Quinctilianadvisedhispupilstoavoidallsterileamusements，which，hesaid，wereonlytheresourceoftheignorant。

Inafter-timesmenofmerit，suchasJohnHussandCardinalCajetan，bewailedboththetimelostinthemostinnocentgames，andthedisastrouspassionswhicharetherebyexcited。Montaignecallschessastupidandchildishgame。`Ihateandshunit，’hesays，`becauseitoccupiesonetooseriously；Iamashamedofgivingittheattentionwhichwouldbesufficientforsomeusefulpurpose。’KingJamesI。，theBritishSolomon，forbadechesstohisson，inthefamousbookofroyalinstructionwhichhewroteforhim。

Astothepleaof`fillinguptime，’Addisonhasmadesomeverypertinentobservations:——`Whetheranykindofgaminghaseverthusmuchtosayforitself，Ishallnotdetermine；butIthinkitisverywonderfultoseepersonsofthebestsensepassingawayadozenhourstogetherinshufflinganddividingapackofcards，withnootherconversationbutwhatismadeupofafewgame-phrases，andnootherideasbutthoseofblackorredspotsrangedtogetherindifferentfigures。Wouldnotamanlaughtohearanyoneofhisspeciescomplainingthatlifeisshort？’

Menofintellectmayrestassuredthatwhethertheywinorloseatplay，itwillalwaysbeatthecostoftheirgenius；thesoulcannotsupporttwopassionstogether。Thepassionofplay，althoughfatigued，isneversatiated，andthereforeitalwaysleavesbehindprotractedagitation。ThefamousRomanlawyerScaevolasufferedfromplayingatbackgammon；hisheadwasalwaysaffectedbyit，especiallywhenhelostthegame，infact，itseemedtocrazehim。Onedayhereturnedexpresslyfromthecountrymerelytotryandconvincehisopponentinagamewhichhehadlost，thatifhehadplayedotherwisehewouldhavewon！

Itseemsthatonhisjourneyhomehementallywentthroughthegameagain，detectedhismistake，andcouldnotrestuntilhewentbackandgothisadversarytoadmitthefact——forthesakeofhis_amourpropre_。[113]

[113]Quinctil。，_Instit。Orat_。lib。XI。cap。ii。

`Itisrare，’saysRousseau，`thatthinkerstakemuchdelightinplay，whichsuspendsthehabitofthinkingordivertsituponsterilecombinations；andsooneofthebenefits——perhapstheonlybenefitconferredbythetasteforthesciences，isthatitsomewhatdeadensthatsordidpassionofplay。’

Unfortunatelysuchwasnottheresultamongtheliteraryandscientificmen，inFranceorEngland，duringthelastquarterofthelastcentury。Manyofthembitterlylamentedthattheyeverplayed，andyetplayedon，——goingthroughallthegradesanddegradationsappointedforhisvotariesbytheinexorabledemonofgambling。

BEAUNASH。

NaturehadbynomeansformedNashfor_beau_。Hispersonwasclumsy，large，andawkward；hisfeatureswereharsh，strong，andpeculiarlyirregular；yetevenwiththesedisadvantageshemadelove，becameanuniversaladmirerofthesex，andwasinhisturnuniversallyadmired。Thefactis，hewaspossessedof，atleast，somerequisitesofa`lover。’Hehadassiduity，flattery，fineclothes——andasmuchwitastheladiesheaddressed。Accordinglyheusedtosay——`Wit，flattery，andfineclothesareenoughtodebauchanunnery！’ThisiscertainlyafoulercalumnyofwomenthanPope’s`Everywomanisatheartarake。’

BeauNashwasabarrister，andhadbeenaremarkable，adistinguishedoneinhisday——althoughnotatthebar。Hehadthehonourtoorganizeanddirectthelastgrand`revelandpageant’beforeaking，intheHalloftheMiddleTemple，ofwhichhewasamember。

IthadlongbeencustomaryfortheInnsofCourttoentertainourmonarchsupontheiraccessiontothecrownwitharevelandpageant，andthelastwasexhibitedinhonourofKingWilliam，whenNashwaschosentoconductthewholewithproperdecorum。

Hewasthenaveryyoungman，butsucceededsowellingivingsatisfaction，thatthekingofferedtogivehimthehonourofknighthood，which，however，Nashdeclined，saying:——`PleaseyourMajesty，ifyouintendtomakemeaknight，IwishitmaybeoneofyourpoorknightsofWindsor；andthenIshallhaveafortuneatleastabletosupportmytitle。’

IntheMiddleTemplehemanagedtorise`totheverysummitofsecond-rateluxury，’andseemstohavesucceededinbecomingafashionable_recherche_，beingalwaysoneofthosewhowerecalledgoodcompany——aprofesseddandyamongtheelegants。

Nowonder，then，thatwesubsequentlyfindhimMasteroftheCeremoniesatBath，thenthetheatreofsummeramusementsforallpeopleoffashion。Itwasherethathetooktogambling，andwasatfirstclassedamongtheneedyadventurerswhowenttothatplace；therewas，however，thegreatdifferencebetweenhimandthem，thathisheartwasnotcorrupt；andthoughbyprofessionagamester，hewasgenerous，humane，andhonourable。

WhenhegaveinhisaccountstotheMastersoftheTemple，amongotheritemshechargedwasone——`Formakingonemanhappy，L10。’Beingquestionedaboutthemeaningofsostrangeanitem，hefranklydeclaredthat，happeningtooverhearapoormandeclaretohiswifeandlargefamilyofchildrenthatL10

wouldmakehimhappy，hecouldnotavoidtryingtheexperiment。

Headded，that，iftheydidnotchoosetoacquiesceinhischarge，hewasreadytorefundthemoney。TheMasters，struckwithsuchanuncommoninstanceofgoodnature，publiclythankedhimforhisbenevolence，anddesiredthatthesummightbedoubledasaproofoftheirsatisfaction。

`Hislawsweresostrictlyenforcedthathewasstyled"KingofBath:"norankwouldprotecttheoffender，nordignityofstationcondoneabreachofthelaws。NashdesiredtheDuchessofQueensberry，whoappearedatadressballinanapronofpoint-lace，saidtobeworth500guineas，totakeitoff，whichshedid，atthesametimedesiringhisacceptanceofit；andwhenthePrincessAmeliarequestedtohaveonedancemoreafter11

o’clock，NashrepliedthatthelawsofBath，likethoseofLycurgus，wereunalterable。GamingranhighatBath，andfrequentlyledtodisputesandresorttothesword，thengenerallywornbywell-dressedmen。Swordswere，therefore，prohibitedbyNashinthepublicrooms；stilltheywereworninthestreets，whenNash，inconsequenceofaduelfoughtbytorchlight，bytwonotoriousgamesters，madethelawabsolute，"Thatnoswordsshould，onanyaccount，beworninBath。"’[114]

[114]TheBookofDays，Feb。3。

Abouttheyear1739thegamblers，inordertoevadethelawsagainstgaming，setupEOtables；andastheseprovedveryprofitabletotheproprietorsatTunbridge，NashdeterminedtointroducethematBath，havingbeenassuredbythelawyersthatnolawexistedagainstthem。HethereforesetupanEOtable，andthespeculationflourishedforashorttime；butthelegislatureinterferedin1745，andinflictedseverepenaltiesonthekeepersofsuchtables。ThiswastheruinofNash’sgamblingspeculation；andfortheremainingsixteenyearsofhislifehedependedsolelyontheprecariousproductsofthegamingtable。

HediedatBath，in1761，ingreatlyreducedcircumstances，beingrepresentedas`poor，old，andpeevish，yetstillincapableofturningfromhisformermanneroflife。’

`HewasburiedintheAbbeyChurchwithgreatceremony:asolemnhymnwassungbythecharity-schoolchildren，threeclergymenprecededthecoffin，thepallwassupportedbyaldermen，andtheMastersoftheAssembly-Roomsfollowedaschiefmourners；whilethestreetswerefilledandthehousetopscoveredwithspectators，anxioustowitnesstherespectpaidtothevenerablefounderoftheprosperityofthecityofBath。’[115]

[115]TheBookofDays，Feb。3。

ThefollowingarethechiefanecdotestoldofBeauNash。

Agiddyyouth，whohadresignedhisfellowshipatOxford，broughthisfortunetoBath，and，withoutthesmallestskill，wonaconsiderablesum；andfollowingitup，inthenextOctoberaddedfourthousandpoundstohisformercapital。Nashonenightinvitedhimtosupper，andofferedtogivehimfiftyguineastoforfeittwentyeverytimehelosttwohundredatonesitting。

Theyoungmanrefused，andwasatlastundone。

TheDukeofB——lovedplaytodistraction。Onenight，chagrinedataheavyloss，hepressedNashtotiehimupfromdeepplayinfuture。ThebeauaccordinglygavehisGraceonehundredguineasonconditiontoreceivetenthousandwheneverhelostthatamountatonesitting。ThedukesoonlosteightthousandatHazard，andwasgoingtothrowforthreethousandmore，whenNashcaughtthedice-box，andentreatedthepeertoreflectonthepenaltyifhelost。Thedukedesistedforthattime；buterelong，losingconsiderablyatNewmarket，hewillinglypaidthepenalty。

WhentheEarlofT——wasayouthhewaspassionatelyfondofplay。Nashundertooktocurehim。Consciousofhissuperiorskill，heengagedtheearlinsingleplay。Hislordshiplosthisestate，equipage，everything！Ourgenerousgamesterreturnedall，onlystipulatingforthepaymentofL5000wheneverhemightthinkpropertodemandit。Sometimeafterhislordship’sdeath，Nash’saffairsbeingonthewane，hedemandeditofhisheirs，_WHOPAIDITWITHOUTHESITATION_。

NashonedaycomplainedofhisilllucktotheEarlofChesterfield，addingthathehadlostL500thelastnight。

Theearlreplied，`Idon’twonderatyour_LOSING_money，Nash，butalltheworldissurprisedwhereyougetittolose。’

`TheCorporationofBathsohighlyrespectedNash，thattheChambervotedamarblestatueofhim，whichwaserectedinthePump-room，betweenthebustsofNewtonandPope；thisgaverisetoastingingepigrambyLordChesterfield，concludingwiththeselines:

"The_STATUE_placedthesebustsbetweenGivessatireallitsstrength；

_WISDOM_and_WIT_arelittleseen，But_FOLLY_atfulllength。"’[116]

[116]TheBookofDays，Feb。3。

THEEARLOFCHESTERFIELD。

WalpoletellsusthatthecelebratedEarlofChesterfield_LIVED_atWhite’sClub，gaming，andutteringwitticismsamongtheboysofquality；`yethesaystohisson，thatamemberofagamingclubshouldbeacheat，orhewillsoonbeabeggar；’aninconsistencywhichremindsoneofoldFuller’ssaw——`Afatherthatwhipthissonforswearing，andsworehimselfwhilsthewhipthim，didmoreharmbyhisexamplethangoodbyhiscorrection。’

