Chapter 22 Summary

The first impression of Venice, late at night on their arrival, was a grim one. Venice used to be a magnificent city of influence and now it looks like a neglected poverty pit. Even their first gondola ride is a letdown, mostly because the driver couldn't sing. Soon, however, that impression was replaced when their gondola arrives in the Grand Canal, where all the Venice action is taking place. There is music and people and romance. This is the Venice Twain had heard about!

The first tourist attraction in Venice is the Ducal Palace, where Twain explains the secretive selection process of the Council of Three. They started as five hundred patricians who chose three hundred Senators, who chose a Doge (usually the eldest member) and a Council of Ten. The Council of Ten secretly chose the Council of Three. No one knew...