Thereareadozenortwoeminentmenhere，nottobeseenintheplay-rooms，whoaretakingthewaters——LordClarendon，BaronRothschild，PrinceSouvarof，andafewmore——butthegeneralrunofguestsisbynomeansremarkableforbirth，wealth，orrespectability；andweareshockinglyoffforladies。Asaset-offagainstthisdeficiency，itwouldseemthatalltheaged，broken-downcourtesansofParis，Vienna，andBerlinhaveagreedtomakeWiesbadentheirautumnrendezvous。Arrayedinallthecoloursoftherainbow，painteduptotherootsoftheirdyedhair，shamelessly_decolletees_，prodigalof"free"talkandunseemlygesture，theseghastlycreatures，hideouscaricaturesofyouthandbeauty，flauntabouttheplay-roomsandgardens，levyingblack-mailuponthosewhoareimprudentenoughtoengagethemin"chaff"orbadinage，anddesperatelyendeavouringtohookthemselvesontothewealthierandyoungermembersofthemalecommunity。Theypoisontheairroundthemwithsicklyperfumes；theyassumetitles，andspeakofoneanotheras"cettecherecomtesse；"theirwalkissomethingbetweenapranceandawriggle；theyprowlabouttheterracewhilstthemusicisplaying，seekingwhomtheymaydevour，orratherwhomtheymayinveigleintopayingfortheirdevouring:

and，_bonDieu！_howtheydogorgethemselveswithfoodanddrinkwhensomesillyladoragedroueallowshimselftobebulliedorwheedledintopayingtheirscot！Theirnameislegion；andtheyconstitutetheveryworstfeatureofaplacewhich，naturallyaParadise，isturnedintoaseventhhellbytheuncontrolledriotingofhumanpassions。Theyhavenofriends——no"protectors；"theyaredependentuponaccidentforamealorapieceofgoldtothrowawayatthetables；theyareplague-spotsuponthefaceofsociety；theyare，asarule，crasslyignorantandhorriblycynical；andyettherearemanymenherewhoareproudoftheiracquaintance，alwaysreadytoentertaintheminthemostexpensivemanner，andwhospeakofthemasiftheyweretheonlydesirablecompanionsintheworld！

`Amongstournotabilitiesoftheeccentricsort，nottheleastsingularinherbehaviouristheCountessC——o，anagedpatricianofimmensefortune，whoisasconstanttoWiesbadenasoldMadamedeK——fistoHombourgontheHeights。Likethelast-namedlady，sheisdailywheeledtoherplaceintheBlackandRedtemple，andplaysawayforeightorninehourswithwonderfulspiritandperseverance。Shehaswithhera_suite_ofeightdomestics；andwhenshewins(whichisnotoften)，onreturningtoherhotelatnight，shepresentseachmemberofherretinuewith——twopence！"not，"asshenaivelyavows，"fromafeelingofgenerosity，buttopropitiateFortune。"Whensheloses，noneofthem，savethemanwhowheelsherhome，getanythingbuthardwordsfromher；andhe，happyfellow，receivesadonationofsixkreutzers。Shedoesnotcursethecroupiersloudlyforherbadluck，likehercontemporary，theoncelovelyRussianAmbassadress；but，beingveryfaradvancedinyears，andofatenderdisposition，shedstearsoverhermisfortunes，restingherchinontheedgeofthetable。Anedifyingsightisthisvenerabledame，bearinganexaltedtitle，asshemopesandmouthsoverhervaryingluck，missingherstaketwiceoutofthreetimes，whenshefainwouldpushitwithherrakeintosomeparticularsectionofthetable！Sheisveryintimatewithoneortwoantediluviandiplomatistsandwarriors，whoareherestrivingtobolsterthemselvesupforanotheryearwiththewaters，andmaybeheardcrowingoutlamentationsoverherfatalpassionforplay，interspersedwithbitsofmoss-grownscandal，disinterredfromthesocialruinsofanagelongpast:Radetzky，Wratislaw(lebeausabreur)，thetwoSchwarzenbergs(heofLeipsic，andtheformerPrimeMinister)，PaulEszterhazy，Wrangel，andBlucherwerefriendsofheryouth；judgingfromherappearance，onewouldnotbesurprisedtohearthatshehadreceiveda"poulet"fromBaronTrenck，orplayedwhistwithMariaTheresa。Shehasoutlivedallhumanfriendshipsoraffections，andexistsonlyforthechinkofthegoldasitjinglesonthegamingtable。Icannothelpfancyingthatherlastwordswillbe"Riennevaplus！"Sheisagreatandconvincingmoral，ifonebutinterpretherrightly。’[83]

[83]DailyTelegraph，Aug。15，1868。

ThedoomoftheGermangaminghousesseemstobesettled。Theywillallbeclosedin1872，asappearsbythefollowingannouncement:——

`ThePrussiangovernment，nothavingbeenabletoobtainfromthelesseesofthegamingtablesatWiesbaden，Ems，andHombourgtheirconsenttotheircancellingoftheircontracts，hasresolvedtoterminatetheirprivilegesbyalegislativemeasure。

IthaspresentedabilltotheChamberofDeputiesatBerlin，fixingtheyear1872asthelimittotheexistenceoftheseestablishments，andevenauthorizingthegovernmenttosuppressthematanearlierperiodbyaroyalordinance。Noindemnityistobeallowedtothepersonsholdingconcessions。’——_Feb_。23，1868。

ALondonnewspaperdefendsthismeasureinaverysuccessfulmanner。

`Prussiahasdeclaredherpurposetoeradicatefromtheterritoriessubjecttoherincreasedsway，andfromothersrecognizingherinfluence，thedisgraceofthe_RougeetNoir_

andtheRoulettetableaspublicinstitutions。HerreasoningistotheeffectthattheybringscandaluponGermany；thattheyassociatewiththenamesofitsfavouritewatering-placestheappellationof"hells；"thattheyattractswindlersandadventurersofeverydegree；andthattheyhaveformanyayearpastbeenhelduptotheopprobriumofEurope。ForwhyshouldthispracticebealawfulpracticeofGermanyandofnoothercountryinEurope？WhynotinFrance，inSpain，inItaly，intheNorthernStates，inGreatBritainitself？Letusnotgivetothislastpropositionmoreimportancethanitisworth。TheGermanwatering-placesareplacesofleisure，oftrifling，of_ennui_。Thatiswhy，originally，theywereselectedasencampmentsbythetribeswhichfattenuponhazards。Buttherewasanotherreason:theybroughtinwelcomerevenuestoneedyprinces。Evennow，inviewofthecontemplatedexpurgation，Monacoisnamed，withGeneva，assuccessortotheperishinggloriesofHombourg，Wiesbaden，andthegreatBadenitself。Thatistosay，thegamblers，or，rather，theprofessionalswholiveuponthegamblingpropensitiesofothers，havingreceivedfromPrussiaandherfriendsnoticetoquit，areinsearchofnewlodgings。

`Thequestionis，theybeingdetermined，andtheaccommodationbeingnotlesscertainlyreadyforthemthantheseaisforthetributeofariver，willthereformdesignedbeareallyprogressivestepinthecivilizationofEurope？Prussiasays——

decidedlyso；becauseitwilldemolishaninfamousprivilege。

Sheaffirmsthataninstitutionwhichmighthavebeenexcusableunderalandgrave，withafewthousandacresofterritory，isinconsistentwiththedignityand，toquotecontinentalphraseology，themissionofafirst-classstate。Hereagainthereasoningisincontrovertible。Ofoneotherthing，moreover，wemayfeelperfectlysure，thatPrussiahavingdeterminedtosuppressthesecentresandsourcesofcorruption，theywillgraduallydisappearfromEurope。Concedetothematemporarybreathing-timeatMonaco；thetimeleftforevenanominallyindependentexistencetoMonacoisshort:imaginethattheyfindafreshoutletatGeneva；Prussiawillhaverepresentedthepublicopinionoftheage，againstwhichnoteventheRepublicanismofSwitzerlandcanlongmakeasuccessfulstand。

Uponthewhole，historycanneverblamePrussiaforsuchauseeitherofherconquestsorherinfluence。Saywhatyouwill，gamblingisanindulgenceblushedoverinEngland；abroad，practisedasalittleluxuryindissipation，itmaybepardonedasvenial；habitually，however，itisaleprosy。Andasitisbyhabitualgamblersthatthesehauntsaremadetoflourish，thisaloneshouldreconciletheworldoftouriststoadeprivationwhichforthemmustbeslight；whiletotheclasstheyimitate，withoutequalling，itwillbetheprohibitionofanabominablehabit。’[84]

[84]Extractsfroma`leader’intheStandardofSept。4，1869。

CHAPTERIX。

GAMBLINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES。

Itisnotsurprisingthatapeoplesointenselyspeculative，excitable，andeagerastheAmericans，shouldbedesperatelyaddictedtogambling。Indeed，thespiritofgamblinghasincessantlypervadedalltheiroperations，political，commercial，andsocial。[85]Itisbutoneofthemanifestationsofthatthoroughlicensearrogatedtoitselfbythenation，findingitstrueexpressionintheAmericanmaximrecordedbyMrHepworthDixon，socoarselyworded，butsosignificant，——`Everymanhasarighttodowhathe_DAMNED_pleases。’[86]

[85]IntheAmericancorrespondenceoftheMorningAdvertiser，Feb。6，1868，thewritersays:——`Itwasonlyyesterday(Jan。24)

thataneminentAmericanmerchantofthiscity(NewYork)said，inreferringtothestateofaffairs——"wearesocially，politically，andcommerciallydemoralized。"’

[86]`SpiritualWives。’——Aworktheextraordinarydisclosuresofwhichtendtoshowthatasimilarspirit，destined，perhaps，tobringaboutthegreatestsocialchanges，isgaininggroundelsewherethaninAmerica。

AlthoughlawssimilartothoseofEnglandareenactedinAmericaagainstgambling，itmaybesaidtoexisteverywhere，but，ofcourse，tothegreatestextentinthevicinityofthefashionablequartersofthelargecities。InNewYorkthereisscarcelyastreetwithoutitsgamblinghouse——`private，’ofcourse，butwellknowntothosewhoindulgeinthevice。TheordinarypublicgameisFaro。

Highandlow，richandpoor，areperfectlysuitedintheirrequirements；whilstatsomeplacesthestakesareunlimited，atotherstheymustnotexceedonedollar，andaplayermaywageraslowasfivecents，ortwopence-halfpenny。Thesearefortheaccommodationoftheverypoorestworkmen，dischargedsoldiers，broken-downgamblers，andstreet-boys。

