Online Casino Players.com

Home / History / The rise and progress of modern gaming in England
Volume I Volume II

The Gaming Table by Andrew Steinmetz

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV

THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF MODERN GAMING IN ENGLAND

CHAPTER VI. page 2


`There was but one lady who gamed deeply, and she was viewed in
the light of a phenomenon. Were she now to be asked her real
opinion of those friends who were her former _PLAY_-fellows,
there can be no doubt but that they rank very low in her
esteem.

`In the present era of vice and dissipation, how many females
attend the card-tables! What is the consequence? The effects
are too clearly to be traced to the frequent _DIVORCES_ which
have lately disgraced our country, and they are too visible in
the shameful conduct of many ladies of fashion, since gambling
became their chief amusement.

`There is now no society. The routs begin at midnight.
They are painful and troublesome to the lady who receives
company, and they are absolutely a nuisance to those who are
honoured with a card of invitation. It is in vain to attempt
conversation. The social pleasures are entirely banished, and
those who have any relish for them, or who are fond of early
hours, are necessarily excluded. Such are the companies of
modern times, and modern people of fashion. Those who are not
invited fly to the _Gaming Clubs_--

"To kill their idle hours and cure _ennui!_"

`To give an account of the present encumbered situation of many
families, whose property was once large and ample, would fill a
volume. Whence spring the difficulties which every succeeding
day increases? From the _GAMBLING CLUBS_. Why are they
continually hunted by their creditors? The reply is--the
_GAMBLING CLUBS_. Why are they obliged continually to rack their
invention in order to save appearances? The answer still is--the
_GAMBLING CLUBS!_

Page   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24