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gant, and feveral of thofe abandons fhall, upon any favourite fcheme of their's, go the greatest lengths in profufion, nay even diffipate their laft guinea, and, at the fame time, be guilty of the greatest baseness and fervility to 'gain money.

Mifers and gamefters do just the fame. From the time Hazard playing took up my thoughts, or at least the probability of winning against that of lofing, I grew indifferent to every thing elfe; abforbed in an idea of accumulating wealth, I did not chufe to lay out fix pence on any one amufement but the Hazard Table, and anxiety when I was there prevented my being amused at it, it was avarice folely that poffeffed me.

I believe it in fome measure owing to my being fo much used to bufinefs, I was a great gainer in about three months. -I was cool, and could lay my betts better than any in the club, and was foon looked upon as the best calculator in it.

One of the members, whofe name was Beltham, fent me a card of invitation to drink tea that afternoon at his chambers in Lincoln's inn; I went, and found him with a couple of very agreeable ladies.

He took me out, and told me that thefe were a couple of high girls in great keeping, who could only now and then steal out for an hour; they came for a frolic, had a mind to be jolly that evening, and keep it up, and he had fent for me to make one of the party.

I thanked him for the favour, and we returned to the ladies; I had loft all with for women, my whole defires were absorbed in a box and dice.-But the champaign flew about briskly, the women were in high fpirits, talked lively, fung prettily, and were in perfon fo eharming, I became really enamoured of one of thefe ladies, and we agreed to make an excurfion together for three or four days. Things of this fort are not more eagerly propofed than embraced; poft chaifes were hired, and we all four fet out for Windfor.

This excurfion loft my lady her keeper; however, that lofs fat very light upon her; fhe fnapt her fingers when fhe received the letter, called him fcrub, and fwore fhe would live with me upon bread and water.

As I had been the means of her lofing a good allowance, I could do no less than promife her, upon honour, the fhould always find a friend in me-however, in my own mind, I was determined never to be a dupe to a woman, to maintain her-no, if this girl should want any fum for an exigency, I would advance it, but never keep her.

I now began to dislike my master's, feldom was at home; I had letters out of the country filled with remonstrances ; those I never condefcended to answer.

My Mistress undertook once or twice to talk to me in the motherly strain, for my good, as she was pleased to preface it; but I was too far gone to let advice alter me; I was infatuated, I faw nothing but profpects of golden pleasures before me for by this time I had, by only playing in that club, accumulated upwards of fifteen hundred pounds.

The lady whom I had deprived of her friend was ftill my woman, but one whom, except a treat now and then at the tavern, an odd thing for a gown, or a fancied ring, or fome other fuch toy, did not coft me fix-pence.

She never asked me for a fhilling, and that generofity of temper was one reafon of my admiring her fo much.

Had our meeting at Hazard continued, I don't in the leaft doubt but that I fhould have made my fortune; but one night an unfortunate quarrel diffolved it.

A difpute arose between my master's fon, and one of the company, about a bett-words grew very high, and unknown to the rest of the members (after the quarrel was feemingly made up) these two adjourned to the Rofe, and about half an hour after four in the morning, my friend was brought home to his father's fpeechlefs, and run thro' the body, and expired in half an hour afterwards.

The agony of the family is not to be defcribed

defcribed My mafter ordered me to be told, as foon as I came home, as he had loft his only fon by a quarrel at a gaming-table, at which he was affured I was one of the principal, and that I kept a common woman, he did not think it confiftent either with his reputation or intereft, to entertain me any longer in his house.

I did not think it worth while to reply to the meffage, but immediately or dered a coach, packed up my things, and drove to my girl's lodgings.

Now I commenced man of the town, wore my laced fuits, fupped every night at one or another of the noted taverns with my woman, and others of the fame rank, gave my opinion at the Bedford, made a great noife at Epfom races, and appeared to be of all that pitiful confequence, which every lownger about town affumes.

I was bowed to moft fubmiffively at the Shakespear, the Bedford Head and Arms, King's Arms, Star and Garter, &c. by all the landlords, addreffed with the most fervile flattery by them themfelves, their larders, their horfes, poft chaifes, or whatever elfe they kept always at my service. Their pimps few to me at a beckon, every mistress or woman of pleafure in keeping fond of inviting me to parties with them.

