FEllNEY'.
second husband of Madame de Stael, did not
long survive his wife ; he died of a decline
in Italy, after lingering some time in his native
place, Geneva.
Of Voltaire’s chateau at Ferney, more
than enough has been already written ;
suffice it to say, that nothing can be in
worse taste or more paltry than the drawings
and ornaments of the apartments,
which are shown to visitors.
71
CHAP. HI.
STATE OF MORALS IN GENEVA. PARENTAL AUTHORITY,
FILIAL AFFECTION. SOCIETES DE
DIMANCHES. ECONOMY. AVARICE. BOARDING
HOUSES. —- CELEBRATED FEMALE ALCHEMIST,
HER HISTORY. FREQUENCY OF SUICIDE,
REFLECTIONS RESPECTING ITS CAUSES. ---- RARITY
OF PUBLIC EXECUTIONS. PRESENT CONSTITUTION
OF GENEVA. POLITICS OF THE
GENEVESE.
I t is not possible to appreciate the state of
morals in a country fairly, without residing
in it a considerable time. A stranger who
enters Geneva can scarcely fail to be prepossessed
in favour of the people by their
appearance, particularly that of the lower
orders. The men are sober and orderly,
the females are plainly and neatly dressed,
and almost all the children look remarkably
healthy, and are decently clothed. Perhaps
the highly favourable opinion he may have
formed of the inhabitants, will be somewhat
lowered by a closer inspection.
F 4