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scienze naturali e igiene, canto, ginnastica, e lavori femminili e economia
domestica.^^ Subjects wdthin this comprehensive education were taught in Italian,
forcing Giuseppina to gain an early mastery of the language but causing her to neglect
her English studies: refusing to practise English with her sister, many words were
soon forgotten. Giuseppina's youth allowed her to quickly adapt to her new
environment and to enjoy living in a Swiss community.
Olimpia might have considered her Ufe less pleasurable, having responsibility
for her grandmother and much heavy work to do about the farm. Her grandmother
lived in a traditional farmhouse with a cow stable adjoining one end. The goats, which
were only stabled in the winter, were driven up to the mountains by Olimpia during the
warmer months. Her other tasks included collecting grass for the livestock in a
traditional gerla or hand-woven, cone-shaped basket worn on the back. Within the
home she was expected to cook, preparing traditional dishes such as polenta. Meat,
apart from roast kid, was a rarity and vegetables and dairy foods were the basis of their
diet. Cakes were practically non-existent, except for the few which Olimpia introduced
and which may have been leamed from her Anglo-Celtic fiiends in Australia: shared
with the viUagers of Cevio, such recipes would have increased their knowledge of
Australia's dietary habits. To help her mother with finances, Margherita sent money
from Australia hidden in Victorian newspapers; the practice ~ which also provided
opportunity to read about Australia ~ ceased when the paper arrived one day without
the money.
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