CHAPTER VIII.
"The fisher came From his green islet, bringing o'er the waves His wife and little one; the husbandman From the firm land, with many a friar and nun.
And village maiden, her first flight from home, Crowding the common ferry." ROGERS.
A brighter day than that which succeeded the night last mentioned never dawned upon the massive domes, the gorgeous palaces, and the glittering canals of Venice.

The sun had not been long above the level of the Lido before the strains of horns and trumpets arose from the square of St.
Mark.

They were answered in full echoes from the distant arsenal.

A thousand gondolas glided from the canals, stealing in every direction across the port, the Giudecca, and the various outer channels of the place; while the well known routes from Fusina and the neighboring isles were dotted with endless lines of boats urging their way towards the capital.
The citizens began to assemble early, in their holiday attire, while thousands of contadini landed at the different bridges, clad in the gay costumes of the main.

Before the day had far advanced, all the avenues of the great square were again thronged, and by the time the bells of the venerable cathedral had finished a peal of high rejoicing, St.
Mark's again teemed with its gay multitude.