Tothereadersofthepresentgenerationmuchofthisbookwill，doubtless，seemincredible。Stillitisabookoffacts——asectionofoursocialhistory，whichis，Ithink，worthwriting，anddeservingofmeditation。

Fortyorfiftyyearsago——thatis，withinthememoryofmanyalivingman——gamblingwas`therage’inEngland，especiallyinthemetropolis。Streetsnowmeaninglessanddull——suchasOsendonStreet，andstreetsandsquaresnowinhabitedbythemostrespectableintheland——forinstance，StJames’sSquare，THEN

openeddoorstocountlessvotariesofthefickleandcapriciousgoddessofFortune；intheroomsofwhichmanyanobleman，manyagentleman，manyanofficeroftheArmyandNavy，clergymen，tradesmen，clerks，andapprentices，were`cleanedout’——ruined，anddriventoself-murder，ortocrimesthatledtothegallows。

`Ihavemyself，’saysawriterofthetime，`seenhanginginchainsamanwhomashorttimebeforeIsawataHazardtable！’

History，asitiscommonlywritten，doesnotsufficientlytakecognizanceofthesocialpursuitsandpracticesthatsapthevitalityofanation；andyetthesearetheleadinginfluencesinitsdestiny——makingitwhatitisandwillbe，atleastthroughmanygenerations，byexampleandtheinexorablelawsthatpresideoverwhatiscalled`hereditarytransmission。’

Havenotthegamblingpropensitiesofourforefathersinfluencedthepresentgeneration？……

Nodoubtgambling，inthesensetreatedofinthisbook，hasceasedinEngland。IftherebehereandthereaRouletteorRougeetNoirtableinoperation，itsexistenceisnowknownonlytoafew`sworn-brethren；’ifgamblingatcards`prevails’

incertainquarters，itis`keptquiet。’Theviceisnotbarefaced。Itslinksandskulksawayintocornersandholes，likeapoisonedrat。Therefore，publicmoralityhastriumphed，or，tousethecard-phrase，`trumped’overthisdreadfulabuse；

andthelawhasdoneitsduty，orhasreasontoexpectcongratulationforitssuccess，in`puttingdown’gaminghouses。

Butwegamblestill。ThegamblingontheTurf(nowthemostuncertainofall`gamesofchance’)was，lately，somethingthatrangthroughandstartledtheentirenation。Wegambleinthefunds。Wegambleinendlesscompanies(limited)——allresultingfromthesamepassionofournature，whichledtothegamblingofformertimeswithcards，withdice，atPiquet，Basset，Faro，Hazard，EO，_Roulette_，and_RougeetNoir_。Atarecentmemorabletrial，theLordChiefJusticeofEnglandexclaimed——

`Therecanbenodoubt——anyonewholooksaroundhimcannotfailtoperceive——thataspiritofspeculationandgamblinghastakenholdofthemindsoflargeclassesofthepopulation。Menwhowerewonttobesatisfiedwithmoderategainandsafeinvestmentsseemnowtobeanimatedbyaspiritofgreedaftergain，whichmakesthemreadytoembarktheirfortunes，howeverhardlygained，inthevainhopeofrealizingimmensereturnsbypremiumsuponshares，andofmakingmorethansafeandreasonablegains。Weseethatcontinually。’Infact，wemaynotbeajotbettermorallythanourforefathers。Butthatisnoreasonwhyweshouldnotfrownoverthestoryoftheirhorridsins，and，`havingagoodconscience，’thinkwhatsaddogstheywereintheirgeneration——knowing，aswedo，thatnoneofusatthepresentdaylose_FIFTYORAHUNDREDTHOUSANDPOUNDS_atplay，atasitting，inonesinglenight——aswascertainlynoveryuncommon`event’inthosepalmydaysofgaming；andthatwecouldnot——aswasdonein1820——producealistof_FIVEHUNDRED_names(inLondonalone)ofnoblemen，gentlemen，officersoftheArmyandNavy，andclergymen，whowereveteranorindefatigablegamesters，besides`clerks，grocers，horse-dealers，linen-

drapers，silk-mercers，masons，builders，timber-merchants，booksellers，&c。，&c。，andmenoftheverylowestwalksoflife，’

whofrequentedthenumerousgaminghousesthroughoutthemetropolis——totheirruinandthatoftheirfamiliesmoreorless(asdeploringlylamentedbyCaptainGronow)，andnotafewofthem，nodoubt，findingthemselvesinthatpositioninwhichtheycouldexclaim，at_OUR_remonstrance，asfeelinglyasdidKingRichard——

`Slave！Ihavesetmylifeupona_CAST_，AndIwillstandthe_HAZARDOFTHEDIE！_’

Norisgamingasyetextinctamongus。Everynowandthenabatchofyoungstersisbroughtbeforethemagistrateschargedwithvulgar`tossing’inthestreets；andeverynowandthenwehearofsomevictimofgenteelgambling，asrecently——inthemonthofFebruary，1868——when`ayoungmemberofthearistocracylostL10，000atWhist。’

Nay，atthecommencementofthepresentyearthereappearedinadailypaperthefollowingstartlingannouncementtotheeditor:——

`Sir，——Allowme，throughthecolumnsofyourpaper，tocalltheattentionoftheparentsandfriendsoftheyoungofficersintheChannel-fleettothegreatextentgamblingiscarriedonatLisbon。Sincethefleethasbeenthereanothergamblinghousehasbeenopened，andisfilledeveryeveningwithyoungofficers，manyofwhomareunder18yearsofage。Onthe1stofJanuaryitiscomputedthatupwardsofL800waslostbyofficersofthefleetinthegamblinghouses，andifthefleetistostaytherethreemonthstherewillsoonbeagreatnumberoftheofficersinvolvedindebt。Iwillrelateoneincidentthatcameundermypersonalnotice。Ayoungmidshipman，whohadlatelyjoinedtheChannelfleetfromtheBristol，drewahalf-year’spayinDecember，besideshisquarterlyallowance，andImethimonshorethenexteveningwithoutmoneyenoughtopayaboattogoofftohisship，havinglostallatagamblinghouse。

Hopingthatthismaybeofsomeuseinstoppingthegamblingamongtheyoungerofficers，Iremain，yoursrespectfully，ANOFFICER。’[1]

[1]Standard，Jan。12，1870。

Inconclusion，Ihavecontemplatedthepassionofgaminginallitsbearings，aswillbeevidentfromtherangeofsubjectsindicatedbythetableofcontentsandindex。Ihaveransacked(andsacked)hundredsofvolumesforentertaining，amusing，curious，orinstructivematter。

Withoutdeprecatingcriticismonmylabours，perhapsImaystatethattheseresearcheshaveprobablyterminatedmycareerasanauthor。ImmediatelyafterthecompletionofthisworkIwasafflictedwithadegreeofblindnessrenderingitimpossibleformetoreadanyprintwhatever，andcompellingmetowriteonlybydictation。

ANDREWSTEINMETZ。

CONTENTSOFVOL。I。

CHAP。

I

THEUNIVERSALPASSIONOFGAMING；OR，GAMINGALLTHEWORLDOVER

II

GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTHINDOOS——

AHINDOOLEGENDANDITSMODERNPARALLEL

III

GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTEGYPTIANS，PERSIANSANDGREEKS

IV

GAMINGAMONGTHEANCIENTROMANEMPERORS

V

GAMBLINGINFRANCEINALLTIMES

VI

THERISEANDPROGRESSOFMODERNGAMINGINENGLAND

VII

GAMBLINGINBRIGHTONIN1817

VIII

GAMBLINGATTHEGERMANBATHING-PLACES

IX

GAMBLINGINTHEUNITEDSTATES

X

LADYGAMESTRESSES

XI

GAMBLINGPOETS，SAVANTS，PHILOSOPHERS，WITS，ANDSTATESMEN

XII

REMARKABLEGAMESTERS

XIII

THELOTTERIESANDTHEIRBEWILDERMENTS

XIVTHELAWSAGAINSTGAMINGINVARIOUSCOUNTRIES

THEGAMINGTABLE。

CHAPTERI。

THEUNIVERSALPASSIONOFGAMING；OR，GAMINGALLTHEWORLDOVER。

AveryaptallegoryhasbeenimaginedastheoriginofGaming。

ItissaidthattheGoddessofFortune，oncesportingneartheshadypoolofOlympus，wasmetbythegayandcaptivatingGodofWar，whosoonalluredhertohisarms。Theywereunited；butthematrimonywasnotholy，andtheresultoftheunionwasamisfeaturedchildnamedGaming。Fromthemomentofherbirththiswaywardthingcouldonlybepleasedbycards，dice，orcounters。

Shewasnotwithoutfascinations，andmanywereheradmirers。Asshegrewupshewascourtedbyallthegayandextravagantofbothsexes，forshewasofneithersex，andyetcombiningtheattractionsofeach。Atlength，however，beingmostlybesetbymenofthesword，sheformedanunnaturalunionwithoneofthem，andgavebirthtotwins——onecalledDUELLING，andtheotheragrimandhideousmonsternamedSUICIDE。Thesebecametheirmother’sdarlings，nursedbyherwithconstantcareandtenderness，andherperpetualcompanions。

TheGoddessFortuneeverhadaneyeonherpromisingdaughter——

Gaming；andendowedherwithsplendidresidences，inthemostconspicuousstreets，nearthepalacesofkings。Theyweremagnificentlydesignedandelegantlyfurnished。Lamps，alwaysburningattheportals，wereasignandaperpetualinvitationuntoalltoenter；and，likethegatesoftheInferno，theywereeveropentodailyandnightlyvisitants；but，unlikethelatter，theypermitted_EXIT_toallwhoentered——someexultingwithgoldenspoil，——otherswiththeirhandsinemptypockets，——someledbyherhalf-wittedsonDuelling，——othersescortedbyhermalignantmonsterSuicide，andhismate，thedemonDespair。

`Religion，morals，virtue，allgiveway，Andconsciencedies，theprostituteofplay。

Eternityne’erstealsonethoughtbetween，Tillsuicidecompletesthefatalscene。’

Suchisthe_ALLEGORY_；[2]anditmayservewellenoughtorepresentthethinginaccordancewiththeusagesofcivilizedormodernlife；butGamingisa_UNIVERSAL_thing——thecharacteristicofthehumanbipedalltheworldover。

[2]Itappearedoriginally，Ithink，intheHarleianMiscellany。Ihavetakenthelibertytore-touchithereandthere，withtheviewtoimprovement。

Thedeterminationofeventsby`lot’wasapracticefrequentlyresortedtobytheIsraelites；as，bylotitwasdeterminedwhichofthegoatsshouldbeofferedbyAaron；bylotthelandofCanaanwasdivided；bylotSaulwasmarkedoutfortheHebrewkingdom；bylotJonahwasdiscoveredtobethecauseofthestorm。ItwasconsideredanappealtoHeaventodeterminethepoints，andwasthoughtnottodependonblindchance，orthatimaginarybeingcalledFortune，who，`——Withmaliciousjoy，Promotes，degrades，delightsinstrife，Andmakesa_LOTTERY_oflife。’

TheHindooCode——apromulgationofveryhighantiquity——

denouncesgambling，whichprovesthatthereweredesperategamestersamongtheHindoosintheearliesttimes。Mengamed，too，itwouldappear，aftertheexamplesetthembythegods，whohadgamestersamongthem。ThepriestsofEgyptassuredHerodotusthatoneoftheirkingsvisitedalivethelowerregionscalledinfernal，andthathetherejoinedagamingparty，atwhichhebothlostandwon。[3]PlutarchtellsaprettyEgyptianstorytotheeffect，thatMercuryhavingfalleninlovewithRhea，ortheEarth，andwishingtodoherafavour，gambledwiththeMoon，andwonfromhereveryseventiethpartofthetimesheilluminedthehorizon——allwhichpartsheunitedtogether，makingup_FIVE

