We  visit  to  enjoy  ourselves  ;  and  our  host  takes  away  all
our  freedom,  while  we  destroy  his  own. If  the  host  wishes
to  work  or  ride,  he  dare  not,  lest  it  seem  unpolite  to  the
guest ;  if  the  guest  wishes  to  read  or  sleep,  he  dare  not,
lest  it  seem  unpolite  to  the  host ;  so  they  both  remain
slaves,  and  feel  it  a  relief  to  part  company. A  few  indi-
viduals, mostly  in  foreign  lands,  arrange  this  matter  with
wiser  freedom. If  a  visiter  arrives,  they  say,  "  I  am  busy
to-day  ;  but  if  you  wish  to  ride,  there  are  horse  and  saddle
in  the  stable  ;  if  you  wish  to  read,  there  are  books  in  the
library  ;  if  you  are  inclined  to  music,  flute  and  piano  are  in
the  parlour  ;  if  you  want  to  work,  the  men  are  raking  hay
in  the  fields  ;  if  you  want  to  romp,  the  children  are  at  play  in
the  court ;  if  you  want  to  talk  with  me,  I  can  be  with  you
at  such  an  hour. Go  when  you  please,  and  while  you  stay
do  as  you  please."

At  some  houses  in  Florence,  large  parties  meet,  without
invitation,  and  with  the  slightest  preparation. It  is  under-
stood that  on  some  particular  evening  of  the  week,  a  lady
or  gentleman  always  receive  their  friends. In  one  room  are


FROM     NEW-YORK. 205

books,  and  busts,  and  flowers  ;  in  another,  pictures  and  en-
gravings ;  in  a  third,  music  ;  couples  are  ensconced  in
some  sheltered  alcove,  or  groups  dotted  about  the  rooms  in
mirthful  or  serious  conversation. No  one  is  required  to
speak  to  his  host,  either  entering  or  departing. Lemonade
and  baskets  of  fruit  stand  here  and  there  on  the  side-tables,
that  all  may  take  who  like  ;  but  eating,  which  constitutes
so  large  a  part  of  all  American  entertainments,  is  a  slight
and  almost  unnoticed  incident  in  these  festivals  of  intel-
lect and  taste. Wouldst  thou  like  to  see  such  social  free-
dom introduced  here  1  Then  do  it. But  the  first  step  must
be  complete  indifference  to  Mrs. Smith's  assertion,  that  you
were  mean  enough  to  offer  only  one  kind  of  cake  to  your
company,  and  to  put  less  shortening  in  the  under  crust  of
your  pies  than  the  upper. Let  Mrs. 