" THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF CHANCE."
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Most readers of the article on " The Attractiveness of Chance," in the Spectator of September 3rd, will agree with the conclusion drawn by the writer, that games of skill rather decrease than increase in popularity as the element of chance is eliminated. There is a large class of men (containing not perhaps the greatest, but all the pleasantest people) who dis- like and shrink from any game where victory or defeat is absolute and unmitigated. To a man of this temper, a game of chess or draughts always ends embarrassingly. If he loses—well, he is disappointed ; most people prefer to win, and in this case there is no Fortune to share with him the ignominy of defeat. But suppose he wins. The first thrill of pleasure, as he calls " checkmate," gives way to regret for what seems his rudeness in pushing his victory thus to its furthest limits. He feels almost ashamed of himself, and looks in vain for excuses to console his beaten opponent. Now, a game of whist ends happily. Nobody minds being beaten at whist. It may only be a " single " after all ; but even should it be a "treble," he can salve his wounded vanity with the reflection that no player could have won with such cards, or that he and his partner had not played together before. And so, as all are satisfied, none need feel apologetic.—
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