concealed from the public view,-and he adds, that the common people of Scotland, even in his time, believed that these forbidden volumes, containing the spells of the magician, were protected by the invisible demons who had once been the servants of their illustrious author. W. BY GIUSTINA RENIER MICHIEL. Gondolier Song. Bright steeps the moonbeam on Venetian seas, Bride, The souls of Heroes to each ancient Hall? For sceptred cities in their noon of power of the west. He was eminent as a mathematician and astronomer, learned in the languages of modern Europe, deeply skilled in Arabie and in the sciences of the East,-he had risen to high celebrity as a phy sician, and his knowledge of courts and kings had recommended him to be employed in a diplomatic capacity by his own government. Nor has he been cheated of his fame. If we look ORIGIN OF THE VENETIAN FESTIVALS. to older authors, he lives in the pages of Roger Bacon, of Ficus Mirandula, of Cornelius Agrippa, in the lucubrations of Gesner, of Naudeus, of Leland, in the works of Bale, of Dempster, of Pitseus, of Baconthorpius. If we ask for his historical immortality, he is commemorated by Boecé and by Leslie. If for his poetic honours;-has not Dante snatched him from oblivion, and our own great minstrel embalmed him in the unperishable substance of his first and most romantic poem? Nay, if he seeks for more popular and wider honour, even here he may not complain; while his miracles and incantations are still recorded beside the cottage fire by many a grey-headed crone, and his fearful name still banishes the roses from the cheeks of the little audience that surround her. Fortunate, too, he was in this circumstance, that, after his various travel and long residence abroad, he returned to enjoy, in his native counfairy city" of the Adriatic is now try, the reputation which he had acso rapidly sinking. Its fading splenquired, that he lived to a great age, dours, and died full of years and of honour. the close," become still more endear"like setting suns, or music at His books, we are informed by Demp-ed to us, from the probability that ster, after his death, were carefully even their faint remaining traces will ere long be wholly obliterated. The song of the Gondolier-the glittering streamers of the Bucentaur- the princely merchants of the Rialto-the enchanted palaces of St Mark's-will soon be remembered only in the creations of fiction, and will be considered as completely the characteristics of a departed time and a vanished system-as the stately magnificence of a Roman triumph, or the gorgeous masques and tournaments of chivalry. Michael Scott's was the first Latin version of any work of Aristotle, which, since the few fragments published by Boethius, had appeared in the west of Europe. The celebrated and unfortunate Boethius, the author of that elegant little work, De Consolatione Philosophiæ, worthy almost of the Augustan age, translated into Latin, in the fifth century, that part of the works of Aristotle which embraces the subject of the Categories, and had formed the design of completing a Latin version of the whole works of this philosopher. But his untimely condemnation and death put an end to this noble plan. Dempster, Historia Ecclesiastica, B. xii. No. 940. It was formerly stated that there was no authority in Dempster, Boece, or Lesley, for calling Michael Scott the proprietor of Balwerie, and these are the only authors quoted by Mackenzie when he affirms that THE name of Venice-that name to which the associated recollections of History, Poetry, and Romance, have attached so peculiar and powerful a charm-has lost none of its claims upon the feelings and imagination from the state of decay into which the - he was born at his paternal residence of Balwerie in Fife. I have since found, however, that, at Louvain, in 1487, was published," Michaelis Scoti de Balwerie de Procuratione et Hominis Phisionomia." This is the only authority I have seen for calling him Scott of Balwerie. He is plain Michael Scotus in Rymer. Under these impressions, every memorial of a city, whose "thirteen hundred years of freedom done,” have left scarcely a vestige of their romantic glory, possesses additional value and importance. The work of which we are about to introduce a specimen is intended to retrace those splendid national Festivals, established by the policy of the Venetian Republic, in commemoration of its triumphs, and in honour of its heroes. As a record of customs and institutions, equally distinguished by their peculiarity, and remarkable in their result, and as a tribute of patriotic affection to the memory of a fallen country, it cannot fail to interest our readers. It is the production of a Venetian lady, who has shared the decay, as her noble ancestors formerly contributed to the glory, of her native city. She is thus mentioned by Mr Rose in his " Letters from the North of Italy." “Yet a little, and Venice will be a Baby Babylon, with the substitution of the gall for the bittern, and the porpoise for the fox. Should you be desirous of raking for riches amidst her rubbish, read the Teste Veneziane, lately published, by La Dama Renier Michiel. This lady has, in her description of the Venetian Festivals, put together much that is curious and interesting, and, having formed a chaplet out of relics long trampled in the dust, hung it up on the altars of her country, in a spirit that would not have mis-seemed the most illustrious of her ancestry." The following words, concluding the author's interesting preface, will give