Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1884 — The Festival of Snakes. [ARTICLE]

The Festival of Snakes.

A celebrated Abruzzese painter is about to put on canvas the characteristic representation of a curious festival held at a little mountain church once a year. The peasants walk in procession, carrying round their arms, waists and necks, etc., all the snakes that they can find. Sig. Michetti, the artist, has a quaint little villa on the shores of the Adriatic. He was lately visited by a friend, to whom he showed all the curiosities of his villa, and then, opening a small door to a dark chamber, into which he entered for a moment, he called out, “I have something still* better to show you. Take these.” The friend held out his arms, and to his horror five or six blacksnakes were put into them. With a cry of disgust he threw them on the ground. “How stupid you are,” said Michetti. “You will make me lose all my models 1” He then explained to his friend that he was making studies from life for his great

picture. The curious festival which is to be the subject of the painting is believed by the peasants to preserve them from poison and sudden death, and to bring them good fortune, especially in love.— Naples letter to London News.