Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-04-12
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER THIRTEEN.

|
/ NUMBER THIRTEEN.
i VENICE, july IS, 1855.
Dear n # n n: At last we are in beautiful
Venice, the city of many isles, and l cannot de
scribe to you how truly novel the appearance o
every thing is. Leaving Milan at seven o'clock il
the morning, we took rail cars as far as Treviglio
twenty-six miles, thence by diligence to Cocagio
twenty-five miles, where we again took the car:
for Venice, one hundred and twenty miles, and ar
rived by eight o'clock P. Avery good travelling
for this country.
| think the country of Lombardy, through which
we passed. one of the most Interestingly beautiful ii
its general appearance and cultivation that have
ever seen. The snow-capped Alps are constantly
in view, while the valley along which lay our route
is SO rich and fertile, that it may well be termed
perfect garden spot The country is thoroughly
irrigated by small canals or rivers, supplied with
water by the constant melting Of the snow and ice
on the mountains. The land is all divided into
small lots bordered with trees for shade, and the
water plentifully distributed and drawn off al
pleasure thus insuring perpetual fertility and most
luxuriant vegetation.
| The railroad from Milan to this city r the most
track, with neat stone cottage every half mile for
| the employees of the road to live in. Each house
| is numbered, beginning with number one, half a
| mile from Venice The inhabitant of each cottage
| attends to one half mile of road, inspecting and
keeping it in repair and when train of cars passes
he must be in front of his cottage with his flag in
his left hand and his right hand raised to his hat
signal that all is WELL With such precautions it
seems impossible to have an accident.
We dined at Verona, where are some specimens
of rare antiquity, such as old churches, paintings
and statuary, besides having been immortalized by
Shakespeare; but we could not find time to devote
to them.
Passed over a bridge two miles in length, con-
Meeting Venice with the main land, and were landed
at the custom-house, surrounded by Austrian SOL
diers and officers. Were detained about half an
hour with baggage and passports, but as we had
nothing but carpet-bags, and our courier under
standing the officers, we passed without the least
trouble. Then on all sides the gondoliers were
crying, "Gondola, signor," instead of "Cab, sir"
"Omnibus, SIR" which sounded strangely enough
to US. The courier at last made his selection, and
We soon found ourselves gliding gently along
through the different canals and finally entered the
grand canal, the Broadway of Venice. MY first
impressions of Venice were very strange and be-
wildering.
Fancy city with canals instead of streets, with
out a horse, donkey, mule, carriage, cart, or any
mode Of conveyance, Except it be wheelbarrow,)
but the gondolas. The latter serve every purpose
larger boats being used for heavy transportations.
They are universally black, comfortably cushioned,
with an awning, and shaped differently from any
boats in our country. Formerly they were built
fancifuy, gaily painted and decorated but it crea-
ted so much jealousy among the gondoliers that
some would injure their neighbours boat if it were
better law, in consequence, was passed that all
gondolas, even private property, should be black
1t is pity, as it gives them most gloomy and
desolate appearance.
The houses are built to the waters edge the
steps often beneath the water; and though there
are some fine old palaces here see little, in an
point Of view, to attract the eye ex
cept the great oddy of the whole city as compared
with that of any other upon earth. There are one
or two walks along the canals which, with the
square of St. Marks in front of the Dukes palace
and church of St. Marks, form the only places for
the promenade. How lost Parisienne must feel
here. This square is made very gay in the after
noons being much resorted to by all the fashion,
ables Of the city, giving it somewhat the appear
ance of "les Boulevards de Paris" A fine band
Of music adds much to the delight of an evening
walk there.
Some Of the most interesting portions of the |
history Of this fallen city are connected with the
square Of St. Marks. 1t is surrounded by all the |
finest shops and best cafes in the city, and rendered
quite an object Of interest by the famous flock of
pigeons which have been so long held sacred by
The natives. They are fed there daily when the |
clock strikes two. We took an opportunity to see
Them, and though the clock struck twice at every
half hour, yet at the hour Of two o'clock they came
in great numbers from every direction to their ac-
customed spot, and fed with great order and deco
rum. 1t was really an interesting sight They
nave been carefully guarded by the superstitious
natives from time mmemorial
Visited the church of St. Marks, which is more
han thousand years old. In its gloomy antiquity
is rich in gems gold and silver Of the most costly
kind, while huge chandeliers of gold and silver
hang around, and the ceiling and floor is entirely
If mosaic. .....-,
Assembled the clock tower and had fine view
If Venice. 1t is assembled by an inclined plane,
md Napoleon Bonaparte rode up here on his "a
'orite charger. a. go
Looked around at the different shops, and found
hem something in the same style as ours though
much smaller. The,people here excel in the man.
fracture of glass, jewelry, beads, and some silk.
On the east side of the square is the Ducal pal
zee, on the southern that Of the Doge and near the
vater on either side two large granite columns
me surmounted by the lion of St. Marks, the other
y St Theodore.
The Doge's palace is rich with fine paintings.
'aw that Of the last Doge who ruled before the re-
l