of terrible gambling, that brings together a portion of the
nobility. The nature of the play may be inferred from the name
of the place at which it takes place in one of the provinces--
namely, _Enfer_. This salon, so appropriately called, was in the
Hotel of the king's commissioners in Bretagne. I have been told
that a gentleman, to the great disgust of the noblemen present,
and even of the bankers, actually offered to stake his sword.

`This name of _Enfers_ has been given to several gaming houses,
some them situated in the interior of Paris, others in the
environs.

`People no longer blush, as did Caligula, at gambling on their
return from the funeral of their relatives or friends. A
gamester, returning from the burial of his brother, where he had
exhibited the signs of profound grief, played and won a
considerable sum of money. "How do you feel now?" he was
asked. "A little better," he replied, "this consoles me."

`All is excitement whilst I write. Without mentioning the base
deeds that have been committed, I have counted four suicides and
a great crime.

`Besides the licensed gaming houses, new ones are furtively
established in the privileged mansions of the ambassadors and
representatives of foreign courts. Certain chevaliers
d'industrie recently proposed to a gentleman of quality, who had
just been appointed plenipotentiary, to hire an hotel for him,
and to pay the expenses, on condition that he would give up to
them an apartment and permit them to have valets wearing his