The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-01
End OF A GREAT GAMBLER.
Viciseitudes Of Baden-Baden
and Monaco.
ROULETTE ON AROYAL SCALE
A Prince Supported by the Income
from Gambling.


L.
Tho death is announced by cable OF N. Blauc, the
famous conductor of tho Casuo at Monaco ir Italy,
where five years ago he transferred the interdcted
gambling tables OF Baden Baden, and In brief time
made Monaco notorious In both hemspheres as the
great place OF dissipation for the fashionable world
He was most remarkable character, and having out
little or no mention in tho newspapers, tho veh-
clcs through which modern notoriety is chiefly accom-
pishcd was better known TO tho travelling society OF
Europe than some OF ITS greatest statesmen poets
philosophers He made the Insignificant town Of Mo-
naco familiar In peoples mouths household word,
his way he the irreprossble lorce
OF genius in whatever walk of life IL happens 10 assert
ITSELF Blanc the partner for some years of Du-
prcssolr ut Baden-Badcn, wiesbaden, Homburg and
places, where both of them made enormous for
tunes in conducting the gaming tables at those places
Dupressoir wonderfully fascinating man, having
all the native graces oil manner refined by contact with
superior society 10 which Frenchman is born.
Blanc who was a native of Neuichatc, but settled
early in Paris not quite polished but by the
description OF those who came contact with him he
had tact and skill enough to run the whole French
nation II the whirgig of fortune had placed him In
the position of LOUIS Napoleon.
A WELL MATCHED TEAM
Blanc, the former originally marchand Or pentes
aud tho latter restduraeur, both constantly coming
in contact and making acquaintance With human
nature. Dupressoir the admiration oil the ladies'
while Blanc the prido OF the men. TlA 1rst might
be observed OF evening the brilliant terraces Of
the Cos THAI surrounded by some Of tho choicest te-
male beauties OF Europe the spoke seven languases)
beseechng him to engage this singer or that this or
chestra that, and the accomplished Frenchman
would satisfy AL and yet alternately satisfy none
but it was all the same, for nobody thought Of
finding fault with one 80 gracious and all opliging
CONTRAST OF TUE GAMBLING PARTNERS.
Blanc quite different In this respect He
had the confidence OF tue men, while not by
any means forieitlng tho regards Of the ladies'. He
was great in hnesse, and yet bold In speculation as
any typical Yankee. Blanc had moro extensive and
secure acquaintance among men OF the world, among
titled personages and princes, than his partner He
was hail fellow well met with some OF the most distn-
gusned sporting people OF Germany, France and Eng
land He had One instinct for tho ''gettng up" OF
place of public resort and had he been
hotel keeper IN America he would undoubt-
eddy have set bright example to the whole
race OF hotel keepers among US He had
eye artist for the color OF walls and ceilings
the 'gve out oil the windows, tue harmony OF furni
turc, the proper time to blend music with the excite
and arIstocrac type. and, TO use vulgar Ameri
ca,ssm he "scooped" IN moro money by attending 10
these adventious aids the greatest among hcm being
the wonderfully captivating location oil his dcn than
he could possibly hope to make in any ordinary 10.
caty.
SKETCH OF NJ BLANC.
Traditional least Monaco tradition-has 1t that the
famous drectcur of the gorgeous sales that consti
tued the chief attraction Of the town of Monaco,
was originally humble Geneva restauratcar, who
found his genus confined under tho cold shadows of
the Alps and escaped the liberal air of Paris
where gastronomes could appreciate the glory of q
surprising any invented by the immortal yaol.
1t has even been asserted that. his younger
days, NJ. Blanc kept humble restaurant
In the Rue vivicnnc. where a table dh6tc
dinner could be had Tor sixty centimes including wine.
But no one who has been received IN the sale
Manager at Wiesbaden or Monaco. presided over by
the rich and famous Blanc, could scarcely believe this
10 be possible When the fortunate caterer emerged
from MS obscurty in Paris is not definitely known.
but under the second Empire he certainly ach eyed
his greatest distinctions He was patron OF tho turf
in 1858 the ribbon of tho Legion OF Honor at
the Longchamps races II was not until he was known
the concesstOHndre of the gambling spas that he
began to be much talked about, and then his mag
ninccnt entertainments were the topic In the gay
world; his equpages declared TO be marvels of
good taste, aud HIS misresses were the envy Of the
less fortunae-or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF the de'"i-
he arrived at direct audiences with the petty sovcr-
egns who controlled municipalities. and the lame and
fortune Of NJ. Banc was on every tongue.
A MAN.
NJ. Blanc was personally not dashing man, such as
one would expect 10 see from beng OF bis assoca.
,ons expectations but remarkably qlst, reserved
and gentoaniy and always dressed IN autess taste,
whether at the opera, on the streets or in his own
In height lie did not appear to be much above
the medium; he was thicksct had features OF rather
Jewish character and quick restless eyes that seemed
search the surroundings thoroughly. Wnen the
m MONACO
OF black, wore light KID gloves white cravat and
with his cIose-cropped gray hair and iautess wnite
mustlcho might well have been taken for able or
mar shu OF France enjoying IN incosniIo holiday.
Inc history Of his negotiations with the Duo de
Nassau, before CONCESSION was made TO him IN Ger
many Of the famous spa at WIcsbaden, were the sub
ject OF comment throughout Europe. The new spapcrs
teemcd with the rumots oil the contract between the
royal Duke, who esteemed the richest petty mon
arch tic Continent, and " Blanc, VINO with his
partners endcavorlng TO control the beautiful
Town, almost bordering the Rhine, and day by day the
bulletins noting the progress OF the concession were
eagerly read Dy the French aud German people At
length IT was announced That the terms we're con-
cluced and the articles were signed by not only tue
Duke of Nassau but also by me city authorities, mo
Syndc leading, by which WIesbaden TO be
surrendered to the king OF rougeet-nor and
hs partners Tor a certain enormous annual con
sderation, the Improvement Of the city, It's roads,
springs forests and gardens, the lessecs agreeing
(undcr heavy pcnaiiies) 10 erect magnificent per-
manent building the kursaa lighthouses orna-
mental puvlons over the sprDgs 10 assist tho rat
roads to reach the Guys to spend 200, 900 lhacrs per
annum on the Improvement Of grounds, suburbs, &c,
SIN order 10 make the place attractive 10 visiors"
WONDERFUL IMPROVEMENTS
Now there are princes aud princes. NO sooner did
NJ. Blanc ana his partners have the royal signet
their enterprise than they commenced series of park
aisi road improvements that surprised all Europe.
They laid out magnificent drives through the valleys
toward Scbwsbach. They planned aud executed
splendid road 10 Bicbricn the Rhine; turbulent
streams they brdged with picturesque structures;
gardens sprung up as IL by magic IN the midst OF
forests; fountains sparked IN he principal streets OF
the dul old town. bands OF music playcd whore never
music was heard beIoEe and, In dnc the reign OF II.
Blanc commenced Ia this tunuit OF Improvement,
guyety and riotous mrth What was the result? In
Two years Wiesbaden a summer capital; tho
soveregns went there to confer, and the River Ems,
which situated the bdins dettcicuscs OF tho
anccnts, went siccpiy on It's way TO the Rhine. The
nymphs OF Paris noalod rom Bonn TO Cobcntz aziy,
and andcd eventually NJ Wiesbadcn The genins
OF N. Blanc had ound voice IN the Fig0ro oil Paris,
aud NJ. dc viemessant had suddenly called ali
Paris TO worship and distract itself at roulette and tho
conflict Of power between the Austrian and Prussian
bands The result could easily DO foreseen Such wild