Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (2).pdf/5

(5) others, though not exactly in the ſame way yet in ways ſimilar to the before-mentioned, have been tricked of all by the gamblers; the conſequences whereof have been emigration, bankruptcy, or impriſonment. The lower claſs of mankind having had their ſhare of the ſuppoſed run of ill luck, or frowns of fortune, as they call it, and not knowing when they are impoſed on, have become ſufferers in the laſt degree; many of whom, in order to retrieve their loſſes, have had recourſe to picking of pockets, ſhop-lifting, and ſuch like offences, till emboldened by ſucceſs, and for ſome length of time eſcaping detection, they have ſet out on greater exploits, ſuch as breaking into houſes by night, robbing on the highway, & till at length they finiſh their career at Newgate, where they have declared, that love of gambling was the firſt ſtep that led them to the commiſſion of greater crimes,

I ſhall now give you an account of the games at which the Gambler is moſt dextrous, and the means by which he impoſes on and defrauds others, the better to put you on your guard againſt his villainy.—I ſhall mention ſeveral of the moſt faſhionable and alluring pleaſures at which their various methods