AMrR——y，sonofabaronet，leftWattier’sclubonenightwithonlyL4inhispocket，sayingthathewouldlookinatthehells。
Hedidso，and，returningafterthreeo’clockinthemorning，offeredtobetL500thathehadaboveL4000。TheresultprovedthathehadL4300，allwonatgamingtables，fromthesmallbeginningofL4。HethensatdowntoplaygamesofskillatWattier’s，andwenthomeatsixo’clockwithoutasinglepound！
ThesamemansubsequentlywonL30，000，andafterwardslostitall，withL15，000more，andthen’wenttotheContinent。’
AmajoroftheRifleBrigade，inconsequenceofgamblinginLondon，bywhichhelostvastsumsofmoney，wentoutofhissensesanddiedafewyearsagoinanasylum。Thisoccurredwithinthelasttenortwelveyears。
SaysMrSeymourHarcourt，inhis’GamingCalendar，’’Ihavemyselfseenhanginginchainsamanwhom，ashorttimebefore，I
sawataHazardtable！’
Hogarthlenthistremendouspowertotheportrayaloftheruinedgamester，andshowsittothelifeinhisprintofthegaminghouseinthe’Rake’sProgress。’
Threestagesofthatspeciesofmadnesswhichattendsgamingaretheredescribed。Onthefirstshockallisinwarddismay。Theruinedgamesterisrepresentedleaningagainstawallwithhisarmsacross，lostinanagonyofhorror。Shortlyafterthishorriblegloomburstsintoastormandfury。Hetearsinpieceswhatevercomesnearhim，and，kneelingdown，invokescursesonhimself。Hisnextattackisonothers——oneveryonewhomheimaginestohavebeeninstrumentalinhisruin。Theeagerjoyofthewinninggamester，theattentionoftheusurer，andtheprofoundreverieofthehighwayman，areallstronglymarkedinthiswonderfulpicture。
HOWMANYGAMESTERSLIVEBYPLAY？
Itisanobservationmadebythosewhocalculateonthegamingworld，thatabovenine-tenthsofthepersonswhoplayLIVEbyit。
Now，astheordinaryestablishmentofaGENTEELgamester，asheiscommonlycalled，cannotbelessthanL1000perannum，luck，whichturnsoutEQUALinthelongrun，willnotsupporthim；hemustthereforeLIVEbywhattheycallamongthemselvestheBEST
OFTHEGAME——or，inplainEnglish，cheating。
Somuchfortheinnerandouterlifeofgamblers。AndnowI
shallintroduceMrBen。Disraeli，recounting，inthehappiestveinofhisyoungerdays，amagnificentgamblingscene，quiteonaparwiththelegendoftheHindooepicbeforequoted，[12]andwhich，Idoubtnot，will(tousetheyoungDisraeli’sownwords)
makethereader’scudalongandwarmupintofriskiness。’
[12]ChapterII。
Acuriousphraseoccursinthe9thchapterof’TheYoungDuke，’
intheparagraphatthebeginning，afterthewords——’Oyeimmortalgods！’
Althoughthesceneofthedramaispartofanovel，yettherecanbenodoubtofitsbeing’foundedonfact’——atanyrate，Ithinkthereneverwasanarrativeofgreaterverisimilitude。
’Afterdinner，withtheexceptionofCogit，whowasbusiedincompoundingsomewonderfulliquidforthefuturerefreshment，theysatdowntoEcarte。Withouthavingexchangedaworduponthesubject，thereseemedageneralunderstandingamongalltheparties，thatto-nightwastobeapitchedbattle——andtheybeganatonce，verybriskly。Yet，inspiteoftheiruniversaldetermination，midnightarrivedwithoutanythingverydecisive。
Anotherhourpassedover，andthenTomCogitkepttouchingthebaron’selbow，andwhisperinginavoicewhicheverybodycouldunderstand。Allthismeantthatsupperwasready。Itwasbroughtintotheroom。
’Gaminghasoneadvantage——itgivesyouanappetite；thatistosay，solongasyouhaveachanceremaining。Thedukehadthousands，——foratpresenthisresourceswereunimpaired，andhewasexhaustedbytheconstantattentionandanxietyoffivehours。Hepassedoverthedelicacies，andwenttotheside-
table，andbegancuttinghimselfsomecoldroastbeef。TomCogitranup，nottohisGrace，buttothebaron，toannouncetheshockingfact，thattheDukeofStJameswasenduringgreattrouble；andthenthebaronaskedhisGracetopermitMrCogittoservehim。
’Ourherodevoured——weusethewordadvisedly，asfoolssayintheHouseofCommons——hedevouredtheroastbeef，andrejectingthehermitagewithdisgust，askedforporter。
’Theysettoagain，freshaseagles。Atsixo’clock，accountsweresocomplicated，thattheystoppedtomakeuptheirbooks。
Eachplayedwithhismemorandumsandpencilathisside。Nothingfatalhadyethappened。ThedukeowedLordDiceaboutL5000，andTempleGraceowedhimasmanyhundreds。LordCastlefortalsowashisdebtortothetuneof750，andthebaronwasinhisbooks，butslightly。
’Everyhalf-hourtheyhadanewpackofcards，andthrewtheusedonesonthefloor。AllthistimeTomCogitdidnothingbutsnuffthecandles，stirthefire，bringthemanewpack，andoccasionallymadeatumblerforthem。
’Ateighto’clocktheduke’ssituationwasworsened。Therunwasgreatlyagainsthim，andperhapshislossesweredoubled。Hepulledupagainthenexthourortwo；but，nevertheless，atteno’clockowedeveryonesomething。Nooneofferedtogiveover；
andeveryone，perhaps，feltthathisobjectwasnotobtained。
Theymadetheirtoilets，andwentdown-stairstobreakfast。Inthemeantimetheshutterswereopened，theroomaired；andinlessthananhourtheywereatitagain。
’Theyplayedtilldinner-timewithoutintermission；andthoughthedukemadesomedesperateefforts，andsomesuccessfulones，hislosseswere，nevertheless，trebled。Yetheateanexcellentdinner，andwasnotatalldepressed；becausethemorehelostthemorehiscourageandhisresourcesseemedtoexpand。Atfirst，hehadlimitedhimselfto10，000；afterbreakfast，itwastohavebeen20，000；then30，000wastheultimatum；andnowhedismissedallthoughtsoflimitsfromhismind，andwasdeterminedtoriskorgaineverything。
’AtmidnighthehadlostL48，000。
’Affairsnowbegantobeserious。Hissupperwasnotsohearty。
Whiletherestwereeating，hewalkedabouttheroom，andbegantolimithisambitiontorecovery，andnottogain。
’Whenyouplaytowinback，thefunisover:thereisnothingtorecompenseyouforyourbodilytorturesandyourdegradedfeelings；andtheverybestresultthatcanhappen，whileithasnocharms，seemstoyourcowedmindimpossible。
’Ontheyplayed，andthedukelostmore。Hismindwasjaded。Hefloundered——hemadedesperateefforts，butplungeddeeperintheslough。Feelingthat，toregainhisground，eachcardmusttell，heactedoneachasifitmustwin，andtheconsequencesofthisinsanity(foragamesteratsuchacrisisisreallyinsane)were，thathislosseswereprodigious。
’Anothermorningcame，andtheretheysat，ankle-deepincards。
Noattemptatbreakfastnow——noaffectationofmakingatoilet，orairingtheroom。Theatmospherewashot，tobesure，butitwellbecamesuchahell。Theretheysat，intotal，inpositiveforgetfulnessofeverythingbutthehotgametheywerehuntingdown。Therewasnotamanintheroom，exceptTomCogit，whocouldhavetoldyouthenameofthetowninwhichtheywereliving。Theretheysat，almostbreathless，watchingeveryturnwiththefelllookintheircannibaleyes，whichshowedtheirtotalinabilitytosympathizewiththeirfellow-beings。Alltheformsofsocietyhadbeenforgotten。Therewasnosnuff-boxhandedaboutnow，forcourtesy，admiration，orapinch；noaffectationofoccasionallymakingaremarkuponanyothertopicbuttheall-engrossingone。
’LordCastlefortrestedwithhisarmsonthetable:——afalsetoothhadgotunhinged。HisLordship，who，atanyothertime，wouldhavebeenmostannoyed，coollyputitinhispocket。Hischeekshadfallen，andhelookedtwentyyearsolder。
’LordDicehadtornoffhiscravat，andhishairflungdownoverhiscallous，bloodlesschecks，straightassilk。
’TempleGracelookedasifhewereblightedbylightning；andhisdeep-blueeyesgleamedlikeahyaena。
’Thebaronwasleastchanged。
’TomCogit，whosmeltthatthecrisiswasathand，wasasquietasabribedrat。
’Ontheyplayedtillsixo’clockintheevening，andthentheyagreedtodesisttillafterdinner。LordDicethrewhimselfonasofa。LordCastlefortbreathedwithdifficulty。Therestwalkedabout。Whiletheywererestingontheiroars，theyoungdukeroughlymadeuphisaccounts。HefoundthathewasminusaboutL100，000。
’Immenseasthislosswas，hewasmorestruck——moreappalled，letussay——atthestrangenessofthesurroundingscene，thanevenbyhisownruin。Ashelookeduponhisfellow-gamesters，heseemed，forthefirsttimeinhislife，togazeuponsomeofthosehideousdemonsofwhomhehadread。Helookedinthemirrorathimself。Ablightseemedtohavefallenoverhisbeauty，andhispresenceseemedaccursed。Hehadpursuedadissipated，evenmorethanadissipated，career。Manywerethenightsthathadbeenspentbyhimnotonhiscouch；greathadbeentheexhaustionthathehadoftenexperienced；haggardhadsometimesevenbeenthelustreofhisyouth。Butwhenhadbeenmarkeduponhisbrowthisharrowingcare？Whenhadhisfeaturesbeforebeenstampedwiththisanxiety，thisanguish，thisbaffleddesire，thisstrange，unearthlyscowl，whichmadehimeventremble？What！wasitpossible？——itcouldnotbe——thatintimehewastobelikethoseawful，thoseunearthly，thoseunhallowedthingsthatwerearoundhim。Hefeltasifhehadfallenfromhisstate，asifhehaddishonouredhisancestry，asifhehadbetrayedhistrust。Hefeltacriminal。
’Inthedarknessofhismeditationsaflashburstfromhisluridmind，acelestiallightappearedtodissipatethisthickeninggloom，andhissoulfelt，asitwere，bathedwiththesofteningradiancy。HethoughtofMayDacre，hethoughtofeverythingthatwaspure，andholy，andbeautiful，andluminous，andcalm。Itwastheinnatevirtueofthemanthatmadethisappealtohiscorruptednature。Hislossesseemednothing；hisdukedomwouldbetooslightaransomforfreedomfromtheseghouls，andforthebreathofthesweetair。
’Headvancedtothebaron，andexpressedhisdesiretoplaynomore。Therewasanimmediatestir。Alljumpedup，andnowthedeedwasdone。Cant，inspiteoftheirexhaustion，assumedherreign。Theybeggedhimtohavehisrevenge，——werequiteannoyedattheresult，——hadnodoubthewouldrecoverifheproceeded。
