Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-08-17

he OoNDOLIEKs 81 SONG ISeE1Dner mas IN press
and VIII publish in few a work Of travel and
observations entitled Eenice CITY Of the Sea;
by Edmond Flagg tisting uished artist of ST. Lou
is, and for some years United States Consul ut We
nice That the work is of unusual value and In
terest no one acquainted with the author can doubt
We extract page or two from the proofsheets:1
The voices of the gondoliers are more remarka-
BILE for strength than for sweetnessfor power than
for melody yet at night, in the open air, at dis
tance on the Lagune, the Gindecca, or the Grand
Canal, singly or accompanied by half dozen other
voices nothing can be delightful than the song
of the Venetian gondolier Idle and alone in his
barque, awaiting his company, or his fare he abbre-
vates the night and breaks the silence of the Lagune
Solitary in the heart of crowded CITY, he sends his
voice over the tranquil mirror and the sleepy canals
the calm of the heaven the splendour of the moon,
the shadows of the lofty palaces prolonged on the
water, the distant moaning of the Adratic the noise
less gliding of the sable gondolas which move like
spirits hther and thlther-no rafting of Wheels no
echo of footsteps, only the fu and unfequent plash
of an oar-all these circumstances mpart an hides
cribable charm to these world renowned melodies
The wives and children of the fishermen of the Adri-
attic said, at night-fa, to go down to the sea-
shore of the Chioggia Malamocco PeIestrina. and
the Lido, and shout their well known and not unmu-
steal songs, until each distinguish in the distance
through the twilight over the waves, the husbands
and fathers peculiar response. Alike custom is said
to prevail in the Tyrol.
But nowhere is the 'Gondolier's Song so indies
cribaby charming on the Grand Canal of moon
light, midsummer night. This is the great salon
TICS is admirably calculated to heighten harmonious
effect. The silence of the night the gondola gliding
noiselessly a waveless surface which acts like
harmonic mirror on the voice; the facades of mar
BILE palaces on either side, with their overhanging
balconies their open portals their endless halls and
galleries, and their leafy gardens beyond, augment
ing without echo the intensity of the sounds all con-
to aid effect At midnight you stand on the Per-
colo of the Palazzo Buzineo opposite the Posta the
ancient PalaZZo Grimani. You hear the accord of
distant voices rising the still night. choir of
gondoiers in their barques slowly ascending from
the Molo, half mile below, and singing La Bi0u-
dinQ,' they advance. The voices are full and
round the harmony perfect-air, tenor, bass, coun-
ter-every part is complete. The moon is riding
high over the slnmbering city in cloudless sky
the marble piles throwing their deep shadows
over the sumbering canal; the tr06dccOi,, lying at
anchor, seem slumbering, too Northumberland
nearer-by a crescendO which no art can match, the
barque and the 6G1cd1O1 approach louder and loud
rise the notes the ear until at length beneath
your balcony, the song has attained its fortisSiaO
1t passes-the rougher sounds soften-they lessen
they lessen as the barque ascends At length it is
beneath the Ralto-arch which for a moment, with
its echoes, augments and rounds the air. 1t passes
ont turns the winding of the streanl-it dies away
it is dead-it is gone! You hear no more; but
you listen still; you listen-hushed-en
your very soul absorbed in the departed harmony.
You draw a long breath-you speak to the friend at
your side-your voice sounds to you harsh-you re-
lapse into silence; and for hours after those sweet
melodies play like rapture around your heart. And
your thoughts your dreaming fancies-they are far,
far away-away from fair Venice away from sunny
Italy, away from the grand Old World, away over
the wide, wild ocean away-at your home! Who
that has stenedto the moonlight midnight serenade
of the Venetian gondolier, can while his life lasts,
forget?"