Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-24
From the N. Y. american, Mar. l6.
A WEEK IN VENICE.
No. L.

MOL.
Il has been often said that OF the pleasantest
uses Of foreign travel is the deeper impression 1t
gives US of the reality of our know edge. Our me-
mory becomes n great port folio of views; and no
sooner is a famous spot mentioned than OF these
is spread out before our minds eye, bcStowing up
on the narrative wonderful vlvidness and truth. II
is an animated background, which communicates so
much OF its life the story of the transaction
that we almost feel ourselves TO have been present
at the real scene.
''Yet doth Remembrance like Sovereign Prince,
Fol- Es stately gallery maintain,
of many such captivating pictures. And most de-
lshtful is II, TO leave AZ times the din of business
for the pleasant stiffness OF this shadowy gallery
and the contemplation of these pictures all grow
ing in the golden light Of the past.
or all the cities in Europe that saw, Edinburgh
and Venice are those which arise thus IN my memo
ry-the most clearly defined and brightly colored.-
They are entirely unlike each other and all other
cities How indelibly does that old Edinboro'
stamp Itself upon the recollecton-that town so full
Of abrupt elevations, and startling contrasts both
natural and artihcial-two towns, indeed, tied to-
sether by bridges, and seeming to have been built
by different people at different ages for dliTeren,
purposes-one mass of dInsy, irregular antique
and many Stored houses topping over narrow
wynds-,he other, laid out in magnificent avenues
in the grnndest style OF modern art, with Grecian
colonnades statues and parks the whole overlook
ed on ore SIDE oy grim, trowning, ftuial castle;
and on the oJher, hrsi 10y a beautiful hail adorned
with elegant monumental structures and classic ar
chitec'ure and beyond this a lofty mountain with
bold, projecting cfaEs and the most imposing gran
deur of outline
should be happy 20 give a birds eve view of
both Edinburgh and Venice in sketch. The
striking contrasts presented by these Cities the
images Of which arise, as | have said, more freshly
and clearly IN my memory than those OF any others,
would serve TO bring forth the pecularties Of each
with greater distnciness. But although it might
be easy TO hang picture OF the Canaletti beside
some view of the Scottish capital, and glance al
ple from, d the lanUu1ge is nm.
wi.ldly, at least in my hands, 10 present any such
alternate glimpses 10 an agreeable way. | must
confne myself, therefore, 10 an humble outline draw.
ing of Venice and any writer may be content II
the light ofIhsI golden ciJy' so stream through the
lens OF memory into the camera-obScuTa-the dark
chamber of his mind-as 10 show upon his printed
page any, the leeOesl copy OF that fair and har
monioUs picture.
The first appearance Of Venice, TO US was entire
ly in keeping with its poetic associations. We
rived at hestre, at o'clock. on the morning OF the
I4h Of October. Here we left the diligence and
walked 10 the water SIDE, where five or six gondoas,
with their iron pTows and black hearse like ca bins
were drawn upon the shore. Not human being
was near them, but they sufficiently sgnif-
cant symbols IN themselves Of the place were
about TO VISIT and seen thus IN the uncertain light
of the morning reminded of masks, stiiettoes,
and conspraces. Here embarked not in
gondoIa, but IN peote, which more spacious,
and wants the high PROV aud sepuichral cabin
The water was covered with dense fog which
prevented us from seeing more than twenty yards
around, and gave to the boats constantly
meeting the fat and mngnl6ed appearance which is
so faithfully represented IN some Dutch pictures.
remained outside Of the little cabin, seated upon
the mailbag beside the oarsmen. They were
rowing through long canal, lined by earthen
dikes, and in some places granite walls. Every
thing was low and fat. There were many turns
and intersections ~ this canal; that vision
limited 10y the fog, the whole country, far and
near, seemed covered with water. Anon we ap
preached a range Of masonry belonging to fortified
a.,I,-.f ,gIFr
solitary nutomaton in yellow mustachoes, SQUAD
sentinel magnhed by the medium into q monster.