`Ithink，’saysarecentwriter，[87]`ofallthestreet-boysintheworld，thoseofNewYorkarethemostprecocious。Ihaveseenashoe-black，aboutthreefeethigh，walkuptothetableor`Bank，’asitisgenerallycalled，andstakehismoney(fivecents)withtheairofayoungspendthrifttowhom"moneyisnoobject。"’

[87]`StJames’sMagazine，’Sept。，1867。

ThechiefgamblinghousesofNewYorkwereestablishedbymenwhoareAmericancelebrities，andamongthesethemostprominenthavebeenPatHernandJohnMorrissey。

PATHERN。

SomeyearsagothiscelebratedIrishmankeptupasplendidestablishmentinBroadway，nearHaustonStreet。Atthattimehishousewasthecentreofattractiontowardswhich`alltheworld’

gravitated，anddidthethingrightgrandly——combiningtheApiciuswiththeBeauNashorBrummell。Hewasprofuselylavishwithhiswinesandexuberantinhissuppers；anditwasgenerallysaidthatthegameinactionthere，_Faro_，wasplayedinallfairness。PatHernwasamanofjovialdispositionandgenialwit，andwouldhaveadornedabetterposition。Duringthetrout-

fishingseasonheusedtovisitawell-knownplacecalledIslipinLongIsland，muchfrequentedbygentlemendevotedtoanglingandfondofgoodliving。

AtIsliptheequallyrenownedObySnedeckerkeptthetavernwhichwastheresortofPatHernandhiscompanions。Ithadattachedtoitastreamandlaketowhichthegentlemenwhohadtheprivilegeofthehousewereadmitted。MrsObadiahSnedecker，thebuxomwifeof`minehost，’wasfamousfortheexquisitewayinwhichshecookedvealcutlets。Thereweretwoniggersintheestablishment，namedSteveandDick，whoaccompaniedthegentlemenintheiranglingexcursions，amusingthemwiththeirstolidityandtheenormousquantityofgintheycouldimbibewithoutbeingmorethannormallyfuddled。

Afterfishing，thegentlemenusedtotaketogamblingattheusualFrenchgames；butherePatHernappearednotinthecharacterofgambler，butasaprivategentleman。Hewasalwayswellreceivedbythevisitors，andcausedthemmanyaheartylaughwithhisoverflowinghumour。Hediedaboutnineyearsago，Ithinktolerablywelloff。

JOHNMORRISSEY。

JohnMorrisseywasoriginallyaprize-fighter，——havingfoughtwithHeenanandalsowithYankeeSullivan，andlivedbyteachingtheyoungAmericansthenobleartofself-defence。Heafterwardssetupa`Bar，’orpublic-house，andoverthisheestablishedasmallFarobank，whichheenlargedandimprovedbydegreesuntilitbecamewellknown，andwasverymuchfrequentedbythegamblersofNewYork。Heisnow，Ibelieve，amemberofCongressforthatcity，andimmenselywealthy。NotcontentwithhissuccessfulgamblingoperationsinNewYork，hehasopenedasplendidestablishmentatthefashionablesummerresortofSaratoga，consistingofanimmensehotel，ballrooms，andgambling-rooms，andissaidtohaveaprofitoftwomillionsofdollars(aboutL400，000)duringtheseason。[88]Heismentionedasoneofthosewhopaythemostincometax。

[88]_Ubisupra_。

Morrissey’sgamblinghouseisinUnionSquare，andissaidtobemagnificentlyfurnishedanddistinguishedbythemostprincelyhospitality。Atallhoursofthedayornighttablesarelaidoutwitheverydescriptionofrefreshment，towhichallwhovisittheplacearewelcome。

ThisisaremarkablefeatureintheAmericansystem。Atall`Bars，’orpublic-houses，youfindprovided，freeofcharge，suppliesofcheese，biscuits，&c。，andsometimesevensomesavourysoup——whichareoftenresortedtobythoseunfortunateswhoare`cleanbroke’or`usedup，’withlittleelsetoassuagethepangsofhungerbuttheeverlastingquidoftobacco，furiously`chawed。’AnothergenerousfeatureoftheAmericansystemisthatthebar-mandoesnotmeasureouttoyou，afterourstingyfashion，whatdrinkyoumayrequire，buthandsyouthetumblerandbottletohelpyourself，unlessinthecaseofmadedrinks，suchas`mint-juleps，’&c。However，youmustdrinkyourliquoratagulp，aftertheYankeefashion；forifyoutakeasipandturnyourbacktothecounter，yourglasswilldisappear——asitisnotcustomarytohaveglassesstandingabout。Morrissey’swinesareverygood，andalwayssuppliedinabundance。

Almosteverygameofchanceisplayedatthisestablishment，andthestakesareveryhighandunlimited。ThevisitorsarethewealthyandwildyoungmenofNewYork，andoccasionallyaSouthern-lookingmanwho，perhaps，hassavedsomeofhisproperty，beingstillthesameprofessionalgambler；foritmaybeaffirmedthatalltheSouthernplanterswereaddictedtogambling。

`Thesameflocksofwell-dressedandfashionable-lookingmenofallagespassinandoutallthroughthedayandnight；tensofthousandsofdollarsarelostandwon；the"click"ofthemarkersneverceases；allspeakinalowtone；everythinghasaserious，quietappearance。Thedealersseemtoknoweveryone，andnodfamiliarlytoallwhoapproachtheirtables。JohnMorrisseyisoccasionallytobeseen，walkingthroughtherooms，apparentlyadisinterestedspectator。Heisashort，thick-setman，ofabout40years，darkcomplexion，andwearsalongbeard，dressesinaslovenlymanner，andwalkswithaswagger。Nowandthenheapproachesthetable；makesafewbets，andisthenlostinthecrowd。’[89]

[89]_Ubisupra_。

OTHERGAMING-HOUSES。

Thesamewriterfurnishesotherveryinterestingfacts。

`Aftertheopera-houseandtheatresareclosed，Morrissey’sgamblinghousebecomesveryfull；infact，thebesttimetoseeittoadvantageisabouttwoorthreeo’clockinthemorning。

`AlittlebelowtheNewYorkHotel，andontheoppositesideofBroadway，thereisagamblinghouse，notquiteso"respectable"astheoneIhavebeendescribing；herethestakesarenotbelowadollar，andnotmorethantwenty-five；

therearenorefreshmentsgratis，andtheroomsarenotsowellfurnished。ThementobeseengaminginthishousedifferbutverylittleinappearancefromthoseinUnionSquare，butthereseemstobelessdisciplineamongstthem，andmorenoiseandconfusion。Itisararethingtoseeanintoxicatedmaninagamblinghouse；thedoor-keepersareveryparticularastowhomtheyadmit，andanydisturbancewhichmightcallfortheinterferenceofthepolicewouldberuinoustotheirbusiness。

Thepoliceareundoubtedlyawareofeverythinggoingoninthesehouses，anddonotinterfereaslongaseverythinggoesonquietly。

`Nowandthenaclerkspendshisemployer’smoney，andifitisdiscoveredwherehelostitthena_RAID_ismadebythepoliceinforce，thetablesandallthegamingparaphernaliaarecarriedoff，andtheproprietorsheavilyfined。

`Iwitnessedacaseofthis:ayoungmanintheemploymentofacommissionmerchantappropriatedalargesumofhisemployer’smoney，andlostitatFaro。Hewasarrested，andconfessedwhathehaddonewithit。ThepoliceatonceproceededtothehousewheretheFarobankwaskept，andthescene，whenitwasknownthatthepolicewerebelow，beggarsdescription。Thetableswereupset，andnotesandmarkerswereflyingaboutinalldirections。Men，sprawlingandscramblingonthefloor，foughtwithoneanotherforwhatevertheycouldseize；thenthepoliceenteredandclearedthehouse，havingarrestedtheownersofthebank。Thiswasinoneofthelowestgaminghouses，where"skin"games(cheatinggames)arepractised。

`InthegamblinghouseinBroadway，neartheNewYorkHotel，I

haveoftennoticedayoungman，apparentlyofsome18or20yearsofage，fashionablydressed，andofprepossessingappearance。Onsomedayshewouldplayveryhigh，andseemedtohavemostremarkableluck；buthealwaysplayedwiththeairofanoldgamester，seemingcarelessastowhetherhewonorlost。Onenighthelostsoheavilythatheattractedthenoticeofalltheplayers；everystakeofhiswassweptaway；andhestillplayedonuntilhislastdollarwaslost；thenhequietlywalkedout，whistlingapopularYankeeair。Hewastherenextday_MINUS_hisgreat-coatandwatchandchain——helostagain，wentoutandreturnedinhisshirtsleeves，havingpawnedhiscoat，studs，andeverythinghecouldwithdecencydivesthimselfof。

Helosteverything；andwhenInextsawhimhewassellingnewspapersinfrontofthepost-office！

`Themaniaforgamblingisamostsingularone。Ihaveknownamantowinathousanddollarsinafewhours，andyethewouldnotspendadollartogetadinner，butwhenhefelthungryhewenttoabaker’sshopandboughtaloafofbread，andthatsamenightlostallhismoneyatRoulette。

`ThereisanotherhouseonthecornerofCentreandGrandStreets，openduringnightandday。ThestakesherearethesameasintheoneinBroadway，andthepeoplewhoplayareverymuchthesame——infact，thesamefacesareconstantlytobemetwithinallthegamblinghouses，fromthehighesttothelowest。Whenagamblerhasbutsmallcapital，hewillgotoasmallhouse，wheresmallstakesareadmissible。Isawamanwin50or60

dollarsatthisplace，andthenhandinhischecks(markers)tobecashed。Thedealerhandedhimthemoney，andsaid——"Nowyougooff，straightawaytoUnionSquare，andpayawayallyouhavewonfromheretoJohnMorrissey。Thisisthewaywithallofthem；theynevercomehereuntiltheyaredeadbroke，andhaveonlyadirtydollarorsotorisk。"Therewassometruthinwhathesaid，butnotwithstandinghemanagedtokeepthebankgoingon。Thereisagreattemptationtoamanwhohaswonasumofmoneyatasmallgamblinghousetogotoahigherone，ashemaythen，atasinglestake，winasmuchashecouldpossiblywinifhehadarunofluckinadozenstakesatthesmallerbank。

`InNo。102，intheBowery，thereisoneofthelowestofthegaminghousesIhaveseenintheEmpirecity。TheproprietorisanIrishman；heemploysthreemenasdealers，andtheyrelieveoneanothereveryfourhoursduringthedayandnight。Thestakeshereareofthelowest，andthepeopletobeseenhereoftheroughesttobefoundinthecity。ThegameisFaro，aselsewhere。

