On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    202 NOTICES OF BOOKS.

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    ¦ » R—, ^ The And Eng Sardinia Lishwoman...

    in the case of the confraternities , of practical works of charity , she dismisses such things as a " paradox , " and in inany cases informs _^

    us of imperfect motives , * and often of what is the real state of the heart of an apparently zealous worker or devout worshipper .

    Verily the recording Angel could not show a more intimate knowledge of the inward workings of souls , and we trust he shows

    infinitely more mercy in his judgment ! But to leave fault-finding and turn to the pleasanter task of

    praising , there is graphic writing in the book before us , and a knowledge of the ways and habits of Italian life , which is conveyed

    in a light and readable form . As we have complained of " rash judgment / ' it is but fair to quote the candid and honorable

    testimony to some admirable traits in Italian society , too little known among us .

    " The attachment mutually subsisting "between masters and servants in the old families of the Italian nobility , is one of the most amiable features

    of the national character . Almost every family we knew had at least one or two of these faithful old domestics in their employment , who , when no

    retained longer capable as supernumeraries of even the moderate , or dismissed exertion to their demanded native of village them s , with were a either pension sufficient to support them during the remainder of their days . It is

    very rare to hear of a servant being sent away ; their slatternly and ineffiif cient compensated manner of b discharg y honesty ing and the attachment duties allotted . A much to them larger bein number g overlooked of ser- ,

    vants are kept than the style of living would seem to require , or the amount to of have fortune a numerous in general household to authorise , a remnant ; but it of appears the feeling to be of a olden point times of di , when gnity

    the standing of the family was estimated by the number of its retainers . Many more men than women are employed ; and to this it is owing that tlie upon former females discharge . Besides duties the we are culinary brought department up to consider which exclusivel is invariabl y devolving filled

    by them , they sweep the rooms , make the beds , and , are very efficient as y sicknurses . We knew a lady whose man-servant sat up for eighty nights to tend her during # a dangerous illness .

    a * * it is hardly necessary to say that the low scale of wages and it living was always here mentioned understood , is that not forestieri applicable paid to Eng more lish than or other natives forei ; and gn families yet with ,

    these advantages the servants seemed to think they were scarcely compensated for the absence of tha freedom of intercourse which they had enjoyed under their former masters . We were considered proud because we

    _discourag'ed the system of gossiping carried on among the natives , who allowed their servants to mingle a remark in the conversation while they were have waiting heard at . table , or to relate anything * of the news of the town they might

    " The contrast presented by our English reserve must indeed have been striking ; and it was difficult at first for our attendants to reconcile themselves leasure 'to . it , I or hav to e be often persuaded thought it we did mi not ht reall with y arise advantage from harshness a little or dis in

    this p respect from our continental neighbours g , and by treating copy our servants them less like and machines their emp , cultivate loyers ; althoug the kindl h I y am feeling very which far from should admiring subsist * the , between

    familiarity here described , which arises from the inherent love of talking , and liorror of solitude or silence comnion to all Italians . " And from some better motive too let us hope . After relating

    mi instance of an _acqiiaintance ' s impertinent curiosity;—

    202 Notices Of Books.

    202 NOTICES OF BOOKS .

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), May 1, 1860, page 202, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01051860/page/58/