Leaving him found ourselves in what seemed
the open sea. IL was the LagUns, no boundaries TO
which could be dscerned so dense was the mist.
The double headed eagle and black and yellow
stripes Of the Austrians again came IN sight, and
stopped beside n low stone building where our pass
ports taken from From thence we pushed
of again into this foggy sea, which, before,
ed ImltIess, guiding ourselves by a line Of stakes
These extended for some distance when suddenly
the tall forms of buildings appear. We fairly
within the Grand Canal, and these are the palaces
Of Venice. Now rise upon each side Of US the no.
blest masses Of architecture near and so distinctly
seen, that their sudden closing upon our advancing
boat h startling. The dense sea.fos, nearly shut
out by these barriers, is all at once thnned 10
silvery haze, which, without obslructing the view
softens the outlines Of objects, and gives beautiful
harmony Of tone to the picture. Our range Of vi
sion thus Immediately enlarged seems unbounded,
and we gaze with admiration at the magnificent
Afosto's wanderers, perhaps, we fancy that ma
glcan has raised this city Tor from unsubstnnlia
clouds, so Unexpectedly do we hn6 ourselves IN the
midst OF these imposing structures, and looking
through this ma estic avenue Of water. How grand
ly II sweeps along between ranges Of lofty marble
palaces, with carved balconies and Moorish win
dows; or now, beside some noble Pal.adIan
church, with gorgeous domeg and clustering col
umns, and broad white steps, Leading in successive
platforms from the portlco down TO the waters
edge! How beautifully in the background rise
towers and belrIcs shining through the hoze, while
Immediately around US ure black gOndoias moOTed
beside the low steps Of the palace doors and the
unWleldy shapes u market boats covered with fan.
tnstie, brght-coOred droperY. Wei may We fancy
this n show raised by CnCho ntmCnt; for never be-
fore have we behed real scene stll and pclute-
like, and aerial. Venice aIwuys looks like bic.
ture; partly perhaps from the want Of the rattle Of
hoois and wheels, and partly from our associaung
with Il the numerous views that have been painted
IL had then more Of Ills aspoc than usual for the
earIness Of the hour prevented that din Of voices
and bells which, az high noon, almost supplies the
loss Of other sounds; and the svery vnpor gave 10
oil objects sort Of shidOwy, unsubstantiaI thin
ness, as Il they were phantasms IN old Cornelius
Agrippa's mirror And this vision.,ik untorros.
trial appearance did not pass away when We saw
the only bridge which spans the canal-thnt single
graceful arch Of white marble supporting pile oil
fantastic architecture 50 dear % al poetic dream.
crs Aswo silently glided under its dark shadow
We almost fancied that We should emerge beyond
into the light and glory Of the Word Of Shaks.
peare, and looking up, behold the other side the
masculine dignity Of the noble Moor. the timd
gentIoness Of Dosdemona; and the bending form Of
that old Jew, who go of upon the Ratio was
rated for his usanccs."
After breakfastng comfortably at the Leone
Bianco, walked out, rather doubtful whether
should hnd foot path, until | was assured there
are 20 nany streets as canals, and, IL necessary
one may iraverse the entire cty without a goniola
60 forth with tho deliberate intention Of losIne
ny way, knowing that my pleasure will be so muef
the greater, should happen thus TO fell upon SOM
celebrated spot Following the Grand Canal Tor d
short distance, I turn TO the right into one Of Oh,
little streets that open upon u, and nm ig
norant Of the points o. the compass as can desire
I hnd myself in a labyrinth Of the most curious
avenues in the world, not leading in a sirsgh,
line for more than rod Or two, and nearly ali 90
Hanow that three abreast may with difficulty
walk through them. IT, many can touch the two
sides at the same time, with extended arms.
'Theso crooked assures into which tie sun rarely
penetta,es, seem TO gu the entire CITY. These are
lined With lof,y, dark houses, and paved with hai
stones; end they here and there cross, by heavy
marble bridge, some narrow canal, The black and
sluggish water Of which is seen Tor short dstanc,
~ either side. Here are mutitudes bishops, their