ish quarter, glanced at the
Rothschild House, the synagogue, and other buildings, returning to the
_Hotel de Russie_ at dark.

On the following morning the party went to Homburg, nine miles distant,
where they spent the rest of the day. The town is another watering-place,
and has increased in popularity till it outrivals Baden-Baden,
Wiesbaden, or any other fashionable resort in Germany. It has its
medicinal springs, which are beneficial in a variety of diseases. The
_Kurhaus_ is the most magnificent in Europe, containing lofty halls,
elegantly frescoed, for dancing, gambling, for restaurants and
reading-rooms. As in Baden-Baden, the gambling monopoly is in the hands
of French speculators, and the lavish expenditure upon the gardens,
buildings, and other appointments is an instructive commentary on the
chances which favor the visitor disposed to try his fortune.

"Commodore," said Ben Duncan, who was now the second master of the
Josephine, as they met at the _Hotel Quatre Saisons_ in the evening, "I
have lost two hundred florins."

"What!" exclaimed Paul.

"Certainly, Mr. Duncan, you have not been gambling," added Grace
Arbuckle, looking as sad as though she had lost a dear friend.

"I lost two hundred florins out in that dog-house," replied Ben, who
was the wag of the party, and a general favorite.

"What dog-house?" inquired Paul.

"Why, the big one--_auf dem Platz_."

"Do you mean the Kursaal?" asked Paul.

"Mr. Fetridge calls it a dog-house, in Harper's Hand Book."

"No."

"The cur-house--what's the difference?"

"U in German is pronounced like double o. But you don't mean to say you
have been gambling, Ben?" added Paul.

"I said I had lost two hundred florins," replied Ben, with a most
lugubrious expression.

"Impossible!"

"I was standing near the table, in the grand gambling _hell_,--I
beg pardon, hall,--watching the play, when I saw a Russian czar, king,
grand dook, poly-wog, or something of that sort, win two hundred
florins at one fell swoop. Now, thinks I to myself, if I should put
down two hundred florins, and win, I should make two hundred florins by
the operation. I didn't do it--so I'm two hundred florins out."

Ben dropped his chin, and looked very sad, while Grace and Paul laughed
heartily, perhaps more at the "face" the wag made, than at the joke he
had perpetrated.

"I hope your losses will always be of this description, Ben," added
Paul.

"Probably they will be while each stu