Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/212

196 which he finds refreshments of the most costly kind. In this providing, the houses vie with ewch other in sumptuousness; wines of all sorts, and viands of the costliest kinds, are always at hand. Five per cent. on all the money won, pays him well for this; which is the profit or allowance, on such games as Whist, Faro, Rouge et Noir, &c. At E. O., the bar E. bar O. falls to the master for the same purpose. When rank cheatery begins, tis called a do.

But if these are the regular profits of his trade, what do not they not amount to when he is game enough to provide a table with a false top? This is the modern method of fleecing, and the master is sure to be in it: this is the sine qua non of the speck; for who would be at the expence, and run the risque of discovery, were he not to divide the Cole?

Although numerous laws bear down and grind the publicans, and render the keeping a small or low house little better than slavery, there should not be one the less kept in force against them; but on the contrary it has been suggested, that they should be further compelled to aid the police in the detection of criminals, who take refuge