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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