The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-02-24
NATIONAL GAMBLING.
The Duchy of Monaco and How 1t is Sup
ported.

The Duchy of Monaco and How IL Is Sup
ported.
E. d. Holton, writing to the Evening
Wisconsin, says : The independent
kingdom or duchy of Monaco has ter
ritory of three square miles, 1t seems
very absurd on the face of it, and in
deed L think it an absurdity in fact.
But here is this monarchy perchedupon
bold, rocky prominence right out in
the sea, with walls and palace and city,
with two OF three thousand inhabitants,
ruled over by a prince whose title Is
Charley Monroe, I'LL, having supreme
authority. 1t would be naturally sup
posed that monarch would need some
arabic land, that he might have sheep,
cattle, horses, swine, poultry, etc, and
that he might have the vegetable pro-
ductions of the earth for his own use,
and that of his people. But this prince
has nothing of the kind. The major
part of his kingdom is covered with
buildings and occupied by streets and
beautiful gardens. His houses are
handsome-or rather those of his sub
jects-his streets, and bridges, and
walls, and parks, and gardens, are in
exquisite condition. His city is lighted
with gas, and supplied with water, and
all is clean, handsome and nice.
But you will inquire, from whence
does monarch with such realm de-
rive revenue by which to sustain these
conditions, and also to have revenues to
maintain the dignities of royalty (for
need to add that Monaco, not to be out
done by the majestic nations by which
it is surrounded. maintains its standing
army)2 Does he build ships and carry
on profitable commercial relations with
the rest OF mankind2 L think not.
observed small craft, perhaps of Il
hundred tons, anchored behind the moat
which makes the harbor.
! Has he mines in his rock bound king
dom from whence be and his subjects
may derive the precious metals ? No.
| From whence then come the revenues
| for the maintenance of this kingdom
for he has plenty of money.
By virtue of his high powers as a
monarch he sells out, or grants a con-
cession, to single party to carry on
gambling" in his dominions, and
monte carlo belonging to his realm has
become, since the gambling houses were
shut up in Germany, quite celebrated,
anu Soi4O POlSOho MlohlbSS w
gamble from every quarter. l was told
that M. LIE Blanc pays the prince nine
million francs per annum for the conces-
sion, and then has three millions left for
his own pocket.
OF course we must visit the splendid
Cassino-illuminated in the most bril-
liant manner. Numerous roulette and
rouge et-noir tables were in full blast,
and the seats at each table all occupied,
and numerous spectators standing
around. All is order, decorum, splen-
dor and maguifcence. A roulette table,
beside the four persons who conduct
its business, seats eighteen persons.
The table is oblong, and leaves nine per-
sons stalking their money at either end.
1t was very interesting to stand and
watch tie game. 1t proceeded with
great rapidity and dispatch. Thousands
of francs were won and lost at every
turn of the wheel. No less sum than
five francs was put up by any player,
while there were those who dealt only
in gold, and who staked at each turn OF
the wheel no less than thousand
francs. Three persous particularly took
our attention. First was the veritable
grandfather of little Nell. Evidently
he had nothing to put up, aud as he
stood and leered upon the game, with
his eyes starting from their sockets, he
showed the Intensity of bewitchment
with which the vice had possessed hi;
soul. Then there was another old mar
who had heaps of gold before him
His head was clean-cut and very intel
lectual. He staked large sums will
great resolution. But the scowl Of hi
face when the loss came, and the CLEAN
OF satisfaction when the gain came, wal
| very observable.
There was another, and she was very
handsome young lady. should judge
her not to be above twenty three. Sh'
had two heaps of gold, and her heal
grew larger all the time. She was mod
est, and very pieasant-faced, She tool
, her successes and her losses with equa
, grace and sweetness. But mono amonI
them all placed larger stakes upon th
, table, or did it with more nerve, punctu
5 ality and precision than this younl
lady. l should have liked to know he
! history. She is full of life and beaut
, now. But the road she travels, and a
I they which travel with her, leads t
4 death.