a stroke of genius    a master stroke of policy

Any person who, in this city, lives idly and is a gambler, or roper, steerer or capper for any gambling house or room, or any gambling game, or who lives idly and has the reputation of being a gambler, or roper, steerer or capper for any gambling house or room, or any gambling game, shall be considered and treated as a vagrant.

You that nothing have Like Schollars but a Beard and Gowne, for me May pass for good grand Sophies […]

As with all discoverings of the past this is an act that provides useful perspectives.