Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/213

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THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
201

to themselves. In houses where there are more servants than one, once a week, the seventh day is allotted in rotation to each for pleasure and recreation; and they are allowed the same privilege at fair times, which are frequent in Holland, and public festivals.

The evening was too far advanced to remove from the English Bible to search for another lodging, we were obliged therefore to endure with patience its inconveniences. That we might pass, however, as little time as possible in a disagreeable situation, we went to the French comédie, the only place of public entertainment which was open. The performances were "Les Dangers de l'Absence, ou le Souper de Famille," a sentimental comedy in two tedious acts; and "La Caravage du Caire," a pleasant operatical ballet in three acts, with excellent music, by Grétry. The French theatre is small, but neat, and the scenery and decorations are tasteful. The audience was rather numerous, compared with the attendance of spectators which we had seen at the Dutch play-