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 Carnaval; which M. Du Cange derives from Carn-a-va-l, 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 Carnale-

wamen, and Carniprivium; as the Spaniards still denominate it carnes tollendas.

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 playhouses 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 foreign princes and 30,000 foreigners here to partake of these diversions.