`InthisplaceImetanoldfriendwithwhomIhadservedinthearmyofNorthernVirginia，underGeneralLee，inhisVirginiacampaignof1865。HetoldmehehadbeeninNewYorksincetheendofthewar，andlivedaveryuncertainsortoflife。

Whatevermoneyhecouldearnhespentatthegamingtable。

Sometimeshehadarunofluck，andwhilstitlastedhedressedwell，andstoppedatthemostexpensivehotels。OnenighthewouldsleepattheAstorHouse；andperhapsthenextnighthewouldnotbeabletopayforhisbed，andwouldstayallnightintheparks。Strangetosay，hundredsliveinthisway，whichisvulgarlycalled"scratching"inNewYork。Iafterwardssawmyfrienddrivinganomnibus；andwhenIcouldspeaktohim，Ifoundthathewasstillattendingthebankswitheverycentheearned！

`ItisamusingtowatchtheproprietorofthisplaceattheBowery；hehasajokeforeveryonehesees。"Hallo，oldsport！"hecries，"comeandtryyourluck——youlookluckythisevening；andifyoumakeagoodrunyoumaysportagoldwatchandchain，andavelvetvest，likemyself。"Thentoanother，"Youngclear-the-way，youlookdownatthemouthto-night！Comealongandhaveaturn——andnevermindyoursuppertonight。’Inthiswaythedaysandnightsarepassedinthosegamblinghouses。’

ThereisalsoinNewYorkanassociationforthepreventionofgambling。Thesocietyemploysdetectivestovisitthegamblingsaloons，andprocureevidenceforthesuppressionoftheestablishments。

Itisthebusinessoftheseagentsalsotoascertainthenamesandoccupationsofthosewhofrequentthegamblingrooms，andalistofthepersonsthusdetectedissentperiodicallytothesubscriberstothesociety，thattheymayknowwhoarethepersonswastingtheirmoney，orperhapsthemoneyoftheiremployers，ingambling。Manylargehousesofbusinesssubscribe。

InthemonthofAugustthesociety’sagentsdetectedamongthegamblers68clerksofmercantilehouses，andintheprevioussixmonthsreported623cases。ItisstatedthatthereareinNewYorkandBrooklyn1017policyandlotteryoffices，and163Farobanks，andthattheirnetannualgainsarenotlessthan36，000，000dollars。

AMERICANGAMBLERS。

AtAmericangamblinghouses`itisveryeasy，’saysthesamewriter，`todistinguishtheprofessionalfromtheordinarygambler。Thelatterhasanervousexpressionaboutthemouth，andanintensegazeuponthecards，andaltogetheraveryseriousnervousappearance；whiletheprofessionalplaysinaveryquietmanner，andseemstocarebutlittlehowthegamegoes；andhisdesiretoappearasifthegamewasnewtohimisalmostcertaintoexposehimtothosewhoknowthemanoeuvre。

`PrevioustothestruggleforindependenceintheSouth，thereweremanyhundredsofgamblersscatteredthroughtheSoutherntowns，andtheMississippisteam-boatsusedtoaboundwiththem。

IntheSouth，agamblerwasregardedasoutsidethepaleofsociety，andclassedwiththeslave-trader，whowaslookeduponwithloathingbytheverysamemenwhotradedwithhim；suchwastheinconsistencyofpublicopinion。

`TheAmericangamblerdiffersfromhisEuropeanbrethreninmanyrespects。Heisveryfrequently，ineducation，appearance，andmanner，agentleman，andifhisprivatehistorywereknown，itwouldbefoundthathewasofgoodbirth，andwasatonetimepossessedofconsiderablefortune；buthavinglostallatthegamblingtable，hegraduallycamedowntothelevelofthosewhoprovedhisruin，andhavingnoprofessionnormeansoflivelihoodlefttohim，headoptedtheirmodeoflife。

`OnoneoccasionImetabrotherofaSouthernGeneral(veryfamousinthelatewarandstillawealthyman)who，atonetime，wasoneoftherichestplantersintheStateofLouisiana，andisnowactingasanagentforasetofgamblerstotheirgaminghouses。Afterlosingeverythinghehad，hebecameacroupiertoagamblinghouseinNewOrleans，andafterwardspliedhistradeontheMississippiforsomeyears；thenhewentintoMexico，andfinallytoNewYork，whereheopenedahouseonhisownaccount。

`Duringthewarhespeculatedin"greenbacks，"andlostallhisill-gottengains，andhadtodescendtohispresentposition。’[90]

[90]_Ubisupra_。

AMERICANGAMES:——DRAWPOKER，ORBLUFF。

DrawPoker，orBluff，isafavouritegamewiththeAmericans。Itisplayedbyanynumberofpersons，fromfourtoseven；four，five，orsixplayersarepreferred；sevenareonlyengagedwhereapartyoffriendsconsistsofthatnumber，andallrequiretobeequallyamused。

Thedealisusuallydeterminedbyfixingonacard，anddealinground，faceupwards，untilsuchcardappears。Thedealerthenplacesinthepoolan_Ante_，orcertainagreed-uponsum，andproceedstodealtoeachpersonfivecards。Theplayernexttothedealer，beforelookingathiscards，hastheoptionofstakingacertainsum。Thisiscalledthe`blind，’andmakeshimtheelderhand，orlastplayer；andwhenhisturncomesroundhecan，bygivinguphisfirststake，withdrawfromthegame，or，ifhepleases，bymakinggoodanysumstakedbyapreviousplayer，raisethestakestoanysumhepleases，provided，ofcourse，thatnolimithasbeenfixedbeforesittingdown。Theprivilegeofraisingordoublingonthe_blind_maybeexercisedbyanyoneroundthetable，providedhehasnotlookedathiscards。Ifnointerveningplayerhasmettheoriginal_blind_，thatis，stakeddoublethesum，thismustbedonebyallwhowishtoplay，and，ofcourse，mustbemadegoodbythelastplayer。Eachpersonthenlooksathiscards，anddecidesonhisplanofaction。Itshouldbeunderstoodthateveryone，exceptthe_blind_，maylookathiscardsinhisturnbeforedecidingifhewillmeetthe_blind_。Beforespeakingofthemannerofdrawingitwillbebettertogivetherelativevalueofthehands，whichwillmuchsimplifythematter，andmakeitmoreeasilyunderstood。Thus:fouracesarethebestcardsthatcanbeheld；

fourkingsnext，andsoon，downtofourtwos；fourcardsofthesamevaluebeatinganythingexceptfourofahigherdenomination。

Thenextbesthandiscalleda_full_，andismadeupthus:——

threeacesandapairofsixes；threeninesandpairoftwos；infact，anythreecardsofthesamevalueandapairconstituteafullhand，andcanonlybebeatenbyafullhandofahigherdenominationorfours。Thenexthandthattakesprecedenceisa_flush_，orfivecardsofonecolour；afterthiscomes_threes_，vis。，threecardsallofthesamevalue，say，threeaces，kings，queens，andsoon，downwards(thetworemaining，beingoddones，areofnovalue)。Thenextisasequence，asfivefollowingcards，forinstance，nine。eight，seven，six，five；itisnotnecessarytheyshouldallbeofonecolour，asthis，ofcourse，wouldconstitutea_flush_。Nextcometwopairs，say，twoknavesandtwofives；and，lastofall，isasinglepairofcards。

Havingexplainedthevalueofthehands，letusshowhowyouendeavourtogetthem。Thebetshavingbeenmade，andthe_blind_madegoodorabandoned，orgivenup，thedealerproceedstoaskeachplayerinhisturnhowmanycardshewants；andherebeginsthefirststudyofthegame——_TOKNOWWHATTOTHROWAWAY_

inordertogetinotherstomakethehandbetterifpossible。

Yourhandmay，ofcourse，besoutterlybadastomakeitnecessarytothrowawaythewholefiveanddrawfivenewones；

thisisnotverylikely，asfewplayerswillputastakeinthepoolunless，onlookingfirstathiscards，hehasseensomething，sayapair，tostartwith。Wewillsupposehehasthis，and，ofcourse，hethrowsawaythreecards，anddrawsthreeinplaceofthem。Todescribetheproperwaytofillupahandisimpossible；wecanbutgiveaninstancehereandtheretoshowthevaryinginterestwhichattachestothegame；——thus，youmayhavethreesintheoriginalhanddealt；someplayerswillthrowawaythetwooddcardsanddrawtwomore，totryandmakethehandfours，or，atleast，afull；whileaplayerknowingthathisisnotaverygoodhand，willendeavourto_DECEIVE_therestbystandingout，thatis，nottakinganyfreshcards；ofcourseallroundthetablemakeremarksastowhathecanpossiblyhave。

Itisusuallytakentobeasequence，asthisrequiresnodrawing，iforiginallydealt。Thesameremarkappliestoa_flush；_twopairsorfourtoaflush，ofcourse，requireonecardtomakethemintogoodhands，aplayerbeingonlyentitledtodrawonce；andthehandsbeingmadegood，therealandexcitingpartofthegamebegins。Eachoneendeavourstokeephisrealpositionasecretfromhisneighbours。Someputonalookofcalmindifference，andtrytoseemself-possessed；somewillgrinandtalkallsortsofnonsense；somewillutterslybitsof_badinage；_whileotherswillstudyintentlytheircards，orgazeattheceiling——allwhichisdonemerelytodistractattention，ortoconcealthefeelings，asthechanceofsuccessorfailurebefororagainst；andthenbeginsthebettingorgamblingpartofthegame。Theplayernextthe_blind_isthefirsttodeclarehisbet；inwhich，ofcourse，heisentirelygovernedbycircumstances。Some，beingthefirsttobet，andhavingaverygoodcardindeed，will`betsmall，’inhopesthatsomeoneelsewillseeit，and`gobetter，’thatis，betmore，sothatwhenitcomesroundtohisturnagainhemayseeallpreviousbets，andbetasmuchhigherashethinksproper；foritmustbeborneinmindthataplayer’sfirstbetdoesnotprecludehimfromcominginagainifhisfirstbethasbeenraiseduponbyanyplayerroundthetableinhisturn；butifoncetheoriginalbetgoesroundandcomestothe_blind_，orlastplayer，withoutanyonegoingbetter，thegameisclosed，anditbecomesa_showofhands_，toseewhotakesthepoolandallthebets。Thisdoesnotoftenhappen，asthereisusuallysomeoneroundthetabletoraiseit；butmyinformanthasseenitoccur，andhasbeenhighlyamusedatwatchingthecountenanceoftheexpectant_smallbetter_athavingtoshowafinehandforameretrifle。Someplayerswill，inordertoconcealtheirmethodofplay，occasionallythrowtheircardsamongthewasteonesandabandontheirstakes；thisisnotoftendone；butitsometimeshappenswherethestakeshavebeensmall，ortheplayerhasbeen_tryingabluff_，andhasfoundsomeonewhomhecouldnot_bluffoff_。

