The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-04-13
Venice.

We extract from the London Quarterly, the
Introductory paragraphs of an article on Venice
and Venitian history. We should like to have
space enough to publish more of the article,
for it threateth of very interesting subject
There has never been contained in the his
tory of any State. of ancient or modern times
more of the romantic and the wonderful, than
Is contained in the history of Venice. The
Arabesque splendor derived from the East,
and which characterized the first era of the
Middle Ages, the spirit of progress and discov-
cry which distinguished that era, and the
many romantic and interesting incidents which
clustered around and Illustrated the same
era, were all the peculiar features which form
ed the prominent points of Venitian history,
In its Palmy and progressive days Venice is
now numbered among the states that were
although it still is an enfeebled condition
But yet the lovers of historical research inter-
ested in the recalling the evidence of its past
granduer: GAINESVILLE Courier.
The true cause of the ancient Importance
and prosperity of Venice lay in her commercial
and maritime superiority. The discovery of
new passage to India and the competition of
foreign states struck blow at her eminence,
which her crafty statesman endeayered in vain
to parry by fresh acquisitions on the mainland
of Italy. When Venice became first-rate
power on the Peninsula, she had in fact des-
cended from her lofty position. She became
involved in the labyrinth of italian politics,
and continued to exte the jealousy and pro-
woke the animosity of fneighhoring states, till the
famous league of her numerous enemies at
Cambrey put a period to her il-directed am
bition. Glorious as was her resistance to the
arms of United Europe, she never recovered
from the exhausting contest. Her subsequent
story is but the record of persevering struggles
against the invetable destiny, and Of ingenious
endeavors, by artful diplomacy, to recover
ground lost for ever or at least to conceal the
extent of her losses Meantime the mobiles
gradually lost their energy and though they
were not condemned to the life Of sloth and
luxury which was in some measure forced on
those of Rome and Milan, yet the tendency of
government was to concentrate power in the
hands of few, and for the most part they
content to remain the inactive spectators of
measures which; on high occasion only they
were called ON to sanction by vote of the coun-
Gil They generally neglected pursuits, of
| commerce, by which their wealth had original
| ly been amassed The opinions of the age
were unfavorable to this honorable industry,
anu 1Ealaln vanity could III OTook Cne Sneers
with which their claims to nobility were treat
ed by the naughty and indolent aristocracies
of Spain and Germany.
In the middle of the last century Lord
Chesterfield describes the removed republic
as tottering to its primo nutat- -easura sub
Euro Her strength undermined, the sources
of her prosperity dried up-'her security, she
observes, she owes to prudence in not inter
fering with the quarrels other neighbors; and
that security will last no longer than till one
of the great powers of Europe engrosses the
rest of Italy-an event which this century
may and the next probably win see