458 DISCIPLINE IN THE LAGOON. [CHAP. x. 



baiocchi per month, with two and a half pounds of fish per 

 day, and during summer-time, when the fish are scarce, he 

 gets an additional allowance of money. The rate of wages at 

 this place appears exceedingly small when contrasted with the 

 payment of English labour. The wages of the learners or 

 apprentices are exceedingly modest ; they are remunerated 

 with the " sair-won penny-fee " of 26s. per annum, in addition 

 to their food ! But then the poor people of Comacchio the 

 widow, the orphan, the aged and the infirm labourer are all 

 maintained at the expense of the community. 



But it is right to mention also that a greater than a mere 

 salaried interest in the labours incidental to the working of 

 these fish-farms is kept up by the greater portion of the em- 

 ployes having a share of or commission on the produce, which 

 in good years amounts to as much as twelve Eoman ecus for 

 each man. The captain is, of course, responsible in every way 

 for his farm, both that the labour be properly carried on, and 

 also for the moral conduct of the men under his charge, to 

 whom he is bound to set a good example, as well of neatness 

 in dress as activity in business. 



Exiled in the valley which they cultivate, each family 

 finds it necessary to devote its attention to those domestic 

 offices so necessary for economy and comfort. The vallanti 

 take in turn, as our soldiers do, the duty of cooking. They 

 place the fish which they receive as a part of their wages in a 

 common stock, to which is added such provision as the mes- 

 senger may have brought from the town. When the cook has 

 prepared the repast, they all sit down to table in one company, 

 from the head man to the most humble servant ; but although 

 they mix thus promiscuously together, military etiquette is 

 strictly observed the foreman occupies the place of honour, 

 having the under-foreman and the secretary by his side, next 

 come the vallanti, and then the apprentices and cleaners. A 

 benediction is then pronounced, after which the foreman serves 



