A GARDEN IN VENICE 



of artesian wells have been sunk on terra-Jirma at 

 the base of the Euganean hills. The water 

 passes direct from the wells into tubes, which, 

 laid under ground and the Lagoon, carry the 

 supply to a reservoir at S. Andrea, and from 

 thence to the public wells and private houses of 

 all Venice. The water is of the best and the 

 supply sufficient. 



It is a great gain to the comfort, cleanliness, 

 and the health of the town ; paid for by private 

 consumers at six francs the ton, and alas, by all, 

 with the loss of the Bigolante. These women 

 were so called from the Bigol or yoke on their 

 shoulders on which the bright copper secchi 

 were hung, and came from near Udine or 

 Belluno. They wore the mountain dress : a low 

 soft black felt hat with silk cord and tassel ; a full 

 white chemise, with a sleeveless bodice and 

 skirt of dark blue or green. It was their work 

 to fill their secchi at the Pozzi Publici, and 

 incidentally to add to the picturesqueness of the 

 streets as they carried the water to many houses 

 that had no wells of their own but could afford 



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