Theforegoingisaconciseaccountofthegame，asplayedinAmerica，whereitisofuniversalinterest，andexercisesgreatfascination。Itisoftenplayedbypartiesoffriendswhomeetregularlyforthepurpose，andinstancescanbefoundwherefortuneshavebeenlostinanight。

ThegameofPokersdiffersfromtheonejustdescribed，insofarthattheplayersreceiveonlytheoriginalfivecardsdealtwithoutdrawingfreshones，andmusteitherplayorrefuseonthem。Inthisgame，astherearemorecards，asmanyastenpersonscanplay。

LANSQUENET。[91]

LansquenetismuchplayedbytheAmericans，andisoneofthemostexcitinggamesinvogue。

Thedealerorbankerstakesacertainsum，andthismustbemetbythenearesttothedealerfirst，andsoon。Whenthestakeismet，thedealerturnsuptwocards，onetotheright，——thelatterforhimself，theformerforthetableortheplayers。Hethenkeepsonturningupthecardsuntileitherofthecardsismatched，whichconstitutesthewinning，——as，forinstance，supposethefiveofdiamondsishiscard，thenshouldthefiveofanyothersuitturnup，hewins。Ifheloses，thenthenextplayerontheleftbecomesbankerandproceedsinthesameway。

[91]ThisnameisderivedfromtheGerman`_landsknecht_’

(`valetofthefief’)，appliedtoamercenarysoldier。

Whenthedealer’scardturnsup，hemaytakethestakeandpassthebank；orhemayallowthestaketoremain，whereatofcourseitbecomesdoubledifmet。Hecancontinuethusaslongasthecardsturnupinhisfavour——havingtheoptionatanymomentofgivingupthebankandretiringforthattime。Ifhedoesthat，theplayertowhomhepassesthebankhastheoptionofcontinuingitatthesameamountatwhichitwasleft。Thepoolmaybemadeupbycontributionsofalltheplayersincertainproportions。Thetermsusedrespectingthestandingofthestakeare，`I’llsee’(_amoiletout)_and_Jetiens_。When_jumelle_(twins)，ortheturningupofsimilarcardsonbothsides，occurs，thenthedealertakeshalfthestake。

Sometimesthereisarunofseveralconsecutivewinnings；butononeoccasion，onboardoneoftheCunardsteamers，abankeratthegameturnedupinhisownfavourIthinknolessthaneighteentimes。Theoriginalstakewasonlysix-pence；buthadeachstakebeenmetaswon，thefinaldoublingwouldhaveamountedtotheimmensesumofL3，23616_s_。！Thiswillappearbythefollowingscheme:——

Ls。d。Ls。d。

1stturnup00610thturnup12160

2nd，，01011th，，25120

3rd，，02012th，，5140

4th，，04013th，，10280

5th，，08014th，，204160

6th，，016015th，，409120

7th，，112016th，，81940

8th，，34017th，，1，61880

9th，，68018th，，3，236160

Infairplay，asthisisrepresentedtohavebeen，suchalongsequenceofmatchesmustbeconsideredveryremarkable，althoughsixorsevenisnotunfrequent。

Unfortunately，however，thereisaveryeasymeansbywhichcardsharpersmanagethethingtoperfection。Theypreparebeforehandaseriesofadozencardsarrangedasfollows:——

1stQueen6thNine2ndQueen7thNine3rdTen8thAce4thSeven9thEight5thTen10thAceSeriesthusarrangedareplacedinsidepocketsoutsidethewaistcoat，justundertheleftbreast。Whenthesharperbecomesbankerheleansnegligentlyoverthetable，andinthispositionhisfingersareascloseaspossibletothepreparedcards，termed_portees_。Atthepropermomentheseizesthecardsandplacesthemonthepack。Thetrickisrenderedveryeasybythefactthatthecard-sharperhashiscoatbuttonedatthetop，sothatthelowerpartofitliesopenandpermitstheintroductionofthehand，whichiscompletelymasked。

Somesharpersareskilfulenoughtotakeupsomeofthematchesalreadydealt，whichtheyplaceintheir_costieres_，orside-

pocketsabovedescribed，inreadinessfortheirnextoperation；

otherskeepthemskilfullyhiddenintheirhand，tolaythem，attheconvenientmoment，uponthepackofcards。Bythismeans，thepackisnotaugmented。[92]

[92]RobertHoudin，`LesTricheriesdesGrecsdevoilees。’

InFrancethestakescommenceat5francs；anditmaybeeasilyimaginedhowsoonvastsumsofmoneymaychangehandsiftheplayersaredeterminedandreckless。

EUCHRE。

ThisisalsoagamemuchplayedintheStates。IsupposeitisaYankeeinvention，namedbyoneoftheirlearnedprofessors，fromtheGreek(eucheir)，meaning`wellinthehand’

or`strong’——averyappropriatedesignationofthegame，whichisasfollows:——

Inthisgameallthecardsareexcludeduptothesixes，——sevenbeingthelowestintheEuchrepack。Fivecardsaredealtout，aftertheusualshufflingandcutting，withaturn-up，ortrump。

Thedealerhastheprivilegeofdiscardingoneofhiscardsandtakingupthetrump——notshowing，however，theonehediscards。

TheKnaveisthebestcardinthegame——apeculiarYankee`notion。’TheKnaveoftrumpsiscalledtheRightBower，andtheotherKnaveofthe_samecolour_istheLeftBower。Henceitappearsthatthenauticalpropensityofthisgreatpeopleisthereinrepresented——`bower’beinginfactasheetanchor。Ifbothareheld，itisevidentthatthe_point_ofthedealisdecided——sinceitresultsfromtakingthreetricksoutofthefive；for，ofcourse，thetrumpcardappropriatedbythedealerwill，mostprobably，secureatrick，andthetwoKnavesmustnecessarilymaketwo。Thegamemaybefiveorsevenpoints，asagreedupon。Euchreisrapidanddecisive，and，therefore，eminentlyAmerican。

FLYLOO。

SomeofthegamesplayedbytheAmericansarepeculiartothemselves。Forinstance，vastsumsofmoneychangehandsoverFlyLoo，ortheattractionexistingbetweenlumpsofsugarandadventurousflies！Thisgameisnotwithoutitsexcitement。Thegamblerssitroundatable，eachwithalumpofsugarbeforehim，andtheplayeruponwhoselumpaflyfirstperchescarriesoffthepool——whichissometimesenormous。

Theytellananecdoteofa’cuteYankee，whowoninvariablyandimmenselyatthegame。Thereseemedtobeasortofmagicalormesmericattractionforthefliestohislump。Atlengthitwasascertainedthathetouchedthelumpwithhisfinger，afterhavingsmeareditwithsomethingthatnaturallyandirresistiblyattractsflieswhenevertheycangetatit。IamtoldthatthisgameisalsoplayedinEngland；ifso，thepartiesmustinsistuponfreshlumpsofsugar，andpreventalltouching。

Thereaderwillprobablyask——whatnextwillgamblersthinkofbettingon？ButIcantellofastillmorecurioussourceofgamblinginfatuation。Inthe_OxfordMagazine_，[93]isthefollowingstatement:——

[93]Vol。V。

`Afewdaysago，assomesprigsofnobilitywerediningtogetheratatavern，theytookthefollowingconceitintotheirheadsafterdinner。Oneofthemobservingamaggotcomefromafilbert，whichseemedtobeuncommonlylarge，attemptedtogetitfromhiscompanion，who，notchoosingtoletitgo，wasimmediatelyofferedfiveguineasforit，whichwasaccepted。Hethenproposedtorunitagainstanyothertwomaggotsthatcouldbeproducedattable。Matcheswereaccordinglymade，andthesepoorreptileswerethemeansofL500beingwonandlostinafewminutes！’

THECRIMESOFAMERICANGAMBLERS。

Suicides，duels，andmurdershavefrequentlyresultedfromgamblinghereaselsewhere。Manyoftheduelsindarkroomsoriginateindisputesatthegamingtable。Thecombatantsrushfromplaytoanupperoradjoiningroom，andsettletheirdifferencewithrevolver-shots，oftenfataltoboth。

Oneofthesewasaserio-comicaffairwhichisperhapsworthrelating。Twoplayershadagamblingdispute，andresolvedtosettleitinadarkroomwithpistols。Thedoorwaslockedandoneofthemfired，butmissed。Onthistheotherexclaimed——

`Now，yourascal，I’llfinishyouatmyleisure。’Hethenbegantosearchforhisopponent。Threeorfourtimeshewalkedstealthilyroundtheroom——butallinvain——hecouldnotfindhisman；helistened；hecouldnothearhimbreathe。Whathadbecomeofhim？`Oh！’atlengthheexclaimed——`NowI’vegotyou，you——sneak——heregoes！’`Hold！Hold！’criedavoicefromthechimney，`Don’tfire！I’llpayyouanything——Dotakeawaythat——pistol。’Ineffecthisadversaryheldthemuzzleofhispistolclosetotheseatofhonourasthefellowstoodstuffedupthechimney！

`You’llpay，willyou？’saidtheformer；`Verywell——800

dollars——is’tabargain？’

`Yes，yes！’gaspedthevoiceinthechimney。

`Verywell，’rejoinedthetormentor，`butjustwaitabit；Imusthaveavoucher。I’lljustcutoffthebottomofyourbreechesbywayofvoucher。’Sosayinghepulledouthisknifeandsuitedtheactiontothewords。

`Nowgetdown，’hesaid，`andoutwiththemoney；’whichwaspaid，whentheabove-namedvoucherwasreturnedtothechimney-

groper。

ThetownofVicksburg，ontheMississippi，wasformerlynotoriousastherendezvousofallsortsofdesperadoes。Itwasacityofmen；yousawnowomen，exceptatnight；andneveranychildren。

Vicksburgwasasinkofiniquity；andtheregamblingragedwithunrestrictedfury。ItwasalwaysaftertouchingatVicksburgthattheMississippiboatsbecamethewell-knownsceneofgambling——someoftheVicksburghersinvariablygettingonboardtoplytheirprofession。

Ononeoccasion，oneofthesecameonboard，andsooninducedsomeofthepassengerstoproceedtotheupperpromenade-deckforgambling。Soonthestakesincreasedandaheapofgoldwasonthetable，whenadisputearose，inthemidstofwhichoneoftheplayersplacedhishandonthestake。ThereupontheVicksburggamblerdrewhisknifeandplungeditintothehandoftheformer，withaterribleimprecation。

ThroughouttheSouthernStates，asbeforeobserved，gamblingprevailedtoaverygreatextent，anditsresultswereoftendeplorable。

