Besides the aristocratic establishments just described, there were
numerous houses or places of resort for gambling, genteel and ungenteel.
In vain did the officers of the law seem to exert their utmost
vigilance; if they drove the serpent out of one hole it soon glided
into another; never was the proverb--'Where there's a will there's a
way'--more strikingly fulfilled.
COFFEE-HOUSE SHARPERS.
Sir John Fielding thus describes the men in the year 1776. 'The
deceivers of this denomination are generally descended from families
of some repute, have had the groundwork of a genteel education, and are
capable of making a tolerable appearance. Having been equally profuse
of their own substance and character, and learnt, by having been undone,
the ways of undoing, they lie in wait for those who have more wealth
and less knowledge of the town. By joining you in discourse, by admiring
what you say, by an officiousness to wait upon you, and to assist you
in anything you want to have or know, they insinuate themselves into the
company and acquaintance of strangers, whom they watch every opportunity
of fleecing. And if one finds in you the least inclination to cards,
dice, the billiard table, bowling-green, or any other sort of Gaming,
you are morally sure of being taken in.
For this set of gentry are adepts in all the arts of knavery and
tricking. If, therefore, you should observe a person, without any
previous acquaintance, paying you extraordinary marks of civility; if
he puts in for a share of your conversation with a pretended air of
deference; if he tenders his assistance, courts your acquaintance, and
would be suddenly thought your friend, avoid him as a pest; for these
are the usual baits by which the unwary are caught.'(42)
(42) The Magistrate: Description of London and Westminster.
In 1792, Mr Br--gh--n, the son of a baronet, one day at a billiard-table
in St James's Street, won L7000 from a Mr B--, but the latter, at the
close of the day, recovered the loss, and won L15,000 more. Payment
was thus arranged--L5000 on the death of the father of the former, and
L10,000 secured by a reversionary annuity, to commence on the father's
decease, on the life of the Duc de Pienne, between whom and B-- a
previous gaming account existed.
In 1794, Mr ---- was a billiard player of the first class, ranking with
Brenton, Phillips, Orrel, and Captain Wallis, who were the leaders of
the day in this noble game of skill, tact, and discretion.(43) Having
accidentally sported his abilities with two other players, he was marked
as a 'pigeon' whom every preparation was made for 'plucking.' Captain
Cates, of Covent Garden celebrity, was pitted against him at the
coffee-room billiard-table, during Epsom races, to play 21 games, for
two guineas each game, and five guineas the odds. Mr ---- won 13 games
to eight from his veteran opponent, who was invariably backed by
the leading sportingmen of the day, whilst the company at large were
casually the adherents of Mr ----.
(43) The game of Chess may be played in application of the principles of
Strategy; the game of Billiards in application of Tactics; indeed, all
man's favourite diversions and pastimes most significantly relate to
war--which has been called his natural state--exemplifying always either
the brute-force that crushes, the skill that foils, the stratagem that
surprises, or the ruse that deceives; and such is war to all intents and
purposes. The philosophic diversions of science also come in and lend
their aid in the game of war--the pastime of heroes and the necessary
defence of nations.
The match was renewed at the ensuing Ascot meeting, at the rooms of the
celebrated Simson, so much frequented by the Etonians--where Mr ----
again obtained the victory, by 36 games to 17. Immense sums were sported
on these occasions.
Mr ---- resided at Windsor, and was surprised by a message on the Sunday
evening preceding the Winchester races, purporting that a gentleman
wished to see him on very particular business. It proved to be a request
to play a match at Billiards during the races at Winchester, for which
the parties offered 10 guineas for the journey. But it was explained
to him that the match was of a particular kind, and must be played in a
PARTICULAR way--either to WIN or LOSE--so that those concerned might be
sure of winning upon the whole, let the match terminate how it would! .
. . .
This villainous proposal being made without the presence of a third
person, Mr ---- indignantly rejected it, instantly left the room, and
communicated the facts for the protection of the unwary against a set of
desperate sharpers.
MILLER'S GAMING HOUSE.
In 1796, one Thomas Miller was indicted for keeping a gaming house; and
wished to have the matter settled summarily by admitting conviction;
but Lord Kenyon, the presiding judge, chose to have evidence brought
forward. John Shepherd, an attorney of the King's Bench, who had himself
been plundered, stated that he was at the defendant's, Leicester Street,
on a certain night, and saw Hazard played. Sometimes L20 or L30 depended
on a throw. One morning between three and four o'clock, a gentleman
came in much intoxicated. He had a great deal of money about him. Miller
said--'I did not mean to play; but now I'll set to with this fellow.'
Miller scraped a little wax with his finger off one of the candles, and
put the dice together, so that they came seven every way. Seven was the
main, and he could not throw anything but seven. A dispute arose, and
the persons at the table gave it in Miller's favour. The young man said
he had lost about L70. Miller observed--'We have cleaned him.' If the
attorney had remarked on this at the time, they would have broken his
head, or thrown him out of the window.
