Diary of John Adams, volume 4
1778-05-29
When I dined again at Monsieur La Frétes at the foot of Calvare. And, We saw a great Rarity in France, Madam 120La Frete had four Sisters who dined with Us. Monsieur Rulier
The Disposition of the People of this Country for Amusements, and the Apparatus for them, was remarkable in this House, as indeed it was in every genteel House that I had seen in France. Every fashionable House had compleat Setts of Accommodations for Play, a Billiard Table, a Bacgammon Table, a Chesboard, a Chequer Board, Cards, and twenty other Sorts of Games, that I have forgotten. I often asked myself how this rage for Amusements of every kind, and this disinclination to serious Business, would answer in our republican Governments in America. It seemed to me that every Thing must run to ruin.