TheleaseoftheParisauthorizedgaminghousesexpiredin1836-
7；andthemunicipality，albeitloathtolosethefatannualrevenue，wasinducedbygovernmentalpressurenottorenewit；
anditisassertedthatfromthatmomentthenumberofannualsuicidesinParisverysensiblydecreased。\"Itisnotgenerallyknown，\"asthepenny-a-linerssay，\"thattheRev。CalebColton，aclergymanoftheChurchofEngland，andtheauthorof\"Lacon，\"abookrepletewithaphoristicwisdom，blewhisbrainsoutintheforestofStGermains，afterruinouslossesatFrascati’s，atthecorneroftheRueRichelieuandtheBoulevards，oneofthemostnotedofthe_MaisonsdesJeux_，andwhichwasafterwardsturnedintoa_restaurant_，andisnowashawl-shop。[71]Justbeforetherevolutionof1848，nearlyallthewatering-placesinthePrusso-Rhenaneprovinces，andinBavaria，andHesse，Nassau，andBaden，containedKursaals，wheregamblingwasopenlycarriedon。TheseexistedatAix-la-
Chapelle，Baden-Baden，Wiesbaden，Ems，Kissengen，andatSpa，closetothePrussianfrontier，inBelgium。ItisduetothefiercedemocratswhorevoltedagainstthemonarchsofthedefunctHolyAlliance，tosaythattheyutterlysweptawaythegambling-
tablesinRhenish-Prussia，andintheGrandDuchyofBaden。HerrHecker，oftheredrepublicantendencies，andtheastoundingwide-awakehat，particularlydistinguishedhimselfinthelatterplacebyhisiconoclasticanimosityto_Roulette_and_RougeetNoir_。Whendynastic\"order\"wasrestoredtheRhinegamingtableswerere-established。ThePrussianGovernment，muchtoitshonour，hassinceshutupthegamblinghousesatthatresortfordecayednobilityandruinedlivers，Aix-la-Chapelle。AmotionwasmadeintheFederalDiet，sittingatFrankfort，toconstrainthesmallergovernments，intheinterestoftheGermanicgoodnamegenerally，toclosetheir_tripots_，andinsomemeasuretheFederalauthoritiessucceeded。TheonlyexistingcontinentalgaminghousesauthorizedbygovernmentarenowthetwoBadens，Spa(ofwhichtheleaseisnearlyexpired，andwillnotberenewed)，Monaco(capitaloftheridiculouslittleItalianprincipality，ofwhichthesuzerainisascionofthehouseof\"Grimaldi\")，Malmoe，inSweden，tooremotetodomuchharm，andHOMBOURG。Thislaststillflourishesgreatly，andIamafraidislikelytoflourish，thoughhappilyinisolation；for，asIhavebeforeremarked，the\"concession\"orprivilegeoftheplacehasbeenguaranteedforalongperiodofyearstocomebytheexpectantdynastyofHesse-Darmstadt。\"_C’estfait_，\"\"Itisallsettled，\"saidthehostoftheHoteldeFrancetome，rubbinghishandsexultinglywhenImentionedthematter。But，_Quiscustodietcustodes？_Hesse-Darmstadthasguaranteedthe\"administrationofHesse-Hombourg，butwhoistoguaranteeHesse-Darmstadt？AbattalionofFrenchinfantrywould，itseemstome，makeshortworkofH。D。，leaseguarantees，Federalcontingent，andall。Imustmention，inconclusion，thatwithinaveryfewyearswehad，ifwehavenotstill，alicensedgaminghouseinourexquisitelymoralBritishdominions。
Thiswasinthatremarkably\"tightlittleisland\"atthemouthoftheElbe，Heligoland，whichwesoqueerlypossess——Puffendorf，Grotius，andVattel，oranyotherwritersonthe_Jusgentium_，wouldbepuzzledtotellwhy，orbywhatright。IwasatHamburgintheautumnof1856，crossedovertoHeligolandonedayonapleasuretrip，andlostsomemoneythere，ataminiature_Roulette_table，muchfrequentedbyjoyousIsraelitesfromthemainland，andEnglish\"soldierofficers\"inmufti。Ididnotlosemuchofmytemper，however，fortheodd，quaintlittleplacepleasedme。NotsoanotherRomancitizen，orEnglishtravellinggent。，wholosing，perhaps，seven-and-sixpence，wroteafuriouslettertothe\"Times，\"complainingofsuchhorrorsexistingundertheBritishflag，desecrationoftheEnglishname，andsoforth。Nextweekthelieutenant-governor，by\"order，\"putanendto_Roulette_atHeligoland；butplayonadiminutivescalehassince，Ihavebeengiventounderstand，recommencedtherewithoutmolestation。
[71]MrSalaishereinerror。Coltonwasaprosperousgamblerthroughout，andcommittedsuicidetoavoidasurgicaloperation。
AnoticeoftheRev。C。Coltonwillbefoundinthesequel。
`WegambleinEnglandattheStockExchange，wegambleonhorse-
racesalltheyearround；butthereissomethingmorethanthemereeventualityofachancethatpromptsustothe_enjeu；_
thereismixedupwithoureagernessforthestakesthemostvariedelementsofbusinessandpleasure；cash-books，ledgers，divident-warrants，indignationmeetingsofVenezuelanbond-
holders，coupons，casesofchampagne，satin-skinnedhorseswithplaitedmanes，grandstands，prettyfaces，brightflags，lobstersalads，coldlamb，fortune-tellinggipsies，barouches-and-four，and\"ourAuntSally。\"Highplayisstillrifeinsomearistocraticclubs；thereareprosperousgentlemenwhowearcleanlineneveryday，andwhosenamesarestillintheArmyList，whomaketheirfiveorsixhundredayearbyWhist-playing，andhavenothingelsetoliveupon；inEast-endcoffee-shops，sallow-facedJewboys，itinerantSclavonicjewellers，andbrawnyGermansugar-
bakers，withstickyhands，maybefoundglozingandwranglingovertheirbelovedcardsanddominoes，andscreamingwithexcitementatthelossofafewpence。Thereareyetsomeoccultnooksandcorners，nestlinginunsavourylocalities，onpassingwhichthepoliceman，eveninbroaddaylight，cannotrefrainfromturninghisheadalittlebackwards——asthoughsomebedevilmentsmustnecessarilybetakingplacedirectlyhehaspassed——
where，inmustybackparlours，byfurtivelamplight，withdoorsbarred，bolted，andsheetedwithiron，somewretched，cheatinggamblinggoesonatunholyhours。Chicken-hazardisscotched，notkilled；butapoor，weazened，etiolatedbipedisthatoncegame-birdnow。AndthereisDoncaster，everyyear——
Doncaster，withitssubscription-roomsunderauthority，winkedatbyapiouscorporation，patronizedbynoblesandgentlemensupportersoftheturf，andwhoaregoodenough，sometimes，tomakelawsforusplebeiansintheHousesofLordsandCommons。
ThereisDoncaster，withpolicementokeeporder，andadmitnonebut\"respectable\"people——subscribers，whofearHeavenandhonourtheQueen。Areyouaware，myLordChief-Justice，areyouaware，MrAttorney，MrSolicitor-General，haveyoutheslightestnotion，yeInspectorsofPolice，thatintheteethofthelaw，andunderitsveryeyes，ashamelessgaming-houseexistsinmoralYorkshire，throughouteveryDoncasterStLegerrace-week？Ofcourseyouhaven’t；neverdreamedofsuchathing——nevercould，neverwould。Hieyou，then，andprosecutethiswretchedgangofbetting-touts，congregatingatthecornerofBrideLane，FleetStreet；quick，lodgeinformationsagainstthispublicanwhohassufferedcard-playingtotakeplace，raffles，orStLegersweepstobeheldinhishouse。\"Youhaveseenafarmer’sdogbarkatabeggar，andthecreaturerunfromthecur。Therethoumight’stbeholdthegreatimageofauthority:adog’sobeyedinoffice。\"Youhave——verywell。TakecrazyKingLear’swordsasatextforasermonagainstlegislativeinconsistencies，andcomebackwithmetoHombourgKursaal。’
CHAPTERVII。
GAMBLINGINBRIGHTONIN1817。
ThesubjectofEnglishgamblingmaybeillustratedbyaseriesofeventswhichhappenedatBrightonin1817，whenaninquiryrespectingthegamingcarriedonatthelibrariesledtomanyimportantdisclosures。
ItappearsthatawarrantwasgrantedontheoathofaMrWilliamClarke，againstWilliamWrightandJamesFord，chargedwithfeloniouslystealingL100。Buttheprosecutordidnotappearincourttoprovethecharge。Itwasquiteevident，therefore，thatthelawhadbeenabusedinthetransaction，andthemagistrate，SergeantRunnington，directedwarrantstobeissuedfortheimmediateappearanceoftheprosecutorandTimothyO’Mara，asanevidence；buttheyabsconded，andthelearnedSergeantdischargedtheprisoners。
Thematterthentookadifferentturn。ThesameWilliamWright，beforechargedwith`stealing’theL100，wasnowexaminedasawitnesstogiveevidenceuponanexaminationagainstCharlesWalker，oftheMarineLibrary，forkeepinganunlawfulGamingHouse。
Thiswitnessstatedthathewasengaged，aboutfiveweeksbefore，toactas_punter_orplayer(thatis，inthiscase，ashamplayerordecoy)toatablecalled_Noir，rouge，toutledeux_
(evidentlyanameinventedtoevadethestatute，ifpossible)，byWilliamClarke，theprosecutor，before-mentioned；thatthetablewasfirstcarriedtothebackroomofDonaldson’sLibrary，whereitcontinuedforthreeorfourdays，whenDonaldsondischargeditfromhispremises。
HesaidhesoongotintotheconfidenceofClarke，whoputhimuptothesecretsofplaying。ThefirmconsistedofO’Mara，Pollett，Morley，andClarke。TherewasnotmuchplayingatDonaldson’s。AfterwardsthetablewasremovedintoBroadStreet，butthelandladyquicklysentitaway。ItwasthencarriedtoaroomoverWalker’sLibrary，wherearentwaspaidof_twelveguineasperweek，showingplainlytheprofitsofthespeculation。
Severalgentlemenusedtofrequentthetable，amongwhomwasonewholostL125。
Clarkeaskedthewitnessifhethoughtthepersonwholosthismoneywasrich？Andbeingansweredintheaffirmative，itwasproposedthathe，WilliamWright，shouldinvitethegentlemantodinner，tolethimhavewhatwineheliked，andtosparenoexpensetogethimdrunk。
Thegentlemanwasinducedtoplayagain，andendeavourtorecoverhismoney。Ashehadnothingbutlargebills，toaconsiderableamount，hewasprevailedontogotoLondon，incompanywiththewitness，whowastotakecareandbringhimback。Oneofthefirm，Pollett，wrotealetterofrecommendationtoaMrYoung，togetthebillsdiscountedathisbroker’s。TheyreturnedtoBrighton，andthewitnessapprizedthefirmofhisarrival。Theywantedhimtocomethatevening，butthewitness_TOLDTHE
GENTLEMANOFHISSUSPICIONS_——thatduringtheirabsencea_FALSE
TABLE_hadbeensubstituted。
Thewitness，however，returnedtohisemployersthatevening，whenthefirmadvancedhimL100，andFord，anotherpunterofthesort，L100，tobackwiththegentlemanasablind——sothatwhenthesignalwasgiventoputuponblackorred，theyweretoputtheirstakes——bywhichmeansthegentlemanwouldfollow；andtheycalculateduponfleecinghimoffiveorsixthousandpoundsinthecourseofanhour。Accordingtohisownaccount，thewitnesstoldthegentlemanofthistrick；andthefollowingmorningthelatterwentwithhim，toknowifthisnefariousdealinghasbeentrulyrepresented。
