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house was the centre of attraction towards which ‘all the world'
gravitated； and did the thing right grandlycombining the
Apicius with the Beau Nash or Brummell。 He was profusely lavish
with his wines and exuberant in his suppers； and it was generally
said that the game in action there； _Faro_； was played in all
fairness。 Pat Hern was a man of jovial disposition and genial
wit； and would have adorned a better position。 During the trout…
fishing season he used to visit a well…known place called Islip
in Long Island； much frequented by gentlemen devoted to angling
and fond of good living。
At Islip the equally renowned Oby Snedecker kept the tavern
which was the resort of Pat Hern and his companions。 It had
attached to it a stream and lake to which the gentlemen who had
the privilege of the house were admitted。 Mrs Obadiah Snedecker；
the buxom wife of ‘mine host；' was famous for the exquisite way
in which she cooked veal cutlets。 There were two niggers in the
establishment； named Steve and Dick； who accompanied the
gentlemen in their angling excursions； amusing them with their
stolidity and the enormous quantity of gin they could imbibe
without being more than normally fuddled。
After fishing； the gentlemen used to take to gambling at the
usual French games； but here Pat Hern appeared not in the
character of gambler； but as a private gentleman。 He was always
well received by the visitors； and caused them many 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 soupwhich 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 disappearas
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
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。 The police at once proceeded
to the house where the Faro bank was kept； and the scene； when it
was known that the police were below； beggars description。 The
tables were upset； and notes and markers were flying about in all
directions。 Men； sprawling and scrambling on the floor； fought
with one another for whatever they could seize； then the police
entered and cleared the house； having arrested the owners of the
bank。 This was in one of the lowest gaming houses； where
〃skin〃 games （cheating