He had often seen men pawn their watches and rings to Miller, and once
a man actually pawned his coat, and went away without it! When articles
were offered to be pawned, Liston, who was a partner in the concern,
said--'I don't understand the value of these things well,' and he would
then call Miller.(44)
(44) Even at the present day it is said that other 'articles'
besides 'valuables' are 'left' with the marker at billiards 'for a
consideration.' A fine umbrella, very little used, was lately shown to
me as having been sold for five shillings, by a marker; it probably cost
twenty-five.
Miller said there was no disgrace in standing in the pillory for gaming.
He could spare L500 out of his coffers without missing it. His gaming
table was once broken up by a warrant from Bow Street, when he said it
was too good a thing to relinquish, and he set up another, one large
enough for 20 or 30 persons to sit at. They played at it all night, and
on one or two occasions all the next day too, so that Miller said to
witness on his return in the evening--'Some of the people are still here
who came last night. They stick to it rarely.' Sunday was the grand day.
He had seen more than 40 persons at a time there, and they frequently
offered half-a-crown for a seat. Wine and suppers were furnished gratis.
Some looked over the backs of others and betted. A Mr Smith, the very
man who had pawned his coat, confirmed the above evidence. Miller
was convicted, and the judge, Lord Kenyon, made the following solemn
observations before passing sentence:--
'Gaming is a crime of greater enormity, and of more destructive
consequences to society, than many which the laws of the country have
made capital. What is the crime of stealing a sheep, or picking a pocket
of a handkerchief, when placed in comparison with this crime, traced
through all its consequences?
'With regard to those in the higher walks of life, experience tells us
it often leads to self-murder and duelling, about gambling debts, which
terminate in the total ruin of families once opulent, and reduce to
beggary their innocent and helpless children; and as for those in a
lower sphere of life, when they have lost their money, they often betake
themselves to housebreaking and the highway, in order to replenish their
coffers, and at last end their lives by the hand of justice.'
With many other most excellent observations on the tendency of this
selfish and avaricious vice, he concluded by sentencing Miller to a fine
of L500, one year's imprisonment, and security for his good behaviour
for seven years, himself in L500 and two others in L250 each,
adding:--'It appeared that you played with loaded dice. The Court has
not taken that into consideration, because it was not charged in the
indictment.'
ATTACKS ON GAMING HOUSES.
In 1797 the Bedford Arms, Covent Garden, kept by one John Twycross, was
attacked, under warrant. The gaming-room stood an hour's siege, for
the doors were so plated with iron that the repeated blows of a
sledge-hammer made no impression on them. The officers at length entered
the back through the window. They found fifteen persons at table, but
not actually playing, so no conviction could take place.
In the same year a party of Bow Street officers searched a gaming
house at 19, Great Suffolk Street. They were an hour in effecting their
entrance. Two very stout doors, strongly bolted and barred, obstructed
them. All the gamesters but one escaped by a subterraneous passage,
through a long range of cellars, terminating at a house in Whitcomb
Street, whence their leader, having the keys of every door, conducted
them safely into the open air.
In the previous year a party, mostly French emigrants, were taken at a
house in Oxendon Street, with the table, cards, &c. A city magistrate
and a city officer had a dispute at cards, and a knock-down game ensued.
In 1799 the Marlborough Street officers apprehended at the gaming house,
No. 3, Leicester Square, thirteen out of twenty persons, from the first
floor, playing at Rouge et Noir. One of the gamblers, when they first
entered, threw up the sash, and, stepping from the leads, fell into the
area, and died in being conveyed to the hospital.
In the same year, two notorious gaming houses, Nos. 1 and 3, King's
Place, were attacked, by authority of a search warrant. All the
paraphernalia of the profession, as tables, dice, counters, &c., were
seized; but the inmates effected their escape over the roofs of the
adjoining houses. The proprietor of No. 3 was smoked in a chimney, and
three French emigrants intercepted in their retreat. On one of them was
found a gold watch, which appeared, by the robbery-book, to have
been stolen about five years previously. The banks had been conveyed
away,--at least, they were not among the captures.
'SOMETHING HONOURABLE TO THE BRITISH FLAG.'
It is stated as highly honourable to the British flag that, among the
gamesters of the first quarter of the present century, no Admirals
were seen at the INFERIOR tables. Their proper pride kept them from
a familiar association with pursers, clerks, grocers, horse-dealers,
linen-drapers, silk-mercers, masons, builders, timber-merchants,
booksellers, &c., &c., and men of the very lowest walks of life.
COARSE LANGUAGE OF GAMESTERS.
'I heard those who, in another place, even in the most polished courts,
would take a high rank for good breeding and gentlemanly education, at
these tables make use of language which, I hope, Billingsgate itself
would turn from with disgust. It cannot be repeated; neither would it
be believed, unless by such as, like myself, have had "confirmation
strong," too strong to be rejected, if I did not, at the same time,
reject the evidence of my senses.'(45)
(45) Seymour Harcourt, The Gaming Calendar.
