Gambling.- A True and Particular Account of William Bilbow, a Showman, Who had sold himself to the Devil in the city of Kilkenny..., printed broadside, woodcut illustration to head (couple very small holes not affecting image), few very short tears without text loss, browned and little soiled, extremities slightly creased with a few chips, folds, some tape repairs or reinforcement along folds to verso, 320 x 190mm., for John Purdie, [late 18th/early 19th century].
⁂ Cautionary tale of a Yorkshireman who sells himself to the devil for 5000 guineas while playing at cards in Kilkenny. On the day appointed for Bilbow to give himself up to the devil, he is delivered by the Rev. Doctor O'Connor and Father Flinn, "the aforesaid clergyman took a spaniel dog, and pitched it right into his [the devil's] arms, with which he flew off amidst tremendous flashes of thunder and lightning...Now I, William Bilbow, do publish this true and particular account of myself, in hopes that it may be a warning to all young persons to refrain from all sorts of gambling, particularly Cards and Dice, &c. &c.".
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