ates of our Union
lotteries are still lawful; yet we believe there is a growing feeling
against them. But if stock gambling is destined to take the place of the
lottery, we do not think much will be gained by the change. The losses
by lotteries were generally in small sums, and could be better borne by
the adventurers than the entire loss of property, health, and reputation
which is now too apt to follow a large proportion of the speculative
stock operations. In the lottery, too, the risks were generally so small
that the ticket-buyer alone suffered; whereas now, whole families are
often involved in financial ruin, if not in disgrace, by the operations
of a father, brother, or near relative. But we will say no more on this
point, as it is a consideration foreign to the object of this book.

Thus far we have written mainly of American lotteries; as it is not our
intention to take an exhaustive view of the subject, we will merely say,
in reference to foreign countries, that lotteries were instituted in
England in 1567, and abolished by Act of Parliament in 1823, although
allowed until 1826, when the last drawing of a legal lottery took place.
During this period they were patronized by all classes,--royalty, the
nobility, gentry, and commoners. The first lottery was for the repairs
of harbors and fortifications. The drawing took place at the "west door
of St. Paul's Church." In 1612 King James I. granted a lottery for the
"English Colonies in Virginia, ... to be held at the _west end of St.
Paul's,_" and "one Thomas Sharplys, a tailor, drew the chief Prize,
which was 4000 crowns in fair plate."

To this day the lottery flourishes in most of the chief cities in
Europe, and lottery tickets are vended in many shops as well as in
regular offices. The Cologne Cathedral, as is well known, was only
recently finished by the aid of a lottery. Lotteries are upheld, we
believe, by the Roman Catholic Church in Europe, and many of the priests
aid in disposing of the tickets,--at least so we have been told.

The sum of the whole matter as regards this country is that a good work
was undoubtedly accomplished through the agency of the lottery in the
early days of our national history. By its aid schools, colleges, and
charities were founded, bridges, roads, and canals were constructed. In
our time public opinion is, of course, as it ought to be, against
gambling in any form; but although our ways are almost always thought to
be more hon