The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-08-07
So 90 PER YEAR
Seizure of the Brides Of Venice.

As years rolled on. the continuance OF
peace gave the Nenetians ample scope for
the encouragement and promotion Of the in
/ dustrlal arts. Their commercial relations
with other countries were rapidly developed.
! Every manufacture was formed into a guild.
! the directors of which framed laws for the
observance of the handicTaftsmel. Several
trades were divided into branches, and each
branch boasted of a guild. Thus, among
| the glass workers there were bottle-makers
bead-makers artists in color, producers OF
window-e glass and ornamental glass-workers
One branch was totally distinct from all
Others, and the utmost rivalry existed among
the men working in the several departments
The promotion of the guilds and their an
nual professions, fostered that love for pub
lie pageants and ceremonials which dstin-
guished the Nenitians above all other ma
tions. At very early time certain events,
which in other countries were observed in
private, were celebrated at Venice in public
with all the splendid surroundings the taste
and wealth of the nation was able 10 pre-
duce. On the first of February in each year
the republic gave dowries to twelve maidens
upon their marriage, and thst day became
the most highly favored for marriage among
the youthful Venitians. In 932, on the APP
pointed day, when the gay and happy con-
gregations of lovers with their friends were
assembled at st. Marks, in the presence Of
the Doge, Cardiano H., and the chief rulers
of the State, the marriage service was Tudely
by a violent knocking at the
cathedral door In few moments, before
the mystery could be solved, the doors We're
broken open, and a large band of men en-
tered, armed 10 the teeth, whose faces, burn
ished from exposure TO the sun and ea
were at once recognized as those of pirates
who haunted the Gulf of Istria The pi- |
-, ~
hands, advanced up the church, while the |
terrified people shrank away from them. |
They seized the marriage dowries of the |
brides, and then the terrified maidens were |
rudely laid hold of and dragged from the |
embrace of their lovers and friends The /
air was filed with the oaths of the pirates,
the cries of the terrified maidens, and the
excavations of the young men. Opposition
to men armed like these sea-rovers by those
who were unarmed was out of the question;
and the Istrians succeeded in escaping TO
their boats with their booty and prisoners.
Immediately upon getting clear of the
crowded church the young men procured
lrms and sought for boats III which to give
,hase to the robbers The Doge ordered
he great bell of the Campanile TO be rung |
md the people on every island flew to arms
m very short time the canals were COW
red with gondolas full of armed men, and
headed by the Doge, they set of in pursuit.
The pirates, in their hurry, had mistaken
he proper outlets, and before they reached
he gulf were overtaken. Then followed
ierce encounter; and, when the Doge gave
he signal for returning, not one pirate was
eft alive. The maidens and their dowries
we're brought back in triumph, and the
anne evening the dely-interrupted cere-
nony of the morning was recommended and
ompleted amid a scene of general rejoicing.
his event was for centuries afterward cele-
rated by an annual procession, and by
ames which lasted for six days Venice and
he Eenetidns