Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-21
AN EDMUYDs REWINJsCENCE
THE SENATOR OUT ron DAYS PLEASURE IN
VENICE.
rFrom the New York Graphic1

THE SENATOR OUT FoB DAYS PLEASURE IN
VENICE.
IFrum the New York Graphicl
Senator George f. Edmunds Of Vermont
on whom it is evident the independently Of
the Republican party, as well ns the anti-Ar-
thur clements, desire to unite as nominee
for the presidency, is a man still in the very
prime OF life, while looking all his years and
more too. He is about 81, tall, rather slen-
der, aud quito angular, with "A long head and
face. having grave, almost solemn express
sion. The head is high, finely developed
and almost entirely bald, while the face, with
its long features. flows into long gray
beard which adds to his dignity and impress
siyeness. Edmunds would make an excellent
study for picture Of st. Jerome, but more
often, from the sharp CLEAN OF his eyes and
the strong, cOmbatve tone of his voice, he
would be better subject for baronial
knight or statesman. But Senator Edmunds
is not especially bellgerent in disposition he
is only set in his convictions, and he is al
ways ready with the courage that should be-
long to them. The Vermont Senator is
keen partisan, but he is also fair minded.
He possesses power, both of analysis and
synthesis he can criticise and build, too,
and from his point Of view always knows all
there is to be said on that side ard he re-
members also all that his opponents have
said AZ a lawyer he knows the books, and
the well.stored desk which is fitted up 80 as
to be a small library in itself, is quite an ar
senal OF facts and principles for debate. Mr..
Edmunds is a man Of dry humor, kindly hab-
its and very pleasant ways in social inter
course and personal companionship. As
lawyer he j. great, as a senator always ready,
as a partisan bitter, and as debater inclined
to be acrid and sarcastic. Nothing annoys
him so much as for man on either side OF
the Senate chamber to talk without knowl-
edge.
"Grave and reverend seignior' as is Mr.
Edmunds, this Graphic writer has personal
experience to measure how delightfully."- he
can unbend One Of the red letter days in
busy life was spent during the early summer
OF 1873 in 'stor:ed Venice" and in company
with George F. Edmunds, when the latter
proposed to see by land the city which rises
like an architectural deity from the bosom OF
the sea. We wandered up and down the lit
tie narrow GALES that intersect the city and
wherein the life of the people Is seen. 1t
was Venice in undress, or at least IN pictur-
esuue disorder and a little out of elbows.
From the crown Of many little bridges VIC
watched the long, narrow, somber-looking
gondolas shoot through dull, green waters
between mossy walls Of old palazzos and
other buildings, or listened to the peculiar
shot around the corners of other whtery
lanes. But the little streets were delightful.
BY stretching out ones arm-at least il one
was as long-armed as the Vermont senator
the walls could be touched on either side.
All the multiform yet simple life of an ltal-
ian city was seen on that day. The open
cook shops were one novelty, especially those
in which oil-fried fish were for sale. The lit
| tie dingy interior made Rembrandtish with
the somber blaze of the charcoal FIRE, the
| dishes and utensils unchanged in form from
| Pompeiian days-all these and other things
make a delightful memory of our holiday.
Aud the Senator unbCnt fairly. and was as
happy as a school-boy. We drank our win or
| dinaire and ate our macaroni and tomatoes at
an Italian wine shop out beyond the Grand
canal, having crossed the Rialto bridge to
reach the market and TO pass beyond to
where our eyes could take in that wonderful
| picture of the Lagoon, with its low lying
islands, whose white structures shone in the
| golden sunshine Of the late afternoon. Above
us WAS the blue, intensely blue, sky OF the
| Adriatic before us the loug, low, swelling
| stretch of waters, greenish near the shore,
but passing beyond into the deepest of az
ures behind US the lovely, melancholy, mus
| ing city, whose buildings as dreamy e1hAla-
| tions OF mist seemed foam like to rise from
the lips of the lazily kissing waters, trans
formed as they were with the irst faint Grim
son of tho sunset. How beautiful and how
still Nothing disturbed US as we looked but
the mprmurous hum of droning life and the
soft swish Of the quiet waters. The Senator
was a delightful companion, full of quaint
intimations and touches Of scholarly lore,
with quiet by-play of humor and even
broad touches of fun that made the passing
| hours full OF charm How much Italian he
| know this writer cannot say, as he knows
none but the Senator was the cicerone md
managed to make the ragged boys scramble
for Ira the beggar women bless US for small
gifts, the landlords get our dinner, and gen
orally all We met strived to do as we wished.
We did not talk politics and said but little
about home The day was wound up in the
cleaning by seats and coffee al fresco at the
cafe Florian in the Plaza ST. Mark, while the
garrison band discoursed sweet music ant
the Italian ladies Airted gracefully.