It is a pity we have not the key to the portraits of the bystanders, for portraits they, undoubtedly, are, because there is such individuality in the expression of their several countenances. The players we can easily recognise--Lady Archer, at the extreme left, has won largely, rouleaux of gold, and bank notes, are before her, and on her right hand are two heaps of loose gold;--with what a smiling countenance does the painted old gambler shew her cards, saying, "The Knave wins all!" Her next door neighbour, the Prince of Wales, who has staked, and lost, his last piece, lifts his hands, and eyes, in astonishment at the luck. Lady Buckinghamshire has doubled her stake, playing on two cards, and is evidently annoyed at her loss--whilst poor, black muzzled Fox, laments the loss of his last three pieces. "The profits of Faro are become so considerably reduced, that most of the Banks now lose almost every evening, after defraying the expences of the house, which are very considerable. Those _public-spirited_ Ladies who give such frequent routes, do so at a certain gain: for the sum of TWENTY-FIVE guineas is regularly advanced by the bank holders towards the night's expences. The _punters_ at Mrs. Hobart's, and Mrs. Sturt's, Faro Banks have dropped off considerably: and those who continue, are got so _knowing_, that heavy complaints are made that they bring no grist to the mill. There have not been above eight punters at Mrs. Sturt's bank, any night this season. The _pigeons_ are all flown, and the _punters_ are nothing better than _hawks_."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1793._) * * * * * "No less than six _Faro Banks_ are held in Pall Mall, viz., Philips's, Nelson's, Curtis's, Hall's, Whitnoll's, and Bullock's."--(_Times, Feb. 18, 1793._) * * * * * "It is become necessary to put our young men on their guard against the swindling tricks of some French ladies in this metropolis, of elevated rank, who have introduced assemblies in their lodgings, and houses, of an evening, for the purpose of attracting company, whose pockets are to be taxed by Gallic address, for the support of these nocturnal establishments.