(_For the Mirror._)
[1] The intelligent friend from whose conversation the writer
gleaned the following account, has resided three years in Genoa,
and therefore is fully competent to speak of the customs of its
inhabitants. This paper is derived from the same source as that
entitled "_A Recent Visit to Pompeii_."--Vide MIRROR, vol xiii
p. 276.
The Genoese women, are almost without exception _beautiful_, and many of
them retain their loveliness for a longer period than is usual in warm
climates; I have seen very handsome females turned of forty. They are
excessively fond of adorning themselves on Sundays and all festive
occasions, with a profusion of rich and expensive gold ornaments; indeed
the married women cannot be seen without them, for they are an essential
part of their hymeneal dower. A young woman, upon the occasion of her
nuptials, is obliged to purchase a set of gold trinkets, should the
existence of her mother prevent her inheriting those which are already
in the family; and in order to make this important purchase, no small
property is required, since as much as three or four hundred francs are
often given for a pair of ear-rings, seven or eight hundred for a
necklace, chain, bracelets, or other articles individually; a few more
trifling ornaments complete the set, with a curious kind of gold
filagree cap, or net, for the head. These trinkets are in fact
_necessary_ adjutants to Genoese domestic economy, since, though as
heir-looms they are never sold, except three or four sets should, from
family casualties, become the property of an individual, yet there is
neither law nor prejudice against pawning them; and, in pawn they
generally are, from the week's commencement to its end, being redeemed
on the Saturday night, only to be worn on Sunday, and pledged again on
the Monday morning. There are shops in Genoa expressly for the sale of
these bridal ornaments, which are worn there, exclusively by the
inferior classes; for the higher orders of society if seen in such,
would forfeit, whether foreigners or citizens, all pretentions to rank
and fashion; however, the Genoese gold trinkets, may be, and are, much
worn by the _Hidalgos_ of many a place afar from that of their
manufacture. These ornaments are not wrought into more than four
fashions, which never vary. The Genoese women marry at fifteen or
sixteen years of age, and it is impossible to imagine a creature more
innocent, childish-looking, and perfectly beautiful, than a young bride
in her nuptial attire.
The female children of genteel parentage are, in Genoa, allowed to visit
amongst themselves in balls and fêtes, until they have attained the age
of fourteen; when, being considered marriageable, instead of "_coming
out_" as in England, they are kept strictly at home; allowed indeed to
see a little company there, but there only, except when taken _per
favour_, once or twice to the opera, to which they go purposely in an
undress, sit at the back of the box, so as not to be seen, or if
accidentally beheld, they are not to be recognised. When a girl reaches
the appointed years of discretion, the sole consideration of her parents
is, to _marry_ her, and in this matter _she_, poor thing, has no voice,
as I shall proceed to prove. Negotiating matches, making proposals, and
arranging marriages, are affairs confided to the prudence and mediation
of certain busy old ladies, who find their account in bringing about
weddings, since they receive a regular _per centage_ upon them. One of
these emissaries of Hymen will call on a parent who has a son, reported
to be an eligible match, and open the business by talking of the young
man, until an opportunity occurs of inquiring whether he is not soon to
be settled, and how much will be allowed him? These queries being
answered to the good lady's satisfaction, she proceeds a step further,
and enumerates the principal families of her acquaintance, who have
daughters to _dispose_ of, adding an accurate description of each
Signorina's person, connexions, property, expectancies, and other
advantages. A lady having been selected as an eligible match for the
youth, the parents on both sides being agreed, and the young gentleman
duly informed of their arrangements for his happiness, he is allowed to
commence paying his addresses to the fair one, by sending her a large,
and peculiarly constructed bouquet, the acceptance of which, is in fact
an acceptance of himself, and the girl is immediately considered a
_Sposina_, or betrothed one. The bouquet, and herself, in full dress,
are forthwith carried to the opera, where the former is laid, and the
latter seated, immediately in front of the box; when, numerous are the
eyes and glasses levelled at the new _Sposina_, upon this her first
appearance in public. On this interesting and trying occasion, her
accepted lover stands during the performance behind her chair, and is
assiduous in his attentions. The next amusement at which, according to
etiquette the _Sposina_ appears, is a ball, to which she goes attended
by her lover, and one or both of her parents. The bouquet, the emblem of
her engagement goes with her, which never quits her hand, except when
she dances, and is then laid on her seat, until her return. She is not
allowed to dance with any one but her brother, intended husband, or his
most intimate friend to whom perhaps as a _favour_, he may choose to
introduce her. The duty of the engaged man is, to present his _Sposina_
every morning up to the period of their union, with a fresh bouquet, the
size of which intimates the degree of affection and respect that he
entertains for her. But should the lover's finances be slender, and his
nuptials long delayed, he must find this elegant custom a very ruinous
one, since the price of the best of these bouquets (and who durst for
his own credit's sake present an inferior one?) is five or six francs.
