GAMBLING IN HIGH LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2926, 16 April 1891, Page 4

GAMBLING IN HIGH LIFE.

The Standard, while deprecating the discussion of the matter as affecting certain persons, frankly avows that there is no concealment about the practices of " society." The man who wants a game of baccarat, or who desires to risk his money at rouge-et-noir, is under no necessity to dive into some furtive and halt-illicit private " hell." He can gamble to his heart's content in the drawing-rooms of some of the stateliest country houses in England and some of the noblest town mansions in London; and the number of these private aminos is increasing rapidly. Gambling is becoming the favourite after-dinner amusement of certain influential sets, and if we can believe the stories that are told, vast sunib are won and lost with a frequency and freedom that recall the old clays of Crockford's.

Then, too, we have adopted an innovation unknown to our greatgrandfathers. In their time, if nie.n sat up till daylight gambling and drinking, it was in the company of men. In oiu , modern gambling calorics women are free of the guild. The ladies are not expected to withdraw when their male friends call for a pack of cards, and express a desire for cigars and " long drinks." In the game which ensues tht! charming and graceful hostess tukes a hand; she can put her money on the red or black with coolness and judgment; she is acquainted with the inner mysteries of poker, and can " bluff - ' an oppouent in that fascinating game with the skill unci pertinacity of a veteran player in a Texas bar-room. The other drawing-room amusements and entertainments are beginning to pale their ineffectual tires before the fierce delights of the card table

Trutit is severe on the extraordinary conduct of the hostess and of her family. I should have thought, says Mr Labouchcre, that a hostess would have sought to hinder any such scandal in her house by perhaps privately giving a hint to a guest, if there had been a suggestion that his play was not quite fair, and in this particular case there were special reasons, from the nature of her house party, why any scandal should have been deprecated. Hut here we have a hostess calmly confederating with her family with a view to detect, and to expose (if detected), one of her guests in an act which, if proved, would damn him for life 1 This appears to be an utter violation of all the duties of hospitality.