Life," is by Gillray, 31st Mar. 1792, and in it we see Lady Archer,
and Lady Buckinghamshire, keeping a Faro Bank: and, as they are rather
_passées_, the picture has the following, "To those earthly Divinities
who charmed 20 years ago, this Honorable method of banishing
mortifying reflections is dedicated. O, Woman! Woman! everlasting is
your power over us, for in youth, you charm away our hearts, and in
your after years you charm away our purses!"
[Illustration: Gambling--1792.]
It is a pity we have not the key to the portraits of the bystanders,
for portraits they, undoubtedly, are, because there is such
individuality in the expression of their several countenances. The
players we can easily recognise--Lady Archer, at the extreme left, has
won largely, rouleaux of gold, and bank notes, are before her, and on
her right hand are two heaps of loose gold;--with what a smiling
countenance does the painted old gambler shew her cards, saying, "The
Knave wins all!"
Her next door neighbour, the Prince of Wales, who has staked, and
lost, his last piece, lifts his hands, and eyes, in astonishment at
the luck. Lady Buckinghamshire has doubled her stake, playing on two
cards, and is evidently annoyed at her loss--whilst poor, black
muzzled Fox, laments the loss of his last three pieces.
"The profits of Faro are become so considerably reduced, that
most of the Banks now lose almost every evening, after defraying
the expences of the house, which are very considerable. Those
_public-spirited_ Ladies who give such frequent routes, do so at
a certain gain: for the sum of TWENTY-FIVE guineas is regularly
advanced by the bank holders towards the night's expences. The
_punters_ at Mrs. Hobart's, and Mrs. Sturt's, Faro Banks have
dropped off considerably: and those who continue, are got so
_knowing_, that heavy complaints are made that they bring no
grist to the mill. There have not been above eight punters at
Mrs. Sturt's bank, any night this season. The _pigeons_ are all
flown, and the _punters_ are nothing better than
_hawks_."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1793._)
* * * * *
"No less than six _Faro Banks_ are held in Pall Mall, viz.,
Philips's, Nelson's, Curtis's, Hall's, Whitnoll's, and
Bullock's."--(_Times, Feb. 18, 1793._)
* * * * *
"It is become necessary to put our young men on their guard
against the swindling tricks of some French ladies in this
metropolis, of elevated rank, who have introduced assemblies in
their lodgings, and houses, of an evening, for the purpose of
attracting company, whose pockets are to be taxed by Gallic
address, for the support of these nocturnal establishments.
"In one of these, the _Lady_ who presides, has not yet lost her
personal charms, nor those arts of seduction, and that address,
for which her _well-informed_ countrymen are so _notorious_. She,
however, outwitted herself some day since, by employing one of
her mitred attendants to dispose of a watch set with diamonds.
This right reverend Father in God turned pedlar, in his extreme
zeal to execute the orders of his fair hostess, offered the
bauble to a gentleman who, the evening before, had been present
at this _splendid_ assemblage of Gallic Noblesse, and had seen
the watch by the side of the lady herself. On finding that double
the value was demanded for the trinket, he was at no loss to
discover the _ways and means_ by which this gaudy display of
independence, comfort, and hilarity, was supported."--(_Times,
Feb. 27, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The Banking _Ladies_ in St. James Square, do not see themselves
much obliged to the _Abbé de St. Farre_, and his brother, for
introducing so many noble Emigrants to their houses. These
people come with their crown pieces and half-guineas, and
absolutely form a circle round the Faro tables, to the total
exclusion of our English Lords and Ladies, who can scarcely get
one _punt_ during a whole evening."--(_Times, March 14, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The play at the _Faro Banks_ is reduced to so low a standard,
except where they _punt_ on _tick_, that a _rouleau_ of 20
guineas is quite a novelty."--(_Times, March 19, 1793._)
* * * * *
"A principal Faro Bank was broken twice last week--on Monday
night at Mrs. Hobart's, and on Wednesday at Mrs. Concannon's. On
the first night it lost 2000, and, on the last, 600 guineas. Lord
C. S******* is one of the keenest _punters_ of the present day.
Poor _Mazzinghi_, who deals the cards at Mrs. Sturt's Bank, was
threatened on Tuesday night, by his Lordship, to have his bones
broken, because he disputed the noble Lord's _intention of
cocking a card_. The money was not deposited on the card in the
regular manner, but the young Lord said he _intended_ to stake on
the winning card, and therefore claimed it as if he had actually
done so. Something was muttered about the _highway_, but it was
impossible it could allude to the circumstance in
question."--(_Times, April 29, 1793._)
* * * * *
"Mrs. G. is said to understand Faro better than any other Lady of
the town, particularly in the art of _doubling_ the corner of a
card, so as to win triple stakes if it is successful. She has
_doubled_ the Faro Bank holders out of so much money, that they
shrink at the sight of her presence. There is so much running
upon _tick_ with the Faro Tables, that, like the Country Banks,
they are breaking every day. They will soon want some other
assistance than Cards, and Wax Lights, to keep up some of the
Establishments at the West end of the town.
