The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-09-13

Nh tbS tuicS remaining 10 sulIOuuutu w
a palatial structure, the lever story, with
broad arcades, being occupied by shops
aud cafes. The PiazzetiN is a smaller
square extending from st. Marks south
ward to the Grand Canal, the famous
winged lion Of St. Marks aud the statue
of st. Theodore standing as sentinels on
the shore. In the summer n military
band plays in the square several times
each week and the entire piazza is filed
every evening with gay croud of pleas
ure seekers.
The world has nothing like the cathe-
dral of st. Mark. 1t was built in the
eleventh century, in the form of Greek
| cross, with great dome over the centre
and four smaller Cnes over the aims.
It is in the Blztntine style, ami the
oriental splendor and magnifcence OF
ilsdecorations cannot be described A bove
! the portal are the celebrated bronzehorses
which have stood successfully upon the
arches OF Nero. Domitian, Trajan and
Constantine at Rome, were taken to Con-
stantinople by Constantine the Great.
brought TO Venice by Zeno, taken to Paris
by Napoleon but restored again to Venice
in 1915.
Passing through the vestibule one is
almost bewildered by the wierd splendor
and surprising richness Of the interior.
The ceiling does not rise in pointed
arches, like the great Gothic cathedrals
of central Europe, neither is 1t fat or
paneled like the mighty baoilicas OF
Rome: but ID followed out into vast
dome shaped forms, with massive semi
circular arches between, the whole GOV.
cred with costly mosaics upon gold
ground. Around us rise hundreds of
pillars of rich marble and vdrlegated
present new features of interest. The
| pavement of tessellated marble rises and
falls in waves under foot the foundations
having settled uueqraIiy. Among the
relics WHICH are Lere exhibited, are two
alabnster columns from Solomon's tenn
pie, the stone Oh which John the Baptist
was beheaded. II V, se containing some of
the blood oflhe Savior, and many others
regarded by the proiane Us of equally
doubtful authenticity. The dreamy light
which ilumines the shadowy aisles OF
this almost oriental nctuary, entefs
through small windows high up at the
base Of the domts, aud mingliug with
the gleam OF the silver lamps which burn
ceaseltssly before the many shriues. is
flected upon the woudrous imagery oi
the niosaics and the stately glorlts OF the
scnlp'ur,d saiuts with peculiarly strlk-
ing ef, CT. II is woltla trip across a
continent to behold.
Adjoining St, Muk's on the right and
between that church aud the Grand canal,
is the Doges Palace, which has been des.
trryed and rebuilt five times, the present
editce dating iIom 1850 Like nearly
Ill structures oft class, 1t is built arou nd
an open court, aud lis many halls aud
council chan bers are filled with hlstori
cl paintings. commemorAting grand
eYents in tue history of the Republic
The Hall of the Great Council coutaiut
Tintoretto's PsrSdi,e, the largest on
painting ever executed. it being 81 fee
long aud 81 feet wide. Iu the lower par
of the palace we ARE shown the damp ant
uoisome prison cells where many stat,
prisoners have been confirmed; and from
one of the upper stories We go ont acros
a canal over the famous Bridge of Slghs'
referred to 10y Byron.
II stood in Venice On the Bridge of Sighs,
ralace and prison on each hand"
This bridge connected the counc
chambers of the palace with the prison,
b, beyond and contains two passages. out
OF which was used for state prisoners nuG
the other tor ordinary criminals. Tu,
prisons are still used and possess nothing
of interest
Besides St. Mark, Venice has man,
churches, but with the limited time n
our disposal ouly II few claim attention
1he Frari contains fine monuments t,
Canova aud Titan; Santa Maria della
Salute has one Of the most graceful
aud finely proportioned facades in Eur
ope and others have featares of lesser
Interest.
The Grand Canal is crossed near The
center Of the city by the celebrated
bridge called the Rielto. 1t is singl,
arch of "a feet span, 32 feet high ana
rests on ~ zoo piles. 1t was built in th,
IN century aud contains three passage
ways with row of shops on each side o
the centre passage The name Rialto
was originally applied to the main ISLAM
of the group, which has always been th,
business as well as the geographical cen
ter of city. aud it is probably this t.
whichShakespere refers in the''Merchau
of Venice' when Shylock SAYS:
"SigrOr Antonio, many a time and of
In the RialtO you have rated me.
Even there where merchants most do con
5 gregate."
E Tue Grand canal by moonlight is just
ly regarded as one of the most faselnat
5 ing sights i'll Europe. The palaces whicl
I line its shores have many Of them seei
y their best dayS, aud in the glare of tn
: MONDAY sun sppear tras ''seedy" T.
j. say the least; but the glamour of tue sol
!. moonlight throws charitable vail owe
i the adaptation and evidences of deca
J. and the surroundings all combine to forr
Il a scene of enchanting beauty.
e The gondola, which forms the onl
II means OF transportation in Venice, is
s singular craft about 80 feet in length
. with sharply elevated PROV and seat
/ in the center for the passengers. TIL
!, boatmen stand on deck at the ster
d and proPel the gondola with broad
e flexible oar. literally pushing. with