"The Sharper detected and exposed."
[THE TRICKS OF SHARPERS EXPOSED.]
[CHAPTER I.]
MODERN GREEKS.
Origin of the name "Greek"—The first gambling-houses—Invention of roulette—Hunt for dupes—Opening of "tripots," or low gambling-houses—The Greek described—Different classes of sharpers.
Let me in the first place explain to my readers, why the compatriots of Homer and Plato have been thus honoured, or rather dishonoured, and how it comes that the word "Greek" has, in our day, become synonymous with rascal or knave.
The following are the facts:—
Towards the end of the reign of Louis XIV., a certain Chevalier of Greek origin, named Apoulos, was admitted into the Court circle, where he played with such success, and won so largely, that suspicions were aroused as to the fairness of his play.