able!'

History, as it is commonly written, does not sufficiently take
cognizance of the social pursuits and practices that sap the vitality
of a nation; and yet these are the leading influences in its
destiny--making it what it is and will be, at least through many
generations, by example and the inexorable laws that preside over what
is called 'hereditary transmission.'

Have not the gambling propensities of our forefathers influenced the
present generation?....

No doubt gambling, in the sense treated of in this book, has ceased in
England. If there be here and there a Roulette or Rouge et Noir table in
operation, its existence is now known only to a few 'sworn-brethren;'
if gambling at cards 'prevails' in certain quarters, it is 'kept quiet.'
The vice is not barefaced. It slinks and skulks away into corners and
holes, like a poisoned rat. Therefore, public morality has triumphed,
or, to use the card-phrase, 'trumped' over this dreadful abuse; and the
law has done its duty, or has reason to expect congratulation for its
success, in 'putting down' gaming houses.

But we gamble still. The gambling on the Turf (now the most uncertain
of all 'games of chance') was, lately, something that rang through and
startled the entire nation. We gamble in the funds. We gamble in endless
companies (limited)--all resulting from the same passion of our nature,
which led to the gambling of former times with cards, with dice, at
Piquet, Basset, Faro, Hazard, E O, _Roulette_, and _Rouge et Noir_. At
a recent memorable trial, the Lord Chief Justice of England
exclaimed--'There can be no doubt--any one who looks around him cannot
fail to perceive--that a spirit of speculation and gambling has taken
hold of the minds of large classes of the population. Men who were wont
to be satisfied with moderate gain and safe investments seem now to
be animated by a spirit of greed after gain, which makes them ready
to embark their fortunes, however hardly gained, in the vain hope of
realizing immense returns by premiums upon shares, and of making more
than safe and reasonable gains. We see that continually.' In fact, we
may not be a jot better morally than our forefathers. But that is no
reason why we should not frown over the story of their horrid sins,
and, 'having a good conscience,' think what sad dogs they were in their
generation--knowing, as we do, that none of us at the present day lose
_FIFTY OR A HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS_ at play, at a sit