New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-05-06
THE TRIBUNE.
TRANSACTIONS FOR THE NETWORK TRIBUNE

The approach OF Summer has It's usual influence
on the gay world; there are fewer balls But,
though they dance less, they do not at all abate in
the passion for play.
Dancing Is only pleasure, gambling passion,
and passion which is never extlngushed and
whose consuming fire circuates necessarily in the
veins OF society, seeming from time TO time to be
claimed go to sleep only TO revive with more
terrible ardor We are now at one OF these epochs
of revival They play now at Paris, as they have
not since the Directory, when Society took up
cards again after the harassing excitemens Of the
Revolution. The fever of industrial speculations
naiu. ally brings on such a Crisis; the air OF the
Bourse is contagious and penetrates every where,
loaded with corrupt mlasma; from this centre are
dsengaged certain intoxicating fluids which trouble
the reason, cause vertigo and produce sort OF hal
lucination which seems to place fortune within the
reach Of every one; then all s'riye 10 engage in
these fertile and prompt chances which may bring
riches wlthou, making one wait. Play becomes
DEVOTION fury. anaticiszl. To satisfy the thirst
il had excited, the scheme OF Law required the AID
of Faro; so our present speculations end in Lans.
quenet.
How many disasters have happened during the
gay meetings of the winter, while the Mazurka hid
with The clat,er of its spurs the sound of the gold
rolling upon the gaming tables. They play every
where, aud at all rates, in spite OF the vigilance
that tries TO moderate these mad struggles Occa-
sions seemingly the most innocent serve Us pre-.
text for these ruinous engagements Some ycsta"-
rants, perfectly furnished and brilliantly patron.
lied, had become real gaming houses, after din
ner Often after breakfast even, the guests ordered
cards in private cabinets, and then spent all thu
day, all the night in gaming; often these struggles
have h-en prolonged thirty six hours In succession,
without truce or repose, for those who have
qurrd his taste can dispense with sleep. Nova
regulation nterdicts cards to The 'sstarafems, bur
this is a vain obstacle. which annoys The players
but cannot stop play. The fight continues; though
the ground must be changed.
To some, play is recreation, but to others
profession The millionaire, after the grand Wal
on Exchange during the day. refreshes himself al
night by such skirmshes. The young man risks
on a card his income for the year, The Poor play
as il they were rich the Rich as if they were poor
These are the dupes round whom buzzes the swarm
of sharpers.
These gentlemen are entitled Greeks. Why tins
eurname is given Them, TO the injury OF the land
which produced Sophocles, Leenidas and Arsndes
we know not, but find ourselves compelled TO ac-
cept the usage for convenience sake
The Parisian Greek is usually man from twenty
five TO thirty years of age, OF an elegant appearance
aud good manners. He dresses with taste and wears
handsome Jewels. His whole establishment is that
Of rich man. though all his revenue is gathered in
at evening parties He talks often of his property,
his estates, but these consist OF held two iee'
square, on whose green carpet he sows solu 10 reap
bank notes By his easy air and lordly ways you
would suppose him the scion OF an arisocralic
stock. but he was, more probably, born IN some
pnrter's lodge. But education has formed HIM;
study has uniolded his natural dispositions; he has
begun by giving himself the airs OF dandy to
get means for keeping up the profession. Once
launched in the world, the handsome envelope
sufices TO secure him good reception, and win
the privileges of familiar intercourse in many
houses; for how is it possible 10 distrus, young
man who presents himself so gracefully VIVA,
could be demanded that he does not possess HIS
coats are exquistey made; fine diamond spalkles
in the knot of his cravat; his hair Is well arranged
but, above ALL his hands well taken care OIL his
nails are KEEP, very long, because this Is not Only
fashionable, but peculiarly useful TO HIM; niue
stroke with the nail adroitly given 10 the back oil
card aids in recognizing on Its passage the mys'e-
rous ace, and the kings who turn their backs.
There is also the Greek OF maturer age, OF from
fortytive to fifty years. He is less elegant less Tue
peti,mai,re but he has other means oil success
He wears thick mousiaches and several crosses
he has served in the army; he is very brave, aho
an admirable shot, talent which imposes respec'
and helps him 10 make acquaintance. They go
out TO shoot, the wager is in champagne al inst
Couqueror with the pistol, the cheva!ler oilers
revenge with the cards, OF which he mas IN MS
pocket a pack made in particular manner Inc!
accept, and # there is any hesitation on The part e
the victim 10 pay for what results, The P'S'oIe
come in play again :,
You ask If these things pass only with closed
doors. in The secret haunts OF Hazard No on' III
The mos, fashionable circles, OF which the young
Greek is the admired dandy, and 10 which Inc oio
Greek il admitted on the score OF his crosses en0
his t,le of Baron
Few saloons are free from the invasons OF some
Young Athennu or Spartan, but sometimes '!iess
heroes are caught IN fragrant dehct Lately
young unknown presented himself aI the evening
party OF banker. l, was very crowded, ana ne
might not have attracted notice, but for ms extra
ordinary good luck at play. The master OF the
house demanded politely who he was. The youns
Greek gave his name, wsllsounding name and
elegan, as his person,
81 have not had the honor OF inviting you, said
the master of the house
..Tue," replied the graceful youth, and beg
20, 70 eYcu,e nv indiscre,ion, but Madame de L
had proposed 10 present me. Iaccepsed the invita-
ton. came but have vamly soush'my pro'ectress IN
the apartments"
The name invoked was an ample recommend
ton, and chosen with confidence by our adven-
,ure for he bad ascertained that the lady meant 10
pas, the evening elsewhere. The master ei the
house was apologizing for his suspicious. when 10
they announce Me. de L. who bad lett her 0'nef
engagement, aud came ta finish the evening mere
l, was lhunderbo!t TO the young Greek. y"
tcat. mplore." cried he. Take BACK Inc mo
aey, but !e, me go ont quietly
n, h 81