Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-09-20
Gambling in Germany.

Wiesbaden, in the duchv Of Nausau, is
the most famous watering place il. Germa-
ny, and is described as very pleasant spot.
4 is, however, as such places are apt to be,
polluted BY some crying vices, among
which is that Of gambling, which is prac-
ticed 10 a frightful extent. A correspond
entof the N. Y. Observer, gives graphic
description Of some Of the gambling scenes
he witnessed there. The extract below is
from his description The Ker Saul spo-
! ken, Of is a magnificent. hotel at Wiesbaden:
"In the public rooms Of the Kur Saul
are roulette tables and other apparatus for
gambling, (which, after dinner, and espe-
cially in the evening, are surrounded with
persons OF both sexes, most of WHOM stake
more or less money. Directly opposite
me at dinner sat a young map whose coun-
tenance instantly. attracted my attention.
He was very pale and thin, while his cold
blue eye, high ,cheek. bones, and almost
marble whitehess Of features, together with
sullen, morose aspect, made me shrink
from him as from deadly thing, Added
to all this, when he rose saw he had an
ugly limb, which made him seem more un-
natural and monster like than. before.
Wandering soon after through the
rooms, seeing what was to be seen, | came
to roulette table around which were
gathered gentlemen and ladies Of all ages
and nations, some of them stalking small
sums apparently for mere amusement
Just then, this sullen cadaverous looking
young man, came limping up and deposit
ed a. roll Of twenty Napoleons, or about
eighty dollars. "A single turn Of the wheel,
and it. was lost. He quietly drew forth
another roll, which was also as Quickly
lost. Without the least agitation or appa.
rent excitement he thus continued 10 draw
forth till ten Of them, one after another, or
about. eight hundred dollars, were gone;-
He them as quietly, and without saying a
word, imped away. He had not spoken
or changed a, muscle the whole time, and
manifested no more anxiety or regret than
though he had lost that many pennies
There, said to myself, as he sauntered
away, there goes prolessed gambler, and
he has all the qualities Of a successful one.
Perfectly cool and self-possessed under the
most provoking reverses, he does not eei
angry and fave at tickle perverse fortune,
but takes, It all a. matter, OF, business
then knew for the first time why felt sucI,
an ahtipathy towards him. A gambler
carries his responsiveness in his face, his
eye, hay, almost in his very gait,., Hi
makes a chilling atmosphere around him
that repels every ore who approaches him
Gambling seems to metamorphose mar
more than any other crime except muir.
der. - ,s
!, AT night the Ker Saul is thronged with
persons 81, both sexes, and as | strollec
through it ! came again upon gambling
table, around which were sitting ladies' ane
gentlemen Of every age and nation. Eng
fish girls were teasing their papas far ;
few sovereigns to stake on the turning .
a card, and old men were watching Ii,
changes Of game with all the eagernes
of.youth. One lady in PARTICULAR attract
ed my attention. She Was from Belgium
and her whole appearance indicated per
son from the upper ranks of society,". T,
an elegant form she added complexion q
incompatible Wilderness, which contraste
beautifully with her auburn tresses, tia