AYER.

Andrews was reckoned so theoretically and practically perfect at the
game of Billiards that he had no equal except Abraham Carter, who kept
the tables at the corner of the Piazza, Russell Street, Covent Garden.

He one night won of Colonel W----e about a thousand pounds; and
the Colonel appointed to meet him next day to transact for stock
accordingly. Going in a hackney-coach to the Bank of England for this
purpose, they tossed up who should pay for the coach. Andrews lost--and
positively on this small beginning he was excited to continue betting,
until he lost the whole sum he had won the night before! When the
coachman stopped he was ordered to drive them back again, as they had no
occasion to get out!

Thus, in a few years, Hazard and other games of chance stripped him of
his immense winnings at Billiards, and he had nothing left but a small
annuity, fortunately for him so settled that he could not dispose of
it--though he made every effort to do so!

He afterwards retired in the county of Kent, and was heard to declare
that he never knew contentment when wallowing in riches; but that
since he was compelled to live on a scanty pittance, he was one of the
happiest men in the world.

WHIG MIDDLETON.

Whig Middleton was a tall, handsome, fashionable man, with an adequate
fortune. He one night had a run of ill-luck at Arthur's, and lost about
a thousand guineas. Lord Montford, in the gaming phrase, asked him what
he would do or what he would not do, to get home? 'My lord,' said he,
'prescribe your own terms.'

'Then,' resumed Lord Montford, 'dress directly opposite to the fashion
for ten years. Will you agree to it?' Middleton said that he would, and
kept his word. Nay, he died nine years afterwards so unfashionably
that he did not owe a tradesman a farthing--left some playing debts
unliquidated, and his coat and wig were of the cut of Queen Anne's
reign.

Lord Montford is said to have died in a very different but quite
fashionable manner.

CAPTAIN CAMPBELL.

Captain Campbell, of the Guards, was a natural son of the Duke of ----.
He lost a thousand guineas to a Shark, which he could not pay. Being
questioned by the duke one day at dinner as to the cause of his
dejection, he reluctantly confessed the fact. 'Sir,' said his Grace,
'you do not owe a farthing to the blackguard. My steward settled with
him this morning for _TEN_ guineas, and he was glad to take them, only
saying--"I was damned fa