TiiK ca:mpaxile. 8 I 



housL'S (luwn lo the poor ragged gondoliers have given, gold or 

 copper as the case may be, but always something, towards the 

 recnidesence of that lovely fabric. I read, and long to believe, 

 that half the sum of money that is needed is within reach. 



And when I remember the reverent care with which Italians 

 go about such matters I fully know that in the necessary clear- 

 ing of the ground nothing but what is actual rubbish is boated 

 away and disposed of; that everything which bears semblance 

 of a record is piously put in a place of safety. Such is the 

 statement and it may be believed. 



And as a natural matter of course, the most interesting 

 facts come to light. The bricks bear marks to show that they 

 were burned, and have probably been used, once or more, at 

 places hundreds of miles away. For the \^enetians were plun- 

 derers from the very babyhood of their nationality. When 

 they wanted anything th2y took it, if they cjuld. If they 

 failed they waited for another chance. To build their city they 

 pulled down the houses of any one who could not prevent 

 them and shipped off the materials to where they would do the 

 most good. The stamps upon these bricks, are perfectly legible 

 to the antiquarian. But one stamp that was found is current 

 throughout humanity — the print of a goat's hoof. It may 

 perfectly well have been looo years ago that "that" frisky 

 and high flavored creature came rambling in at the gate of a 

 brickyard in Lombardy in search of the esculent tomato can of 

 the period ; and before the yells and bits of coal of those in 

 charge could evict him had marred or scarred a hundred yet 

 soft parallelopipedons — one at least of which was to play a 

 part in the history of the world. 



The masonry of the tower came down, as is natural, in 

 large, unbroken masses, man>' of which were not dashed to 

 pieces even when they struck the pavement. We are told that 

 there were many who tried to purchase these blocks as orna- 

 ments for their grounds. But not a block could money buy. 

 They are all to be set up in the public squares, it may be of 

 \'enice, lutt certainlv of Italv — and the record bricks will y"o 



