New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-08
TIE GONDOLTERS OF VENICE.


Several have entertained ne at their midday
meal OF fred tsh and amDer-cOlOred pOlenta. These
repasts were always cooked with scrupulous ceanl-
ness, and served upon "A liable covered with coarse
linen. The pOIenta is turned out upon wooden
platter, and cut with a string called lSss1. Iou
take large slice OF it the palm Of the left hand,
and break IL with the fingers Of the right Whole
some rod wine of the Paduan district and good
white bread were never wanting The rOoL.s ~
which we met to eat looked ont or marrow lanes or
over peTgOlas OF yeHOWlug vines Iher White-
washed walls were hung WITH photographs or
friends and foreigners. many OF them souvenirs
from English OF American employers The men, IN
broad black mats and lilac shirts, sat round th9
table, grit with the red walst-wraPper, OF iascia,
which marks the ancient faction Of the Castelar,:
The other faction, called NlcolOtu are distinguished
by black assisa. The quarters 0t the town arc
divided unequally and ilTegularly into these two
partiest What formidable rivalry between TWO sec
OF the Venetian populace stu survives III chal-
euges to trial, Of siren tn and skill upon the wafer.
The women, IN their many-csored kerchleNs stlIltd
pOleuta at the smoho-backenod chimney, whose
across the hearth. When hey had served the table
they took their scat on low stools, knitted stock
lngs, or drank out Of glasses handed across tho
shoulder to them by their lords. Some OF these
women were clearly notable housewives, ana nave
suppose that they do no. take their inll
share of the Homework. Boys and girls came IN
and out, and got portion OF the dinner TO consume
where they thought best. Children Nsnt Totterlha
ABOUT upon the Ted-bEck floor, the playthlngs OK
those hukng fellows, who handled them very gem
tly and spoke kindly In sJTt OF confidential WhlS
per to their These little ears were mostly
pierced for earrings and the light blue eyes Of the
urchns pecped maiclou-ly beneath shocks OF yell
low hair. dog vas often of the party. lie ate
fish IKE his masters and was made TO beg for 1t by
sitting up and 1OwIug with his paws.
On all these occasions have found these CONDO
Tiers the same sympathetic, industrious CHEEKY af-
fectIOnate folk. They live IN many respects haId
and precariOus lifo. The winter III particular is
time oil anxiety aud sometimes OF pTivaton even %
the weIl-tU-do among them. Work Il scarce, AID
what there is il rendered bic to them by inc
cold. Yet they take their chance with iaclle TEN
per, ana are lot oOuTed by harl5hips. The amenl.
tics OF the Venetian ana ar, the heai Illness or
the lagOOns the cheerful hustle Of the poorer quar-
tcrs the briancy OF this southern sunlight anl ms
beauty which ~ everywhere apparent, must %
rec kOned rs important factors In the formation OK
their character. And O1 that character, as nave
said the final note is playfulness. In spite Oh DIM
cutIes their life has never been stern euougs 10 sad
den them. bare necessities marvellOusiy cheap,
and the pinch of real bad weatheT--such frost as
locked tine lagOOns In ice two years ago, or suCn
southwestern gales as flooded the basement doors
of all the houses the Zatterels rare and does not
last long On the other hand, their lie has never
been 30 lazy as to reduce them 70 the savsgery 81
the traditional NeapOlItan lazz4roni. They have
had to work daily small eatnlngS, but under ia
vorable conditions and their labor has been IlgDt-
ened Oy much good fellowship among themselves.
by the ADJUSTMENTS of their Jeote and their singing
plub3