The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-13
WOMEN AT MONTE CARLO
Place SO POlieed That They Need
No Protector.
Living Is Luxurious and Phenome-
naIly Cheap at This Most Aiiur-
ing Magnet in All the World

Monte Carlo. March 12.-"An the world
comes to Monte Carlo" is the saying
that passes in the principally when ac-
quaintances from distant parts of the
globe stand side by side The great
magnet is undoubtedly the famous
gambling tables, but aside from that
attraction. the place is of unique inter
est. Numbers of people. content to
watch the passing show, go there from
year to year without ever laying sou
on the tables. They go rather for the
sunshine, the beauty and the good gov
eminent that is to be found there
The principality is but six miles
square and has a population Of between
5000 and 5000. 1t lies especially within
the suns good graces, while the pecul-
lar cliff formation tempers the high
winds that sweep along the Riviera As
a health resort it is one OF the best in
Europe.
No strangers and few of it's inhabi-
tants remain at Monte Carlo during the
Summer. as il is too warm; the time is
therefore, used to renOvate and prepare
for the Winter season. Early in June
the grass is turned up and allowed to
remain so until the first of October,
when the seed is sown. In two weeks
time the gardens are like the sOfteSt vel
vet The tropical plants grow vigorous
ly. and il is unusual 10 see the leaves
spotted or discolored. Nothing is ever
allowed to decay in Monte Carlo; old
buildings are modernized, and the parks
drainage and streets are kept in a state
of perfection.
In fact, il is estimated that of the
600 revenue derived from the tables
| 100000 is paid back annually in i'm
provements. This year the concert
stage has been enlarged, and a new
! cafe de Paris built. At present an cleo
trio tramway is being laid in Monte Car
| 10 by an American company, and the ex-
pense of this enterprise is TO be borne
by one man, a wealthy Monegasque, a
philosopher. although he can neither
read nor write.
Monte Carlo is par excellence a place
| in which to own property, as there are
| no taxes of any kind; everything is
| paid by the Casino. Almost every spot
| is now built upon, and considering the
| demand there is during the season
| rents are astonishnsly low. There a
| beautiful little suite of rooms can be
| mad for the same price that one would
| pay for n fourth-stOry hall bedroom
| in New YOrk-S20 per month. But pro-
| visions are very high; owing to the
! necessary duties. As an example, sugar
4 Y
| cents, and ham and bacon, 30
| cents a pound. Fruit is high and milk
| and cream about the same as in
| America. Chickens are the only things
| not sold by weight. and they range in
| price from 40 cents upward y
| woman in Monte Carlo is glad TO do
| homework for cents an hour, with
| out board: but no one suffers from
| poverty there, as they have learned the
| true art of economy
Monte Carlo is governed by the
| Prince of Monaco. and is under rhe
protection of France The latter's
friendly relations can be instanced in
| the matter of postage, as a letter can
| be sent to any part of France from
| Monte Carlo for the same rate that is
| necessary TO carry it to France while
to any other country a scent stamp
| instead of must be used. The
| Credit Lyonnaise. which stands on the
| border OF France. can be seen from
| the Casino, and strangers in Monte
Carlo often walk into France, for the
| purpose of posting their letters. When
reminded that it is simpler to drop
them in the box at the Casino they
| shrug their shoulders and reply that
Monte Carlo has a worldwide reputa-
ton for wickedness. and it is best for
anxious friends at home to see the
postmark of France
| w men III monte CARO- Prince ALBERT ana
his family live in the palace. which is
still. although modernized. a fire spe,i-
men of the Renaissance. He has one son
by his first wife, who is in the army.
| The princess also has two children b.
her first husband, the Duke de RfcheIie1.
The prince, however, is fond of science
and spends most of his time on board his
| yacht Alice, named after his WIFE, pur-
suing his studies in Oceanograph They
are never in Monte Carlo until the 1st o.
January, when the true season OF eayety
begins. The English people do not leave
their homes until after Christmas, an(
the French remain for New Years
The place is admirably governed. ant
its inhabitants soon learn that there ar,
\ certain things they must not 10. Tn,
registration is very strict No stranger
is allowed TO stop there even as a CUES
longer than two weeks without permits
sion OF the principally. Good behario
is also essential, and if a complaint i