or CARNAVAL, a time of rejoicing, a season of mirth, observed with great solemnity by the Italians, particularly at Venice, holding from the twelfth-day till Lent.

The word is formed from the Italian Carnavalle; which Mr Du Cange derives from Carn-a-vel, by reason the flesh then goes to pot, to make amends for the season of abstinence then ensuing. Accordingly, in the corrupt Latin, he observes, it was called Carnetavamen, and Carnifirivium; as the Spaniards still denominate it carner tollendar.

Feasts, balls, operas, concerts of music, intrigues, marriages, &c. are chiefly held in carnival-time. The carnival begins at Venice the second holiday in Christmas: Then it is they begin to wear masks, and open their play-houses and gaming-houses; the place of St Mark is filled with mountebanks, jack-puddings, pedlars, whores, and such like mob, who flock thither from all parts. There have been no less than seven sovereign princes and 30,000 foreigners here to partake of these diversions.