SOBRIETY. 5 



During the continuance of these little parties, fruits, 

 confectionary, &c., as well as refreshments of various kinds, 

 were always served in abundance, and the evening usually 

 concluded with a petit souper. 



Their great dinner parties, as indeed is commonly the 

 case everywhere, and in all countries, were somewhat heavy 

 affairs ; for the eternal courses of roast and boiled French 

 cookery not being much in vogue often lasted for near 

 three weary hours ; and I, who am contented with a single 

 joint, wished myself anywhere else than in the banquet ting- 

 hall. 



A custom is prevalent in most parts of Scandinavia, it 

 may be proper to remark, that before the announcement of 

 dinner, the guests partake of a cold collation, to give, as it is 

 emphatically called, a stimulant to the appetite. A small 

 table is laid out in an adjoining room, furnished with various 

 liquors, and a variety of good things, such as caviare, smoked 

 salmon, anchovies, butter, cheese, &c. 



At table a fair proportion of wine is drunk, though 

 seldom more than a glass or two after the meal is over, 

 for the gentlemen always retired to the drawing-room along 

 with the ladies; and coffee was commonly served up soon 

 afterwards. 



The upper classes in Sweden are very moderate in their 

 potations, rarely drinking to excess. In point of fact, and to 

 their honour be it spoken, I do not believe that, during my 

 long residence in that country, I saw half-a-dozen individuals, 

 in what we should call the rank of gentlemen, in a state of 

 inebriety. What a contrast this to the scenes which were 

 once too frequently witnessed in England ! 



These social parties were the more agreeable and the 



