A LANDING NEAR THE DUCAL PALACE.
Beyond these, one observes a marble staircase leading to the second story. It is imposing when one stands before it. Above it frowns the winged lion of St. Mark, as if to challenge all who dare set foot upon these steps. Stationed like sentinels to the right and left are two colossal statues representing Mars and Neptune, which have indeed given the name, "The Giants' Staircase," to this thoroughfare of marble. Their stony silence is almost oppressive. Think of the splendid pageants and historic scenes which they have looked upon, but which their unimpassioned lips will ne'er describe! Between these figures, on the topmost stair, amid a scene of splendor which even the greatest of Venetian artists could only faintly represent, the Doges were inaugurated into sovereignty. Here they pronounced their solemn oath of office; and one of them, Marino Faliero, having betrayed his trust, was here beheaded for his crime. It will be remembered that Byron's tragedy of Marino Faliero closes with the line:
"The gory head rolls down the Giants' Steps."
APARTMENTS IN THE DOGE'S PALACE.
When one has passed these marble giants and entered the state apartments of the palace, despite the intimation given by the outer walls, one is astonished at the splendor here revealed. As the bright sunlight falls on the mosaic pavement, it is easy to imagine that one is walking on a beach whose glittering sands are grains of gold. The roof and walls are covered with enormous masterpieces set in golden frames. All of them have one theme—the glorification of Venice. One of them, finished by Tintoretto when he was more than three score years and ten, is seventy feet in length, and is the largest painting known to art. One trembles to think what fire could accomplish here in a single night, not only in this Ducal Palace, but in the equally marvelous buildings which adjoin it; for they could never be reproduced. They are unique in the world.