and were indeed the devoted sons
of tumult, waste, and prodigality. Not that Peregrine relished those
scenes, which were a succession of absurd extravagance, devoid of all
true spirit, taste, or enjoyment. But his vanity prompted him to mingle
with those who are entitled the choice spirits of the age; and his
disposition was so pliable, as to adapt itself easily to the measures of
his company, where he had not influence enough to act in the capacity
of a director. Their rendezvous was a certain tavern, which might be
properly styled the temple of excess, where they left the choice of
their fare to the discretion of the landlord, that they might save
themselves the pains of exercising their own reason; and, in order to
avoid the trouble of adjusting the bill, ordered the waiter to declare
how much every individual must pay, without specifying the articles of
the charge. This proportion generally amounted to two guineas per head
for each dinner and supper; and frequently exceeded that sum; of which
the landlord durst not abate, without running the risk of having his
nose slit for his moderation.

But this was puny expense compared with that which they often incurred,
by the damage done to the furniture and servants, in the madness of
their intoxication, as well as the loss they sustained at hazard, an
amusement to which all of them had recourse in the progress of their
debauches. This elegant diversion was introduced, encouraged, and
promoted by a crew of rapacious sharpers, who had made themselves
necessary companions to this hopeful generation, by the talents of
pimping and buffoonery. Though they were universally known, even
by those they preyed upon to have no other means of earning their
livelihood, than the most infamous and fraudulent practices, they were
caressed and courted by these infatuated dupes, when a man of honour,
who would not join in their excesses, would have been treated with the
utmost indignity and contempt.

Though Peregrine, in his heart, detested those abandoned courses,
and was a professed enemy to the whole society of gamesters, whom
he considered, and always treated, as the foes of humankind, he was
insensibly accustomed to licentious riot, and even led imperceptibly
into play by those cormorants, who are no less dangerous in the art of
cheating, than by their consummate skill in working up the passions of
unwary youth. They are, for the most part, naturally cool, phlegmatic,
and crafty, an