a hearty laugh with his overflowing
humour. He died about nine years ago, I think tolerably well off.

JOHN MORRISSEY.

John Morrissey was originally a prize-fighter,--having fought with
Heenan and also with Yankee Sullivan, and lived by teaching the young
Americans the noble art of self-defence. He afterwards set up a 'Bar,'
or public-house, and over this he established a small Faro bank, which
he enlarged and improved by degrees until it became well known, and was
very much frequented by the gamblers of New York. He is now, I believe,
a member of Congress for that city, and immensely wealthy. Not content
with his successful gambling operations in New York, he has opened a
splendid establishment at the fashionable summer resort of Saratoga,
consisting of an immense hotel, ballrooms, and gambling-rooms, and is
said to have a profit of two millions of dollars (about L400,000) during
the season.(88) He is mentioned as one of those who pay the most income
tax.

(88) _Ubi supra_.

Morrissey's gambling house is in Union Square, and is said to be
magnificently furnished and distinguished by the most princely
hospitality. At all hours of the day or night tables are laid out with
every description of refreshment, to which all who visit the place are
welcome.

This is a remarkable feature in the American system. At all 'Bars,' or
public-houses, you find provided, free of charge, supplies of cheese,
biscuits, &c., and sometimes even some savoury soup--which are often
resorted to by those unfortunates who are 'clean broke' or 'used up,'
with little else to assuage the pangs of hunger but the everlasting quid
of tobacco, furiously 'chawed.' Another generous feature of the American
system is that the bar-man does not measure out to you, after our stingy
fashion, what drink you may require, but hands you the tumbler and
bottle to help yourself, unless in the case of made drinks, such as
'mint-juleps,' &c. However, you must drink your liquor at a gulp, after
the Yankee fashion; for if you take a sip and turn your back to the
counter, your glass will disappear--as it is not customary to have
glasses standing about. Morrissey's wines are very good, and always
supplied in abundance.

Almost every game of chance is played at this establishment, and the
stakes are very high and unlimited. The visitors are the wealthy and
wild young men of New York, and occasionally a Southern-looking man
who, perhaps, has saved some of his