GEORGESELWYN。

ThecharacterofSelwyn，’saysMrJesse，`wasinmanyrespectsaremarkableone。Withbrilliantwit，aquickperceptionoftheridiculous，andathoroughknowledgeoftheworldandhumannature，heunitedclassicalknowledgeandatasteforthefinearts。Tothesequalitiesmaybeaddedothersofaverycontradictorynature。Withathoroughenjoymentofthepleasuresofsociety，animperturbablegood-humour，akindheart，andapassionatefondnessforchildren，heunitedamorbidinterestinthedetailsofhumansuffering，and，moreespecially，atasteforwitnessingcriminalexecutions。Notonlywasheaconstantfrequenterofsuchscenesofhorror，butallthedetailsofcrime，theprivatehistoryofthecriminal，hisdemeanourathistrial，inthedungeon，andonthescaffold，andthestateofhisfeelingsinthehourofdeathanddegradation，weretoSelwynmattersofthedeepestandmostextraordinaryinterest。Eventhemostfrightfulparticularsrelatingtosuicideandmurder，theinvestigationofthedisfiguredcorpse，thesightofanacquaintancelyinginhisshroud，seemtohaveaffordedhimapainfulandunaccountablepleasure。WhenthefirstLordHollandwasonhisdeath-bedhewastoldthatSelwyn，whohadlivedontermsoftheclosestintimacywithhim，hadcalledtoinquireafterhishealth。"ThenexttimeMrSelwyncalls，"hesaid，"showhimup；ifIamaliveIshallbedelightedtoseehim，andifIamdeadhewillbegladtoseeme。"WhensomeladiesbanteredhimonhiswantoffeelinginattendingtoseetheterribleLordLovat’sheadcutoff——"Why，"hesaid，"Imadeamendsbygoingtotheundertaker’stoseeitsewedonagain。"

Andyetthiswasthesameindividualwhodelightedinthefirstwordsandinthesunnylooksofchildhood；whosefriendshipseemstohavepartakenofallthesoftnessoffemaleaffection；

andwhoseheartwasneverhardenedagainstthewretchedanddepressed。Suchwasthe"original"GeorgeSelwyn。’

Thiscelebratedconversationalwitwasadevotedfrequenterofthegamingtable。WritingtoSelwyn，in1765，LordHollandsaid:——`AllthatIcancollectfromwhatyousayonthesubjectofmoneyis，thatfortunehasbeenalittlefavourablelately；ormaybe，thelastnightonly。Tillyouleaveoffplayentirelyyoumustbe——inearnest，andwithoutirony——_enveriteleserviteurtres-humbledesevenements_，"intruth，theveryhumbleservantofevents。"’

HisfriendtheLordCarlisle，althoughhimselfagreatgambler，alsogavehimgoodadvice。`IhopeyouhaveleftoffHazard，’hewrotetoSelwyn；`ifyouarestillsofoolish，andwillplay，thebestthingIcanwishyouis，thatyoumaywinandneverthrowcrabs。[117]Youdonotputitinthepowerofchancetomakeyouthem，asweallknow；andtilltheninthmissisbornI

shallnotbeconvincedtothecontrary。’

[117]Thatis，aces，oraceanddeuce，twelve，orseven。Withfalsedice，aswillappearinthesequel，itwasimpossibletothrowanyofthesenumbers，andasthecasteralwayscalledthemain，hewassuretowin，ashecouldcallanimpossiblenumber:

thosewhowereinthesecretofcoursealwaystooktheodds。

Again:——`AsyouhaveplayedIamhappytohearyouhavewon；butbythistimetheremaybeatristereversdesucces_。’

Selwynhadtakentogamingbeforehisfather’sdeath——probablyfromhisfirstintroductiontotheclubs。Hisstakeswerehigh，thoughnotextravagantlyso，comparedwiththesumshazardedbyhiscontemporaries。In1765helostL1000toMrShafto，whoappliedforitinthelanguageofan`embarrassedtradesman。’

`July1，1765。

`DEARSIR，——Ihavethismomentreceivedthefavourofyourletter。IintendedtohavegoneoutoftownonThursday，butasyoushallnotreceiveyourmoneybeforetheendofthisweek，I

mustpostponemyjourneytillSunday。Amonthwouldhavemadenodifferencetome，hadInothadotherstopaybeforeIleavetown，andmustpay；thereforemustbegthatyouwillleavethewholebeforethisweekisout，atWhite’s，asitistobepaidawaytootherstowhomIhavelost，anddonotchoosetoleavetowntillthatisdone。BesureyoucouldnotwishanindulgenceIshouldnotbehappytogrant，ifitmypower。’

NorwasthistheonlydunofthekindthatSelwynhad`toputupwith’onaccountofthegamingtable。HereceivedthefollowingfromEdward，EarlofDerby。[118]

[118]Edward，twelfthEarlofDerby，wasbornSeptember12，1752，anddiedOctober21，1834。Hemarriedfirst，Elizabeth，daughterofJames，sixthDukeofHamilton，whodiedin1799，andsecondly，thecelebratedactress，MissFarren，whodiedApril23，1829。

_TheEarlofDerbytoGeorgeSelwyn_。

`NothingcouldequalwhatIfeelattroublingyouwiththisdisagreeablenote；buthavinglostaverymonstroussumofmoneylastnight，IfindmyselfunderthenecessityofentreatingyourgoodnesstoexcusethelibertyIamtakingofapplyingtoyouforassistance。Ifitisnotveryinconvenienttoyou，Ishouldbegladofthemoneyyouoweme。Ifitis，ImustpaywhatIcan，anddesireBrookestotrustmefortheremainder。Irepeatagainmyapologies，towhichIshallbegleavetoaddhowverysincerelyIhavethehonourtobe，mydearsir，`Yourmostobedienthumbleservant，`DEBBY。

Thisistheverymodelofadun，andproveshowhandsomelysuchuglythingscanbedonewhenonehastodealwithanobleinsteadofaplebeiancreditor。

ButSelwynhadnotonlytoenduresuchindignities，butalsotoinflictthem，asappearsbythefollowinglettertohimfromtheHonourableGeneralFitzpatrick，inanswertoadun，which，weareassured，was`gentleandmoderate。’

`Iamverysorrytohearthenightendedsoill；buttogiveyousomeideaoftheutterimpossibilityofmybeingusefulontheoccasion，Iwillinformyouofthestateofmyaffairs。IwonL400lastnight，whichwasimmediatelyappropriatedbyMr_Martindale_，towhomIstilloweL300，andIaminBrookes’

bookforthricethatsum。Addtoallthis，thatatChristmasI

expectaninundationofclamorouscreditors，who，unlessI

somehoworotherscrapetogethersomemoneytosatisfythem，willoverwhelmmeentirely。Whatcanbedone？IfIcouldcoinmyheart，ordropmybloodintodrachms，Iwoulddoit，thoughbythistimeIshouldprobablyhaveneitherheartnorbloodleft。I

amafraid。youwillfindStepheninthesamestateofinsolvency。Adieu！Iamobligedtoyouforthegentlenessandmoderationofyourdun，consideringhowlongIhavebeenyourdebtor。

`Yoursmostsincerely，`R。F。’[119]

[119]Apud_SelwynandhisContemporaries_byJesse。

Selwynissaidtohavebeenaloseronthewhole，andoftenpillaged。Latterlyheappearstohavegotthebetterofhispropensityforplay，ifwemayjudgefromthefollowingwisesentiment:——`Itwastoogreataconsumer，’hesaid，`offourthings——time，health，fortune，andthinking。’Butawriterinthe_EdinburghReview_seemstodoubtSelwyn’sreformation；forhisinitiationofWilberforceoccurredin1782，whenhewas63；

andpreviously，in1776，heunderwenttheprocessofdunningfromLordDerby，before-mentioned，andin1779fromMrCrawford(`FishCrawford，’ashewascalled)，eachofwhom，likeMrShafto，`hadasumtomakeup’——intheinfernalstylesohorridlyprovoking，evenwhenweareableandwillingtopay。However，asSelwyndiedcomparativelyrich，itmaybepresumedthathisfortunesufferedtonogreatextentbyhisindulgenceintheviceofgaming。

ThefollowingaresomeofGeorgeSelwyn’sjokesrelatingtogambling:——

Onenight，atWhite’s，observingthePostmaster-General，SirEverardFawkener，losingalargesumofmoneyatPiquet，Selwyn，pointingtothesuccessfulplayer，remarked——`Seenow，heisrobbingthe_MAIL！_’

Onanotheroccasion，in1756，observingMrPonsonby，theSpeakeroftheIrishHouseofCommons，tossingaboutbank-billsataHazardtableatNewmarket——`Look，’hesaid，`howeasilytheSpeakerpassesthemoney-bills！’

Afewmonthsafterwards(whenthepublicjournalsweredailycontaininganaccountofsomefreshtownwhichhadconferredthefreedomofitscorporationinagoldboxonMrPitt，afterwardsEarlofChatham，andtheRightHonourableHenryBilsonLegge，hisfellow-patriotandcolleague)，Selwyn，whoneitheradmiredtheirpoliticsnorrespectedtheirprinciples，proposedtotheoldandnewclubatArthur’s，thatheshouldbedeputedtopresenttothemthefreedomofeachclubina_dice-box_。

OnoneofthewaitersatArthur’sclubhavingbeencommittedtoprisonforafelony——`Whatahorrididea，’saidSelwyn，`hewillgiveofustothepeopleinNewgate！’

WhentheaffairsofCharlesFoxwereinamorethanusuallyembarrassedstate，chieflythroughhisgambling，hisfriendsraisedasubscriptionamongthemselvesforhisrelief。Oneofthemremarkingthatitwouldrequiresomedelicacyinbreakingthemattertohim，andaddingthat`hewonderedhowFoxwouldtakeit。’`Takeit？’interruptedSelwyn，`why，_QUARTERLY_，tobesure。’[120]

[120]Jesse，_GeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries。_

LORDCARLISLE。

Thiseminentstatesmanwasregardedbyhiscontemporariesasanable，aninfluential，andoccasionallyapowerfulspeaker。

Thoughmarriedtoaladyforwhominhislettersheeverexpressesthewarmestfeelingsofadmirationandesteem；andsurroundedbyayoungandincreasingfamily，whowereevidentlytheobjectsofhisdeepestaffection，LordCarlisle，nevertheless，attimesappearstohavebeenunabletoextricatehimselffromthedangerousenticementstoplaytowhichhewasexposed。Hisfatalpassionforplay——thesourceofadventitiousexcitementatnight，andofdeepdistressinthemorning——seemstohaveledtofrequentandinconvenientlosses，andeventuallytohaveplungedhimintocomparativedistress。

