Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-24

OeFmnm Amuaementas
The London Saturday RsView makes merry
over the popular amusements of Germany
II says
Let any one try, and honestly state his
feelings after he has passed the third hour oil
the third evening at a beer garden, and he
will acknowledge that he feels a peculiar
and utter sensation Of WEAKNESS which is
unknown except on the Continent. But no
one can doubt that the Germans are
thoroughly happy. This is shown not only
by their air ofgentle content, but by the ex-
traordinary importance which they attach
in common conversation to what we should
think the most Insignificant occurrences.
Such thing as brewery giving its grand
yearly festival, or new cellars being inaugu-
rated by treat to the workmen, is discussed
with the strangest outpourings of triumph,
pleasure and pride. Long practice, too, or
hereditary taste enables the Germans TO take
more of these pleasures than English people
can do.
We speak Of German spending seven or
eight hours day in smoking and drinking
as a curious trait of character, as an odd ma
tional custom, as ahabit of an animal differ
ent to ourselves; but why on earth does not
all this beer and smoking make Germans bill
ious7 A German considers that, on busy
days, he must limit himself to about twelve
or fourteen cigars, while on holidays he takes
from twenty to twenty five. Brewers alone
could calculate how much beer would be in
proportion. We should like to know why
this does not make Germans i'll, particularly
as they take no exercise except little swim
ming. However that may be, the fact remains.
The Germans can go on with their amuse-
ments, and find continual relish in them.
No wonder that this provokes the investiga-
ton of foreigners. Surely people that can
get so much amusement must be happy, and
have much to teach the rest of the world in
the art of living.
The theatrical amusements are thus de-
scribed:
In every theater players are called for, and
approval is shown by shouting when they
come. But in Germany it is done in diff
ferent way. The audience do not much care
about scenic proprieties so long as they and
their tavOrltes have prolonged friendly
meeting. At summer theater in a small
German town, for example, a prettyish ac-
tress sang little song that captivated her
friends in the pit and boxes. She was called
for again and again. So long did this last
the theatrical arrangements began to proceed
without reference TO her ovation. Tue clouds
began to disappear. Next, the cottage in
front of which she sang went away on the
shoulders of an able-bodied porter; and then
tle aJteDQbDbS got BInUUlu6ueu, anu pldClQly
prepared banquet for the next scene under
her nose. The audience did not at all mind.
They and the young lady were all at home,
and there were no strangers to ma Ike a fuss.
So strong is this union between the au-
dience and the stage that the actors them
selves behave like a second audience when
the performance of any one of their number
especially delights them This may be seen
in places that might have been supposed to
be too grand for such artless exhibitions.
In Vienna, and at the principal theater, a
comic opera was lately given, in which the
leading buffo fairly finlshed off his comrades.
The pTima donna broke down without shame
or disguise, and hoped away behind his
back TO have her laugh out The chorus was
equally amused, aud at one moment the
funny man was literally in possession of the
whole house, and separated a laughing au-
dience before him from a laughing audience
behind him. This may show that the Viennese
are very happy, aid are easily amused, and
people who behave in a more reserved and
decorous way may really have to regret their
supposed superiority.