508 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



operas in Europe there are six theatres, and the 

 " Wien Blatter " teems with announcements of 

 divertissements de soir. The new opera-house in 

 the Ring Strasse, which is not yet finished, will be 

 finer than that of Paris. The orchestra of the 

 " Imperial Opera " is said to be unequalled, and 

 the ballet surpasses all that I have hitherto seen, 

 as I never beheld so many pretty and suggestive- 

 looking danseurs together on any stage — not even 

 in Seville. 



After the theatre, those who have not " home 

 attractions " go to Sperl's in Leopoldstadt, the 

 Elysium, the Sophienbad-halle, or the Odeon, 

 where if they can only " patter the lingo," they 

 will be amply amused, and, if not perfect misan- 

 thropes, are likely to find their way home " with 

 the milk in the morning." Such is every-day life 

 in Vienna, and a man with a full purse and a good 

 constitution cannot fail to enjoy himself, 



I also made an excursion to Baden by rail, the 

 transit occupying about an hour : and putting up 

 at "the Hirch," a very good and moderate hotel, 

 passed three days most agreeably, roaming about 



