The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-07-08
Gambling.

THE mind of man seems to possess an inherent
fondness for excitement, which in no way mani
tests itself more freely than in a love of hazard.
When this love of hazard is INDUCED in in connec-
ton with the legitimate pursuits of business, it
gives rise to enterprise and confers benefit as well
upon mankind as upon its possessor. But when
its inclination takes a different turn, it frequently
assumes another and less profitable form-that of
q fondness for the gambling table. We have
among us, in Honolulu. a fair share of enterprise.
Nowhere can be found merchants more enterpri-
sing OF more deserving of success and we have
among us, too, in Honolulu, the seductive and
dangerous habit of gambling.
The great secret of the charm which gambling
exercises upon the passions of its votaries, con-
sists in the uncertainty of the result-the chances
of gain, the possibility of loss and as a natural
consequence the money motive increases as the
chance features predominant over the skill. Thus
in the games of cricket, bowls, and archery, where
strength and supleness of muscle are the real play
ers, and in which skill has everything and chance
nothing to do with the results, people rarely bet
or gamble. In the game of chess, which in pre-
eminent degree demands the exercise of skill, there
il bat little disposition to place money on the re-
suit and the game of whist, TO play which well
demands thought, Judgment and attention on the
part of the player, is deserted by the gambler for
other games in which the hands are shorter, the
conclusion quicker and the room for hazard
greater, and in which the mere pleasure of play
ing is hardly an adequate reward Thus eucreis
q far more popular game for the money motive
than anv of the above, and. we find that ringt-un
and poker, the two greatest gambling games of
A. .~-1a .1arond .rtn,sr enti-aiv upou chapca-
affording no scope for skill to avert the disasters
arising from an unfavorable allotment of the
cards. Throwing the dice, by which perhaps
more forsunes have been lost and won than by
any other way, gives no opportunity whatever
for skill, other than that which the professional
gambler exhibits in loading them, or that which
he poseeses in relation to the doctrine Of
chances.' Thus one man makes a bet that with
two dice he can throw a higher number than his
fellow and if they are both honest men he is
just - likely 70 lose as win. His superior knpwi
edge and adroitncss can avail him nothing over
The yeriest tyro who may be opposed to him-for
the sum total of his mental effort is restricted to
she rsfaisg OF two hie Of ivory in a hollow tube.
Neither can have any reason to believe that he
will b the fortunate one.
A very foolish employment of time and money
thist sndit seems strange that there should be
% many people in the world to countenance itby
thsir snsnpls. 1t Is to many a fatal employ
neok. toe. = we'll - . foolish one- When once
Involved u de magic circle, it is difficult to break
IL 6hsxm az it, attraction. Occasional gains
drsw tiehtsr the bonds, and repeated losses only
.;ruIe1e % further trial, until the poor victim
.vatn non his dream 70 find himself inextrica-
49, =, a. net Of ruin.