’Withoutnoticingtheirremarks，heseatedhimselfatthetable，andwrotechequesfortheirrespectiveamounts，TomCogitjumpingupandbringinghimtheinkstand。LordCastlefort，inthemostaffectionatemanner，pocketedthedraft；atthesametimerecommendingthedukenottobeinahurry，buttosenditwhenhewascool。LordDicereceivedhiswithabow，TempleGracewithasigh，thebaronwithanavowalofhisreadinessalwaystogivehimhisrevenge。
’Theduke，thoughsickatheart，wouldnotleavetheroomwithanyevidenceofabrokenspirit；andwhenLordCastlefortagainrepeated——\"Payuswhenwemeetagain，\"hesaid，\"Ithinkitveryimprobablethatweshallmeetagain，myLord。Iwishedtoknowwhatgamingwas。Ihadheardagreatdealaboutit。Itisnotsoverydisgusting；butIamayoungman，andcannotplaytrickswithmycomplexion。\"
’Hereachedhishouse。TheBirdwasout。Hegaveordersforhimselfnottobedisturbed，andhewenttobed；butinvainhetriedtosleep。Whatrackexceedsthetortureofanexcitedbrainandanexhaustedbody？Hishandsandfeetwerelikeice，hisbrowlikefire；hisearsrungwithsupernaturalroaring；anauseahadseizeduponhim，anddeathhewouldhavewelcomed。Invain，invainhecourtedrepose；invainhehadrecoursetoeveryexpedienttowilehimselftoslumber。Eachminutehestartedfromhispillowwithsomephrasewhichremindedhimofhislatefearfulsociety。Hourafterhourmovedonwithitsleadenpace；
eachhourheheardstrike，andeachhourseemedanage。Eachhourwasonlyasignaltocastoffsomecovering，orshifthisposition。Itwas，atlength，morning。Withafeelingthatheshouldgomadifheremainedanylongerinbed，herose，andpacedhischamber。Theairrefreshedhim。Hethrewhimselfonthefloor，thecoldcreptoverhissenses，andheslept。’[13]
[13]’TheYoungDuke，’byB。Disraeli，chapterVIII。Thisgamblingistheturning-pointintheyoungduke’scareer；heproveshimselfatlengthnotunworthyofhisnobleancestryarmhishighhereditaryposition，——takeshisplaceintheSenate，andwedsthemaidenofhislove。
CHAPTERIV。
ATROCITIES，DUELS，SUICIDES，ANDEXECUTIONOFGAMBLERS。
Thehistoryofallnationsisbuttherecordoftheircupidity；
andwhenthefuryofgamingappearsonthescene，ithasneverfailedtodoubletheinsolenceandatrocitiesoftyranny。
TheatrociousgamblingoftheHindooRajashasbeenrelated；[14]
andIhaveincidentallyadvertedtosimilarconcomitantsoftheviceamongallnations。Inowproposetobringtogetheraseriesoffactsspeciallyelucidativeoftheharrowingtheme。
[14]ChapterII。
OneofthePtolemys，kingsofEgypt，requiredallcausestobesubmittedtohimwhilstatplay，andpronouncedevensentenceofdeathaccordingtochance。Ononeoccasionhiswife，Berenice，pronouncedthereanentthosememorablewords:——’Therecannotbetoomuchdeliberationwhenthedeathofamanisconcerned’——
afterwardsadoptedbyJuvenal——Nullaunquamdemortehominiscunctatiolongaest。[15]
[15]Aelian，Var。Hist。lib。XLIV。c。xiii。；Juvenal，Sat。vi。
Tolomnius，KingoftheVeii，happenedtobeplayingatdicewhenthearrivalofRomanambassadorswasannounced。AttheveryinstantheutteredthewordKILL，atermofthegame；thewordwasmisinterpretedbythehearers，andtheywentforthwithandmassacredtheambassadors。LivysuggeststhatthiswasanexcuseallegedAFTERthecommissionofthedeed；butgamestersaresubjecttosuchabsenceofmindthatthereisreallynothingincredibleorastonishingintheact。’Sire，’exclaimedamessengertotheCaliphAlamin，’itisnolongertimeforplay——
Babylonisbesieged！’’Silence！’saidthecaliph，’don’tyouseeIamonthepointofgivingcheckmate？’ThesamestoryistoldofaDukeofNormandy。
Warshavearisenfromverytrivialcauses——amongtherestgambling。Henry，thesonofWilliamtheConqueror，wasplayingatchesswithLouis，thesonofPhilip，KingofFrance。Thelatter，perceivingthathewaslosingthegamegotintoapassion，andcallingHenrythesonofabastard，flungthechess-
boardintohisface。Henrytookthechess-boardandstruckLouiswithitsoviolentlythathedrewblood，andwouldhavekilledhimifhisbrother，whohappenedtocomein，hadnotpreventedhim。Thetwobrotherstooktoflight，butagreatandlastingwarwastheconsequenceofthegamblingfracas。
AgamingquarrelwasthecauseoftheslapinthefacegivenbytheDucRenetoLouisXII。，thenonlyDucd’Orleans。Thisslapwastheoriginofaliguewhichwastermed’themadwar。’Theresentmentoftheoutragedprincewasnotappeaseduntilhemountedthethrone，whenheutteredthesememorablewords:——’A
KingofFrancedoesnotavengeinsultsofferedtoaDukeofOrleans。’
Manynarrativesofsuicidecommittedbydesperategamblersareonrecord，someofwhichInowadduce。
SIRJOHNBLAND，OFKIPPAXPARK。
SirJohnBland，ofKippaxPark，flirtedawayhiswholefortuneatHazard。’He，t’othernight，’saysWalpole，’exceededwhatwaslostbythelateDukeofBedford，havingatoneperiodofthenight(thoughherecoveredthegreaterpartofit)losttwoandthirtythousandpounds。’SirJohnKippaxshothimselfin1705。
LORDMOUNTFORD。
LordMountfordcametoatragicendthroughhisgambling。Hehadlostmoney；fearedtobereducedtodistress；askedforagovernmentappointment，anddeterminedtothrowthedieoflifeordeathontheanswerreceivedfromcourt。Theanswerwasunfavourable。Heconsultedseveralpersons，indirectlyatfirst，afterwardsprettydirectly，ontheeasiestmodeoffinishinglife；invitedadinner-partyforthedayafter；suppedatWhite’s，andplayedatWhisttilloneo’clockoftheNewYear’smorning。LordRobertBertiedranktohim’ahappynewyear；’heclappedhishandstrangelytohiseyes。Inthemorning，hesentforalawyerandthreewitnesses，executedhiswill，madethemreaditovertwice，paragraphbyparagraph，askedthelawyerifthatwillwouldstandgoodthoughamanweretoshoothimself。
Beingassureditwould，hesaid——’Praystay，whileIstepintothenextroom；’wentintothenextroomandshothimself，placingthemuzzleofthepistolsoclosetohisheadthatthereportwasnotheard。
ASUICIDEROBBINGPETERTOPAYPAUL。
Gamblershavebeenknowntosetascoollyanddeliberatelyaboutblowingouttheirbrainsasiftheyhadonlybeengoingtolighttheircigars。LordOrford，inhiscorrespondencewithHoraceWalpole，mentionstwocuriousinstances。
OneofthefashionableyoungmenofLordOrford’sdayhadbeenunhappilydecoyedintoagamblinghouse，wherehispassionforplaybecamesogreatthathespentnearlythewholeofhistimeinthrowingthedice。Hecontinuedtogambleuntilhehadnotonlylostaprincelyfortune，buthadincurredalargeamountofdebtamonghistradesmen。Withthelossofhismoney，andtheutterbeggarywhichstaredhimintheface，theunfortunatevictimofplaylostallrelishforlife；andsoughtindeaththeonlyrefugehecouldfancyfromtheinfamyandmiserywhichhehadbroughtuponhimself。Butwhilstfullyresolvedonself-
destruction，hethought，beforecarryinghisfatalpurposeintoexecution，hemightaswelldohistradesmenanactofjustice，evenifinsodoingheshoulddoinjusticetoothers。Heinsuredhislifetotheextentofhisdebts，amountingtoseveralthousandpounds。Beingacquaintedwithseveralofthedirectorsofthecompany(hecalledthemhislife-and-deathbrokers)inwhichheinsured，heinvitedthemtodinnerthefollowingday，withtheostensibleviewofcelebratingthecompletionoftheinsurance。Thetradesmenalsoreceivedstrictorderstobepresent；andasthenon-paymentoftheiraccountsforalongperiodtocomewasthepenaltyofnotaccedingtohiswishesinthisrespect，itcanscarcelybenecessarytosaythattheywereall’punctualasloverstothemomentsworn。’Thedinnerover，andaliberalallowanceofwinehavingbeenquaffed，theruinedgamblerdesiredtheservanttocallupallwhowereinthehallbelow。Inafewsecondsthedining-roomwasfilledwithtradesmen，alleagertoreceivepaymentoftheiraccounts。’Now，gentlemen，’saidthegambler，addressinghisguests，andpointingtothelittlecrowdoftradesmen，——’now，gentlemen，theseareallmytradesmen；theyarehonestindustriousmen，towhomIamindebted，andasIseenootherearthlymeansofbeingeverabletomeettheirjustclaims，youwillbesokindastopaythemoutofthesumforwhichIinsuredmylifeyesterday。Allowme，gentlemen，tobidyoufarewell。’Andsosaying，hepulledapistolfromhispocket，andplacingittohishead，thatinstantblewouthisbrains。Ofcoursehisinsuranceofficemusthavebeenonethatundertooktopayinsuranceswhatevermightbethecauseofdeath，notexceptingsuicide——which，likeduelling，hasusuallybeenabartosuchclaims。
REVELATIONSOFAGAMBLERONTHEPOINTOFCOMMITTINGSELF-MURDER。
Thefollowingis’AfullandparticularaccountofapersonwhothrewhimselfintotheThames，fromBlackfriarsBridge，onWednesday，July10，1782；withthemelancholypaperheleftbehindhim，accountingtohiswifeandchildrenforsorashanaction。’ItissaidthatseveralthousandsofthepapersweredispersedthroughLondon，anditistobehopedthatsomeofthemmightproducethatgoodeffectwhichseemstohavebeensoanxiouslydesiredbythepersonwhowishedthemtobedistributed。
’Midnight，July10，1782。
’Whoeverthouartthatreadestthispaper，listentothevoiceofonefromtheDEAD。WhilethineeyesperusethelinestheirwritermaybesufferingthemosthorridpunishmentswhichanincensedCreatorcaninflictuponthegreatestsinner。
’Reader，artthouofmyownsex？Artthouaman？Oh，inwhateverrankoflife，whetherhighorlow，——bewareofgambling！
BewareofsomuchasapproachinganEOtable！HadIevermetwithsuchadreadfulwarningasInowofferthee，Imightperhapshavebeensavedfromdeath——havebeensnatchedfromdamnation。
