In a Gondola [pp. 373-374]

1884.] a Gondola. 373
early diminution of power, just as the hot- burning while it was extinguished, or nearly
test fire most quickly burns itself out The so, among other peoples, and in handing it
religion preached by Mohammed certainly on to the western world when the latter was
raised his people out of the idolatry and ig- prepared to receive and preserve it with care.*
norance in which they had been sunk for Walter B. Sca:fi.
ages, and gave them a higher ideal, both for ~ AUTHORITiES.
this life and the next, than they had ever Draper, Intellectual Development of Europe, Hisbefore possessed. There is an opinion gain- tory of the Conflict between Science and Religion;
ing ground that all the great religions of the Botta, Handbook of Universal Literature; Conde,
world have been in part a revelation of di- History of the Arabs in Spain, 3 v.; Von Coppee, The
truth, and have had a work to do on Conquest of Spain, 2 v.; W Irving, Life of Mahomet,
vine 2v., Gibbon, Decline and Fail of the Roman Empire,
earth. Mohammedanism certainly con- v. 5; Sismondi, Literature of Southern Europe; Routtained many grains of truth, and has played ledge, Popular History of Science; Schiegel, History of
an important in the world's history, in Literature; Dean, History of Civilization; Ferguson,
part History of Architecture; David Urquhart, Pillars of
having kept the torch of learning brightly Hercules.
IN A GONDOLA.
O'er Venice goldenly the i~noon
Arose unto our view Slowly first, but swifter soon And o'er the city threw
A wondrous spell, as up the blue
She led her starry retinue.
(0, toz~r's,noon/ 0, yellozt fl2OOfl /
So state~y and so slow
Y)u rose o'er Venice's storied walls
A century ago.)
This, sure, is not the city old
That we beheld to-day!
The palaces are touched with gold,
Soft gleams the watery way.
By many a wave-washed marble quay,
~Ve glide down to the shining sea.
(0,;nany a lover /ias loved your face,
And dreamed in your hallowed glow But yours was still the same love chase
A century ago.)
0, city of a thousand rhymes,
Night climbs her golden stair, -
Again as in those olden times,
Art thou, 0 Venice, fair.