HOCIIHEIM, STEINBERG, AND JOIIANNISBERG. 65 



least producing as good wines. Uc promised to consider the mat- 

 ter, and, if the company gives its consent, lie will do so. We spent 

 no less than four full hours in this mammoth establishment, after 

 which we returned to our inn, where Mr.Dresel soon rejoined us. 

 After dinner we parted, Mr, Iloward going to Frankfort, myself 

 and Arpad to Wiesbaden, being furnished with several letters of 

 introduction from Mr. Drescl. 



We arrived at about five o'clock P.M., and immediately set out 

 to see Professor Medicus, who is a professor in the government 

 School of Agriculture for the education of youth in agricultural 

 knowledge. The professor was absent from town, so we took a 

 stroll in front of the Kwhaus, where a band of music was playing. 

 The promenade was full of gay people. This bathing-place is 

 larger than Ems, has splendid buildings, promenades, parks, fount- 

 ains, etc. It also belongs to the Duke of Nassau, who resides here 

 in winter. The waters are considered very good for curing sev- 

 eral diseases. 



Following a steady stream of people, we soon found ourselves 

 in a splendid saloon, magnificently decorated, possessing no less 

 than seven immense chandeliers hanging from different parts of 

 the saloon, besides hundreds of other gay burners, all ornamented 

 with ground glass globes. The richness of the furniture was in 

 harmony with the rest of the decorations. The saloon has galler- 

 ies where the music plays when balls and concerts are given. At 

 the west end of the gallery and building there is a large place 

 decorated with red velvet and gold trimmings for the use of the 

 Duke and family. 



In this vast saloon there is a gambling -table, surrounded by 

 men and women, who are players or spectators. From here to the 

 left open three more large saloons, also magnificently furnished 

 and decorated. In the centre of each there is a gambling-table, 

 occupied by players. At two tables they played at rouge et noir, 

 and at the other two at roulette. These places are open to the 

 public, and ladies and gentlemen come in for amusement to play 

 or see the players. They seat themselves around in the rooms on 

 arm-chairs or well-cushioned sofas. Liveried servants are in at- 

 tendance. No smoking or loud talking is allowed, and hats must 

 be removed from the head. From the last of the three gambling- 

 rooms you enter into a fine large reading-room, where the prom- 

 inent periodicals and newspapers published in Europe are to be 

 found. 



E 



