Smyrna times., 1856-01-16
Correspondence Of the Cleveland Plaindealer
A Peep into a Washington He'll.

Having heard much of the magnificence and
grandeur OF the Metropolitan gambling houses
|, with several Cleveland friends, paid one a
visit the other night. The entrance was
through narrow, lighted way, opening from
the Avenue, Just east of the National A pair
OF stairs at the further end of the hall brings
you abruptly against a small door, fastened on
the inside; you ring bell a colored servant
looks through atticed panel, to see if all is
right. 1t he discovers we'll known customer
or Il frequent visitor of such places, the whole
party is admitted; on the principle, of course,
that ga person is known by the Company he
keeps. Gamblers understand human nature
better than any body else, and they know this
old adage Is as true in hell as 1t is out. We
were admitted first into a room beautifully car
peted, frcscoe painted, with cha RS sofas, lounges
DC, OF ofrosewood, a large centre table, on which
were the leading newspapers of the country.
and around which sal several well dressed GEN
tlemen leisurely reading and discussing The
news of the day. This was but the half of
double parlor; the reception room, or as Milton
would say, :" The vestibule of hell"
Our guide, who was we'll known Washing
ton gentleman, introduced US to the keeper of
the establishment, telling him that we had nev-
or been IN such place before, and was led by
curiosity TO explore his Internal domains. He
appeared highly delighted and Immediately
opened up TO the "lnner temple;" we entered
and found the half had not been told us-a
| chandelier costing from two to three hundred
dollars, brilliantly lit up, flung its glitterng
rays on gold papered walls, satin damask cur
lalnS, sofas, &c. In the centre and near one
end OF the room, stood long six-legged table,
with richly embroidered spread, falling in
folds nearly to the floor; on the wall over this
table beueath revealed Faro Bank" with
ali the implements of that well known fascina-
ting game-lvory chips, representing 81, So,
So and $3.50, each, LAY piled up in one corner,
for the convenience of the betters; in a small
box beneath lay piles of bank bills and heaps
of double eagles for the redemption of these
ivory issues.
II was early in the evening, and the players
had not got in. The keeper entertained us
with tales of the table-how foolishly Young
men came there as we had out of curiosity, and
were induced to "try their luck" ont of curl
Osity, which generally left them out of cash
out of character and out of friends in the end
We proposed leaving, when he politely invited
US to stay for supper; he showed us his bill o
fare, which includud soup, roast beef oysters
IN all styles, ducks, venlson quail, fish, choco
late, coffee, nuts, and all the wines and liuuor.
10 be found in the best restaurants. Whoever
Is admitted to the rooms either as players or a,
spectators are also admitted 10 these supper
free of charge; don't gamblers understand hu
man nature! The keeper was impatient t.
have the House organized, so members coul,
draw their mileage and make his business bet
ter. y This ls but one of many institutions il
this city, and the Tiger must be fed though tn,
people starve.