"Having passed through this diverting scene, I was set down at last at my nobleman's door, who, being at home, gave me a free, noble, and generous reception. There was a pretty deal of company besides, but all perfectly easy and cheerful, without stiffness or ceremony. I need not, I believe, inform you that we had a very elegant and sumptuous entertainment; and that one article of it was the reigning topick of the day, an immense rich twelfth-cake. The sight of this immediately introduced the ceremony of choosing King and Queen, a custom, whose rise or antiquity very few I believe are able to give us. Through the extraordinary bounty of my stars, the election of King fell upon me; whereupon, I instantly received the compliments of the company upon my new dignity. The title of Queen came to a beautiful lady who sat opposite to me. There were inferior characters, which fell amongst others of the company. In short, after having supported my mock Royalty with a great deal of innocent and decent mirth for some hours, till the night was pretty far wasted, making my profoundest respects to his lordship and company, and rewarding the servants, according to the rank I had borne that night, I very contentedly drove home, and having taken a hearty sleep, I found myself in the morning entirely divested of all Royalty, and no more than your plain humble servant, THOMAS NORTH." An attempt was made, at the commencement of 1731, to suppress some of the most considerable gaming-houses in London and the Suburbs, particularly one behind Gray's-Inn walks. The Editor of the St. James's Evening-Post, observed upon this occasion: "It may be matter of instruction as well as amusement, to present our readers with the following list of officers which are established in the most notorious gaming-houses. "A _Commissioner_, always a proprietor, who looks in of a night; and the week's account is audited by him and two others of the proprietors. "A _Director_, who superintends the room. "An _Operator_, who deals the cards at a cheating game called Faro. "Two _Crowpees_, who watch the cards, and gather the money for the Bank. "Two _Puffs_, who have money given them to decoy others to play. "A _Clerk_, who is a check upon the Puffs, to see that they sink none of the money given them to play with. "A _Squib_ is a Puff of a lower rank, who serves at half-salary, while he is learning to deal. "A _Flasher_, to swear how often the bank has been stripped. "A _Dunner_, who goes about to recover money lost at play. "A _Waiter_, to fill out wine, snuff candles, and attend in the gaming-room. "An _Attorney_, a _Newgate_ solicitor. "A _Captain_, who is to fight any gentleman that is peevish for losing his money. "An _Usher_, who lights gentlemen up and down stairs, and gives the word to the Porter. "A _Porter_, who is generally a soldier of the foot-guards.