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Show FANS BROUGHT FROM ITALY. English Traveler of 1608 Describes Them as Curiosities. The following description of fans by Thomas Coryat goes to provo that paper fans were not usd In England at the time of his tour (1608), and that we borrowed them as well as forkn from the Italians. "Hero I will mention a thing, that although perhaps It will seeme but frivolous to divers readers that have already travelled In Italy, yet because unto many that neither havo beene there, nor ever Intend to go thither while they live, It will be a meere novelty, nov-elty, I will not let It pass unmentloned. "The first Italian fannes that I saw In Italy did I observe In this space betwixt' be-twixt' Ptzlghlton and Cremona; but afterwatlls I observed them common In most places of Italy whero I trnv elled. "Thesr innes both men and women of the country doe carry, to coole-therrselves coole-therrselves wlthall In tho time ot heat, by tho often fanning of their (aeon. Most of them aro very elegant and pretty things. "For whereas the fanne consistent of a painted piece ot paper and a little ooden handle; the paper, which Is fastened Into tho top, Is on both sides .-nost curiously adorned with excellent pictures, having some witty Itallai verses or jlfte emblems written ttndci them; or of some notable Italian city with a bricfe description thereof added add-ed thereunto." Kxchango. |