DAYS_，andaddedthemtotheEarth’syear，whichhadpreviouslyconsistedofonly360days。[4]

[3]Herod。1。ii。

[4]Plutarch，_DeIsid。etOsirid。_

ButnotonlydidthegodsplayamongthemselvesonOlympus，buttheygambledwithmortals。AccordingtoPlutarch，thepriestofthetempleofHerculesamusedhimselfwithplayingatdicewiththegod，thestakeorconditionsbeingthatifhewonheshouldobtainsomesignalfavour，butifhelosthewouldprocureabeautifulcourtesanforHercules。[5]

[5]_InVitaRomuli_。

BythenumerousnationsoftheEastdice，andthatpugnaciouslittlebirdthecock，havebeenandarethechiefinstrumentsemployedtoproduceasensation——toagitatetheirmindsandtoruintheirfortunes。TheChinesehaveinalltimes，wesuppose，hadcards——hencetheabsurdityofthenotionthattheywere`invented’fortheamusementofCharlesVI。ofFrance，inhis`lucidintervals，’asisconstantlyassertedineverycollectionofhistoricfacts。TheChineseinventedcards，astheyinventedalmosteverythingelsethatadministerstooursocialanddomesticcomfort。[6]

[6]ObservationsonCards，byMrGough，inArchaeologia，vol。

viii。1787。

TheAsiaticgamblerisdesperate。Whenallotherpropertyisplayedaway，hescruplesnottostakehiswife，hischild，onthecastofadieoronthecourageofthemartialbirdbeforementioned。Naymore，ifstillunsuccessful，thelastventurehemakesisthatofhislimbs——hispersonalliberty——hislife——whichhehazardsonthecapriceofchance，andagreestobeatthemercy，ortobecometheslave，ofhisfortunateantagonist。

TheMalayan，however，doesnotalwaystamelysubmittothislaststrokeoffortune。Whenreducedtoastateofdesperationbyrepeatedill-luck，heloosensacertainlockofhaironhishead，which，whenflowingdown，isasignofwaranddestruction。Heswallowsopiumorsomeintoxicatingliquor，tillheworkshimselfupintoafitoffrenzy，andbeginstobiteandkilleverythingthatcomesinhisway；whereupon，astheaforesaidlockofhairisseenflowing，itislawfultofireatanddestroyhimasquicklyaspossible——hebeingconsiderednobetterthanamaddog。Averyrationalconclusion。

OfcoursetheChinesearemosteagergamesters，ortheywouldnothavebeencapableofinventingthosedear，preciouskillersoftime——cards，theEVENINGsolaceofsomanyahouseholdinthemostrespectableand`proper’walksoflife。Indeed，theyplaynightandday——untiltheyhavelostalltheyareworth，andthentheyusuallygo——andhangthemselves。

Ifweturnourcoursenorthward，andpenetratetheregionsoficeperpetual，wefindthatthedrivensnowcannoteffectuallyquenchtheflamesofgambling。Theyglowamidtheregionsofthefrozenpole。TheGreenlandersgamblewithaboard，whichhasafinger-pieceuponit，turningroundonanaxle；andthepersontowhomthefingerpointsonthestoppingoftheboard，whichiswhirledround，`sweeps’allthe`stakes’thathavebeendeposited。

IfwedescendthenceintotheWesternhemisphere，wefindthatthepassionforgamblingformsadistinguishingfeatureinthecharacterofalltherudenativesoftheAmericancontinent。

JustasintheEast，thesesavageswilllosetheiraims(onwhichsubsistencedepends)，theirapparel，andatlengththeirpersonalliberty，ongamesofchance。Thereisonething，however，whichmustberecordedtotheircredit——andtoourshame。Whentheyhavelosttheir`all，’theydonotfollowtheexampleofourrefinedgamesters。Theyneithermurmurnorrepine。Notafretfulwordescapesthem。Theybearthefrownsoffortunewithaphilosophiccomposure。[7]

[7]Carver，_Travels_。

IfwecrosstheAtlanticandlandontheAfricanshore，wefindthatthe`everlastingNegro’isagambler——usingshellsasdice——

andfollowingthepracticeofhis`betters’ineveryway。Hestakesnotonlyhis`fortune，’butalsohischildrenandliberty，whichhecaresverylittleabout，everywhere，untilweincitehimtodoso——as，ofcourse，weoughttodo，foreverymotive`humananddivine。’

Thereisnodoubt，then，thatthispropensityispartandparcelof`theunsophisticatedsavage。’Letusturntotheeminentlycivilizedracesofantiquity——themenwhoseexamplewehavemoreorlessfollowedineverypossiblematter，sociality，politics，religion——theywereallgamblers，moreorless。TakethegrandprototypesofBritons，theRomansofold。Thatgamesterstheywere！Andhowgamblingrecruitedtheranksofthedesperadoeswhogavetheminsurrectionarytrouble！Catiline’s`armyofscoundrels，’forinstance。`Everymandishonouredbydissipation，’saysSallust，`whobyhisfolliesorlossesatthegamingtablehadconsumedtheinheritanceofhisfathers，andallthosewhoweresufferersbysuchmisery，werethefriendsofthisperverseman。’Horace，Juvenal，Persius，Cicero，andotherwriters，attestthefactofRomangamblingmosteloquently，mostindignantly。

TheRomanshad`lotteries，’orgamesofchance，andsomeoftheirprizeswereofgreatvalue，asagoodestateandslaves，orrichvases；othersoflittlevalue，asvasesofcommonearth，butofthismoreinthesequel。

AmongtheGothickingswho，inthefulnessoftimeandaccomplishments，`succeeded’tothatempire，wereadofaTheodoric，`awiseandvaliantprince，’whowas`greatloverofdice；’hissolicitudeinplaywasonlyforvictory；andhiscompanionsknewhowtoseizethemomentofhissuccess，asconsummatecourtiers，toputforwardtheirpetitionsandtomaketheirrequests。`WhenIhaveapetitiontoprefer，’saysoneofthem，`IameasilybeateninthegamethatImaywinmycause。’[8]Whataclevercontrivance！Butscarcelyequaltothatofthe_GREAT_(inpoliteness)LordChesterfield，who，togainavoteforaparliamentaryfriend，actuallysubmittedtobe_BLED！_Itappearsthatthevoterwasdeemedverydifficult，butChesterfieldfoundoutthatthemanwasadoctor，whowasaperfectSangrado，recommendingbleedingforeveryailment。Hewenttohim，asinconsultation，agreedwiththeman’sarguments，andatoncebaredhisarmfortheoperation。Onthepointofdeparturehislordship`edged’inthequestionaboutthevoteforhisfriend，whichwas，ofcourse，gushinglypromisedandgiven。

[8]Sedegoaliquidobsecraturusfacilevincor；etmihitabulaperitutcausasalvetur——SidoniusApollinaris，_Epist_。

AlthoughtheremaynotbemuchGothicbloodamongus，itisquitecertainthatthereisplentyofGermanmixtureinournation——

takingtheterminitsverywideandcomprehensiveethnology。

Now，TacitusdescribestheancientstoutandvaliantGermansas`makinggamingwithadieaveryseriousoccupationoftheirsoberhours。’Likethe`everlastingNegro，’they，too，madetheirlastthrowforpersonalliberty，thelosergoingintovoluntaryslavery，andthewinnersellingsuchslavesassoonaspossibletostrangers，inordernottohavetoblushforsuchavictory！Ifthe`nigger’couldblush，hemightcertainlydosoforthewhitemaninsuchaconjuncture。

AtNaplesandotherplacesinItaly，atleastinformertimes，theboatmenusedthustostaketheirlibertyforacertainnumberofyears。AccordingtoHyde，[9]theIndiansstaketheirfingersandcutthemoffthemselvestopaythedebtofhonour。

Englishmenhavecutofftheirears，bothasa`security’foragamblingloan，andasastake；othershavestakedtheirlivesbyhanging，inlikemanner！Instanceswillbegiveninthesequel。

[9]DeLudisOrient。

Butleavingthesesavagesandthesemi-savagesoftheveryoldentime，letusturntothosenearertoourtimes，withjustasmuchreligioustruthandprincipleamongthemasamongourselves。

Thewarmthwithwhich`dice-playing’iscondemnedinthewritingsofthe_Fathers_，thevenerableexpoundersofChristianity，aswellasby`edicts’and`canons’oftheChurch，isunquestionablyasufficientproofofitsgeneralandexcessiveprevalencethroughoutthenationsofEurope。Whencardswereintroduced，inthefourteenthcentury，theyonlyaddedfueltotheinfernalflameofgambling；anditsoonbecameasnecessarytorestraintheiruseasithadbeenthatofdice。Thetwoheldajointempireofruinanddesolationovertheirdevotedvictims。AkingofFrancesettheruinousexample——HenryIV。，theroue，thelibertine，theduellist，thegambler，——andyet(historically)the_BonHenri_，the`goodking，’whowishedtoorderthingssothateveryFrenchmanmighthavea_pot-au-feu_，ordishoffleshsavoury，everySundayfordinner。ThemoneythatHenryIV。lostatplaywouldhavecoveredgreatpublicexpenses。

TherecanbenodoubtthatthespiritofgamingwentonacquiringnewstrengthanddevelopmentthroughouteverysubsequentreigninFrance；andweshallseethatundertheEmpirethethingwasagreatnationalinstitution，andmadetoputagreatdealofmoneyas`revenue’intothehandsofFouche。

ButtheSpaniardshavealwaysbeen，ofallnations，themostaddictedtogambling。Atravellersays:——`IhavewanderedthroughallpartsofSpain，andthoughinmanyplacesIhavescarcelybeenabletoprocureaglassofwine，orabitofbread，oranyofthefirstconveniencesoflife，yetIneverwentthroughavillagesomeanandoutoftheway，inwhichIcouldnothavepurchasedapackofcards。’Thiswasinthemiddleoftheseventeenthcentury，butIhavenodoubtitistrueatthepresentmoment。

IfwecanbelieveVoltaire，theSpaniardswereformerlyverygenerousintheirgaming。`ThegrandeesofSpain，’hesays，`hadagenerousostentation；thiswastodividethemoneywonatplayamongallthebystanders，ofwhatevercondition。

MontreforrelatesthatwhentheDukeofLerma，theSpanishminister，entertainedGaston，brotherofLouisXIII。，withallhisretinueintheNetherlands，hedisplayedamagnificenceofanextraordinarykind。Theprimeminister，withwhomGastonspentseveraldays，usedtoputtwothousandlouisd’orsonalargegaming-tableafterdinner。WiththismoneyGaston’sattendantsandeventheprincehimselfsatdowntoplay。Itisprobable，however，thatVoltaireextendedasingleinstanceortwointoageneralhabitorcustom。Thatwriteralwayspreferredtodealwiththesplendidandthemarvellousratherthanwithplainmatteroffact。

