The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-15

| hnity OF delay and vexation. Only think what
bother il would be, IL their baggage had to be
hauled at the frontier of every little German state.
| On the way to Baden Baden, saw a number Of
tobacco plantations, which now constitute an mpor-
tant item in the productive industry Of this District
For the lover of the beautiful however, il is region
as barren of interest Of our Underwater
country and il is only reaching the town Of Baden
Baden that the traveller something like beauty in
the scenery Il is at this point that the surface rises
into lofty hills, which terminate at short distance in
the range ofmountains called the Black Forest. 1t is
not, however the beauty ofits situation that Baden
Baden its attractions but to its mineral springs
| II is Of the most celebrated and fashionable
watering places in Germany, and nearly twenty
thousand visiters annually flock hither during the
summer months, to take tho waters, and enliyen
their weary existence amid the gaties ollies and dis
spations, which distinguish all such places. During
the season, Princes may be met with in abundance,
but usually outnumbered by blacklegs" arrived
rather late in the season. but the weather was still
fine, there was no lack of company, and the town
seemed crowded to its utmost capacities. The village
presents nothing in itself to interest the traveller, un
less be the very splendid hotels which hardly TO
be surpassed in London Paris of their dining
really superb. The great ntre Of atirac-
ton is the "Conversaiion house. il is termed the
place where the company assemblies in the evening" to
promenade, hir dance and gamble. 1t is situated in
the outskirts Of the village, surrounded by pleasant
walks and shady avenues; at one end OF Il Is thea
ire and at the other cafe, restaurant and smoking
room. The Conversation. house itself is almost pal
in external and internal appearance. II is divided
into number of spacious and lofty apartments, which
are fitted up in the most costly and splendid manner
with fine mirrors, sofas, damask curtains, magnificent
chandeliers and candeabras, while painting and gid
ing are lavished upon the walls and ceiling. In one
of the finest and largest othese rooms balls given
by subscription three times week In another on al
ternae evenings is concert while in three of them
are gaming tables, which commence operations in the
forenoon of every day, and surrounded by crowds
until midnight 1t is impossible TO imagine a more
brilliant than that which s presented by these
rooms during the evening BY the time that the suns
rays have begun give place to the shades of twilight
throngs of gaiy dressed people, Of all nations and Of
all ages, may be rushing to this centre of move
mentthe brilliant conrt Of fashion and folly = and
until 10 O'Clock, the rooms are crowded No palticu
lar dress is required that the traveller in his
coat and dirty boots may be by the side ofa dandy
of the first water fresh from Paris there is in fact
cry variety of fashion, and every degree of elegance Of
costume, but very large proportion of the company
are richly and fashonaby dressed Nor are beautiful
faces wanting to heghten the interest of the brilliant
scene and the connoisseur of beauty may find every
style and nice shade of charms from which 10 choose
amid this gathering Of bellies from all the nations of
Europe. There too are the anxious mothers and the
lovers and there sta d. astocratic looking old gen
tlemen, and dashing, rae-brained young men, and
suspicous-looking blacklegs,-in short, nothing is
wanting fill up the various catalogue Of characters
And a gay scene they make Off, with Their promena-
ding and chatting and hirtations, and dancing Not
the least important employment of the gay assembage
is the. gaming tables in playing themselves or look
ing others play. There is awaysa wironnd
these tables and the greatest crowd is always where
the betting highest: and in truth there strange
enchantment in the sight especially for one who like
myself had never before gaming table To
watch the caprcious decisions of fortune, to see the
glitterng coin flying from hand to hand, and note the
effect Of success disappointment upon the counte-
nances Of the players certainly most attractive en-
ploy ment and for my part, stood by the table
for hours together absorbed in the deep interest Of the
scene, not yenturing however to stake my horins
was quite satisfied to enjoy the delight Of the winners,
and had no desire TO suffer the chagrn Of the losers
t J. s. j., Jr.
To be continued