Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-07

when We lived under the roof Of the
same tutor, DIR. Roberts, and has lasted
through our career in the gay world.
where he was 6 general fsvorite." The
third and last tragedy Of the same
kind recorded by the same diarist, was
that ensctsd by MIR. Henry Bouverie.
who WAS found dead in his bed-chamber
81 Limmer's Hotel, having persisted by
his own hand. There are many who,
since Mr. Rsikes's day. can recall the
desth Of q noble marquis Ia Scotland,
who laid an impossible sum against
br. Msrry's Ssunterer for the Good
wood cup in 1858, and lost his life
"by accident" as the coroner's verdict
mtIcifully gave it--while shooting rab-
bi's in copse adjoining bis owa house.
Tuning from pstriciaos to gamblers OF
lower degree. the betting-ring has dn-
ring the present century lost two mem
bers who, in Shakespesre's words,
"plsyed the Roman fool" Ia 1918 a
book.msker called Brogran shot him
self because he had lost more money
than he could pay when Sir Charles
Bunbury's Smolensko WOO the Derby;
and within our own time Stevenson
one of the most popular aud courageous
Of the fraternity to which he belonged
cut bis throat, Tot from want of pelf,
but from oyei-excitemeDt. Such are a
few of the most memorable suicides Of
which the turf or the gaming-table has
been the cause in this country; but in
regard TO number they fade into insig-
nilicance when compared with those
which Paris has witnessed during the
present century. The last care is
that of Prince Melissano, member Of
one Of the best Neapolitan families, who
committed suicide on Tuesday after
noon. The unhappy man entered his
club, in Paris, apparently in his usual
spirits, and found his name posted
above the chimney.piece of the princi-
pal room az that of defaulter. For
the last six years Prince Melissano, who
at the time OF his death was rather
more than forty years old, had lived 10
the style becoming man of large and
assured fortune. Those Of his &C
ouaintarces who were aware that ne
bad lost and paid away 600, 900 during
the last three years, and that be had
not sous left, anticipated some such
dismal catastrophe as that which has
awakened momentary paug IN the
breasts of the careless boulevardians.
To the last, however, Prince Melissano
presented the exterior Of man to
whom care was unknown. lie had
often been compelled to ask for time
from some creditor to whom he had
lost money at cards, but somehow or
other he bad always contrived to meet
his engagement or the day when it fell
due. At last he lost sixty pounds, and
named the day on which he would pay
it. The day passed, and be entered his
club to find himself defaulter.
What more? bis tale is told"
There is no lack, and probably never
will be, Of gamblers Of good position
in this country for whom The pace either
at Newmarket, on the stock.excdange,
or in the club card-room-and some
times in all three simultaneous|y-!s
too severe but as a rule they dlsap-
near without reminding their friends
snd acqusintances Of the grim TRACE
diea for which Monte Carlo and Nice at
| prtrent, and Baden-Baden, and Ham,
burg in the past, have gained such an
evil notOriety. Happily, no club in
London wholly given over to play as
the purpose and pursuit OF i,s rom-
bers has been long-liyel. One after
ano.ber, Graham IS, Crockford's, Bonds,
and the Coventry have "gone UNDER"
and the attempt to revive them in other
forms has ended invariably in failure.
In Paris, on the other hand, there are
now and have Tor century and more
been clubs whose only raiSon d'e!re is
that they are hsrborers and haunts Of
gamblers. Just as play-tables are
permitted to exist at BOulogne, Dinard,
and Nice, with hardly an attempt TO
conceal them, so il is one of the chief
attractions Of the French capital thai
clubs TO which members are admitted
as easily as Irishmen to the suffrage on
landing at New York open their doors
wide to votaries Of the tickle goddess.
Ever since the days oS Montague, who
held that "the greatest favor conferred
by Providence upon men and women,
is that in their hands were placed the
KEYS Of life and death" suicide has
been regarded in France as the best
and easiest lOophole of retreat in the
event Of a total loss Of fortune.
" That man cOnquers twice who con-
quers when he has himself been cou-
quered." says well-kuown Latin pro-
verb, but to commence life again from
the ruins Of a disastrous past bespelks
yisor and manlinesc alien to the
elastic and sparkling nature Of the mer-
curisl Gaul. Varied, however, as are
the forms worn By gambling in its null
titudirous shapes and phases upon the
two sides Of The channel, there is little
probability that it will ever cease so
long a. human nature remains unal-
tered. In one OF the most striking
passages Of bis famous Diary" Mr..
Charles Greyille draws the portrait Of
o man TO whom France can hardly ex-
hibit parallel. "Tom Creeyey,"
writes Mr.. Greyille, in 1920, sis az
extraordinary character. believe ne
was originally barrister or attorney,
and married a widow who had some
thing to bis nothing. He got into Par
lament as n Wbig, displayed shrswd-
ness ard humor, and was very trouble
some to the Tories by attacking abuses.
when bis wife died ne was thrown on
the world on goo year. lie has no
home, few connections, great many
friends, q good constitution, and extra
ordinary spirits. He owns nothing but
his clothes; has no property Of any
tort; leads yagrant life, visiting
number Of people who are delighted to
have him, and staying q long as he
likes. lie has no servants and no credi-
tors, and is certainly a living proof that
man may be perfectly happy aud ex-
ceedingly poor. I think he is the only
man l know in society who possesses