The English Spy, page 458 by Bernard Blackmantle

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459

ld at one-eighth, and the other bought at one-fourth.--This market, as in the Alley, is ruled by the prices established in the private gambling market, which being the case, some will have messengers running to and from this market to see how the puffs and bangs proceed; and if they can saddle their neighbour before he knows the price is changed, it is thought good jobbing. From the Stock

24 Some act both as jobbers and brokers, and will charge a com-mission for selling their own stock.

~139~~Exchange to the Rotunda, every where, it will be perceived, a system of gambling and deception is practised upon the public, and the country demoralized and injured by a set of men who have no principle but interest, and acknowledge no laws but those of gain.

[Illustration: page139]

As this was settling-day, we had the gratification to observe one unfortunate howled out of the craft for having speculated excessively; and not being able or willing to pay his differences, he was compelled to waddle{25}; which he did, with a slow step and melancholy countenance, accompanied by the hootings and railings of his unfeeling tribe, as he passed down the narrow avenue from Upper Tartary, proclaimed to the lower regions and the world

A LAME DUCK

25 Those who become ducks are not what are termed true jobbers; they are those who either job or speculate, or are half brokers and half jobbers, and are left to pay out-door speculators' accounts; or if a jobber lend himself to get off large amounts of stock, in cases where the broker does not wish the house to know he is operating, he generally gives him an immediate advantage in the price in a private bargain; this is termed being such-a-one's bawd.


THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

~140~~

Garden of England! spangle of the wave! Loveliest spot that Albion's waters lave! Hail, beauteous isle! thou gem of perfumed green, Fancy's gay region, and enchantment's sco

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