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Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy Globalization Innovation and Sustainability 15Th Edition Wheelen Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy Globalization Innovation and Sustainability 15Th Edition Wheelen Test Bank Full Chapter PDF
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1) The combination of the degree of complexity and the degree of change existing in an
organization's external environment is/are called
A) strategic factors.
B) strategic issues.
C) environmental uncertainty.
D) strategic fit.
E) scenarios.
Answer: C
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
2) According to the text, one reason environmental uncertainty is a threat to strategic managers is
because
A) it is a costly and time-consuming process.
B) it creates a new playing field in which creativity and innovation can play a major part in
strategic decisions.
C) it forces the strategic manager to be more stable.
D) it hampers their ability to develop long-range plans and make strategic decisions.
E) there are too many uncontrollable variables.
Answer: D
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
1
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
AACSB: Analytical thinking
2
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
4) The corporation's task environment
A) encompasses the physical working areas of the organization.
B) includes those elements or groups within an organization's industry.
C) is an advisory committee to top management.
D) is an accounting of the many jobs within an organization.
E) is the job requirement specification listing necessary skills and abilities.
Answer: B
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
3
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
7) Which of the following is not a major force in the societal environment?
A) political-legal forces
B) labor forces
C) economic forces
D) technological forces
E) sociocultural forces
Answer: B
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
11) A corporation uses environmental scanning to avoid strategic surprises and ensure long-term
health.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
12) Political-legal forces regulate the values, mores, and customs of society.
Answer: FALSE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
4
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
13) The societal environment includes the economic, technological, political-legal, and
sociocultural forces.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
14) A corporation's task environment is typically focused on the industry within which the firm
operates.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Application of knowledge
15) Externalities have been identified by governments but firms have not been forced to deal
with the side effects of their activities.
Answer: FALSE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Analytical thinking
16) Today's organizations must scan the natural environment for factors that might previously
have been taken for granted.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.1: List the aspects of an organization's environment that can influence its long-
term decisions
AACSB: Analytical thinking
5
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
18) All of the following are technological breakthroughs already having a significant impact on
many industries EXCEPT
A) growing health consciousness.
B) alternative energy sources.
C) genetically altered organisms.
D) smart, mobile robots.
E) virtual personal assistants.
Answer: A
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Analytical thinking
20) Which of the following is not one of the eight current sociocultural trends mentioned in the
text?
A) increasing environmental awareness
B) growth of the seniors market
C) decline of the mass market
D) wage/price controls
E) impact of Generation Y boomlet
Answer: D
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
6
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
21) Which is the largest age group of the current generations in all developed countries?
A) Baby Boomers
B) Woofies
C) Silent Generation
D) Gen X
E) Gen Y
Answer: A
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
22) A company with significant assets and activities in multiple countries is known as a(n)
A) multi-national corporation.
B) repatriated corporation.
C) transferable corporation.
D) duplicate corporation.
E) emancipated corporation.
Answer: A
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
23) When strategic managers have a willingness to reject unfamiliar as well as negative
information it is referred to as
A) strategic paralysis.
B) corporate inertia.
C) management indifference.
D) strategic myopia.
E) corporate apathy.
Answer: D
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
7
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
24) The origin of competitive advantage lies in the ability to
A) gain major stockholders.
B) identify and respond to environmental change well in advance of competition.
C) launch products quickly.
D) serve customers faster.
E) create surprise for others.
Answer: B
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
25) The transferring of profits from a foreign subsidiary to a corporation's headquarters is known
as repatriation of profits.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
28) One of the sociocultural variables in the societal environment is the changing household
composition.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Analytical thinking
8
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
29) One of the breakthrough developments in technology is the portable information device and
electronic networking.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
30) A multi-national corporation is a company with significant assets and activities in multiple
countries.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
31) The origin of competitive advantage lies in the ability to identify and respond to
environmental change well in advance of competition.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
32) Strategic myopia is the willingness to reject unfamiliar as well as negative information.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
33) Booz & Company found that companies that are most successful at avoiding surprises had a
well-defined system that integrated planning, budgeting, and business reviews.
