fend keepers of
gaming houses against all prosecutions!

WALKING OFF WITH A L200 BANK-NOTE.

The runaway son of an extensive linen-draper went to a gaming house in
King Street, and pocketed a L200 bank-note from the table. He was not
kicked out, because it would not be safe for the proprietors of these
houses to run the risk of getting involved in law; but he was civilly
walked down-stairs by the master of the establishment, who forbad him
the house evermore. The dashing youth, however, put both the money and
the affront in his pocket, and was only too thankful to get away in so
good a plight.

PERQUISITES OF GAMBLING HOUSE WAITERS.

A waiter in one of the gambling houses in St James's Street received in
Christmas boxes above L500. A nobleman, who had in the course of a week
won L80,000, gave him L100 of his winnings. He was said to have actually
borrowed of the waiter the money which led to his extraordinary success!

PAUL ROUBEL.

Paul Roubel was a gaming house keeper, who seems to have been an
exception to his class, according to the following account:--'A
foreigner once applied for the situation of croupier at old Paul
Roubel's, stating as his qualification that he could cut or turn up
whatever card he pleased. The old man (for he was nearly eighty, and a
very good hearty fellow in his way) declined the offer, saying--"You
are too clever for me; my customers must have some chance!" It is true
Roubel kept a gambling house; but it is also true that few men in higher
walks of life possessed a kinder heart, or a hand which opened more
freely or more liberally to the calls of humanity! Peace be to his
manes!'

TITLED GREEKS, OR 'DECOYS.'

In all the gaming houses of any note there were unprincipled and
reckless persons paid by the hellites, employed in various capacities,
and for various purposes. Sometimes they played for the proprietors
against any one who chose to put down his money; at other times, when
there were no other individuals playing at all, they pretended to be
strangers themselves, and got up sham games with the proprietors, with
the view of practising a deception on any strangers who might be in the
room, and by that means inducing them to put down their money. They were
dressed in the most fashionable manner, always exhibiting a profusion of
jewellery, and living in great splendour when they have any particular
person in their eye, in the various hotels throughout town.(50)

(50) Grant, Sketc