“Precious, very precious,” rejoined the first, “must be yon golden targe.” “Nay, Sir Knight, it is of silver, I trow.” “By my lady, thou liest,” quickly came the hot retort. Then, prancing chargers well in hand, with lances lowered to deadly level, they prepared for the “wager of battle.” Both were unhorsed in the onslaught. Regaining an upright posture, with swords drawn to renew the duel, each observed that his reverse of the shield was what the other had contended for. Moral: It is wise to look first upon both sides of the subject. Not so, it is evident, has it been with books heretofore devoted to a discussion of gambling. Their authors professed an exposition of gaming in the interest of morality. Well may some of the books be read for their wealth of information and excellent diction. Some have been earnest, in places eloquent, and often suggestive. Vivid and dramatic are the descriptions of a passion that has possessed the world in all ages; yet, that the various assaults were conceived in wisdom, or that they have resulted in permanent good, I am constrained to deny. True, I believe with Sir Walter Raleigh, that out of history may be gathered a policy no less wise than eternal; “by the comparison and application of other men’s forepassed miseries with our own like errors and ill-deservings.” But why did it not occur to these writers that circumstances should not be recorded merely because they have happened; that events deserve memorial only because they illustrate some great principle; because some inference is to be drawn from them, which may increase the happiness or enlarge the powers of man? That it did not, we must infer from the pages they have given to the world. Cicero declared that “History is the light of truth.” In vain, however, do we look for a consideration of causes in any history of gambling. “Histories,” said Carlyle, “are as perfect as the historian is wise.” Is that book wise wherein no adequate remedy is suggested for the evil it depicts? Although interesting, such a work is but a chronicle devoid of moral purpose. It is clear, to dwell upon the follies of man will not cure them; that it will not strengthen humanity merely to portray their weaknesses. The passion our author would combat is rooted in the soul. “Whose powers at once combat ye, and control, Whose magic bondage each lost slave enjoys.” How would you extirpate the evil, if such it is? Expose a folly, you may say, and wisdom will turn from it. You would have us believe, perhaps, that: “Wisdom from heaven received her birth; Her beams transmitted to the subject Earth.” And yet “This great empress of the human soul Does only with imagined power control, If restless passion, by rebellious sway, Compels the weak usurper to obey.”