The Tricks of the Town; Or, Ways and Means of Getting Money (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...out, the Ticket was his, which drew the Eyes of all the People present upon him: he ran up to the Hustings among the Managers, and for better Satisfaction, desired to be inform'd of the prin 32 cipal Clerks whether the Number he had heard in the Hall was entitled to the 1000l. Prize. They assured him it was, and gave him Joy on his Success. He told the Clerks and Proclaimers, that when the Wheels were clos'd, and the Day's Drawing concluded, he should be glad of their Company to eat a bit of something or other with him at a neighbouring Tavern. When the Lottery-Men had done their Business, they accordingly came, like so many Millers, powdering every one that brush'd against them to the Tavern, where the Spits, Boilers and Stew-pans were all a going Tantivy; the Master of the House sent privately to the Ringers, to tell them he had a Gentleman, his Guest, whom Fortune had favour'd in the Lottery, that if his Vanity was touch'd up with a Peal or two, he would warrant them a Pair of Pieces for the Complement. St. Lawrence's Bells were at it in an instant, and when the Ringers came to pay their Respects to his Honour, he order'd them three Guineas at the Bar. The Landlord, when he was paying the Money, was not a little proud of his own Foresight, saying, Gentlemen, did not I tell you how it would be? Dinner was served up, when the Vintner and all his Servants were at their Stations, in close and diligent Attendance upon the Company. The Discourse turn'd chiefly upon the niggardly Dispositions of some, whom Fortune had favour'd in the same Manner, and the various Humours and Tempers of Mankind: what unaccountable Successes attended on some People, and the Misfortunes that others were visibly destin'd to. In the Evening, the Reckoning was 33 call'd for, together with three or four peremptory Bottles: the Bill came to five Pounds; the Master of the Feast, perusing it, excepted to one of the Articles, as being an exorbitant Charge; and as he said, making a...