PENELOPE IN VENICE



This noble citie doth in a manner chalenge this at my hands, that I
should describe her also as well as the other cities I saw in my
journey, partly because she gave me most louing and kinde
entertainment for the sweetest time (I must needes confesse) that
euer I spent in my life; and partly for that she ministered vnto me
more variety of remarkable and delicious objects than mine eyes
euer suruayed in any citie before, or euer shall . . . the fairest
Lady, yet the richest Paragon and Queene of Christendome.

Coryat's Crudities: 1611


VENICE, May 12--HOTEL PAOLO ANAFESTO


I have always wished that I might have discovered Venice for
myself. In the midst of our mad acquisition and frenzied
dissemination of knowledge, these latter days, we miss how many
fresh and exquisite sensations! Had I a daughter, I should like to
inform her mind on every other possible point and keep her in
absolute ignorance of Venice. Well do I realize that it would be
impracticable, although no more so, after all, than Rousseau's plan
of educating Emile, which certainly obtained a wide hearing and
considerable support in its time. No, tempting as it would be, it