The style of narrative is exactly that which might be used as to the exploits of a man whom the author intended to represent as deserving of sympathy and praise,--so that the reader is almost brought to sympathise.

But I should be doing an injustice to Thackeray if I were to leave an impression that he had taught lessons tending to evil practice, such as he supposed to have been left by _Jack Sheppard_ or _Eugene Aram_.

No one will be tempted to undertake the life of a _chevalier d'industrie_ by reading the book, or be made to think that cheating at cards is either an agreeable or a profitable profession.

The following is excellent as a tirade in favour of gambling, coming from Redmond de Balibari, as he came to be called during his adventures abroad, but it will hardly persuade anyone to be a gambler; "We always played on parole with anybody,--any person, that is, of honour and noble lineage.

We never pressed for our winnings, or declined to receive promissory notes in lieu of gold.