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TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1784.

To be continued every TUESDAY.

Et quando uberior vitiorum copia? Quando
Major avaritiæ patuit finus? Alea quando
Hos animos.

What age fo large a crop of vices bore ;

Or when was avarice extended more?
When were the dice with more profufion thrown?

HE accumulation of knowledge is vain if it does not reform the manners and amend the heart. The education of that man is but half accomplished, who, "though he under"ftand all languages and all sciences," should yet harbour principles deftructive of those moral duties, the observance of which conftitutes the individual and general happiness of mankind. It is, therefore, the chief business of letters to recommend virtue, and to expose vice; and I believe no language can boast of so many productions as the English, written folely with that view, and which, I doubt not, make proper impreffions. But it is a hard thing to eradicate a favourite paffion; and there is, perhaps, no vice against which literature has levelled the injunctions of morality and the fallies of ridicule, with less success than those she has employed against GAMING. To whatever causes it may be afcribed, certain it is, that this paffion, of all others, is the most difficult to eradicate from the mind. It is, therefore, extremely dangerous to indulge a propenfity to play, even by way of paftime: the paffion gradually gains ground, and fteals imperceptibly on the heart; it raises emotions to which the mind has not been accustomed,

Price Three-pence.

JUVENAL.

DRYDEN.

and seldom fails to affect the temper. But it is not my intention in this effay to point out the natural effects of gaming. They have been abundantly exemplified by lively, and by moral writers, and with great success exhibited on the stage.

GAMING feems to have had the greatest influence, and to have been carried to the highest pitch of extravagance, in an age and in a country one could leaft have expected to hear of it. Many centuries ago, in the woods of Germany, TACITUS informs us, this paffion produced the moft fatal effects. The ancient German would play away his personal property, his cattle, his houses, his lands, and at last stake even his liberty, and voluntarily become the flave of his more fuccessful adverfary. He was, one day, the happy master of a happy home; had flocks grazing around him, and a family smiling in domeftic tranquility. The next day faw him a flave, laboriously cultivating, for another, the land which a few hours before entitled him to independence. These are circumstances which, but to reflect on, excite indefcribable sensations; what then must have been the feelings of the poor gamefter at the moment he was about to barter liberty for flavery!

WHETHER

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WHETHER the Germans of thefe days are particularly addicted to this vice I know not; it certainly is not, like fome other crimes, peculiar to any country; it may, however, be remarked, that its baneful influence has, of late years, been confiderably extended in this kingdom; and its fatal effects are every day confessed to be nationally and individually alarming.

VARIOUS caufes have concurred to produce this effect, amongst the foremost of which we may rank the confequent luxury of an unbounded commerce; and a subsequent war, the expences of which have obliged us, unwillingly, to facrifice fome of those luxuries which, from long enjoyment, we began to confider as neceffaries.

THAT ridiculous vanity which prompts people in the midling and lower ranks of life to imitate their fuperiors in external parade, and the gratification of defires that ought to be repreffed, urges them to fupport an idle distinction at the expence of their own peace, and the welfare of their families, by having recourse to other means than industry and frugality, the only lawful means by which wealth can accrue to people in dependent stations.

BUT it is difficult to exterminate habit, and irksome to banish enjoyment. Hence it too frequently happens that he who has experienced the fmiles of fortune in trade, without laying up against the day wherein the fickle goddefs fhall turn her wheel, has recourfe to the gaming table; chooling rather to depend on chance than induftry, on hope rather than frugality, on uncertainty rather than certainty for thofe fupplics. which are neceffary to fupport him in the enjoyment of a fancied and ridiculous pre-eminence, or the gratification of paffions which ought never to have been indulged. To this cause I cannot but attribute, in a great measure, the alarming progrefs which gaming has made of late years, and particularly fubfequent to the commencement of the late war.

THE encouragement given to gaming by State Lotteries is another evil that ought not to be overlooked. A licence to game, by parliamentary authority, excludes the idea of criminality; and weak minds, not deeply impreffed with the importance of moral duties, and incapable of judg ing for themselves, no longer confider that as a vice which has a legislative fanction. indeed, has been faid for and againft State Lotteries. They have been found convenient in governments for raifing money; an object to which all other confiderations are too frequently

Much

facrificed; they have therefore been too generally adopted, and have given the people a tafte for gaming more fatal in its confequences to the state itself than the money raised by it ever proved advantageous; for, however little it may now be attended to, certain it is, that its morality is of infinite more confequence to a state, than its riches.

