Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-20
The HEi>ericordia of Florence.
A REMARKABLE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF o.
SICK AND SUFFERING HUMANITY.


Tie following report on the society OF the
Nisericordia has been received at the Depart
ment Of State from j. schuyler CROSBY, esq,
American consul at Florence, Italy:
Whilst the yellow fever is making S'lch raw
ages il America, calling forth the utmost ener-
SieS OF our citizens TO combat 1t. and especially
lie institution known as the Howard Benev0-
lent Society. it has occurred TO me that some
notice OF kindred institution here, organized
several centuries ago and in active service ever
since, might be of interest TO the department..
Florence has very many benevolent societies.
but tie Oldest and most important is the So
called ''MisericOrdia,' or company of mercy.
This organization dates back to A. ID. 12l3, when
tie city had Just begun its flOuriShing CONNER
ctai career. Ii seems TO have originated among
the body of porteTS or facchini.' usually a ro-
Dust rough pr01aDe class OF men. and. down TO
our day, the terror and veNatiOn OF all travel
els, Piero di Luca BorZi one OF their numbe.'
at That time, being OF a religious turn OF mind
and holding the rank OF foreman. becoming
scandaiiZed at their vicious conduct proposed
that fine should be imposed for all biaSphemy
against God and the Hoy Virgin. This was as
sented. and through moneys collected, placed
in box, tie fund soon amounted TO a sum suf-
iicient TO purchase six hospital beds, as was
suggested by Fier0-one for each quarter OF the
city-and to hire pOrterS 10 carry TO them those
who luet with accidents in the public streets
or were stricken with sudden disease.
such was tie modest and strange beginning
tracted the notice Of the richer classes mem
beFS OF whom joined tie pOfterS, bringing
funds, with which suitable buildings and para
phelnaiia were gradually provided. On the 4th
OF October. 1923, the society was Officially Or
ganized under the auspices OF the city authori-
ties in charge OF eight captains notary and
superintendent, VINO directed the services OF the
members. which now numbered several hun
dTed, ard We're required 70 transport the sic,
and wounded in ltterS on their shoulders 10 the
hospitals. burying tie dead. nurse the sick. and
lclfCEm all such religious and benevolent du-
Jcs as might be imposed on them in virtue OF
tier vows. Tie fearful plaques which so often
CtclmateG tie population Of the city during Ae
middle ages gave them much dangerous and
trying work 10 perform, and rendered the So
ctety as popular Is it was useful.
Tie members on their round of services wore
gcWn OF red linen. oiled, with a hood, com
pletely covering their persons. three round
Roles being pierced in it for sight and air, the
Whole forming a perfect disguise, Of most
lGguer1ous and sinister aspect, particularly
changed to black. This last color is the only
one now retained for all occasions.
From pelng, as at 1irst. democratic body re-
cruited from the ranks OF the humblest citizens
it speedily became, what it has ever since re-
nlained, an aristOcratc one, sustained by the
ncb'e and Wealrhest classes. Princes, grand
dukes. marQuiSeS counts. barOnS, and, in Short
the political and social chiefs OF Florentine So
c!ety. became active members, performing the
menlal and other services required, protected
from public recognition by the masked uniform
they wore. prince OF the StrOZZi family fell a
victim 10 a contagious disease he caught While
On duty.
Inc society Stlll HOuflSneS, faithful 10 It's prln
cipleS. II numbers - chief guards, of whom 81
are priests and - SecularS. TO these are added
1t5 brothers, 25 being assigned for daily service,
with Is Supernumeraries, in case of need. Be-
sides this active force there are an unlimited
Eunlber OF volunteers (at present 1922 who can
be called on. The daily men serve for "a hours
When another set is substituted. Each member
must be over is years OF age. be a Roman Cath
Clic. have means OF livelihood, and be OF good
health and morals. Certain classes, such as
cobberS, hucksterS, butchers and Strolling ac-
1nl
members vary according to their position, but
in all cases are very trilling. The executive bu-
stress is managed by committee OF six: One
high eCclesiastic one nobieman, two priests and
two WOrklnen. There are besides six council
lOrs, two OyeTSeerS OF patients, a puryeyor.
