~191~~“True,” said Merry well, as Sparkle concluded, though he did not like the satire upon his own favourite pursuit; “those delineations are correct, and the versification good, as far as it applies to the worst species of the gaminghouse.” “O,” said Tom, “then pray, Sir, which is the worst?” “Nonsense,” said Sparkle, “there is neither worse nor best; these Hells are all alike. _Sharks, Greeks, Gamblers, Knowing Ones, Black-legs, and Levanters_, are to be met with at them all, and _they meet to bite one another's heads off_.” “An admirable description, truly, of the company you are about to introduce us to, Gentlemen,” said Tallyho. “I don't understand Greeks, Hells, and Black-legs,” said Mortimer, “and should like an explanation.” “With all my heart,” replied Sparkle--“_Hell_ is the general title now given to any well-known gaming-house, and really appears to be well chosen; for all the miseries that can fall to the lot of human nature, are to be found in those receptacles of idleness, duplicity, and villany. Gaming is an estate to which all the world has a pretence, though few espouse it who are willing to secure either their estates or reputations: and these Hells may fairly be considered as so many half-way houses to the Fleet or King's Bench Prisons, or some more desperate end. The love of play is the most incurable of insanities: robbery, suicide, and the extensive ruin of whole families, have been known to proceed from this unfortunate and fatal propensity. “_Greeks, Gamblers, Knowing Ones, and Black-legs_, are synonimous terms, applied to the frequenters of the modern Hells, or Gaming-houses, and may be distinguished from the rest of society by the following peculiarities in pursuits and manners. “The _Greeks_ of the present day, though they may not lay claim to, or boast of all the attributes of the _Greeks_ of antiquity, must certainly be allowed to possess that quality for which the latter were ever so celebrated, namely, _cunning and wariness_: for although no modern Greek can be said to have any resemblance to Achilles, Ajax, Patroclus, or Nestor, in point of courage, strength, fidelity, or wisdom, he may nevertheless boast of being a close copier of the equally renowned chief of Ithaca. You will find him in most societies, habited like a gentleman; ~192~~his clothes are of the newest fashion, and his manners of the highest polish, with every appearance of candour and honour; while he subsists by unfair play at dice, cards, and billiards, deceiving and defrauding all those with whom he may engage; disregarding the professions of friendship and intimacy, which are continually falling from his lips. “To become a good _Greek_ (which, by the way, is a contradiction) it will be found necessary to follow these instructions: