13 NOVEMBER 1886, Page 24

The Last Stake: a Tale of Monte Carlo. By Madame

R. Full. (T. Fisher Unwin.)—This is a piteous story of the woes that are wrought by the gambling-tables at Monte Carlo. The most interesting victim is Clemenza Renzi, a prima donna who is unhappily ensnared by the love of gambling, and who sacrifices to this her career, her love, and even her life. Other victims, male and female, there are, and their fate is graphically described. Unfortunately, this is a madness which nothing can touch ; but we wish all the success that is possible to Madame Foil's laudable attempt at least to warn those that are yet untempted. One thing must be said. All France is an ante- chamber to Monte Carlo. Gambling on a small scale—if it be small where a man may win or lose 2200 at a sitting—is publicly carried on in any French town where it is worth while to keep a table ; and the people who learn the elements at the casinos of Boulogne, or Dieppe, or Granville, go on and complete their education at Monaco.