New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-30
NETWORK, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 80, 1866

remainder of the costume being white excepting the
gold colored rOsettes the slippers IN another bon
doa was full display Of the Malay costume inc ao.
of the very dark to incur suspclon at Ies'
of their purty-if paint or powder be considered
defementas believe it is by some social rei9rlners
who certainly have the practice OF the Worlu 'eIy
much against them. Many richly gldeG gaIeys WeIG
rOwed by men in the costumes OF the different Orehta
nations Ii would be impossible TO give an adequate
idea of the progress of the royal cortege down 'ne
"Grand Canal" II rivals all power oil Description
To attempt to cOndense within the narrow MINUS vi d
letter all the grandeur and the peculiar beauty Oh 'uS
most imposing pageant, would be as Impossible as
painting il all npon canvas any Of the thousand
views being sufficient for picture OF rare interest
The "TableanX vVant" were eXqulsltely arranged, III
all the gay equplge of the days Of the " RepuDhcs
glory The spirits of old Venetian history seemed 10
be peerng out of the shadOwy haze which sOened the
whole atmosphere and rendered the scene full OF fancy
as n vision of dream and-the picture even changing
with the irregular movements OF the galleys ana
barges and gondOlas adOwn this curyng street Oi inc
sea.
The occasion demonstrated the fine taste OF the
Venetans, and showed that they had inherited that
peculiar love for brilliant displays water which so
characterized their ancestors, in ages past to re-
quire the enactment Of a code OF sumptuaTy laws
regulating and restraining their extravaganza IN thls
direction especially the law carrying the matter per-
haps, to the opposite extreme IN imposing the gloomy
" Felt" which seems like pail upon the graceful
gOndOa.
The fancy of the Venetans must have been severely
taxed as there could not be found, in all the varied
scene any two boats similarly arranged, nor the cos
tune Of any two sets of gondoliers alike. Remem-
Der, also, that private gondoa was allowed on the
canal to-day without having Oarsmen IN fancy dress
Multiply this freak of ones Imagination. both IN the
costumes of the and the drapey Of the gondOlas
by hundreds, and place in these fancy crafts all the
style of the city, famous for dress and equpage
and you have idea of the picture, Enclosed as IT
was either side with palace walls whose ancient
architecture heightened IN beauty beneath the
prmale hues Of national cOOrs aud rich draperes of
silk and satin and yelyes and old venetian tapestries
of rare and rich designs.
As the procession passed down the canal no order
observed except by the large state barges, which
kept in order Of their rank the kings galley being in
'front.' preceded by two beautiful horses OF Neptune
beautifully adorned with long floating trains of red
white and green Grape and managed by most expert
oarsmen who sped hther and thther 10 clear the way
for his Majesty. The numerous retnue OF gondolas
were allowed TO play around the larger barges at
pleasure, continually changing the scene and making
1t most varied and lively.
IL required no fancy to create scenes for this days
celebrations. Venice was for once Out-d0ne IN her
romantic productions by her peculiarly characteristic
element. The sea Lad taken charge OF the festivities
and with cloudy vail Of mist opened and closed the
different scenes in the most fantastic manner. The
haze which in the morning rested SO heavily on the
whole city, aud which lifted as a curtain at the en-
trance of the King and wTeathed uTrets, and towers
and dOmes IN s soft folds, now at the close oil day
lifted itself once more from OF the great campanile Of
the Piazza and revealed the tall form of ST. Mark,
Venices patron saint, with wings expanded, and arms
extended in the attitude Of benedction. II was an
omen much desired and eagerly watched for by the
superstitious people and hailed with exultant delight
when il was given them. They were content even
when The jealous cloud covered him again from their
sight. Without this the day would have been ominOus
OF evil 10 them notwithstanding abundant and sub
slantIa testimonies of the loyalty Of the masses TO
the King; with it, though only for moment, they
were satsf