The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-11-19
A GOrgeOus Festival.

A gorgeous festival at Venice was
the marriage of the city to the
Adriatic sea. 1t was celebrated every
year on Ascension day, and this, too.
had its origin in an historical event.
In AID. ITO, Pope Alexander III. was
driven from Rome 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 fleetof 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 he was an
expert seaman, and drove the emperor's
fleet off the coast and took o no
prisoner. After this battle, peace wai
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
sovereignty of the Adriatic sea, and
presented the Doge with a ring, saying;
Receive this as symbol of your
sovereignty, and celebrate your espous.
ais with the sea every year"
This fete on Ascension day was q
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 daybreak their most
joyful chimes, the canals were thronged
with gondolas ornamented with ban.
ners In one of the largest barbors,
called La Piazzetta, was anchored a
vessel, called the Bucentaur," which
belonged to the Doge. The crew were
chosen from among the strongest and
handsomest of the Venetian seamen.
The PROV of the ship was gilded and
ornamented with figures, and in the
center crimson-velvet tent em-
broidered with gold, above which hoated
the flag of San Marco. When the hour
OF noon sounded the door
the church was thrown open
and 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 o
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 Bucentaur,"
with the admiral of the Venetian feet
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 feet had advanced some distance into
the Adriatic, the D)ge rose from his
throne, walked to the PROV of the ves-
sci on raised gallery, and threw into
the blue waves 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 an
other island, called Lido, and the fleet
returned to Venice, where the grand
personages attended a sumptuous repast
vt the ducal palace.-&. NichOlaS.