Onthisprovisionadailypaperjustlyremarks:——`Astatuteverymuchneededhascomeintoforce。Personsplayingorbettinginthestreetswithcoinsorcardsarenowmadeamenabletothe5thGeorgeIV。，c。83，andmaybecommittedtogaolasroguesandvagabonds。Thestatutesalreadyinforceagainstsuchroguesandvagabondssubjectthem，webelieve，notonlytoimprisonmentwithhardlabour，butalsotocorporalpunishment。InanycasetheNewActshould，ifstringentlyadministered，speedilyputastoptothetoocommonandquiteintolerablenuisanceofyoungmenandboyssprawlingaboutthepavement，orincornersofthewharvesbythewaterside，andplayingat\"pitch-and-toss，\"
\"shove-halfpenny，\"\"TommyDodd，\"\"coddams，\"andothergamesofchance。WhohasnotseenthatterribleetchinginHogarth’s\"IndustryandIdleness，\"wheretheidleapprentice，insteadofgoingdevoutlytochurchandsingingoutofthesamehymn-bookwithhismaster’sprettydaughter，isgamblingonatombstonewithaknotofdissoluteboys？Awatchfulbeadlehasespiedtheyouthfulgamesters，andispreparingtoadministerasoundingthwackwithacaneontheshouldersofThomasIdle。ButtheraceofLondonbeadlesisnowwell-nighextinct；andthefewthatremaindarenotusetheirswitchesonthesmallvagabonds，forfearofbeingsummonedforassault。ItistobehopedthatthepolicewillbeinstructedtoputtheActsharplyinforceagainstthepitch-and-tossplayers；and，inpassing，wemightexpressawishthattheywouldalsosuppresstheraggedurchinswhoturn\"cart-wheels\"inthemud，andthehalf-nakedgirlswhohauntthevicinityofrailwaystationsandsteamboatpiers，pesteringpassengerstobuycigar-lights。’
ENDOFVOL。I。
TheGamingTable(Volume2):ItsVotariesandVictimsbyAndrewSteinmetzInallTimesandCountries，especiallyinEnglandandinFrance。
BYANDREWSTEINMETZ，ESQ。，OFTHEMIDDLETEMPLE，BARRISTER-AT-LAW；FIRST-CLASSEXTRA
CERTIFICATESCHOOLOFMUSKETRY，HYTHE；lateOFFICERINSTRUCTOR
MUSKETRY，THEQUEENSOWNLIGHTINFANTRYMILITIA。AUTHOROF’THE
HISTORYOFTHEJESUITS，’’JAPANANDHERPEOPLE，’’THEROMANCEOF
DUELLING，’&c。，&c。
’Thesharp，theblackleg，andtheknowingone，Liveryorlace，theself-samecircle，run；
Thesamethepassion，endandmeansthesame——
DickandhisLordshipdifferbutinname。’
INTWOVOLUMES——VOL。II。
CONTENTSOFVOL。II。
I。CHEVALIERSD’INDUSTRIE，ORPOLITESHARPERS
II。PROFESSIONALGAMESTERSANDTHEIRFRAUDS
III。ANECDOTESOFTHEPASSIONSANDVICISSITUDESOFGAMESTERS
IV。ACTROCITIES，DUELS。SUICIDES，ANDEXECUTIONOFGAMBLERS
V。ODDITIESANDWITTICISMSOFGAMBLERS
VI。THEGAMINGCLUBS
VII。DOINGSINGAMINGHOUSES
VIII。THEDOCTRINEOFPROBABILITIESAPPLIEDTOGAMBLING
IX。THEHISTORYOFDICEANDCARDS
X。PIQUET，BASSET，FARO，HAZARD，PASSE-DIX，PUT，CROSSANDPILE，THIMBLE-RIG
XI。COCK-FIGHTING
XII。THETURF，HISTORICAL，SOCIAL，MORAL
XIII。FORTUNE-TELLINGBYCARDS(FORLADIES)
XIV。AMUSINGCARDTRICKS
THEGAMINGTABLE。
CHAPTERI。
CHEVALIERSD’INDUSTRIE，ORPOLITESHARPERS。
Chevaliersd’industrie，orpoliteandaccomplishedsharpers，havealwaysexistedineverycity，fromtheearliesttimestothepresent。Theordinaryprogressoftheseinterestinggentlemenisasfollows。Theirdebutisoftendifficult，andmanyofthemarestoppedshortintheircareer。Theyonlysucceedbymeansofgreatexertionandseveretrials；buttheyendureeverythinginordertobetoleratedorpermittedtoexercisetheircalling。Tosecurecredittheyallythemselveswithmenofrespectability，orthosewhopassforsuch。Whentheyhavenotitlestheyfabricatethem；andfewpersonsdisputetheirclaims。Theyarefoundusefulforthepleasuresofsociety，theexpensesofwhichtheyoftenpay——atthecostofthedupestheymakeintheworld。Theincomeofchevaliersd’industrieisatfirstderivedfromthoseinexperiencedpersonswhomtheygetintheirclutchesbymeansofeverykindofenticement，inordertoruinthemsomeday——iftheyhaveany’expectations’orarelikelytoberich；orinordertomakeaccomplicesofthemiftheyhaveonlyaptitudesforthepurpose。Afterhavingledthemfromerrortoerror，aftersuggestingtothemallsortsofwantsandvices，theymakethemgamble，iftheyareofage；theyholdupplaytothemasaninexhaustiblesourceofwealth。
The’protector’nexthandsoverhis’youngfriends’to’executioners，’whofleecethemforthecommonbenefitoftheconfederates。Theydonotalwayswaitforthecomingofageoftheiryoungdupesinordertostrikethegrand’stroke。’Whentheyfindthatthefatherofafamilyshuddersattheideaofapublicscandal，theyimmolatetheirvictimatonce——forfearlestheshouldescapefromtheirhands。Ofcoursetheyarealwaysopento’capitulate’——tocometoterms；andiftheaidofthelawisinvokedtheygiveindiscreetly。
AboutacenturyagothereflourishedatParisoneoftheseadventurers，whomadeagreatnoiseanddidavastamountofevil。Thismanofathousandfaces，thisProteus，asgreatacorrupterashewascorrupted，changedhisname，hisquarters，andfieldofoperations，accordingtotheexigencesofbusiness。
Althoughamanofardenttemperamentandinconceivableactivity，hiscold-bloodedrascalitywasneverinahurry。Hecouldwait；
hecouldbidehistime。Takingin，ataglance，alltherequirementsofacase，andseeingthroughallitsdifficulties，heworkedouthisschemewiththeutmostpatienceandconsummatedhiscrimewithabsolutesecurity。
Sometimeshegaveaconcertforamateurs，elegantsuppersforgayladies，andspecialsoireesforthelearnedandthewitty。Hewasnotparticularastothemeansofdoingbusiness；thushetraffickedineverything，——forthesaleofaliving，ortheprocurationofamistress——forhehadassociatesinallranks，amongallprofessionsofmen。
HehadtwentyFarotablesinoperationeverynight，whilsthisemissarieswereonthewatchfornewarrivals，andforthosewhohadrecentlycomeintoproperty。
Ingeneral，roguessoonbetraythemselvesbysomestupidbungle；
butsuchwasnotthecasewiththisman；hedefendedhimself，asitwere，onallsides，andalwayskepthimselfinpositionsoastoopposetoeachofhisvicestheproofpositiveofthecontraryvirtues。Thus，ifaccusedofusury，hecouldprovethathehadlent，withoutinterest，considerablesumsofmoney。Cowardlyandbaseinatete-a-tete，hewasboldandredoubtableinpublic；
thosewhohadmadehimtrembleinsecretwerethencompelledtoacknowledgehimamanofcourage。Evenhismorethansuspectedprobitywasdefendedbysuchasbelievedthemselveshisdepositaries，whereastheywere，inpointoffact，onlyreceiversofstolenproperty。
Affable，insinuatingtoadegree，hemightbecomparedtothosebrigandsofEgyptwhoembracedtheirvictimsinordertostranglethem。[1]Henevershowedmoredevotednessthanwhenhemeditatedsomeperfidy，normoreassurancethanwhenconvictedoftherascality。Playingfastandloosewithhonourandthelaws，hewassuretofind，whenthreatenedbythearmofjustice，thefemalerelativesofthejudgesthemselvestakinghispartanddoingtheirbestto’gethimoff。’Suchwasthisextraordinarychevalierd’industrie，whomighthavegoneonwithhisdiabolicalperpetrationshadhenot，atlast，attemptedtoomuch，failinginthegrandeststrokehehadevermeditated——andyetavulgarfraud——whenhewasconvicted，branded，andsenttothegalleys。[2]
[1]Senec。，Epist。Ii。
[2]Dusaulx，DelaPassionduJeu。
Thefollowingnarrativeelucidatesastillmoremodernphaseofthiselegant’industry。’MyauthorityisM。Robert-Houdin。
CAUGHTINATRAP。
M。Olivierde——wasadissipatedyounggentleman。Hisfamilywasoneoftheoldestandmostrespectableofthecountry，anddeservedlyenjoyedthehighestconsideration。M。Olivierde——，hisfather，wasnotrich，andthereforecouldnotdomuchforhisson；theconsequencewasthatowingtohisoutrageousprodigalitythesonwassorelypinchedformeanstokeepuphisposition；heexhaustedhiscredit，andwassoonoverwhelmedwithdebt。Amongthecompanionsofhisdissipationwasayoungmanwhoseabundantmeansfilledhimwithadmirationandenvy；helivedlikeaprinceandhadnotasinglecreditor。Onedayheaskedhisfriendtoexplainthemysteryofthefactthat，withoutpossessinganyfortune，hecouldgratifyallhistastesandfancies，whilsthehimself，withcertainresources，wascompelledtosubmittoprivations，stillgettingintodebt。
Chauvignac——suchwasthenameofthefriendthusaddressed——wasacard-sharper，andheinstantlyseizedtheopportunitytomakesomethingoutofthehappydispositionofthismodernprodigalson，thisscionofgentility。Withtheutmostfranknessheexplainedtotheyoungmanhiswonderfulmethodofkeepinghispocketsfullofmoney，andshowedthatnothingcouldbeeasierthanforOliviertogoanddolikewiseinhisterriblecondition；——inshort，ononehandtherewerewithinhisgrasp，riches，pleasure，allmannerofenjoyment；ontheother，pitilesscreditors，ruin，misery，andcontempt。Thetempter，moreover，offeredtoinitiatehislistenerinhisinfalliblemethodofgettingrich。InhisframeofmindOlivieryieldedtothetemptation，withthefulldetermination，ifnottogetmoneybycheatingatcards，atanyratetolearnthemethodwhichmightserveasameansofself-defenceshouldhenotthinkpropertouseitforattack——suchwasthefinalargumentsuggestedbythehumanMephistophelestohispupil。
