THE LOTTERY. 



21 



in our own country, is used as an instrument to raise 

 money, either for the use of the government itself, or 

 for other purposes which are considered deserving. 

 The principle of the game, or the scheme, consists of 

 different combinations of numbers, from one to nine- 

 ty, which are written on papers, nine rows on each 

 side, with five figures in each row. As ninety fig- 

 ures admit of combinations to an almost indefinite 

 extent, any number of papers can be issued, each 

 containing a different series of combinations. These 

 papers are stamped by the government, and sold at 

 a real, or twelve and a half cents each. Every play- 

 er purchases one of these papers, and fastens it to 

 the table before him with a wafer. A purse is then 

 made up, each player putting in a certain sum, which 

 is collected by a boy in a hat. The boy with the 

 bag of balls then announces, or rather sings out, the 

 amount of the purse, and rattling his bag of balls, 

 draws out one, and sings the number drawn. Eve- 

 ry player marks on his paper with a grain of corn 

 the number called off, and the one who is first able to 

 mark five numbers in a row wins the purse. This 

 he announces by rapping on the table with the stick, 

 and standing up in his place. The boy sings over 

 again the numbers drawn, and if, on comparison, all 

 is found right, delivers the purse. The game is then 

 ended, and another begins. Sometimes mistakes 

 occur, and it was a mistake that led to the extraor- 

 dinary clamour and confusion we had found on 

 reaching the neighbourhood of the boy. 