BOASTED PROTECTION OF GREAT NAMES TO GAMING HOUSES.
'On one occasion I was at the Pigeon Hole, in St James's Square (since
removed to King Street), when the apprehensions which the rapid sale of
The Greeks (a work exposing the system) excited among the players were
warmly debated. To my great astonishment, a person who I supposed was
a proprietor, boasted the impenetrability of HIS house, and on what
ground, think you? Why, on that of it having the countenance of the
Lord Chief Justice of England! True or false, it seemed to revive the
flagging spirits of its visitors. They knew better. Not even the warm
feelings of a father would turn the scale of justice in the even hand of
Lord Ellenborough.'
It must not, however, be taken for granted, merely because these fellows
assert it, that the sons of the late Chief Justice really frequented
that den of iniquity. It is part of the system of these houses to delude
the ignorant, by pretending that this or the other person uses their
tables. I had an instance of that myself at ----, in Pall Mall. Asking
who that gentleman was, pointing to the party, I was answered--'That
is Mr Hay, private secretary to Lord Melville, the First Lord of the
Admiralty.' Now, I believe I may safely say, and from my own knowledge,
too, that Mr Hay, whose character and conduct is deservedly held in the
highest estimation, NEVER was at that or any such house; yet his name
was constantly quoted, and particularly to young officers of the navy
and marines, to whom his acquaintance held out hopes of future advantage
in their profession!(46)
(46) Id. ibid.
FORTUNATE RISE OF A CLUB-HOUSE WAITER.
'A waitership at a club sometimes led to fortune. Thomas Rumbold,
originally a waiter at White's gaming club, got an appointment in India,
and suddenly rose to be Sir Thomas, and Governor of Madras! On his
return, with immense wealth, a bill of pains and penalties was brought
into the House by Dundas, with the view of stripping Sir Thomas of
his ill-gotten gains. This bill was briskly pushed through the earlier
stages; suddenly the proceedings were arrested by adjournment, and the
measure fell to the ground. The rumour of the day attributed Rumbold's
escape to the corrupt assistance of Rigby; who, in 1782, found himself,
by Lord North's retirement, deprived of his place in the Pay Office, and
called upon to refund a large amount of public moneys unaccounted for.
In this strait, Rigby was believed to have had recourse to Rumbold.
Their acquaintance had commenced in earlier days, when Rigby was one
of the boldest "punters" at White's, and Rumbold bowed to him for
half-crowns as waiter. Rumbold is said to have given Rigby a large sum
of money, on condition of the former being released from the impending
pains and penalties. The truth of the report has been vehemently denied;
but the circumstances are suspicious. The bill was dropped; Dundas, its
introducer, was Rigby's intimate associate. Rigby's nephew and heir
soon after married Rumbold's daughter. Sir Thomas himself had married
a daughter of Dr Law, Bishop of Carlisle. The worthy bishop stood
godfather to one of Rumbold's children; the other godfather was the
Nabob of Arcot, and the child was christened "Mahomet." So, at least,
Walpole informs Mann.'(47)
(47) Timbs, Club Life in London.
PLAY IN 1820.
According to the Morning Post of May 15, 1820, at one of the gaming
houses at the West End, in one night, property to the amount of L50,000
is said to have changed hands.
ACCOUNT OF A GAME AT HAZARD.
The following account of a game at Hazard was given by a young man, who,
in the year 1820, was decoyed into one of the gambling houses in the
city, kept by one John Morley, who was convicted by the Lord Mayor, in
the penalty of L200, 'for keeping Hazard;' but who, it is stated, left
this country for Ireland the moment proceedings were instituted.
'The house in question was to all appearance devoted to the game of
billiards, and most of those who frequented it engaged merely in that
game. Through the agency of professed gamesters, who shared in the
profits of the concern, those who appeared to be proper objects of
plunder were soon introduced to the Hazard table, which was kept in a
retired and private part of the house.
'The evidence of the young man was to the following effect:--He had been
in Morley's house; the game of Hazard was played in the front room on
the second floor; a door led into it from the landing-place, and another
from the public billiard-room, which was the back room on the same
floor; both these doors were during the time of play kept barred and
locked, and never opened except to the voice of some person known to
the master of the house. During the play the door was seldom or never
opened, but before the play commenced there was an understanding given
that proceedings were about to begin.
'In the centre of the room was a large circular table, over which a
lamp was suspended, and round the table the players sat, in number,
generally, from six to ten.