`Inrecordingthesefailingsofamanofotherwisestrongsense，ofahighsenseofhonour，andofkindlyaffections，wehavesaidtheworstthatcanbeadducedtohisdisadvantage。Attached，indeed，asLordCarlislemayhavebeentothepleasuresofsociety，andunfortunateasmayhavebeenhispassionforthegamingtable，itisdifficulttoperusethosepassagesinhislettersinwhichhedeeplyreproacheshimselfforyieldingtothefatalfascinationofplay，andaccuseshimselfofhavingdiminishedtheinheritanceofhischildren，withoutafeelingofcommiserationforthesensationsofamanofstrongsenseanddeepfeeling，whilereflectingonhismoraldegradation。Itissufficient，however，toobserveofLordCarlisle，thatthedeepsensewhichheentertainedofhisownfolly；thealmostmaddeningmomentstowhichherefersinhislettersofself-condemnationandbitterregret；andsubsequentlyhisnoblevictoryoverthesirenenticementsofpleasure，andhisthoroughemancipationfromthetrammelsofadomineeringpassion，makeadequateamendsforhispreviousunhappycareer。’[121]

[121]Jesse，_GeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries_，ii。

Braveconquerors，forsoyeare，Whowaragainstyourownaffections，Andthehugearmyoftheworld’sdesires。

LadySarahBunbury，writingtoGeorgeSelwyn，in1767，says:——`IfyouarenowatPariswithpoorC。[evidentlyCarlisle]，whoI

daresayisnowswearingattheFrenchpeople，givemycomplimentstohim。IcallhimpoorC。becauseIhopeheisonlymiserableathavingbeensucha_PIGEON_toColonelScott。

Inevercanpityhimforlosingatplay，andIthinkofitaslittleasIcan，becauseIcannotbeartobeobligedtoabatetheleastofthegoodopinionIhavealwayshadofhim。’

Oddlyenoughthewriterhadnobetteraccounttogiveofherownhusband；shesays，intheletter:——`SirCharlesgamesfrommorningtillnight，buthehasneveryetlostL100inoneday。’[122]

[122]ThisLadySarahBunburywasthewifeofSirCharlesBunbury，afterhavinghadachanceofbeingQueenofEngland，asthewifeofGeorgeIII。，whowaspassionatelyinlovewithher，andwouldhavemarriedherhaditnotbeenfortheconstitutionaloppositionofhisprivycouncil。Thischarmingandbeautifulwomandiedin1826，attheageof82。Shewasprobablythelastsurvivinggreat-granddaughterofCharlesII——Jesse，_Ubisupra_。

Abouttheyear1776LordCarlislewrotethefollowinglettertoGeorgeSelwyn:——

`MYDEARGEORGE，`Ihaveundonemyself，anditistonopurposetoconcealfromyoumyabominablemadnessandfolly，thoughperhapstheparticularsmaynotbeknowntotherestoftheworld。IneverlostsomuchinfivetimesasIhavedoneto-night，andamindebttothehouseforthewhole。YoumaybesureIdonottellyouthiswithanideathatyoucanbeoftheleastassistancetome；itisagreatdealmorethanyourabilitiesareequalto。

Letmeseeyou——thoughIshallbeashamedtolookatyouafteryourgoodnesstome。’

ThisletterisendorsedbyGeorgeSelwyn——`AfterthelossofL10，000。’HetellsSelwynofasetwhich，atonepointofthegame，stoodtowinL50，000。

`LordByron，itisalmostneedlesstoremark，wasnearlyrelatedtoLordCarlisle。ThemotherofLordCarlislewassistertoJohn，fourthLordByron，thegrandfatherofthepoet；LordCarlisleandLordByronwereconsequentlyfirstcousinsonceremoved。Hadtheyhappenedtohavebeencontemporaries，itwouldbedifficulttoformanideaoftwoindividualswho，alikefromtastes，feelings，andhabitsoflife，weremorelikelytoformalastingandsuitableintimacy。Bothweremenofhighrank；bothunitedanintimateknowledgeofsocietyandtheworldwiththeardenttemperamentofapoet；andbothinyouthmingledaloveoffrolicandpleasurewithagravertasteforliterarypursuits。’

CHARLESJAMESFOX。

InthemidstoftheinfatuatedvotariesofthegaminggodinEngland，towersthemightyintellectualgiantCharlesJamesFox。

Naturehadfashionedhimtobeequallyanobjectofadmirationandlove。Inadditiontopowerfuleloquence，hewasdistinguishedbytherefinementofhistasteinallmattersconnectedwithliteratureandart；hewasdeeplyreadinhistory；

hadsomeclaimstoberegardedasapoet；andpossessedathoroughknowledgeoftheclassicalauthorsofantiquity，aknowledgeofwhichhesooftenandsohappilyavailedhimselfinhisseatintheHouseofCommons。Tothesequalitieswasaddedagood-humourwhichwasseldomruffled，——apeculiarfascinationofmannerandaddress，——themostdelightfulpowersofconversation，——aheartperfectlyfreefromvindictiveness，ostentation，anddeceit，——astrongsenseofjustice，——athoroughdetestationoftyrannyandoppression，——andanalmostfemininetendernessoffeelingforthesufferingsofothers。

Unfortunately，however，hisgreattalentsanddelightfulqualitiesinprivateliferenderedhisdefectsthemoreglaringandlamentable；indeed，itisdifficulttothinkorspeakwithcommonpatienceofthoseinjuriouspracticesandhabits——thatabandonmenttoself-gratification，andthatcriminalwasteofthemosttranscendentabilitieswhichexhaustedinsocialconvivialityandthegamingtablewhatwereformedtoconferblessingsonmankind。

SomuchforthecharacterofFox，asIhavegatheredfromMrJesse；[123]andIcontinuetheextremelyinterestingsubjectbyquotingfromthatdelightfulbook，`TheQueensofSociety。’[124]`Withafatherwhohadmadeanenormousfortune，withlittleprinciple，outofapublicoffice——forLordHollandowedthebulkofhiswealthtohisappointmentofpaymastertotheforces，——andwhospoiledhim，inhisboyhood，CharlesJamesFoxhadbegunlife_ASAFOPOFTHEFIRSTWATER_，andsquanderedL50，000indebtbeforehebecameofage。Afterwardsheindulgedrecklesslyandextravagantlyineverycourseoflicentiousnesswhichtheprofligatesocietyofthedayopenedtohim。AtBrookes’andtheThatchedHouseFoxateanddranktoexcess，threwthousandsupontheFarotable，mingledwithblacklegs，andmadehimselfnotoriousforhisshamelessvices。

Newmarketsuppliedanotherexcitement。HisbackroomwassoincessantlyfilledwithJewmoney-lendersthathecalledithisJerusalemChamber。Itwasimpossiblethatsuchalifeshouldnotdestroyeveryprincipleofhonour；andthereisnothingimprobableinthestorythatheappropriatedtohimselfmoneywhichbelongedtohisdearfriendMrsCrewe，asbeforerelated。

[123]GeorgeSelwynandhisContemporaries，ii。

[124]ByGraceandPhilipWharton。

`Ofhistalents，whichwerecertainlygreat，hemadeanaffecteddisplay。Ofhislearninghewasproud——butratherasaddinglustretohiscelebrityforuniversaltastes。Hewasnotatallashamed，butrathergloriedinbeingabletodescribehimselfasafool，ashedoesinhisversestoMrsCrewe:——

"Is’treason？No；thatmywholelifewillbelie；

For，whosoatvarianceasreasonandI？

Is’tambitionthatfillsupeachchinkinmyheart，Norallowsanysoftersensationapart？

Oh！no；forinthisalltheworldmustagree，_ONEFOLLYWASNEVERSUFFICIENTFORME_。"

`Sensualandself-indulgent——withagrossnessthatisevenpatentonhisveryportrait[andbust]，Foxhadneverthelessamannerwhichenchantedthesex，andhewastheonlypoliticianofthedaywhothoroughlyenlistedthepersonalsympathiesofwomenofmindandcharacter，aswellasofthosewhomightbecaptivatedbyhisprofusion。WhenhevisitedParisinlaterdays，evenMadameRecamier，notedforherrefinement，andofwhomhehimselfsaid，withhisusualcoarseideasofthesphereofwoman，that"shewastheonlywomanwhounitedtheattractionsofpleasuretothoseofmodesty，"delightedtobeseenwithhim！

AtthetimeofwhichwearespeakingthemostcelebratedbeautiesofEnglandwerehismostardentsupporters。

`Theelectionof1784，inwhichhestoodandwasreturnedforWestminster，wasoneofthemostfamousoftheoldriotouspoliticaldemonstrations……Loving_hazard_ofallkindsforitsownsake，Foxhadmadepartyhostilityanewsphereofgambling，hadadoptedthecharacterofademagogue，andatatimewhenthewholeofEuropewasundergoing，agreatrevolutioninprinciples，waswelcomedgladlyas"TheManofthePeople。"Inthebeginning，oftheyearhehadbeenconvictedofbribery，butinspiteofthishispopularityincreased……TheelectionforWestminster，inwhichFoxwasopposedbySirCecilWray，wasthemosttempestuousofall。Therewere20，000votestobepolled，andtheopposingpartiesresortedtoanymeansofintimidation，orviolence，orpersuasionwhichpoliticalenthusiasmcouldsuggest。Ontheeighthdaythepollwasagainstthepopularmember，andhecalleduponhisfriendstomakeagreateffortonhisbehalf。Itwasthenthatthe"ladies’

canvass"began。LadyDuncannon，theDuchessofDevonshire，MrsCrewe，andMrsDamerdressedthemselvesinblueandbuff——thecoloursoftheAmericanIndependents，whichFoxhadadoptedandworeintheHouseofCommons——andsetouttovisitthepurlieusofWestminster。Here，intheirenthusiasm，theyshookthedirtyhandsofhonestworkmen，expressedthegreatestinterestintheirwivesandfamilies，andeven，asinthecaseoftheDuchessofDevonshireandthebutcher，submittedtheirfaircheekstobekissedbythepossessorsofvotes！Atthebutcher’sshop，theowner，inhisapronandsleeves，stoutlyrefusedhisvote，exceptononecondition——"WouldherGracegivehimakiss？"Therequestwasgranted；andthevotethuspurchasedwenttoswellthemajoritywhichfinallysecuredthereturnof"TheManofthePeople。"

`Thecolouringofpoliticalfriends，whichconcealedhisvices，orratherwhichgavethemafalsehue，haslongsincefadedaway。

WenowknowFoxashe_WAS_。InthelatestjournalsofHoraceWalpolehisinveterategambling，hisopenprofligacy，hisutterwantofhonour，isdisclosedbyoneofhisownopinion。

Corruptedereyethehadlefthishome，whilstinageaboy，thereis，however，thecomfortofreflectingthatheoutlivedhisviceswhichseemtohave"croppedout"byhisancestralconnectioninthefemalelinewiththereprobateCharlesII。，whomhewasthoughttoresembleinfeatures。Fox，afterwards，withagreenaprontiedroundhiswaist，pruningandnailinguphisfruittreesatStAnn’sHill，oramusinghimselfinnocentlywithafewfriends，isapleasingobjecttoremember，evenwhilsthisearlycareeroccursforciblytothemind。’

