2o8 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book X. 



On the I2th of June, 1657, Mr. Brampfield brought 

 in a Bill in Parliament against gaming and betting, 



1657. and persons who lived at high rates having 

 Gaming, etc. ^^ visible estates, profession, or calling. 

 The Bill was read, but finding the usual brief was 

 not attached, the Speaker was about to reject it, 

 observing, " that he was not able to play at all those 

 ofames without a brief." Then Mr. West moved that 

 the Bill be returned back to the gentlemen that brought 

 it in. He took exception to some of its provisions ; 

 pointed out that lawful games such as bowls, " which 

 many honest men used," were forbidden ; and instanced 

 that the Lord Protector patronized that exercise. He 

 then moved permission to add some sporting members 

 to the committee who were favourable to lawful recrea- 

 tions. 



Mr. Bampfield asserted that the Bill did not pro- 

 hibit bowling, but only unlawful games and excessive 

 betting, and contended that there were some very 

 honest, worthy persons at the drawing of his Bill, 

 including Lord Whitelock, Sir L. Long, and himself. 

 The Bill was reported as amended on the 19th of 

 June, and finally passed the House on the 23rd of that 

 month.* 



In June, 1657, an Act of Parliament was promul- 

 gated for punishing persons "who live at high rates, 

 and have no estate or calling answerable thereto, and 

 make it their livelihood to cheat the young gentry 

 and others," by which Act it was ordained that all 

 persons who gain money at cards, dice, tennis, bowls, 



* Burton's Diary. 



