Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-10-11
LETTER FROM EUROPE
NO. &-ZE.
BERLIN, Prussia, May 19ih, go.

bLAhiNj hocSiA, "Aot ioeni w.
Venice is strangely unique and pc
culiarly interesting, and the approach
to it sirgularly SO, This city o
the seas and Queen Of the Adriatic
is miles from the main land, and ap
pears, at distance, as if it hac
just risen from the sea, without any
connection with earth or spot tC
lest upon. 1t creates a singalal
senaatien to approach it by railroad
The cars run over a perfectly straight
bridge several miles 10 length
stretching out towards the city
We soon arrived at the depot on the
bank OF the Grand Canal-the great
thoroughiare and water Highway Of
Venice. Lodging secured, We were
ready for sight seeing and adventure.
The great points Of attraction are
S.. Marks Square aud the Grand
Canal. We chartered one of the re-
nOwnOd gondolas for the day, and
started at the mouth Of the canal and
| and passed up its circuitous COURSE
winding about through the city exact
ly in the form of the letter S. The
sight is superb and the scene most
| exciting. On either side of the ca
nal, is a succession Of palaces rising
out of the water to a towering height,
constructed of marble, and decorated
With unparalleled splendor, with every
species Of carving and statuary from
the basement to the roof. These
now stands as monuments Of the de-
parted glory and magniGcencs OF the
Venetian Republic, and as models of
:he richest and purest styles Of Ven
etiaa architecture; though many are
going to ruin, and are occupied as
shops, and tenanted by the lower
classes. The only bridge ever the
Grand Canal, is the Rialto, rendered
SO celebrated by Shakespeare in "THE
MERCHANT OF VENICE" ! read his
play while in Venice with unusual
interest, and stood upon the spot
where old Shylock claimed his pound
Of flesh. ] also visited the palace,
once the residence Of "OTHELLo, OR
THE Moon OF VENICE" and bis beau
tiful DEsbEMoNA. The city is trav-
ersed by numerous smaller canals,
iatersectiDg the larger, and crossed by
more than three hundred foot bridges.
Not carriage, cart, horse or donkey
is seen the place. There are no
ways or streets TO admit them; au d
the quieiude and silence, on account
Of their absence, is very striki ng.
These gondolas are beautiful, grace
ful and fast running craft; built for
speed, long, slim and light; seudding
on the surface Of the water with the
case and grace of swan. They
have q small cabin, or saloon near
the centre, large enough to hold half a
dozen persons, ,itteaup With cushioned
seats, glass doors and windows; and
many, belonging to private persons,are
ornsmented with great elegance and
luxury; containing lounges, mirrors
and all the ornaments Of a lady
boudoir. The entire gondola is in.
variably Of the deepest black; color
these crafts have had fer time immc
mortal: :. :. gives them a singula
appearance to o stranger; though
Thousands that run to and fro in ey
cry direction, present q lively seem
aud most pleasing variety.
! st. Marks Square is q charming
spot. Every evening we found our
selves here to see the fashion ant
listen to the we'll trained militar.
band which performs here every day
. Three sides Of .his square are forme
by palaces, and the fourth by to
Icathedral Of St. Marks; an old, yer,
!, rich, and splendidly finished edIllc'
It combines the. architecture OF
Gothic Church, Greek temple and
Mosque. Many of its columns an
It ornaments were brought from Cor
stantinopls, and some were take
el from heathen temples. The thre
is bronze borses, standing over the trOl
10 entrance, are justly celebrated, :
b They have been great traveller
i. though their real origin is unknowl
81 They we're brought from Alexandr
d by Angustus after defeating 1Anth
IS Inv, and we're placed upon the triun
al phal arches at Rome by the Emp
et rors Nero, Trojan ana Consianin
taken by the latter to Constantmop