The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-03
CARD CHsATING IN ENGLAND.

The case in which Sir William Gordon
Cumming is plaintiff and q number of mem
beers of tie highest society in London are
defendants or witnesses VIII make a stir in
social circles. and may be followed by I'M
pleasant consequences. 1t seems that in
September, $780, during the races at Dom
easter, party was gathered at the country
seat of a Mr.. Arthur Wilson; among the
party were Sir William Gordon Cumming,
a distinguished soldier, the Prince Of Wales
and other leaders of fashion. In the even
ing they PLAYED eards-the game being bSe-
carat-and the Prince of Wales banker.
While the game was going on Mrs. Wilson
thought she noticed Gordon Cumming cheat
ing, and asked her son and daughter and
two others to watch him. They cOncurred
win her, but the game ending soon after,
nothing was said. On the following day
two members of the party visited Gordon
Cumming in his room and told him that he
had been seen cheating He Indignantly
denied the charge and complained to the
Prince of Wales. The Prince told him that
five rersOns were ready to testify that they
had seen him cheat and that his case seemed
hopeless.
Late that day. or on the day following, an
attempt was made to patch up the matter
Gordon Cumming signed paper, in which
he practically confessed his guilt, bound
himself 10 play cards no more ana assigned
his winnings to an hospital The cOndi-
ton Of the confession was that the whole
affair should be kept a secret, so that Cor
don Cumming would retain his rank in the
army and in society. Such secrets, how
ever are seldom kept. This one leaked out,
aud Gordon Cumming, with more iinpesu-
Osity than discretion, as it appears, insti-
tuied suit for SANDER against the five per
sens who said he had cheated. So the whole
business is going TO be ventilated in court.
and Sir Gordon viii probably come TO grief
The interest of the British public in the
matter arises from the participation of the
| Prince OF Wales in gambling game. En-
glishmen are not more puritanical than other
people; in England, as here, some persons
do play at cards and play for money, but
there, as here. there is faint Of disrepute
about the practice a large number Of per-
sons in both countries disapproye of card
playing and regard those who play for
money with dislavor. Henry Clay's fond
ness for the green cloth cost him good
many votes among his constituents.
Ia England. MethOdists, Baptists, Congre-
gationalists and many PresbyteTians regard
card-playing with aversion. Some divines
class it with oifenses v hich involve eXelu-
sion from church membership. One of their
fayOrite charges against the older churches
is that they tolerate the sinful practice, OF
al least regard it as a Yenial stu. These per
sons will be much exercised over the trans
gTessiOn of the heir TO the throne They
will regard it as another of the delinQuen-
cies which have made him unpopular among
a portion of the people. The pulpits are
pretty sure to ring with the denunciations
Of the Prince and in gloomy prognostica-
tons of the future when he succeeds 10 the
throne.
A country which endured George the
Fourth is not likely to rebel against a King
simply because he held the bank at game
of bsccaTat. But each of these scandals in
creases the strength of the Radicals and
sweIls the number Of those who see no OBJ
ject in maintaining an expensive royalty.
Every year or two now the royal family Of
England 60 to Parliament for grant. The
next application is likely TO be met with the
inquiry whether the money voted is to be
spent at baccarat? The grant will pass; the
Conservatives are not likely to be outYOted
by the Radicals, but the transaction will
leave bad taste behind.
These European monarchies and arstoc-
racies rest upon so artificial basis that il
is dangerous TO expose them to a high wind.
England is a pretty well governed country,
| as Governments 90, and the English people
| have plenty Of liberty. But there are such
an infinite number of absolute and prepos
ferrous institutions in the empire that inevi
table reforms may become iconOclastic b..
| fore they end.