OnenteringthelibrarytheymetWalker，whowishedthembettersuccess，buttrembledvisibly。Atthedoorleadingintotheroomporterswerestationed；and，assoonastheyentered，Walkerorderedittobebolted，forthesakeofprivacy；butassoonasthegentlemanascendedthedarkstaircase，hebecamealarmedattheappearanceofmenintheroom，andreturnedtotheporter，and，byatimelyexcuse，wasallowedtopass。
AtthistableClarkegenerallydealt，andO’Maraplayed。ItwasfornotrestoringtheL100tothefirmthatthechargeoffelonywaslaidagainstthewitness——aftertheescapeofthegentleman；butanofferofL100wasmadetohim，afterhisimprisonment，ifhewouldnotgivehisevidenceoftheabovefactsandtransactions。
Theevidenceoftheotherwitness，Ford，confirmedallthematerialfactsoftheformer，andthegentlemanhimself，theintendedvictim，substantiatedtheevidenceofWright——astoputtinghiminpossessionoftheirnefariousdesigns。
WhenthegentlemanfoundthathehadbeencheatedoftheL125，hewenttoWalkertodemandbackhismoney。Walker，intheutmostconfusion，wentintotheroom，andreturnedwithaproposaltoallowL100。Thishedeclinedtotake，andimmediatelylaidtheinformationbeforeMrSergeantRunnington。
ThelearnedSergeantforciblyrecapitulatedtheevidence，anddeclaredthatinthewholecourseofhisprofessionaldutieshehadneverheardsuchadisclosureofprofligacyandvillainy，combinedwitheveryspeciesofwickedness。Inastrainofpointedanimadversionhedeclaredittobeanimperativeduty，——
howevermuchhisprivatefeelingsmightbewoundedinseeingareputabletradesmanofthetownconvictedofsuchnefariouspursuits，——toorderwarrantstobeissuedagainstallpartiesconcernedasroguesandvagrants。
Atthenexthearingofthecasethecourtwascrowdedtoexcess；andthemassofevidencedeposedbeforethemagistratesthrewsuchalightonthesystemofgambling，thattheysummarilyputastoptotheCobourgandLootablesatthevariouspublicestablishments。
Atthefirstexamination，the`gentleman’beforementioned，aMrMackenzie，saidhehadplayed_RougeetNoir_atWalker’s，andhadlostL125。HesawO’Marathere，butheappearedasaplayer，notabanker；theonlyreasonforconsideringhimasoneoftheproprietorsofthetable，arosefromtheinformationofthewitnessesWrightandFord。
Onthisevidence，MrSergeantRunningtoncalledonO’MaraandWalkerfortheirdefence，observingthat，accordingtothestatementsbeforehim，thereappearedsufficientgroundforconsideringO’Maraasarogueandvagabond；andforsubjectingMrWalkertopenaltiesforkeepingahouseorroomwhereinhepermittedunlawfulgamestobeplayed。O’MaraaffirmedthatthewholetestimonyofWrightandFordwithrespecttohimwasfalse；
thathehadbeennineyearsaresidenthousekeeperinBrighton，andwasknownby，andhadrenderedessentialservicesto，manyrespectableindividualswholivedinthetown，andtomanynoblepersonswhowereoccasionalvisitors。Heseemeddeeplypenetratedbytheintimationthathecouldbewhipped，orotherwisetreatedasavagabond；andsaid，thatiftimewereallowedhimtocollectevidence，andobtainlegalassistance，hecoulddisprovethecharge，oratleastinvalidatetheevidenceofthetwoaccusers。
Inconsequenceoftheserepresentations，thecasewasadjournedtoanotherday，when，somuchwastheexpectationexcitedbytherumouroftheaffair，thatattheopeningofthecourtthehallwascrowdedalmosttosuffocation，andalltheavenueswerecompletelybeset。
O’Maraappeared，withhiscounsel，thecelebratedMrAdolphus——
theBallantyneofhisday——ofOldBaileyrenownandforensicprowess。
MrSergeantRunningtonveryobliginglystatedtoMrAdolphusthepreviousproceeding，directedthedepositionstobelaidbeforehim，andallowedhimtimetoperusethem。MrAdolphushavinggonethroughthedocument，requestedthatthewitnessesmightbebroughtintocourt，thathemightcross-questionthemseparately；
whichbeingordered，Wrightwasfirstputforward——themanwhohadreceivedtheL100，enlightenedtheMrMackenzie，andwhowaschargedwithfeloniouslystealingtheaboveamount。
Aftertheusualquestions，veryimmaterialinthepresentcase，butanswered，thewitnesswentontosaythat，O’Maracalledathislodgingsandsaid，ifhe(Wright)couldnotpersuadeMrMackenzietocomefromLondon，hewasnottoleavehim，butwritetohim(O’Mara)，andhewouldgototown，andwinallhismoney。
Hehad，onaformeroccasion，toldthewitness，thathecouldwinallMackenzie’smoneyatchild’splay——thathecouldtossupandwinninetytimesoutofonehundred；hehadtoldbothhimandFord，thatiftheymetwithanygentlemanwhodidnotlikethegameof_RougeetNoir_，andwouldbringthemtohishouse，hewasalwaysprovidedwithcards，dice，andbackgammontables，towintheirmoneyfromthem。
Thelearnedcounselthencross-questionedthewitnessastovariousmatters，intheusualway，buttending，ofcourse，todamagehimbytheanswerswhichthequestionsnecessitated——ahorrible，but，perhaps，necessaryordealperpetuatedinourlaw-
procedure。Intheseanswerstherewassomethinglikeprevarication；sothatthemagistrate，MrSergeantRunnington，askedthewitnessatthecloseoftheexamination，whetherhehadanypreviousacquaintancewiththegentlemenwhohadengagedhimathalf-a-crownagame，andthensocandilycommunicatedtohimalltheirschemes？Hesaid，nonewhatever。`But，’saidtheSergeant，`youwereinthedailyhabitofplayingatthispublictableforthepurposeofdeceivingthepersonswhomightcomethere？’Thewitnessanswered——`Iwas。’
ThewitnessFordfarednobetterinthecross-examination，andMrSergeantRunnington，atitsclose，askedhimthesamequestionthathehadaddressedtoWright，respectinghisplayingatthetable，andreceivedthesameanswer。
MrMackenziedidnotappear，andtherewasnofurtherevidence。
MrAdolphussaidthatifhewerecalledupontomakeanydefenceforhisclientuponachargesosupported，hewasreadytodoit；
but，ashemustmakemanyobservations，notonlyonthefacts，butonthe_LAW_，hewasanxiousifpossibletoavoiddoingso，ashedidnotwishtosaytoomuchaboutthelawrespectinggamingbeforesolargeandmixedanaudience。[72]
[72]SeeChapterXI。fortheviewsofMrAdolphusherealludedto。
Twowitnesseswerecalled，whogaveevidencewhichwasdamagingtothecharacterofFord，statingthathetoldthemhewasinaconspiracyagainstO’Maraandsomeothermoneyedmen，fromwhomtheyshouldgetthreeorfourhundredpounds，andifwitnesswouldconcealfromO’Marahis(Ford’s)realname，heshouldhavehisshareofthemoney，andmightgowithhimandWrighttoBrussels。
Afterhearingthesewitnesses，MrSergeantRunnington，withoutcallingonMrAdolphusforanyfurtherdefenceofhisclient，pronouncedthejudgmentoftheBench。
Hereviewedthetransactionfromitscommencement，andstatedtheimpression，tothedisadvantageofO’Mara，whichthetaleoriginallytoldbythetwowitnesseswascalculatedtomake。
But，onhearingthecross-examinationofthosewitnesses，andseeingnoevidenceagainstthedefendantbutfromsourcessoimpureandcorrupt——recollectingtheseverepenaltiesoftheVagrantActs，andsittingtherenotmerelyasajudge，butalsoexercisingthefunctionsofajury，hecouldnotbringhimselftoconvictonsuchevidence。Thewitnesses，impureastheywere，were_NOTSUPPORTEDBYMRMACKENZIEINANYPARTICULAR_，exceptthefactofhislosingmoney，atatimewhenO’Maradidnotappearasaproprietorofthetable，butasaplayerlikehimself。O’Maramustthereforebedischarged；butthetwowitnesseswouldnotbesofortunate。FromtheirownmouthsitappearedthattheyhadbeenusingsubtlecrafttodeceiveandimposeuponhisMajesty’ssubjects，byplayingorbettingatunlawfulgames，andhadnolegalorvisiblemeansofgainingalivelihood；thecourt，therefore，adjudgedthemtoberoguesandvagabonds，andcommittedthem，inexecution，tothegaolatLewes，theretoremaintillthenextQuarterSessions，andthentobefurtherdealtwithaccordingtolaw。AshortprivateconferencefollowedbetweenthemagistratesandMrAdolphus，theresultofwhichwasthatMrWalkerwasnotproceededagainst，butenteredintoarecognizancenottopermitanykindofgamingtobecarriedoninhishouse。
CHAPTERVIII。
GAMBLINGATTHEGERMANBATHING-PLACES——
BADENANDITSCONVERSATIONHOUSE。
Baden-Badenintheseasonisfullofthemostexcitingcontrasts——gayrestaurantsandbrilliantsaloons，gaming-tables，promenades，andtheatrescrammedwithbeautyandrank，inthemidstoflovelynaturalscenery，andundertheshadeofthepine-
cladheightsoftheHercynianorBlackForest——thesceneofsomanyweirdtalesofoldGermany——asforinstanceofthecharming_Undine_ofDelaMotheFouque。
ButamongtheseducingattractionsofBaden-Baden，andofallGermanbathing-places，theRouge-et-noirandRoulette-tableholdamelancholypre-eminence，——beingatonceashamefulsourceofrevenuetotheprince，——arallyingpointforthegay，thebeautiful，theprofessionalblackleg，theincognitodukeorking，——andavortexinwhichthestudent，themerchant，andthesubalternofficerare，inthecourseoftheseason，oftenhopelesslyandirrevocablyingulfed。RememberingthegamingexcitementoftheprimitiveGermans，wecanscarcelybesurprisedtofindthatthedescendantsofthesenorthernracespoisonthepurestreamofpleasurebytheintroductionofthishatefuloccupation。Itis，however，ratherremarkablethatallforeignvisitors，whetherDutch，Flemish，Swede，Italian，orevenEnglish，ofwhateverageordispositionorsex，`catchthefrenzy’duringthe(falselyso-called)_Kurzeit_，thatis，_Cure-
season_，atBaden，Ems，andAis。
Princesandtheirsubjects，fathersandsons，andeven，horribletosay，mothersanddaughters，arehanging，sidebyside，forhalfthenightoverthegreentable；and，withtremblinghandsandanxiouseyes，watchingtheirchance-cards，orthrustingfrancsandNapoleonswiththeirrakestotheredortheblackcloth。
NospotinthewholeworlddrawstogetheramoredistinguishedsocietythanmaybemetatBaden；itsattractionsarefeltandacknowledgedbyeverycountryinEurope。Manyofthe_elite_ofeachnationmayyearlybefoundthereduringthemonthsofsummer，and，asanaturalconsequence，manyoftheworstandvilestfollowthem，inthehopeofpillage。
