For their domestic amusements every afternoon after drinking tea, the gentlemen and ladies walk the Mall, and from there adjourn to one anothers house to spend the evening, those that are not disposed to attend the evening lecture which they may do if they please six nights in the seven the year round. What they call the Mall is a walk on a fine green Common adjoining to the south east side of the town. The Government being in the hands of dissenters they dont admit of plays or music houses; but of late they have sent up an assembly to which some of the ladies resort. But they are looked upon to be none of the nicest, in regard to their reputation, and it is thought it will be soon suppressed for it is much taken notice of and exploded by the religious and sober part of the people. But notwithstanding plays and such like diversions do not obtain here, they dont be dispirited or moped for the want of them; for both the ladies and gentlemen dress and appear as gay in common as courtiers in England on a coronation or birthday. And the ladies visit here, drink tea, indulge in every little piece of gentility to the height of the mode, and neglect the affairs of the family with as good a grace as the finest ladies in London. The Marquis de Chastellux writes of the Philadelphia assembly in 1780:-- The assembly or subscription ball, of which I must give an account may here be introduced. At Philadelphia, there are places appropriated for the young people to dance in and where those whom that amusement does not suit may play at different games of cards, but at Philadelphia games of commerce are alone allowed. A manager or Master of Ceremonies presides at the methodical amusements; he presents to the gentlemen and lady dancers, billets folded up containing each a number; thus fate decides the male or female partner for the whole evening. All the dances are previously arranged and the dancers are called in their turns. These dances, like the toasts we drink at table, have some relation to politics; one is called The Successful Campaign, another Bourgoynes Defeat, a third Clintons Retreat. The managers are generally chosen from among the most distinguished officers of the army. Colonel Mitchell, a little fat squat man, was formerly the manager, but when I saw him he had descended from the magistracy and danced like a common citizen. He is said to have exercised his office with great severity, and it is told of him, that a young lady who was figuring in a country dance, having forgot her turn through conversing with a friend, he came up to her and called out aloud, “Give over, Miss, take care what you are about. Do you think you come here for your pleasure?”