragedalltheblacklegs；acombinationwasformedagainstthelieutenant；andhewasshotthroughtheheadby`abrotherofficer，’whobelongedtotheconfraternity。
ThesonofanearllostfortythousandpoundsinplaytoDickEngland；andshothimselfatStacie’sHotelinconsequence——theverynightbeforehishonourablefathersenthisstewardtopaythe`debtofhonour’infull——thoughawarethathissonhadbeencheatedoutofit。
Butthemostextraordinary`pass’ofDickEngland’scareerisstilltoberelated——notwithoutpointsinitwhichmakeitdifficulttobelieve，inspiteoftheevidence，thatitisthesame`party’whowasconcernedinit。Hereitis。
Inthe_Gentleman’sMagazine_，inGilchrist’sCollectionofBritishDuels，inDrMillingen’sreproductionofthelatter，thefollowingaccountoccurs:——
`MrRichardEnglandwasputtothebarattheOldBailey，chargedwiththe\"wilfulmurder\"ofMrRowlls，brewer，ofKingston，inaduelatCranford-bridge，June18，1784。
`LordDerby，thefirstwitness，gaveevidencethathewaspresentatAscotraces。Wheninthestandupontherace-course，heheardMrEnglandcautioningthegentlemenpresentnottobetwiththedeceased，asheneitherpaidwhathelostnorwhatheborrowed。OnwhichMrRowllswentuptohim，calledhimrascalorscoundrel，andofferedtostrikehim；whenMrEnglandbidhimstandoff，orhewouldbeobligedtoknockhimdown；saying，atthesametime——\"Wehaveinterruptedthecompanysufficientlyhere，andifyouhaveanythingfurthertosaytome，youknowwhereIamtobefound。\"Afurtheraltercationensued；buthisLordshipbeingattheotherendofthestand，didnotdistinctlyhearit，andthenthepartiesretired。
`LordDartrey，afterwardsLordCremorne，andhislady，withagentleman，wereattheinnatthetimetheduelwasfought。Theywentintothegardenandendeavouredtopreventtheduel；severalotherpersonswerecollectedinthegarden。MrRowllsdesiredhisLordshipandothersnottointerfere；andonasecondattemptofhisLordshiptomakepeace，MrRowllssaid，iftheydidnotretire，hemust，thoughreluctantly，callthemimpertinent。MrEnglandatthesametimesteppedforward，andtookoffhishat；
hesaid——\"Gentlemen，Ihavebeencruellytreated；Ihavebeeninjuredinmyhonourandcharacter；letreparationbemade，andI
amreadytohavedonethismoment。\"LadyDartreyretired。
HisLordshipstoodinthebowerofthegardenuntilhesawMrRowllsfall。Oneortwowitnesseswerecalled，whoprovednothingmaterial。Apaper，containingtheprisoner’sdefence，beingread，_theEarlofDerby，theMarquisofHertford，SirWhitbread，jun。，ColonelBishopp，andothergentlemen_，werecalledtohischaracter。Theyallspokeofhimasamanof_decentgentlemanlydeportment_，who，insteadofseekingquarrels，wasstudioustoavoidthem。HehadbeenfriendlytoEnglishmenwhileabroad，andhadrenderedsomeservicetothemilitaryatthesiegeofNewport。
`MrJusticeRookesummoneduptheevidence；afterwhichthejuryretiredforaboutthreequartersofanhour，whentheyreturnedaverdictof\"manslaughter。\"
`Theprisonerhavingfledfromthelawsofhiscountryfortwelveyears，theCourtwasdisposedtoshownolenity。Hewasthereforesentencedtopayafineofoneshilling，andbeimprisonedinNewgatetwelvemonths。’
Thistrialtookplaceintheyear1796，andthefactsinevidencegiveastrangepictureofthetimes。Aduelactuallyfoughtinthegardenofaninn，anoblelordclosebyinabowertherein，andhisladycertainlywithin_HEARING_oftheshots，anddoubtlessaspectatorofthebloodyspectacle。Butthisisnotthepoint，——theincomprehensiblepoint，——towhichIhavealluded——whichis，howLordDerbyandtheothergentlemenofthehigheststandingcouldcomeforwardtospeaktothecharacterof_DICKENGLAND_，ifhewasthesamemanwhokilledtheunfortunatebrewerofKingston？
Hereis_ANOTHER_accountofthematter，whichwarrantsthedoubt，althoughitisfearfullycircumstantial，astothecertainidentity:——
`MrWilliamPeterleRowles，ofKingston，brewer，washabituallyfondofplay。Ononeoccasionhewasinduced——wheninastateofintoxication——toplaywithDickEngland，whoclaimed，inconsequence，winningstotheamountoftwohundredguineas。MrleRowlesutterlydeniedthedebt，andwasinconsequencepursuedbyEnglanduntilhewascompelledtoaduel，inwhichMrleRowlesfell。LordDartrey，afterwardsLordCremorne，waspresentatAscotHeathracesonthefataloccasion，whichhappenedin1784；andhisevidencebeforethecoroner’sinquestproducedaverdictofwilfulmurderagainstDickEngland，whofledatthetime，butreturnedtwelveyearsafterwards，wastried，andfoundguiltyofmanslaughteronly。Hewasimprisonedfortwelvemonths。Englandwasstronglysuspectedofhighwayrobberies；
particularlyononeoccasion，whenhisassociate，F——，wasshotdeadbyCol。P——onhisreturnfromtheCurraghracestothetownofNaas。TheMarquisofHertford，LordsDerbyandCremorne，ColonelsBishoppandWollaston，andMessrsWhitbread，Breton，&c。，wereevidencesinthetrial。’[145]
[145]_TheGamingCalendar_，bySeymourHarcourt。
ItmayseemstrangethatsuchamanasDickEnglandcouldprocuresuchdistinguished`witnessestocharacter。’Thethingiseasilyexplained，however。Theyknewthemanonlyasaturfcompanion。
Wecancometonootherconclusion，——rememberingotherinstancesofthekind。Forexample，thecaseofPalmer，convictedforthepoisoningofCooke。HadPalmerbeenonhistrialmerelyforfightingafatalduel；therecanbenodoubtthatseveralnoblemenwouldhavecomeforwardtogivehimagoodcharacter。I
waspresentathistrial，andsawhim_BOWTOONE，ATLEAST，OF
OURMOSTDISTINGUISHEDNOBLEMEN_whenthelattertookhisseatnearthejudge，atthetrial。Therewasa_TURF
ACQUAINTANCESHIP_betweenthem，and，ofcourse，all`acquaintanceship’maybepresumedupon，ifwelayourselvesopentothedegradation。
Thefollowingisacuriouscaseinpoint。Agentlemanofthehigheststandingandgreatestrespectabilitywasaccostedbyastrangertowhomhesaid——`Sir，youhavetheadvantageofme。’
`Oh！’rejoinedtheformer，`don’tyourememberwhenweusedtomeetatcertainpartiesatBathmanyyearsago？’`Well，sir，’
exclaimedthegentleman，`youmayspeaktomeshouldyoueveragainmeetmeatcertainpartiesatBath，butnowhereelse。’
