AMrR——y，sonofabaronet，leftWattier’sclubonenightwithonlyL4inhispocket，sayingthathewouldlookinatthehells。

Hedidso，and，returningafterthreeo’clockinthemorning，offeredtobetL500thathehadaboveL4000。TheresultprovedthathehadL4300，allwonatgamingtables，fromthesmallbeginningofL4。HethensatdowntoplaygamesofskillatWattier’s，andwenthomeatsixo’clockwithoutasinglepound！

ThesamemansubsequentlywonL30，000，andafterwardslostitall，withL15，000more，andthen’wenttotheContinent。’

AmajoroftheRifleBrigade，inconsequenceofgamblinginLondon，bywhichhelostvastsumsofmoney，wentoutofhissensesanddiedafewyearsagoinanasylum。Thisoccurredwithinthelasttenortwelveyears。

SaysMrSeymourHarcourt，inhis’GamingCalendar，’’Ihavemyselfseenhanginginchainsamanwhom，ashorttimebefore，I

sawataHazardtable！’

Hogarthlenthistremendouspowertotheportrayaloftheruinedgamester，andshowsittothelifeinhisprintofthegaminghouseinthe’Rake’sProgress。’

Threestagesofthatspeciesofmadnesswhichattendsgamingaretheredescribed。Onthefirstshockallisinwarddismay。Theruinedgamesterisrepresentedleaningagainstawallwithhisarmsacross，lostinanagonyofhorror。Shortlyafterthishorriblegloomburstsintoastormandfury。Hetearsinpieceswhatevercomesnearhim，and，kneelingdown，invokescursesonhimself。Hisnextattackisonothers——oneveryonewhomheimaginestohavebeeninstrumentalinhisruin。Theeagerjoyofthewinninggamester，theattentionoftheusurer，andtheprofoundreverieofthehighwayman，areallstronglymarkedinthiswonderfulpicture。

HOWMANYGAMESTERSLIVEBYPLAY？

Itisanobservationmadebythosewhocalculateonthegamingworld，thatabovenine-tenthsofthepersonswhoplayLIVEbyit。

Now，astheordinaryestablishmentofaGENTEELgamester，asheiscommonlycalled，cannotbelessthanL1000perannum，luck，whichturnsoutEQUALinthelongrun，willnotsupporthim；hemustthereforeLIVEbywhattheycallamongthemselvestheBEST

OFTHEGAME——or，inplainEnglish，cheating。

Somuchfortheinnerandouterlifeofgamblers。AndnowI

shallintroduceMrBen。Disraeli，recounting，inthehappiestveinofhisyoungerdays，amagnificentgamblingscene，quiteonaparwiththelegendoftheHindooepicbeforequoted，[12]andwhich，Idoubtnot，will(tousetheyoungDisraeli’sownwords)

makethereader’scudalongandwarmupintofriskiness。’

[12]ChapterII。

Acuriousphraseoccursinthe9thchapterof’TheYoungDuke，’

intheparagraphatthebeginning，afterthewords——’Oyeimmortalgods！’

Althoughthesceneofthedramaispartofanovel，yettherecanbenodoubtofitsbeing’foundedonfact’——atanyrate，Ithinkthereneverwasanarrativeofgreaterverisimilitude。

’Afterdinner，withtheexceptionofCogit，whowasbusiedincompoundingsomewonderfulliquidforthefuturerefreshment，theysatdowntoEcarte。Withouthavingexchangedaworduponthesubject，thereseemedageneralunderstandingamongalltheparties，thatto-nightwastobeapitchedbattle——andtheybeganatonce，verybriskly。Yet，inspiteoftheiruniversaldetermination，midnightarrivedwithoutanythingverydecisive。

Anotherhourpassedover，andthenTomCogitkepttouchingthebaron’selbow，andwhisperinginavoicewhicheverybodycouldunderstand。Allthismeantthatsupperwasready。Itwasbroughtintotheroom。

’Gaminghasoneadvantage——itgivesyouanappetite；thatistosay，solongasyouhaveachanceremaining。Thedukehadthousands，——foratpresenthisresourceswereunimpaired，andhewasexhaustedbytheconstantattentionandanxietyoffivehours。Hepassedoverthedelicacies，andwenttotheside-

table，andbegancuttinghimselfsomecoldroastbeef。TomCogitranup，nottohisGrace，buttothebaron，toannouncetheshockingfact，thattheDukeofStJameswasenduringgreattrouble；andthenthebaronaskedhisGracetopermitMrCogittoservehim。

’Ourherodevoured——weusethewordadvisedly，asfoolssayintheHouseofCommons——hedevouredtheroastbeef，andrejectingthehermitagewithdisgust，askedforporter。

’Theysettoagain，freshaseagles。Atsixo’clock，accountsweresocomplicated，thattheystoppedtomakeuptheirbooks。

Eachplayedwithhismemorandumsandpencilathisside。Nothingfatalhadyethappened。ThedukeowedLordDiceaboutL5000，andTempleGraceowedhimasmanyhundreds。LordCastlefortalsowashisdebtortothetuneof750，andthebaronwasinhisbooks，butslightly。

’Everyhalf-hourtheyhadanewpackofcards，andthrewtheusedonesonthefloor。AllthistimeTomCogitdidnothingbutsnuffthecandles，stirthefire，bringthemanewpack，andoccasionallymadeatumblerforthem。

’Ateighto’clocktheduke’ssituationwasworsened。Therunwasgreatlyagainsthim，andperhapshislossesweredoubled。Hepulledupagainthenexthourortwo；but，nevertheless，atteno’clockowedeveryonesomething。Nooneofferedtogiveover；

andeveryone，perhaps，feltthathisobjectwasnotobtained。

Theymadetheirtoilets，andwentdown-stairstobreakfast。Inthemeantimetheshutterswereopened，theroomaired；andinlessthananhourtheywereatitagain。

’Theyplayedtilldinner-timewithoutintermission；andthoughthedukemadesomedesperateefforts，andsomesuccessfulones，hislosseswere，nevertheless，trebled。Yetheateanexcellentdinner，andwasnotatalldepressed；becausethemorehelostthemorehiscourageandhisresourcesseemedtoexpand。Atfirst，hehadlimitedhimselfto10，000；afterbreakfast，itwastohavebeen20，000；then30，000wastheultimatum；andnowhedismissedallthoughtsoflimitsfromhismind，andwasdeterminedtoriskorgaineverything。

’AtmidnighthehadlostL48，000。

’Affairsnowbegantobeserious。Hissupperwasnotsohearty。

Whiletherestwereeating，hewalkedabouttheroom，andbegantolimithisambitiontorecovery，andnottogain。

’Whenyouplaytowinback，thefunisover:thereisnothingtorecompenseyouforyourbodilytorturesandyourdegradedfeelings；andtheverybestresultthatcanhappen，whileithasnocharms，seemstoyourcowedmindimpossible。

’Ontheyplayed，andthedukelostmore。Hismindwasjaded。Hefloundered——hemadedesperateefforts，butplungeddeeperintheslough。Feelingthat，toregainhisground，eachcardmusttell，heactedoneachasifitmustwin，andtheconsequencesofthisinsanity(foragamesteratsuchacrisisisreallyinsane)were，thathislosseswereprodigious。

’Anothermorningcame，andtheretheysat，ankle-deepincards。

Noattemptatbreakfastnow——noaffectationofmakingatoilet，orairingtheroom。Theatmospherewashot，tobesure，butitwellbecamesuchahell。Theretheysat，intotal，inpositiveforgetfulnessofeverythingbutthehotgametheywerehuntingdown。Therewasnotamanintheroom，exceptTomCogit，whocouldhavetoldyouthenameofthetowninwhichtheywereliving。Theretheysat，almostbreathless，watchingeveryturnwiththefelllookintheircannibaleyes，whichshowedtheirtotalinabilitytosympathizewiththeirfellow-beings。Alltheformsofsocietyhadbeenforgotten。Therewasnosnuff-boxhandedaboutnow，forcourtesy，admiration，orapinch；noaffectationofoccasionallymakingaremarkuponanyothertopicbuttheall-engrossingone。

’LordCastlefortrestedwithhisarmsonthetable:——afalsetoothhadgotunhinged。HisLordship，who，atanyothertime，wouldhavebeenmostannoyed，coollyputitinhispocket。Hischeekshadfallen，andhelookedtwentyyearsolder。

’LordDicehadtornoffhiscravat，andhishairflungdownoverhiscallous，bloodlesschecks，straightassilk。

’TempleGracelookedasifhewereblightedbylightning；andhisdeep-blueeyesgleamedlikeahyaena。

’Thebaronwasleastchanged。

’TomCogit，whosmeltthatthecrisiswasathand，wasasquietasabribedrat。

’Ontheyplayedtillsixo’clockintheevening，andthentheyagreedtodesisttillafterdinner。LordDicethrewhimselfonasofa。LordCastlefortbreathedwithdifficulty。Therestwalkedabout。Whiletheywererestingontheiroars，theyoungdukeroughlymadeuphisaccounts。HefoundthathewasminusaboutL100，000。

’Immenseasthislosswas，hewasmorestruck——moreappalled，letussay——atthestrangenessofthesurroundingscene，thanevenbyhisownruin。Ashelookeduponhisfellow-gamesters，heseemed，forthefirsttimeinhislife，togazeuponsomeofthosehideousdemonsofwhomhehadread。Helookedinthemirrorathimself。Ablightseemedtohavefallenoverhisbeauty，andhispresenceseemedaccursed。Hehadpursuedadissipated，evenmorethanadissipated，career。Manywerethenightsthathadbeenspentbyhimnotonhiscouch；greathadbeentheexhaustionthathehadoftenexperienced；haggardhadsometimesevenbeenthelustreofhisyouth。Butwhenhadbeenmarkeduponhisbrowthisharrowingcare？Whenhadhisfeaturesbeforebeenstampedwiththisanxiety，thisanguish，thisbaffleddesire，thisstrange，unearthlyscowl，whichmadehimeventremble？What！wasitpossible？——itcouldnotbe——thatintimehewastobelikethoseawful，thoseunearthly，thoseunhallowedthingsthatwerearoundhim。Hefeltasifhehadfallenfromhisstate，asifhehaddishonouredhisancestry，asifhehadbetrayedhistrust。Hefeltacriminal。

’Inthedarknessofhismeditationsaflashburstfromhisluridmind，acelestiallightappearedtodissipatethisthickeninggloom，andhissoulfelt，asitwere，bathedwiththesofteningradiancy。HethoughtofMayDacre，hethoughtofeverythingthatwaspure，andholy，andbeautiful，andluminous，andcalm。Itwastheinnatevirtueofthemanthatmadethisappealtohiscorruptednature。Hislossesseemednothing；hisdukedomwouldbetooslightaransomforfreedomfromtheseghouls，andforthebreathofthesweetair。

