d, Jan. 12, 1870.

In conclusion, I have contemplated the passion of gaming in all its
bearings, as will be evident from the range of subjects indicated by the
table of contents and index. I have ransacked (and sacked) hundreds of
volumes for entertaining, amusing, curious, or instructive matter.

Without deprecating criticism on my labours, perhaps I may state that
these researches have probably terminated my career as an author.
Immediately after the completion of this work I was afflicted with a
degree of blindness rendering it impossible for me to read any print
whatever, and compelling me to write only by dictation.

ANDREW STEINMETZ.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

CHAP.

I THE UNIVERSAL PASSION OF GAMING; OR, GAMING ALL THE WORLD OVER

II GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT HINDOOS--A HINDOO LEGEND AND ITS MODERN
PARALLEL

III GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS, PERSIANS AND GREEKS

IV GAMING AMONG THE ANCIENT ROMAN EMPERORS

V GAMBLING IN FRANCE IN ALL TIMES

VI THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF MODERN GAMING IN ENGLAND

VII GAMBLING IN BRIGHTON IN 1817

VIII GAMBLING AT THE GERMAN BATHING-PLACES

IX GAMBLING IN THE UNITED STATES

X LADY GAMESTRESSES

XI GAMBLING POETS, SAVANTS, PHILOSOPHERS, WITS, AND STATESMEN

XII REMARKABLE GAMESTERS

XIII THE LOTTERIES AND THEIR BEWILDERMENTS

XIV THE LAWS AGAINST GAMING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

THE GAMING TABLE.

CHAPTER I. THE UNIVERSAL PASSION OF GAMING; OR, GAMING ALL THE WORLD OVER.

A very apt allegory has been imagined as the origin of Gaming. It is
said that the Goddess of Fortune, once sporting near the shady pool of
Olympus, was met by the gay and captivating God of War, who soon allured
her to his arms. They were united; but the matrimony was not holy, and
the result of the union was a misfeatured child named Gaming. From the
moment of her birth this wayward thing could only be pleased by cards,
dice, or counters.

She was not without fascinations, and many were her admirers. As she
grew up she was courted by all the gay and extravagant of both sexes,
for she was of neither sex, and yet combining the attractions of each.
At length, however, being mostly beset by men of the sword, she formed
an unnatural union with one of them, and gave birth to twins--one called
DUELLING, and the other a grim and hideous monster named SUICIDE. These
became their mother's darlings, nursed by her with constant care and
tenderness, and her perpetual companions.