Children gambling observe the Stauntons gambling with those who come to purchase from them,
see in our own families how the servants seize every opportunity in this, to them an established pleasure; with many it is known to be a matter of business, and its excitement is the greatest of their gratifications. I am fully persuaded that, with them it is impossible to suppress gaming, and the endeavour to do so only leads to tenfold more crime than if it were legally licensed.
The passion for gaming among the Chinese prevails to a far greater extent than that of drinking in our own countrymen, lower classes; and how futile and unwise have been the endeavours to check that almost national vice with us.
Clandestine gambling is dangerous to our rule, as numbers of people herd together, of whom the Government know nothing, and it is not impossible that such clandestine meetings might, on some occasion, have a baneful tendency to British Supremacy; the police supervision afforded by licensing gambling houses, with wholesome regulations, would aid the Government, and render it aware...
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