TakingOliviertohishouse，heshowedhimapackofcards。’Nowhereisapackofcards，’hesaid；’thereseemstobenothingremarkableaboutit，doesthere？’Olivierexaminedthepackanddeclaredthatthecardsdidnotappeartodifferintheleastfromallothers。’Well，’saidChauvignac，’neverthelesstheyhavebeensubjectedtoapreparationcalledbiseautage，orhavingoneendofthecardsmadenarrowerthantheother。Thisdispositionenablesustoremovefromthepacksuchandsuchcardsandthentoclasstheminthenecessaryordersothattheymaygetintothehandoftheoperator。’Chauvignacthenproceededtoapplyhispreceptsbyanexample，andalthoughtheyoungmanhadnoparticularqualificationfortheartoflegerdemain，hesucceededatoncetoadmirationinagameatEcarte，forhehadalreadymasteredthefirstprocessofcheating。Havingthus，ashethought，sufficientlycompromisedhisvictim，Chauvignaclefthimtohistemptations，andtookleaveofhim。
Twodaysafterwardstheprofessorreturnedtohispupilandinvitedhimtoaccompanyhimonapleasuretrip。Olivierexcusedhimselfonaccountofhisdesperatecondition——oneofhiscreditorsbeinginpursuitofhimforadebtofonethousandfrancs。’Isthatall？’saidChauvignac；andpullingouthispocket-bookheadded，——’Here’sabank-note；youcanrepaymeto-
morrow。’’Why，man，youaremad！’exclaimedOlivier。’Beitso，’saidChauvignac；’andinmymadnessIgiveyoucreditforanotherthousand-francbank-notetogoandgetthirtythousandfrancswhicharewaitingforyou。’’Now，doexplainyourself，foryouaredrivingMEmad。’’Nothingmoreeasy。Hereisthefact，’saidChauvignac。’M。leComtedeVandermool，awealthyBelgiancapitalist，adesperategamesterifevertherewasone，andwhocanloseahundredthousandfrancswithoutmuchinconvenience，isnowatBoulogne，wherehewillremainaweek。
Thismillionnairemustbethinnedalittle。Nothingiseasier。
Oneofmyfriendsandconfreres，namedChaffard，isalreadywiththecounttopreparetheway。Wehaveonlynowtosettowork。
Youareoneofus——that’sagreed——andinafewdaysyouwillreturn，tosatisfyyourcreditorsandbuyyourmistressashawl。’
’Stopabit。Youaregoingtoofast。Waitalittle。Ihaven’tasyetsaidYes，’repliedOlivier。’Idon’twantyourYesnow；
youwillsayitatBoulogne。Forthepresentgoandpayyourbill。Wesetoutintwohours；thepost-horsesarealreadyordered；weshallstartfrommyhouse:bepunctual。’
ThepartyreachedBoulogneandputupattheHoteldel’Univers。
Ontheirarrivaltheywereinformedthatnotimewastobelost，asthecounttalkedofleavingnextday。Thetwotravellerstookahastydinner，andatonceproceededtotheapartmentoftheBelgianmillionnaire。Chaffard，whohadprecededthem，introducedthemastwoofhisfriends，whosepropertywassituatedinthevicinityofBoulogne。
M。leComtedeVandermoolwasamanaboutfiftyyearsofage，withanopen，candidcountenance。Heworeseveralforeigndecorations。Hereceivedthetwogentlemenwithcharmingaffability；hedidmore；heinvitedthemtospendtheeveningwithhim。Ofcoursetheinvitationwasaccepted。Whentheconversationbegantoflag，thecountproposedagame——whichwasalso，ofcourse，veryreadilyagreedtobythethreecomperes。
Whilethetablewasprepared，Chauvignacgavehisyoungfriendtwopacksofcards，tobesubstitutedforthosewhichshouldbefurnishedbythecount。Ecartewastobethegame，andOlivierwastoplay，thetwootherassociateshavingpretendedtoknownothingaboutthegame，andsayingthattheywouldcontentthemselvesbybettingwitheachother。OfcourseOlivierwasrathersurprisedatthisdeclaration，buthesoonunderstoodbycertainsignsfromChauvignacthatthisreservationwasintendedtodoawaywiththecount’ssuspicions，incaseoftheirsuccess。
Thecount，enormouslyrichashewas，wouldonlyplayforbank-notes。’Metalsmellsbadinaroom，’hesaid。Thenovice，atfirstconfusedatbeingapartytotheintendedroguery，followedthedictatesofhisconscienceand，neglectingtheadvantagesofhishands，trustedmerelytochance。Theresultwasthattheonlythousand-francbank-notehehadwasspeedilytransferredtothecount。AtthatmomentChauvignacgavehimasignificantlook，andthis，togetherwiththedesiretoretrievehisloss，inducedhimtoputintoexecutiontheculpablemanoeuvreswhichhisfriendhadtaughthim。Hisworkwasoftheeasiest；thecountwassoshort-sightedthathehadtokeephisnosealmostuponthecardstoseethem。Chancenowturned，asmightbeexpected，andthousand-francbank-notessoonaccumulatedinthehandsofOlivier，who，intoxicatedbythispossession，workedawaywithincredibleardour。Moreover，thecountwasnotintheleastoutofhumouratlosingsoimmensely；onthecontrary，hewasquitejovial；indeed，fromhislookshemighthavebeensupposedtobethewinner。Atlength，however，hesaidwithasmile，takingapinchfromhisgoldensnuff-box——’Iamevidentlynotinvein。Ihavelosteightythousandfrancs。I
seethatIshallsoonbeinforonehundredthousand。Butitisproper，mydearsir，thatIshouldsayIdon’tmakeahabitoflosingmorethanthissumatasitting；andifitmustbeso，I
proposetosupbeforelosingmylasttwentythousandfrancs。
Perhapsthiswillchangemyvein。Ithinkyouwillgrantmethisindulgence。’Theproposalwasagreedto。
Olivier，almostoutofhissensesatthepossessionofeightythousandfrancs，couldnotresistthedesireofexpressinghisgratitudetoChauvignac，whichhedid，graspinghishandwithemotionandleadinghimintoacorneroftheroom。
Alas！thewholethingwasonlyaninfamousconspiracytoruintheyoungman。TheBelgiancapitalist，thiscountapparentlysorespectable，wasonlyanexpertcard-sharperwhomChauvignachadbroughtfromParistoplayouttheviletragi-comedy，thedenouementofwhichwouldbetheruinoftheunfortunateOlivier。
Atthemomentwhenthelatterleftthecard-tabletogotoChauvignac，thepretendedmillionnairechangedthepackofcardstheyhadbeenusingfortwootherpacks。
Supperwentoffverypleasantly。Theydrankverymoderately，fortheheadhadtobekeptcoolforwhathadtofollow。Theysoonsatdownagainatthecard-table。’Now，’saidtheParisiancard-
shaper，onresuminghisseat，’Ishouldliketoendthematterquickly:Iwillstakethetwentythousandfrancsinalump。’
Olivier，confidentofsuccessafterhispreviousachievement，readilyassented；but，alas，thetwentythousandfrancsofwhichhemadesurewaswonbyhisadversary。
Fortythousandfrancswentinlikemanner。Olivier，breathless，utterlyprostrate，knewnotwhattodo。Allhismanoeuvreswerepractisedinvain；hecouldgivehimselfnonebutsmallcards。
Hisopponenthadhishandsfulloftrumps，andHEdealtthemtohim！InhisdespairheconsultedChauvignacbyalook，andthelattermadeasigntohimtogoon。Thewretchedyoungmanwenton，andlostagain。Bewildered，besidehimself，hestakedfabuloussumstotryandmakeupforhislosses，andverysoonfound，inhisturn，thatheowedhisadversaryonehundredthousandfrancs(L4166)！
Atthispointthehorribledenouementcommenced。Thepretendedcountstopped，andcrossinghisarmsonhisbreast，saidsternly——’MonsieurOlivierde——，youmustbeveryrichtostakesogliblysuchenormoussums。Ofcourseyouknowyourfortuneandcansquareyourselfwithit；but，howeverrichyoumaybe，yououghttoknowthatitisnotsufficienttoloseahundredthousandfrancs，butthatyoumustpayit。Besides，I
havegivenyoutheexample。Begin，therefore，byputtingdownthesumIhavewonfromyou；afterwhichwecangoon。’……
’Nothingcanbemoreproper，sir，’stammeredoutyoungOlivier，’Iamreadytosatisfyyou；but，afterall，youknowthat……
gamingdebts……myword……’
’Thed——l！sir，’saidthepretendedcount，givingthetableaviolentblowwithhisfist——’WhydoyoutalktomeaboutyourWORD。Gad！Youarewellentitledtoappealtotheengagementsofhonour！Well！Wehavenowtoplayanothergameonthistable，andwemustspeakoutplainly。MonsieurOlivierde——，youarearogue……Yes，arogue！ThecardswehavebeenusingarebiseauteesandYOUbroughtthemhither。’
’Sir！……Youinsultme！’saidOlivier。
’Indeed？Well，sir，thatastonishesme！’repliedthefalseBelgianironically。
’Thatistoomuch，sir。Idemandsatisfaction，andthatontheveryinstant。Doyouunderstandme？Letusgooutatonce。’
’No！no！Wemustendthisquarrelhere，sir。Lookhere——yourtwofriendsshallbeyour\"seconds；\"IamnowgoingtosendforMINE。’
Thecard-sharper，whohadrisenatthesewords，rangthebellviolently。Hisownservantentered。’Go，’saidhe，’totheProcureurdeRoi，andrequesthimtocomehereonaveryimportantmatter。Beasquickasyoucan。’
