DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0083
THS DOGAN A.
59
From the well-head, supplying all below,
Making the imperial city of the east,
Herself, his tributary.
Rogers.
The traveller will find in these considerations a suf-
ficient reason for regarding every quarter of Venice
which reminds him of its former commerce with more
than ordinary interest. It is hence that the Dogana
comes in for its full share of respect in this city of mer-
chants ; and though it possess not so original a claim
to notice as either the Rialto or the religious structures
of Venice, it may give rise to recollections little less
captivating. The means by which a number of mere
fishermen, enjoying few or none of those advantages by
which other communities have risen into notice, effected
these objects, are well 'worthy of attention, and the his-
tory, consequently, of Venetian commerce has exercised
the curiosity of many a talented antiquary. It is not the
least surprising circumstance in the narrative, that their
progress was made in the midst of domestic broils, and
while they were exposed to the ferocious attacks of their
piratical neighbours. In the middle of the tenth century,
when they had acquired some degree of wealth and con-
sideration, their situation may be learnt from the re-
cital of an incident which still makes a figure in the
chronicles of the republic.
It was the custom of the principal citizens at that pe-
riod so to arrange their intended marriages, that several
might take place at once. The time usually chosen
for these public nuptials was some grand festival of the
church, when the popular gaiety of the city and the
59
From the well-head, supplying all below,
Making the imperial city of the east,
Herself, his tributary.
Rogers.
The traveller will find in these considerations a suf-
ficient reason for regarding every quarter of Venice
which reminds him of its former commerce with more
than ordinary interest. It is hence that the Dogana
comes in for its full share of respect in this city of mer-
chants ; and though it possess not so original a claim
to notice as either the Rialto or the religious structures
of Venice, it may give rise to recollections little less
captivating. The means by which a number of mere
fishermen, enjoying few or none of those advantages by
which other communities have risen into notice, effected
these objects, are well 'worthy of attention, and the his-
tory, consequently, of Venetian commerce has exercised
the curiosity of many a talented antiquary. It is not the
least surprising circumstance in the narrative, that their
progress was made in the midst of domestic broils, and
while they were exposed to the ferocious attacks of their
piratical neighbours. In the middle of the tenth century,
when they had acquired some degree of wealth and con-
sideration, their situation may be learnt from the re-
cital of an incident which still makes a figure in the
chronicles of the republic.
It was the custom of the principal citizens at that pe-
riod so to arrange their intended marriages, that several
might take place at once. The time usually chosen
for these public nuptials was some grand festival of the
church, when the popular gaiety of the city and the