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154 AMUSEMENTS.
at first refused to take food. During the
whole time she was absent, he remained
much dejected: on her return, as soon as the
animal heard her footsteps, he bounded into
the room in an ecstasy of delight; springing
up, he placed one paw on each of her
shoulders, but the next moment he fell
backwards and instantly expired.
In speaking of Geneva as a place of
education, it may be proper to mention the
public amusements. The theatre is open
in the winter months ; the hours of performance
are from half past six to half-past
ten. The magistrates are particularly attentive
that nothing indecorous should be
exhibited on the stage.
There is a subscription ball once a week,
during the winter, called la Redoute, which
is well attended by the first families in the
place ; all respectable strangers resident in
Geneva are invited.
On the 31st of December, there is a
public ball in the theatre, to celebrate
the anniversary of the Restoration of the
Republic, to which citizens of all classes
subscribe. Foreigners who are in Geneva
receive invitations ; it is a truly agreeable
spectacle, to see the citizens of this little
OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY. 155
republic united and joyous on such an
occasion.
The Genevese are almost constantly engaged
in their evening tea parties or soirées.
Cards form the amusement of the elder
part of the company ; they play for very
trifling sums, gambling being discouraged.
The younger part are amused with dancing,
music, acting charades, or other juvenile
games, which agreeably fill up the evening.
To these soirées, no respectable young foreigner
will find difficulty in gaining access,
when he is known.
The Sundays are more strictly observed
at Geneva than in most of the towns on
the continent ; during the hours of service
the city gates are shut, and carriages are
not permitted to drive through the streets.
The churches are well attended ; but when
the morning and afternoon services are
over, the Genevese, like the other inhabitants
of the continent, whether Catholic,
Calvinist, or Lutheran, indulge in their
common recreations ; and the places of
public amusement are open, but they close
at an early hour. The majority of Catholics
and Protestants (except in Great Britain)
agree that the sabbatical observance