property, being still the same
professional gambler; for it may be affirmed that all the Southern
planters were addicted to gambling.

'The same flocks of well-dressed and fashionable-looking men of all
ages pass in and out all through the day and night; tens of thousands of
dollars are lost and won; the "click" of the markers never ceases; all
speak in a low tone; everything has a serious, quiet appearance. The
dealers seem to know every one, and nod familiarly to all who approach
their tables. John Morrissey is occasionally to be seen, walking
through the rooms, apparently a disinterested spectator. He is a short,
thick-set man, of about 40 years, dark complexion, and wears a long
beard, dresses in a slovenly manner, and walks with a swagger. Now and
then he approaches the table; makes a few bets, and is then lost in the
crowd.'(89)

(89) _Ubi supra_.

OTHER GAMING-HOUSES.

The same writer furnishes other very interesting facts.

'After the opera-house and theatres are closed, Morrissey's gambling
house becomes very full; in fact, the best time to see it to advantage
is about two or three o'clock in the morning.

'A little below the New York Hotel, and on the opposite side of
Broadway, there is a gambling house, not quite so "respectable" as the
one I have been describing; here the stakes are not below a dollar, and
not more than twenty-five; there are no refreshments gratis, and the
rooms are not so well furnished. The men to be seen gaming in this house
differ but very little in appearance from those in Union Square, but
there seems to be less discipline amongst them, and more noise and
confusion. It is a rare thing to see an intoxicated man in a gambling
house; the door-keepers are very particular as to whom they admit, and
any disturbance which might call for the interference of the police
would be ruinous to their business. The police are undoubtedly aware
of everything going on in these houses, and do not interfere as long as
everything goes on quietly.

'Now and then a clerk spends his employer's money, and if it is
discovered where he lost it then a _RAID_ is made by the police in
force, the tables and all the gaming paraphernalia are carried off, and
the proprietors heavily fined.

'I witnessed a case of this: a young man in the employment of a
commission merchant appropriated a large sum of his employer's money,
and lost it at Faro. He was arrested, and confessed what he had done
with it. Th