"The Faro Bank holders now lose money almost every evening. The
_punters_ are now becoming the _rooks_, and the _bankers_ the
_pigeons_. The Ladies understand the game so well, and play so
_keen_, that it requires the eyes of _Argus_ to detect all their
_tricks_. As little _Quick_ says in the play, a greenhorn has
only to put down his money, and he is sure to find some one _to
take it up for him_."--(_Times, May 1, 1793._)
* * * * *
"A _Banking_ Lady, in St. James Square, is about to commence a
prosecution, because it is said, that there was much _filching_
at her Faro table. The house was quite in an uproar on Tuesday
night, in consequence of a paragraph that appeared in a Morning
Paper of the preceding day. The Lady _vows_ she will call in the
aid of an _Attorney_ to _support her reputation_: and observes,
that the _credit_ of her house will suffer if such reports are
permitted to go unpunished. The _Faro Ladies_ are, in the
sporting phrase, almost _done up_. Jewels, trinkets, watches,
laces, &c., are often at the pawnbrokers, and scarce anything is
left to raise money upon, except their _pads_. If justice is to
be _hoodwinked_, and _gambling_, and _sharking_, permitted, why
not make it an article of revenue, as in foreign countries, and
lay a heavy tax on it. A tax on excessive gaming would, in the
course of a year, produce as much as would fit out a 50 gun
ship."--(_Times, May 2, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The war has lessened the receipt of the Faro Tables, insomuch,
that they can barely allow _lemonade_.
"The _Faro Tables_ now really come within the true meaning of
_plundering_ shops. They are attended by a gang of sharpers, who
talk of knocking down the _Croupiers_ if any offence is taken at
the most barefaced frauds. Surely the Police may now make
forcible entry into the Houses, fashionable, or unfashionable,
which hold out a bait for the purpose of robbery."--(_Times, May
3, 1793._)
* * * * *
"The Faro Bank holders at the fashionable routs are nearly _done
up_; for what with the _punters_ running away with their
winnings, and never paying when they lose, and the 25 guineas per
night, paid to the fashionable landladies for the use of their
houses, the profits are pared down to a very nothing."--(_Times,
March 28, 1794._)
* * * * *
"Lord Hampden's _Faro Bank_ is broken up for the present season.
Lady Buckinghamshire, Mrs. Sturt, and Mrs. Concannon alternately
divide the _Beau monde_ at their respective houses. Instead of
having two different hot suppers, at _one_ and _three_ o'clock in
the morning, the _Faro Banks_ will now scarcely afford bread and
cheese, and porter.
"One of the Faro Banks in St. James Square lost 7000£ last year
by bad debts. A young son of Levi is a considerable debtor to
one of them; but not finding it convenient to pay what is not
recoverable by law, he no longer appears in these fashionable
circles."--(_Times, April 2, 1794._)
* * * * *
"A Card.--The Lady Gamblers at the West end of the town, present
their compliments to several Ex noble Emigrés, who frequent their
card routs, and inform them, through the channel of this paper,
that their absence would be more agreeable than their company.
They beg leave to suggest that hot suppers, and French wines,
brilliant illuminations, cards, and other expences, cannot be
afforded out of the profits of such _peddling_ play as staking an
_ecu_, or half a guinea, on the turn up of a card, and they beg
leave to observe, that it is not considered as a mark of their
good breeding, to engross the whole round of the Faro table,
which might be turned to so much better advantage, by the
pluckings of a few rich young Lords, and Commoners, who would
wish to sport their _rouleaus_. It is hoped this hint may be
attended to, as it may prevent further observation."--(_Times,
April 3, 1794._)
* * * * *
"It is impossible to conceive a more complete system of fraud and
dishonour than is practised every night at the _Faro Banks_.
