Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-10-07

stakes lie who was in the compartment, of tire pro-
claimed number winner aud it he had singled out
that individual which nf of very oc
currence his deposit doubtful know how many
times The odd declared their they were
lost doubled. This altar of chance had but few vota
ries and merely stopping moment admire the hand
some decorations OF the roem passed into the !,
|,
This, whispered my companion, for dead ST.
ence III the apartment although the long table entire
~ surrounded by people playinghis is only the silver
you may deposit here low five franc let
pass TO the where play but those who will
risk bank gold Casting passing glance these
comparatively humble gamestes, who were, however, ali
deeply absorbed their eyes from the cards,
followed my conductor into the sanctuary of the gilded
Mammon.
Here Rouge Noir table, exactly like the
had just quilted. In its centre pIose display of
gold in bowls aud roucaus with thick piles of bank
on either side OF which sat partner of the bank and
assistant, the dragon guards OF this Hesrerian fruit. An
oblong square, painted each end of the green table,
h6ied three divisions for Rouge, another for Noir
and the for the stakes OF who specialized
the colour of the first and last card with other
hcations of the art which il would be tedious describe
Not one of the chairs around the table unoccuped
observed that each banker and assistant provid
led with rafeau rake, somewhat resembling garden
hoe, several of which also dispersed about, that the
respective winners might withdraw the gold wthou, the
objectionable intervention of fingers. When the kes are
all disposed the dealer, of the bankers i'll the centre,
CRIES out"Le jeu est ait, after which nothing be
added or withdrawn and then taking packet of
from basket fail before him. he proceeds deal Thirty
one the number of the game: the colour Of the first card
determines whether the first be black dealer
turns I'll! the numbers the exceed ,hrtyonc,
when he lays down second r,anucr. md
Which ever is nearest To that is the winning
both come to the same he cries "Apres" and
mences with fresh cards. but If each division turn
up Mtyon the ban! takes half of the whole money de
posted, as forfeit from the players In this
certain Noht, which has been estimated per cent.
upon the total stakes. If the red loses the banker
side rakes all the deposits into his treasury; Wins lie
throws down the number of Napolecns necessary
to cover the Judgments made by the players each
whom rakes of his prize leaves fresh venture
+ explained TO the functions Of tho different men,
her of the estahlishmcntte Inspector, tie Cuuper the
lalileur the Messieurs de la Chubo, &c. also the
meaning OF the ruled card and pins which every held
before him. consulting il with the greatest intenscness and
occasionally calling the people in attendance for fresh
supply This horoscope divided by perpendicular lines
no columns, headed with alternate r. and N for Rouge
and Or and the pin employed peorat card as
each colour WINS ground work establishing some
calculation in that elaborate deuson termed doctrine
c" chances. Some, having records before
the closely pierced all summing up the results
upon paper, as if determined play n game of chance
without leaving thing hazar and will
ling To adventure without having species of sation
from the SIbyline leaves.
An involuntary sickness and oaing ofhearl came over
me as contemplated this scene observed the sofas in
an adjoining room, which the Parsans, who turn every
Thing into joke, have chris;encd hospital for the
wonndei There, thought 10 self, many wretch has
thrown himself down anguish and despar of soul ours
Ing himself and the world with fearful imprecations or
hiasphening III that sle; bitterness spirit which is mote
terrific than words conasted the gaudy decorations
alu Paheiei mirrors that surrounded me with the
ana blackened ceiussad evidence the nocturnal lamps
lighted up al the shrine of this Baa and of unalloy
{" worship prosecuted through the liveong night Turning
to the window, behcd the shining from the bright blue
say; tile rain ;he birds singing the
and thc leaves iIItctag in the wind the external gaetv
giving the character of appalling anttesis the painful
silence, imova6c attitudes and spell Looks of the
care worn figures within. Onc man. German, was con-
tending against Of III luck with logged obtnacv
mat was obviously making deep Dads upon his purse nd
ms peace Tor though his face invisible from being bent
on his forehead betrayed his inward agitation All the losers
were susg ling 20 suppress emotions, which still revealed
themselves by tile working of disobceut muscle the
compression OF the lips, the sadomic grin, the glazing
WRATH OF the eye while the beed their assumed
indifference by flushing cheeks and expression anxious
'G'up' Two OF three orlUrn operators who had been
ce'ed 0 as the phrase is, condemned to ideness we ~
eyenS their more fortunate neighbOrs with eer of maliq
"an' envy; whe the bankers and their assistants, in the
certainty OF their profitable trade, exhibited calm and
wa'c!iiu cunning though their featureH pale and solden
betrayed the effect Of confinement roon and mid
sht Vgs E informed me that the fequenters ofthcse
houses were authorized To call for refreshments any es
Scipton but no awaited himself OF the privilege: the
aIi Sacra ameS, the pervadng appetite of the place
swallowed up every other The very thought revoed me
nat cat aud drink i'll this the hateful Das,ions
III TINS fatal room from which Eany suicide has rushed
on" 10 grasp The seit-deshoyng pistol, plunge into the
oarkness OF the wave; in this which is denounced TO
e'Vt ny tis widow tears and the ophaus macdctions.
Revolving these thoughts my mind surveyed once more
NE faces before me- and could help excaimine-Sha
hideous study of human nature.
"As we have employed So much time" said F. ..;r
a"g The latitude rather the longitude these va ous
P""zes' we shall tie expected somethng will
throw down Napoleon sop Cefberus and VIII then
convoy you home May replied ii, was for nv in
s""c nwe came hither; the lesson have received IS well
worth money put down this piece of gold and let us
Oe gone Let US at least wait till have lost it, he re-
Suneo and III the mean time will take our places az tie
table felt that biushed sat down and was abort
" deposit my offering nap hazard when my companion
stopped my hand and borrowing perforated card badc
I'VE ''"S that the red aDd black had zigzacgcd or won
'dy iof fourteen tines and that there had subsequent
Occn long run upon the black, which would now mo-
oaoy cross over to the ether color from which premises
ne dcduceh that should venture upon the red; which ac
ccodi0giy DID Sir Daiaam devil who, "now tennis bv
"'hnS c not making poor was, verify believe no.
VeFg over my devoted head that Instant my deposi, was
"u"ed and was preparing to decanp with INV two Mans
W"eh my ADVISER insisted upon my banking my luck as
e'e would probably be upon the rcd aud suffered
NY stake TO remain and go doubling until mad won ten
OF Twelve unios III succession. "Now," cried F. 81
ho"d advise you to pocket the aron and be satisfied
adopting his COUNSEL could hardly believe his assertion
or my own eyes when he banded notes TO the
amount twenty thousand franc. observing that had made
q tocia!y srcccssfu dsJU Tor a beginner.
ifttr in z,r-, J.