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24 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA : 
which is of wood, and a very indifferent build- 
ing. The nevv one is built of brick, and 
neatly fitted up Within; but it is hardly large 
enough for the town. A shocking custom 
obtains here of smoking tobacco in the house, 
which at times is carried to such an excess, 
that those to whom it is disagreeable are 
under the necessity of going away. To the 
people in the pit wine and porter are brought 
between the acts, precisely as if they were in 
a tavern. The actors are procured, with a 
very few exceptions, from Great Britain and 
Ireland; none of them are very eminent per- 
formers, but they are equal to what are 
usually met with in the country towns of 
England. The amphitheatre is built of wood; 
equestrian and other exercises are perform¬ 
ed there, similar to those at Astley’s. Dan¬ 
cing assemblies are held regularly every fort¬ 
night through the winter, and occasionally 
there are public concerts. 
During summer, the people that can make it 
convenient retire to country houses in the 
neighbourhood of the town, and all public 
and private amusements cease; winter is the 
season for them, the Congress being then as¬ 
sembled, and trade being so closely attended 
to, as the navigation of the river is then com¬ 
monly impeded by ice. 
The president finds it necessary, in general. 
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