Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-03
The Court Cords in Baocarat.

Sir WILLIAM GORDON CUNNING 10 engaged
m the effort TO clear his name of the great
cloud which rests upon it by reason of what
is known as "the Baecarat scandal"
Accused Of a disnonorable transaction,
he did what the world will consider equiva-
lont TO admitting his guilt; but he avows
that while he always declared his inno-
cenee he sacrificed himself rather than
have publicity given to a gambling affair
In which the Prince of Wales was involved
as banker.
II seems that in September, 1890, Sir
WILLIAM was one of party then staying
ut the homo of Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur VIII
SON, at a place called Tanby Croft. The
Prince of Wales. General OWEN WILLIAMS,
and Lord COVENTRY were among those
present, and baccarat was played on three
separate evenings.
On the last evening COVENTRY and
WILLIAMS went TO Sir WILLIAM land told
him positively that five witnesses were
ready TO swear that they had seen him
raise the stake on the table in front Of
him when card was turned up in mis-
favor and surreptitiously take money away
from his stake when the cards went against
him."
Sir WILLIAM at first denied tho charges,
but yielded his signature to paper
presented him in pursuance of the ad-
vice of the Prince of Wales, General VIII
IIAMs, and Lord COVENTRY. In the paper
signed by him he renowned card-playing
forever. and his accusers on their part
agreed To keep silent as TO the occurrence
IN question.
THIS they did not do. Whispers about
Sir WILLIAM soon went the rounds of the
clubs, and soon people (including num-
bers Of rascals who had never been caught
began TO "cut " him. This greatly enraged
the noble Knight, To be caught was bad
enough, but to be talked about was worse.
Sir WILLIAM thereupon instituted suit for
damages of 81 1000 each against Mr.. and
Mrs. LYCETT GREEN Mr.. and Mrs. ARTHUR
WILSON, and Mr.. BERKELEY LEvETT for SLAM
der, and thus originated the proceedings
which are now going on, and which are
being read with so much interest by the
people on both sides of the Atlantic.
The fact that the Prince of Wales and
Sir WILLIAM had been intimate friends for
twenty-three years and the insinuation Ca
very cruel one) that the Prince is no better
than his card-cheating friend have given TO
the case the prominence it occupies
Sir WILLIAM is not only q wealthy man,
but is soldier lieutenant coloneD with
splendid record tor gallantry in the field.
Hitherto his reputation has been good;
good enough at any rate TO satisfy the
Prince of Wales. who was always fond of
him, and who more than once invited him
to Sandringham. II seems TO US that Sir
WILLIAM has acted very cowardly. and he
cannes better his case by seeking to be-
smirch great names. On the other hand,
il would be little TO the credit of the fu-
ture King of England if it should appear
in evidence that he had countenanced the
presence or associated in any manner with
Sir WILLIAM since the latter signed the
paper which was a practical and powerful
acknowledgment of Sir Williams guilt.
Baccarat pronounced bak-a-raa) is
French game of cards which is played by
any number of betters and banker, and
with one or more packs of cards, according
TO the number of players. Each better
Gays the Century Dictionary deposits a
stake and all stakes are duplicated by the
banker, after which the latter deals two
cards to each player, including himself.
The aim is 10 decide each individual bet
by comparison of the total count held by
each better with that held by the banker.
The court-cards each count ten and the
Others according to the spots. The counts
range in value by series of o. 10, 20, 8. Is,
2s. etc., Q beating any other count. A
player may call for more cards, but at the
risk of exceeding 20 in count, which excess
forfeits his bet. If players cards count
0 he declares it, when all who hold hands
superior to that of the banker may claim
the amount of their bets. and tho banker
takes the stakes of the others. In America
the game is slightly different, court-cards
not counting,