’Oh，sir，bemerciful！Don’truinme！’exclaimedthewretchedOlivier；’Iwilldowhatyoulike。’Atthesewords，thesharpertoldhisservanttowaitbehindthedoor，andtoexecutehisorderifheshouldhearnothingtothecontraryintenminutes。
’Andnow，sir，’continuedthesharper，turningtoOlivier，’andnow，sir，forthebusinessbetweenyouandme。ThesecardshavebeensubstitutedbyyouintheplaceofthosewhichIsupplied……Youmustdothemup，writeyournameuponthecover，andsealitwiththecoatofarmsonyourring。’
OlivierlookedfirstatChauvignacandthenatChaffard，butboththefellowsonlymadesignstohimtoresignhimselftothecircumstances。Hedidwhatwasordered。
’Thatisnotall，sir，’addedthefalseBelgian；’Ihavefairlywonmoneyfromyouandhavearighttodemandaguaranteeforpayment。Youmustdrawmeshortbillsforthesumofonehundredthousandfrancs。’
Asthewretchedyoungmanhesitatedtocomplywiththisdemand，hispitilesscreditorrosetoringthebell。
’Don’tring，sir，don’tring，’saidOlivier，’I’llsign。’
Hesigned，andthevillanywasconsummated。Olivierreturnedtohisfamilyandmadeanhumbleavowalofhisfaultandhisengagements。Hisvenerablefatherreceivedtheterribleblowwithresignation，andpaidthe100，000francs，estimatinghishonourfarabovethatamountofmoney。[3]
[3]ThisnarrativeiscondensedfromtheaccountoftheaffairbyRobert-Hondin，TrichericsdesGrecsdevoilees。
ANATTORNEY’DONE’BYAGAMBLER。
Aturfiteandgambler，representedunderthelettersofMrH——e，havinglostallhismoneyatDoncasterandthefollowingYorkMeeting，devisedaplan，withhiscoadjutor，toobtainthemeansfortheirdeparturefromYork，which，nodoubt，willbeconsideredexceedinglyingenious。
HehadheardofanattorneyinthetownwhowasveryfondofBackgammon；andonthissimplepieceofinformationanelaborateplanwasconcocted。MrH——efeignedillness，wenttobed，andsentforalargequantityoftartaremetic，whichhetook。Afterhehadsufferedtheoperationofthefirstdosehesentforadoctor，whopronouncedhim，ofcourse，verylanguidandill；andnotknowingthecause，orderedhimmoremedicine，whichthepatienttookgoodcarenottoallowtostayonhisstomach。
Ontheseconddayheaskedthedoctor，withgreatgravity，ifheconsideredhimindanger，adding，’becausehehadnevermadeaWILLtobequeathhisproperty。’Thedoctorreplied，’No，notinabsolutedanger，buttherewasnoharminmakingaWILL。’
Theattorney，accordingly，wassentfor——ofcoursetheverymanwishedfor——theloverofBackgammonbeforementioned。Thegoodmancame；hetookthe’instructions，’anddrewupthelastwillandtestamentoftheruinedturfite，wholeft(inthewill)aboutL50，000，whichnomaneverheardof，livingordead。
TheBUSINESSbeingdone，thepatientsaidthatifhehadamoment’srelaxationhethoughtheshouldrallyandovercomethemalady。Thepoorlawyersaidifhecouldinanywaycontributetohiscomfortheshouldbehappy。Theofferwasembracedbyobservingthatifhecouldsitupinbed——buthewasafraidhewasnotable——ahitatBackgammonwouldbeagreatsourceofamusement。
Thelawyer，likealladeptsinsuchmatters，wasonlytoowillingtocatchattheidea；theboardwasbrought。
OfcoursethemanwhohadL50，000toleavebehindcouldnotbeexpectedtoplay’forlove；’andsowhenMrH——eproposed’apoundahitortrebleagammon，’thelawyernotonlythoughtitreasonable，but，consciousofhispowerinthegame，eagerlyacceptedthetermsofplaying。Theyplayed；butthelawyerwasgammonedalmostincessantly，tillhelostL50。ThenH——eproposed’doubleorquitstoL1000，’——thereuponthepoorlawyer，believingthatfortunecouldnotalwaysforsakehim，saidhehadbutL2000intheworld，butthathewouldsettheL1000。Helost；andbecamealmostfrantic。Inthemidstofhisexcessivegrief，H——esaid，’YouhaveaHORSE，whatisitworth？’L50wastheanswer。’Well，well，youmaywinallbacknow，andI’llsetL50onyourhorse。’
Theybeganagain。Lost！’YouhaveaCOWinyourpaddock，haven’tyou？What’sthatworth？’askedMrH——e。TheattorneysaidL12。’Well，I’llsetthatsumbywayofgivingyouachance。’Thegameproceeded，andthepoorlawyer，equallyunfortunate，ravedandsworehehadlosthislastshilling。’No，no！’saidH——e，’youhavenot:IsawaHAY-RICKinyourground。
Itisofnousenowthatthehorseandcowaregone——whatisthatworth？’L15，repliedtheattorney，withasigh。’IsetL15
then，’saidH——e。
Thisseemedtobe’rathertoomuch’forthelawyer。Thelossofthehay-rick——likethelaststrawlaidontheoverladencamel’sback——staggeredhim。Besides，hethoughthesaw——asdoubtlesshedidsee——H——etwistinghisfingersroundoneofthedice。Uphestartedatonce，anddeclaredthathewascheated！
Thereuponthesickmanforgothissickness，jumpedoutofbed，andgavethelawyeraregulardrubbing，gotthechequefortheL2000，——butthehorse，cow，andhayhesaidhewouldleave’untilfurtherorders。’
AVERYCURIOUSSTORY。
AnArchbishopofCanterburywasonceonatour，whenagenteelman，apparentlyinearnestconversation，thoughaloneinawood，attractedhisnotice。HisGracemadeuptohim，and，afteralittlepreviousconversation，askedhimwhathewasabout。
Stranger。’Iamatplay。’
Archbishop。’Atplay？Withwhom？Iseenobody。’
Sir。’Iown，sir，myantagonistisnotvisible:IamplayingwithGod。’
Abp。’Atwhatgame，pray，sir？’
Str。’AtChess。’
Abp。’Doyouplayforanything？’
Str。’Certainly。’
Abp。’Youcannothaveanychance，asyouradversarymustbesosuperiortoyou。’
Str。’Hetakesnoadvantage，butplaysmerelyasaman。’
Abp。’Whenyouwinorlose，howdoyousettleaccounts？’
Str。’Veryexactlyandpunctually。’
Abp。’Indeed！Pray，howstandsyourgamenow？’
Str。’There！Ihavejustlost！’
Abp。’Howmuchhaveyoulost？’
Str。’Fiftyguineas。’
Abp。’Howdoyoumanagetopayit？DoesGodtakeyourmoney？’
Str。’No！Thepoorarehistreasurers。Healwayssendssomeworthypersontoreceiveit，andyouareatpresenthispurse-bearer。’
Sayingthis，thestrangerputfiftyguineasintohisGrace’shand，andretired，adding——’Ishallplaynomoreto-day。’
Theprelatewasdelighted；thoughhecouldnottellwhattomakeofthisextraordinaryman。Theguineaswereallgood；andthearchbishopappliedthemtotheuseofthepoor，ashehadbeendirected。
Thearchbishop，onhisreturn，stoppedatthesametown，andcouldnothelpgoinginsearchofthechess-player，whomhefoundengagedasbefore，whenthefollowingdialogueensued:——
Abp。’Howhasthechancestoodsincewemetbefore？’
Str。’Sometimesforme——sometimesagainstme。Ihavelostandwon。’
Abp。’Areyouatplaynow？’
Str。’Yes，sir。Wehaveplayedseveralgamesto-day。’
Abp。’Whowins？’
Str。’Theadvantageisonmyside。Thegameisjustover。I
haveafinestroke——check-mate——thereitis。’
Abp。’Howmuchhaveyouwon？’
Str。’Fivehundredguineas。’
Abp。’Thatisalargesum。Howareyoutohepaid？’
Str。’GodalwayssendssomegoodrichmanwhenIwin，andYOU
aretheperson。Heisremarkablypunctualontheseoccasions。’
Thearchbishophadreceivedaconsiderablesumonthatday，asthestrangerknew；andso，producingapistolbywayofreceipt，hecompelledthedeliveryofit。HisGracenowdiscoveredthathehadbeenthedupeofathief；andthoughhehadgreatlybruitedhisfirstadventure，heprudentlykepthisowncounselinregardtothelast。
Suchisthetale。Senoneveroebentrovato。
SKITTLESHARPERS。
’Iknowarespectabletradesman，’saysawriterinCassell’sMagazine——’Iknowhimnow，forhelivesinthehouseheoccupiedatthetimeofmytale——whowassentfortoseeaFrenchgentlemanatatavern，onbusinessconnectedwiththeremovalofthisgentleman’spropertyfromoneoftheLondondocks。Thebusiness，asexplainedbythemessenger，promisingtobeprofitable，heofcoursepromptlyobeyedthesummons，andduringhiswalkfoundthathisconductorhadoncebeeninserviceinFrance。ThisdelightedMrChase——thenamebywhichIsignifythetradesman——forhe，too，hadoncesolivedinFrance；andbythetimehereachedthetavernhehadtalkedhimselfintoaverygoodopinionofhisnewpatron。TheFrenchgentlemanwasveryurbane，gaveMrChasehisinstructions，lethimunderstandexpensewasnottobestudied，and，ashewasatlunch，wouldnotbesatisfiedunlessthetradesmansatdownwithhim。Thiswasagreathonourforthelatter，ashefoundhisemployerwasabaron。Well，theforeignerwasdisposedtopraiseeverythingEnglish；hewasgladhehadcometoliveinLondon——Pariswasnothingtoit；theyhadnothinginFranceliketheEnglishbeer，withwhich，intheexuberanceofhishospitality，hefilledandrefilledMrChase’sglass；butthatwhichdelightedhimaboveallthathehadseen\"vosdeleetlegameviddeball——votyoucall——
de——de——aha！deskittel。\"MrChaseassentedthatitwasaverynicegamecertainly；andtheFrenchgentlemanseemingbythistimetohavehadquiteenoughbeer，insisted，beforetheywenttothedocks——whichwasessential——thattheyshouldseejustonegameplayed。
