Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-06
socIety in venice.

Onarle5 Dudley warner writes from
Venice to the Hartford Courant:
With the lower classes there seems to
be nowhere in Italy any social union, so
far as | can leard. The men talk to.
gether in public places and in wine shops;
sometimes you will see men and women
chatting and chatting together out doors
or in the shops; occasionally. they make
an excursion together to another island
but there seems to be nothing like the
society or frequent gatherings for social
purposes, nothing OF the hospitality we
see at home. Hospitality does not seem
to be the Italians forte. am told that
Italian gentlemen frequent English and
American entertainments. in Rome, but
never think of giving one in return. A
gentleman told me that he had twice
been to a "party" which his landlord
gives once year to his friends, all we'll
to-do people, and he never got even the
smell Of refreshments, not even a glass
of water was handed round. Here in
Venice there has grown up sort OF mid
die class, but it has almost no social life
The business Of the city is largely ia the
hands of the Jews. They are the most
enterprisiRg and prosperous citizens
They are the bankers, the large antiquity
dealers, the manufacturers They are
people Of consideration; they are mem
bers OF the city government. There is
not that prejudice against the Jews that
exists in some other cities; in Vienna,
for instance, where believe the Baron
Rothschild (lately deceased) and his
family never were admitted into so
ciety." The most wealthy man in Ven
ice 10 Jew, baron; his wife, the
daughter of the Rothschild above named,
had 30000,0OO francs in her own right.
Their is no question OF their social posi-
ZION here on account of race. There
are 10000 Jews in Venice.
So far as know the only society here
is that of the nobility. 1t alone has any
form and tone, or would be recognized
as society. 1t is not exclusive like the
Roman patrican clique, for / believe
foreigners are admitted to it. Its vital
ity is displayed by h punctilious ex-
change OF formal visits and of cards,
and by weekly receptions at certain
houses, and a few grand balls in the sea-
son. The Venetians, you know, turn
night into day. think all classes are
night birds, more or less The theaters
and concerts never begin till nine
o clock in the evening, and are not out
till twelve; and, of course, supper lat
the restaurant) won't be over before one
or two o'clock. If you are invited to
regular weekly reception and 20 at eleven
YOU will find no one there except the
hostess. Guests will begin to arrive at
half.past eleven, most, however, do not
come until twelve, and tea will be served
between one and two. If it is ball you
must not 90 before Twelve. The german
will begin at two. and end, perhaps, when
the bronze figures on the clock tower in
the piazza are striking seven, and the
pigeons Of st. Mark are beginning to
look for early corn. The advantage Of
this is two.fold.s In the first place, you
can 20 to bed land if you are not very
robust woman. yon will do SOY early in
the evening, get up at midnight and
dress and 90 to the ball and be in re-
,reshed condition to enjoy it. In the
second place, you can sleep all the next
day, and as yon haye nothing whatever
to do, in the garish daylight, this is a
gain. The day is disposed Of. By mid
hight you may feel like going down to
Florian's for cup Of coffee and o chat
with friends. Florisn's ia always open,
night and day. For 300 years it has not
been closed; two sets Of walters keep its
doors always ajar, it's lamps trimmed and
burning, and coffee hot