I am, indeed, a
member of two clubs, the Albion and the Stratford, but never in
my life did I play in either at cards, or dice, or any game of
chance; this is well known to the gentlemen of these clubs; and
my private friends, with whom I more intimately associated, can
equally assert my freedom from all habit or disposition to
play.'[21]
[21] See the case in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi
I close this record of crime and misery by a few narratives of a
more miscellaneous character.
GAMBLING FOR LIFE.
Marshal Grammont used to tell a story of three soldiers, who,
having committed offences punishable by death, it was ordered
that one of them should be hanged as an example, and the three
were directed to decide which of them should suffer by throwing
dice. The first threw fourteen, the second seventeen, and the
last, taking up the dice as coolly as though he were engaged in a
trivial game, threw eighteen! Thereupon he exclaimed, with an
expression of vexation, 'Ah, now! if I had been playing for money
I should not have been so lucky!'
This may appear 'taking it very cool;' but I think the following
cases of Englishmen' rather stronger.'
ONE OF MANY INSTANCES.
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