Reader，artthouawoman？Oh，whetherrichorpoor，whetherwife，mother，sister，ordaughter，——ifthoususpectthatthelatehours，thefeverishbody，thedisturbedmind，theruffledtemper，thesuddenextravaganceofhimwhomthoulovest，arecausedbyfrequentingthegamingtable，oh，failnottodiscoverthysuspicions——failnottoremonstrate！Hadbutmydearwiferemonstratedwithme，whenshesawme，inconsequenceofmywinnings，indulgeinexpense，whichshemusthaveknownIcouldnothonestlyafford，shewouldnotnow，withinthenexthour，bedeprivedofherhusband——oftheonlysupportofherselfandherthreepoorchildreninthisworld，——anddeprivedofhiminamannerwhicheffectuallycutsoffallhopesofourevermeetinginthehappinessofanother。****
’Yes，inlessthananhour，cowardasIam，Ishallhavedesertedmydutyandmyfamilyinthisworld；and，wretchasIam，shallhaverushedintoallthehorrorsofhellinanotherworld，bydrowningmyself。
’BycuriosityIwasfirstledtotheEOtable。AshamedtostandidleIputuponE，itcameE；uponO，itcameO。Fortunefavouredme(asIfoolishlycalledit)，andIcameawayawinner。
Somethingworsethancuriosity，thoughhardlymoredangerous，carriedmetoanothertableanothernight。Myviewingoingwasanswered。MyviewwastoWIN，andagainIWONinthecourseoftheevening。AgainIwent，andagainIwon。Forsomeweeksthiswastheconstantstory。Oh，happyhadIlostatfirst！NowI
wenteverynight。EverythingIoughttohavedone，neglected。
Upallnight，Iwasforcedtolieinbedallday。Thestrengthofmymind，whichatTHISmomentmightsaveme，washourlywastingaway。Mywifewasdeceivedwithcontinualfalsehoods，towhichnothingbutherfondnessformeblindedher。Evenmywinnings，withtheexpenseandextravaganceinwhichIindulgedmyselfandfamily，wereeverydaymorethanhalfexhausted。ButIfeltthatIwasalwaystowin。Fortunefavouredme。Fortunewasnowmydeity。****
’Butfortune，mynew，myfalsedeity，desertedme。MyluckTURNED。Iamundone！Ruined！Abeggar！Mywifeandchildrenwillwantamorselofbreadtoeat。****Todestroymyselfistheonlywaytopreservemyfamilyfromwant，andtokeepmyselffromtheGALLOWS。ThismorningIabsolutelyhesitatedwhetherI
shouldnotprocureasumofmoneywithwhichtotrymyluckbyFORGERY。Gamesters，thinkofthat——FORGERY！Omydearwife，isnotanythingbetterthanseeingmeconveyedtoTyburn？Yes，itisbetterthatbeforemanyhoursyouandyourthreehelplessdaughtersshouldbehangingintears(Ilittlemerit)overmylifeless，cold，andswollenbody。
’Readers，farewell！Frommysadandvoluntarydeath，learnwisdom。InconsequenceofgamingIgotoseekmydestructionintheThames。Oh，thinkinwhatmannerhedeservestobepunishedwhocommitsacrimewhichheisfullypersuadedmerits，andwillnotfailtomeet，theseverestpunishment。’
Thenarrativeproceedstostatethat，’betweenoneandtwoo’clockinthemorninghetookasadfarewellofthisworld，andleapedoverBlackfriarsBridge。ItpleasedProvidence，however，thatheshouldbeseencommittingthisdesperateactionbytwowatermen，whofoundhisbodyafterithadbeenaconsiderabletimeunderwater。InconsequenceofthemethodsusedbythemenoftheHumaneSociety，hewasatlengthalmostmiraculouslyrestoredtolifeandtohisfamily。Itisfurtherstatedthat——
’Inconsequenceoftheadviceofaworthyclergymanhewasrestoredtoreasonandtoreligion。Henowwondershowhecouldthinkofcommittingsohorridacrime；andisnotwithouthopethatbyalifeofcontinualrepentanceandexemplaryreligion，hemayobtainpardonhereafter。Thepaperwhichhewrotebeforehesetforthtodrownhimselfhestilldesiresshouldbemadeaspublicaspossible，andthatthisnarrativeshouldbeaddedtoit。
INCORRIGIBLE。
Intheyear1799，SirW。L——，Bart。，findinghiseldestsonextremelydistressedandembarrassed，toldhimthathewouldrelievehimfromallhisdifficulties，onconditionthathewouldstatetohim，withoutreserve，theirutmostextent，andgivehimhishonournevertoplayagainforanyconsiderablesum。Thedebts——amountingtoL22，000——wereinstantlydischarged。Beforeaweekhadelapsedhefellintohisoldhabitsagain，andlostL5000moreatasitting；uponwhichhenextmorningshothimself！
SUICIDEIN1816。
In1816agentleman，theheadofafirst-rateconcerninthecity，putaperiodtohisexistencebyblowingouthisbrains。
HehadgonetotheArgyleRoomsafewnightsbeforetheact，andaccompaniedafemalehomeinacoach，withtwomen，friendsofthewoman。Whentheygottoherresidencethetwomenproposedtothegentlemantoplayforadozenchampagnetotreattheladywith，whichthegentlemandeclined。They，however，afteragreatdealofpersuasion，prevailedonhimtoplayforsmallsums，and，accordingtotheusualtrickofgamblers，allowedhimtowinatfirst，tilltheybegantoplayfordouble，whenthereisnodoubtthefellowsproducedloadeddice，andthegentlemanlosttotheamountofL1800！Thisbroughthimtohissenses——aswellitmight。Hetheninventedanexcusefornotpayingthatsum，bysayingthathewasunderanagreementwithhispartnernottodrawforalargeramountthanL300forhisprivateaccount——andgavethemadraftforthatamount，promisingtheremainderatafutureday。Thispromise，however，hedidnotattendto，notfeelinghimselfboundbysuchavillainoustransaction，especiallyaftergivingthemsomuch。Buttherobbersfoundoutwhohewasandhisresidence，andhadtheaudacitytogo，armedwithbludgeons，andattackhimpubliclyonhisownpremises，inthepresenceofthoseemployedthere，demandingpaymentoftheirnefarious’debtofhonour，’andthreateninghim，ifhedidnotpay，thatheshouldfight！
Thisexposurehadsuchaneffectonhisfeelingsthathemadeanexcusetoretire——didso——andblewouthisbrainswithapistol！
Thisrashactwasthemoretobelamentedbecauseitpreventedthebringingtocondignpunishment，theplunderingvillainswhowerethecauseofit。[16]
[16]AnnualRegister，vol。lviii。
OTHERINSTANCES。
AgallantDutchofficer，afterhavinglostasplendidfortunenotlongsince(1823)inagamblinghouseatAix-la-Chapelle，shothimself。ARussiangeneral，also，ofimmensewealth，terminatedhisexistenceinthesamemannerandforthesamecause。Morerecently，ayoungEnglishman，wholostthewholeofanimmensefortunebygamblingatParis，quittedthisworldbystabbinghimselfintheneckwithafork。AshorttimepreviouslyanotherEnglishman，whosebirthwasashighashiswealthhadbeenconsiderable，blewhisbrainsoutinthePalaisRoyal，afterhavingliterallylosthislastshilling。Finally，anunfortunateprinteratParis，whohadawifeandfivechildren，finishedhisearthlycareerforthesamecause，bysuffocatinghimselfwiththefumesofcharcoal；hesaid，inhisfarewellnotetohisunhappywife——’Beholdtheeffectofgaming！’[17]
[17]Ubisupra。
’IFILOSEISHALLCOMMITSUICIDE。’
Ayoungmanhavinggambledawayhislastshilling，solicitedtheloanofafewpoundsfromoneoftheproprietorsofthehellinwhichhehadbeenplundered。’Whatsecuritywillyougiveme？’
askedthefellow。’Mywordofhonour，’wasthereply。’Yourwordofhonour！That’spoorsecurity，andwon’tdo，’rejoinedthehellite；’ifyoucanpawnnothingbetterthanthat，you’llgetnomoneyoutofme。’’Thenyouwon’tlendmeacoupleofpounds？’’Notwithoutsecurity，’wasthereply。’Why，surely，youwon’trefusemeacoupleofsovereigns，afterhavinglostsomuch？’’Iwon’tadvanceyouacoupleofshillingswithoutsecurity。’
Stillbentuponplay，andgreedyforthemeanstogratifyhispassion，theunhappyman，asifstruckbyasuddenthought，exclaimed——’I’llgiveyousecurity——theclothesonmybackarequitenew，andwortheightguineas；youshallhavethemassecurity。Lendmetwosovereignsonthem。’
’Supposeyoulose，’doggedlyrejoinedtheother，’Icannotstripthemoffyourback。’’Don’ttroubleyourselfonthathead，’
repliedthedesperatewretch；’ifIloseIshallcommitsuicide，whichIhavebeenmeditatingforsometime，andyoushallsurelyhavemyclothes。Ishallreturntomylodgingsbeforedaylight，inthemostworn-outandworthlessdressing-gownorgreat-coatyoucanprocureforme，leavingmyclotheswithyou。’
Thetwosovereignswereadvanced，andintenortwelveminuteswerelost。Thekeeperofthetabledemandedtheclothes，andtheunfortunatemanstrippedhimselfwiththeutmostcoolnessofmanner，andwrappinghisbodyinaworn-outgreatcoat，quittedtheplacewiththefullpurposeofcommittingself-murder。Hedidnotdirecthisstepshomeward，however，butresolvedtoaccomplishthehorriddeedbysuspendinghimselffromalamp-postinadarklaneneartheplace。Whilemakingthenecessarypreparationshewasobservedbyaconstable，whoatoncetookhimintocustody，andonthefollowingmorninghewascarriedbeforethemagistrate，whereallthecircumstancesoftheaffaircameout。
SUICIDEATVERDUN。
DuringthegreatFrenchWar，amongothermeansresortedtoinordertoeasetheEnglishprisonersatVerdunoftheirloosecash，agamingtablewassetupfortheirsoleaccommodation，and，asusual，ledtoscenesofgreatdepravityandhorror。Forinstance，ayoungmanwasenticedintothissinkofiniquity，whenhewastemptedtothrowonthetableafive-francpiece；hewon，andrepeatedtheexperimentseveraltimessuccessfully，untilluckturnedagainsthim，andhelosteverythinghehad。
Themanagerimmediatelyofferedarouleauofathousandfrancs，which，intheheatofplay，hethoughtlesslyaccepted，andalsolost。Hethendrewabillonhisagent，whichhiscaptain(hewasanofficerintheEnglisharmy)endorsed。Theproceedsofthiswentthewayoftherouleau。Hedrewtwomorebills，andlostagain。Thenextmorninghewasfounddeadinhisbed，withhislimbsmuchdistortedandhisfingersdugintohissides。Onhistablewasfoundanemptylaudanumbottle，andsomescrapsofpaperonwhichhehadbeenpractisingthesignatureofCaptainB。Oninquiryitwasfoundthathehadforgedthatofficer’snametothetwolastbills。