TherecanbelittledoubtthattheSpaniardspursuedgaminginthevulgarfashion，justasotherpeople。AtanyratethefollowinganecdotegivesusnoveryfavourableideaofSpanishgenerositytostrangersinthematterofgamblinginmoderntimes；andtheworstofitisthesuitablenessofitsapplicationtomorecapitalsthanoneamongthekingdomsofEurope。`Afterthebull-feastIwasinvitedtopasstheeveningatthehotelofalady，whohadapubliccard-assembly……ThisvilemethodofsubsistingonthefollyofmankindisconfinedinSpaintothenobility。Nonebutwomenofqualityarepermittedtoholdbanks，andtherearemanywhosefaro-banksbringtheminaclearincomeofathousandguineasayear。TheladytowhomIwasintroducedisanoldcountess，whohaslivednearlythirtyyearsontheprofitsofthecard-tablesinherhouse。Theyarefrequentedeveryday，andthoughbothnativesandforeignersaredupedoflargesumsbyher，andhercabinet-junto，yetitisthegreatesthouseofresortinallMadrid。Shegoestocourt，visitspeopleofthefirstfashion，andisreceivedwithasmuchrespectandvenerationasifsheexercisedthemostsacredfunctionsofadivineprofession。Manywidowsofgreatmenkeepgaming-housesandlivesplendidlyonthevicesofmankind。Ifyoubenotdisposedtoplay，beeitherasharperoradupe，youcannotbeadmittedasecondtimetotheirassemblies。Iwasnosoonerpresentedtotheladythansheofferedmecards；andonmyexcusingmyself，becauseIreallycouldnotplay，shemadeaverywryface，turnedfromme，andsaidtoanotherladyinmyhearing，thatshewonderedhowanyforeignercouldhavetheimpertinencetocometoherhousefornootherpurposethantomakeanapologyfornotplaying。MySpanishconductor，unfortunatelyforhimself，hadnotthesameapology。Heplayedandlosthismoney——twocircumstanceswhichconstantlyfollowinthesehouses。Whilemyfriendwasthusplaying_THEFOOL_，I

attentivelywatchedthecountenanceandmotionsoftheladyofthehouse。Heranxiety，address，andassiduitywereequaltothatofsomeskilfulshopkeeper，whohasacertainattractiontoengagealltobuy，anddiligencetotakecarethatnoneshallescapethenet。Ifoundoutallherprivy-counsellors，byherarrangementofherpartiesatthedifferenttables；andwheneversheshowedanextraordinaryeagernesstofixoneparticularpersonwithastranger，thegamewasalwaysdecidedthesameway，andhergoodfriendwassuretowinthemoney。

`Inshort，itishardlypossibletoseegoodcompanyatMadridunlessyouresolvetoleaveapurseofgoldatthecard-

assembliesoftheirnobility。’[10]

[10]`ObservationsinaTourthroughSpain。’

Weareassuredthatthisstateofthingsisbynomeans`obsolete’inSpain，evenatthepresenttime。Atthetimeinquestion，however，thebeginningofthepresentcentury，therewasnoEuropeannationamongwhichgamingdidnotconstituteoneofitspoliteandfashionableamusements——withtheexceptionofthe_Turks_，who，totheshameofChristians，strictlyobeyedthepreceptsofMahomet，andscrupulouslyavoidedthe`gamblingitch’

ofournature。

InEnglandgamblingprevailedduringthereignofHenryVIII。；

indeed，itseemsthatthekingwashimselfagamesterofthemostunscrupuloussort；andthereisampleevidencethatthepracticeflourishedduringthereignofElizabeth，JamesI。，andsubsequently，especiallyinthetimesofCharlesII。WritingonthedaywhenJamesII。wasproclaimedking，Evelynsays，`Icanneverforgettheinexpressibleluxuryandprofaneness，gamingandalldissoluteness，andasitweretotalforgetfulnessofGod(itbeingSundayevening)whichthisdayse’nnightIwaswitnessof，thekingsittingandtoyingwithhisconcubines，Portsmouth，Cleaveland，andMazarine，&c。，aFrenchboysinginglove-songs，inthatgloriousgallery，whilstabouttwentyofthegreatcourtiersandotherdissolutepersonswereatBassetroundalargetable；abankofatleastL2000ingoldbeforethem，uponwhichtwogentlemenwhowerewithmemadereflectionswithastonishment。Sixdaysafterallwasinthedust！’

Thefollowingcuriousobservationsonthegaminginvogueduringtheyear1668arefromtheHarleianMiscellany:

`Onepropoundedthisquestion，"Whethermeninshipsatseaweretobeaccountedamongstthelivingorthedead——becausetherewerebutfewinchesbetwixtthemanddrowning？"Thesamequerymaybemadeofgamesters，thoughtheirestatesbeneversoconsiderable——whethertheyaretobeesteemedrichorpoor，sincetherearebutafewcastsatdicebetwixtapersonoffortune(inthatcircumstance)andabeggar。

`Betwixttwelveandoneoftheclockagooddinnerispreparedbywayofordinary，andsomegentlemenofcivilityandconditionoftentimeseatthere，andplayawhileforrecreationafterdinner，bothmoderatelyandmostcommonlywithoutdeservingreproof。Towardsnight，whenravenousbeastsusuallyseektheirprey，therecomeinshoalsofhectors，trepanners，gilts，pads，biters，prigs，divers，lifters，kidnappers，vouchers，millkens，piemen，decoys，shop-lifters，foilers，bulkers，droppers，gamblers，donnakers，crossbiters，&c。，underthegeneralappellationof"rooks；"andinthisparticularitservesasanurseryforTyburn，foreveryyearsomeofthisgangmarchthither。

`Wouldyouimagineittobetrue——thatagravegentleman，wellstrickeninyears，insomuchashecannotseethepipsofthedice，issoinfatuatedwiththiswitcheryastoplayherewithothers’eyes，——ofwhomthisquibblewasraised，"MrSuchaoneplaysatdicebytheear。"Anothergentleman，starkblind，I

haveseenplayatHazard，andsurelythatmustbebytheeartoo。

`Lateatnight，whenthecompanygrowsthin，andyoureyesdimwithwatching，falsediceareoftenputupontheignorant，ortheyareotherwisecozened，withtoppingorslurring，&；c。；and，ifyoubenotvigilant，thebox-keepershallscoreyouupdoubleortrebleboxes，and，thoughyouhavelostyourmoney，dunyouasseverelyforitasifitwerethejustestdebtintheworld。

`Thereareyetsomegenteelerandmoresubtlerooks，whomyoushallnotdistinguishbytheiroutwarddemeanourfrompersonsofcondition；andwhowillsitbyawholeevening，andobservewhowins；andthen，ifthewinnerbe"bubbleable，"theywillinsinuatethemselvesintohisacquaintance，andcivillyinvitehimtodrinkaglassofwine，——wheedlehimintoplay，andwinallhismoney，eitherbyfalsedice，ashighfulhams，[11]lowfulhams，orbypalming，topping，&c。Notebytheway，thatwhentheyhaveyouatthetavernandthinkyouasure"bubble，"

theywillmanytimespurposelylosesomesmallsumtoyouthefirsttime，toengageyoumorefreelyto_BLEED_(astheycallit)atthesecondmeeting，towhichtheywillbesuretoinviteyou。

[11]Itappearsthatfalsedicewereoriginallymadeat_Fulham；_hencesocalled，highandlowfulhams；thehighoneswerethenumbers4，5，6。

`Agentlemanwhomill-fortunehadhurriedintopassion，tookaboxanddicetoaside-table，andthenfelltothrowingbyhimself；atlengthheswearswithanemphasis，"D——e，nowI

throwfornothin；，Icanwinathousandpounds；butwhenIlayformoneyIlosemyall。"

`Ifthehousefindyoufreetobox，andaconstantcaster，youshallbetreatedbelowwithsuppersatnight，andcaudleinthemorning，andhavethehonourtobestyled，"aloverofthehouse，"whilstyourmoneylasts，whichcertainlywillnotbelong。

`Mostgamestersbeginatsmallgames，andbydegrees，iftheirmoneyorestatesholdout，theyrisetogreatsums；somehaveplayedfirstalltheirmoney，thentheirrings，coachandhorses，eventheirwearingclothesand_perukes；_andthen，suchafarm；

andatlast，perhapsalordship。

`Youmayreadinourhistories，howSirMilesPartridgeplayedatdicewithKingHenrytheEighth，forJesusBells(socalled)，whichwerethegreatestinEngland，andhunginatowerofStPaul’schurch，andwonthem；wherebyhebroughtthemtoringinhispocket；buttheropesafterwardscatchedabouthisneck；for，inEdwardtheSixth’sdays，hewashangedforsomecriminaloffences。[12]

[12]TheclochierinPaul’sChurchyard——abell-house，foursquare，buildedofstone，withfourbells；thesewerecalled_Jesus_Bells。Thesamehadagreatspireoftimber，coveredwithlead，withtheimageofStPaulonthetop，butwaspulleddownbySirMilesPartridge，Kt，inthereignofHenryVIII。ThecommonspeechthenwasthathedidsetL100uponacastatdiceagainstit，andsowonthesaidclochierandbellsoftheking。Andthencausingthebellstobebrokenastheyhung，therestwaspulleddown，andbrokenalso。ThismanwasafterwardsexecutedonTowerHill，formattersconcerningtheDukeofSomerset，intheyear1551，the5thofEdwardVI——Stowe，B。iii。

148。

`SirArthurSmithhouseisyetfreshinmemory。Hehadafairestate，whichinafewyearshesolostatplay，thathediedingreatwantandpenury。SincethatMrBa——，whowasaclerkintheSix-ClerksOffice，andwellcliented，felltoplay，andwonbyextraordinaryfortunetwothousandpiecesinreadygold；wasnotcontentwiththat，playedon，lostallhehadwon，andalmostallhisownestate；soldhisplaceintheoffice，andatlastmarchedofftoaforeignplantation，tobeginanewworldwiththesweatofhisbrow；forthatiscommonlythedestinyofadecayedgamester——eithertogotosomeforeignplantation，ortobepreferredtothedignityofa_box-keeper_。

`Itisnotdeniedbutmostgamestershave，atonetimeorother，aconsiderablerunofwinning，butsuchistheinfatuationofplay，Icouldneverhearofamanthatgaveoverawinner——I

mean，togiveoversoasnevertoplayagain。Iamsureitis_raraavis_，forifyouonce"breakbulk，"astheyphraseit，youareinagainforall。SirHumphryFosterhadlostthegreatestpartofhisestate，andthenplaying，asitissaid，_FORADEADHORSE_，did，byhappyfortune，recoveritagain；thengaveover，andwiselytoo。’[13]

[13]HarleianMisc。ii。108。

Thesequelwillshowtheincreaseofgamblinginourcountryduringthesubsequentreigns，uptoarecentperiod。

Thus，then，thepassionofgamingis，andhaseverbeen，universal。ItissaidthattwoFrenchmencouldnotexisteveninadesertwithout_QUARRELLING；_anditisquitecertainthatnotwohumanbeingscanbeanywherewithouterelongofferingto`bet’uponsomething。Indolenceandwantofemployment——

`vacuity，’asDrJohnsonwouldcallit——isthecauseofthepassion。Itarisesfromawantofhabitualemploymentinsomematerialandregularlineofconduct。Yourveryinnocentcard-

partiesathome——merelytokill_TIME_(whatamurder！)explainsalltheapparentmystery！Somethingmustbesubstitutedtocallforththenaturalactivityofthemind；andthisisinnowaymoreeffectuallyaccomplished，inallindolentpursuits，thanbythose_EMOTIONSANDAGITATIONS_whichgamblingproduces。

Suchisthesourceofthethinginour_NATURE；_butthencomesthefurioushankeringafterwealth——thedesiretohaveitwithout_WORKING_forit——whichisthewishofsomanyofus；and_THIS_isthesourceofthathideousgamblingwhichhasproducedthecontemptiblecharactersandcriminalactswhicharetheburthenofthisvolume。

Weloveplaybecauseitsatisfiesouravarice，——thatistosay，ourdesireofhavingmore；itflattersourvanitybytheideaofpreferencethatfortunegivesus，andoftheattentionthatotherspaytooursuccess；itsatisfiesourcuriosity，givingusaspectacle；inshort，itgivesusthedifferentpleasuresofsurprise。

Certainitisthatthepassionforgamblingeasilygetsdeeplyrooted，andthatitcannotbeeasilyeradicated。Themostexquisitemelody，ifcomparedwiththemusicofdice，isthenbutdiscord；andthefinestprospectinnatureonlyamiserableblankwhenputincompetitionwiththeattractionsofthe`honours’atarubberofWhist。

