billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the
stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost,

as well as the unfortunatevictim. He had borrowed L10 of the
landlord, who was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was

over, the billiard-marker refused to make any division of the
spoil, or even to return the L10 which had been lost to him in

'bearing up' the cull. The landlord pressed his demand upon the
macer, who, in fact, was privately reimbursed by the marker; but

he was coolly told that he ought not to allow such improper
practices in his house, and that the sum was not recoverable, the

transaction being illegal.
How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am

assured that they are still in use and often made to do service
at public-houses and other places.

TOMMY DODD.
This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present

time. It is often played at public-houses among parties to
decide who is to pay the reckoning. Each party turns down a

half-penny, and, on uncovering it, the matter is decided as in
'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious method is also used

in gambling for money. Not long ago a retiredtradesman,
happening to be in a public-house, where such things were

connived at, allowed himself to be induced to play at Tommy Dodd
with two low sharpers. They soon eased him of all the cash he

had about him. A bright idea, however, occurred to him. 'Stop a
bit,' he said, 'I must have my revenge. Just wait till I go home

for more money.' The sharpers were rejoiced at the idea, and
rubbed their hands with delight, whilst the tradesman went, as

they felt sure, only to bring more money into their 'till.' The
man made all haste, for he was determined to have his revenge,

and soon returned with a large bag of money, which he clinked on
the table.

He first pulled out some coppers, telling them to choose from the
lot the coins they would play with. They assented, although they

did not seem 'much to like it.' 'And now,' said the tradesman,
'let's set to business.'

The game proceeded with alternate success on both sides; but the
tradesman went on DOUBLING THE STAKES EVERY TIME, WHETHER HE LOST

OR WON, and, of course, at length completely broke their bank,
and went off with their money.

GAMBLING AT THE WINE AND OYSTER ROOMS, OR 'SALOONS.'
The gambling which was carried on in the private rooms of the

wine and oyster houses, about thirty years ago, and perhaps
later, was just such as that which had so long flourished in the

low vicinity of St James's. Indeed, the constant frequenters of
the former had attained the most profound knowledge of the art of

robbing at the West End gaming houses. The blacklegs visited the
saloons every night, in order to pick up new acquaintances among

the young and inexperienced. They were polite, well-dressed,
gentlemanlike persons; and if they could trace anything 'soft' in

the countenance of a new visitor, their wits went to work at once
to establish an acquaintance with him. Wine was set a- going,

and cards were proposed. The master of the concern soon provided
a room, and play advanced, accompanied by the certainty of loss

to the unfortunate stranger. But if the invitation to play was
rejected, they made another plant upon him. The ruffians

attacked him through a passion of a different kind. They gave
the word to one of their female 'pals,' who threw herself in his

way, and prevailed upon him to accompany her to HER
establishment. In the morning the 'gentleman,' who in vain had

solicited him to play at the saloon the night before, would
call--just to pay 'a friendly visit.' Cards were again spoken

of, and again proposed, with the additionalrecommendation of the
'lady,' who offered to be the partner of her friend in the game.

The consequence was inevitable. Many young noblemen and
gentlemen were plundered by this scheme, of hundreds, nay, of

thousands of pounds. To escape without loss was impossible.
They packed and distributed the cards with such amazing

dexterity, that they could give a man, as it were, whatever cards
they pleased.

CARDS THAT WOULD BEAT THE D--L HIMSELF!
A number of sharpers were detected in a trick by which they had

won enormous sums. An Ecarte party, consisting of a nobleman, a
captain in the army, an Armenian gentleman, and an Irish

gentleman, sat down in one of the private chambers attached to
one of the large wine and shell-fish rooms. The Armenian and the

Irishman were partners, and were wonderfully successful; indeed,
so extraordinary was their luck in turning up cards, that the

captain, who had been in the town for some time, suspected the
integrity of his competitors, and, accordingly, handled the cards

very minutely. He soon discovered that there was an 'old
gentleman' (a card somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of

the pack, and in considerable use among the LEGS) in the midst of
them. The captain and his partner exclaimed that they were

robbed, and the cards were sealed up, and referred to a card-
maker for his opinion.

'The old saying,' said the referee, 'that THE CARDS WOULD BEAT
THE CARD-MAKER, was never more true than it is in this instance,

for this pack would beat not only me, but the very d--l himself;
there is not only an OLD GENTLEMAN, but an OLD LADY (a card

broader than the rest) amongst them.'
The two 'gentlemen' were immediately accused of the imposition,

but they feigned ignorance of the fraud, refused to return a
farthing of the 'swag,' and, in their turn, charged the losers

with having got up the story in order to recover what they had
fairly lost.

GENEROSITY (?) OF A GAMING HOUSE KEEPER.
A young West Indian chanced one night to enter one of the gaming

houses in London, and began trying his chance at Roulette.
Fortune favoured him at first, and he won about a hundred pounds.

Instead of leaving off he only became the more excited by his
success, when his luck began to change, and he lost and lost

until he staked the last coin he had in his pocket. He then
pawned to the master of the table successively every ring and

trinket he had, for money to continue the stakes. All in vain.
His luck never returned; and he made his way down-stairs in a

mood which may well be imagined. But what was his surprise when
the master of the table came running after him, saying--'Sir,

these things may be valuable to you--do me the favour to take
them with you. Next time I hope you will be more lucky,' and

returned all his rings and trinkets.
The moon was shining brightly at the time, and the young man

swore by it, that he would never again enter a gaming house, and
he kept his oath. Of course the generosity was but a decoy to

entice the youth to further ruin.
HOSPITALITY OF GAMING HOUSES, AND POPULARITY OF CITY MEN AT THEM.

Joseph Atkinson and his wife, who for many years kept a gaming
house at No. 15 under the Piazza, Covent Garden, gave daily

magnificent play dinners,--cards of invitation for which were
sent to the clerks of merchants, bankers, and brokers in the

city. Atkinson used to say that he liked CITIZENS--whom he
called FLATS--better than any one else, for when they had DINED

they played freely, and after they had lost all their money they
had credit to borrow more. When he had CLEANED THEM OUT, when

THE PIGEONS WERE COMPLETELY PLUCKED, they were sent to some of
their solvent friends. After dinner play was introduced, and,

till dinner time the nest day, different games at cards, dice,
and E O were continually going on.

THE TRAFFIC IN HUSH MONEY.