Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-03
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF EUROPE.
BY n. p. WILL

the exclusive gambling oiubs at Paris With
the understanding, of course, that was only as
a spectator, my trend, whom had met at din
ner party, despatched note from the table, an.
nouncing to the temporary master Of ceremonies
his intention Of presenting me- we went at
eleven, in fall dress. | vas surprised at the en-
trance with the splendor Of the establishment
gilt balustradcs mar bic sta-cases cro"d DIS OF SER
wants in full livery, and all the lornal announce
ment of a court. Passing through several ante
chambers, heavy folding door was thrown open,
and we were received ty one of the noblest look
ing men have seen in France. Count -. Twas
put immediately at m ease by his dignihed and
kind poIiteness; and after little conversation in
English, which he spoke fuenty, the entrance
Ut some other person left me at liberty to observe
at nv leisure. Every thing about me had the
impress of the studied taste of high HE. The
lavish and yet soft disposition Of light, the har
mony of color in the ri.h hangngs and furniture,
the quiet manners and subdued tones OF CONVEX
sation. the respectful Difference Of the servants.
and the simplicity Of the slight entertainment,
would have convinced M, without my Asmodeus,
that was IN no everyday atmosphere. CONVEX
satiun proceeded for an hour, while the members
came dropping in from their evening engage.
ments, and little after twelve glass door was
thrown open, and we passed from the reception
room to the spacious salie pf apartments intended
tor play. One or two of the gentlemen entered
the side-rooms for sbiIliards aud card, but the
majority closed about The table OF hazard in the
central hail. | had never conceived SO beautl-
full an apartment. 1t can be described in t"o
words. columns and mirrors. There was moth
ing else between the eSqusitely painted ceiling
and floor. The form was circular, and the wall
was laid with glass. Interrupted only with pairs
of Corinthian pillars, with their rich capitals re-
Elected and rr-rehected innumerably. 1t seem
ed like hall Of coonnades OF illimitabIe extent
the multiplication Of the mirrors into each
other was 50 endless and Elusive. selt an un-
conquerable disposition to abandon myself to a
waking reve,ie Of pleasure; and as soon as the
attention OF the company was perfectly engrossed
bv the sen. ecCupat'Grscet''" them, sank upon
sofa. aud gave my senses up ioT while To the
fascination OF the scene. My eye was lntOXica-
ted As far as m, sight could penetrate. stretch
ed apparently intefmiaable balls, carpeted with
crimson. and studded with graceful columns and
groups OF courtly figures, forming altogether, with
is extent & beauty, and In the subdued and skill.
fully managed light, picture that. if real. would
be ono of unsurpassng splendor. quite forgot
my curiosity TO see the game. | had merely
observed, when my companion reminded me OF
the arrival of my own appointed hour for depart
ure, that, whatever was lost or won. the rustlins
bills were passed from one to another with quiet
and mprrturbable pollteness that betrayed no
sign either OF chagrin or triumph; though, from
the fact that the transfers were in paper only,
the stakes must have been any thing but trif1ins.
Refusing polite invitation TO partake OF the sup
per. always in waiting, we took leave about two
hours after midnight
As we drove from the court, my companion
suggested to me, that since we were out at SD
late an hour we might as welNlo in for mo-
ment at the more accessible ''hels," and, pull
ing the Gordon. he ordered to " Frascati's. y
This, you know of course, is the fashionable place
of ruin, and here the heroes Of all novels, and
the rakes of all comedies, mar or make their for
tunes. An evening dress, aud the look of gen.
tleman, are the only required passport. A SER
want in attendance took our hats and canes. and
we walked in without ceremony. IL was dill
ferent scene from the former Four large rooms,
plainly but handsomely furnished, opened into
each other. three Of which were devoted to play,
and crowded with players Elegantly dressed
women, some of them with high pretensions to
French beauty, stood at the table, watching their
own stakes in the rapid games with fixed atten-
ton. The majority of the gentlemen were En-
glish The table was very large. marked as usu-
each person playing had small rake in his hand, |
with which he drew towards him his proportion
of the winnings. | was disappointed at the first
glance in the faces. There was very little OF
the high bred courtesy had seen at the club
house. but there was no very striking exhibition |
of feeling, and should think, in any but an ex-
IRENE case. the whispering silence and general
quietness of the room would repress 1t. Alter
watching the variations of luck awhile, however.
| selected one or two pretty desperate losers, and
a young Frenchman. who vas large winner,
and confined my observation to them only
Among the former was girl of about eighteen;
mild, quiet looking creature. with her hair curl,
ing long on her heck. and hands childishly small
and white. who lost invariably T%" piles OF
i've franc pieces. and small h ap Of god, lay
IN the table beside her; and watched her TILL
the laid the last coin upon the losing color. She
bore it very well. BY the eagerness with which,
It every turn of the last card she closed her
,and upon the rake which she held, It was ev.
lent that her hopes were high; but when her last
,iece was drawn into the bank, she threw up ;
Ter little fingers with playful desperation and