sing gamester; and so absorbed in reflection, that neither the boy who
brings him a glass of water, nor the watchman's cry of "Fire!" can
arouse him from his reverie. Another of the party is marked for one of
those well-dressed continental adventurers, who, being unable to live in
their own country, annually pour into this, and with no other requisites
than a quick eye, an adroit hand, and an undaunted forehead, are
admitted into what is absurdly enough called _good_ company.

At the table a person in mourning grasps his hat, and hides his face, in
the agony of repentance, not having, as we infer from his weepers,
received that legacy of which he is now plundered more than "a little
month." On the opposite side is another, on whom fortune has severely
frowned, biting his nails in the anguish of his soul. The fifth
completes the climax; he is frantic; and with a drawn sword endeavours
to destroy a _pauvre miserable_ whom he supposes to have cheated him,
but is prevented by the interposition of one of those staggering
votaries of Bacchus who are to be found in every company where there is
good wine; and gaming, like the rod of Moses, so far swallows up every
other passion, that the actors, engrossed by greater objects, willingly
leave their wine to the audience.

In the back-ground are two collusive associates, eagerly dividing the
profits of the evening.

A nobleman in the corner is giving his note to an usurer. The lean and
hungry appearance of this cent. per cent. worshipper of the golden calf,
is well contrasted by the sleek, contented vacancy of so well-employed a
legislator of this great empire. Seated at the table, a portly
gentleman, of whom we see very little, is coolly sweeping off his
winnings.

So engrossed is every one present by his own situation, that the flames
which surround them are disregarded, and the vehement cries of a
watchman entering the room, are necessary to rouse their attention to
what is generally deemed the first law of nature, self-preservation.

Mr. Gilpin observes:--"The fortune, which our adventurer has just
received, enables him to make one push more at the gaming-table. He
is exhibited, in the sixth print, venting curses on his folly for
having lost his last stake.--This is, upon the whole, perhaps, the
best print of the set. The horrid scene it describes, was never more
inimitably drawn. The composition is artful, and natural. If the
shape of the whole