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THROUGH SWEDEN. 69
fometimes experienced when I was among the number of the
guefts. In the interval between dinner and fupper, which how-
ever, from the ‘many hours that are thought neceflary for the
acts of eating and drinking, is not long, there is no amufement
whatever but playing at cards. If you cannot join in this ra-
tional recreation, you are abandoned to your fate, and may fit in
fome corner of the room, indulging in meditation on whatever
fubject you pleafe.
I have already noticed the extreme paffion of the Swedes for
cards; an amufement too fafcinating in all countries, but which
in Sweden, efpecially among the higher orders, feems to abforb
every power and faculty of the foul. The following anecdote
may ferve to illuftrate it in a ftriking manner :—A nobleman of
great rank having waited longer than ufual for his dinner, and
feeing that no preparation was made for it, went down to call
his fervants to an account, and to examine into the reafon of the
delay. He found his houfehold, in imitation of their fuperiors;
deeply engaged at cards. They excufed themfelves to their
mafter by telling him that they were now at the moft interefting
point of the game; and the butler, who had the greateft ftake,
took the liberty of explaining the cafe to his excellency, who
could not in confcience but approve bis reafons. However, being
unwilling to wait for his dinner till the game was decided, he fent
the butler to lay the cloth, while he himfelf fat down with the
other fervants, and managed the intereft of that individual m his
abfence.
The
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