are guiltless of that vice in its common form."

[Footnote 1: Although we have seen lottery tickets signed by Hancock
earlier in life.]

In some foreign countries and in a few of the States of our Union
lotteries are still lawful; yet we believe there is a growing feeling
against them. But if stock gambling is destined to take the place of the
lottery, we do not think much will be gained by the change. The losses
by lotteries were generally in small sums, and could be better borne by
the adventurers than the entire loss of property, health, and reputation
which is now too apt to follow a large proportion of the speculative
stock operations. In the lottery, too, the risks were generally so small
that the ticket-buyer alone suffered; whereas now, whole families are
often involved in financial ruin, if not in disgrace, by the operations
of a father, brother, or near relative. But we will say no more on this
point, as it is a consideration foreign to the object of this book.

Thus far we have written mainly of American lotteries; as it is not our
intention to take an exhaustive view of the subject, we will merely say,
in reference to foreign countries, that lotteries were instituted in
England in 1567, and abolished by Act of Parliament in 1823, although
allowed until 1826, when the last drawing of a legal lottery took place.
During this period they were patronized by all classes,--royalty, the
nobility, gentry, and commoners. The first lottery was for the repairs
of harbors and fortifications. The drawing took place at the "west door
of St. Paul's Church." In 1612 King James I. granted a lottery for the
"English Colonies in Virginia, ... to be held at the _west end of St.
Paul's,_" and "one Thomas Sharplys, a tailor, drew the chief Prize,
which was 4000 crowns in fair plate."