’Headvancedtothebaron，andexpressedhisdesiretoplaynomore。Therewasanimmediatestir。Alljumpedup，andnowthedeedwasdone。Cant，inspiteoftheirexhaustion，assumedherreign。Theybeggedhimtohavehisrevenge，——werequiteannoyedattheresult，——hadnodoubthewouldrecoverifheproceeded。

’Withoutnoticingtheirremarks，heseatedhimselfatthetable，andwrotechequesfortheirrespectiveamounts，TomCogitjumpingupandbringinghimtheinkstand。LordCastlefort，inthemostaffectionatemanner，pocketedthedraft；atthesametimerecommendingthedukenottobeinahurry，buttosenditwhenhewascool。LordDicereceivedhiswithabow，TempleGracewithasigh，thebaronwithanavowalofhisreadinessalwaystogivehimhisrevenge。

’Theduke，thoughsickatheart，wouldnotleavetheroomwithanyevidenceofabrokenspirit；andwhenLordCastlefortagainrepeated——"Payuswhenwemeetagain，"hesaid，"Ithinkitveryimprobablethatweshallmeetagain，myLord。Iwishedtoknowwhatgamingwas。Ihadheardagreatdealaboutit。Itisnotsoverydisgusting；butIamayoungman，andcannotplaytrickswithmycomplexion。"

’Hereachedhishouse。TheBirdwasout。Hegaveordersforhimselfnottobedisturbed，andhewenttobed；butinvainhetriedtosleep。Whatrackexceedsthetortureofanexcitedbrainandanexhaustedbody？Hishandsandfeetwerelikeice，hisbrowlikefire；hisearsrungwithsupernaturalroaring；anauseahadseizeduponhim，anddeathhewouldhavewelcomed。Invain，invainhecourtedrepose；invainhehadrecoursetoeveryexpedienttowilehimselftoslumber。Eachminutehestartedfromhispillowwithsomephrasewhichremindedhimofhislatefearfulsociety。Hourafterhourmovedonwithitsleadenpace；

eachhourheheardstrike，andeachhourseemedanage。Eachhourwasonlyasignaltocastoffsomecovering，orshifthisposition。Itwas，atlength，morning。Withafeelingthatheshouldgomadifheremainedanylongerinbed，herose，andpacedhischamber。Theairrefreshedhim。Hethrewhimselfonthefloor，thecoldcreptoverhissenses，andheslept。’[13]

[13]’TheYoungDuke，’byB。Disraeli，chapterVIII。Thisgamblingistheturning-pointintheyoungduke’scareer；heproveshimselfatlengthnotunworthyofhisnobleancestryarmhishighhereditaryposition，——takeshisplaceintheSenate，andwedsthemaidenofhislove。

CHAPTERIV。

ATROCITIES，DUELS，SUICIDES，ANDEXECUTIONOFGAMBLERS。

Thehistoryofallnationsisbuttherecordoftheircupidity；

andwhenthefuryofgamingappearsonthescene，ithasneverfailedtodoubletheinsolenceandatrocitiesoftyranny。

TheatrociousgamblingoftheHindooRajashasbeenrelated；[14]

andIhaveincidentallyadvertedtosimilarconcomitantsoftheviceamongallnations。Inowproposetobringtogetheraseriesoffactsspeciallyelucidativeoftheharrowingtheme。

[14]ChapterII。

OneofthePtolemys，kingsofEgypt，requiredallcausestobesubmittedtohimwhilstatplay，andpronouncedevensentenceofdeathaccordingtochance。Ononeoccasionhiswife，Berenice，pronouncedthereanentthosememorablewords:——’Therecannotbetoomuchdeliberationwhenthedeathofamanisconcerned’——

afterwardsadoptedbyJuvenal——Nullaunquamdemortehominiscunctatiolongaest。[15]

[15]Aelian，Var。Hist。lib。XLIV。c。xiii。；Juvenal，Sat。vi。

Tolomnius，KingoftheVeii，happenedtobeplayingatdicewhenthearrivalofRomanambassadorswasannounced。AttheveryinstantheutteredthewordKILL，atermofthegame；thewordwasmisinterpretedbythehearers，andtheywentforthwithandmassacredtheambassadors。LivysuggeststhatthiswasanexcuseallegedAFTERthecommissionofthedeed；butgamestersaresubjecttosuchabsenceofmindthatthereisreallynothingincredibleorastonishingintheact。’Sire，’exclaimedamessengertotheCaliphAlamin，’itisnolongertimeforplay——

Babylonisbesieged！’’Silence！’saidthecaliph，’don’tyouseeIamonthepointofgivingcheckmate？’ThesamestoryistoldofaDukeofNormandy。

Warshavearisenfromverytrivialcauses——amongtherestgambling。Henry，thesonofWilliamtheConqueror，wasplayingatchesswithLouis，thesonofPhilip，KingofFrance。Thelatter，perceivingthathewaslosingthegamegotintoapassion，andcallingHenrythesonofabastard，flungthechess-

boardintohisface。Henrytookthechess-boardandstruckLouiswithitsoviolentlythathedrewblood，andwouldhavekilledhimifhisbrother，whohappenedtocomein，hadnotpreventedhim。Thetwobrotherstooktoflight，butagreatandlastingwarwastheconsequenceofthegamblingfracas。

AgamingquarrelwasthecauseoftheslapinthefacegivenbytheDucRenetoLouisXII。，thenonlyDucd’Orleans。Thisslapwastheoriginofaliguewhichwastermed’themadwar。’Theresentmentoftheoutragedprincewasnotappeaseduntilhemountedthethrone，whenheutteredthesememorablewords:——’A

KingofFrancedoesnotavengeinsultsofferedtoaDukeofOrleans。’

Manynarrativesofsuicidecommittedbydesperategamblersareonrecord，someofwhichInowadduce。

SIRJOHNBLAND，OFKIPPAXPARK。

SirJohnBland，ofKippaxPark，flirtedawayhiswholefortuneatHazard。’He，t’othernight，’saysWalpole，’exceededwhatwaslostbythelateDukeofBedford，havingatoneperiodofthenight(thoughherecoveredthegreaterpartofit)losttwoandthirtythousandpounds。’SirJohnKippaxshothimselfin1705。

LORDMOUNTFORD。

LordMountfordcametoatragicendthroughhisgambling。Hehadlostmoney；fearedtobereducedtodistress；askedforagovernmentappointment，anddeterminedtothrowthedieoflifeordeathontheanswerreceivedfromcourt。Theanswerwasunfavourable。Heconsultedseveralpersons，indirectlyatfirst，afterwardsprettydirectly，ontheeasiestmodeoffinishinglife；invitedadinner-partyforthedayafter；suppedatWhite’s，andplayedatWhisttilloneo’clockoftheNewYear’smorning。LordRobertBertiedranktohim’ahappynewyear；’heclappedhishandstrangelytohiseyes。Inthemorning，hesentforalawyerandthreewitnesses，executedhiswill，madethemreaditovertwice，paragraphbyparagraph，askedthelawyerifthatwillwouldstandgoodthoughamanweretoshoothimself。

Beingassureditwould，hesaid——’Praystay，whileIstepintothenextroom；’wentintothenextroomandshothimself，placingthemuzzleofthepistolsoclosetohisheadthatthereportwasnotheard。

ASUICIDEROBBINGPETERTOPAYPAUL。

Gamblershavebeenknowntosetascoollyanddeliberatelyaboutblowingouttheirbrainsasiftheyhadonlybeengoingtolighttheircigars。LordOrford，inhiscorrespondencewithHoraceWalpole，mentionstwocuriousinstances。

OneofthefashionableyoungmenofLordOrford’sdayhadbeenunhappilydecoyedintoagamblinghouse，wherehispassionforplaybecamesogreatthathespentnearlythewholeofhistimeinthrowingthedice。Hecontinuedtogambleuntilhehadnotonlylostaprincelyfortune，buthadincurredalargeamountofdebtamonghistradesmen。Withthelossofhismoney，andtheutterbeggarywhichstaredhimintheface，theunfortunatevictimofplaylostallrelishforlife；andsoughtindeaththeonlyrefugehecouldfancyfromtheinfamyandmiserywhichhehadbroughtuponhimself。Butwhilstfullyresolvedonself-

destruction，hethought，beforecarryinghisfatalpurposeintoexecution，hemightaswelldohistradesmenanactofjustice，evenifinsodoingheshoulddoinjusticetoothers。Heinsuredhislifetotheextentofhisdebts，amountingtoseveralthousandpounds。Beingacquaintedwithseveralofthedirectorsofthecompany(hecalledthemhislife-and-deathbrokers)inwhichheinsured，heinvitedthemtodinnerthefollowingday，withtheostensibleviewofcelebratingthecompletionoftheinsurance。Thetradesmenalsoreceivedstrictorderstobepresent；andasthenon-paymentoftheiraccountsforalongperiodtocomewasthepenaltyofnotaccedingtohiswishesinthisrespect，itcanscarcelybenecessarytosaythattheywereall’punctualasloverstothemomentsworn。’Thedinnerover，andaliberalallowanceofwinehavingbeenquaffed，theruinedgamblerdesiredtheservanttocallupallwhowereinthehallbelow。Inafewsecondsthedining-roomwasfilledwithtradesmen，alleagertoreceivepaymentoftheiraccounts。’Now，gentlemen，’saidthegambler，addressinghisguests，andpointingtothelittlecrowdoftradesmen，——’now，gentlemen，theseareallmytradesmen；theyarehonestindustriousmen，towhomIamindebted，andasIseenootherearthlymeansofbeingeverabletomeettheirjustclaims，youwillbesokindastopaythemoutofthesumforwhichIinsuredmylifeyesterday。Allowme，gentlemen，tobidyoufarewell。’Andsosaying，hepulledapistolfromhispocket，andplacingittohishead，thatinstantblewouthisbrains。Ofcoursehisinsuranceofficemusthavebeenonethatundertooktopayinsuranceswhatevermightbethecauseofdeath，notexceptingsuicide——which，likeduelling，hasusuallybeenabartosuchclaims。

REVELATIONSOFAGAMBLERONTHEPOINTOFCOMMITTINGSELF-MURDER。

Thefollowingis’AfullandparticularaccountofapersonwhothrewhimselfintotheThames，fromBlackfriarsBridge，onWednesday，July10，1782；withthemelancholypaperheleftbehindhim，accountingtohiswifeandchildrenforsorashanaction。’ItissaidthatseveralthousandsofthepapersweredispersedthroughLondon，anditistobehopedthatsomeofthemmightproducethatgoodeffectwhichseemstohavebeensoanxiouslydesiredbythepersonwhowishedthemtobedistributed。

’Midnight，July10，1782。

’Whoeverthouartthatreadestthispaper，listentothevoiceofonefromtheDEAD。WhilethineeyesperusethelinestheirwritermaybesufferingthemosthorridpunishmentswhichanincensedCreatorcaninflictuponthegreatestsinner。

’Reader，artthouofmyownsex？Artthouaman？Oh，inwhateverrankoflife，whetherhighorlow，——bewareofgambling！