MAJORBAGGS。
Thisfamousgamesterdiedin1792，byacoldcaughtin`around-
house，’orplaceofdetention，towhichhehadbeentakenbyJusticeHyde，fromagamingtable。
Whentooilltoriseoutofhischair，hewouldbecarriedinthatchairtotheHazardtable。
Hewassupposedtohavebeentheutterruinofabovefortypersonsatplay。Hefoughtelevenduels。
THEDUCDEMIREFOIX。
TheDucdeMirefoiswasambassadorattheBritishCourt，andwasextremelyfondofchess。Areverendgentlemanbeingnearlyhisequal，theyfrequentlyplayedtogether。Atthattimetheclergymankeptapettyday-schoolinasmallvillage，andhadalivingofnotmorethantwentypoundsa-year。TheFrenchnoblemanmadeuncommoninterestwithanobleduke，throughwhosefavourheobtainedforhisreverendprotegealivingofaboutL600perannum——anoddwayofobtainingthe`cureofsouls！’
ARECLAIMEDGAMBLER’SACCOUNTOFHISCAREER。
`SomeyearssinceIwaslieutenantinaregiment，whichthealarmandpolicyofadministrationoccasionedtobequarteredinthevicinityofthemetropolis，whereIwasforthefirsttime。A
youngnoblemanofverydistinguishedfamilyundertooktobemyconductor。Alas！towhatscenesdidheintroduceme！Toplacesofdebaucheryanddensofdestruction。Ineednotdetailparticulars。Fromtheluresofthecourtesanwewenttoanadjoininggamingroom。ThoughIthoughtmyknowledgeofcardssuperiortothoseIsawplaythatnight，Itouchednocardnordice。Fromthismyconductor，abrotherofficer，andmyselfadjournedtoPallMall。Wereturnedtoourlodgingsaboutsixo’clockinthemorning。
`IcouldthinkofnothingbutFaro’smagiccentre，andlongedforthenextevening，whenIdeterminedtoenterthatpathwhichhasledsomanytoinfamy，beggary，andsuicide。Ibegancautiously，andforsometimehadreasontobesatisfiedwithmysuccess。Itenabledmetoliveexpensively。ImadegoldencalculationsofmyfuturefortuneasIimprovedinskill。Mymanualsweretreatisesongamingandchances，andnomanunderstoodthisdoctrinebetterthanIdid。I，however，didnotcalculatethedisparityofresistingpowers——mypursewith_FIFTY_guineas，andtheFarobankwithahundredthousand。Itwasruinonlywhichopenedmyeyestothistruismatlast。
`Goodmeats，goodcooking，andgoodwines，givengratisandplenteously，atthesehouses，drewmanytothematfirst，forthesakeofthesociety。AmongthemIoneeveningchancedtoseeaclericalprig，whowasincumbentofaparishadjoiningthatinwhichmymotherlived。Iwasintoxicatedwithwineandpleasure，whenI，onthisoccasion，enteredahauntofruinandenterprisingavariceinPallMall。Iplayedhighandlostinproportion。
`Thespiritofadventurewasnowgrowingonmeeveryday。Iwassometimesverysuccessful。Yetmyhealthwasimpaired，andmytempersouredbythealternationofgoodandbadfortune，andmypityorcontemptforthosewithwhomIassociated。Fromthenobleman，whoseacreswerenightlymeltinginthedicebox，therewereadventurerseventothe_UNFLEDGEDAPPRENTICE_，whocamewiththepillageofhisunsuspectingmaster’still，toswelltheguiltybankofDameN——andCo。WeretheCommissionersofBankruptcytoknowhowmanycitizensarepreparedforthematthosehouses，theywouldbeboundtothankthem。
`ManyascoreofguineashaveIwonoftradesmen，whoseemedonlytoturnanhonestpennyinLeadenhallStreet，Aldgate，BirchinLane，Cornhill，Cheapside，Holborn，theBorough，andothereasternspotsofindustry；butIfleecedthemonlyforthebenefitoftheFarobank，whichissure，finally，toabsorbthegainofall。Someofthecroupierswouldcalltheirgold_GIFTSOFTHEWISEMENOFTHEEAST；_otherstermedtheirguineas_COCKNEYCOUNTERS！_
`OnenightIhadsucharunofluckintheHazardroom，whichwasratherthinlyattended，thatIwoneverything，andwithmyloadoftreasurecollectedfromtheEastandWest，nay，probably，someofitfrom_FinchleyCommon_and_HounslowHeath_，Iwent，intheflushofsuccess，toattacktheFarobank。
`Itwasmydetermination，however，iffortunefavouredmethroughthenight，nevertotempthermore。ForsomehoursIproceededinthetortureofsuspense，alternatelyagitatedbyhopeandfear——butbyfiveo’clockinthemorningIattainedastateofcertaintysimilartothatofawretchusheredintotheregionsofthedamned。IhadlostL3500guineas，whichIhadbroughtwithmefromtheHazardtable，togetherwithL2000whichthebankadvancedmeonmycredit。Theretheystopped；and，withanapathypeculiartothemselves，listenedtoatorrentofpuerileabusewhichIventedagainsttheminmydespair。
`TwodaysandtwonightsIshutmyselfup，toindulgeinthemostrackingreflections。Iwasruinedbeyondrepair，andIhad，onthethirdmorning，workedmyselfuptoresortforrelieftoaloadedpistol。Irangformyservanttobringmesomegunpowder，andwasdebatingwithmyselfwhethertodirectitsforcetomybrainormyheart，whenheenteredwithaletter。ItwasfromHarriet。Shehadheardofmymisfortunes，andurgedmewiththesoulandpenofaheroine，toflythedestructivehabitsofthetown，andtowaitforninemonths，whenherminoritywouldexpire，andshewouldcomeintotheuncontrolledpossessionofL1700。Withthatsmallsumshehopedmyexpenses，talents，anddomesticcomfort，underherhousewifery，wouldcreateastateofhappinessandindependencewhichmillionscouldnotprocureinthemadcareerwhichIhadpursued。
`Thiswasthevoiceofaguardianangelinthemomentofdespair。
Inhernext，atmyrequest，sheinformedmethatthechannelofherearlyandminuteinformationwastheclericalprig，herneighbourandadmirer，whowasrelatedtooneofthecroupiersat——，andhadfromhimaregulardetailofmyproceedings。
`SoothedbythemagicinfluenceofmyvirtuousHarriet，insteadofcallingthecroupiertoaccount，Iwrotetotheproprietorsofthebank，statingmyruinedcondition，andmyreadinesstosellmycommissionandpaythemwhatIcould。Thesegentlemenhavefriendsineverydepartment。Theycompletedthetransferofmylieutenancyintwodays，andthen，intheirsuperabundanthumanity，offeredmetheplaceofcroupierinaninferiorhousewhichtheykeptnearHanoverSquare。ThisofferI
declined；andafterhavingpaidmytradesman’sbill，IleftLondonwithonlyelevenguineasinmypocket。Imarriedthebestofwomen，mypreserver，andhaveeversincelivedinrealcomfortandhappiness，onanincomelessthanonehundredpoundsayear。’