Wealthisthegeneralcentreofinclination。Whateveristheultimatedesign，theimmediatecareistoberich。Nodesirecanbeformedwhichrichesdonotassisttogratify。Theymaybeconsideredastheelementaryprinciplesofpleasure，whichmaybecombinedwithendlessdiversity。Therearenearerwaystoprofitthanupthesteepsoflabour。Theprospectofgainingspeedilywhatisardentlydesired，hassofarprevaileduponthepassionsofmankind，thatthepeaceoflifeisdestroyedbyageneralandincessantstruggleforriches。Itisobservedofgoldbyanoldepigrammatist，thattohaveistobeinfear；andtowantitistobeinsorrow。Thereisnoconditionwhichisnotdisquietedeitherwiththecareofgainingorkeepingmoney。

Nonationhasexceededoursinthepursuitofgaming。Informertimes——andyetnotmorethan30or40yearsago——thepassionforplaywaspredominantamongthehighestclasses。

Geniusandabilitiesofthehighestorderbecameitsvotaries；

andtheveryframersofthelawsagainstgamblingwerethefirsttofallunderthetemptationoftheirbreach！Thespiritofgamblingpervadedeveryinferiororderofsociety。Thegentlemanwasaslavetoitsindulgence；themerchantandthemechanicwerethedupesofitsimaginaryprospects；itengrossedthecitizenandoccupiedtherustic。Townandcountrybecameapreytoitsdespotism。Therewasscarcelyanobscurevillagetobefoundwhereinthisbewitchingbasiliskdidnotexerciseitspowersoffascinationanddestruction。

GaminginEnglandbecameratherasciencethananamusementofsocialintercourse。The`doctrineofchances’wasstudiedwithanassiduitythatwouldhavedonehonourtobettersubjects；

andcalculationsweremadeonarithmeticalandgeometricalprinciples，todeterminethedegreesofprobabilityattendantongamesofmixedskillandchance，orevenonthefortuitousthrowsofdice。Ofcourse，inspiteofallcalculations，thereweremiserablefailures——frightfullosses。Thepolitegamester，likethesavage，didnotscrupletohazardthedearestinterestsofhisfamily，ortobringhiswifeandchildrentopoverty，misery，andruin。Hecouldnotgivetheseoverinliquidationofagamblingdebt；indeed，nobodywould，probably，havethematagift；andyettherewereinstancesinwhichthehonourofawifewasthestakeoftheinfernalgame！……WellmighttheEmperorJustinianexclaim，——`Canwecall_PLAY_thatwhichcausescrime？’[14]

[14]Quisenimludosappelleteos，exquibuscriminaoriuntur？——_DeConcept。Digest_。II。lib。iv。Sec。9。

CHAPTERII。

GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTHINDOOS——AHINDOO

LEGENDANDITSMODERNPARALLEL。

TherecentgreatcontributiontothehistoryofIndia，publishedbyMrWheeler，[15]givesacompleteinsightintothisinterestingtopic；andthispassageoftheancientSanskritepicformsoneofthemostwonderfulandthrillingscenesinthatmostacceptablepublication。

[15]TheHistoryofIndiafromtheEarliestAges。ByJ。

TalboysWheeler。Vol。I——TheVedicPeriodandtheMahaBharata。

AsMrWheelerobserves，thespecialtiesofHindoogamblingareworthyofsomeattention。Thepassionforplay，whichhaseverbeentheviceofwarriorsintimesofpeace，becomesamadnessamidstthelassitudeofatropicalclimate；andmorethanoneHindoolegendhasbeenpreservedofRajasplayingtogetherfordays，untilthewretchedloserhasbeendeprivedofeverythinghepossessedandreducedtotheconditionofanexileoraslave。

ButgamblingamongsttheHindoosdoesnotappeartohavebeenaltogetherdependentuponchance。TheancientHindoodice，knownbythenameofcoupun，arealmostpreciselysimilartothemoderndice，beingthrownoutofabox；butthepracticeofloadingisplainlyalludedto，andsomeskillseemstohavebeenoccasionallyexercisedintherattlingofthedice-box。Inthemoremoderngame，knownbythenameofpasha，thedicearenotcubic，butoblong；andtheyarethrownfromthehandeitherdirectupontheground，oragainstapostorboard，whichwillbreakthefall，andrendertheresultmoreamatterofchance。

ThegreatgamblingmatchoftheHindooepicwastheresultofaconspiracytoruinYudhishthira，asuccessfulwarrior，therepresentativeofamightyfamily——thePandavas，whowereincessantlypursuedbytheenvyoftheKauravas，theirrivals。

ThefortunesofthePandavaswereattheheightofhumanprosperity；andatthispointtheuniversalconceptionofanavengingNemesisthathumblestheproudandcastsdownthemighty，findsfullexpressionintheHindooepic。ThegrandeurofthePandavasexcitedthejealousyofDuryodhana，andrevivedtheoldfeudbetweentheKauravasandtheformer。

DuryodhanaplottedwithhisbrotherDuhsasanaandhisuncleSakuni，howtheymightdispossessthePandavasoftheirnewly-

acquiredterritory；andatlengththeydeterminedtoinvitetheirkinsmentoagamblingmatch，andseekbyunderhandmeanstodepriveYudhishthiraofhisRaj，orkingdom。[16]

[16]TheoldSanskritwords_Raj_，`kingdom，’andRaja，`king，’areevidentlytheoriginoftheLatin_reg-num，reg-o，rex，regula_，`rule，’&c，reproducedinthewordsofthatancientlanguage，andcontinuedinthederivativevernacularsofmodernnames——_re，rey，roy，roi，regal，royal，rule_，&c。&c。

ItappearsfromthepoemthatYudhishthirawasinvitedtoagameatcoupun；andthelegendofthegreatgamblingmatch，whichtookplaceatHastinapur，isrelatedasfollows:

`AnditcametopassthatDuryodhanawasveryjealousofthe_Rajasuya_ortriumphthathiscousinYudhishthirahadperformed，andhedesiredinhishearttodestroythePandavas，andgainpossessionoftheirRaj。NowSakuniwasthebrotherofGandhari，whowasthemotheroftheKauravas；andhewasveryskilfulinthrowingdice，andinplayingwithdicethatwereloaded；

insomuchthatwheneverheplayedhealwayswonthegame。SoDuryodhanaplottedwithhisuncle，thatYudhishthirashouldbeinvitedtoamatchatgambling，andthatSakunishouldchallengehimtoagame，andwinallhiswealthandlands。

`AfterthisthewickedDuryodhanaproposedtohisfathertheMaharaja，thattheyshouldhaveagreatgamblingmatchatHastinapur，andthatYudhishthiraandhisbrethrenshouldbeinvitedtothefestival。AndtheMaharajawasgladinhisheartthathissonsshouldbefriendlywiththesonsofhisdeceasedbrother，Pandu；andhesenthisyoungerbrother，Vidura，tothecityofIndra-prasthatoinvitethePandavastothegame。AndVidurawenthiswaytothecityofthePandavas，andwasreceivedbythemwitheverysignofattentionandrespect。AndYudhishthirainquiredwhetherhiskinsfolkandfriendsatHastinapurwereallwellinhealth，andVidurareplied，"Theyareallwell。"ThenVidurasaidtothePandavas:——"Youruncle，theMaharaja，isabouttogiveagreatfeast，andhehassentmetoinviteyouandyourmother，andyourjointwife，tocometohiscity，andtherewillbeagreatmatchatdice-playing。"

WhenYudhishthiraheardthesewordshewastroubledinmind，forheknewthatgamingwasafrequentcauseofstrife，andthathewasinnowayskilfulinthrowingthedice；andhelikewiseknewthatSakuniwasdwellingatHastinapur，andthathewasafamousgambler。ButYudhishthirarememberedthattheinvitationoftheMaharajawasequaltothecommandofafather，andthatnotrueKshatriyacouldrefuseachallengeeithertowarorplay。

SoYudhishthiraacceptedtheinvitation，andgavecommandmentthatontheappointeddayhisbrethren，andtheirmother，andtheirjointwifeshouldaccompanyhimtothecityofHastinapur。

`WhenthedayarrivedforthedepartureofthePandavastheytooktheirmotherKunti，andtheirjointwifeDraupadi，andjourneyedfromIndra-prasthatothecityofHastinapur。AndwhentheyenteredthecitytheyfirstpaidavisitofrespecttotheMaharaja，andtheyfoundhimsittingamongsthisChieftains；andtheancientBhishma，andthepreceptorDrona，andKarna，whowasthefriendofDuryodhana，andmanyothers，weresittingtherealso。

`AndwhenthePandavashaddonereverencetotheMaharaja，andrespectfullysalutedallpresent，theypaidavisittotheirauntGandhari，anddidherreverencelikewise。

`Andaftertheyhaddonethis，theirmotherandjointwifeenteredthepresenceofGandhari，andrespectfullysalutedher；

andthewivesoftheKauravascameinandweremadeknowntoKuntiandDraupadi。AndthewivesoftheKauravasweremuchsurprisedwhentheybeheldthebeautyandfineraimentofDraupadi；andtheywereveryjealousoftheirkinswoman。Andwhenalltheirvisitshadbeenpaid，thePandavasretiredwiththeirwifeandmothertothequarterswhichhadbeenpreparedforthem，andwhenitwaseveningtheyreceivedthevisitsofalltheirfriendswhoweredwellingatHastinapur。

`Now，onthemorrowthegamblingmatchwastobeplayed；sowhenthemorninghadcome，thePandavasbathedanddressed，andleftDraupadiinthelodgingwhichhadbeenpreparedforher，andwenttheirwaytothepalace。AndthePandavasagainpaidtheirrespectstotheiruncletheMaharaja，andwerethenconductedtothepavilionwheretheplaywastobe；andDuryodhanawentwiththem，togetherwithallhisbrethren，andallthechieftainsoftheroyalhouse。Andwhentheassemblyhadalltakentheirseats，SakunisaidtoYudhishthira:——"Thegroundherehasallbeenprepared，andthediceareallready:Comenow，Iprayyou，andplayagame。"ButYudhishthirawasdisinclined，andreplied:——"Iwillnotplayexceptinguponfairterms；butifyouwillpledgeyourselftothrowwithoutartificeordeceit，Iwillacceptyourchallenge。"Sakunisaid，——"Ifyouaresofearfuloflosing，youhadbetternotplayatall。"AtthesewordsYudhishthirawaswroth，andreplied:——"Ihavenofeareitherinplayorwar；butletmeknowwithwhomIamtoplay，andwhoistopaymeifIwin。"SoDuryodhanacameforwardandsaid:——"I

amthemanwithwhomyouaretoplay，andIshalllayanystakesagainstyourstakes；butmyuncleSakuniwillthrowthediceforme。"ThenYudhishthirasaid，——"Whatmannerofgameisthis，whereonemanthrowsandanotherlaysthestakes？"Neverthelessheacceptedthechallenge，andheandSakunibegantoplay。

`Atthispointinthenarrativeitmaybedesirabletopause，andendeavourtoobtainapictureofthescene。Theso-calledpavilionwasprobablyatemporaryboothconstructedofbamboosandinterlacedwithbasket-work；andverylikelyitwasdecoratedwithflowersandleavesaftertheHindoofashion，andhungwithfruits，suchascocoa-nuts，mangoes，plantains，andmaize。TheChieftainspresentseemtohavesatupontheground，andwatchedthegame。Thestakesmayhavebeenpiecesofgoldorsilver，orcattle，orlands；although，accordingtothelegendaryaccountwhichfollows，theyincludedarticlesofafarmoreextravagantandimaginativecharacter。Withthesepassingremarks，thetraditionofthememorablegamemayberesumedasfollows:——

