The native American., 1838-12-29

rlor ulsplay; the neart was wanting, anu Sho 70
hailed her last sighs in the arms of the young ue-
neral OF the French republic.
II is not this political death Of Venice whlcn
startles us. This power OF fourteen centuries hau
for long time attained its final developments.
She had lono acquired tabled riches; and whilst
on the one side she enleebled herself with plea
sures, on the oher the political power, the soll-
cit,ide of public matters, being concentrated IN a
too small number of families, there was nothing to
keep alive the feeling of nationality in the lower
orders of society. There were intrigues, but no
parties: there were none of those passionate strug-
gles where character mbibes new energy, and
the life of nation is entirely rcnewe ed. This
aged courizan, exhausted blythe abuse of every
luxury, died suddenly, leaving her inheritance TO
the first occupant.
The republic was dead; the city, the port, the
maratime position still existed. How came it tina,
in the energetic hands of Napoleon, Venice re-
mained buried in its sleep! How came it that this
great man, who gave life to so many things, did
not succeed in CO :. muncating to Venice one spark
of his devourrg activity How happened it that
Austria which succeeded to his power, allowed
this inanimate body TO crumble into ashes! Why
did she not endeavour to engrat new Venice on
the sterl trunk of the one that was deparled!
Such is the question which naturally suggests il
self to the mind.
For now the days of the glory of the Mediter-
ranean have returned; the Cape of Good Hope is
no more rival to be feared by her; the commerce
of India is disposed 10 return 10 its ancient chan
mel more and more every day; and the industrial
movement which is propagated along her coast,
opens continually new fields for the activity of her
sailors. All the ports Of the Mediterranean are
prosperous; and without dwelling upon Marsees,
L - ;.,
gates, which proves by the rapid increase of its
riches, that it is not necessary to 90 out of the
Mediterranean in search of fortune, and that there
are yet treasures in oriental commerce? WHY
should not Venice be a rival OF Trieste9 Why
may it not serve as an enrcpot to all the Eastern
coast of Italy? Why does she not assume the same
attitude as respects Milan, as Trieste assumes
with the coasts of Illyria? Is there a natural and
absolute impossibility or only difficulty, that may
be overcome?
AT Venice, as we'll as in all the rest of italy
the French domination has left traces of its pas
sage. The palace which fronts upon st. Marc
the garden which is at the end Of the quay of
Sciavoniaus, and the beautiful street which leads
to it. are due to the care of Eugene Beauharnais
Napoleon also thought Of ofre-establishng the mar
atlme importance Of Venice; but the incessant
wars which he was forced to support against the
English, and the blockade bv their fleets of all
the ports then under our dominion, opposed an
invincible obstacle to the success of his plans
Nevertheless Mr.. de Pronv was instructed bv the
Emperor to draw up proet for the meiora,ion
and enlargement Of the port of Malamocco, one
OF the three ports Of ancient Venice which, from
the last days Of the republic to the present time,
has remained almost chokcd up with sand, and
most difficult Of access; the celebrated engineer,
as It would seem, did draw up plan which
INC stormy character Of the epoch, and finally the
tau OF Napoleon, prevented from being carried into
effect. Since then nothing has been tried, and
the old infirmites of Venice have only been ag-
grIvated by the lapse of time.
Without alluding any more to the moral causes
which render the resurrection Of Venice so diff
rui', " would be necessary according to the OPT
mons OF the most intelligent Inhabitants to intro
duce several important notifications in the mate
rial and admnistratory condition of the city OF
Venice.
; Thus, before all, commodous and safe harbor
should be made Of thedhree which she possesses,
Malamocco, Chioggia, and the Siao; there is
not one in good condition; all three are cncroacl-
cd upon by sand bars, or so difficult to approach,
that vessels fear the attempt Some years back
the Austrian Government desired the revival Of
Napoleon's projet; examinations into the state of
the port o. Naamocco, were made by order; it is
said even that these examinations were sent to
Paris tor the purpose of being submitted to Mr..
de Prony; but for some time past, it has not been
heard OIL and i'll a country where the liberty of
the press does not exist, no means is known of
stimulating the slowness of the administration; it
Is necessary to practice patiencc.L
The freedom of the harbor which was granted
Venice as favor, has proved unlavorable TO her
against common expectation. With the few for
tunes and small consumption at Venice, it is from
her relations with terra iirma that most profit
should be expected; she receives merchandise
free from duty, but when she wishes to introduce
them on the continent, endless fornalites and the
slowness Of Austrian custom-houses must be en-
dured, SO that the privilege is rather burden than
OF use and it is the general desire that it should
be abolished.
In fine, Venice is separated from terra firma
by about two leagues of marsh; and this isolated
position, in connection with the state of its har-
hors is the most serious obstacle to every serious
attempt at regeneration. In the days of Venitian
spendor this insulated position did not offer the
same Inconvenience; Venice. in fact did not en-
ploy It's mercantile fleets for provisioning the
icoasts Of Italy alone; the Venitians were the
actors of all the Mediterranean commerce.-
Charged with the trans portaOn of the merchan-