commenced by backing the
noble lord IN. The noble lord threw OUT. He then backed the noble lord
OUT, and the noble lord threw in. He backed the noble lord OUT again,
who threw five to the main. The commoner betted the odds deeply at
the rate of three to two. The noble lord threw the FIVE. The commoner,
uneasy, changed about, and backed the noble lord IN for a large
stake,--the noble lord then threw OUT. The commoner now rose in a rage,
and insinuated broadly that he was cheated, robbed, and it could not be
fair play. Of course much indignation was shown by the noble lord, and
it was with difficulty that a fight was prevented; but his lordship,
nevertheless, condescended to demonstrate that he played his own money
at the time, and what he lost found its way into the bank, with which
'he was not at all connected.' This reasoning satisfied the suspicious
young commoner (poor easy man!); an apology was given; and peace was
restored.

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

A party of players were assembled to throw for a stake, which was
enormous. It was, however, agreed that the LOWEST throw should win.
The players threw until one of them turned up two aces. All but one had
thrown, and shouts of applause greeted the lucky caster, when the last
who was to throw exclaimed--'Hold! I'll try and beat that.' . . .

Rattling the dice, he turned down the box on the table, and on lifting
it up displayed the two dice ONE UPON THE TOP OF THE OTHER, and both
aces! He was therefore declared the winner.(34)

(34) Menageana.

A TENDER MOTHER.

A French lady had an only child, a handsome young man, much addicted
to gaming. He lost at one sitting L40,000, and being destitute of other
resources, he joined a company of strolling players. They chanced
some time afterwards to pass a short time at Worcester, near which
his mother, who was considerably advanced in years, resided. The lady,
though highly displeased with her son's life, yet, hearing of his
performance, could not resist a wish to see him; and for this purpose
she went thither incog. He supported the principal character in 'The
Gamester.'

The feelings of the mother were so excited at the passages which closely
applied to her son's conduct, that she exclaimed aloud, 'Ay, there he
is--the--the beggar--the scoundrel! Always the same--no change in him!'
The delusion so increased at the fifth act, when Beverley lifts his
hand to kill the child, that the lady in a most distressing tone cried
o