Peace，then，totheshadeofCharlesJamesFox！Thethreelastpublicactswhichheperformedwereworthyoftheman，andshouldsufficetoprovethat，inspiteofhisterriblefailings，hewasmostusefulinhisgeneration。Byone，helabouredtorepairtheoutragesofwar——toobtainabreathingtimeforourallies；and，byanextensionofourcommerce，toafford，ifnecessary，tohiscountryalltheadvantagesofarenovatedcontest，withoutthedangerofdryingupourresources。Byanother，heattemptedtoremovealllegaldisabilitiesarisingoutofreligion——tounitemoreclosely_THEINTERESTSOFIRELANDWITHTHOSEOFENGLAND；_

andthus，byanextensionofcommonrights，andaparticipationofcommonbenefits，wiselytorenderthatwhichhasalwaysbeenconsideredtheweakestandmosttroublesomeportionofourempire，atleastausefulandvaluablepartofEngland’sgreatnessamongthenations。QueenElizabeth’sMinister，LordBurleigh，inthepresenceofthe`Irishdifficulty’inhisday，wishedIrelandatthebottomofthesea，anddoubtlessmanyatthepresenttimewishthesame；butFoxendeavouredtograpplewithitmanfullyandhonestly，anditwasnothisfaultthathedidnotsettleit。ThevicesofFoxwerethoseoftheageinwhichhelived；hadhebeenreservedforthepresentepoch，whatadifferentbiographyshouldwehavetowriteofhim！Whatahelmsmanhemightbeatthepresenttime，whentheshipofOldEnglandisatseaandinperil！

ItappearsfromaletteraddressedbyLordCarlisletoLadyHolland(Fox’smother)in1773，thathehadbecomesecurityforFoxtotheamountoffifteenorsixteenthousandpounds；andalettertoSelwynin1777，putstheruinouscharacteroftheirgamingtransactionsinthestrongestlight。LordIlchester(Fox’scousin)hadlostthirteenthousandpoundsatonesittingtoLordCarlisle，whoofferedtotakethreethousandpoundsdown。

Nothingwaspaid。Buttenyearsafterwards，whenLordCarlislepressedforhismoney，hecomplainedthatanattemptwasmadetoconstruetheofferintoa_remission_ofthetenthousandpounds:——`Theonlyway，inhonour，thatLordIlchestercouldhaveacceptedmyoffer，wouldhavebeenbytakingsomestepstopaytheL3000。Iremainedinastateofuncertainty，Ithink，fornearlythreeyears；buthistakingnonoticeofitduringthattime，convincedmethathehadnointentionofavailinghimselfofit。CharlesFoxwasalsoatamuchearlierperiodclearthathenevermeanttoacceptit。Thereisalsogreatinjusticeinthebehaviourofthefamilyinpassingbytheinstantaneouspaymentof，Ibelieve，fivethousandpounds，toCharles，wonatthesamesitting，withoutanyobservations。_AtoneperiodoftheplayIremembertherewasabalanceinfavourofoneofthesegentlemen(butwhichIprotestIdonotremember)

ofaboutfiftythousand_。’

AtthetimeinquestionFoxwashardlyeighteen。ThefollowingletterfromLordCarlisle，writtenin1771，containshighlyinterestinginformationrespectingtheyouthfulhabitsandalreadyvastintellectualpre-eminenceofthismemorablestatesman:——`ItgivesmegreatpaintohearthatCharlesbeginstobeunreasonablyimpatientatlosing。Ifearitistheprologuetomuchfretfulnessoftemper，fordisappointmentinraisingmoney，andanyseriousreflectionsuponhissituation，will(inspiteofhisaffectedspiritsanddissipation)occasionhimmanydisagreeablemoments。’LordCarlisle’sfearsprovedgroundlessinthisrespect。Asbeforestated，Foxwasalwaysremarkableforhissweetnessoftemper，whichremainedwithhimtothelast；butitismostpainfultothinkhowmuchmankindhaslostthroughhisrecklessness。

GibbonwritestoLordSheffieldin1773，`YouknowLordHollandispayingCharlesFox’sdebts。TheyamounttoL140，000。’[125]

[125]Timbs，_ClubLifeinLondon_。

Hisloveofplaywasdesperate。AfeweveningsbeforehemovedtherepealoftheMarriageAct，inFebruary，1772，hehadbeenatBromptonontwoerrands，——onetoconsultJusticeFieldingonthepenallaws，theothertoborrowL10，000，whichhebroughttotownatthehazardofbeingrobbed。HeplayedadmirablybothatWhistandPiquet，——withsuchskill，indeed，thatbythegeneraladmissionofBrookes’Club，hemighthavemadefourthousandpoundsa-year，astheycalculated，atthesegames，ifhecouldhaveconfinedhimselftothem。Buthismisfortunearosefromplayinggamesofchance，particularlyatFaro。

Aftereatinganddrinkingplentifully，hewouldsitdownattheFarotable，andinvariablyrosealoser。Once，indeed，andonceonly，hewonabouteightthousandpoundsinthecourseofasingleevening。Partofthemoneyhepaidtohiscreditors，andtheremainderhelostalmostimmediately。

Beforeheattainedhisthirtiethyearhehadcompletelydissipatedeverythingthathecouldeithercommandorcouldprocurebythemostruinousexpedients。Hehadevenundergone，attimes，manyoftheseverestprivationsincidentaltothevicissitudesthatattendagamester’sprogress；frequentlywantingmoneytodefraythecommondailywantsofthemostpressingnature。TophamBeauclerc，wholivedmuchinFox’ssociety，declaredthatnomancouldformanideaoftheextremitiestowhichhehadbeendriventoraisemoney，oftenlosinghislastguineaattheFarotable。Theverysedan-

chairmen，whomhewasunabletopay，usedtodunhimforarrears。

In1781，hemightbeconsideredasanextinctvolcano，——forthepecuniaryalimentthathadfedtheflamewaslongconsumed。YetheeventhenoccupiedahouseorlodgingsinStJames’sStreet，closetoBrookes’，wherehepassedalmosteveryhourwhichwasnotdevotedtotheHouseofCommons。Brookes’wasthentherallyingpointorrendezvousoftheOpposition，whereFaro，Whist，andsupperprolongedthenight，theprincipalmembersoftheminorityinbothHousesmet，inordertocomparetheirinformation，ortoconcertandmaturetheirparliamentarymeasures。GreatsumswerethenborrowedofJewsatexorbitantpremiums。

HisbrotherStephenwasenormouslyfat；GeorgeSelwynsaidhewasintherighttodealwithShylocks，ashecouldgivethempoundsofflesh。

Walpole，in1781，walkingupStJames’sStreet，sawacartatFox’sdoor，withcopperandanoldchestofdrawers，loading。

HissuccessatFarohadawakenedahostofcreditors；but，unlesshisbankhadswelledtothesizeoftheBankofEngland，itcouldnothaveyieldedahalf-pennyapieceforeach。Epsomtoohadbeenunpropitious；andonecreditorhadactuallyseizedandcarriedoffFox’sgoods，whichdidnotseemworthremoving。Yet，shortlyafterthis，whomshouldWalpolefindsaunteringbyhisowndoorbutFox，whocameupandtalkedtohimatthecoachwindow，ontheMarriageBill，withasmuch_sang-froid_asifheknewnothingofwhathadhappened。Doubtlessthisindifferencewastobeattributedquiteasmuchtothecallousnessoftherecklessgamblerastoanythingthatmightbecalled`philosophy。’

ItseemsclearthattherulingpassionofFoxwaspartlyowingtothelaxtrainingofhisfather，who，byhislavishallowances，notonlyfosteredhispropensitytoplay，buthadalsobeenaccustomedtogivehim，whenamereboy，moneytoamusehimselfatthegamingtable。AccordingtoChesterfield，thefirstLordHolland`hadnofixedprinciplesinreligionormorality，’andhecensureshimtohissonforbeing`toounwaryinridiculingandexposingthem。’HegavefullswingtoCharlesinhisyouth。

`Letnothingbedone，’saidhislordship，`tobreakhisspirit，theworldwilldothatforhim。’Athisdeath，in1774，helefthimL154，000topayhisdebts；itwasall`bespoke，’andFoxsoonbecameasdeeplypledgedasbefore。[126]

[126]Timbs，ubisupra。ThereisamistakeintheanecdoterespectingFox’sduelwithMrAdam(notAdams)，asrelatedbyMrTimbsinhisamusingbookoftheClubs。ThechallengewasinconsequenceofsomewordsutteredbyFoxinparliament，andnotonaccountofsomeremarkonGovernmentpowder，towhichFoxwittilyalluded，aftertheduel，saying——`Egad，Adam，youwouldhavekilledmeifithadnotbeenGovernmentpowder。’SeeGilchrist，Ordeals，Millingen，Hist。

ofDuelling，ii。，andSteinmetz，RomanceofDuelling，ii。

ThefollowingareauthenticanecdotesofFox，asagambler。

FoxhadagamblingdebttopaytoSirJohnSlade。Findinghimselfincash，afteraluckyrunatFaro，hesentacomplimentarycardtotheknight，desiringtodischargetheclaim。SirJohnnosoonersawthemoneythanhecalledforpenandink，andbegantofigure。`Whatnow？’criedFox。`Onlycalculatingtheinterest，’repliedtheother。`Areyouso？’

coollyrejoinedCharlesJames，andpocketedthecash，adding——`I

thoughtitwasa_debtofhonour_。Asyouseemtoconsideritatradingdebt，andasImakeitaninvariableruletopaymyJew-

creditorslast，youmustwaitalittlelongerforyourmoney。’

FoxonceplayedcardswithFitzpatrickatBrookes’fromteno’clockatnighttillnearsixo’clockthenextmorning——awaiterstandingbytotellthem`whosedealitwas’——theybeingtoosleepytoknow。

OnanotheroccasionhewonaboutL8000；andoneofhisbond-

creditors，whosoonheardofhisgoodluck，presentedhimselfandaskedforpayment。`Impossible，sir，’repliedFox；

`Imustfirstdischargemydebtsofhonour。’Thebond-creditorremonstrated，andfindingFoxinflexible，torethebondtopiecesandflungitintothefire，exclaiming——`Now，sir，yourdebttomeisa_debtofhonour_。’Struckbythecreditor’swittyrejoinder，Foxinstantlypaidthemoney。[127]

[127]TheaboveistheversionofthisanecdotewhichI

rememberasbeingcurrentinmyyoungdays。MrTimbsandothersbeforehimrelatetheanecdoteasfollows:——`OnanotheroccasionhewonaboutL8000；andoneofhisbond-creditors，whosoonheardofhisgoodluck，presentedhimselfandaskedforpayment。’

`Impossible，sir，’repliedFox`Imustfirstdischargemydebtsofhonour。’Thebond-creditorremonstrated。`Well，sir，givemeyourbond。’ItwasdeliveredtoFox，whotoreitinpiecesandthrewitintothefire。`Now，sir，’saidFox，`mydebttoyouisadebtofhonour；’andimmediatelypaidhim。

