LETTER LXXIII.

Public gaming-houses--_Académies de jeu_, which existed in Paris before the revolution--Gaming-houses licensed by the police--The privilege of granting those licences is farmed by a private individual--Description of the _Maisons de jeu_--Anecdote of an old professed gambler--Gaming prevails in all the principal towns of France--The excuse of the old government for promoting gaming, is reproduced at the present day.