Litchfield enquirer., 1856-01-24
aPeep into a Washington Hell.

Havng heard much Of the magnIhcrnce and grandeur of the Metropolitan gambling houses with several friends paid one a vlst the other night. The entrance was through narrow, lighted way, opening from thei Avenue, just east of the National. A pair of stairs at the further end of the hall bring, you abruptly against small door. fastened on the inside yoa ring bell colored servant looks through a latllced pannel. 10 see tha. all is rigut. lfhe discovers a wei. known customer or frequent visitor of such places, the whole party is admitted on the principle of course that ia person is known by inc company he keers' Gamblers understand human nature better than an. body else, and they know th. old adage is as Irue in hell as i, is nut. We were admitted first into a room beautifully carpeied, frcsco painted, with chairs. sofas. lounges. &c,, of rosewood, a large ce1tre-ta- hIe, on which were ihe leading newspapers of the country, around which sat several well dressed gentlemen lelsurely reading and dis cussing the news of the day. This was but ihe half of double parIor the reception room, or as Milton would say, |" The veslibuie of he'll"
 Our guide, who was a we'll known Wash- instan gentleman. introduced ns 10 the keeper 1 of ihe establishment, telling him that we had never been in such place before. and was led by crr.osity to explore his internal do mains. He appeared highly delighted, and immediately opened np the "inncr temple ;" We entered and found "ihe half had not been 1 told us'-a chandelier casing from three To fou' hundred dollars, brilliantly lit up. flung is gllt,erirg rays or gold papered walls, satin | dama.k curtains, sofas, &c. In the centre and near one end of ihc room, stood a Ion 2 six legged table, with carved limbs and lon paws, covered with richly embroidered spread, failing in folds nearly o the floor on the wall over th,s table hung a massiv. gill, frame, and large a. life a huge crouchins Ii ger, with eyes of of glazing fire, lps apar, and apparently ready for spring upon his unsuspecting vic'im. The cloth being re, moved from ihe table beneath, revealed II "Faro Bank, wi;h all the implements of tha' well Known fascinating game -chips. ivory ! chips, representing Sl. S5, S25, S25o each lay piled up on one corner, for he convenience oi the hei'ers m a strong box beneath lay piles O: bank hs and heaps of double eagles for the redemption of these ivory issues. ltwas early in the evening, and rhe player. had mol got in. The keeper entertained ns with the tales Of the iahie,--how faoIshv young men came a. we had, out Gf curiosity, and were induced to "try their luck" ou, of curiosity, which generally left them out of cash, out of character, and out of friends, in ihe end. We proposed leaving, when he politely invited us 10 stay 10 supper hs showed US his blll of fare. which includ,d soup, roast beef, oysters in ull styles. ducks, venison, quail, hsh, chocolate, coffee. nuts and all lhe wines and liquors 10 be found in the best restaurants. Whoever is admitted to the rooms, either as players or spectators are also admitted 10 these .uppers free Of charge; don't gamblers understand human nature ? The keeper was impatient ,o have the House organized. SO mcmbcrs could draw iheir mileage and make his business better. 1 Cl This is bnt one of many such institutions in this city. and the Tiger is bound 10 be fed though the pc 'ple s'stvc.