BewareofsomuchasapproachinganEOtable！HadIevermetwithsuchadreadfulwarningasInowofferthee，Imightperhapshavebeensavedfromdeath——havebeensnatchedfromdamnation。

Reader，artthouawoman？Oh，whetherrichorpoor，whetherwife，mother，sister，ordaughter，——ifthoususpectthatthelatehours，thefeverishbody，thedisturbedmind，theruffledtemper，thesuddenextravaganceofhimwhomthoulovest，arecausedbyfrequentingthegamingtable，oh，failnottodiscoverthysuspicions——failnottoremonstrate！Hadbutmydearwiferemonstratedwithme，whenshesawme，inconsequenceofmywinnings，indulgeinexpense，whichshemusthaveknownIcouldnothonestlyafford，shewouldnotnow，withinthenexthour，bedeprivedofherhusband——oftheonlysupportofherselfandherthreepoorchildreninthisworld，——anddeprivedofhiminamannerwhicheffectuallycutsoffallhopesofourevermeetinginthehappinessofanother。****

’Yes，inlessthananhour，cowardasIam，Ishallhavedesertedmydutyandmyfamilyinthisworld；and，wretchasIam，shallhaverushedintoallthehorrorsofhellinanotherworld，bydrowningmyself。

’BycuriosityIwasfirstledtotheEOtable。AshamedtostandidleIputuponE，itcameE；uponO，itcameO。Fortunefavouredme(asIfoolishlycalledit)，andIcameawayawinner。

Somethingworsethancuriosity，thoughhardlymoredangerous，carriedmetoanothertableanothernight。Myviewingoingwasanswered。MyviewwastoWIN，andagainIWONinthecourseoftheevening。AgainIwent，andagainIwon。Forsomeweeksthiswastheconstantstory。Oh，happyhadIlostatfirst！NowI

wenteverynight。EverythingIoughttohavedone，neglected。

Upallnight，Iwasforcedtolieinbedallday。Thestrengthofmymind，whichatTHISmomentmightsaveme，washourlywastingaway。Mywifewasdeceivedwithcontinualfalsehoods，towhichnothingbutherfondnessformeblindedher。Evenmywinnings，withtheexpenseandextravaganceinwhichIindulgedmyselfandfamily，wereeverydaymorethanhalfexhausted。ButIfeltthatIwasalwaystowin。Fortunefavouredme。Fortunewasnowmydeity。****

’Butfortune，mynew，myfalsedeity，desertedme。MyluckTURNED。Iamundone！Ruined！Abeggar！Mywifeandchildrenwillwantamorselofbreadtoeat。****Todestroymyselfistheonlywaytopreservemyfamilyfromwant，andtokeepmyselffromtheGALLOWS。ThismorningIabsolutelyhesitatedwhetherI

shouldnotprocureasumofmoneywithwhichtotrymyluckbyFORGERY。Gamesters，thinkofthat——FORGERY！Omydearwife，isnotanythingbetterthanseeingmeconveyedtoTyburn？Yes，itisbetterthatbeforemanyhoursyouandyourthreehelplessdaughtersshouldbehangingintears(Ilittlemerit)overmylifeless，cold，andswollenbody。

’Readers，farewell！Frommysadandvoluntarydeath，learnwisdom。InconsequenceofgamingIgotoseekmydestructionintheThames。Oh，thinkinwhatmannerhedeservestobepunishedwhocommitsacrimewhichheisfullypersuadedmerits，andwillnotfailtomeet，theseverestpunishment。’

Thenarrativeproceedstostatethat，’betweenoneandtwoo’clockinthemorninghetookasadfarewellofthisworld，andleapedoverBlackfriarsBridge。ItpleasedProvidence，however，thatheshouldbeseencommittingthisdesperateactionbytwowatermen，whofoundhisbodyafterithadbeenaconsiderabletimeunderwater。InconsequenceofthemethodsusedbythemenoftheHumaneSociety，hewasatlengthalmostmiraculouslyrestoredtolifeandtohisfamily。Itisfurtherstatedthat——

’Inconsequenceoftheadviceofaworthyclergymanhewasrestoredtoreasonandtoreligion。Henowwondershowhecouldthinkofcommittingsohorridacrime；andisnotwithouthopethatbyalifeofcontinualrepentanceandexemplaryreligion，hemayobtainpardonhereafter。Thepaperwhichhewrotebeforehesetforthtodrownhimselfhestilldesiresshouldbemadeaspublicaspossible，andthatthisnarrativeshouldbeaddedtoit。

INCORRIGIBLE。

Intheyear1799，SirW。L——，Bart。，findinghiseldestsonextremelydistressedandembarrassed，toldhimthathewouldrelievehimfromallhisdifficulties，onconditionthathewouldstatetohim，withoutreserve，theirutmostextent，andgivehimhishonournevertoplayagainforanyconsiderablesum。Thedebts——amountingtoL22，000——wereinstantlydischarged。Beforeaweekhadelapsedhefellintohisoldhabitsagain，andlostL5000moreatasitting；uponwhichhenextmorningshothimself！

SUICIDEIN1816。

In1816agentleman，theheadofafirst-rateconcerninthecity，putaperiodtohisexistencebyblowingouthisbrains。

HehadgonetotheArgyleRoomsafewnightsbeforetheact，andaccompaniedafemalehomeinacoach，withtwomen，friendsofthewoman。Whentheygottoherresidencethetwomenproposedtothegentlemantoplayforadozenchampagnetotreattheladywith，whichthegentlemandeclined。They，however，afteragreatdealofpersuasion，prevailedonhimtoplayforsmallsums，and，accordingtotheusualtrickofgamblers，allowedhimtowinatfirst，tilltheybegantoplayfordouble，whenthereisnodoubtthefellowsproducedloadeddice，andthegentlemanlosttotheamountofL1800！Thisbroughthimtohissenses——aswellitmight。Hetheninventedanexcusefornotpayingthatsum，bysayingthathewasunderanagreementwithhispartnernottodrawforalargeramountthanL300forhisprivateaccount——andgavethemadraftforthatamount，promisingtheremainderatafutureday。Thispromise，however，hedidnotattendto，notfeelinghimselfboundbysuchavillainoustransaction，especiallyaftergivingthemsomuch。Buttherobbersfoundoutwhohewasandhisresidence，andhadtheaudacitytogo，armedwithbludgeons，andattackhimpubliclyonhisownpremises，inthepresenceofthoseemployedthere，demandingpaymentoftheirnefarious’debtofhonour，’andthreateninghim，ifhedidnotpay，thatheshouldfight！

Thisexposurehadsuchaneffectonhisfeelingsthathemadeanexcusetoretire——didso——andblewouthisbrainswithapistol！

Thisrashactwasthemoretobelamentedbecauseitpreventedthebringingtocondignpunishment，theplunderingvillainswhowerethecauseofit。[16]

[16]AnnualRegister，vol。lviii。

OTHERINSTANCES。

AgallantDutchofficer，afterhavinglostasplendidfortunenotlongsince(1823)inagamblinghouseatAix-la-Chapelle，shothimself。ARussiangeneral，also，ofimmensewealth，terminatedhisexistenceinthesamemannerandforthesamecause。Morerecently，ayoungEnglishman，wholostthewholeofanimmensefortunebygamblingatParis，quittedthisworldbystabbinghimselfintheneckwithafork。AshorttimepreviouslyanotherEnglishman，whosebirthwasashighashiswealthhadbeenconsiderable，blewhisbrainsoutinthePalaisRoyal，afterhavingliterallylosthislastshilling。Finally，anunfortunateprinteratParis，whohadawifeandfivechildren，finishedhisearthlycareerforthesamecause，bysuffocatinghimselfwiththefumesofcharcoal；hesaid，inhisfarewellnotetohisunhappywife——’Beholdtheeffectofgaming！’[17]

[17]Ubisupra。

’IFILOSEISHALLCOMMITSUICIDE。’

Ayoungmanhavinggambledawayhislastshilling，solicitedtheloanofafewpoundsfromoneoftheproprietorsofthehellinwhichhehadbeenplundered。’Whatsecuritywillyougiveme？’

askedthefellow。’Mywordofhonour，’wasthereply。’Yourwordofhonour！That’spoorsecurity，andwon’tdo，’rejoinedthehellite；’ifyoucanpawnnothingbetterthanthat，you’llgetnomoneyoutofme。’’Thenyouwon’tlendmeacoupleofpounds？’’Notwithoutsecurity，’wasthereply。’Why，surely，youwon’trefusemeacoupleofsovereigns，afterhavinglostsomuch？’’Iwon’tadvanceyouacoupleofshillingswithoutsecurity。’

Stillbentuponplay，andgreedyforthemeanstogratifyhispassion，theunhappyman，asifstruckbyasuddenthought，exclaimed——’I’llgiveyousecurity——theclothesonmybackarequitenew，andwortheightguineas；youshallhavethemassecurity。Lendmetwosovereignsonthem。’

’Supposeyoulose，’doggedlyrejoinedtheother，’Icannotstripthemoffyourback。’’Don’ttroubleyourselfonthathead，’

repliedthedesperatewretch；’ifIloseIshallcommitsuicide，whichIhavebeenmeditatingforsometime，andyoushallsurelyhavemyclothes。Ishallreturntomylodgingsbeforedaylight，inthemostworn-outandworthlessdressing-gownorgreat-coatyoucanprocureforme，leavingmyclotheswithyou。’

Thetwosovereignswereadvanced，andintenortwelveminuteswerelost。Thekeeperofthetabledemandedtheclothes，andtheunfortunatemanstrippedhimselfwiththeutmostcoolnessofmanner，andwrappinghisbodyinaworn-outgreatcoat，quittedtheplacewiththefullpurposeofcommittingself-murder。Hedidnotdirecthisstepshomeward，however，butresolvedtoaccomplishthehorriddeedbysuspendinghimselffromalamp-postinadarklaneneartheplace。Whilemakingthenecessarypreparationshewasobservedbyaconstable，whoatoncetookhimintocustody，andonthefollowingmorninghewascarriedbeforethemagistrate，whereallthecircumstancesoftheaffaircameout。

SUICIDEATVERDUN。

DuringthegreatFrenchWar，amongothermeansresortedtoinordertoeasetheEnglishprisonersatVerdunoftheirloosecash，agamingtablewassetupfortheirsoleaccommodation，and，asusual，ledtoscenesofgreatdepravityandhorror。Forinstance，ayoungmanwasenticedintothissinkofiniquity，whenhewastemptedtothrowonthetableafive-francpiece；hewon，andrepeatedtheexperimentseveraltimessuccessfully，untilluckturnedagainsthim，andhelosteverythinghehad。

Themanagerimmediatelyofferedarouleauofathousandfrancs，which，intheheatofplay，hethoughtlesslyaccepted，andalsolost。Hethendrewabillonhisagent，whichhiscaptain(hewasanofficerintheEnglisharmy)endorsed。Theproceedsofthiswentthewayoftherouleau。Hedrewtwomorebills，andlostagain。Thenextmorninghewasfounddeadinhisbed，withhislimbsmuchdistortedandhisfingersdugintohissides。Onhistablewasfoundanemptylaudanumbottle，andsomescrapsofpaperonwhichhehadbeenpractisingthesignatureofCaptainB。Oninquiryitwasfoundthathehadforgedthatofficer’snametothetwolastbills。