Aplanterwenttoagamblinghouse，accompaniedbyoneofhisnegroes，whomheleftatthedoortowaithisreturn。Whilstthemasterwasgamblingtheslavedidthesamewithanotherwhomhefoundatthedoor。MeanwhileaMexicancameupandstoodbylookingatthegameofthenegroes。By-and-byoneofthemaccusedtheotherofcheating，whichwasdenied，whentheMexicaninterposedandtoldthenegrothathesawhimcheat。ThelattertoldtheMexicanthathelied——whereupontheMexicanstabbedhimtotheheart，killinghimonthespot。

Soonthenegro’smastercameout，andonbeinginformedoftheaffair，turnedtotheMexican，saying——`Now，sir，wemustsettlethematterbetweenus——mynegro’squarrelismine。’`Agreed，’

saidtheMexican；theyenteredthehouse，proceededtoadarkroom，firedateachother，andbothwerekilled。

AboutsixandtwentyyearsagotherelivedinNewYorkawell-to-

domerchant，ofthenameofOsborne，whohadanonlyson，whowasapartnerintheconcern。TheyoungmanfellinlovewiththedaughterofaSouthernplanter，thenonavisitatNewYork，towhomheengagedhimselftobemarried，withtheperfectconsentofallpartiesconcerned。

Onthereturnoftheplanterandhisdaughter，youngOsborneaccompaniedthemtoMobile。Ontheverynightoftheirarrival，theplanterproposedtohisintendedson-in-lawtovisitthegamingtable。Theywent；Osbornewasunlucky；andaftersomehours’playlostanimmenseamounttothefatherofhissweetheart。Hegavebills，drawnonhishouse，inpaymentofthedebtofhonour。

Onthefollowingmorningtheplanterreferredtothesubject，hintingthatOsbornemustberuined。

`Indeed，Iam！’saidtheyoungman；`butthepossessionofyourdaughterwillconsolemeforthecalamity，which，Idoubtnot，I

shallbeabletomakeupforbyindustryandexertion。’

`Thepossessionof_MY_daughter？’exclaimedtheplanter；`doyouthinkIwouldmarrymydaughtertoabeggar？No，no，sir，theaffairisendedbetweenyou——andIinsistuponitsbeingutterlybrokenoff。’Suchwastheactionoftheheartlessgambler，renderedcalloustoallsentimentsofrealhonourbyhisdebasingpursuit。

YoungOsbornewasequaltotheoccasion。Summoningallhispowerstomanfullybearthisadditionalshockoffate，hecalmlyreplied:——

`Sobeit，sir，asyouwishit。Dependuponit，however，thatmybillswillbedulyhonoured’——andsosayinghebowedanddeparted，withoutevenwishingtotakeleaveofhisbetrothed。

OnreturningtoNewYorkOsborneimmediatelydisclosedthetransactiontohisfather，who，inspiteoftheutterruinwhichimpended，andthebrutalityofthecauseoftheruin，resolvedtomeetthebillswhendue，andmaintainthehonourofhisson——

whatevermightbetheconsequencestohimself。

Thebillswerepaid；theconcernwasbrokenup；oldMrOsbornesoondiedbroken-hearted；andyoungOsbornewentasclerktosomehouseofbusinessinWallStreet。

Ayearorsopassedaway，andonedayaladypresentedherselfattheoldhouseofOsborne——nownolongertheirs——inquiringforyoungOsborne。Shewasdirectedtohisnewplaceofbusiness；

beingnootherthanhisbetrothed，wholovedhimaspassionatelyasever，andtowhomherfatherhadaccountedforthenon-

fulfilmentoftheengagementinaveryunsatisfactorymanner。OfcourseOsbornecouldnotfailtobedelightedatthisproofofherdevotedness；themeetingwasmostaffectionateonbothsides；and，withtheviewofcomingtoadecisionrespectingtheirfutureproceedings，theyadjournedtoanhotelinthevicinity。Here，whilstseatedatatableandinearnestconversation，theyounglady’sfatherrushedin，andinstantlyshotdownOsborne，whoexpiredathisfeet。Withafranticshriekthepoorgirlfellonthebodyofherbetrothed，andfindingaponiardoraknifeconcealedinhisbreast，sheseizedit，instantlyplungeditintoherheart，andwassoonacorpsebesideherlover。

CHAPTERX。

LADYGAMESTRESSES。

Thepassionsofthetwosexesaresimilarinthemain；thedistinctionsbetweenthemresultlessfromnaturethanfromeducation。Oftenwemeetwithwomen，especiallytheliterarysort，whoseemveritablemen，ifnotso，asthelawyerssay，`toallintentsandpurposes；’andoftenwemeetwithmen，especiallytown-dandies，whocanonlybecomparedtoveryordinarywomen。

Almostalltheancientshadthebadtastetospeakillofwomen；

amongtheresteventhatdelightfuloldFather`ofthegoldenmouth，’StChrysostom。[94]Sothat，evidently，DrJohnson’sfiercedictumcannotapplyuniversally——`Onlyscoundrelsspeakillofwomen。’

[94]Hom。II。

Senecatookthepartofwomen，exclaiming:——`Bynomeansbelievethattheirsoulsareinferiortoours，orthattheyarelessendowedwiththevirtues。Asforhonour，itisequallygreatandenergeticamongthem。’

AforeignladywassurprisedatbeholdingtheequalityestablishedbetweenthemenandwomenatSparta；whereuponthewifeofLeonidas，theKingofSparta，saidtoher:——`Doyounotknowthatitiswewhobringforththemen？Itisnotthefathers，butthemothers，thateffectuallyformtheheart。’

Napoleonseemstohaveformedwhatmaybecalledaprofessionalestimateofwomen。WhenthedemonstrativeMadamedeStaelaskedhim——evidentlyexpectinghimtopayheracompliment——`Whomdoyouthinkthegreatestwomandeadoralive？’Napoleonreplied，`Her，Madame，_WHOHASBORNEMOSTSONS_。’Nettledbythissarcasticreply，shereturnedtothecharge，observing，`Itissaidyouarenotfriendlytothesex。’Napoleonwashermatchagain；`Madame，’heexclaimed，`Iampassionatelyfondofmywife；’andoffhewalked。Assuredlyitwouldnotmendmattersinthisworld(orthenext)ifallmenwereNapoleonsandallwomendeStaels。

Ifweconsiderthequestioninotherpointsofview，havetherebeen，proportionally，fewercelebratedwomenthanillustriousmen？fewergreatqueensthantrulygreatkings？

Compare，onallsides，themeansandthecircumstances；countthereigns，anddecide。

Thefactisthatthisquestionhasbeenarguedonlybytyrannicalorverysillymen，whofounditdifficulttogetridoftheabsurdprejudiceswhichretainthefinesthalfofhumannatureinslavery，andcondemnittoobscurityunderthepretextthatitisessentiallycorrupted。Towardstheendofthe15thcenturyacertaindementedwriterattemptedtoprovethatwomendonotevendeservethetitleofreasonablecreatures，whichintheoriginalsoundsoddlyenough，namely，_probarenititurmulieresnonhominesesse_。Another，averylearnedJesuit，endeavouredtodemonstratethatwomenhavenosouls！Somesaythatwomensurpassusinwickedness；others，thattheyarebothworseandbetterthanmen。

Thatmorbidwretch，AlexanderPope，said，`Everywomanisatheartarake；’andarecentwriterinthe_Times_putsmorevenominthedictumbysaying，`Everywomanis(orlikes)atheartarake。’Boththeseopinionsmaybesetdownasmereclaptrap，witty，butvile。

Butatrucetosuchinsultsagainstthosewhobeautifytheearth；

_THEIR_vicescannotexcuseours。Itiswewhohavedepravedthembyassociatingthemwithexcesseswhicharerepugnanttotheirdelicacy。Thecontagion，however，hasnotaffectedallofthem。Amongour`plebeians，’andevenamongnobility，manywomenremindusofthemodestyandcourageofthoseancientrepublicanmatrons，who，sotospeak，founded，themannersandmoralsoftheircountry；andamongallclassesofthecommunitytherearethousandswhoinspiretheirhusbandswithgenerousimpulsesinthebattleoflife，eitherbycheeringwordsofcomfort，orbythatmuteeloquenceofdutieswellfulfilled，whichnothingcanresistifweareworthyofthenameofmen。Howmanyagamblerhasbeenreformedbythetenderappealsofagoodanddevotedwife。`Venerablewomen！’oneofthemexclaims，`inwhateverrankHeavenhasplacedyou，receivemyhomage。’Thegentlenessofyoursoulssmoothsdowntheroughnessofoursandchecksitsviolence。Withoutyourvirtueswhatwouldwebe？WithoutYOU，mydearwife，whatwouldhavebecomeofme？Youbeheldthebeginningandtheendofthegamingfuryinme，whichInowdetest；anditisnottome，buttoyoualone，thatthevictorymustbeascribed。’[95]

[95]Dusaulx，_DelaPassionduJeu_。

Averyprettyanecdoteistoldofsuchawifeandagaminghusband。

Inordertosimplifythesignsoflossandgain，soasnottobeoverburdenedwiththeweightofgoldandsilver，theFrenchplayersusedtocarrytherepresentationoftheirfortunesinsmallboxes，moreorlesselegant。Alady(whoelsecouldhavethoughtofsuchadevice？)，tremblingforthefateofherhusband，madehimapresentofoneofthesedreadboxes。Thislittlemaster-pieceofconjugalandmaternalaffectionrepresentedawifeintheattitudeofsupplication，andweepingchildren，seemingtosaytotheirfather——_THINKOFUS！_……

Itis，therefore，onlywiththeviewofavenginggoodandhonourablewomen，thatInowproceedtospeakofthosewhohavedisgracedtheirsex。

Ihavealreadydescribedaremarkablegamestress——thePersianQueenParysatis。[96]

[96]ChapterIII。

TherewerenogamestressesamongtheGreeks；andtheRomanwomenwerealwaystoomuchoccupiedwiththeirdomesticaffairstofindtimeforplay。Whatwillourmodernladiesthink，whenI

statethattheEmperorAugustusscarcelyworeagarmentwhichhadnotbeenwovenbyhiswife，hissister，orgrand-daughters。[97]

[97]Vestenontemerealiaquamdomesticaususest，abuxoreetfilianepotibusqueconfecta。Suet。inVitaAugusti。

AlthoughdeeplycorruptedunderNeroandthesovereignsthatresembledhim，theRomanwomennevergambledamongthemselvesexceptduringthecelebrationofthefestivaloftheBonaDea。

