50S> tX^RACTS PROM 



lours* Silks and ribbands, flowers in the hats, anrf 

 every diverlifled mark of gaiety, decorate every per- 

 son according to his means. The chairs and com- 

 modes, even in the poorer!: houfes, are ornamented 

 with gold and gaudy flowers. Even the calefhes in the 

 frr.eets, are painted in- fcarlet, the carvings are gilded, 

 the horfes are decorated with bouquets,, fcarlet trap- 

 pings, and glittering tinfell Many of them have 

 plumes of feathers, others little dreamers on their 

 heads, which nod and flutter as they go along. It is 

 nfual with us to deride, as barbaric and vulgar, a fondr 

 nefs for tawdry colours ; and in fome fort it may be fo 

 and actually is : but, under a bright and' always azure 

 Iky, nothing is properly tawdry ; for nothing can out- 

 fhine the luflre of the fun or its reflection in the fea. 

 The livelieffc colours will be deadened by the powerful 

 light of day ; and, as all colours, the various greens 

 of the trees and plants, the yellow, brown, and red, 

 complexion of the earth, act in full energy on our 

 eyes: fo the motley hues of flowers and drefTes.com- 

 bine in perfect harmony. The rofy coloured boddice 

 and blue gowns of the wives and daughters of -Nettuno, 

 edged with broad gold and filver^ the national 1 dreffes 

 of other colours, the painted fhips, all feem contend- 

 ing in chearful rivalfhip to make themfelves fome way 

 vifible under the blaze of heaven and the effulgence of 

 ; the fea. i 



And as they live, fo they bury their dead ; here no 

 long, difmal, filent, fable train difturbs the. harmony 

 of the feflive world, 



I faw a child borne to the grave. A large red-co^ 

 loured piece of tapefixy embroidered with gold, co<- 

 \tred a broad bier, whereon was placed a carved cafe 9 



highly 



