which was noticed in the different journals as "coming on," is

withdrawn, or, more properlyspeaking, is "compromised." Thus it
will always be; and the different hells still flourish with

impunity, to the enrichment of a few knaves, and the ruin of many
thousands, till more effectual laws are framed to meet the evil.

As they net thousands a night, a few hundreds or even thousands
can be well spared to smother a few actions and prosecutions,

which are very rarely instituted against them, and never but by
ruined men, who are easily quieted by a small consideration,

which, from recent judgments, will not be withheld; therefore we
shall see recorded but very few convictions if any at all. At

the head of these infamousestablishments is one yclept
"Fishmollgers' Hall,"[49] which sacks more plunder than all the

others put together, though they consist of about a dozen. This
place has been fitted up at an expense of L40,000, and is the

most splendid house, interiorly and exteriorly, in all the
neighbourhood. It is established as a bait for the fortunes of

the great, many of whom have already been severe sufferers.
Invitations to dinner are sent to noblemen and gentlemen, at

which they are treated with every delicacy, and the most
intoxicating wines.

[49] Otherwise called Crock-odile Hall.
'After such "liberal" entertainment, a visit to the French Hazard

table, in the adjoining room, is a matter of course, when the
consequences are easily divined. A man thus allured to the den

may determine not to lose more than the few pounds he has about
him; but in the intoxication of the moment, and the delirium of

play, it frequently happens that, notwithstanding the best
resolves, he borrows money on his cheques, which are known to be

good, and are readily cashed to very considerable amounts. In
this manner L10,000, L20,000, L30,000, or more, have been often

swept away!
They left King Street about three years ago, when, in conjunction

with T ---- (a man who a few years ago took the benefit of the
act, and subsequently" target="_blank" title="a.其次，接着">subsequently took one or two "hells" in Pall Mall, but

has amassed full L150,000 of plunder) and A ----, who has L70,000
of plunder, they opened a club-house in Piccadilly, with a French

Hazard bank of L10,000, when in a short time they divided between
the four--after all their heavy expenses were covered--upwards of

L200,000. In proportion to the extent of the bank and the
stakes, so do they collect the plunder.'

PROGRESS IN THE GAMING TRADE.
In the minor gaming houses the players assembled in parties of

from 40 to 50 persons, who probably brought on an average, each
night, from one to twenty shillings to play with. As the money

was lost, the losers fell off, if they could not borrow or beg
more; and this went on sometimes in the winter season for 14 to

16 hours in succession; so that from 100 to 150 persons might be
calculated to visit one gaming table in the course of a night;

and it not unfrequently happened that ultimately all the money
brought to the table got into the hands of one or two of the most

fortunate adventurers, save that which was paid to the table for
'box-hands'--that is, when a player won three times in

succession. At these establishments the price of a box varied
from one shilling to half-a-crown. Every man thus engaged was

destined to become either a more finished and mischievous
gambler, or to appear at the bar of the Old Bailey. The

successful players by degrees improved their external appearance,
and obtained admittance into houses of higher play, where two

shillings and sixpence or three shillings and fourpence was
demanded for the box-hand. If success attended them in the first

step of advancement, they next got initiated into better houses,
and associated with gamblers of a higher grade.

PLAY IN 1838.
About the year 1838 the gaming houses were kept open all day, the

dice were scarcely ever idle, day or night. From Sunday to
Sunday, all the year round, persons were to be found in these

places, losing their money, and wasting away their very bodies by
the consuming anxietyconsequent on their position at the Hazard

or Roulette table.
STATISTICS OF GAMBLING IN 1844.

The following facts came out in evidence before the committee of
the House of Commons, in 1844.

Down to that year there were no less than 12 gaming houses in St
James's and St George's. The play was higher in old times, but

not so GENERAL.
'The increase of gambling houses was entirely the offspring of

Crockford's.' Such was the opinion of the Honourable Frederick
Byng, before the committee, who added, 'that the facility to

everybody to gamble at Crockford's led to the establishment of
other gambling houses fitted up in a superior style, and

attractive to gentlemen who never would have thought of going
into them formerly.'

Previously, in the clubs, the gambling was confined to a very
high rate and to a very few people. The above-named witness said

he 'could have named all the gamblers in his early days at the
clubs. No person coming into a room where Hazard was carried on

would have been permitted to play for a SMALL SUM, and therefore
he left it.'

The same gentleman remembered the time when gambling tables were
kept in private houses.

'It is a fact that most of those who played very high were pretty
well cleaned out.'

'Crockford increased gambling everywhere.' 'Persons of the
middling classes, butchers, and gentleman's servants went to the

low gambling houses.'
These places held out inducements to robbery. 'If a servant or

shopman could scrape together L200 or L300, he had, by the agency
of the keepers of these houses, the opportunity of lending out

his money to the losers at 60 per cent.'
DESPERATION AT GAMING HOUSES.

The most particular inspection was made of the player's person by
the gaming house keeper's spies, and even his dress was strictly

observed. He was obliged, before entering the saloon, to deposit
his great coat and cane, which might perchance afford the

introduction of some WEAPON; and the elegance of the covering did
not save him from the humiliation of having it taken from him at

the door. The attempts which were sometimes made on the lives of
the bankers led to these precautions--like the indignities which

are practised only in prisons for the security of the unhappy
inmates. It is certain that gamesters, reduced to desperation,

and on the eve of committing suicide, have conveyed into these
places infernal machines with an intention of destroying at once

their cruel plunderers and themselves.
'DEVILISH DOINGS IN A "HELL." '

In 'Doings in London,' a work published as lately as the year
1850, we find under this startling title a strange story.

'A scandalous scene of violence, which often happens at these
places, but seldom becomes publicly known, on account of the

disgrace attending exposures, occurred lately at a low "hell" in
King Street, St James's. A gentleman who had lost considerable

sums of money at various times, announced his full determination
never to come to a place of the sort again with money. His

visits, therefore, were no longer wanted, and so orders were
given to the porters not to admit him again. About two o'clock

on a subsequent night, which happened to be Saturday, he sought
admittance, and was refused. A warm altercation ensued in the

passage between him and the porters, which brought down some of
the proprietors. One of them--a powerful man--a bankrupt

butcher--struck him a tremendous blow, which broke the bridge of