[Illustration]
_A Trip Around the World with DWIGHT L. ELMENDORF, Lecturer and
Traveler._
“The Pearl of the Adriatic,” she has been called. “Queen of the Sea” is
another of the poetic terms applied to her. If all the expressions that
have been used by admirers to pay tribute to the beauty of Venice were
gathered together, they would make a glossary of eulogy of considerable
size. It was inevitable from the beginning that Venice should receive
such homage; for she has a beauty that distinguishes her from all other
cities. She is absolutely unique in picturesque attraction and in
romantic interest. There are many cities that draw the admiration of
the traveler: there is but one Venice, and anyone who has been there
and felt her spell cannot wonder at the worshipful admiration that she
has received from the time of her birth in the sea.
The fascination of Venice for the traveler is such that ordinary terms
of appreciation are insufficient. The city takes complete possession
of one, and visitors who have surrendered to her charms are referred
to as having the “Venice fever.” All who love beauty have had more or
less violent attacks--the artist is most susceptible to it.
[Illustration: THE GRAND CANAL DURING A FÊTE
_This is the main artery of traffic in Venice. It is nearly two miles
long, and varies from 100 to 200 feet in width. It is adorned with
about two hundred magnificent old patrician palaces._]