All shops, except druggists', tobacconists', and places of refreshment, are hermetically closed on Sundays.

Even the barbers have to close at half- past ten in the morning under a heavy fine, and during the Sundays in Lent cafes and eating-houses are shut throughout the afternoon, because the waiters are supposed to go to catechism.

The English reading-rooms are locked up; there is no delivery of letters, and no mails go out.

A French band plays on the Pincian at sunset, and the Borghese gardens are thrown open; but these, till evening, are the only public amusements.

At night, it is true, the theatres are open, but then in Roman Catholic countries, Sunday evening is universally accounted a feast.