GAMBLING SUPEESTITIONS. 37$ 



holds in the case of public gambling-tables. If any 

 doubt this, let them inquire what has been heard of 

 those who continued to back Grarcia and other ' bank- 

 breakers.* We know that Grarcia and the rest of these 

 lucky gamblers have been ruined ; they had risen too 

 high and were followed too constantly for their fall to 

 remain unnoticed. But what has been heard of those 

 unfortunates who backed Grarcia after his last success- 

 ful venture, and before the change in his luck had 

 been made manifest? We hear nothing of them, 

 though a thousand stories are told of those who made 

 money while Grarcia and the rest were ' in luck.' 



In passing, we may add to these considerations the 

 circumstance that it is the interest of gaming-bankers 

 to conceal the misfortunes of the unlucky, and to 

 announce and exaggerate the success of the fortunate. 



I by no means question, be it understood, the 

 possibility that money may be gained quite safely by 

 gambling. Granting, first, odds such as the ' banks ' 

 have in their favour ; secondly, a sufficient capital to 

 prevent premature collapse ; and thirdly, a sufficient 

 number of customers, success is absolutely certain in 

 the long run. The capital of the gambling-public 

 doubtless exceeds collectively the capital of the 

 gambling-banks ; but it is not used collectively : the 

 fortunes of the gambling-public are devoured succes- 

 sively, the sticks which would be irresistible when 

 combined, are broken one by one. We leave our readers 

 to judge whether this circumstance should encourage 

 gambling or. the reverse. 