Thisceremonial，sooftenprofanedwithlicentiousness，wasnotattendedbydesperategambling。Themostdepravedwomenabstainedfromit，evenwhenthatmaniawasatitsheight，notonlyaroundtheCapitol，butevenintheremainderoftheEmpire。

Contemporaryauthors，whohavenotsparedtheRomanladies，neverreproachedthemwiththisvice，which，inmoderntimes，hasbeendesperatelypractisedbywomenwhoinlicentiousnessviedwithMessalina。

InFrance，womenwhowishedtogamblewere，atfirst，obligedtokeepthethingsecret；forifitbecameknowntheylostcaste。InthereignofLouisXIV。，andstillmoreinthatofLouisXV。，theybecamebolder，andthewivesofthegreatengagedinthedeepestplayintheirmansions；butstillagamestresswasalwaysdenouncedwithhorror。`Suchwomen，’saysLaBruyiere，`makeuschaste；theyhavenothingofthesexbutitsgarments。’

Bytheendofthe18thcentury，gamestressesbecamesonumerousthattheyexcitednosurprise，especiallyamongthehigherclasses；andthemajorityofthemwerenotoriousforunfairplayordownrightcheating。Astrangeroncebettedonthegameofaladyatagaming-table，whoclaimedastakealthoughonalosingcard。Outofconsiderationforthedistinguishedtrickstress，thebankerwishedtopaythestrangeraswell；butthelatterwithablush，exclaimed——`Possiblymadamewon，butasformyself，IamquitesurethatIlost。’

Butifwomencheatedatplay，theyalsofrequentlylost；andwereoftenreducedtobeggary，ortowhatisfarviler，tosacrifice，notonlytheirownhonour，butthatoftheirdaughters。

Gamingsometimesledtoothercrimes。TheCountessofSchwiechelt，ayoungandbeautifulladyfromHanover，wasmuchgiventogambling，andlost50，000livresatParis。Inordertorepairthisgreatloss，sheplannedandexecutedtherobberyofafinecoronetofemeralds，thepropertyofMadameDemidoff。Shehadmadeherselfacquaintedwiththeplacewhereitwaskept，andataballgivenbyitsownertheHanoverianladycontrivedtopurloinit。Heryouthandrankinlifeinducedmanypersonstosolicitherpardon；butBuonapartelefthertothepunishmenttowhichshewascondemned。Thisoccurredin1804。

InEngland，too，thepracticeofgamblingwasfraughtwiththeworstconsequencestothefinestfeelingsandbestqualitiesofthesex。Thechiefdangerisveryplainlyhintedatinthecomedyof_TheProvokedHusband_。

_LordTownley_——’Tisnotyourillhoursthatalwaysdistractme，but，asoften，theillcompanythatoccasionsthosehours。

_LadyTownley_——SureIdon’tunderstandyounow，mylord。WhatillcompanydoIkeep？

_LordTownley_——Why，atbest，womenthatlosetheirmoney，andmenthatwinit；_or，perhaps，menthatarevoluntarybubblesatonegame，inhopesaladywillgivethemfairplayatanother。_

`Thefacts，’saysMrMassey，[98]`confirmthetheory。

Walpole’sLettersandMrJesse’svolumesonGeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries，teemwithallusionstoprovedorunderstoodcasesofmatrimonialinfidelity；andthemannerinwhichnotoriousirregularitieswerebrazenedout，showsthattheoffendersdidnotalwaysencountertheuniversalreprobationofsociety。

[98]HistoryofEngland，ii。

`Whistwasnotmuchinvogueuntilalaterperiod，andwasfartooabstruseandslowtosuitthedepravedtastewhichrequiredunadulteratedstimulants。’

Theordinarystakesatthesemixedassemblieswould，atthepresentday，beconsideredhigh，evenattheclubswherearubberisstillallowed。

`Theconsequencesofsuchgamingwereoftenstillmorelamentablethanthosewhichusuallyattendedsuchpractices。Itwouldhappenthataladylostmorethanshecouldventuretoconfesstoherhusbandorfather。Hercreditorwasprobablyafinegentleman，orshebecameindebtedtosomerichadmirerforthemeansofdischargingherliabilities。Ineitherevent，theresultmaybeguessed。Intheonecase，thedebtofhonourwasliquidatedontheoldprincipleofthelaw-merchant，accordingtowhichtherewasbutonealternativetopaymentinpurse。Intheother，therewaslikewisebutonemodeinwhichtheacknowledgmentofobligationbyafinewomanwouldbeacceptabletoamanoftheworld。’

`Theperniciousconsequencesofgamblingtothenationatlarge，’

saysanotherwriter，`wouldhavebeenintolerableenoughhadtheybeenconfinedtothestrongersex；but，unfortunately，thewomenofthedaywereequallycarriedawaybythiscriminalinfatuation。Thedisgustinginfluenceofthissordidvicewassodisastroustofemaleminds，thattheylosttheirfairestdistinctionandprivileges，togetherwiththeblushinghonoursofmodesty。Theirhighgamingwasnecessarilyaccompaniedwithgreatlosses。Ifalltheirresources，regularandirregular，honestandfraudulent，weredissipated，still，_GAME-DEBTSMUST

BEPAID！_Thecunningwinnerwasnostrangertothenecessitiesofthecase。Hehintedat_commutations_——whichwerenottoberefused。

"Sotenderthese，——ifdebtscrowdfastuponher，She’llpawnher_VIRTUE_topreserveher_HONOUR！_"

Thus，thelastinvaluablejeweloffemalepossessionwasunavoidablyresigned。Thatwasindeedtheforestofallevils，butaneviltowhicheverydeepgamestresswasinevitablyexposed。’

HogarthstrikinglyillustratedthisphaseofwomanhoodinEngland，inhissmallpicturepaintedfortheEarlofCharlemont，andentitled`_Picquet，orVirtueinDanger_。’Itshowsayounglady，who，duringa_tete-a-tete_，hadjustlostallhermoneytoahandsomeofficerofherownage。Heisrepresentedintheactofreturningherahandfulofbank-bills，withthehopeofexchangingthemforanotheracquisitionandmoredelicateplunder。Onthechimney-pieceareawatch-caseandafigureofTime，overitthismotto——_Nunc_，`Now！’Hogarthhascaughthisheroineduringthismomentofhesitation——thisstrugglewithherself——andhasexpressedherfeelingswithuncommonsuccess。

But，indeed，thethingwasperfectlyunderstood。Inthe_Guardian_(No。120)weread:——`Allplay-debtsmustbepaidinspecieorbyequivalent。The"man"thatplaysbeyondhisincomepawnshisestate；the"woman"mustfindoutsomethingelsetomortgagewhenherpin-moneyisgone。Thehusbandhashislandstodisposeof；thewifeherperson。Nowwhenthefemalebodyisoncedipped，ifthecreditorbeveryimportunate，I

leavemyreadertoconsidertheconsequences。’……

Aladywasmarriedwhenveryyoungtoanoblelord，thehonourandornamentofhiscountry，whohopedtopreserveherfromthecontagionofthetimesbyhisownexample，and，tosaythetruth，shehadeverygoodqualitythatcouldrecommendhertothebosomofamanofdiscernmentandworth。But，alas！howfrailandshortarethejoysofmortals！Oneunfortunatehourruinedhisdarlingvisionaryschemeofhappiness:shewasintroducedtoaninfamouswoman，wasdrawnintoplay，likedit，and，astheunavoidableconsequence，shewasruined，——havinglostmoreinonenightthanwouldhavemaintainedahundredusefulfamiliesforatwelvemonth；and，dismaltotell，shefeltcompelledtosacrificehervirtuetothewretchwhohadwonhermoney，inordertorecovertheloss！Fromthismomentshemightwellexclaim——

`Farewellthetranquilmind！farewellcontent！’

Theaffectionatewife，theagreeablecompanion，theindulgentmistress，werenownomore。Invainsheflatteredherselfthattheinjuryshehaddoneherhusbandwouldforeverremainoneofthosesecretswhichcanonlybedisclosedatthelastday。

Vengeancepursuedhersteps，shewaslost；thevillaintowhomshehadsacrificedherselfboastedofthefavourshehadreceived。Thefatalreportwasconveyedtoherinjuredhusband。

Herefusedtobelievewhathethoughtimpossible，buthonourobligedhimtocalltheboastertothefield。Thewretchreceivedthechallengewithmuchmorecontentmentthanconcern；

ashehadresolutionenoughtomurderanymanwhomhehadinjured，sohewascertain，ifhehadthegoodfortunetoconquerhisantagonist，heshouldbelookeduponastheheadofallmodernbucksandbloods——esteemedbythemenasabravefellow，andadmiredbytheladiesasafinegentlemanandanagreeablerake。Themeetingtookplace——theprofligategamblernotcontentwithdeclaring，actuallyexultedinhisguilt。Buthistriumphwasofshortdate——abulletthroughtheheadsettledhisaccountwiththisworld。

Thehusband，afteralongconflictinhisbosom，betweenjusticeandmercy，tendernessandrage，resolved——onwhatisveryseldompractisedbyanEnglishhusband——topardonhiswife，concealhercrime，andpreserveher，ifpossible，fromutterdestruction。

Butthegatesofmercywereopenedinvain——theoffenderrefusedtoreceiveforgivenessbecauseshehadoffended。Thelustofgamblinghadabsorbedallherotherdesires。Shegaveherselfupentirelytotheinfamouspursuitanditsconcomitants，whilstherhusbandsankbyaquickdecay，anddiedthevictimofgriefandanguish。[99]

[99]DoingsinLondon。

OfotherEnglishgamestresses，however，nothingbuttheordinarysuccessorinconveniencesofgamblingarerecorded。Intheyear1776，aladyattheWestEndlostonenight，atasitting，3000

guineasatLoo。[100]Again，aladyhavingwonarubberof20

guineasfromacitymerchant，thelatterpulledouthispocket-

book，andtenderedL21inbanknotes。Thefairgamestress，withadisdainfultossofthehead，observed——`InthegreathouseswhichIfrequent，sir，wealwaysusegold。’`Thatmaybe，madam，’saidthegentleman，`but，inthe_LITTLE_houseswhichI

frequent，wealwaysusepaper。’

[100]AnnualRegister。

Goldsmithmentionsanoldladyinthecountrywho，havingbeengivenoverbyherphysician，playedwiththecurateoftheparishtopassthetimeaway。Havingwonallhismoney，shenextproposedplayingforthefuneralchargestowhichshewouldbeliable。Unfortunately，theladyexpiredjustasshehadtakenupthegame！

Aladywhowasdesperatelyfondofplaywasconfessingherself。

Thepriestrepresented，amongotherargumentsagainstgaming，thegreatlossoftimeitoccasioned。`Ah！’saidthelady，`thatiswhatvexesme——somuchtimelostinshufflingthecards！’

