When the box came to him, he shook the dice and with great coolness and
pleasantry said--'Come, I'll either win or lose seven thousand upon this
hand. Will any gentleman set on the whole? _SEVEN_ is the main.' Then
rattling the dice once more, cast the box from him and quitted it, the
dice remaining uncovered.

Although the General did not think this too large a sum for one man to
risk at a single throw, the rest of the gentlemen did, and for some time
the bold gamester remained unset.

He then said--'Well, gentlemen, will you make it up amongst you?'

One set him 500 guineas, another 500. 'Come,' said he, 'whilst you
are making up the money I'll tell you a story.' Here he began--but
perceiving that he was at last completely set for the cast, stopt
short--laid his hand on the box, saying--'I believe I am completely
set, gentlemen?' 'Yes, sir, and Seven is the main,' was the reply. The
General threw out, and lost! Seven thousand guineas!

Then with astonishing coolness he took up his snuff-box and smiling
exclaimed--'Now, gentlemen, if you please, I'll finish my story.'

HORACE WALPOLE.

There can be no doubt that Horace Walpole was an inveterate gambler,
although he managed to keep always afloat and merrily sailing--for he
says himself:--'A good lady last year was delighted at my becoming peer,
and said--"I hope you will get an Act of Parliament for putting down
Faro." As if I could make Acts of Parliament! and could I, it would be
very consistent too in me, who for some years played more at Faro than
anybody.'(142)

(142) Letters, IX.

THE EARL OF MARCH.

This extraordinary and still famous personage, better known as the Duke
of Queensberry, was the 'observed of all observers' almost from his
boyhood to extreme old age. His passions were for women and the turf;
and the sensual devotedness with which he pursued the one, and the
eccentricity which he displayed in the enjoyment of both, added to the
observation which he attracted from his position as a man of high rank
and princely fortune, rendered him an object of unceasing curiosity. He
was deeply versed in the mysteries of the turf, and in all practical and
theoretical knowledge connected with the race-course was acknowledged
to be the most accomplished adept of his own time. He seems also to
have been a skilful gamester and player of billiards. Writing to George
Selwyn from Paris in 1763, he says:--'I won the first day about L2000,
of which I