Rafael in Italy / A Geographical Reader

geons in the Piazza

d the bronze horses over the ce

enice. Hundreds of green crabs could be seen clinging lazily to the stone walls of

oundly sleeping. The gondoliers call these beggars "crab-catchers," because they cling a

They never wait for the sound of the bell which the good priest rings every day when it is time for them to be fed, but fly down to the pavement w

ing with their heads under their wings, up among the eaves of the fine pal

ons, had disappeared, too, and all Veni

e corner of the Doge's palace and entered the Piazzetta, meaning to cross to the fa

s square. We have been here four days, and have bought a lovely carved cherub, or a souvenir spoon

. "This Piazza is always perfectly safe. If we keep within sight of th

t be many other interesting places to see besides the Doge's palace

e of the city by looking from the

the Grand Canal without wishing to ride in one," replied Edith.

on. "We cannot be too careful what we do," she said. "Those gondoliers might leave us on one of the

e might take a guide along with us. There must be many who speak English, and who

find some one to speak En

where the Merceria, with its shops, leads to the Rialto bridge. Edith and her mother looked up

American people, although the voice

ow present his troupe of tr

e boy of the boat and the serenade-knelt in the center

German tops that spin with a great humming sound, but are not at all graceful. There were the solid, business-like English tops that do t

ss-like, and wonderfully accomplished. It hung balanced between two outer circles of steel, and spun in ev

n. "It has travelled among all the great cities of

in the laughter, although she did

pportunity which she had hoped for. She had noticed his

in English. "Perhaps he will tell u

ish, Signora," he said. "There are truly many th