All that has
to do with the plan and arrangement of the house is great, durable and
costly, but the daily life within it is as simple as possible. All
other expenses, from the largest in which the family honour is at
stake, down to the pocket-money of the younger sons, stand to one
another in a rational, not a conventional relation. Nothing is
considered of so much importance as education, which the head of the
house gives not only to the children, but to the whole household. He
first develops his wife from a shy girl, brought up in careful
seclusion, to the true woman of the house, capable of commanding and
guiding the servants. The sons are brought up without any undue
severity, carefully watched and counselled, and controlled 'rather by
authority than by force.' And finally the servants are chosen and
treated on such principles that they gladly and faithfully hold by the
family.
One feature of that book must be referred to, which is by no means
peculiar to it, but which it treats with special warmth-- the love of
the educated Italian for country life. In northern countries the nobles
lived in the country in their castles, and the monks of the higher
orders in their well-guarded monasteries, while the wealthiest burghers
dwelt from one year's end to another in the cities. But in Italy, so
far as the neighbourhood of certain towns at all events was concerned,
the security of life and property was so great, and the passion for a
country residence was so strong, that men were willing to risk a loss
in time of war.
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