Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-03-19

ny Az AMERICAN


1t is the manners Of the Italians which is the real
cause of the preference given them by all travellers
This alone makes an immense difference between an
Italian and American city. Broadway with all Its
array of beauty never iDclines to be lively and
merry. The ladies Ohe men worse Of course)
seem to have come out for no other purpose than to
enjoy themselves. Theiy whole demeanor is like one
sitting for his portrait Every thing is just as it
should be to be looked at. Every lady seri-
Gus face and the whole throng like stiff country
party. The ladies here, the contrary, go out to
be merry, and it is perpetual chatter and laugh
on the public promenades. The movements are all
different, and the very air seems gay. never went
down Broadway at the promenade hour alone with the
blues without coming back feeling bluer, while ne
yer returned from public promenade in Italy, with
out rubbing my hands. saying to myself, SWELL this
must be a very comfortable world. after ALL people do
enjoy themselves In il amazingly" This difference
is still perceptible personal acquaintance.
An Italian lady never sits and u:erS common places
with freezing formality. She is more flexible, and
indeed if the truth must be said better naured and
happier than too many Of my countrywomen She is
not OF the keen lookout lest she should fail frown
every time propriety demands.
There is no country in the world where woman is
so worshipped and oowed to have her own way as in
America, and yet there is country where she is
ungraefu for the place and power she occupies. Have
you never in Broadway, when the omnibus was full,
stepped out into the rain to let lady take YOUR place.
ference in her manner as if she considered it the
merest trife in the world you had done ! How cold
and heartless her "Thank ye,'' if she gave one
Dickens makes the same remark with regard to stage
coaches does Hamilton. Nov, do such favor for
an Italian lady, and you would be rewarded with one of
the sweetest smiles that ever frightened a human
countenance 1 do not go the principle that a man
must always expect reward for his good deeds yet,
when have had my kndest offices as a stranger re-
ceived as if were almost suspected of making i'm
proper advances, have felt there little pleasure
in being civil. The 'Grazia, signOre," and smile
with Which an Italian rewards the commones civiity
would make the Plainest woman appear handsome in
the eyes OF foreigner.
They also become more easily animated, till they
make 1t all sunlight around them. They tire
you with tie monOonous aspect but yield in tone
and look to the passing thought whether it be sad or
mirthful; and then they free from formality,
so senstively careful of your feelings shall never
forget one of the first acquaintance made in Italy.
was at the Marquis OFFS evening, convers-
ing with some gentlemen, when the Marquis came up
and said, "COme, let introduce you to a beautiful
lady " indeed she was the most beautiful Italian wo-
man have ever seen. declined saying that did
not understand the Italian language well enough to
converse with so brilliant creature. "FOr you
know" said l. 'one wants to say very clever things
in such case, and blunder would be crucifying."
"Pooh pooh,'' said he, 'come along )" and, taking
me bv the shoulders, led me along and forced me
If she had been half as much disconnected as was.
should have bundered beyond redemption but the
good naured laugh with which she regarded the Mar
quis's performance entirely restored my confidence,
and stumbled along in the Italian for half an hour
without her giving the least indication, by look or
word that did not speak it with perfect propriety
The same naivete of manner extends itself every
where. If you meet beautiful peasant girl, and
bow to her, instead of resentng it insult, she
shows most brilliant set of teeth and laughs in the
most perfect good humor. As was once coming down
from Mount Vesuvius passed an Italian lady with
her husband, who, by their attendants, took for per-
sons of distinction. had an immense stick in my
hand, with which had descended into the crater. As
rode slowly by, she turned to in the peasantest
manner, and said ala I'm gran bastone, signore,"
(You have got large cane, sir.) certainly did not
respect her the less for her "forwardness," (cvty)
but, on the contrary, felt | would have gone my
length to have served her.-FrOm Heaaley'S Letters
from Haly.