Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-01-11
M I s C L NJ z.
GAMBLING IN LONDON.

WI IaIlCC Ah 14OAi1Cb1 ~ hS
Metropolis" in which is described q
noted place called Crockford's Gamb.
ling House, where the aristocratic
gentry of England resort to kill time.
8and relieve their ovelb urdened pockets.
The Keeper, who now mingles in the
highest circles, was formerly an illite'
rate an vulgar ishmonger, but has ris-
kn to great wealth by his establish
5nent. 1t is stated of him that he is
70 eady at any moment to accept a chal-
9 hge to play any nobleman or gentle
Z man for a stake of 100000. The
following is the manner of proceeding,
&pn the introduction ola new conner -
"When a pigeon is caught, it is ve-
ny unusual to pluck him the first few
Knights. They allow HIM to go on win
hing for some time. They continue to
obtain information as to his resources.
They regulate their movements accor-
dinghy. 1t matters not though he be
mot well supplied with the ready if
his prospect of succeeding to a large
fortune be undeniably good, CrockEords
bank is at his service to nearly the
whole amount-supposing II were zoo
900 or what is he understood to be
certain of succeeding to. Some years
ago Lord C paid down Gl00,0 600
on his coming ofage, for debts of hon
or he had contracted at Crockford's.-
Some idea may be formed ofthe extent
of Crockford's establishment, and Of
the style in which it is kept up, when |
mention that no fewer than 33 walters
are constantly employed in it. There
is one set of waters for the day, and
another for the night. They are dec
GRATED in the richest livery, and live in
excellent style. They are amazingly
polite to those who use the place !; in
other words, perfectly understand their
business. They contribute their quo
ia, with the splendor of the place, the
sumptuous suppers, and the delicious
wines, to help on the flats on their way
TO ruin. The hour at which the haz-
ard room is thrown open, is eleven o.
clock, and the dice are in immediate
|requisition. Crockford himself, at that
moment takes his station in a corner
of the room before a little desk /; from
that he never stirs till the playing is o.
yer. He acts on such occasions as his
own clerk. No person belonging to
the establishment, is allowed, IN any
circumstances, or under any pretext, to
enter the room, while the gamblers are
at work. There is a MIR. Page, who
acts as inspector, or room porter,
while the games are going on IN the
hazard room but he is in the con-
dence of most of the noblemen who FREE
quent that part of the house, though
paid for his services-some say at the
rate offlty gulneas per week-he a
hardly be said one Of Crockford's SER
wants. In Crockford's very large sums
are played for with cards; but it is at
the hazard table, when the game is
French hazard, that the work of plum
der is carried on on the most extensive
scale. Seven years ago one pigeon
was plucked, in a few hours, to the
tune Of ESQ, 0O0-the stakes were Flo
coo.
1t is only three years since Lord c.
the grandson ofan aged and noble Earl
lost 100000 in one night. The win
ner was a noble Marquis of sporting
notoriety, who, according TO report,
was at that time as now a part propri'
etor of the establishment. Losses of
5000, 1000, and 10000 pounds in one
night, are by no means uncommon
when a rich fiat is caught. The pub
lie appearance Of no young nobleman,
for many years past, has excited so
much interest at Crockford's as that OF
the Duke ofBuccleugh. The immense
~4ealth into the possession they knew
he would come when Of age, was too
tempting a prize to be overlooked
Every effort was accordingly made to
decoy him into the great hell-of st.
James; but it would not do. He new
er ovinced the least desire for play
Ofthis establishment the following
anecdote is related -" One night IN
June last, Lord Ashgrove lost $4,000,
which he observed to the Earl of Link
wood, was the last larthing of ready
cash at his command. The noble Lord
however, had undeniable prospective
resources. excuse, my Lud," said
Crockford, making a very clumsy bow
but still 1t was the best at his disposal,
"excuse me, my Lud, did hear a;
how you had no more ready money
My Lud, this ere is the bank, (pointinG
to the bank if your Ludship wishes it
one or two thousand pounds are quite
at your Ludship's service" "Reall1
Mr.. Crockford, you are very obliging;