Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1846-07-25

"Nay-nay--I will do better /"
And, snatching the infant from her hold,
the villain slightly pierced its throat with
the glittering knife. The boy uttered a cry
of pain, and stretched out his arms, alright
ed, to his mother.
ooh, spare him Not that Way Let
him not die by your had !'' said Alitea faint.
ly, her white lips quiyering with horror.
"Come, then, and do my bidding
Without speaking a word, the mother o.
bcyed.-Bertramo smiled as he placed her
il the gondola, wrapping her mantle about
her, and placing tie child in her lap. Then,
taking the oars, be sent the light boat like
an arrow over the waters.
The origin of the national festival OBJ
| served in Venice as long as her sovereignty
lasted-the marriage of the Doge with the
sea may be referred to one Of the most
illustrious epochs Of Italian glory. Called
to the succor ofthe cities Of Istria and Dal-
malta in 957, the Doge Orseole II. LEFT his
capital with a'numerous fleet on Ascension
day. He was victorious, and subjected to
Venice not only the adjacent islands, but
the people who inhabited the countries be-
tween Istria and Dalmatia. In CONNIE
moration of these events, the Venetians
were accustomed to have a festal process
sion of the Doge, councillors and primates,
upon Ascension day ; the day on which tho
fleet left the Lagune. 4 century and a half
later, Frederic Barbar0ssa RACED Milan,
recognized the Antipope Victor, to the ex-
clusion Of Alexander Ill, and claimed Rome
as Il part Of the Empire. Crossing tho
Alps with a powerful army, he broke into
Italy, defeated the Pope's forces, assaulted
Castle, st. Angelo, and placing the Anti
pope in the apostolic seat surrounded Rome
with his Germans. Alexander III. fled,
and issued a bull Of accommodation a.
gainst the Emperor, who, on his part, pro-
claimed an edict, in which he forbade him
fire and water, and decreed death to those
who should grant him asylum. The fugi-
tive Pope found shelter in Venice. There
he was received with reverence. The fate
ofItaly was long in uncertainty; but the
people at length rose to vengeance. A
league was entered into by the different ci-
ties, and Barbarossa who despised them
: singly, learned to know their power when
] united. The naughty monarch asked peace.
FEiICG iilbEi pDSGA9 anu 1GCBICilEu kftb
Church and the Empire. The Emperor
came to Venice, and entered the Church Of
= San Marco, where, seated beneath a a
J niicent canopy, and wearing his pontifcal
robes, Alexander gave to his late enemy
the kiss Of peace and his apostolic blessing.
! In token of gratitude for aid rendered in
his extremity, the re-instated Pope bestow.
I ed upon the Doge the dominion of the sea,
t and giving him a ring, instituted the cere-
mony Of espousals, which was afterwards
annually celebrated.
The buccntaur, or boat, intended to bear
the Doge and his patricians in the pageant,
,e was constructed with great magniicence.
,r 1t was one hundred feet in length, twenty
one in width, and divided into two piani,
I'd or stories, both richly decorated. The re-
At migaRti, or rowers, were concealed on the
M lower deck; the upper was like a palace in
O.. the ~spiendor gifts ornaments, and surround
ed by seats covered with crimson velvet,
embroidered with gold. Overlooking the
Prov was the small window through which
or the Prince was to throw the ring. It open.
ed ed opposite the Doge's scat, which was
raised two steps from the floor. Two slen.
IN der columns supported a kind Of shell, thai
n. formed the Ducal conopy, and on the sides
as of the seat were allegorical figures of Pru,
nd dence and Strength. The ornamental worl
TO- on the outside of the PROV, represented
.g- naval victory, with numerous TOPPLES. On
r! the summit of the Prov rose the c~olossa,
". statue of Justice. Figuratiye bassi relievi
n. gilded, and in rich profusion, decorated the
in whole vessel. There might be seen Apollo
" crowned by the Muses., with emblematic
"a. representations ofthe Arts and the Virtues
on and other figures innumerabIe. The boat
as had twenty-5ur windows on each side.
,m The Doge, wearing his robes ofstate, o.
e. this day entered the ~bucentaur, amid the
a thunder of artillery and the sound of bell
,er echoed far over the city till their chime wa!
an lost in the distance. He was accompanied
he by the Signoria, the Senate and the Crane
Council. The Captain ofthe Arsenal boro
a the sword of state, and several lords, amonl
a whom was the Senator Cesarini, took thti
places in attendance upon the sovereign.
led With the sound Of triumphant music, III,
RS p~rinceIy vessel moved over the sluggish
waters oftbe Lagunes. 1t was accompan
led and followed by boats innumerable, s
!" that the lakes were covered with brillian
the gondolas some bearing flags Of triumpl
as and almost all filed with gay and joyou
nth spectators. Upon a more gorgeous pa
rds geant the sun ever shone. The foatin
lalt procession passed maiestically on, till
red reached the mouth of the port The re,
nee ~plendent prov of the b~ecentaur was turne
IRE, to the sea, and the nuptial rite commence,
Ter The Archbishop solemnly blessed the rim
ate and poured a vase of holy water into IL
red brine. The Doge received the ring fro
but his hands, and dropped it into the sea-sa,
in ing in Latin, as he did so, "Sea, I espou,
a of thee in sign our true and perpetual domi
ion." The music, which had been a fe
It a moments silent, burst forth in a peal
martial melody, that echoed far along 4
ire; shores of the Adriatic, mingled with accl
his nations that rent the air, while the peop
h a flung on the sea flowers and fragra
ner. plants, woven in o bridal garlands, till t
aust bosom of the deep was like a garden
has blossoms.
ieIe It was at this momen Of universal e
ave u~ltation that Bertrand, whose gondola h
followed in the wake of the Bucental
suddenly came close along side, and chez
her ed the course ofhis light vessel so instant
and n~eously, that she quivered on the wat
without making a foot's progress. One
viii the rowefs on the lower deck child him
.nnA 1 I - - I1 l.