Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-01

caused the fishes to come upon the waters to hear
his preaching. and | will not shew cowardly
heart, at moment when there is most need OF ,
resolution"
The masked Waterman crossed himself devOut-
ly; and, relinQushing all further design to per-
suade the other to abandon the fruit!ess contest,
he gave all his thoughts to his own interest in the
coming struggle.
The narr0wness of most Of the canals Ut We
nice. with the innumerable angles and the con-
slant passing, have given rise to fashion OF con-
struotion and Of rowing that are 50 peculiar to
that city and immediate dependencies as to require
some explanation. The reader has doubtless al
ready understood that gondOla is long, mar
row and light boat, adapted to the uses of the
place, and distinct from the Wineries Of all other
towns. The distance between the dwellings, on
most of the canals, is so small, that the width OF
the latter does not admit Of the use OF oars on
both sides at the same time. The necessity OF
constantly turning aside to give room for others,
aud the frequency Of the bridges and the corners,
have suggested the expediency Of placing the face
of the waterman in the direction in which the
boat is steering, and, of course, Of keeping him
on his feet. As every sondola, when fully equip
ped, has its pavilion in the centre, the height of
the latter renders it necessary to place HIM who
steers on such an le,ation, as will enable him to
overlook it. From these several causes, one
cared boat, in Venice, isspropeiled by Condo
ier who stands on little angular deck In its stern,
formed like the low roof of house; and the
stroke of the oar is given BY push, instead OF
pull, as is common elsewhere. Inns habit Oi row.
ing erect, however, which is usually done by
forward. instead Of backward movement OF the
BODY. is not unfrequent in all the ports OF the
Mediterranean, though in no other is there boat
which resembles the gondola in all its properties,
or uses. The upright position Of the gondolier
requires that the pivot on which the oar rests
should have corresponding elevation; and there
is, consequently, species Of bunkin, raised from
the side Of the boat, to the desired height, and
which, being formed of a crooked and very ire
suIar knee Of wood, has two or three row-locks,
one above the other, to suit the stature oil differ
ent individuals, or to give broader or narrow
er sweep of the blade. as the movement shall re-
auire. As there is frequent occasion to cast the
oar from one of these row-lOcks to the other, and
not unfrequently to change its side, 1t rests IN
very open bed; and the instrument is kept IN ITS
place by great dexterty alone. and BY perfect
knowledge Of the means of accommodating the
force and thelrapdty Of the effort to the forward
movement of the boat and the resistance OF the
water. All these difficulties united. render skill
in a gondolier one of the most delicate branches
of the waterman's art, as it is clear that muscu-
lar strength alone, though Of great aid can avail
bur little in such practice.
The great canal of Venice, following its wind
ings. being more than league in length, the dis.
lance in the present was reduced nearly hall,
by causing the boats to start from the Rlalto.-
At this point, then, the gondolas were all assem-
bled, attended by those who were to place them.
As the whole Of the population which, beforehand
been extended along the whole course OF the wa
ter, was now crowded between the bridge and
spmDieu a vista Of human heads. It was an inn
posing sight to look along that bright and living
lane, and the hearts of each competitor beat high.
as hope, or pride, or apprehension, became the
feeling of the moment
'Gino of Calabria," cried the marshal who
placed the gondolas, thy station is on the right.
Take it, and ST. Januarius speed thee!''
The Servitor of Don Camille assumed his car,
and the boat slided gracefully into its berth.
"ThOu CONTEST next, Enrico Of Fusino. Call
stoutly on thy Paduan patron, and husband thy
strength; for none of the main have ever yet borne
away prize in Venice"
He then summoned, i'm succession, those whose
names have not been mentioned, and placed them,
side by side, in the centre Of the canal.
''Here is place for thee, Signore,'' continued |
the officer, inclning his head to the unknown
gondoler; for he had imbbed the general impress
sion that the face Of some young patrician was
beneath the mask, to humour the fam
cy of some caprcious fair.-s' Chance hath given
thee the extreme left"
"Thou hast forgotten to call the fisherman"
observed the masker, as he drove his own gondola
INTO its station.
"Does the hoary fool persist in exposing his
vanity aud his rags to the best of Venice7"
Is can lake place in the rear" meekIy observ-
I'd Antonio. "There may be those in the line it
10th not become one like me to crowd; and a few
strokes of the oar, more or less, can differ but
little, in so long strife.''
Thou hadst better push ,nodesty to discretion,
md remsn.'
"If it be your pleasure, Signore, would RAJ
her see what ST. Anthony may do for an old fish
,rman, who has prayed to him, night and morn
ne, these sixty yearss"
"It is thy right; and, as thou seemest content
With it, keep the place thou hast in the rear. 1t
$ only occupying it a little earlier than thou
youldst otherwise.-Now, recall the rules of the
anne s. hardy gondoliers, aud make thy last ap.
zeal to thy patrons. There is to be no crossing, t
nfhnr E,ut ovnudiapts. pnuoht ov.ont .o,I, J..