Answer: TRUE
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
9
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
34) List eight current sociocultural trends in the United States that are transforming North
America and the world.
Answer: Eight current sociocultural trends in the United States that are transforming North
America and the world are as follows:
1. Increasing environmental awareness
2. Growing health consciousness
3. Expanding seniors market
4. Impact of Millennials
5. Decline of the mass market
6. Changing pace and location of life
7. Changing household composition
8. Increasing diversity of workforce and markets
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.2: Identify the aspects of an organization's environment that are most
strategically important
AACSB: Application of knowledge
35) According to Porter, seeing clothing firms such as Under Armour enter the athletic shoe
industry would reflect a
A) medium bargaining power of suppliers.
B) low threat of substitutes.
C) medium bargaining power of buyers.
D) high threat of potential entrants.
E) low competitive intensity.
Answer: C
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
10
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
37) According to Porter, the corporation is most concerned with
A) the intensity of competition within its industry.
B) the aggregate level of demand for a product line.
C) a market's position on its life cycle.
D) the amount of pressure from the societal environment.
E) the level of government action in an industry.
Answer: A
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
38) In addition to Porter's Five Forces, another force added in the text is
A) bargaining power of unions.
B) other stakeholders.
C) threat of prospects.
D) threat of shareholders.
E) bargaining strength of employees.
Answer: B
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Application of knowledge
39) According to Porter, the collective strength of the interaction of potential entrants, buyers,
substitutes, suppliers, firm rivalry, and other stakeholders determine
A) the level of government action in an industry.
B) the probable industry attractiveness and business strength position.
C) the ultimate profit potential in the industry measured in terms of long-run return on invested
capital.
D) the aggregate level of demand for a product line.
E) the amount of pressure from the societal environment.
Answer: C
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
11
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
40) According to Porter's model, a strong or high force is likely to reduce profits and can be
regarded as a(n)
A) benefit.
B) opportunity.
C) advantage.
D) threat.
E) risk.
Answer: D
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
41) According to Porter's model, a low force can enable the company to earn greater profits and
can be regarded as a(n)
A) benefit.
B) opportunity.
C) advantage.
D) threat.
E) risk.
Answer: B
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
42) Porter describes the threat of new entrants. Which of the following is not descriptive of the
"threat of new entrants"?
A) depends on the presence of entry barriers
B) has a desire to gain market share
C) depends on the reaction of existing competitors
D) does not impact industry attractiveness
E) brings new capacity and substantial resources
Answer: D
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
12
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
43) Which barrier to entry do corporations such as P&G use to force new entrants to spend
heavily to overcome existing customer loyalty?
A) rivalry among existing firms
B) switching costs
C) capital requirements
D) product differentiation
E) access to distribution channels
Answer: D
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
44) Which barrier to entry uses cost advantages associated with large size?
A) rivalry among existing firms
B) switching costs
C) cost disadvantages independent of size
D) capital requirements
E) economies of scale
Answer: E
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
45) Which barrier to entry was demonstrated by Microsoft's development of the first widely
adopted operating system (MS-DOS) for the IBM-type personal computer that gave it a
significant competitive advantage over potential competitors?
A) government policy
B) access to distribution channels
C) cost disadvantages independent of size
D) capital requirements
E) economies of scale
Answer: C
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
13
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
46) Intel was able to gain a significant cost advantage over its competitors in the production and
sale of microprocessors because of
A) capital requirements.
B) product differentiation.
C) switching costs.
D) economies of scale.
E) access to distribution.
Answer: D
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
47) Which of the following is not descriptive of intense rivalry among firms?
A) slow industry growth
B) high fixed costs
C) high exit barriers
D) few competitors or competitors that are roughly equal in size and power
E) product offerings that are highly differentiated
Answer: E
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
48) Which of the following is not descriptive of the threat of substitute products or services?
A) Substitute products appear to be different, but satisfy the same need as another product.
B) If the cost of switching is low, substitutes may have a strong effect on an industry.
