more evil still. All that a judicious
government can or should attempt to effect is, to restrain them within
proper bounds, to regulate them, and as much as possible to keep them
out of sight, that the virus may not extend. It is well known, that
certain houses are licensed by the magistrates, because, it being
impossible to eradicate the vice, they can do no more than to separate
it, that it may not be communicated to the healthier part of the
community. Now upon this principle, which is the true principle of
sound legislation, I have often thought that it was a great error in our
legislature when they consented to put down the public lotteries in
England. I am convinced that they were beneficial, acting as
safety-valves to the gambling spirit of the nation, and that their
prohibition has been productive of much crime and misery. The spirit of
gambling cannot be eradicated; it ought, therefore, to be kept within
due bounds. There was one great advantage in the English lottery; it
was drawn but once a year, and those who purchased the tickets were
content to remain quiet until their success was made known. The
chances, although very distant, of so high a prize, satisfied the spirit
of gambling; if they lost, they purchased again, and waited patiently
for another year, trusting to be more fortunate. Now, although they
gambled, they did not acquire the _habit_ of gaming. What has been the
consequence since the lotteries have been abolished? that there are
hells of every description established throughout the metropolis, from
those which admit the stake of a shilling, to Crockford's splendid
Pandemonium; and those who were formerly content with a lottery ticket,
now pass their evenings away from their families, and ruin themselves in
a very short time. The lottery never ruined any one. The sum staked
might be large for the circumstances of the parties, but it was a yearly
stake, and did not interfere with the industry, the profits, or the
domestic happiness of the year. One half the tradesmen who now appear
in the "Gazette," have been ruined by frequenting the low hells with
which the metropolis abounds. From the above considerations, I do not
think it was advisable to abolish the lotteries.

The next question is one upon which I hesitate to offer an opinion; but
it is worthy of consideration how far it may be advisable to license and
tax gaming-houses. Were it possible to put them down altogether, the
questi