The Worthington advance., 1878-12-19
"reminiscences Of Ancient Venice,

We are in Venice, in the Piazza di San
Marco; snd while we look up at the
glorious facade of the cathedral, and the
shades Of night fall around Us, let US give
rein to our imagina' ion, and re-people
the square with its ancient inhabitants.
1t is the year 97G; in FOUNDER palace
lives the tyrant Candiano with his naughty
German wife and his little son. Years
ago the populace, infuriated at his inso-
lence, would have torn him limb from
limb, but granted his life to the prayers of
his honored father, whose gray hairs w. re
soon brought in sorrow to the gave. The
young patricians Of the State rallied
round the former leader OF their frolics
aud the instigator of their treasonous plots,
and bore upon their shoulders, Candiano
w. assumed the ducal power. Seventeen
long years had he ruled Venice; where
now are his friends7 Seek them not
among the citizens he has despoiled, or
the mobiles he has despised. the relatives
of the devoted wife be has divorced, or
even the seafaring rabble he has sou ght
to win t'y largcss. The companions Of
his youth know him no more; hated On
all sides, by high ana low, by rich and
poor, he depends on the hireling troops
he collected to guard his wife's property
on the main land, 10 keep from his own
throat the thousand knives that thirst for
his blood.
Hark! what is that noisel Sec; from
every corner of the square. slowly and
silently, linen are collecting by the palace
Is Venice at last weary Of tyrannya Has
she resolved to get rid of the doge who
so long has fattened on her misery2 Shall
he he taken like rat in his hole7 Where
are his boosted guards in his hour of
need7 Unconscious Of his danger, the
doge feasts on; be recks no, Of the mob
at his palact gates, though he knows them
ever ready to waylay an enemy or assass-
mate foe. His walls are thick, and his
secret postern door will secure him from
death at any rate. No longer does the
gathering crowd remain silent, but q
hoarse roar is heard, growing louder and
louder. until the shout "Death to Can
diano!" is clearly eistinguishab'e. But
who shall direct the word Of justice. 1t
we're vain to batter those massive walls;
for what can hands and nails effect
against them, however ready to exert
their strengthl Suddenly cry arises of
"Orsclor' and the great noble, whom all
respec, for his probity and honor, stands
forth by his house, which adjoins the
palace, to address the mob No place
for him, we think, this fierce gathering;
but long oppression has fired the blood
even of the most tranquil and well-regu-
lated spirits. and as he cries "Fire! fire !!
bring fire!' the shouts of acclamation
drown his voice. Torches are brought,
but the palace still resists; it will not
burn. "Stay!" says Orse:o; and,
taking up brand, with his
own hand he sets his own home in blaze.
The rising flame extends; the wind, fa-
vorablc to the rioters, bears it towards the
palace; and now see! the ancient abode
of the d1ges is enveloped in smoke.
Fiercer and fiercer are the shouts as the
conaagration spreads; aud there at the
gate, but now so closely barred, and
frowning, as it were, contemptuously upon
its assailants, appears the tyrant with his
baby in his arms. "Mercy!" he asks,
''mercy! if not for me, spare my innocent
child!'' But no mercy is in the rugged
looks around.
Let US 90 forward few years. The
conflagra,ion, which rid Venice Of her
despot, did good service to her in other
ways. The small, irregular houses of the
original island cit were swept away in
numbers: palaces to last 70: ages, and
testify the greatness Of the whilom mis-
trcss Of the sea, arise instead on all sides:
and here in the Piazza we see a ducai
abode rising towards the skies, whilst a
more fitting sepulchre fer the bones of
the Evangelist st Mark, saved with diff
Guilty from the raging flames, shall soon
fill the space laid bare by the fire.
Much has the new Doge Orseolo done for
the people since he wreaked their ven
geance on Candiano; his wealth, his
labor, and his talent have been devoted
to their service; the influence Of Venice
has been extended on all sides, and the
name of her ruler is respected abroad for
bis valor and eecision, as it is revered at
homo for bis generosity and wisdom.
"rruly our doge.' men think, Unjust
be saint; no traitor betraJs to him the
manchinations Of his foes: yet he frus-
trates their plots, and pardons when he
detects their crimes" Amidst all their
praise, gloomy and silent man is the
dogc, AMI now that the night is dark,
and the workmen have dispersed to their
homes, he seems to see in the solitude of
bis room the face of the man he murdered.
and hear again his sgonized appeal for
life. II must away" he feels; "my work
here is done; perhaps in prayer and fast
ing may find repose, which this palace
and this dignity cannot afford my spirit"
A small boat lies ID tho canal: from yon.
der massive door issues group Of men;
they enter the boat, after seeing that No
eye watches their movements and soon
the piazza is deserted bv cvcrv one. Ncv.
er again shall Venice see her honored
prince; but from his monastery in Aqui.
talne shall he inspire with kindred sr irit