C) Identifying substitutes is relatively easy since they look similar.
D) Possible substitute products or services may not appear to be easily substitutable.
E) Substitutes limit the potential returns of an industry.
Answer: C
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
14
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
49) A sugar company that is worried that consumers may buy artificial sweetener instead of
sugar is concerned about the
A) threat of new entrants.
B) rivalry among existing firms.
C) threat of substitute products.
D) bargaining power of suppliers.
E) bargaining power of buyers.
Answer: C
Difficulty: Moderate
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
50) Which of the following is not descriptive of a high level of bargaining powers of buyers?
A) Changing suppliers costs very little.
B) Alternative suppliers are plentiful because of standardization of the product.
C) The purchased product represents a high percentage of buyer's costs.
D) The buyer buys a large proportion of the seller's product or service.
E) A buyer earns high profits and is very insensitive to costs and service differences.
Answer: E
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
51) When General Motors considers making its own automotive parts, Delphi Automotive
Supply Company would be concerned with the
A) bargaining power of suppliers.
B) bargaining power of buyers.
C) rivalry among existing competitors.
D) threat of substitutes.
E) threat of new entrants.
Answer: B
Difficulty: Difficult
Learning Obj.: 4.3: Conduct an industry analysis to explain the competitive forces that influence
the intensity of rivalry within an industry
AACSB: Analytical thinking
15
Copyright © 2018 Pearson Education, Inc.
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officer came and accomplished this with military ceremony; but we
were still unable to proceed, for a whole drove of asses and mules,
laden with fruits, vegetables, &c. had stationed themselves in the
pass on the other side, and began to enter amidst the smacking of
whips, and hallooing of muleteers; this occupied at least ten minutes.
With respect to the fair sex, they are generally lively and
fascinating, and possessed of susceptible feelings, capable of being
converted into strong attachments. These are some of the essential
requisites for forming an amiable, and virtuous character; but, alas!
the good is perverted by the influence of an injudicious and trifling
system of education, extended at most to superficial literary
acquisitions, which barely serve for the dictation of an ungrammatical
billetdoux, or the copying of a song. The most devoted attention is
given to the art of pleasing, and the study of dress, which, with the
auxiliaries of music and embroidery, form the leading occupations of
young French females.
When the grapes are of a bad, meagre kind, the wine-dealers mix
the juice with quicklime, in order to give it a spirit which nature has
denied, or, possibly, to take off acidity.
About this time, Dr. Skirving, an English physician, whom I had the
pleasure of knowing in Edinburgh, and an intimate acquaintance of
Madame M⸺, arrived with a view of establishing himself in
practice at Nice. He had originally become known at this place, in
consequence of having been detained in it by the illness of a friend,
who in an intended voyage from Civita Vecchia to Marseilles,
ruptured a blood-vessel on his lungs, by the exertions of sea-
sickness, and was compelled to make this port, where, after lingering
some months, he died. Pleased with the situation, and at the
solicitations of his friends, he determined to make Nice his
permanent residence, and having arranged his affairs in England,
was now arrived to carry the plan into execution.
The 15th of October now arrived, which, being St. Therese’s day,
was the fête of Madame M⸺, as well as the anniversary of my
birth. The former circumstance it may be necessary to explain. It is
customary in this country to name children after some favourite saint,
to whose especial protection they may thus be supposed to be
committed; and hence, when the annual fête of their patron arrives, it
is made a day of congratulation to themselves.
The dregs which remain after these operations, when dried, are
used as a fuel; particularly for warming, by means of brasieres,
apartments without chimneys.
The summer fruits, as grapes, figs, peaches, &c. were now over,
but we had great stores preserved for the winter’s use. There were,
however, neither oranges nor lemons this season, the unusually
severe frost of the preceding winter having killed all the trees:
throughout France, and about Genoa, most of the olive-trees also
perished; but at Nice they were more fortunate.
The land around the city is divided into small parcels or farms,
seldom consisting of more than twelve or fourteen acres each, and
which are principally covered with vines, olives, and fruit-trees, the
intermediate spaces being filled up with abundance of vegetables,
and small quantities of grain, the chief supply of this important article
being derived from different parts of the Mediterranean.
