CHAPTER III.

The Legend of the Coral Net—Origin of Venetian Point-Lace—The Fragilie or Guilds—Dogaressa Maria Baseggio’s son torn to pieces—A terrible Earthquake—A Year of Jubilee—The Marca Amorosa—War of the Gallants—Marriage—The Pledge of Peace—Dogal Prerogatives curtailed—Vision of Rose-trees and Doves—The “Flagellants”—Marriage Customs—Madonna Catarussa and the Seller of Brooms—Picnics—A Table of Etiquette—La Donna della Misericordia—The Dogaressas-Patroness of the Crafts—A Sumptuous Coronation—The Ca’ Di Dio—Prosperous Times—The Dogaressa’s Wardrobe—An Autocratic Doge—State Robes—The Bridge of Fisticuffs—The Castellani and Nicolotti—The Gaiety of Life—The Sweet Legend of “La Beata”—Strange Devotions—Revolutionary Movements and Conspiracies—Giustina Rossi and her stone pan of Carnations 84–125