The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-04
Gambling in San Francisco.

Gambling in San Francisco.
The. San Francisco correspondent Of
the New Orleans True Delta. has the fol.
lowing description OF the gambling houses
Of the city OF gold, in his last letter:
] have before mentioned the gambling
houses in this city; since then have mad
an opportunity Of examining them, and
almost ceased to be surprised at the fas-
cination they exercise over both old and
young. Of all classes and conditions.--
They are erected on two sides OF the piaz-
Ia. their fronts entirely of glass, and At
night blazing with light. Their magnifi.
cent proportions. splendid furniture. and
sliltrrlg piles OF coin, glowing in light
brighter than day. furnish coup H. su
brilliant and startling beyond description.
The largest saloons are about thirty feet
in width. extending back one hundred and
thirty or forty ieet. Curtains Of crimson
or blue ,lamask shade the lofty side win.
dows. their rich fringes forming freited
frame for the broad mirrors which separate
them. Pictures, masterpieces Of art-but
art degraded to pander to the passions
line the walls. and smile and glow in the
light of thousand lamps. with yoluptuous
reality. Rich furniture of mahogany or
rosewood surrounds the room in hand
some groups; and at one end table is
spread with every luxury Of the season on
silver and china, of which all are wei
come to partake; and heating liquors and
rich wines are offered to stimulate TO
firrcer madness. the low and evil passions
oi the infatuated crowd The eve OF the
spectator, however, soon wahders from
this inanimate glare, 10 the still. but high
wrought life before him.
Through the centre OF the rooms are
Placed tables of mahogany covered with
velvet, or polished to the LIST degree Of
brightness. and around these, their faces
sharply defined by the brilliant side.lights,
is gathered the strangest crowd ever col.
lected in tins country oficontrasts. Sail
or, soldier. gentleman and bcggar, stand
side by side; the millionaire and the news
boy. the dapper clerk and ,l,e unshorn
miner OF a twelve months; while scattered
through the whole, you see eagerly pro.
truding the shaggy head OF the Indian, the
olive face and glittering eyes of the Mexi.
can. and the broad, gross countenance Of
the Chinese. as if to give the final touch 10
this most unique picture. Those nearest
the tables sit with countenances pale or
flushed. as they win or lose: those next
behind bend over them, watching with al.
most equal excitcment-inpatient to risk
fortune. fame, or even soul itself, upon tho
same die. Here sits an experienced gam
bier. cold, passionless, winning, with ap.
parent Indifference. the product of year's
slavery in the mines. How the eyes Of
his victim, burn with rage and hate. as his
last ounce is remorselessly swept into the
.'bank!"
Last week youth was tried for a nur.
der committed in one ofthese houses, in
moment OF desperate excitement; he ives
acquitted, because no one could be found
+, swear that he sac him commit the act.
though all were convinced OF his guilf:
and he was sent forth among hls fellows
with the mark OF Cain upon his brow.
which no time nor repentance can effaces
There is man equally maddened by suc-
cess. Ho has won some thousands To-
night. and is preparing to spend them in
bacchanalian orgies. A few weeks. pery
haps even before he has spent his il.got.en
wealth, and he will be carried, bloated
corpse. TO the strangers grave. and mono
will be found to ask or answer for him on
this wide earth. except perhaps. il may
be, broken heart in distant land. Do
not suppose from this, that all who are
there gathered are players many. are
drawn ihiiher by curiosity; some 90 from
custom or the love of excitement; but pub.
lie opinion has so changed, that, those
who twelve months agomight have played
freely, would now as soon cut off a ripht
hand. as to be seen holding cards in !
gambling house. They would be dis
trusted by the honorable business mea,of
the place, and rejected by the pure )a1<
good of the gentler sex, whose infludnnas
though silent is rapidly swinnow;el ~
wheat from the tares.'' 3E.i..i