i:8 ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPORTS. 



to every man tlie fame freedom) all our laws 

 to reflrain gaming, either at the Stock Ex- 

 chai>ge, or elfewhere, ought to be repealed in 

 the grofs ; not only as fuperfluous and ufelefs, 

 but of a dangerous tendency. The confe- 

 quence might be an immediate inundation of 

 gambling; which would alfo, mofl; probably, 

 iliperinduce an almort immediate contrary and 

 good effect. Satiety would pall the appetite. 

 Competition would ruin the numerous tables. 

 Refponfibility would be (hifted from the go- 

 vernment to the individual, where it naturally 

 ought to lodge. Fathers of families, mafters, 

 hufbands, wives, finding the morals of their re- 

 latives, or inferiors, committed intirely to their 

 own care, would, becaufe they neceflarily muft, 

 be more vigilant. The difficulty of concealing 

 the charafter of a gambler would be enhanced, 

 by the allowed publicity of the pra6tice. A 

 virtuous and patriotic government vrould per- 

 haps allow an annual fum to the police of the 

 Metropolis, for the purpofe of printing and 

 circul-.ting in various quarters, fmall pamphlets 

 upon tlie dangers of play,, and the pulls of the 

 diiferent games, upon the fame principle (and 

 a genuine and excellent one it is) on which 

 the worthy magiftracy of the city have fta- 

 tioned men at certain doors, with boards bear- 

 ing the infcription in capitals. Beware of 

 Mock 'Auctions. I have confulted intelli- 



gent 



