Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (3).pdf/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, &c. till at length they finish their career at Newgate, where they have declared, that love of gambling was the first step that led them on to the commission of greater crimes.

I shall now give you an account of the games at which the Gambler is most dexterous, 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 me-