American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-11-02
A SPIRITED SKETCH.



1t was in June of 1907 that visited Venice, il
the employ of mercantile house in New York A
residence of some weeks had made me sufficient,
acquainted with the city and its enyrons TO find my
way without guide, and having transacted my
business, spent the few days which preceded my
departure in viewing and admirng one Of the oldes
cities of Europe. There was something in the style
OF the buildings and in the costume and manners
the inhabitants, in what is usually termed "the all
oil the places" so entirely different from any thing
had ever seen, that found, at every turn some long
cherished curiosity gratfed, and some new one
awakened. had been taught from my infancy tt
associate with the very name of Venice all the ter
,rors OF the inquision and now, when found my
self within the shade Of the gloomy walls and saw
the monks, with their dark cowls and flowing robes
gliding with stealthy steps through its heavy gothic
|porches, could not suppress feeling OF awe, as
ISOLATED with, and springing from, The earliest i'm
pressons my childhood had received. Iexperenc
ed the same kind OF inde6nabe, causeless dreaC
which he feels who, at midnight, walks in tn,
Ichurchyafd, when the tombstoDes appear, in III,
misty moonlight, like spirits starting from tht
Igraves, and the wind seems to whisper the
names Of the sumberng dead
The time for my departure had arrived, and with
feelings such as these had wandered out late on,
evening TO take farewell view OF Venice, when m,
q
lpany OF men who coming up the street ir
which was walking. Withdrawing into dark
passage between two buildings, had an oppor,uni
Ivy of observing, tina, the company consisted Of
raj hundred, aud kept that side of the street which
was shaded by the houses from the light of The
moon There was something altogether myster
GUS in their appearance, and had walked near
quarter of mile endeavoring to account Tor cir
constance so singular. when my ears were assalet
by sound ike that OF heavy blows upon an iroI
gateway. paused, and was soon conyinl ed, from
the increased violence Of the blows and the direction
in which the sound came, that it was pccasioncd BY
the mob had lately seen, and that The city arsena
was the object flheir assault. The blows were re
| peated till the gates gave way with tiemendou
crash, and the mob Sent up shoot that seemed L
rend the heavens. An interval OF silence succeeded
when solitary horseman rode iurousy up TO lht
corner of the street where | stood, and blew al
alarm upon his bugle, which borne wildly along
on the night wind. and then echoed back, in deeper
aud mellower tones, from the distant hills that rust
beyond the city. The horseman paused not for iht
lingering notes to die upon the ear but plunged hi
spurs into the sides of his courser, whose feet a
every bound dashed fire from the finty pavement
At the corner of each successive square. as he rode
fercely on. the same notes OF ela m burst from hi
bugle, and the soft and mellow echoes foalet
back II in moCkery ct the wild hoarseness oil hei
originals. To me, whose feelings already
highly wrought upon by The variety Of incidents
had so unexpectedly encountered, there was some
thing in the music completely bewildering, some
thing that made every heartstrins thrill with ecstacy
But my reyerie short; lor the blast OF the buglt
had started the sleeping citizens from their couches
| and, with arms in their hands, and with hurriet
steps and anxious looks they traversed the streets
each eagerly nquiring oil his neighbor The cause o
so unusual an alarm. All was tumull and confusion
| the drums beat TO arms, and they were hastily mar
shalled in order of battle. The phalanx of citizens
which probably consisted of some thousands, wa
drawn up in front OF the Cathedral of ST Omar.
| Not one Of all this vast assembiage knew wha
was the danger which threatened, or where it wa
| to be met and successfully repelled The noise 0
the mob had ceased, and they stood in silent anc
anxious expectation, their banners floating oyel
their heads ; when shout burst from the distan
multitude that made every heart throb and every ca
ltngle. They turned in The direction of the sound
and perceived that pat OF the city was on fire,
that the sky was already red with the contisgration
| 1t was evident that there was insurt ectoD
and the orders Tor hasty march were gwen ant
executed with promptitude which showed th,
alacrily with which men peril their lives in deienc,
of their homes and those they love. There wa
now no difficulty III finding the scene of sction, TO
the flames of the burning buildings mounted higi
and shone far, Illuminating the darkness OF s nigh
and beaconng our The spopt where the insurgen,
were collected. The alarm had by this time spread
to all parts of the city, and the fierce riding Of TIL
cavalry, as they became mingled with the hreneI
and infantry who were Fastening on, increased til,
| uproar and confusion every moment
| The mob, as if determined on the accomplish
ment Of their purposes, their own destruction
had posted themselves between the 6re and that par
of the city from which succours must arrive. They
appeared but lily disciplined, yet there a
mong them, who, by the sngulariy Of his appear
ance and his daring impe,uosi,y, excited universe
attention. The broad glare of the burning building
shone iu upon him, and exhibited form raihe
above the ordinary size, and clad in complete ar