New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-30
DEGENERATE MONTE CARLO
CHEESE-PARING AND VULGARITY THE
ORDER OF THE DAY.

ORDER OF THE DAY.
Nice, November o.
In no part Of Europe, probably, has the uti-
itarian spirit OF to-day more efectually set up its
reign, and more completely overthrow the old
regime Of romance, than at Monaco. There was
time, and IL was not so very long ago, when
that delightful scene Of debauchery was invested
with an irresistible glamor of poetry and art.
1t seemed, in truth an actual "maison de plasir.
There was absolute freedom, as though you were
the personal guest of the Prince There was every
possible luxury to delight the ear and eye. OF
truth, you were now and then impressed with the
idea that the bank must be making lots Of money.
But at the same time, you felt equally strongly,
that it must all be spent again. and more too, in
ministering to the pleasures Of those from whose
purses it taken. The place was so beauti-
full, all its appointments so luxurious, and even
the employees so courteous after the old grand
STYLE that the visitor could not help feeling
that he was being entertained as o favored guest
at some most hospitable cOuntry-hOnse, where
gambling-no "play"-was merely an incident of
the round of pleasures. This, indeed, was the
case down % very few years ago; and the
shortness Of the time only accentuates the con-
trast. For to-day there is no spot In all the
world that seems more utterly mercenary and
sordid than this very same Portus Herculls
Monoeci.
Monte Carlo always q money-making IN
stitution. OF that there can be no doubt. But
it was not ostensibly and obtrusively such. Now,
however, it is. The concern is now stock COM
pany, conducted on a strictly cash basis, and all
its details carefully planned that the dividends
to stockholders may be accurately determined In
advance Under the late NJ. Blanc it was stock
company too. But, then, NJ. Blanc himself held
practically all the stock; and as the shares were
worth, at par $2O,0 900 apiece, the few that were
in other hands were too big for speculative play
things. When the present company was organ
ized-the Societe DIES Bains de Nler ct Cercle des
strangers, they call it-no less than 10000 new
shares were issued, at par value OF SlOo each'
Naturally these went into many hands, and were
as freely purchasable in the market as any rail-
way or bank stock They were and are desirable
investments, too They pay fixed rate OF per
cent per annum, and variable dividend beside
Two years ago that dividend was S26 share.
Last wear it was S27 This year it will come to
at least $50 making the total returns $35 from
each investment of 800. Thirty-fve per cent is
n fat dividend to get each year. so it is not sur
nrsing that the market value Of these 500 shares
is now more than $500 apiece.
With this advance in business principles has
come such spirit Of parsimoniOus thrift as one
would expect to find in the shop of pawnbroker
Everywhere meanness is conspicuous The rule
seems to be to get as much from the visitor and TO
give him as little in return as possible. Inc
grounds are untidy, and are rapidly becoming
unattractive The rooms of the Casino are SHABBY,
badly ventilated, and uncomfortable; the attention
paid to visitors is Of the most unsatisfactory
knd-nowadays you are even expected 10 pay lor
the coakroom-and complaints are made daily
OF the way in which the patrons OF the tables
are treated by the employees. The pollteness OF
old has vanished. the once respectful officials
are replaced by set of low-class lackeys, who
accost you impertinently at the doors and demand
in an Over-Officious way whether you nave ah
entree Nor is this otliciousness calculated 10
keep out Objectionable characters. On the con-
trary. it repels the better class of patrons While
pickpockets, confidence sharps and all sorts Oh
human harpes pass III and out most freely III
deed the great numbers of people OF high social
standing who used to go thither have now dWiholeu
to a mere handful, and their places are filled
by noble army of cheats and plmps. IL Is no
longer place where people of fashion go to play
1t is a gambling-den pure and simple, which
people of social distinction visit chiefly out OF
curiosity. as they would go summing in White
chanel or Mulberry Bend. Only the sea and
sky and rock retain their old magnilicence; and
the orchestra which is faultess as ever
Rut il paws The total income annually from
the tables is about $4 100000. roulette table
shows an average daily profit OF more than Slooo'
and reckless player putting down maximum
stakes will often send up the winnings to Sio,ooo
or 81 :, 900, or even more. For instance, on oIe
occasion young man put 81 200 on passe at each
end OF the table, making total stake oil S-'too'
He did this six times in succession, each tiiHe
losing making total loss in about quarter oi
an hour of Sl44OO. This cleaned out his capital
until he sent home for more But the bank
went on playing until the more came and even
then the odds were against the player recovering
the money lost. steady player may have an
innings now and then, but he has only u play
long enough; the bank is bound to get the better
of him in the end. Eight of these roulette tables
were in action last season, SO that very good
idea may be formed of the daily income Two
tables only are now devoted TO trentett-quarahle,
as the card game offers more equal chances ana
makes comparatively little profit Consequently
the number of these tables has In recent years
been gradually reduced and replaced BY the more
profitable roulette. The facilities for patronlzihg
this game will be still further increased when
the two rooms Of the new wing are opened next
week
How much the expense of running the place
is cannot be easily reckored OF course 1t is
very great, even under the present skinllint sys-
ten. 10 begin with, there is S25O,00O year to
bc paid to the Prince tor the privilege OF running
the place at all Then the concern is bound TO
pay. IN addition, all the expenses Of the Monaco
Government, to support tine churches schools.
courts police and all public institutions. 80 that
4 .l.ol. Anta .th ha Nn "A
cent of taxes to pay Then there is the orchestra.
the host of servants, repairs and supplies, and a
vast sum spent each year for races, rgattas, car
nivals ETC. to attract visitors thither. Indeed, it
is estimated by those best placed TO see and Know
that the expenses of the company for all purposes
comes to about 81, OOO,0 year. Yet tins leaves
a splendid margin BESIDES the dividends, the
company is accommodating reserve fund, for which
il appropratcs 100000 year. This VIII be