The New York herald., 1870-08-19

during busy evenihgs by the reporter disclosed
the astonishing fact that Chamberlain's house Is
not only freqrented by what the world calls gen.
tlemeA, but also by men Of erutftion, refined
tastes and acute discrimination.
The back parlor is used for the game. On the
eastern side stands the roulette table, one of the
handsomest pieces Of furniture in America. Inn
mediately opposite on the western wall is the
sideboard, provided with decanted liquors and the
choicest cigars. Standing athwart the room, at
the southern end is the faro table, which, pro-
baby more than any other on the Continent, has
been the foundation for building good or i'll fortune
to fabulous degrees. In other respects the furni-
ture matches that Of the front parlor. Passing
through heavy rosewood door at the southern
wall OF the back parlor, we are in an elegant
dining room fitted expressly for the purpose Of
EfrCUREAN PEAsTs.
In all that relates to richness and lavish ele-
gance this room IL well suited to Its purpose. Its
colors are dark the woodwork heavily moulded,
the figures wrought in profusion of gilt, and the
walnscotng, sideboards and mirror frames indl-
cate wasteful extravaganza. Even the glass
globes OF the chandeliers are cut in figures, re-
preventing rural scenery, hunting exploits and
maryels OF the animal kingdom. Fifty can dine mt
one spread. The large hallway leading to the
front door Is tesseIated in rich mosaic work, and
IL capacious and lofty.
Such is the field where men gather to be con.
vivial, to be social to eat drink, make merry and
gamble. The effect is
DAZZLING
, when these three rooms are flooded with brilliant
light from the pendant chandeliers; when the
'front.' parlor is full OF well-dressed men
when the game Is proceeding at the table
amid the sound of checks and the deal of cards
when the dining room contains the cream of game.
sters, seated about the best the market affords.
supper is served at quarter-past eleven, about
the hour the theatres aud other places of anuse-
mcnt close. The table is thickly strewn with
dishes which represent every department of re-
fned cuisine Game, salads, vegetables from the
tropics all kinds of fruits, astronomical delica
cies, prepared pastries, creams ices, relishes and
wines seem to be exhaustless. Such bill of fare
has charms Independent of the immoral business
OF which it is but keen ally. Chamberlain ap-
precates this, and hundreds of Others also, who
sures Of his eating. The steward, who has a
carte blanche and several hundred dollars con-
stantly in his pocket, Il as famous as
TRUsTY.
He is one Of the Oldest and best In the city. He
scours the market, has orders never to "Jew'' the
tradesman or grocer, and the result is that cash
down secures the choicest material. Chamber
lain, therefore, is accorded
GOOD CUSTOMER,
not only from his liberality but because he never
questions the justice of bill whatever its amount
1t IS the most natural thing in the world that
parasites should find such feast es we describe
fine place to while away hours Of leisure. Yet
Chamberlain does not dislike to see these people.
He says, on the contrary, they are always welcome
to his house when they are not distasteful to his
customers, and many take advantage Of his hos.
pitality. But there are classes who, with syco-
phnntic ease, gain the confidence of the proprie-
tor, and then carry on game of
swINDLING.
Chamberlain relates an interesting incident.
He states that man, formerly one of the richest
bankers of the Union, who some years since be.
visitor at his house. He came in about supper
time, and for months was hardly noticed, though
he always distinguished himself at wines and
salads. AT last he became acquainted and was
looked upon as nice fellow, though he never
yielded penny of revenue to the proprietor.
He continued his visits. One evening o light
player had concluded his stakes on faro and found
himself the winner Of 81 900. Such an unusual
result made the player feel
EXCEEDINGLY HAPPY.
Now the swinder steps in. He engages the
winner in conversation, and the winner and the
swindler are hail fellows. The latter very eau
tiously suggests to the former the propriety Of q
loan of fifty dollars following up the intirnation
with the assertion that he had staked and lost at
faro. Though stranger to the winner the win
ner felt that the borrowers presence in the house
alone was guarantee OF his responsibility, or
that If he never obtained his money again it would
be an Indifferent loss. So the swinder put a fifty
dollar bill in his vest pocket and went about the
rooms as unconcernedly "a over. Tho sharp
bit of strategy. Chamberlain determined to block
it. He induced the swindler to return the money
without many preliminaries, and politely coupled
with it the assurance that his room was exceed
IHkV more QtSiTdDle tudu MS COupdny. Inc
sycophant swindler departed with little umbrage
In two nights he was again wining and dining at
Chamberlain table. Chamberlain invited him
into the fresh air, to remain indefinitely, and
cautioned the servants not to admit him to the
house. YEAR PASSED BY.
On New Years day this customer again sought
Chamberlains hospitable ground. He returned
TO his early love. But his career was turned into
other channels-into the street.
This man was an elegant gentleman In appear
ance. He had formerly been one of the heaviest
bankers of the Uniou he had been intimate with the
wealth and talent of the country; he was fluent
and sparkling in conversation, easy and engaging
II his address, humorist and wit. How long
lie may have kept up his borrowing propensity"
il hardly known. He is but one OF q class who
make it at once q business and pastme to fatten
off the successful risks of gamblers. Gamblers
are the most easily swindled of all men upon
mere extortionate or fraudulent demand.
Supper continues for upwards Of an hour. 1t is
therefore
PAST MIDNIGHT
before the active playing commences, those ac
customed to faro scarcely believing on risks with
craving stomach. A good square meal, as
people are accustomed to say in this day, does
much to enhance ones good nature, particularly
II sharpened and pointed with Widow Clicquot.
Chamberlain who is O subtle master of his art,
understands that this weakness is in favor of the
bank; he therefore indulges it to the best of his
ability. The reporter happened in at midnight,
when the house was quite full. The dining table
was all but full.
Supper, sir?" Supper, ?" "Walk into
supper"
Obeying the invitation of the servant the re-
norter was soon seated.
HILARITY,
rlerriment and sharp repartee ruled the guests
Most every profession was represented. Pre-
siding over all was Chamberlain himself. 1t
would scarcely be exaggeration to say he is as
handsome man as there is in the metropolis. He
is of middle stature, cOmpactly built, with an
almost perfect head, abundanty covered with
fine, black silken hair. His features are small.
A fine color mantles his cheek. He has a merry
black eye. 1t is said Chamberlain was never
seen to frown. Sure it is that he is one of the
bestnatured Of men. These points alone would
never have made him q successful gambler.
What has; then? 1t is his irresistible charm
Of manner, an intuitive power of fas-
cnaton, an inborn force of magnetism.
He puts every one at ease, and allows no one to
monopolize his attentions. Ones first impression
is why is he gambler? The marvellous elegance
and subtle attractions that made Bolingbroke the