The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-04-07
CARNIVAL TIME AT NAPLES,
Some of the beautiful Sights That Glad
den tho Gay italian Heart.
(fr0m tie Saturduu I8gpig,1.)

Some of the beautiful Sights That Glad
den tho Gay Italian Heart.
(fr0m tie Saturduy RscieW.)
On 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 tho occupants arc iustigated
to take the trouble and expense bv
public spirit, others by the hope of
gaining u prize, and others again bv
The merccnary consideration that thew
will be able to let their windows at a
higher rate if they look strikinglv
attractive. The pavcments are throng-
ed by u crowd of spectators, among
whom there is u fair sprinkling Of
masks. AS the procession moves
slowly forward a shower of bouquets
pass TO and fro between the cars and
the balconies, and Il hailstorm of
curiandoli descends OH the crowd
below, by which it is returned with
interest. The sugar and the flowers
arc generally intended for the ladies
who grace the festival with their
presence, but many u handful of
sweetmcats fall into the eager hands
Of cXpcctant street boys. EVERYWHERE
there is life, movement, sunshine and
good humor. OF n rainy carnival it is
better not to speak; it is enough to
have endured one.
These professions take place on
three or four different days appointed
by tho committee, the last and chief
being always fixed for Shrovc Tues
day, the concluding day of the feast.
They arc too bOisterous for ladies of
gentle birth and breeding to take part
in them, except from the compare
lively safe seclusion of q window.
The corsi di flori which take place on
other days are ~aristocratic in their
character. The ladies wear masks,
unnecessarily it would seem, us they
usually occupy their W private car
riagcs, and they pelt and are pelted by
their passing male a~cQuaintanccs with
nosrgays. a lady of exceptional
beauty or popularity will often return
from a drive of this kind covered by
such a heap of flowers that little more
than her head rises above them.
"A part OF the sum collected for tho
carnival is unusually set apart for tho
amusement of the l0or, and it is spent
really in amusing them, not in improv-
ing either their minds or their estates.
1t has no rclig Gus 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 >p nd on cars, fancy dresses,
masks, or coriandoli, is in Naples
known as the Pcsche. In each Of the
sections Of the town a place is chosen
by the committee. 1t may be a coy
cred hall or an open square, which is
for the time fenced of from public
traffic. In The midst of either n circu-
lar space is enclosed, in the center of
which, if the game takes place in tina
open air, a strong pole with a rcvolv-
ing disk at the top, is erected; il Il GOV.
cred place is chosen the disk is either
fastened to the ceiling or roof of the
room. All round l. circumference
are placed hooks, With strings attach
ed, AT the end Of which parcels arc
bound. These are made mp a> nearly
as possible in the same size and form,
but their contents differ widely. Some
contain n small sum Of money, or even
q silver watch others small articles OF
Clothing, others cheese or smoked sauS-
ages ant others again nothing OF any
value, or, what is worse, n fools car
made of tissue paper. These arc the
fishes which the players have to catch