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IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE IN THE ROMAN STATES AND SARDINIA, DURING A TEN YEARS' RESIDENCE.
LONDON: HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
Departure from Florence—The Vettura—Inn among the Apennines—General aspect of towns in Romagna—Causes of their decay—Austrian officers at Forli—Dangers of the road—First impressions of Ancona 1
Description of the Palazzo—An English family, though Italian born—Complimentary visits of the Anconitan nobility—How they pass their time—Dislike to country walks—Modern _Cavaliere Servente_ 10
A marriage in high life—Wedding outfit—The first interview—Condition of single women—The laws of courtship—Dependence of young married people—Anecdotes of mothers-in-law 19
System pursued towards children—Results of Jesuit training—Anecdotes of the Sacré Cœur—A _Contessina_ just out of the convent—Difficulty of giving a liberal education to young nobles—No profession open to them but the Church—Their ignorance and idleness 26
The middle classes—Superior education of the men—Low standard of female intellect and manners—Total separation from the nobility—Cultivated physician—A peep into his household—Family economy—_Conversazione_ at the chemist's—Passion for gambling—The _caffè_ 37
Prejudice against fires—General dilapidation of dwelling-houses—A lady's _valet de chambre_—Kindness towards servants—Freedom of intercourse with their masters—Devotedness of Italians to the sick—Horror of death—Funerals—Mourning 46
Decline of Carnival diversions—Dislike to being brought into contact with Austrians—The theatre—Public _Tombole_—Short-sighted policy of the Government 59
The Lottery—Its miserable results—Evening parties—Absence of all ostentation—Poverty no crime—Grand supper on Shrove Tuesday—Reception of a Cardinal 67
Picturesque environs of Ancona—Dwellings of the peasantry—Their simplicity and trust—Manner of life and amusements—A wedding feast 76
Lent observances—Compulsory confession—The sepulchres on Holy Thursday—Procession on Good Friday—Blessing the houses—Joyful celebration of Easter 95