SaysMrsTrollope:——`Idoubtifanythinglessthantheevidenceofthesensescanenableanyonefullytocreditandcomprehendthespectaclethatagaming-tableoffers。Isawwomendistinguishedbyrank，elegantinperson，modest，andevenreservedinmanner，sittingattheRouge-et-noirtablewiththeirrateaux，orrakes，andmarking-cardsintheirhands；——theformertopushforththeirbets，anddrawintheirwinnings，thelattertoprickdowntheeventsofthegame。IsawsuchatdifferenthoursthroughthewholeofSunday。Tonametheseisimpossible；butIgrievetosaythattwoEnglishwomenwereamongthem。’
TheConversationshaus，wherethegamblingtakesplace，isletoutbytheGovernmentofBadentoacompanyofspeculators，whopay，fortheexclusiveprivilegeofkeepingthetables，L11，000
annually，andagreetospendinaddition250，000florins(L25，000)onthewalksandbuildings，makingaltogetheraboutL36，000。Someideamaybeformedfromthisofthevastsumsofmoneywhichmustbeyearlylostbythedupeswhofrequentit。ThewholeisunderthedirectionofM。Benazet，whoformerlyfarmedthegamblinghousesofParis。
`Ontrouveicilejeu，leslivres，lamusique，Lescigarres，l’amour，lesorangers，Lemondetantotgai，tantotmelancholique，Lesglaces，ladanse，etlescochers；
Delabiere，debonsdiners，Acoted’arbreuneboutique，Etlavuedehautsrochers。
Mafoi！’
`Wefindheregambling，books，andmusic，Cigars，love-making，orange-trees；
Peopleorgayormelancholic，Ices，dancing，andcoachmen，ifyouplease；
Beer，andgooddinners；besidesthese，Shopswheretheysellnot_ontic；_
Andtoweringrocksoneeversees。’
`HowshallIdescribe，’saysMrWhitelocke，`tomyreadersinlanguagesufficientlygraphic，oneoftheresortsthemostcelebratedinEurope；aplace，ifnotcompetingwithCrockford’singorgeousmagnificenceanddisplay，atleastsurpassingitinrenown，andknownoverawidersphere？Themetropolitanpump-
roomofEurope，conductedontheprincipleofgratuitousadmittancetoallbearingthesemblanceofgentilityandconductingthemselveswithpropriety，opensitsJanusdoorstoalltheworldwiththemostlaudablehospitalityandwithaperfectindifferencetoexclusiveness，requiringonlythehattobetakenoffuponentering，andrejectingonlyshortjackets，cigar，pipe，andmeerschaum。Aroomofthisdescription，atemplededicatedtofashion，fortune，andflirtation，requiresapenmorecurrent，avoicemoreeloquent，thanminetotrace，condense，vivify，anddepict。Takingeverything，therefore，forgranted，letussupposeavastsaloonofregularproportions，ratherlongerthanbroad，ateitherendgarnishedbyabalcony；
beneath，doorstotherightandleft，andoppositetothemainentrance，conducttootherapartments，dedicatedtodifferentpurposes。Onenteringtheeyeisatoncedazzledbytheblazeoflightsfromchandeliersofmagnificentdimensions，oflamps，lustres，andsconces。Theceilingandborderssetoffintocompartments，showeredoverwitharabesques，thegildedpillars，themovingmassofpromenaders，theendlesslabyrinthofhumanbeingsassembledfromeveryregioninEurope，thecostlydresses，repeatedbyahostofmirrors，allthiscombined，whichtheeyeconveystothebrainatasingleglance，utterlyfailsindescription。Aswiththeeye，soitiswiththeear；ateverystepanewlanguagefallsuponit，andeverytonguewithdifferentintonation，forthehighandthelow，theprince，peer，vassal，andtradesman，theproudbeauty，thedecrepitcrone，somefreshbuddingintotheworld，somestandingnearthegrave，thegentleandthestern，thesombreandthegay，inshort，everypossibleantithesisthattheeye，ear，heartcanperceive，hear，orrespondto，orthattheminditselfcanimagine，isheretobemetwithintwominutes。AndyetallthisisnoBabel；forall，thoughconcentrated，isadmirablyvoidofconfusion；andevilorstrongpassions，iftheydoexist，arereligiouslysuppressed——anecessaryconsequence，indeed，wheretherecanbenosympathy，andwherecontemptandridiculewouldbethesolereciprocity。
Incase，however，anysuchdisplayshouldtakeplace，agendarmekeepsconstantwatchatthedoor，appointedbygovernment，itistrue，butresemblingourBow-streetofficersinmorerespectsthanone。
`Nowthatwehavetakenasurveyofthebrilliantandmovingthrong，letusapproachthestationarycrowdtothelefthand，andseewhatitisthatsofascinatesandrivetstheirattention。Theyarelookinguponalongtablecoveredwithgreencloth，inthecentreofwhichisalargepolishedwoodenbasinwithamoveablerim，andarounditaresmallcompartments，numberedtoacertainextent，namely38，alternatelyredandblackinirregularorder，numberedfromoneto36，anoughtorzeroinared，andadoublezeroupontheblack，makingupthe38，andeachcapableofholdingamarble。Themoveablerimissetinmotionbythehand，andasitrevolveshorizontallyfromeasttowestrounditsaxis，themarbleiscausedbyajerkofthefingerandthumbtoflyoffinacontrarymovement。Thepublicthereforeconcludethatnocalculationcanforetellwherethemarblewillfall，andIbelievetheyareright，inasmuchasthebankplaysacertainandsuregame，howeverdeep，runsnoriskofloss，andconsequentlyhasnonecessityforsuperfluouslycheatingordeludingthepublic。Italsoplaysdouble，thatis，onbothsidesofthewheeloffortuneatonce。
`Whenthewhirlingofbothrimandmarblecease，thelatterfalls，eithersimultaneouslyoraftersomecoyuncertainty，intooneofthecompartments，andthenumberandcolour，&c。，areimmediatelyproclaimed，thestakesdepositedaredexterouslyrakedupbythecroupier，orincreasedbypaymentfromthebank，accordingasthecolourwinsorloses。Now，thetwosidesortablesaremerelyduplicatesofoneanother，andeachofthemisdividedsomethinglikeachess-boardintothreecolumnsofsquares，whichamountto36；thenumbersadvancearithmeticallyfromrighttoleft，andconsequentlythereare12linesdown，soastocompletetherectangle；asone，therefore，standsatthehead，fourstandsimmediatelyunderit，andsoon。Atthebottomliethreesquares，withtheFrenchmarks12p——12m——12d，thatis，first，middle，thirddozen。Thethreelargemeadowsoneithersideareforredandblack，pairandodd，missandpass——
whichlastsignifythedivisionofthenumbersintothefirstandsecondhalf，from1to18，andfrom19to36，inclusive。Ifanumberbestakeduponandwins，thestakeisincreasedtosixtimesitsamount，andsoon，alwayslessasthestakeisplacedindifferentpositions，whichmaybeeffectedinthefollowingways——byplacingthepieceofgoldorsilverontheline(_acheval_，asitiscalled)，partlyononeandpartlyonitsneighbour，twonumbersarerepresented，andshouldonewin，thepieceisaugmentedtoeighteentimesthesum；threenumbersaresignifieduponthestrokeattheendorbeginningofthenumbersthatgoacross；six，byplacingthecoinontheborderofaperpendicularandahorizontallinebetweentwostrokes；four，wherethelinescrosswithin；twelvenumbersaresignifiedinatwo-foldmanner，eitheruponthecolumnwherethefiguresfollowintheorderofone，four，seven，andsoon，orontheside-fieldsmentionedabove；thesereceivethestaketrebled；
andthosewhostakesolelyuponthecolour，thetwohalves，orequalandodd，havetheirstakedoubledwhentheywin。Now，thetwozeros，thatis，thesimpleandcompound，standapartandmaybeseparatelystakedupon；shouldeitherturnup，thestakeisincreasedinafarlargerproportion。
`Torenderthegameequal，withoutcountinginthezerosandothertrifles，thewinneroughttoreceivethesquareof36，insteadof36。
`Itisamelancholyamusementtoanyrationalbeingnotinfatuatedbytheblindrageofgold，towitnesstheincredibleexcitementsorepeatedlymadetotakethebankbystorm，sometimesbysurprise，anonbystealth，andnotrarelybydiggingamine，layingintrenchmentsandopeningafireoffield-
pieces，heavyordnance，andflyingartillery；butthefortress，proudandconsciousofitssuperiorstrength，builtonarockofadamant，laughsatthefieryattacksofitsfoes，nay，itselfinvitesthestorm。
`Forthoseclassesofmankindwhopossessalittlemoreprudence，thegamecalled_Trente-et-un_，and_Quarante_，or_RougeetNoir_aresubstituted。
`Thelordofthetempleorestablishmentpays，Ibelieve，togovernmentayearlysumof35，000florins(aboutL3000)forpermissiontokeepuptheestablishment。Hehasgonetoimmenseexpenseindecoratingthebuilding；hepaysacrowdofcroupiersatdifferentsalaries，andofficersofhisown，whosuperintendanddirectmatters；helightsupthebuilding，andhepresidesoverthefestivitiesofthetown——inshort，heisthepatronofitall。Withallthisliberalityhehimselfderivesanenormousrevenue，anincomeassureanddeterminedasthatofmyLordMayorhimself。’[73]
[73]CityoftheFountains，orBaden-Baden。ByR。H。
Whitelocke。Carlsruhe，1840。
TheBadenseasonbeginsinMay；theofficialopeningtakesplacetowardsthecloseofthespringquarter，andthenthefashionableworldbeginstoarriveattherendezvous。
Itcannotbedeniedthateverythingisrightwellregulated，andapartfromtheterribledangersofgambling，theplacedoesverygreatcredittotheauthoritieswhothriveonthenefarioustraffic。Perfectorderanddecencyofdeportment，withallthenecessarycivilitiesoflife，arerigorouslyinsistedon，andsummaryexpulsionistheconsequenceofanyintolerableconduct。
Ifitsohappensthatanypersonbecomesobnoxiousinanyway，whatevermaybehisorherrank，thefirstintimationwillbe——
`Sir，youarenotinyourplacehere；’or，`Madame，theairofBadendoesnotsuityou。’Ifthesewordsaredisregarded，therefollowsasummaryorder——`YoumustleaveBadenthisveryday，andcrossthefrontiersoftheGrandDuchywithintwenty-fourhours。’
MrSala，inhisnovel`MakeyourGame，’[74]hasgivenaspiriteddescriptionofthegamblingscenesatBaden。
[74]Originallypublishedinthe`WelcomeGuest。’
WhilstIwritethereisexhibitedattheEgyptianHall，London，Dore’smagnificentpictureofthe_TapisVert_，orLifeinBaden-Baden，ofwhichthefollowingisanaccuratedescription:——
`The_TapisVert_isamoral，andatthesametimeanexceedinglyclever，satire。Itisillustrativeofthelife，manners，andpredilectionsandpursuitsofaclassofsocietylefthereaftertoenjoythemanifoldattractionsoffashionablewatering-places，withoutthescourgethatforsomanyyearshelditsimmoralanddegradingswayintheirsumptuoushalls。
