DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0034
16 THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
falling country, they hastily gave their suffrages and
departed.
The people who surrounded the palace, seeing a signal
displayed at the windows, which announced to them the
termination of the debate, expressed their feelings on
the occasion in loud and contradictory vociferations.
While some uttered exclamations in favour of the French,
others were as eager in their lamentations over the fall
of their ancient constitution ; but all united in contri-
buting to the confusion of the moment, by abandoning
themselves to pillage or licence. The night approached,
and still these disorders remained unrepressed, till, about
two hours after midnight, a small detachment of soldiers
assembled on the Rialto, and some cannon being posted
there, the mob was dispersed. In the morning a pro-
clamation was issued, prohibiting, under pain of death,
any opposition to the decree which had been passed.
On the 16th of May, 1797, three thousand French
troops disembarked on the Place Saint Mark, in the
midst of the wild shouts of one part of the population,
and the mournful tears and lamentations of the other.
The demolition of the prisons of the inquisition was the
first act of the new government ; the burning of the
book of gold, consecrated to the enrolment of the no-
bility, was the next ; while the Lion of Saint Mark, in-
stead of the inscription which designated his sacred
character, was now made to bear the motto of CfTuE
Rights of Man.”
Before St. Mark still glow his steeds of brass,
Their gilded collars glittering in the sun;
falling country, they hastily gave their suffrages and
departed.
The people who surrounded the palace, seeing a signal
displayed at the windows, which announced to them the
termination of the debate, expressed their feelings on
the occasion in loud and contradictory vociferations.
While some uttered exclamations in favour of the French,
others were as eager in their lamentations over the fall
of their ancient constitution ; but all united in contri-
buting to the confusion of the moment, by abandoning
themselves to pillage or licence. The night approached,
and still these disorders remained unrepressed, till, about
two hours after midnight, a small detachment of soldiers
assembled on the Rialto, and some cannon being posted
there, the mob was dispersed. In the morning a pro-
clamation was issued, prohibiting, under pain of death,
any opposition to the decree which had been passed.
On the 16th of May, 1797, three thousand French
troops disembarked on the Place Saint Mark, in the
midst of the wild shouts of one part of the population,
and the mournful tears and lamentations of the other.
The demolition of the prisons of the inquisition was the
first act of the new government ; the burning of the
book of gold, consecrated to the enrolment of the no-
bility, was the next ; while the Lion of Saint Mark, in-
stead of the inscription which designated his sacred
character, was now made to bear the motto of CfTuE
Rights of Man.”
Before St. Mark still glow his steeds of brass,
Their gilded collars glittering in the sun;