I now forted with those who are stigmatized by the name of gamblers; however, I foon knew as much as they did; they dreffed well, lived gay, and kept the best company; fo did I, every thing went on glibly-I could play with any of the most noted gamelters, becaufe I know they always acted upon honour with their acquaintance.

I went to Scarborough and York races, lived as a man of fashion ought to do; and although I was by this time known to have no other way of fupporting myself but by gaming, and that playing always upon the fquare muft inevitably ruin every man who follows it; therefore, I was a gamefter profefled. Yet as long as I dreffed well, payed my played debts honourably, and entertained elegantly, I was intimate with, and vifited by feveral people of fashion.

However, I found my finances, on my return to London for the winter, rather impaired by too high expences; but as I had contracted a large acquaintance, I expected to reap the benefit of it, efpecially as I had luckily, as I then thought, gained a friend in the gaming way, who promifed to let me into fome fchemes, I was yet a ftranger to, and we were by agreement to go fhares in the profits.

The reader, if he will give himself the trouble to recollect, will confider, that I must be very young during these transactions, and therefore wonder how I could commence gambler under age; but that is easily accounted for; the younger I was, the lefs liable to be furpected; I had made it my study; I was apt at the profeffion; the company of kept women and men who gamed, bronzed me into an unblushing behavi our, and before I was eighteen, few people knew more of playing all the games than I did.

My youth, that was my protector in gaming, ruined me in my connection with women. Vain, and full of defire, I took pride in being thought to have fo fine a woman, and from her well acted endearments I grew to dote upon her.

For fome weeks I obferved her to be

more thoughtful than ufual; an involuntary figh burft from her; I was unealy, the never would tell me, tho' I preffed ever fo often; however, I was determined to know, and with this ftale trick, this fcene, which I have seen reprefented upon the stage, was I taken in-fotrue it is, THAT BY HIS WHORE' CUNNING, OR BY HIS OWN, EVERY KNAVE AT LAST FALLS A SACRIFICE. I fent for her upper fervant to the fountain one day, and defired her to tell me what was the matter with her miftrefs; upon which the, who had been long waiting for this cue, began a most melancholy ftory, how well her miftrefs had lived when the last gentleman kept her, whom he left for me, and that ever fince her mistress had been running behind hand; but that the loved me fo

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well, he was not willing for me to know it, because the faid I might fufpect it was only a scheme, a decoy-but (the girl continued) as the hoped to be faved, and upon her honour, her miftrefs went in fear of being arrested every day, because she wou'dn't go into company, her love for me was fo great.

I fnapt at the bait, ordered her flily to get me a lift of her miftreffes creditors; fhe had it ready, the faid, on purpofe to fhow me feveral times, but her heart failed her. Even that did not open my eyes, I could not discover, that there must be some defign in this ready wrote out lift, than I at firft faw-noI was prepoffeffed, and I the next day difcharged them all, by fending my girl the contents of the lift, which I think came to 240 l. 75. od.

I had not by this rafhnefs left myself above an hundred pounds in the worldI don't doubt but the reader will obferve, that this was not like a profeffed gamefter, to ftrip himself for a mistress; but then be it remembered, that I was very young, my paffions prodigious ftrong, and I thought I was doing a meritorious act, in preventing a girl from ruin, who had reduced herfelt to that condition, merely for the love of meI have fince known better.

The person who had agreed we should share profits together, called of me the next day, and told me, he had a glo. rious scheme, but I must bring about 300 along with me juft to make a fhew with; that he had one of the finest bubbles in the world. I would not let him know that I had parted from my capital, but as I depended upon him, agreed to meet him the next day, and pretending earneft bufinefs to tranfact, we parted.

I had fo good an opinion of my new partner, that I reckoned all he faid to be gospel; and as I had several valuable trinkets by me, I that afternoon difpofed not only of them, but of my cloaths, linen, horfes, every thing that was worth raifing money with, and next evening, according to appointment, game in with no less than 400 and 20 1.

