Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-04-28
FOR THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.
No. I.
No. l..

sons of riot how
Down the loose stream of false enchanted Joy
To swift destruction. On the ranlici soul
The gaming fury falls; and in ono gulf
OF total ruin, honor. virtue, peace,
Friends, family, and fortune headlong sink.
THemsoN.
Nothing could be more surprising to
man Invested of local propose ssions, and
ignorant Of the manners Of polite society,
Than the prevalence of gambling ia the EN-
ligh,ened state of Virginia.
Whence does it originate, would he
hastily excaim? Upon first observation
he would necessarily conclude the Virgi
mans were not sufficiently enlightened to
perceive the pcrnicious tendency of gam.
bling; or perceiving it, they did not pos
sess that energy of mind wich is essenti-
al to our acting in conformity TO the de-
duetions of our understandings.
Did not the evidence of his senses con-
tradict the suggestions of reason, it would
have been impossible to convince him we
had not acquired information sufficient to
afford inexhaustable topics of instructive
and rational conversation. From this
view of the state Of our society | am dis
posed to believe our citizens DO not dis
deplorabIe vice. Man may be considered
in a double point Of view ; first as an indivi.
dual pursuing his own interest as distinGl
from that of society secondly, as a member
of society, the condition of which, his &C
tions prompted by benevolent motives tend
10 ameliorate. Consequently there are
two principles operating upon the mind
ofman which regulate his actions. Prove
to individuals their condnct is inCompati-
BILE with their own interest, although con-
ducive to the happiness of society, you
Immediately reverse the actions of con-
siderable number of men. Prove to in.
dividuals their conduct is incompatible
with the public good, although conducive
to their own interest, you immediately en-
list under the banners of the public the
disipterested and patriotic minority.
The object of the present essay there
fore, will be to shew that the practice OF
gaming diminishes the quantum of natl
onal and individual happiness. That men
may be seduced from their distant and
important interest by the aIlurement OF a
temporary and frivolous advantage, is too
obvious for illustration. This, however,
can only pappen where they are too igno-
When an individual seats himself at a
gaming table for the purpose ofimproving
his circumstances, he may calculate with
the highest degree of probability, that ruin
eventually will arrest him in his career,
and grim poverty hideously stare him in
the face
Is there a man so presumptuous as to
suppose himself the most skilful at any
particular game! Is it not probable he
will be entangled by some more wary
gamester? Does any one entertain so pre-
sumptuous an expectation as that fortune,
blind Goddess, will select him as her IA
vorite IF there are such men, permit
me to ask if the winning few dollars is
an adequate compensation for an irrepara'
BILE impairment of constitution? A total
extinction of sensibiity? And the deplo-
rabIe perverson of corporal and intellcc-
tual energy?
To give feint idea of the horror with
which | view this deteslable vice, | shall
attempt to describe the situation / onse
found particular friend of mine, whose
soul long since, has passed that bourn
from which no traveller returns" The
scene is still fresh in my memory; every
circumstance still present to my imagi-
nation.
Three long years had elapsed since
hebeld the healthy and ruddy countenance
Of the companion Of my youthful studio:
and the participation of my nfantine sports
s few months after my departure from
the residence of my relations, alelter in
formed me Of the marriage of my friend
Just heavens what sensations Of delight
drilled through the sinuossities Of my
soul, when anticipated the pleasure
should enjoy in the social intercourse q
this amiable pair. Judge Of my scusati
ons, when on my return, was informed
~ his wife, then the mother Of two zine
boys, that he was initiated in the horrlC
arts Of gamsster, and had been absent
for three weeks. Without waiting foi
farther enquiries, Immediately went il
search Of him. In the evening of the
following day 7 arrived at an old tavern
whittier had been direGed. There wa
something about the appearance Of thi'
.-f;ruafad ,,,onc;or, that aayOnrod c,f m o.