No 'extenuating circumstances,' however, can be admitted respecting the notorious racing lotteries, in spite of the small figure of the tickets; nay this rather aggravates the danger, being a temptation to the thoughtless multitude. One of these lotteries, called the Deptford Spec., was not long ago suppressed by the strong arm of the law; but others still exist under different names. In one of these the law is thought to be evaded by the sale of a number of photographs; in another, a chance of winning on a horse is secured by the purchase of certain numbers of a newspaper struggling into existence; but the following is, perhaps, the drollest phase of the evasion as yet attempted: 'Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding _count the number of the beast_.'--Rev., chap. xiii. 'NICKOLAS REX.--"LUCKY" BANQUETS. 'HIS SATANIC MAJESTY purposes holding a series of Banquets, Levees, and DRAWING ROOMS at Pandemonium during the ensuing autumn, to each of which about 10,000 of his faithful disciples will be invited. H. S. M. will, at those drawing-rooms and receptions, _NUMBER_ a lot of beasts, and distribute a series of REWARDS, varying in value from L100 to 10_s_. of her Britannic Majesty's money. 'Tickets One Shilling each, application for which must be made _BY LETTER_ to His S. Majesty's Chamberlain, &c. &c. The LAST _DRAWING-ROOM_ of this season will be held a few days before the Feast of the CROYDON STEEPLECHASES, &c. &c. CHAPTER XIV. THE LAWS AGAINST GAMING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. 1. ANCIENT ROME. In ancient Rome all games of chance, with the exception of five which had relation to bodily vigour, were absolutely prohibited in public or private. The loser could not be sued for moneys lost, and could recover what he might have paid, such right being secured to his heirs against the heirs of the winner, even after the lapse of 30 years' prescription. During 50 years after the loss, should the loser or his heirs neglect their action, it was open to any one that chose to prosecute, and chiefly to the municipal authorities, the sum recovered to be expended in that case for public purposes. No surety for the payment of money for gambling purposes was bound. The betting on lawful games was restricted to a certain amount, beyond which the loser could recover moneys paid, and could not be sued for the amount. A person in whose house gambling had taken place, if struck or injured, or if robbed on the occasion thereof, was denied redress; but offences of gamblers among themselves were punishable. Blows or injuries might be inflicted on the gambling house keeper at any time and anywhere without being penal as against any person; but theft was not exempted from punishment, unless committed at the time of gambling--and not by a gambler. Children and freedmen could recover their losses as against their parents and patrons. Cicero, in his second Philippic, speaks of a criminal process (_publicum judicium_) then in force against gamblers.