Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-06-11
lwhtten expressly for the Dayton EmpreJ
AS UMMER In EUROPE,
NO. LX.
BADEN BADEN.

richest pslaoesin the world, we felt that it was
proper to say of this structure, with it's col.
onnade, its long halle, its mirrors, it's uphols-
terry and gilt, 'ft is magnificent" We would
not think Of examining the interior Of such
place at home, or il we did, we should at least
wish to be hidden from the sight Of men whose
good opinion we valued by the deep shades Of
night, but we need not hesitate here Men
who, judging from their appearance, would
shrink as readily as the purest from any, even
the slightest, violation of propriety, and wo
men rs graceful, beautiful and innocent ap.
parently as angels are passing in and out
continually, and unless we desire to be con-
spicuous, we must enter too
We see, in three or four of the fine large
rooms, crowds Of people clustered around the
long tables covered with green baize, which
stand in the center. They are like billiard
tables, except there is set In each one of them
a large revolving dish, and that their surfaces
are separatedby straight lines into many divis.
ions, which are all numbered There are
seats all around the table for the players, but
these are mainly occupied by ladies', and two
or three rows of gentlemen watch the game
standing behind them. This is the remorse
less demon whose fascinatons are so irresisti-
/ BILE, and these are theinfatuated creatures who
bring him his daily food. -Four gentlemanly
individuals sit, two upon each side and oppo-
site each other at the center of the table, and
before them are the great rolls of silver and
gold which compose the ill-gotten gains and
capital of the bank" The word is given,
the players place their money on whatever
number they choose, the dish revolves, little
marble like one Of those the boys call "white
aleyS' flies around the rim OF the dish, and
finally drops into one Of the little cells, and
the fate of the player becomes at once known
Some have won and some have lost Those
who have won draw their doubled stakes from
the table with little scrapers provided for the
purpose, and then, after moments delay,
make their ventures again. The game seems
to be fairly conducted, but the proprietors of
the establishment find themselves able, year
after year, not only to keep up these buildings
and grounds, and band of sixty or seventy
musicians out of their profits, but also to pay
to the Grand Duke one hundred thousand
dollars annually for their license, and add
enormous profits to their capital besides
The players don't seem to be in the least
ashamed of what they are doing, and would
doubtless have been much surprised and Of
Tended if they had noticed the close attention
we paid to our valuabes while among them.
We felt as if we had "fallen among thieves, f"
and that signs inscribed "beware of pick
pockets" ought from prominent places about
the room to notify travellers of their danger.
Everything is conducted in order, however,
and in stiffness that is unbroken save by the
monotonous calls of the banker, who being
a mere clerk, is perfectly cool while all others
are highly excited, and INDUCES in an occa-
sional yawn-the clicking Of the marble as it
rolls around the wooden dish, the announce
ment of the result and the soraping in Of the
J winnings Conversing apart in a low tone
with friend c. Of Chamouny memory,
whom we met here for the third time in our
journeyngs, was surprised into moderate
ly audible smile, and instantly was notified by
the astonished faces that we're turned towards
me, that | had committed a grave ofense
against the sauctity of this temple which has
= been 80 solemnly consecrated to the service OF
, His Mightiness the Devil When we we're
about to depart, young friend placed his hat
upon his head while we were still few feet
from the outer door, but liveried servant in.
stantly touched him upon the arm and ad.
vised him that his chapeau must remain in his
9 hand until be had passed from under the roof
We found no church so carefully guarded.
The most Of the frequenters of these places
win or lose as the game Auctuates with mosl
S stoical omposure-the men having their emo
q tions particularly we II under control Some Of
the younger women, however, though they
made great efforts to appear indifferent
showed more plainly by their changing color
the alterations of joy and disappointment
. Every few weeks young man rises from biz
y chair with pale face, and seeking the soil
g tude Of his own room, or a secluded spot il
8 the adjacent garden, sends himself into eter
- nifty Que last year, they say, sent a bulle
/, into his brain even as he sat at the table,
a The servants, who are familiar with such
events, at once removed the ghastly corpse
n and the game went on as before Itis a mys
terry to me that people who are bent on suicide
for such cause don't send some of tht
30 scoundrels who ruin them before to announe,
~ their coming At the courts Of hell A few
III such assassinatons would do much towarC