AMUSEMENTS. 341 for countenancing them, destroyed the pride which animated the militia. The amusements of Charlotte Town , although not on so extensive a scale, are in imitation of those at Halifax , which will be described more fully hereafter, when treating of Nova Scotia . During winter, assem¬ blies are usual, once a month, or oftener. An ama¬ teur theatre, very respectably fitted up, affords an opportunity of spending some pleasant hours. Pic¬ nic parties* are common during summer and winter. Dinner parties were at one time usual, but have not been so much so for some time past. The prin¬ cipal gentlemen of Charlotte Town generally dine together, at one of the hotels, on the anniversaries of the titular saints of each of the three kingdoms, and also during the sittings of the colonial legislature, and of the courts of law. The ice, during winter, frequently affords excellent skating. Shooting and fishing are other sources of amusement; and annual races, near Charlotte Town , have for some time been fairly supported. A public subscription library, on a respectable footing, affords, either to those who read merely for amusement, or to such as wish to keep pace, in the acquirement of knowledge, with the grow¬ ing intelligence of the world, a variety of entertain¬ ing and standard works. There is also a very well- conducted weekly paper, published at Charlotte Town . As the expense of keeping a horse is trifling, almost every housekeeper has one or two ; and during win- * Note B.