`SoYudhishthiraandSakunisatdowntoplay，andwhateverYudhishthiralaidasstakes，Duryodhanalaidsomethingofequalvalue；butYudhishthiralosteverygame。Hefirstlostaverybeautifulpearl；nextathousandbags，eachcontainingathousandpiecesofgold；nextapieceofgoldsopurethatitwasassoftaswax；nextachariotsetwithjewelsandhungallroundwithgoldenbells；nextathousandwarelephantswithgoldenhowdahssetwithdiamonds；nextalakhofslavesalldressedingoodgarments；nextalakhofbeautifulslavegirls，adornedfromheadtofootwithgoldenornaments；nextalltheremainderofhisgoods；nextallhiscattle；andthenthewholeofhisRaj，exceptingonlythelandswhichhadbeengrantedtotheBrahmans。[17]

[17]`Alakhisahundredthousand，andacroreisahundredlakhs，ortenmillions。TheHindootermmightthereforehavebeenconvertedintoEnglishnumerals，onlythatitdoesnotseemcertainthatthebardsmeantpreciselyahundredthousandslaves，butonlyaverylargenumber。TheexceptionalclauseinfavouroftheBrahmansisverysignificant。WhenthelittlesettlementatIndra-prasthahadbeenswelledbytheimaginationofthelaterbardsintoanextensiveRaj，thethoughtmayhaveenteredthemindsoftheBrahmanicalcompilersthatinlosingtheRaj，theBrahmansmighthavelostthosefreelands，knownasinamsorjagheers，whicharefrequentlygrantedbypiousRajasforthesubsistenceofBrahmans。Hencetheinsertionoftheclause。’

`NowwhenYudhishthirahadlosthisRaj，theChieftainspresentinthepavilionwereofopinionthatheshouldceasetoplay，buthewouldnotlistentotheirwords，butpersistedinthegame。

Andhestakedallthejewelsbelongingtohisbrothers，andhelostthem；andhestakedhistwoyoungerbrothers，oneaftertheother，andhelostthem；andhethenstakedArjuna，andBhima，andfinallyhimself；andhelosteverygame。ThenSakunisaidtohim:——"Youhavedoneabadact，Yudhishthira，ingamingawayyourselfandbecomingaslave。Butnow，stakeyourwife，Draupadi，andifyouwinthegameyouwillagainbefree。"AndYudhishthiraansweredandsaid:——"IwillstakeDraupadi！"

AndallassembledweregreatlytroubledandthoughtevilofYudhishthira；andhisuncleViduraputhishandtohisheadandfaintedaway，whilstBhishmaandDronaturneddeadlypale，andmanyofthecompanywereverysorrowful；butDuryodhanaandhisbrotherDuhsasana，andsomeothersoftheKauravas，weregladintheirhearts，andplainlymanifestedtheirjoy。ThenSakunithrewthedice，andwonDraupadiforDuryodhana。

`Thenallinthatassemblywereingreatconsternation，andtheChieftainsgazedupononeanotherwithoutspeakingaword。AndDuryodhanasaidtohisuncleVidura:——"GonowandbringDraupadihither，andbidhersweeptherooms。"ButViduracriedoutagainsthimwithaloudvoice，andsaid:——"Whatwickednessisthis？Willyouorderawomanwhoisofnoblebirth，andthewifeofyourownkinsman，tobecomeahouseholdslave？Howcanyouvexyourbrethrenthus？ButDraupadihasnotbecomeyourslave；

forYudhishthiralosthimselfbeforehestakedhiswife，andhavingfirstbecomeaslave，hecouldnolongerhavepowertostakeDraupadi。"Vidurathenturnedtotheassemblyandsaid:——

"TakenoheedtothewordsofDuryodhana，forhehaslosthissensesthisday。"Duryodhanathensaid:——"AcursebeuponthisVidura，whowilldonothingthatIdesirehim。"

`AfterthisDuryodhanacalledoneofhisservants，anddesiredhimtogotothelodgingsofthePandavas，andbringDraupadiintothepavilion。Andthemandepartedout，andwenttothelodgingsofthePandavas，andenteredthepresenceofDraupadi，andsaidtoher:——"RajaYudhishthirahasplayedyouaway，andyouhavebecometheslaveofRajaDuryodhana:Socomenowanddoyourdutylikehisotherslavegirls。"AndDraupadiwasastonishedatthesewords，andexceedinglywroth，andshereplied:——"WhoseslavewasIthatIcouldbegambledaway？Andwhoissuchasenselessfoolastogambleawayhisownwife？"

Theservantsaid:——"RajaYudhishthirahaslosthimself，andhisfourbrothers，andyoualso，toRajaDuryodhana，andyoucannotmakeanyobjection:Arise，therefore，andgotothehouseoftheRaja！"

`ThenDraupadicriedout:——"GoyounowandinquirewhetherRajaYudhishthiralostmefirstorhimselffirst；forifheplayedawayhimselffirst，hecouldnotstakeme。"Sothemanreturnedtotheassembly，andputthequestiontoYudhishthira；butYudhishthirahungdownhisheadwithshame，andanswerednotaword。

`ThenDuryodhanawasfilledwithwrath，andhecriedouttohisservant:——"Whatwasteofwordsisthis？GoyouandbringDraupadihither，thatifshehasaughttosay，shemaysayitinthepresenceofusall。"Andthemanessayedtogo，buthebeheldthewrathfulcountenanceofBhimaandhewassoreafraid，andherefusedtogo，andremainedwherehewas。ThenDuryodhanasenthisbrotherDuhsasana；andDuhsasanawenthiswaytothelodgingsofDraupadiandsaid:——"RajaYudhishthirahaslostyouinplaytoRajaDuryodhana，andhehassentforyou:Soarisenow，andwaituponhimaccordingtohiscommands；andifyouhaveanythingtosay，youcansayitinthepresenceoftheassembly。"Draupadireplied:——"ThedeathoftheKauravasisnotfardistant，sincetheycandosuchdeedsasthese。"Andsheroseupingreattrepidationandsetout，butwhenshecameneartothepalaceoftheMaharaja，sheturnedasidefromthepavilionwheretheChieftainswereassembled，andranawaywithallspeedtowardstheapartmentsofthewomen。AndDuhsasanahastenedafterher，andseizedherbyherhair，whichwasverydarkandlong，anddraggedherbymainforceintothepavilionbeforealltheChieftains。

`Andshecriedout:——"Takeyourhandsfromoffme！"ButDuhsasanaheedednotherwords，andsaid:——"Youarenowaslavegirl，andslavegirlscannotcomplainofbeingtouchedbythehandsofmen。"

`WhentheChieftainsthusbeheldDraupadi，theyhungdowntheirheadsfromshame；andDraupadicalledupontheeldersamongstthem，suchasBhishmaandDrona，toacquaintherwhetherornoRajaYudhishthirahadgamedawayhimselfbeforehehadstakedher；buttheylikewisehelddowntheirheadsandanswerednotaword。

`ThenshecasthereyeuponthePandavas，andherglancewaslikethestabbingofathousanddaggers，buttheymovednothandorfoottohelpher；forwhenBhimawouldhavesteppedforwardtodeliverherfromthehandsofDuhsasana，Yudhishthiracommandedhimtoforbear，andbothheandtheyoungerPandavaswereobligedtoobeythecommandoftheirelderbrother。

`AndwhenDuhsasanasawthatDraupadilookedtowardsthePandavas，hetookherbythehand，anddrewheranotherway，saying:——"Why，Oslave，areyouturningyoureyesaboutyou？"

AndwhenKarnaandSakuniheardDuhsasanacallingheraslave，theycriedout:——"Wellsaid！wellsaid！"

`ThenDraupadiweptverybitterly，andappealedtoalltheassembly，saying:——"Allofyouhavewivesandchildrenofyourown，andwillyoupermitmetobetreatedthus？Iaskyouonequestion，andIprayyoutoanswerit。’Duhsasanathenbrokeinandspokefoullanguagetoher，andusedherrudely，sothatherveilcameoffinhishands。AndBhimacouldrestrainhiswrathnolonger，andspokevehementlytoYudhishthira；andArjunareprovedhimforhisangeragainsthiselderbrother，butBhimaanswered:——"Iwillthrustmyhandsintothefirebeforethesewretchesshalltreatmywifeinthismannerbeforemyeyes。"

`ThenDuryodhanasaidtoDraupadi:——"Comenow，Iprayyou，andsituponmythigh！"AndBhimagnashedhisteeth，andcriedoutwithaloudvoice:——"Hearmyvowthisday！IfforthisdeedI

donotbreakthethighofDuryodhana，anddrinkthebloodofDuhsasana，IamnotthesonofKunti！"

`MeanwhiletheChieftainVidurahadlefttheassembly，andtoldtheblindMaharajaDhritarashtraallthathadtakenplacethatday；andtheMaharajaorderedhisservantstoleadhimintothepavilionwherealltheChieftainsweregatheredtogether。

AndallpresentweresilentwhentheysawtheMaharaja，andtheMaharajasaidtoDraupadi:——"Odaughter，mysonshavedoneeviltoyouthisday:Butgonow，youandyourhusbands，toyourownRaj，andremembernotwhathasoccurred，andletthememoryofthisdaybeblottedoutforever。"SothePandavasmadehastewiththeirwifeDraupadi，anddepartedoutofthecityofHastinapur。

`ThenDuryodhanawasexceedinglywroth，andhesaidtohisfather，"OMaharaja，isitnotasayingthatwhenyourenemyhathfallendown，heshouldbeannihilatedwithoutawar？AndnowthatwehadthrownthePandavastotheearth，andhadtakenpossessionofalltheirwealth，youhaverestoredthemalltheirstrength，andpermittedthemtodepartwithangerintheirhearts；andnowtheywillpreparetomakewarthattheymayrevengethemselvesuponusforallthathasbeendone，andtheywillreturnwithinashortwhileandslayusall:Giveusleavethen，Iprayyou，toplayanothergamewiththesePandavas，andletthesidewhichlosesgointoexilefortwelveyears；forthusandthusonlycanawarbepreventedbetweenourselvesandthePandavas。"AndtheMaharajagrantedtherequestofhisson，andmessengersweresenttobringbackthebrethren；andthePandavasobeyedthecommandsoftheiruncle，andreturnedtohispresence；anditwasagreeduponthatYudhishthirashouldplayonegamemorewithSakuni，andthatifYudhishthirawontheKauravasweretogointoexile，andthatifSakuniwon，thePandavasweretogointoexile；andtheexilewastobefortwelveyears，andoneyearmore；andduringthatthirteenthyearthosewhowereinexileweretodwellinanycitytheypleased，buttokeepthemselvessoconcealedthattheothersshouldneverdiscoverthem；andiftheothersdiddiscoverthembeforethethirteenthyearwasover，thenthosewhowereinexileweretocontinuesoforanotherthirteenyears。Sotheysatdownagaintoplay，andSakunihadasetofcheatingdiceasbefore，andwiththemhewonthegame。

`WhenDuhsasanasawthatSakunihadwonthegame，hedancedaboutforjoy；andhecriedout:——"NowisestablishedtheRajofDuryodhana。"ButBhimasaid，"Benotelatedwithjoy，butremembermywords:ThedaywillcomewhenIwilldrinkyourblood，orIamnotthesonofKunti。"AndthePandavas，seeingthattheyhadlost，threwofftheirgarmentsandputondeer-

skins，andpreparedtodepartintotheforestwiththeirwifeandmother，andtheirpriestDhaumya；butVidurasaidtoYudhishthira:——"Yourmotherisoldandunfittedtotravel，soleaveherundermycare；"andthePandavasdidso。Andthebrethrenwentoutfromtheassemblyhangingdowntheirheadswithshame，andcoveringtheirfaceswiththeirgarments；butBhimathrewouthislongarmsandlookedattheKauravasfuriously，andDraupadispreadherlongblackhairoverherfaceandweptbitterly。AndDraupadivowedavow，saying:——

