Litchfield enquirer., 1833-05-02
\ DEN oF VICE UNCOVERED.

lnent, One would Wltn ulHcONy DelleVe, that such enormities, such want not only of principle, but of common humanity, were al- 5owed to exist in the vicinity of Boston; nor rouId we believe them but on the best testi. ronv, Mr. SMELLING, Editor Ofthe Boston Galaxy, visited in person, on Fast Day, the gambling establishment called " 1Ne Gymma- siwn," on Cragie's bridge. From his ac- count, we copy the following, to which he was an eye witness.-Chrtstian WotchmGn.
 "This Gymnasium is kept by MT. John Brown. The building, beheld from the out side, resembles barn, except that grog shop is kept on the lower floor, and that it stands on piles sunk in the river. We enter. ed, and went througha door in the back part ofthe shop and up flight of stairs. The up- per stories were divided intO bowling alleys, in all but one of which parties were actively engaged. At the door stood large table, covered with decanters and glasses.
 The internal region was redolent of the fumes of gin and tobacco. There were about hundred persons assembled blackguards, swinders, and reprobates of every descrip- ton. Many ofthe sons of the aristocracy of the city were there, as well as others, who from their garb, one would have taken for honest gentlemen. The rest were foreigners and unwashed villains. To the honor of the colored population be it spoken, not one of them were there.
 In the middle of this earthly hell was polygonal enclosure of boards, about ten feet in diameter, the floor of which was strewed with tan, to drink the blood of the cocks.- Here two of the gallant birds were engaged Round the south end Ofthe hall were ranged score oftea chests, in each of which cock was growing at his ncighbors. As many more
 ss> komo uf no pa Ia n hQ Ih. ing. In one corner stood d genteel black guard, singing an obscene song, to the infinite satisfaction of his auditors. Oaths and blas- phenies rang on every side, and few 6sti. cuffs were exchanged.
 On entering we went straight to the cock pit, where a slate e-cOlOred and red bird were striving to kill each other with steel spurs, which had been affixed to their legs, probably because the natural weapons could not draw blood fast enough for the taste of the specta- tors. The feathers flew and the gore stream ed. Presently the slate colored cock drove his eaff through the brain of his adversary, who fell dead on the spot. We turned away to gaming table, which stood in another part of the room, with sensation of relief.
 The play was Roulette. In the centre Of the table was a wheel, resembling wheels of fortune, gaudily painted and marked with hi. eroglyphics. There were little compartments round its cdge-an ivory ball was made to ' run round it's periphery, and as its topped the ganester lost or won. The marker had un' der his hand pile of silver and gold eighteen inches high, which had been won. We ob- served that the bank gained five times out of six. We put down and lost to the amount of seventy.Rve cents. We did this that we might the better be able to swear to the facts and identify the two scoundrels who kept the table. We have since seen them on Charge among honest men.
 A boy about fourteen years old staked his last four-penny piece and lost it. He stood fora moment the image of despair. Then tears gushed from his eyes. He went out tearing his hair and exclaiming, o my poor father! o my poor mother! What will become of me o how wish my boss had not sent me affer that money" This incl dent was a mine of nirth to the gamesters- horse laugh shook the building. -.. as But now Coolidge. with stentoran voice and kind of bottle swagger, proclaimed that two more cocks were to be gafed. He took cock out of a bag, and called to brawny Irishman who stood st hand, Henry, give me my saw" A dentists saw was procured, and fhe villains proceeded, to our inexpressi. ble horror, to saw off the spurs close to his legs. The blood streamed down and the "p- orators proceeded to fasten the gafs upon the raw stumps. When second cock had been accOutered in the like manner, Coolidge and Henry held them up and excited them to peck at each other. When they were sufficiently furious, they were set down, and the set-to commenced. 4a
 One of the birds was red, and the'other black. They several times drove the gafts in- lO each others bodies, but this did not abate their Ardor. Bets ran high. At last the red thurst his spur through the black cocks knee joint, and they both fell ontangled together. They were raised, disuni:ed and set to fight ing again.
 The black could now hardly stand. A thrust in the brain quelled his courage, and he hopped over the enclosure. Coolidge took him up, smOothed his feathers, wiped away the blood that blinded his eyes. and put him again into the pit. Oh it was cruel. savage, bloody. The poor bird had not. however, much more to suffer. A second stroke in the brain laid him asleep forever.
 Thus the sport continued til four the next naOrning. and so it is carried on every Satur- day night aud Sunday morning. We have lodged complaint with the city marshal. who shall be heartily welcome to our evi- dence. and by this time the offenders are probably iD custody.
 From dse C'agford Pa. Messenger.