`Inoneofthesesplendidsalonsthefashionablecrowdiseagerlypressingroundanoblongtablecoveredwithgreencloth(_letapisvert_)，uponwhichpilesofgoldandbank-notestellthetaleof\"_noirperdetlacouleurgagne_，\"andviceversa。Theprincipalgroup，uponwhichDorehasthrownoneofhispowerfuleffectsoflight，islifelike，andseveraloftheactorsareatoncerecognized。Bothcroupiersarewell-knowncharacters。Thereismuchlifeandmovementinthesilentscene，inwhichthousandsofpoundschangehandsinafewseconds。Totheleftofthecroupier(dealer)，whoturnsupthewinningcard，sitsafinely-dressedwoman，whocaresforlittleelsebutgold。
Thereisaremarkableexpressionofeagernessandcuriosityuponthecountenanceoftheladywhocomesnext，andwhoendeavours，withtheassistanceofhereye-glass，tofindoutthestateofaffairs。Thegentlemannexttoherisaninveterate_blase_。Thecountenanceoftheoldmanreckoningupneedsnodescription。Nearbystandsaladywitharedfeatherinherhat，andwhoselaceshawlaloneisworthseveralhundredpounds——
forDoremadeit。Thetwofemalefigurestotheleftaresplendidlypainted。Theonewhocausestheothercroupiertoturnroundseemssomewhatextravagantlydressed；butthesecostumeshavebeenfrequentlywornwithinthelasttwoyearsbothatBadenandHombourg。Theoldladyattheendofthetable，totheleft，isawell-knownhabitueeatbothplaces。Thebustlingandshufflingeagernessofthefiguresinthebackgroundisexceedinglywellrendered。
`Asawhole，the_TapisVert_isaveryfineillustrationofreallife，asmetwithinmostoftheleadingGermanwatering-
places。’[75]
[75]`IllustratedTimes。’
`Atthepresentmoment，’saysanotherauthority，writingmorethanayearago，`therearethreeveryboldfemalegamblersatBaden。OneistheRussianPrincess——，whoplaysseveralhourseverydayat_RougeetNoir_，andsometimesmakeswhatinourmoneywouldbemanyhundreds，andatothersgoesemptyaway。Shewinscalmlyenough，butwhenluckisagainstherlooksanxious。ThesecondisthewifeofanItalianex-minister，whoiswellknownbothasanauthoressandpolitician。Shepatronizes_Roulette_，andateveryturnofthewheelhermoneypassesontheboard。Sheisagoodgambler——smirkingwhenshewins，andsmirkingwhensheloses。ShedressesassplendidlyasanyofthedamesofParis。Theothernightsheexcitedaflutteramongtheladiesassembledinthesalonsofthe\"Conversation\"
byappearinginarobeflamingredwithanexaggeratedtrainwhichdraggeditsslowlengthalongthefloor。ButthegreatestofthefeminineplayersistheLeonieLeblanc。Whensheisatthe_RougeetNoir_tablealargercrowdthanusualiscollectedtowitnessheroperation。Thestakeshegenerallyrisksis6000
francs(L240)，whichisthemaximumallowed。Herchanceischanging:afewdaysbackshewonL4000inonesitting；somedayslatershelostaboutL2000，andwasthenreducedtothe，forher，indignityofplayingforpaltrysums——L20orthereabouts。’
Amongthemorerecentchronicles，the_Figaro_givesthefollowingaccountofthecloseofthecampaignofagaminghero，M。EdgardelaCharme，who，foranumberofdaystogether，neverleftthegaming-roomwithoutcarryingoffthesumof24，000
francs。
`Thedaybeforeyesterday，M。delaCharme，reflectingthattheremustbeanendeventothegreatestrunofluck，lockedhisportmanteau，paidhisbill，andtooktheroadtotherailwaystation，accompaniedbysomeofhisfriends。Onreachingthewickethefounditclosed；therewerestillthree-quartersofanhourtopassbeforethedepartureofthetrain。\"Iwillgoandplaymypartinggame，\"heexclaimed，and，turningtothecoachman，badehimdrivetotheKursaal。Hisfriendssurroundedhim，andheldhimback；heshouldnotgo，hewouldloseallhiswinnings。Buthewasresolute，andsoonreachedtheCasino，wherehistravellingdresscausedastirofsatisfactionamongthecroupiers。Hesatdownatthe_Trente-et-quarante_，brokethebankin20minutes，gotintohiscabagain，andseeingtheinspectorofthetableswalkingtoandfrounderthearcades，hesaidtohim，inatoneofexquisitepoliteness，\"IcouldnotthinkofgoingawaywithoutleavingyoumyP。P。C。\"’
SPA。
`ThegamblinghousesofSpaareintheRedoute，where_RougeetNoir_and_Roulette_arecarriedonnearlyfrommorningtonight。
TheprofitsoftheseestablishmentsexceedL40，000ayear。InformertimestheybelongedtotheBishopofLiege，whowasapartnerintheconcern，andderivedaconsiderablerevenuefromhisshareoftheill-gottengainsofthemanageroftheestablishment，andnogamblingtablescouldbesetupwithouthispermission。’[76]
[76]Murray’sHandbookforTravellersontheContinent。
`ThegamblinginSpaisinalowerstylethanelsewhere。Thecroupiersseemtobealwaysonthelook-outforcheating。Youneverseehereapileofgoldorbanknotesonthetable，asatHombourgorWiesbaden，withtheplayersaying，\"Cinquantelouisauxbillet，\"\"Cent-vingtlouisalamasse，\"andthewinningsscrupulouslypaid，orthelosingsrakedcarefullyawayfromtheheap。TheydonotallowthatatSpa；thereisanorderagainstitonthewall。Theycouldnottrustthepeoplethatplay，Isuppose，anditisdoubtfulifthepeoplecouldtrustthecroupiers。Theballspinsmoreslowlyat_Roulette_——thecardsaredealtmoregingerlyat_Trente-et-quarante_herethanelsewhere。Nothingmustbedonequickly，lestsomebodyononesideorothershouldtrytodosomebodyelse。AltogetherSpaisnotapleasantplacetoplayin，andas，moreover，theoddsareasgreatagainstyouasatEms，itisbettertosticktothepromenade_deseptheures_andtheball-room，andleavethetwotablesalone。Outsideitischeeryandfulloflife。TheQueenoftheBelgiansishere，theDukeofAumale，andothernicepeople。Thebreezefromthehillsisalwaysdelicious；thePromenadeMeyerbeerasrefreshingonahotdayasadraughtoficedwater。Butthedenizens，maleandfemale，ofthe_salonsdejeu_areoftenobnoxious，andonewishesthattheoldBadenlawcouldbeenforcedagainstsomeofthegentlersex。
`Bywayofwarningtoanyofyourreaderswhoproposetovisitthetablesthissummer，willyouletmetellalittleanecdote，frompersonalexperience，ofoneoftheseplaces——whichoneIhadperhapsbetternotsay。ItookaplaceattheRoulettetable，andhadnotstakedmorethanonceortwice，whentwohandsomelydressedladiesplacedthemselvesoneoneithersideofme，andcommencedplayingwiththesmallestcoinsallowed，wedgingmeinratherunpleasantlyclosebetweenthem。AtmythirdorfourthstakeIwononboththecolourandanumber，andmyneighbourontherightquietlysweptupmycoinsfromthecolourtheinstanttheywerepaid。Iremonstrated，andsheverypolitelyarguedthepoint，endingbyrestoringmymoney。Butduringourdiscussionmyfarlargerstake，paidinthemeanwhile，onthewinningnumber，haddisappearedintothepocketofmyneighbourontheleft，whowasnotsopolite，andwasveryindignantatmysuggestionthatthestakewasmine。Anappealtothecroupieronlyproducedashrugoftheshouldersandregretthathehadnotseenwhostakedthemoney，anoffertostoptheplay，andasuggestionthatIshouldfinditverydifficulttoproveitwasmystake。The\"plant\"betweenthetwowomenwasevident。Thewholethingwasasystematically-plannedrobbery，andverypossiblythecroupierwasaconfederate。Idetectedthetwowomenincommunication，andItoldthemthatIshouldchangemyplacetotheothersideofthetablewhereIwouldtroublethemnottocome。Theytookthehintverymildly，andcouldaffordtodoso，fortheyhadgotmymoney。Theaffairwasveryneatlymanaged，andwouldsucceedinnearlyeverycase，especiallyifthecroupieris，asismostprobable，alwaysonthesideoftheladies。’
HOMBOURG。
`In1842Hombourgwasanobscurevillage，consistingofthecastleoftheLandgraf，andofafewhundredhouseswhichinthecourseofageshadclusteredaroundit。FewwouldhaveknownofitsexistenceexceptfromthefactofitsbeingthecapitalofthesmallestofEuropeancountries。Itsinhabitantslivedpoorandcontented——theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot。Itboastedonlyofoneinn——the\"Aigle\"——whichinsummerwasfrequentedbyafewGermanfamilies，whocametolivecheaplyandtodrinkthewatersofaneighbouringmineralspring。ThatsameyeartwoFrenchbrothersofthenameofBlancarrivedatFrankfort。Theyweremenofaspeculativeturn，andarecentandsomewhatdaringspeculationinFrance，connectedwiththeoldsemaphoretelegraph，hadrendereditnecessaryforthemtowithdrawforatimefromtheirnativeland。Theirstock-in-tradeconsistedinaRoulettewheel，afewthousandfrancs，andanoldandskilfulcroupierofFrascati，whoknewagreatdealaboutthepropertiesofcards。TheauthoritiesofthetownofFrankfort，beingdulltraders，declinedtoallowthemtoinitiatetheirtownsmenintothemysteriesofcardsandRoulette，sohearingthatthereweresomestrangerslivingatHombourg，theyputthemselvesintoanolddiligence，andthesameeveningdisembarkedatthe\"Aigle。\"Thenextdaytheelderbrothercalledupontheprimeminister，anancientgentleman，who，withacoupleofclerks，forsomeL60ayeargovernedtheLandgrafateofHombourgtohisownandthegeneralsatisfaction。AfteraprivateinterviewwiththisstatesmantheelderBlancreturnedpoorerinmoney，butwithapermissioninhispockettoputuphisRoulettewheelinoneoftheroomsoftheinn。Inafewmonthsthemoneyoftheinnocentwater-drinkerspassedfromtheirpocketsintothoseofthebrothersBlanc。TheancientmanofFrascatiturnedthewheel，andnomatteronwhatnumberthewater-drinkersriskedtheirmoney，thatnumberdidnotturnup。
Atthecloseofthesummerseasonasecondvisitwasmadetotheprimeminister，andtheBlancsreturnedtoFrankfortwithanexclusiveconcessiontoestablishgamesofhazardwithinthewidespreadingdominionsoftheLandgraf。Forthistheyhadagreedtobuildakursaal，tolayoutapublicgarden，andtopayintothenationalexchequer40，000florins(aflorinisworthoneshillingandeight-pence)perannum。Havingobtainedthisconcession，thenextstepwastofoundacompany。FrankfortaboundsinHebrewspeculators，whoarenotparticularhowtheymakemoney，andasthespeculationappearedagoodone，themoneywassoonforthcoming。Itwasdecidedthatthenominalcapitalwastobe400，000florins，dividedintosharesof100florinseach。HalfthesharesweresubscribedforbytheHebrewfinancialists，andtheotherhalfwascreditedtotheBlancsasthepriceoftheirconcession。Duringthewinterasmallkursaalwasbuiltandasmallgardenplanted；themineralwellwasdeepened，andflamingadvertisementsappearedinalltheGermannewspapersannouncingtotheworldthatthefamouswatersofHombourgwereabletocureeverydiseasetowhichfleshisheir，andthattoenablevisitorstowhileawaytheireveningsagreeablyasalonhadbeenopened，inwhichtheywouldhaveanopportunitytowinfabuloussumsbyriskingtheirmoneyeitheratthegameof_TrenteetQuarante_
