30 Life in the West. [JAN. 



dozen years together, it would be hard if they could not find out each 

 other's trim at last ? The " condition" of the dogs is so exquisite too. 

 Mark them ! as they dodge about King's-place and Jermyn-street as 

 fine as greyhounds in the coursing season ! and as quick in the look-out 

 too particularly when they look behind them. For their ingenuity 

 need we go farther than their contriving to exist from day to day? There 

 was one, well known upon the " turf," that, in a bad season, lived nine 

 whole weeks upon a single neck of mutton ! People used to say, (and 

 truly enough, and be hanged to 'em !) when they met him, that he was 

 trusting to " the bones" for a dinner. Why, a hundred pound bestowed 

 among these poor souls (we wish any of our readers could only once 

 See a gambler's garret!) might count for a thousand given away to 

 others less in need : and yet we would make laws to prevent the devout 

 from consulting their immortal welfare, by laying up such excellent pro- 

 vision ! 



In fact, is there not a mistake made altogether upon the subject of 

 gaming ? If a man finds life too short for his capacities, and desires to 

 cram a year or two of existence of commercial existence trading, 

 dealing profit and loss activity, variety the only real existence into 

 one night what right can legislation have so that he be a gentleman 

 to interfere with him ? If he be poor " base, common, and popular"- 

 then it becomes another matter. To the tread-mill with the villain ! . 

 as the Lord Mayor conveyed to Richmond, the black pugilist, who had been 

 concerned in a " raffle" for a five-legged bull. Society can get nothing by 

 his ruin ; and the parish may be burthened with him. For besides and 

 moreover that if the bull with the five legs himself had been included in 

 the party sent to the tread-mill, he could have had at least one leg more 

 than usual to aid him in performing the duties of it the decision of the 

 Lord Mayor was sound and philosophical. For gaming in which it 

 should be understood is comprised all " raffling," whether for bulls, 

 belles, or bijoutrie ; all " racing," whether of horses, asses, grand- 

 fathers, uncles, snails, steam-boats, maiden aunts, Paddington coaches, 

 or drops of water down a window ; " matches," whether to fight, 

 wrestle, run, leap, shoot, swim, drink port wine, or eat legs of mutton, 

 draw badgers, or marry old ladies for matrimonial " matches" are 

 included ; " betting," in all its branches whether upon " first blood," 

 (C odd trick," the law, a lady's colour, the weather, or other matter per- 

 fectly incalculable ; the rise of a stock, fall of a head, breadth of a street, 

 length of a sermon, life of a ministry, a statesman's word, or such things 

 transitory; besides all cocking, punting, dicing, lifting, hiding the 

 horse, drawing the straw, shaking the hat, odd or even, pricking the 

 garter, putting the stone, flying the pigeon, counting the cats,* &c. &c. 

 &c: &c Gaming, as the lawyer would say, is not malum in se : it is 

 only malum as it regards its possible effect on the community. Then, if 

 the poor man gamble, he loseth his time as well as his money ; and the 

 business which he has to execute in the world is neglected, and not 



* " Counting the cats" is a " land" much practised by stage-coachmen ; when a " young 

 one" takes an inside place, and " comes Captain-grand" upon the box. In driving into 

 a town, the " dragsman" offers his companion a bet, that " more cats are seen on a par- 

 ticular side of the way" the right or left, as it may happen before they arrive at the inn, 

 or get out of the town, than on the other. The bet is sure to be won by the Greek, who 

 takes, for his side of the way, the side on which the sun shines : the cats being always to be 

 found on that side, basking and nursing themselves in the doors and windows. 