'The play commenced by one of the players taking the dice-box with
two dice in it; two other dice were covered on the table, and might be
substituted for those in the box, upon application to Morley, who acted
as "groom porter." The person who held the box was called the caster,
and he called a main, that is, he mentioned aloud any number on the
dice from five to nine; and throwing the dice on the table, counted the
number on the two dice as his chance, the number which he called being
the chance of his setter. Before the main is called, the caster throws
down his stake, which any person present has the option of covering, or,
as it is called, "setting," by placing a similar sum on the table. For
instance, if the caster, after being "set," call five the main, and
throws immediately four and one, or three and two, he "nicks" it, that
is, wins his money at once. If he throws six and one, five and two, or
four and three, each of which two numbers makes seven, he bets the ODDS,
which are three to two in his favour--inasmuch as there are three ways
of throwing seven, and only two of throwing five; and he continues
throwing until either five or seven come off. By the former he loses, by
the latter he wins.
'If he calls seven the main, and throws three and one, or six and four,
the odds are two to one against him--inasmuch as there are only three
ways each of throwing, the four and the ten and six wins, throwing the
seven, that is, three on each die.(48) If the caster wishes, he calls
a main, and continues to do so till he loses, which, in the technical
phraseology, is "throwing out." He then passes the bow to the person
next on the left hand, who, in like manner, passes it to his neighbour.
Morley is remunerated for his table very handsomely. When the caster
throws in three mains successively, he pays to Morley what is called a
box (one of the pieces of the house with which the game is played). The
prices are eighteen-pence each, and he gives them in exchange for notes,
and retakes them. The caster pays nothing unless he wins. The players
generally leave off play at eleven or twelve o'clock. On Saturday
there is most play, as Morley on that day always gives a dinner at four
o'clock, immediately after which the play commences. On other days tea
and coffee are given.'
(48) I confess I do not understand the above passage.
A number of young men, most of whom were clerks, were called to confirm
the evidence as to the system, but none of them appeared.
In a letter published in the Times of July 22, 1824, we read as
follows:--
'The action against the keepers of a certain notorious "hell," which was
noticed in the different journals as "coming on," is withdrawn, or, more
properly speaking, is "compromised." Thus it will always be; and the
different hells still flourish with impunity, to the enrichment of a
few knaves, and the ruin of many thousands, till more effectual laws are
framed to meet the evil. As they net thousands a night, a few hundreds
or even thousands can be well spared to smother a few actions and
prosecutions, which are very rarely instituted against them, and never
but by ruined men, who are easily quieted by a small consideration,
which, from recent judgments, will not be withheld; therefore we shall
see recorded but very few convictions if any at all. At the head of
these infamous establishments is one yclept "Fishmollgers' Hall,"(49)
which sacks more plunder than all the others put together, though they
consist of about a dozen. This place has been fitted up at an expense of
L40,000, and is the most splendid house, interiorly and exteriorly, in
all the neighbourhood. It is established as a bait for the fortunes of
the great, many of whom have already been severe sufferers. Invitations
to dinner are sent to noblemen and gentlemen, at which they are treated
with every delicacy, and the most intoxicating wines.
(49) Otherwise called Crock-odile Hall.
'After such "liberal" entertainment, a visit to the French Hazard table,
in the adjoining room, is a matter of course, when the consequences are
easily divined. A man thus allured to the den may determine not to lose
more than the few pounds he has about him; but in the intoxication
of the moment, and the delirium of play, it frequently happens that,
notwithstanding the best resolves, he borrows money on his cheques,
which are known to be good, and are readily cashed to very considerable
amounts. In this manner L10,000, L20,000, L30,000, or more, have been
often swept away!
They left King Street about three years ago, when, in conjunction with
T ---- (a man who a few years ago took the benefit of the act, and
subsequently took one or two "hells" in Pall Mall, but has amassed full
L150,000 of plunder) and A ----, who has L70,000 of plunder, they opened
a club-house in Piccadilly, with a French Hazard bank of L10,000, when
in a short time they divided between the four--after all their heavy
expenses were covered--upwards of L200,000. In proportion to the extent
of the bank and the stakes, so do they collect the plunder.'
PROGRESS IN THE GAMING TRADE.
In the minor gaming houses the players assembled in parties of from 40
to 50 persons, who probably brought on an average, each night, from one
to twenty shillings to play with. As the money was lost, the losers fell
off, if they could not borrow or beg more; and this went on sometimes in
the winter season for 14 to 16 hours in succession; so that from 100 to
150 persons might be calculated to visit one gaming table in the course
of a night; and it not unfrequently happened that ultimately all the
money brought to the table got into the hands of one or two of the
most fortunate adventurers, save that which was paid to the table for
'box-hands'--that is, when a player won three times in succession. At
these establishments the price of a box varied from one shilling to
half-a-crown. Every man thus engaged was destined to become either a
more finished and mischievous gambler, or to appear at the bar of the
Old Bailey. The successful players by degrees improved their external
appearance, and obtained admittance into houses of higher play, where
two shillings and sixpence or three shillings and fourpence was
demanded for the box-hand. If success attended them in the first step of
advancement, they next got initiated into better houses, and associated
with gamblers of a higher grade.
PLAY IN 1838.
