Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

VENICE. 73
the Grate, and are very free to admit a
Visit from a Stranger. There is indeed
one of the Cornara's, that not long ago
refused to see any under a Prince.
TheCarnaval of Venice is every where
talked of. The greatDiversion ef the place
at that Time, as well as on all other high
Occasions, is Masking. The Venetians,
who are naturally Grave, love to give into
the Follies and Entertainments of suchSea-
sons, when disguisedin a falsePersonage.
They are indeed under a necessity of
finding out Diversions that may agree
with the Nature of the Place, and make
some Amends for the Loss of several Plea-
lures which may be met with on the Con-
tinent. These Disguises give Occasion
to abundance of Love Adventures; for
there is something more intriguing in the
Amours of Venice^ than inthoseofother
Countries, and I question not but the
Secret History of a Carnaval would make
a Collection of very diverting Novels.
Opera’s are another great Entertain-
ment of this Season. The Poetry of them
is generally as exquisitely ill, as the
Musick is good. The Arguments are
often taken from some celebrated ACtiou
of the ancient Greeks or Romans^ which-
sometimes looks ridiculous enough; for
who can endure to hear one of the rough
E old