ASURPRISE。
AstrangerplainlydressedtookhisseatataFarotable，whenthebankwasricherthanusual。Aftersomelittleroutineplay，hechallengedthebank，andtossedhispocket-booktothebankerthathemightbesatisfiedofhisresponsibility。Itwasfoundtocontainbillstoanimmenseamount；andonthebankershowingreluctancetoacceptthechallenge，thestrangersternlydemandedcompliancewiththelawsofthegame。Thecardsoonturnedupwhichdecidedtheruinofthebanker。`Heaven！’exclaimedanoldinfirmAustrianofficer，whohadsatnexttothestranger——
`thetwentiethpartofyourgainswouldmakemethehappiestmanintheuniverse！’Thestrangerbrisklyanswered——`Youshallhaveit，then；’andquittedtheroom。Aservantspeedilyreturned，andpresentedtheofficerwiththetwentiethpartofthebank，adding——`Mymasterrequiresnoanswer，sir，’andwentout。ThesuccessfulstrangerwassoonrecognizedtobethegreatKingofPrussiaindisguise。
CHAPTERXIII。
THELOTTERIESANDTHEIRBEWILDERMENTS。
IfwearetobelievePereMenestrier，theinstitutionofLotteriesistobefoundintheBible，inthewords——`The_LOT_
causethcontentionstocease，andpartethbetweenthemighty，’
Prov。xviii。18。Bethatasitmay，itiscertainthatlotterieswereinuseamongtheancientRomans，takingplaceduringthe_Saturnalia_，orfestivitiesinhonourofthegodSaturn，whenthosewhotookpartinthemreceivedanumberedticket，whichentitledthebearertoaprize。DuringthereignofAugustusthethingbecameameansofgratifyingthecupidityofhiscourtiers；
andNerouseditasthemethodofdistributinghisgiftstothepeople，——grantingasmanyasathousandticketsaday，someofthementitlingthebearerstoslaves，ships，houses，andlands。Domitiancompelledthesenatorsandknightstoparticipateinthelotteries，inordertodebasethem；andHeliogabalus，inhisfantasticfestivities，distributedticketswhichentitledthebearerstocamels，flies，andotheroddthingssuggestedbyhismadness。Inallthis，however，thedistinctivecharacterofmodernlotterieswastotallyabsent:theticketswerealwaysgratuitous；sothatifthepeopledidnotwinanything，theyneverlost。
IntheMiddleAgesthesamepracticeprevailedatthebanquetsoffeudalprinces，whoapportionedtheirpresentseconomically，andwithoutthefearofexcitingjealousyamongtherecipients，bygrantinglotteryticketsindiscriminatelytotheirfriends。Thepracticeafterwardsdescendedtothemerchants；andinItaly，duringthe16thcentury，itbecameafavouritemodeofdisposingoftheirwares。
TheapplicationoflotteriesbypaidticketstotheserviceofthestateissaidtohaveoriginatedatFlorence，underthenameof`Lotto，’in1530；otherssayatGenoa，underthefollowingcircumstances:——Ithadlongbeencustomaryinthelattercitytochooseannually，byballot，fivemembersoftheSenate(composedof90persons)inordertoformaparticularcouncil。Somepersonstookthisopportunityoflayingbetsthatthelotwouldfallonsuchorsuchsenators。Thegovernment，seeingwithwhateagernessthepeopleinterestedthemselvesinthesebets，conceivedtheideaofestablishingalotteryonthesameprinciple，whichwasattendedwithsuchgreatsuccess，thatallthecitiesofItalywishedtoparticipateinit，andsentlargesumsofmoneytoGenoaforthatpurpose。
ToincreasetherevenuesoftheChurch，thePopealsowasinducedtoestablishalotteryatRome；theinhabitantsofwhichplacebecamesofondofthisspeciesofgambling，thattheyoftendeprivedthemselvesandtheirfamiliesofthenecessariesoflife，thattheymighthavemoneytolayoutinthisspeculation。
TheFrenchborrowedtheideafromtheItalians。Intheyear1520，underFrancisI。，lotterieswerepermittedbyedictunderthenameof_Blanques_，fromtheItalian_biancacarta_，`whitetickets，’——becauseallthelosingticketswereconsidered_BLANKS；_——hencetheintroductionofthewordintocommontalk，withasimilarmeaning。Fromtheyear1539thestatederivedarevenuefromthelotteries，althoughfrom1563to1609theFrenchparliamentrepeatedlyendeavouredtosuppressthemassocialevils。AtthemarriageofLouisXIV。alotterywasorganizedtodistributetheroyalpresentstothepeople——afterthefashionoftheRomanemperor。LotteriesweremultipliedduringthisreignandthatofLouisXV。In1776theRoyalLotteryofFrancewasestablished。Thiswasabolishedin1793，re-establishedatthecommencementoftheRepublic；butfinallyalllotterieswereprohibitedbylawin1836，——excepting`forbenevolentpurposes。’
Oneofthemostremarkableoftheselotteries`forbenevolentpurposes’wasthe`LotteryoftheGoldLingots，’authorizedin1849，tofavouremigrationtoCalifornia。InthislotterythegrandprizewasalingotofgoldvaluedataboutL1700。
TheoldFrenchlotteryconsistedof90numbers，thatis，fromNo。
1toNo。90，andthedrawingwasfivenumbersatatime。FivewheelswereestablishedatParis，Lyons，Strasbourg，Bordeaus，andLille。Adrawingtookplaceeverytendaysateachcity。
Theexitofasinglenumberwascalled_extrait_，anditwon15
timestheamountdeposited，and70timesifthenumberwasdetermined；theexitoftwonumberswascalledthe_ambe_，winning270timesthedeposit，and5100timesifthenumberwasdetermined；——theexitofthreenumberswascalledthe_terne_，winning5500times；the_quaterne_，orexitoffournumbers，won75，000timesthedeposit。Inallthis，however，thechancesweregreatlyinfavourofthestatebanker；——inthe_extrait_thechanceswere18to15inhisfavour，vastlyincreasing，ofcourse，intheremainder；thusinthe_ambe_itwas1602against270；andsoon。
ThefirstEnglishlotterymentionedinhistorywasdrawnintheyear1569。Itconsistedof400，000lots，at10_s_。eachlot。
Theprizeswereplate；andtheprofitsweretogotowardsrepairingthehavensorportsofthiskingdom。ItwasdrawnatthewestdoorofStPaul’sCathedral。Thedrawingbeganonthe10thofJanuary，1569，andcontinuedincessantly，_DAYAND
NIGHT_，tillthe6thofMayfollowing。[146]Anotherlotterywasheldatthesameplacein1612，KingJameshavingpermitteditinfavourof`theplantationofEnglishcoloniesinVirginia。’OneThomasSharplys，atailorofLondon，wonthechiefprize，whichwas`4000crownsinfairplate。’