an idea of the deep, though suppressed, feelings with which this work was undertaken. "I have endeavoured, with the most scrupulous attention, to render my style calm and simple, in order that the truth may appear in its natural colours; but if, notwithstanding my efforts, the ebullitions of a patriotic heart have sometimes escaped restraint, I entreat the reader to look upon them as flowers bathed with tears, shed by the most devoted daughter over the grave of the beloved mother whom she has seen expire." We give the following extracts from this lady's description of the celebrated Venetian festival called the Fête of Marriages. It appears that it was formerly the custom to solemnize all the nuptials of the Republic on the same day, and in the same church. "This day was the 2d February, and VOL. VII. the church, that of St Peter de Castello, then called Olivolo. Thither each bride repaired, carrying her moderate dowry in a little casket called Arcella, for in those happy times of innocence and simplicity, husbands and wives were not obtained by riches. The brides waited in the church for their future husbands, who came accompanied by their relations, their friends, and a crowd of spectators. They all as sisted at mass, which was celebrated by the bishop, who afterwards preached a ser mon on the sanctity of the engagement which the affianced pairs were about to contract. He then consecrated their vows, by bestowing the Episcopal benediction on each couple in turn. When these ceremonies were completed, the bridegrooms took their partners by the hand, and after having received the Aroclla, returned to their own houses, accompanied by the joy ous train who had followed them to the church. The rest of the day was passed in feasting and dancing, but these amusements were still characterized by frugality and simplicity. When the constitution of the Republic was settled, and a Doge established as its chief Magistrate, the city ha ving increased in riches and population, it was resolved to bestow additional brilliance and magnificence upon this ceremony. A decree was passed, that twelve young wobeauty, selected from the poorest families, men of irreprochable conduct, and eminent should be portioned by the Republic, and should repair to the altar, accompanied by the Doge, arrayed in his royal mantle, and followed by his illustrious train. It was then that the ornaments of the brides be came more splendid and costly, though they still retained the modest simplicity of their robes, which were all white, as well as the veil thrown negligently from the head over the shoulders. The hair and neck were, however, decorated with gold, pearls, and diamonds. Those who had not the means of appearing so richly decked out, did not disdain to borrow for the day, the jewels, and even the golden crown, placed upon the head to distinguish the brides. Those who were portioned by the state were decked, by the care of the government, in the same manner; but as soon as the fete was over, they were cbliged to restore all their ornaments, not having liberty to retain any thing more than their simple dowry. The additional pomp, however, rendered this interesting institution much more striking and beautiful. But an event, which happened about the year 944, gave a new character to this festival. The pirates of Trieste, always eager for plunder, jealous of the rising power of Venice, and enraged at the glory acquired by the Venetians from continual triumphs over them, had formed a plot unequalled in cruelty and treachery. To insure its success, they hid themselves in their barks, 0 the night before the grand fete of marriages, and placed themselves in ambush behind the Island of Olivolo. In the morning, when all the people were assembled in the church for the ceremony, these pirates crossed the canal with the rapidity of light ning; landed sword in hand; rushed in stantly into the sanctuary through every passage; dragged the young brides from the altar; and having secured them and their caskets, returned to their barks, and immediately set sail. What could be done by the peaceable inhabitants of the Venetian islands, who had at the moment no arms to defend themselves, but festoons of laurel and garlands of flowers ? "Candian III., who was then Doge, indignant at the shameful outrage which had just been perpetrated in his presence, was the first to rush out of the temple; and, followed by the bridegrooms and all the attendants, he traversed every quarter of the city, summoning all the citizens, and rousing every heart to revenge. A great number of barks were immediately assembled, filled with brave and indignant combatants, at the head of whom the Doge placed himself. Heaven and justice were favourable to the champions of so just a cause; a fair wind swelled their sails, and they overtook the ruffians near Caorle, where they were disputing together on the shore of a little port, respecting the division of the females and the plunder. The Venetians did not lose an instant, but attacked, fought, and vanquished them. Not a single enemy escaped, and the Doge, whose vengeance was not yet satiated, ordered all their bodies to be thrown into the sea, in order to deprive them of the rites of sepulture. To perpetuate the memory of this event, he called this little port the Port of the Virgins, which name it still retains. The Venetians then set sail to return home; the brides were brought back in triumph, and all restored, uncontaminated, to the arms of their mothers. Every heart was elate with joy, and the