The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims Volume 1 Part 26

Among the numerous occasions on which the name of the Duke of Queensberry came before the public in connection with sporting matters, may be mentioned the circ.u.mstance of the following curious trial, which took place before Lord Mansfield in the Court of King's Bench, in 1771.

The Duke of Queensberry, then Lord March, was the plaintiff, and a Mr Pigot the defendant. The object of this trial was to recover the sum of five hundred guineas, being the amount of a wager laid by the duke With Mr Pigot--whether Sir William Codrington or _OLD_ Mr Pigot should die first. It had singularly happened that Mr Pigot died suddenly the _SAME MORNING_, of the gout in his head, but before either of the parties interested in the result of the wager could by any possibility have been made acquainted with the fact. In the contemporary accounts of the trial, the Duke of Queensberry is mentioned as having been accommodated with a seat on the bench; while Lord Ossory, and several other n.o.blemen, were examined on the merits of the case. By the counsel for the defendant it was argued that (as in the case of a horse dying before the day on which he was to be run) the wager was invalid and annulled. Lord Mansfield, however, was of a different opinion; and after a brief charge from that great lawyer, the jury brought in a verdict for the plaintiff for five hundred guineas, and he sentenced the defendant to defray the costs of the suit.(143)

(143) Jesse, George Selwyn and his Contemporaries, vol. i. p. 194.

This prince of debauchees seems to have surpa.s.sed every model of the kind, ancient or modern. In his prime he reproduced in his own drawing-room the scene of Paris and the G.o.ddesses, exactly as we see it in cla.s.sic pictures, three of the most beautiful women of London representing the divinities as they appeared to Paris on Mount Ida, while he himself, dressed as the Dardan shepherd holding a _GILDED_ apple (it should have been really golden) in his hand, conferred the prize on her whom he deemed the fairest. In his decrepit old age it was his custom, in fine sunny weather, to seat himself in his balcony in Piccadilly, where his figure was familiar to every person who was in the habit of pa.s.sing through that great thoroughfare. Here (his emaciated figure rendered the more conspicuous from his custom of holding a parasol over his head) he was in the habit of watching every attractive female form, and ogling every pretty face that met his eye. He is said, indeed, to have kept a pony and a servant in constant readiness, in order to follow and ascertain the residence of any fair girl whose attractions particularly caught his fancy! At this period the old man was deaf with one ear, blind with one eye, nearly toothless, and labouring under multiplied infirmities. But the hideous propensities of his prime still pursued him when all enjoyment was impossible. Can there be a greater penalty for unbridled licentiousness?

MR LUMSDEN.

Mr Lumsden, whose inveterate love of gambling eventually caused his ruin, was to be seen every day at Frascati's, the celebrated gambling house kept by Mme Dunan, where some of the most celebrated women of the _demi-monde_ usually congregated. He was a martyr to the gout, and his hands and knuckles were a ma.s.s of chalk-stones. He stuck to the _Rouge et Noir_ table until everybody had left; and while playing would take from his pocket a small slate, upon which he would rub his chalk-stones until blood flowed. 'Having on one occasion been placed near him at the _Rouge et Noir_ table, I ventured,' says Captain Gronow, 'to expostulate with him for rubbing his knuckles against his slate. He coolly answered, "I feel relieved when I see the blood ooze out."'

Mr Lumsden was remarkable for his courtly manners; but his absence of mind was astonis.h.i.+ng, for he would frequently ask his neighbour _WHERE HE WAS_! Crowds of men and women would congregate behind his chair, to look at 'the mad Englishman,' as he was called; and his eccentricities used to amuse even the croupiers. After losing a large fortune at this den of iniquity, Mr Lumsden encountered every evil of poverty, and died in a wretched lodging in the Rue St Marc.(144)

(144) Gronow, _Last Recollections._

GENERAL SCOTT, THE HONEST WINNER OF L200,000.

General Scott, the father-in-law of George Canning and the Duke of Portland, was known to have won at White's L200,000, thanks to his notorious sobriety and knowledge of the game of Whist. The general possessed a great advantage over his companions by avoiding those indulgences at the table which used to muddle other men's brains. He confined himself to dining off something like a boiled chicken, with toast and water; by such a regimen he came to the Whist table with a clear head; and possessing as he did a remarkable memory, with great coolness of judgment, he was able honestly to win the enormous sum of L200,000.

RICHARD BENNET.

