Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1842-10-29
low SATUR 2o
GENTEEL LODGINGS.


GENTEEL LODGINGS.
Does not the following account Of the
society Of Geneva correspond with the no
tions entertained in some American cities?
For tho space Of three years had the
opportunity OF closely observing the df.
fereni ranks Of society. Awaiting myself
Of the privilege ola foreigner, instead Of
confining myself to one particular class,
mingled with all whom found agreea-
BILE, without troubling myself about the
distinctions laid down by the inhabitants
Of the town. In spite Of their liberalism,
the Genevese have an unusual share OF
pride. The ancient pntrician families,
who are mobiles, are no less Jealous Of
their ranks than our French dukes and
peers. One cannot live in the 7c,ccr part
Of the town (Which, by. the by. is far the
most agreeable quarter) without incur
ring the contempt Of those who reside in
the upper part The streets in the neigh
borhood Of the lake are occupisd by shop
keepers while public functionaries, bank.
ers and persons Of fortune, throng to
Streets to which there is no access except
by steep ascent.
On our arrival, my mother hired
very pleasant lodging IN an airy situation
the Place du Moard) and our windows
commanded delightful prospect. Pleased
with the arrangements she had made. my
mother described, 10 "a lady OF her ac-
quaintance, the advan.ag. Of her lodgings.
and mentioned the reasonable rent AT
which she had procured them; but she
was astonished to find that her friend lis
tened to her with marked coolness: s.Was
| not right to close the bargain mmedi-
ately::" replied the lady. "Why? am
sure we shall be exceedingly comlorta
ble.-Very likcly,--,he air i. delicious.
purified by the Rhone, which flows al
most beneath our windows. Very true.
The view Of the lake is enchanting -
SO 1t is; but yet you cannot possibly live
there.-l cannot guess your objection
Why, tho fact is, nobody would visit YOU;
it is the lo,cer part Of the town, which is
occupied BY the shopkeepers You must
live in more-genteel situationr
Every body to whom we mentioned the
subject, was Of the same opinion; and we
were accordingly obliged to give up our
pleasant lodgings and look out f,r others.
After some trouble, we, ut length, sue
ceedcd in procuring apartments in little
dirty narrow. street. Only slight wall
separated thes.bouses from the common
Jail But our friend r5joiccd to see US in.
stalled in this disagreeable abode, for sh.
began to fear that we should not obtain
LODGINGS in the .fne q*arter of the town
The rooms communicated with each
other by little steps, which, owing TO the
scanty supply Of light thatawas admitted
to them, were so very dangerous tina, we
every moment ran the risk Of breaking
our necks The paper on the walls was
Of large lowered pattern in very bad
taste, and, moreover, none of the cleanest
However, we had no choice, as there we re
no other good lodgings to be had.
My mother was much annoyed at be-
ing compelled to make this sacrifice to
gentility. BY way Of consolation, her
friends informed her, that she was in
possession Of the room which once belong
ed to Calvin. "What an odious drawing
room!' said my mo.her.-..Never mind
thas! Your be'ichamber was once occu
pied by celebrated man.-But it is 60
exceedingly dark.-lIe had light enough
to write OH his books in it.--Bu. this
proximity to the jailis insupportable The
noise Of the un(ortunates prisoners, the
barking Of dogs, and the oaths Of the Jail
ers disturb my resl.--Pooh, nonsense!
Calvin slept soundly cnolgh herev'--lt
WAs useless to complain, and. in spite Of
every Inconvenience. we were forced 10
be Satisfied with our gcntcel lodgings
The distinde6n Of classes is carried TO
such length, that young ladies, who are
always accustomed TO walk out aose,
take waiting woman with them when
they gAi inte the lower part Of the town
to make purchases. Yet therinhabi,ants
Of that despised quarter are remarkable
for good conduct aud respec,ability.- Du-
crest's Josephise.
PHILOSOPHERS arc not less accessible
TO the Trailer impulses Of our common ma
III rn fhan tl,.,a1. ~ hn davhta tho,,ns.lvns =.