THROUGH SWEDEN. 
45 
the ufe of candles, all the inhabitants of tolerable fortunes i^uit 
the town and retire to the country. There they continue the 
three or four following months, in fpite of every inconvenience 
which the weather may occafion. Their country houfes are fitted 
up in a ftyle of great magnificence and luxury, and many fami¬ 
lies live at more expence in thefe manfions than in their town 
refidences. Thofe villas are for the molt part pleafantly fituated, 
and embellifhed by works of art, which fecond and improve the 
efforts of nature. You there find hot-houfes, in which they raife 
peaches, pine-apples, grapes, and other fruit. All kinds of wines, 
liquors, and other delicacies, are laviflied at the table of a Swedifh 
gentleman, or rich manufacturer, or merchant, in the country. 
The ceremonies and diffnefs that prevail at town entertainments, 
are as much as poffible laid afide. The houfes of the merchants 
are the mod agreeable as well as the bed maintained, becaufe 
they live in the mofl unredrained manner, that is to fay, with the 
lead etiquette, and are the riched clafs of fociety. The nobility 
never can dived themfelves entirely of that formality which feems 
to be a part of their inheritance, and confequently they do not 
enjoy the pleafures of the country in perfection. The two French 
travellers previoudy mentioned, who certainly entertained no 
prejudices agamd the nobility, made the fame remark in their 
journey through Scania ; and it may be judly extended to the 
whole of that order in every part of Sweden. “ Many gentle- 
tf men,” they fay, “ pafs the dimmer in the country, ana fome 
of 
