The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-17 00:00:00

11:1E FETES AT VENICE.

tram ous ersmaz cosassroinarra
VENICE, Nov. it
Though sunshine was wanting to the earlier
festivities, it has been bright and plentiful for
those which have succeeded. There was a change
of weather the day before yesterday, and the grand
masquerade of that evening was not spoiled by
importation of goloshes. As to yesterday's regatta,
it was a splendid eight. Venice was herself again.
November fog had given place to sunshine worthy
of July, and the harbour was crowded with small
craft of every size. But before I speak of what
happened yesterday, let me return, if only for a
moment, to the masquerade.
Some maskers were content to disguise them-
selves with plain black hoods, whilst others had
fancy dresses of elaborate design. Many who were
presentat the Fenice wore their ordinaryeveningcos-
tume, many appeared in grey trousers and cutaway
coats. It was a time of joviality and license, the
theatre very full, the stage thrown open to dancers,
and Victor Emmanuel sitting quietly in a side box,
with his sons and other members of the royal
family. That his Majesty was well received need
scarcely be said, for the Venetians never lose a '
chance of cheering him. He was cheered when he
arrived and cheered when he departed. Mephis-
topheles jostled against Sultan Sulyman to get a
better view of the King, foreigners vied with na-
tives in the pertinacity of their gaze, and a myste-
rious black domino borrowed our friend Smith's
opera glass. No one thought of dancing until after
the King had retired. All eyes were turned to-
wards him, and the attention of the house was con-
centrated in the aide box where he sat. Victor
Emmanuel was by no means a passive figure to be
stared at, but frequently raised his own opera glass
to look back at the crowd of faces which looked at
hint or to survey the opposite row of boxes, which
were filled with ladies elegantly dressed.
The crowning triumph of Venetian freedom in
these joyous merry-making days was the procession
of veterans of 1848, and the decoration of the flag
of the National Guard. Yesterday morning, at
nine o'clock, the Place of St. Mark was occupied
by detachments of soldiers and sailors, by the
National Guard of Venice, and by a large concourse
of people. The tri-colour banners on the tall flag-
atatis in front of the Basilica fluttered out bravely
as they had fluttered when first they were hoisted,
and serried lines of Italian bayonets glittered in
the sunlight. Between the armed men, who kept
open a space for them to advance, came a column
or unarmed veterans, bearing the tattered colours
of the former war. It was remarked with dis-
pleasure by many of the crowd that the foremost
flag in the procession, and that which would be
especially honoured, was crisp and new, whilst
those which followed bore traces of hard
service. But such difference could not be
helped. An old flag of the required pedigree was
not forthcoming, and as to relics of 1848, here
were the best possible relics—the veterans who had
fought under Daniel Martin. They were most of
them in plain clothes, though some wore military
uniform, and they had the solid, comfortable look
of men of business with grown up children.
Eighteen years had grizzled many of their beards,
though few were aged or feeble men, and they
looked as if there was yet vigour enough amongst
thorn to form an excellent corps of reserve. On
they came to the centre of the Piazza, where a
brilliant group of officers, naval and military,
awaited the arrival of the King. Now there was a
shout from the crowd near the western portico—
now a confused roar of voices, as every one saw that
his Majesty had descended the steps by
the movement of the white plumes around
hint. There were music and cheering, with
zealous pushing forward by the people, and
shouldering back by the soldiers. Victor Em-
manuel attached a gold medal to the flag-staff of
the National Guard, and then, all restraint being
removed, the Piazra was thronged with a gladsome
mass of citizens and strangers, in which the
veterans of '4B were lost to eight so soon as they
had struggled past the King.
There was an interval of bargaining with gon-
doliers, and worrying distracted waiters at places I
of refreshment, between tho ceremony in the
Piazza and the regatta on the Grand Canal. Venice
took boat at twelve o'clock, or stationed itself at
windows by the canal side, or crowded twenty deep
along convenient wharves. There was great
mameuvring of gondolas to obtain a good place
within view of the Foscari Palace, where his Ma-
jesty would be stationed. Eight-oared barges
richly draped, with crews in fancy dress, darted
up and down to keep open a course for the race.
Here sonic adventurous craft which was trying to
sneak past and range herself outside the crowd of
expectant holiday-makers was ordered hack by
an authoritative gentleman in an eight-oared barge.
Again sonic clumsy old tub, fitted out for the occa-
sion, which had drifted across the channel, was
driven to one side, and told to remain there under
pain of capture. Truly our half hour of waiting
for the race was very amusing. lilt when the
King had taken up his position and the competing
boats—pair-oar shallops rowed gondola fashion
—glided past with the winners already far ahead,
and sure of their victory, it was but a poor regatta
regarded as a matter of sport. The wonder of the
day was the crush of boats and barges which fol-
lowed his Majesty on his return to the palace ; and
afterwards, for those who love a beautiful sight,
there was the illumination of the Place of St.
Mark—a blaze of tricolor lamps and gas jets, with
the winged lion on the Basilica startling forth
more real and ferocious than any illuminated lion
ever did before.

THE YELLOW FEVER ON BOARD THE

ATRATO.

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY NIGHT.

A telegram has been received from the Privy Council,
ordering the Atirato still to be kept io quarantine. The
doctor's servant has been taken ill of yellow fever, and
has been placed on board the Menelaus, but be has not
bad the black vomit, and it is though possible that he
may recover. The passengers are all well on board the
Atrato. Gnat excitement exists in the town amongst the
families of the crew, and numbers of persons assemble in
the docks to learn the news from the ship.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT ROCHDALE AND Loss OF
LlFE.—Yesterday morning one of the most destructive
fires that has occurred for many years in Rochdale broke
out in the large flannel manufactory of Mr. John Kershaw,
in Mount Pleasant, and it entirely gutted the building,
and aevemal houses surrounding it were partially knocked
down, and damaged considerably. An old man was buried
in the ruins of one of the houses and killed. Mr. Ker-
shaw is ono of the largest fancy flannel manufacturers in
this part of the country, and we understand he is insured,
but not to the full amount. Three hundred workpeoplo
were employed at this mill, and of courso they will be
thrown out of employment.
UNIFORM VALUATION Or THE METROPOLIS.—

At the meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works
yesterday, a report was received from a committee of the
whole board as to uniform valuation of property in the
metropolis, reporting that, in the opinion of the cow-
minim, the beet mode of insuring this would be for the
magistrates of the several counties of Middlesex, Surrey,
and Kent to revise their rentals at least once in thee
years, and that they should pursue this course simultane-
ously. After some discussion the matter was referred back
to the committee for consideration and report..