We know not what is meant by beauty or
grandeur. Here under the glass roof stand white forms of undraped
men and women--casts of antique statues--but we care as little
for the glory of art as for that of nature; we have a vague feeling
that, for some reason or other, antiquity excuses the indecent, but
further than that we do not get.
As the dusk descends there is a general setting of the throng
towards the open air; all the pathways swarm with groups which have
a tendency to disintegrate into couples; universal is the protecting
arm. Relief from the sweltering atmosphere of the hours of sunshine
causes a revival of hilarity; those who have hitherto only bemused
themselves with liquor now pass into the stage of jovial
recklessness, and others, determined to prolong a flagging
merriment, begin to depend upon their companions for guidance. On
the terraces dancing has commenced; the players of violins,
concertinas, and penny-whistles do a brisk trade among the groups
eager for a rough-and-tumble valse; so do the pickpockets. Vigorous
and varied is the jollity that occupies the external galleries,
filling now in expectation of the fireworks; indescribable the
mingled tumult that roars heavenwards.
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