"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 Heruli, Ostrogoths, Greeks, and Lomthe Middle Ages up the Gulf of Persia, the bards: the latter held it from 568 till 774, Euphrates, and the Tigris, as far as Bag- when Charlemagne annexed it to the emdad, thence by land across the desert to pire of the Franks, to which it remained Palmyra, and thence to the Mediterranean attached till 888. From that period, ex^ ports. Afterward the supplying of the cept the territory of the Venetians, it genCrusaders on their way to Palestine with erally belonged to the German emperors provisions and military stores was an ad- till the establishment of the republic of ditional source of opulence and power. Milan in 1150. This republic, in 1553, 399 came into the possession of Charles V. Venice and its territory, which had existed as 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. VENICE which it is situated being dry at low wa- 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 The Grand Canal, which takes a serpencommissioner present who speaks all lan- tine course through the city, is intersected guages. Grand H. Victoria, kept by Rob- by 146 smaller canals, over which there ert Etzenberger, one of the largest and are 306 bridges, which, being very steep, finest hotels in Venice, near the square of and intended only for foot-passengers, are St. Mark's. It contains 180 bedrooms and cut into steps on either side. These caprivate sitting-rooms; reading-room, smok-nals, crossed by bridges, form the watering and billiard rooms, baths; service on streets of Venice, the greater part of the the Swiss system; arrangements made en intercourse of the city being carried on pension. Beau Rivage, also a first-class by means of gondolas. The gondola suphouse, situated in one of the finest posi-plies the place of coaches, as carriage and tions 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 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 |