The Yazoo sentinel. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1878-1916, 1891-05-28
MONTE CARLO.
THE NOTORIOUS GAMBLING
RESORT AT MONACO.

dieted 20 Gambling.
Tie mighty principally over which
the present Lord Of Monaco holds sway
j. % little larger In area than Pelham ray
Park. But although comparatively dim
inuiiye IN size, aud with Is Customs aud
Post Office in the hands Of France, the
revenues from this limited territory give
Tie Prince on income which places him
among the wcathle.t ppientates Of
Europe. These revenues are derived
almost entirely from the royalties paid
each year by the stock company which
has secured the privilege Of running the
celebrated gambling establishment
known as the Casino at Monte Carlo.
The principality Of Monaco belongs 10
the Grimaldi family. one OF those great
Italian houses which 200 years ago was
almost rs powerful as royalty itself, and
" ~ present ruled by prince OF the
family named Albert IIonore-C Charles
Monaco was originally Of considerable
extent, but during tho trouble between
France aud Italy In 1sis was Whitfield
down 10 rs present size and put under
the protectoratc OF France. 1t Is there
fore practically independent, capable Of
making It's own laws, and controlling its
own subjects and the stranger within its
gates, and at the same time able 10 APP
peal to one OF the greatest powers in
Europe for protection II Ito rights arc
intefiercd with by any other nation.
During the lifetime OF Prince Charles
Ill, the father Of the present ruler, a
number Of French capitalists, recognizing
the advantageous position of Monaco
determined TO establish gambling es-
Enlistment within It's borders and TO
obtain franchise from Prince Charles
which should Guarantee to them the cx-
elusive privilege Of managing the same
for term OF years. The franchise was
obtained, q stock company formed the
grounds graded aud improved, n hand
some casino erected, and the establish
mont opened II was so successful that
on the expiration Of the term the com
pany wanted renewal, which was
granted upon its agreeing 70 pny the
enormous rental OF S250,000 year
The company also agreed, Il Is saidt TO
pay the cost Of maintain 'ng the town OF
Monaco The running expenses Of the
Casino proper nrc very great Each table
arcr. and onch table has two relays.
There is an enormous cloak room where
articles are cared for free Of charge, and
large force is required for II aud for
the department Of admission and inquiry.
But despite this great outlay the stock
holders receive 49, per cent, q year, which
all comes out Of the pockets Of the peoF
pie who 10 to Monte Carlo TO make
money
The Casino iSbuilt upon narrow strip
of land behind which liscs 70 height Of
several hundred feet q barren wall OF rock
absolutely devoid, OF vegetation aud worn
intostrango and fantastic shapes bythe
stnfng nf many aan tlIfiae. llalnw ans
around are the waters Of the Meditefra.
mean blue as indigo, and above sky
which recalls the ccruean blue of Horace.
The grounds about the building are laid
out In little park covered in midwlntcr
with n grassy carpet OF vivid green,
blooming with lowers, and shaded--for /
one needs shade here even in january
with date trees and palms
The building itself Is of stucco, aud its
ornamentaton is OF kind which we
should consider rather gaudy at home,
but which in this semi.tropieal climate,
where everything tends 70 exurbernnce,
seems appropriate. The interior consists
Of a large entrance han, q large vestibule,
and the sailcs ReS ieH3, where the gam
bling is carried ON. There are also many
small rooms for the convenience OF visit
ors concert hall and theatre. No fee is
charged for admission to the Casino, but
instead the applicant passes a sort OF civil
service examination, which consists IN
presenting his visiting card. giving his
age, local residence. nationality, aud SO
on. his answers all being carefully in
scribed, together with his name, III
book kept for that purpose. lie then
receives a card which admits him for the
day. with snch ladies as may accompany
him The sight,on entering is disap
poiu,ment TO stranger. The majority
eNpec; TO see great hall. down the centre I.
of which extends an enormous table upon
which lie great heaps of gold, and around |
which sit crowd Of excited, nervous [
players The reality, however, is rather 1
tame. The hall IS divided into five /
saloons. In these there are az present ten 4
roulette tables and three tables at which .
trente ct quarante is played, Although .
there will sometimes be as many as five .
OF six hundred players, they are so dis
tributed among the different rooms and
tables that one has no idea Of their mum.
Der, and instead Of wild excitement
among the players there is only hushed
iatentaess which. though very eloquent
10 Que who has "becn there. IS not par
ticularly expressive 10 a stranger The
rooms are handsomely decorated with
guided moldings, ceiling frescoes and
panel paintings
Roulette is the favorite came fer the
majority. as il is easily understood. The
number u combinations is yers large and
the returns very great for small invest
ment. The fascination which the game
excrts over spectators is something
amazing The very atmosphere Of the
place seems 20 have a demomlizing
quality calculated TO undermine the
strongest resolutions. Many people who
- there have no Intention 81 playing.
they think IL immoral and merely want
20 see the place So tha, they can say they
have been them. bgj almost without eX-
cepti1n they risk some money before
they leave Others dceido il advance
only 20 risk one niece " jus; to try their
luck. bai when that Is gone they sy
another aud arc soon IN tie swim with
the rcst Nany morg make a limit usu-
ailv S9A hcyoui which they will not 20.