On Ascension-day, about ten o'clock in the morning, the signal being given by a discharge of great guns and ringing of bells, the doge, or, if he happens to be indisposed, the vice-doge (who is always one of the six consiglieri) goes on board the bucentoro or bucentaur, and, accompanied by several thousand barques and gondola's, a great number of gallies finely ornamented on that occasion, and the splendid yachts of foreign ambassadors, is rowed out to sea about two hundred paces, between the islands of St. Erasmo and il Lido di Malamocco […] These islands lie about two Italian miles from the city; and an eminence on the island of Lido affords a distinct view of this pompous procession, and of the vast number of boats, &c. which cover the surface of the water, and make a beautiful appearance. In the mean time several hymns are performed on board the bucentoro, by the band of music belonging to St. Mark's church, and several prayers appointed for the occasion are read or sung, till the doge has passed the two forts of Lido and St. Erasmo.