This I immediately informed my part

ner of, a bank was made, the bubble ufhered in, and we won 200 1. of him before 12 at night.

This was at what was called a private Card Affembly; we went to fupper about one, and what they gave me in my liquor I know not, but I foon grew fuddled, and remembered very little that happened afterwards.

My fervant the next day came to me with a letter from my partuer, which informed me, that I had, by getting drunk, ruined both him and me, because I would play myself, and there was no hindering me, he faid; and I had not only loft all he had won, but also played away all our stock; that for his part he had been obliged to go a-tick for 50 1. which he defired I would fend him, per bearer, and I should have it in October meeting.

I could not speak for fome time; nay, my fervant two or three times defired to know what anfwer he should send the meffenger-I told him to fay it was very well, and funk down upon my pillow in fuch horrors, which the honeft part of the world cannot even fancy to themfelves.

After being tormented with all the agonies of mind it is poffible, I believe, to feel from remorfe for the crimes I had committted, I jumped out of bed, hurried on my cloaths, and hafted to let my girl in to all my damned ill luck, as I was certain fhe could and would help me, fince, to my knowledge, fhe could raife upon her jewels above 1000l. fome of which I had given her, and which her confidant had told me was in pawn when I fent her the money.But by an accident, as I lay there one night, I believe it was the night following on an alarm of fire, I diícovered the had not pawned them.

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However, for me, I was fure she would, and therefore determined not to make myself uneafy any longer, but went to her house in very good spirits.

The maid informed me her mistress was gone to one of thofe houses, where ladies and gentlemen ufually meet in an evening, it was in the Strand, and re

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markable

markable for the resort not only of girls in low circumftances, but also for women of the town who were better provided for.

The mafter and miftrefs of this houfe having always expressed the most cordial friendship for me, it pleafed me to think the went there, and I refolved to difcover to them the fituation of my affairs and as they had feveral times proffered to lend me a fum, and told me, and had swore to it, that if ever I wanted any fum of money that they could command, it was only afk and have, I fhould be fure of it.

When I came into the room where my lady was, there happened only to be the landlord, landlady, and my miftrefs; as foon as I opened the door, they each took me round the neck, and almoft ftified me with kiffes.

The landlord he begged pardon, he faid of me, but to be fure he was not of a jealous difpofition, but that if he was to be jealous of any one gentleman, it would of me, for that his wife loved me fo well, that fhe often talked of me in her fleep.

Nay, for that matter, my dear foul, replied his very polite fpoufe, you love his honour as much as 1 can do.-Yes, Sir, (addreffing herfelf to me) my Jem my is the most fondest of you, nor he is of any one gemmun in England; I'm fure I wonders, fo 1 does, what you can do to make all the men and women fo fond of you-I'm fure, if you wanted it, you mought have all we were worth.

My girl interrupted with an oath, and taking hold of the bowl, ftretched out her arm, took me by the hand, and looking me full in the face, called out, that it ever the refused sharing her latt fixpence with me, the wifhed the most bitter evils might befall her that I ever heard expressed.

The landlord Jemmy would infit (begging my pardon) to treat me with a bottle of claret; he brought it in, and poured out a bumper for each, and drank my health, and over owed with proteftations of kindness to me.

This I thought to be the only time

to open what I intended; in a few words I related my fituation—and defired Jemmy would lend me zool. for two months.

I took notice, during the latter part of my relation, he was trying to put the cork in the bottle again, and when I had finished, turning his head to the door, called out, I'm coming, Sir, and went out without giving me any answer.

I was left then with my miftrefs; and I asked her if the thought there was any thing fo very odd in what I asked the landlord and his wife, that they should leave the room so abruptly, and defired her to tell me what the thought of it.

She, as if just waked, gave a start, and told me - Lord, don't bother one about it, to be fure every body knows their own affairs best, do ring the bell, will you, I want fomebody to get me a chair. Why, where are you a going? Why, I must go to the Shakespear, I promised.

But you promifed to fpend the evening with me.

