Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-05

ture. The reader would tire of too num-
erous descriptions of the antique structures
and their treasures. Here are churches,
chapels, halls, and palaces whose adornings
are illustrations of history and of the arts
of men in the ages that have preceded US.
1t is very novel aci to see two bronze
men on the clock tower strike the great
bell with large metallic sledges each half
hour. A clock member some years ago,
who forgot their office, was struck by one
of them and dashed to death on the curb.
THE GRAND PALACE,
In which the various courts were held, is
approached from the west. / first passed
the statues of Adam and Eve. The artist
evidently never saw either of them. |
assembled the Giants staircase between the
statues of Neptune and Mars 1854. They
are subjects of constant criticism. COM
mend them for enduring it unchanged so
long. The ascent of the Golden staircase
is never quickly made. 1t is, indeed, a
staircase of gold. The futed ceiling, with
gold washings, and the embossed delinea-
tions of artistic designs in rich and varied
profusion, the portrsiture and frescoed
reliefs, makes it seem unreal. The palace
is in harmony with tile golden entrance.
Bible history looks from its numerous
walls, and eanopies almost speaking to you,
and you to them. The protuberances COW
cred with gold leaf; the gold-paneled
walls the sculptured 4centers and corners
by the best and most elaborate labor OF
the progressive art, keeps the visitor in a
state of strange anxisty, as though he de-
sired to pronounce Upon the most ingeni-
Gus artificer the plaudits of his merited
honor. They did compete to excel, and
excelled their FORMER selves, and some
each other.
THE COURTROOM OF THE ROMANS,
And that of the Greeks, are indescribably
grand. They remain. intact as when used
by them, and are decorated with Roman
and Grecian work respectfully. Here
were seated the stern iurists in an age
when Justice and judgment" were not the
habitations of the throne. And Just oppo-
site is the chamber of the Council
of Ten," and nesir it the Lions
Mouth" small open slot at the
head of the public staircase, through
which written ace Bations against the
prisoner were passed into lock box within.
There were twok keys to this receptacle, the
one belonging to tbs civil, the other to the
political Court. The accusations were adj
dressed TO the one against whom the Gull
prit had committed the act of violence.
Innocent persons, against whom the royal
family had grievances, and law-abiding
citizens against whom the accuser held
| feelings of antipathy, would be summoned
to answer for crimes and conspiracies OF
| which they were not guilty. False
| witnesses were easily secured to swear in
support of the allegations, read in his
hearing before the notorious Council.
But few escaped the torture and death
of this ubiquitous Venetian inquisition.
20, Jealousy Thou art
Cruel as the grave"
PILLARS AND DEATH CELLS.
The pillars of ST. Mark and Theodore
on the palace piazzettid have associated
with them narrative too extensive to
be given here. L. Querci 18SS) says
st. Theodore is not the proper
name. That it is the pillar OF
St. George They were brought to Ven
ice in A. D. 1130 from Tyrus by the Doge
Domenico Michel. Querici quotes Gull
ombardo as authority that is is the pillar
of st. George. Between it gambling Ia
bles used to set. Later it was the
place of execution before the pub
lie. But the prison opposite the pal
ace, connected by the Bridge of Signs
was the dungeon of their heartless conduct
| descended the prison crypt under the
palace. o, horror! Not ray of light
What contrast. A palacel A dungeon.
A spectre A golden bracelet of royalty
A black, damp arch, cold and dreadful
The thumb-screw rack of torture And
here is the revolving spot where thousands
were beheaded, and through these grooves
their warm blood ran into the canal and
their bodies, thrust through this door,
were taken to open sea in a gondola and
tossed to the carniverous ichtus. ! stood
on
THE BRIDE OF SIGHs.
After the awful experience below, and tc
me it was indeed the place of signs
Here the prisoners who were conducted
to the prison opposite the palace tool
their last leave of light and day, to enter
their cell of midnight till death came IL