[To rue Ronoa or rue "Sr. - 7170141 Si,—Your opinions on gambling
appear somewhat inadequate. We can surely bring the matter to a more definite moral issue than this. Human activity is shown in three ways in action, in thought, and in emotion. A. perfect form of activity will have these three elements to some extent, and if any of these results are bad the activity is to be condemned. Now consider gambling. It is the transference of property by chance, irrespective of need or desert. It is therefore irrationaL Its especial object is to excite emotion. But what is that emotion? It is covetousness in its simplest form, so the emotional product is in itself bad. Even to excite good emotion which has no counterpart in action has an enervating effect on character. As in using a stimulant it has to be increased as time goes on in order to produce the desired effect, and it brings a disinclination for ordinary nourishment, so the gambler in order to excite the desired emotion is led to increase his stakes, and with it comes the disinclination for ordinary work. The time will no doubt come when a man with the instincts of a gentleman will refuse to touch money made by gambling, just as now he refuses to touch money made by dishonesty. The quantity, be it small or great, is immaterial to him. It is the principle involved.—I am, Sir,
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