188 HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



live as they did in the ages of antiquity, separated from the male sex ; and 

 every Greek lady of rank is confined to her women's apartment. Baths, here 

 as among the Turks, are the resorts where women meet. In parts of the 

 country, however, where the Greeks have had more intercourse with the rest 

 of the people of Europe, for instance upon the islands and in the large towns, 

 the manner of living has already experienced a great change, and women take 

 part in social intercourse. 



Fertile as is the soil of Greece, agriculture is yet pursued in a very slovenly 

 manner, and the implements of husbandry are still very inferior. The .Greeks, 

 however, cultivate olive trees and rear silkworms, and the countrv derives 

 great advantage from these sources. The vine thrives very well in Greece, 

 where the finest sorts are grown ; and in the Morea currants also. Much is 

 now done for the cultivation of the intellect, although the Greek clergy strive 

 to prevent enlightenment of the masses. Since the year 1837 Athens has 

 possessed a university. 



The Italians. 



In general, not much can be said with precision respecting the character 

 of the present inhabitants of Italy, as the country is split up into so many 

 small states with difi'erent forms of government ; yet it may be asserted 

 with justice, that they are distinguished in a manner altogether peculiar, 

 by natural vivacity of spirit, great aptitude for poetry, music, and the 

 plastic arts, as well as by a taste for the beautiful in every phase of its 

 development. Want of principle, pusillanimity, deceit, and a vindictive 

 disposition, are too frequently found amongst them. Even their piety is of 

 a sensual nature, and more an afi'air of habit than of the heart. Strong 

 excitement is requisite to arouse them from their general apathy ; and their 

 emotions, though powerful for a time, are rarely deeply seated. Owing to 

 the great ignorance of the masses, external observation of pious forms is fre- 

 quently found in connexion with a life deeply stained with vice and crime. 

 The bandit commits murder for a trifle at the order of another ; the robber 

 frequently takes life also, but believes he can atone for everything by 

 means of prayer, fastings, (fee. Tuscany and the Lombardo-Yenetian King- 

 dom, nevertheless, form honorable exceptions, and show that where a good 

 government has the control of afiairs, and especially where much is done for 

 popular instruction, a people sunk even as low as the Italians, may yet be 

 raised again. 



The Italian finds less pleasure in travelling, walking, cheerful company, and 

 hospitality, than in driving through the principal streets, in music, frequenting 

 of public places, gambling, and especially the theatre. The most common 

 public diversions are those of the carnival, nowhere so brilliantly and noisily 

 celebrated as in Italy, principally in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Even 

 priests, monks, and nuns are permitted to take part in the frolic. Almost all 

 the people are masked, every serious employment is laid aside, and the church- 

 es and halls of justice remain empty. 

 360 



