THE STORIES OF NOTED PAINTINGS. 269 



THE CARNIVAL IN ROME. 



By BARTOLOMEO PAGANI, a Roman artist. In all Catholic 

 countries the week before the commencement of Lent is given 

 up to all kinds of diversions and follies and masquerades. In 

 Rome this celebration takes place on the Corso, one of the prin- 

 cipal streets of the city. Every balcony and window is occupied, 

 while lines of masqueraders go up and down the street during all 

 the afternoon and evening. The chief amusement is throwing 

 bouquets and comfits. These comfits, or confetti in Italian, used 

 to be small candies mixed with flour, but now they are sifted 

 gravel of small size and covered with powdered lime. A hand- 

 ful of this thrown into one's face from a long handled dipper 

 gives one the peculiar sensation of being shot. The amusements 

 are varied by horse races a troop of unbridled horses let loose 

 and dashing through the street between the crowds on either 

 side ; and finally, on the last night, by the rudest attempts on 

 the part of every body to put out each other's lighted candles. 

 What would be the occasion in any American city of incessant 

 fights is there only the most innocent and enjoyable fun. 



THE HUSSITES BEFORE NAUMBURG, 1431. 



By NECHUTREY, of Vienna, the most noted of the pupils of 

 Kaulbach. John Huss, the great Hungarian Reformer, was 

 burned at the stake in 1415. His followers took up arms, and 

 for many years were victorious over all opposition, burning and 

 destroying innumerable towns throughout Germany. It hap- 

 pened in this time that Procopius, the Hussite general, halted 

 his army before the stronghold of Naumburg, and proclaimed 

 his intention to burn the city and every one in it. The citizens, 

 in the greatest consternation, as a forlorn hope, got together all 

 their children and sent them with the key of the citadel to the 

 stern old warrior, imploring his mercy. Procopius was touched 

 by this tender appeal, and stayed his avenging hand. This cele- 

 brated painting vividly portrays the scene, which to this day is 

 commemorated in the city of Naumburg by a yearly children's 

 festival. 