Now，itisevidentthatFoxcouldnotdestroythedocumentwithoutrenderinghimselfstillmore`liable’inpointoflaw。I

submitthattheversioninthetextisthetrueone，conformingwiththelegalrequirementofthecaseandinfluencingthedebtorbytheoriginalityoftheperformanceofthecreditor。

Amidstthewildestexcessesofyouth，evenwhiletheperpetualvictimofhispassionforplay，Foxeagerlycultivatedhistasteforletters，especiallytheGreekandRomanhistoriansandpoets；

andhefoundresourcesintheirworksunderthemostseveredepressionsoccasionedbyill-successesatthegamingtable。Onemorning，afterFoxhadpassedthewholenightincompanywithTophamBeauclercatFaro，thetwofriendswereabouttoseparate。

Foxhadlostthroughoutthenight，andwasinaframeofmindapproachingtodesperation。Beauclerc’sanxietyfortheconsequenceswhichmightensueledhimtobeearlyatFox’slodgings；andonarrivingheinquired，notwithoutapprehension，whetherhehadrisen。TheservantrepliedthatMrFoxwasinthedrawing-room，whenBeauclercwalkedup-stairsandcautiouslyopenedthedoor，expectingtobeholdafranticgamesterstretchedonthefloor，bewailinghislosses，orplungedinmoodydespair；

buthewasastonishedtofindhimreadingaGreekHerodotus。

Onperceivinghisfriend’ssurprise，Foxexclaimed，`Whatwouldyouhavemedo？Ihavelostmylastshilling。’

Uponotheroccasions，afterstakingandlosingallthathecouldraiseatFaro，insteadofexclaimingagainstfortune，ormanifestingtheagitationnaturalundersuchcircumstances，hewouldlayhisheadonthetableandretainhisplace，but，exhaustedbymentalandbodilyfatigue，almostimmediatelyfallintoaprofoundsleep。

Fox’sbestfriendsaresaidtohavebeenhalfruinedinannuitiesgivenbythemassecuritiesforhimtotheJews。L500，000a-

yearofsuchannuitiesofFoxandhis`society’wereadvertisedtobesoldatonetime。WalpolewonderedwhatFoxwoulddowhenhehadsoldtheestatesofhisfriends。WalpolefurthernotesthatinthedebateontheThirty-nineArticles，February6，1772，Foxdidnotshine；norcoulditbewonderedat。HehadsatupplayingatHazard，atAlmack’s，fromTuesdayevening，the4th，tillfiveintheafternoonofWednesday，the5th。AnhourbeforehehadrecoveredL12，000thathehadlost；andbydinner，whichwasatfiveo’clock，hehadendedlosingL11，000！OntheThursdayhespokeintheabovedebate，wenttodinneratpastelevenatnight；fromthencetoWhite’s，wherehedranktillseventhenextmorning；thencetoAlmack’s，wherehewonL6000；andbetweenthreeandfourintheafternoonhesetoutforNewmarket。HisbrotherStephenlostL11，000twonightsafter，andCharlesL10，000moreonthe13th；sothatinthreenightsthetwobrothers——theeldestnot_twenty-five_

yearsofage——lostL32，000！[128]

[128]Timbs，_ubisupra。_

OnoneoccasionStephenFoxwasdreadfullyfleecedatagaminghouseattheWestEnd。HeentereditwithL13，000，andleftwithoutafarthing。

AssuredlytheseFoxesweremisnamed。_Pigeons_——dupesofsharpersatplay——wouldhavebeenamoreappropriatecognomen。

WILBERFORCEANDPITT。

Theseeminentstatesmenweregamestersatoneperiodoftheirlives。WhenWilberforcecametoLondonin1780，afterhisreturntoParliament，hisgreatsuccesssignalizedhisentryintopubliclife，andhewasatonceelectedamemberoftheleadingclubs——

Miles’andEvans’，Brookes’，Boodle’s，White’s，andGoosetree’s。

ThelatterwasWilberforce’susualresort，wherehisfriendshipwithPitt——whoplayedwithcharacteristicandintenseeagerness，andwhomhehadslightlyknownatCambridge——greatlyincreased。

HeoncelostL100attheFarotable。

`WeplayedagooddealatGoosetree’s，’hestates，；andI

wellremembertheintenseearnestnesswhichPittdisplayedwhenjoininginthesegamesofchance。Heperceivedtheirincreasingfascination，andsoonafterabandonedthemforever。’

Wilberforce’sowncaseisthusrecordedbyhisbiographers，ontheauthorityofhisprivateJournal:——`Wecanhavenoplayto-

night，’complainedsomeofthepartyattheclub，`forStAndrewisnotheretokeepbank。’`Wilberforce，’saidMrBankes，whoneverjoinedhimself，`ifyouwillkeepitIwillgiveyouaguinea。’Theplayfulchallengewasaccepted，butasthegamegrewdeepherosethewinnerofL600。Muchofthiswaslostbythosewhowereonlyheirstofortunes，andthereforecouldnotmeetsuchacallwithoutinconvenience。Thepainhefeltattheirannoyancecuredhimofatastewhichseemedbuttoolikelytobecomepredominant。

Goosetree’sbeingthenalmostexclusivelycomposedofincipientoratorsandembryostatesmen，thecallforagamblingtabletheremayberegardedasadecisiveproofoftheuniversalprevalenceofthevice。

`ThefirsttimeIwasatBrookes’，’saysWilberforce，`scarcelyknowinganyone，Ijoined，frommereshyness，inplayattheFarotables，whereGeorgeSelwynkeptbank。Afriend，whoknewmyinexperience，andregardedmeasavictimdeckedoutforsacrifice，calledtome——"What，Wilberforce，isthatyou？"

Selwynquiteresentedtheinterference，and，turningtohim，saidinhismostexpressivetone，"Oh，sir，don’tinterruptMrWilberforce，hecouldnotbebetteremployed。"

Again:`TheveryfirsttimeIwenttoBoodle’sIwontwenty-fiveguineasoftheDukeofNorfolk。Ibelongedatthistimetofiveclubs——Miles’andEvans’，Brookes’，Boodle’s，White’s，andGoosetree’s。’

SIRPHILIPFRANCIS。

SirPhilipFrancis，theeminentpoliticianandsupposedauthorofthecelebrated`LettersofJunius，’wasagambler，andtheconvivialcompanionofFox。DuringtheshortadministrationofthatstatesmanhewasmadeaKnightoftheBath。Oneevening，RogerWilbrahamcameuptotheWhisttable，atBrookes’，whereSirPhilip，whoforthefirsttimeworetheribbonoftheOrder，wasengagedinarubber，andthusaccostedhim。Layingholdoftheribbon，andexaminingitforsometime，hesaid:——`So，thisisthewaytheyhaverewardedyouatlast；theyhavegivenyoualittlebitofredribbonforyourservices，SirPhilip，havethey？Aprettybitofredribbontohangaboutyourneck；

andthatsatisfiesyou，doesit？Now，IwonderwhatIshallhave。Whatdoyouthinktheywillgiveme，SirPhilip？’Thenewly-madeknight，whohadtwenty-fiveguineasdependingontherubber，andwhowasnotverywellpleasedattheinterruption，suddenlyturnedround，andlookingathimfiercely，exclaimed，`A

halter，andbe，’&c。

THEREV。CALEBC。COLTON。

Unquestionablythisreverendgentlemanwasoneofthemostluckyofgamesters——havingdiedinfullpossessionofthegiftsvouchsafedtohimbythegoddessoffortune。

HewaseducatedatEton，graduatedatKing’sCollege，Cambridge，asBachelorofArtsin1801，andMasterofArtsin1804，andobtainedafellowship，havingalsoacuracyatTiverton，heldconjointly。Somesixyearsafterheappearedinprintasadenouncerofa`ghoststory，’andin1812，astheauthorof`Hypocrisy，’asatiricalpoem，and`Napoleon，’apoem。In1818

hewaspresentedbyhiscollegetothevicarageofKewwithPetersham，inSurrey。Twoyearsafterheestablishedaliteraryreputation——lastingtothepresenttime——bythepublicationofavolumeofaphorismsormaxims，underthetitleof`LACON；or，ManyThingsinFewWords。’Thisworkisveryfarfromoriginal，beingfoundedmainlyonLordBacon’scelebratedEssays，andBurdon’s`MaterialsforThinking，’LaBruyiere，andDelaRochefoucault；stillitishighlycreditabletotheabilitiesofthewriter。Ithaspassedthroughseveraleditions；andevenatthepresenttimeitsonlyrivalis，`TheGuessesatTruth，’

althoughwehavenumerouscollectionsofapothegmaticextractsfromauthors，aclassofworkswhichisnotwithoutitsfascination，ifreadersareinclinedto_THINK。_[129]

[129]ThefirstworkIpublishedwasofthiskind，andentitled，`GemsofGenius；or，WordsoftheWise，withextractsfromtheDiaryofaYoungMan，’in1838。

Twoyearsafterhereturnedtohis`Napoleon，’whichherepublished，withextensiveadditions，underthenewtitleof`TheConflagrationofMoscow。

ItwouldappearthatColtonatthisperiodgaveintothefashionablegamingoftheday；atanyrate，hedabbleddeeplyinSpanishbonds，becameinvolvedinpecuniarydifficulties，and，withoutinvestigatinghisaffairsclosely——whichmighthavebeeneasilyarranged——heabsconded。

Hesubsequentlymadeappearance，inordertoretainhisliving；

butin1828helostit，asuccessorbeingappointedbyhiscollege。HethenwenttotheUnitedStatesofAmerica；whathedidthereisnotonrecord；buthesubsequentlyreturnedtoEurope，wenttoParis，tookuphisabodeinthePalaisRoyal，and——devotedhistalentstothemysteriesofthegamingtable，bywhichhewassosuccessfulthatinthecourseofayearortwohewonL25，000！

Oddlyenough，oneofhis`maxims’inhisLaconrunsasfollows:

`Thegamester，ifhedieamartyrtohisprofession，isdoublyruined。Headdshissoultoeveryotherloss，and，bytheactofsuicide，renouncesearth，toforfeitheaven。’

Ithasbeensuggestedthatthiswaswritinghisownepitaph，anditwouldappearsofromthenoticesofthemaninmostofthebiographies；butnothingcouldbefurtherfromthefact。CalebColtonmanagedto_KEEP_hisgamblingfortune，andwhatismore，devotedittoaworthypurpose。Partofhiswealthheemployedinformingapicture-gallery；andheprintedatParis，forprivatedistribution，anodeonthedeathofLordByron。Hecertainlycommittedsuicide，buttheactwasnotthegamester’smartyrdom。Hewasafflictedbyadiseasewhichnecessitatedsomepainfulsurgicaloperation，andratherthansubmittoit，heblewouthisbrains，atthehouseofafriend，atFontainebleau，in1832。[130]

