i J I T A L I A N S C E N E R Y , M A N N E R S , A N D C U S TOMS . 9
F I L A T E V ,
A CALESSINO, OR HACKNEY-CHAISE.
Ha c k n e y coachcs in a town are certain evidences both of it's extent , and of the industry
of i t s inhabitants. The mere obj e c t of taking an airing would by no means employ any
thing like the number of hackney coaches we see in London. I t must be allowed, that a distant
visit will sometimes oblige us to make use of a c o a ch; but commer ce rather than pleasure
multiplies and supports this kind of conveyance.
Of all the cities in I taly there is no one, the buildings of which extend to so great a distance
as those of Naples ; and the Neapol i tans are the busiest people among the I talians. The y
must then have felt the necessity of a qui ck comnmnicat ion from one place to another more
than any other people of I t a l y ; the latter of whom, indeed, either on ac count of the smallness
or form of their towns, or from the inactivity of their inhabitants, are not in absolute
want of such conveyance. Mi lan is a large town, but it is almost square. Naples is oblong,
and hence the necessity of the calcssino, or hired carriage, as represented in this plate.
As Naples is one of the best climates on earth, the cakssino is generally without a covering,
and calculated to carry two persons. The driver gives the reins to one of the pereons within,
who however makes no use o f them. The coachman, standing behind,, manages the horse b y
the application of his Avhip, but much more by his voice. He "very seldom, and always
against his will, gives the whole direction of the carriage to his passengers; as from the confusion
of the principal streets, and the carnages going with great velocity, it would be extremely
dangerous. "When Bond St reet is most crowded with carriages, it is nowise to be
compared to the Toledo at Naples.
The calessino is more or less ornamented, gilt, or adorned with basso relievocs in wood, a c -
cording to the circumstances of the owner. On the b a ck of the horse arc some belis
fastened to the harness, little flags, and other ornaments, depending on the fancy of the proprietor.
The landscape in the plate represents a view between Naples and Pozzuolo, which is the
usual vide for pleasure with the cakssino. The woman who is crossing the road wears a shawl
of silk, embroidered and bordered with f r inge; which is generallv the custom in the southern
parts ot I taly. The little girl has a tambour ine, upon which the women of the country phiy
very well, and wiiicli, with the except ion of castanets, is tlic only instrument generally
used at their dances.
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