’AsheinsistedonpayingMrChaseforallthetimeconsumedwithhim，andashisservant，ofcourse，couldnotobject，thepartyadjournedtothe\"SelectSubscriptionGround\"atonce。Inthegroundtherewasaquiet，insignificant-lookinglittleman，smokingacigar；andastheyweresofew，hewasaskedtoassist，which，afterconsiderablehesitationandmanyapologiesforhisbadplay，hedid。Theendisofcourseguessed。TheFrenchgentlemanwasafoolishvictim，withmoremoneythanwits，whobackedhimselftodoalmostimpossiblefeats，whenitwasevidenthecouldnotplayatall，andlaidsovereignsagainstthebestplayer，whowasthelittlestranger，doingtheeasiest。Whatwiththeexcitement，andwhatwiththebeer，whichwasprobablyspicedwithsomeunknownrelishalittlestrongerthannutmeg，MrChasecouldnothelpjoininginwinningtheforeigngentleman’smoney；itseemednoharm，hehadsomuchofit。
’Byastrangeconcurrenceofevents，itsohappenedthatbyrandomthrowstheFrenchmansometimesknockedallthepinsdownatasingleswoop，thoughheclearlycouldnotplay——MrChasewassureofthat——whiletheskilfulplayermadeeverynowandthenoneoftheblunderstowhichthebestplayersareliable。Thatthetradesmanlostfortysovereignswillbeeasilyunderstood；
anddidhistaleendhereitwouldhavedifferedsolittlefromahundredothersasscarcelytodeservetelling；butitwillsurprisemany，asitdidme，tolearnthathethenwalkedtoandfromhisownhouse——adistanceofpreciselyamileeachway——fetchedabillforthirtypounds，whichacustomerhadrecentlypaidhim，gotitdiscounted，wentbacktotheskittle-
ground，and，underthesamemalignantstar，lostthewhole。
’Itwastheonlycaseinmyexperienceoftheworkgoingonsmoothlyaftersuchabreak。Inevercouldaccountforit，norcouldMrChase。Greatwasthelatter’sdisgust，onsettingthepolicetowork，tofindthattheFrenchnobleman，hisservant，andthequietstranger，werealldwellerswithinhalfamileorsoofhisownhouse，andslightlyknowntohim——menwhohadtrusted，andverysuccessfully，togreataudacityandwell-
arrangeddisguise。’
Avastdealofgamblingstillgoesonwithskittlesalloverthecountry。AtaplacenottenmilesfromLondon，Iamtoldthatasmuchastwothousandpoundshasbeenseenuponthetableinasingle’alley，’orplaceofplay。Thebetswere，accordingly，veryhigh。Theinstancesrevealedbyexposureatthepolice-
courtsgivebutafaintideaoftheextentofskittlesharping。
Amidstsuchabusesofthegame，itcanscarcelysurpriseusthatthepolicehavebeenrecentlydirectedtoprohibitallplayingatskittlesandbowls。Howevermuchwemayregrettheinterferencewithpopularpastimes，inthemselvesunobjectionable，itisevidentthattheirflagrantabusewarrantsthemoststringentmeasuresinordertopreventtheirconstantlyrepeatedanddismalconsequences。Evenwheremoneywasnotplayedfor，potsofbeerwerethewager——leading，inmanyinstances，tointoxication，orpromotingthishabit，whichisthecauseofsomuchmiseryamongthelowerorders。
CHAPTERII。
PROFESSIONALGAMESTERSANDTHEIRFRAUDS。
Agamblinghouseattheendofthelastcenturywasconductedbythefollowingofficials:——
1。ACommissioner，——whowasalwaysaproprietor；wholookedinofanight，andauditedtheweek’saccountwithtwootherproprietors。
2。ADirector，——whosuperintendedtheroom。
3。AnOperator，——whodealtthecardsatthecheatinggamecalledFaro。
4。TwoCroupiers，orcrow-pees，astheywerevulgarlycalled，whosedutyitwastowatchthecardsandgatherorrakeinthemoneyforthebank。
5。TwoPuffs，——whohadmoneygiventothemtodecoyotherstoplay。
6。AClerk，——whowasacheckonthePuffs，toseethattheysanknoneofthemoneygiventothemtoplaywith。
7。ASquib，——whowasapuffofalowerrank，servingathalfsalary，whilstlearningtodeal。
8。AFlasher，——toswearhowoftenthebankhadbeenstrippedbyluckyplayers。
9。ADunner，——whowentabouttorecovermoneylostatplay。
10。AWaiter，——tofilloutwine，snuffcandles，andattendtheroom。
11。AnAttorney，——whowasgenerallyaNewgatesolicitor。
12。ACaptain，——whowastofightanygentlemanwhomightbepeevishatlosinghismoney。
13。AnUsher，——wholightedthegentlemenupanddownstairs，andgavethewordtotheporter。
14。APorter，——whowasgenerallyasoldieroftheFootGuards。
15。AnOrderly-man，——whowalkedupanddowntheoutsideofthedoor，togivenoticetotheporter，andalarmthehouseattheapproachoftheconstables。
16。ARunner，——whowastogetintelligenceoftheJustices’
meetings。
17。LinkBoys，Coachmen，Chairmen，Drawers，andothers，whobroughtthefirstintelligenceofJustices’meetings，ofconstablesgoingout，athalfaguineareward。
18。CommonBail，AffidavitMen，Ruffians，Bravos，Assassins，&c。
&c。
Itmaybepropertoremarkthattheabovelistofofficialswasonlycalculatedforgamblinghousesofaninferiororder。Intheseitisevidentthatthefearofinterruptionandthenecessityforprecautionpresidedoverthearrangements。Therewereothers，however，whichseemedtodefylaw，tospurnatjustice，andtoremainsecure，ineveryway，bythe’respectability’oftheirfrequenters。Thesewerehousessupportedatanamazingexpense——withinsightofthepalace——
whichwereopeneverynightandallnight——wheremenofthefirstrankweretobefoundgamblingawayimmensesumsofmoney，suchasnoman，whateverhisfortunemightbe，couldsustain。’What，then，’saysawriteratthetime，’aretheconsequences？Why，thattheUNDONEpartofthemselltheirVOTESforbread，andthesuccessfulgivethemforhonours。
’Hewhohasneverseenthegamblers’apartmentsinsomeofthemagnificenthousesintheneighbourhoodofStJames’s，hasneverseenthemosthorridsightthattheimaginationofathinkingmancanconceive。
’Anewpackofcardsiscalledforateverydeal，andthe\"old\"
onesarethenthrownuponthefloor，andinsuchanimmensequantity，thatthewriterofthisletterhasseenaverylargeroomnearlyANKLE-DEEP，inthegreatestpartofit，byfouro’clockinthemorning！Judge，then，towhatheighttheymusthaverisenbydaylight。’
Itisamelancholytruth，butconfirmedbythehistoryofallnations，thatthemostpoliteandrefinedageofakingdomisneverthemostvirtuous；not，indeed，thatanysuchcomplimentcanbepaidtothatgrossage，butstillitwasrefinedcomparedwiththepast。Thedistinctionsofpersonalmeritbeingbutlittleregarded——inthelowmoraltonethatprevailed——thereneededbuttosupportacertain’figure’inlife(managedbythefashionabletailor)[4]，tobeconversantwithafewetiquettesofgoodbreedingandsentimentsofmodernorcurrenthonour，inordertobereceivedwithaffabilityandcourteousattentioninthehighestcircles。Thevilestsharper，havingoncegainedadmission，wassureofconstantentertainment，fornothingformedagreatercementofunionthanthespiritofHIGHGAMING。Therebeingsolittlecognizancetakenofthegoodqualitiesoftheheartinfashionableassemblies，nowonderthatamidthemedleyofcharacterstobefoundintheseplacesthe’sharper’ofpoliteaddressshouldgaintooeasyanadmission。
[4]’HowshaltTHOUtoCaesar’shallrepair？
For，ah！noDAMAGEDcoatcanenterthere！’
BEATTIE’SMinstrel。
Thisfraternityofartists——whethertheyweretobedenominatedrooks，[5]sharps，sharpers，black-legs，Greeks，orgripes——wereexceedinglynumerous，andweredispersedamongallranksofsociety。
[5]Socalledbecauserooksarefamousforstealingmaterialsoutofotherbirds’neststobuildtheirown。
Thefolliesandvicesofothers——ofopen-heartedyouthinparticular——werethegreatgameorpursuitofthisodiouscrew。
Thoughcoolanddispassionatethemselves，theydidallintheirpowertothrowothersofftheirguard，thattheymightmaketheiradvantageofthem。
Inotherstheypromotedexcessofallkinds，whilsttheythemselvestookcaretomaintaintheutmostsobrietyandtemperance。’Gamesters，’saysFalconer，’whosemindsmustbealwaysonthewatchtotakeadvantages，andpreparedtoformcalculations，andtoemploythememory，constantlyavoidafullmealofanimalfood，whichtheyfindincapacitatesthemforplaynearlyasmuchasaquantityofstrongliquorwouldhavedone，forwhichreasontheyfeedchieflyonmilkandvegetables。’
Asprofit，notpleasure，wastheaimoftheseknightsofdarkness，theylayconcealedunderallshapesanddisguises，andfolloweduptheirgamewithallwarinessanddiscretion。Likewisetraders，theymadeitthebusinessoftheirlivestoexcelintheircalling。
Forthisendtheystudiedthesecretmysteriesoftheirartbynightandbyday；theyimprovedonthescientificschemesoftheirprofoundmaster，Hoyle，andonhisdeepdoctrinesandcalculationsofchances。Theybecameskilfulwithoutarivalwhereskillwasnecessary，andfraudulentwithoutconsciencewherefraudwassafeandadvantageous；andwhilefortuneorchanceappearedtodirecteverything，theypractisednumberlessdevicesbywhichtheyinsuredherultimatefavourstothemselves。
