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1 May 1887 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Sunday. 1st May [1887]. We breakfasted at 9 & soon after Malcolm sent to fetch Ola & Nela & took them to the P&O steam from wh to see the unveiling of the statue of V. Emmanuel. The Colnaghis, Henry & I went to the Tribune on the Riva close to the Pavilion erected for the K & Queen. We had about ¾ to wait & it was very hot. At 11 guns went off giving notice that the royal party had started accompanied by the state gondolas & bissoni & they landed at the steps in front of the statue & walked up to the Pavillion accompanied by the authorities. The King gave the Sindic (Serego) the order & he gave the sign & the veil was withdrawn. There upon a speech was read by Signor Fornoni, one of the committee for the monument & one by the Syndic. The Sovereigns always standing. When Serego had finished his speech, the King shook hands with him & he kissed the Queens hands long & fervently so much so that some of the spectators in the houses near gave a loud laugh, which was speedily hushed down. The ceremony was then over & the King & Queen bowing & cheered descended from their platform & walked round the monument & embarked & returned home. We soon got our gondola & went in search of the girls on board to P&O. There was rather a crush of boats & as our old gondolier Luigi was not allowed to approach the vessel he shouted out “[illegible word] di Signor Malcolm” & succeeded in putting Henry on board & he brought the girls to the gondola & we went home to luncheon. In the evening we all six went out in the gondola to see the illuminations in the bacino di San Marco. That is the whole of the Riva degli Schiavoni, the Island of San Giorgio part of the Giudecca & the Custom house were illuminated with innumerable little lights– The buildings were lighted architecturally & various designs were placed in every direction. The P&O was particularly well done—& sent up a few fire works. The other ships Italian & others all illuminated. There were numberless boats, gondolas, burchios, steamers & bands of music. The night was fine but there was a little wind which made the lighting up a slow process & when we went home at 11.30 the 2 columns of St Theodor & S Mark in the Piazzetta were not finished lighting but the scene was very wonderful & a thing that can be seen no where else. | |
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