The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-08-15

4" his ~ only the SILVER room; Noi
may dcposite here as low as fiy,
franc piece let us pass on to th,
next, where none play but those VII,
will risk bank notes or gold" Gas
I ting glance ut these comparatively
humble gamesters, who were, howe.
yer. all too deeply absorbed to move
their eyes from the cards, followed
my conductor into the sanctuary oil
the gilded Mammou.
Here was Rouge ct Noir table,
exactly like the one | bad .iustquitted.
In the centre was n proiuse dis
lplay of gold. in bowls aud roleaus.
with thick piles Of bank notes, ON
either side OF which sat n partner OF
the band and an assistant, the dra-
gon guards of this Hesperian fruit.
An oblong square, painted on each
end OF the green table, exhibited
three divisions, ono Tor Rouge, anO-
ther for NOir, aud tho centre was
for the stakes of those who spccuia-
ted upon the color of the first and
last card, with other ramiiicaii6ns Of
the art, which it would be tedious 10
describe. Not one of the chairs IA
round the table was unOCCupied,
aud | observed that each ban
ker and assistant Was provided
with rdtean, or rake, some
thing like a garden hoe, several of
which were dispersed about, that the
respective winners might withdraw
the gold without the obiec tionabIe
Intervention Of fingers. When the
stakes are all deposited, the dealer,
one OF the bankers in the centre, cries
out lie jue est fait = after which
nothing can be added or withdrawn
and then taking pack Of cards from
basket full before him, he proceeds
to deal. Thirty-one is the number
of the game the 'lonr Of the FIRST
card determines whether the first
row be black or red the dealer turns
up till the numbers OF me cards ex-
coed 81, when ho lays down asecond
row IN the same maauer, aud which
ever 8 nearest To that amount is the
~:Gnlng row. Ii both come tn the
same, he cries " Apres,' and recon-
-unvnees- with, fresh cards; but il each
division should t,fru up thirty lone,
the bank takes up hall of the whole
money deposited, as a forfeit from
the players. In this consists their
certain profit. which has been esti-
mated at ten per cent. upon the total
stakes. Ii the red loses, the banker
on that side rakes all the depo-
sits into his treasury il it wins
he throws down the number OF Ma
poleons OF notes necessary to cover
the Judgments made by the play ers,
each one OF whom rakes off his prize
or leaves it for "A fresh venture
E explained to me the functions
of the different members of the esta-
blishinent--the inspector, the crou-
pier, the taileur, the Messicurs dc Ia
chambre, &c. aud also the meaning
of the ruled card and pins which ey-
cry one held before him, consulting
it with the greatest intensencss, and
occasionally calling to the people IN
attendance for Il fresh supply. This
horoscope was divided by pcrpendi
cular lines into columns, headed with
an alternate II. and n. for Rouge "
NOR, and the pin is employed to per-
forate the card as each color wins, as
a ground work for establishing some
calculation IN that elaborate delusion
termed the doctrine Of Chances
Some having several Of these records
before them. closely pierced all over,
were summing up the results upon
paper, as if determined to play a
game of chance without leaving any
thing to hazard and none seemed
to adventure without having some
species of sanction from these Sibyl-
lyme leaves.
An involuntary sickness and loath-
ing of heart came over me as con
tempIated this scene, aud observed
the sofas in an adjoining room,w (which
the parisians, who turn every thing
into a Joke, have christened " the
hospital for the wounded" There,
thought to myself, many a wretch
has thrown himself down in anguish
and despair Of soul, cursing The
world and himself with fearful inn
precautions, or disappearing in that
silent bitterness OF spirit which is
more terrific than words. lCOntras-
ted the gaudy decorations and pan
nelled mirrors that surrounded me-
with the smoky and blackened cell.
ing, sad evidence Of the nocturnal
lamps lighted up at the shrine OF this
Baal, and uf the unhallowed worship