’INATTHEDEATH。’
In1819aninquestwasheldonthebodyofagentlemanfoundhangingfromoneofthetreesinStJames’sPark。Theevidenceestablishedthemelancholyfactthatthedeceasedwasinthehabitoffrequentinggamblinghouses，andhadsunkintoastateofdejectiononaccountofhislosses；anditseemedprobablethatitwasimmediatelyafterhisdeparturefromoneofthesereceptaclesofroguesandtheirdupesthathecommittedsuicide。
Thesonofthegate-keeperatStJames’ssawseveralpersonsroundthebodyatfouro’clockinthemorning，oneofwhom，anotedgambler，said:’Lookathisface；why，haveyouforgottenlastnight？Don’tyourecollecthimnow？’Theywere，nodoubt，allgamblers——inatthedeath。’
Thethreefollowingstories，ifnotofactualsuicide，relatecrimeswhichbearacloseresemblancetoself-murder。
AGAMBLERPAWNINGHISEARS。
AclerknamedChambers，losinghismonthlypay，whichwashisall，atagamingtable，beggedtoborrowofthemanager’s；buttheyknewhishistorytoowelltolendwithoutsecurity，andthereforedemandedsomethinginpawn。’Ihavenothingtogivebutmyears，’hereplied。’Well，’saidoneofthewittydemons，’letushavethem。’Theyouthimmediatelytookaknifeoutofhispocketandactuallycutoffallthefleshypartofoneofhiscarsandthrewitonthetable，totheastonishmentoftheadmiringgamesters。Hereceivedhistwodollars，andgambledon。
AGAMBLERSUBMITTINGTOBEHANGED。
ThefollowingincidentissaidtohaveoccurredinLondon:——Twofellowswereobservedbyapatrolsittingatalamp-postintheNewRoad；and，oncloselywatchingthem，thelatterdiscoveredthatonewastyinguptheother，whoofferednoresistance，bytheneck。Thepatrolinterferedtopreventsuchastrangekindofmurder，andwasassailedbyboth，andveryconsiderablybeatenforhisgoodoffices；thewatchmen，however，pouredin，andthepartiesweresecured。Onexaminationnextmorning，itappearedthatthemenhadbeengambling；thatonehadlostallhismoneytotheother，andhadatlastproposedtostakehisclothes。Thewinnerdemurred——observingthathecouldnotstriphisadversarynakedintheeventofhislosing。’Oh，’repliedtheother，’donotgiveyourselfanyuneasinessaboutthat；ifIloseIshallbeunabletolive，andyoushallhangme，andtakemyclothesafterIamdead，forIshallthen，youknow，havenooccasionforthem。’Theproposedarrangementwasassentedto；andthefellowhavinglost，wasquietlysubmittingtothetermsofthetreatywhenhewasinterruptedbythepatrol，whoseimpertinentinterferencehesoangrilyresented。
TWOGAMBLERSTOSSINGWHOSHOULDHANGTHEOTHER。
Intheyear1812anextraordinaryinvestigationtookplaceatBowStreet。Croker，theofficer，waspassingalongHampsteadRoad；
heobservedatashortdistancebeforehimtwomenonawall，anddirectlyaftersawthetallestofthem，astoutman，aboutsixfeethigh，hangingbyhisneckfromalamp-postattachedtothewall，beingthatinstanttiedupandturnedoffbytheshortman。
Thisunexpectedandextraordinarysightastonishedtheofficer；
hemadeuptothespotwithallspeed，andjustafterhearrivedtherethetallman，whohadbeenhanged，felltotheground，thehandkerchiefwithwhichhehadbeensuspendedhavinggivenway。
Crokerproducedhisstaff，saidhewasanofficer，anddemandedtoknowoftheothermanthecauseofsuchconduct；inthemeantimethemanwhohadbeenhangedrecovered，gotup，andonCroker’sinterfering，gavehimaviolentblowonhisnose，whichnearlyknockedhimbackward。Theshortmanwasendeavouringtomakeoff；however，theofficerprocuredassistance，andbothwerebroughttotheoffice，wheretheaccounttheygavewasthattheyworkedoncanals。TheyhadbeentogetheronWednesdayafternoon，tossedformoney，andafterwardsfortheirCLOTHES；thetallmanwhowashangedwontheother’sjacket，trousers，andshoes；theythentossedupwhichshouldHANGTHEOTHER，andtheshortonewonthetoss。Theygotuponthewall，theonetosubmit，andtheothertohanghimonthelamp-iron。Theybothagreedinthisstatement。Thetallone，whohadbeenhanged，saidifhehadwonthetosshewouldhavehangedtheother。Hesaidhethenfelttheeffectsuponhisneckofhishanging，andhiseyesweresomuchswelledthathesawDOUBLE。
Themagistrates，continuesthereportinthe’AnnualRegister，’
expressedtheirhorroranddisgust；andorderedthemanwhohadbeenhangedtofindbailfortheviolentandunjustifiableassaultupontheofficer；andtheshortone，forhangingtheother——averyodddecisioninthelattercase——sincetheactwasmurder’toallintentsandpurposes’designedandintended。Thereportsays，however，that，nothavingbail，theywerecommittedtoBridewellfortrial。[20]TheresultIhavenotdiscovered。
[20]AnnualRegister，1812，vol。liv。
Innumerableduelshaveresultedfromquarrelsoverthegamingtable，althoughnothingcouldbemoreDraconicthanthelawespeciallydirectedagainstsuchduels。BytheActofQueenAnneagainstgaming，allpersonssendingachallengeonaccountofgamingdisputeswereliabletoforfeitalltheirgoodsandtobecommittedtoprisonfortwoyears。Nocaseofthekind，however，waseverprosecutedonthatclauseoftheAct，whichwas，inotherrespects，verynearlyinoperative。
GAMBLINGDUELSINTHEYEAR1818。
Itsohappenedthatalmosteverymonthoftheyear1818was’distinguished’byaduelortwo，resultingfromquarrelsatgamblingoringamblinghouses。
January。’Ameetingtookplaceyesterdayatanearlyhour，betweenCaptainB——r——yandLieutenantT——n——n，inconsequenceofadisputeatplay。WimbledonCommonwastheground，andthepartiesfiredtwice，whenthelieutenantwasslightlywoundedinthepistolhand，theballgrazingtherightside；andheretheaffairended。’
January。’Ameetingtookplaceonthe9thinstant，atCalais，betweenLieut。Finch，20thregimentofDragoons，andLieut。
Boileau，onhalf-payofthe41stregiment。Lieut。Finchwasboundover，somedaysback，tokeepthepeaceinEngland；inconsequenceofwhichheproceededtoCalais，accompaniedbyhisfriend，CaptainButler，wheretheywerefollowedbyLieut。
BoileauandhisfriendLieut。Hartley。ItwassettledbyCaptainButler，previoustoLieut。Finchtakinghisground，thatHEWAS
BOUNDINHONOURtoreceiveLIEUT。BOILEAU’SFIREashehadgivensoseriousaprovocationasablow。Thisarrangementwas，however，defeated，byLieut。Finch’spistol\"accidentally\"goingoff，apparentlyinthedirectionofhisopponent，whichwouldprobablyhaveledtofatalconsequenceshaditnotbeenfortheIMPLICITRELIANCEplacedbyLieut。Boileau’sfriendontheSTRICT
HONOURofCapt。Butler，whoseanxiety，steadiness，andgentlemanlyconductonthisandeveryotheroccasion，weretoowellknowntoleaveadoubtonthemindsoftheoppositeparty，thatLieut。Finch’spistolgoingoffwasENTIRELYACCIDENTAL。A
reconciliation，therefore，immediatelytookplace。’
February17。’Informationwasreceivedatthepublicoffice，MarlboroughStreet，onSaturdaylast，thataduelwasabouttotakeplaceyesterday，inthefieldscontiguoustoChalkFarm，betweenColonelTuckerandLieut。Nixon，thelatterhavingchallengedtheformerinpubliccompany，forwhichandpreviousabusethecolonelinflictedseverechastisementwithathickstick。Subsequentinformationwasreceivedthatthecolonel’sfriendsdeemeditunnecessaryforhimtomeetthechallenger，butthathisremedywastorepeattheformerchastisementwheninsulted。Itwasfurtherstatedthatafewhalf-payofficers，ofinferiorrank，hadleaguedtogetherforthepurposeofprocuringotherstogiveachallenge，andwhichitwasthedeterminationtoputdownbyadoptingthecolonel’splan。’
February。’Acaptaininthearmyshookhandswithagallantlieut-colonel(whohaddistinguishedhimselfinthePeninsula)
atoneoftheWestEndgaminghouses，andLieut。N——，whowaspresent，upbraidedthecolonelwiththeepithetof\"poltroon。\"
Onafitopportunitythecolonelinflictedsummaryjusticeuponthelieutenantwithacaneorhorse-whip。Thisproducedachallenge；butthecolonelwasadvisedthathewoulddegradehimselfbycombatwiththechallenger，andhethereforedeclinedit，butpromisedsimilarchastisementtothatinflicted。ItwasthenstatedthatthecolonelwasboundtofightanyotherpersonwhowouldstandforthasthechampionofLieut。N——，towhichthecolonelconsented，——whenaLieut。J——n——eappearedasthechampion，andthemeetingwasappointedforTuesdaymorningatTurnhamGreen。Theinformationofthepolicewasrenewed，andThomasFoyapprehendedthepartiesataninnnearthespot，earlyinthemorning。Theywereconsequentlyboundovertokeepthepeace。Itappears，however，thatthelieutenantinthisinstancewasnotthechampionoftheformer，buthadbeenchallengedbythecolonel。’
April。’Ameetingwastohavetakenplaceyesterdayinconsequenceofadisputeatplay，betweenCaptainR——n——sandMrB——e——r，agentlemanoffortune；butitwaspreventedbytheinterferenceofthepolice，andthepartiesescaped。Ittookplace，however，onthefollowingday，onWimbledonCommon，andafterexchangingasingleshotthematterwasadjusted。’
May。’Inconsequenceofadisputeatagamingtable，onMondaynight，inthevicinityofPiccadilly，MrM——，whowasanofficerintheBritishserviceatBrussels，andMrB——n，amedicalman，met，atthreeinthemorning，onTuesday，intheKing’sRoad。
Theyfoughtattwelvepaces。MrB——nwaswoundedonthebackpartofthehand，andtheaffairwasadjusted。’
July。’Aduelwasfoughtyesterdaymorning，onWimbledonCommon，betweenaMrArrowsmithandLieut。Flynn，whichendedintheformerbeingwoundedinthethigh。Thedisputewhichoccasionedthemeetingoriginatedinagamingtransaction。’
September。’AduelwasfoughtthismorningonHounslowHeath，betweenMessrsHillsonandMarsden。ThedisputearoseinoneofthestandsatEghamraces。Thelatterwasseriouslywoundedintheleftside，andconveyedawayinagig。’