happy people all congratulated each other on an event which had so greatly added to the glory of the nation. The sacred ceremony recommenced, hymns of gratitude were mingled with songs of joy, and the youth ful brides felt additional pride and happiness, in belonging to men who had just defended them so valiantly, and acquired new and more powerful claims to their affection and esteem. The nation decreed unanimously, that this ever-memorable exploit should be commemorated every year at the same epoch; and as the company of the Casselleri, (a sort of joiners,) who principally belonged to the parish of St Maria Formosa, had furnished the greatest number of barks, and had contributed the most essentially, by their zeal and promptitude, to the success of the en terprise, the government gave them the privilege of demanding whatever recompense should be most agreeable to them. How extraordinary does their answer appear in these times! They only entreated that the Doge would pay a visit to their parish on the anniversary of the festival which had just been instituted. The Doge himself, though living in days very different from ours, was surprised at so simple a request; and in order to give them an opportunity of demanding something more important, he raised difficulties with regard to this visit, and said to them, with all the naiveté of the bon vieux tems, And what if it should rain?' We will give you And We hats to cover yourselves,' said they. suppose we should be thirsty?' will supply you with drink,' they replied. No further objection could be made, and it was impossible to refuse so moderate a demand. The agreement was maintained on both sides, and even to the latest times of the Republic, the Doge, with the nobles, repaired every year, on the day of this fete, to the church of St Maria Formosa. There the curate met him, and presented him, in the name of his parishioners, with hats of gilt straw, flagons of malmsey wine, and baskets of oranges. "With regard to the festival, it was no longer called that of marriages, but of the Marias.' It is not known whether the nuptials continued, from that time, to be celebrated in the same manner as for merly. This, however, is certain, that to the last days of the Republic, marriages in Patrician families were solemnized with so much pomp, and so great a concourse of people, that each wedding-day might be considered as the day of a national jubilee. We are ignorant why the name of the Marias was given to this fete, for no historian has assigned a reason. May we not suppose, that it was because most of the young women who were carried away bore that name, which is still very common in Venice, and was even more so in ancient times? Perhaps, also, it might be because the ceremonies of the fete concluded with a visit to St Maria Formosa, which was then the only church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. However this may be, the fete was at first distinguished only by the gratitude and devotion of the good islanders, so that its fame did not extend beyond the narrow limits within which it was celebrated; but at length it became so renowned for its magnificence, that strangers thronged from all countries to behold it. It was no longer restricted to a single day, but prolonged during eight successive ones; and animated with an enthusiasm of gaiety, which justly entitled it to the notice of many writers, who, making use of the Latin tongue, have given it the name of Ludi Mariani, in imitation of the Roman festivals, such as the Ludi Megalenses, &c. During these eight days, twelve young girls were conducted in procession through the city. They were selected in the following manner: The respective inhabitants of the six divisions of Venice met in each of the six principal parishes, and chose, by vote, the two young women of their division, most distinguished for their modesty and beauty. The choice was to be sanctioned by the Doge, and the parishes were to furnish all the ornaments necessary for the dress of the Marias. The nation paid the sums appropriate to the expence of the fetes, and each day presented a new spectacle. On the first, the Marias, in their gala robes, and accompanied by a numerous suite, were conducted in open and richly decorated barges to the Doge, who received them in state conformable to his high dignity. They then all went to the patriarchal church, to return thanks to the Most High, for the victory gained over the pirates, and the recovery of the brides. The Marias followed in the splendid train of the Prince, and returned with him to St Mark's, when he graciously took leave of them, and then turning towards the multitude, gave them his benediction, which was received by the Venetians, not as timid subjects, but as children, brothers, and friends. * The Marias then re-embarked, and traversed the grand canal. Wherever they passed, the richest tapestries were hung out, and the air resounded with the concerts of musicians assembled to welcome them. They and their suite were received into the houses of some of the most wealthy and illustrious families, and this reception was attended with so much magnificence, and such a profusion of costly presents, that the expence was sometimes productive of serious embarrassment to their hosts. In consequence of this, it became necessary to establish laws for the regula. tion of these expences, and for the same reason, the number of the Marias was reduced, by a decree of government in the year 1272, to four, and afterwards to three only. During the other