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The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz, Volume II

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Doings In Gaming Houses

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.

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