’INATTHEDEATH。’

In1819aninquestwasheldonthebodyofagentlemanfoundhangingfromoneofthetreesinStJames’sPark。Theevidenceestablishedthemelancholyfactthatthedeceasedwasinthehabitoffrequentinggamblinghouses，andhadsunkintoastateofdejectiononaccountofhislosses；anditseemedprobablethatitwasimmediatelyafterhisdeparturefromoneofthesereceptaclesofroguesandtheirdupesthathecommittedsuicide。

Thesonofthegate-keeperatStJames’ssawseveralpersonsroundthebodyatfouro’clockinthemorning，oneofwhom，anotedgambler，said:’Lookathisface；why，haveyouforgottenlastnight？Don’tyourecollecthimnow？’Theywere，nodoubt，allgamblers——inatthedeath。’

Thethreefollowingstories，ifnotofactualsuicide，relatecrimeswhichbearacloseresemblancetoself-murder。

AGAMBLERPAWNINGHISEARS。

AclerknamedChambers，losinghismonthlypay，whichwashisall，atagamingtable，beggedtoborrowofthemanager’s；buttheyknewhishistorytoowelltolendwithoutsecurity，andthereforedemandedsomethinginpawn。’Ihavenothingtogivebutmyears，’hereplied。’Well，’saidoneofthewittydemons，’letushavethem。’Theyouthimmediatelytookaknifeoutofhispocketandactuallycutoffallthefleshypartofoneofhiscarsandthrewitonthetable，totheastonishmentoftheadmiringgamesters。Hereceivedhistwodollars，andgambledon。

AGAMBLERSUBMITTINGTOBEHANGED。

ThefollowingincidentissaidtohaveoccurredinLondon:——Twofellowswereobservedbyapatrolsittingatalamp-postintheNewRoad；and，oncloselywatchingthem，thelatterdiscoveredthatonewastyinguptheother，whoofferednoresistance，bytheneck。Thepatrolinterferedtopreventsuchastrangekindofmurder，andwasassailedbyboth，andveryconsiderablybeatenforhisgoodoffices；thewatchmen，however，pouredin，andthepartiesweresecured。Onexaminationnextmorning，itappearedthatthemenhadbeengambling；thatonehadlostallhismoneytotheother，andhadatlastproposedtostakehisclothes。Thewinnerdemurred——observingthathecouldnotstriphisadversarynakedintheeventofhislosing。’Oh，’repliedtheother，’donotgiveyourselfanyuneasinessaboutthat；ifIloseIshallbeunabletolive，andyoushallhangme，andtakemyclothesafterIamdead，forIshallthen，youknow，havenooccasionforthem。’Theproposedarrangementwasassentedto；andthefellowhavinglost，wasquietlysubmittingtothetermsofthetreatywhenhewasinterruptedbythepatrol，whoseimpertinentinterferencehesoangrilyresented。

TWOGAMBLERSTOSSINGWHOSHOULDHANGTHEOTHER。

Intheyear1812anextraordinaryinvestigationtookplaceatBowStreet。Croker，theofficer，waspassingalongHampsteadRoad；

heobservedatashortdistancebeforehimtwomenonawall，anddirectlyaftersawthetallestofthem，astoutman，aboutsixfeethigh，hangingbyhisneckfromalamp-postattachedtothewall，beingthatinstanttiedupandturnedoffbytheshortman。

Thisunexpectedandextraordinarysightastonishedtheofficer；

hemadeuptothespotwithallspeed，andjustafterhearrivedtherethetallman，whohadbeenhanged，felltotheground，thehandkerchiefwithwhichhehadbeensuspendedhavinggivenway。

Crokerproducedhisstaff，saidhewasanofficer，anddemandedtoknowoftheothermanthecauseofsuchconduct；inthemeantimethemanwhohadbeenhangedrecovered，gotup，andonCroker’sinterfering，gavehimaviolentblowonhisnose，whichnearlyknockedhimbackward。Theshortmanwasendeavouringtomakeoff；however，theofficerprocuredassistance，andbothwerebroughttotheoffice，wheretheaccounttheygavewasthattheyworkedoncanals。TheyhadbeentogetheronWednesdayafternoon，tossedformoney，andafterwardsfortheirCLOTHES；thetallmanwhowashangedwontheother’sjacket，trousers，andshoes；theythentossedupwhichshouldHANGTHEOTHER，andtheshortonewonthetoss。Theygotuponthewall，theonetosubmit，andtheothertohanghimonthelamp-iron。Theybothagreedinthisstatement。Thetallone，whohadbeenhanged，saidifhehadwonthetosshewouldhavehangedtheother。Hesaidhethenfelttheeffectsuponhisneckofhishanging，andhiseyesweresomuchswelledthathesawDOUBLE。

Themagistrates，continuesthereportinthe’AnnualRegister，’

expressedtheirhorroranddisgust；andorderedthemanwhohadbeenhangedtofindbailfortheviolentandunjustifiableassaultupontheofficer；andtheshortone，forhangingtheother——averyodddecisioninthelattercase——sincetheactwasmurder’toallintentsandpurposes’designedandintended。Thereportsays，however，that，nothavingbail，theywerecommittedtoBridewellfortrial。[20]TheresultIhavenotdiscovered。

[20]AnnualRegister，1812，vol。liv。

Innumerableduelshaveresultedfromquarrelsoverthegamingtable，althoughnothingcouldbemoreDraconicthanthelawespeciallydirectedagainstsuchduels。BytheActofQueenAnneagainstgaming，allpersonssendingachallengeonaccountofgamingdisputeswereliabletoforfeitalltheirgoodsandtobecommittedtoprisonfortwoyears。Nocaseofthekind，however，waseverprosecutedonthatclauseoftheAct，whichwas，inotherrespects，verynearlyinoperative。

GAMBLINGDUELSINTHEYEAR1818。

Itsohappenedthatalmosteverymonthoftheyear1818was’distinguished’byaduelortwo，resultingfromquarrelsatgamblingoringamblinghouses。

January。’Ameetingtookplaceyesterdayatanearlyhour，betweenCaptainB——r——yandLieutenantT——n——n，inconsequenceofadisputeatplay。WimbledonCommonwastheground，andthepartiesfiredtwice，whenthelieutenantwasslightlywoundedinthepistolhand，theballgrazingtherightside；andheretheaffairended。’

January。’Ameetingtookplaceonthe9thinstant，atCalais，betweenLieut。Finch，20thregimentofDragoons，andLieut。

Boileau，onhalf-payofthe41stregiment。Lieut。Finchwasboundover，somedaysback，tokeepthepeaceinEngland；inconsequenceofwhichheproceededtoCalais，accompaniedbyhisfriend，CaptainButler，wheretheywerefollowedbyLieut。

BoileauandhisfriendLieut。Hartley。ItwassettledbyCaptainButler，previoustoLieut。Finchtakinghisground，thatHEWAS

BOUNDINHONOURtoreceiveLIEUT。BOILEAU’SFIREashehadgivensoseriousaprovocationasablow。Thisarrangementwas，however，defeated，byLieut。Finch’spistol"accidentally"goingoff，apparentlyinthedirectionofhisopponent，whichwouldprobablyhaveledtofatalconsequenceshaditnotbeenfortheIMPLICITRELIANCEplacedbyLieut。Boileau’sfriendontheSTRICT

HONOURofCapt。Butler，whoseanxiety，steadiness，andgentlemanlyconductonthisandeveryotheroccasion，weretoowellknowntoleaveadoubtonthemindsoftheoppositeparty，thatLieut。Finch’spistolgoingoffwasENTIRELYACCIDENTAL。A

reconciliation，therefore，immediatelytookplace。’

February17。’Informationwasreceivedatthepublicoffice，MarlboroughStreet，onSaturdaylast，thataduelwasabouttotakeplaceyesterday，inthefieldscontiguoustoChalkFarm，betweenColonelTuckerandLieut。Nixon，thelatterhavingchallengedtheformerinpubliccompany，forwhichandpreviousabusethecolonelinflictedseverechastisementwithathickstick。Subsequentinformationwasreceivedthatthecolonel’sfriendsdeemeditunnecessaryforhimtomeetthechallenger，butthathisremedywastorepeattheformerchastisementwheninsulted。Itwasfurtherstatedthatafewhalf-payofficers，ofinferiorrank，hadleaguedtogetherforthepurposeofprocuringotherstogiveachallenge，andwhichitwasthedeterminationtoputdownbyadoptingthecolonel’splan。’

February。’Acaptaininthearmyshookhandswithagallantlieut-colonel(whohaddistinguishedhimselfinthePeninsula)

atoneoftheWestEndgaminghouses，andLieut。N——，whowaspresent，upbraidedthecolonelwiththeepithetof"poltroon。"

Onafitopportunitythecolonelinflictedsummaryjusticeuponthelieutenantwithacaneorhorse-whip。Thisproducedachallenge；butthecolonelwasadvisedthathewoulddegradehimselfbycombatwiththechallenger，andhethereforedeclinedit，butpromisedsimilarchastisementtothatinflicted。ItwasthenstatedthatthecolonelwasboundtofightanyotherpersonwhowouldstandforthasthechampionofLieut。N——，towhichthecolonelconsented，——whenaLieut。J——n——eappearedasthechampion，andthemeetingwasappointedforTuesdaymorningatTurnhamGreen。Theinformationofthepolicewasrenewed，andThomasFoyapprehendedthepartiesataninnnearthespot，earlyinthemorning。Theywereconsequentlyboundovertokeepthepeace。Itappears，however，thatthelieutenantinthisinstancewasnotthechampionoftheformer，buthadbeenchallengedbythecolonel。’

April。’Ameetingwastohavetakenplaceyesterdayinconsequenceofadisputeatplay，betweenCaptainR——n——sandMrB——e——r，agentlemanoffortune；butitwaspreventedbytheinterferenceofthepolice，andthepartiesescaped。Ittookplace，however，onthefollowingday，onWimbledonCommon，andafterexchangingasingleshotthematterwasadjusted。’

May。’Inconsequenceofadisputeatagamingtable，onMondaynight，inthevicinityofPiccadilly，MrM——，whowasanofficerintheBritishserviceatBrussels，andMrB——n，amedicalman，met，atthreeinthemorning，onTuesday，intheKing’sRoad。

Theyfoughtattwelvepaces。MrB——nwaswoundedonthebackpartofthehand，andtheaffairwasadjusted。’

July。’Aduelwasfoughtyesterdaymorning，onWimbledonCommon，betweenaMrArrowsmithandLieut。Flynn，whichendedintheformerbeingwoundedinthethigh。Thedisputewhichoccasionedthemeetingoriginatedinagamingtransaction。’

