Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/301

Rh must be ascribed that contentious, critical contrariness of temper which the Genevese themselves acknowledge to, which they comprehend in the word Avener. Le Genevois est avener! is an accepted expression. But it most certainly arises from the fact of la Bise, that hideous Xantippe, being a fellow-citizeness of Geneva.

The old Genevese has been more than ever avener during the last few years, because the government of the Canton, during this time, has been in the hands of a faction, which, under a show of working for the public good, labors to put an end to its old manners and usages, and vails an actual libertinism under the beautiful name of liberalism. The leader of the faction, and the present Governor of Geneva, James Fazy, keeps a public gambling-house, and enriches himself in various less reputable ways. The favor which he shows to the Catholic party, and the Catholic influence within the city, give him a majority at the election, which the honest Protestants of the city are not able to withstand; besides which, when they go up to the state-house to vote on questions of government, they are so violently attacked by a low rabble, brought together for the purpose, that the greater number decline to vote at all. In the mean time, the Philistines rule, and the truly loyal sigh over the humiliation of the city of Geneva. The handsome, new electoral palace has received a name indicative of the prevailing spirit, and the adherents of the government are called libertines.

In many outward measures, however, it seems to me that the immoral government has really the best interests of the people at heart; and that ought to be