orat_Roulette_。Fromthesesmallbeginningsarosethe\"company\"whosecareerhasbeensonotorious。Ithasenjoyeduninterruptedgoodfortune。Duringthetwenty-sixyearsthathaveelapsedsinceitsfoundation，avastpalacededicatedtogamblinghasbeenbuilt，thevillagehasbecomeatown，wellpaved，andlightedwithgas；theneighbouringhillsarecoveredwithvillas；abouteightyacreshavebeenlaidoutinpleasure-
grounds；roadshavebeenmadeinalldirectionsthroughthesurroundingwoods；thevisitorsarenumberedbytensofthousands；thereareabovetwentyhotelsandmanyhundredexcellentlodging-houses。’[77]
[77]Correspondentof_DailyNews。_
`Letthosewhoaredisposedtorisktheirmoneyinquirewhatisthecharacterofthemanagers，andbeontheirguard。TheexpensesofsuchanenormousandsplendidestablishmentamounttoL10，000，andtheshareshaveforsomeyearspaidahandsomedividend——thewholeofwhichmustbepaidoutofthepocketsoftravellersandvisitors。’[78]
[78]Murray，_ubisupra_。
MrSalainhisinterestingwork，alreadyquoted，furnishesthecompletestaccountofHombourg，itsKursaal，andgambling，whichIhavecondensedasfollows:——
`InHombourgtheKursaaliseverything，andthetownnothing。
Theextortionatehotel-keepers，the\"snub-nosedroguesofcounterandtill，\"whooverchargeyouintheshops，maketheiregregiousprofitsfromtheKursaal。ThemajorpartoftheLandgrave’srevenueisderivedfromtheKursaal；hedrawsL5000ayearfromit。HeandhishousearesoldtotheKursaal；andtheBoardofDirectorsoftheKursaalaretherealsovereignsandland-gravesofHesseHombourg。Theyhavemetamorphosedamiserablemid-Germantownletintoacityofpalaces。TheirstuccoedandfrescoedpalaceisfivehundredtimeshandsomerthanthemouldyoldSchloss，builtbyWilliamwiththesilverleg。Theyhaveplantedthegardens；theyhaveimportedtheorange-trees；theyhavelaidoutthepark，andenclosedthehunting-grounds；theyboard，lodge，wash，andtaxtheinhabitants；andImaysay，withouttheslightestattemptatpunning，thatthecitizensareall_Kursed_。
`IntheKursaalistheballorconcert-room，ateitherendofwhichisagallery，supportedbypillarsofcompositionmarble。
Thefloorsareinlaid，andimmensemirrorsinsumptuousframeshangonthewalls。Vicecanseeherownimageallovertheestablishment。Theceilingissuperblydecoratedwithbas-
reliefsin_carton-pierre_，likethoseinMrBarry’snewCoventGardenTheatre；andfrescopaintings，executedbyViotti，ofMilan，andConti，ofMunich；whilstthewholeislightedupbyenormousandgorgeouschandeliers。Theapartmenttotherightiscalledthe_SalleJapanese_，andisusedasadining-roomforamonster_tabled’hote_，heldtwiceaday，andservedbythefamousChevetofParis。
`ThereisahugeCafeOlympique，forsmokingandimbibingpurposes，privatecabinetsforparties，themonstersaloon，andtwosmallerones，where_FROMELEVENINTHEFORENOONTOELEVEN
ATNIGHT，SUNDAYSNOTEXCEPTED，ALLTHEYEARROUND_，andyearafteryear——(the\"administration\"haveyeta\"_jouissance_\"
ofeighty-fiveyearstorunout，guaranteedbytheincomingdynastyofHesseDarmstadt)，knavesandfools，fromalmosteverycorneroftheworld，gambleattheingeniousandamusinggamesof_Roulette_，and_RougeetNoir_，otherwise_TrenteetQuarante_。
`Thereisonetablecoveredwithgreenbaize，tightlystretchedasonabilliard-field。Inthemidstofthetablethereisacircularpit，covedinwards，butnotbottomless，andcontainingtheRoulettewheel，arevolvingdisc，turningwithanaccuratemomentumonabrasspillar，anddividedatitsouteredgeintothirty-sevennarrowandshallowpigeon-holecompartments，colouredalternatelyredandblack，andnumbered——
notconsecutively——uptothirty-six。Thelastisablank，andstandsfor_Zero_，number_Nothing_。Roundtheupperedge，too，runaseriesoflittlebrasshoops，orbridges，tocausetheballtohopandskip，andnotatonceintothenearestcompartment。
ThisistheregimenofRoulette。Thebankersitsbeforethewheel，——acroupier，orpayer-outofwinningstoandrakerinoflossesfromtheplayers，oneitherside。Cryinginavoicecalmlysonorous，\"_FaitesleJeu，Messieurs_，\"——\"Makeyourgame，gentlemen！\"thebankergivesthewheeladexteroustwirl，andereithasmadeonerevolution，castsintoitsMaelstromofblackandredanivoryball。Theintervalbetweenthisandtheballfindingahomeisoneofbreathlessanxiety。Stakesareeagerlylaid；butatacertainperiodoftherevolutionthebankercallsout——\"_LeJeuestfait。Riennevaplus_，\"——
andafterthatintimationitisuselesstolaydownmoney。
Thenthebanker，inthesamecalmandimpassablevoice，declarestheresult。Itmayrunthus:——\"_Vingt-neuf，Noir，Impair，etPasse，\"\"Twenty-nine，Black，Odd，andPasstheRubicon_\"(No。
18)；or，\"_Huit，Rouge，Pair，etManque_，\"\"Eight，Red，Even，and_NOT_PasstheRubicon。\"
`Now，oneithersideofthewheel，andextendingtotheextremityofthetable，run，induplicate，thescheduleof_mises_orstakes。Thegreenbaizefirstoffersjustthirty-sixsquarecompartments，markedoutbyyellowthreadswoveninthefabricitself，andbearingthirty-sixconsecutivenumbers。Ifyouplaceaflorin(oneandeight-pence)——andnolowerstakeispermitted——
ortenflorins，oraNapoleon，oranEnglishfive-poundnote，oranysumofmoneynotexceedingthemaximum，whosemultipleisthehigheststakewhichthebank，ifitloses，canbemadetopay，inthemidstofcompartment29，andifthebanker，inthatcalmvoiceofhis，hasdeclaredthat29hasbecometherestingplaceoftheball，thecroupierwillpushtowardsyouwithhisrakeexactlythirty-threetimestheamountofyourstake，whateveritmighthavebeen。Youmustbearinmind，however，thatthebank’slossonasinglestakeislimitedtoeightthousandfrancs。
Moreover，ifyouhaveplacedanothersumofmoneyinthecompartmentinscribed，inlegibleyellowcolours，\"_Impair_，\"
orOdd，youwillreceivetheequivalenttoyourstake——twenty-
ninebeinganoddnumber。Ifyouhaveplacedacoinon_Passe_，youwillalsoreceivethisadditionalequivalenttoyourstake，twenty-ninebeing\"PasttheRubicon，\"ormiddleofthetableofnumbers——18。Again，ifyouhaveventuredyourmoneyinacompartmentbearingfordevicealozengeinoutline，whichrepresentsblack，andtwenty-ninebeingablacknumber，youwillagainpocketadoublestake，thatis，oneinadditiontoyouroriginalventure。More，andmorestill，——ifyouhaveriskedmoneyonthecolumns——thatis，bettedonthenumberturningupcorrespondingwithsomenumberinoneofthecolumnsofthetabularschedule，andhaveselectedtherightcolumn——youhaveyourownstakeandtwoothers；——ifyouhavebettedoneitherofthesethreeeventualities，_douzepremier，douzemilieu_，or_douzedernier_，otherwise\"firstdozen，\"\"middledozen，\"or\"lastdozen，\"asonetotwelve，thirteentotwenty-four，twenty-fivetothirty-six，allinclusive，andhavechancedtoselect_douzedernier_，thedivisioninwhichNo。29occurs，youalsoobtainatreblestake，namely，yourownandtwomorewhichthebankpaysyou，yourflorinoryourfive-poundnote——
benignfact！——metamorphosedintothree。But，woetothewightwhoshouldhaveventuredonthenumber\"eight，\"ontheredcolour(compartmentwithacrimsonlozenge)，on\"even，\"andon\"notpasttheRubicon；\"fortwenty-ninedoesnotcomplywithanyoneoftheseconditions。Heloses，andhismoneyiscoollysweptawayfromhimbythecroupier’srake。WithreferencetothelastchancesIenumeratedinthelastparagraph，Ishouldmentionthatthenumber_EIGHT_wouldlieinthesecondcolumn——
therebeingthreecolumns，——andinthefirstdozennumbers。
`Therearemorechances，orrathersubdivisionsofchances，toenticetheplayertobackthe\"numbers；\"forthesethestationsoftheballareascapriciousaswomankind；anditis，ofcourse，extremelyrarethataplayerwillfixupontheparticularnumberthathappenstoturnup。Buthemayplaceapieceofmoney_acheval_，orastride，onthelinewhichdividestwonumbers，inwhichcase(eitherofthenumbersturningup)hereceivessixteentimeshisstake。Hemayplaceitonthecrosslinesthatdividefournumbers，and，ifeitherofthefourwins，hewillreceiveeighttimestheamountofhisstake。Awordasto_Zero_。Zeroisdesignatedbythecompartmentclosetothewheel’sdiameter，andzero，orblank，willturnup，onanaverage，aboutonceinseventytimes。Ifyouhaveplacedmoneyinzero，andtheballseeksthathaven，youwillreceivethirty-
threetimesyourstake。’
Thetwinorelderbrotherof_Roulette_，playedatHombourg，_RougeetNoir_，or_TrenteetQuarante_，isthusdescribedbyMrSala:——
`Thereistheordinarygreen-clothcoveredtable，withitsbrilliantdown-cominglights。Inthecentresitsthebanker，goldandsilverinpilesand_rouleaux_，andbank-notesbeforehim。Oneitherhand，thecroupier，asbefore，nowwieldingtherakesandplyingthemtobringinthemoney，nowbalancingthem，nowshoulderingthem，assoldiersdotheirmuskets，half-payofficerstheircanes，anddandiestheirsilkumbrellas。Thebanker’scardsare，asthroughoutalltheRhenishgaming-places，ofFrenchdesign；thesamethatwereinvented，or，atleast，firstusedinEurope，forcrazyCharlestheSimple。Thesecardsareplacedonaninclinedplaneofmarble，calleda_talon_。
`Thedealerfirsttakessixpacksofcards，shufflesthem，anddistributestheminvariousparcelstothevariouspuntersorplayersroundthetable，toshuffleandmix。Hethenfinallyshufflesthem，andtakesandplacestheendcardsintovariouspartsofthethreehundredandtwelvecards，untilhemeetswitha_courtcard_，whichhemustplaceuprightattheend。Thisdone，hepresentsthepacktooneoftheplayerstocut，whoplacesthepicturedcardwherethe_dealer_separatesthepack，andthatpartofthepackbeyondthepicturedcardheplacesattheendnearesthim，leavingthepicturedcardatthebottomofthepack。
`Thedealerthentakesacertainnumberofcards，aboutasmanyaswouldformapack，and，lookingatthefirstcard，toknowitscolour，putsitonthetablewithitsfacedownwards。Hethentakestwocards，oneredandtheotherblack，andsetsthembacktoback。Thesecardsareturned，anddisplayedconspicuously，asoftenasthecolourvaries，fortheinformationofthecompany。
