CHAPTER III

ST. JAMES OF THE DEEP STREAM

30. TWICE one is two, and twice two is four; but twice one is not three, and twice two is not six, whatever Shylock may wish, or say, in the matter.¹ In wholesale memory of which arithmetical, and (probably) eternal, fact, and in loyal defiance of Shylock and his knife, I write down for you these figures, large and plain:-

1. 2. 4.

Also in this swiftly progressive ratio, the figures may express what modern philosophy considers the rate of progress of Venice, from her days of religion, and golden ducats, to her days of infidelity, and paper notes.

Read them backwards, then, sublime modern philosopher; and they will give you the date of the birth of that foolish Venice of old time, on her narrow island.

4. 2. 1.

In that year, and on the very day-(little foolish Venice used to say, when she was a very child),-in which, once upon a time, the world was made; and, once upon another time-the Ave Maria first said,-the first stone of Venice was laid on the sea sand, in the name of St. James the fisher.

I think you had better go and see with your own eyes,-tread with your own foot,-the spot of her nativity: so much of a spring day as the task will take, cannot often be more profitably spent, nor more affectionately towards God and man, if indeed you love either of them.

31. So, from the Grand Hotel,-or the Swiss Pension-

¹ [See Merchant of Venice, Act i. sc. 3; and for Ruskin on usury, Vol. XVII. p. xcviii.]

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[Version 0.04: March 2008]