60

LIFE OF COLONEL MACERONI.

In 1814 I left them going their usual rounds, and, foraught I know, they are going them still.

Many of my readers may, perhaps, desire to know whatare really the ostensible functions of a cavalier servante ,or, as others call it, cicisbeo. I will inform them on thefirst-rate authority, and in as few words as possible. Atabout mid day the cavalier makes his first visit, and isprivileged, as are some three or four other intimate friendsand relations, including the husband if there be any, to seethe lady in her morning deshabille. This select company ofgente di casa usually assemble in the lady’s dressing-room,or in her bed-room, which is as much furnished for thereception of company as any other room in the house.Seated round the room (the lady being usually either at thework-table or her toilet) this is almost the only time atwhich conversation takes a general turn. Even politics arenot excluded, because each person can depend upon theothers. Now is also the time to discuss the merits of thevarious theatrical performances, and to decide to whichtheatre, concert, or conversazione, the cavalier will haveto escort the lady and meet the rest of the party. Theprogramme of the afternoon’s ride, and of the post-theatricalsupper is also arranged, whether it is to be at one of theparty’s houses or a pic-nic at a tavern, to which the highestfemale society, especially at Venice , habitually resort. Inthis latter city, about the Piazza di St. Marco, there are anumber of elegant little taverns and coffee-houses where, ata very late, or rather early hour, the higher classes meet tosup and pass an hour in the most unaffected and delightfulcheerfulness. “ Un polastrello scotta deo,” is a favouritedish ; that is, “a little chicken to burn your fingers,” theybeing taken off the spit and eaten hot-hot-hot, without muchappliance of the “ silver forks,” which the Italians taughtthe French and English to use, and of the conventional