The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-02-08
Society i'm Venice.

Charles Dudley Warner writes from
Venice to the Hartford Courant: With
the lower classes there seems to be no.
where in Italy any social union, SO far as
can learn. The men talk together in
public places and in wine shops; some
times you will see men and women chat
fling 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. 1 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 "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 glass of
water was handed round. Here in Venice
there has grown up sort of middle
class, but it has almost no social life.
The business of the city is largely in the
hands Of the Jews. They are the most
enterprising 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 Jews that
exists in some other cities; in Vienna,
for instance, where l believe the Baron
Rotchschild (lately deceased) and his
family never were admitted into "socie-
ty." The most wealthy man in Venice
is Jew, baron; his wife, the daughter
of the Rothschild above named, had
80, ,000, 600 francs in her own right. There
is ne question of their social position
here on account of race. There are 40,-
600 Jews in Venice. So far as I know
the only society here is that of the no.
bility. It alone has any form and tone,
or would be recognized as society. 1t is
not exclusive like the Roman patrician
clique, for ] believe foreigners are ad-
mitted to it. Its vitality is displayed by
punctilious exchange of formal visits
and of cards, and by weekly receptions
at certain houses, and a few grand balls
in the season. The Venetians, You know,
turn night into day. I think all classes
are night birds more or less. The thea
tiers 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 a
regular weekly reception and go 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 begin
ming to look for early corn. The advant-
age of this is twofold In the first place,
you can go to bed (and if you are not a
very robust woman you will do SOY early
in the evening, get up at midnight and
dress and 60 to the ball and be in re-
freshed condition to enjoy it. In the
second place, you can sleep all the next
day, and as you have nothing whatever
to do, in the garnish daylight, this is 8
gain. The day is disposed Of. By mid.
night you may feel like going down te
F. orian's for cup of coffee and a hat,
with friends. Florian's is always open
night and day. For 800 years ithas no,
been closed; two sets OF walters keep its
doors always ajar, its lamps trimmed and
burning, and coffee hot.
z--------- ---------- sSj
An exchange says fashionable young
people are calling upon somebody to in
vent new dance. Suppose somebody
invents one wherein the young lady dances
around the house and looks after every.
thing.