THE GRAND CANAL.

II: BROWNING AND WAGNER The Palazzo Rezzonico--Mr.and Mrs.Browning--Browning's Venetian routine--In praise of Goldoni--Browning's death--A funeral service--Love of Italy--The Giustiniani family--A last resource--Wagner in Venice--_Tristan und Isolde_--Plays and Music--The Austrians in power--The gondoliers' chorus--The Foscari Palace.
The Rezzonico palace and one of the Giustiniani palaces which are its neighbours have such interesting artistic associations that they demand a chapter to themselves.
Browning is more intimately associated with Florence and Asolo than with Venice; but he enjoyed his later Venetian days to the full.

His first visit here in 1851, with his wife, was however marred by illness.

Mrs.
Browning loved the city, as her letters tell.

"I have been," she wrote, "between heaven and earth since our arrival at Venice.