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Literary
April 4, 1825
Palladium Of Virginia And The Pacific Monitor
Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A traveler returns home and recounts to friends his observation of peculiar men who sit motionless around tables late into the night, oblivious to thunder, battles, or apocalypse, their faces contorted in despair, rage, and joy. Revealed as gamblers, they are maniacs deaf and dumb to the world, driven by vice rather than public good or philosophy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE GAMESTERS-AN APOLOGUE.
A man, after travelling for a considerable time about the world, returned to his native country. His friends gathered around him; and according to custom, cried, we are glad to see you in good health--come relate to us your adventures. Ha! how many miracles were in an instant described! Gentlemen, said he, amongst other things, you know the great distance there is between the country of the Hottentots and ours: Well, at twelve hundred leagues from that country, I have seen a species of men that appeared altogether singular. Frequently they remain seated around a table till very late at night, there is no table cloth, nor any thing like food on the table. Thunder might roar above their heads; two armies might fight near them, heaven might proclaim that the day of the last judgment is at hand: they would not quit their places it would not occasion the least distraction among them--for they are deaf and dumb. At times, broken words are heard to come out of their mouths, these sounds have no connection between them, and cannot express much, and yet they have the power to make the eyes of those men roll in a strange manner. I have often looked at them with admiration. they are never in want of spectators, who are drawn thither by curiosity and believe me, my friends, I will never forget the terrible faces I saw on many similar occasion. Despair, rage, sometimes a malignant joy, mixed with uneasiness, were alternately impressed on their faces. Now it was the fury of the Eumenides, then the serious and sullen mien of the judges of the infernal regions, now the pangs of a criminal conducted to execution. But, asked the friends of the traveller, what can be the motives of these miserable beings to assemble thus. Have they devoted their time for the public good? No. Are they seeking for the philosopher's stone? No. Probably they are endeavoring to find out the square of the circle. No. Much less. Have they met to do penance for their crimes? No, no! You speak of real maniacs, without hearing, without speaking, without feeling, what then, can they be doing. They play.
A man, after travelling for a considerable time about the world, returned to his native country. His friends gathered around him; and according to custom, cried, we are glad to see you in good health--come relate to us your adventures. Ha! how many miracles were in an instant described! Gentlemen, said he, amongst other things, you know the great distance there is between the country of the Hottentots and ours: Well, at twelve hundred leagues from that country, I have seen a species of men that appeared altogether singular. Frequently they remain seated around a table till very late at night, there is no table cloth, nor any thing like food on the table. Thunder might roar above their heads; two armies might fight near them, heaven might proclaim that the day of the last judgment is at hand: they would not quit their places it would not occasion the least distraction among them--for they are deaf and dumb. At times, broken words are heard to come out of their mouths, these sounds have no connection between them, and cannot express much, and yet they have the power to make the eyes of those men roll in a strange manner. I have often looked at them with admiration. they are never in want of spectators, who are drawn thither by curiosity and believe me, my friends, I will never forget the terrible faces I saw on many similar occasion. Despair, rage, sometimes a malignant joy, mixed with uneasiness, were alternately impressed on their faces. Now it was the fury of the Eumenides, then the serious and sullen mien of the judges of the infernal regions, now the pangs of a criminal conducted to execution. But, asked the friends of the traveller, what can be the motives of these miserable beings to assemble thus. Have they devoted their time for the public good? No. Are they seeking for the philosopher's stone? No. Probably they are endeavoring to find out the square of the circle. No. Much less. Have they met to do penance for their crimes? No, no! You speak of real maniacs, without hearing, without speaking, without feeling, what then, can they be doing. They play.
What sub-type of article is it?
Fable
Prose Fiction
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Gambling
Moral Tale
Apologue
Vice
Addiction
Satire
Literary Details
Title
The Gamesters An Apologue.
Key Lines
They Play.