* * * * * "The late King was passionately fond of Masquerades, where there was always a Pharo Bank prepared for his entertainment. Upon one occasion the crowd was so great in all parts of the Theatre, that the late Mr. Crawford was called for, and ordered to stop the further admission of company at the door: in which, however, he found so much difficulty, that 2700 guineas were forced into his pocket, whilst he stood purposely to advertise the public that there was no more room."--(_Times, April 13, 1795._) * * * * * "The two gambling houses in St. James's Square are in despair. The suppers are ordered with great caution: and of things that will _keep_. The two last companies have been composed, literally, of the _privileged wives_, and of foreigners."--(_Times, Dec. 2, 1795._) * * * * * "It is to the credit of the rising generation of females, that they have unanimously quitted those infamous meetings, called Private Pharoes, where some of their shameless Mammas, and the faded reputations of the present age, still expose their vices, and cheat the boys who have not been long enough in the army, to wear out their first cockades."--(_Times, Dec. 30, 1795._) * * * * * "To the CONDUCTOR of the TIMES. "Sir,--London is certainly an eligible place for persons who have nothing but their labour to depend on, to get forward in life, provided they steer clear of the many snares, and temptations, which hover in every alley, street, winding, and corner. "The mischief is, however, that the generality of young men, the moment they set foot in town, or, if brought up in the Metropolis, directly they enter the world on their own account, are hurried away, thoughtlessly, with the stream of error, and dissipation. If he happens to be a young man possessed of a moderate independence, without the suggestion of prudence, the caution of experience, the councils of wisdom or the restraint of authority, his whole conduct is then influenced by the passion with which he is actuated, which becomes at once, whether good or bad, his impulse, and his guide.