If scenes like this were enacted at the Groom Porter's, what must have taken place at the other gaming houses? Let two contemporary writers, whose language, though rough, is trustworthy, answer the question. 'Gaming is an Estate to which all the World has a Pretence, tho' few espouse it that are willing to keep either their Estates, or Reputations. I knew two _Middlesex Sharpers_ not long ago, that inherited a West Country Gentleman's Estate, who I believe, wou'd have never made them his Heirs in his last Will and Testament. '_Lantrillou_ is a kind of Republick very ill ordered, where all the World are Hail Fellow well met; no distinction of Ranks, no Subordination observed. The greatest Scoundrel of the Town, with Money in his Pockets, shall take his Turn before the best _Duke_ or _Peer_ in the Land, if the Cards are on his side. From these Privileg'd Places not only all Respect and Inferiority is Banish'd; but every thing that looks like Good Manners, Compassion, or Humanity: Their Hearts are so Hard and Obdurate, that what occasions the Grief of one Man, gives Joy and Satisfaction to his next Neighbour.... 'In some Places they call Gaming Houses _Academies_; but I know not why they should inherit that Honourable Name, since there's nothing to be learn'd there, unless it be _Slight of Hand_, which is sometimes at the Expence of all our Money, to get that of other Men's by Fraud and Cunning. The Persons that meet are generally Men of an _Infamous_ Character, and are in various Shapes, Habits and Employments. Sometimes they are Squires of the _Pad_, and now and then borrow a little Money upon the _King's High Way_, to recruit their losses at the _Gaming House_, and when a Hue and Cry is out, to apprehend them, they are as safe in one of these Houses as a _Priest_ at the _Altar_, and practise the old trade of _Cross biting Cullies_, assisting the Frail _Square Dye_ with high and low _Fullums_, and other _Napping_ Tricks, in comparison of whom the common Bulkers, and Pickpockets, are a very honest Society. How unaccountable is this way to _Beggary_, that when a Man has but a little Money, and knows not where in the World to compass any more, unless by hazarding his Neck for't, will try an Experiment to leave himself none at all: Or, he that has Money of his own, should play the Fool, and try whether it shall not be another Man's. Was ever any thing so Nonsensically Pleasant.