chester carried the Sword of state. The King and Prince made the offerings at the altar, of gold, frankincense and myrrh, according to annual custom. At night their Majesties, &c. play'd at Hazard with the nobility, for the benefit of the Groom-porter; and 'twas said the K. won 600 guineas, the Q. 360, Pr. Amelia 20, Pr. Carolina 10, the E. of Portmore, and D. of Grafton several thousands.
At night Mr. Sharpless, high constable of Holborn division, together with several of his petty constables went to search a notorious gaming-house behind Grays-Inn-walks, by vertue of a warrant under the hands and seals of the Rt. Hn. Ld. Delawar and eleven other of his Majesty's justices of the peace for the County of Middlesex, but the gamesters having previous notice, they all fled, except the master of the house, who was apprehended, and bound in a recognizance of 200 l. penalty, pursuant to the old statute of 33 H. VIII.
It may be some fort of amusement to present our readers with the following list of officers established in the most notorious gaming houses.
1. A Commissioner, always a proprietor, who looks in of a night, and the week's accompt is audited by him and two others of the proprietors.
2. A Director, who superintends the Room.
3. An Operator, who deals the cards at a cheating game called Faro.
4. Two Croupers, who watch the cards, and gather the money for the Bank.
5. Two Puffs, who have money given them to decoy others to play.
6. A Clerk, who is a check upon the puffs, to see that they sink none of the money that is given them to play with.
7. A Squib, is a puff of a lower rank, who serves at half salary, while he is learning to deal.
8. A Flasher, to swear how often the bank has been stript.
9. A Dunner, who goes about to recover money lost at play.
10. A Waiter, to fill out wine, snuff candles, and attend in the gaming room.
11. An Attorney, a Newgate solicitor.
12. A Captain, who is to fight any gentleman that is peevish for losing his money.
13. An Usher, who lights gentlemen up and down stairs, and gives the word to the Porter.
14. A Porter, who is generally a soldier of the foot guards.
15. An Orderly man, who walks and down the outside of the door, to give notice to the porter, and alarm the house, at the approach of the constables.
16. A Runner, who is to get intelligence of the justices meeting.
17. Link-boys, Coachmen, Chairmen, Drawers, or others, who bring the first intelligence of the justices meetings, or of the constables being out, at half a guinea reward.
18. Common bail, Affidavit-men, Ruffians, Braves, Assassins, cum multis aliis.
At a meeting of the society for propagating christian knowledge, held at Edinburgh, the several officers for the year ensuing were chosen, the stock amounted to 12,563 l. 12. s. 5 d. number of schools, 132; and they resolved to send three missionaries to preach the Gospel to the Indians on the borders of New-England; to which they are encouraged by a gift of Dr. Daniel Williams, late a presbyterian minister in England.
Thursday, Jan. 8.
Charles du Bois, chosen governor of the corporation for smelting down lead with sea-coal and pit-coal. And Samuel Beachcroft, Esq; deputy-governor of the same.
Mr.