[146]TheprintedschemeofthislotteryisstillinthepossessionoftheAntiquarianSocietyofLondon。
In1680，alotterywasgrantedtosupplyLondonwithwater。
Attheendofthe17thcentury，thegovernmentbeinginwantofmoneytocarryonthewar，resortedtoalottery，andL1，200，000wassetapartor_NAMED_forthepurpose。Theticketswerealldisposedofinlessthansixmonths，friendsandenemiesjoininginthespeculation。Itwasagreatsuccess；andwhenright-mindedpeoplemurmuredattheimproprietyofthething，theyweretoldtoholdtheirtongues，andassuredthatthislotterywastheveryqueenoflotteries，andthatithadjusttakenNamur！[147]
[147]Thistownwascapturedin1695，byWilliamIII。
AtthesametimetheDutchgaveintotheinfatuationwiththeutmostenthusiasm；lotterieswereestablishedalloverHolland；
andlearnedprofessorsandministersofthegospelspokeofnothingelsebutthelotterytotheirpupilsandhearers。
FromthistimeforwardthespiritofgamblingincreasedsorapidlyandgrewsostronginEngland，thatinthereignofQueenAnneprivatelotterieshadtobesuppressedaspublicnuisances。
Thefirst_parliamentary_lotterywasinstitutedin1709，andfromthisperiodtill1824thepassingofalotterybillwasintheprogrammeofeverysession。Uptothecloseofthe18thcenturytheprizesweregenerallypaidintheformofterminable，andsometimesofperpetual，annuities。Loanswerealsoraisedbygrantingabonusoflotteryticketstoallwhosubscribedacertainamount。
Thisgamblingofannuities，despitetherestrictionsofanactpassedin1793，soonledtoanappallingamountofviceandmisery；andin1808，acommitteeoftheHouseofCommonsurgedthesuppressionofthisruinousmodeoffillingthenationalexchequer。ThelastpubliclotteryinGreatBritainwasdrawninOctober，1826。
Thelotteriesexertedamostbanefulinfluenceontrade，byrelaxingthesinewsofindustryandfosteringthedestructivespiritofgamingamongallordersofmen。Norwasthatall。Thestreamofthisevilwasimmenselyswelledandpolluted，inopendefianceofthelaw，byasetofartfulanddesigningmen，whowereeveronthewatchtoallureanddrawintheignorantandunwarybythevariousmodesandartificesof`_insurance_，’whichwereallmostflagrantandgrossimpositionsonthepublic，aswellasadirectviolationofthelaw。Oneofthemostcommonandnotoriousoftheseschemeswastheinsuringofnumbersforthenextday’sdrawing，ata_premium_which(iflegal)wasmuchgreaterthanadequatetotherisk。Thus，in1778，whenthejustpremiumofthelotterywasonly7_s_。6_d_。，theoffice-
keeperscharged9_s_。，whichwasacertaingainofnearly30percent。；andtheyaggravatedthefraudasthedrawingadvanced。
Onthesixteenthdayofdrawingthejustpremiumwasnotquite20_s_。，whereastheoffice-keeperschargedL14_s_。6_d_。，whichclearlyshowsthegreatdisadvantagethateverypersonlabouredunderwhowasimprudentenoughtobeconcernedintheinsuranceofnumbers。[148]
[148]PublicLedger，Dec。3，1778。
Ineverycountrywherelotterieswereinoperationnumberswereruinedatthecloseofeachdrawing，andofthesenotafewsoughtanoblivionoftheirfollyillself-murder——bytherope，therazor，ortheriver。
Amorethanusualnumberofadventurersweresaidtohavebeenruinedinthelotteryof1788，owingtotheseveralprizescontinuinglonginthewheel(whichgaveoccasiontomuchgambling)，andalsotothedesperatestateofcertainbranchesoftrade，causedbynumerousandimportantbankruptcies。
Thesuicidesincreasedinproportion。Amongthemonepersonmadeherselfremarkablebyathoughtfulprovisiontopreventdisappointment。Awoman，whohadscrapedeverythingtogethertoputintothelottery，andwhofoundherselfruinedatitsclose，fixedaropetoabeamofsufficientstrength；butlestthereshouldbeanyaccidentalfailureinthebeamorrope，sheplacedalargetubofwaterunderneath，thatshemightdropintoit；andnearheralsoweretworazorsonatablereadytobeused，ifhangingordrowningshouldproveineffectual。
Awriterofthetimegivesthefollowingaccountoftheexcitementthatprevailedduringthedrawingofthelottery:——
`Indeed，whoeverwishestoknowwhatarethe\"blessings\"ofalottery，shouldoftenvisitGuildhallduringthetimeofitsdrawing，——whenhewillseethousandsofworkmen，servants，clerks，apprentices，passingandrepassing，withlooksfullofsuspenseandanxiety，andwhoarestealingatleastfromtheirmaster’stime，iftheyhavenotmanyofthemalsorobbedhimofhisproperty，inordertoenablethemtobecomeadventurers。Inthenextplace，attheendofthedrawing，letourobserverdirecthisstepstotheshopsofthepawnbrokers，andview，ashemay，thestock，furniture，andclothesofmanyhundredpoorfamilies，servants，andothers，whohavebeenruinedbythelottery。Ifhewishforfurthersatisfaction，lethimattendatthenextOldBaileySessions，andhearthedeath-warrantofmanyalucklessgamblerinlotteries，whohasbeenguiltyofsubsequenttheftandforgery；orifheseekmoreproof，lethimattendtothenumerousandhorridscenesofself-murder，whichareknowntoaccompanytheclosingofthewheelsoffortuneeachyear:[149]andthenlethimdetermineon\"thewisdomandpolicy\"oflotteriesinacommercialcity。’
[149]Acaseismentionedoftwoservantswho，havinglosttheirallinlotteries，robbedtheirmaster；andinordertopreventbeingseizedandhangedinpublic，murderedthemselvesinprivate。
Thecapitalprizesweresolargethattheyexcitedtheeagernessofhope；butthesumsecuredbythegovernmentwassmallwhencomparedwiththeinfinitemischiefitoccasioned。Onopeningthebudgetof1788，theministerobservedintheHouseofCommons，`thatthebargainhehadthisyearforthelotterywassoverygoodforthepublic，thatitwouldproduceagainofL270，000，fromwhichhewoulddeductL12，000fortheexpensesofdrawing，&c。，andthentherewouldremainanetproduceofL258，000。’Thisresult，therefore，wasdeemedextraordinary；butwhatwasthattotheextraordinarymischiefdonetothecommunitybytheauthorizationofexcessivegambling！
Somecuriousfactsareonrecordrelatingtothelotteries。
