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TOC
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noble portico decorated by the Marchese
Maffei, with Etruscan marbles and in-
scriptions; the bust of this celebrated
antiquary, who rendered such singular
services to his country, and to science,
is placed upon this portico.
One of the apartments of this building,
serves as a rendezvous of good company
of both sexes, every evening. It is call-
ed Camere della Conversazione, and is
furnished at the public expence. This
custom is practised in many cities of
Italy, and is extremely convenient to the
inhabitants; as none are obliged to be at
the expence of furnishing and keeping a
large and magnificent house in parade,
or constrained to bestow a painful atten-
tion upon persons who have admission
from courtesy more than choice or af-
fection.
The modern theatre is only used in
the month of November, for the serious
opera, before the carnival begins in the
other principal cities of Italy, at which
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