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 4


`Such do we find the present fashionable style of life, from
"his Grace" to the "Ensign" in the Guards. Will this mode of
education rear up heroes, to lead forth our armies, or to conduct
our fleets to victory? Review the conduct of your generals
abroad, and of your statesmen at home, during the late
unfortunate war, and these questions are answered.[65]

[65] Of course this is an allusion to the American War of
Independence and the political events at home, from 1774 to 1784.

`At present, tradesmen must themselves be gamblers before
they give credit to a member of these clubs; but if a reform
succeeds they will be placed in a state of security. At present
they must make _REGULAR_ families pay an enormous price for
their goods, to enable them to run the risk of never receiving a
single shilling from their gambling customers.'

Such is the picture of the times in question, drawn by a
contemporary; and it may be said that private reckless and
unscrupulous political machinations were the springs and
fountains of all the calamities that subsequently overflowed, as
it were, the `opening of the seals' of doom upon the nation.

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