Venice Under the Yoke of France and of Austria; with Memoirs of the Courts, Governments, and People of Italy: Presenting a Faithful Picture of Her Pres

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 edition. Excerpt: ... MEMOIRS, CHAPTER I. VENICE. Introduction General State of Italy under the Austrian Stoay Unprincipled Transfer of Venice and Genoa Conduct of the English Government Destruction of the European Balance of Power Wise Policy of the Venetian Republic Propriety of restoring Venice and Genoa to their former Independence Necessity of a new Commercial Code Prohibitions at Venice against British Manufactures Their great Superiority Austrian Influence throughout Italy. Of Italy I am about to write, and of the present condition of her government and people. And, when Italy is the theme, what lover of science and of genuine freedom will not accord me his patient attention? In this fairest portion of Europe--this cradle of the arts--this birth-place of historians, poets, painters, sculptors, orators, and musicians--fifteen millions of VOL. I. B fellow Christians, in an age calling itself liberal and enlightened, weighed down by burthens the most galling, oppressed by a series of measures as unaccountable as they are inimical to liberty and to happiness--are seen groaning under a load of wretchedness, as unparalleled in its extent, as it has been uncalled-for and unprovoked by the conduct of the unhappy sufferers! Deeds of cruelty the most wanton and unheard-of have been exercised towards them; while submission the most pliant, on the part of the forlorn victims, has but served to render still more obdurate the hearts of the civilized savages, who have taken upon themselves the task of governing this most beautiful, but illfated portion of the globe. Unhappy Venice! thy melancholy fate might surely have drawn down upon thee the charity of the whole world! In any age but an age of selfishness and cold calculation, to have beheld thee alone, would have...