National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-05
LIFE IN FLORENCE.
OF CARNIVAL DAYS.
Brilliant Seenes-Itaiian Women and Men-LeSe-
Making Not Safe Pursuit-Some OF the
Great Characters OF Italy-The
English Element.

Carnival days, for among FlOrentines carnival
commences the 18th ofDecember and only endsthe
day before Lent. All the gayety and pleasuring
is condensed in that period, the gentry remaining
in the country until then. Of course, at the close
of the festive time there the regular Cocho,
masks, races, and street pageantry. These CONT
mental balls sort of revelry of the Sardana-
palian kind The gorgeous old palaces, decorated
III past splendOr, the great corridors, the grand
saloons with lofty ceiling, the superb frescees, the
groups of noble figures in marble, the glory OF
color in matchless pictures the bronzes of heroic
size the soft strains of music the perfume of flower
ing trees that seem to grow in the huge majoliea
vases-all seem like the artistic setting to some
great drama, where only regality fills the parts.
Added to this, the entertainment commences at
and long after the sun is up the late
jewellers whirl by in closed carriages, while curl
Gus workmen, on their way to IL long and hard
days labor, peer at the haggard occupants, and
feel no envy at the dearly-won pleasure.
One thing that adds to the brilliancy of such
scene is the numerous officers, who always wear
rich and most striking uniform. You rarely see q
BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN WOMAN.
They are thin and sallow, or fat and coarse. The
Just medium is an exception but, nevertheless,
they manage to look picturesque, and have always
a fine and fascinating manner. which seems un-
studied and natural, and therefore gives them an
attracveness that their clearer sisters of France
do not possess. Then, too they as ready for 70
and love-making as in the days of Boccaccio,
and they have, too, the faculty of making men be-
ieve that they have the innocent credulty of chill
dren; but woe be to the man who practices upon
this credulity, for when once an Italian woman is
sure her love is betrayed that she has rival, the
whole fury of her nature is aroused. She never
condones or forgives, and seems quite capable of
beheading her rival, as was the Duchess Veronica
Cibo who sent the beautiful head of Caterina
Canacci to the faithless Duke for his New Years
present. Not so the man. He viii storm and rage,
calling all the malcdctions the language is capa-
bic of, slap the intruder over the face, call him
out, get a Sabre-cut across his handsome head, or
lose finger from his shapely hand and in a
month be sworn friends again, meeting at the club
and drinking each others health with right good
will.
WITH THIS VOLCANIC ELEMENT
pervading society, it is no wonder that party
is something more than pleasure gathering TO
close observer of human nature, or that the Ital-
ians, high and low, are accused of inOrdinate curl
osity, knowing well that back of all this dancing,
laughing, and cOquetting a great tragedy may be
lurking; indeed, lovemaking is not safe pursuit.
but nevertheless it is that is assiduOusly fol-
lowed, perhaps on account of the species of danger
which makes the triumph of greater importance.
Unmarried women are guarded as closely as
though they were held in durance vile, never being
allowed TO speak to a gentleman alone, or walk
alone; all letters to them being addressed to par
ents or guardians; their husbands being selected,
just their dresses are, for them; no liberty until
they are married, and then-wel, some if not
many of them make up for lost time, and believe
that liberty means license Ofcourse married wo-
men are the bellies par excellence; they lead,
they control everything, and an envious world say
they have their lovers as we'll; but of that know
nothing All philosophers agree that ifthe heart of
youth is cheated love will in the end have his re-
vcnges. Florence has been called the
HOME OF SECRET LOVE,
and certain it is that some of the greatest names
that have figured in the history of this city have had
that melancholy splendor of an unacknowledged
passion forever attached to them. Great Dante,
who stood in the street looking with wistfu eyes at
the house where his dead Beatrice lay with white
hands calmly folded upon amarillo breast, even in
death called the wife of another man; Michael
Angelo, with an aching void in his heart which
hopeless passion leaves Savanarola, stern aseetie
preaching total abstinence from all things forbid
den; yet the fair face of the beautiful Strozzi fol-
lowing him everywhere, in his dreary monks cell,
under the shadow of the great palaces, in the
crowded market-place, where he stood among his
fellow neil and pointed out the way to God, or in
the churches, where he scoffed at the vanity of
women, remembering likely enough the foolish
pride that stood between his low estate and the
woman he loved; Calico in his torture, thinking
first of his love, whom he dare not name, and the
truth of nature disputed by ignorance;
LoRENzI DI MEDICI,
profound in wisdom master among men, schol-
arly, and unehallenged by critic; about whom
gathered the wisdom of the world, studying con-
stantly, accepting eagerly everything that re-
vealed or suggested science, knowing the posi-
biiies Of life, accepting the responsibilities of his
unequaled station, yet pouring out his soul in
humble alteration of the one woman whom fortune
had denied him; writing sonnets that she alone
could interpret, and willing to give up all glory
only to be with her, TO live with her; Giotto, be-
hind his jesting and gayety, signing absently for
the woman who could never be his; Leonardo da
Vinei, having all the greatgifs of genius yet lack
ing that crown of life, union with his dearest
woman; Alfere, loving the abused and neglected
wife of q Stuart, and at last defying the laws of
society and living with her as a protection, he
said, but forgetting that he made her vulnerable
to the foulest SANDER And yet the list is untold
uncounted. 1t may be asked, since this love was
hopeless why did it so enslave the hearts of men
so great in mind andacquirements? All, who can
answer,
WHO CAN TELL?
God alone. In the last day we shall all know.
Socially there is always a contrast sharp and
striking to the observer, and that is the American
and English element in society here-people who
have settled down, made their homes, and estab-
lished the customs; a real domestic atmosphere
prevailing all they say and do; moderate and
modest entertainments at early hours being the
rule. Most of them being artists and following
some art, either for occupation or amusement they
earnest workers. well up in the literature of the
day, and always discussing the subjects most prOmi
nent before the world Intelligent sympathetic,
and fraternal, they constitute most desirable ae-
quaintance. Any one is particularly fortunate
who has the entree to this hospitable company. 1t
is delightful experience in foreign life to remem
Der ever after with livelest pleasure. The beauty
too, of the American women here cOngregated is
something marvellous, and TO say of woman she
is as beautiful as an American is to offer great
compliment. K. R. k.
The Language of GIeves.
A. i