`Thegamblershavingstakedtheirmoneyoneitherofthecolours，thedealerasks，\"_Votrejeuest-ilfait？_\"\"Isyourgamemade？\"or，\"_Votrejeuest-ilpiet？_\"\"Isyourgameready？\"or，\"_Lejeuestpret，Messieurs_，\"\"Thegameisready，gentlemen。\"Hethendealsthefirstcardwithitsfaceupwards，saying\"_Noir；_’andcontinuesdealinguntilthecardsturnedexceedthirtypointsorpipsinnumber，whichnumberhemustmention，as\"_Trente-et-un_，\"or\"_Trente-six_，\"asthecasemaybe。
`Astheacesreckonbutforone，nocardafterthirtycanmakeupforty；thedealer，therefore，doesnotdeclarethe_tens_after_thirty-one_，orupwards，butmerelytheunits，asone，two，three；ifthenumberofpointsdealtfor_Noir_arethirty-fivehesays\"_Cinq_。\"
`Anotherparcelisthendealtfor_rouge_，or_red_，andwithequaldeliberationandsolemnity；andiftheplayersstakebeyondthecolourthatcomesto_thirty-one_ornearesttoit，hewins，whichhappyeventualityisannouncedbythedealercrying——
\"_Rougegagne_，\"\"Redwins，\"or\"_Rougeperd_，\"\"Redloses。\"Thesetwoparcels，oneforeachcolour，makea_coup_。
Thesamenumberofparcelsbeingdealtforeachcolour，thedealersays，\"_Apres_，\"\"After。\"Thisisa\"doublet，\"
calledintheamiableFrenchtongue，\"_unrefait_，\"bywhichneitherpartywins，unlessbothcolourscometo_thirty-
one_，whichthedealerannouncesbysaying，\"_UnrefaitTrente-
et-un_，andhewinshalfthestakespostedonbothcolours。He，however，doesnottakethemoney，butremovesittothemiddleline，andtheplayersmaychangethe_venue_oftheirstakesiftheyplease。Thisiscalledthefirst\"prison，\"or_lapremiereprison_，and，iftheywintheirnextevent，theydrawtheentirestake。Incaseofanother\"_refait_，\"themoneyisremovedintothethirdline，whichiscalledthesecondprison。
Soyouseethattherearewheelswithinwheels，andLordChancellorKing’sdictum，thatwallscanbebuilthigher，butthereshouldbenoprisonwithinaprison，issometimesreversed。
Whenthishappensthedealerwinsall。
`Thecardsaresometimescutforwhichcolourshallbedealtfirst；but，ingeneral，thefirstparcelisfor_black_，andthesecondfor_red_。Theoddsagainsta\"_refait_\"turningupareusuallyreckonedas63to1。Thebankers，however，acknowledgethattheyexpectittwiceinthreedeals，andtherearegenerallyfromtwenty-ninetothirty-twocoupsineachdeal。TheoddsinfavourofwinningseveraltimesareaboutthesameasinthegameofPharaon，andareasdelusive。`HewhogoestoHombourgandexpectstoseeanymelodramaticmanifestationofrage，disappointment，anddespairinthelosingplayers，reckonswithouthishost。Winnersorlosersseldomspeakaboveawhisper；andtheonlysoundthatisheardabovethesuppressedbuzzofconversation，themuffledjingleofthemoneyonthegreencloth，the\"sweep\"ofthecroupiers’rakes，andthetickingoftheveryornateFrenchclocksonthemantel-pieces，istheimpassiblymetallicvoiceofthebanker，asheproclaimshis\"_Rougeperd_，\"or\"_Couleurgagne_。\"PeoplearetoogenteelatHombourg-von-der-Hohetoscream，toyell，tofallintofaintingfits，orgointoconvulsions，becausetheyhavelostfourorfivethousandfrancsorsoinasinglecoup。
`Ihaveheardofonegentleman，indeed，who，afteraruinousloss，putapistoltohishead，anddischargingit，spatteredhisbrainsovertheRoulettewheel。Itwassaidthatthebanker，lookingupcalmly，calledout——`_TripleZero，’`TrebleNothing_，’——acaseasyetunheardofinthetacticsofRoulette，butsignifyingannihilation，——andthat，aclothbeingthrownovertheensanguinedwheel，thebankofthatparticulartablewasdeclaredtobeclosedfortheday。Veryprobablythewholestoryisbutanewspaper_canard_，devisedbytheproprietorsofsomerivalgamingestablishment，whowouldhavebeendelightedtoseethefashionableHombourgunderacloud。
`WhenpeoplewanttocommitsuicideatHombourg，theydoitgenteelly；earlyinthemorning，orlateatnight，inthesolitudeoftheirownapartmentsatthehotels。ItwouldbereckonedagrossbreachofgoodmannerstoscandalizetherefinedandliberaladministrationoftheKursaalbyundisguised_felo-
de-se_。Thedevilontwo_croupes_atHombourgistheverygenteelestofdemonsimaginable。Hetieshistailupwithcherry-colouredribbon，andconcealshisclovenfootinapatent-
leatherboot。Allthisgentilityandvarnish，andelegantveneeringofthesulphurouspit，takesawayfromhim，ifitdoesnotwhollyextinguish，thehonourandloathingforacommongaming-house，withwhichthemindofawelluredEnglishyouthhasbeensedulouslyimbuedbyhisparentsandguardians。
Hehasveryprobablywitnessedtheperformanceofthe\"Gamester\"atthetheatre，andbeenaspectatoroftheremorsefulagoniesofMrBeverly，thevirtuoussorrowsofMrsB。，andthedarkvillaniesofMessieursDawsonandBates。
`ThefirstvisitoftheBritishyouthtotheKursaalisusuallypaidwithfearandtrembling。Heiswithdifficultypersuadedtoentertheaccursedplace。Whenintroducedtothesaloons——
delusivelycalled_deconversation_，hebeginsbystaringfixedlyatthechandeliers，theormoluclocks，andtherichdraperies，andresolutelyavertshiseyesfromtheserriedranksofpuntersorplayers，andthePactolus，whosesandsarecirculatingonthegreenclothonthetable。Thenhethinksthereisnoverygreatharminlookingon，andsopeepsovertheshoulderofamoustachedgamester，whoperhapswhisperstohimintheintervalbetweentwocoups，thatifamanwillonlyplaycarefully，andbecontentwithmoderategains，hemaywinsufficient——takingthegooddaysandtheevildaysinalump——tokeephiminadecentkindofaffluencealltheyearround。Indeed，Ionceknewacroupier——weusedtocallhimNapoleon，fromthewayhetooksnufffromhiswaistcoatpocket，whowasinthewayofexpressingagraveconvictionthatitwaspossibletomakeacapitallivingatRoulette，solongasyoustucktothecolours，andavoidedtheScyllaofthenumbersandtheCharybdisoftheZero。
Bydegrees，then，theshynessoftheneophytewearsoff。PerhapsinthecourseofhisdescentofAvernus，arevulsionoffeelingtakesplace，and，horror-struckandashamed，herushesoutoftheKursaal，determinedtoenteritsportalsnomore。Thenhetemporizes；remembersthatthereisacapitalreading-room，providedwithallthenewspapersandperiodicalsofcivilizedEurope，attachedtotheKursaalianpremises。Therecanbenoharm，hethinks，inglancingover\"Galignani\"orthe\"Charivari，\"althoughunderthesameroofastheabhorred_TrenteetQuarante；_but，alas！hefinds_Galignani_engagedbyanacridoldladyofmorosecountenance，whohaslostallhermoneybylunch-time，andisdeterminedto\"takeitoutinreading，\"andthe_Charivari_slightlyclenchedinonehandbythedeafoldgentlemanwiththedingyribbonoftheLegionofHonour，andthecurlybrownwigpushedupoveroneear，whoalwaysgoestosleeponthesoftandluxuriousvelvetcouchesoftheKursaalreading-room，fromeleventillthree，everyday，Sundaysnotexcepted。Thedisappointedstudentofhomeorforeignnewswandersbacktooneoftheapartmentswhereplayisgoing，on。Infact，hedoesnotknowwhattodowithhimselfuntiltable-d’hotetime。Youknowwhatthemoralbard，DrWattssays:——
\"Satanfindssomemischiefstill，Foridlehandstodo。\"
Theunfledgedgamesterwatchestheplaymorenarrowly。Astoutladyinamaroonvelvetmantle，andamanwithabaldhead，ablackpatchonhisocciput，andgoldspectacles，obliginglymakeswayforhim。Hefindshimselfpressedagainsttheveryedgeofthetable。Perhapsachair——oneofthosedelightfullycomfortableKursaalchairs——isvacant。Heistiredwithdoingnothing，andsinksintotheemolliently-cushioned_fauteuil_。Hefanciesthathehascaughttheeyeofthebanker，oroneofthegentlemenofthe_croupe_，andthattheyaremeeklyinvitinghimtotryhisluck。\"Well，therecan’tbemuchharminriskingaflorin，\"hemurmurs。Hestakeshissilver-pieceonanumberoracolour。Hewins，wewillsay，twiceorthrice。Perhapshequadrupleshisstake，nay，perchance，hitsontheluckynumber。
Itturnsup，andhereceivesthirty-fivetimestheamountofhis_mise_。ThenceforthitisalloverwiththatingenuousBritishyouth。TheDemonofPlayhashimforhisown，andhemaygoonplayingandplayinguntilhehaslosteveryflorinofhisown，orasmanyofthosebelongingtootherpeopleashecanbegorborrow。Farmorefortunateforhimwoulditbeinthelongrun，ifhemetintheoutsetwithagoodswingingloss。Theburntchild_DOES_dreadthefireasarule；butthereisthiscapricious，almostpreternatural，featureofthephysiologyofgaming，thattheyoungandinexperiencedgenerallywininthefirstinstance。Theyaredrawnonandon，andinandin。Theybegintolose，andcontinuetolose，andbythetimetheyhavecuttheirwiseteeththeyhaveneithersounorsilvertomaketheirdearly-boughtwisdomavailable。
`Atleastone-halfofthecompanymaybeassumedtobearrantrascals——rascalsmaleandrascalsfemale——_chevaliersd’industrie_，theoffscouringsofalltheshut-upgambling-housesinEurope，demirepsand_lorettes_，singleandmarriedwomeninnumerable。’
InthecourseofthethreevisitshehaspaidtoHombourg，MrSalahasobservedthat`nine-tenthsoftheEnglishvisitorstotheKursaal，play；’andhedoesnothesitatetosaythatthemothswhoflutterroundthegarishlampsattheKursaalVanderHohe，anditskindredHades，almostinvariablysingetheirwings；andthatthechaseerat_Roulette_and_Rouge_，generallyturnoutedgedtools，withwhichthoseincautiousenoughtoplaywiththemareapttocuttheirfingers，sometimesverydangerously。
Theseasonof1869inHombourgisthusdepictedinahighclassnewspaper。
`Neverwithinthememoryoftheoldestinhabitant(whointhisinstancemustundoubtedlybethatveteranplayerCountessKisselef)hasthetownwitnessedsuchaninfluxoftouristsofeveryclassanddescription。Hotelsandlodging-housesarefilledtooverflowing。EverydayimprudenttravellerswhohaveneglectedtheprecautionofsecuringroomsbeforetheirarrivalreturndisconsolatelytoFrankforttoawaitthevacationofsomeapartmentwhichacondescendinglandlordhaspromisedthemaftermuchnegotiationfortheweekafternext。Themorningpromenadeisawonderfulsight；suchahostofbiliousfaces，suchanendlessvarietyofeccentriccostumes，suchaBabeloftongues，amongwhichtheshrilltwangofourfairAmericancousinsispeculiarlyprominent，couldbefoundinnootherplaceinthecivilizedworld。Amoralistwouldassuredlyfindhereabundantfoodforreflectiononthewonderfulpowersofself-
