The policy and government of the Venetians both in civil and military affairs / written in French by the Sieur de la Hay, and faithfully Englished.

CHAP. IX. Of their Ladies.

THe Ladies making no incon∣siderable part of the Nobless in this Countrey, I suppose it will be allow'd me to make a small di∣gression in their behalf, and to speak a word or two of their Customes en passant.

They are naturally very proud, and of opinion there is no Nobility like themselves in the whole world. They never match be∣neath themselves, and will sooner throw themselves into a Nunnery, (where they have all fort of liber∣ty) than entertain the least moti∣on of an unequal Marriage. In

their Houses they are very magnifi∣cent and rich, their Habits of Cloth of gold, or other costly Stuff, made up à la Françoise. When they appear abroad they are dress'd very neatly, their Breasts bare, and commonly plump and white, their Heads are usually dress'd after our mode, and with as much curiosity as in France. When Madam Besançon was at Ve∣nice they most industriously imita∣ted her in all the fashions she brought with her out of France.

Your languishing beauties being in no great request among them, they prefer vivacity to sweetness, and a brisk aiery brown is more ac∣ceptable there than a sleepy and dy∣ing aspect, though the fairest ima∣ginable. They take much delight to have their Necks and Faces something more sanguine than or∣dinary,

which to strangers is not so gratefull. They are mightily re∣serv'd at home, but if you will dis∣pence with them there, they will invent wayes enough to satisfie your curiosity any where else. They have certain affected Feasts every Week, upon which under pretence of publick prayer, or par∣ticular devotion to some Saint or other, they take occasion to be constantly at Church, where be∣hind the Pillars you may observe the young Gentlemen lying at catch for their Oeillades and Glan∣ces, which they receive and retort with a slyness and dexterity suita∣ble to the cunning of that Na∣tion.

They have most of them their Women absurdly and fantastically clad, which attend and support them, by whose gracious assistance a man may be sometimes admitted

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to converse with them, when they enjoy themselves most freely, or have liberty to walk. From the Epiphanie to the first Week in Lent they keep a continued Carnaval, during which time they have the freedom to go in their disguises to the Place of St. Mark, to be present at all Balls, Playes or Assemblies, where there is merriment or dan∣cing. At their Masques they have a particular care of refusing their hand to no body, lest it should prove some Gentleman in Masque∣rade, which amongst them would be an inexpiable affront. At these meetings they place themselves all in a rowe, without speaking a word, and when they are taken out to dance, one must have a special care he does it not with his Glove off, if he does, he not only runs a hazard of an affront, but to be pistol'd or stabb'd. Their Dance

is nothing but a grave and stately motion from one room to another, till at last they return to the place from whence they were taken. They have no want of Musick, but it is so disposed into several ap∣partments, that one is sensible but of one single Melody. In one Chamber they have their Theor∣boes, in another their Lutes, in a third their Viols, in a fourth their Violins, and so in every Chamber one comes, he is presented with a new sort.

Their Play is a perpetual Tacet. You shall see fifty or threescore La∣dies about a long Table, shuffling and managing the Cards with as much silence as they were Statues, and losing their money with as lit∣tle concernment, as their Hus∣bands. I was many times at these meetings on purpose to have learn'd the game, but they play'd

so quick, and talk'd so little, 'twas impossible I should do it.

Besides these Feasts, they have the same liberty at the Marriage of any of their relations, upon certain dayes which they call Procuratici, and upon all publick solemnities for any victory obtain'd. When they are at home, their entertainment commonly is making their Punti in aria, which are the Points de Venice so much valu'd in France.

Their Coaches are their Gondo∣loes, which are a sort of Boats so easie and swift, it is scarce possible to present them to your imaginati∣on. All the Summer long their recreation is upon the Canal above the Pontrealte, and they call this diversion taking the Air. Their Gondoloes are so swift, though the Sea in the Canal be very gentle and calm, yet by the force of the Row∣ers, and the agitation of the Ves∣sel,

it is swell'd and incens'd in that manner, it seems with its waves and foam to threat∣en all people that had the audacity to provoke it. But that which is most admirable is the dexterity of their Wa∣termen, who amongst so great a multitude and confusion of Boats, so many turnings and windings as they make, are never known to fall foul up∣on one another, but follow so exactly the Barque where the Lady of their affections is car∣ried, that without the least suspicion or disorder by all the crosses they make, they will land you at the place where your Mistriss appoints.

And ••here I might make some reflexion upon the jea∣lousie of this Nation, and ad∣mire how upon certain occa∣sions

they can master a passi∣on which amongst them is predominant. But they un∣derstand the complexion of that Sex exactly, and that their desire is more ardent of what is forbidden, for which reason they remit something of the Italian severity, and allow them a certain image of liberty, lest by their strict∣ness they should kindle such a fire in their veins, as should make their own Houses too hot for them.