The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-08
FIESTA OF MADONNA SALUTE.
Continuous Festival Observed at Ven
ice, a Historical Occasion.

ice, a Historical Occasion.
Every lover of Venice is familiar with
the magnificent church at the end of the
Grand Canal, built in honor of La Ma
donna Della Salute (the Madonna of
Health.) That edifice is the central scene
of a wonderful celebration in the latter
part of November. The annual fiesta Of
Madonna Salute is one of the most pic
turesque OF all the annual religious com
memorations in which the Italians
throughout the land delight But its or
igin was connected with a fearful vista
ton. The grand church was raised on the
cessation of plague that decimated Ven
ice in 163o-31. re pestilence carried of
5000 people in the city (more than one
third of its present populationl and IOo-
coo in the islands of the lagoons. The
deliverance being ascribed to the Virgin.
the anniversary has been observed ever
since
The season Is generally enchanting
True, the Italian skies are apt just now to
be fitful. changing their expression like
the large and iustrous eyes of the wo-
men and girls who look sometimes so
pensively across the equally capricious
be of the CELESTIAL azurra, which per-
fectly mimics the glory of summer: in an
hours time a furious hailstorm may be
sweeping across the great plain towards
Brownings Asolo. the little lowered city
on the mountain slope thirty-five miles
away; and presently from another point.
towards Tftians glorious Galore, a glow
of fiery brightness may be TRANSPORTING
the armament. The people for many a
league know that Venice Is sure to be a
queen of beauty STILL no matter II winter
is performing its preludes. and they pre-
pare TO troop in from the regions round
the forests of ST. Marco. where larches
still grow like those from which the
old war galleons were built: from beau
tiful Belluno on the edge OF the Aus
TRAN Tyrol: from petty Vicenza and
quaint Padua: from old Conegliano and
the ancient villages empowered in the
chestnut groves by the romantic margin
of the brawling Cordevole.
Thus it is indeed bizarre throng which
the fiesta draws into the narrow streets
OF the mistress Of the Adriatic- Over
the Rialto Bridge and along the tortuous
lanes on isiet after islet that lead TO
many more Insignificant ponte, cross
ing from one island to another. between
rows OF princely castles, in which iordly
knights OF the republic and proud danes
once splerdidly dwelt. the laughing and
chattering troops make for the area
around the great sanctuary On the eve
ming before the fiesta hundreds OF the
stroIling hawkers and peddlers arrive
from the country. As many as can fnd
space set up their stalls and booths
around the church. During the night they
sleep in the open air. for the breath Of
the lagoon Is mid. and these wander
ers are hardy. Every one OF these buck
sters will recognize many OF the crowd
who will come along during the ensuing
day. FOR which their merchandise they
have visited time and again every ham
let every farm of a tontadino Or man
ente in the northeast OF the peninsula
The Italian knows less OF social caste
than any other people IN Europe. except
ing the Norweigans and here II one rea-
son why these national fessts are so
delightful All ciasses nningie freely: and
individuals OF the most different posi-
lions treat each other with equal respect
on each side and with charming familiar
ity-
But Venice becomes a babel o. the ami
vsrsaxy Of Madonna della aiute- TIE