14-6 LETTERS FROM A TRAVELLER AT BERLIN 



few perfons here, and thefe in a tirefome uniformity of 

 drefs ; the diverlity of figures and mafks, which along* 

 makes fuch a fertility brilliant, is not to be fought for 

 here. 



However, you muft not imagine, my friend,, that,* 

 feecaufe the carnival- diverfions of this place are fo few,, 

 and this few fo poor and miferable, the people of Ber- 

 lin are ahfolutely joykfs during this feafon. AfTemblies 

 are given from time to time at court, and by the prin- 

 cipal nobility, and even private balls are not unfrequent ; 

 and thofe who cannot come to thefe, have a multitude- 

 ©f companies and balls, dinners- and flippers, among, 

 them, confining of perfons to tlm amount of eighty, a 

 hundred, and even more, where they divert ihemfelves- 

 as well as they can. In general, the Ber.liners are lively- 

 and gay ; they poffefs a natural vivacity, which, joined 

 to that freedom of manners which is peculiar to great 

 cities, renders the tone of good company highly agreea- 

 ble, becaufe there it is always, understood how to. draw 

 . the line, of propriety. 



At times, during the carnival,, an- opera; bulla is 

 given; I was prefent at one fuch, given in the little, 

 theatre of the palace ; it had for title, I/Albergatice : 

 excellent mufic, and admirably well performed. It- 

 gave me more fatisfadtion than the great opera. The 

 whole troop confifrs but of five perfons, with whom 1 

 include their manager, Koch, a German,, who lings-, 

 the bafs. The king, juft after the clofe of the feveit 

 years war, took up another company for the buffa r butv 

 as three of the performers died in a fhort time after 

 their arrival, Koch was difpatched to Italy, and brought 

 back with him the prefent fet. He had a good number; 