September。’AduelwasfoughtthismorningonHounslowHeath，betweenMessrsHillsonandMarsden。ThedisputearoseinoneofthestandsatEghamraces。Thelatterwasseriouslywoundedintheleftside，andconveyedawayinagig。’

November。’Adueloriginating，overadisputeatplaywasfixedtotakeplaceonWimbledonCommon，atdaybreak，yesterdaymorning，butinformationhavingbeenreceivedthatpoliceofficerswerewaiting，thepartieswithdrew。’

GAMINGDUELATPARIS，1827。

Amedicalstudent，namedGoulard，quarrelledatbilliardswithafellow-studentnamedCaire。Theirmutualfriends，havinginvaintriedeverymeansofpersuasiontopreventtheconsequencesofthedispute，accompaniedtheyoungmenwithoutthewallsofParis。Goulardseemeddisposedtosubmittoanarrangement，butCairoobstinatelyrefused。Thesecondsmeasuredtheground，andthefirstshothavingbeenwonbyGoulard，hefired，andCairefelldead。Goularddidnotappearduringtheprosecutionthatfollowed；hecontinuedabsentonthedayfixedforjudgment，andthecourt，conformablytothecodeofcriminalproceedings，pronouncedonthechargewithouttheinterventionofajury。ItacquittedGoulardofpremeditation，butcondemnedhimforcontumacy，toperpetualhardlabour，andtobebranded；andthisinspiteofthefactthattheadvocate-generalhaddemandedGoulard’sacquittalofthecharge。

THEENDOFAGAMESTER。

In1788，aScotchgentleman，namedWilliamBrodie，wastriedandconvictedatEdinburgh，forstealingbank-notesandmoney，withviolence。Thisman，atthedeathofhisfather，twelveyearsbefore，inheritedaconsiderableestateinhouses，inthecityofEdinburgh，togetherwithL10，000inmoney；but，byanunhappyconnectionandatoogreatpropensitytogaming，hewasreducedtothedesperationwhichbroughthimatlasttothescaffold。Itisstatedthathisdemeanouronreceivingthedreadfulsentencewasequallycoolanddetermined；moreover，thathewasdressedinabluecoat，fancyvest，satinbreeches，andwhitesilkstockings；acockedhat；hishairfulldressedandpowdered；and，lastly，thathewascarriedbacktoprisoninachair。Suchwastherespectfultreatmentof’gentlemen’prisonersinScotlandtowardstheendofthelastcentury。

DUELWITHASHARPER。

AMonsieurdeBoisseuil，oneoftheKingsequerries，beingatacard-party，detectedoneoftheplayerscheating，andexposedhisconduct。

Theinsulted’gentleman’demandedsatisfaction，whenBoisseuilrepliedthathedidnotfightwithapersonwhowasarogue。

’ThatMAYbe，’saidtheother，’butIdonotliketobeCALLED

one。’

Theymetontheground，andBoisseuilreceivedtwodesperatewoundsfromthesharper。

Thisman’spleaagainstBoisseuilisaremarkabletrait。MadamedeStaelhasalludedtoitinherbeststyle。’InFrance，’shesays，’weconstantlyseepersonsofdistinguishedrank，who，whenaccusedofanimproperaction，willsay——"Itmayhavebeenwrong，butnoonewilldareassertittomyface！"Suchanexpressionisanevidentproofofconfirmeddepravity；for，whatwouldbetheconditionofsocietyifitwasonlyrequisitetokilloneanother，tocommitwithimpunityeveryevilaction，——tobreakone’swordandassertfalsehood——providednoonedaredtellyouthatyoulied？’

Incountrieswherepublicopinionismoresevereonthewantofprobityandfair-dealing，shouldamantransgressthelawsoftheseprinciplesofhumanconduct，tenduelsadaywouldnotenablehimtorecovertheesteemhehasforfeited。

MAJORONEBYANDMRGOWER。

Thisdueloriginatedasfollows:——ItappearsthataMajorOneby，beingincompanywithaMrGowerandthreeotherpersons，atatavern，inafriendlymanner，aftersometimebeganplayingatHazard；whenoneofthecompany，namedRich，askedifanyonewouldsethimthreehalf-crowns；whereuponMrGower，inajocularmanner，laiddownthreehalf-pence，tellingRichhehadsethimthreepieces，andMajorOnebyatthesametimesetRichthreehalf-crowns，andlostthemtohim。

Immediatelyafterthis，MajorOneby，inaangrymanner，turnedabouttoMrGowerandsaid——’Itwasanimpertinentthingtosetdownhalf-pence，’andcalledhim’animpertinentpuppy’forsodoing。TothisMrGoweranswered——’Whoevercallsmesoisarascal。’ThereuponMajorOnebytookupabottle，andwithgreatforcethrewitatMrGower’shead，butdidnothithim，thebottleonlybrushingsomeofthepowderoutofhishair。MrGower，inreturn，immediatelytossedacandlestickorabottleatMajorOneby，whichmissedhim；uponwhichtheybothrosetofetchtheirswords，whichwerethenhungintheroom，andMrGowerdrewhissword，buttheMajorwaspreventedfromdrawinghisbythecompany。ThereuponMrGowerthrewawayhissword，andthecompanyinterposing，theysatdownagainforthespaceofanhour。

Attheexpirationofthattime，MrGowersaidtoMajorOneby——’Wehavehadhotwords，andyouweretheaggressor，butIthinkwemaypassitover’——atthesametimeofferinghimhishand；buttheMajorreplied——’No，d——nyou，IWILLHAVEYOURBLOOD。’

Afterthis，thereckoningbeingpaid，allthecompany，exceptingMajorOneby，wentouttogohome，andhecalledtoMrGower，saying——’Youngman，comeback，Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。’

WhereuponMrGowerreturnedtotheroom，andimmediatelythedoorwasclosed，andtherestofthecompanyexcluded——whenaclashingofswordswasheard，andMajorOnebygaveMrGoweramortalwound。Itwasfound，onthebreakingupofthecompany，thatMajorOnebyhadhisgreatcoatoverhisshoulders，andthathehadreceivedthreeslightwoundsinthefight。MrGower，beingaskedonhisdeath-bedwhetherhehadreceivedhiswoundsinamanneramongswordsmencalledfair，answered——’IthinkIdid。’

MajorOnebywastriedfortheoffence，andfoundguiltyofmurder，’havingacteduponmaliceanddeliberation，andnotfromsuddenpassion。’

THENEPHEWOFABRITISHPEER。

In1813，thenephewofaBritishpeerwasexecutedatLisbon。Hehadinvolvedhimselfbygambling，andbeingdetectedinrobbingthehouseofanEnglishfriend，byaPortugueseservant，heshotthelatterdeadtopreventdiscovery。Thisdesperateact，however，didnotenablehimtoescapethehandsofjustice。

Afterexecution，hisheadwasseveredfromhisbodyandfixedonapoleoppositethehouseinwhichthemurderandrobberywerecommitted。

ThefollowingfactswillshowtheintimateconnectionbetweengamblingandRobberyorForgery。

EDWARDWORTLEYMONTAGUANDTHEJEWABRAHAMPAYBA。

EdwardWortleyMontaguwastheonlysonofthecelebratedLadyMaryWortleyMontagu，whoseeccentricitiesheinheritedwithouthergenius。Montagu，togetherwithLordsTaffeandSouthwell，wasaccusedofhavinginvitedoneAbrahamPayba，aliasJamesRoberts，aJew，todinewiththematParis，intheyear1751；andofhavingpliedhimwithwinetillhebecameintoxicated，andsolostatplaythesumof800louisd’ors。Itwasaffirmedthattheysubsequentlycalledathishouse，andthatonhisexhibitinganevidentdisinclinationtosatisfytheirdemands，theythreatenedtocuthimacrossthefacewiththeirswordsunlessheinstantlypaidthem。Terrifiedbytheirviolence，and，atthesametime，unwillingtopartwithhisgold，theJewhadcunningenoughtogivethemdraftsonaParisbanker，bywhom，ashehadnodealingswithhim，hewellknewthathisbillswouldbedishonoured；and，toescapethevengeanceofthosewhomhehadoutwitted，quittedParis。Onascertaininghowcompletelytheyhadbeenduped，Montagu，withhisassociatesLordsTaffeandSouthwell，repairedtothehouseoftheJew，andafterransackinghisdrawersandstrongboxes，aresaidtohavepossessedthemselvesofaveryconsiderablesumofmoney，inadditiontodiamonds，jewels，andothervaluablearticles。TheJewhaditnowinhispowertoturnonhispersecutors，andaccordinglyheappealedtothelegislatureforredress。LordSouthwellcontrivedtoeffecthisescape，butLordTaffeandMontaguwerearrested，andwerekeptinseparatedungeonsintheGrandChatelet，fornearlythreemonths。Thecasewassubsequentlytriedinacourtoflaw，anddecidedinfavouroftheaccused，——theJewbeingadjudgedtomakereparationanddefraythecosts！AgainsttheinjusticeofthissentenceheappealedtothehighcourtofLaTournelleatParis，whichreversedit。LordTaffeandMontaguafterwardsappealed，intheirturn，butofthedefinitiveresultthereisnorecord。

DRWILLIAMDODD。

LeSage，inhis’GilBlas，’saysthat’thedevilhasaparticularspiteagainstprivatetutors；’andhemighthaveadded，againstpopularpreachers。BypopularpreachersIdonotmeansuchgrandoldthingsasBossuet，Massillon，andBourdaloue。Allsuchmenwereproofagainstthefierydartsoftheinfernaltempter。FromtheirearliestdaystheyhadbeentrainedtoliveuptotheNonnobisDomine，’Notuntous，OLord，butuntothyname，giveglory。’Allofthemhadonlyatheartthegloryoftheirchurch-

cause；though，ofcourse，theJesuitBourdaloueworkedalsoforhisgreatOrder，thenculminatinginglory。

Thelast-named，too，wasanotherLaFontaineinsimplicity，preparingforhisgrandestpredicationsbysorrilyraspingonanexecrablefiddle。So，ifthedevilhadliftedhimuptoahighmountain，showinghimallhewouldgivehim，hewouldhavesimplyinvitedhimtohislonelycell，tohaveajigtothetuneofhiscatguts。

YourpopularpreachersinEnglandhavebeen，andare，adifferentsortofspiritualworkers。Theyhavebeen，andare，individualities，perpetuallyremindedofthefact，withal；andfiercelytemptedaccordingly。Theworld，theflesh，andthedevil，incessantlyknockattheirdoor。Iftheyfallintothesnareitisbutnatural，andmuchtobelamented。

DrDoddhadmanyamiablequalities；buthisreputationasascholar，andhisnotorietyasapreacher，appeartohaveentirelyturnedhishead。

HehadpresentedtohimagoodlivinginBedfordshire；buttheincomethereofwasofnoavailinsupplyinghiswants:hewasvain，pompous，indebt，agambler。Temptationcameuponhim。TorelievehimselfhetriedbyindirectmeanstoobtaintherectoryofStGeorge’s，HanoverSquare，bysendingananonymouslettertoLadyApsley，offeringthesumofL3000ifbyhermeanshecouldbepresentedtotheliving；theletterwasimmediatelysenttothechancellor，and，afterbeingtracedtothesender，laidbeforetheking。Hisnamewasorderedtobestruckoutofthelistofchaplains；thepressaboundedwithsatireandinvective；

