is, encouraged
the loser by sham betting), always came in for the 'regulars,' that is,
their share of the plunder.

This gaffer contrived to 'bilk' all the turnpikes in the kingdom.

In going to a fight or to a race-course, when he reached a turnpike he
held a shilling between his fingers, and said to the gatekeeper--'Here,
catch,' and made a movement of the hand towards the man, who endeavoured
to catch what he saw. The shilling, however, by a backward jerk,
ran down the sleeve of the coat, as if it had life in it, and the
gate-keeper turned round to look in the dust, when the tall gaffer drove
on, saying--'Keep the change.'

A young fellow, who previously was a marker at a billiard-table, and
who had the appearance of a soft, inexperienced country-lad, was another
great hand at gaffing. There was a strong adhesive power in his hand,
and such exquisite sensibility about it, that he could ascertain by
dropping his palm, even upon a worn-out half-penny or shilling, what
side was turned up. Indeed, so perfect a master was he of the science
that Breslaw could never have done more upon cards than he could do with
a pair of 'grays' (gaffing-coins).

A well-known macer, who was celebrated for slipping an 'old gentleman'
(a long card) into the pack, and was the inheritor by birth of all the
propensities of this description, although the inheritance was equally
divided between his brother and himself, got hold of a young fellow who
had L170 in his pocket, and introduced him to one of the 'cock-and-hen'
houses near Drury Lane Theatre, well-primed with wine. Gaffing began,
and the billiard-marker before described was pitched upon to 'do' the
stranger. The macer 'pitched the baby card,' and of course lost, as well
as the unfortunate victim. He had borrowed L10 of the landlord, who
was to come in for the 'regulars;' but when all was over, the
billiard-marker refused to make any division of the spoil, or even to
return the L10 which had been lost to him in 'bearing up' the cull. The
landlord pressed his demand upon the macer, who, in fact, was privately
reimbursed by the marker; but he was coolly told that he ought not to
allow such improper practices in his house, and that the sum was not
recoverable, the transaction being illegal.

How these spurious coins are procured is a question; but I am assured
that they are still in use and often made to do service at public-houses
and other places.

TOMMY DODD.

This is a mode of