New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-08
AN AMERICAN IN EUROPE. No. Il

AN AMERICAN IN EUROPE. No. IL
SUNDAY AT GENEvA-s ABBATICAL OBSERVANCE.
Special Correspondence of The " Y. Tribune
GENEVA SWITZERLAND,
Friday, Aug II, 1855.
American parents in general are somewhat
disposed TO dread the holiday aspect which Sur
day wears in most of the schools upon the Lake
Of Geneva. The pupils go 10 church in the
morning, but for the rest OF the day they am1se
themselves, Of course always under the sur7 IL
lance of their teachers, pretty much as they please
The various schools differ no doubt among them
selves as TO The limits Ct the indulgence allowed
the pupils in this respect-for example, De.
Hac cius COOS not allow dancing but only m1sic
90 Sunday evening; but there is absolutely none
probably where the spirit # the observance of
the day is not essentially different from that
which obtains in our schools. In none OF them
whatever would the pupil be instructed that II pas
unlawful 10 dmuse himself on that day, though
some sorts If amusement might doubtless DO
pre- scribed as preferable to others. Last
Sunday we were invited to dine at one of these
schools. The entire household of teachers
and taught make one family every day, all
day afternoon they have grand dinner, with
few relatives Of the family, OF perchance of the
pupils also as guests; and il was to one Of these
entertainments we were invited The hour named
was O'Clock. On alighting at the door we were
cordially welcomed by our host and hostess, who,
after the preliminary hOspitalities had been at
tended to, led us out upon the grounds, where we
found all the children in the full tide of successful
recre alton Some were walking with their arms
interlOcked in playful converse; some were run
ming some swinging, some leapng, some playing
CHEFS: but all were plainly enjoying themselves
without stint, and yet without rudeness. When
the dinner-bell sounded and we had got all seated
at the luxurious table had an opportunity TO OBJ
serve the department of the children, and L could
discover nothing indicating that their manners were
practically disregarded TLey were allowed to con-
verse freely with each other, and there was good
deal of quiet laughter going on but observed no
in0eeorum of any sort, nor any behavior which |
should have felt bound to correct in my own chill
dren at my own table. The dinner was served IN
German fashion, and was beautiful entertainment
both in substance and form. After dinner the
elders of the party took tea in che salon. and after
tea the folding doors which connect that room with
the dinns-roOm, being opened, We found the latter
converted into concert hall, and for an hour or
SO we were agreeably RECALLED by the singing OF
pupils and teachers. To singing succeeded dan
cling and there being some young misses present
belonging to the house or TO neighboring families,
YOU may be sure that the young gentlemen showed
no hearty disinclinaton to the exercise The whole
affair passed off without effort or embarrassment
on apv hand and 80 far as the thing itself was con-
cerned never spent an evening OF more innocent
and healthy gaiety Yet ii the scene had transpfed
at any Of our American schools, one would appre-
bend an entire Withdraw patronage frOmit. Now
what is the exact truth upon all this vexed ques-
ton Is there no way ofapproachng it Let Us see
-. .&a 8 H. fha
elements Of the question TO he resolved. Sunday
il much more cay of pleasure among Europeans
than il il with us Even among the English it il
day Of great sOoI0i enjoy ment that IL, they use 1t
for friendly visiting for family gatherings, for short
rural excursions, and 20 forth 20 that It's weekly
return even IN England i Annotated 1ith good
deal Of cheeTfulDess But on the Continent II
comes hear being regarded "a dsy Of pure i"stiF
iy and is Identified with ample physicbl recreh
ti0D AMoIg PTOtHsthhts indeed sJOnq THOt
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