The Press., 1901-06-20
A Fortunate
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A TRUE STORY OF THE PRIN-
 ClPALITY OF MONACO.
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On the shores of the Mediterranean there lies between France and Italy the little kingdom of Monaco. It num- bers fewer inhabitants than a large vil1age-in all 7,0O0-and is in extent so contracted as not to boast more than double that number of acres. But, on the other hand, it has a real prince who possesses a palace, has court, ministers, bishops, generals and an army-nOt, to be sure, large army, 60 men, still an army-nOr is the revenue large Duties are indeed, as elsewhere, imposed upon wine, alcohol and tobac- co; but, although the people conscien- tiously drink and smoke, there are not enough of them. and the princeling would certainly be unable to feed his courtiers and himself had he not the special resource of a gambling house.
 There people lose or gain, as the case may be, but the keeper always profits and therefore pays heavy dues to the princeling. He can we'll afford to do so, as his establishment is in Europe unique. Similar places formerly exist ed in some of the German principah- ties, but years ago on account of ire Quent catastrophes they were suppress ed. A player, carried away by excite ment, would lose all his own money and sometimes even that of others and then commit suicide. So the Germans forbade their little princes to keep gambling houses, but no one could for bid the potentate of Monaco, and that is why he has monopoly.
 Therefore all the lovers of trente ct quarante rush to his kingdom and for his benefit despoil themselves. Hon est toll does not enrich" says the Rus sian proverb. The princeling knows that the spring from which he drains is impure, but what can he do? It would not be more honest to increase his in- come by raising the duties on alcohol and tobacco. A man must live. So the princeling yeigns in peace, makes mon- ey and, like real sovereign, lives sur rounded by courtly ceremonial. He re- wards, punshes, reviews his troops, holds councils and promulgates laws, just like other rulers, only on smaller scale.
 Now, some years since serious event took place in the kingdom. A murder was committed. The inhabit- ants of Monaco are peaceable folk. and nothing of the sort had ever before talk en place among them. The judges met and, as was proper. set about judging. All was done according to rule-public prosecutor, lawyer, jury. long and con- Nof fnI. in ance with the law. they condemned the assassin to death. So far, so good. The sentence was submitted to the prince ling, and after his ratification all that remained to be done was to execute it. But an impeachment presented itself. The country possessed neither guillo- tine nor executioner
 After mature consideration it was de- cided that to obtain the loan of a mas terly cutter off of heads. together with his apparatus. the French government should be addressed and that at the same time inquiry as to the cost of the move should be made Eight days lat CT the answer was received. The French government consented to send the guillotine and the eXecutiOner. As to the expenses, they would amount to 16,O0O francs.
 The matter was referred to the princeling. His majesty thought the as- sassin was not worth that price. Six teen thousand francs for the neck of a rascal! An. no. indeed! It would in that case be necessary to increase by 7 francs yearly the taxes of each citizen The people might resist.
 A council was held. and it was decid.