The Glenwood post., 1910-10-08

galleries tic expect. And nowadays this falling
short of his ideal is increased by the vulgarizing
effect of the penny steamboat-the vaporetto,
with which the Venetians seem contented-
that sets his gondoa rocking it passes, and
stirs up that in the sleeping canal waters which
had better been let lie; to say nothing of the
motor-boat which is threatening to do for the
gondola what the taxi" is doing for our hansoms
at home.
If such traveller be leaving Venice with
sense of disappointment let him by no means
depart till he has visited the fisher island Of Blu
rano for If he but choose his day and hour well,
he will assuredly take home with him satisfy
ing picture of spot at least, glowing with
color and teeming with picturesque life, that
has outrun his most hopeful imaginings.
There be few more pleasant experiences
fine, warm afternoon in spring or autumn
in early May mid-September for choice-than
to take gondola. with two good rowers, and win
ones first sight of Burano.
A gondola it must be, not the vaporetto that
one may arrive alone with welLchosen com
panion. and not as one amongst crowd of chat
tertng, sightseeing snapshotters.
The way to Burano takes through about
six miles of lagoon landscape to the eastward of
Venice. The island is situated about five miles
northeast of Venice. in northern Italy. The chief
industries of the people market gardening,
building of boats and fishing the women
ployed principally in lace-making. The island of
Torcelle also belongs to Burano. 1t is located
adjacent isle and the principal attractions that
Agould interest travellers the two museums of
antiquities and the cathedral, which built in
the seventh century and rebuilt during the
year 1908. This cathedral contains many valu
able mosaics.
1t is populous little place, with busy COM
munity of fsherfolk and lace-makers. In the
struggle for existence 1t has Jared better than its
older and once more prosperous neighbors, MAJ
xorb and Torcello; the former 1t has, In fact
annexed by means Of long, arching, wooden
bridge which, seen from the low seat of gon
dola, looks like that on willow-pattern plate
Approaching the island. may find ones
gondola passing or passed by increasing numbers
of fishing boats racing each other home to Bu
rano; finely bronzed, statuesque men stand bend
showing many fine play and molding of muscle
The sails of these boats Of delightful color
ing-saftron and sienna, orange red and burnt
umber-and are often emblazoned with fantastic
designs. with stars. flowers portraits of
patron saints
Then the island. with its leaning campanile
appears before one. its manytinted walls basking
in the late sunlight Approaching 1t on its west
ward side glides past the opening of canal
that intersects the island, and first glance
It reveals a scene that must live long in the mem
ory of any lover OF movement and color. The
quay sides lined with fishing boats, newly
home many with their gorgeous sails still sway
ing idly and glowing in the level rays of the late
afternoon sun. Sunburnt, earringed men are heap
ing piles of glittering fish before the cottage
doors, helped by the women, who add still more
color to the scene with the shawls and kerchiefs
worn over their heads. These most becoming
garments are, however. not q rule very bril-
sanity hued. but of mauve, fawn color. or .
6vny red. the stronger colors being reserved for