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.
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