Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-04-10

thew were 5 centuries ago, when the Err
neror Jnlian said of them, 49," Hove those
neonle for their resemblance to me, be-
cause they possess that melancholy gravl-
tv which is the principal trait in my char
acter." The inhabitants OF that eapitai
have since been celebrated for inherent
turn. but they labor to conquer the sprlght-
illness of their disposition, and the ease
with which they succeed proves that they
are not changing. but returning to thelr
natural habits. Nothing is SO seldom per-
ceived as gaiety. Even amongst young
people, solemn department has entirely
superceded the cheerful and commInlca-
tive viyacity which formerly distinguished
them. You may see them laugh indeed,
but it is mostly the saturnine Ironlcai
laugh of malignity. unaccompanled by a
ny pleasing sensation. What particular
" marks the tone of society, is the eifron-
terry Of the Younger class, and the intlu-
ence they claim. No question can come
amiss. They will dispute with Humboldt
about Travels, and with Delilie and Me
hui on poetry and music. 1t is not uncom-
mon, in a room where twenty persons are
sitting round the fire, to see young man
get before fire. place, and surveying HIM
self in a looking glass, engross the con-
versation, and gravely retail some Old
anecdote, which he murders by subsi-
tuting modern character.
The only stationary character which
we can we'll allow to the Parisians, is
their silly curiosity. This is not confined
as formerly, to loungers; the whole city
is infected with it. Every event furnish
es matter for conversation. A freshet IN
the river, battle between two coachmen,
a person dressed little out of fashion,
new livery, fray between two dogs,-if
taken notice Of by two people, are soon
witnessed by thousands, and the croud
continues to increase until their attention
is drawn off by some affair ofequal lmpor-
lance.
In one days residence at Paris,a man,
without leaving the Palais Royal, might
form pretty correct opinion OF The re-
sources, the convaniences and incOnyeni-
ences of that immense capital. The gar
den, the galleries, the coffee houses and
gambling tables, which are III the bosom
Of this palace, offer every sort OF variety
to spectator.-About O'Clock IN the
morning, the quidnuncs assemble about
the Rotunha, and for the moderate price
Of cent, acquire from the newspapers
subjects for the days discourse. AT
ten o'clock the chartres Coffee house be-
gins to be visited by clerks who are wait
ing for the Offices to open. From twelve
till three, the Emblin coffee house is re-
sorted to by loungers, who so there to a.
muse themselves. At four the garden
walks are filed with merchants and stock
brokers', who regulate the course OF ex-
change, the price of the public funds and
merchandise. At five, the same walks
are in part occupied by poor devils who
sponge upon some friend or sim2leton for
a dinner. At seven, the lucky gamesters
and strangers rcgale themselves with lee
creams, liqueurs and punch. The even
ing walkers consist of disappointed wretch
es who have been vainly striving all day
to get free ticket to the play, to young
proyinciais astonished ut every thing they
see, and of pleasure parties from the
neighborhood. Finally from twelve till
two, the Lyons and Imperial coffee houses
are filed with croud ofpcople. the great
er part of whom would be much puzzled
to give an account Of the manner in which
they had conducted themselves during the
preceding day.
CONGRESS-