Untiltheyear1800thedrawingofthelottery(whichusuallyconsistedof60，000ticketsforEnglandalone)occupiedforty-twodaysinsuccession；itwas，therefore，aboutforty-twotooneagainstanyparticularnumberbeingdrawnthefirstday；ifitremainedinthewheel，itwasforty-onetooneagainstitsbeingdrawnonthesecond，&；c。；theadventurer，therefore，whocouldforeight-penceinsurethereturnofaguinea，ifagivennumbercameupthefirstday，wouldnaturallybeled，ifhefailed，toasmallincreaseofthedepositaccordingtothedecreaseofthechanceagainsthim，untilhisnumberwasdrawn，orthepersonwhotooktheinsurancemoneywouldtakeitnolonger。
IntheinquiryrespectingthemendicityofLondon，in1815，MrWakefielddeclaredhisopinionthatthelotterywasacauseofmendicity；andrelatedaninstance——thecaseofanindustriousmanwhoappliedtotheCommitteeofSpitalfieldsSoupSocietyforrelief；andwhen，onbeingaskedhisprofession，saidhewasa`_Translator_’——which，when_TRANSLATED_，signifies，itseems，theartofconvertingoldbootsandshoesintowearableones；`butthelotteryisabouttodraw，and，’sayshe，`Ihavenosaleforbootsorshoesduringthetimethatthelotterydraws’——themoneyofhiscustomersbeingspentinthepurchaseoftickets，orthepaymentof`insurances。’The`translator’mayhavebeenmistakenastothecauseofhistradefallingoff；buttherecanbenodoubtthatthesystemofthelottery-drawingwasaveryinfatuatingmodeofgambling，asthepassionwaskeptalivefromdaytoday；andthough，perhaps，itdidnotcreatemendicity，yetitmainlycontributed，withthegin-shops，night-
cellars，obscuregamblinghouses，andplacesofamusement，tofillthe_PAWNBROKERS_’shops，anddiminishtheprofitsoftheworthy`translatorofoldshoes。’[150]
[150]Thistermisstillinuse。Irecentlyaskedoneofthecraftifhecalledhimselfatranslator。`Yes，sir，notoflanguages，butoldbootsandshoes，’wasthereply。
Thisreasoning，however，isveryuncertain。
Thesixteenthofalotteryticket，whichisthesmallestsharethatcanbepurchased，hasnotformanyyearsbeensoldunderthirtyshillings，asummuchtoolargeforapersonwhobuysoldshoes`translated，’andevenforthe`translator’
himself，toadvance；wemaythereforesafelyconcludethatthepurchaseofticketsisnotthemodeofgamblingbywhichCrispin’scustomersarebroughttodistress。
Agreatnumberofforeignlotteriesstillexistinvigorousoperation。Somearesupportedbythestate，andothersareonlyauthorized；mostofthemareflourishing。InGermany，especially，lotteriesareabundant；immensepropertiesaredisposedofbythismethod。The`bank’gains，ofcourse，enormously；and，alsoofcourse，agreatdealoftrickeryandswindling，orsomethinglikeit，isperpetrated。
ForeignlotteryticketsarenowandthenillegallyofferedinEngland。Afewyearsagothereappearedanadvertisementinthepapers，offeringaconsiderableincomeforthepaymentofoneortwopounds。Uponinquiryitwasfoundtobetheagencyofaforeignlottery！Thesetemptingoffersofadvertisingspeculatorsareacrueladditiontothemiseriesofmisfortune。
TheHamburglotteryseemstoaffordthemostfavourablerepresentationofthesystem——assuch——becauseinitallthemoneyraisedbythesaleofticketsisredistributedinthedrawingofthelots，withtheexceptionof10percent。deductedinexpensesandotherwise；butnothingcancompensatefortheperniciouseffectsofthespiritofgamblingwhichisfosteredbylotteries，howeverfairlyconducted。Theyareanunmitigatedevil。
IntheUnitedStateslotterieswereestablishedbyCongressin1776，but，saveintheSouthernStates，heavypenaltiesarenowimposedonpersonsattemptingtoestablishthem。
Ineedscarcelysaythatlotteries，whetherforeignorBritish，areutterlyforbiddenbylaw，exceptingthoseofArtUnions。Theoperationsoftheseassociationswereindeedsuspendedin1811；
butinthefollowingyearanactindemnifiedthosewhoembarkedinthemforlosseswhichtheyhadincurredbythearrestoftheirproceedings；andsincethattimetheyhavebeen_TOLERATED_
undertheeyeofthelawwithoutanyexpressstatutebeingframedfortheirexemption。Itisthought，however，thattheytendtokeepupthespiritofgambling，andthereforeoughtnottobeallowedevenonthespeciouspleaoffavouring`art。’
_PRIVATE_lotteriesarenowillegalatCommonLawinGreatBritainandIreland；andpenaltiesarealsoincurredbytheadvertisersof_FOREIGN_lotteries。SomeyearsagoitbecamecommoninScotlandtodisposeofmerchandisebymeansoflotteries；butthisisspeciallycondemnedinthestatute42Geo。
III。c。119。Anevasionofthelawhasbeenattemptedbyaffixingaprizetoeveryticket，soastomakethetransactionresemblealegalsale；butthishasbeenpunishedasafraud，evenwhereitcouldbeprovedthattheprizeequalledinvaluethepriceoftheticket。Thedecisionresteduponthepleathatinsuchatransactiontherewasnodefinitesaleofaspecificarticle。Eventhelotteries；forTwelfthCakes，&c。，areillegal，andrendertheirconductorsliabletothepenaltiesofthelaw。Decisiveactionhasbeentakenonthislaw，andtheusualChristmaslotterieshavebeenthisyear(1870)rigorouslyprohibitedthroughoutthecountry。Itisimpossibletodoubtthesoundnessofthepolicythatstrivestocheckthespiritofgamblingamongthepeople；butstilltheremaybesometruthinthefollowingremarkswhichappearedonthesubject，inaleadingjournal:——
`Wehearthatthepolicehavereceiveddirectionstocautionthepromotersoflotteriesforthedistributionofgame，wine，spirits，andotherarticlesofthisdescription，thattheseschemesareillegal，andthattheoffenderswillbeprosecuted。
Theseattemptstoenforcerigidlytheprovisionsofthe10and11
WilliamIII。，c。17，42GeorgeIII。，c。119，andtocheckthespiritofspeculationwhichpervadessomanyclassesinthiscountrymaypossiblybesuccessful，butasamerequestionofmoralitytherecanbenodoubtthatDerbylotteries，and，infact，allspeculationsontheturforStockExchange，areopentoquiteasmuchanimadversionastheChristmaslotteriesforalittlepigoranagedgoose，whichitappearsaretobesuppressedinfuture。Isitnotalsoquestionablepolicytoenforceeverylawmerelybecauseitisalaw，unlessitsbreachisproductiveofseriouseviltothecommunity？IfeveryoldActofParliamentisrummagedoutandbroughttobearuponus，wefearweshallfindourselvesinratheranuncomfortableposition。