seven days, all was mirth and triumph; banquets, public dances, masquerades, plays, regattas, succeeded each other without an hour's intermission. The women took this opportunity of indeinnifying themselves for the restraint generally imposed upon them by the austere manners of the times. Even the Marias themselves could not dissemble their pride and delight, when they had succeeded in drawing to themselves the attention of men from the holy relics, which were carried in procession on the last day of the festival to St Maria Formosa. At last, the original intention of the fete having been perverted, and the beautiful sim plicity of former times corrupted, the government thought it advisable to substitute wooden effigies, representing the brides, for the young women who accompanied the procession. So extraordinary a change naturally displeased the multitude, who. gave themselves up to every kind of excess, to testify their contempt for these automatons. They followed them, hissing, and hooting, with loud cries, which interrupted the ceremony, and they ended by throwing showers of turnips at them, in consequence of which, a decree of the grand council, which gives us a very distinct idea of the character and manners of the times, was issued in 1344, in favour of the unfortunate puppets. This decree forbids the people to throw turnips, radishes, or any thing of the kind, during the fete of the Marias, on pain of being find a hundred pence, which was then a very large sum. This law put an end to similar outrages, but could not do away the contempt of the people for these effigies, and they revenged themselves for the restraint imposed upon them, by substituting for the turnips a proverb, which is still in existence, and which gives the name of Maria di legno, a wooden Maria, to every pale, meagre, and insipid woman. The disastrous events of the war of Chioggia, in 1379, suspended the Ludi Mariani, and they never revived again, either because the immense sums they cost were required by the State for more important purposes, or because the corruption of the national manners continued to increase. Of all the ceremonies instituted for the solemnization of this festival, none were retained in the decline of the republic, except the Doge's annual visit to St Maria Formosa." REMARKS ON KEATS'S POEMS. MR KEATS is a poet of high and undoubted powers. He has evident peculiarities, which some of the London critics, who are averse to his style, have seized upon and produced as fair specimens of his writings; and this has operated, of course, to his disadvantage with the public, who have scarcely had an opportunity of judging what his powers really are. Some of his friends, indeed, have put in a word or two of praise, but it has been nearly unqualified; and this, when viewed at the same time with the cri "Endymion, a Poetic Romance." By John Keats. 8vo. pp. 207. "Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St Agnes, and other Poems," foolscap 8vo. pp. 199. Taylor and Hesscy. ticism produced in an opposite spirit, has tended very much to confirm the objections made to his poetry. Mr Keats has produced three volumes of verse: the first is very inferior in power to the two others, but containing very delightful passages, and some sonnets of great beauty. The second volume consists of the old mythological story of Endymion, and over which is scattered a multitude of thoughts and images, conceived and produced in the highest spirit of poetry. Perhaps the "Endymion," though it contains more positive faults than the last book, ("Lamia,") is more completely in Mr Keats's own style; and we think that it contains, at least, as many beauties. It is more careless, perhaps, but there is a greater freshness about it than about the last book, which (in "Hyperion" at least) reminds us occasionally of other writers, but which we must not be understood to speak of otherwise than in terms of the sincerest admiration. The poem of Endymion contains about 4000 lines, and the story of the hero is not, perhaps, very interesting in itself; indeed, it is scarcely possible to endure, with a lively interest, a tale so slight and shadowy as that of the Loves of Diana and the Shepherd of Latmos. While this is stated, however, great praise must be ceded to the author, who, by force of poetry alone, can claim and compel the attention of the reader, for any length of time, to so bare (although graceful) a subject. Mr Keats commences his poem with an evident delight. Shapes and stories of beauty, he tells us, are joys for ever. They Haunt us till they become a cheering light Unto our souls. Therefore, he says, and how beautifully does he say it- Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I We do not profess to give a summary of the contents of this volume. Our intention is merely to give a few extracts, and to let our readers judge for themselves. It will save a wonderful deal of insisting on our parts; and after all, poetry is a matter of feeling rather than of argument. Of Endymion it is said,A smile was on his countenance; he seemed, To common lookers on, like one who dreamed Of idleness, in groves Elysian; p. 11. and yet he had a "lurking trouble" in his nether lip, which, to a keener observer, would have betrayed his incipient passion. The procession stops at last, and ranges itself in a circle, in the midst of which a venerable priest rises, and invites the "Men of Latmos" to address their vows to the great god Pan. They obey; and the following hymn is sung. It is worthy of any of the gods. |