was at the bottom of
the pack prior to the cut, invariably found its way to the same position
after the cut, and hence was the turn-up card. With regard to the
operation of dealing, his Lordship delivered the cards particularly
slow, examining every card minutely towards its corners, as if looking
for some mark.'
Many curious facts came out during the trial.
It was Mr Brooke Greville who admitted that he was a considerable winner
at play--having 'no hesitation in saying that he had won L35,000 in the
course of 15 years,' chiefly at Whist; that he had followed play as an
occupation, at Graham's Club. He lost, however, L14,000 at Brighton in
1828, a considerable portion of it to Lord de Ros; but this loss he
made up in three or four years (that is, won L14,000 in that time), and,
excepting that reverse, he was generally fortunate at play.'
A Captain J. Alexander, half-pay R. N., declared that he had won as much
as L700 at a time, having, however, to pay half to another partner; his
winnings might be L1600 a-year. 'I began to play,' he said, 'about 25 or
28 years ago, and, expecting that I should be asked the question, I have
looked into my accounts, and find that I am about L10,000 better than
as though I had not played. That is a yearly average of L500.' He had,
however, lost about L1000 during the previous year.
This Captain Alexander was asked how many hours he played before dinner,
and he answered--'From three to five hours'--adding, however, that 'he
HAD played ALL NIGHT.' Then the counsel said, 'I suppose you take but a
slight dinner?' He replied:--
'Why, I generally make as good a dinner as I can get.' The learned
counsel continued:--
'A small boiled chicken and a glass of lemonade, perhaps?' This seemed
an offensive question, and the captain said,--
'I believe never, and (with increased earnestness of manner) mind, I
DENY THE LEMONADE ALTOGETHER; I never take lemonade. (Laughter, in which
the noble lords on the bench joined involuntarily.)
Sir W. Ingilby entered into a description and practical illustration of
the trick of sauter la coupe with a pack of cards, and it is said that
the performance of the honourable baronet elicited demonstrations of
laughter, which the judge suppressed, and even REPROBATED. Altogether,
it must have been a most interesting and exciting trial.
As before stated, Lord Denman was the presiding judge; there was a
special jury; the attorney-general, Sir W. Follet, and M
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