Doddwasabusedandridiculed，andevenFoote，inoneofhisperformancesattheHaymarket，madehimasubjectofentertainment。Doddthendecamped，andwenttohisformerpupil，LordChesterfield，inSwitzerland，whogavehimanotherliving；

buthisextravagancebeingundiminished，hewasdriventoschemeswhichcoveredhimwithinfamy。AfterthemostextravagantandunseemlyconductinFrance，hereturnedtoEngland，andforgedabondasfromhispupil，LordChesterfield，forthesumofL4200，and，uponthecreditofit，obtainedalargesumofmoney；butdetectioninstantlyfollowing，hewascommittedtoprison，triedandconvictedattheOldBailey，Feb。24，andexecutedatTyburn，June27(afteradelayoffourmonths)，exhibitingeveryappearanceofpenitence。Thegreatdelaybetweenthesentenceandexecutionwasowingtoadoubtforsometimerespectingtheadmissibilityofanevidencewhichhadbeenmadeuseoftoconvicthim。

LordChesterfieldhasbeenaccusedofacoldandrelentlessdispositioninhavingdesertedhisoldtutorinhisextremity。

ButMrJessesaysthathehearditrelatedbyapersonwholivedattheperiod，thatatapreliminaryexaminationoftheunfortunatedivine，LordChesterfield，onsomepretence，placedtheforgeddocumentinDodd’shands，withthekindintentionthatheshouldtaketheopportunityofdestroyingit，butthelatterwantedeitherthecourageorthepresenceofmindenoughtoavailhimselfoftheoccasion。This，however，isscarcelyanexcuse，for，certainly，itwasnotforDrDoddtodestroythefataldocument。IfLordChesterfieldhadwishedtosuppressthatvitalevidencehecouldhavedoneso。

DrJohnsonexertedhimselftotheutmosttotryandsavepoorDodd；butGeorgeIII。wasinexorable。RespectingthisbenevolentattemptoftheDoctor，Chalmerswritesasfollows:——

DrJohnsonappearsindeedinthisinstancetohavebeenmoreswayedbypopularjudgmentthanhewouldperhapshavebeenwillingtoallow。Thecrywas——"thehonouroftheclergy；"butifthehonouroftheclergywastarnished，itwasbyDodd’scrime，andnothispunishment；forhislifehadbeensolongadisgracetohiscloththathehaddeprivedhimselfofthesympathywhichattachestothefirstdeviationfromrectitude，andfewcriminalscouldhavehadlessclaimtosuchadisplayofpopularfeeling。’

AllapplicationsfortheRoyalmercyhavingfailed，DrDoddpreparedhimselffordeath，andwithawarmthofgratitudewrotetoDrJohnsonasfollows:——

’June25，Midnight。

’Accept，thouGREATandGOODheart，myearnestandferventthanksandprayersforallthybenevolentandkindeffortsinmybehalf——Oh！DrJohnson！asIsoughtyourknowledgeatanearlyhourinmylife，wouldtoHeavenIhadcultivatedtheloveandacquaintanceofsoexcellentaman！——IprayGodmostsincerelytoblessyouwiththehighesttransports——theinfeltsatisfactionofHUMANEandbenevolentexertions！——Andadmitted，asItrustI

shallbe，totherealmsofblissbeforeyou，IshallhailYOUR

arrivaltherewithtransport，andrejoicetoacknowledgethatyouweremycomforter，myadvocate，andmyFRIEND。GodbeEVERwithYOU！’

DrJohnson’sreply。

’TotheReverendDrDodd。

’DearSir，——Thatwhichisappointedtoallmenisnowcominguponyou。Outwardcircumstances，theeyesandthoughtsofmen，arebelowthenoticeofanimmortalbeingabouttostandthetrialforeternity，beforetheSupremeJudgeofheavenandearth。Becomforted:yourcrime，morallyorreligiouslyconsidered，hasnoverydeepdyeofturpitude。Itcorruptednoman’sprinciples。

Itattackednoman’slife。Itinvolvedonlyatemporaryandreparableinjury。Ofthis，andofallothersins，youareearnestlytorepent；andmayGod，whoknowethourfrailty，anddesirethnotourdeath，acceptyourrepentance，forthesakeofHisSonJesusChristourLord！

’Inrequitalofthosewell-intendedofficeswhichyouarepleasedsoemphaticallytoacknowledge，letmebegthatyoumakeinyourdevotionsonepetitionformyeternalwelfare。

’Iam，dearSir，’Youraffectionateservant，’SAM。JOHNSON。

Nextday，27thJune，DrDoddwasexecuted。

CAPTAINDAVIS。

CaptainDaviswassometimeintheLifeGuards，andalieutenantintheYeomenoftheHousehold——asituationwhichplacedhimoftenaboutthepersonsoftheRoyalfamily。HewasseldomknowntoplayforlessstakesthanL50，oftenwonorlostlargesums，andwasrepresentedasagentlemanofextensiveandindependentfortune，althoughsomeofhisenemiesdeclaredotherwise，andrepeatedanecdotestoconfirmtheassertion。Hewasatlengthcommittedforforgeriestoanimmenseamount。TothefidelityofaservantheowedhisescapefromGiltspurStreetprison——anotherfatalexampleofthesureresultofgambling。Heirtoatitle——movinginthefirstsociety——havingheldacommissioninthemostdistinguishedoftheRoyalregiments——hewasreducedtothealternativeofanignominiousflightwithoutlawry，orriskingtheforfeitureofhiswretchedlife，totheoutragedlawsofhiscountry。WheninParis，heatonetimehadwonL30，000，andonhiswayhomehedroppedintoanothergamblinghouse，wherehelostitallbutL3000。HesetoutinlifewithL20，000inmoney！

DESPERATECAREEROFHENRYWESTON。

HenryWestonwasnephewtothedistinguishedAdmiralSirHughPalliser。

Havingunlimitedcontrolofthelargepropertyofhisemployer，aMrCowan，duringtheabsenceofthelatterfromtown，hewastemptedfirsttogambleinthefunds，whereinbeingunfortunate，henextwenttoagamblinghouseinPallMall，andlostaverylargesum；andatlength，gamedawaynearlyallhismaster’sproperty。

Inthistremendousresult——losttoallintentsandpurposes——hemadeasupremeeffortto’patchup’theruinhehadmade。HeforgedthenameofGeneralTonyn；andsodexterously，thatheobtainedfromtheBankofEnglandthesumofL10，000。

ThishugerobberyfromPeterwasnottopayPaul。Notabitofit。Itwastotrytheficklegoddessofgamingoncemore——aNapoleonicstrokeforanAusterlitzoffortune。

HelostthisL10，000intwonights。

Didhedespairatthishideouscatastrophe？Didhetearhishair——rushoutoftheroom——blowhisbrainsoutordrownhimself？

Notabitofit。He’sethiswitstowork’oncemore。HeprocuredawomantopersonateGeneralTonyn’ssister——forgedagain——andagainobtainedfromtheBankofEnglandanotherlargesupplyofreadycash——withwhich，however，he’wentoff’thistime。

Hewascaught；andthenonlyhethoughtofself-murder，andcuthisthroat——butnoteffectually。Herecovered，wastriedattheOldBailey，andhangedonthe6thofJuly，1796。

NodoubtthereaderimaginesthatthemanofsuchacareerwasanOLDstager——somelong-visaged，parchment-facedfellowtheOTHER

sideoffortyatleast。Well，thisheroofthegamingtable，HenryWeston，wasagedonlyTWENTY-THREEyears！Whatterribletimesthosemusthavebeentoproducesuchaprodigy！

TothejudgewhotriedhimHenryWestonsentalistofanumberofPROFESSIONALGAMBLERS，amongthemwasapersonofhighrank。

Weston，atdifferenttimes，lostaboveL46，000atplay；andatahouseinPallMall，wherehelostaconsiderablepartofit，threeyoungofficersalsolostnolessthanL35，000。

ARTHURTHISTLEWOOD。

ItseemsthatthewretchedtraitorArthurThistlewood，whopaidtheforfeitofhislifeforhiscrimes，haddissipatedbygamingthepropertyhehadacquiredbyamatrimonialconnection——

L12，000。Anunfortunatetransactionatcards，duringtheLincolnraces，involvedhimindifficulties，whichhefounditimpossibletomeet；andhefledtoavoidtheimportunitiesofhismorefortunateassociates。Hewasafterwardsknownonlyasthefactiousdemagogueandtheprofessedgambler！

FOUNTLEROY，THEFORGER。

HenryFountleroywasagentlemanofrank，apartnerinthebankinghouseofMarsh，Sibbold，andCo。，ofBernersStreet。HewasconvictedofhavingforgedadeedforthetransferofL5450

longannuities，infraudofacertainFrancesYoung。LikeThurtell，Fountleroydefendedhimself，andbattledwiththeprejudicialreportscirculatedagainsthim——amongtheresthisaddictiontogambling。’Iamaccused，’hesaid，’ofbeinganhabitualgambler，anaccusationwhich，iftrue，mighteasilyaccountforthediffusionoftheproperty。Iam，indeed，amemberoftwoclubs，theAlbionandtheStratford，butneverinmylifedidIplayineitheratcards，ordice，oranygameofchance；thisiswellknowntothegentlemenoftheseclubs；andmyprivatefriends，withwhomImoreintimatelyassociated，canequallyassertmyfreedomfromallhabitordispositiontoplay。’[21]

[21]Seethecasein’CelebratedTrials，’vol。viIclosethisrecordofcrimeandmiserybyafewnarrativesofamoremiscellaneouscharacter。

GAMBLINGFORLIFE。

MarshalGrammontusedtotellastoryofthreesoldiers，who，havingcommittedoffencespunishablebydeath，itwasorderedthatoneofthemshouldbehangedasanexample，andthethreeweredirectedtodecidewhichofthemshouldsufferbythrowingdice。Thefirstthrewfourteen，thesecondseventeen，andthelast，takingupthediceascoollyasthoughhewereengagedinatrivialgame，threweighteen！Thereuponheexclaimed，withanexpressionofvexation，’Ah，now！ifIhadbeenplayingformoneyIshouldnothavebeensolucky！’

Thismayappear’takingitverycool；’butIthinkthefollowingcasesofEnglishmen’ratherstronger。’

ONEOFMANYINSTANCES。

IntheTimesofFebruary11th，1819，mentionismadeofagangofnearlythirtypersons，maleandfemale，andallpresentingthemostshockingappearanceofbothwantanddepravity，whowerebroughttotheMarlboroughStreetOffice。AmongthesewretchedbeingswasawomannamedHewitt，saidtobethewifeofoneCaptainHewitt，aleaderoftheton，who，afterruininghimselfandfamilyatthegamblingtable，ranawayfromthem，andwasnotsinceheardof。Hiswifebeinglefttoherself，andhavingprobablybeentaintedbyhisevilexample，byaneasygradationbecamefirstembarrassed，thenaprostitute，thenathief，andontheoccasionabovementionedexhibitedoneofthemostdistressingspectaclesofviceandmiserythatcouldbeconceived。