[130]Gent。Mag。NewMonth。Mag。Gorton’sGen。Biograph。Dict。

BEAUBRUMMELL。

Thissingularmanwasaninveterategambler，andforsometimevery`lucky；’butthereactioncameatlast；thestakesweretoohigh，andthepursesofhiscompanionstoolongforhimtostandagainstanycontinuedrunofbadluck；indeed，theplayatWattier’s，whichwasverydeep，eventuallyruinedtheclub，aswellasBrummellandseveralothermembersofit；acertainbaronetnowliving，accordingtoCaptainJesse，isassertedtohavelosttenthousandpoundsthereat_Ecarte_atonesitting。[131]

[131]LifeofBeauBrummell。

Theseasonof1814sawBrummellawinner，andaloserlikewise——andthistimehelostnotonlyhiswinnings，but`anunfortunatetenthousandpounds，’which，whenrelatingthecircumstancetoafriendmanyyearsafterwards，hesaidwasallthatremainedathisbanker’s。Onenight——thefifthofamostrelentlessrunofill-luck——hisfriendPembertonMillsheardhimexclaimthathehadlosteveryshilling，andonlywishedsomeonewouldbindhimnevertoplayagain:——`Iwill，’saidMills；andtakingoutaten-poundnoteheofferedittoBrummellonconditionthatheshouldforfeitathousandifheplayedatWhite’swithinamonthfromthatevening。TheBeautookit，andforafewdaysdiscontinuedcomingtotheclub；butaboutafortnightafterMills，happeningtogoin，sawhimhardatwork。

Ofcoursethethousandpoundswasforfeited；buthisfriend，insteadofclaimingit，merelywentuptohimand，touchinghimgentlyontheshoulder，said——`Well，Brummell，youmayatleastgivemebackthetenpoundsyouhadtheothernight。’

AmongthememberswhoindulgedinhighplayatBrookes’ClubwasAldermanCombe，thebrewer，whoissaidtohavemadeasmuchmoneyinthiswayashedidbybrewing。OneeveningwhilsthefilledtheofficeofLordMayor，hewasbusyatafullHazardtableatBrookes’，wherethewitandthedice-boxcirculatedtogetherwithgreatglee，andwhereBeauBrummellwasoneoftheparty。`Come，Mash-tub，’saidBrummell，whowasthe_caster_，`whatdoyou_set？_’`Twenty-fiveguineas，’answeredtheAlderman。`Well，then，’returnedtheBeau，`haveatthemare’spony’(agamingtermfor25guineas)。Hecontinuedtothrowuntilhedrovehomethebrewer’stwelveponiesrunning；andthengettingup，andmakinghimalowbow，whilstpocketingthecash，hesaid——`Thankyou，Alderman；forthefutureIshallneverdrinkanyporterbutyours。’`Iwish，sir，’repliedthebrewer，`thateveryotherblackguardinLondonwouldtellmethesame。’[132]

[132]Jesse，_ubisupra_。

Thefollowingoccurrencemusthavecauseda`sensation’topoorBrummell。

AmongthemembersofWattier’sClubwasBligh，anotoriousmadman，ofwhomMrRaikesrelates:——`OneeveningattheMacaotable，whentheplaywasverydeep，Brummell，havinglostaconsiderablestake，affected，inhisfarcicalway，averytragicair，andcriedout——"Waiter，bringmeaflatcandlestickandapistol。"UponwhichBligh，whowassittingoppositetohim，calmlyproducedtwoloadedpistolsfromhiscoatpocket，whichheplacedonthetable，andsaid，"MrBrummell，ifyouarereallydesiroustoputaperiodtoyourexistence，Iamextremelyhappytoofferyouthemeanswithouttroublingthewaiter。"Theeffectuponthosepresentmayeasilybeimagined，atfindingthemselvesinthecompanyofaknownmadmanwhohadloadedweaponsabouthim。’

Brummellwasatlastcompletelybeggared，thoughforsometimehecontinuedtoholdonbythehelpoffundsraisedonthemutualsecurityofhimselfandhisfriends，someofwhomwerenotinamuchmoreflourishingconditionthanhimself；theirnames，however，andstillmore，theirexpectations，lentacharmtotheirbills，intheeyesoftheusurers，andmoneywasprocured，ofcourseatruinousinterest。Itissaidthatsomeunpleasantcircumstances，connectedwiththedivisionofoneoftheseloans，occasionedtheBeau’sexpatriation，andthatapersonalaltercationtookplacebetweenBrummellandacertainMrM——，whenthatgentlemanaccusedhimoftakingthelion’sshare。

Hediedinutterpoverty，andanidiot，atCaen，intheyear1840，aged62years。Brummellhadaveryoddwayofaccountingforthesadchangewhichtookplaceinhisaffairs。Hesaidthatuptoaparticularperiodofhislifeeverythingprosperedwithhim，andthatheattributedgoodlucktothepossessionofacertainsilversixpencewithaholeinit，whichsomebodyhadgivenhimyearsbefore，withaninjunctiontotakegoodcareofit，aseverythingwouldgowellwithhimsolongashedid，andthereverseifhehappenedtoloseit。Thepromisedprosperityattendedhimformanyyears，whilstheheldthesixpencefast；

buthavingatlength，inanevilhour，unfortunatelygivenitbymistaketoahackney-coachman，acompletereverseofhispreviousgoodfortuneensued，tillactualruinovertookhimatlast，andobligedhimtoexpatriatehimself。`Onmyaskinghim，’saysthenarrator，`whyhedidnotadvertiseandofferarewardforthelosttreasure；hesaid，"Idid，andtwentypeoplecamewithsixpenceshavingholesinthemtoobtainthepromisedreward，butminewasnotamongstthem！"Andyouneverafterwards，’saidI，`ascertainedwhatbecameofit？"Ohyes，"hereplied，"nodoubtthatrascalRothschild，orsomeofhisset，gotholdofit。"’WhateverpoorBrummell’ssupernaturaltendenciesmayhavegenerallybeen，hehadunquestionablyasuperstitiousvenerationforhislostsixpence。

TOMDUNCOMBE。

TomDuncombegraduatedandtookhonoursamongthegreatestgamblersoftheday。LikeFox，hewasheirtoagoodfortune——

tenortwelvethousandayear——thewholeofwhichhemanagedtoanticipatebeforehewasthirty。`TomDuncomberanCharlesFoxclose。WhenMrDuncombe，sen。，ofCopgrove，causedhisprodigalson’sdebtstobeestimatedwithaviewtotheirsettlement，theywerefoundtoexceedL135，000；[133]andthehopefulheirwentonaddingtothemtillallpossibilityofextricationwasatanend。Buthespenthismoney(orotherpeople’smoney)，solongashehadany，likeagentleman；hisheartwasopenlikehishand；hewasgenerous，cordial，high-spirited；andhisexpectations——tilltheywereknowntobediscountedtotheuttermostfarthing——keptuphiscredit，improvedhissocialposition，andgainedfriends。"Society"(sayshisson)

"openeditsarmstothepossessorofagoodnameandtheinheritorofagoodestate。PaterfamiliasesandMaterfamiliasesrivalledeachotherinendeavouringtomakethingspleasantintheirhouseholdsforhisparticulardelectation，especiallyiftheyhadgrown-updaughters；hospitablehostsinvitedhimtodinner，fashionablematronstoballs；politicalleaderssoughttosecurehimasapartisan；_DEBUTANTES_oftheseasonendeavouredtoattracthimasanadmirer；_TRADESMENTHRONGEDTOHIS

DOORSTEPSFORHISCUSTOM_，andhistablewasdailycoveredwithwrittenapplicationsforhispatronage。"_Noblesseoblige；_

andsodoesfashion。Theaspiranthadconfessedlyahardtimeofit。"HemustbeseenatTattersall’saswellasatAlmack’s；bemorefrequentinattendanceinthegreen-roomofthetheatrethanata_levee_inthepalace；showasmuchreadinesstoenterintoapigeon-matchatBatterseaRedHouse，asintoaflirtationinMayFair；distinguishhimselfinthehunting-fieldasmuchasatthedinner-table；andmakeaseffectiveanappearanceintheparkasinthesenate；inshort，hemustbeeverything——notbyturns，butallatonce——sportsman，exquisite，gourmand，rake，senator，andatleastadozenothervariationsofthemanoffashion，——hischangesofcharacterbeingoftenquickerthanthoseattemptedbycertainactorswhonightlyundertaketheperformanceofanentire_dramatispersonae_。"’

[133]ItwillberememberedthatwhenFox’sdebtswereinlikemannerestimatedtheyamountedtoL140，000:thecoincidenceiscurious。Seeante。

TommyDuncombewasnotonlyindefatigableatCrockford’s，butateveryotherrendezvousofthevotariesoffortune；askilfulplayerwithal，andnotunfrequentlyawinnerbeyondexpectation。

OnenightatCrockford’sheastonishedthehousebycarryingoffsixteenhundredpounds。HefrequentlyplayedatcardswithCountD’Orsay，fromwhom，itissaid，heinvariablymanagedtowin——theCountpersistinginplayingwithhispleasantcompanion，althoughwarnedbyothersthathewouldneverbeamatchfor`HonestTommyDuncombe。’

TomDuncombediedpoor，but，sayshisson，`richinthememoryofthosewhoesteemedhim，asHonestTomDuncombe。’

Perhapsthebestthingthesoncouldhavedonewastoleavehisfather’smemoryatrestintheestimationof`thosewhoesteemedhim；’buthavingdraggedhisnameoncemore，andprominently，beforeacensoriousworld，hecanscarcelyresentthefollowingestimateofTomDuncombe，byawell-informedreviewerinthe_Times_。Alludingtotheconcludingsummaryofthefather’scharacteranddoings，thiskeenwriterpassesasentencewhichisworthpreserving:——

`Muchofthiswoulddoforapatriotandphilanthropistofthehighestclass——foraPym，aHampden，oraWilberforce；or，wecouldfancy，asonofAndrewMarvell，vowingoverhisgrave"toendeavourtoimitatethevirtuesandemulatetheself-sacrificingpatriotismofsoestimableaparent，andsogoodaman。"Butwecanhardlyfancy，wecannotleave，asonofDuncombeinsuchaframeofmind。Wecannotsayto_HIM_——

Mactenovavirtute，puer；sicituradastra。

"Invirtuerenewedgoon；thustotheskieswego。"

Weareunfeignedlyreluctanttocheckafilialeffusion，ortotelldisagreeabletruths；butthereareoccasionswhenasenseofpublicdutyimperativelyrequiresthemtobetold。

`Whydidthisexemplaryparentdiepoor？Whendidheabandontheallurementsofapatriciancircle？Hediedpoorbecausehewastedafinefortune。Ifheabandonedapatriciancircle，itwasbecausehewastiredofit，orthoughthecouldmakeabetterthingofdemocracy。Ifheconqueredhispassions，itwas，likeStEvremond——byindulgingthem。

