The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-08
A.RZAZZZZFUZZ ZEXIZZzY RHZALT 0Y Z1zE
 GQAND CAZLHL

the embarkment of the body of St. Marks at Alexander and the disembarkment in Venice. The oldest on the facade is Of the 18th Century and represents the bring ing of the Saints relics to the church. All the arches and cupolas of the church are adorned with rich mosaics The oldest dates from the l2th Century and repre- sent scenes from the Old Testament. The altar is decorated with pillars of ala baster. four of these pillars were taken from the Temple In Jerusalem. Here is also found a mosaic portrait of St. Mark set with many kinds of precious gems.
 Palace of the Dosss.
 It was in the Palace of the Doges that the laws were passed which made for the strength, the intrigue and crime of ths city. This splendid palace was partly burned twice. It Is built about a large open court and floor after floor are sup ported by great rows of pillars beauti- fnlly carved. The exterior of the palace is elegant and sombre, the outside ex' presses strength and the interior great spiendor. Every room Is heavily deco rated with paintings thar cover the wall and the ceilings. Paintings that siorify the city and the government The walls are covered by Christian saints and pagan divinities; here Neptune. Mars and Venus stand guard. The apartments are reached by long flight of steps called the stairs of the Grants where one of the early doges was decapitated. One passes two colossal Statues of Neptune and Mars and enters the hall of the Scala doro, deco rated with rich statues and paintings.
 The room is adorned with lovely fires coes and splendid statues of Atlas, Her cules Charity and Abundance.
 Another spacious room Is the Hall of the College where the Signorin, composed of sixteen wise men, six counseiors and three chiefs met to decide criminal cases. The room is adorned with a throne and benches raised on several steps. The wall Is decorated with many splendid ale gorical paintings. The ceiling here as In the other rooms are decorated with elaborate frescoes.
 The most important room is the Hall of the College, it is wonderfully large and decorated with many splendid ale gorical figures. The most attractive of these represents the Doge Pasqual ci- gogma before Christ with Saint Mark pro tected by faith and justice The ceiling is decorated with richly carved wood and a painting by Tintoretto showing Venice reigning over the sea receiving maritime honours. The largest and most splendid room is the hall where were assembled the Major Consul. and all the nobles whose names were inscribed in the Book of Gold The ceiling is decorated with T1ntoretto's Paradise, the largest paint ing in the World and Illustrates the whole story of creation. The frieze about the hall is decorated with thirteen daIlions painted by Ttntoretto and his pupils representing the doges since the ninth century. Only one place Is left va cant, 1t is inscribed with these words: Here is the place of Martnt Falethri who was executed for crimes. The ceiling, designed by christoforo Sorte is the rich est in the palace and tho chefd oeuvre of Veronese: Venice IS crowned with Glory, surrounded by Fame, Peace, Abundance and the Graces.
 The most interesting part of this pal ace Is the bridge of Bighs over which criminals passed when condemned to die by the Doges. But 1t is nearly sun set and the traveller calls to his gondolier to take him up to the Rfalto, one of the most famous bridges in history. broad flight of steps ascends to the slanting bridge, which at this hour of the day is almost forsaken except for a few beg gars and vendors with cheap wares-But the bridge would tell different story It becomes crowded with handsome stalls where are seen rich silks rare stones and beautiful glass. They are doing lively trade, women wearing handsome gowns and proudest patricians press forward anxious to see and to buy these rich wares on in one lonely corner sits lonely man with a beautiful girl--as the crowds pass by they enquire who they are only to be told It is shylock the low and his fair daughter Jessica- The day dream might last forever when an old man bsgs for few sous and the Venice of the past Is Forgotten Tn the Venice of the present