Gambling:
Or, Fortuna, her Temple and
Shrine. The True Philosophy
and Ethics of Gambling. By
James Harold Romain.
CHICAGO:
The Craig Press.
1891
COPYRIGHT, 1891.
JAMES HAROLD ROMAIN.
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Publisher’s Note to the Public.
America is free and her people boast of her freedom inevery realm of thought and every department of activity.Her pride is a form of discussion from which no man is excludedbecause of the opinions he may advocate. We declarea man should be heard in the very face of prejudice or passion.
Mr. Romain’s book, in our judgment, is entitled to publicationfor other reasons than those above mentioned. It isreplete with learning, and original in conception. The philosophyis broad and the tone dignified. Patient research ismanifest in every page. Every branch of knowledge has beenmade to contribute its force to the argument. The work is amine of information in political speculation, social science andmoral philosophy. Mr. Romain is obviously in sympathy withthe widest possible circle of culture. For that reason, if forno other, what he has to say is entitled to a respectful consideration.His book is unique in design and wrought outwith vigor. His appeal is to philosophy, science and history;not to idle curiosity, purposeless gossip, or the unimportant“personal equation” to which others have been so prone.
In the interest of fair play, but, confessedly, with no sympathyfor gambling, the book is offered to the people to decideas to the correctness of its conclusions.
Adam Craig, Publisher.
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This book is dedicated
To the
Hon. John Cameron Simonds,
by the author,
as a token of esteem for his
fair-mindedness and sense of justice.
Although that gentleman is not a gamester,
nor in sympathy with the pursuit,
yet the author desires thus to acknowledge his
indebtedness to him for many valuable suggestions
in the preparation of this work.
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PREFACE.
Two doughty knights, clad cap-a-pie inburnished mail, once journeyed forthin search of martial adventure. Theirnoble steeds all caparisoned for war, bothwandered up and down through the world,defending the fair and protecting the weak.Betimes they chance to meet where stood inmajestic beauty a bronze statue of victory.In her right hand the goddess clasped asword, while in graceful pose her left restedupon an ægis richly wrought in the preciousmetals. Approaching from opposite directions,to one warrior the shield appeared asof gold, while to the other it was of silver.8Low were bowed their crested helms incourtly salutations.
“Comely, Sir Knight,” said one, “comelyand noble is this figure.”
“Yea, thou hast spoken truly,” was thereply.
“Precious, very precious,” re