oon but few people venture out, although early
in the morning it is said that some, more active than the rest, sally
forth on their mountain rambles; but this deponent vouches not for
their number or degree, never himself having had ocular demonstration
of their movements. During the heat of the day, the greater part
remain at home, excepting, indeed, the population of the Ponte, who,
exulting in all the advantages their position unites, circulate from
the post-office to the caffe, from the caffe to the club, and condole
with such of the hapless denizens of the Villa and Bagni Caldi as a
thirst for news and devouring ennui have driven to brave a hot summer
walk to their more favoured region.

There is always, even at noon, a buzz of animation in the little
piazza of the Ponte--always a knot of worthies in loose brown holland
coats and straw-hats, talking over every passing occurrence. The
banker's office, too, is situated here, and that is a lounge in
itself--a sort of private committee-room for the discussing of any
fresh piece of gossip, ere it is submitted for dissection to the
public at large. The English banker has now become an important
feature in all continental circles. The unsophisticated beings who,
perchance, imagine his duties simply limited to cashing travellers'
bills, and discounting circular-notes, have now an opportunity of
learning over how wide a field of action his arduous avocations must
be spread. The English banker should be imperturbably good-tempered,
active, and obliging; allowing no difficulties to dismay, no
ungraciousness to offend him. His clients' happiness, interest,
comfort, and amusement are his engrossing thought; and if, after
experiencing an infinity of trouble, rudeness, and vexation, his only
return should be the half-percentage on a L.50 draft, he is expected
to smile, be contented, and with undaunted resolution, pursue the same
train of kindness and civility towards the next new-comer. The
banker's wife has also her line of tactics to pursue. She must call on
all the influential families who bring letters of recommendation to
her husband; listen with interest to all the detailed miseries of
travelling with young children; and be sympathisingly anxious about
little hopeful's eyeteeth. She must be an adept at writing notes, and
be possessed of an immense store of local information to supply the
incessant inquiries with which she is assailed. She must also give
tea-parties and dan