Monaco and Monte Carlo

Monaco and Monte Carlo

Adolphe Smith

1912

This item is a book about the past and the present (with respect to the published year of this book, 1912) of Monaco and Monte Carlo – from the same timeline as the novel. The item is written by an English photographer and Journalist Adolphe Smith. Having worked with a lot of high officials, he was also an interpreter for the International Peace Congress, and hence knew the Prince of Monaco personally. He was able to research deeply on the culture of Monte Carlo, and discuss about the “art, beauty, luxury, pleasure, extravagance and folly” as stated in the item.

Monte Carlo is described by the author in the preface as “a haven for the fine arts, especially with those connected with music and the stage.” In the item, the author gives us a description of these fine arts – singing, dancing, the Russian ballet, French comedies, orchestra and the Monte Carlo opera. We also get a good insight on sports, casinos, casino gardens and behind the scenes of gambling in Monte Carlo, as well as some other popular tourist exhibits such as the palace and the Condamine.

The information from the item helps us understand why Monte Carlo is significant to the novel. During the time of the book, Monte Carlo was a very popular destination for tourists consisting of people of the upper class.
Lily Bart, the protagonist of the story, travels to Monte Carlo on part two of the book “The House of Mirth” with the Dorsets. Lily’s aim was to get into the elite social class, so we can relate to the luxurious and extravagant lifestyle stated by Adolphe Smith to Lily’s journeys on the Dorset’s yacht. The novel describes Monte Carlo to “offer an infinity ways being idle.” (Chapter 1 Book 2), with mentions of gambling and stage programs. This can be related to the description of the fine arts in this item as mentioned before. There is also a description of the casino garden in the novel, which can be traced to this item. In the same chapter (Chapter 1 Book 2), Selden, Jack Stepney, The Brys and Lord Hubert Dacey is described as going to the Condamine for lunch.

Md. Ashraf Ansary

Smith, Adolphe. Monaco And Monte Carlo. Philadelphia: J. B. Lipponcott company, 1912. Reprinted by Riverside Press Limited, Edinburgh
HathiTrust Digital Library Web. 8 Apr. 2015

(1) Original document is out of copyright (it was published before 1923). Every effort has been made to comply with the provisions of any licensing agreements associated with digitization of the original document. For further information, please see the “about” page.

English

J. B. Lipponcott company

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