The _Sposina_ appears everywhere and everyday with a bouquet in her
hand, closely attended by her lover, and either or both of her parents;
and a female, a stranger in Genoa, commits a breach of etiquette by
walking through the streets carrying a nosegay, besides subjecting
herself to the impertinence of a thousand eyes, that ask, "_Are you_ a
_Sposina_?" The wedding is celebrated with splendour, the fortune of the
bride being sometimes expended in purchasing a magnificent dress, which
is then deemed essential. Amongst the highest classes, the English
custom of the bride and bridegroom quitting the wedding party
immediately after the performance of the marriage-ceremony, for a tour,
has commenced; but this innovation upon their established national
manners, has not yet obtained a very general footing. The _match-maker_
is, upon the wedding-day, presented with a sum of money adequate to the
trouble she has taken to effect the alliance; for a lack of beauty, or
fortune on the lady's side, mars her matrimonial prospects, and causes
as great difficulties respecting her settlement in life, at Genoa, as in
some other places I could mention rather nearer home. Once, being in
company with an ancient dame, who had brought about a marriage that
astonished all Genoa, she informed me, that she received as her
_douceur_ upon the occasion, 50_l_. This, I am to conclude, was a
liberal recompense; for the _Sposina_, in that instance, was so plain,
(a circumstance unusual with the Genoese women,) and afflicted with so
bad a breath, as to be an object of disgust with all the men who heard
of her. The _bouquets_ which I have mentioned, are peculiar in
structure, and beautiful in appearance: they are composed of the most
brilliantly coloured flowers, disposed round a large central flower, in
tiers, or rows, of the same colour; as, first perhaps, a row of red,
then white, then purple, then yellow, then blue, &c. &c.; the stalks are
cut short, curiously attached to wire by fine silk or thread, and being
bound compactly together, so that the stalks and wires brought into a
point, form a convenient handle, the petals of the flowers stand out in
lines of the most vivid hues, making a kind of smooth, expanded,
circular, and convex, surface. The manufacture of these bouquets, one of
which takes a considerable time to complete, is a distinct occupation,
and the sale of them, quite a trade; and though made elsewhere than at
Genoa, those of that town are most esteemed, and sent over all parts of
Italy. The flowers composing these bouquets, will keep for at least a
fortnight as fresh and beautiful as when first gathered, and are capable
of bearing long journeys, for they are constantly forwarded in boxes
made expressly for them, to Turin, which is about a hundred miles from
Genoa, where they arrive fresh and uninjured. An English nobleman
indeed, not long since, having a quick conveyance, dispatched a Genoese
bouquet to his family in England, who received it in its pristine
beauty. Besides being presented by lovers to their affianced brides,
they are the gifts of friend to friend on most festive occasions, such
as weddings, christenings, birthdays, Saint's days, and holidays; and
always upon New Year's day, which is as great an occasion for the
transfer of gifts in Italy, as it is in France. The freshness and beauty
of these bouquets, of which several were sent to me during my residence
in Genoa, are to be thus preserved: at night put your flowers into a
glass or vase, _without water_, since the stalks bound together in the
manner described have lost the power of suction and could not be
benefitted by it; then, lightly sprinkle, or water (with a watering-pot,
the rose of which is finely bored,) the flowery head of the bouquet, and
carefully cover it with a fine, light handkerchief, also moistened. This
attention paid every night will preserve these beautiful nosegays, fresh
and fair for many weeks.