Puhlic Gardens in Germviny. 273 



Germans behave at such places always extremely well, and 

 nobody need be afraid of being annoyed or shocked by noisy 

 or indecent behaviour. Of course I do not speak of the 

 resorts of the low classes. 



I must say nowhere people understand how to amuse them- 

 selves in a more sensible manner than they do in Germany, 

 and other nations might indeed learn from them. Foreigners 

 visiting Berlin, Vienna, Dresden, or any other of the larger 

 German towns, are always surprised on visiting one of those 

 public places, where many thousands of persons — men, women, 

 and children — are sitting at little tables, eating and drinking, 

 and chatting, or listening to most excellent music. Every- 

 thing goes on pleasantly, and scarcely ever anv disagreeable 

 sound is heard or any quarrel occurs. Everybody is drinking 

 wine or beer, but drunken people are rare, and one may live 

 for months in a city without ever seeing in the streets an 

 intoxicated person. 



The presence of the Queen in Coblentz was always hailed 

 with great pleasure, for she was much beloved by all classes, 

 and showed herself very gracious and amiable towards every- 

 body. 



To be noticed by her and to be invited to her parties was 

 of course the aim and ambition of a great many people, and 

 as she was so very kind, her kindness was not rarely much 

 tried by the importunity of persons who found means of being 

 admitted, though they might better have stayed away, as their 

 position did not entitle them to such an honour. 



The Queen gave generally two great balls, to which every- 

 body was invited — that is, the people of all classes ; and also 

 two great cafes-dan sants in the garden, where ladies appeared 

 in bonnets and street toilet, and where dancing was going on 

 on the gravel. 



She also frequently gave little dinners to a more select com- 

 pany, and parties of a similiar kind, where the ladies appeared 

 in evening toilet, though not in low dresses. The same was 

 the case at her teas, to which were invited rarely more than 

 twenty or twenty-five persons, and which were of a more inti- 

 mate character. The Queen sat there often occupied with 

 some embrodiery, or a lottery was arranged for little trifles, 

 bought or worked for that purpose. The great amiability of 

 Iiei* Majesty made these parties always very pleasant. 



o 



