The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-10-29

galleries to expect. And nowadays tnls tdiiins
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 gondoIa 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 Bu-
rano; for If he but choose his day and hour well.
he will assuredly take home with him satisfy
ing picture of one spot at least. glowing with
color and teeming with picturesque life, that
hns outrun his most hopeful imaginings.
There can be few more pleasant experiences
on q fine warm afternoon In spring or autumn
In early May or mid-September for choice-than
to take gondola, with two good rowers and win
ones first sight of Burano.
A gondela 1t must be- not the vaporetto. that
one may arrive alone or with wellchosen COM
panion, and not one amongst crowd Of chat
tering. sightseeing snapshotters
The way to Burano takes one through about
six miles Of lagoon landscape to the eastward of
Venice. The island IL situated about i've miles
northeast of Venice. in northern Italy. The chief
industries of the people are market gardening.
building of boats and fishing: the women are en-
ployed principally In lace-making. The island of
Torcelle also belongs to Burano. It il located on
m adjacent Isle and the principal attractions that
would interest travellers are the two museums Of
antiquities and the cathedral. which was built in
the seventh century and was rebuilt during the
year 1908. This cathedral contains many valu-
able mosaics.
1t Is a populous little place. with busy COM
munity of 1sherfolk and lace-makers. In the
struggle for existence 1t has Jared better than its
older and once moro prosperous neighbors. MAJ
xorbo and Torcello; the former IT has. In fact.
annexed by means Of long. arching. wooden
bridge which. seen from the low seat Of a gon-
dola, looks like that on n willow-pattern plate.
Approaching the island. one may find ones
rondoIa passing or passed by increasing numbers
Of Ashing boats racing each other home to Blu
rano; finely bronzed statuesque men stand bend
ing Justify to their oars. their half-clad forms
showing many fine play and molding Of muscle.
The sails of these boats Of delightful color
umber-snd are often emblazoned with fantastic
designs, or with stars flowers or portraits Of
patron saints
Then the island with Its leaning campanile,
appears before one. its many tinted walls basking
In the late sunlight Approaching it on its west
ward side one glides past the opening of a canal
that fntersects 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 are lined with fishing boats. newly
BONE. many with their gorgeous sails still sway
,n~ idly and glowing in the level rays of the late
afternoon SUM- Sunburnt earringed men are heap
Ing piles Of glitterng fish before tina 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 a. . rule very bril-
;iantly hued. but Of mauve. fawn color, or
tawny red. the stronger colors being reserved mr