If we descend thence into the Western hemisphere, we find that
the passion for gambling forms a distinguishing feature in the
character of all the rude natives of the American continent.
Just as in the East, these savages will lose their aims (on which
subsistence depends), their apparel, and at length their personal
liberty, on games of chance. There is one thing, however, which
must be recorded to their credit--and to our shame. When they
have lost their `all,' they do not follow the example of our
refined gamesters. They neither murmur nor repine. Not a
fretful word escapes them. They bear the frowns of fortune with
a philosophic composure.[7]


[7] Carver, _Travels_.


If we cross the Atlantic and land on the African shore, we find
that the `everlasting Negro' is a gambler--using shells as dice--
and following the practice of his `betters' in every way. He
stakes not only his `fortune,' but also his children and liberty,
which he cares very little about, everywhere, until we incite him
to do so--as, of course, we ought to do, for every motive `human
and divine.'

There is no doubt, then, that this propensity is part and parcel
of `the unsophisticated savage.' Let us turn to the eminently
civilized races of antiquity--the men whose example we have more
or less followed in every possible matter, sociality, politics,
religion--they were all gamblers, more or less. Take the grand
prototypes of Britons, the Romans of old. That gamesters they