DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67375#0292
234
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
Some Neapolitans will not select their own numbers, but
ask a monk, because monks are believed to be very lucky;
or they consult professional cabalisti, who are supposed to
know all that one wishes by some magical power. The
balance in the lottery account is always in favor of the
government, and this is the only method of tax-paying to
which the Neapolitans submit cheerfully. At times, how-
ever, enormous sums are won by the poorest people; as
was the case when the cholera broke out in 1884. The
dictionary number for this emergency was bought by
thousands, and happening to turn out a prize number, it
made a heavy strain on the government. The uncon-
trollable passion for the lottery causes no end of wrong-
doing and theft among the working-classes. The prizes
are drawn on Saturday, and if on Friday they have not
the money for the chances they wish to buy, they will take
almost any means to get it. If they steal it, they say a
prayer for their success at the same moment, and are
sanguine that the prize will enable them to return what
they have stolen. If they cannot steal the money, they
frequently pawn objects belonging to others, and, in short,
are very clever in inventing methods by which to get the
coveted tickets.
The drawing of the Tombola, or Lotto, occurs about four
o’clock on Saturday afternoon in the Via Mezzo-cannone,
and the winning numbers are posted where all may see
them. The faces of the winners are bright and joyous ;
they are pleased that the method of their choice proved a
wise one ; but the expressions on the faces of the losers
are a sad and depressing study. Poor, half-clothed crea-
tures, whose appearance shows how meagrely they are fed,
have lost, perhaps, their all; they tear up their tickets,
throw them on the ground, and move away, doubtless
already planning how they can save even one penny in
the six succeeding days.
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
Some Neapolitans will not select their own numbers, but
ask a monk, because monks are believed to be very lucky;
or they consult professional cabalisti, who are supposed to
know all that one wishes by some magical power. The
balance in the lottery account is always in favor of the
government, and this is the only method of tax-paying to
which the Neapolitans submit cheerfully. At times, how-
ever, enormous sums are won by the poorest people; as
was the case when the cholera broke out in 1884. The
dictionary number for this emergency was bought by
thousands, and happening to turn out a prize number, it
made a heavy strain on the government. The uncon-
trollable passion for the lottery causes no end of wrong-
doing and theft among the working-classes. The prizes
are drawn on Saturday, and if on Friday they have not
the money for the chances they wish to buy, they will take
almost any means to get it. If they steal it, they say a
prayer for their success at the same moment, and are
sanguine that the prize will enable them to return what
they have stolen. If they cannot steal the money, they
frequently pawn objects belonging to others, and, in short,
are very clever in inventing methods by which to get the
coveted tickets.
The drawing of the Tombola, or Lotto, occurs about four
o’clock on Saturday afternoon in the Via Mezzo-cannone,
and the winning numbers are posted where all may see
them. The faces of the winners are bright and joyous ;
they are pleased that the method of their choice proved a
wise one ; but the expressions on the faces of the losers
are a sad and depressing study. Poor, half-clothed crea-
tures, whose appearance shows how meagrely they are fed,
have lost, perhaps, their all; they tear up their tickets,
throw them on the ground, and move away, doubtless
already planning how they can save even one penny in
the six succeeding days.