Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-05-20

pleasant remcfn Drancc. lie is the most
| tiring of men, knows every place, and every
nook in it, in Europe, is genuine Catholic,
never forgets the holy water and the cross,
yet hates the priests with an amusing in
tensity, and is wholly devoted to our COM
fort and qualification.
There is one feature of continental Europe
| that is very agreeable. Every evening, IN
the public square or garden of the city IN
which we may be, we have found a band
playing, from one to two hours, the most de-
licious music. The operas of the most cele-
brated composers are here rendered gratuit-
ousiy IN the most mastery way. These out
door evening concerts arc attended by crowds
ofpeope of all classes, and give an opportunity
for Il delightful promenade. And in no case
have | seen the least disturbance or rowdyism
or improprety. Seats and tables are arranged
in front of the cafes on the square or in the
gardens, and coffee and ices and cake are fur
nlshed to hundreds and thousands of ladies
and gentlemen, while dealers in fancy articles
percOlate the crowd and contribute TO the
general enjoyment. 1t is a scene of innocent
recreation and pleasure which | should like
to see initiated in every city and town of our
country, that is able to sustain band.
These innocent cnjOymentS are positively ben
eticial TO the people. | confident that
they increase the amenity of social life, and
ism which so often runs wild in our Ameri
can crowds. An European crowd is perfect
ly civil, and no one in it ever passes the linn
its of propriety. One never meets with per-
sonal rudeness. The square of St. Mark S,
each evening, is like an immense drawing
room full Of decorOus and pleasant guests. An
incivility would be considered a crime
wish we might have such evening resorts and
entertainments in the sweet summer even
ings of New England. 1t would cultivate
both the musical gifts of our amateurs and
the public social life of our communities.
One need not fear that they would tend to
any laxity of public morals. So far from it,
there is, on the continent, no open show of
vice. Rarely anything meets the eve that
would shock the most tastidious taste Moth
ing low or unseemly ever stalks in your way
or stares in your face. in the out door social
life of the Italian people.
have tried to give you some idea Of ltal-
ian life. OF course, it must be very imper-
feet in all respects. My eyes are the only
reliable means of obtaining knowledge. My
ears are not accustomed to the language. |
understand but little and often make myself
ridiculous by trying to make others under
stand my wishes. Bat, however ridiculous
am, no one ever seems To notice it. and If
turn suddenly round To see the effect of my
fearful mixture Of Italian, French and Eng
lsh, in the person to whom | have been trying
to Communicate my ideas, tie furtive smile i
instantly suppressed and their ftceS become
pictures of the most gratifying amcnity. But
a quick Italian viii make out Your wants on
the slightest clue But my descriptions OF
life here are Of my own observation. They
may be meagre and too small to sustain any
fair and complete inference as to the state OF
society Yet | have " set down naught in
malice" | shall always have a deeper love
for Italy, now that | have seen her. and a
warmer sympathy with her long-oppres-cd
people. Tie memory Of her roads, her
scenery, her ruins, her churches. her cities.
can never become dim Here there is mat
ter 10 awaken and to touch every feeling in
the human soul. Admiration. love. pity,
derIsion and contempt, respect and indigna
ton, by turns occupy the mind Here are
the empires IF the Past and the empires of
Jhc Present, the Rome of the Caesars and the
Rome of the Popes, the one blending with
the other, that it is difficult To tell where
the Pagan ends ana the Christian begins,
and the ruins Of the former evermore suggest
i've Of the overthrow that awaits the latter
come it viii, Italy may have fair and beau
titul restoration. The living Christ may
supplant the dead Christ, whose auLuished
face and form hangs on all the walls and
shrnes Of Italy, purge the idols from the
temples. AID make the places that We're
watered by the blood of the apostles and
martyrs, glorious with the birthright of an
undying freedom. Kaha Fioreatc