Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/84

68 leg, as arrant a black leg, as ever entered tle purlieus of St. James's, may be found in St. Paul's church yard; and so far as leg-ism (cheating) goes, they have as many tricks at the one as at the other place.

If a man is to be done, what signifies it to him, whether that be by a game at vulgar put, or the more elegant (because frenchified) Rouge et Noir, et tous les deux? What, if he gambles his all, whether it amounts to hundreds, or thousands, or tens of thousands?

False dice, is a common cheat, of which the game of roley poley is but an imitation; but there never was a pair made that by use did not lose their true die or square, and thereby receive a new bias, known only to those who are in the habit of using them.

Of horses and cocks, and the athletic games, we have said nothing: in the first place they are not London games; and secondly, we say, bet not at all; upon the most trivial matter they are meant but to decoy and entrap the unwary, who, if a doubt arises, is sure to be out-voted in strange company.

See more under the head of Lottery-offices and pretended parsons, lawyers, and doctors.