The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1895-06-22
ON THE OTHER SIDE.
written for The COURIER by C. Y. smith,
No. IL.

As i stood In the Piazza San Marco
with my eyes resting first on the gorge.
Gus facade of the Basillca OF st. Marks,
and then on the beautiful walls of the
Doges Palace, was in iorbt which TO
enter fret But my attention was drawn
from the sublime TO the ridiculous. A
few steps away was a group OF small
Italian boys. squatted ON the pavement.
They had circled around an old felt
hat. and in il were eight little hop toads.
Their purpose seemed TO be TO
divide the eight toads among five boys
in equal proportion. This problem in
mathematics created quite an interest
ing discussion in Italian. After the
death OF one OF the boys or three OF
the toads. / have forgotten which. /
began to walk around the Piazza ming.
ling with the pigeons and the nobility.
The square is among the finest in all
Europe and certainly the most unique.
Ii is encased in part by promenade
in the shadow OF stone pillars viii Oh
support the beautiful structures above.
1t is irregular in shape, being 600 feet
in length and 200 feet wide on one side
and 800 feet wide on the other. The
interior is paved with blocks OF grey
trachyte aud white Istrian stone. 1t
reminds me of the interior court of some
palatial residence, with shops and cafes
in the arcades to give il the appearance
OF spicy activity. From sunset to mid
night the entire Piazza is filled with an
animated concourse OF pleasure seekers,
listening to the music from the military
band.
To the left as we face the church we
h. Iall f.t e., A.A
surmounted by two bronze figures called
Moors, which strike the hours Of day
and night. Two bronze men, they are,
life size, each with sledge hammer in
hand, to knock upon the bell a constant
reminder OF the fight of time.
The top OF the Compatible tower, 3D.
feet in height. gives magnificent views
OF the whole city. the Adriatic and the
Alps beyond. Looking south the way
opens to the grand canal through
the Piazetta; a small square. At its ter
mination is the tall column OF st. rheo-
dore, and directly opposite its mate,
crested by the winged lion, brought
from the Grecian archipelago in ll56.
Between these two columns the pub
lie executions took place. A place most
convenient, take il, to bear away the
body in a black gondola and consign il
to the waters of the Adriatic. 1t was
but the day before when the doomed
man crossed the Bridge of Signs in the
rear of the Ducal Palace and entered a
dungeon cell TO await his farewell of
tomorrow.
The Doges or Ducal Palace was orig
inally founded in 800; the present struct-
ure dates from 1850. In 1917 a disas-
ferrous fire destroyed its principal salons
and many works of Bellini, Tintoretto,
Titan and others. Entrance to the
palace is through the Porta della Carta
opening into the grand courtyard. Here
we stand at the foot of the Giants stair
case guarded to the right and left by
the colossal statues of Mars and Nep-
tune. by Sansoyino.
Upon the landing of this celebrated
staircase occurred the coronation of the
Doge. The spectacle must have been
an imposing one indeed; so gorgeous
and magnificent are the surroundings.
lis a source of inspiration to walk
around these palace halls. Silent now,
but still trembling with the echos of
history. The interiors are adorned with
wonderful paintings by old artists. The
Hall OF the Great Council is perhaps
the finest interior in all Europe. A
marvel in beauty and magniicence. At
one end is the Paradise" by Tintoretto.
"a by "a feet-the largest oil painting
ever executed. The four walls are en-
bellished with paintings illustrating
various court scenes of the Doges Art
and skill are rare these days which can
produce an equal to the grandeur COM
bined with elegance and beauty found
in the interior of the Ducal palace in
Venice. Nothing OF its kind can be
finer than the inner facade Of the east
wing OF the palace, perfect example
OF the Renaissance. Antonio Rizzi and
Pietro Lombardo may well rest in eter-
nal peace for having executed such
work OF art.
One Of the most horrible places with
M he ~ &c tho 1nn call