It cannot indeed be fuppofed that parliament could foresee thofe effects which lotteries have produced, and towards which the mere difpofal of tickets could contribute but little. The legiflature was not aware of the complicated evils of Infurance, which, by enabling the lower claffes to fport their money, at length rendered gaming fo univerfal, and its confequences fo alarming as to call for the aid of parliament in the fuppreffion of an evil fo extensively prejudicial. Surely the fountain head cannot be clear whence originate fuch ftreams of corruption as pollute the whole land through which they flow.

THE man who ventures to fport that money in a lottery which ought to be appropriated to other ufes, is but too apt to fly to the private gaming table, in hopes to regain the property he has loft, by fresh facrifices at the altar of chance. He is then on the brink of destruction, for he is then on the point of becoming a profeffed" gamefter; and though he may fometimes float in a fea of wealth, yet he never knows that peace of mind, that fweet tranquillity which conftantly attend the enjoyment of the comparatively fmall wealth acquired by induftry and integrity; and perhaps the mere turn of a wheel, or the plucking of a ftraw, deprives him of his gold in a moment, and leaves him as wretched, as friendlefs, and as pennylefs as ever!

THE instant a man commences gamefter, he lofes a great share of his moral rectitude. He may be faid to be under the immediate influence of a demon; he is no longer his own master; he is happy or miferable, rich or poor, just as chance directs. To day he wallows in extravagance; to morrow he is the pooreft of beggars, for, amongst his other wants, he wants that contentment for which common beggars have sometimes been envied. Having perverted to the worst of uses the goods committed by Providence to his care in this world, he dies without a fhadow of hope for the enjoyment of those bleffings, promifed to temperance, patience, and benevolence, in the world to come!

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Mifs DINAH AMAZON PRIMROSE.

Vera redit facies, diffimulata perit..

P. ARB. THIS Original is of that fect of Diffenters, which firft gave rife to the important decifion of aye and no. Her whole life is one scene of gaiety and diffipation; fave when domeftic bufinefs claims her attention, fuch as cleaning the rooms, fcouring the ftairs, washing, ironing, and a thousand other family employments, which our modern females are entire ftrangers to. She changes her appearance as often as a camelion does its colour. At nine fhe rifes, and is the house-maid till twelve; then affumes the cookmaid till three. At four, as if by magic infpiration, fhe is metamorphofed into the miftrefs of the house! At five, the hairdreffer is waiting for commands. At eight, fuch a fudden change appears in her whole frame, that occular demonstration is doubtful. Her drefs is equal to the first duchess's in the metropolis. Such are the contrafts exhibited by Mifs Dinah Amazon Prim

rofe !

SHE knows every body, that is, every body knows her-She gains her acquaintance as other people generally lofe them-by fcandal.-Our firft interview was at a concert. Being alone, and seeing her with a number of ladies, without a gentleman, I wished to join her: with that intent I moved forward, and fate next to her. Five minutes had scarce elapsed, when she, with a fimpering fmile, and an affected blufh, afked me how my friend Frank Tattle did? I declared my ignorance of his acquaintance-Not know Frank Tattle!-vociferated Miss Dinah-Blefs me! Is it poffible? He is very confpicuous, Sir, and you must certainly have feen him.-My fifter will have it that he resembles a toad-only think, Sir, a toad! He is nick-named the Spy; and can give you the life, character, and behaviour of every family in Westminster. It is fome confolation, however, to the world, that whatever he repeats is treated with contempt, the natural confequence of deviating from truthNot know Frank Tattle!If you will favour me with your company next Wednesday, Sir, I receive company that evening, and Tattle will be present. A card was then drawn out of a red morocco pocket-book, and prefented me with I fhall depend on feeing you, Sir.-A gentleman then approached, with whom, after several farcaftic reflections on the fingers and company, The left the room.

