noon
They first traversed the Via Toledo , and saw the Lazzaroni lying on the pavement , or in osier baskets which serve them for lodging , day and night . There is something extremely original in this state of savage existence , mingled with civilization . There are some among these men who do not even know their own name , and who go to confess anonymous sins ; not being able to tell who it is that has committed them . There is a subterranean grotto at Naples where thousands of Lazzaroni pass their lives , only going out at noon to see the sun , and sleeping the rest of the day , whilst their wives spin . In climates where food and raiment are so easy of attainment it requires a very independent and active government to give sufficient emulation to a nation ; for it is so easy for the people merely to subsist at Naples , that they can dispense with that industry which is necessary to procure a livelihood elsewhere . Laziness and ignorance combined with the volcanic air which is breathed in this spot , ought to produce ferocity when the passions are excited ; but this people is not worse than any other . They possess imagination , which might become the principle of disinterested actions and give them a bias for virtue , if their religious and political institutions were good .