deceptionpossessedbymankind。Weallgetupatmostinconvenienthours，swallowacertainquantityofamostnauseousfluid，andthen，havingsacrificedsomuchtoappearances，sootheourconscienceswiththeunfoundedbeliefthataloveofearlyrisingandsaltwaterwasourrealreasonforcominghere，andthatthegamblingtableshadnothingwhatevertodowithit。
Perhaps，insomefewinstances，thisviewmaybethecorrectone；
somefewinvalids，sayoneinahundred，mayhavesoughtHombourgsolelyintheinterestofanimpaireddigestion，butIfearthatsuchcasesarefewandfarbetween；and，asafriendafflictedwithamaniaformisquotationremarkedtometheotherday，even\"thosewhocometodrinkremaintoplay。\"
`CertainlythedemonofRougeetNoirhasneverheldmoreundisputedswayinHombourgthaninthepresentseason；neverhavethetablesgroanedundersuchaloadofnotesandrouleaux。
Itwouldseemasifthegamblers，havingonlytwoormoreyearsleftinwhichtocompletetheirruin，werehurryingonwithredoubledspeedtothatdesirableconsummation，andwhereastakeof12，000francsisallowedonasinglecoupthepacecanbemadeveryrapidindeed。Highplayissocommonthatunlessyouareluckyenoughtowinorrichenoughtoloseahundredthousandfrancsatleast，youneednothopetoexciteeitherenvyorcommiseration。OneperseveringMuscovite，whohasbeenpuntingsteadilyforsixweeks，hasactuallysucceededingettingridofamillionofflorins。Asyettherehavebeennosuicidestorecord，owingprobablytotheprecautionarymeasuresadoptedbyapaternalAdministration。AssoonasagamblerisknowntobeutterlyclearedoutheatoncereceivesavisitfromoneofM。
Blanc’sofficials，whooffershimasmallsumonconditionhewillleavethetownforthwith；whichviaticum，however，forfearofaccidents，isonlyhandedtohimwhenfairlyseatedinthetrainthatbearshimaway，toblowouthisbrains，shouldhefeelsoinclined，elsewhere。Oneofthemostunpleasantfactsconnectedwiththegamblingistheardourdisplayedbymanyladiesinthisveryunfemininepursuit:lastnightoutoftwenty-
fivepersonsseatedattheRoulettetableIcountednofewerthanfifteenladies，includinganAmericanladywithhertwodaughters！
`TheKingofPrussiahasarrived，and，withduedeferencetotheofficialeditorswhohavedescribedinglowingparagraphsthepopulardemonstrationsinhishonour，Iamboundtoassertthathewasreceivedwithverymodifiedtokensofdelight。Therewasnotevenarepetitionofthetriumphalarchoflastyear；thosefunerealblackandwhiteflags，whosesoleaspectisenoughtorepressanyexuberanceofrejoicing，werecertainlyflappingagainstthehotelwindowsandtheofficialflagstaffs，butlittleelsetestifiedtothejoyoftheHombourgersatbeholdingtheirSovereign。TheymanagethesethingsbetterinFrance。AnyFrench_prefet_wouldgivetheGermanauthoritiesafewusefulhintsconcerningthecheapandspeedymanufactureofloyalenthusiasm。Theforeigners，however，seemdeterminedtoatoneamplyforanylackofproperfeelingonthepartofthetownspeople。TheycrowdroundhisMajestyassoonasheappearsintheroomsorgardens，andmobthepooroldgentlemanwithavigourwhichtaxesalltheenergiesofhisaides-de-camptosavetheirRoyalmasterfromdeathbysuffocation。NeedIaddthatouroldfriendtheirrepressible\"’Arry\"iseverforemostinthesegentlemanlikedemonstrations？
`Ofcoursethetownswarmswithwell-knownEnglishfaces；indeed，thePeersandM。P。shereatpresentwouldformaveryrespectablepartyinthetwoHouses。Weareespeciallywellofffordukes；
the_Fremdenliste_notifiesthepresenceofnofewerthanfiveofthoseexaltedpersonages。AfarlessrespectableclassofLondonsocietyisalso，Iamsorrytosay，stronglyrepresented:I
alludetothosegentlemenofthelight-fingeredpersuasionwhomtheouterworldrudelydesignateaspickpockets。Thismorningtwogorgeouslyarrayedmembersofthefraternityweremarcheddowntothestationbythepolice，eachbeingdecoratedwithapairofbrightsteelhandcuffs；seventeenofthemwerearrestedlastweekinFrankfortatonefellswoop，andatthetablestherowoflookers-onwhoalwayssurroundtheplayersconsistsinaboutequalproportionsofthesegentryandtheirnaturalenemies——thedetectives。Theirbootysincethebeginningoftheseasonmustbereckonedbythousands。MustaphaFazylPashahadhispocketpickedofapursecontainingL600，andaRussianladywaslatelyrobbedofasplendiddiamondbroochvaluedat75，000francs。[79]
[79]PallMallGazette，Aug。1869。
ButthedaysoftheKursaalarenumbered，andthegloriesorinfamiesofHombourgaredoomed。
`Thefiathasgoneforth。Infiveyears[80]fromthistimethe\"gamewillbemade\"nolonger——thegreatgamblingestablishmentofHombourgwillbeathingofthepast。Thetownwillbeobligedtocontendonequaltermswithotherwatering-placesforitsshareofthewoolonthebacksofsummerexcursionists。
[80]In1872。
`Asmostofthetownspeopleareshareholdersinthisthrivingconcern，andasallofthemgaineitherdirectlyorindirectlybytheplay，itwasamusingtowatchtheanxietyoftheseworthiesduringthewarbetweenAustriaandPrussia。Patriotismtheyhadnone；theycaredneitherforAustriannorPrussian，foragreatGermanynorforasmallGermany。The\"company\"wastheirgodandtheircountry。Allthatconcernedthemwastoknowwhethertheplaywaslikelytobesuppressed。WhentheywereannexedtoPrussia，atfirsttheycouldnotbelievethatCountBismarck，whateverhemightdowithkings，wouldventuretointerferewiththe\"bank。\"Itwastothemadivineinstitution——
somethingfarsuperiortodynastiesandkingdoms……
`ForayeartheHombourgerswereallowedtosupposethattheir\"peculiarinstitution\"wasindeedsuperiortofate，topublicopinion，andtoPrussia；butatthecommencementofthepresentyeartheywererudelyawakenedfromtheirdreamsofsecurity。
Theswordthathadbeenhangingoverthemfell。Thedirectorsofthecompanywereorderedtoappearbeforethegovernorofthetown，andtheyweretoldthattheyandallbelongingtothemweretoceasetoexistin1872，andthatthefollowingarrangementwastobemaderespectingtheplundergaineduntilthatdate。Theshareholdersweretoreceive10percent。ontheirmoney；5000
sharesweretobepaidoffatpareachyear，andifthisdidnotabsorballtheprofits，thesurpluswastogotowardsafundforkeepingupthegardensaftertheplayhadceased。Bythismeans，astherearenow36，000shares，25，000willbepaidoffatpar，andtheremaining11，000willberepresentedbythebuildingsandthelandbelongingtothecompany，whichitwillbeatlibertytoselltothehighestbidder。SincethisdecreehasbeenpromulgatedtheHombourgersareindespair。Thecroupiersandtheclerks，theJewswholendmoneyathighinterest，theChristianswholetlodgings，alltheroguesandswindlerswhoonewayoranothermakealivingoutoftheplay，filltheairwiththeircomplaints。
`Althoughnodoubtindividualswillsufferbythesuppressionofpublicplayhere，itisbynomeanscertainthatthetownitselfwillnotbeagainerbyit。Holidayseekersmustgosomewhere。
TheairofHombourgisexcellent；thewatersareinvigorating；
thetowniswellsituatedandeasyofaccessbyrail；livingiscomparativelycheap——aroommaybehadforabout18_s_。aweek，anexcellentdinnerfor2_s_。；breakfastcostslessthanashilling。Hombourgisnowafixedfact，andifthetownspeopletakeheartandgrapplewiththenewstateofthings——iftheybuyuptheKursaal，andthrowopenitssalonstovisitors；iftheykeepuptheopera，thecricketclub，andtheshooting；iftheyhavegoodmusic，andballsandconcertsforthosewholikethem，thereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldnotattractasmanyvisitorstotheirtownastheydonow。’[81]
[81]Correspondentof_DailyNews。_
AIX-LA-CHAPELLE。
ThegamingatAix-la-Chapelleisequallydesperateanddestructive。`ARussianofficerofmyacquaintance，’saysawriterintheAnnualRegisterfor1818，`wassubject，likemanyofhiscountrymenwhomIhaveknown，totheinfatuationofplaytoamostridiculousexcess。HisdistrustofhimselfundertheassailmentswhichheanticipatedataplacelikeAix-la-Chapelle，hadinducedhimtotaketheprudentprecautionofpayinginadvanceathishotelforhisboardandlodging，andatthebathing-houseforhisbaths，forthetimeheintendedtostay。
Theremainingcontentsofhispursehethoughtfairlyhisown；
andhewentofcoursetothetableallthegayerforthelicensehehadtakenofhisconscience。Onfortuneshowinghimafewfavours，hecametomeinhighspirits，withapursefullofNapoleons，andaresolutedeterminationtokeepthembyventuringnomore；butagamestercannomorebestationarythanthetideofariver，andontheeveninghewasputoutofsuspensebyhavingnotaNapoleonleft，andnothingtoconsolebutcongratulationonhisforesight，andtheexcellentsupperwhichwasthefruitofit。’
TowardstheendofthelastcenturyAix-la-Chapellewasagreatrendezvousofgamblers。Thechiefbankertherepaidathousandlouisperannumforhislicense。AlittleItalianadventureroncewenttotheplacewithonlyafewlouisinhispocket，andplayedcrownstakesatHazard。Fortunesmiledonhim；heincreasedhisstakesprogressively；intwenty-fourhourswonaboutL4000。Onthefollowingdayhestrippedthebankentirely，pocketingnearlyL10，000。Hecontinuedtoplayforsomedays，tillhewasatlastreducedtoasinglelouis！HenowobtainedfromafriendtheloanofL30，andoncemoreresumedhisstationatthegamingtable，whichheoncemorequittedwithL10，000inhispocket，andresolvedtoleaveitforever。Theargumentsofoneofthebankers，however，whofollowedhimtohisinn，soonprevailedoverhisresolution，andonhisreturntothegamingtablehewasstrippedofhislastfarthing。Hewenttohislodgings，soldhisclothes，andbythatmeansagainappearedathisoldhaunt，forthehalf-crownstakes，bywhichhehonourablyrepaidhisloanofL30。Hisendwasunknowntotherelateroftheanecdote，but`tentoone，’itwasruin。
Atthesameplace，intheyear1793，theheir-apparentofanIrishMarquislostatvarioustimesnearlyL20，000atabilliardtable，partlyowingtohisantagonistbeinganexcellentcalculator，aswellasasuperiorplayer。
AFrenchemigrantatAix-la-Chapelle，whocarriedabasketoftarts，liqueurs，&c。，forregalingthegamesters，putdowntwenty-fivelouisat_RougeetNoir_。Helost。Hethenputdownfifteen，andlostagain；atthethirdturnhestakedten；butwhilethecardswerebeingshuffled，seemingtorecollecthimself，hefeltallhispockets，andatlengthfoundtwolargeFrenchcrowns，andasmallone，whichhealsoventured。Thedealwasdeterminedattheninthcard；andthepoorwretch，whohadlosthisall，dasheddownhisbasket，startedfromhisseat，overturningtwochairsasheforcedthecircle，toreoffhishair，andwithhorridblasphemies，burstthefoldingdoors，andrushingoutlikeamadman，wasseennomore。
