66
Eslands, Another very
COMMON
form
be seen that I
of Chinese gambling is the Chai-ma
which corresponds exactly to the well-known Morri of the Italians,
the micase digitis of the Romans.
Of course, I remark in the enclosed
a reply, if the existing law proves to be insufficient to repress evils justly complained of, it should be strengthened. I shall be glad to be favoured with
Your Lordship's views and instructions
on this point; and I shall take no further action until I receive them. Meanwhile, it will
give a much needed hint to the Chinese owners
of property, that they can help greatly the efforts of the Government by not permitting their houses to be used for gambling or other immoral purposes. "It is well known that many of the Chinese gentlemen at Hongkong resemble in their practice those gentlemen of England, who were recently denounced by an eminent English Divine in London
for crying aloud for the punishment of boys for playing pitch and toss in the streets, while
* Equivalent to the Chaimei of the Chinese and the morra of the Italian gamins.