Though every table has four croupiers, yet the Bank holders find,
that double the number are necessary to watch all the little
tricks, and artifices, of some of the _fashionable punters_. But
Mrs. G---- beats all her associates in the art of _doubling, or
cocking a card_."--(_Times, April 4, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The Faro Banks being no longer a profitable game, certain Ladies
in St. James' Square have substituted another instead of it,
called _Roulet_: but it is in fact only the old game of E.O.
under a different title. _Roulet_ is now therefore the _order of
the night_."--(_Times, June 25, 1794._)
* * * * *
"The late King was passionately fond of Masquerades, where there
was always a Pharo Bank prepared for his entertainment. Upon one
occasion the crowd was so great in all parts of the Theatre, that
the late Mr. Crawford was called for, and ordered to stop the
further admission of company at the door: in which, however, he
found so much difficulty, that 2700 guineas were forced into his
pocket, whilst he stood purposely to advertise the public that
there was no more room."--(_Times, April 13, 1795._)
* * * * *
"The two gambling houses in St. James's Square are in despair.
The suppers are ordered with great caution: and of things that
will _keep_. The two last companies have been composed,
literally, of the _privileged wives_, and of
foreigners."--(_Times, Dec. 2, 1795._)
* * * * *
"It is to the credit of the rising generation of females, that
they have unanimously quitted those infamous meetings, called
Private Pharoes, where some of their shameless Mammas, and the
faded reputations of the present age, still expose their vices,
and cheat the boys who have not been long enough in the army, to
wear out their first cockades."--(_Times, Dec. 30, 1795._)
* * * * *
"To the CONDUCTOR of the TIMES.
"Sir,--London is certainly an eligible place for persons who have
nothing but their labour to depend on, to get forward in life,
provided they steer clear of the many snares, and temptations,
which hover in every alley, street, winding, and corner.
"The mischief is, however, that the generality of young men, the
moment they set foot in town, or, if brought up in the
Metropolis, directly they enter the world on their own account,
are hurried away, thoughtlessly, with the stream of error, and
dissipation. If he happens to be a young man possessed of a
moderate independence, without the suggestion of prudence, the
caution of experience, the councils of wisdom or the restraint of
authority, his whole conduct is then influenced by the passion
with which he is actuated, which becomes at once, whether good or
bad, his impulse, and his guide.
"The Play-house is the first place of resort, which from the
frequency of his visits, instead of being an instructive
amusement, or a moral lesson, turns out a rendezvous of intrigue,
and intemperance, where he soon acquires an intimacy with the
idle, the profligate, the gambler, and the prostitute, who eye
him as their lawful prey, and with all that ease, dexterity, and
artifice, which a knowledge of the town, and its vicissitudes,
has furnished them with, they imperceptibly lead him from one
crime to another, till at length he becomes extravagant, and
irregular, callous, and abandoned. Bagnios, gaming-tables,
horses, and black-legs, are now his only wish, theme, and
delight, and, so long as his pocket will endure the burden, so
long, and no longer, is he duped, flattered, caressed, and
encouraged, by those who surround him. But everything must have
an end, and enormous expenditures cannot keep pace with that
income which should be managed with care and frugality. The young
Gentleman _runs short_, as it is termed, and, on his first
embarrassment, is advised to apply for the assistance of some
_friendly advertising money lender_, who, upon proper security,
has the _modesty_ to procure him from time to time, sums of
money, at the _equitable premium of 100 per cent_. A repetition
so involves him, that, by degrees, his estate falls into the
hands of Mr. Usurer, who takes an _absolute assignment of his
estate_, for a consideration less than half its true value: and
reflection never once enters his head, but he unfortunately
squanders the last shilling: but it is, now, he conceives, a
folly to repent, or retreat: consequently he gets into debt, is
arrested, carried to a spunging house, and from thence is removed
to the King's Bench, or Fleet Prison.
"Far be it from me to throw any odium on an unfortunate class of
people immured in the walls of either of those places, there are
no doubt, imprisoned, as worthy, and as good a set of people, as
any in society. But the young spark I am speaking of, being
mortified at his late companions standing aloof, and resigning
him to his fate, becomes loaded with obloquy, associates with
characters equally as vicious as himself, smoaks, swears, and
carouses, and, all at once, is wholly lost, as it were to
himself, and to the world.
"R. K--y."
