Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1905-04-29 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

TIMELY THEMES.  but its numerous attractions do not fail to call other and hardier visitors. Among the attractions is a cabin°, where, of course, may be found lea petits chevattx. Nice has been called the Metropolis of all the English Colonies along that coast. At Ostend, Cannes and Nice the iegulations for admission to the various gaming places are practically non-existent. At Ostend, for instance, a small charge of 1 franc admits to the gardens, at one end of which is the Temple to the Goddess of Chance, and all who can may enter without let or hindrance. All the foregoing places have their casino, as a kind of second string to catch visitors, while at Wiesbaden, in the Rhine district, Vichy and Carlsbad it becomes even a less important factor. In the Principality of Monaco, and at Monte Carlo, its one practicable town, on the other hand, what is euphemistically called the Cercle des Etrangers occupies quite the forefront in the economy of the place.  • * * *  Monte Carlo itself is but 10 miles from Nice, upon the society of which, unfortunately, it is exercising an evil influence. Mentone is six miles away. The three places are connected by a coast railway protected by a sea wall. The bold alpine landscape of Monte Carlo, its luxuriant vegetation, rich colouring,, continuous sunshine and delicate climate, all combine to make it one of Nature's most favoured spots, and its air is admirably suited for invalids. Contrast with this the hot and ill-ventilated rooms of the casino, with its noisy crowds and awful tragedies. It is, indeed, in such a spot that the poet's lines come most strongly to our mind, Where every prospect pleases, and only man is vile." Happily, the lease of the casino expires in 1913, and it is hoped that pressure by France and Italy may end in the suppression of the world's famous gambling institution. By its side the casinos of Nice, Cannes, Wiesbaden, Vichy, and even of Ostend fade into nothingness. Let us examine it more closely. The building does not disappoint us—it is fit for the uses to which it is put. Situated on a promontory tureequarters of a mile from the town, it is anything but an artistic success—a huge, over-decorated bad copy of the Paris Opera. Within, its ornamentation is decidedly of the heavy order. *a * *  The place is replete with every convenience and comfort. A lift takes us from the station to the top of the steps, where we proceed to the office on the left-hand side. There in exchange for our visiting card we are handed an admission ticket. A special application is necessary for a season ticket, which is available for three mouths. The authorities reserve the right to refuse admission, but if suitably clad—light clothes or knickerbockers are not allowed—theruis seldom any objection, but all regulations are strictly enforced. Play at roulette proceeds from noon to 11 p.m. at eight tables and at trente et quarante at three tables. 'lhere are four or five saloons (Salles de jeux) decorated in Moorish style, in two of which tables are set for roulette, and during the height of the season a third, whilst the remaining two are used for trente et quarante. The stakes at roulette range from five francs with a maximum of 6,000, and at trente et quarante not less than a louis may be staked or a maximum of 12,000 francs, provided that the stake must al-,vays be divisible equally by 20.  • • IP •  Usually the tables are crowded, and -the society assembled is of the most mixed description. Young girls, hardly out of the schoolroom, with brilliant eyes and flushed cheeks, may be seen elbowing wizened old harridens of seventy. Hard by can be perceived one of the numerous flashily-dressed blackguards to whom all Europe is a happy hunting-ground. Close to him again his questionable lady acquaintance. Greed of gain is on all faces. Emotions are written plainly for all to see were they not too deeply engrossed. Few countenances are placid. •• a •  Within easy reach of the beautiful grounds Irrounding the building is the cemetery for suicides, carefully tended at the expense of the company. Truly a terrible warning! What tragedies have those gardens beheld! A never-ceasing succession of men with s7stems, who become eventually men with the gamuur fever, ansl sad, nearly always,  ruined men without systems. And the so-called " breaking " of the bank—what does that signify? Merely that the bank has lost up to its limit and cannot continue until more bullion arrives from their vaults. A loss of a few thousands only! odds are all in favour of the bank.  •* * •  And does it pay? Not only do the company malri the reigning Prince an allowance for the government of the principality, but they pay the whole expense of the postal system, while the Prince taker the receipts. Two free orchestral concerts in the theatre frcing the Casino entrance are provided nally by the company for their patr.ms by their own orchestra of 80 performers. A reading rooms with all French, Italian, English and German periodicals, is kept up Without subscription or fee of any kind, and for even the famous classical concerts which take place each Thursday only n. nominal charge of 75 francs for a series 20 cos.; certs is made. The inner man is also minist veil to in the shape of a five-franc dinner, which represents the bare cost of the meal alone. It should be pcinted out that all the foregoing are available t players and non-players alike and on equal terms, and yet the company make a profit—anl that a large one! The company, in short, is the vittual government of .the country; even the regatta at. Easter and the masked balls at carnival time ars firanced by them. In December an international pigecn-shooting (oh! the irony of it!) is held.  •• * •  it any wonder that with all these attr% :Cons Monte Carlo becomes the gambling place of Europe? "A collection of the choicest bla do_rcaris in Europe" was a hasty summing up of its various vLitors, but there is a deal of truth in the :,aving; nevertheless. In addition to all the villainy of its clientele, remember, should you be tempted, that al! odds are arranged in favour of the bank. The offic!als, therefore, well affbrd to play the gams fairly as it exists. For it ig "lied loses, now and hack loses now, but white wins always."