munity.

The development of the evil was a subject of great concern to thoughtful
men, and one of these, in the year 1784, put forth a pamphlet,
which seems to give 'the very age and body of the time, his form and
pressure.'(64)

(64) The pamphlet (in the Library of the British Museum) is
entitled:--'Hints for a Reform, particularly of the Gaming Clubs. By a
Member of Parliament. 1784.'

'About thirty years ago,' says this writer, 'there was but one club in
the metropolis. It was regulated and respectable. There were few of the
members who betted high. Such stakes at present would be reckoned very
low indeed. There were then assemblies once a week in most of the great
houses. An agreeable society met at seven o'clock; they played for
crowns or half-crowns; and reached their own houses about eleven.

'There was but one lady who gamed deeply, and she was viewed in the
light of a phenomenon. Were she now to be asked her real opinion of
those friends who were her former _PLAY_-fellows, there can be no doubt
but that they rank very low in her esteem.

'In the present era of vice and dissipation, how many females attend the
card-tables! What is the consequence? The effects are too clearly to
be traced to the frequent _DIVORCES_ which have lately disgraced our
country, and they are too visible in the shameful conduct of many ladies
of fashion, since gambling became their chief amusement.

'There is now no society. The routs begin at midnight. They are
painful and troublesome to the lady who receives company, and they
are absolutely a nuisance to those who are honoured with a card of
invitation. It is in vain to attempt conversation. The social pleasures
are entirely banished, and those who have any relish for them, or
who are fond of early hours, are necessarily excluded. Such are the
companies of modern times, and modern people of fashion. Those who are
not invited fly to the _Gaming Clubs_--

"To kill their idle hours and cure _ennui!_"

'To give an account of the present encumbered situation of many
families, whose property was once large and ample, would fill a volume.
Whence spring the difficulties which every succeeding day increases?
From the _GAMBLING CLUBS_. Why are they continually hunted by their
creditors? The reply is--the _GAMBLING CLUBS_. Why are they obliged
continually to rack their invention in order to save appearances? The
answer still is--the _GAMBLING CLUBS!_

'The father frequently ruins his