e
of his partners, wanted so many exclusive advantages for himself, that
the director withdrew, just in time to save himself from the obloquy of
an affair which occurred shortly afterwards, in which certain persons
were charged with using false dice. The complainant, a young sprig of
fashion, seized the _unhallowed bones_, and bore them off in triumph to
a stick shop in the neighbourhood; where, for some time afterwards, they
were exhibited to the gaze of many a fashionable dupe. The circumstance
produced more than one good effect--it prevented a return of any
disposition to play on the part of the detector, and closed the house
for ever since." After the dinner, which was served up in a princely
style, we were invited by the Honourable to ~334~~view the upper
apartment, called the Grand Saloon, a true picture of which accompanies
this, from the pencil of my friend, Bob Transit, and into which he has
contrived to introduce the affair of the cogged dice _(see plate)_, a
licence always allowable to poets and painters in the union of time and
place. The characters here will speak for themselves.

[Illustration: page335]

They are all sketches from the life, and as like the originals as
the reflection of their persons would be in a looking-glass. By the
frequenters of such places they will be immediately recognised; while
to the uninitiated the family cognomen is of little consequence, and
is omitted, as it might give pain to worthy bosoms who are not yet
irrecoverably lost. By the strict rules of _Fishmongers' Hall_, the
members of Brookes', White's, Boodle's, the Cocoa Tree, Alfred and
Travellers' clubs only are admissible; but this restriction is not
always enforced, particularly where there is a chance of a _good bite_.
The principal game played here is French Hazard, the director and
friends supplying the bank, the premium for which, with what the
box-money produces, forms no inconsiderable source of profit. It is
ridiculous to suppose any unfair practices are ever resorted to in the
general game; in a mixed company they would be easily detected, and must
end in the ruin of the house: but the chances of the game, calculation,
and superior play, give proficients every advantage, and should teach
the inexperienced caution. "It is heart-rending," said Crony, whom I had
smuggled into one corner of the room, for the purpose of enjoying
his remarks free from observation, "to observe the progress of the
unfortunate votaries