Signor
Cricelli took me to see many interesting things, and brought me into
touch with the every-day life of Catanzaro. I knew from Lenormant's
book that the town had a singular reputation for hospitality. The
French archaeologist tells amusing stories in illustration of this
characteristic. Once, when he had taken casual refreshment at a
restaurant, a gentleman sitting at another table came forward and,
with grave politeness, begged permission to pay for what Lenormant
had consumed. This was a trifle in comparison with what happened
when the traveller, desirous of making some return for much
kindness, entertained certain of his acquaintances at dinner, the
meal, naturally, as good a one as his hotel could provide. The
festival went off joyously, but, to Lenormant's surprise, nothing
was charged for it in his bill. On making inquiry he learnt that the
cost of the entertainment had already been discharged by one of his
guests! Well, that took place years ago, long before a railway had
been thought of in the valley of the Corace; such heroic virtues ill
consist with the life of to-day.
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