deprived of sight, four were massacred, and four, something wiser, perhaps, than their brethren, abdicated. Verily, it must have been a thorny

seat.

One fiery old warrior, with flashing eye and high broad forehead, I fancied must have been Candiano the Second, who led the Venetians on to the rescue of the Brides of Venice. We looked with pleasure on the fine features of Lorenzo Celsi, whose father would never uncover his head before him, and who, at once to save his father's feelings and obtain the respect due to his station, imagined the ingenious device of embroidering a cross upon his ducal cap: also on those of Contarini, who himself led on to the siege of Chiozza, and vowed on his sword never to return to Venice, until his enemies surrendered. The others among them, who excited in us the most interest, were Veniero, under whose mild sway Venice was blessed with eighteen years of internal peace and abundance; and who, like another Brutus, sentenced his son-his only son, to death, for violating public morality. We gazed also on Francesco Foscari, the aged and decrepid man, who walked leaning on his crutch when he came to say farewell to his son for ever, but who yet, strong in resolution, spoke so firmly to the heart-broken exile, that "it might seem it had not been his son, and yet it was his son-his only son:" -and on Andrea Gritti, whose warlike achievements almost surpass belief.

The librarian showed us a "mappe monde," drawn in the year 1460, by a certain Fra Maura, a curious production, inasmuch as it exhibits the state of geographical knowledge in those days, All of

the then known world is traced on a round plain surface; the Cape of Good Hope is there. Although the passage thither by sea was not then known, some enterprising Venetians had penetrated thither by land. It is a curious fact, that when Vasco de Gama reached the Cape he found some Venetians settled there.

In this map the position of countries is reversed; the British isles being fixed in the south: of course, I was anxious to know how far the good friar's knowledge of the topography of England extended. Londra, Antonae, and Bristo are the only cities whose names he thought it worth while to note down. The sea is, of course, painted deep blue, covered with ships; towers are drawn on the land, and here and there are a few scrolls, containing written descriptions of the different countries.

Altogether, we spent a most pleasant morning in the library of St. Mark's, and, greatly to Violet's delight, the librarian was the same who was here during Byron's séjour in Venice. He related how Byron stood fixed for a long time before that black scroll, probably forming the first rude sketch of his tragedy, in his own mind, and chattered so much about his noble guest, that had any of us been so inclined, we might have formed a volume of his "Reminiscences or Conversations," with the poet, which would doubtless have sold as well as some other "Conversations and Reminiscences."

And now, Minna, I must tell you, that we spent in this land of romance and song, one evening, the most delightful of all, "à l'Anglaise." I can hardly describe to you the nods and glances of delight we

exchanged on first entering the only room we have seen since we have left Dover, furnished after the English fashion. You will say, that it is scarcely worth while to ramble over Europe, to cross the sea, and to scale the Alps, if, after all, the pleasantest sight we meet with, is a little bit of quiet domestic English happiness, which we have at home constantly before us, and which we here drop upon quite by surprise. But, my dear, it is the force of contrast, which makes it so delightful. My opinion is, that the chief good to be derived from travel, is that it makes us more duly appreciate, more highly prize, our own home enjoyments afterwards. Do you remember the little flower that touched Vaillant even to tears of rapture, in the wild deserts of Africa? I am sure that flower was a French flower, and he had trodden it under foot as a worthless weed in his own land. The spacious Turkey carpet,-the warm hearth rug,—a paravent neatly covered with maps and drawings, -a real old English paravent of the seventeenth century, a few family portraits, some embroidered handscreens, a harp and piano, made the old Venetian saloon look so comfortable. Then there was the gothic balcony, full of china roses, the southern sky, and magnificent sea-view, outward beauties, which, it must be confessed, somewhat enhanced_the snuggery of the interior.

There was the master, downright and upright, yielding not to the fairest and proudest, one iota of his own opinion, and extending to all the open hand and the hearty welcome. There was the mistress, plain and unaffected, with an aspect of goodness that could not be mistaken; not decked out in blonde

and French curls, but dressed after the fashion of a modest English matron, and endowed withal with a gentle aspect and winning smile, which might comfort even the saddest mourner. After tea, we assembled round the spacious table. The fire burned its very brightest; the young ladies played occasionally, and without solicitation, some fine Italian music. There was a portfolio of Alpine scenery lying open on the table; the lady of the house drew from her capacious basket some needle-work, not embroidery or lace, but plain work, some articles of clothing she was making for a destitute family; and while her bright needle went busily forward, led the way to such conversation as refines the mind and softens the heart. She spoke of India, and of the efforts made there by different private individuals, whom it had been her lot to encounter, to ameliorate the condition of the natives, by introducing the pure faith of the protestant church. She told us many interesting particulars of China, where, once in her youth she had had the rare good fortune to land; and passed thence to the history of Mrs. Judson, the good and self-denying, with whom she had been acquainted in childhood.

There was a young Venetian lady present, who listened with intense attention to the narrative of Mrs. Judson's efforts and suffering. She could not, for some time, understand how the mere hope of giving light to those in error, and extending the dominion of our Lord upon earth, could nerve the spirit and frame of woman to such endurance. But when she did comprehend the motive, as well as the action,

her fine countenance glowed with delight, and she said with a sigh: "We, too, could do so, if we were but allowed and directed." This young lady is nineteen, and went yesterday to the Continent, for the first time in her life. Horses excited her surprise more than any thing else; she was amazed to find them so like the pictures she had seen.

Among other anomalies here, is this one, that there are hundreds of Venetian women, who have lived on to extreme old age, so I am told,-without having once set foot on terra firma, although within half an hour's row of the continent; who have never known the luxury of wandering in a garden, of gathering flowers, or even of hearing a dog bark!

It was with a feeling of bitter regret, that I said that most melancholy of all words, "Farewell," to this amiable family, and really almost resolved never to like a passing stranger again. It is so painful to reflect on that word never, which bars all future intercourse on earth, with those whom we could so love.

The gondoliers did sing Tasso as we came home, and the glorious moon uprose. There was a peculiar golden light spread over the sky, from the point where it met the broad sea, and the stars, to to my thinking, were brighter than usual; so that I could not but fancy a Venetian moonlight one of the fairest sights of earth; and Harry, who is a devout worshipper of Shakspeare, began, in his peculiarly low, rich voice, to repeat his exquisite moonlight scene from the Merchant of Venice. Words are surely more powerful to paint than colours.