About the year 1838 the gaming houses were kept open all day, the dice
were scarcely ever idle, day or night. From Sunday to Sunday, all the
year round, persons were to be found in these places, losing their
money, and wasting away their very bodies by the consuming anxiety
consequent on their position at the Hazard or Roulette table.
STATISTICS OF GAMBLING IN 1844.
The following facts came out in evidence before the committee of the
House of Commons, in 1844.
Down to that year there were no less than 12 gaming houses in St James's
and St George's. The play was higher in old times, but not so GENERAL.
'The increase of gambling houses was entirely the offspring of
Crockford's.' Such was the opinion of the Honourable Frederick Byng,
before the committee, who added, 'that the facility to everybody to
gamble at Crockford's led to the establishment of other gambling houses
fitted up in a superior style, and attractive to gentlemen who never
would have thought of going into them formerly.'
Previously, in the clubs, the gambling was confined to a very high rate
and to a very few people. The above-named witness said he 'could have
named all the gamblers in his early days at the clubs. No person coming
into a room where Hazard was carried on would have been permitted to
play for a SMALL SUM, and therefore he left it.'
The same gentleman remembered the time when gambling tables were kept in
private houses.
'It is a fact that most of those who played very high were pretty well
cleaned out.'
'Crockford increased gambling everywhere.' 'Persons of the middling
classes, butchers, and gentleman's servants went to the low gambling
houses.'
These places held out inducements to robbery. 'If a servant or shopman
could scrape together L200 or L300, he had, by the agency of the keepers
of these houses, the opportunity of lending out his money to the losers
at 60 per cent.'
DESPERATION AT GAMING HOUSES.
The most particular inspection was made of the player's person by the
gaming house keeper's spies, and even his dress was strictly observed.
He was obliged, before entering the saloon, to deposit his great coat
and cane, which might perchance afford the introduction of some WEAPON;
and the elegance of the covering did not save him from the humiliation
of having it taken from him at the door. The attempts which
were sometimes made on the lives of the bankers led to these
precautions--like the indignities which are practised only in prisons
for the security of the unhappy inmates. It is certain that gamesters,
reduced to desperation, and on the eve of committing suicide, have
conveyed into these places infernal machines with an intention of
destroying at once their cruel plunderers and themselves.
'DEVILISH DOINGS IN A "HELL." '
In 'Doings in London,' a work published as lately as the year 1850, we
find under this startling title a strange story.
'A scandalous scene of violence, which often happens at these places,
but seldom becomes publicly known, on account of the disgrace attending
exposures, occurred lately at a low "hell" in King Street, St James's.
A gentleman who had lost considerable sums of money at various times,
announced his full determination never to come to a place of the sort
again with money. His visits, therefore, were no longer wanted, and
so orders were given to the porters not to admit him again. About two
o'clock on a subsequent night, which happened to be Saturday, he sought
admittance, and was refused. A warm altercation ensued in the passage
between him and the porters, which brought down some of the proprietors.
One of them--a powerful man--a bankrupt butcher--struck him a tremendous
blow, which broke the bridge of his nose, covered his face with blood,
and knocked him down. On getting up he was knocked down again. He arose
once more, and instantly received another blow, which would have laid
him upon his back, but one of the porters by this time had got behind
him, and as he was falling struck him at the back of his head, which
sent him upon his face. The watch had now arrived, into whose hands the
keeper of the "hell" and the porter were given. At the watch-house they
were ordered to find bail. The gentleman was then about quitting, when
he was suddenly called back. A certain little lawyer, who alternately
prosecutes and defends keepers of gaming houses, was sent for. He
whispered to the ex-butcher to charge the gentleman with stealing
his handkerchief and hat, which, it was alleged, had been lost in the
affray. Though nothing was found upon the gentleman, who desired to be
searched, this preposterous and groundless charge was taken, and the
hellites admitted to bail; but the gentleman who had been so cruelly
beaten, being charged with a felony on purpose to cause his detention,
and the power held by magistrates to take bail in doubtful cases not
extending to night-constables, he was locked up below with two wretches
who had stolen lead, and five disorderlies--his face a mass of blood
and bruises--and there detained till Monday morning, in a most pitiable
condition. The magistrate before whom the party appeared on that day,
understanding that the affair took place at a gaming house, dismissed
both complaints, leaving the parties to their remedy at the sessions.'
GAFFING.
Gaffing is or was one of the ten thousand modes of swindling practised
in London. Formerly it was a game in very great vogue among the macers,
who congregated nightly at the 'flash houses.' One of these is described
as follows:--This gaffer laughed a great deal and whistled Moore's
melodies, and extracted music from a deal table with his elbow and
wrist. When he hid a half-penny, and a flat cried 'head' for L10, a
'tail' was sure to turn up. One of his modes of commanding the turn-up
was this: he had a half-penny with two heads, and a half-penny with two
tails.