The proprietor retains the actual possession of the farm, but the
fermier cultivates it, collects its produce, and carries it to market; he
is bound also to plant, every year, a stipulated number of vines, from
three to six hundred, according to the size of the farm; and at his
sole expense to repair the walls and fences. The proprietor provides
him a house, pays the contribution foncier, and incurs half the
expense of manure, and of the animals necessary for carrying on the
various operations of the concern. The proprietor and fermier then
share the produce in equal proportions, except as relates to the
olives, of which the former takes three-fifths.
We now took leave of St. Rosalie; nor could I, without the highest
regret, tear myself away from its rural charms, not least amongst
which was the vine covered alley, “impervious to the noontide ray,”
which had so often offered us delightful shade, and refreshment,
during the most intense atmospheric heats; and where so many
happy moments had glided away in interesting conversation, and the
rational amusement of reading, frequently enlivened by the vocal
powers of Madame M⸺ and her youngest daughter.
Nice is far from being a large city, as I was able to make the tour of
its ramparts in twenty minutes; nor is it an interesting one; the streets
are narrow, and mostly on a level, with the exception of one or two
which lead to a part of the town situated in a hollow, and which have
a step every two or three yards to break the declivity.
Nice produces very fair wines, both red and white; but the most
valuable kind is that named Billit.
The accommodations for bathing are indifferent; the beach is
rough and stony, and there are no machines. On summer evenings,
after it is dark, the females take possession of the beach, on one
side of the entrance of the harbour, and there bathe, while the men
go to a distant point.
There are, however, two sets of warm baths in the town, the one
constructed of marble, the other with copper; the former, situated
near the Place St. Dominico, are long, narrow, and shallow; when in
them, you only want a cover to make a good coffin—the latter, on the
contrary, situated on the ramparts between the bridge and the Place
Victoire, are so short and deep, that although you cannot lie down in
them, you may sit, and have the water up to your chin; in fact they
form excellent boilers, which would serve to stew you down, if
required.
Among the many beautiful walks about Nice, the Terrace ranks
foremost; it is crowded on a summer’s evening, but during the winter
is delightful throughout the whole day, particularly on a Sunday
afternoon, when a military band occasionally attends for an hour or
two. The walks to the Port, and around the ramparts, are also very
agreeable.
Only three good carriage roads will be found at Nice, one leading
to the Var, another to Turin, and the third to Genoa; there is also one
to Villa Franca, but so steep, that many do not like to venture up it;
the preferable way of visiting this latter place, is to row there in a
boat or felucca, and return on foot.
Villa Franca is a small, but strongly fortified town, distant about two
miles from Nice, built at the extremity of a fine harbour, in a situation
admirably adapted for the site of a more important place. It consists
of very indifferent buildings, and its streets are narrow, and
wretchedly paved.
Nice and its environs do not offer a very extensive field to the
naturalist. The surrounding mountains are, however, covered with a
great variety of plants during the whole year; and, of course, the
botanist will find ample amusement. The mineralogy of the
neighbourhood is but limited, the whole of the hills around the city
consisting chiefly of limestone, with some few beds of gypsum. In the
beds of the mountain torrents, portions are occasionally found of
granite, gneiss, clay-slate, flinty-slate, serpentine and feltspar; but
these specimens so small and so much weathered, that it is often
difficult to distinguish them.
A very pretty, but small theatre, has been erected at Nice, which
was not opened for dramatic representations during my residence
there. It was, however, made use of for two grand balls, given by a
select party of the nobles and gentlemen of Nice, to the stranger
residents; we were also entertained with a public concert in it; we
had, besides this, several private amateur concerts, in a large room
appropriated for such occasions, and supported by subscription,
each subscriber being allowed to introduce a certain number of
persons.
On the 3rd of January, the waters of the Paglion came down with
so much force, as to carry away the embankment, raised for the
protection of the workmen employed at the foundation of a new
bridge, just commenced over the river, and which was expected to
require two years to complete.
