representative for Westminster their cordial support, would be to suppose them possessed by the marble-hearted fiend, Ingratitude; which, when it shows itself in a child, has been pronounced "more hideous than the sea-monster."

But, while the Senate shall be thus actively occupied in the cause of the sons of Israel, ought not the Stage to step forward, and lend its powerful aid towards the accomplishment of the alta impresa? To this end, I beg leave, strenuously to recommend to Mr. Elliston, the spirited lessee of Drury Lane Theatre, a revival of the late Mr. Cumberland's admirable comedy of "The Jew." The play was eminently successful, at a time by no means so favourable for the inculcation of the principles I am laying down as the present. In the hands of that chastest of all performers, Mr. Dowton, Sheva would find as able a representative as Doctor Cantwell has done. Liston, too-the laugh-inspiring Liston -in the part of Jabal, the Jew's servant, would delight the town not less than he has done in Mawworm. To heighten the attraction, songs, according to the custom of the day, might be introduced with considerable effect. of Frederick might be allotted to while Eliza Radcliffe would find an interesting

The part

Braham ;

representative in the sweet warbler Stephens.

Thus, instead of receiving our impressions of the whole tribe, from "the Jew which Shakespeare drew,"-brutal, vindictive, uncharitable, extortionate, his bags running over with the spoils of usury, and his veins glutted with the blood of prodigals, gamesters, and unfortunate merchants, we should constantly have before our eyes, the generous Hebrew of Cumberland,the widow's friend, the orphan's father, the poor man's protector, and the universal philanthropist; who "neither buries his riches in a synagogue or any other pile, nor wastes it upon vanity or public works; but who leaves it to a charitable heir, and builds his hospital in the human heart." Thus would the stray sheep of the scattered flock of Abraham at length have fair play; and, that such an appeal to the kind feelings, the good sense, and the strict justice of Englishmen, would be made in vain, is, I think, impossible

"In hearts like theirs', there will be found a place,

For ev'ry victim of unjust disgrace."

CHAPTER XXIII.

VENICE.

State of Commerce and Manufactures during the Republic...... The Patricians indirectly engaged therein....... Venetian Festivals...... Ceremony of the Marriage of the Doge with the Adriatic......The Bucentoro......The Villegiatura...... Mode of Living of the Venetian Ladies of the Haut-ton ......Madame Benzona......Albrizzi Teutocchi...... Cecilia Tron......Eugenia Tron...... Chiaretta Contarini......Gius tina Venier Micheli,

MANY of the noble Venetians were accustomed to advance money for carrying on the commerce of the Republic, and were indirectly connected with the merchants of the Terra Firma. At Verona, Padua, and Vicenza, there were considerable manufactories of silks, gauzes, ribbons, artificial flowers, and whalebone: there were also cloth manufactures at Schio, and other places in the territories of the Republic, At Venice, too, the same manufactures were carried on, but in still greater variety; such as rich damasks, brocades, gold and silver tissues, and velvets. The gold chains of Venice, with its gold lace and trimmings, were the admiration of all Europe. The city was also celebrated

VOL. I.

for its wax, and cream of tartar; for its glass and pearl beads; for its silk stockings and lace; and particularly for its scarlet cloth and snuffs. The triacca manufactured at Venice, is used as a general medicine; it is composed of various drugs, and is considered to be an antidote against the sting of venomous reptiles. Many of the above articles were at one time a source of considerable profit to the ambassadors, consuls, and other agents of the Republic, at the several foreign courts, on account of their great superiority over those of other nations.

Its numerous festivals rendered Venice one of the most interesting cities in the universe. Amongst others, there were those of Santa Marta, San Rocco, il Redentore, la Saluta, San Marco, Corpus Domine, and the Assenzione; on the latter of which days the Doge used to go to Lido, a small island two miles from Venice, near the entrance of the Adriatic, for the purpose of espousing that sea, in the Bucentoro, a vessel somewhat resembling the ancient Greek and Roman gallies. It was richly carved, and covered with fine gold in basso-relievo, lined with the richest crimson silk velvet, trimmed with gold fringe and tassels, and furnished in the most elegant and costly manner, with beautiful Venetian mirrors, crystal cut ornaments,

large pier glass windows, with Venetian blinds and crimson silk curtains. It used to be towed out by a number of the barcajuoli, richly dressed in the ancient Venetian costume, with caps and sashes of different colours, all bearing the Doge's livery. The Doge was habited in his ducal robes, his coronet, and the other insignia of his high office. The whole body of the senators, with their wives and families, magnificently attired, joined the procession in gondolas, together with all the foreign ministers, and often a hundred thousand persons, coming not only from the Terra Firma, but from the extremity of Italy, and even of Europe; so that the water, from the ducal palace of the Piazzetta to Lido, was actually covered with boats, filled with youth and beauty in all their most seductive shapes and appearances, forming an entire carpet of boats of all descriptions; besides peottis, in the shape of ancient temples and triumphal cars, representing the courts of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Bacchus, Apollo, together with Neptune, and the rest of the marine deities; so that it was scarcely possible to discover a foot' of water.

The ceremony was called the marriage of the sea. The Doge, on his arrival at the mouth of the harbour, came on deck, and being sur