Richard Bennet had gone through every walk of a blackleg, from being a billiard sharper at a table in Bell Alley until he became a keeper or partner in all the 'h.e.l.ls' in St James's. In each stage of his journey he had contrived to have so much the better of his compet.i.tors, that he was enabled to live well, to bring up and educate a large legitimate family, and to gratify all his pa.s.sions and sensuality. But besides all this, he acc.u.mulated an ample fortune, which this inveterate gamester did actually possess when the terriers of justice overtook and hunted him into the custody of the Marshal of the Court of Queen's Bench.

Here he was sentenced to be imprisoned a certain time, on distinct indictments, for keeping different gaming houses, and was ordered to be kept in custody until he had also paid fines to the amount, we believe, of L4000. Bennet, however, after undergoing the imprisonment, managed to get himself discharged without paying the fines.

DENNIS O'KELLY.

Dennis O'Kelly was the Napoleon of the turf and the gaming table. Ascot was his elysium. His horses occupied him by day and the Hazard table by night. At the latter one night he was seen repeatedly turning over a _QUIRE OF BANK NOTES_, and a gentleman asked him what he was looking for, when he replied, 'I am looking for a _LITTLE ONE_.' The inquirer said he could accommodate him, and desired to know for what sum. Dennis O'Kelly answered, 'I want a FIFTY, or something of _THAT SORT_, just to set the _CASTER_. At this moment it was supposed he had seven or eight _THOUSAND_ pounds in notes in his hand, but not one for less than a _HUNDRED!_

Dennis O'Kelly always threw with great success; and when he held the box he was seldom known to refuse throwing for _ANY SUM_ that the company chose to set him. He was always liberal in _SETTING THE CASTER_, and preventing a stagnation of trade at the _TABLE_, which, from the great property always about him, it was his good fortune very frequently to deprive of its last floating guinea, when the box of course became dormant for want of a single adventurer.

It was his custom to carry a great number of bank notes in his waistcoat pocket, twisted up together, with the greatest indifference; and on one occasion, in his attendance at a Hazard table at Windsor, during the races, being a _STANDING_ better and every chair full, a person's hand was observed, by those on the opposite side of the table, just in the act of drawing two notes out of his pocket. The alarm was given, and the hand, from the person behind, was instantly withdrawn, and the notes left sticking out. The company became clamorous for taking the offender before a magistrate, and many attempted to secure him for the purpose; but Captain Dennis O'Kelly very philosophically seized him by the collar, kicked him down-stairs, and exultingly exclaimed, ''Twas a _SUFFICIENT PUNISHMENT_ to be deprived of the pleasure of keeping company with _JONTLEMEN_.'

A bet for a large sum was once proposed to this 'Admirable Crichton' of the turf and the gaming table, and accepted. The proposer asked O'Kelly where lay his _ESTATES_ to answer for the amount if he lost?' 'My estates!' cried O'Kelly. 'Oh, if that's what you _MANE_, I've a _MAP_ of them here'--and opening his pocket-book he exhibited bank notes to _TEN TIMES_ the sum in question, and ultimately added the _INQUIRER'S_ contribution to them.

Such was the wonderful son of Erin, 'Captain' or 'Colonel' Dennis O'Kelly. One would like to know what ultimately became of him.

d.i.c.k ENGLAND.

Jack Tether, Bob W--r, Tom H--ll, Captain O'Kelly, and others, spent with d.i.c.k England a great part of the plunder of poor Clutterbuck, a clerk of the Bank of England, who not only lost his all, but robbed the Bank of an immense sum to pay his 'debts of honour.'

A Mr B--, a Yorks.h.i.+re gentleman, proposed to his brother-in-law, who was with him, to put down ten pounds each and try their luck at the 'h.e.l.l'

kept by 'the Clerks of the Minster,' in the Minster Yard, next the Church. It was the race-week. There were about thirteen Greeks there, d.i.c.k England at their head. Mr B-- put down L10. England then called 'Seven the main--if seven or eleven is thrown next, the Caster wins.'

Of course d.i.c.k intended to win; but he blundered in his operation; he _LANDED_ at six and the other did not answer his hopes. Yet, with matchless effrontery, he swore he had called _SIX_ and not seven; and as it was referred to the majority of the goodly company, thirteen _HONEST GENTLEMEN_ gave it in d.i.c.k England's favour, and with him divided the spoil.

