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The Gaming Table-Vol.2-Part19_Andrew Steinmetz(1816-1877)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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significantly relate to war--which has been called his natural

state--exemplifying always either the brute-force that crushes,



the skill that foils, the stratagem that surprises, or the ruse

that deceives; and such is war to all intents and purposes. The



philosophic diversions of science also come in and lend their aid

in the game of war--the pastime of heroes and the necessary



defence of nations.

The match was renewed at the ensuing Ascot meeting, at the rooms



of the celebrated Simson, so much frequented by the Etonians--

where Mr ---- again obtained the victory, by 36 games to 17.



Immense sums were sported on these occasions.

Mr ---- resided at Windsor, and was surprised by a message on the



Sunday evening preceding the Winchester races, purporting that a

gentleman wished to see him on very particular business. It



proved to be a request to play a match at Billiards during the

races at Winchester, for which the parties offered 10 guineas for



the journey. But it was explained to him that the match was of a

particular kind, and must be played in a PARTICULAR way-- either



to WIN or LOSE--so that those concerned might be sure of winning

upon the whole, let the match terminate how it would! . . . .



This

villainous proposal being made without the presence of a



third person, Mr ---- indignantly rejected it, instantly left the

room, and communicated the facts for the protection of the unwary



against a set of desperate sharpers.

MILLER'S GAMING HOUSE.



In 1796, one Thomas Miller was indicted for keeping a gaming

house; and wished to have the matter settled summarily by



admitting conviction; but Lord Kenyon, the presiding judge, chose

to have evidence brought forward. John Shepherd, an attorney of



the King's Bench, who had himself been plundered, stated that he

was at the defendant's, Leicester Street, on a certain night, and



saw Hazard played. Sometimes L20 or L30 depended on a throw.

One morning between three and four o'clock, a gentleman came in



much intoxicated. He had a great deal of money about him.

Miller said--'I did not mean to play; but now I'll set to with



this fellow.' Miller scraped a little wax with his finger off

one of the candles, and put the dice together, so that they came



seven every way. Seven was the main, and he could not throw

anything but seven. A dispute arose, and the persons at the



table gave it in Miller's favour. The young man said he had lost

about L70. Miller observed--'We have cleaned him.' If the



attorney had remarked on this at the time, they would have broken

his head, or thrown him out of the window.



He had often seen men pawn their watches and rings to Miller, and

once a man actually pawned his coat, and went away without it!



When articles were offered to be pawned, Liston, who was a

partner in the concern, said--'I don't understand the value of



these things well,' and he would then call Miller.[44]

[44] Even at the present day it is said that other 'articles'



besides 'valuables' are 'left' with the marker at billiards 'for

a consideration.' A fine umbrella, very little used, was lately



shown to me as having been sold for five shillings, by a marker;

it probably cost twenty-five.



Miller said there was no disgrace in standing in the pillory for

gaming. He could spare L500 out of his coffers without missing



it. His gaming table was once broken up by a warrant from Bow

Street, when he said it was too good a thing to relinquish, and



he set up another, one large enough for 20 or 30 persons to sit

at. They played at it all night, and on one or two occasions all



the next day too, so that Miller said to witness on his return in

the evening--'Some of the people are still here who came last



night. They stick to it rarely.' Sunday was the grand day. He

had seen more than 40 persons at a time there, and they



frequently offered half-a-crown for a seat. Wine and suppers

were furnished gratis. Some looked over the backs of others and



betted. A Mr Smith, the very man who had pawned his coat,

confirmed the above evidence. Miller was convicted, and the



judge, Lord Kenyon, made the following solemn observations before

passing sentence:--



'Gaming is a crime of greater enormity, and of more destructive

consequences to society, than many which the laws of the country






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