ThecelebratedMrsCreweseemstohavebeenfondofgaming。

CharlesJamesFoxrankedamongheradmirers。Agentlemanlostaconsiderablesumtothisladyatplay；andbeingobligedtoleavetownsuddenly，hegaveFoxthemoneytopayher，begginghimtoapologizetotheladyforhisnothavingpaidthedebtofhonourinperson。Foxunfortunatelylosteveryshillingofitbeforemorning。MrsCreweoftenmetthesupposeddebtorafterwards，and，surprisedthathenevernoticedthecircumstance，atlengthdelicatelyhintedthemattertohim。`Blessme，’saidhe，`I

paidthemoneytoMrFoxthreemonthsago！’`Oh，youdid，sir？’

saidMrsCrewegood-naturedly，`thenprobablyhepaidmeandI

forgotit。’

ThisfamousMrsCrewewasthewifeofMrCrewe，whowascreated，in1806，LordCrewe。Shewasasremarkableforheraccomplishmentsandherworthasforherbeauty；neverthelessshepermittedtheadmirationoftheprofligateFox，whowasintherankofheradmirers，andshewasagamestress，asweremostofthegrandladiesinthosedays。ThelinesFoxwroteonherwerenotexaggerated。Theybeganthus:——

`Wheretheloveliestexpressiontofeaturesisjoin’d，ByNature’smostdelicatepencildesign’d；

Whereblushesunhidden，andsmileswithoutart，Speakthesoftnessandfeelingthatdwellintheheart，Whereinmannersenchantingnoblemishwetrace，Butthesoulkeepsthepromisewehadfromtheface；

Surephilosophy，reason，andcoldnessmustproveDefencesunequaltoshieldusfromlove。’

`NearlyeightyearsafterthefamouselectionatWestminster，whenshepersonallycanvassedforFox，MrsCrewewasstillinperfection，withasonone-and-twenty，wholookedlikeherbrother。Theformofherfacewasexquisitelylovely，hercomplexionradiant。"Iknownot，"MissBurneywrites，"anyfemaleinherfirstyouthwhocouldbearthecomparison。She_uglifies_everyonenearher。"

`ThischarmingpartisanofFoxhadbeenactiveinhiscause；

andheroriginalityofcharacter，hergood-humour，herrecklessnessofconsequences，madeheracapitalcanvasser。’[101]

[101]Wharton，_TheQueensofSociety。_

THEGAMBLINGBARROW-WOMEN。

In1776thebarrow-womenofLondonusedgenerallytocarrydicewiththem，andchildrenwereinducedtothrowforfruitandnuts。

However，theperniciousconsequencesofthepracticebeginningtobefelt，theLordMayorissuedanordertoapprehendallsuchoffenders，whichspeedilyputanendtosuchstreet-gambling。Atthepresentdayasortofrouletteisusedforthesamepurposebytheitinerantcatererstothesweetmeatandfruit-lovinglittleones。

GAMESTRESSESATBADEN-BADEN。

MrsTrollopehasdescribedtwospecimensofthemoderngamestressesattheGermanwatering-places，oneofwhomseemstohavespeciallyattractedhernotice:——

`Therewasoneofthisset，’shesays，`whomIwatched，dayafterday，duringthewholeperiodofourstay，withmoreinterestthan，Ibelieve，wasreasonable；forhadIstudiedanyotherasattentivelyImighthavefoundlesstolament。

`Shewasyoung——certainlynotmorethantwenty-five——and，thoughnotregularlynorbrilliantlyhandsome，mostsingularlywinningbothinpersonanddemeanour。Herdresswaselegant，butpeculiarlyplainandsimple，——aclosewhitesilkbonnetandgauzeveil；aquiet-colouredsilkgown，withlessofflourishandfrill，byhalf，thananyotherperson；adelicatelittlehandwhich，whenungloved，displayedsomehandsomerings；ajewelledwatch，ofpeculiarsplendour；andacountenanceexpressiveofanxiousthoughtfulness——mustberememberedbymanywhowereatBadeninAugust，1833。Theymustremember，too，that，entertheroomswhentheywould，morning，noon，ornight，stilltheyfoundhernearlyatthesameplaceatthe_RougeetNoir_table。

`Herhusband，whohadasunquestionablytheairofagentlemanasshehadofalady，thoughnotalwaysclosetoher，wasneververydistant。Hedidnotplayhimself，andIfancied，ashehoverednearher，thathiscountenanceexpressedanxiety。Buthereturnedhersweetsmile，withwhichshealwaysmethiseye，withanansweringsmile；andIsawnottheslightestindicationthathewishedtowithdrawherfromthetable。

`Therewasanexpressionintheupperpartofherfacethatmyblunderingsciencewouldhaveconstruedintosomethingveryforeigntothepropensitysheshowed；butthereshesat，hourafterhour，dayafterday，notevenallowingtheblessedsabbath，thatgivesresttoall，tobringittoher；——thereshesat，constantlythrowingdownhandfulsoffive-francpieces，andsometimesdrawingthembackagain，tillheryoungfacegrewrigidfromweariness，andallthelustreofhereyefadedintoaglareofvexedinanity。Alas！alas！isthatfairwomanamother？Godforbid！

`Anotherfigureatthegamingtable，whichdailydrewourattention，wasapale，anxiousoldwoman，whoseemednolongertohavestrengthtoconcealhereageragitationundertheairofcallousindifference，whichallpractisedplayersendeavourtoassume。Shetrembled，tillhershakinghandcouldhardlygrasptheinstrumentwithwhichshepushedorwithdrewherpieces；thedewofagonystooduponherwrinkledbrow；yet，hourafterhour，anddayafterday，shetoosatintheenchantedchair。I

neversawageandstationinapositionsoutterlybeyondthepaleofrespect。Iwasassuredshewasapersonofrank；andmyinformantadded，butItrustshewasmistaken，thatshewasan_ENGLISH_woman。’[102]

[102]BelgiumandWesternGermany，in1833。

GAMINGHOUSESKEPTBYLADIES。

Thereisnodoubtthatduringthelasthalfofthelastcenturymanytitledladiesnotonlygambled，butkeptgaminghouses。

ThereisevenevidencethatoneofthemactuallyappealedtotheHouseofLordsforprotectionagainsttheintrusionofthepeaceofficersintoherestablishmentinCoventGarden，onthepleaofherPeerage！AllthisisprovedbyacuriousrecordfoundintheJournalsoftheHouseofLords，bytheeditorofthe_Athenaeum_。Itisasfollows:——

`DieLunae，29Aprilis，1745——_Gaming_。ABillforpreventingtheexcessiveanddeceitfuluseofithavingbeenbroughtfromtheCommons，andproceededonsofarastobeagreedtoinaCommitteeofthewholeHousewithamendments，——

informationwasgiventotheHousethatMrBurdus，ChairmanoftheQuarterSessionsforthecityandlibertyofWestminster，SirThomasdeVeil，andMrLane，ChairmanoftheQuarterSessionsforthecountyofMiddlesex，wereatthedoor；

theywerecalledin，andattheBarseverallygaveanaccountthatclaimsofprivilegeofPeerageweremadeandinsistedonbytheLadiesMordingtonandCasselis，inordertointimidatethepeaceofficersfromdoingtheirdutyinsuppressingthepublicgaminghouseskeptbythesaidladies。AndthesaidBurdusthereupondeliveredinaninstrumentinwritingunderthehandofthesaidLadyMordington，containingtheclaimshemadeofprivilegeforherofficersandservantsemployedbyherinhersaidgaminghouse。Andthentheyweredirectedtowithdraw。Andthesaidinstrumentwasreadasfollows:——"I，DameMary，BaronessofMordington，doholdahouseintheGreatPiazza，CoventGarden，forandasanAssembly，whereallpersonsofcreditareatlibertytofrequentandplayatsuchdiversionsasareusedatotherAssemblys。AndIhavehiredJosephDewberry，WilliamHorsely，HamCropper，andGeorgeSandersasmyservantsormanagers(underme)thereof。Ihavegiventhemorderstodirectthemanagementoftheotherinferiorservants(namely):

JohnBright，RichardDavis，JohnHill，JohnVandenvoren，asbox-keepers，——GilbertRichardson，housekeeper，JohnChaplain，regulator，WilliamStanleyandHenryHuggins，servantsthatwaitonthecompanyatthesaidAssembly，WilliamPennyandJosephPennyasportersthereof。Andalltheabove-mentionedpersonsI

claimasmydomestickservants，anddemandallthoseprivilegesthatbelongtomeasapeeressofGreatBritainappertainingtomysaidAssembly。M。MORDINGTON。Dated8thJan。，1744。"

`ResolvedanddeclaredthatnopersonisentitledtoprivilegeofPeerageagainstanyprosecutionorproceedingforkeepinganypublicorcommongaminghouse，oranyhouse，room，orplaceforplayingatanygameorgamesprohibitedbyanylawnowinforce。’

ThatsuchpracticecontinuedinvogueisevidentfromthepoliceproceedingssubsequentlytakenagainstTHEFAMOUSLADYBUCKINGHAMSHIRE。

ThisnotoriousgamestressofStJames’sSquare，atthecloseofthelastcentury，actuallysleptwithablunderbussandapairofpistolsatherside，toprotectherFarobank。

Onthe11thofMarch，1797，herLadyship，togetherwithLadyE。LutterellandaMrsSturt，wereconvictedattheMarlboroughStreetPolice-court，inthepenaltyofL50，forplayingatthegameofFaro；andHenryMartindalewasconvictedinthesumofL200，forkeepingtheFarotableatLadyBuckinghamshire’s。

ThewitnesseshadbeenservantsofherLadyship，recentlydischargedonaccountofalateextraordinarylossof500guineasfromherLadyship’shouse，belongingtotheFarobank。[103]

[103]ThecaseisreportedintheTimesofMarch13th，1797。

OnecannothelpbeingstruckwiththeappearanceoftheTimesnewspaperatthatperiod——70yearsago。Itwasprintedononesmallsheet，aboutequaltoasinglepageofthepresentissue，andcontainedfourpages，twoofwhichwereadvertisements，whiletheothersgaveonlyashortsummaryofnews——noleaderatall。

Inthesameyear，thecroupierattheCountessofBuckinghamshire’sonenightannouncedtheunaccountabledisappearanceofthecash-boxoftheFarobank。AlleyeswereturnedtowardsherLadyship。MrsConcannonsaidsheoncelostagoldsnuff-boxfromthetable，whileshewenttospeaktoLordC。Anotherladysaidshelostherpursetherelastwinter。

