The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-15

THE GREAT PUBLIC RESORTS ABANDONED, ONE
BY ONE, UNTIL MONACO ALONE REMAINS.

THE GREAT PUBLIC RESORTS ABANDONED, ONE
BY ONE, UNTIL MONACO ALONE REMAINS.
[san Francisco Chronicle.l
IL was in Germany that public gambling
was seen I'm It's most allurIng light, and for
those who could withstand the temptations
OF the green-cloth there were sylvan plea
sures, enhanced with all the chief attrac-
tions OF city life. The profits arising
from the gambling-tables were divided into
three parts--the chief one going 20 the
Government for the privilege; the second
being devoted to the expenses of the ADJ
ministration. and the third rs interest on
the capital stock, that generally amounted
to from 20 to so per cent. The Administra-
tions built magnificent casinos, In which
balls, concerts, and theatrical representa-
tons were given by the best available tai
enl; it also took charge OF the springs, the
walks, and the drives, and during the sea-
son got up races, pic-nics, and regattas,
and promoted every source OF amusement
for the benefit OF the visitors, so that these
spas became the favorite resorts OF
the fashionable world as well as OF
those who sought to restore their health
by the aid Of the healing waters. The va
| rious watering-places attracted different ma
| tionalities. Spa, lovely village on the
borders Of the forest Of Ardennes, was
much frequentcd by the English, and
among its noted visitors was the Prince OF
Capua, who, on account OF marrying q
Miss Penelope Smith, was disowned by his
brother, the King of Sicily, and who spent
fortune in digging for treasure in the
old castle OF Ambleve, that is in close
proximity to the watcring-place. Mile.
de Montiio passed season there,
and various stories are yet told OF
the winning grace and charming ways
| of the young Spanish beauty, who
was destined to the splendOr and misery
| OF sharing the throne OF the third Napo-
leon. There was a young noble officer of
| the Belgian staff who is said TO have pressed
his suit with great ardor; but they were
both poor, and romance gave way to stern
reality. Spa was famous as a watering
place in the middle ages, and Marguerite,
the wife OF Henry w., OF France, has left
very entertaining history OF her visit to
that village.
Ems is situated In beautiful valley near
the Rhine, and is frequented mostly by the
Germans, and consequently the play there
was not so high as in the more fashionable
resorts. The Emperor OF Germany pays
an annual visit to this spa for the benefit OF
his health, and the place possesses an his
torca association. rs It was there that
diplomatic relations were severed be-
tween France and Prussia previous to
the late war. Baden-Badcn at that
epoch was almost miniature Paris in the
| way OF celebrities OF all kinds, who made
OF the season French rendezvous. The
chief OF the administration was NJ. BenaZet,
who was the principal executive officer OF
| the Paris gambling houses. and everything
| was provided i'll profusion that could tend
| 10 the amusement OF his cOuntrymen. The
French play high stakes with great deal
OF dash, but are very apt 10 eXaggerate
| their gains rs well rs their losses.
Since the war Baden-Baden has ceased
| to he Il French resort, as they cannot
endure the Germans. and, to tell the truth,
| there il but little love lost between them.
| IIombure attracted Il great many Russians,
and is the advantages Of the bank were
only half the amount levied by other gam
bling places, the play was very high, and.
with the pleasures offered by the Kursaal,
| formed the chief attraction OF the place,
| as the scenery in the immediate neigh
bOrhOOd was singularly devoid OF beauty.
This place was under the manage
mcnt OF the Brothers Blanc, who,
when their franchise ran out, sought
pastures new on the borders OF the Medi-
| terranean and founded Monaco. Wies-
baden was a delightful place for families,
| as the accommodations were ample and the
prices moderate, even at the height Of the
season. Wiesbaden has more natural adj
vantages than any other spa, and Is
the fayOrite resort OF Americans, who
| still form small colony there. during
| the last Carist war an effort was made
to establish gambling establishment on
the Spanish side Of the Pyrenees, within
an easy ride OF Luchon, and the propre-
| tors were meeting with success when one
day a band OF bandits swOOped down on
the place, and in trice cleaned out all the
capital OF the players as well as OF the
bank. and rs q reason for this seemingly
unwarranted attack, they alleged that they
| themselves could attend to all the thieviDg
that was to be done in those mountains,
and they escaped with all their plumber.
| The most curious watering-place in Eu-
rope is Ileligoland, a tiny island of the
mouth Of the Elbe, that is owned by the
English. but has an autonomy OF its own,
| with force that does not exceed corpO-
RAILS guard. This plateau, containing about
three miles square, Is reached by steep
! stairway from the sands, which form the
only approach, and in summer a great
many visitors 20 there from Hamburg
and Bremen for the benefit OF the sea-
bathing. and, among the other attractions,
was roulette-table, that has since been
abolished. At one time it was rum0red
that the island would be ceded TO Ger
many i'm reward for its good auspices to-
ward England or the Egyptian question,
but this would be an unpopular move to
the inhabitants, as they are now exempt
from all military duty. Since gambling
has been forbidden in all these spas, the
seasons have become restricted, rs also the
number OF visitors. Indeed, it is some
times matter Of difficulty to keep in good
repair the palatial ediiiccs erected under the
old regime.
| Monaco has now the unenviable distinc-
ton OF being the only resort where gam
bling is openly allowed, and although
earnest efforts have been made to suppress
the establishment as common nuisance,
| In the absence OF a combined movement on
the part Of France and Italy, it will still
continue to flourish with it, scenes OF an
gIiish, despair, and dishonor, whose coun-
terpart could only be found in Dante's
&" Inferno" and it is not likely that such
an institution would find favor in this
country after the experience gained in
Europe in regard TO gambling and Its
countless victims.
A Contrast in Toilets.
| o.,r ,,o,,,N W An ~ cncTI y .GnNY ANn TWO