Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-28


VIRGINIA and nearly every Southern State occupy the al
tude of Georgia They are yet ready to secede but
will acquiesce and stand the Union 30 long as the com
promise is faithfully carried ou-so long as the North Will
refrain from further aggressons
ORIGIN OF NEWSPAPERS.
Wa were aware that Venice the Queen of the Adriac
had oron,,ed nany of the most valuable institutions anc
usaues of commerce. among them bills of exchange tbs
nrincioes of by double entry the convenient
rmulay Of per cent and the modern bank he latter how
ever Of rather questionable merbut until reading in the
Norb American sketch of lecture Of the Rev. DR.. Board
man in Philadelphia had forgotten that nsuspapers al
his day the fourth estate had also their origin in the city
canals and palaces The fact Is alleged by the reverend
geneman and In regard to this invention he said that Mrs
Ella had somewhere expressed tho idea that every lady
make up her mind getting married. 10 bear ono rival In
her husbands attentions, viz the newspaper This rather
severe considering the source from which it emanates
NAV be regarded sort of counterbas to the dsfama
tory sentiment popular among the that In The
primeya distribution of virtues oil the curiosity entail
ed upon "Heavens last best gift new delight
We would remark pa,sant that this observation would not
properly apply the OF an editor who should happen
get wfe-a contingency which, far horoscope
llghtens u.s. is distant and improbable contingency
so unlikely that the seventh heaven would in comparison
ed brethren of tho quill steepen would say the sub
ec,-but for ourselves free admit that rather than
encounter the pile of newspapers "Peon Ossa" which
daily crosses our PATH would fly any reasonable uac
,on We can we'll imagine that sweet wife would certain
" come within that category-snd therefore, in defence Of
our profession we must naturally conclude that far
Editors wife concerned Mrs Ellis theory must fall from
want of support An Editors wife has such rivalry to
dread save when undor the press Of circumstances his
erty, and not his oiH, consents"
Dr. Boardan made ausion the typographical celebrity
of Venice and several interesting historical facts were nvo
ked 10 illustrate this part of the subject Among thom was
very spirited description of contest between Earl Spen
Ger and the Marquis of Bandod at an auction sale OF 'uda
fairs Boccaco, small foo In faded yellow morocco bind
Ing black letters printed In Venice in l47l Tho prize was
knocked down the Marquis E2260 In regard to the city
of Venice ITSELF Dr. Boardn,an drew graphic picture Of lis
architectural beauties It's nhabans It's canals its Condo
las and its general features "I" said he "you approach II
from the Adatic Is your steamers anchor over
board than she lie surrounded by feet of gondoas-ths We
nean hacks-from which there goes up vocerOus camor
not certainly 10 be surpassed the Babemou,hed
who greet steamboat and railroad travellers
our depots You are not however too much distracted BY
the solicitations OF the boat.me avoid noticing the gon
doas and unless you bser posted upn the matter nan
strangers usually are their appearance Will surprise YOU
You are expecting to the gayest OF ell waterca aho
bright as the brightest 6gmen can make then and decoa'
ted with every variety of ornaments and you have
squadron of floating hearses The gondola ls shallow long
and narrow pointed the bow and STERN and propelled by
two men, somemss By one who stand either end They
are from rs 30 feet il length and width ut tho middle
where small cabin is fitted up about the size and shape Of
common cabbody. BY an ancient sumpuary law OF Inc
Republic tine boats themselves painted black throughout
| N ,rirn IF fha
same sable hue II you approach the city from the main
land YOU will traverse reaching It, the celebrated railroad
BRIDGE the most magnificent structure OF the kind in the
world This bridge s2k miles in length and 29H feet In
breadth sustained by 222 arches each having span
of 80 e4 inches and constructed of the most solid and
beautiful masonry The Of the Lagune over which
il passes varies from Is feet in depth Ths foundation
of the bridge is formed with piles driven into the soft mud
which coraposes the bottom In hisfoundaon 6OUV arch
piles were used and in the entire structure Il millions OF
bricks and cubic feet Of Istran stone In the con-
sructlon of the work. 1000 men were employed daily Tor ~
years. 1t completed In October lsd5 and cost the
Austrian Government little short of million OF dollars
This puon othe gondoas Is graphically accurate AS
they leave tho OPERA with their silent funeral notion the cec
Is mos, sombre and peculiarly suggestive pure romance
rue tho song of Tasso is longer heard from ho Condo
ers and tho city floating the has been shorn oil
her greatness by the march OF limo and the bghtng poll
CIV of codhearted cruel Austria Still Venice with her vast
range palaces and porcoes extending almost out OF sight
her Dogos palace her tall columns and bronze lions on the
piazza of ST. Mark her lofty Campanle hc splendid church.
es and her iaa of proud towers" is tho most attractive
CITY in the world TIL splendid railroad bridge connecting
her with the main land has been erected since our ooysh
pilgrimage her classic canals At that day inc g0no0a'
were the only omnibusses In Venice
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ASSESSMEET OF LANDS.