The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-25
VII.

In q chapter on The Embroidery Of YLse.-
We find discussed the recreations In which the
women OF the Renaissance sought happiness
from the exercise OF all their activities, Let
u. glance first at the mode OF eating: nothing Ia
more material in itself than the consumption
Of food. yet nothing better lends itself to spirit
utilization, Inthe sixteenth century a house " as
characterized by tbs way in which q formal
dinner was managed; this WAS the touchstone
OF true style. In "a previous generation aor-
mandizinR and guiding had been the rule
The old kitchen booSs OF France reveal a de-
plorable spectacle: It Is one long procession
OF herds Of oxen and nocks Of sheep. innum-
erable poultry. rabbits and partridges by the
dozen. small game in hundreds and pigs in
disgusting profllsIon.
The whole OF the delicacies would consist
Of a few cloves. OF sticks Of cinnamon. to make
hipno"rss OF. With the Renaissance can't
philosophy to preside at the feasts. II taught
men that dlnin: Is a spiritual function The
table became ideall7ed. Much thousht was
devoted 10 its decoration. to rcGalinG the eyes
with the sight Of peacocis and other beautiful
birds in their charming many-hued plunaGe
The mistress Of the house showed her art in
having the daintiest courses served on gold
an crystal, things which. vhilo tickling tina
palate, should content the mind, just as in
Plato's Sum postum, people would tako their
places at table. not to cat, hu' 10 talk. be-
cause conversation can have no warmer.
moro cheerful. more restful setting Often
In tive plstonist system some Incompatible
lady presided. and everything centred in
nor: from her eyes ra!ned nectar and am
brosia. She set the pitch, there would be .
cross-frs Of witucisms flashing over the table
like fireworks, or els. wit would fut'cr lightly
about amid a mbdued hum OF laughter. With
one consent these were voted dclchtful hours.
Men fuddled themselves With Talk; IT'S
nv greatest vice. confssscs Erasmus. The
art OF dining soon became ~acclimatizcd At the
Court Of Francis ! Margaret Of France writes
enthusiastically about dinners ut which the
guests used u "nll themselves with words
moro than with meat" The author OF this
book thinks that In Italy they were at fault
In using aesthetic means too freely 70 sup
port the dinner. The Italians burst not trust
simply to conversation. but employed music.
n proceeding which Appeared rHi.k heresy
in France, King Alfonso Of Naples, Ions re-
gardcd ~ the past master o. good living. COM
plicated his dinncrs with all sorts of refine
mcrts: after the frst courses. the ears were
enchanted with harmonics sof, rs the brceze
Of Capri blowing over the sparkling. ripping
ara: or c!-c thcre were mines. the Puicinsila
and roars of laughter.
The ball and the dance. though much more
e.thetic In themselves. were "A great deal
more difficult To ideaiize. because in them the
sensuous element buiks more largely The
ideal of platonist Joy and happiness would be a
free and thoroughly intellectual dance. with a
calm and delicious rhythm. a dance that would
add a pleasure to lie. the dancer in light. float
ing drapery. bareiootcd. bareheaded. ungirt,
in the sweet air Of springtime, on a smooth,
soft lawn, among jasper and coral. under tho
long-leaved palms. amidst the scent Of Roses and
thy me tree.-an Intoxicating dance, the pure
motion Of which Shouid harmonic With the vast
music Of nature. the cooling Of doves. the nriglty
arIegsios OF the sea The woman who. alone
or hand Ia hand with her comI anions. should
abandon herself to the exquisite fascination
and magical sweetness OF such movements.
who should associate herself with all animated
things in this imponderahie rhythm would
she not represent a goddess Of happiness. and
would shs not come to incarnste for US the
divine charm Of naturs7 /. nrAcuos ths dance