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darling visionary scheme of happiness: she was introduced to an
infamous woman; was drawn into play; liked it; and; as the
unavoidable consequence; she was ruined;having lost more in one
night than would have maintained a hundred useful families for a
twelvemonth; and; dismal to tell; she felt compelled to sacrifice
her virtue to the wretch who had won her money; in order to
recover the loss! From this moment she might well exclaim
‘Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!'
The affectionate wife; the agreeable companion; the indulgent
mistress; were now no more。 In vain she flattered herself that
the injury she had done her husband would for ever remain one of
those secrets which can only be disclosed at the last day。
Vengeance pursued her steps; she was lost; the villain to whom
she had sacrificed herself boasted of the favours he had
received。 The fatal report was conveyed to her injured husband。
He refused to believe what he thought impossible; but honour
obliged him to call the boaster to the field。 The wretch
received the challenge with much more contentment than concern;
as he had resolution enough to murder any man whom he had
injured; so he was certain; if he had the good fortune to conquer
his antagonist; he should be looked upon as the head of all
modern bucks and bloodsesteemed by the men as a brave fellow;
and admired by the ladies as a fine gentleman and an agreeable
rake。 The meeting took placethe profligate gambler not content
with declaring; actually exulted in his guilt。 But his triumph
was of short datea bullet through the head settled his account
with this world。
The husband; after a long conflict in his bosom; between justice
and mercy; tenderness and rage; resolvedon what is very seldom
practised by an English husbandto pardon his wife; conceal her
crime; and preserve her; if possible; from utter destruction。
But the gates of mercy were opened in vain the offender refused
to receive forgiveness because she had offended。 The lust of
gambling had absorbed all her other desires。 She gave herself up
entirely to the infamous pursuit and its concomitants; whilst her
husband sank by a quick decay; and died the victim of grief and
anguish。'99'
'99' Doings in London。
Of other English gamestresses; however; nothing but the ordinary
success or inconveniences of gambling are recorded。 In the year
1776; a lady at the West End lost one night; at a sitting; 3000
guineas at Loo。'100' Again; a lady having won a rubber of 20
guineas from a city merchant; the latter pulled out his pocket…
book; and tendered L21 in bank notes。 The fair gamestress;
with a disdainful toss of the head; observed‘In the great
houses which I frequent; sir; we always use gold。' ‘That may be;
madam;' said the gentleman; ‘but; in the _LITTLE_ houses which I
frequent; we always use paper。'
'100' Annual Register。
Goldsmith mentions an old lady in the country who; having been
given over by her physician; played with the curate of the parish
to pass the time away。 Having won all his money; she next
proposed playing for the funeral charges to which she would be
liable。 Unfortunately; the lady expired just as she had taken up
the game!
A lady who was desperately fond of play was confessing herself。
The priest represented; among other arguments against gaming; the
great loss of time it occasioned。 ‘Ah!' said the lady; ‘that is
what vexes meso much time lost in shuffling the cards!'
The celebrated Mrs Crewe seems to have been fond of gaming。
Charles James Fox ranked among her admirers。 A gentleman lost a
considerable sum to this lady at play; and being obliged to leave
town suddenly; he gave Fox the money to pay her; begging him to
apologize to the lady for his not having paid the debt of honour
in person。 Fox unfortunately lost every shilling of it before
morning。 Mrs Crewe often met the supposed debtor afterwards;
and; surprised that he never noticed the circumstance; at length
delicately hinted the matter to him。 ‘Bless me;' said he; ‘I
paid the money to Mr Fox three months ago!' ‘Oh; you did; sir?'
said Mrs Crewe good…naturedly; ‘then probably he paid me and I
forgot it。'
This famous Mrs Crewe was the wife of Mr Crewe; who was
created; in 1806; Lord Crewe。 She was as remarkable for her
accomplishments and her worth as for her beauty; nevertheless she
permitted the admiration of the profligate Fox; who was in the
rank of her admirers; and she was a gamestress; as were most of
the grand ladies in those days。 The lines Fox wrote on her were
not exaggerated。 They began thus:
‘Where the loveliest expression to features is join'd;
By Nature's most delicate pencil design'd;
Where blushes unhidden; and smiles without art;
Speak the softness and feeling that dwell in the heart;
Where in manners enchanting no blemish we trace;
But the soul keeps the promise we had from the face;
Sure philosophy; reason; and coldness must prove
Defences unequal to shield us from love。'
‘Nearly eight years after the famous election at Westminster;
when she personally canvassed for Fox; Mrs Crewe was still in
perfection; with a son one…and…twenty; who looked like her
brother。 The form of her face was exquisitely lovely; her
complexion radiant。 〃I know not;〃 Miss Burney writes; 〃any
female in her first youth who could bear the comparison。 She
_uglifies_ every one near her。〃
‘This charming partisan of Fox had been active in his cause;
and her originality of character; her good…humour; her
recklessness of consequences; made her a capital canvasser。''101'
'101' Wharton; _The Queens of Society。_
THE GAMBLING BARROW…WOMEN。
In 1776 the barrow…women of London used generally to carry dice
with them; and children were induced to throw for fruit and nuts。
However; the pernicious consequences of the practice beginning to
be felt; the Lord Mayor issued an order to apprehend all such
offenders; which speedily put an end to such street…gambling。 At
the present day a sort of roulette is used for the same purpose
by the itinerant caterers to the sweetmeat and fruit…loving
little ones。
GAMESTRESSES AT BADEN…BADEN。
Mrs Trollope has described two specimens of the modern
gamestresses at the German watering…places; one of whom seems to
have specially attracted her notice:
‘There was one of this set;' she says; ‘whom I watched; day after
day; during the whole period of our stay; with more interest
than; I believe; was reasonable; for had I studied any other as
attentively I might have found less to lament。
‘She was youngcertainly not more than twenty…fiveand; though
not regularly nor brilliantly handsome; most singularly winning
both in person and demeanour。 Her dress was elegant; but
peculiarly plain and simple;a close white silk bonnet and gauze
veil; a quiet…coloured silk gown; with less of flourish and