izing the
government to suppress them at an earlier period by a royal
ordinance. No indemnity is to be allowed to the persons holding
concessions.'--_Feb_. 23, 1868.

A London newspaper defends this measure in a very successful manner.

'Prussia has declared her purpose to eradicate from the territories
subject to her increased sway, and from others recognizing her
influence, the disgrace of the _Rouge et Noir_ and the Roulette table
as public institutions. Her reasoning is to the effect that they
bring scandal upon Germany; that they associate with the names of its
favourite watering-places the appellation of "hells;" that they attract
swindlers and adventurers of every degree; and that they have for many a
year past been held up to the opprobrium of Europe. For why should this
practice be a lawful practice of Germany and of no other country in
Europe? Why not in France, in Spain, in Italy, in the Northern States,
in Great Britain itself? Let us not give to this last proposition more
importance than it is worth. The German watering-places are places of
leisure, of trifling, of _ennui_. That is why, originally, they were
selected as encampments by the tribes which fatten upon hazards. But
there was another reason: they brought in welcome revenues to needy
princes. Even now, in view of the contemplated expurgation, Monaco is
named, with Geneva, as successor to the perishing glories of Hombourg,
Wiesbaden, and the great Baden itself. That is to say, the gamblers,
or, rather, the professionals who live upon the gambling propensities of
others, having received from Prussia and her friends notice to quit, are
in search of new lodgings.

'The question is, they being determined, and the accommodation being
not less certainly ready for them than the sea is for the tribute of
a river, will the reform designed be a really progressive step in the
civilization of Europe? Prussia says--decidedly so; because it will
demolish an infamous privilege. She affirms that an institution which
might have been excusable under a landgrave, with a few thousand acres
of territory, is inconsistent with the dignity and, to quote continental
phraseology, the mission of a first-class state. Here again the
reasoning is incontrovertible. Of one other thing, moreover, we may feel
perfectly sure, that Prussia having determined to suppress these centres
and sources of corruption, they will gradually disappear from Europe.
Concede to them a temporary br