The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-09-22
A Gorgeous Festival.

A gorgeous festival at Venice was
the marriage of the city to the
Adriatic sea. 1t was celebrated every
ye ar on Ascension day, and this, too,
p ad its origin in an historical event.
IN AID. ITO, Pope Alexander III. was
driven Trombone by the Emperor Bar
barossa, Or Red. beard, and he took
refuge in Venice, where he was received
with great respect and affection. The
emperor demanded that the republic
should give him up; but the request
was refused.
Barbarossa then sent a heetof seventy
five galleys, under the command of his
son, Ohio, with orders to destroy all
that came in their way. The Doge
had only forty galleys; but be was an
expert seaman, and drove the emperor's
fleet of the coast and took Ohio
prisoner. After this battle, peace waa
made. and Frederick consented to come
to Venice TO be reconciled to the pope.
TO reward the Venetians for their SER
vices the pope bestowed on them the
soverei gnty of the Adriatic sea, and
presented the Doge with a ring, saying:
Receive this as q symbol of your
sovereignty, and celebrate your espous-
ais with the sea every year."
This fete on Ascension day was a
universal holiday. The poor and the
rich put on their gayest dresses and
went to witness the marriage of the
Doge with the sea. The bells of the
city rang from daJ break their most
joyful chimes, the canals were thronged
with gondolas ornamented with ban
ners. In one of the largest harbors,
called La Piazzetta, was anchored q
vessel, called the "Bucentaur," which
belong ed to the Doge. The crew were
chosen from among the strongest and
bar. dsomest of the Venetian seamen.
Tie PROV of the ship was gilded and
ornamented with figures, and in the
broidered with gold, above which hoated
the flag of San Marco. When the hour
OF noon sounded the door Of
the church was thrown open
and a grand procession moved forth.
First came eight standard bearers with
the flags of the republic in red, blue,
white and violet, and six men with sill
yer trumpets; then came the officers in
the service of the Doge, dressed in
their state robes. Next followed the
musicians, and a deacon carrying a
large wax taper sent by the pope, and
men bearing the throne and cushions of
the Doge. The city magistrates made
part of the procession, and, lastly, the
Doge himself, in his ducal robes, his
mantle of ermine fastened with gold
buttons, his robes of blue and cloth of
gold; his head covered with the ducal
cap of Venice. over which was a crown
of gold sparkling with precious stones.
The procession advanced slowly up the
quay and embarked on the "Bucentanr,"
with the admiral of the Venetian fleet
at the helm. As they drew up the
anchors all the bells in tie city poured
forth their most joyful sounds. The
large vessel went slowly on, surrounded
by numerous barges and gondolas, all
filled with people gayly dressed. After
the fleet had advanced some distance into
the Adriatic, the Doge rose from his
throne, walked to the Prov of the ves-
sci on a raised gallery, and threw into
the blue waves a gold ring, saying:
"We espouse thee, Oh, Sea, in sign of
real and perpetual sovereignty" Then
the Doge and his suite attended service
in the church of San Nicolas on IN
other island. called Lido, and the fleet
returned to Venice, where the grand
personages attended q sumptuous repast
at the ducal palace.-&. Nicholas.