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the gaming table-vol. 1-第63章

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wounded。  The meeting took place under the Piazza; and his

antagonist's sword struck a rib; which counteracted its dangerous

effect。



Soon afterwards he won L3000 from a young man just of age; who

made over to him a landed estate for the amount; and he was

shortly after admitted a member of the Jockey Club。



His fortune now changed; and falling into the hands of Old Pope;

the money…lender; he was not long before he had to transfer his

estate to him。



After many ups and downs he became an inmate of the

spunging…house of the infamous Scoldwell; who was afterwards

transported。  He actually used his prison as a gaming house; to

which his infatuated friends resorted; but his means failed; his

friends cooled; and he was removed ‘over the water;' from which

he was only released by the Insolvent Act; with a broken

constitution。  Arrest soon restored him to his old habitation; a

lock…up house; where he died so poor; a victim to grief; misery;

and disease; that he did not leave enough to pay for a coffin;

which was procured by his quondam friend; Mr Thornton; at whose

cost he was buried。  Perhaps more than half a million of money

had ‘passed through his hands。'





ANDREWS; THE GREAT BILLIARD…PLAYER。





Andrews was reckoned so theoretically and practically perfect at

the game of Billiards that he had no equal except Abraham Carter;

who kept the tables at the corner of the Piazza; Russell Street;

Covent Garden。



He one night won of Colonel We about a thousand pounds; and

the Colonel appointed to meet him next day to transact for stock

accordingly。  Going in a hackney…coach to the Bank of England

for this purpose; they tossed up who should pay for the coach。

Andrews lostand positively on this small beginning he was

excited to continue betting; until he lost the whole sum he had

won the night before!  When the coachman stopped he was ordered

to drive them back again; as they had no occasion to get out!



Thus; in a few years; Hazard and other games of chance stripped

him of his immense winnings at Billiards; and he had nothing left

but a small annuity; fortunately for him so settled that he could

not dispose of itthough he made every effort to do so!



He afterwards retired in the county of Kent; and was heard to

declare that he never knew contentment when wallowing in riches;

but that since he was compelled to live on a scanty pittance; he

was one of the happiest men in the world。





WHIG MIDDLETON。





Whig Middleton was a tall; handsome; fashionable man; with an

adequate fortune。  He one night had a run of ill…luck at

Arthur's; and lost about a thousand guineas。  Lord Montford; in

the gaming phrase; asked him what he would do or what he

would not do; to get home?  ‘My lord;' said he; ‘prescribe your

own terms。'



‘Then;' resumed Lord Montford; ‘dress directly opposite to the

fashion for ten years。  Will you agree to it?'  Middleton said

that he would; and kept his word。  Nay; he died nine years

afterwards so unfashionably that he did not owe a tradesman a

farthingleft some playing debts unliquidated; and his coat and

wig were of the cut of Queen Anne's reign。



Lord Montford is said to have died in a very different but quite

fashionable manner。





CAPTAIN CAMPBELL。





Captain Campbell; of the Guards; was a natural son of the Duke

of 。  He lost a thousand guineas to a Shark; which he could

not pay。  Being questioned by the duke one day at dinner as to

the cause of his dejection; he reluctantly confessed the fact。

‘Sir;' said his Grace; ‘you do not owe a farthing to the

blackguard。  My steward settled with him this morning for _TEN_

guineas; and he was glad to take them; only saying〃I was

damned far North; and it was well it was no worse。〃 '





WROTHESLY; DUKE OF BEDFORD。





Wrothesly; Duke of Bedford; was the subject of a conspiracy at

Bath; formed by several first…rate sharpers; among whom were the

manager of a theatre; and Beau Nash; master of the ceremonies。

After being plundered of above L70;000 at Hazard; his Grace

rose in a passion; put the dice in his pocket; and intimated his

resolution to inspect them。  He then retired into another room;

and; flinging himself upon a sofa; fell asleep。



The winners; to escape disgrace; and obtain their money; cast

lots who should pick his pockets of the loaded dice; and

introduce fair ones in their place。  The lot fell on the manager

of the theatre; who performed his part without discovery。  The

duke inspected the dice when he awoke; and finding them correct;

renewed his party; and lost L30;000 more。



The conspirators had received L5000; but disagreed on its

division; and Beau Nash; thinking himself ill…used; divulged the

fact to his Grace; who saved thereby the remainder of the money。

He made Nash a handsome present; and ever after gave him his

countenance; supposing that the secret had been divulged through

pure friendship。





THE DUKE OF NORFOLK。





A similar anecdote is told of another gamester。  ‘The late Duke

of Norfolk;' says the author of ‘Rouge et Noir;' writing in 1823;

‘in one evening lost the sum of L70;000 in a gaming house on

the right side of St James's Street: suspecting foul play; he put

the dice in his pocket; and; as was his custom when up late; took

a bed in the house。  The blacklegs were all dismayed; till one of

the worthies; who is believed to have been a principal in

poisoning the horses at Newmarket; for which Dan Dawson was

hanged; offered for L5000 to go to the duke's room with a

brace of pistols and a pair of dice; and; if the duke was awake;

to shoot him; if asleep to change the dice!  Fortunately for the

gang; the duke 〃snored;〃 as the agent stated; 〃like a pig;〃

the dice were changed。  His Grace had them broken in the morning;

when; finding them good; he paid the money; and left off

gambling。''141'





'141' Rouge et Noir; the Academicians of 1823。





GENERAL OGLE: A BOLD STROKE。





A few weeks before General Ogle was to sail for India; he

constantly attended Paine's; in Charles Street; St James's

Square。  One evening there were before him two wooden bowls full

of gold; which held L1500 guineas each; and L4000 in

rouleaus; which he had won。



When the box came to him; he shook the dice and with great

coolness and pleasantry said‘Come; I'll either win or lose

seven thousand upon this hand。  Will any gentleman set on the

whole?  _SEVEN_ is the main。'  Then rattling the dice once more;

cast the box from him and quitted it; the dice remaining

uncovered。



Although the General did not think this too large a sum for one

man to risk at a single throw; the rest of the gentlemen did; and

for some time the bold gamester remained unset。



He then said‘Well; gentlemen; will you make it up amongst you?'



One set him 500 guineas; another 500。  ‘Come;' said he; ‘whilst

you are making up the money I'll tell you a story。'  Here he

be
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