Ofthesenoneweremoreefficacious，becausenonearemoreensnaring，thanbribingtheiryoungandartlessdupestofutureplaybysufferingthemtowinattheirfirstonsets。Byrisingawinnerthedupeimbibedaconfidenceinhisowngamblingabilities，ordeemedhimselfafavouriteoffortune。Heengagedagain，andwasagainsuccessful——whichincreasedhisexultationandconfirmedhisfutureconfidence；andthusdidthesimplegudgeonswallowtheirbait，tillitbecameatlastfasthooked。
Whenrenderedthussecureoftheirprey，theybegantoleveltheirwholetrainofartilleryagainsttheboastedhonoursofhisshort-livedtriumph。Thentheextensivemanors，theancientforests，thepaternalmansions，begantotremblefortheirfuturedestiny。Thepigeonwasmarkeddown，andtheinfernalcrewbeganingoodearnesttopluckhisrichplumage。Thewinkwasgivenonhisappearanceintheroom，asasignalofcommencingtheircovertattacks。Theshrug，thenod，thehem——everymotionoftheeyes，hands，feet——everyairandgesture，lookandword——becameanexpressive，thoughdisguised，languageoffraudandcozenage，bigwithdeceitandswollenwithruin。Besidesthis，thecardwasmarked，or’slipped，’orCOVERED。Thestoryistoldofanotedsharperofdistinction，aforeigner，whosehandwasthrustthroughwithaforkbyhisadversary，CaptainRoche，andthusnailedtothetable，withthiscoolexpressionofconcern——’I
askyourpardon，sir，ifyouhavenottheknaveofclubsunderyourhand。’Thecardswerepacked，orcut，orevenSWALLOWED。A
cardhasbeeneatenbetweentwoslicesofbreadandbutter，forthepurposeofconcealment。
Withwilycraftthesharperssubstitutedtheirdeceitful’doctors’orfalsedice；andthus’crabs，’or’alosinggame，’
becametheportionofthe’flats，’ordupes。
Thereweredifferentwaysofthrowingdice。Therewasthe’Stamp’——whenthecasterwithanelasticspringofthewristrappedthecornetorboxwithvehemenceonthetable，thediceasyetnotappearingfromunderthebox。The’Dribble’was，whenwithanairofeasybutingeniousmotion，thecasterpoured，asitwere，thediceontheboard——when，ifhehappenedtobeanoldpractitioner，hemightsuddenlycogwithhisfore-fingeroneofthecubes。The’LongGallery’waswhenthedicewereflungorhurledthewholelengthoftheboard。Sometimesthedicewerethrownoffthetable，nearaconfederate，who，inpickingthemup，changedoneofthefairforafalsediewithtwosixes。Thiswasgenerallydoneatthefirstthrow，andatthelast，whenthefairdiewasreplaced。Thesixeswereontheoppositesquares，sothatthefraudcouldonlybedetectedbyexamination。Ofcoursethistrickcouldonlybepractisedatraffles，whereonlythreethrowsarerequired。
Apairoffalsedicewasarrangedasfollows:——
{TwofoursOnonedie，{Twofives{Twosixes{TwofivesOntheother，{Twothrees{TwoacesWiththesediceitwasimpossibletothrowwhatisatHazarddenominatedCrabs，oralosinggame——thatis，aces，oraceanddeuce，twelve，orseven。Hence，thecasteralwayscalledforhismain；consequently，ashecouldneitherthrowonenorseven，lethischancebewhatitmight，hewassuretowin，andheandthosewhowereinthesecretofcoursealwaystooktheodds。Thefalsedicebeingconcealedinthelefthand，thecastertooktheboxwiththefairdiceinitinhisrighthand，andintheactofshakingitcaughtthefairdiceinhishand，andunperceivedshiftedtheboxemptytohisleft，fromwhichhedroppedthefalsediceintothebox，whichhebegantorattle，calledhismainseven，andthrew。Havingwonhisstakeherepeateditasoftenashethoughtproper。Hethencaughtthefalsediceinthesameway，shiftedtheemptyboxagain，andthrewtillhethrewout，stillcallingthesamemain，bywhichartificeheescapedsuspicion。
Twogamblingadventurerswouldsetoutwithacertainnumberofsignsandsignals。Theuseofthehandkerchiefduringthegamewasthecertainevidenceofagoodhand。Theuseofthesnuff-
boxasignequallyindicativeofabadone。Anaffectedcough，apparentlyasanaturalone，once，twice，three，orfourtimesrepeated，wasanassuranceofsomanyhonoursinhand。Rubbingthelefteyewasaninvitationtoleadtrumps，——therighteyethereverse，——thecardsthrowndownwithonefingerandthethumbwasasignofonetrump；twofingersandthethumb，twotrumps，andsoonprogressively，andinexactexplanationofthewholehand，withavarietyofmanoeuvresbywhichchancewasreducedtocertainty，andcertaintyfollowedbyruin。[6]
[6]BonTonMagazine，1791。
CHEATINGATWHIST。
Inanoldworkoncardsthefollowingcuriousdisclosuresaremaderespectingcheatingatwhist:——
’Hethatcanbycraftoverlookhisadversary’sgamehathagreatadvantage；forbythatmeanshemaypartlyknowwhattoplaysecurely；orifhecanhavesomepettyglimpseofhispartner’shand。Thereisawaybymakingsomesignbythefingers，todiscovertotheirpartnerswhathonourstheyhave，orbythewinkofoneeyeitsignifiesonehonour，shuttingbotheyestwo，placingthreefingersorfouronthetable，threeorfourhonours。FORWHICHREASONALLNICEGAMSTERSPLAYBEHIND
CURTAINS。
’Dealingthecardsoutbyoneandonetoeachpersonisthebestmethodofputtingitoutofthedealer’spowertoimposeonyou。
ButIshalldemonstratethat，dealthecardswhichwayyouwill，aconfederacyoftwosharperswillbeatanytwopersonsintheworld，thougheversogoodplayers，thatarenotofthegang，orinthesecret，and\"THREEpollONE\"isassafeandsecureasifthemoneywasintheirpockets。Allwhichwillappearpresently。
ThefirstnecessaryinstructionstobeobservedatWhist，asprincipalsofthesecret，whichmaybelikewisetransferredtomostothergamesatcards，are:——
Brieforshortcards，Corner-bend，Middle-bend(orKingston-bridge)。
’Ofbriefcardstherearetwosorts:oneisacardlongerthantherest，——theotherisacardbroaderthantherest。Thelongsortaresuchasthree，four，five，six，seven，eight，andnine；
thebroadsortaresuchasaces，kings，queens，andknaves。Theuseandadvantageofeachareasfollows:——
’Example:——Whenyoucutthecardstoyouradversary，cutthemlong，orendways，andhewillhaveathree，four，five，six，seven，eight，ornineatbottom。Whenyouradversarycutsthecardstoyou，putthembroadsidetohim，andhewillnaturallycut(withouteversuspectingwhatyoudo)ace，king，queen，orknave，&c。，whichissufficientadvantagetosecureanygame。
’Andincaseyoucannotgetcardsofpropersizesready-madetomixwithothers，youmayshavethemwitharazororpenknifefromthethreestothenineseachside，andfromtheacestotheknaveseachend；thenputthemupinthesamecaseorcover，andiftheyaredoneastheyoughttobe，theywillpassuponanybody。
’AsWhistisatavern-game，thesharpersgenerallytakecaretoputaboutthebottlebeforethegamebegins，soquick，thataBUBBLEcannotbesaidtoseeclearlyevenwhenhebeginstoplay。
’Thenextisthecorner-bend，whichisfourcardsturneddownfinelyatonecorner——asignaltocutby。
’TheotherisvulgarlycalledKingston-bridge，orthemiddle-
bend。Itisdonebybendingyourownoradversary’sTRICKStwodifferentways，whichwillcauseanopening，orarch，inthemiddle，whichisofthesameuseandserviceastheothertwoways，andonlypractisedinitsturntoamuseyou。
’Thenextthingtobeconsideredis，whodealsthecards，youoryouradversary；becausethatisamainpoint，andfromwhenceyouradvantagemustarise。Suppose，forexample，{Sharpers，AandB{
{Partners，{Bubbles，orFlats，CandD{
{Partners。
Afteradealortwoisformallyplayed，AandBwillbegintooperateinthefollowingmanner:——
’WhenAorBistodeal，theyobservethePRECEDINGDEALtotakeupthetricksthus:——
1。Abadcard。2。Agoodcard。
3。Abadcard。4。Agoodcard。
(Meaningthebestandworstthatfallinthatlist)。
’WhenCorDdeals，theymustbetakenupthus:——
1。Agoodcard。2。Abadcard。
3。Agoodcard。4。Abadcard。
’BythisruleitisplainthatthebestcardsfalltoAandB
everydeal。Howisitpossible，therefore，thatCandDshouldeverwinagamewithoutpermission？Butitwouldbedeemedillpolicy，andcontrarytothetrueinterestofAandB，toactthuseverydeal。Iwill，therefore，supposeitispractisedjustwhentheyplease，accordingasbetshappenincompany；thoughtherulewithgamesters，inlowlife，isatthefirstsettingouttostupifyyouwithwineandthelossofyourmoney，thatyoumaynevercometoaperfectunderstandingofwhatyouaredoing。Itmaybetrulysaidthatmanyanhonestgentlemanhasbeenkeptamonthinsuchaconditionbythemanagementandcontrivanceofasetofsharpers。
’NowyoumayimagineitnotinthepowerofAandBtocausethetrickstobetakenupafterthemanneraforesaid:thereisnothingsoeasynorsofrequentlypractised，especiallyatThreepollOne；forinplayingthecardstheconfederateswillnotonlytakecareoftheirowntricks，butalsoofyours，forthecardsmaybesoplayed，andshovedtogetherinsuchamanner，aswillevencauseyoutotakethemrightyourself；andifatrickshouldlieuntowardlyonthetable，AorBwillpayyouthecomplimentoftakingitupforyou，andsay——\"Sir，that’syours。\"Thisoperationwillthemorereadilybeapprehendedbyseeingitpractisedhalfascoretimes；whenonceyouareawareofit，itwillotherwise(Imaysayfairly)passuponanypersonthathasnotbeenletintothesecret。Thisbeingallowed，thenextpointanddifficultyistoshuffleandcut。