--(_Times, Dec. 31, 1795._)
* * * * *
"Capt. H. of the Guards, the nephew of the Banker, who a short
time since lost 13,000 guineas at one sitting, at Backgammon, to
an Irish Gambler, revenged himself last week for this loss, by
winning the enormous sum of _45,000 Guineas_, at Billiards, in
one night, of Mr. B. S. of the Guards. It is said that £25,000 of
the money was paid him the next day."--(_Times, March 16, 1796._)
* * * * *
"It is said to be the intention of some of the leading circles in
the Fashionable World, to abolish the tax of _Card-money_,[4] as
an imposition upon hospitality. This would prove the return of
good sense, inasmuch as it tends to substantiate the truth--that
when one person invites another to partake of the conviviality of
his house, he should not lay an impost upon him, even more
exorbitant than that which he would pay, were he to attend a
Tavern Club. When a friend is invited, it is an insult to
friendship to make that friend pay for his
entertainment."--(_Times, Dec. 17, 1794._)
[Footnote 4: The guests paid a small sum each, for every new
Pack of Cards used, which it was supposed the servants
took.]
* * * * *
"The _tabbies_ at Bath are in a state of insurrection, in
consequence of an example set by Lady Elcho, who neither visits,
nor receives, company that _pay for_ Cards: the laudable
reformation is adopted so generally, that many of the _Dowagers_,
who have so long fed upon _Card-money_, are turning their
thoughts to some more creditable means of earning their
livelihood."--(_Times, March 22, 1796._)
* * * * *
"We hope the Ladies in London, who stand upon a nice point of
honour, will follow the example of the Bath Ladies, and exclude
the odious, and pitiful, custom of taking card-money at their
houses. It is a meanness, which no persons who pretend to the
honour of keeping good company, ought to allow. We are afraid
that many a party is formed, rather to derive benefit from the
Card tables, than for the sake of hospitality."--(_Times, March
24, 1796._)
* * * * *
"We hope, now that the business of informations against the
Gambling Houses has found its way into the Court of King's Bench,
that we shall hear of some effectual measures being taken to
suppress them. What other than the most unworthy considerations
could have suffered these houses to be open night after night, in
defiance of every law, and to the destruction of young women,
whose parents are so profligate, as to take them thither. If
certain Mammas have no regard for their reputation, surely they
should consider that their daughters are yet to be provided for.
"We state it as a fact, within our own knowledge, that two Ladies
of Fashion who keep open houses for Gaming, at the West End of
the Town, have lately paid large _douceurs_, to ward off the hand
of justice."--(_Times, Apr. 23, 1796._)
* * * * *
"The Gambling-houses in and about Oxenden St., live in a stile of
unprecedented luxury, and dissipation. It was stated some time
ago, in the Court of King's Bench, that their dinners amounted to
£150,000 per annum."--(_Times, May 27, 1796._)
[Illustration: A kick-up at a Hazard Table. (No.1)--1790.]
[Illustration: A kick-up at a Hazard Table. (No.2)--1790.]
[Illustration: Modern Hospitality]
[Illustration: Dividing the Spoil, St. James's.--1796.]
These two illustrations are almost Hogarthian in their contrast, and
preach a homily, better than pages of text would do, on the similarity
of plunder. St. James, with Lady Archer and Lady Buckinghamshire
quarrelling over gold, bank notes, a sword, and an Order. One other
lady, probably Lady Mount Edgcumbe, scrutinising a bill--whilst the
fourth, with a pile of gold, and notes, before her, looks calmly on.
The artist (who, unfortunately, is anonymous,) shows what very little
difference there is between that, and the woman of St. Giles--who, to
the accompaniment of Gin, are dividing _their_ spoil, a pipe, a foot
rule, a razor, &c.--little things reft from working men--on a very
common deal table.
It was about this time that special attention was called to this
gaming mania, and Gillray (?) on the 16th May, 1796, published a
Caricature called "Faro's Daughters, or the Kenyonian blow up to
gamblers." Here we see the Lady Archer, and Mrs. Concannon, placed
together in the pillory, and mutually upbraiding each other.
The _motif_ for this picture was a speech of Lord Kenyon's, who, at a
trial to recover £15, won at gaming, on Sunday, at a public
house--commented very severely on the hold, the vice of gaming had, on
all classes of society, from the highest, to the lowest. The former,
he said, set the example to the latter--and, he added, "They think
they are too great for the law; I wish they could be punished,"--and
then continued, "If any prosecutions of this kind are fairly brought
before me, and the parties are justly convicted, whatever be their
rank, or station, in the country--though they be the first ladies in
the land--they shall certainly exhibit themselves in the pillory."