But I can't, though; can you now, in your own confcience, expect a girl that has her bread to get, can contine herfelf to one man; I'm fure its an unreafonable out of the way thing to fuppofe it.

Before I could reply, the landlady and landlord entered; and after fome altercation between them who should speak first, the landlord thus delivered himself- that as how truly, if he had any money in the house, why I was welcome to it, and I'd do any thing to help any diftreffed gentleman-Betty, why don't you take that cordial bottle away, and those two large spoons-but indeed, Sir, I have fo many bad debts, and am obliged to tip fo much to folks of the right fort, to prevent informations you take me, that nobody upon the face of the earth wants money fo much as I. Befs, have not you got the gentleman's bill there it is, Sir-not much-every body knows I never love to fpunge upon my friends, it is but 251. in the whole-take your own time. a week hence, Sir, will fuit me as well as

now;

now; only, Sir, I can't afford to give any more credit, and away they went out of the room; the landlady telling my mistress she wanted to speak with

But how can I do it without money?

her.

I fat for a moment, and as my lady was rifing to go out, I defired her to ftop, just to tell me what the thought of fuch ufage. Her reply was as follows. They are a couple of fcrubs, and for my part I'll never ufe the houfe a gain; and I fhall look upon you to be a moft mean fpirited fellow, if you don't pay them their bill immediately.

But how can I do it? I have not a guinea, nor one thing I can raise a guinea upon; if you'll lend me the money-Me! If I have any more in the whole known world than this fix and nine-pence, may I never fee the face of day-light again. I'm fure I take it very ill your asking me, so I do when you know I would pawn my fmock off my back for you, fo I would.

Well, don't cry, my dear girl, you have fuperfluous plate enough upon your fideboard that might raise that money.

How, why before I would let fuch creatures dun me for money, damme if I wou'd not hang myself, or I'd do fomething to deferve hanging, that I would.-Pray, are you the first gentleman that has come to misfortunes; fee if I wou'dn't make the public pay me, I'd try my chance upon the road.

What, wou'd you have me turn highwayman ?

Good Lord, is that fuch a great matter, have not you been a gamefter? and pray which is worse, not a highwayman, I'm fure.

Ay, but confider, fuppofe I should be taken ?

Ay now, that's the thing; -I wish I was a man, fee if I thould be afraid of running any rifque. I fee what fort of a spirit you have; but mark me, if you don't find out fome way or other to get yourself clear of these people, and prove to me you are a man of spirit, never fhall you again come between a pair of fheets with me-fo mind what 1 fay to you, that's all, and I fwear it.

She left me immediately, and after about a quarter of an hour's reflection with myself-not from remorse, but to confider only how I might reconcile myfelf to my woman, and fhow her I had not a mean spirit. I found no way fo eli

Yes, and fo then my fervants would mifs it, and they'd make a hubbub in the neighbourhood, and fo then my landlord would come and feize for rent. But have not you fpare jewels enough? No, that I han't, and you know it-gible as the road, and the next mornI have not enough, fo far from having ing, properly equipt, I fet out, met any to fpare. Why now, didn't Kitty with fome fuccefs, wrote her word how Clear but laft opera night, get the what- I went on, remitted her money to pay you call-em Umbafiadores Sekertary, the bill, as the defired I would in her only because he had more diamonds anfwer to one of my letters, but which than I on-and didn't you promise me is not yet paid. Then I committed a I should have some more. Howfomde- robbery, for which a great reward was ver, I fcorn to reproach any Gemmun published to apprehend him or them for breaking his word; to be fure you that did it. have done as much as you can for me, and I fhould be the most ungrateful bitch in the world, if I didn't do every thing I could for you, but you are axing me things out of my power, unless you would have me ftarve, and that could do neither you nor I good. I would pawn my fmeck for you, I am fure, to ferve you. But pray, for God's fake, if you love me, pay thefe wretches this bill.

She only knew where I was, and fince my conviction I have been afcertained, that he went halves with the thief takers. I was feized, and am to fuffer on monday next; but as I ought to die in charity with all the world, I freely forgive her, nor let any one reproach her for her behaviour to me, fince the only acted in character; becaufe it is impoffible for Prostitutes to

be

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