’Isay，thateitherAorBaresuchcuriousworkmen，andcanmakeashamshufflewithapackofcardssoartfully，thatyouwouldbelievetheyweresplittingthem，whenatthetimetheywillnotdisplaceasinglecardfromitsorder！SuchistheSHARPER’S
shuffling。
’Now，tocutthecards，aBENDispreparedforyoutocutto——
themiddleisthebest；anditisoddsbutyouunwarilycuttoit；ifnot，SLIPistheword；butifyouhavenoopportunitytodothatneither，thendealawayatallhazards，itisbutanequalbetthattheycomeinyourfavour；ifright，proceed；ifotherwise，missacardinitscourse，anditbringsthecardsaccordingtoyourfirstdesign；itisbutgivingtwoatlastwhereyoumissed；andifthatcannotbeconvenientlydone，youonlylosethedeal，andthereisanendofit。
’ButwhenAorBistocut，theymakeitallsafe；forthentheymaketheCORNER-BEND，whichanyonethatknowsmaycutto，ahundredtimestogether。
’PipingatWhist。BypipingImean，whenoneofthecompanythatdoesnotplay，whichfrequentlyhappens，sitsdowninaconvenientplacetosmokeapipe，andsolookon，pretendingtoamusehimselfthatway。Now，thedisposingofhisfingersonthepipewhilstsmokingdiscoverstheprincipalcardsthatareintheperson’shandheoverlooks；whichwasalwaysesteemedasufficientadvantagewherebytowinagame。Thereisanothermethod，namely，byutteringwords。\"Indeed\"signifiesdiamonds；
\"truly，\"hearts；\"uponmyword，\"clubs；\"Iassureyou，\"spades。
Butassoonasthesemethodsbecomeknown，newonesareinvented；
anditismostcuriousthattwopersonsmaydiscovertoeachotherwhatsortofcardstheyhaveinhand，andwhichoughtfirsttobeplayed，manydifferentways，withoutspeakingaword。’
Therecanbenodoubtthattheactofsortingthecardsiscapableofgivinganacuteobserveratolerablyaccurateideaofhispartner’soreitherofhisopponents’hands；sothatwherecheatingissuspecteditwouldbebettertoplaythecardswithoutsortingthem。Thenumberoftimesasortercarriesacardtoaparticularpartindicatessomanyofasuit；yourownhandandhisplaywillreadilyindicatethenatureofthecardsinwhichheiseitherstrongorweak。
InowquoteRobert-Houdin’saccountofCARDTELEGRAPHY。
Althoughthereare32cardsinthegameofPiquet，allofthemmaybedesignatedbytwelvedifferentsigns，namely，eightforthenatureofthecards，andfourforthecolours。
AtEcarte，thenumberofthesignalsisstillless，asitisonlythefiguresthatrequireindication:buttomaketheseindicationsitisnecessarytoexecuteasortofpantomime，accordingtocertainauthors，suchasblowingthenose，coughing，drummingonthetable，sneezing，&c。Suchevolutions，however，aretotallyunworthyofyourmodernGreek，andwouldsoonbedenouncedasgrossfraud。Thesignalswhichheemploysareonlyappreciablebyhisconfederate，——asfollows:——
Ifhelooks1。Athisconfederate，hedesignatesAking。
2。Attheplayofhisadversary……Aqueen。
3。Atthestake……Aknave。
4。Attheoppositeside……Anace。
Andwhilstheindicatesthenatureofthecardsheatthesametimemakesknownthecolourbythefollowingsigns:——
1。Themouthslightlyopen……Hearts。
2。Themouthshut……Diamonds。
3。Theupper-lipslightlypoutingoverthelower……Clubs。
4。Thelower-lipdrawnovertheupper……Spades。
Thus，iftheGreekwishestoannounce，forinstance，theknaveandaceofhearts，hesuccessivelydirectshislooksupontheplayofhisadversary，uponthestake，andtotheoppositeside，whilstkeepinghismouthslightlyopen。
Itisevidentthatthistelegraphymaybeemployedatallgameswherethereisagallery。Ineffect，nothingiseasieratPiquetthantoindicate，bytheaidofthesesignals，thecolourinwhichtheplayershoulddiscardandthatinwhichheshouldkeepwhatcardshehas。
Thesearethesimplestsigns；butsomeoftheGreekshaveagreatnumberofthem，todesignateeverything；andevensometimestocommunicateandreceiveintelligence，whennecessary。Thistelegraphyissoimperceptiblethatitisdifficulttodescribeit，andaltogetherimpossibletodetectit。[7]
[7]TricheriesdesGrecsdevoilees。
Robert-Houdinhasexhaustedthesubjectofcard-trickery，inconnectionwiththatprestidigitationwhich，itseems，allcard-
sharperscultivate，thedescriptionofwhich，however，isbynomeanssoentertainingasthevisibleperformance。Ifind，nevertheless，inhisbook，underthetitleof’SmallTrickeriesmadeinnocentbyCustom，’certainthingsalludedtowhichIcanattestbyexperience。
I。AtWhist，nocommunicationwhatevermustbemadebyaplayertohispartner，exceptingthoseauthorizedbythelawsofthegame；butsomepersonsgofurther，andbytheplayoftheirfeatures’telegraph’totheirpartnersthevalueoftheirhands。
II。AnyonewithagoodmemoryandendowedwithquickperceptionmayformaveryaccurateestimateofthehandsheldbyalltheplayersbyrememberingTHETRICKSASTHEYAREPLAYEDANDTURNED
DOWN——allofasuit，ortrumped。Cards’sticktogether’mostlovingly，andtheordinaryshufflingscarcelyalterstheirsequence；andso，ifatrickhasbeentakenbyanaceoveraking，forinstance，andinthenextdealyougetthesameking，youmaybesurethattheaceiseitheronyourrightoryourleft，accordingtothedeal；ofcourse，ifyougettheace，thenthesameprobability，orrathernecessity，existsastotheking；
andsoon。Knave，queen，king，ace，ofthesamename，arealmostsuretobeseparatedinthedealbetweenthefourplayers，oroneplayerwillhavetwoofthem。Theobservationisataxuponthefaculties；butIamsure，quitesure，thatthethingcanbedone，andis，whendone，ofmaterialservice；although，ofcourse，theknowledgecanbeturnedtoaccountonlybyanexpertplayer，withapartnerwhocanunderstandthegamewhichhewishestoplay。
Whistis，decidedly，oneofthefairestofgames；butforthatveryreason，itisopentothegreatestover-reaching，or，ifyoulike，cheating。
Withregardtodice，ofcourse，theywereand，doubtless，arestillloaded。Suchwereformerlycalled’dispatches，’becausetheywould’infiveminutesdispatchL500outofthepocketofanyyoungmanwhenintoxicatedwithchampagne。’
RouletteandRougeetNoirtableswereandaresoarrangedasalwaystomakethebankwinatthewilloftheattendant，regulatingthemwithatouch。
AtHazard，theyused’loworhighdice，’thatis，withonlycertainnumbersonthem，highorlow，——apairofwhicheverysharperalwayshadinhispossession，changingthemwithgreatdexterity。Theyalsoused’cramped’boxes，bywhichthey’cogged’orfastenedthediceintheboxastheydroppedthemIN，andsocoulddropthemOUTwiththerequiredfaceupwards。
CHAPTERIII。
ANECDOTESOFTHEPASSIONSANDVICISSITUDESOFGAMESTERS。
Althoughallthemotivesofhumanactionhavelongbeenknown——
althoughpsychology，orthescienceofsoulandsentiment，hasceasedtopresentuswithanynewfacts——itisquitecertainthatouredificeofMoralsisnotquitebuiltup。Wemayrestassuredthataslongasintellectualmanexiststheproblemwillbeconsideredunsolved，andthequestionwillbeagitated。Futuregenerationswilldestroywhatweestablish，andwillfashionasomethingaccordingtotheiradvancement，andsoon；foriftherebeatermwhich，ofallothers，shouldbeexpungedfromthedictionariesofallhumanbeings，itseemstobeLordRussell’swordFINALITY。SomethingNEWwillalwaysbewanted。’Sensation’
istheverylifeofhumanity；itismotion——thereverseof’death’——whichweallabhor。
Thegamesterlivesonlyforthe’sensation’ofgaming。Menagetellsusofagamesterwhodeclaredthathehadneverseenanyluminaryabovethehorizonbutthemoon。SaintEvremond，writingtotheCountdeGrammont，says——’Youplayfrommorningtonight，orratherfromnighttomorning。Alltheraysofthegamester’sexistenceterminateinplay；itisonthiscentrethathisveryexistencedepends。Heenjoysnotanhourofcalmorserenity。
Duringthedayhelongsfornight，andduringthenighthedreadsthereturnofday。’
Beingalwayspre-occupied，gamestersaresubjecttoaridiculousabsenceofmind。TacitustellsusthattheEmperorVitelliuswassotorpidthathewouldhaveforgottenhewasaprinceunlesspeoplehadremindedhimofitfromtimetotime。[8]Manygamestershaveforgottenthattheywerehusbandsandfathers。
Duringplaysomeonesaidthatthegovernmentwereabouttolevyataxonbachelors。’ThenIshallberuined！’exclaimedoneoftheplayersabsorbedinthegame。’Why，man，youhaveawifeandfivechildren，’saidthespeaker。
[8]TantatorpedoinvaseratanimumVitellii，utsiprincipemeumfuissenonmeminissent，ipseoblivisceretur。Hist。，lib。iii。
Thisinfatuationmaybesimplyridiculous；butithasalsoahorribleaspect。Adistractedwifehasrushedtothegamingtable，imploringherhusband，whohadfortwoentiredaysbeenengagedatplay，toreturntohishome。
