melt before the sun, and
the victim of his own folly tumbles into the abyss of
destruction.

It is no uncommon thing, nay, we will positively declare it
to be a very frequent practice of these misled young men,
when they have been initiated, and have the temporary
command of money belonging to their employers, to go to the
Rouge et Noir tables, armed (as they think) with
impenetrable armour--a large sum; and, in the hope of
profiting to a certain amount, risk that property, the loss
of which would be the loss of every thing dear to them in
society. They believe, from the greatness of the amount they
possess, that they can command a small gain, and not for a
moment doubt they will be able to replace or return the
money entrusted to their care; but little do they know the
fickleness of luck, and less do they suspect the odds and
imposing roguery arrayed against them. Their first loss is
trifling, but they have to win that back iu addition to
their expected profits; for this purpose they stake a larger
sum, which, if they lose, increases their task, and so on,
until the half-frantic victims see no hope but desperation,
and their remaining stock is placed upon the chance of a
single card. The event closes, and the man who yesterday
enjoyed the good opinion of the world, and the esteem and
confidence of his friends, to-day becomes the veriest
outcast of society! These are common cases, one of which,
for example, we will describe as the facts occurred:--In the
year 1816, a Clerk, possessing the highest reputation,
became a frequenter of a Rouge et Noir table. From the
nature of his employment, he had daily the command of large
sums, which, for a short time, he risked at play
successfully. One day, however, he brought with him his
employer's money, to the amount of 1700L. the whole of
which, in two days, he lost. We may judge of the unhappy
young man's feelings by his subsequent conduct. He wrote a
confession of the affair to the man he wronged, retired to a
tavern, and blew his brains out!

These gaming-tables open at half-past twelve o'clock,
continue their orgies until five, and recommence at seven in
the evening. How many young men are passing their doors at
these hours with the property of others in their pockets!--