A Mr D--, a gentleman of considerable landed property in the North, proposed pa.s.sing a few days at Scarborough. d.i.c.k England saw his carriage enter the town, and contrived to get into his company and go with him to the rooms. When the a.s.sembly was over, he prevailed on Mr D-- to sup with him. After supper Mr D-- was completely intoxicated, and every effort to make him play was tried in vain.

This was, of course, very provoking; but still something must be done, and a very clever scheme they hit upon to try and 'do' this 'young man from the country.' d.i.c.k England and two of his a.s.sociates played for five minutes, and then each of them marked a card as follows:--'D-- owes me one hundred guineas,' 'D-- owes me eighty guineas;' but d.i.c.k marked _HIS_ card--'I owe D--thirty guineas.'

The next day, Mr D-- met d.i.c.k England on the cliff and apologized for his excess the night before, hoping he had given no offence 'when drunk and incapable.' Having satisfied the gentleman on this point, d.i.c.k England presented him with a thirty-guinea note, which, in spite of contradiction, remonstrance, and denial of any play having taken place, he forced on Mr D-- as his _FAIR WINNING_--adding that he had paid hundreds to gentlemen in liquor, who knew nothing of it till he had produced the account. Of course Mr D-- could not help congratulating himself at having fallen in with a perfect gentleman, as well as consoling himself for any head-ache or other inconvenience resulting from his night's potation. They parted with gus.h.i.+ng civilities between them.

Soon afterwards, however, two other gentlemen came up to Mr D--, whom the latter had some vague recollection of having seen the evening before, in company with d.i.c.k England; and at length, from what the two gentlemen said, he had no doubt of the fact, and thought it a fit opportunity to make a due acknowledgment of the gentlemanly conduct of their friend, who had paid him a bet which he had no remembrance of having made.

No mood could be better for the purpose of the meeting; so the two gentlemen not only approved of the conduct of d.i.c.k, and descanted on the propriety of paying drunken men what they won, but also declared that no _GENTLEMAN_ would refuse to pay a debt of honour won from him when drunk; and at once begged leave to 'remind' Mr D-- that he had lost to them 180 guineas! In vain the astounded Mr D-- denied all knowledge of the transaction; the gentlemen affected to be highly indignant, and talked loudly of injured honour. Besides, had he not received 30 guineas from their friend? So he a.s.sented, and appointed the next morning to settle the matter.

Fortunately for Mr D--, however, some intelligent friends of his arrived in the mean time, and having heard his statement about the whole affair, they 'smelt a rat,' and determined to ferret it out. They examined the waiter--previously handing him over five guineas--and this man declared the truth that Mr D-- did not play at all--in fact, that he was in such a condition that there could not be any real play. d.i.c.k England was therefore 'blown' on this occasion. Mr D-- returned him his thirty guineas, and paid five guineas for his share of the supper; and well he might, considering that it very nearly cost him 150 guineas--that is, having to receive 30 guineas and to pay 180 guineas to the Greeks--profit and loss with a vengeance.

Being thus 'blown' at Scarborough, d.i.c.k England and his a.s.sociates decamped on the following morning.

He next formed a connection with a lieutenant on half pay, nephew to an Irish earl. With this lieutenant he went to Spa, and realized something considerable; but not without suspicion--for a few dice were missed.

d.i.c.k England returned to London, where he shortly disagreed with the lieutenant. The latter joined the worthy before described, Captain O'Kelly, who was also at enmity with d.i.c.k England; and the latter took an opportunity of knocking their heads together in a public coffee-room, and thras.h.i.+ng them both till they took shelter under the tables. d.i.c.k had the strength of an ox, the ferocity of a bull-dog, and 'the cunning of the serpent,' although what the latter is no naturalist has ever yet discovered or explained.

The lieutenant determined on revenge for the thras.h.i.+ng. He had joined his regiment, and he 'peached' against his former friend, disclosing to the officers the circ.u.mstance of the dice at Spa, before mentioned; and, of course, upset all the designs of d.i.c.k England and his a.s.sociates.

This enraged all the blacklegs; a combination was formed against the lieutenant; and he was shot through the head by 'a brother officer,' who belonged to the confraternity.

The son of an earl lost forty thousand pounds in play to d.i.c.k England; and shot himself at Stacie's Hotel in consequence--the very night before his honourable father sent his steward to pay the 'debt of honour' in full--though aware that his son had been cheated out of it.

