Italian castles and country seats . lla is full, to the point of crowding, with rare memen-tos not only of his ancestor the great Napoleon, butroom after room simply teems with the results of CountPrimolis many travels and constant collecting. Hisluncheon was served quite differently from any thatI have ever seen. The table was decorated with tentall gold columns surmounted by figures of the greatEmperor. At each persons place was a series of platesone above the other, into which the successive courseswere served, until the pile diminished to the last fordessert. The large menus had reproducti
Italian castles and country seats . lla is full, to the point of crowding, with rare memen-tos not only of his ancestor the great Napoleon, butroom after room simply teems with the results of CountPrimolis many travels and constant collecting. Hisluncheon was served quite differently from any thatI have ever seen. The table was decorated with tentall gold columns surmounted by figures of the greatEmperor. At each persons place was a series of platesone above the other, into which the successive courseswere served, until the pile diminished to the last fordessert. The large menus had reproductions of photostaken by Primoli on his recent trip to India. It ishopeless to try to tell you of all the rare souvenirsthis villa contains. Count Primoli is interested ineverything that is good art. He has been all over theworld, and seems to know all the world, and certainlyhis house is a veritable museum. The cosmopolitanparty was rather large, and jokes went from one partof the table to another in any one of five languages.[ 404 ]. AND COUNTRY SEATS Rome is nothing if not cosmopolitan, and for thatvery reason one of the most interesting places in theworld. Most of the large cities, however luxurious,are in reality very provincial, and you ara expected,on arrival within their social limits, to do exactly asthose who are decreed to be the leaders may them-selves choose to do. In Rome all is quite different,provided you do not outrage good breeding and goodtaste, you may do what you please, go where youplease, and entertain to your liking. You can get onwith any one of five languages, but you will be hap-pier if you speak them all. You may have the bestof titles of any part of the nobility of Europe, butif you are dull you will be left at home except onformal and great occasions. I see so many peoplecome to Rome fancying that the titled Italians aregoing to be impressed by their wealth and extrav-agance; and while the Italians are astonishingly kindand generous in their reception
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectitalydescriptionandt
