BY
ROBERT-HOUDIN.
LONDON:
CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY.1863.
LONDON:
BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.
Having often been requested by different magistrates,to investigate cases of sharping, I have oftenbeen struck, while doing so, with the obstacles andembarrassments which a judge's own honesty mustoppose to his elucidation of matters of sharpingand cheating at play.
How is it possible that he can penetrate thesubtile web, with which the sharper surrounds hisdupes,—how can he be able to detect the tricksof these rogues,—if he does not understand themanœuvres of sleight-of-hand?
By a singular reversal of the ordinary conditionsof justice, the magistrate finds himself mostpowerless, when the rogue has committed the mostdaring, and artfully cunning, frauds.
A great portion of my life having been devotedto the study of sleight-of-hand, and having, as yet,ivonly made use of my knowledge for the amusementof my fellow-creatures, I felt that the timehad arrived, when I ought to give to the public,who had so honoured me with their favour, anunequivocal mark of my gratitude, by consecratingmy leisure hours to their service.
I have therefore written this work, the moraland end of which may be summed up in thisincontestable truth:
"Éclairez les dupes, il n'y aura plus de fripons."
"Enlighten the dupes, and there will be no more knaves."
There is no reason, however, because a factis incontestable, that it will not be contested;indeed, I am of opinion that it will be, and, asa proof of what I state, I am myself going tooffer an objection which might be made on thissubject.
In disclosing the secrets of sharpers, people willsay, Do you not fear to create in the minds ofunfortunate gamblers, a wish to try and bettertheir fortunes, by the very means you point outto warn them?
vI have been guided by an opinion, repeatedlyexpressed by the editors of newspapers, and thepress in general; and, in answer to the objection Ihave made above, I beg to say, that in the explanationsI have given of the tricks of sharpers, thoughI have said enough to put people on their guard,I have not said enough to teach them how toexecute these tricks.
If I had not taken this precaution, what wouldhave been the result?
It is only one individual, already half perverted,who will avail himself of the knowledge I impart,to learn to cheat, while hundreds of dupes willhave been put on their guard.
If these revelations serve to awaken viciousideas in perverted minds, what can be said of thevarious works on the laws of duelling, in whichyou can learn how to kill your neighbour accordingto rule?
Is it not to be feared, that the opinions containedin those books may lead to crime?
For my part, I have so good an opinion ofmankind in general, that I trust the perusal ofvithis work will only tend to their benefit, andprove their safeguard against rogues. Let eachperson when he sits down to play, strengthenedby the hints and instructions I have given him,look with suspicio