unt, I wrote to the proprietors of the bank,
stating my ruined condition, and my readiness to sell my commission and
pay them what I could. These gentlemen have friends in every department.
They completed the transfer of my lieutenancy in two days, and then,
in their superabundant humanity, offered me the place of croupier in
an inferior house which they kept near Hanover Square. This offer I
declined; and after having paid my tradesman's bill, I left London
with only eleven guineas in my pocket. I married the best of women, my
preserver, and have ever since lived in real comfort and happiness, on
an income less than one hundred pounds a year.'

A SURPRISE.

A stranger plainly dressed took his seat at a Faro table, when the bank
was richer than usual. After some little routine play, he challenged
the bank, and tossed his pocket-book to the banker that he might be
satisfied of his responsibility. It was found to contain bills to an
immense amount; and on the banker showing reluctance to accept the
challenge, the stranger sternly demanded compliance with the laws of
the game. The card soon turned up which decided the ruin of the banker.
'Heaven!' exclaimed an old infirm Austrian officer, who had sat next
to the stranger--'the twentieth part of your gains would make me the
happiest man in the universe!' The stranger briskly answered--'You shall
have it, then;' and quitted the room. A servant speedily returned, and
presented the officer with the twentieth part of the bank, adding--'My
master requires no answer, sir,' and went out. The successful stranger
was soon recognized to be the great King of Prussia in disguise.

CHAPTER XIII. THE LOTTERIES AND THEIR BEWILDERMENTS.

If we are to believe Pere Menestrier, the institution of Lotteries is to
be found in the Bible, in the words--'The _LOT_ causeth contentions to
cease, and parteth between the mighty,' Prov. xviii. 18. Be that as it
may, it is certain that lotteries were in use among the ancient Romans,
taking place during the _Saturnalia_, or festivities in honour of the
god Saturn, when those who took part in them received a numbered ticket,
which entitled the bearer to a prize. During the reign of Augustus the
thing became a means of gratifying the cupidity of his courtiers;
and Nero used it as the method of distributing his gifts to the
people,--granting as many as a thousand tickets a day, some of them
entitling the bearers to slaves, ships, houses, and land