Gambling fever

Tuesday, January 26th., Hotel d'Italie, Menton.

The first visit to Monte Carlo must be a sort of event in the life of anyone with imagination. I went there yesterday afternoon from Menton by tram. The ride is very diversified, and here and there fine views are obtained.

On the whole I was disappointed by the exterior aspects of the town. It lacks spaciousness, and since it is in the absolute control of one autocratic authority, spaciousness is what it ought not to have lacked. Some of the villas however, witht their white paint and general air of being toys, are excessivement chic. The casino is alright in its florid, heavy way - but what a chance for an architect on that site over the sea. The whole town had an air of being Parisian, but not quite Parisian enough.

Inside the gaming saloons (at 4 o'clock) I found a large crowd and many tables in full work. The crowd not so distinguished in appearance as I had foolishly expected. I had no itention of betting, but after I had watched several tables and grasped the details of roulette I remained at one table as if hypnotised. Without knowing it I began to finger a 5 franc piece in my pocket, and then I became aware that I was going to bet. I 'knew' I should bet some seconds before I formally decided to. A good example this of the fact that the conscious mind does not direct the body, but notes (and usually ratifies) what it has done. I staked my 5 franc piece on an even chance, and won! What sensations of delight! So this is how gamblers get started.

The idea of gambling quite absorbed all my thoughts; obsessed me in fact; and I fabricated schemes for becoming a regular system-using gambler. There is no doubt that the human spectacle of the gaming saloons is tremendous, unequalled, the interest of it could not easily fail for an observer. All the more so for a trained observer like myself. I had to drag myself away and even then missed my tram. I had half an hour to wait and spent most of it thinking about gambling. I also noticed that there were 'ladies' in and around the casino no doubt attracted by the prospect of attaching themselves to winning gentlemen. They all seem to have that indirect but unmistakeable way of looking at prospective clients which I find very attractive. Several looked at me. I will return.