Wecannotsaywhetherornottheharmproducedbythesehumblelotteriesissufficienttorendertheirforciblesuppressionamatterofnecessity。Theycertainlydoproduceanamountofindigestionwhichofitselfmustbenosmallpenaltytopayforthosewhosemisfortuneitistowintheluxuriesraffledfor，butweneveryetheardofanyonebeingruinedbyrafflingforapigorgoose；andifourGovernmentisgoingtobepaternalandlookafterourpocket-money，wehopeitwillalsobematernalandtakesomelittleinterestinourhealth。Thesanitarylawsrequireputtingintooperationquiteasmuchasthelawsagainstpublic-
houselotteriesandskittles。’
No`extenuatingcircumstances，’however，canbeadmittedrespectingthenotoriousracinglotteries，inspiteofthesmallfigureofthetickets；naythisratheraggravatesthedanger，beingatemptationtothethoughtlessmultitude。Oneoftheselotteries，calledtheDeptfordSpec。，wasnotlongagosuppressedbythestrongarmofthelaw；butothersstillexistunderdifferentnames。Inoneofthesethelawisthoughttobeevadedbythesaleofanumberofphotographs；inanother，achanceofwinningonahorseissecuredbythepurchaseofcertainnumbersofanewspaperstrugglingintoexistence；butthefollowingis，perhaps，thedrollestphaseoftheevasionasyetattempted:
`Hereiswisdom。Lethimthathathunderstanding_countthenumberofthebeast_。’——Rev。，chap。xiii。
`NICKOLASREX——\"LUCKY\"BANQUETS。
`HISSATANICMAJESTYpurposesholdingaseriesofBanquets，Levees，andDRAWINGROOMSatPandemoniumduringtheensuingautumn，toeachofwhichabout10，000ofhisfaithfuldiscipleswillbeinvited。H。S。M。will，atthosedrawing-roomsandreceptions，_NUMBER_alotofbeasts，anddistributeaseriesofREWARDS，varyinginvaluefromL100to10_s_。ofherBritannicMajesty’smoney。
`TicketsOneShillingeach，applicationforwhichmustbemade_BYLETTER_toHisS。Majesty’sChamberlain，&c。&c。TheLAST
_DRAWING-ROOM_ofthisseasonwillbeheldafewdaysbeforetheFeastoftheCROYDONSTEEPLECHASES，&c。&c。
CHAPTERXIV。
THELAWSAGAINSTGAMINGINVARIOUSCOUNTRIES。
1。ANCIENTROME。
InancientRomeallgamesofchance，withtheexceptionoffivewhichhadrelationtobodilyvigour，wereabsolutelyprohibitedinpublicorprivate。Thelosercouldnotbesuedformoneyslost，andcouldrecoverwhathemighthavepaid，suchrightbeingsecuredtohisheirsagainsttheheirsofthewinner，evenafterthelapseof30years’prescription。During50yearsaftertheloss，shouldtheloserorhisheirsneglecttheiraction，itwasopentoanyonethatchosetoprosecute，andchieflytothemunicipalauthorities，thesumrecoveredtobeexpendedinthatcaseforpublicpurposes。Nosuretyforthepaymentofmoneyforgamblingpurposeswasbound。Thebettingonlawfulgameswasrestrictedtoacertainamount，beyondwhichthelosercouldrecovermoneyspaid，andcouldnotbesuedfortheamount。A
personinwhosehousegamblinghadtakenplace，ifstruckorinjured，orifrobbedontheoccasionthereof，wasdeniedredress；butoffencesofgamblersamongthemselveswerepunishable。Blowsorinjuriesmightbeinflictedonthegamblinghousekeeperatanytimeandanywherewithoutbeingpenalasagainstanyperson；buttheftwasnotexemptedfrompunishment，unlesscommittedatthetimeofgambling——andnotbyagambler。
Childrenandfreedmencouldrecovertheirlossesasagainsttheirparentsandpatrons。
Cicero，inhissecondPhilippic，speaksofacriminalprocess(_publicumjudicium_)theninforceagainstgamblers。
ThelawsofancientRomewere，therefore，verystringentonthissubject，although，therecanbenodoubt，withoutmucheffect。
2。FRANCE。
AtthetimeoftheFrenchRevolutionwarlikegamesaloneconferredtherightofaction，restricted，however，incasesofexcessivelosses；gamesofstrengthandskillgenerallywerelawful，butwereconsideredasnotgivinganyrightofaction；
gamesofmerechancewereprohibited，butminorsalonewereallowedtorecovermoneyslost。
BythepresentlawofFrancenojudicialactionisallowedforgamblingdebtsandwagers，exceptinthecaseofsuchgamesasdependuponbodilyskillandeffort，foot，horse，andchariotraces，andothersofthelikenature:theclaimmayberejectedifthecourtconsidersitexcessive；butmoneyspaidcanneverberecoveredunlessonthegroundoffraud。Thekeepersofgaminghouses，theirmanagersoragents，arepunishablewithfine(100
to6000francs)andimprisonment(twotosixmonths)，andmaybedeprivedofmostoftheircivilrights。
3。PRUSSIA。
BythePrussianCodeallgamesofchance，exceptwhenlicensedbythestate，areprohibited。Gamingdebtsarenotthesubjectsofaction；butmoneyspaidcannotbesuedforbylosers。Wagersgivearightofactionwhenthestakesconsistofcashinthehandsofathirdperson；theyarevoidifthewinnerhadaknowledgeoftheevent，andconcealedit。Moneyslentforgamblingorbettingpurposes，ortopaygamblingorbettingdebts，cannotbesuedfor。Gaminghousekeepersandgamblersarepunishablewithfine；professedgamblerswithimprisonment。
Occasionalcheatingatplayobligestocompensation；professedswindlersatplayarepunishableasfortheft，andbanishedafterwards。Moneyswonfromadrunkenman，iftoaconsiderableamount，mustbereturned，andafinepaidofequalvalue。
4。AUSTRIA。
InAustrianorightofactionisgiveneithertothewinnerortheloser。Allgamesofchanceareprohibitedexceptwhenlicensedbythestate。Cheatingatplayispunishedwithimprisonment，accordingtotheamountoffraudulentgain。
Playingatunlawfulgames，orallowingsuchtotakeplaceinone’shouse，subjectsthepartytoaheavyfine，orindefault，toimprisonment。
5。ITALY。
TheprovisionsoftheSardinianCivilCodearesimilartothoseoftheFrench，givinganactionformoneyswonatgamesofstrengthorskill——whennotexcessiveinamount；butnotallowingtherecoveryofmoneyslost，exceptonthegroundoffraudor_MINORITY_，aprovisiontakenfromthe_OLD_Frenchlaw。
6。BAVARIA。
