Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-01-05
5eIefteo Calf.
THE DIAMOND RING;
Or, THE LOST SON.
(coSoLupED
CHAPTER III


the year 1916, and Venice was crowded
with foreigners, in consequence Of the
recent opening Of the railway, which
brought constant succession Of tourists
from almost every part of Europe, many
! Of whom, but for the easy access thus
afforded to the peerless city of the sea,
would probably have confined their wan
! behring's to the northern side Of the Alps
1t is really glorious thing, this railway
travelling think little about it, now
that we areaccustomed to fly from one
end of the world to the other with as
much celebrity as though we belonged to
the winged creation: but if. by some
magic power, railroads were suddenly
to be annihilated, we should certainly
feel very much as if we had fallen back
into the barbarous ages.
Among the numerous visiters who had
taken up their abode at the best hotel in
ST. Marks place, were two Englishman,
who, as they appeared to have plenty Of
money at their command, were treated
with tha6 consideration which is never
economised in such cases, however spar
ingly it may be bestowed upon those who
have nothing better than high talents
or noble virtues to recommend them to
notice. Everybody knows that Venice
is built on great number Of small is
lands, that are connected with each other
by innumerable bridges crossing the
canals which run through all the main
streets, and supply the place of carriage
roads, The footways are narrow and in
convenient, so that very few people walk
about the city, but everybody uses boats,
which are constantly carrying passengers
across the canals, or may be hired by
the day or the hour at pleasure. Car
riages of any other description are I'M
known, for they would be useless, there
fore those who can afford it have their
own private gondolas, and every house
Of any consequence has an entrance from
the water as well as one from the street.
AZ, = 40 go.-1olas, both public and pri-
yate, are painted black, and the port in
which the passengers sit is covered in
4 like a close carriage, so that they are
sheltered from heat or rain. In one of
these conveyances our two friends we're,
one day, gliding down the grand canal,
having been to see the famous gallery Of
pictures at the PaIazzo Manfrini.
Mark Linwool had recovered much Of
bis former cheerfulness; he was begin
ming to find some pleasure in society once
more, and although his usual demeanor
was grave, he had, in great measure,
overcome that feeling of dependency
which had caused him to look upon life
as an evil to be borne, rather than as
good to be enjoyed The peculiar fea-
lures Of the Venetian capital excited his
interest and admiration in very high
degree, and in passing by the noble
/ palaces that adorn both sides of the great
canal, he said to his companion
What magnificent city this must
have been four centuries ago, when it
was at the height of its power and glory;
it could hardly have had its rival, then,
in the whole world"
And yet replied Sir Charles,
"there never was more complete and
dctestahleHystem Of tyranny than that Of
the Venetian government during the
time Of its highest prosperity. A state
! may be rich and powerful under such a
despotism, but there must always be
much individual suffering DO you see
that old building? it was oncetIle splen-
did palace of the unfortunate Doge Fos-
carl. | never pass it but | think Of the
melancholy story as an example Of the
frightful effects of such an oligarcby as
existed here then. IL the Vcnetians
could only get rid of the Austrian rule,
it seems 70 me they would be a happier
people now than they were in those days"
The mention OK Foscari led to some
conversation respecting Lord Byron, and
Sir Charles pointed out the Palazzo Mo-
cenigo, noar the Rialto as having been
the residence Of the noble poet when he
was staying at Venice, and he enlivencd
the rest Of the way by qnoting passages
from the very amusing, though some-
what objectionable satire on Venetian
manners, :" Beppo." At length the two
friends landed at the quay leading to the
! square Of st. Marks, which, except the
Rialto bridge, Is the only place where
people can walk at Venice, consequently
it is usually much throngcd After saun-
tering about for some time, they sat
down under the colonnade, outside one
Of the CUFFS, and called for ices, the day
being exceedingly warm Near them
was party Of Frenchmcn taking coffee
aud smoking segars, and not far from
these group Of Italians, standing round
two ladies' who were slipping lemonade
and talking with great animation. But
the eyes Of Sir Charles Newell we're d.
rected towards very beautiful girl at a
little distance. who was sitting by the
side Of an elderly gentleman, both SEEM
ing to be much amused by the scene be-
fore them, for, every now and then, at
an obscr zion from the gentleman, the
young Lad laughed mcrrily, and made
some lively rejoinder. She was exceeding
~ pretty. 70 much 30 that it was evident:
several gentlemen passed and >repassed
the spot where she was seated, for the
pleasure Of looking at beT, a ,nanmuyre
she did not, howe2gf. appear to observe.
But It wgr> rlie or beauty alone that
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