|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 11
A few words on the _prevention_ of gaming, the consideration of
which gave rise to this hasty sketch; I mean by dramatic exhibitions of
its direful effects. On our stage we have a pathetic tragedy by E.
Moore, which, though seldom acted, is a fine domestic moral to old and
young; but the author
"Was his own Beverley, a dupe to play."
It is scarcely necessary to allude to the recent transfers of a
celebrated French _expos�_ of French gambling to our English stage,
otherwise than to question their moral tendency. The pathos of our
_Gamester_ may reach the heart; but the French pieces command no
such appeal to our sympathies. On the contrary, the vice is emblazoned
in such romantic and fitful fancies, that their effect is questionable,
especially on the majority of those who flock to such exhibitions. The
_extasies_ of the gamester are too seductive to be heightened by
dramatic effect; neither are they counterbalanced by their consesequent
misery, when the aim of these representations should be to outweigh
them; for the authenticated publication of a single prize in the lottery
has been known to seduce more adventurers than a thousand losses have
deterred from risk. But they keep up the dancing spirits of the
multitude, and it will be well if their influence extends no further.
PHILO.
[1] As the Palais Royal may be considered the central point of the
_maisons de jeu_, or gambling-houses, it will not be irrelevant
to give a brief sketch of them:--
The apartments which they occupy are on the first floor, and are
very spacious. Upon ascending the staircase is an antechamber, in
which are persons called _bouledogues_ (bull-dogs), whose
office it is to prevent the entrance of certain marked individuals.
In the same room are men to receive hats, umbrellas, &c., who give
a number, which is restored upon going out.
The antechamber leads to the several gaming rooms, furnished with
tables, round which are seated the individuals playing, called
_pontes_ (punters), each of whom is furnished with a card and a pin
to mark the _rouge_ and _noir_, or the number, in order to regulate
his game. At each end of the table is a man called _bout de table_,
who pushes up to the bank the money lost. In the middle of the
table is the man who draws the cards. These persons, under the
reign of Louis XIV., were called _coupeurs de bourses_
(purse-cutters); they are now denominated _tailleurs_.
After having drawn the cards, they mate known the result as
follows:--_Rouge gagne et couleur perd.--Rouge perd et couleur
gagne_.
At _roulette_, the _tailleurs_ are those who put the ball in
motion and announce the result.
At _passe-dix_, every time the dice are thrown, the _tailleurs_
announce how many the person playing has gained.
Opposite the _tailleur_, and on his right and left, are persons
called _croupiers_, whose business it is to pay and to collect
money.
Behind the _tailleurs_ and _croupiers_ are inspectors, to see
that too much is not given in payment, besides an indefinite
number of secret inspectors, who are only known to the proprietors.
There are also _ma�tres de maison_, who are called to decide
disputes; and _messieurs de la chambre_, who furnish cards to
the _pontes_, and serve them with beer, &c., which is to be
had _gratis_. Moreover, there is a _grand ma�tre_, to whom the
apartments, tables, &c., belong.
When a stranger enters these apartments, he will soon find near
him some obliging men of mature age, who, with an air of prudence
and sagacity, proffer their advice. As these advisers perfectly
understand _their own_ game, if their _prot�g�s_ lose, the mentors
vanish; but it they win, the counsellor comes nearer, congratulates
the happy player, insinuates that it was by following his advice
that fortune smiled on him, and finally succeeds in borrowing a
small sum of money on honour. Many of these loungers have no
other mode of living.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|