`"Myhairshallremaindishevelledfromthisday，untilBhimashallhaveslainDuhsasanaanddrankhisblood；andthenheshalltieupmyhairagainwhilsthishandsaredrippingwiththebloodofDuhsasana。"’

SuchwasthegreatgamblingmatchatHastinapurintheheroicageofIndia。Itappearstherecanbelittledoubtofthetruthoftheincident，althoughtheverisimilitudewouldhavebeenmorecompletewithouttheperpetualwinningofthecheatSakuni——whichwouldbecalculatedtoarousethesuspicionofYudhishthira，andwhichcouldscarcelybeindulgedinbyaprofessionalcheat，mindfulofthesuspicionitwouldexcite。

Throughoutthenarrative，however，thereisatruthfulnesstohumannature，andatruthfulnesstothatparticularphaseofhumannaturewhichispre-eminentlymanifestedbyahigh-mindedraceinitsprimitivestageofcivilization。

ToourmodernmindsthemaininterestofthestorybeginsfromthemomentthatDraupadiwaslost；butitmustberememberedthatamongthatancientpeople，wherewomenwerechieflyprizedonsensualgrounds，suchstakeswereevidentlyrecognized。

TheconductofDraupadiherselfontheoccasionshowsthatshewasbynomeansunfamiliarwiththeidea:sheprotested——notonthegroundofsentimentormatrimonialobligation——butsolelyonwhatmaybecalledatechnicalpointoflaw，namely，`HadYudhishthirabecomeaslavebeforehestakedhiswifeuponthelastgame？’For，ofcourse，havingceasedtobeafreeman，hehadnorighttostakeherliberty。

TheconcludingsceneofthedramaformsanimpressivefigureinthemindoftheHindoo。TheterriblefigureofDraupadi，asshedishevelsherlongblackhair，istheveryimpersonationofrevenge；andaHindooaudienceneverfailstoshudderatherfearfulvow——thatthestragglingtressesshallneveragainbetiedupuntilthedaywhenBhimashallhavefulfilledhisvow，andshallthenbindthemupwhilsthisfingersarestilldrippingwiththebloodofDuhsasana。

Theavengingbattlesubsequentlyensued。BhimastruckdownDuhsasanawithaterribleblowofhismace，saying，——`ThisdayI

fulfilmyvowagainstthemanwhoinsultedDraupadi！’ThensettinghisfootonthebreastofDuhsasana，hedrewhissword，andcutofftheheadofhisenemy；andholdinghistwohandstocatchtheblood，hedrankitoff，cryingout，`Ho！ho！NeverdidItasteanythinginthisworldsosweetasthisblood。’

Thisstakingofwivesbygamblersisacurioussubject。Thepracticemaybesaidtohavebeenuniversal，havingfurnishedcasesamongcivilizedaswellasbarbarousnations。OfcoursetheNegroesofAfricastaketheirwivesandchildren；

accordingtoSchouten，aChinesestakedhiswifeandchildren，andlostthem；PaschasiusJustusstatesthataVenetianstakedhiswife；andnotahundredyearsagocertaindebaucheesatParisplayedatdiceforthepossessionofacelebratedcourtesan。Butthisisanoldthing。Hegesilochus，andotherrulersofRhodes，wereaccustomedtoplayatdiceforthehonourofthemostdistinguishedladiesofthatisland——theagreementbeingthatthepartywholosthadtobringtothearmsofthewinnertheladydesignatedbylottothatindignity。[18]

[18]Athen。lib。XI。cap。xii。

Therearetraditionsofsuchstakeshavingbeenlaidandlostbyhusbandsin_England；_andaremarkablecaseofthekindwillbefoundrelatedinAinsworth’s`OldSaintPaul’s，’ashavingoccurredduringthePlagueofLondon，intheyear1665。Therecanbelittledoubtthatitisfoundedonfact；andtheconductoftheEnglishwife，curiouslyenough，bearsastrikingresemblancetothatofDraupadiintheIndiannarrative。

ACaptainDisbroweoftheking’sbody-guardlostalargesumofmoneytoanotoriousdebauchee，agamblerandbully，namedSirPaulParravicin。ThelatterhadmadeanoffensiveallusiontothewifeofCaptainDisbrowe，afterwinninghismoney；andthen，pickingupthedice-box，andspreadingalargeheapofgoldonthetable，hesaidtotheofficerwhoanxiouslywatchedhismovements:——`Imentionedyourwife，CaptainDisbrowe，notwithanyintentionofgivingyouoffence，buttoshowyouthat，althoughyouhavelostyourmoney，youhavestillavaluablestakeleft。’

`Idonotunderstandyou，SirPaul，’returnedDisbrowe，withalookofindignantsurprise。

`Tobeplain，then，’repliedParravicin，`Ihavewonfromyoutwohundredpounds——allyoupossess。Youarearuinedman，andassuch，willrunanyhazardtoretrieveyourlosses。Igiveyoualastchance。Iwillstakeallmywinnings——nay，doubletheamount——againstyourwife。Youhaveakeyofthehouseyouinhabit，bywhichyouadmityourselfatallhours；soatleastI

aminformed。IfIwin，thatkeyshallbemine。Iwilltakemychanceoftherest。Doyouunderstandmenow？’

`Ido，’repliedtheyoungman，withconcentratedfury。`I

understandthatyouareavillain。Youhaverobbedmeofmymoney，andwouldrobmeofmyhonour。’

`Theseareharshwords，sir，’repliedtheknightcalmly；`butletthempass。Wewillplayfirst，andfightafterwards。Butyourefusemychallenge？’

`Itisfalse！’repliedDisbrowe，fiercely，`Iacceptit。’Andproducingakey，hethrewitonthetable。`Mylifeis，intruth，setonthedie，’headded，withadesperatelook；`forifIlose，Iwillnotsurvivemyshame。’

`Youwillnotforgetourterms，’observedParravicin。`Iamtobeyourrepresentativeto-night。Youcanreturnhometo-morrow。’

`Throw，sir，——throw，’criedtheyoungman，fiercely。

`Pardonme，’repliedtheknight；`thefirstcastiswithyou。A

singlemaindecidesit。’

`Beitso，’returnedDisbrowe，seizingthebow。Andasheshookthedicewithafrenziedair，thebystandersdrewnearthetabletowatchtheresult。

`Twelve！’criedDisbrowe，asheremovedthebox。`Myhonourissaved！Myfortuneretrieved——Huzza！’

`Notsofast，’returnedParravicin，shakingtheboxinhisturn。

`Youwerealittlehasty，’headded，uncoveringthedice。`I

amtwelvetoo。Wemustthrowagain。’

`Thisistodecide，’criedtheyoungofficer，rattlingthedice，——`Six！’

Parravicinsmiled，tookthebox，andthrew_TEN_。

`Perdition！’ejaculatedDisbrowe，strikinghisbrowwithhisclenchedhand。`Whatdeviltemptedmetomyundoing？……Mywifetrustedtothisprofligate！……Horror！Itmustnotbe！’

`Itistoolatetoretract，’repliedParravicin，takingupthekey，andturningwithatriumphantlooktohisfriends。

Disbrowenoticedthesmile，and，stungbeyondendurance，drewhissword，andcalledtotheknighttodefendhimself。Inaninstantpasseswereexchanged。Buttheconflictwasbrief。Fortune，asbefore，declaredherselfinfavourofParravicin。Hedisarmedhisassailant，whorushedoutoftheroom，utteringthewildestejaculationsofrageanddespair。

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Thewinnerofthekeyproceededatoncetouse。Hegainedadmittancetothecaptain’shouse，andfoundhiswaytothechamberofhiswife，whowastheninbed。AtfirstmistakenforherhusbandParravicinheardwordsoftenderreproachforhislateness；andthen，declaringhimself，hebeliedherhusband，statingthathewasfalsetoher，andhadsurrenderedhertohim。

AtthisannouncementMrsDisbroweutteredaloudscream，andfellbackinthebed。Parravicinwaitedforamoment；butnothearinghermove，broughtthelamptoseewhatwasthematter。Shehadfainted，andwaslyingacrossthepillow，withhernight-dresspartlyopen，soastoexposeherneckandshoulders。Theknightwasatfirstravishedwithherbeauty；buthiscountenancesuddenlyfell，andanexpressionofhorrorandalarmtookpossessionofit。Heappearedrootedtothespot，andinsteadofattemptingtorenderheranyassistance，remainedwithhisgazefixeduponherneck。Rousinghimselfatlength，herushedoutoftheroom，hurrieddown-stairs，andwithoutpausingforamoment，threwopenthestreetdoor。Asheissuedfromithisthroatwasforciblygriped，andthepointofaswordwasplacedathisbreast。

Itwasthedesperatehusband，whowaswaitingtoavengehiswife’shonour。

`Youareinmypower，villain，’criedDisbrowe，`andshallnotescapemyvengeance。’

`Youarealreadyavenged，’repliedParravicin，shakingoffhisassailant——`_YOURWIFEHASTHEPLAGUE_。’

Theprofligatehadbeenscaredawaybythesightofthe`plaguespot’ontheneckoftheunfortunatelady。

Thehusbandenteredandfoundhiswaytohiswife’schamber。

Instantaneousexplanationsensued。`Hetoldmeyouwerefalse——

thatyoulovedanother——andhadabandonedme，’exclaimedthefranticwife。

`Helied！’shoutedDisbrowe，inavoiceofuncontrollablefury。

`Itistruethat，inamomentoffrenzy，Iwastemptedtosetyou——yes，_YOU_，Margaret——againstallIhadlostatplay，andwascompelledtoyieldupthekeyofmyhousetothewinner。ButIhaveneverbeenfaithlesstoyou——never。’

`Faithlessornot，’repliedhiswifebitterly，`itisplainyouvaluemelessthanplay，oryouwouldnothaveactedthus。’

`Reproachmenot，Margaret，’repliedDisbrowe。`IwouldgiveworldstoundowhatIhavedone。’

`Whoshallguardmeagainsttherecurrenceofsuchconduct？’saidMrsDisbrowe，coldly。`ButyouhavenotyetinformedmehowI

wassaved！’

Disbroweavertedhishead。

`Whatmeanyou？’shecried，seizinghisarm。`Whathashappened？

Donotkeepmeinsuspense？Wereyoumypreserver？’

`Yourpreserverwastheplague，’rejoinedDisbrowe，mournfully。

Theunfortunateladythen，forthefirsttime，perceivedthatshewasattackedbythepestilence，andalonganddreadfulpauseensued，brokenonlybyexclamationsofanguishfromboth。

`Disbrowe！’criedMargaretatlength，raisingherselfinbed，`youhavedeeply，irrecoverablyinjuredme。Butpromisemeonething。’

`Isweartodowhateveryoumaydesire，’hereplied。

`Iknownot，afterwhatIhaveheard，whetheryouhavecourageforthedeed，’shecontinued。`ButIwouldhaveyoukillthisman。’

`Iwilldoit，’repliedDisbrowe。

`Nothingbuthisbloodcanwipeoutthewronghehasdoneme，’

sherejoined。`Challengehimtoaduel——amortalduel。Ifhesurvives，bymysoul，Iwillgivemyselftohim。’

`Margaret！’exclaimedDisbrowe。

`Iswearit，’sherejoined，’andyouknowmypassionatenaturetoowelltodoubtIwillkeepmyword。’

`Butyouhavetheplague！’

`Whatdoesthatmatter？Imayrecover。’

`Notso，’mutteredDisbrowe。`IfIfall，Iwilltakecareyoudonotrecover……Iwillfighthimto-morrow，’headdedaloud。

