National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-11-06

pivotal bearings for the cradles, as con-
structed ny Capt. Eads for his isthmian
railway.
There are always those to regard as chi
meriCal every proposition which their lin
tied faculties have not yet cOmprehended,
aud SO much adverse criticism has been eX-
pended upon the project of Capt Eads, 1t
is well to recall the fact that Il similar enter
prise was successfully accomplished by the
republic of Venice more than 400 years ago
In the winter of 1893, during one of the fire.
quenr wars between the petty states of
Italy, the city Of Bresca, which had given
its adhesion to the Venetians, was closely
beseged by the Mianese, and every de-
vice for its relief seemed to be hopeless,
as the enemy had entrenched himself
In winter quarters upon the intervening
mountains, and had II formidable fOtilla in
possession of Lake Gnrda, the largest Of the
Italian lakes, some thirty three miles in
length by about eight in width and 226 feet
above the sea. To send an army by land the
Nenetians would be compelled to make Il
detour around the northern end of the lake
aud then force their way through the noun
tans But such was their well known
proves upon the seas that to possess
themselves of the Lake Glrda would he to
throw dismay into the camp of their enc
mics aud open up an unobstructed route TO
the beleaguered city.
THE MOST LEARNED
and experienced engineers of Venice had
discussed for many days, in the presence
OF the Senate, variety OF schemes for effect
ing the desired object, and the one finally
adopted surpassed IN bolduess anything of
the kind that had ever before, or has ever
since, been attempted, until Capt. Eads
projected his ship railway across the Ameri.
can isthmus. 1t was nothing less than to
convey II formidable fleet OF some thirty
us
and launch it upon the lake, unobserved by
the enemy
This was the suggestion OF one Sorbolo, II
modest little subengineer of Canada, who
had been quietly engaged in experimenting
works of considerable magnitude In the
service Of the republic aud had also spent
several years as a soldier and knew how to
handle men. He obtained brief interview
with the rdoge and his counselors, at the
conclusion Of whichit was decided To permit
him to lay his plans before the senate. The
appearance of SorbOlo was very much against
him, Dmunitive In person aud feeble in
speech he seemed a pigmy In the midst Of
the digntled mobiles by whom he was sur.
rounded, but at II signal from the doge he
came forward, amid the breathless atten-
tion Of the body, and,
WITH THE UTMOST CoMPosURE, SAID:
"Most Serene Prince and Senators of
Venice: | have come to unfold to you plan
which | have conceived whereby you may
afford the necessary relief to the noble city
of Brescia by placing ilOtilla OF ships upon
the Lake Garda 1t is well known that the
passage by the Mincie is closed, owing to
the treachery Of the Duke of Mantua. There
fore there only remains the Adige avail
able for the purpose which | am about to
submit to this reverend assembly | know
the stream rs well as | know the Grand
al In nj i..pi 10 l,t a,
from the mountains, and is deep enough
for the passage of the largest galley.
i therefore humbly suggest that up this
river fleet OF ships should be sent to u
point liity miles distant from the gulf OF
Venice. From thence there Is long level
plain Oi country, across which II were a
very easy task to carry the largest ships,
provided men and oxen were furnished
Tue chief difficulty which will beset the
path is presented by the mountain OF
Peneda, which rises To great height from
the shores Of small lake through whic:
propose to pass But this will not present
AN insurmouutable difficulty, Having
crossed the mountain, Lake Gerda is only
twelve miles distant"
He closed abruptly, not having the elo
quenCe to diutc upon his theme, while ven
cradle dOge aud senators looked ughast
upon each other, wondering II they were
not
IN THE PRESENCE OF A LUNATIC
But before word was spoken SorbOlO drew
forth from small box which he had
brought with him the model Of Il gallery
ami placing II upon Il cradle of the kind he
proposed to construct, proceeded to demon
strate the means by which to transport II
overland. The plan was SO feasible tina
every member Of the body wal
captivated with IL. SOrbolo was dis
missed, with compliments by the doge
the scheme was promptly accepted by III,
grand council, and the necessary nstruc
tion given for the preparation of llce
suitable for the enterprise The deibera
tons of this august body were always II
secret, aud Sorbolo had divulged his PLAN
to no one else, important details remaining
still to be evolved, Six galleys an,
twenty-five light barks, fully onlcere,
and manned, We're placed at hi
disposal, fitted out with all tn
appliances necessary for naval conflict
cannon amply prOyi ed with stone balls o
the period, large stores of cross-bows, ar