November。’Adueloriginating，overadisputeatplaywasfixedtotakeplaceonWimbledonCommon，atdaybreak，yesterdaymorning，butinformationhavingbeenreceivedthatpoliceofficerswerewaiting，thepartieswithdrew。’
GAMINGDUELATPARIS，1827。
Amedicalstudent，namedGoulard，quarrelledatbilliardswithafellow-studentnamedCaire。Theirmutualfriends，havinginvaintriedeverymeansofpersuasiontopreventtheconsequencesofthedispute，accompaniedtheyoungmenwithoutthewallsofParis。Goulardseemeddisposedtosubmittoanarrangement，butCairoobstinatelyrefused。Thesecondsmeasuredtheground，andthefirstshothavingbeenwonbyGoulard，hefired，andCairefelldead。Goularddidnotappearduringtheprosecutionthatfollowed；hecontinuedabsentonthedayfixedforjudgment，andthecourt，conformablytothecodeofcriminalproceedings，pronouncedonthechargewithouttheinterventionofajury。ItacquittedGoulardofpremeditation，butcondemnedhimforcontumacy，toperpetualhardlabour，andtobebranded；andthisinspiteofthefactthattheadvocate-generalhaddemandedGoulard’sacquittalofthecharge。
THEENDOFAGAMESTER。
In1788，aScotchgentleman，namedWilliamBrodie，wastriedandconvictedatEdinburgh，forstealingbank-notesandmoney，withviolence。Thisman，atthedeathofhisfather，twelveyearsbefore，inheritedaconsiderableestateinhouses，inthecityofEdinburgh，togetherwithL10，000inmoney；but，byanunhappyconnectionandatoogreatpropensitytogaming，hewasreducedtothedesperationwhichbroughthimatlasttothescaffold。Itisstatedthathisdemeanouronreceivingthedreadfulsentencewasequallycoolanddetermined；moreover，thathewasdressedinabluecoat，fancyvest，satinbreeches，andwhitesilkstockings；acockedhat；hishairfulldressedandpowdered；and，lastly，thathewascarriedbacktoprisoninachair。Suchwastherespectfultreatmentof’gentlemen’prisonersinScotlandtowardstheendofthelastcentury。
DUELWITHASHARPER。
AMonsieurdeBoisseuil，oneoftheKingsequerries，beingatacard-party，detectedoneoftheplayerscheating，andexposedhisconduct。
Theinsulted’gentleman’demandedsatisfaction，whenBoisseuilrepliedthathedidnotfightwithapersonwhowasarogue。
’ThatMAYbe，’saidtheother，’butIdonotliketobeCALLED
one。’
Theymetontheground，andBoisseuilreceivedtwodesperatewoundsfromthesharper。
Thisman’spleaagainstBoisseuilisaremarkabletrait。MadamedeStaelhasalludedtoitinherbeststyle。’InFrance，’shesays，’weconstantlyseepersonsofdistinguishedrank，who，whenaccusedofanimproperaction，willsay——\"Itmayhavebeenwrong，butnoonewilldareassertittomyface！\"Suchanexpressionisanevidentproofofconfirmeddepravity；for，whatwouldbetheconditionofsocietyifitwasonlyrequisitetokilloneanother，tocommitwithimpunityeveryevilaction，——tobreakone’swordandassertfalsehood——providednoonedaredtellyouthatyoulied？’
Incountrieswherepublicopinionismoresevereonthewantofprobityandfair-dealing，shouldamantransgressthelawsoftheseprinciplesofhumanconduct，tenduelsadaywouldnotenablehimtorecovertheesteemhehasforfeited。
MAJORONEBYANDMRGOWER。
Thisdueloriginatedasfollows:——ItappearsthataMajorOneby，beingincompanywithaMrGowerandthreeotherpersons，atatavern，inafriendlymanner，aftersometimebeganplayingatHazard；whenoneofthecompany，namedRich，askedifanyonewouldsethimthreehalf-crowns；whereuponMrGower，inajocularmanner，laiddownthreehalf-pence，tellingRichhehadsethimthreepieces，andMajorOnebyatthesametimesetRichthreehalf-crowns，andlostthemtohim。
Immediatelyafterthis，MajorOneby，inaangrymanner，turnedabouttoMrGowerandsaid——’Itwasanimpertinentthingtosetdownhalf-pence，’andcalledhim’animpertinentpuppy’forsodoing。TothisMrGoweranswered——’Whoevercallsmesoisarascal。’ThereuponMajorOnebytookupabottle，andwithgreatforcethrewitatMrGower’shead，butdidnothithim，thebottleonlybrushingsomeofthepowderoutofhishair。MrGower，inreturn，immediatelytossedacandlestickorabottleatMajorOneby，whichmissedhim；uponwhichtheybothrosetofetchtheirswords，whichwerethenhungintheroom，andMrGowerdrewhissword，buttheMajorwaspreventedfromdrawinghisbythecompany。ThereuponMrGowerthrewawayhissword，andthecompanyinterposing，theysatdownagainforthespaceofanhour。
Attheexpirationofthattime，MrGowersaidtoMajorOneby——’Wehavehadhotwords，andyouweretheaggressor，butIthinkwemaypassitover’——atthesametimeofferinghimhishand；buttheMajorreplied——’No，d——nyou，IWILLHAVEYOURBLOOD。’
Afterthis，thereckoningbeingpaid，allthecompany，exceptingMajorOneby，wentouttogohome，andhecalledtoMrGower，saying——’Youngman，comeback，Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。’
WhereuponMrGowerreturnedtotheroom，andimmediatelythedoorwasclosed，andtherestofthecompanyexcluded——whenaclashingofswordswasheard，andMajorOnebygaveMrGoweramortalwound。Itwasfound，onthebreakingupofthecompany，thatMajorOnebyhadhisgreatcoatoverhisshoulders，andthathehadreceivedthreeslightwoundsinthefight。MrGower，beingaskedonhisdeath-bedwhetherhehadreceivedhiswoundsinamanneramongswordsmencalledfair，answered——’IthinkIdid。’
MajorOnebywastriedfortheoffence，andfoundguiltyofmurder，’havingacteduponmaliceanddeliberation，andnotfromsuddenpassion。’
THENEPHEWOFABRITISHPEER。
In1813，thenephewofaBritishpeerwasexecutedatLisbon。Hehadinvolvedhimselfbygambling，andbeingdetectedinrobbingthehouseofanEnglishfriend，byaPortugueseservant，heshotthelatterdeadtopreventdiscovery。Thisdesperateact，however，didnotenablehimtoescapethehandsofjustice。
Afterexecution，hisheadwasseveredfromhisbodyandfixedonapoleoppositethehouseinwhichthemurderandrobberywerecommitted。
ThefollowingfactswillshowtheintimateconnectionbetweengamblingandRobberyorForgery。
EDWARDWORTLEYMONTAGUANDTHEJEWABRAHAMPAYBA。
EdwardWortleyMontaguwastheonlysonofthecelebratedLadyMaryWortleyMontagu，whoseeccentricitiesheinheritedwithouthergenius。Montagu，togetherwithLordsTaffeandSouthwell，wasaccusedofhavinginvitedoneAbrahamPayba，aliasJamesRoberts，aJew，todinewiththematParis，intheyear1751；andofhavingpliedhimwithwinetillhebecameintoxicated，andsolostatplaythesumof800louisd’ors。Itwasaffirmedthattheysubsequentlycalledathishouse，andthatonhisexhibitinganevidentdisinclinationtosatisfytheirdemands，theythreatenedtocuthimacrossthefacewiththeirswordsunlessheinstantlypaidthem。Terrifiedbytheirviolence，and，atthesametime，unwillingtopartwithhisgold，theJewhadcunningenoughtogivethemdraftsonaParisbanker，bywhom，ashehadnodealingswithhim，hewellknewthathisbillswouldbedishonoured；and，toescapethevengeanceofthosewhomhehadoutwitted，quittedParis。Onascertaininghowcompletelytheyhadbeenduped，Montagu，withhisassociatesLordsTaffeandSouthwell，repairedtothehouseoftheJew，andafterransackinghisdrawersandstrongboxes，aresaidtohavepossessedthemselvesofaveryconsiderablesumofmoney，inadditiontodiamonds，jewels，andothervaluablearticles。TheJewhaditnowinhispowertoturnonhispersecutors，andaccordinglyheappealedtothelegislatureforredress。LordSouthwellcontrivedtoeffecthisescape，butLordTaffeandMontaguwerearrested，andwerekeptinseparatedungeonsintheGrandChatelet，fornearlythreemonths。Thecasewassubsequentlytriedinacourtoflaw，anddecidedinfavouroftheaccused，——theJewbeingadjudgedtomakereparationanddefraythecosts！AgainsttheinjusticeofthissentenceheappealedtothehighcourtofLaTournelleatParis，whichreversedit。LordTaffeandMontaguafterwardsappealed，intheirturn，butofthedefinitiveresultthereisnorecord。
DRWILLIAMDODD。
LeSage，inhis’GilBlas，’saysthat’thedevilhasaparticularspiteagainstprivatetutors；’andhemighthaveadded，againstpopularpreachers。BypopularpreachersIdonotmeansuchgrandoldthingsasBossuet，Massillon，andBourdaloue。Allsuchmenwereproofagainstthefierydartsoftheinfernaltempter。FromtheirearliestdaystheyhadbeentrainedtoliveuptotheNonnobisDomine，’Notuntous，OLord，butuntothyname，giveglory。’Allofthemhadonlyatheartthegloryoftheirchurch-
cause；though，ofcourse，theJesuitBourdaloueworkedalsoforhisgreatOrder，thenculminatinginglory。
Thelast-named，too，wasanotherLaFontaineinsimplicity，preparingforhisgrandestpredicationsbysorrilyraspingonanexecrablefiddle。So，ifthedevilhadliftedhimuptoahighmountain，showinghimallhewouldgivehim，hewouldhavesimplyinvitedhimtohislonelycell，tohaveajigtothetuneofhiscatguts。
YourpopularpreachersinEnglandhavebeen，andare，adifferentsortofspiritualworkers。Theyhavebeen，andare，individualities，perpetuallyremindedofthefact，withal；andfiercelytemptedaccordingly。Theworld，theflesh，andthedevil，incessantlyknockattheirdoor。Iftheyfallintothesnareitisbutnatural，andmuchtobelamented。
DrDoddhadmanyamiablequalities；buthisreputationasascholar，andhisnotorietyasapreacher，appeartohaveentirelyturnedhishead。
HehadpresentedtohimagoodlivinginBedfordshire；buttheincomethereofwasofnoavailinsupplyinghiswants:hewasvain，pompous，indebt，agambler。Temptationcameuponhim。TorelievehimselfhetriedbyindirectmeanstoobtaintherectoryofStGeorge’s，HanoverSquare，bysendingananonymouslettertoLadyApsley，offeringthesumofL3000ifbyhermeanshecouldbepresentedtotheliving；theletterwasimmediatelysenttothechancellor，and，afterbeingtracedtothesender，laidbeforetheking。Hisnamewasorderedtobestruckoutofthelistofchaplains；thepressaboundedwithsatireandinvective；