AboutnoononthefollowingdayDisbroweproceededtotheSmyrnaCoffee-house，where，asheexpected，hefoundParravicinandhiscompanions。Theknightinstantlyadvancedtowardshim，andlayingasideforthemomenthisrecklessair，inquired，withalookofcommiseration，afterhiswife。

`Sheisbetter，’repliedDisbrowe，fiercely。`Iamcometosettleaccountswithyou。’

`Ithoughttheyweresettledlongago，’returnedParravicin，instantlyresuminghiswontedmanner。`ButIamgladtofindyouconsiderthedebtunpaid。’

Disbroweliftedthecaneheheldinhishand，andstrucktheknightwithitforciblyontheshoulder。`Bethatmyanswer，’hesaid。

`Iwillhaveyourlifefirst，andyourwifeafterwards，’repliedParravicinfiercely。

`Youshallhaveherifyouslayme，butnototherwise，’

retortedDisbrowe。`Itmustbeamortalduel。’

`Itmust，’repliedParravicin。`Iwillnotspareyouthistime。

IshallinstantlyproceedtothewestsideofHydePark，beneaththetrees。Ishallexpectyouthere。OnmyreturnIshallcallonyourwife。’

`Iprayyoudoso，sir，’repliedDisbrowe，disdainfully。

BoththenquittedtheCoffee-house，Parravicinattendedbyhiscompanions，andDisbroweaccompaniedbyamilitaryfriend，whomheaccidentallyencountered。Eachpartytakingacoach，theysoonreachedtheground，aretiredspotcompletelyscreenedfromobservationbytrees。Thepreliminariesweresoonarranged，forneitherwouldadmitofdelay。Theconflictthencommencedwithgreatfuryonbothsides；butParravicin，inspiteofhispassion，observedfarmorecautionthanhisantagonist；andtakingadvantageofanunguardedmovement，occasionedbytheother’simpetuosity，passedhisswordthroughhisbody。Disbrowefell。

`Youareagainsuccessful，’hegroaned，`butsavemywife——saveher！’

`Whatmeanyou？’criedParravicin，leaningoverhim，ashewipedhissword。

ButDisbrowecouldmakenoanswer。Hisutterancewaschokedbyasuddeneffusionofbloodonthelungs，andheinstantlyexpired。

Leavingthebodyincareofthesecond，Parravicinandhisfriendsreturnedtothecoach，hisfriendscongratulatinghimontheissueoftheconflict；buttheknightlookedgrave，andpondereduponthewordsofthedyingman。Afteratime，however，herecoveredhisspirits，anddinedwithhisfriendsattheSmyrna；buttheyobservedthathedrankmoredeeplythanusual。

Hisexcessesdidnot，however，preventhimfromplayingwithhisusualskill，andhewonalargesumfromoneofhiscompanionsatHazard。

Flushedwithsuccess，andheatedwithwine，hewalkeduptoDisbrowe’sresidenceaboutanhouraftermidnight。Asheapproachedthehouse，heobservedastrangely-shapedcartatthedoor，and，haltingforamoment，sawabody，wrappedinashroud，broughtout。CoulditbeMrsDisbrowe？Rushingforwardtooneoftheassistantsinblackcloaks，heaskedwhomhewasabouttointer。

`ItisaMrsDisbrowe，’repliedthecoffin-maker。`Shediedofgrief，becauseherhusbandwaskilledthismorninginaduel；

butasshehadtheplague，itmustbeputdowntothat。Wearenotparticularinsuchmatters，andshallburyherandherhusbandtogether；andasthereisnomoneylefttopayforcoffins，theymustgotothegravewithoutthem。’

Andasthebodyofhisvictimalsowasbroughtforth，Parravicinfellagainstthewallinastateofstupefaction。Atthismoment，SolomonEagle，theweirdplague-prophet，withhisburningbrazieronhishead，suddenlyturnedthecornerofthestreet，and，stationinghimselfbeforethedead-cart，criedinavoiceofthunder——`Woetothelibertine！Woetothehomicide！forheshallperishineverlastingfire！Woe！woe！’

SuchisthisEnglishlegend，asrelatedbyAinsworth，butwhichI

havecondensedintoitsmainelements。IthinkitbidsfairtoequalininterestthatoftheHindooepic；andifitbenottrueineveryparticular，somuchthebetterforthesakeofhumannature。

CHAPTERIII。

GAMBLINGAMONGTHEANCIENTEGYPTIANS，PERSIANS，ANDGREEKS。

ConcerningtheancientEgyptianswehavenoparticularfactstodetailinthematterofgambling；butitissufficienttodeterminetheexistenceofanyspecialviceinanationtofindthatthereareseverelawsprohibitingandpunishingitspractice。Now，thistestimonynotonlyexists，butthepenaltyisoftheutmostseverity，fromwhichmaybeinferredboththehorrorconceivedofthepracticebytherulersoftheEgyptians，andthestrongpropensitywhichrequiredthatseveritytosuppressorholditincheck。InEgypt，`everymanwaseasilyadmittedtotheaccusationofagamesterordice-player；andifthepersonwasconvicted，hewassenttoworkinthequarries。’[19]Gamblingwas，therefore，prevalentinEgyptintheearliesttimes。

[19]Taylor，_DuctorDubitantium_，B。iv。c。1。

ThatgamingwithdicewasausualandfashionablespeciesofdiversionatthePersiancourtinthetimesoftheyoungerCyrus(about400yearsbeforetheChristianera)，togonohigher，isevidentfromtheanecdoterelatedbysomehistoriansofthosedaysconcerningQueenParysatis，themotherofCyrus，whousedallherartandskillingamblingtosatiateherrevenge，andtoaccomplishherbloodthirstyprojectsagainstthemurderersofherfavouriteson。Sheplayedforthelifeordeathofanunfortunateslave，whohadonlyexecutedthecommandsofhismaster。Theanecdoteisasfollows，asrelatedbyPlutarch，intheLifeofArtaxerxes。

`ThereonlyremainedforthefinalexecutionofQueenParysatis’sprojects，andfullytosatiatehervengeance，thepunishmentoftheking’sslaveMesabetes，whobyhismaster’sorderhadcutofftheheadandhandoftheyoungCyrus，whowasbelovedbyParysatis(theircommonmother)aboveArtaxerses，hiselderbrotherandthereigningmonarch。Butastherewasnothingtotakeholdofinhisconduct，thequeenlaidthissnareforhim。

Shewasawomanofgoodaddress，hadabundanceofwit，and_EXCELLEDATPLAYINGACERTAINGAMEWITHDICE_。ShehadbeenapparentlyreconciledtothekingafterthedeathofCyrus，andwaspresentatallhispartiesofpleasureandgambling。Oneday，seeingthekingtotallyunemployed，sheproposedplayingwithhimforathousand_darics_(aboutL500)，towhichhereadilyconsented。Shesufferedhimtowin，andpaiddownthemoney。But，affectingregretandvexation，shepressedhimtobeginagain，andtoplaywithher——_FORASLAVE_。Theking，whosuspectednothing，complied，andthestipulationwasthatthewinnerwastochoosetheslave。

`Thequeenwasnowallattentiontothegame，andmadeuseofherutmostskillandaddress，whichaseasilyprocuredhervictory，asherstudiedneglectbeforehadcausedherdefeat。Shewon——

andchoseMesabetes——theslayerofherson——who，beingdeliveredintoherhands，wasputtothemostcrueltorturesandtodeathbyhercommand。

`Whenthekingwouldhaveinterfered，sheonlyrepliedwithasmileofcontempt——"Surelyyoumustbeagreatloser，tobesomuchoutoftemperforgivingupadecrepitoldslave，whenI，wholostathousandgood_darics_，andpaidthemdownonthespot，donotsayaword，andamsatisfied。"’

Thusearlyweredicemadesubservienttothepurposesofcrueltyandmurder。ThemodernPersians，beingMohammedans，arerestrainedfromtheopenpracticeofgambling。Yetevasionsarecontrivedinfavourofgamesinthetables，which，astheyareonlyliabletochanceonthe`throwofthedice，’buttotallydependentonthe`skill’in`themanagementofthegame，’cannot(theyargue)bemeanttobeprohibitedbytheirprophetanymorethanchess，whichisuniversallyallowedtohisfollowers；and，moreover，toevadethedifficultyofbeingforbiddentoplayformoney，theymakeanalmsoftheirwinnings，distributingthemtothepoor。Thismaybedonebythemorescrupulous；butnodoubttherearenumberswhoseconsciencesdonotpreventthedisposaloftheirgamblingprofitsnearerhome。Allexcessofgaming，however，isabsolutelyprohibitedinPersia；andanyplacewhereinitismuchexercisediscalled`ahabitationofcorruptedcarcasesorcarrionhouse。’[20]

[20]Hyde，_DeLudisOriental_。

InancientGreecegamblingprevailedtoavastextent。Ofthistherecanbenodoubtwhatever；anditisequallycertainthatithadaninfluence，togetherwithothermodesofdissipationandcorruption，towardssubjugatingitscivillibertiestothepowerofMacedon。

SoshamelesslyweretheAtheniansaddictedtothisvice，thattheyforgotallpublicspiritintheircontinuedhabitsofgaming，andenteredintoconvivialassociations，orformed`clubs，’forthepurposesofdicing，attheverytimewhenPhilipofMacedonwasmakingonegrand`throw’fortheirlibertiesattheBattleofChaeronea。

Thispoliticmonarchwellknewthepowerofdepravityinenervatingandenslavingthehumanmind；hethereforeencouragedprofusion，dissipation，andgambling，asbeingsureofmeetingwithlittleoppositionfromthosewhopossessedsuchcharacters，inhisprojectsofambition——asDemosthenesdeclaredinoneofhisorations。[21]Indeed，gamblinghadarrivedatsuchaheightinGreece，thatAristotlescruplesnottorankgamblers`withthievesandplunderers，whoforthesakeofgaindonotscrupletodespoiltheirbestfriends；’[22]andhispupilAlexandersetafineuponsomeofhiscourtiersbecausehedidnotperceivetheymadeasportorpastimeofdice，butseemedtobeemployedasinamostseriousbusiness。[23]

[21]FirstOlynthia。SeealsoAthenaeus，lib。vi。260。

[22]Ethic。AdNicomachum，lib。iv。

[23]Plutarch，_inReg。etImp。Apothegm_

TheGreeksgamblednotonlywithdice，andattheirequivalentfor_CrossandPile_，butalsoatcock-fighting，aswillappearinthesequel。

FromaremarkmadebytheAthenianoratorCallistratus，itisevidentthatdesperategamblingwasinvogue；hesaysthatthegamesinwhichthelosersgoondoublingtheirstakesresembleever-recurringwars，whichterminateonlywiththeextinctionofthecombatants。[24]

[24]Xenophon，_Hist。Graec_。lib。VI。c。iii。

CHAPTERIV。

GAMINGAMONGTHEANCIENTROMANEMPERORS。

Inspiteofthelawsenactedagainstgaming，thecourtoftheEmperorAugustuswasgreatlyaddictedtothatvice，andgaveitadditionalstimulusamongthenation。Although，however，hewaspassionatelyfondofgambling，andmadelightoftheimputationonhischaracter，[25]itappearsthatinfrequentingthegamblingtablehehadothermotivesbesidesmerecupidity。Writingtohisdaughterhesaid，`IsendyouasumwithwhichIshouldhavegratifiedmycompanions，iftheyhadwishedtoplayatdiceor_oddsandevens_。’OnanotheroccasionhewrotetoTiberius:——

