of dice. Of course, in spite of all calculations, there were
miserable failures--frightful losses. The polite gamester, like
the savage, did not scruple to hazard the dearest interests of
his family, or to bring his wife and children to poverty, misery,
and ruin. He could not give these over in liquidation of a
gambling debt; indeed, nobody would, probably, have them at a
gift; and yet there were instances in which the honour of a wife
was the stake of the infernal game! . . . . Well might the
Emperor Justinian exclaim,--`Can we call _PLAY_ that which
causes crime?'[14]


[14] Quis enim ludos appellet eos, ex quibus crimina
oriuntur?--_De Concept. Digest_. II. lib. iv. Sec. 9.



CHAPTER II.

GAMBLING AMONG THE ANCIENT HINDOOS.--A HINDOO
LEGEND AND ITS MODERN PARALLEL.

The recent great contribution to the history of India, published
by Mr Wheeler,[15] gives a complete insight into this interesting
topic; and this passage of the ancient Sanskrit epic forms one of
the most wonderful and thrilling scenes in that most acceptable
publication.


[15] The History of India from the Earliest Ages. By J.