The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-25

been among the most remarkable scenes In the
history OF Chrlstendom. TIE very height o.
her commercial importance was toward the end
oil the fifteenth century, wnen she was ihe trade
centre or the word. Her merchant neet or 8, 900
vessels emptied rne riches or the East into the
lap or the West, and the markets OF the world
were supplied by her traders. The winged lion
nuttered the masthead In every civilized port |;
the exquisite products OF Venetian artistic work
mansnID decorated the saloons or slvereig GINS and
princes OF the remotest lands the climax or lux
ury and splendor at home was the natural result
OF this unexampled commercial prosperity abroad.
In those days OF opuience stately palaces, with
gorgeous iacades rich IN Oriental marbles. walled
the canals with succession OF varied and beau
tlul pictures or architectural splendor. Interiors
filed with the luxurious draperies and mimi table
decorations OF Oriental magni1cence, found no
rivals In brllliancy and richness except
in the superb costumes or the princes
ana mobiles. The city was more like a
description from the ARABIAN Nghtsn than
reality. But the discovery OF the Cape OF
Good Hope passage TO India and the voyage OF
Columbus placing England, France. Spain and
Holland IN the rank OF maritime nations, was the
death blow TO the Venetian Republic, ana rom that
day her prosperity waned until the population
dropped from 200. 900 TO only 10000, TO Use gradu-
ally again to the 13o, 900 OF the present day.
A VENETIAN FESTIVAL
is the synonym OF all that Is magnificent and
romantic. From the earliest history the Gtes have
been events or the greatest popular interest and
Importance. They have been celebrated most
frequently to perpetuate the memory OF some
triumph OF the Venetian arms, and the patriotism
OF the people has been kept alive by these ees quite
as much as by the CONSCIOUSNESS OF commercial
Importance and power. No Venetian was allowed
m fnrfra fha 0trfof ffA
special protective acts or the patron saints, and
these festiyities celebrated with moro or less pomp
for centuries, have worldwide fame which is only
magnined IN the opinion OF the fortunate spec
tator or even the tame modern echoes OF the old
time festal spenders.
Perhaps the earliest commercial festival was
celebrated In 500, on the reception OF the body OF
st. Mark the Evangelist, secretly brought from
Alexandria by some Venetian merchants ana on
this occasion the winged lion OF st. Mark was Tor
the first time hoisted as the symbol OF the Repub-
lie and Stamped the coinage. Tne lion was
winged to symbolic activity in sitting position
10 denote wisdom and with book In his paws TO
signify the devotion OF the Republic to the In
terests OF commerce. For centuries
THE MARIAN FESTIVALS
were the most important holidays OF the year. 1t
was a custom introduced early in the tenth GEN.
fury to select from the different parishes OF the
city twelve poor maidens. distinguished for virtue
ami beauty, who were provided with dowry at the
cost OF the State and fitted out win wed ding
rousseau from the treasury OF ST. Mark. The girls
were dressed In long rooes OF white, win loos-
ened nair interviewer with threads OF COLO,
anu In rich barge were carried
TO the Church OF ST. Peter, followed by cortege or
gayly decorated gondolas, with music and singers.
the Doge ano Slguory accompanying the prnces-
sion. Eacn maiden bore IN her hand u small box
containing her lowry and met her appoin ted hus-
band IN Cae church. Mass was ceeDra Ted and The
DIghOr Oflcl2tgQ the marriage ceremonies. This
was the beginning OF she Jete which lasted a
whole ~, on the hrst day the maidens were
entertai ~ by the Doge and on succeeding days
by the noDle families OF q city. On account or Tho
great importance OF the festival IL IS believed that
newly married might rejoice all together. With
the CROWN OF luxury and laxity OF morals the fes-
tivai lost It's original CHARACTER, aud IL became
necessary limit ITS observance, aud during the
Genovese war, IN the fourteenth century, the cee-
bratlon was neglected and fell INTO oisuse. An
Incident winch happened in the tenth century
during the oDservaDce OF tins festival has long
been Iayorite theme OF artists ana peers, and
illustrates TOO we'll the spirit OF the day anu the
isolation OF The new Republic 10 be omite here.