`IfIhadexactedmywinningsduringthefestivalofMinerva；ifIhadnotlavishedmymoneyonallsides；insteadoflosingtwentythousandsestercii[aboutL1000]，Ishouldhavegainedonehundredandfiftythousand[L7500]。Ipreferitthus，however；formybountyshouldwinmeimmenseglory。’[26]

[25]Aleaerumoremnullomodoexpavit。Suet。inVitaAugusti。

[26]Sedhocmalo:benignitasenimmeameadcoelestemgloriamefferet。_Ubisupra_。

ThisgamblingpropensitysubjectedAugustustothelashofpopularepigrams；amongtherest，thefollowing:

Postquambisclassevictusnavesperdidit，Aliquandoutvincat，luditassidudaleam。

`Helostatsea；wasbeatentwice，Andtriestowinatleastwithdice。’

Butalthoughasatiristbyprofession，thesleekcourtierHoracesparedtheemperor’svice，contentinghimselfwithonlydeclaringthatplaywasforbidden。[27]Thetwofollowingversesofhis，usuallyappliedtotheeffectsofgaming，reallyreferonlyto_RAILLERY。_

[27]Carm。lib。III。Od。xxiv。

Ludusenimgenuittrepidumcertamenetiram；

Iratrucesinimicitiasetfunebrebellum。[28]

[28]Epist。lib。I。xix。

He，however，hasrecordedthecuriousfactofanoldRomangambler，whowasalwaysattendedbyaslave，topickuphisdiceforhimandputtheminthebox。[29]Doubtless，Horacewouldhavelashedtheviceofgamblinghaditnotbeenthe`habitualsin’ofhiscourtlypatrons。

[29]Lib。II。Sat。vii。v。15。

ItseemsthatAugustusnotonlygambledtoexcess，butthathegloriedinthecharacterofagamester。Ofhimselfhesays，`Betweenmealsweplayedlikeoldcronesbothyesterdayandtoday。’[30]

[30]Intercoenamlusimus<grgerontikws>etheriethodie。

Whenhehadnoregularplayersnearhim，hewouldplaywithchildrenatdice，atnuts，orbones。Ithasbeensuggestedthatthisemperorgaveintotheindulgenceofgamblinginordertostiflehisremorse。Ifhisobjectinencouragingthisvicewastomakepeopleforgethisproscriptionsandtocreateadiversioninhisfavour，theartificemaybeconsideredequaltoanyofthepoliticalrusesofthisastuteruler，whosefalsevirtueswereforalongtimevauntedonlythroughignorance，orinordertoflatterhisimitators。

Thepassionofgamblingwastransmitted，withtheempire，tothefamilyoftheCaesars。AtthegamingtableCaligulastoopedeventofalsehoodandperjury。Itwaswhilstgamblingthatheconceivedhismostdiabolicalprojects；whenthegamewasagainsthimhewouldquitthetableabruptly，andthen，monsterashewas，satiatedwithrapine，wouldroamabouthispalaceventinghisdispleasure。

Oneday，insuchahumour，hecaughtaglimpseoftwoRomanknights；hehadthemarrestedandconfiscatedtheirproperty。

Thenreturningtothegamingtable，heexultinglyexclaimedthathehadnevermadeabetterthrow！[31]Onanotheroccasion，afterhavingcondemnedtodeathseveralGaulsofgreatopulence，heimmediatelywentbacktohisgamblingcompanionsandsaid:——`I

pityyouwhenIseeyouloseafewsestertii，whilst，withastrokeofthepen，Ihavejustwonsixhundredmillions。’[32]

[31]Exultansrediit，gloriansquesenunquamprosperiorealeausum。Suet。in_VitaCalig_。

[32]Thirtymillionsofpoundssterling。Thesestertiuswasworth1_s_。33/4_d_。

TheEmperorClaudiusplayedlikeanimbecile，andNerolikeamadman。Theformerwouldsendforthepersonswhomhehadexecutedthedaybefore，toplaywithhim；andthelatter，lavishingthetreasuresofthepublicexchequer，wouldstakefourhundredthousandsestertii(L20，000)onasinglethrowofthedice。

Claudiusplayedatdiceonhisjourneys，havingtheinteriorofhiscarriagesoarrangedastopreventthemotionfrominterferingwiththegame。

Fromthatperiodthetitleofcourtierandgamblerbecamesynonymous。Gamingwasthemeansofsecuringpreferment；itwasbygamblingthatVitelliusopenedtohimselfsograndacareer；

gamingmadehimindispensabletoClaudius。[33]

[33]Claudioperaleaestudiumfamiliaris。Suet。inVitaVitelli。

Seneca，inhisPlayonthedeathofClaudius，representshimasinthelowerregionscondemnedtopickupdiceforever，puttingthemintoaboxwithoutabottom！[34]

[34]Namquotiensmissuruseratresonantefritillo，Utraquesubductofugiebattesserafundo。

_LususdeMorteClaud。Caesar_。

Caligulawasreproachedforhavingplayedatdiceonthedayofhissister’sfuneral；andDomitianwasblamedforgamingfrommorningtonight，andwithoutexceptingthefestivalsoftheRomancalendar；butitseemsridiculoustonotesuchimproprietiesincomparisonwiththeirhabitualandatrociouscrimes。

TheterribleandinexorablesatiristJuvenalwasthecontemporaryofDomitianandtenotheremperors；andthefollowingishisdescriptionoftheviceinthegamingdaysofRome:

`Whenwasthemadnessofgamesofchancemorefurious？Now-a-

days，notcontentwithcarryinghispursetothegamingtable，thegamesterconveyshisironchesttotheplay-room。Itistherethat，assoonasthegaminginstrumentsaredistributed，youwitnessthemostterriblecontests。Isitnotmeremadnesstoloseonehundredthousandsestertiiandrefuseagarmenttoaslaveperishingwithcold？’[35]

[35]Sat。I。87。

ItseemsthattheRomansplayedforreadymoney，andhadnotinventedthatmultitudeofsignsbytheaidofwhich，withoutbeingretardedbytheweightofgoldandsilver，moderngamblerscanruinthemselvessecretlyandwithoutdisplay。

TherageforgamblingspreadovertheRomanprovinces，andamongbarbarousnationswhohadneverbeensomuchaddictedtotheviceasaftertheyhadthemisfortunetominglewiththeRomans。

Theevilcontinuedtoincrease，stimulatedbyimperialexample。

ThedayonwhichDidiusJulianuswasproclaimedEmperor，hewalkedoverthedeadandbloodybodyofPertinax，andbegantoplayatdiceinthenextroom。[36]

[36]DionCass。_Hist。Rom_。l。lxxiii。

Attheendofthefourthcentury，thefollowingstateofthingsatRomeisdescribedbyGibbon，quotingfromAmmianusMarcellinus:

`Anothermethodofintroductionintothehousesandsocietyofthe"great，"isderivedfromtheprofessionofgaming；or，asitismorepolitelystyled，ofplay。Theconfederatesareunitedbyastrictandindissolublebondoffriendship，orratherofconspiracy；asuperiordegreeofskillinthe"tessarian"art，isasureroadtowealthandreputation。Amasterofthatsublimesciencewho，inasupperorassembly，isplacedbelowamagistrate，displaysinhiscountenancethesurpriseandindignationwhichCatomightbesupposedtofeelwhenhewasrefusedthepraetorshipbythevotesofacapriciouspeople。’[37]

[37]Amm。Marcellin。lib。XIV。c。vi。

Finally，attheepochwhenConstantineabandonedRomenevertoreturn，everyinhabitantofthatcity，downtothepopulace，wasaddictedtogambling。

CHAPTERV。

GAMBLINGINFRANCEINALLTIMES。

CHARLESVI。andCHARLESVII——TheearlyFrenchannalsrecordthedeedsofhaughtyandidlelords，whosechiefoccupationsweretormentingtheirvassals，drinking，fighting，andgaming；formostofthemweredesperategamblers，settingatdefianceallthelawsenactedagainstthepractice，andoutragingallthedecenciesofsociety。ThebrotherofSaintLouisplayedatdiceinspiteoftherepeatedprohibitionsofthatvirtuousprince。

EventhegreatDuguesclingamedawayallhispropertyinprison。[38]TheDucdeTouraine，brotherofCharlesVI。，`settoworkeagerlytowintheking’smoney，’saysFroissart；andtransportedwithjoyonedayathavingwonfivethousandlivres，hisfirstcrywas——_Monseigneur，faites-moipayer_，`Pleasetopay，Sire。’

[38]Hist。deDugueselin，parMenard。

Gamingwentoninthecamp，andeveninthepresenceoftheenemy。Generals，afterhavingruinedtheirownfortunes，compromisedthesafetyofthecountry。Amongtherest，PhilibertdeChalon，Princed’Orange，whowasincommandatthesiegeofFlorence，undertheEmperorCharlestheFifth，gambledawaythemoneywhichhadbeenconfidedtohimforthepayofthesoldiers，andwascompelled，afterastruggleofelevenmonths，tocapitulatewiththosewhomhemighthaveforcedtosurrender。[39]

[39]Paul。Jov。_Hist_。lib。xxix。

InthereignofCharlesVI。wereadofanHoteldeNeslewhichwasfamousforterriblegamingcatastrophes。Morethanoneofitsfrequenterslosttheirlivesthere，andsometheirhonour，dearerthanlife。Thishotelwasnotaccessibletoeverybody，likemoremoderngaming_salons_，called_Gesvres_and_Soissons；_itsgatewasopenonlytothenobility，orthemostopulentgentlemenoftheday。

ThereexistsanoldpoemwhichdescribesthedoingsatthiscelebratedHoteldeNesle。[40]Theauthor，afterdescribingtheconvulsionsoftheplayersandrecordingtheirblasphemies，says:——

[40]Thetitleofthiscuriousoldpoemisasfollows:——

`C’estleditduGieudesDezfaitparEustace，etlamaniereetcontenancedesJoueursquietoientaNeele，ouetoientMesseigneursdeBerry，deBourgogne，etplusieursautres。’

QuemaintsGentils-hommestreshaulxYontperduarmesetchevaux，Argent，honour，etSeignourie，Dontc’etoithorriblefolie。

`Howmanyveryeminentgentlemenhavetherelosttheirarmsandhorses，theirmoneyandlordship——ahorriblefolly。’

Inanotherpartofthepoemhesays:——

LijeuneenfantdeviennentRufien，JoueursdeDez，gourmandsetplainsd’yvresse，Hautainsdecuer，etneleurchantenrienD’onneur，&c。

`Thereyoungmenbecomeruffians，dice-players，gluttons，anddrunkards，haughtyofheart，andbereftofhonour。’

Stillitseemsthatgaminghadnotthenconfoundedallconditions，asatalaterperiod。Itisevident，fromthehistoryandmemoirsofthetimes，thatthepeopleweremoregiventogamesofskillandexercisethangamesofchance。Beforetheintroductionofthearquebusandgunpowder，theyappliedthemselvestothepracticeofarchery，andinalltimestheyplayedatquoits，ninepins，bowls，andothersimilargamesofskill。[41]

[41]Sauval，_AntiquitesdeParis_，ii。

Theinventionofcardsbroughtaboutsomechangeinthemodeofamusement。Thevariousgamesofthiskind，however，costmoretimethanmoney；butstillthethingattractedtheattentionofthemagistratesandtheclergy。AnAugustinianfriar，inthereignofCharlesVII。，effectedawonderfulreformationinthematterbyhispreaching。Athisvoicethepeoplelitfiresinseveralquartersofthecity，andeagerlyflungintothemtheircardsandbilliard-balls。[42]

[42]Pasquier，_RecherchedesRecherches_。

Withtheexceptionofafewtransientfollies，nothinglikearageforgamblingcanbedetectedatthatperiodamongthelowerranksandthemiddleclasses。Thevice，however，continuedtoprevailwithoutabatementinthepalacesofkingsandthemansionsofthegreat。

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