The female children of genteel parentage are, in Genoa, allowed to visit
amongst themselves in balls and fêtes, until they have attained the age
of fourteen; when, being considered marriageable, instead of "_coming
out_" as in England, they are kept strictly at home; allowed indeed to
see a little company there, but there only, except when taken _per
favour_, once or twice to the opera, to which they go purposely in an
undress, sit at the back of the box, so as not to be seen, or if
accidentally beheld, they are not to be recognised. When a girl reaches
the appointed years of discretion, the sole consideration of her parents
is, to _marry_ her, and in this matter _she_, poor thing, has no voice,
as I shall proceed to prove. Negotiating matches, making proposals, and
arranging marriages, are affairs confided to the prudence and mediation
of certain busy old ladies, who find their account in bringing about
weddings, since they receive a regular _per centage_ upon them. One of
these emissaries of Hymen will call on a parent who has a son, reported
to be an eligible match, and open the business by talking of the young
man, until an opportunity occurs of inquiring whether he is not soon to
be settled, and how much will be allowed him? These queries being
answered to the good lady's satisfaction, she proceeds a step further,
and enumerates the principal families of her acquaintance, who have
daughters to _dispose_ of, adding an accurate description of each
Signorina's person, connexions, property, expectancies, and other
advantages. A lady having been selected as an eligible match for the
youth, the parents on both sides being agreed, and the young gentleman
duly informed of their arrangements for his happiness, he is allowed to
commence paying his addresses to the fair one, by sending her a large,
and peculiarly constructed bouquet, the acceptance of which, is in fact
an acceptance of himself, and the girl is immediately considered a
_Sposina_, or betrothed one. The bouquet, and herself, in full dress,