The coldest day experienced during the season, was on the 20th
of February, but even then, the lowest point at which Reaumur’s
thermometer was noticed, was 1° above freezing point, or equal to
34¼° of Fahrenheit.
After leaving the harbour, the wind was light and variable, and the
water smooth, so that by dint of rowing and sailing, we proceeded at
the rate of three miles an hour. On arriving off the town, and
principality of Monaco, we stood towards the shore, and took on
board three sailors, belonging to a Sardinian frigate, lying at Genoa,
who had been visiting their friends at Monaco, and agreed to work
their passage back to the former place.
After breakfast, the whole of our party, except the Italian lady and
myself, set off on mules for Genoa, we having determined to remain
in hopes of the wind shortly becoming favourable, in which case, we
doubted not, by pursuing our original plan, still to reach Genoa
before them, and avoid a difficult and expensive journey by land.
The wind, which throughout the night had continued fresh, in the
morning became more moderate and favourable; soon after day-light
we weighed anchor, stood out of the harbour, and beat up along
shore during the day, making what sailors call a long leg and a short
one, or perhaps what will be more intelligible, a long tack and a short
one, the wind being three points on the right side of our noses; about
evening it freshened, and was fed by small rain. A Swedish brig
passed us at two p.m. which was running out of the gulf of Genoa,
with a fine fair wind. About eight in the evening, the wind had
increased in such a degree, that the captain thought it necessary to
seek shelter for the night, but it was become so dark, that in running
for a place he had been accustomed to, the vessel took ground,
under the lee of some small uninhabited island. The whole crew,
including himself, now made such a hue-and-cry, that one would
have thought, nothing less than immediate destruction was to be the
result of this mistake; however, we made shift to secure the vessel to
the rocks, with an anchor, and it was fortunate that we succeeded in
effecting this, for the wind soon increased to a tremendous gale, with
heavy rain, which continued through the present night, and the
following day and night also.
It was true that this was Friday, but my fair companion was not in a
situation to think of maigre day, even had it been Vendrédi saint
itself. I believe the influence of the French Revolution, has
contributed materially to lessen the superstitions of the Catholic
countries, which have been exposed to its action. I have heard a
French officer remark, that for his part he had met with a sufficient
number of maigre days during the war, and could now afford no
more, but must live gras to make up for what he had lost. The priests
still contrive to make many women, children, and servants, observe
their ordinances, but the men have ventured, pretty generally, to
throw off their restraint.
We rose with day-break, and finding the wind still adverse, after
settling with the captain, went on shore, and taking places in the
voiture to Genoa, determined no longer to be the sport of the winds.
There were but two vacancies in the coach, and finding our anxiety
to proceed with it, the conducteur would fain have taken advantage
of it, but the lady managed the affair well, for offering what she knew
to be the usual sum, viz. five francs for each of us; on their refusal to
accept it, under the plea that there was no other coach that day, we
walked off, and pretended to be indifferent about it: this manœuvre
brought them to, and before we had proceeded the length of a street,
the conducteur came running after us, to say that he was willing to
take us; after this, however, we had some trouble to get our luggage
to the carriage, and were obliged to walk part of the way out of town,
in doing which we were followed by the most importunate host of
beggars I had ever witnessed in my life; my companion was so
confused that she could with difficulty count out her money to pay
the porters, &c. At length our supplicants dropped off, one by one,
until we literally out-walked them all.
The succeeding day was the last of the Carnival, and a great
number of people were parading the streets masked, and in all the
fantastic garb of the season; the business, however, appeared to be
kept up with more spirit than at Toulouse on the preceding winter. In
the course of the evening a person with whom I was walking
addressed a female mask, who said she was cook in a gentleman’s
family, and that she must hasten home to wash the dishes; on
parting, we induced her to shake hands with us; and if I am a judge
of the affair, I pronounce that her hand had never been in dish-water,
for a prettier formed, or more delicate one, I never touched in my life.
In the evening, the festival concluded with masked-balls at the
theatres, and other amusements.