BytheBavarianCodegamesofskill，andofmixedskillandchance，arenotforbidden。Thelosercannotrefusetopay，norcanherecoverhislosses，providedthesportbehonestlyconducted，andthestakesnotexcessive，havingregardtotherank，character，andfortuneoftheparties。Incasesoffraudulentandexcessivegaming，andinallgamesofmerechance，thewinnercannotclaimhiswinnings，butmustrepaytheloserondemand。Inthetwolattercases(apparently)bothwinnerandloserareliabletoafine，equalinamount，——forthefirsttimeofconviction，toone-thirdofthestakes；forthesecondtime，totwo-thirds；andforthethirdtime，tothewhole:incertaincasesthebankistobeconfiscated。Hotelandcoffee-housekeepers，&c。，whoallowgamblingontheirpremises，arepunishedforthefirstoffencebyafineof50florins；forthesecond，withoneof100florins；forthethird，withthelossofthelicense。Thepunishmentofprivatepersonsforthelikeoffenceislefttothediscretionofthejudge。_UNLAWFUL_
gamesmaybe_LEGALIZED_byauthority；butinsuchcase，fraudorgrossexcessdisablesthewinnerfromclaimingmoneyswon，rendershimliabletorepayment，andsubjectshimtoarbitrarypunishment。_IMMORAL_wagersarevoid；and_EXCESSIVE_wagersaretobereducedinamount。Bettingonindifferentthingsisnotprohibited，norevenastoaknownandcertainthing——whenthereisnodeception。Nowagerisvoidonaccountofmeredisparityofodds。Professedgamblers，whoalsocheatatplay，andtheiraccomplices，andthesetters-upandcollectorsoffictitiouslotteries，aresubjecttoimprisonment，withhardlabour，foratermoffromfourtoeightyears。
Although，therefore，cheatinggamblersareliabletopunishmentinBavaria，itisevidentthatgamblingistheretoleratedtotheutmostextentrequiredbythevotariesofFortune。
7。SPAIN。
WagersappeartobelawfulinSpain，whennotinthemselvesfraudulent，orrelatingtoanythingillegalorimmoral。
8。ENGLAND。
InEnglandsomeoftheformsofgamblingorgaminghavebeenabsolutelyforbiddenunderheavypenalties，whilstothershavebeentolerated，butatthesametimediscouraged；andthereasonsfortheprohibitionwerenotalwaysdirectedagainsttheimproprietyoriniquityofthepracticeinitself；——thusitwasallegedinanActpassedin1541，thatforthesakeofthegamesthepeopleneglectedtopractise_ARCHERY_，throughwhichEnglandhadbecomegreat——`totheterribledreadandfearofallstrangenations。’
Thefirstofthestrictly-calledGamingActsisoneofCharlesII。’sreign，whichwasintendedtocheckthehabitofgamblingsoprevalentthen，asbeforestated。BythisActitwasorderedthat，ifanyoneshallplayatanypastimeorgame，bygamingorbettingwiththosewhogame，andshalllosemorethanonehundredpoundsoncredit，heshallnotbeboundtopay，andanycontracttodososhallbevoid。InconsequenceofthisActlosersofalessamount——whetherlesswealthyorlessprofligate——andthewholeofthepoorerclasses，remainedunprotectedfromthecheatingofsharpers，foritmustbepresumedthatnobodyhasarighttorefusetopayafairgamblingdebt，sincehewouldevidentlybegladtoreceivehiswinnings。Nodoubtmuchmiseryfollowedthroughthecontrivancesofsharpers；stillitwasasalutarywarningtogamestersofthepoorerclasses——whilstinthehigherranksthe`honour’ofplaywasequallystringent，and，Imayadd，inmanycasesruinous。BytherecitaloftheActitisevidentthattheobjectwastocheckandputdowngamingasabusinessprofession，`togainaliving；’andthereforeitspeciallymulctedtheclassoutofwhich`adventurers’inthislineusuallyarise。
TheActofQueenAnne，byitssweepingcharacter，showsthatgaminghadbecomeveryvirulent，forbyitnotonlywereallsecuritiesformoneylostatgamingvoid，butmoneyactuallypaid，ifmorethanL10，mightberecoveredinanactionatlaw；notonlymightthisbedone，withinthreemonths，bytheloserhimself，butbyanyoneelse——togetherwithtreblethevalue——halfforhimself，andhalfforthepooroftheparish。
Personswinning，byfraudulentmeans，L10andupwardsatanygamewerecondemnedbythisActtopayfivetimestheamountorvalueofthethingwon，and，moreover，theywereto`bedeemedinfamous，andsuffersuchcorporalpunishmentasincasesofwilfulperjury。’TheActwentfurther:——ifpersonsweresuspectedofgettingtheirlivingbygaming，theymightbesummonedbeforeamagistrate，requiredtoshowthatthegreaterportionoftheirincomedidnotdependupongaming，andtofindsuretiesfortheirgoodbehaviourduringtwelvemonths，orbecommittedtogaol。
Therewere，besides，twocuriousprovisions；——anyoneassaultingorchallenginganothertoaduelonaccountofdisputesovergaming，shouldforfeitallhisgoodsandbeimprisonedfortwoyears；secondly，theroyalpalacesofStJames’sandWhitehallwereexemptedfromtheoperationofthisstatute，solongasthesovereignwasactuallyresidentwithinthem——whichlastclauseprobablyshowedthattheentireDraconianenactmentwasbutafarce。Itisquitecertainthatitwasinoperative，andthatitdidnomorethanexpresstheconscienceofthelegislature——indeferenceto_PRINCIPLE_，`whichnobodycoulddeny。’
Afterthelapseofmanyyears——theevilbeingontheincrease——
thelegislaturestirredagainduringthereignofGeorgeII。，andpassedseveralActsagainstgaming。ThegamesofFaro，Basset，Hazard，&c。，infact，allgameswithdice，wereproscribedunderapenaltyofL200againsttheproviderofthegame，andL50atimefortheplayers。RouletteorRolyPoly，termedintheAct`acertainperniciousgame，’wasinterdicted，underthepenaltyoffivetimesthevalueofthethingorsumlostatit。
Thusstoodthestatutelawagainstgamingdowntotheyear1845，when，inconsequenceofthereportoftheselectcommitteewhichsatonthesubject，anewenactmentwaspromulgated，whichisinforceatthepresenttime。
Itwasadmittedthatthelawsinforceagainstgamingwere`ofnoavailtopreventthemischiefswhichmayhappentherefrom；’andthelawgiversenactedacomprehensivemeasureonthesubject。
Muchoftheoldlaw——forinstance，theprohibitionofgameswhichinterferedwiththepracticeof_ARCHERY_——wasrepealed；alsotheActsofCharlesII。，ofQueenAnne，andapartofthatofGeorgeII——Gaminghouses，inwhichabankiskeptbyoneormoreoftheplayers，orinwhichthechancesofplayarenotalikefavourabletotheplayers——beingdeclaredunlawful，asofold。