chancellor, accountant, clerk and chamberlain,
two physicians. two servants and two porterS
Folmeriy the physicians received Sl1 annually.
a goose at All Saints day, a lamb AT Easter and
candle at the Publication, and some blessed
loaveS OF bread at st. Sebastan's. Other Off
according to rank. Sick members receive a
daily gift OF from 10 to 10 cents. To the needy
and INDECENT are distributed small sums CT
money monthly and on festivals A IL members
are entitled to a burial ard religious exercises,
according to their position.
At present the chief duty OF the society is TO
transport the INDECENT sick to the hospitals, also
all those who meet with accidents in the streets,
or, If dead, to carry away their corpSeS ON the
tolling Of the bell OF the mSercOrdia, those on
duty fer the day must leave their occupations,
&,
assume their dresses. take up the litterS and
arch in all haste TO the spot indicated. The
workman drops his tools, the artist his brushes,
the man OF fashion leaves his entertainments,
at the summons and hurrieS to the scene The
zeal and promptness always shown are remark
able and greatly to the credit OF the institution,
which fOr SIX centuries has well maintained its
renown. Ten persons are required to each
litter, the chief bringing with him medicamentS
that may be needed. There is a provision also
for the assistance Of families left destitute by
their heads
for them; and priests are delegated to admin
lister the offices OF the church at the moment OF
death. The utmost regard is shown for the
comfort and feelings OF the patients, who are
screened from the public gaze, and every con-
sideration compatible with the occasion mani
tested to the family. Separate bedA are kept
in the hospitals for those transported by the
brethren, whose charity frequently continues
TO be shown them in the shape OF gifts
ard monies collected by them for their patients
After their service Is performed, they recite
Their prayers. are passed in review and dis
missed to hold themselves in readiness for the
next summons. The signal given by the bell
colpse or person still living. Dead bodies ii
applied for are consigned to their families
CIlers ale charItably buried with suitable re-
IIgl0uS rites
From tie 18th to the 18th century. Florence
was devastated 90 times by deadly epidemicS
In ali OF which the Society OF the MiSericOrla
elnlEently distinguished itself, 100000 victims
died in Florence and its environs during the
great plague, which visited this city in the 18th
century,, as it has in the present century dur
ing tie prevalence Of ASiatic cholera in 1875
aid 1855; since which time owing to improved
sanitary measures, there have been no extra
ordinary calls upon it.
OUR TRADE WITH MEXICO.-Mr Foster the
American minister to Mexico, has responded to
TIE request OF the manufacturers association of
the northwest with a paper upon the prospects
FOR an extension of our commerce with Mexico
In regard to a subsidy for a railroad connection
with the City OF Mexico, or for steamships he
says the financial condition of the country for
bids 1t, and the general impoverishment OF the
people prevents the sustaining Of a foreign
trade. English merchants have almost entirely
withdrawn from Mexico, and the foreign trade
is in the hands Of the Germans and Spaniards.
who cannot easily be displaced. The Mexican
free list enables the import of engines ma
chinery and agricultural implements. and in
these articles the Americans can compete sue
cessfully by establishing warehouses for the
sale OF kindred articles and for the display of
the products OF their manufactures In this
way the sales can be gradually increased until
a permanent market is created.
SHOT DEAD IN A COURT HoUsE.-Warren
tate, Well-knOwn citizen OF Indianapolis, shot
and killed William Love, prominent real eS-
tate dealer, In the court house in that city yes
tefday. Love was witness in case in which
Tate is plaintiff. They met In the corridor
Where Love called Tate a liar and struck him.
Tate shot him twice, and Love died about pm.
After the shooting Tate went into court and
gave testimony in the case in progress. Much
excitement prevailed, and it was some time be-