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THE adventure was fo fudden, that it prevented a ferious investigation. What could I think? However, at the time appointed, after traverfing Gracechurch-ftreet half an hour, I arrived at the house. The fervant announced my presence, which Miss Dinah repeated to the company, with the ftrong recommendation of being her friend. The ruft of politeness did not wear off for fome time.-Scandal being the word of command, given by Polly Demure, as if by inftinet, every body fpoke at once; Frankey Tattle's voice foon over-powered the reft, and the whole produced fuch a "complication of fweet founds" as could be equalled only by the fagacious builders of the Tower of Babel. Frankey's voice being predominant, he was at length indulged in a folo, and did not ceafe till he was treated with the filent contempt of threefourths of the company. His modesty on the occafion obliged him to retire. The door was fhut. Foor Frankey Tattle was the fhuttle-cock of fixteen ladies, and as many gentlemen. What a fituation-Every perfon, after they made their exit, was a subject of scandal for a quarter of an hour.Knowing thay by rotation it would be my turn next, I bowed respectfully to the remaining party, and cut up myself in the feverest manner I could, and quitted the houfe, with a determination never to enter it again!

THIS, Spec, is a sketch of Mifs Dinah Amazon Primrose, whofe only pleafure is to hear, and to repeat fcandal.

HER houfe is the refort of trifling characters of all denominations; and her acquaintance-fuch of them as fhe does not know herfelf-a fet of the moft contemptible wretches that ever nature formed!This Original muft convey to those ladies, who poffefs too much levity, an idea of the confequences which generally arife from inviting ftrangers, forming connexions, and diffeminating opinions, which they often repent ever after, either from the duplicity of the men, or the doubtful character of the women.

[To be continued. ]

To the New SPECTATOR.

Mr. SPECTATOR,

As I am fully perfuaded it is the object nearest the heart of every one poffeffed of thofe truly noble fentiments, which your writings evince you to be, at all times to impart knowledge to the uniformed; permit me to requeft your opinion on a fubject, with which I must confefs, I am fo wholly unacquainted, that the confideration of it, has always led me into a

greater

greater labyrinth, than I have ever been able to extricate myself from. What I mean to refer to is, refpecting the BULIAN Government.

PRAY, good Sir, did you or your friend ever understand, that it was a prerogative of Rexman's to create an individual one of the Reppu, if contrary to his inclination ?- -I have heard many arguments made use of in fupport of this right; but the impropriety of it ftrikes me in fuch a forcible manner, and on the contrary, my friends opinions create in my mind fo many doubts, that I fhall think myself highly honoured by your reply to this question, as I am confident there is no one I can apply to, who is better versed in the constitution of Bulia than yourself.

To apologise for this liberty, Sir, would, I am fenfible, with a gentleman of your candour and politenefs, be but to raise an impediment to your acquiefcense with my requeft, and therefore I beg leave to fubfcribe myself, with the greatest respect,

SIR, Your moft obedient,
humble Servant,

IGNORATUS.'

THE Balloon friend of my deputy, John Bull, is daily expected to return from Bulia, and to bring with him, inter alia, an answer to the above letter, figned by a Bulian fage of diftinction, and whofe determination may be relied on, as fpeaking the language of the Bulian conflitution.

To the NEW SPECTATOR.

Mr. SPECTATOR,

THOUGH I do not pretend to be a poet, I have fome trifles by me which I wish to fee in your elegant repofitory. The following ftanzas were written fome years ago, when I was a young man,

On receiving a BREAST BUCKLE, from a Lady.

PRETTY Spangler! welcome hither,
Welcome to this faithful breaft;
Glowing emblem of my paffion!
Here for ever ever reft!

Whilft I gaze upon thee sparkling, Food to feed my flame I find; Thy delicacy--Laura's frame;

Beaming chryftal---Laura's mind!

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To the NEW SPECTAT O R. Dear SPEC,

As I have heard little for many days paft, but certain electioneering phrafes and exclamations, it cannot be fuppofed that, refpecting the public, I should have much to fay, unless I. were to indulge the family propensity to politics. But as politics are your abhorrence, I fhall avoid them as much as poffible; though I cannot prevail on myself to omit saying a word or two refpecting

The POLITICAL DUCHESS.

THIS lady has long been distinguished as an ornament to her fex, and celebrated for her domestic virtues. We are now to contemplate her as a female politician; divefting herself of female delicacy fo far as to run round the town, with a parcel of hot-headed fellows, fhouting, No Secret Influence! The man of the people for ever!—and, by her prefence, fecuring her fellowlabourers from thofe electioneering favours which canvaffers fometimes receive againft their will; for who can be brutal enough to abuse a woman, and not only a woman, but a Duchefs, and not only a Duchefs, but the Duchefs of ********?