Billiards，bagatelle，or`anygameofthekind’(open，ofcourse，tolegaldiscussion)，maybeplayedinprivatehouses，orinlicensedhouses；butstill，inthecaseoflicensedhousesofpublicresort，thepolicemayenteratanytimetoseethatthelawiscompliedwith。`LicensedforBilliards’mustbelegiblyprintedonsomeconspicuousplacenearthedoorandoutsidealicensedhouse。Billiardsandlikegamesmaynotbeplayedinpublicroomsafterone，andbeforeeight，o’clockinthemorningofanyday，noronSundays，ChristmasDay，GoodFriday，noronanypublicfastorthanksgiving。Publicanswhosehousesarelicensedforbilliardsmustnotallowpersonstoplayatanytimewhenpublic-housesarenotallowedtobeopen。
`Inordertoconstitutethehouseacommongaminghouse，itisnotnecessarytoprovethatanypersonfoundplayingatanygamewasplayingforanymoney，wager，orstake。Thepolicemayenterthehouseonthereportofasuperintendent，andtheauthorityofacommissioner，withoutthenecessityofanallegationoftwohouseholders；andifanycards，dice，balls，counters，tables，orotherinstrumentsofgamingbefoundinthehouse，oraboutthepersonofanyofthosewhoshallbefoundtherein，suchdiscoveryshallbeevidenceagainsttheestablishmentuntilthecontrarybemadetoappear。Thosewhoshallappearaswitnesses，moreover，areprotectedfromtheconsequencesofhavingbeenengagedinunlawfulgaming。’[151]
[151]Chambers’sCyclopaedia，Art。Gambling。
Thepenaltyofcheatingatanygameisliabilitytopenalservitudeforthreeyears——thedelinquentbeingproceededagainstasonewhoobtainsmoneyunderfalsepretences。Wagersandbetsarenotrecoverablebylaw，whetherfromtheloserorfromthewager-holder；andmoneypaidforbetsmayberecoveredinanaction`formoneyreceivedtothedefendant’suse。’AllbettinghousesaregaminghouseswithinthemeaningoftheAct，andtheproprietorsandmanagersofthemarepunishableaccordingly。
Theexistinglawonthegamingofhorse-racingisasfollows。
Betsonhorse-racesareillegal；andthereforearenotrecoverablebylaw。Inordertopreventthenuisancewhichbettinghouses，disguisedunderothernames，occasioned，alawwaspassedin1853，forbiddingthemaintenanceofanyhouse，room，orotherplace，forbetting；andbythenewMetropolitanTrafficRegulationAct，nowinforce，anythreepersonsfoundbettinginthestreetmaybefinedfivepoundseach`forobstructingthethoroughfare’——averyoddreason，certainly，sinceitisthe_BETTING_thatwewishtoprevent，aswewillnotpermitittobecarriedoninanyhouse，&c。These_LEGAL_
reasonsaretoooftensadlyoutofplace。Anyconstable，however，may，withoutawarrant，arrestanybodyhemayseeintheactofbettinginthestreet。
Thelawsrelatingtohorse-racinghaveundergonecuriousrevisionsandinterpretations。`ThelawofGeorgeII。’sreign，declaringhorse-racingtobegood，astendingtopromotethebreedoffinehorses，exemptedhorse-racesfromthelistofunlawfulgames，providedthatthesumofmoneyrunfororthevalueoftheprizeshouldbefiftypoundsandupwards，thatcertainweightsonlymightbeused，andthatnoownershouldrunmorethanonehorseforthesameprize，underpainofforfeitingallhorsesexceptthefirst。Newmarket，andBlackHambledoninYorkshire，aretheonlyplaceslicensedforracesinthisAct，which，however，wasalsoconstruedtolegalizeanyraceatanyplacewhatever，solongasthestakeswereworthfiftypoundsandupwards，andtheweightswereoftheregulatedstandard。AnActpassedfiveyearsafterwardsremovedtherestrictionsastotheweights，anddeclaredthatanyoneanywheremightstartahorse-racewithanyweights，solongasthestakeswerefiftypoundsormore。Theprovisionfortheforfeitureofallhorsesbutonebelongingtooneownerandrunninginthesameracewasoverlookedorforgotten，andownerswithperfectimpunityrantheirhorses，asmanyastheypleased，inthesamerace。In1839，however，informationswerelaidagainstcertainowners，whosehorseswereclaimedasforfeits；andtheneverybodywokeuptothefactthatthiscuriousclauseoftheActofGeorgeII。wasstillunrepealed。TheLegislatureinterferedinbehalfofthedefendants，andpassedanAct，repealingintheireagernessnotmerelythepenalclausesoftheAct，buttheActitself，sofarasitrelatedtohorse-racing。Now，itwassupposedthatupontheActofthethirteenthofGeorgeII。dependedthewholelegalityofhorse-racing，thattheActoftheeighteenthofGeorgeII。wasmerelyexplanatoryofthatstatute，which，beingrepealed，broughtthepracticeagainwithintheoldlaw，accordingtowhichitwasillegal。ByajudgmentoftheCourtofCommonPleasitwasdecided，however，thatthewordsoftheeighteenthofGeorgeII。werelargeenoughtolegalizeallracesanywhereforfiftypoundsandupwards，andthattheActwasnotmerelyanexplanatoryone。Uponthisbasisreststheexistinglawonthesubjectofhorse-racing。Bets，however，asbeforestated，onhorse-racesarestillasillegalastheyareonanyoftheforbiddengames——thatistosay，theyareoutsidethelaw；
thelawwillnotlenditsassistancetorecoverthem。’[152]
[152]_UbiSupra_。
TheextenttowhichgamblinghasbeencarriedoninthestreetbyboyswasshownbythefollowingsummarylaidbeforetheCommitteeoftheHouseofCommonsonGaming，in1844:——
Boysapprehendedforgaminginthestreets——
Convicted。Discharged。
1841……305……68……237
1842……245……66……179
1813……329……114……185——
879278601
Onlyrecentlyhasanyeffectualcheckbeenputtothisperniciouspractice。ItishoweverenactedbytheNewGamingAct，that——
`Everypersonplayingorbettingbywayofwageringorgaminginanystreet，road，highway，orotheropenandpublicplacetowhichthepublichaveorarepermittedtohaveaccess，atorwithanytableorinstrumentofgaming，oranycoin，card，token，orotherarticleusedasaninstrumentofgamingormeansofsuchwageringorgaming，atanygameorpretendedgameofchance，shallbedeemedarogueandvagabondwithinthetrueintentandmeaningoftherecitedAct，andassuchmaybepunishedundertheprovisionofthatAct。’