When he gaffed, he contrived to have both half-pence under his hand, and
long practice enabled him to catch up in the wrinkles or muscles of
it the half-penny which it was his interest to conceal. If 'tail' was
called a 'head' appeared, and the 'tail' half-penny ran down his wrist
with astonishing fidelity. This ingenious fellow often won 200 or 300
sovereigns a night by gaffing; but the landlord and other men, who were
privy to the robbery, and 'pitched the baby card' (that is, encouraged
the loser by sham betting), always came in for the 'regulars,' that is,
their share of the plunder.
This gaffer contrived to 'bilk' all the turnpikes in the kingdom.
In going to a fight or to a race-course, when he reached a turnpike he
held a shilling between his fingers, and said to the gatekeeper--'Here,
catch,' and made a movement of the hand towards the man, who endeavoured
to catch what he saw. The shilling, however, by a backward jerk,
ran down the sleeve of the coat, as if it had life in it, and the
gate-keeper turned round to look in the dust, when the tall gaffer drove
on, saying--'Keep the change.'
A young fellow, who previously was a marker at a billiard-table, and
who had the appearance of a soft, inexperienced country-lad, was another
great hand at gaffing. There was a strong adhesive power in his hand,
and such exquisite sensibility about it, that he could ascertain by
dropping his palm, even upon a worn-out half-penny or shilling, what
side was turned up. Indeed, so perfect a master was he of the science
that Breslaw could never have done more upon cards than he could do with
a pair of 'grays' (gaffing-coins).
A well-known macer, who was celebrated for slipping an 'old gentleman'
(a long card) into the pack, and was the inheritor by birth of all the
propensities of this description, although the inheritance was equally
divided between his brother and himself, got hold of a young fellow who
had L170 in his pocket, and introduced him to one of the 'cock-and-hen'
houses near Drury Lane Theatre, well-primed with wine. Gaffing began,
and the billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the
stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost, as well
as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the landlord, who
was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was over, the
billiard-marker refused to make any division of the spoil, or even to
return the L10 which had been lost to him in 'bearing up' the cull. The
landlord pressed his demand upon the macer, who, in fact, was privately
reimbursed by the marker; but he was coolly told that he ought not to
allow such improper practices in his house, and that the sum was not
recoverable, the transaction being illegal.
How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am assured
that they are still in use and often made to do service at public-houses
and other places.
TOMMY DODD.
This is a mode of gambling very much in vogue at the present time. It is
often played at public-houses among parties to decide who is to pay the
reckoning. Each party turns down a half-penny, and, on uncovering it,
the matter is decided as in 'heads or tails.' Of course this expeditious
method is also used in gambling for money. Not long ago a retired
tradesman, happening to be in a public-house, where such things were
connived at, allowed himself to be induced to play at Tommy Dodd with
two low sharpers. They soon eased him of all the cash he had about him.
A bright idea, however, occurred to him. 'Stop a bit,' he said, 'I must
have my revenge. Just wait till I go home for more money.' The sharpers
were rejoiced at the idea, and rubbed their hands with delight, whilst
the tradesman went, as they felt sure, only to bring more money into
their 'till.' The man made all haste, for he was determined to have his
revenge, and soon returned with a large bag of money, which he clinked
on the table.
He first pulled out some coppers, telling them to choose from the lot
the coins they would play with. They assented, although they did not
seem 'much to like it.' 'And now,' said the tradesman, 'let's set to
business.'
The game proceeded with alternate success on both sides; but the
tradesman went on DOUBLING THE STAKES EVERY TIME, WHETHER HE LOST OR
WON, and, of course, at length completely broke their bank, and went off
with their money.
GAMBLING AT THE WINE AND OYSTER ROOMS, OR 'SALOONS.'
The gambling which was carried on in the private rooms of the wine and
oyster houses, about thirty years ago, and perhaps later, was just such
as that which had so long flourished in the low vicinity of St James's.
Indeed, the constant frequenters of the former had attained the most
profound knowledge of the art of robbing at the West End gaming houses.
The blacklegs visited the saloons every night, in order to pick up
new acquaintances among the young and inexperienced. They were polite,
well-dressed, gentlemanlike persons; and if they could trace anything
'soft' in the countenance of a new visitor, their wits went to work at
once to establish an acquaintance with him. Wine was set a-going, and
cards were proposed. The master of the concern soon provided a room, and
play advanced, accompanied by the certainty of loss to the unfortunate
stranger. But if the invitation to play was rejected, they made another
plant upon him. The ruffians attacked him through a passion of a
different kind. They gave the word to one of their female 'pals,' who
threw herself in his way, and prevailed upon him to accompany her to HER
establishment. In the morning the 'gentleman,' who in vain had solicited
him to play at the saloon the night before, would call--just to pay 'a
friendly visit.' Cards were again spoken of, and again proposed, with
the additional recommendation of the 'lady,' who offered to be the
partner of her friend in the game. The consequence was inevitable. Many
young noblemen and gentlemen were plundered by this scheme, of hundreds,
nay, of thousands of pounds. To escape without loss was impossible. They
packed and distributed the cards with such amazing dexterity, that they
could give a man, as it were, whatever cards they pleased.