Andastorywastoldthatacertainladyhadtaken，_BY

MISTAKE_，acloakwhichdidnotbelongtoher，ataroutgivenbytheCountessof。Unfortunatelyadiscoveryofthecloakwasmade，andwhentheservantknockedatthedoortodemandit，someveryvaluablelacewhichitwastrimmedwithhadbeentakenoff。SomesurmisedthattheladywhostolethecloakmightalsohavestolentheFarobankcash-box。

Soonafter，thesameMartindale，whohadkepttheFarobankatLadyBuckinghamshire’s，becameabankrupt，andhisdebtsamountedtoL328，000，besides`debtsofhonour，’whichwerestruckofftotheamountofL150，000。Hisfailureissaidtohavebeenowingtomisplacedconfidenceinasubordinate，whorobbedhimofthousands。ThefirstsuspicionwasoccasionedbyhispurchasinganestateofL500ayear；butotherpurchasesfollowedtoaconsiderableextent；anditwassoondiscoveredthattheFarobankhadbeenrobbedsometimesof2000guineasaweek！Onthe14thofApril，1798，otherarrears，toalargeamount，weresubmittedto，andrejectedby，theCommissionersinBankruptcy，whodeclaredafirstdividendofoneshillingandfive-penceinthepound。[104]

[104]SeymourHarcourt，_GamingCalendar。_

Thischaptercannotbebetterconcludedthanwithquotingthe_Epilogue_of`TheOxonianinTown，’1767，humorouslypaintingsomeofthemischiefsofgambling，andexpresslyaddressedtotheladies:——

`Lo！next，tomypropheticeyetherestartsAbeauteousgamestressintheQueenofHearts。

Thecardsaredealt，thefatalpoolislost，Andallhergoldenhopesforevercross’d。

Yetstillthiscard-devotedfairIview——

Whate’erherluck，to"_honour_"evertrue。

Sotenderthere，——ifdebtscrowdfastuponher，She’llpawnher"virtue"topreserveher"honour。"

Thricehappyweremyart，couldIforetell，Cardswouldbesoonabjuredbyeverybelle！

Yet，Ipronounce，whocherishstillthevice，Andthepalevigilskeepofcardsanddice——

’Twillintheircharmssadhavocmake，yefair！

Which"rouge"invainshalllabourtorepair。

Beautieswillgrowmerehags，toastswither’djades，Frightfulanduglyas——the_QUEENOFSPADES_。’

CHAPTERXI。

GAMBLINGPOETS，SAVANTS，PHILOSOPHERS，WITS，ANDSTATESMEN。

Perhapsthesternmoralistwhomayhaveturnedoverthesepageshasfrownedatthefactsoftheprecedingchapter。Ifso，IknownotwhathewilldoatthosewhichIamabouttorecord。

Ifitmaybesaidthatgamestersmustbemadmen，orrogues，howhasitcometopassthatmenofgenius，talent，andvirtuewithal，havebeengamesters？

Menofgenius，`giftedmen，’astheyarecalled，aremuchtobepitied。Oneofthemhassaid——`Oh！ifmypillowcouldrevealmysufferingslastnight！’Hiswastruegrief——forithadnowitness。[105]Theendowmentsofthisnatureofoursaresostrangelymixed——theeventsofourlivesaresounexpectedlyruled，thatonemightalmostprefertohavebeenfashionedafterthoseimaginarybeingswhoactso_CONSISTENTLY_inthenurserytalesandotherfigments。Mostmenseemtohaveadoublesoul；

andinyourmenofgenius——yourcelebrities——thebattlebetweenthetwoseemslikethetremendousconflictsograndly(andhorribly)describedbyMilton。WholovedhiscountrymorethanCato？Whocaredmoreforhiscountry’shonour？AndyetCatowasnotonlyunabletoresistthesoftimpeachmentsofalcohol——

NarraturetprisciCatonisSaepemerocaluissevirtus——

buthewasalsoadice-player，agambler。[106]

[105]Illedoletverequisinetestedolet。Martial，lib。I。

[106]Plutarch，_Cato。_

JuliusCaesardidnotdrink；butwhataprofligatehewas！AndIhavenodoubtthathewasagambler:itiscertainthathegotridofmillionsnobodyknewhow。

Ibelieve，however，thatthefollowingisanundeniablefact。

Youmayfindsuspiciousgamestersineveryrankoflife，butamongmenofgeniusyouwillgenerally，ifnotalways，findonlyvictimsresignedtothecapricesoffortune。Theprofessionswhichimplythegreatestenthusiasmnaturallyfurnishthegreaternumberofgamesters。Thus，perhaps，wemaynametenpoet-gamesterstoonesavantorphilosopherwhodeservedthetitleorinfamy。

Coquillart，apoetofthe15thcentury，famousforhissatiricalversesagainstwomen，diedofgriefafterhavingruinedhimselfbygaming。ThegreatpainterGuido——andapainteriscertainlyapoet——wasanotherexample。Bynaturegentleandhonourable，hemighthavebeenthemostfortunateofmenifthedemonofgamblinghadnotpoisonedhisexistence，theendofwhichwastrulywretched。

Rotrou，theacknowledgedmasterofCorneille，hurriedhispoeticaleffusionsinordertoraisemoneyforgambling。Thismanofgeniuswasbutaspoiltchildinthematterofplay。Heoncereceivedtwoorthreehundred_louis_，andmistrustinghimself，wentandhidthemundersomevine-branches，inordernottogambleallawayatonce。Vainprecaution！Onthefollowingnighthisbagwasempty。

ThepoetVoiturewasthedelightofhiscontemporaries，conspicuousashewasforthemostexquisitepolishandinexhaustiblewit；buthewasalsooneofthemostdesperategamestersofhistime。LikeRotrou，hemistrustedhisfolly，andsometimesrefrained。`Ihavediscovered，’heoncewrotetoafriend，`aswellasAristotle，thatthereisnobeatitudeinplay；andinfactIhavegivenovergambling；itisnowsevenmonthssinceIplayed——whichisveryimportantnews，andwhichI

forgottotellyou。’Hewouldhavediedrichhadhealwaysrefrained。Hisrelapseswereterrible；onenighthelostfifteenhundredpistoles(aboutL750)。

Thelistofforeignpoetsruinedbygamblingmightbeextended；

whilst，ontheotherhand，itisimpossible，Ibelieve，toquoteasingleinstanceofthekindamongthepoetsofEngland，——

perhapsbecauseveryfewofthemhadanythingtolose。ThereaderwillprobablyrememberDrJohnson’sexclamationonhearingofthelargedebtleftunpaidbypoorGoldsmithathisdeath——

`Waseverpoetsotrustedbefore！’……

ThegreatphilosophersMontaigneandDescartes，seducedatanearlyagebytheallurementsofgambling，managedatlengthtoovercometheevil，presentingexamplesofreformation——whichprovesthatthismaniaisnotabsolutelyincurable。

Descartesbecameagamesterinhisseventeenthyear；butitissaidthatthecombinationsofcards，orthedoctrineofprobabilities，interestedhimmorethanhiswinnings。[107]

[107]Hist。desPhilos。Modernes:_Descartes_。

ThecelebratedCardan，oneofthemostuniversalandmosteccentricgeniusesofhisage，declaresinhisautobiography，thattherageforgamblinglongentaileduponhimthelossofreputationandfortune，andthatitretardedhisprogressinthesciences。`Nothing，’sayshe，`couldjustifyme，unlessitwasthatmyloveofgamingwaslessthanmyhorrorofprivation。’A

verybadexcuse，indeed；butCardanreformedandceasedtobeagambler。

ThreeofthegreatestgeniusesofEngland——LordsHalifax，Anglesey，andShaftesbury——weregamblers；andLocketellsaveryfunnystoryaboutoneoftheirgamblingbouts。Thisphilosopher，whoneglectednothing，howevereccentric，thathadanyrelationtotheworkingofthehumanunderstanding，happenedtobepresentwhilemyLordsHalifax，Anglesey，andShaftesburywereplaying，andhadthepatiencetowritedown，wordforword，alltheirdiscordantutterancesduringthephasesofthegame；theresultbeingadialogueofspeakerswhoonlyusedexclamations——alltalkinginchorus，butmoretothemselvesthantoeachother。

LordAngleseyobservingLocke’soccupation，askedhimwhathewaswriting。`MyLord，’repliedLocke，`Iamanxiousnottoloseanythingyouutter。’Thisironymadethemallblush，andputanendtothegame。

M。Sallo，CounsellortotheParliamentofParis，died，saysVigneuldeMarville，ofadiseasetowhichthechildrenoftheMusesarerarelysubject，andforwhichwefindnoremedyinHippocratesandGalen；——hediedofalingeringdiseaseafterhavinglost100，000crownsatthegamingtable——allhepossessed。

Bywayofdiversiontohiscankeringgrief，hestartedthewell-

known_JournaldesSavans_，butlivedtowriteonly13sheetsofit，forhewaswoundedtothedeath。[108]

[108]Melanges，d’Hist。etdeLitt。i。

ThephysicianPaschasiusJustuswasadeplorableinstanceofanincorrigiblegambler。Thisotherwisemostexcellentandlearnedmanhavingpassedthree-fourthsofhislifeinacontinualstrugglewithvice，atlengthresolvedtocurehimselfofthediseasebyoccupyinghismindwithaworkwhichmightbeusefultohiscontemporariesandposterity。[109]Hebeganhisbook，butstillhegamed；hefinishedit，buttheevilwasstillinhim。`IhavelosteverythingbutGod！’heexclaimed。Heprayedfordeliveryfromhissoul’sdisease；[110]buthisprayerwasnotheard；hediedlikeanygambler——morewretchedthanreformed。

[109]`DeAlea，sivedecurandainpecuniamcupiditate，’pub。in1560。

[110]Illumanimimorbum，utDeustolleret，serioetfrequenteroptavit。

M。Dusaulx，authorofaworkonGaming，exclaimstherein——`Ihavegambledlikeyou，Paschasius，perhapswithgreaterfury。LikeyouIwriteagainstgaming。CanIsaythatIamstrongerthanyou，inmorecriticalcircumstances？’[111]

[111]LaPassionduJeu。

What，then，isthatmaniawhichcanbeovercomeneitherbytheloveofglorynorthestudyofwisdom！

TheliterarymenofGreeceandRomerarelyplayedanygamesbutthoseofskill，suchastennis，backgammon，andchess；andevenintheseitwasconsidered`indecent’toappeartooskilful。

Cicerostigmatizestwoofhiscontemporariesfortakingtoogreatadelightinsuchgames，onaccountoftheirskillinplayingthem。[112]

[112]Astalii，quiapraeclarefaciunt，vehementiusquamcausapostulatdelectantur，utTitiuspila，Brullatalis。DeOrat。

lib。iii。