The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-08
CARNIVAL TIME AT NAPLES.
Some OF tho Beautiful Sights That Glad
don the Gay italian Heart.
(From the SATURDAY. Ropis.o.>

Some OF tho Beautiful Sights That Glad
don the Gay italian Heart.
(Fron the Saturday Rouie.o.)
On a bright day, it cannot be denied
that these carnival PROFESSIONS are a
pretty sight. Almost all the houses
which they pass are gayly decorated.
some OF the occupants arc instiyatcd
to take the trouble and expense by
public spirit, others by the hope of
gaining prize, and others again by
the morcenary consideration that they
will be able to let their windows at a
higher rate If they look strikinglv
attractive. The pavements are throng-
ed by crowd Of spectators, among
whom there is a fair sprinkIing Of
masks. AS the procession moves
slowly forward shower of bouquets
pass to and fro between the cars and
| the balconies, and @ hailstorm of
coriandoli dosccnds on the crowd
below, by which il is returned with
| interest. The sugar and the flowers
are generally intended for the ladies
who grace the festival with their
presence, but many handful of
sWeetmeats fall into the eager hands
OF cXpcctant strectb EVERYWHERE
there is life, movement, sunshine and
good humor. OF a rainy carnival it is
better not to speak; it is enough to
have endured one.
three OF four different days appointed
by the committee, the last and chief
being always fixed for Shrovc Tues
day, the concluding day of the feast.
They are too boiSterous for ladies of
gentle birth and breeding to take part
III them, except from the cYlnpnra-
lively safe scclusion of n window.
The corsi Iii tlori which take place OH
other days arc aristocratic in their
character. The ladies wear masks.
unnecessarily it would seem, us thev
usually occupy their own private car
rIa9cS, and they pclt and arc pelted by
their passing male aCquaintanccs with
noscgays. A lady of exceptional
beauty or popularity will often return
from drive of this kind covered by
such heap of flowers that little more
than her head rises above them.
n part OF the sum collected for the
carnival Is unusually set apart for the
amusement of the poor, and it is spent
really IN amusing them, not in improv.
ing either their minds or their estates
1t has no religious or moral bearing
its object is not charity, but fun. The
most popular Of the games that carni
val thus brings to those who have
nothing to Sp nd on cars, fancy dresses
masks, or coriaudoli, is in Naples
known as the PeSche. In each Of the
sections Of the town place is chosen
by the committee. 1t may be a coy
cred ball or an open square, which is
for the time fenced off from public
traffic. In the midst of either circu
lar space is enclosed, in the center of
which, if the game takes place in thS
opcnRir, 4 strong pole with revolv.
ing disk at the top, is erected: n GOV
cred place is chosen the disk is either
iastcncd to the ceiling or roof Of the
room. All round its circumference
arc placed hooks, with strings attach
ed, at the cnd of which parcels arc
bound. These arc made up Il. nearly
as possible in the same size and form,
but their contents differ widely. Souc
contain small sum OF money, or even
n silver watch; others small articles OF
Clothing, others cheese or smoked Saus-
AGES and others again nothing of nuv
value, or, what is worse, Il fools cap
made Of tissue paper. These are the
fishes which The players have to catch.