CARDS THAT WOULD BEAT THE D--L HIMSELF!
A number of sharpers were detected in a trick by which they had won
enormous sums. An Ecarte party, consisting of a nobleman, a captain in
the army, an Armenian gentleman, and an Irish gentleman, sat down in one
of the private chambers attached to one of the large wine and shell-fish
rooms. The Armenian and the Irishman were partners, and were wonderfully
successful; indeed, so extraordinary was their luck in turning up cards,
that the captain, who had been in the town for some time, suspected the
integrity of his competitors, and, accordingly, handled the cards very
minutely. He soon discovered that there was an 'old gentleman' (a
card somewhat larger and thicker than the rest of the pack, and in
considerable use among the LEGS) in the midst of them. The captain and
his partner exclaimed that they were robbed, and the cards were sealed
up, and referred to a card-maker for his opinion.
'The old saying,' said the referee, 'that THE CARDS WOULD BEAT THE
CARD-MAKER, was never more true than it is in this instance, for this
pack would beat not only me, but the very d--l himself; there is not
only an OLD GENTLEMAN, but an OLD LADY (a card broader than the rest)
amongst them.'
The two 'gentlemen' were immediately accused of the imposition, but
they feigned ignorance of the fraud, refused to return a farthing of the
'swag,' and, in their turn, charged the losers with having got up the
story in order to recover what they had fairly lost.
GENEROSITY (?) OF A GAMING HOUSE KEEPER.
A young West Indian chanced one night to enter one of the gaming houses
in London, and began trying his chance at Roulette. Fortune favoured him
at first, and he won about a hundred pounds.
Instead of leaving off he only became the more excited by his success,
when his luck began to change, and he lost and lost until he staked
the last coin he had in his pocket. He then pawned to the master of the
table successively every ring and trinket he had, for money to continue
the stakes. All in vain. His luck never returned; and he made his way
down-stairs in a mood which may well be imagined. But what was
his surprise when the master of the table came running after him,
saying--'Sir, these things may be valuable to you--do me the favour
to take them with you. Next time I hope you will be more lucky,' and
returned all his rings and trinkets.
The moon was shining brightly at the time, and the young man swore by
it, that he would never again enter a gaming house, and he kept his
oath. Of course the generosity was but a decoy to entice the youth to
further ruin.
HOSPITALITY OF GAMING HOUSES, AND POPULARITY OF CITY MEN AT THEM.
Joseph Atkinson and his wife, who for many years kept a gaming house
at No. 15 under the Piazza, Covent Garden, gave daily magnificent play
dinners,--cards of invitation for which were sent to the clerks of
merchants, bankers, and brokers in the city. Atkinson used to say that
he liked CITIZENS--whom he called FLATS--better than any one else, for
when they had DINED they played freely, and after they had lost all
their money they had credit to borrow more. When he had CLEANED THEM
OUT, when THE PIGEONS WERE COMPLETELY PLUCKED, they were sent to some
of their solvent friends. After dinner play was introduced, and, till
dinner time the nest day, different games at cards, dice, and E O were
continually going on.
THE TRAFFIC IN HUSH MONEY.
Theophilus Bellasis, an infamous character, was well known at Bow
Street, where he had been charged with breaking into the counting-house
of Sir James Sanderson, Bart. Bellasis was sometimes clerk and sometimes
client to John Shepherd, an attorney of Bow Street; while at other times
Shepherd was prosecutor of those who kept gaming houses, and Bellasis
attorney. Sir William Addington, the magistrate, was so well aware that
these two men commenced prosecutions solely for the purpose of HUSH
MONEY, that he refused to act. The Joseph Atkinson just mentioned at one
time gave them L100, at another L80; and in this way they had amassed an
immense sum, and undertook, for a specific amount, to defend keepers of
gaming houses against all prosecutions!
WALKING OFF WITH A L200 BANK-NOTE.
The runaway son of an extensive linen-draper went to a gaming house in
King Street, and pocketed a L200 bank-note from the table. He was not
kicked out, because it would not be safe for the proprietors of these
houses to run the risk of getting involved in law; but he was civilly
walked down-stairs by the master of the establishment, who forbad him
the house evermore. The dashing youth, however, put both the money and
the affront in his pocket, and was only too thankful to get away in so
good a plight.
PERQUISITES OF GAMBLING HOUSE WAITERS.
A waiter in one of the gambling houses in St James's Street received in
Christmas boxes above L500. A nobleman, who had in the course of a week
won L80,000, gave him L100 of his winnings. He was said to have actually
borrowed of the waiter the money which led to his extraordinary success!
PAUL ROUBEL.
