The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-12
COUNTESS DI BRAZZI'S WORK.
Her Efforts in Behalf of the Poor
Italian P~easantry.

There is an interesting exhibit of Italian
lace at the Propylaeum this week, and it
will be continued each day from 8 to D
o'clock, under the charge of Miss Alice
Dickinson. The lace exhibit Is a by the
Countess di Brazza, of Italy, under the
auspices of the Art Association. There are
many novelties in the collection, one being
a tablecloth for a round table; "a point
d'Alencon scarf. of the Louis XVI period,
designed by her Majesty the Queen of Italy;
q piece of Argentan lace, a fac-simile OF
that ordered by Napoleon L for Cardinal
Retz, who left all of his laces by will to the
house of Savoy. An antique Brussels lace
handkerchief is pretty, and some Mechiin
lace for a priests robes is shown. A very
fine fiat Italian lace, the stitch for which
was preserved by a single old woman until
ii was revived, is rare. There are numerous
household articles, such as sheets, towels.
pillow cases and wash cloths and shaving
towels. which people in Italy always have
lace trimmed. The whole collection is in
teresting from several standpoints.
Yesterday afternoon the Countess di
Brazza gave an informal talk, prefacing the
subject of lace with a general talk about
Italy and its various industries. Every
thing grows in Italy, but II has no under
STCulu wealth., except sulphur. Il L. t4OSt-
ly inhabited, and every plat OF ground
grows several crops. Every peasant in
Italy has to learn TO make roads, and the
speaker gave this as a reason why so many
Italians who come TO this country seek en-
ployment in road making. the tariff of the
country is the cause of so much being i'm
ported from Italy TO France, instead of vice
versa. The speaker told about what is
raised in Italy. and the uses to which much
of it is put. One of the new Inventions or
the country is that of shredding the boughs
of mulberry trees, the leaves of which are
devoured by the silk worms, and by a GER
tain process making from the limbs a
strong fabric which is much used for uphol-
STEERING. Artistic taste is inherent in the
Italians. Embroidery is nurtured in the re-
ligious orders. and all industries are taught
in the government schools, from washing
to art designing.
When the countess, who was born and
raised in New Orleans, went TO Italy to
live she wanted TO get nearer the people,
not by going doWn to them, but by eleVdt-
ing them. To this end she consulted the
body of men who are interested in reform
in each province, and she had their appro-
val. and SO on the Di BraZza estate a fair
was held one day and rewards offered for
the best display in many things; The prizes
were from 30 cents to s., the latter being
given for the best conducted farm. There
were 80, 900 visitors to the fair. As a winter
industry which might be pursued indoors,
lace making was introduced, the countess
herself teaching the first children. This in
dustry was shown at the next fair, tire fol-
owing year, and eighty names were regis
tered. From this beginning the lace indus
try has grown and several schools have
been started. A bedridden aunt of one of
the children learned from the child to make
lace, and a new hope and incentive TO live
came to her. for every Italian respects him.
self more when he contributes his quota to
the work or wage of the family. The speak
er mentioned some of the rules governing
the lace schools. and while making the lace
prayers are said. songs are sung and stories
of kind deeds, charities and Kindness TO ami
mails are recited. Thus. with busy fingers,
tongues and minds the children have no
time for mischief. Since the work has been
so generally introduced the morals of the
districts have improved. The Countess di
BraZza's school made a tablecloth. with
napkins. doyiies and the tea-set pieces for
the princess who was married to the Crown
Prince of Italy a short time ago. More
money was contributed than needed, and a
fund for sick girls was created. In closing
the speaker said: Il want You to feel that
il is better TO wear a small piece of hand
made lace than to wear flounces OF ma
chine-made.'