A fine day as ever was seen at Christmas - and all the world of Venice out on the Square San Marco - the Riva & the Guardino. The sky being bright & clean ascended Campanile of San Marco, and with the assistance of spy glass had an interesting view of the lagune surrounding Venice.

The main land on one side skirted by the distant snow covered alps - on the other, the littoral or narrow slip of land enclosing the lagune with the blue Adriatic beyond. The champagne country to the west and south covered with innumerable little towns & villages - the dome & towers of Padoue at a distance of 15 miles, and toward the north an indistinct glimpse of Trevi of sa, with the town of Chioggia to the south 20 miles distant.

The Campanile is of easy ascent - was built by the Doge Morosini. The second of that name rises to the height of 350 feet, serving as a landmark to the mariner as he approaches the low shores of the Venetian territory, and is celebrated as having being used by the great Galeleo to take his astronomical observations.

Dined at the table d'hote del Europa, invited Mr. Fornier my Italian tutor. Being Xmas day fared sumptuously - champagne and all manner of delicacies, a dish I never met with before the Italians call mostarda - fruit preserved with sugar & mustard. Rather warm for my pallet. Spent the evening pleasantly at Florian's - ladies in full toilette partaking of ices were among the company. A gay promenade to a late hour under the illuminated arcades of the Piazza, every body talking of the opening of the Grande Teatro noble - tomorrow night the opening of the season -