Paul Roubel was a gaming house keeper, who seems to have been an
exception to his class, according to the following account:--'A
foreigner once applied for the situation of croupier at old Paul
Roubel's, stating as his qualification that he could cut or turn up
whatever card he pleased. The old man (for he was nearly eighty, and a
very good hearty fellow in his way) declined the offer, saying--"You
are too clever for me; my customers must have some chance!" It is true
Roubel kept a gambling house; but it is also true that few men in higher
walks of life possessed a kinder heart, or a hand which opened more
freely or more liberally to the calls of humanity! Peace be to his
manes!'
TITLED GREEKS, OR 'DECOYS.'
In all the gaming houses of any note there were unprincipled and
reckless persons paid by the hellites, employed in various capacities,
and for various purposes. Sometimes they played for the proprietors
against any one who chose to put down his money; at other times, when
there were no other individuals playing at all, they pretended to be
strangers themselves, and got up sham games with the proprietors, with
the view of practising a deception on any strangers who might be in the
room, and by that means inducing them to put down their money. They were
dressed in the most fashionable manner, always exhibiting a profusion of
jewellery, and living in great splendour when they have any particular
person in their eye, in the various hotels throughout town.(50)
(50) Grant, Sketches in London.
In some cases, in the higher class of gaming establishments, the Greeks,
or decoys, being men of title or considerable standing in society, did
not receive a fixed salary for seducing young men of fortune, but being
in every case very needy men, they nominally borrowed, from time to
time, large sums of money from the hell-keepers. It was, however,
perfectly understood on both sides that the amount so borrowed was never
to be repaid.(51)
(51) Grant, Ubi supra.
WHY CHEATS WERE CALLED GREEKS.
M. Robert-Houdin says that this application of the term 'Greek'
originated from a certain modern Greek, named Apoulos, who in the reign
of Louis XIV. was caught cheating at court, and was condemned to 20
years at the galleys. I think this a very improbable derivation, and
unnecessary withal. Aristotle of old, as before stated, ranked gamesters
'with thieves and plunderers, who for the sake of gain do not scruple to
despoil their best friends.' We afterwards find them bearing just as bad
a character among the Romans. Says Juvenal--
Graeculus esuriens in coelum jusseris, ibit.
'Bid the hungry Greek to heaven, to heaven he goes.'
Dr Johnson translated the words, 'Bid him to h--l, to h--l he
goes'--which is wrong. A DIFFICULTY is implied, and everybody knows that
it is easier to go to the latter place than the former. It means that a
needy Greek was capable of doing anything. Lord Byron protested that he
saw no difference between Greeks and Jews--of course, meaning 'Jews'
in the offensive sense of the word. Among gamblers the term was chiefly
applied to 'decoys.'
GAMING TABLE SLANG AND MANOEUVRES.
Captain Sharp. A cheating bully, whose office it was to bully any
'Pigeon,' who, suspecting roguery, refused to pay what he had lost.
St Hugh's bones. Dice. A bale of bard cinque deuces; a bale of flat
cinque deuces; a bale of flat size aces; a bale of bard cater treys; a
bale of flat cater treys; a bale of Fulhams; a bale of light graniers;
a bale of gordes, with as many highmen and lowmen for passage; a bale of
demies; a bale of long dice for even or odd; a bale of bristles; a bale
of direct contraries,--names of false dice.
Do. To cheat.
Done up. Ruined.
Down-hills. False dice which run low.
Elbow-shaker. A gamester.
Fulhams. Loaded dice.
Fuzz. To shuffle cards closely: to change the pack.
Game. Bubbles, Flats, Pigeons.
Gull Gropers. Usurers who lend money to gamesters.
Greeks. Cheats at play.
Hedge. To secure a bet by betting on the other side.
High Jinks. A gambler who drinks to intoxicate his Pigeon.
Hunting. Drawing in the unwary.
Main. Any number on the dice from five to nine.
Paum. To hide a card or die.
Pigeons. Dupes of sharpers at play.
Vincent's Law. The art of cheating at cards, by the banker, who plays
booty, Gripe, who bets, and the Vincent, who is cheated. The gain is
called termage.
Vowel. To give an I. O. U. in payment.
Up-hills. False dice which run high.
SPECIMEN OF A QUASI GAMING HOUSE CIRCULAR.
'SIR,--I hope you will join with the rest of the parishioners in
recommending what friends you can to my shops. They shall have good
candles and fair play. Sir, we are a not gang of swindlers,
Like other Gaming Houses,
We are men of character.
Our Party is,
Tom Carlos--alias Pistol,
Ned Mogg,--from Charing Cross,
Union Clarke, ------------
{The best in the world at
A Frenchman,{
{sleight of hand.
My poor Brother,
and
Melting Billy,
Your humble Servant.
To the Church-Wardens, Overseers, and each
respectable inhabitant in the Parish.'
A card was enclosed, as follows:--
'****
Gaming House Keeper,
and **** **** to
The Honourable House of Commons
No. 7 and 8 **** St, St James's.'
This circular was sent to Stockdale, the publisher, in 1820, who
published it with the names in asterisks suppressed. It was evidently
intended to expose some doings in high places.