"By the way, I have enclosed some extracts from the newspapers,
which may interest you: and have received a very strange letter
from a Mr. Blewitt, about a play transaction, which, I suppose, is
the case alluded to in these prints. He says you won 4700L. from
one Dawkins: that the lad paid it; that he, Blewitt, was to go what
he calls 'snacks' in the winning; but that you refused to share the
booty. How can you, my dear boy, quarrel with these vulgar people,
or lay yourself in any way open to their attacks? I have played
myself a good deal, and there is no man living who can accuse me of
a doubtful act. You should either have shot this Blewitt or paid
him. Now, as the matter stands, it is too late to do the former;
and, perhaps, it would be Quixotic to perform the latter. My
dearest boy! recollect through life that YOU NEVER CAN AFFORD TO BE
DISHONEST WITH A ROQUE. Four thousand seven hundred pounds was a
great coup, to be sure.

"As you are now in such high feather, can you, dearest Algernon!
lend me five hundred pounds? Upon my soul and honor, I will repay
you. Your brothers and sisters send you their love. I need not
add, that you have always the blessings of your affectionate
father,

"CRABS."

"P.S.--Make it 500, and I will give you my note-of-hand for a
thousand."

. . . . . .