PLATE XL.—THE GAMESTERS.
Here is another company well worthy of the former; and the fate of those who compose it is nearly the same; it only differs in this, that the Devil and Death are disputing which of them shall carry off the losing Gamester. It is a contest, if we may say so, frightful as well as ludicrous, so much the more so, that the second Gamester, interesting himself in the fate of the first, is addressing fervent prayers to the Devil on his behalf; but the third is doing still better, taking the advantage of this moment of trouble and terror, to gather in the money that is lying on the table.
Quid enim prodest homini, si mundum universum lucretur, animæ vero suæ detrimentum patiatur? Matth. xvi. 26.