T R A V E L S
T H R O U G H
T H E R H ^ T I A N A L P S ,
&c. &c. &c.
S E C T I O N I.
D E P A R X N I I E FROM VKNICI -GENER»! . OUSF.RVATIONS ON ITS ORIR.M AND FOILM
OR GOVEI INMENT-VIKW OK THK HIGH CHAIN OF MOUNTAINS SITUATED
N O R T H EAST OF THE GULF OF VENICE-ARRIVAL AT PADUA.
W E left Venice thé 26th of May, one thoufind fevea handfed and eiglity-fix,
ioon after the célébration of the famous ceremony, in which tlie Doge annually
efpoufcs the fea, at two miles diftance from the city, by cafting into it a ring, with thefe
words, " I ESPOUSE THEE IN TOKEN OF PERPETUAL DOMINION," This is a day which the
Venetians fet apart as one of their gteateft feftivals, fince it commemorates that glorious
epoch when this Republic proved viflorious both by land and fea, and when moft of tlie
potentates of Europe were compelled to aclinowlcdge her fovereign of the feas.
THIS noble privilege was confirmed to them in the twelfth century by Pope
Alexander the Third, who mftituted this ceremony, which is ilill attended with all
the fpkndour and magnifieeuce imaginable.
I SHALL not dwell any longer on a ceremony that has ah-eady been fo well defcribed
by various travellers, who have publiihed their obfervations on the beauties and cuftoms
of Italy.
THIS city, according to its epitliet, VENICE THE RICH, once furpalTed in wealth ail
the cities of Europe, and muft inevitably attrad the attention of travellers ; not only
by its wonderful fituation and ancient origin, but by the magnificence of its churches,
palaces, &c.
A. VE N I C E