’Onlyletmestayonemomentlonger——onlyonemoment……I
shallreturnperhapsthedayafterto-morrow，’hestammeredouttothewretchedwoman，whoretired。Alas！hereturnedsoonerthanhehadpromised。Hiswifewasinbed，holdingthelastofherchildrentoherbreast。
’Getup，madam，’saidtheruinedgambler，’thebedonwhichyouliebelongstousnolonger！’……
Whenthegamesterisfortunate，heenjoyshissuccesselsewhere；
tohishomehebringsonlyconsternation。
Awifehadreceivedthemostsolemnpromisefromherhusbandthathewouldgamblenomore。Onenight，however，heslunkoutofbed，rushedtothegamingtable，andlostallthemoneyhehadwithhim。Hetriedtoborrowmore，butwasrefused。Hewenthome。Hiswifehadtakentheprecautiontolockthedrawerthatcontainedtheirlastmoney。Vainobstacle！Themadmanbrokeitopen，carriedofftwothousandcrowns——totakehisrevenge，ashesaid，butinrealitytolosethewholeasbefore。
Butitistothegamingroomthatwemustgotobeholdtheprogressoftheterribledrama——theebbandflowofoppositemovements——theshocksofalternatehopeandfear，infinitelyvariedinthecountenance，notonlyoftheactors，butalsoofthespectators。Whatisvisible，however，isnothingincomparisontothesecretagony。Itisinhisheartthatthetempestroarsmostfiercely。
Twoplayersonceexhibitedtheirrage，theonebyamournfulsilence，theotherbyrepeatedimprecations。Thelatter，shockedatthesang-froidofhisneighbour，reproachedhimforenduring，withoutcomplaint，suchlossesoneaftertheother。’Lookhere！’
saidtheother，uncoveringhisbreastanddisplayingitallbloodywithlacerations。
Itisonlyatplaythatwecanobserve，frommomenttomoment，allthephasesofdespair；fromtimetotimethereoccurnewones——strange，eccentric，orterrible。Afterhavinglostquietly，andevenwithserenity，halfhisfortune，thefatherofafamilystakedtheremainder，andlostitwithoutamurmur。
Faceresolentextremasecurosmala。[9]Thebystanderslookedathim；hisfeatureschangednot；onlyitwasperceivedthattheywerefixed。Itseemedthathewasunconsciousoflife。Twostreamsoftearstrickledfromhiseyes，andyethisfeaturesremainedthesame。Hewasliterallyaweepingstatue。Thespectatorswereseizedwithfright，and，althoughgamesters，theymeltedintopity。
[9]’GreatcalamitiesrenderusCARELESS。’
AtBayonne，in1725，aFrenchofficer，inarageatbilliards，jammedabilliard-ballinhismouth，whereitstuckfast，arrestingrespiration，untilitwas，withdifficulty，extractedbyasurgeon。Dusaulxstatesthathewastoldthefactbyalieutenant-general，whowasaneye-witness。
Itiswellknownthatgamblers，likedogsthatbiteastoneflungatthem，haveeatenupthecards，crushedupthedice，brokenthetables，damagedthefurniture，andfinally’pitchedinto’eachother——asdescribedbyLucianinhisSaturnalia。Dusaulxassuresusthathesawanenragedgamblerputaburningcandleintohismouth，chewit，andswallowit。AmadplayeratNaplesbitthetablewithsuchviolencethathisteethwentdeepintothewood；
thusheremained，asitwere，nailedtoit，andsuddenlyexpired。
Theotherplayerstooktoflight；theofficersofjusticevisitedtheplace；andthecorpsewasdeprivedoftheusualceremonyofburial。[10]
[10]GazettedeDeux-Ponts，du26Novembre，1772。
Thefollowingstrangebutapparentlyauthenticfact，isrelatedintheMercureFrancois(TomeI。Annee1610)。
’AmannamedPennichon，beingaprisonerintheConciergerieduringthemonthofSeptember，1610，diedthereofawonderfullysuddendeath。Hecouldnotrefrainfromplay。Havingonedaylosthismoney，heutteredfrightfulimprecationsagainsthisbodyandagainsthissoul，swearingthathewouldneverplayatcardsagain。Nevertheless，afewdaysafter，hebegantoplayagainwiththoseinhisapartment，andonadisputerespectingdiscarding，herepeatedhisexecrableoaths。AndwhenoneofthecompanytoldhimheshouldfeartheDivinejustice，heonlysworethemore，andmadesuchconfusionthattherehadtobeanotherdeal。Butassoonasthreeothercardsweregivenhim，heplacedtheminhishat，whichheheldbeforehim，andwhilstlookingatthem，withhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinthehat，hesosuddenlyexpiredthatoneofthepartysaid——\"Come，nowplay，\"
andpushedhimwithhiselbow，thinkinghewasasleep，whenhefelldowndeaduponthefloor。’
Insomecasestheeffectoflossesatplayissimplystupefaction。Someplayers，attheendofthesitting，neitherknowwhattheydonorwhattheysay。M。deCrequi，afterwardsDucdeLesdiguieres，leavingagamblingpartywithHenryIV。，afterlosingalargesum，metM。deGuiseinthecourt-yardofthecastle。’Myfriend，’saidhetothelatter，’wherearethequartersoftheGuardsnow-a-days？’M。deGuisesteppedback，saying，’Excuseme，sir，Idon’tbelongtothiscountry，’andimmediatelywenttotheking，whomhegreatlyamusedwiththeanecdote。
Adissipatedbuck，whohadbeensittingallnightatHazard，wenttoachurch，notfarfromStJames’s，justbeforethesecondreadingoftheLord’sPrayer，onSunday。Hewasscarcelyseatedbeforehedozed，andtheclerkinashorttimebawledoutAMEN，whichhepronouncedA——main。Thebuckjumpeduphalfasleepandroaredout，’I’llbetthecaster20guineas！’Thecongregationwasthrownintoatitter，andthebuckranout，overwhelmedwithshame。Asimilaranecdoteistoldofanother’dissipatedbuck’
inachurch。ThegrandmasqueradegivenontheopeningoftheUnionClubHouse，inPallMall，wasnotentirelyovertillalatehouronthefollowingSunday。Ayoungmannearlyintoxicated——certainlynotknowingwhathewasabout——reeledintoSt。James’schurch，inhismasqueradedress，withhishaton。ThelateRev。ThomasBracken，attractedbythenoiseofhisentrance，lookeddirectlyathimashechancedtodeliverthefollowingwords:——’Friend！howcamestthouinhither，nothavingonaweddinggarment？’Itseemedsotostriketheculpritthatheinstantlytookoffhishatandwithdrewinconfusion。
Atplay，awinnerredoubleshiscautionandsang-froidjustinproportionashisadversarygetsbewilderedbyhislosses，becomingdesperate；hetakesadvantageoftheweaknessofthelatter，givinghimthelaw，andstrivingforgreatersuccess。
Whentheluckchanges，however，thecaseisreversed，andtheformerloserbecomes，inhisturn，tentimesmorepitiless——likethatRomanprefect，mentionedbyTacitus，whowasthemoreinexorablebecausehehadbeenharshlytreatedinhisyouth，coimmmitiorquiatoleraverat。Thejoyatwinningbackhismoneyonlymakesagamesterthemorecovetousofwinningthatofhisadversary。Awealthymanoncelost100，000crowns，andbeggedtobeallowedtogoandsellhisproperty，whichwasworthdoubletheamounthehadlost。’Whysellit？’saidhisadversary；’letusplayfortheremainder。’Theyplayed；luckchanged；andthelateLOSERruinedtheother。
Sometimesaviditymakesterriblemistakes；many，inordertowinmore，havelosttheiralltopersonswhohadnotashillingtolose。Duringthedepthofaseverewinter，agamesterbeheldwithterrorthebottomofhispurse。Unabletoresolveonquittingthegamingtable——forplayersinthatconditionarealwaysthemoststubborn——heshoutedtohisvalet——’Goandfetchmygreatsack。’Thesewords，utteredwithoutdesign，stimulatedthecupidityofthosewhonolongercaredtoplaywithhim，andnowtheywereeagerforit。Hisluckchanged，andhewonthriceasmuchashehadlost。Thenhis’greatsack’wasbroughttohim:itwasaBEAR-SKINSACKheusedasacloak！
Inthemadnessofgamingtheplayerstakeseverythingafterlosinghismoney——hiswatch，hisrings，hisclothing；andsomehavestakedtheirEARS，andotherstheirveryLIVES——instancesofallwhichwillberelatedinthesequel。
Notverylongagoapublican，wholostallhismoney，stakedhispublic-house，lostit，andhadto’clearout。’Themanwhowonitisaliveandflourishing。
’Thedebtofhonourmustbepaid:’thesearetheterriblewordsthathauntthegamesterashewakes(ifhehasslept)onthemorningafterthenightofhorrors:thesearethefuriesthattakehiminhand，anddraghimtotorture，laughingthewhile……
Whata’sensation’itmustbetoloseone’sALL！Aman，intoxicatedwithhisgains，leftonegaminghouseandenteredanother。Assoonasheenteredheexclaimed，’Well，Iamfilled，mypocketsarefullofgold，andheregoes，ODDSOREVEN？’
’Odds，’criedaplayer。ItwasODDS，andthefortunatewinnerpocketedtheenormoussumjustboastedofbytheother。
Ontheotherhand，suddenprosperityhasderangedmoreheadsandkilledmorepeoplethanreversesandgrief；eitherbecauseittakesalongertimetogetconvincedofutterruinthangreatgoodfortune，orbecausetheinstinctofself-preservationcompelsustoseek，inadversity，forresourcestomitigatedespair；whereas，intheassaultofexcessivejoy，thesoul’sspringisdistendedandbrokenwhenitissuddenlycompressedbytoomanythoughtsandtoomanysensations。Sophocles，Diagoras，Philippides，diedofjoy。AnotherGreekexpiredatthesightofthethreecrownswonbyhisthreesonsattheOlympicgames。