Doddwasabusedandridiculed，andevenFoote，inoneofhisperformancesattheHaymarket，madehimasubjectofentertainment。Doddthendecamped，andwenttohisformerpupil，LordChesterfield，inSwitzerland，whogavehimanotherliving；
buthisextravagancebeingundiminished，hewasdriventoschemeswhichcoveredhimwithinfamy。AfterthemostextravagantandunseemlyconductinFrance，hereturnedtoEngland，andforgedabondasfromhispupil，LordChesterfield，forthesumofL4200，and，uponthecreditofit，obtainedalargesumofmoney；butdetectioninstantlyfollowing，hewascommittedtoprison，triedandconvictedattheOldBailey，Feb。24，andexecutedatTyburn，June27(afteradelayoffourmonths)，exhibitingeveryappearanceofpenitence。Thegreatdelaybetweenthesentenceandexecutionwasowingtoadoubtforsometimerespectingtheadmissibilityofanevidencewhichhadbeenmadeuseoftoconvicthim。
LordChesterfieldhasbeenaccusedofacoldandrelentlessdispositioninhavingdesertedhisoldtutorinhisextremity。
ButMrJessesaysthathehearditrelatedbyapersonwholivedattheperiod，thatatapreliminaryexaminationoftheunfortunatedivine，LordChesterfield，onsomepretence，placedtheforgeddocumentinDodd’shands，withthekindintentionthatheshouldtaketheopportunityofdestroyingit，butthelatterwantedeitherthecourageorthepresenceofmindenoughtoavailhimselfoftheoccasion。This，however，isscarcelyanexcuse，for，certainly，itwasnotforDrDoddtodestroythefataldocument。IfLordChesterfieldhadwishedtosuppressthatvitalevidencehecouldhavedoneso。
DrJohnsonexertedhimselftotheutmosttotryandsavepoorDodd；butGeorgeIII。wasinexorable。RespectingthisbenevolentattemptoftheDoctor，Chalmerswritesasfollows:——
DrJohnsonappearsindeedinthisinstancetohavebeenmoreswayedbypopularjudgmentthanhewouldperhapshavebeenwillingtoallow。Thecrywas——\"thehonouroftheclergy；\"butifthehonouroftheclergywastarnished，itwasbyDodd’scrime，andnothispunishment；forhislifehadbeensolongadisgracetohiscloththathehaddeprivedhimselfofthesympathywhichattachestothefirstdeviationfromrectitude，andfewcriminalscouldhavehadlessclaimtosuchadisplayofpopularfeeling。’
AllapplicationsfortheRoyalmercyhavingfailed，DrDoddpreparedhimselffordeath，andwithawarmthofgratitudewrotetoDrJohnsonasfollows:——
’June25，Midnight。
’Accept，thouGREATandGOODheart，myearnestandferventthanksandprayersforallthybenevolentandkindeffortsinmybehalf——Oh！DrJohnson！asIsoughtyourknowledgeatanearlyhourinmylife，wouldtoHeavenIhadcultivatedtheloveandacquaintanceofsoexcellentaman！——IprayGodmostsincerelytoblessyouwiththehighesttransports——theinfeltsatisfactionofHUMANEandbenevolentexertions！——Andadmitted，asItrustI
shallbe，totherealmsofblissbeforeyou，IshallhailYOUR
arrivaltherewithtransport，andrejoicetoacknowledgethatyouweremycomforter，myadvocate，andmyFRIEND。GodbeEVERwithYOU！’
DrJohnson’sreply。
’TotheReverendDrDodd。
’DearSir，——Thatwhichisappointedtoallmenisnowcominguponyou。Outwardcircumstances，theeyesandthoughtsofmen，arebelowthenoticeofanimmortalbeingabouttostandthetrialforeternity，beforetheSupremeJudgeofheavenandearth。Becomforted:yourcrime，morallyorreligiouslyconsidered，hasnoverydeepdyeofturpitude。Itcorruptednoman’sprinciples。
Itattackednoman’slife。Itinvolvedonlyatemporaryandreparableinjury。Ofthis，andofallothersins，youareearnestlytorepent；andmayGod，whoknowethourfrailty，anddesirethnotourdeath，acceptyourrepentance，forthesakeofHisSonJesusChristourLord！
’Inrequitalofthosewell-intendedofficeswhichyouarepleasedsoemphaticallytoacknowledge，letmebegthatyoumakeinyourdevotionsonepetitionformyeternalwelfare。
’Iam，dearSir，’Youraffectionateservant，’SAM。JOHNSON。
Nextday，27thJune，DrDoddwasexecuted。
CAPTAINDAVIS。
CaptainDaviswassometimeintheLifeGuards，andalieutenantintheYeomenoftheHousehold——asituationwhichplacedhimoftenaboutthepersonsoftheRoyalfamily。HewasseldomknowntoplayforlessstakesthanL50，oftenwonorlostlargesums，andwasrepresentedasagentlemanofextensiveandindependentfortune，althoughsomeofhisenemiesdeclaredotherwise，andrepeatedanecdotestoconfirmtheassertion。Hewasatlengthcommittedforforgeriestoanimmenseamount。TothefidelityofaservantheowedhisescapefromGiltspurStreetprison——anotherfatalexampleofthesureresultofgambling。Heirtoatitle——movinginthefirstsociety——havingheldacommissioninthemostdistinguishedoftheRoyalregiments——hewasreducedtothealternativeofanignominiousflightwithoutlawry，orriskingtheforfeitureofhiswretchedlife，totheoutragedlawsofhiscountry。WheninParis，heatonetimehadwonL30，000，andonhiswayhomehedroppedintoanothergamblinghouse，wherehelostitallbutL3000。HesetoutinlifewithL20，000inmoney！
DESPERATECAREEROFHENRYWESTON。
HenryWestonwasnephewtothedistinguishedAdmiralSirHughPalliser。
Havingunlimitedcontrolofthelargepropertyofhisemployer，aMrCowan，duringtheabsenceofthelatterfromtown，hewastemptedfirsttogambleinthefunds，whereinbeingunfortunate，henextwenttoagamblinghouseinPallMall，andlostaverylargesum；andatlength，gamedawaynearlyallhismaster’sproperty。
Inthistremendousresult——losttoallintentsandpurposes——hemadeasupremeeffortto’patchup’theruinhehadmade。HeforgedthenameofGeneralTonyn；andsodexterously，thatheobtainedfromtheBankofEnglandthesumofL10，000。
ThishugerobberyfromPeterwasnottopayPaul。Notabitofit。Itwastotrytheficklegoddessofgamingoncemore——aNapoleonicstrokeforanAusterlitzoffortune。
HelostthisL10，000intwonights。
Didhedespairatthishideouscatastrophe？Didhetearhishair——rushoutoftheroom——blowhisbrainsoutordrownhimself？
Notabitofit。He’sethiswitstowork’oncemore。HeprocuredawomantopersonateGeneralTonyn’ssister——forgedagain——andagainobtainedfromtheBankofEnglandanotherlargesupplyofreadycash——withwhich，however，he’wentoff’thistime。
Hewascaught；andthenonlyhethoughtofself-murder，andcuthisthroat——butnoteffectually。Herecovered，wastriedattheOldBailey，andhangedonthe6thofJuly，1796。
NodoubtthereaderimaginesthatthemanofsuchacareerwasanOLDstager——somelong-visaged，parchment-facedfellowtheOTHER
sideoffortyatleast。Well，thisheroofthegamingtable，HenryWeston，wasagedonlyTWENTY-THREEyears！Whatterribletimesthosemusthavebeentoproducesuchaprodigy！
TothejudgewhotriedhimHenryWestonsentalistofanumberofPROFESSIONALGAMBLERS，amongthemwasapersonofhighrank。
Weston，atdifferenttimes，lostaboveL46，000atplay；andatahouseinPallMall，wherehelostaconsiderablepartofit，threeyoungofficersalsolostnolessthanL35，000。
ARTHURTHISTLEWOOD。
ItseemsthatthewretchedtraitorArthurThistlewood，whopaidtheforfeitofhislifeforhiscrimes，haddissipatedbygamingthepropertyhehadacquiredbyamatrimonialconnection——
L12，000。Anunfortunatetransactionatcards，duringtheLincolnraces，involvedhimindifficulties，whichhefounditimpossibletomeet；andhefledtoavoidtheimportunitiesofhismorefortunateassociates。Hewasafterwardsknownonlyasthefactiousdemagogueandtheprofessedgambler！
FOUNTLEROY，THEFORGER。
HenryFountleroywasagentlemanofrank，apartnerinthebankinghouseofMarsh，Sibbold，andCo。，ofBernersStreet。HewasconvictedofhavingforgedadeedforthetransferofL5450
longannuities，infraudofacertainFrancesYoung。LikeThurtell，Fountleroydefendedhimself，andbattledwiththeprejudicialreportscirculatedagainsthim——amongtheresthisaddictiontogambling。’Iamaccused，’hesaid，’ofbeinganhabitualgambler，anaccusationwhich，iftrue，mighteasilyaccountforthediffusionoftheproperty。Iam，indeed，amemberoftwoclubs，theAlbionandtheStratford，butneverinmylifedidIplayineitheratcards，ordice，oranygameofchance；thisiswellknowntothegentlemenoftheseclubs；andmyprivatefriends，withwhomImoreintimatelyassociated，canequallyassertmyfreedomfromallhabitordispositiontoplay。’[21]
[21]Seethecasein’CelebratedTrials，’vol。viIclosethisrecordofcrimeandmiserybyafewnarrativesofamoremiscellaneouscharacter。
GAMBLINGFORLIFE。
MarshalGrammontusedtotellastoryofthreesoldiers，who，havingcommittedoffencespunishablebydeath，itwasorderedthatoneofthemshouldbehangedasanexample，andthethreeweredirectedtodecidewhichofthemshouldsufferbythrowingdice。Thefirstthrewfourteen，thesecondseventeen，andthelast，takingupthediceascoollyasthoughhewereengagedinatrivialgame，threweighteen！Thereuponheexclaimed，withanexpressionofvexation，’Ah，now！ifIhadbeenplayingformoneyIshouldnothavebeensolucky！’
Thismayappear’takingitverycool；’butIthinkthefollowingcasesofEnglishmen’ratherstronger。’
ONEOFMANYINSTANCES。
IntheTimesofFebruary11th，1819，mentionismadeofagangofnearlythirtypersons，maleandfemale，andallpresentingthemostshockingappearanceofbothwantanddepravity，whowerebroughttotheMarlboroughStreetOffice。AmongthesewretchedbeingswasawomannamedHewitt，saidtobethewifeofoneCaptainHewitt，aleaderoftheton，who，afterruininghimselfandfamilyatthegamblingtable，ranawayfromthem，andwasnotsinceheardof。Hiswifebeinglefttoherself，andhavingprobablybeentaintedbyhisevilexample，byaneasygradationbecamefirstembarrassed，thenaprostitute，thenathief，andontheoccasionabovementionedexhibitedoneofthemostdistressingspectaclesofviceandmiserythatcouldbeconceived。
