Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-15

with mystery from the very start aroused
by the thought that he is to see city
built on Islands with water everywhere.
With this strangeness comes feeling Of
fear as he hands his luggage to a Condo
ler and steps into the gondola wondering
how his gondolier will steer the light
fiimsy craft through the many small
canals, for he has no light and the night
is dark
The gondoIier gives his back to the
oar and they are off. The moon rays
play upon the waters giving them an irl-
descent blue. The rocking Of the gon-
dola from side to side soon awakens a
feeling of calm and rest The traveller is
so easily entranced by the mystery of
colour, sound and movement he wonders
II anything could disturb 1t when the
cry "Ah stali'' strikes sharp upon his
ear. The canal is so narrow 1t seems i'm
possible for two gondola to ride abreast
but the prov is turned aside and another
boat darts forth like sea-gull playing
on the waters and passes safely.
When asked If It is not hard to man
age one of the crafts the gondolier
answers: st is all getting used to It.
You see we begin when we are little
boys; we start by rowing freight boats,
We live on the canals so much 1t is hard
to keep on land. We can almost feel
when a boat Is coming before we hear
the cry 'Ah! Stali.'"
The boat, with many twists and sudden
turns, is carried through long network
Of canals. They pass long row OF gon-
dolas lined up before large hotel wait
ing to disembark. They turn corner
and are now on the great canal, whose
broad waters simmer like many precious
gems with the light of the town and the
moon playing on the waters. Looking
across on one bank he sees the snowy
dome of a large church, on the other
many old palaces, once occupied by
grandees and princes, now remodeled to
meet the needs of English and American
tourists.
Just before the traveller alights the
gondolier whispers to him, "Sir, don't
forget a pour-boire for the gondolier."
Supper is eaten in haste, for the traveller
Is anxious to go out on the stone balcony:
and enjoy the quiet beauty of that Ven
Ice of which he has read and dreamed
but is Just getting to know One by one
y Nnhe stars have come Z. out, they have
sbangled the sky and changed the waters
TO a greenlsh hue. The Canal throbs
with sounds, there are many boats going
up and down carrying enthusiastic Amer
leans and lively English, who give vent
to their feelings in such phrases isn't
this just splendid" IT like Venice better
than any other city" Charles after you
make your fortune let us come and live
here, and spend our old age riding about
i-, gondolas"
Their enthusiasm tempts him and he
hastens to get n gondola. He instructs
the gondoier to take him to St. Marks
square. Nearing the shore the gondolier
points out a large marble building say
ing that 1t is the Great Palace of the
Doges, on the other side is the splendid
National Library. Towering above these
buildings are the golden Domes of st.
Marks Church and the great column
with the splendid clock. The doves have
gone to rest and the square is given
over to pleasure-seekers; some are prone
nading up and down. others are slipping
coffee and listening to the soft strains
Of a mandolin orchestra.
History.
Venice and Genoa are the two italian
cities that from earliest times disputed
) the rights Of the sea. desire to be
independent caused Venice to develop
by leaps and bounds, the people were 80
proud of their own attainments they
had small desire to marry, even to asso-
ciate with Italians of other cities. AS
early as the tenth century Venice held
her own with the other cities Of Italy,
many of the islands had been spanned
with stone bridges and go churches
reared their proud heads. Every island
had its own church. Its own ecclesiasti-
cal director. and Tribune. These Tribunes
were exceedingly Jealous Of their power,
they elected the Doge with care and
when he tried to rule with a high hand 4
threw him in prison. The Lion became
the symbol of this city's power. One
adorned the Ducal Palace and into Its
laws were thrown the charges brought
against her citizens Their money bore
the same stamp.
This strength and desire to rule the
sea was expressed by strange cere-
mony called the Wedding Of the Sea.
1T was the Doge Peter Orsolo II. who
on the ship called the Bucentaure threw
the first gold on the waves and thus
presided at the marriage OF Venice wltn
the Adriatic. At this time Daimatia
was brought under her rule and by the
twelfth century the Adriatic became her
domain.
1t was not until century later that
venice became a real oligarchy under
Dore Peter Gradenigo. law was
passed that only those should be consid-
erred citizens who had fathers and grand
fathers In the government. all others to
be excluded. This law caused great dis
content among the people. but their
words Of opposition remained unheeded |
Possessors of vast fortunes, the patri-
clans and rich merchants rivaled In
widest extravaganza, their money flowed
from the coffers as easily as wines from
their bottles, and this desire for splendid
display resulted in making Venice the
most attractive city Of the world The
most splendid palaces were reared along
the banks of the canals, their facades
were adorned with the richest arabesque
carvings. Handsome, gondolas and liy-
cried gondoliers stood before the doors
day and night. Naughty princes and
handsome ladies' richly attired In silks
and splendid jewels spent their days
riding in their gondolas, paying calls
night was turned into day Win dancing