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to his notorious sobriety and knowledge of the game of Whist。
The general possessed a great advantage over his companions by
avoiding those indulgences at the table which used to muddle
other men's brains。 He confined himself to dining off something
like a boiled chicken； with toast and water； by such a regimen he
came to the Whist table with a clear head； and possessing as he
did a remarkable memory； with great coolness of judgment； he was
able honestly to win the enormous sum of L200；000。
RICHARD BENNET。
Richard Bennet had gone through every walk of a blackleg； from
being a billiard sharper at a table in Bell Alley until he became
a keeper or partner in all the ‘hells' in St James's。 In each
stage of his journey he had contrived to have so much the better
of his competitors； that he was enabled to live well； to bring up
and educate a large legitimate family； and to gratify all his
passions and sensuality。 But besides all this； he accumulated an
ample fortune； which this inveterate gamester did actually
possess when the terriers of justice overtook and hunted him into
the custody of the Marshal of the Court of Queen's Bench。 Here
he was sentenced to be imprisoned a certain time； on distinct
indictments； for keeping different gaming houses； and was ordered
to be kept in custody until he had also paid fines to the amount；
we believe； of L4000。 Bennet； however； after undergoing the
imprisonment； managed to get himself discharged without paying
the fines。
DENNIS O'KELLY。
Dennis O'Kelly was the Napoleon of the turf and the gaming
table。 Ascot was his elysium。 His horses occupied him by day
and the Hazard table by night。 At the latter one night he was
seen repeatedly turning over a _QUIRE OF BANK NOTES_； and a
gentleman asked him what he was looking for； when he replied； ‘I
am looking for a _LITTLE ONE_。' The inquirer said he could
accommodate him； and desired to know for what sum。 Dennis
O'Kelly answered； ‘I want a FIFTY； or something of _THAT SORT_；
just to set the _CASTER_。 At this moment it was supposed he had
seven or eight _THOUSAND_ pounds in notes in his hand； but not
one for less than a _HUNDRED！_
Dennis O'Kelly always threw with great success； and when he held
the box he was seldom known to refuse throwing for _ANY SUM_
that the company chose to set him。 He was always liberal in
_SETTING THE CASTER_； and preventing a stagnation of trade at
the _TABLE_； which； from the great property always about him； it
was his good fortune very frequently to deprive of its last
floating guinea； when the box of course became dormant for want
of a single adventurer。
It was his custom to carry a great number of bank notes in his
waistcoat pocket； twisted up together； with the greatest
indifference； and on one occasion； in his attendance at a Hazard
table at Windsor； during the races； being a _STANDING_ better
and every chair full； a person's hand was observed； by those on
the opposite side of the table； just in the act of drawing two
notes out of his pocket。 The alarm was given； and the hand； from
the person behind； was instantly withdrawn； and the notes left
sticking out。 The company became clamorous for taking the
offender before a magistrate； and many attempted to secure him
for the purpose； but Captain Dennis O'Kelly very philosophically
seized him by the collar； kicked him down…stairs； and exultingly
exclaimed； ‘'Twas a _SUFFICIENT PUNISHMENT_ to be deprived of
the pleasure of keeping company with _JONTLEMEN_。'
A bet for a large sum was once proposed to this ‘Admirable
Crichton' of the turf and the gaming table； and accepted。 The
proposer asked O'Kelly where lay his _ESTATES_ to answer for the
amount if he lost？' ‘My estates！' cried O'Kelly。 ‘Oh； if that's
what you _MANE_； I've a _MAP_ of them here'and opening his
pocket…book he exhibited bank notes to _TEN TIMES_ the sum in
question； and ultimately added the _INQUIRER'S_ contribution to
them。
Such was the wonderful son of Erin； ‘Captain' or ‘Colonel'
Dennis O'Kelly。 One would like to know what ultimately became of
him。
DICK ENGLAND。
Jack Tether； Bob Wr； Tom Hll； Captain O'Kelly； and others；
spent with Dick England a great part of the plunder of poor
Clutterbuck； a clerk of the Bank of England； who not only lost
his all； but robbed the Bank of an immense sum to pay his ‘debts
of honour。'
A Mr B； a Yorkshire gentleman； proposed to his brother…in…law；
who was with him； to put down ten pounds each and try their luck
at the ‘Hell' kept by ‘the Clerks of the Minster；' in the Minster
Yard； next the Church。 It was the race…week。 There were about
thirteen Greeks there； Dick England at their head。 Mr B put
down L10。 England then called ‘Seven the mainif seven or
eleven is thrown next； the Caster wins。' Of course Dick intended
to win； but he blundered in his operation； he _LANDED_ at six
and the other did not answer his hopes。 Yet； with matchless
effrontery； he swore he had called _SIX_ and not seven； and as
it was referred to the majority of the goodly company；
thirteen _HONEST GENTLEMEN_ gave it in Dick England's
favour； and with him divided the spoil。
A Mr D； a gentleman of considerable landed property in the
North； proposed passing a few days at Scarborough。 Dick England
saw his carriage enter the town； and contrived to get into his
company and go with him to the rooms。 When the assembly was
over； he prevailed on Mr D to sup with him。 After supper Mr
D was completely intoxicated； and every effort to make him play
was tried in vain。
This was； of course； very provoking； but still something must be
done； and a very clever scheme they hit upon to try and ‘do' this
‘young man from the country。' Dick England and two of his
associates played for five minutes； and then each of them marked
a card as follows：‘D owes me one hundred guineas；' ‘D owes
me eighty guineas；' but Dick marked _HIS_ card‘I owe D
thirty guineas。'
The next day； Mr D met Dick England on the cliff and apologized
for his excess the night before； hoping he had given no offence
‘when drunk and incapable。' Having satisfied the gentleman on
this point； Dick England presented him with a thirty…guinea
note； which； in spite of contradiction； remonstrance； and denial
of any play having taken place； he forced on Mr D as his _FAIR
WINNING_adding that he had paid hundreds to gentlemen in
liquor； who knew nothing of it till he had produced the account。
Of course Mr D could not help congratulating himself at having
fallen in with a perfect gentleman； as well as consoling himself
for any head…ache or other inconvenience resulting from his
night's potation。 They parted with gushing civilities between
them。
Soon afterwards； however； two other gentlemen came up to Mr D；
whom the latter had some vague recollection of having seen the
evening before； in company with Dick England； and at length； from