`"HonestTomDuncombe！"Weneverheardhimsodesignatedbeforeexceptinpleasantry。"Ashonestasanymanliving，thatisanoldman，andnothonesterthanI。"WecannotgofurtherthanVerges；itisastretchofcharitytogosofarwhenwecalltomindthemagnificentreversionandtheFrenchjobs。Aruinedspendthrift，althoughhemayhavemanygoodqualities，cannever，strictlyspeaking，betermedhonest。Itisabsurdtosayofhimthatheisnobody’senemybuthisown——withfamily，friends，andtradespeoplepayingthepenaltyforhisself-indulgence。Hemustbesatisfiedtobecalledhonourable——tobechargedwithnotransgressionofthelawofhonour；whichPaleydefinesas"asystemofrulesconstructedbypeopleoffashion，andcalculatedtofacilitatetheirintercoursewithoneanother，_ANDFORNO

OTHERPURPOSE_。"

`Therewasonequalityofhonesty，however，which"honestTomDuncombe"didpossess。Hewasnotahypocrite。Hewasnotdevoidofrightfeeling。Hehadplentyofgoodsense；anditwouldhavegivenhimasickeningpangonhisdeath-bedtothinkthathisfrailtiesweretobeperpetuatedbyhisdescendants；

thathewastobepointedoutasashiningstartoguide，insteadofabeacon-firetowarn。"No，"hewouldhavesaid，ifhecouldhaveanticipatedthismostill-chosen，howeverwell-

intentioned，tribute，"sparemethisterribleirony。Donotprovoketheinevitableretort。Sayofme，ifyoumustsayanything，thatIwasnotabadman，thoughanerringone；thatI

waskindlydisposedtowardsmyfellow-creatures；thatIdidsomegoodinmygeneration，andwasableandwillingtodomore，butthatIheedlesslywastedtime，money，health，intellect，personalgifts，socialadvantagesandopportunities；thatmycareerwasafailure，andmywholeschemeoflifeamelancholymistake。"’[134]

[134]_Times_，Jan。7，1868。

Thisisaterriblerejoindertoasonendeavouringtoraiseamonumenttohisbelovedandrespectedparent。But，ifwewillrakeuprottennessfromthegrave——rottennessinwhichweareinterested——wemusttakeourchancewhetherweshallfindaHamletwhowillsay，`Alas！poorYorick！’andsay_NOMORE_thanthemusingDaneupontheoccasion。

WASTHEDUKEOFWELLINGTONAGAMESTER？

AfewyearsafterthebattleofWaterloothereappearedaFrenchworkentitled`_L’AcademiedesJeux_，parPhilidor，’whichwassoontranslatedintoEnglish，andherepublishedunderthetitleof`RougeetNoir；or，theAcademies。’Itwasadenunciationofgamblinginallitsvarieties，andwas，nodoubt，well-

intentioned。Therewas，however，inthepublicationthefollowingastoundingstatement:——

`Notlongagothecarriageoftheheir-apparenttotheT*****

ofEngland，ingoingtohisB****’slevee，wasarrestedfordebtintheopenstreet。Thatgreatcaptain，whogained，ifnotlaurels，animmensetreasure，ontheplainsofWa****oo，besidesthatfortunetransmittedtohimbytheEnglishpeople，wasimpoverishedinafewmonthsbythisignoblepassion。’

Therecanbenodoubtthattheallegedgamblingofthegreatwarriorandstatesmanwasthepublicscandaloftheday，asappearsbytheduke’sownlettersonthesubject，publishedinthelastvolumeofhis_Dispatches_。Eventheeminentcounsel，MrAdolphus，thoughtpropertoalludetothereportinoneofhisspeechesatthebar。ThiscalledforththefollowingletterfromtheduketoMrAdolphus:——

`17Sept。，1823。

`TheDukeofWellingtonpresentshiscomplimentstoMrAdolphus，andencloseshimthe"MorningChronicle"ofFriday，the12thinstant，towhichtheduke’sattentionhasjustbeencalled，inwhichMrAdolphuswillobservethatheisstatedtohaverepresentedthedukeasaperson_KNOWNSOMETIMESTOPLAY

ATHAZARD，WHOMIGHTBECOMMITTEDASAROGUEANDVAGABOND_。

`ThedukeconcludesthatthispapercontainsacorrectstatementofwhatMrAdolphussaidupontheoccasion，andheassuresMrAdolphusthathewouldnottroublehimuponthesubjectifcircumstancesdidnotexistwhichrenderedthiscommunicationdesirable。

`Someyearshaveelapsedsincethepublichavebeeninformed，_FROMTHEVERYBESTAUTHORITY_，thatthedukehadtotallyruinedhimselfatplay；andMrAdolphuswaspresentupononeoccasionwhenawitnesssworethathehadheardthedukewasconstantlyobligedtoselltheofficesintheOrdnancehimself，insteadofallowingthemtobesoldbyothers！！Thedukehassufferedsomeinconveniencefromthisreportinavarietyofways，andheisanxiousthatatleastitshouldnotberepeatedbyagentlemanofsuchcelebrityandauthorityasMrAdolphus。

`HethereforeassuresMrAdolphusthatinthewholecourseofhislifeheneverwonorlostL20atanygame，andthatheneverplayedatHazard，oranygameofchance，inanypublicplaceorclub，norbeenforsomeyearsatallatanysuchplace。

`Fromthesecircumstances，MrAdolphuswillseethatthereisnogroundformakinguseoftheduke’snameasanexampleofaperson_KNOWNSOMETIMESTOPLAYATHAZARD，WHOMIGHTBE

COMMITTEDASAROGUEANDVAGABOND_。’

_MrAdolphustoField-MarshaltheDukeofWellington_。

`PercyStreet，21stSept。，1823。

`MrAdolphushasthehonourtoacknowledgethereceiptofanotefromhisGracetheDukeofWellington，andwouldhavedonesoyesterday，butwasdetainedincourttillalatehourintheevening。MrAdolphusisextremelysorrythatanyexpressionusedbyhimshouldhaveoccasionedamoment’suneasinesstotheDukeofWellington。MrAdolphuscannotdenythatthereportinthe"Chronicle"isaccurate，sofarasitreciteshismerewords；

butthescopeofhisargument，andtheintendedsenseofhisexpression，was，thatiftheVagrantActweretoreceivetheextensiveconstructioncontendedfor，themostillustrioussubjectoftherealmmightbedegradedtotheconditionofthemostabjectandworthless，foranactinitselfindifferent——andwhich，untilthetimeshadassumedacharacterofaffectedrigour，wasconsideredratherasaproofofgoodsocietythanasanoffenceagainstgoodorder。MrAdolphusis，however，perfectlysensiblethathisillustrationinhisGrace’spersonwasinallrespectsimproper，and，consideringthematterstowhichhisGracehasadverted，peculiarlyunfortunateMrAdolphusfeelswithregretthatanypublicexpressionofhissentimentsonthissubjectinthenewspaperswouldnotabate，butmuchincrease，theevil。Shouldanopportunityeverpresentitselfofdoingitnaturallyandwithoutaffectation，MrAdolphuswouldmostreadilyexplain，inspeakingatthebar，theerrorhehadcommitted；butitisveryunlikelythatthereshouldexistanoccasionofwhichhecanavailhimselfwithadueregardtodelicacy。MrAdolphusrelies，however，ontheDukeofWellington’sexaltedmindforcredittohisassurancethathenevermeanttotreathisnamebutwiththerespectduetohisGrace’sexaltedrankandinfinitelyhigherrenown。’

_ToMrAdolphus_。

`Woolford，23rdSept。，1823。

`TheDukeofWellingtonpresentshiscomplimentstoMrAdolphus，andassuresMrAdolphusthatheisconvincedthatMrAdolphusneverintendedtoreflectinjuriouslyuponhim。IfthedukehadbelievedthatMrAdolphuscouldhaveentertainedsuchanintentionhewouldnothaveaddressedhim。TheduketroublesMrAdolphusagainuponthissubject，as，inconsequenceoftheeditorofthe"MorningChronicle"havingthoughtpropertoadverttothissubjectinaparagraphpublishedonthe18thinstant，thedukehasreferredthepaperofthatdateandthatofthe12thtotheAttorneyandSolicitor-general，hiscounsel，toconsiderwhethertheeditoroughtnottobeprosecuted。

`Thedukerequests，therefore，thatMrAdolphuswillnotnoticethesubjectinthewayheproposesuntilthegentlemenabovementionedwillhavedecidedupontheadvicewhichtheywillgivetheduke。’[135]

[135]`Dispatches，’vol。ii。parti。

Theresultwas，however，thatthematterwasallowedtodrop，asthedukewasadvisedbyhiscounselthattheparagraphinthe"MorningChronicle，"thoughvile，wasnotactionable。Thepositivedeclarationoftheduke，`thatinthewholecourseofhislifeheneverwonorlostL20atanygame，andthatheneverplayedatHazard，oranygameofchance，inanypublicplaceorclub，norbeenforsomeyearsatallatanysuchplace，’

shouldsetthematteratrest。CertainlythedukewasafterwardsanoriginalmemberofCrockford’sClub，foundedin1827，but，unlikeBlucher，whorepeatedlylosteverythingatplay，`TheGreatCaptain，’asMrTimbsputsit，`wasneverknowntoplaydeepatanygamebutwarorpolitics。’[136]

[136]ClubLifeinLondon。

Thisremarkabledeferencetoprivatecharacterandpublicopinion，onthepartoftheDukeofWellington，isinwonderfulcontrastwiththeeasymoralityoftheOldBaileyadvocate，MrAdolphus，whodidnothesitatetodeclaregambling`anactinitselfindifferent——andwhich，untilthetimeshadassumedacharacterof_AFFECTED_rigour，wasconsideredratherasaproofofgoodsocietythanasanoffenceagainstgoodorder。’Thisavermentofsodistinguishedamanmay，perhaps，mitigatethehorrorwenowfeelofthegamblingpropensitiesofourancestors；

anditisaproofofsomesortofadvancementinmorals，orgoodtaste，toknowthatnomodernadvocatewoulddaretouttersuchasentiment。

Othergreatnameshavebeenassociatedwithgambling；thusMrT。

H。Duncombesays，speakingofCrockford’ssoonafteritsfoundation:——`SirStVincentCotton(LordCombermere)，LordFitzroySomerset(Raglan)，theMarquisofAnglesey，SirHusseyVivian，WilsonCroker，_Disraeli_，HoraceTwiss，Copley，GeorgeAnson，andGeorgePayne_WEREPRETTYSUREOFBEINGPRESENT_，manyofthemplayinghigh。’

Respectingthisstatementthe_Times’_[137]reviewerobserves:——`WedonotknowwhattheChancelloroftheExchequerwillsaytothis。MrWilsonCroker(whoaffectedgreatstrictness)wouldhavefaintedaway。ButtheauthorityofawriterwhodoesnotknowSirStVincentCotton(theex-driveroftheBrightoncoach)fromSir_Stapleton_Cotton(thePeninsularhero)willgoforlittleinsuchmatters；andasforCopley，LordLyndhurst(justthenpromotedfromtheRollstotheWoolsack)，whynotsayatoncethatheattendedthenocturnalsittingsatCrockford’sinhisrobes。’

