Amongst the constant guests was Lord Fife, the intimate friend of George
IV., with Mdlle. Noblet, a danseuse, who gave so much satisfaction to
the habitues of the pit at the opera, both in Paris and London. His
lordship spent a fortune upon her; his presents in jewels, furniture,
articles of dress, and money, exceeded 40,000£. In return for all this
generosity, Lord Fife asked nothing more than the lady's flattery and
professions of affection.

Hall Standish was always to be seen in this circle; and his own hotel
in the Rue le Pelletier was often lighted up, and fetes given to the
theatrical and demi-monde. Standish died in Spain, leaving his gallery
of pictures to Louis Philippe.

Amonst others who visited the Salon des Etrangers were Sir Francis Vincent,
Gooch, Green, Ball Hughes, and many others whose names I no longer remember.
Of foreigners the most conspicuous were Blucher, General Ormano, father-in-law
of Count Walewski, Pacto, and Clari, as well as most of the ambassadors
at the court of the Tuileries. As at Crockford's, a magnificent supper
was provided every night for all who thought proper to avail themselves
of it. The games principally played were rouge et noir and hazard;
the former producing an immense profit, for not only were the whole
of the expenses of this costly establishment defrayed by the winnings
of the bank, but a very large sum was paid annually to the municipality
of Paris. I recollect a young Irishman, Mr. Gough, losing a large fortune
at this tapis vert. After returning home about two A.M., he sat down
and wrote a letter, giving reasons as to why he was about to commit
suicide: these, it is needless to say, were simply his gambling reverses.
A pistol shot through the brain terminated his existence. Sir Francis
Vincent - a man of old family and considerable fortune - was another
victim of this French hell, who contrived to get rid of his magnificent