which will impress your mind more seriously with the evils of gambling than any discourse our pastor ever preached at home. I shall take you there, just as a minister would draw a picture of the scene to deepen the effect of a discourse. If there was confusion, I should not go." "I must, of course, submit to your judgment; but it does seem so strange!

"You will see through it before we have made our visit out."

The party directed their way towards the centre of the town, to the seat of the pleasure seekers; and it being now afternoon, they found the unhallowed occupations in full tide of success. That the reader may understand what is now to be related, it will be necessary to describe the arrangement of things at Baden. The centre of pleasure is the Conversationshaus, a large building profusely decorated and arranged for gambling and balls. On a line with this edifice, which is an elegant structure, are other buildings for reading room, café, and various other purposes. In front is an open area for promenades. This area is surrounded with fancy stalls for the sale of all kinds of light articles, toys, and refreshments. The view of the interior of the Conversationshaus, occupied by many people, is on the preceding page.

This centre of pleasure draws thousands of people from all parts of Europe. So extensive are the gambling operations, that the house and grounds are rented for thirty thousand dollars per annum. Sunday is the liveliest day of the week, and a right-minded person can learn a inoral lesson by looking in upon the scene, such as can be taught him nowhere else. Our party reached the grounds, and were soon in. front of the Conversationshaus.

"This does not look like a gambling house," said Walter.

“It looks like a palace," said Minnie.

"Yet," replied Mr. Percy, "it is one of the worst gambling places on earth."

"Shall we go in, pa?" asked the little girl. "Yes."

"Is there no danger?"

"None whatever."

They entered, and the children noticed that all the men took off their hats, as if they were entering a parlor or a church. They found themselves in a large room magnificently decorated. Gentlemen and ladies were walking about or lounging on cushioned seats. In anterooms the gambling was going on. Men and women were engaged in the various games. At one table the rouge-et-noir players were chan

ging gold by the handful, and at another, roulette players were risking immense stakes. At the head of each table were men with little wooden, rakes, with which they raked in or pushed away the gold. Minnie noticed that some of the most desperate gamblers were women, and a gentleman told her that some of the women were the wives of dukes and lords.

"How still it is!" whispered Minnie to her brother.

"Yes; no conversation above a whisper ist allowed here."

"It does not appear like gambling."

"Not at all; I never saw any thing like it."

As they stood there, they noticed a young man come up to the table with a napoleon in his hand. He had a care-worn look and a very anxious face as he bent over the group of players.

"That is his last piece of gold," whispered Mr. Percy to Walter.

"How can you tell?"

"By his looks. Watch the result."

They had not long to watch. The young man waited until he deemed the propitious moment had come, and then threw his money on the table; and had he been playing for his soul, he could not have manifested more solicitude. A