Addison, Joseph: Remarks on several parts of Italy: &c. in the years 1701, 1702, 1703 (London: Tonson, 1718)

VENICE. 63
of the Truth of this Particular, and they
all allured me that the Sea rises as high
as ever, tho’ the great Heaps of Dirt
it brings along with it are apt to
choak up the Shallows, but that they
are in no Danger of losing the Benefit
of their Situation, so long as they are at
the Charge of removing these Banks of
Mud and Sand. One may see abun-
dance of them above the Surface of the
Water, scattered up and down like so
many little Issands, when the Tide is
low; and they are these that make the
Entrance for Ships difficult to such as
are not used to them, for the deep Ca-
nals run between them, which the Ve-
netians are at a great Expence to keep
free and open.
This City Hands very convenient for
Commerce. It has several Navigable
Rivers that run up into the Body of I-
taly^ by which they might supplya great
many Countries with Fish and other
Commodities j not to mention their Op-
portunities for the Levant) and each side
of the Adriatic. But, notwithstanding
these Conveniencies, their Trade is far
from being in a ssouriffiing Condition for
are laid on Merchandises, Their Nobles
think it below their Quality to engage
in