To carry a handsome woman about, by way of fecuring the fupport of thofe who are influenced by the momentary condefcenfion of greatness, is an artifice that I have known to be practifed with fuccefs. It is an artifice fimilar to that of placing a handfome girl in the bar of a Coffee-houfe; it generally infures the fupport of a certain number of coxcombs who, otherwise, would never come near the house. And though I think neither of the fituations becoming a woman, many excufes fuggeft themfelves in favour of this lady at the bar, which will not hold with respect to the lady who has nothing to do but to render herself refpe&table in her conduct as well as her fituation; which however, can never be done by parading the streets with a mob of gentlemen, and violating the dignity and delicacy of the female character, and making herself bufy in thofe things in which, of all others, women have the leaft concern. But the love of

fame,

fame, and the affectation of fingularity have powerful effects on the female mind. My fifter, Anna Maria Bull, contends that a fine lady, like the King, can do no wrong; and that it would be a very hard thing if a Duchefs could not do as the likes. To be fure any woman may do as fhe likes; but her fituation, however exalted, can never confer propriety on thofe actions which are incongruous; and a woman in the character of a vote-hunter, previous to an election, is as ridiculous as Hercules with the diftaff, or a Duchefs ridling cinders!I am, therefore, happy to find that the example of the Duchefs in queftion, though of great influence, has not been openly followed in the metropolis, except by

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Who, I am told, at the request of the Platonic Earl, was content to devote her eloquence and perfonal attractions to the fame worthy caufe, and in conjunction with the amiable Duchefs, to fhew that the Man of the People, however averfe to Secret, is nò enemy to Petticoat Influence!

EVERY one knows that it is a breach of privilege in a peer to interfere in an election for a commoner. But a peer's wife is not a peer, though fhe has probably more influence than his lordship. The most fashionable, and I am told, the most successful way, is for his lordship to take a favourite actress of one of the theatres, and, accompanied by her, to vifit the shops of such tradesmen as have votes and intereft; buy fomething at each to a confiderable amount, and when it is packed up, let the actress speak thus: "Mr. tell me the amount of the goods, " and I will pay you ready money for them, on "condition that you vote for Mr. ***: if 86 you do not think fit to comply with the condition, you may replace the goods in your "fhop."―This I am told is a recipe probatum eft. For further particulars, I refer the curious to the filversmiths and linen-drapers.

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THOUGH this may be the fashionable mode of procuring temporary friends, I can by no means recommend the practice of it to actresses, who, above all people, ought to avoid politics and party, and, like the inimitable Farren, canvas only for public approbation!

TEMPLE of TASTE.

ONE of the morning papers has sported an idea, that a Temple confecrated to Tafte is building in one of the gardens of a certain Royal Perfonage, and that a ftatue is to be placed in the centre of it. Now if I were to ask you, what elegant perfonage, peculiarly diftinguished by Taste,

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THE most inhuman of all traffic is that of Slavery, and the most inhuman of all wretches are those who encourage it. Nothing, indeed, hardens the heart like the luft of gain. The Queen of Portugal has rendered her name immortal by abolifhing in her dominions, this infernal traffic; and I have hopes that her example will be followed by every nation that is guilty of this crime, except Britain, for of Britain I have no hopes. Reason, christianity,conscience, every thing pleads in vain with a British Merchant, when his intereft is at stake. He is at once one of the greatest and one of the meanest characters in existence ! Though his mind is enlarged; his principles honeft; his religion, as he falfely imagines, chriftian, in fhort, though he prides himself on his character, and lives in the eighteenth century, he traffics in blood, and boasts of those riches which are acquired by means too horrible to mention, and which but to think of makes humanity fhudder!

If the New Parliament wish to do one action worthy of remembrance, let them give liberty to the flave, and abolifh a traffic which difgraces. the realm; is a curfe to thofe that follow it; the greatest bar to the progrefs of christianity; the greatest scandal to human nature. If instead of the ridiculous Tefts propofed to candidates, they were fworn to fupport particular bills for the redress of notorious grievances, the meeting of a New Parliament would become an object of univerfal good, and the falutary regulations of a British Houfe of Commons be felt in the remotest parts of the world!

BULIA. The Contest!

DURING our refidence in Bulia, my friend and I were witnesses of a contest between two of the Bulians, for the honour of a feat in the Etanes. Rexman, in fpite of the menaces of Reynardam, who had impudently infinuated that the Sove reign dared not to diffolve the meeting of the

Etanes

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