"THE celebrated name of Venice, or Venetia, was formerly diffused over a large and fertile province of Italy. It was divided into two parts, first and second, of which the first applied to the main land, and the second to the islands and lagoons. In the first, before the irruption of the barbarians, 50 Venetian cities flourished in peace and prosperity. Aquileia was placed in the most conspicuous station; but the ancient dignity of Padua was supported by agriculture and manufactures. The second part, placed in the midst of canals at the mouth of several rivers, was occupied in fisheries, salt-works, and commerce." VENETIA. All this declined after the discovery of the passage to India by the Cape of Good Hope in 1486 by the Portuguese. "The Lombardo-Venetian kingdom was one of the most valuable possessions under the Austrian sceptre. The northern part of this territory is mountainous, the south flat, forming the plain of Lombardy. The whole country abounds with rivers, all of which have a southerly course except the Po, and all contribute their waters to the Adriatic. At the foot of the Alpine chains, in the north of Lombardy, are the lakes of Garda, Como, Maggiore, Lugano, Iseo, etc. The shores of the Adriatic are lined with extensive lagoons, in the midst of which is Venice." The climate, except in the vicinity of Mantua and near the Adriatic, is considered healthy. The thermometer keeps higher in summer, and, as a general thing, sinks lower in winter in Lombardy than in England; and more rain falls here than in any other portion of the Austrian dominions. In Venice the annual amount is estimated at 34 inches, and in Lombardy at 45 inches: the rains are heavier in the autumn and winter than at any other season. The spring is considered the most delightful time to visit this country: cloudless skies and a genial climate of course add much to the pleasure. Venetia was formerly a celebrated republic of Italy; it is now a province of United Italy. The republic was formed soon after the building of the city in the fourth century. The government was at first democratic, but in 1247 became an aristocracy; none could afterward have any share in it but the nobles: the Doge was the chief executive officer, and was elected by a plurality of votes by means of gold and silver balls. In 1797 the city of Venice was taken by the French, who instituted a provisionary democratic government; but soon after, by the treaty of Campo Formio, the city and territory lying to the north and west of the River Adige was ceded to Austria as a duchy, and also Large sums of money are spent in keepas an equivalent for the dominions lost by ing up public education. A larger portion the Austrians in the Netherlands. The of the population is educated in the Lomremainder of the Venetian territory was bardo-Venetian kingdom than in almost annexed by the French to the Cisalpine any other of the Austrian provinces. The Republic. In 1805, by the treaty of Pres- government of Austria in Italy is undoubtburg, the whole Venetian territory was an- edly a cold, repulsive, and jealous despotnexed to the kingdom of Italy. It was ism; but it is not oppressive, and, in point once one of the most powerful maritime of military government, it is not as rigid and commercial states in Europe. For as the French. "The greater portion of this it was indebted, at first, to the mon- this part of Italy, after the fall of the Westopoly of the commerce of India, the prod-ern empire, was successively possessed by ucts of that country being conveyed during the Middle Ages up the Gulf of Persia, the Euphrates, and the Tigris, as far as Bagdad, thence by land across the desert to Palmyra, and thence to the Mediterranean ports. Afterward the supplying of the Crusaders on their way to Palestine with provisions and military stores was an additional source of opulence and power. the Heruli, Ostrogoths, Greeks, and Lombards: the latter held it from 568 till 774, when Charlemagne annexed it to the empire of the Franks, to which it remained attached till 888. From that period, except the territory of the Venetians, it generally belonged to the German emperors till the establishment of the republic of Milan in 1150. This republic, in 1553, 399 came into the possession of Charles V. Ven- which it is situated being dry at low waice and its territory, which had existed as ter. an aristocratic republic from the 7th century to 1797, was confirmed to Austria by the treaty of Vienna, 1815, of which it remained a portion till 1866, when it was ceded to United Italy through Napoleon III. VENICE. A famous maritime city of United Italy, formerly the capital of the republic of the same name. Population 118,172. The principal hotels: H. Royal Danieli, on the Grand Canal, which has recently been much enlarged, is admirably fitted up, and has the reputation of being one of the best hotels in Europe; table d'hôte, reading, smoking, reception, and conversation rooms. The cooking is admirable. At the arrival of each train the proprietors have a commissioner present who speaks all languages. Grand H. Victoria, kept by Robert Etzenberger, one of the largest and finest hotels in Venice, near the square of St. Mark's. It contains 180 bedrooms and private sitting-rooms; reading-room, smoking and billiard rooms, baths; service on the Swiss system; arrangements made en pension. Beau Rivage, also a first-class house, situated in one of the finest positions in Venice, admirably managed by M. Genovesi; terms moderate. The city of Venice, formerly called the Queen of the Adriatic," is unrivaled as to beauty and situation. It stands on a bay near the Gulf of Venice. In this gulf, or Adriatic Sea, the ceremony of espousing the Adriatic took place annually on Ascension Day. It was performed by the Doge, accompanied by all the nobility and embassadors in gondolas, dropping into the sea a ring from his Bucentaur or state barge. This ceremony was omitted for the first time in many centuries in 1797. Venice is situated upon 72 islands. Its peculiar formation renders it singularly attractive. The islands upon which the city is built lie in the midst of extensive lagoons, which surround it on all sides. The access to the city is very difficult, a great portion of the lagoon on Merchant vessels usually moor off the ducal palace; sometimes, however, they come into the Grand Canal, which intersects the city. In consequence of the chain of long narrow islands, which bound the lagoon on the side next the sea, being in part broken away, the republic during the last century was obliged to construct a mole several miles in length, to protect the city and port from storms and the swells of the Adriatic. This vast work is admired for its extent and solidity. It is formed of blocks of Istrian marble, and connects various little islands and towns. The principal from the sea to the lagoon is at Malamacco, 1 leagues from the city. There is a bar outside of Malamacco, on which there is not more than 10 feet of water at spring tides. On arriving at the bar, ships are conducted across it and into ports by pilots, whose services must be availed of. The Grand Canal, which takes a serpentine course through the city, is intersected by 146 smaller canals, over which there are 306 bridges, which, being very steep, and intended only for foot-passengers, are These cacut into steps on either side. nals, crossed by bridges, form the waterstreets of Venice, the greater part of the intercourse of the city being carried on by means of gondolas. The gondola supplies the place of coaches, as carriage and even horseback riding is wholly out of the question here, the streets being so very narrow, not usually over 4 or 5 feet in width, with the exception of the Merceria, which is from 12 to 20 feet across, in the centre of the city, which is lined on either side with handsome stores. The gondola is therefore the mode of conveyance; it cuts its way so rapidly through the water that in a short time you may be able to visit every part of the city. They are long, narrow, light vessels, painted black, according to an ancient law, containing in the centre a cabin nicely fitted up with glass windows, blinds, cushions, etc.; those belonging to private families are much more richly decorated. One gondolier is generally considered sufficient, and the price is then four lire per day, but double that fare for two rowers. The most pleasant and healthy portion of Venice is in the vicinity of the Grand Canal, which is |