The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-28
HE WON AT CARDS.
The Marvellous Luck of
John Scott.
His Winnings Amounted to cover
$S,000,00O, but 1t Was Easy
Got, Easy zone.

vi all Tue Renlleme0 EanDlorS Oh the Close OF
the eighteenth century IN England single one
is noted for the immensely and the regularity
OF his winnings. This was John Scott who,
beginning as penniless captain, wound up his
career az millionaire general. On the sub
1ect OF the campaigns he conducted history is
|. silent, but contemporary London was full of
talk OF his marvellous luck with dice and cards.
and the marital misfortunes OF his later life
gave more material for the gOsslps.
Writing 10 Richard Bentley from Arlington
street. on February 25, 1745, Horace Walpole
says
The great event is the catastrophe of Sir
John Bland, who has frted away his whole
fortune at hazard He pother night exceeded
what was lost by the late Duke of Bedford
having at one period of the night Though he re-
covered the greatest part of iD lost e32, 000
The citizens put on their double chaueled
pumps and trudge to 81. James street in expec-
tatiOn OF seeing Judgment on Whites angels
with flaming sword, and devils flying away with
dice boxes, like the prints IN Sadler's Hernts
Sir John lost this immense sum TO Captain
Scott, who at present has nothing but a few
debts and his commission"
Sir John Bland. 10 conclude here the history
OF that luckiess dicer, shot himself dead, after
losing the last of his fortune III Kippax Park.
Captain John Scott was of that branch OF the
numerous Scott family OF which Sir Walter was
member, and his ancestor in The thirteenth
century was that famous chemist, Michael
Scott, who won the name OF Wizard. A later
Scott distinguished himself in the time OF
Charles III by marrying. when he was himself
only 4 years old. lady who was three years
his junior. The bride was Mary. Countess of
Buccleuch. In her own right the richest heiress
IN Scotland. The marriage was secret one
| and none of the friends and few of the family
were Informed OF IL until the day after. The
youthful bridegroom did not profit greatly by
this maj eli, for his bride died al l3. Her sister
Anne, who succeeded 10 her titles and estates,
made marriage with The pet son of Charles IL
Monmouth, and had numerous family
IL was Sixty years later, or about 1850 that
young John Scott. son of Laird of Scots Tar
vet. entered King Georges army. Two
years later he was in Loudon and In the midst
of the most reckless set OF spendthrifts raKes
Sir John Bland was only Que of Thousand
rich young Englishmen who threw
away their fortunes over the gaming table at
Whites. The one historic loser of that era was
James Fox, PITTS rival. Fox gambled away,
all told, no less than $5,o00.00O Scott was
the very antipodean OF Fox. When he died. at
as that with which Fox had begun
and every penny OF 1t had been won at the
gaming table. Fox was ripe scholar; Scott
was almost llterate. Fox said that losing
was the next greatest pleasure to winning.
Scott never lost. or so rarely that it dtd not
effect the serenity OF his career as winner.
FOX would go home III the morning after
night In which he had gamDled away 100000
or $50, 900 and Immediately lose himself in
study OF Sophocles or Eschylus. Scott, like
The sensible fellow he was. would button his
coat over the portemonnaIe In which he carried
away winnings OF an equal oil even greater
amount, and immediately go TO bed so as TO be
fresh for the play In the evening.
When Scott found himself in London and
amid the wild young men of his he de-
termned that gaming was his only chance of
getting money. When he engaged himself to
throw a series OF MANS with Sir John Bland he
had, as Horace w lpole puts IT, nothing ''but
few debls and his commission" His shrewd-
ness taught him that there was nothing in
diclng, at which stupid man has as good
a CHI nee a. a bright one, and so lie speedily
gave up hazard and applied himself to whist. at
which game heaven fights on the side of the
did men gamble for such high stakes as
Scott and his victims did at Whites be-
tween 1853 and 1880 SCOTS system was an
exceedlngly simple one. He gave himself
The best of it IN every possible way. He never
went to the gaming table unless his head and
his stomach were IN the very best order. He
never lost his composure or his good nature for
an instant. He played perfectly fair and
honorable game, and al first he made 1t rule
never 10 play for more than a fixed sum which
he could afford 10 lose. He won so steadiIy
that It WASN'T long before he was prepared 10
risk any sum which even the weaIthlest or the
most reckless OF his adVersaries would venture
to propose.
A story which illustrates capitaIly Scotrs
patience in the face OF hard luck has been pre-
served. One night, while ne was ar the card
table, news was brought TO him that his wife,
the first Mrs. Scott had given birth TO girl.
All" he said, II shall have TO double my
stakes 10 make fortune for this young
lady,"
Hut in few hours he was $4,000 to the bad.
Retaining his invariable SERENITY. he said he
was sure OF his luck returning and at z A. NJ
be went home the winner of G15,00O. That's
the sort of play that went on al Whites, night
after night. during the years that John Scott
was winning the largest fortune ever accumu-
lated by gentleman gambler.
Lucky al cards. unucky In love-" is an
adage which is exemplified in the experience
OF John Scott. His first wife died leaving only
daughters. Scott, at that time general, de-
termined to axe second wife, in the hope
that she might bear him sou. The lady he
married was beautiful ana only II years of
age. She was dy Mary Hay, daughter OF
that Lord Enroll who was reputed the ADMIR-
able Crichton OF the eighteenth century.
In order TO induce LORD Enroll, who
match. General Scott offered to settle
$500 year upon his bride, and e100, 600
upon his son, should one be born. They were
an ill-mated couple. Scott was old, punctilious,
cOd precise. Lady Mary was II and a beauty.
Their home was Balcome Castle, the largest
and grandest house in Fifeshire Life at Bal
comic with her aged lord was bore 10 Lady
Mary. She longed for society of her own age
and, being woman, she managed TO ge what
she wanted: It was after the birth of son
that Captain Sutherland appeared upon he
scene. The captain was dashing young
officer In General Scotts command. He was a
relative OF the general and MS pet. He soon
had the run of Bacomie Castle. General Scott
perceived that his guest was on rather DANGER
ously Intimate terms at Balcomie, aud so he
MADE up his mind TO get rid of him. One MORN
ence and said 10 him.
"My regiment has been a long time In Amer.
lea. The lieutenant-colonel is absent, as we'll
as the major. 1t is my duty 10 keep it up to the
mark, but il would be very nconyenient to me
TO take so long voyage. You. however, are
disengaged and shall be very much obliged
If you VIII go over aud report TO me how things
are going on."
A few days later, and before the date set for
Captain Sutnerland's departure, General Scott
gave one OF his grand dinners at Baleomie. The
guests drank deep, a. was the rule OF hat day,
and for once in bis life General Scott followed
the fashion, When he woke up late the next
morning. Lady Mary was not at his side. The
unwelcOme truth WAS more manifest In little
while. She had run OFT with CAPTAIN Suiher-
land. General Scott pursued aud overlook the
couple at Barnet, on the London road. He
sent his wife TO her unce and dismissed Cap
tain Sutherland without calling him out. The
vaSI fortune, over g1,o00,0oo, which General
Scott won at dice and cards did little good.
Lady Mary's son died in early youth and was
buried at BalcOme. BY his first marriage Gen
eral Scott had three dangh ers. These were
grown.up young women at the time their ia her
died 10 his will he inserted ~ peculiar
proviso, 10 tn effect that, il any one OF them
should marry peer, she, by that act, forfeited
her portion, which was then TO pass TO her SIS
ters. The testalops obj CT was evidently to
anU Of hio aIrh