Manyfineintellectsamongplayershavebeenbrutifiedbyloses；
others，ingreaternumber，havebeensobytheirwinnings。Someinthecourseoftheirprosperityperishfromidleness，getderanged，andruinthemselvesafterruiningothers。Aninstanceismentionedofanofficerwhowonsoenormouslythatheactuallylosthissensesincountinghisgains。Astonishedathimself，hethoughthewasnolongeranordinarymortal；andrequiredhisvaletstodohimextraordinaryhonours，flinginghandfulsofgoldtothem。Thesamenight，however，hereturnedtothegaminghouse，andrecoveredfromhismadnesswhenhehadlostnotonlyallhisgains，buteventhevalueofanappointmentwhichheheld。
UNFORTUNATEWINNING。
M。G——mewasamostestimableman，combininginhimselfthebestqualitiesofbothheartandhead。Hewasgood-humoured，witty，andbenevolent。Withthesequalifications，andoneotherwhichseldomoperatestoaman’sdisadvantage——aclearincomeofthreethousandayear——thebestsocietyinPariswasopentohim。Hehadbeenavisitorinthatcapitalaboutamonth，whenhereceivedaninvitationtooneofthesplendiddinnersgivenweeklyatthesalon。Asheneverplayed，hehesitatedabouttheproprietyofacceptingit，butontheassurancethatitwouldnotbeexpectedofhimtoplay；and，moreover，ashemightnotagainhavesogoodanopportunityofvisitinganestablishmentofthekind，heresolvedtogo——merelyforthesatisfactionofhiscuriosity。Hehadafewstraynapoleonsinhispurse，tothrowthem——’justforthegoodofthehouse，’asheconsideredit——
couldhardlybecalledPLAY，sohethrewthem。Poorfellow！Heleftoffawinneroffourteenhundrednapoleons，oraboutasmanypoundssterling——andsoeasilywon！Hewentagain，again，andagain；buthewasnotalwaysawinner；andwithinfifteenmonthsofthemomentwhenhishandfirstgraspedthedice-boxhewaslyingdeadinajail！
LORDWORTHALL’SDESPERATEWAGER。
AtagamblingpartyLordWorthallhadlostallhismoney，andinafitofexcitementstakedhiswholeestateagainstL1000，atcuttinglowwithcards，andincuttingexclaimed，——
’UpnowDeuce，orelseaTrey，OrWorthall’sgoneforeverandaye。’
Hehadthelucktocutthedeuceofdiamonds；andtocommemoratetheseriousevent，hegotthedeuceofdiamondscutinmarbleandhaditfixedontheparapetofhismansion。
THECELEBRATEDTHADDEUSSTEVENS。
Hewasaninveterategamesteronasmallscale，andalmostinvariably，afteraday’sdutyintheHouse，woulddropinatafavouritecasino，andwinorlosefiftydollars——thatbeingtheaveragelimitofhisbetting。
APROVIDENTGAMBLER。
AMonsieurB——，wellknowninParisianlife，havingrecentlylosteveryshillingatacertainsportingclubwhereplayiscarriedoninParis，wenttothecountry，wherehissisterlenthimL150。
Hewonallbackagain，andgotaconsiderablesumofmoneyinhand。Hethenwenttohishotel，tohisbootmaker，andtailor，paidthem，andmadearrangementstobefed，clothed，andshodfortenyears。
AMAGNIFICENTFORTUNEWASTED。
LordFoley，whodiedin1793，enteredupontheturfwithanestateofL18，000perannum，andL100，000readymoney。Heleftwitharuinedconstitution，anencumberedestate，andnotashillingofreadymoney！
ANENTERPRISINGCLERK。
LordKenyon，in1795，triedaclerk’formisapplyinghismaster’sconfidence，’andthefactswereasfollows。HewentwithabanknoteofL1000toagaminghouseinOsendonStreet，wherehewonalittle。HealsowontwohundredguineasatanotherinSuffolkStreet。Henextaccompaniedsomekeepersofathirdhousetotheirtables，wherehelostaboveninehundredpounds。Heplayedtherealmosteverynight；andfinallylostaboutL2500！
GAMBLINGFORRECRUITSFORTHEARMY。
AnIrishofficerstruckoutamodeofgambling，forrecruits。Hegavefiveguineasbounty，andonehundredtoberaffledforbyyoungrecruits，——thewinnertobepaidimmediately，andtopurchasehisdischarge，ifhepleased，forL20。Thedice-boxwasconstantlygoingathisrecruitingofficeinDublin。
DOUBLINGTHESTAKES。
Adashingyoungmanoflargefortune，abouttheyear1820，lostatasubscriptionhouseattheWestEnd，L80，000。Thewinnerwasapersonofhighrank。Theyoungman，however，bydoublingthestakes，notonlyrecoveredhislosses，butinhisturngainedconsiderablyofhisantagonist。
ANANNUITYFORAGAMBLINGDEBT。
AfashionablenoblemanhadwonfromayoungandnoblerelativethesumofL40，000。Thecashnotbeingforthcoming，heacceptedanannuityofL4000。
SIRWILLIAMCOLEPEPPER。
ItistoldofSirWilliamColepepperthat，afterhehadbeenruinedhimselfatthegamingtable，hiswholedelightwastositthereandseeothersruined。Hardenedwretch——’Whothoughheplaysnomore，overlooksthecards’——withthisdiabolicaldisposition！
THEBITERBITTEN。
Acertainduchess，ofaci-devantlord-lieutenant，whoexpectedtomakeapigeonofMarshalBlucher，wasfleecedofL200，000；topaywhichherlordwasobligedtosellagreatpartofhisproperty，andresideonthecontinent。
HUNTEDDOWN。
Astout-heartedandgallantmilitarybaronetlostanimmensesumatacelebratedgaminghouse；butwassofortunateastorecoverit，withL1200more。ThislastsumHEPRESENTEDTOTHEWAITERS。
Hewaspursuedbytwoofthe’play-wrights’toanorthernwatering-place，wherehewassopluckedthatallhispossessionswerebroughttothehammer。Acompetencywas，however，savedfromthemagnificentwreck。
COMINGOFAGE。
WhenSirC——T——，aweakyoungman，withalargefortune，cameofage，theGreeks，thinkinghimanexcellentquarry，wenttoYorkRaces，madehimdrunkandplunderedhimofalargesum。Thenextmorningoneofthepartywaiteduponhimtoacquainthimofhisloss——(L20，000orL30，000)，andbroughtbondsforhissignaturetothatamount！
HEAVYLIABILITIESTOBEGINWITH。
Intheyear1799，whentheMarquisofDonegalsucceededtothetitleonhisfather’sdeath，hisdebts，principallytogamblersandmoney-lenders，amountedtotwohundredandfiftythousandpoundssterling！
AGENTLEMANTURNEDBARBER。
InanoldmagazineIfindthefollowingcuriousstatement:——
’ThereisnowlivinginBarnabyStreet，CarnabyMarket，amanwho，althoughexercisingthemenialofficeofpennybarber，wasinhisyoungerdaysinpossessionofestatesandpersonalpropertytoalargeamount，andistheonlylinealdescendantremainingoftheveryancientfamilyoftheH——sofBristol。
’Hisrelationsdyingwhenhewasyoung，hewasplacedunderproperguardians，andreceivedaliberaleducation，firstatWestminster，andafterwardsatCambridge，suitabletohisrankandfortune。Whenofageheconvertedhisestatesintomoney，andretiredtoDublin，whereheremainedsometime。HethenmadethetourofEurope，andreturnedtoIreland，wherehewentthroughallthescenesofdissipationtowhichyoungmenaresomuchaddicted，tillatlasthewasbesetbythoseharpiesthegamblers，andstrippedofhisimmensefortuneinonesinglenight！
’Hethensubsistedforsomelittletimeonthebountyofhisundoers，whointendedtomakehimoneofthem；but，nothavingsufficientaddressfortheprofession，hewasdismissedand\"leftinthelurch；\"andmostofhisfriendsdiscardinghim，heembarkedwithhislastguineaforEngland。Herehehasencounteredmanydifficulties，oftenbeeningaolfordebt，andpassedthroughvariousscenesoflife，asvalet，footman，thief-
taker，andatlength，apenny-barber！Hehasawifeandlargefamilyandlivesinaverypenuriousmanner，oftenlamentinghisearlyfolly。’[11]
[11]’TheWesternCountyMagazine，1791。ByaSocietyofGentlemen。’Thiswell-conductedoldmagazinewasprintedandpublishedatSalisbury，andwasdecidedlyacredittothetownandcounty。
PENSIONEDOFFBYAGAMINGHOUSE。
AvisitoratFrascati’sgaminghouseinParistellsus:——
’IsawtheChevalierdelaC——(adescendantoftheoncecelebratedromance-writer)whenhewasnearlyninety。Themodeoflifeofthisoldmanwassingular。Hehadlostaprincelypropertyattheplay-table，andbyapieceofgoodfortuneofrareoccurrencetogamesters，andunparalleledgenerosity，theproprietorsofthesalonallowedhimapensiontosupporthiminhismiserablesenility，justsufficienttosupplyhimwithawretchedlodging——bread，andachangeofraimentonceineverythreeorfouryears！Inadditiontothishewasallowedasupper——whichwas，infact，hisdinner——atthegaminghouse，whitherhewenteverynightatabouteleveno’clock。Tillsupper-time(twoo’clockinthemorning)heamusedhimselfinwatchingthegamesandcalculatingthevariouschances，althoughincapableofplayingasinglecoup。Atfouro’clockhereturnedtohislodging，retiredtobed，andlaytillbetweennineandteno’clockonthefollowingnight。Acupofcoffeewasthenbroughttohim，and，havingdressedhimself，attheusualhourheagainproceededtothesalon。Thishadbeenhisroundoflifeforseveralyears；andhetoldmethatduringallthattime(exceptingonafewmorningsaboutMidsummer)hehadneverbeheldthesun！’