TRURTELLTHEMURDERER。
Thisman，itiswellknown，wasexecutedforthemurderofWeare。
Thurtellwasevidentlynocommonman。Hisspokendefence，asreported，isoneofthefinestspecimensofimpassionedeloquence——perfectlyDemosthenic。Hisindignationatthereportscirculatedinprejudiceofhiscasewasoverwhelming。Nothingcanbefinerthantheturnofthefollowingsentence:——’IhavebeenrepresentedbythePress——WHICHCARRIESITSBENEFITSOR
CURSESONRAPIDWINGSfromoneextremityofthekingdomtotheother——asamanmoredepraved，moregratuitouslyandhabituallyprofligateandcruel，thanhaseverappearedinmoderntimes。’
Touchinghisgamblingpursuits，hesaid:——’Ihavebeenrepresentedtoyouasamanwhowasgiventogambling，andtheconstantcompanionofgamblers。Tothisaccusationinsomepartmyheart，withfeelingpenitence，pleadsguilty。Ihavegambled；
Ihavebeenagambler，butnotforthelastthreeyears。DuringthattimeIhavenotattendedorbetteduponahorse-race，orafight，oranypublicexhibitionofthatnature。IfIhaveerredinthesethings，halfofthenobilityofthelandhavebeenmyexamples；someofthemostenlightenedstatesmenofthecountryhavebeenmycompanionsinthem。Ihave，indeed，beenagambler；
Ihavebeenanunfortunateone。ButwhosefortunehaveI
ruined？——whomundone？MyownfamilyhaveIruined；Ihaveundonemyself！’[22]
[22]Seetheentirespeechin’CelebratedTrials，’vol。vi。547。
AMOSTWONDERFULENDOFAGAMBLER。
IntheAnnualRegisterfortheyear1766occursthefollowing’circumstantialandauthenticaccountofthememorablecaseofRichardParsons，’transmittedbythehighsheriffofGloucestershiretohisfriendinLondon。
Onthe20thofFebruary，1766，RichardParsonsandthreemoremetataprivatehouseinChalfold，inordertoplayatcards，aboutsixo’clockintheevening。TheyplayedatLootillaboutelevenortwelvethatnight，whentheychangedtheirgameforWhist。
Afterafewdealsadisputearoseaboutthestateofthegame。
Parsonsassertedwithoathsthattheyweresix，whichtheothersdenied；uponwhichhewished’thathemightneverenterthekingdomofheaven，andthathisfleshmightrotuponhisbones，iftherewerenotsixinthegame。’Thesewisheswereseveraltimesrepeatedboththenandafterwards。Uponthisthecandlewasputoutbyapartypresent，whosaidhewasshockedwiththeoathsandexpressionsheheard，andthatheputoutthecandlewithadesigntoputanendtothegame。Presentlyuponthistheyadjournedtoanotherhouse，andtherebeganafreshgame，whenParsonsandhispartnerhadgreatsuccess。TheythenplayedatLooagaintillfourinthemorning。DuringthesecondplayingParsonscomplainedtooneRolles，hispartner，ofabadpaininhisleg，whichfromthattimeincreased。Therewasanappearanceofaswelling，andafterwardsthecolourchangingtothatofamortifiedstate。OnthefollowingSundayhetookadviceofasurgeon，whoattendedhimuntilhisdeath。Notwithstandingalltheapplicationsthatweremadethemortificationincreased，andshoweditselfindifferentpartsofthebody。Hewasvisitedbyaclergyman，whoadministeredthesacramenttohim，withoutanyknowledgeofwhathadhappenedbefore——themanappearingtobeextremelyignorantofreligion，havingbeenaccustomedtoswear，todrink，togame，andtoprofanetheSabbath。Afterreceivingthesacramenthesaid——’Now，Imustneversinagain。’HehopedGodwouldforgivehim，havingbeenwickednotabovesixyears，andthatwhatevershouldhappenhewouldnotplayatcardsagain。
Afterthishewasingreatagony——chieflydelirious；spokeofhiscompanionsbyname，andseemedasifhisimaginationwasengagedatcards。Hestarted，haddistractedlooksandgestures，andinadreadfulfitofshakingandtremblingdiedonthe4thofMarch，justaboutafortnightaftertheutteranceofhisterribleimprecation。
TheworthysheriffofGloucestershiregoesontosaythattheman’seyeswereopenwhenhedied，andcouldnotbeclosedbythecommonmethod，sothattheyremainedopenwhenhewasputintothecoffin。FromthiscircumstancearoseareportthatheWISHED
HISEYESMIGHTNEVERCLOSE；’but，’saysthesheriff，’thisisamistake；for，fromthemostcreditablewitnesses，Iamfullyconvincednosuchwishwasuttered；andthefactis，thathedidclosehiseyesafterhewastakenwiththemortification，andeitherdozedorsleptseveraltimes。
’Whenthebodycametobelaidout，itappearedalloverdiscolouredorspotted；anditmight，inthemostliteralsense，besaid，thathisfleshrottedonhisbonesbeforehedied。’
Attherequestofthesheriff，thesurgeon(aMrPegler)whoattendedtheunfortunateman，sentinthefollowingreport:——
’Sir，——Youdesiremetoacquaintyou，inwriting，withwhatI
knowrelatingtothemelancholycaseofthelateRichardParsons；
arequestIreadilycomplywith，hopingthathissadcatastrophewillservetoadmonishallthosewhoprofanethesacrednameofGod。
’February27thlastIvisitedRichardParsons，who，Ifound，hadaninflamedleg，stretchingfromthefootalmosttotheknee，tendingtoagangrene。Thetensenessandrednessoftheskinwasalmostgoneoff，andbecameofaduskishandlividcolour，andfeltverylaxandflabby。Symptomsbeingsodangerous，someincisionsweremadedowntothequick，somespirituousfomentationsmadeuseof，andthewholelimbdressedupwithsuchapplicationsasaremostapprovedinsuchdesperatecircumstances，joinedwithproperinternalmedicines。Thenextdayheseemedmuchthesame；butonMarchthe1sthewasworse，theincisionsdischargedasharpfetidodor(whichisgenerallyoftheworstconsequence)。Onthenextday，whichwasSunday，thesymptomsseemedtobealittlemorefavourable；but，tomygreatsurprise，theverynextdayIfoundhislegnotonlymortifieduptotheknee，butthesamebegananewinfourdifferentparts，viz。，undereacheye，onthetopofhisshoulder，andononehand；andinabouttwelvehoursafterhedied。Ishallnotpresumetosaytherewasanythingsupernaturalinthecase；but，however，itmustbeconfessed，thatsuchcasesareratheruncommoninsubjectssoyoung，andofsogoodahabitashehadalwaysbeenprevioustohisillness。’
OnoneoccasionJusticeMaulewasabouttopasssentenceonaprisoner，whouponbeingaskedtosaywhyjudgmentshouldnotbepronounced，’wishedthatGodmightstrikehimdeadifhewasnotinnocentofthecrime。’Afterapause，thejudgesaid:——’AstheAlmightyhasnotthoughtpropertocomplywithyourrequest，thesentenceofthecourtis，’&c。
ASADREMINDER。
EveryEnglishmanrecollectsthefateofthatunhappyheiress，therichestofallEurope，marriedtoamanofrankandfamily，whowasplunderedinthecourseofafewyearsofthewholeofhiswealth，inoneofthoseclubhouses，andwasobligedtosurrenderhimselftoacommonprison，andultimatelyflyfromhiscountry，leavinghiswifewithherrelationsinthegreatestdespairanddespondency。’[23]
[23]RougeetNoir:theAcademiciansof1823。
GEORGEIV。
TherearefewdepartmentsofhumandistinctioninwhichGreatBritaincannotboasta’celebrity’——genteelorungenteel。Inthematterofgamblingwehavebeenunapproachable——notonlyinthe’thorough’determinationwithwhichwehaveexhaustedthepursuit——butinthevast，thefabulousmillionswhichmakeupthesumtotalthatEnglishmenhave’turnedover’atthegamingtable。
Ithinkthatmanythousandsofmillionswouldbe’withinthemark’asthecontributionofEnglandtotheinsatiategodofgambling。
Ihavepresentedtothereadertherecordofgamblingalltheworldover——thegamblingofsavages——thegamblingoftheancientPersians，Greeks，andRomans——thegamblingofthegorgeousmonarchsofFranceandtheirimpassionedsubjects；butIhavenowtointroduceuponthehorriblestageaPrinceRoyal，whosurpassedallhispredecessorsinthegamingart，havingrightroyallylostatplaynotmuchlessthanamillionsterling，or，asstated，L800，000——beforehewastwenty-oneyearsofage！
Ifthefollowingbefacts，vouchedforbyawriterofauthority，[24]theresultsweremostatrocious。
[24]JamesGrant(EditoroftheMorningAdvertiser)，SketchesinLondon。
’EveryoneisawarethatGeorgeIV。，whenPrinceofWales，was，asthecommonphraseis，over-head-and-earsindebt；andthatitwasbecausehewouldtherebybeenabledtomeettheclaimsofhiscreditors，thatheconsentedtomarrythePrincessCarolineofBrunswick。Butalthoughthisisknowntoeveryone，comparativelyfewpeopleareacquaintedwiththecircumstancesunderwhichhisdebtswerecontracted。Thosedebts，then，weretheresultoflossesatthegamingtable。Hewasaninveterategambler——ahabitwhichhemostprobablycontractedthroughhisintimacywithFox。Itisawell-ascertainedfactthatintwoshortyears，afterheattainedhismajority，helostL800，000atplay。
’Itwaswiththeviewandinthehopethatmarriagewouldcurehispropensityforthegamingtable，thathisfatherwassoanxioustoseehimunitedtoCaroline；anditwassolelyonaccountofhismarriagewiththatprincessconstitutingtheonlyconditionofhisdebtsbeingpaidbythecountry，thatheagreedtoleadhertothehymenealaltar。
’Theunfortunateresultsofthisunionarebuttoowellknown，notonlyasregardedthepartiesthemselves，butasregardedsocietygenerally。Tothegamblinghabits，then，ofthePrinceofWalesaretobeascribedalltheunhappinesswhichheentailedontheunfortunateCaroline，andthevastamountofinjurywhichtheseparationfromher，andthesubsequenttrial，producedonthemoralsofthenationgenerally。’
CHAPTERV。
ODDITIESANDWITTICISMSOFGAMBLERS。
OSTENTATIOUSGAMESTERS。