"A new stratagem has been hit on to gain early intelligence of
the drawings of the ensuing Irish Lottery. As _Pigeons_ are found
sometimes not to fly quick enough, some of our speculating
Lottery Rooks have been for some time past trying experiments on
high eminences in North Wales, by exhibiting rockets about seven
o'clock in the evening. It is to be seen whether this mode of
communication can be rendered sufficiently intelligible, to
answer the purposes of fraud."--(_Times, Nov. 4, 1796._)
* * * * *
"It is said, and we hope with truth, that the Archbishop of
Canterbury, at the head, and with the concurrence of the
Episcopal Lords, means to introduce a Bill into Parliament to
prevent _gambling on a Sunday_. An act at present does exist
against this pernicious practice; but the penalty amounts to a
fine, that the Groom-porters at Hazard, or the Dealer at Faro,
can with ease pay by the _profits of an hour_. The punishment for
the offence of playing any game of chance on a Sunday is, by this
new intended Bill, to be _transportation for seven years to
Botany Bay_. The owner of the house, by a particular clause, is
more severely dealt with. _He_, or _she_, permitting such
gambling, shall be transported for life."--(_Times, Feb. 13,
1797._)
"PUBLIC OFFICE, MARLBOROUGH St. FARO BANKS. On Saturday came on
to be heard, informations against Lady Buckinghamshire, Lady
Elizabeth Luttrell, Mrs. Sturt, and Mr. Concannon, for having,
on the night of the 30th of last January, played at _Faro_, at
Lady Buckinghamshire's house, in St. James's Square, and Mr.
Martindale was charged with being the proprietor of the table.
"The evidence went to prove that the Defendants had gaming
parties at their different houses by rotation, and that when they
met at Lady B.'s, the witnesses used to wait upon them in the
gambling room, and that they played at _E.O._, _Rouge et Noir_,
&c., from about eleven, or twelve, till three, or four, o'clock
in the morning. After hearing Counsel, the Magistrates convicted
_Hy. Martindale_ in the penalty of £200, and _each of the Ladies_
in £50. The Information against Mr. _Concannon_ was quashed, on
account of his being summoned by a wrong Christian
name."--(_Times, Mar. 13, 1797._)
[Illustration: Dividing the Spoil, St. Giles's.--1796.]
The Magistrates were not quite so severe as Lord Kenyon had promised
to be, should he ever get any of these ladies into his clutches:
perhaps they had heard of the recent loss of Lady Buckinghamshire's,
when in Feb{y}. her Faro Bank was stolen, or, at least, _she said it
had been_. Gillray caricatured it very cleverly--as also he did in the
accompanying illustration, "Discipline à la Kenyon"--in which the Lord
Chief Justice, is administering a sound flogging to Lady
Buckinghamshire, whilst Lady Archer, and Mrs. Concannon, stand in the
pillory, guarded by a stalwart constable.
"The expence of entertainments at a Gaming House of the highest
class, in St. James' Square, during the eight months of last
season, has been said to exceed _6000 Guineas_! what must be the
profits to afford such a profusion?"--(_Times, March 21, 1797._)
* * * * *
"The Pharo _Trade_ is likely to experience a more severe check
from the recent refusal of some fashionable Gamesters to
liquidate their debts, than from the accumulated terrors of
_Police_ persecution. If the punters won't _pay_, the dealers may
as well _shut up_ shop."--(_Times, Sept. 23, 1797._)
* * * * *
"If a man should happen, in a Cockpit, to make a bet which he is
not able to answer, he is put into a basket, and pulled up to the
ceiling, where he remains suspended during the sport. It is
recommended to the Pharo Bankers to institute some such
punishment for the Lady 'Levanters.'"--(_Times, Sept. 23, 1997._)
* * * * *
"To such a height has the spirit of gambling arisen, that at some
of the great Tables it is not uncommon to see the stake consist
wholly of property _in kind_. A house of furniture was last week
lost to a Lady in the neighbourhood of Pall Mall.
"The successful party had played against it, the stock of a farm
in the County of Essex."--(_Times, Sept. 25, 1797._)
* * * * *
"At some of our first Boarding Schools, the fair pupils are now
taught to play whist, and cassino. Amongst their _winning_ ways,
this may not be the least agreeable to Papa and Mamma.
"It is calculated, that a clever child, by its cards, and its
novels, may pay for its own education."--(_Times, Nov. 2, 1797._)
* * * * *
"At a boarding-school in the neighbourhood of Moorfields, the
mistress complains that she is unable to teach her scholars
either Whist, or Pharo. However, she says, they play perfectly
well at _Kissino_, and all-fours."--(_Times, Nov. 2, 1797._)
* * * * *
"So completely has gambling got the better of dancing, that at a
private Ball, last week, a Gentleman asking a young Lady, from
Bath, to dance the two next dances, she very ingenuously
replied,'Yes, if you will play two rubbers at
Cassino.'"--(_Times, Dec. 22, 1797._)
* * * * *