The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-21
Here tho Artists VINO Amuse the Colony
May he Seen at Their Ease.

New York Italians, poor as most OF them
are help to support many OF their country
men in occupations that minister to the
luxuries rather than the necessaries OF
life
Even the Italian organ grinder reaps
a harvest among his own countrymen,
and musicians of a higher type are much
in demand in the several Italian colonies
of the city No Italian christening is COM
plete without a hired orchestra. and some-
times the guests at a christening are enter
tanned with feats Of jugglery or by pro-
fessional acrobats.
When an Italian bachelor marries, even
though he be only an unskilled laborer.
he gives a ball. with plenty of music, and
follows it the next day with reception, at
which are served wines, liquors and sweet
meats. Flowers and coaches help to swell
the cost of every Italian funeral. and the
Italian girl at her first communion Is clad
in white from head to foot and adorned
with wreath of white flowers.
Per haps a score of Italian restaurants
are frequented by the musicians, actors, and
places are known to the general public,
but many are rarely visited by any save
Italians. A characteristic resort OF the
kind is in downtown business street lying
between the East and West Side Italian
quarters and near one of the Italian thea
tres Attached to the restaurant is tiny
rear garden, where meals are served when
ever the weather is not too cold, and some
times when most persons would prefer to
dine indoors. w
three sides, and only at midday does the
sun fairly shine upon the spot. The bowers
beneath which the table are set are but
thinly matched with haves. and at midday
in summer time the heat Of the place is
almost insupportable
glass are characteristic OF the place. The
tables are of the cheapest pattern. The
wine Ia. for the most part, cheap and
somewhat acrid.
The food. however, Is abundant ahn'
according TO ordinary Italian, standards,
GOOD. Macaroni, as usual, is the staple OF
the meal. 1t Is served in vast portions;
with large quantities of grated cheese and
plenty Of the familiar tomato sauce.
Salads always fresh and abundant, and
Of the place. with oil that processes to he
from the olive and certainly is as good az
that served at many more pretentious
places.
Sailed meats are served with every meal.
Veal and chicken are the fresh meats most
often provided for these are IaVortes WIN
the Italians.
The coffee ia mostly chicory and water :!
but the cheese is good and abundant, and
the bread il dealt with n liberal hand,
Altogether the meal is astonishingly filling
at the price, and far more palatable than
as cheap a meal in most American res
taurants. ,
Here on mild spring. mornings gather
the singers and dancers for their late break.
fast. MONDAY, indeed, has long passed
l,afore the meal is finished, The dinner OF
the artists is taken early as the exigencies
of the profession require
You may see by early lamplight the pale
siRnora who is to delight the audience at
night in the interminable Two orphans =,
the dapper, dark haired youth who will
help to entertain the audience with to- ical
songs and humorous dances until the play
opens which is always at a late hour, in
accordance with some tradition or the habits
of the audience
Perhaps, during the dinner. some one
volunteers song, or wandering minstrel
PLAYS an air on the violin or the harp. Al
together II is a merry. and irresponsible
little company that gathers in the shabby
make believe garden.
Everybody knows the proprietor; every
body knows the walters; everybody knows
just what dish is best and which one is
likely to be inedible. Prices are not too
high, even for shallow pockets, ard the
walters accept gracefully from ladies and
gentlemen of the profession tips that they
would scorn from the ordinary American
interloper