Certaingrandeesandwealthypersons，morethroughvanityorweaknessthangenerosity，havesacrificedtheiraviditytoostentation——somebyrenouncingtheirwinnings，othersbypurposelylosing。Thegreaternumberofsucheccentrics，however，seemtohaveallowedthemselvestobepillagedmerelybecausetheyhadnotthegenerosityorthecouragetogiveawaywhatwaswanted。
TheCardinald’Este，playingonedaywiththeCardinaldeMedicis，hisguest，thoughtthathismagnificencerequiredhimtoallowthelattertowinastakeof10，000crowns——’notwishing，’
hesaid，’tomakehimpayhisreckoningorallowhimtodepartunsatisfied。’Brantomecallsthis’greatness；’thefollowingisaninstanceofwhathecalls’kindness。’
’Guiltyorinnocent，’hesays，’everybodywaswellreceivedatthehouseofthiscardinal，whokeptanopentableatRomefortheFrenchchevaliers。Thesegentlemenhavingappropriatedaportionofhisplate，itwasproposedtosearchthem:’No，no！’
saidthecardinal，’theyarepoorcompanionswhohaveonlytheirsword，cloak，andcrucifixes；theyarebravefellows；theplatewillbeagreatbenefittothem，andthelossofitwillnotmakemepoorer。’
VigneuldeMarvilletellsusofcertainextravagantabbes，namedRuccellaiandFrangipani，whocarriedtheirostentationtosuchapitchastosetgoldindishesontheirtableswhenentertainingtheirgamingcompanions！Wereanyofthesebaseenoughtoputtheirhandsinandhelpthemselves？Thisisnotstatedbythehistorian。ThesetwoItalianabbeswereneplusultrasinluxuryandeffeminacy。InthereignofHenryIV。，theylaidbeforetheirguestsvermiliondishesfilledwithgloves，fans，coinstoplaywithaftertherepast，essencesandperfumes。[25]IwonderifthedelightfulscentcalledFrangipani，vouchsafedtousbyRimmelandPiesseandLubin，wasnamedafterthisexquisiteecclesiasticofold？
[25]Melangesd’Hist。etdeLit。
OnedaywhenHenryIV。wasdiningattheDucdeSully’s，thelatter，assoonastheclothwasraised，broughtincardsanddice，andplaceduponthetabletwopursesof4000pistoleseach，onefortheKing，theothertolendtothelordsofhissuite。
Thereuponthekingexclaimed:——’Greatmaster，comeandletmeembraceyou，forIloveyouasyoudeserve:IfeelsocomfortableherethatIshallsupandstaythenight。’EvidentlySullywasmoreacourtierthanusualonthisoccasion——asnodoubtthewholeaffairwasbytheking’sorder，withwhichhecompliedreluctantly；buthemadethekingplaywithhisownmoneyonly。
TheDucdeLerme，whenentertainingMonsieurthebrotherofLouisXIII。athisquartersnearMaestricht，hadtheboldnesstobringin，attheendoftherepast，twobagsof1000pistoleseach，declaringthathegavethemuptotheplayerswithoutanyconditionexcepttoreturnthemwhentheypleased。[26]
[26]Mem。deJeuM。leDucd’Orleans。
ThisDucdeLermewasatleastagreatlord，andthearmywhichhecommandedmayhavewarrantedhisextravagance；butwhatarewetothinkwhenwefindthebaseandmean-spiritedFouquetgivinghimselfthesameprincelyairs？DuringcertainfestivitiespreparedforLouisXIV。，Fouquetplacedintheroomofeverycourtieroftheking’ssuite，apurseofgoldforgambling，incaseanyofthemshouldbeshortofmoney。WellmightDuclosremarkthat’NobodywasshockedatthisMAGNIFICENTSCANDAL！[27]
[27]ConsiderationsurlesMoeeurs，Theytellofacertainlordlygamesterwholookeduponanymoneythatfellfromhishandsaslost，andwouldneverstooptopickitup！ThisremindsusofthefreedmanPallasmentionedbyTacitus，whowrotedownwhathehadtosaytohisslaves，lestheshoulddegradehisvoicetotheirlevel——nevocemconsociaret！[28]
[28]Ann。l。xiiiANINSINUATING，ELEGANTGAMESTER。
Osterman，GrandChancellorofRussia，duringthereignoftheEmpressAnne，obtainedinformationthatthecourtofVersailleshadformedaschemetosendaninsinuating，elegantgamester，toattacktheDukeofBiranonhisweakside——arageforplay——andtherebyprobablygainsomepoliticaladvantageoverhim。
Thechancellorcalledontheduketomakethenecessarycommunication，buttheministerdidnotchoosetobeathome。
Thechancellor，thenpretendingtobesufferingfromaseverefitofgout，wrotetohissovereign，statingthathehadimportantmattertoreveal，butwasunabletomove，andtheDukeofBiranwasconsequentlyorderedtowaitonhimbytheempress。
Osterman，affectinggreatpain，articulatedwithapparentdifficultythesewords——’TheFrencharesendingagamester！’
Thereuponthedukewithdrewinapet，andrepresentedtotheempressthatthechancellorwasdeliriousfromthegout，andhadreallynothingtocommunicate。
Thesubjecthadlongbeenforgottenbytheduke，whenanelegant，easy，dissipatedmarquisactuallyarrived。HehadextensivecreditonahouseoftheEnglishFactory，andpresentlyinsinuatedhimselfintothegoodgracesoftheduke，whomhesooneasedofallhissuperfluouscash。
Thechancellorbecamealarmedfortheconsequences，andresolvedtotryandplayofftheFrenchfortheircleverfinesse。HelookedaboutforamatchfortheredoubtableFrenchgamester，andsoongotinformationofapartywhomightservehisturn。ThiswasamidshipmanatMoscow，namedCruckoff，who，hewasassured，waswithoutanequalintheMANAGEMENTofcards，andtheknowledgeofQuizze——thenthefashionablecourtgame——andthatatwhichtheDukeofBiranhadlosthismoney。ThechancellorimmediatelydespatchedacouriertoMoscowtofetchtheRussiangamester。
ThemidshipmanwasforthwithmadeanensignoftheGuards，inordertoentitlehimtoplayatcourt。Hesettoworkatonceinaccordancewithhisinstructions，butafterhisownplanintheexecution。Hebeganwithlosingfreely；andwas，ofcourse，soonnoticedbythemarquis，andmarkedasapigeonworthplucking。
TheyoungRussian，however，forcedhimintohighplay，andhelostthegreaterpartofhisformergain。Themarquisgotnettled，losthisself-command，andproposedamonstrousstake，totheextentofhiscreditandgains，ofwhichhethoughthemightmakehimselfsurebysomemaster-strokeofart。
Accordingly，bymeansofasleight，hemanagedtoholdfifteeninhand，buthiswilyantagonistwasequaltotheoccasion:bytheaidofsomesweetmeatsfromanadjoiningtableheSWALLOWEDacard，and，beingfirstinhand，thechancewasdeterminedinhisfavour，andheruinedthemarquis。
Oncemorethechancellorwaitedontheduke，andplainlytoldhimthathehadbeenanxioustoguardhimagainsttheFrenchgamester，purposelysenttofleecehim，ifhehadhadthepatiencetohearhim。Thedukethenbecameoutrageous，andwishedtoarresttheFrenchmanasacheat；butOstermancoollysaidhehadpunishedhiminkind；and，producingalargebag，returnedtheduke’smoney，biddinghiminfuturenottobesoimpatientwheninformationwastobecommunicatedbygoutypersons。
Thecleverensignwasallowedtoretaintherestofthespoil，withaninjunction，however，nevertotouchacardagain，unlesshewishedtoendhisdaysamongtheexilesofSiberia。
APENITENTSONNET，writtenbytheLordFitz-Gerald[29](agreatgamester)alittlebeforehisdeath，whichwasintheyear1580。
[29]ThisLordFitzgeraldwaseldestsontotheEarlofKildare，anddiedattheageoftwenty-one。
’Bylossinplay，menoftforgetThedutytheydooweToHimthatdidbestowthesame，Andthousandmillionsmoe。
’Iloathtohearthemswearandstare，WhentheytheMainhavelost，ForgettingalltheByesthatwearWithGodandHolyGhost。
’Bywoundsandnailstheythinktowin，Buttruly’tisnotso；
ForalltheirfretsandfumesinsinTheymoneylessmustgo。
’ThereisnowightthatuseditmoreThanhethatwrotethisverse，WhocriesPeccavinow，therefore；
Hisoathshisheartdopierce。
’Thereforeexampletakebyme，ThatcursethelucklesstimeThateverdicemineeyesdidsee，Whichbredinmethiscrime。
’Pardonmeforthatispast，Iwilloffendnomore，Inthismostvileandsinfulcast，WhichIwillstillabhor。’[30]
[30]Harl。Miscel。
LOVEANDGAMBLING。
HoraceWalpole，writingtoMann，says:——’TheeventthathasmademostnoisesincemylastistheextemporeweddingoftheyoungestofthetwoGunnings，twoladiesofsurpassingloveliness，namedrespectivelyMaryandElizabeth，thedaughtersofJohnGunning，Esq。，ofCastleCoote，inIreland，whomMrsMontaguecalls\"thosegoddessestheGunnings。\"LordCoventry，agraveyounglord，oftheremainsofthepatriotbreed，haslongdangledaftertheeldest，virtuously，withregardtoherhonour，notveryhonourablywithregardtohisowncredit。AboutsixweeksagoDukeHamilton，theveryreverseoftheearl，hot，debauched，extravagant，andequallydamagedinhisfortuneandperson，fellinlovewiththeyoungestatthemasquerade，anddeterminedtomarryherinthespring。Aboutafortnightsince，atanimmenseassemblyatmyLordChesterfield’s，madetoshowthehouse，whichisreallymostmagnificent，DukeHamiltonmadeviolentloveatoneendoftheroom，whilehewasplayingatFaroattheotherend；thatis，hesawneitherthebanknorhisowncards，whichwereofthreehundredpoundseach:hesoonlostathousand。I
ownIwassolittleaprofessorinlovethatIthoughtallthisparadelookedillforthepoorgirl；andcouldnotconceive，ifhewassomuchengagedwithhismistressastodisregardsuchsums，whyheplayedatall。However，twonightsafterwards，beingleftalonewithher，whilehermotherandsisterwereatBedfordHouse，hefoundhimselfsoimpatientthathesentforaparson。TheDoctorrefusedtoperformtheceremonywithoutlicenseorring；thedukesworehewouldsendforthearchbishop；
atlasttheyweremarriedwitharingoftheBED-CURTAIN，athalf-an-houraftertwelveatnight，atMay-fairChapel。’
Thisincidentoccurredin1752，andremindsusofthemarriage-
scenedescribedbyDrydeninoneofhistales，whichwasquotedbyLordLyndhurstonthatmemorableoccasionwhenheopposedLordCampbell’sBillforthesuppressionofindecentpublications，andmadeaspeechwhichwasmorecreditabletohiswitthanhistaste，andperfectlyhorrifyingtoLordCampbell，whoinflictedamostdamagingverbalcastigationonhisverysprightlybutimprudentopponent。