TRURTELLTHEMURDERER。

Thisman，itiswellknown，wasexecutedforthemurderofWeare。

Thurtellwasevidentlynocommonman。Hisspokendefence，asreported，isoneofthefinestspecimensofimpassionedeloquence——perfectlyDemosthenic。Hisindignationatthereportscirculatedinprejudiceofhiscasewasoverwhelming。Nothingcanbefinerthantheturnofthefollowingsentence:——’IhavebeenrepresentedbythePress——WHICHCARRIESITSBENEFITSOR

CURSESONRAPIDWINGSfromoneextremityofthekingdomtotheother——asamanmoredepraved，moregratuitouslyandhabituallyprofligateandcruel，thanhaseverappearedinmoderntimes。’

Touchinghisgamblingpursuits，hesaid:——’Ihavebeenrepresentedtoyouasamanwhowasgiventogambling，andtheconstantcompanionofgamblers。Tothisaccusationinsomepartmyheart，withfeelingpenitence，pleadsguilty。Ihavegambled；

Ihavebeenagambler，butnotforthelastthreeyears。DuringthattimeIhavenotattendedorbetteduponahorse-race，orafight，oranypublicexhibitionofthatnature。IfIhaveerredinthesethings，halfofthenobilityofthelandhavebeenmyexamples；someofthemostenlightenedstatesmenofthecountryhavebeenmycompanionsinthem。Ihave，indeed，beenagambler；

Ihavebeenanunfortunateone。ButwhosefortunehaveI

ruined？——whomundone？MyownfamilyhaveIruined；Ihaveundonemyself！’[22]

[22]Seetheentirespeechin’CelebratedTrials，’vol。vi。547。

AMOSTWONDERFULENDOFAGAMBLER。

IntheAnnualRegisterfortheyear1766occursthefollowing’circumstantialandauthenticaccountofthememorablecaseofRichardParsons，’transmittedbythehighsheriffofGloucestershiretohisfriendinLondon。

Onthe20thofFebruary，1766，RichardParsonsandthreemoremetataprivatehouseinChalfold，inordertoplayatcards，aboutsixo’clockintheevening。TheyplayedatLootillaboutelevenortwelvethatnight，whentheychangedtheirgameforWhist。

Afterafewdealsadisputearoseaboutthestateofthegame。

Parsonsassertedwithoathsthattheyweresix，whichtheothersdenied；uponwhichhewished’thathemightneverenterthekingdomofheaven，andthathisfleshmightrotuponhisbones，iftherewerenotsixinthegame。’Thesewisheswereseveraltimesrepeatedboththenandafterwards。Uponthisthecandlewasputoutbyapartypresent，whosaidhewasshockedwiththeoathsandexpressionsheheard，andthatheputoutthecandlewithadesigntoputanendtothegame。Presentlyuponthistheyadjournedtoanotherhouse，andtherebeganafreshgame，whenParsonsandhispartnerhadgreatsuccess。TheythenplayedatLooagaintillfourinthemorning。DuringthesecondplayingParsonscomplainedtooneRolles，hispartner，ofabadpaininhisleg，whichfromthattimeincreased。Therewasanappearanceofaswelling，andafterwardsthecolourchangingtothatofamortifiedstate。OnthefollowingSundayhetookadviceofasurgeon，whoattendedhimuntilhisdeath。Notwithstandingalltheapplicationsthatweremadethemortificationincreased，andshoweditselfindifferentpartsofthebody。Hewasvisitedbyaclergyman，whoadministeredthesacramenttohim，withoutanyknowledgeofwhathadhappenedbefore——themanappearingtobeextremelyignorantofreligion，havingbeenaccustomedtoswear，todrink，togame，andtoprofanetheSabbath。Afterreceivingthesacramenthesaid——’Now，Imustneversinagain。’HehopedGodwouldforgivehim，havingbeenwickednotabovesixyears，andthatwhatevershouldhappenhewouldnotplayatcardsagain。

Afterthishewasingreatagony——chieflydelirious；spokeofhiscompanionsbyname，andseemedasifhisimaginationwasengagedatcards。Hestarted，haddistractedlooksandgestures，andinadreadfulfitofshakingandtremblingdiedonthe4thofMarch，justaboutafortnightaftertheutteranceofhisterribleimprecation。

TheworthysheriffofGloucestershiregoesontosaythattheman’seyeswereopenwhenhedied，andcouldnotbeclosedbythecommonmethod，sothattheyremainedopenwhenhewasputintothecoffin。FromthiscircumstancearoseareportthatheWISHED

HISEYESMIGHTNEVERCLOSE；’but，’saysthesheriff，’thisisamistake；for，fromthemostcreditablewitnesses，Iamfullyconvincednosuchwishwasuttered；andthefactis，thathedidclosehiseyesafterhewastakenwiththemortification，andeitherdozedorsleptseveraltimes。

’Whenthebodycametobelaidout，itappearedalloverdiscolouredorspotted；anditmight，inthemostliteralsense，besaid，thathisfleshrottedonhisbonesbeforehedied。’

Attherequestofthesheriff，thesurgeon(aMrPegler)whoattendedtheunfortunateman，sentinthefollowingreport:——

’Sir，——Youdesiremetoacquaintyou，inwriting，withwhatI

knowrelatingtothemelancholycaseofthelateRichardParsons；

arequestIreadilycomplywith，hopingthathissadcatastrophewillservetoadmonishallthosewhoprofanethesacrednameofGod。

’February27thlastIvisitedRichardParsons，who，Ifound，hadaninflamedleg，stretchingfromthefootalmosttotheknee，tendingtoagangrene。Thetensenessandrednessoftheskinwasalmostgoneoff，andbecameofaduskishandlividcolour，andfeltverylaxandflabby。Symptomsbeingsodangerous，someincisionsweremadedowntothequick，somespirituousfomentationsmadeuseof，andthewholelimbdressedupwithsuchapplicationsasaremostapprovedinsuchdesperatecircumstances，joinedwithproperinternalmedicines。Thenextdayheseemedmuchthesame；butonMarchthe1sthewasworse，theincisionsdischargedasharpfetidodor(whichisgenerallyoftheworstconsequence)。Onthenextday，whichwasSunday，thesymptomsseemedtobealittlemorefavourable；but，tomygreatsurprise，theverynextdayIfoundhislegnotonlymortifieduptotheknee，butthesamebegananewinfourdifferentparts，viz。，undereacheye，onthetopofhisshoulder，andononehand；andinabouttwelvehoursafterhedied。Ishallnotpresumetosaytherewasanythingsupernaturalinthecase；but，however，itmustbeconfessed，thatsuchcasesareratheruncommoninsubjectssoyoung，andofsogoodahabitashehadalwaysbeenprevioustohisillness。’

OnoneoccasionJusticeMaulewasabouttopasssentenceonaprisoner，whouponbeingaskedtosaywhyjudgmentshouldnotbepronounced，’wishedthatGodmightstrikehimdeadifhewasnotinnocentofthecrime。’Afterapause，thejudgesaid:——’AstheAlmightyhasnotthoughtpropertocomplywithyourrequest，thesentenceofthecourtis，’&c。

ASADREMINDER。

EveryEnglishmanrecollectsthefateofthatunhappyheiress，therichestofallEurope，marriedtoamanofrankandfamily，whowasplunderedinthecourseofafewyearsofthewholeofhiswealth，inoneofthoseclubhouses，andwasobligedtosurrenderhimselftoacommonprison，andultimatelyflyfromhiscountry，leavinghiswifewithherrelationsinthegreatestdespairanddespondency。’[23]

[23]RougeetNoir:theAcademiciansof1823。

GEORGEIV。

TherearefewdepartmentsofhumandistinctioninwhichGreatBritaincannotboasta’celebrity’——genteelorungenteel。Inthematterofgamblingwehavebeenunapproachable——notonlyinthe’thorough’determinationwithwhichwehaveexhaustedthepursuit——butinthevast，thefabulousmillionswhichmakeupthesumtotalthatEnglishmenhave’turnedover’atthegamingtable。

Ithinkthatmanythousandsofmillionswouldbe’withinthemark’asthecontributionofEnglandtotheinsatiategodofgambling。

Ihavepresentedtothereadertherecordofgamblingalltheworldover——thegamblingofsavages——thegamblingoftheancientPersians，Greeks，andRomans——thegamblingofthegorgeousmonarchsofFranceandtheirimpassionedsubjects；butIhavenowtointroduceuponthehorriblestageaPrinceRoyal，whosurpassedallhispredecessorsinthegamingart，havingrightroyallylostatplaynotmuchlessthanamillionsterling，or，asstated，L800，000——beforehewastwenty-oneyearsofage！

Ifthefollowingbefacts，vouchedforbyawriterofauthority，[24]theresultsweremostatrocious。

[24]JamesGrant(EditoroftheMorningAdvertiser)，SketchesinLondon。

’EveryoneisawarethatGeorgeIV。，whenPrinceofWales，was，asthecommonphraseis，over-head-and-earsindebt；andthatitwasbecausehewouldtherebybeenabledtomeettheclaimsofhiscreditors，thatheconsentedtomarrythePrincessCarolineofBrunswick。Butalthoughthisisknowntoeveryone，comparativelyfewpeopleareacquaintedwiththecircumstancesunderwhichhisdebtswerecontracted。Thosedebts，then，weretheresultoflossesatthegamingtable。Hewasaninveterategambler——ahabitwhichhemostprobablycontractedthroughhisintimacywithFox。Itisawell-ascertainedfactthatintwoshortyears，afterheattainedhismajority，helostL800，000atplay。

’Itwaswiththeviewandinthehopethatmarriagewouldcurehispropensityforthegamingtable，thathisfatherwassoanxioustoseehimunitedtoCaroline；anditwassolelyonaccountofhismarriagewiththatprincessconstitutingtheonlyconditionofhisdebtsbeingpaidbythecountry，thatheagreedtoleadhertothehymenealaltar。

’Theunfortunateresultsofthisunionarebuttoowellknown，notonlyasregardedthepartiesthemselves，butasregardedsocietygenerally。Tothegamblinghabits，then，ofthePrinceofWalesaretobeascribedalltheunhappinesswhichheentailedontheunfortunateCaroline，andthevastamountofinjurywhichtheseparationfromher，andthesubsequenttrial，producedonthemoralsofthenationgenerally。’

CHAPTERV。

ODDITIESANDWITTICISMSOFGAMBLERS。

OSTENTATIOUSGAMESTERS。

Certaingrandeesandwealthypersons，morethroughvanityorweaknessthangenerosity，havesacrificedtheiraviditytoostentation——somebyrenouncingtheirwinnings，othersbypurposelylosing。Thegreaternumberofsucheccentrics，however，seemtohaveallowedthemselvestobepillagedmerelybecausetheyhadnotthegenerosityorthecouragetogiveawaywhatwaswanted。

