The Washington herald., 1912-02-03

II Is only within the past few years
that 50 many sons Of the Fatheriand have
tsken to enjoying themselves In the
sunny south Of France. The Germans
discovered" the Riviera many years ago,
but they have begun to patronize Il In
great numbers only with the arrival OF
the new era OF prosperity in the Father
land. the groundwork for which was laid
when Bismarck welded the different Teu-
ton principalities into one empire, and
eemented II by the open door Of COM
merciaI and Industrial expansion as
result OF the new colonial policy.
While the British maintain their sd
premacy at Nice, Cannes. Mentone, and
Hyeres. the Germans now outnumoer
them at Monte Carlo. With Increased
wealth has come more leisure, and this.
again, has brought the desire for lux
ury, which Is represented in Its most
seductive form at Monte Carlo. The
aristocratic German Is not distinguishaoie
from other cosmopolitans who frequent
that pleasure and gaming resort, nor are
the large numbers Of German-speaking
Austrians especially noticeable.
But the average German, the repre-
sentative OF the new commercial type.
makes himself conspicuous. He 10 care
ful of his money. but exacting, never
theless. in his wants. He patronizes the
concerts and the opera, because every
German appreciates good music He
takes his pleasures not only leisurely.
but seriously. He is on the terrace OF
the Casino in the early morning. and
monopolizes the seats and benches, as
he prefers to sit rather than to walk.
The German sojourners drive or walk
but little. They prefer to lounge about
the beautiful gardens and parks main
talned by the Casino-l e., by the Bank.
They are rather clannish and form their
own groups They watch the roulette
tables very closely, risking a b-franc
piece now and then. rarely more. 1t
seems that the bolder players among
them are the German Jews.
II cannot be said that these invaders
are popular at the tables. as they fire.
quentIy occupy seats without playing. or
only spasmodically at best. greatly to
the annoyance OF the regular gamblers
who thus are obliged to do their betting
standing in rows around the tables.
Being men OF method, the German play
ers operate often in syndicates, address,
ing each other across the table But they
are also not only men Of system, but
with a system. One sees them taking
notes Of the numbers which turn up at
roulette. keeping books OF them and max
ing calculations. often quite elaborate
ones. They are not aware Of the fact that
the Casino management welcomes men
with systems, because all such efforts
designed to break the bank end by
smashing the originators.
But your German inventors of systems
are not ruinous TO themselves, nor very
profitable to the bank, because they oper-
ate on a small scale, The astute Teuton
Is not likely 10 risk much and he leaves
the room whenever he Is a small sum
ahead. The sons OF the FatherIsnd adopt
a cautious policy all round. Rightly pre-
suming that the shopkeepers and others
look upon visitors in the same light as
does the Casino. as so many sheep 10 be
heeced. the German has a habit Of ask
ing prices before he pays. One insisted
on knowing the cost Of a shave before he
While there Is no mistaking the ma
jority OF the Germans OF one sex, the
members Of the other sex are stil more
conspicuous. The average German
frau has many admirable domestic
qualities: she Is unqestionably the finest
in the world. but, TO be
truthful, Il must be admitted that good
taste in the matter Of dress is not her
strong point. The loudest colored
dresses. the most inArtistic and fantastic
hats at Monte Carlo. are worn by the
German ladies. They appear to make
no attempt to see that a dress becomes
them or fits their figure or complexion. |
They could learn a great deal in this
respect from their, German-American
sisters.
On the whole, the Germans are not yet |
nNnTr1ar Mt Mnnta CfaTln hara n a.
the place. while its own little principality |
Il predominantly French; but they should |
be welcome n"ne the less, as they keep |
up and increase the number of visitors. |
They may be inadvertently aggressive; |
their womenfolk may lack the grace or |