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Travel writings by Drewelowe, 1920s

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buildings crowding closely on both sides, he shouts "ahoy" at every possible intersection, and his call re-echoes from the planes of buildings. 
Venice is really very fascinating. At night time snatches of song are wafted upon the air - happy young souls warble and serenade in an abandoned carefree joyful way. You Caruso's in the [bed?] perhaps - at least so it sounds very frequently at all hours of each night. 
We witnessed both a Venetian wedding and a funeral yesterday and both were tremendously interesting [illegible] notes. Everything, you know, is done by boat. The funeral barge draped in black, all and gold, and colorful with flowers, the prow of which carried a skull and crossbones exhibition - was towed by the steamer-train to the church and afterwards to the cemetary, as small island some distance away. Banked in flowers, it floated away on the sea behind the steamer which carried the mourners, friends of the deceased and the excess flowers.
The Venetian women wear heavy black woolen shawls with thick heavy fringes. The air in V. is damp and penetrating and the shawls probably afford the most protection agains this kind of a cold. The shawls may be drab in color and appearance but so much better than the conventional European dress which lacks every element of picturesqness and shows no individuality at all. The nurse-maids quite resemble the peasantry that you read about in novels - their full pleated plaid skirts, white aprons, white stockings and a white wrapped headdress bristle with importance.

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buildings crowding closely on both sides, he shouts "ahoy" at every possible intersection, and his call re-echoes from the planes of buildings. Venice is really very fascinating. At night time snatches of song are wafted upon the air - happy young souls warble and serenade in an abandoned carefree joyful way. You Caruso's in the [bed?] perhaps - at least so it sounds very frequently at all hours of each night. We witnessed both a Venetian wedding and a funeral yesterday and both were tremendously interesting [illegible] notes. Everything, you know, is done by boat. The funeral barge draped in black, all and gold, and colorful with flowers, the prow of which carried a skull and crossbones exhibition - was towed by the steamer-train to the church and afterwards to the cemetary, as small island some distance away. Banked in flowers, it floated away on the sea behind the steamer which carried the mourners, friends of the deceased and the excess flowers. The Venetian women wear heavy black woolen shawls with thick heavy fringes. The air in V. is damp and penetrating and the shawls probably afford the most protection agains this kind of a cold. The shawls may be drab in color and appearance but so much better than the conventional European dress which lacks every element of picturesqness and shows no individuality at all. The nurse-maids quite resemble the peasantry that you read about in novels - their full pleated plaid skirts, white aprons, white stockings and a white wrapped headdress bristle with importance.