Charles Kingsley's Letter on Gambling.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 7172, 30 April 1892, Page 1

Charles Kingsley's Letter on Gambling.

The following old letter, by Charles Eingsley, is one that should be read by everybody:—

" My Dkarkst Box,—There is a matter in which you gave me much uneasiness when you mentioned that you bad put into some lottery for the Derby, and had hedged to make safe. Now, all that is bad, bad—nothing but bad. Of all habits, gambling is the one I hate most and have avoided most. Of all habits it grows most on eager minds. Success and loss alike make it grow. Of all habits, however much civilised men may give way to it, it is one of the most intrinsically savage. Historically, it has been the chief excitement of the lowest brutes in human form for ages past. Morally, it is uncbivalrous and unchristian—(l) It gains money by the lowest and most unjust means, for it takes money out of your I neighbour's pocket without giving him anything in return ; (2) It tempts you to use what you fancy your superior knowledge of a horse's merits—or anything else—to your neighbour's harm. If you know better than your neighbour, you are bound to give him your advice. Instead, you conceal your knowledge to win from his ignorance : hence come all sorts of concealments, dodges, and deceits—l say the Devil is the only father of it. I iope you have not won. I should not be sorry for you to lose. If you have won I shall not congratulate you. If you wish to please me you will give back to its lawful owners the money you have won. As you hare put in, you could not in honour draw back until after the event. Now, you can give back your money, saying that the Headmaster and I disapprove of such tbinge, and so gain a very great moral influence. Recollect always that the stock argument is useless. It is this—' My friend would win from me if he could; therefore, I have an equal right to win from.him.' Nonsense! The same argument would prove that I have a right to maim or kill a man if only I give, him leave to maim or kill me if he.can and will. I have spoken my mind once for all on a matter on which 1 have held the same views for more than twenty years, and trust in God that you will not forget my words in after life. I have seen many a good' fellow ruined by finding himself one day short of money, and trying to get a little by play or bettiog, and then the Lord have mercy on his simple soul—for simple it will not long remain. Mind, lam not the least angry with you. Betting is the way of the world ; so are all the Seven Deadly Sins under certain rules and pretty names —but to the Devil' they lead if indulged in, in spite of the wise world and its ways.—Your loving friend, "C. Kiaasrar."