Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-08
LA GEREE ISSIMA.

While ell other capitals have gradually
increased, and are increasing in every d.
rection, Venice, surrounded by its inland
sea, attained several centuries ago its pres
ent size and shape. The Piazza San Marco
has been gince then its Forum successive
generations have daily repaired to it in
quest of news, Of Sunshine or of friends
aud will continue to walk under its er
cades, to cross il and recross it in every
direction. &c l0rg as the Duomo and the
Procuratie wall It round, as long as the
golden angel On ST. Marks Tower shines
far above the silent sky. Ita glory aud its
power have disappeared the Q1een OF the
Seas is Tow only small provincial town.
But however fallen from diplomatic or
commercial point of view, Venice has still
&Dd will always have a peculiar thrilling
interest. Every stone has its own legacy
of interest evezy dark gate is haunted by
its familiar cheat; every recess, every
Granny whigpsrs its old weird story.
The officisi npnals Of the Most Serene
Venetian republi, contain inuumerable in
stances of secret arrests, eecret trials, fol-
lowed almost always by still more secret
executions =; but. besides these, many a
terrible drama has taken place within the
stone walls of the state prisons. Conven-
ieutly situated und the ducal palace, and
with their floors slightly under high-water
mark, these :" wells as they were called
ON account of their darnpness-very seldom
gave up victim except as a corpse. ST.
lent and dark rs toe grave, they were fit
instrument for stern aud mysterious tri-
bunal. The severity Of the Council of Ten,
the swiftness With which it reached both
high and low, the secresY of its nocturnal
sittings and OF it's sentences, created a uni
versal feeling Of awe that has not yet CON-
pletely disappeared.
Amongst the poorer classes there are
many who stin believe in the existence of
the Secret Council, ind who expect it to
reappear soma day e; they abstain. there
fore, from any direct allusion to it, men
tioning it only when absolutely necessary,
by the vague term Of La S, renssims We
may emile as this childish fear, but it
proves very clearly the terror it must have
inspired. The following legend that was
whispered 70 me short time ago by an old
gondolier. viii show By what means this
result was obtained. Though / cannot
vouch for the accuracy of every detail,
there is no Doubt IN my mind as to its gem
ersl truth, heeause the grandfather of my
informant lived at the time 1t occurred, and
against the S57eniseimi. unless he was sure
of it. With this proviso, I will now relate
the legend as [ heard it whilst | was
quietly lolling II Venetian gondola
Il was toward the end of 100, when one
night an e slish kings messenger reached
Mestre, wanting 70 cross over to Venice.
SIR John & ewser-such was the name
was Young, brave ard very highly connect
ed, and as such, perhaps, he had been
chosen by tbs ministry to convey some
triAjag Mesa e 10 King George III. s repre-
sentative in that town. After delay that
would seem enormous to our modern ex-
press train travellers, a gondola was
manned, ain luggage loaded in it. and at
last it began to glide toward the city. He
reached Venice Just before dawn and
after hurried toilet and still more hur-
ned broaklszs, Sir John delivered his
packet, and began exploring the lanes and
alleys Of this incomprehensible town.
Being tosrAbly proficient in the language,
he soon found his way to the Piazza San
Marco, and was duly astonishsd by its
peculiar aspect, Then, rs now, the Piazza
was the heart OF the city laws and edicts
were promule gated in it; sentences were
pronounced from The balcony of the ducal
palace whilst bcggare, singers and others
of similar caste gavo it a strange ANNA
ti5n.
Thoroughly enjoying the freedom of
walking after his long Journey by coach
and gondola, Sir John INDUCED his ramb.
ling propensisies 70 the full extent. Whilst
he was doing 50 a crowd gathered in front
CT the duoal palace. Naturally curious,
and having nothing eiss to do, he fastened
TO the spot, and elb3wed his way to the
center. b. the red pillar Of the balcony
81 usher Was reading out the sentence of
some unknown feloD, with all the pompous
circuml0cutjon 30 much IN favor in those
days. The wre5ehej prisoner, Just brought
out Of some dark cell, seemed scarcely to
realize the scene, IS his eyes, unused now
to the light Of the sun, gs2ed vacantly on
the excited mob that surrounded the low
sCaifold on which he was standing. The
sentence having been read, the prisoner
was taken away 20 the jail where he was
TO undergo t1s term OF imprisonment to
which he hid just beeu condemned and
the crowd, tAs eight being over, gradually
dispersed.
This incident was in itself very triaing,
and Sir John would probably have forgot
ten it within 8 week had It not been for its
strange Consequences. Whilst pushing and
elbowing hi3 way IN The crowd it seems
that come clever pickpocket had robbed
him Of his lace handkerchief. 1t is GER
tainly very unpleasant to be robbed even
OF Q vs.ueicss article bns IN this case the
thief bad obtained a valuable prize and,
besides, there was FOR Sir John Hawser the
additional 8ing Of having heen robbed by
80 Italian. de would have been less angry
if it had happened in London; tie pick
pockets there ware 60 clever that there was
no shame IL beng their victim but to
have been p.underod by clumsy Venetian
was too much for bis equanimIty, and he
burst ont IA torreHs OF abuse.
Speaking mostly in Italian, but mixing a
few English snataemas In his speech, he
related his loss to few bystanders, and
was advised by chem to complain to the
police, o, rather to those officers who
under the Sereuissina fulfilled the present
duties of the police. Though without
great faith in this plan, he followed it, and
gave notes to the authorities. He was
assured by a very stately official that he
need have no fear, and that his property
would soon be found and restored to him.
Forced to be content with this vague con-
ISOLATION, he went home to his supper and
bed.
For three or four days afterward he con
tinued visiting the principal monuments
and churches, bus without receiving any
further information about his lace hand.
kerchief. l have said that Sir John wa:
young and brave as consequences, he wa
impetuOus and fiery; while being born ano
bred in free thinking frse-speaking coun
try, lie was apt TO express his thoughts al
they came to mind without reflection and
without fear. Il is not surprising there
fore that one night. under the Arcades o.
the prncnfatie u.hiia relating his loss To {