A ROMANCE OF VENICE. BY R. SHELTON MACKENZIE, LL.D. ་་ "Che non avea creduto che l'arte potesse giungere a tanto, e che solo MICHAEL ANGELO. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. 1843. PREFACE. A SPECIES of romance has lately been produced by some Continental writers, of which, hitherto, we have scarcely had any specimen in English literature. This is the Art-Novel, which permits the blending of the Ideal and the Real, in no ordinary degree, being based upon circumstances not only romantic and picturesque in themselves, but rendered additionally so by their connexion with the fortunes of some of the illustrious who, by pen or pencil, have achieved renown. One brilliant example of this class has been produced by the highly imaginative lady who writes under the name of George SanD. In "Les Maîtres Mosaïstes" she has boldly and very effectively introduced the great Titian, and James Robusti (better known as Tintoretti), with Sebastian Zuccati, and his eminent |