[137]Jan。7，1868。

CHAPTERXII。

REMARKABLEGAMESTERS——

MONSIEURCHEVALIER。

MonsieurCHevalier，CaptainoftheGrenadiersinthefirstregimentofFootGuards，inthetimeofCharlesII。ofEngland，wasanativeofNormandy。InhisyoungerdayshewaspagetotheDuchessofOrleans；butgrowingtoobigforthatservice，hecametoEnglandtoseekhisfortune，andbysomegoodluckandfavourbecameanensigninthefirstregimentofFootGuards。Hispay，however，beinginsufficienttomaintainhim，hefeltcompelledtobecomeagamester，orrathertoresorttoapracticeinwhichdoubtlesshehadbeenearlyinitiatedattheCourtofFrance；andhemanagedsowellthathewassoonenabledtokeepupanequipagemuchabovehisstation。

Amongthe`bubbles’whohadthemisfortunetofallintoChevalier’shands，wasacertainnobleman，wholostalargersumtohimthanhecouldconvenientlypaydown，andaskedfortime，towhichChevalierassented，andintermssocourteousandobligingthattheformer，afortnightafter，inordertolethimseethatherememberedhiscivility，cameonemorningandtoldChevalierthathehadacompanyofFoottodisposeof，andifitwasworthhiswhile，itshouldbeathisservice。NothingcouldbemoreacceptabletoChevalier，whoatonceclosedforthebargain，andgothiscommissionsignedthesameday。Besidesthefactthatitwasatimeofpeace，ChevalierknewwellthatthemilitarytitleofCaptainwasaverygoodcloaktoshelterunder。

Heknewthatamanofnoemploymentoranyvisibleincome，whoappearsandliveslikeagentleman，andmakesgaminghisconstantbusiness，isalwayssuspectedofnotplayingfordiversiononly；

and，inshort，ofknowingandpractisingmorethanheshoulddo。

Chevalieroncewon20guineasfrommadOgle，theLife-guardsman，who，understandingthattheformerhadbithim，calledhimtoaccount，demandingeitherhismoneyback，orsatisfactioninthefield。Chevalier，havingalwayscourageenoughtomaintainwhathedid，chosethelatter。OglefoughthiminHydePark，andwoundedhimthroughtheswordarm，andgotbackhismoney。Afterthistheywerealwaysgoodfriends，playingseveralcomicaltricks，oneofwhichisasfollows，strikinglyillustratingthemannersofthetimes。

ChevalierandOglemeetingonedayinFleetStreetjostledforthewall，whichtheystrovetotakeofeachother，whereuponwordsarisingbetweenthem，theydrewswords，andpushedveryhardatoneanother；butwereprevented，bythegreatcrowdwhichgatheredaboutthem，fromdoinganymischief。Ogle，seemingstilltoresenttheaffront，criedtoChevalier，`Ifyouareagentleman，prayfollowme。’TheFrenchheroacceptedthechallenge；sogoingtogetherupBellYardandthroughLincoln’sInn，withsomehundredsofthemobattheirheels，assoonastheseemingadversariesweregotintoLincoln’sInnFields，theybothfellarunningasfastastheycould，withtheirswordsdrawn，uptowardsLordPowis’shouse，whichwasthenbuilding，andleapedintoasaw-pit。Therabblepresentlyranafterthem，topartthemagain，andfearedmischiefwouldbedonebeforetheycouldgetuptothem，butwhentheyarrivedatthesaw-pit，theysawChevalieratonesideofitandOgleattheother，sittingtogetheraslovinglyasiftheyhadneverfallenoutatall。Andthenthemobwassoincensedatthistrickputuponthem，thathadnotsomegentlemenaccidentallycomeby，theywouldhaveknockedthembothontheheadwithbrickbats。

Chevalierhadanexcellentknackatcoggingadie，andsuchcommandinthethrowing，that，chalkingacircleonatable，withitscircumferencenobiggerthanashilling，hewould，atabovethedistanceofonefoot，throwadieexactlyintoit，whichshouldbeeitherace，deuce，trey，orwhathepleased。

AubreydeVere，EarlofOxford，wasagreatgamblerofthetime，andoftenpractiseddice-throwinginhisshirtduringthemorninguntilhefanciedhimselfinluck，whenhewouldproceedtotryhisfortunewithChevalier；butthedexterityofthelatteralwaysconvincedtheearlthatnocertaintyliesonthegoodsuccesswhichmaybefanciedaslikelytoresultfromplayinjest。Chevalierwonagreatdealofmoneyfromthatpeer，`wholostmostofhisestateatgamingbeforehedied，andwhichoughttobeawarningtoallnoblemen。’

Chevalierwasaskilfulsharper，andthoroughlyupintheartandmysteryofloadingdicewithquicksilver；buthavingbeensometimesdetectedinhissharpingtricks，hewasobliged`tolookonthepointofthesword，withwhichbeingoftenwounded，latterlyhedeclinedfighting，iftherewereanywayofescape。’

Havingonce`choused，’orcheated，aMrLevingstone，pageofhonourtoKingJamesII。，outof50guineas，thelattergavethecaptainachallengetofighthimnextdaybehindMontagueHouse——

alocalitylongusedforthepurposeofduelling。Chevalierseeminglyacceptedthechallenge，andnextmorning，LevingstonegoingtoChevalier’slodging，whomhefoundinbed，puthiminmindofwhathewascomeabout。Chevalier，withthegreatestairofcourageimaginable，rose，andhavingdressedhimself，saidtoLevingstone——`Memustbegdefavourofyoutostayafewminutes，sir，whileIstepintomyclosetdere，forasmebegoingaboutonedesperatepieceofwork，itisveryrequisiteformetosayasmallprayerortwo。’AccordinglyMrLevingstoneconsentedtowaitwhilstChevalierretiredtohisclosettopray；buthearingtheconclusionofhisprayertoendwiththesewords——`Meverilybelievespillingman’sbloodisonever’greatsin，whereforeIhopealldesaintswillintercedviddeVirginformyoncekillingMonsieurdeBlotieresatRochelle，——mykillingChevalierdeComingeatBrest，——killingMajordeTiercevilleatLyons，——killingLieutenantduMarcheFalliereatParis，withhalfadozenothermeninFrance；so，beingalsosureofkillinghimI’mnowgoingtofight，mehopehisforcingmetoshedhisbloodwillnotbelaidtomycharge；’——quothLevingstonetohimself——

`Andareyouthensosureofme？ButI’llengageyoushan’t——forifyouaresuchadevilatkillingmen，youshallgoandfightyourselfandbe。’Whereuponhemadewhathastehecouldaway，andshortlyChevaliercomingoutoftheclosetandfindingLevingstonenotintheroom，wasverygladofhisabsence。’

Sometimeafter，Chevalierwascalledtoaccountbyanothergentleman。TheymetattheappointedhourinChelseaFields，whenChevaliersaidtohisadversary——`Pray，sir，forwhatdowefight？’Thegentlemanreplied——`Forhonourandreputation。’

ThereuponChevalierpullingahalteroutofhispocket，andthrowingitbetweenhimandhisantagonist，exclaimed——`Begar，sir，weonlyfightfordisonepieceofrope——soe’en_WINIT

ANDWEARIT_。’Theeffectofthisjestwassogreatonhisadversarythatswordswereputup，andtheywenthometogethergoodfriends。

Chevaliercontinuedhissharpingcoursesforaboutfourteenyears，runningarecklessrace，`sometimeswithmuchmoney，sometimeswithlittle，butalwaysaslavishinspendingashewascovetousingettingit；untilatlastKingJamesascendingthethrone，theDukeofMonmouthraisedarebellionintheWestofEngland，where，inaskirmishbetweentheRoyalistsandRebels，hewasshotintheback，andthewoundthoughttobegivenbyoneofhisownmen，towhomhehadalwaysbeenamostcruel，harshofficer，whilstacaptainoftheGrenadiersoftheFootGuards。

Hewassensiblehimselfhowhecamebythismisfortune；forwhenhewascarriedtohistentmortallywounded，andtheDukeofAlbemarlecametovisithim，hesaidtohisGrace——`Diswasnoneofmyfoedatshotmeintheback。’`Hewasnoneofyourfriendthatshotyou，’thedukereplied。

Sodyingwithinafewhoursafter，hewasinterredinafieldnearPhilipNortonLane，astheoldchroniclersays——`much_UN_lamentedbyallwhoknewhim。’[138]

[138]Lucas，_MemoirsofGamestersandSharpers_。

JOHNHIGDEN。

Thisgambler，whoflourishedtowardstheendofthe17thcentury，wasdescendedfromaverygoodfamilyintheWestofEngland。InhisyoungerdayshewasamemberoftheHonourableSocietyoftheMiddleTemple，buthisinclinationsbeingincompatiblewithclosestudyofthelaw，hesoonquittedtheinnsofcourtandwentintothearmy。HeobtainednotonlyacommissioninthefirstregimentofBootGuards，butacommissionofthepeaceforthecountyofMiddlesex，inwhichhecontinuedforthreeorfouryearsasJusticeHigden。Hewasverygreatatdice；andonenightheandanotherofhisfraternitygoingtoagaminghouse，Higdendrewachairandsatdown，butasoftenastheboxcametohimhepassedit，andremainedonlyasaspectator；butatlastoneoftheplayerssaidtohimpertly，`Sir，ifyouwon’tplay，whatdoyousittherefor？’UponwhichHigdensnatchedupthedice-boxandsaid，`SetmewhatyouwillandI’llthrowatit。’Oneofthegentlemensethimtwoguineas，whichhewon，andthensethimfour，whichhe`nicked’also。Therestofthegentlementookthepartoftheloser，andsettoHigden，who，bysomeartandsomegoodluck，won120guineas；andpresently，afterthrowingout，rosefromthetableandwenttohiscompanionbythefireside，whoaskedhimhowhedurstbesoaudaciousastoplay，knowinghehadnotashillinginhispocket？Oneofthelosersoverhearingwhatwassaid，exclaimed，`How’sthat——youhadnomoneywhenyoubegantoplay？’`That’snomatter，’repliedHigden，`Ihaveenough_NOW；_andifyouhadwonofme，youmusthavebeencontentedtohavekicked，buffeted，orpumpedme，andyouwouldhavedoneitaslongasyouliked。Besides，sir，Iamasoldier，andhaveoftenfacedthemouthsofthunderingcannonsfor_EIGHTSHILLINGSADAY_，anddoyouthinkIwouldnothazardthetossingofablanketforthemoneyIhavewonto-night？’

`Allthepartieswonderedathisconfidence，buthelaughedheartilyattheirfollyandhisgoodfortune，andsomarchedoffwithalightheartandaheavypurse。’Afterwards，`tomakehimselfasmiserableashecould，heturnedpoet，wenttoIreland，publishedaplayortwo，andshortlyafterhediedverypoor，in1703。’[139]

[139]_ubisupra。_