The Trieste pirates long watched an opportunity
to rop rne 1esral barge OF its treasures,
both human ana monetary, and oae nne
morning or st. Mary's eve they burst open tns
doors OF the cnurcn. surprised tie congregation
ana escaped with the brioes and the treasures
The Doge, VINO was present. urged immed
pursuit. Every boat capable OF carrying rowers
was manned ana put TO sea In the areatcst haste.
Venice rose as one man 10 join III TIE pursuit OF
brides. Thc enthusiasm oil the Venetians was so
Irresistible that the pirates were overtaken and
beaten In one OF The entrances TO tue lagoon.
Not pirate escaped, sucn was the fury OF tue
pursuers. The brides were recovered entirely IN
harmed and tue ceremony OF marriage took
place with increased pomp the same evening.
THE BucESTAUB.
In the same century the conquest OF Dalmata
was an event wnicn wa, celebrated annually with
the greatest pomp. the immense galley called
the Bucentaur conducted the officials 70 the sea,
tue ieconclliauOn between the Emperor Freoe-
rick BaroArossa and Pope Alexander ILL.,, the
ceremony OF the marriage OF toe Adrtatc was
aided 10 the orlginai form or observance. This
Jpte came on Ascension Day. The Bucen aur
last in use, destroyed BY toe French in l19T,
norid decorations. IL was large douoledeeEed
barge or galley, rowed BY leo o. the Arsenalotn
OF Inc craft was covered with categorical figures.
SEQ monsters, mermaids ana rich ornamentstion,
looking beaks, surmounted by tho winged lion
anu supported oJ groups OF guided agures. pro.
vi6ed into two corridors twenty yards IN lengta,
for the reception OF the relnue OF the D0ge; tue
caryatldes and covered Ia the Stern the duoll
throne raised on low dAls Tue solemn pomp OF
THIS significant ceremony surpassed that or all
Tne matenloss splsndor OF the scene lar ont.
snone the glowing canyases Of Titan, Unto
rottu Yerolese, for VINO shah paint the Kale do.
scoplc display OF all that wealth could purchase or
refined Luxurious tastes command FROM tho
three crimson nssts In ront OF 81. Marks cnurch
wave the broad banners oil inc Repuolo,
alInost touching tie heads OF the surgluz
mass OF people who oil the vast piazza
LIE ttdal wave. Every window IL hung with
rich tapessr ies aud tue most brilliant OF Urle0fl
fabrics ana gariands ol flowers. TIE ducaI
palace itself sparkling gem OF archrecrurc.
nauers WITH crimson viewer ana great trailing
curtains OF gold and silver cloth. Now the Drazeu
figures on tue top OF tue CLOCK tower slowly strike
tue tuge bell. IL IL noon, and the 1rst gOund OF
the bell Is the signal TO let f0ose multitude OF
changing tongues, and the cannon and fireworks
and the cries or me people impatient Tor the
parade MI toe air with mightV sound. From
Tne principal gateway OF the aucal palace slowly
moves
THE GORGEOUS PAGBAETRY.
Trumpeters ana stanaard bearers precede the
dgntarles OF state, clothed In rODes of the richest
velvet, sparkling with gems. Inc Captain OF tue
CITY, 10 mis- superb uniform OF red, and the great
Chancellor nIlrcn De,ore the Doge, who with
diguty and pride slowly moves along. ourdened by
tue welgnt Of rlcn stuf1s aud Jewels that adorn
MIN. A long CLOAK OF nne ermine falls IRON his
shoulders, covering blue cassuck AID robe VI
gold cloth. Gold buttons and clasps Of diamonds
Iasten this princeU gear, aud the rich ducal
crown olazes on he cOnical bonnet OF
gold CLOTH. Behind follow the amDassa-