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his form and pressure。'＇64＇
＇64＇ The pamphlet （in the Library of the British Museum） is
entitled：‘Hints for a Reform； particularly of the Gaming Clubs。
By a Member of Parliament。 1784。'
‘About thirty years ago；' says this writer； ‘there was but
one club in the metropolis。 It was regulated and respectable。
There were few of the members who betted high。 Such stakes at
present would be reckoned very low indeed。 There were then
assemblies once a week in most of the great houses。 An agreeable
society met at seven o'clock； they played for crowns or half…
crowns； and reached their own houses about eleven。
‘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 isthe
_GAMBLING CLUBS_。 Why are they obliged continually to rack their
invention in order to save appearances？ The answer still isthe
_GAMBLING CLUBS！_
‘The father frequently ruins his children； and sons； and
even grandsons； long before the succession opens to them； are
involved so deeply that during their future lives their
circumstances are rendered narrow； and they have rank or family
honours； without being able to support them。
‘How many infamous villains have amassed immense estates； by
taking advantage of unfortunate young men； who have been first
seduced and then ruined by the Gambling Clubs！
‘It is well known that the old members of those gambling
societies exert every nerve to enlist young men of fortune； and
if we take a view of the principal estates on this island； we
shall find many infamous _CHRISTIAN_ brokers who are now living
luxuriously and in splendour on the wrecks of such unhappy
victims。
‘At present； when a boy has learned a little from his father's
example； he is sent to school； to be _INITIATED_。 In the course
of a few years he acquires a profound knowledge of the science of
gambling； and before he leaves the University he is perfectly
fitted for a member of the _GAMING CLUBS_； into which he is
elected before he takes his seat in either House of Parliament。
There is no necessity for his being of age； as the sooner he is
ballotted for； the more advantageous his admission will
prove to the _OLD_ members。
‘Scarcely is the hopeful youth enrolled among these _HONOURABLE_
associates； than he is introduced to Jews； to annuity…brokers；
and to the long train of money…lenders。 They take care to answer
his pecuniary calls； and the greater part of the night and
morning is consumed at the _CLUB_。 To his creditors and
tradesmen； instead of paying his bills； he offers a _BOND_ or
_ANNUITY_。 He rises just time enough to ride to Kensington
Gardens； returns to dress； dines late； and then attends the party
of gamblers； as he had done the night before； unless he allows
himself to be detained for a few moments by the newspaper； or
some political publication。
‘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。
Notwithstanding the purity of morals enjoined by the court of
George III。； the early part of his reign presents a picture of
dissolute manners as well as of furious party spirit。 The most
fashionable of our ladies of rank were immersed in play； or
devoted to politics： the same spirit carried them into both。 The
Sabbath was disregarded； spent often in cards； or desecrated by
the meetings of partisans of both factions； moral duties were
neglected and decorum outraged。 The fact was； that a minor
court had become the centre of all the bad passions and
reprehensible pursuits in vogue。 Carlton House； in Pall Mall；
which even the oldest of us can barely remember； with its elegant
open screen； the pillars in front； its low exterior； its many
small rooms； its decorations in vulgar taste； and； to crown the
whole； its associations of a corrupting revelry；Carlton House
was； in the days of good King George； almost as great a scandal
to the country as Whitehall in the time of improper King Charles
II。＇66＇ The influence which the example of a young prince； of
manners eminently popular； produced upon the young nobility of
the realm was most disastrous in every way and ruinous to public
morality。
＇66＇ Wharton； ‘The Queens of Society。' Mem。 of
_Georgiana； Duchess of Devonshire。_
After that period； the vast license given to those abominable
engines of fraud； the E。O。 tables；＇67＇ and the great length of
time which elapsed before they met with any check from the
police； afforded a number of dissolu