Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/151

Rh of flowers and comfits showered down through the air. It became a habit of life with us. Jenny and I took part in it, whilst we drove with Nordenfalks; we had between us in the carriage a basket with bouquets and comfits, which was obliged to be refilled more than once. Two rows of carriages drove in close file along the Corso; they assaulted each other incessantly; besides which, they threw their missiles up to the windows and balconies, and received others in return. Sometimes a masquerading gentleman designs to present you with an extremely beautiful bouquet, but, if you do not take great care, it is quickly snatched away by some lad who jumps upon the step, or wheel of the carriage. Jenny lost in this way a lovely bouquet of camelias, and I, one to-day. Sometimes the procession of carriages is stopped by the crash, and woe then to the carriage or the ladies who happen to be stopped under a great balcony! For they are then overwhelmed by such a shower of chalk and powder-comfits, which rain down upon them like hail, that the dominoes and outer attire are, this wet weather, quite spoiled! This happened to us yesterday. One is fortunate, if one can keep one's eyes uninjured; but a great many of the uneducated class amuse themselves by throwing white powder into people's faces; and, if this gets into the eyes, it sometimes occasions long suffering. Sometimes one receives a great blow on the head from an immense bouquet, or a great piece of confectionary, as hard as a stone. But any one who enters into the sport must tolerate it, and happen what may, people are only the more excited and filled by the wild spirit of the time. In this way, we drove