St ill more efficient, and in lightening the burden of taxation borne by the colonists. But, as I have no desire to criticise government measures, I will simply state that, on the same lines, the policy adopted of bringing disorderly houses under the direct supervision of the government by licensing, had also to be abandoned, although the results, as far as statistics show, proved the wisdom of the measure.
During the time when gambling-houses were under supervision, they became the open resort of most respectable-looking Chinese; patterns one would suppose of native virtue. It took me by sur- prise, when visiting a gaming-house, to find one or two native shopkeepers, otherwise noted for respectability, busily engrossed at the table. The room in which I found them was nearly square, and the ceiling had been pierced with an opening leading to the next floor or gallery. This gallery was filled with a silent party of players, some of whom were bending over, looking down upon a long table spread before us. A close-shaven, placid Chinaman on the right of the table acted as banker, and before him an orderly array of coins and bank-notes were spread out on the table. It was surprising to note the speed with which he reckoned up the winnings and interest on the smallest sums, deducting a seven-per-cent commission from the gains of every transaction; behind him an assistant weighed the dollars, broken silver and jewellery of the players, then at his side was the book-keeper, and on the left the teller. On the centre of the table lay a square pewter slab crossed with diagonal lines, and the sections thus formed bore the numbers, one, two, three and four respec- tively. The player was at liberty to stake on any of these numbers, when, unless he ventured on two numbers separately and at once, he would have three to one against him, plus seven per cent on his winnings should he succeed. Some men