But the most extraordinary 'pa.s.s' of d.i.c.k England's career is still to be related--not without points in it which make it difficult to believe, in spite of the evidence, that it is the same 'party' who was concerned in it. Here it is.

In the _Gentleman's Magazine_, in Gilchrist's Collection of British Duels, in Dr Millingen's reproduction of the latter, the following account occurs:--

'Mr Richard England was put to the bar at the Old Bailey, charged with the "wilful murder" of Mr Rowlls, brewer, of Kingston, in a duel at Cranford-bridge, June 18, 1784.

'Lord Derby, the first witness, gave evidence that he was present at Ascot races. When in the stand upon the race-course, he heard Mr England cautioning the gentlemen present not to bet with the deceased, as he neither paid what he lost nor what he borrowed. On which Mr Rowlls went up to him, called him rascal or scoundrel, and offered to strike him; when Mr England bid him stand off, or he would be obliged to knock him down; saying, at the same time--"We have interrupted the company sufficiently here, and if you have anything further to say to me, you know where I am to be found." A further altercation ensued; but his Lords.h.i.+p being at the other end of the stand, did not distinctly hear it, and then the parties retired.

'Lord Dartrey, afterwards Lord Cremorne, and his lady, with a gentleman, were at the inn at the time the duel was fought. They went into the garden and endeavoured to prevent the duel; several other persons were collected in the garden. Mr Rowlls desired his Lords.h.i.+p and others not to interfere; and on a second attempt of his Lords.h.i.+p to make peace, Mr Rowlls said, if they did not retire, he must, though reluctantly, call them impertinent. Mr England at the same time stepped forward, and took off his hat; he said--"Gentlemen, I have been cruelly treated; I have been injured in my honour and character; let reparation be made, and I am ready to have done this moment." Lady Dartrey retired. His Lords.h.i.+p stood in the bower of the garden until he saw Mr Rowlls fall. One or two witnesses were called, who proved nothing material. A paper, containing the prisoner's defence, being read, _the Earl of Derby, the Marquis of Hertford, Sir Whitbread, jun., Colonel Bishopp, and other gentlemen_, were called to his character. They all spoke of him as a man of _decent gentlemanly deportment_, who, instead of seeking quarrels, was studious to avoid them. He had been friendly to Englishmen while abroad, and had rendered some service to the military at the siege of Newport.

'Mr Justice Rooke summoned up the evidence; after which the jury retired for about three quarters of an hour, when they returned a verdict of "manslaughter."

'The prisoner having fled from the laws of his country for twelve years, the Court was disposed to show no lenity. He was therefore sentenced to pay a fine of one s.h.i.+lling, and be imprisoned in Newgate twelve months.'

This trial took place in the year 1796, and the facts in evidence give a strange picture of the times. A duel actually fought in the garden of an inn, a n.o.ble lord close by in a bower therein, and his lady certainly within _HEARING_ of the shots, and doubtless a spectator of the b.l.o.o.d.y spectacle. But this is not the point,--the incomprehensible point,--to which I have alluded--which is, how Lord Derby and the other gentlemen of the highest standing could come forward to speak to the character of _d.i.c.k ENGLAND_, if he was the same man who killed the unfortunate brewer of Kingston?

Here is _ANOTHER_ account of the matter, which warrants the doubt, although it is fearfully circ.u.mstantial, as to the certain ident.i.ty:--

'Mr William Peter le Rowles, of Kingston, brewer, was habitually fond of play. On one occasion he was induced--when in a state of intoxication--to play with d.i.c.k England, who claimed, in consequence, winnings to the amount of two hundred guineas. Mr le Rowles utterly denied the debt, and was in consequence pursued by England until he was compelled to a duel, in which Mr le Rowles fell. Lord Dartrey, afterwards Lord Cremorne, was present at Ascot Heath races on the fatal occasion, which happened in 1784; and his evidence before the coroner's inquest produced a verdict of wilful murder against d.i.c.k England, who fled at the time, but returned twelve years afterwards, was tried, and found guilty of manslaughter only. He was imprisoned for twelve months.

England was strongly suspected of highway robberies; particularly on one occasion, when his a.s.sociate, F--, was shot dead by Col. P-- on his return from the Curragh races to the town of Naas. The Marquis of Hertford, Lords Derby and Cremorne, Colonels Bishopp and Wollaston, and Messrs Whitbread, Breton, &c., were evidences in the trial.'(145)