cusation which, if true, might easily account
for the diffusion of the property. I am, indeed, a member of two clubs,
the Albion and the Stratford, but never in my life did I play in either
at cards, or dice, or any game of chance; this is well known to the
gentlemen of these clubs; and my private friends, with whom I more
intimately associated, can equally assert my freedom from all habit or
disposition to play.'(21)

(21) See the case in 'Celebrated Trials,' vol. vi

I close this record of crime and misery by a few narratives of a more
miscellaneous character.

GAMBLING FOR LIFE.

Marshal Grammont used to tell a story of three soldiers, who, having
committed offences punishable by death, it was ordered that one of them
should be hanged as an example, and the three were directed to decide
which of them should suffer by throwing dice. The first threw fourteen,
the second seventeen, and the last, taking up the dice as coolly as
though he were engaged in a trivial game, threw eighteen! Thereupon
he exclaimed, with an expression of vexation, 'Ah, now! if I had been
playing for money I should not have been so lucky!'

This may appear 'taking it very cool;' but I think the following cases
of Englishmen' rather stronger.'

ONE OF MANY INSTANCES.

In the Times of February 11th, 1819, mention is made of a gang of nearly
thirty persons, male and female, and all presenting the most shocking
appearance of both want and depravity, who were brought to the
Marlborough Street Office. Among these wretched beings was a woman named
Hewitt, said to be the wife of one Captain Hewitt, a leader of the ton,
who, after ruining himself and family at the gambling table, ran away
from them, and was not since heard of. His wife being left to herself,
and having probably been tainted by his evil example, by an easy
gradation became first embarrassed, then a prostitute, then a thief, and
on the occasion above mentioned exhibited one of the most distressing
spectacles of vice and misery that could be conceived.

TRURTELL THE MURDERER.

This man, it is well known, was executed for the murder of Weare.

Thurtell was evidently no common man. His spoken defence, as reported,
is one of the finest specimens of impassioned eloquence--perfectly
Demosthenic. His indignation at the reports circulated in prejudice of
his case was overwhelming. Nothing can be finer than the turn of the
following sentence:--'I have been represented by the Press--WHICH