Anotheremigrantarrivedherepenniless，butmeetingafriend，obtainedtheloanofafewcrowns，nearlyhisall。Withthesehewenttotherooms，putdownhisstake，andwon。Hethensuccessivelydoubledhisstakestillheclosedtheeveningwithahundredlouisinhispocket。Hewenttohisfriend，andwithmutualcongratulationstheyresolvedtoventurenomore，andcalculatedhowlongtheirgainswouldsupportthemfromabsolutewant，andthusseemedtostrengthentheirwiseresolution。
Thenextnight，however，theluckygamblerreturnedtotheroom——
butonlytobeaspectator，ashefirmlysaid。Alas！hisresolutionfailedhim，andhequittedthetablesindebtedtoacharitablebystanderforalivreortwo，topayforhispettyrefreshments。
Itissaidthattheannualprofittothebankerswas120，000
florins，orL14，000。
`TheverynameofAix-la-Chapelle，’saysatraveller，`makesonethink(atleast，makesmethink)ofcardsanddice，——sharksandpigeons。Ithasa\"professionalodour\"uponit，whichiscertainlynotthatofsanctity。IenteredtheRedoutewithmyheadfullofshambarons，GermanCatalinas，andthethousand-and-
onepopulartalesofrenownedknightsofthegreencloth，——theirseducingconfederates，andinfatuateddupes。
`Theroomsarewelldistributed；thesaloonshandsome。A
sparklingofladies，apparently(andreally，asIunderstood)ofthebestwater，the_elite_，inshort，ofAix-la-Chapelle，wereloungingonsofasplacedroundtheprincipalsaloon，orflutteringaboutamidstacrowdofmen，whofilledupthecentreoftheroom，orthrongedroundthetablesthatwererangedononesideofit。
`Theplayerscontinuedtheiroccupationindeath-likesilence，undisturbedbythebuzzorthegazeofthelookers-on；notasoundwasheardbuttherattleoftheheaped-upmoney，asitwaspassedfromonesideofthetabletotheother；norwasthesmallestanxietyoremotionvisibleonanycountenance。
`Thescenewasunpleasing，thoughtomecuriousfromitsnovelty。
Ladiesareadmittedtoplay，buttherewerenoneoccupiedthismorning。Iwasgladofit；indeed，thoughEnglishtravellersareaccusedofcarryingaboutwiththemaportablecodeofmorality，whichdissolvesorstiffenslikeasoap-cakeascircumstancesmayaffectitsconsistency，yetIsincerelybelievethattherearefewamongstuswhowouldnotfeelshockedatseeingoneofthegentlersexinsounwomanlyaposition。’[82]
[82]ReminiscencesoftheRhine，&c。Anon。
WIESBADEN。
Thegamblingherein1868hasbeendescribedinaveryvividmanner。
`SincetheenforcementofthePrussianSundayobservanceregulations，MondayhasbecomethegreatdayoftheweekforthebanksoftheGermangamblingestablishments。Anxioustomakeupforlosttime，theregularcontributorstothecompany’sdividendsflockearlyonMondayforenoontotheplay-roomsinordertosecuregoodplacesatthetables，which，bytheappointedhourforcommencingoperations(eleveno’clock)，arecloselyhedgedroundbypersonsofbothsexes，eagerlywaitingforthefirstdealofthecardsortheinitialtwistofthebrasswheel，thattheymaytryanotherfallwithFortune。Beforeeachseatedplayerarearrangedpreciouslittlepilesofgoldandsilver，acardprintedinblackandred，andalongpin，wherewithtoprickoutasystemofinfalliblegain。Thecroupierstaketheirseatsandunpackthestrongbox；rouleaux——
longmetalsausagescomposedofdoubleandsingleflorins，——
woodenbowlsbrimmingoverwithgoldFredericsandNapoleons，banknotesofallsizesandcolours，arearrangedupontheblackleathercompartment，ruledoverbythecompany’sofficers；
half-a-dozenpacksofnewcardsarestrippedoftheirpapercases，andswiftlyshuffledtogether；andwhenallthesepreliminaries，watchedwithbreathlessanxietybythesurroundingspeculators，havebeengravelyandcarefullyexecuted，thechiefcroupierlooksroundhim——asignalforthepromptinvestmentofcapitalonallpartsofthetable——chucksoutahandfulofcardsfromthemasspackedtogetherconvenienttohishand——ejaculatestheformula，\"Faiteslejeu！\"and，afterhalfaminute’spause，duringwhichhedelicatelymoistenstheballofhisdealingthumb，exclaims\"Lejeuestfait，riennevaplus，\"andproceedstointerpretthedecreesoffateaccordingtotheapprovedfashionofTrenteetQuarante。AsimilarsceneistakingplaceattheRoulettetable——agoodlycropofflorins，withhereandthereaspeckofgoldshiningamongstthesilverharvest，isbeingsownoverthefieldoftheclothofgreen，soontobereapedbythecroupier’ssickle，andthepithballisbeingdroppedintotherevolvingbasinthatispartitionedoffintosomanytinyblackandredniches。Forthenexttwelvehourstheprocessesinquestionarecarriedonswiftlyandsteadily，withoutvariationorlossoftime；relaysofcroupiersarelaidon，whounobtrusivelyslipintotheplacesoftheirfellowswhenthehoursarriveforrelievingguard；thegameisneverstoppedformorethanacoupleofminutesatatime，viz。，whenthecardsrunoutandhavetobere-shuffled。Thisbriefinterruptioniscommonlyconsideredtoportendabreakintheparticularveinwhichthegamemayhavehappenedtoassumeduringthedeal——sayarunuponblackorred，analternationofcoups(inthreesorfours)uponeithercolour，tworedsandablack，or_viceversa_，allequallyfrequenteccentricitiesofthecards；andtheheavierplayersoftenchangetheirseats，orleavethetablealtogetherforanhourorsoatsuchaconjuncture。Curiouslyenough，exceptingattheverycommencementoftheday’splay，the_habitues_oftheTrenteetQuarantetablesappeartoentertainastrongantipathytothefirstdealortwoafterthecardshavebeen\"re-made。\"Ihavebeentoldbyoneortwomastersofthecraftthattheyhaveafancytoseehowmattersarelikelytogobeforetheystrikein，asifitwerepossibletodeducethefutureofthegamefromitspast！Thatitispossibleappearstobeanarticleoffaithwiththeoldstagers，and，indeed，everynowandthenoddcoincidencesoccurwhichtendtoconfirmthemintheircreed。Iwitnessedanoccurrencewhichwaseitherattributable(asIbelieve)tosheerchance，or(asitsheroearnestlyassuredme)toinstinct。AfairandfrailMagyarwaspuntingonnumberswithimmensepluckanduniformillfortune。BehindherstoodaViennesegentlemanofmyacquaintance，whoenjoysacertainrenownamongsthisfriendsforthefacultyofprophecy，which，however，heseldomexercisesforhisownbenefit。Observingthatshehesitatedaboutstakingherdoubleflorin，headvisedhertosetitonthenumber3。Roundwentthewheel，andintwentysecondstheballtumbledintocompartment3sureenough。Atthenextturnsheaskedhisadvice，andwastoldtotrynumber24。Nosoonersaidthandone，and24cameupinduecourse，wherebyMdlleL。C。won140oddguldenintwocoups，theamountriskedbyherbeingexactlyfourflorins。Likeawisegirl，shewalkedoffwithherbooty，andplayednomorethatdayatRoulette。AfewminuteslaterIsawanEnglishmangothroughtheperformanceoflosingfourthousandfrancsbyexperimentalizingonsinglenumbers。Twentytimesrunningdidhesettenlouis-d’orsonanumber(varyingthenumberateachstake)，andnotoneofhisselectionprovedsuccessful。Atthe\"ThirtyandForty\"Isawaneminentdiplomatistwinsixtythousandfrancswithscarcelyanintermissionoffailure；heplayedalloverthetable，pushinghisrouleauxbackwardsandforwards，fromblacktored，withoutanyappearanceofsystemthatIcoulddetect，andthecardsseemedtofollowhisinspiration。Itwasagreatbattle；asusual，threeorfoursmallerfishfollowedinhiswake，tilltheylostcourageandsetagainsthim，muchtotheirdiscomfitureandtheadvantageofthebank；butfromfirsttolast——thatis，tillthecardsranout，andheleftthetable——hewassteadilyvictorious。Intheeveninghewentinagainforanotherheavybout，atwhichIchancedtobepresent；butfortunehadforsakenhim；andhenotonlylosthismorning’swinnings，buteightthousandfrancstoboot。Idonotremembertohaveeverseenthetablessocrowded——outsideitwasthundering，lightening，andrainingasiftheworldwerecomingtoanend，andthewholefloatingpopulationofWiesbadenwasdrivenintotheKursaalbytheweather。Aroaringtimeofithadthebank；whenplaywasover，aboutwhichtimetherainceased，hundredsofhotandthirstygamblersstreamedoutofthereekingroomstotheglazed-
interrace，andthenexthour，alwaysthepleasantestofthetwenty-fourhereandinHombourg——atEmspeoplegostraightfromthetablestobed，——wasdevotedtoanimatedchatandunlimitedsherry-cobbler；allthe\"events\"ofthedaywerepassedinreview，experiencesexchanged，andconfessionsmade。Nobodyhadwon；Icouldnothearofasinglegreatsuccess——thebankhadhaditallitsownway，andmostofthe\"lions，\"worstedinthefray，hadevidentlymadeuptheirmindsto\"drownitinthebowl。\"TheRussiandetachment——averystrongonethisyear——wasespeciallyhardhit；SpainandItalywerebothunusuallylow-
spirited；andtherewasanextrasolemnityabouttheBritishIslesthattolditsownsadtale。Englishmen，whentheyhavelostmorethantheycanafford，generallytakeitoutofthemselvesinsurly，broodingself-reproach。Frenchmengiveventtotheirdisgustandannoyancebyabusingthegameanditsmyrmidons。Youmayhearthem，loudandsavage，ontheterrace，\"Ah！lesallejeu！commentpeut-onselaissereplucherpardesbrigandsdelasorte！Tripot，infame，va！jetedonnemamalediction！\"Italians，again，endeavourtoconcealtheirdiscomfitureunderaflowoffeverishgaiety。Germansutteroneortwo\"Gottsdonnerwetterhimmelsapperment！\"lightuptheircigars，drinkadozenorso\"hocks，\"andsubsideintotheirusualstateofponderouscheerfulness。Russiansbetraynoemotionwhateverovertheircalamities，save，perhaps，thattheysmokethosefamouslittle`Laferme’cigarettesatriflefasterandmorenervouslythanatothertimes；buttheyareexcellentwinnersandmagnificentlosers，onlytobesurpassedineitherrespectbytheiroldenemytheTurk，whois_facileprinceps_intheartofhidinghisfeelingsfromtheouterworld。
`ThegreatmassofvisitorsatWiesbadenthisseason，asatHombourg，belongtothemiddleandlowermiddleclasses，leavenedbyaveryfewcelebritiesandpersonsofgenuinedistinction。