TheCardinald’Este，playingonedaywiththeCardinaldeMedicis，hisguest，thoughtthathismagnificencerequiredhimtoallowthelattertowinastakeof10，000crowns——’notwishing，’

hesaid，’tomakehimpayhisreckoningorallowhimtodepartunsatisfied。’Brantomecallsthis’greatness；’thefollowingisaninstanceofwhathecalls’kindness。’

’Guiltyorinnocent，’hesays，’everybodywaswellreceivedatthehouseofthiscardinal，whokeptanopentableatRomefortheFrenchchevaliers。Thesegentlemenhavingappropriatedaportionofhisplate，itwasproposedtosearchthem:’No，no！’

saidthecardinal，’theyarepoorcompanionswhohaveonlytheirsword，cloak，andcrucifixes；theyarebravefellows；theplatewillbeagreatbenefittothem，andthelossofitwillnotmakemepoorer。’

VigneuldeMarvilletellsusofcertainextravagantabbes，namedRuccellaiandFrangipani，whocarriedtheirostentationtosuchapitchastosetgoldindishesontheirtableswhenentertainingtheirgamingcompanions！Wereanyofthesebaseenoughtoputtheirhandsinandhelpthemselves？Thisisnotstatedbythehistorian。ThesetwoItalianabbeswereneplusultrasinluxuryandeffeminacy。InthereignofHenryIV。，theylaidbeforetheirguestsvermiliondishesfilledwithgloves，fans，coinstoplaywithaftertherepast，essencesandperfumes。[25]IwonderifthedelightfulscentcalledFrangipani，vouchsafedtousbyRimmelandPiesseandLubin，wasnamedafterthisexquisiteecclesiasticofold？

[25]Melangesd’Hist。etdeLit。

OnedaywhenHenryIV。wasdiningattheDucdeSully’s，thelatter，assoonastheclothwasraised，broughtincardsanddice，andplaceduponthetabletwopursesof4000pistoleseach，onefortheKing，theothertolendtothelordsofhissuite。

Thereuponthekingexclaimed:——’Greatmaster，comeandletmeembraceyou，forIloveyouasyoudeserve:IfeelsocomfortableherethatIshallsupandstaythenight。’EvidentlySullywasmoreacourtierthanusualonthisoccasion——asnodoubtthewholeaffairwasbytheking’sorder，withwhichhecompliedreluctantly；buthemadethekingplaywithhisownmoneyonly。

TheDucdeLerme，whenentertainingMonsieurthebrotherofLouisXIII。athisquartersnearMaestricht，hadtheboldnesstobringin，attheendoftherepast，twobagsof1000pistoleseach，declaringthathegavethemuptotheplayerswithoutanyconditionexcepttoreturnthemwhentheypleased。[26]

[26]Mem。deJeuM。leDucd’Orleans。

ThisDucdeLermewasatleastagreatlord，andthearmywhichhecommandedmayhavewarrantedhisextravagance；butwhatarewetothinkwhenwefindthebaseandmean-spiritedFouquetgivinghimselfthesameprincelyairs？DuringcertainfestivitiespreparedforLouisXIV。，Fouquetplacedintheroomofeverycourtieroftheking’ssuite，apurseofgoldforgambling，incaseanyofthemshouldbeshortofmoney。WellmightDuclosremarkthat’NobodywasshockedatthisMAGNIFICENTSCANDAL！[27]

[27]ConsiderationsurlesMoeeurs，Theytellofacertainlordlygamesterwholookeduponanymoneythatfellfromhishandsaslost，andwouldneverstooptopickitup！ThisremindsusofthefreedmanPallasmentionedbyTacitus，whowrotedownwhathehadtosaytohisslaves，lestheshoulddegradehisvoicetotheirlevel——nevocemconsociaret！[28]

[28]Ann。l。xiiiANINSINUATING，ELEGANTGAMESTER。

Osterman，GrandChancellorofRussia，duringthereignoftheEmpressAnne，obtainedinformationthatthecourtofVersailleshadformedaschemetosendaninsinuating，elegantgamester，toattacktheDukeofBiranonhisweakside——arageforplay——andtherebyprobablygainsomepoliticaladvantageoverhim。

Thechancellorcalledontheduketomakethenecessarycommunication，buttheministerdidnotchoosetobeathome。

Thechancellor，thenpretendingtobesufferingfromaseverefitofgout，wrotetohissovereign，statingthathehadimportantmattertoreveal，butwasunabletomove，andtheDukeofBiranwasconsequentlyorderedtowaitonhimbytheempress。

Osterman，affectinggreatpain，articulatedwithapparentdifficultythesewords——’TheFrencharesendingagamester！’

Thereuponthedukewithdrewinapet，andrepresentedtotheempressthatthechancellorwasdeliriousfromthegout，andhadreallynothingtocommunicate。

Thesubjecthadlongbeenforgottenbytheduke，whenanelegant，easy，dissipatedmarquisactuallyarrived。HehadextensivecreditonahouseoftheEnglishFactory，andpresentlyinsinuatedhimselfintothegoodgracesoftheduke，whomhesooneasedofallhissuperfluouscash。

Thechancellorbecamealarmedfortheconsequences，andresolvedtotryandplayofftheFrenchfortheircleverfinesse。HelookedaboutforamatchfortheredoubtableFrenchgamester，andsoongotinformationofapartywhomightservehisturn。ThiswasamidshipmanatMoscow，namedCruckoff，who，hewasassured，waswithoutanequalintheMANAGEMENTofcards，andtheknowledgeofQuizze——thenthefashionablecourtgame——andthatatwhichtheDukeofBiranhadlosthismoney。ThechancellorimmediatelydespatchedacouriertoMoscowtofetchtheRussiangamester。

ThemidshipmanwasforthwithmadeanensignoftheGuards，inordertoentitlehimtoplayatcourt。Hesettoworkatonceinaccordancewithhisinstructions，butafterhisownplanintheexecution。Hebeganwithlosingfreely；andwas，ofcourse，soonnoticedbythemarquis，andmarkedasapigeonworthplucking。

TheyoungRussian，however，forcedhimintohighplay，andhelostthegreaterpartofhisformergain。Themarquisgotnettled，losthisself-command，andproposedamonstrousstake，totheextentofhiscreditandgains，ofwhichhethoughthemightmakehimselfsurebysomemaster-strokeofart。

Accordingly，bymeansofasleight，hemanagedtoholdfifteeninhand，buthiswilyantagonistwasequaltotheoccasion:bytheaidofsomesweetmeatsfromanadjoiningtableheSWALLOWEDacard，and，beingfirstinhand，thechancewasdeterminedinhisfavour，andheruinedthemarquis。

Oncemorethechancellorwaitedontheduke，andplainlytoldhimthathehadbeenanxioustoguardhimagainsttheFrenchgamester，purposelysenttofleecehim，ifhehadhadthepatiencetohearhim。Thedukethenbecameoutrageous，andwishedtoarresttheFrenchmanasacheat；butOstermancoollysaidhehadpunishedhiminkind；and，producingalargebag，returnedtheduke’smoney，biddinghiminfuturenottobesoimpatientwheninformationwastobecommunicatedbygoutypersons。

Thecleverensignwasallowedtoretaintherestofthespoil，withaninjunction，however，nevertotouchacardagain，unlesshewishedtoendhisdaysamongtheexilesofSiberia。

APENITENTSONNET，writtenbytheLordFitz-Gerald[29](agreatgamester)alittlebeforehisdeath，whichwasintheyear1580。

[29]ThisLordFitzgeraldwaseldestsontotheEarlofKildare，anddiedattheageoftwenty-one。

’Bylossinplay，menoftforgetThedutytheydooweToHimthatdidbestowthesame，Andthousandmillionsmoe。

’Iloathtohearthemswearandstare，WhentheytheMainhavelost，ForgettingalltheByesthatwearWithGodandHolyGhost。

’Bywoundsandnailstheythinktowin，Buttruly’tisnotso；

ForalltheirfretsandfumesinsinTheymoneylessmustgo。

’ThereisnowightthatuseditmoreThanhethatwrotethisverse，WhocriesPeccavinow，therefore；

Hisoathshisheartdopierce。

’Thereforeexampletakebyme，ThatcursethelucklesstimeThateverdicemineeyesdidsee，Whichbredinmethiscrime。

’Pardonmeforthatispast，Iwilloffendnomore，Inthismostvileandsinfulcast，WhichIwillstillabhor。’[30]

[30]Harl。Miscel。

LOVEANDGAMBLING。

HoraceWalpole，writingtoMann，says:——’TheeventthathasmademostnoisesincemylastistheextemporeweddingoftheyoungestofthetwoGunnings，twoladiesofsurpassingloveliness，namedrespectivelyMaryandElizabeth，thedaughtersofJohnGunning，Esq。，ofCastleCoote，inIreland，whomMrsMontaguecalls"thosegoddessestheGunnings。"LordCoventry，agraveyounglord，oftheremainsofthepatriotbreed，haslongdangledaftertheeldest，virtuously，withregardtoherhonour，notveryhonourablywithregardtohisowncredit。AboutsixweeksagoDukeHamilton，theveryreverseoftheearl，hot，debauched，extravagant，andequallydamagedinhisfortuneandperson，fellinlovewiththeyoungestatthemasquerade，anddeterminedtomarryherinthespring。Aboutafortnightsince，atanimmenseassemblyatmyLordChesterfield’s，madetoshowthehouse，whichisreallymostmagnificent，DukeHamiltonmadeviolentloveatoneendoftheroom，whilehewasplayingatFaroattheotherend；thatis，hesawneitherthebanknorhisowncards，whichwereofthreehundredpoundseach:hesoonlostathousand。I

ownIwassolittleaprofessorinlovethatIthoughtallthisparadelookedillforthepoorgirl；andcouldnotconceive，ifhewassomuchengagedwithhismistressastodisregardsuchsums，whyheplayedatall。However，twonightsafterwards，beingleftalonewithher，whilehermotherandsisterwereatBedfordHouse，hefoundhimselfsoimpatientthathesentforaparson。TheDoctorrefusedtoperformtheceremonywithoutlicenseorring；thedukesworehewouldsendforthearchbishop；

atlasttheyweremarriedwitharingoftheBED-CURTAIN，athalf-an-houraftertwelveatnight，atMay-fairChapel。’

Thisincidentoccurredin1752，andremindsusofthemarriage-

scenedescribedbyDrydeninoneofhistales，whichwasquotedbyLordLyndhurstonthatmemorableoccasionwhenheopposedLordCampbell’sBillforthesuppressionofindecentpublications，andmadeaspeechwhichwasmorecreditabletohiswitthanhistaste，andperfectlyhorrifyingtoLordCampbell，whoinflictedamostdamagingverbalcastigationonhisverysprightlybutimprudentopponent。