There is so little room for the bodies of a stoat and a rat in one of these small iron traps that the betting must be at least a thousand to one against such an event happening.
We learn that he hopes to recoup himself on the Derby, by backing Shylock for nearly nine thousand pounds; one bet was twelve hundred guineas.
The bet upon the maternity was not an effect of the flaying of the bird.
Bets, at the first, were fool-traps; where the wise, Like spiders, lay in ambush for the flies: But now they're grown a common trade for all, And actions by the new book rise and fall; 30 Wits, cheats, and fops, are free of wager-hall.
These bets were freely takenby obligin' stake-holders.