SECTION IX. 569 dangerous temptation, and then to labour against the spreading of it. " I cannot forbear to add, that all religious considerations apart, this is a diversion that no true Englishman ought to be fond of, when he remembers that it was brought in among us by the ambassador of a neighbouring nation in the last reign, while his master was in measures to enslave us : and indeed, there is not a more effectual way to enslave a people, than first to dispirit and enfeeble them by licentiousness and et %minency." Thus far the right reverend author, whose zeal for the suppression of all these tempting machineries, has been so conspicuous and honourable. 3. The third place of dangerous resort, is the gaming,- table. Many young gentlemen have been there bubbled and cheated of large sums of money, which were given them by 'their parents to support them honourably in their stations. In such sort of shops, young ladies are tempted to squander away too large a share of their yearly allowance, if not of the provi- sion which their parents have made for their whole lives. It is a fatal snare to both sexes : if they win, they are allured still onward, while, according to their language, luck runs on their side; if the lose, they are tempted to another and another casteof the die, and enticed on still to fresh games by a delusive hope, that fortune will turn, and they shall recover all that they have lost. In the midst of these scenes their passions rise shamefully, a greedy desire of gain makes them warm and eager, and new losses plunge them sometimes into vexation and fury till The soul is quite beaten off from its guard, and virtue and reason have no manner òf command over them. My worthy friend Mr. Neal, in his reformation sermon, has taken occasion not only to inform us that merchants -arid trades- men mix themselves at these tables with men of desperate for - tunes, and throw the dice for their estates ; but in a very de- cent and soft manner of address has enquired, " whether the public gaming in virtuous ladies is not a little out of character'? Whether it does not draw them into mixed company, arid give them an air of boldness, which isperfectly inconsistent with that modesty, which is the ornament of the' fair sex ? Whether it 'does not engage them in an habit of idleness, and of keeping ill hours ? Whether their passions are not sometimes disorder- ed? And whether the losses they sustain, have not a tendency to breed ill blood in their families, and between their nearest relations? 'It has been often observed, that gaming in a lady his usually been attended with the loss of reputation, and sometimes of that which is still more valuable, her virtue and honour." Thus far proceeds this useful sermon. Now if these be the dismal and Frequent consequences of
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