THe exterior ſhew of the prince in the Cittie of Venice deliuereth to the eyes of the beholders the perſon of a king, and the very reſemblance of a monarchie: Therefore it ſhal not in my opinion do amiſſe if hauing deſcribed that aſſembly of citizens, which repreſenteth the forme of a popular eſtate (though for the dignity of the matter vnſufficiently, yet conſidering the ſlenderneſſe of our forces not altogether vndiligently) if we now take vpon vs to expreſſe the firſt reaſon that moued our wiſe & vertuous aunceſtors to place one man onely at the helme of their commonwealth, and alſo when and what was the beginning of this royall and princely inſtitution. No man (I ſuppoſe) is ignorant of that which is ſo often of vs in this worke repeated, which is, that a Cittie is a certaine ciuill ſocietie, ſufficing within it ſelfe of ſuch thinges as are neceſſarie to the leading of a happie and quiet life: and there is no queſtion to be made, but that euery ciuill ſocietie is contained and linked together in a certaine vnitie, and by diſtraction and breach of that vnity is againe as eaſily diſſolued. For nothing hath ſooner ouerthrowne the mightie and opulent eſtate of many great & glorious citties that hereto fore haue periſhed, then homebred diſcord and ciuill diſſention. Now a vnitie cannot well be contayned, vnleſſe one being placed in authoritie aboue, not onely the vulgar multitude, but alſo all the reſt of the citizens and officers, haue authoritie to combine them together, being ſcattered & diſioynted, and to bind them (as it were) all into one entire body: which the great philoſophers that were the ſearchers out, and (as it were) diuers into the ſecretes of Nature, did notably marke and obſerue, as well in the conſtitution of the whole worlde, as alſo of this Microcoſme or little worlde, which is Man. For they well founde out, that in this vniuerſitie of thinges the many and diſagreeing motions of each particular thing, according to the nature thereof, were all vpheld and maintayned vnder one heauenly and eternall mouer, and ſo likewiſe all cauſes vnder one, the firſt cauſe of all things: and as in a liuing creature there are many and diuers members, whoſe functions are ſundrie and different: yet neuertheleſſe are all compriſed vnder one onely life & member, which is the hart, and are by the ſame (as it were) gathered & held in a vnity: ſo likewiſe if the multitude be not ſo ordered & digeſted, that it may acknowledge one head and ſuperior, in whoſe heart ſhal reſt principallie engraued, an eſpeciall care to conſerue the common good, & the perfection of ciuill agreement (whereunto the actions as well of euery priuate citizen, as publike magiſtrate, as to the laſt chiefe & principal end ought to be directed) ſurely the ſame cannot long time continue, but drawing diuers waies muſt needs fal to decay & ruine: for if the charge of the common good be not principally to ſome one committed, of neceſſity the too intentiue care that euery one will haue of the particular office wherein hee is imployed, muſt needs turne to the common hinderance: as for example: The officers for prouiſion of corne wil cauſe out of all parts great quantities to be brought to the citie, procuring onely the cheapenes and plenty thereof, which perchance woulde not proue ſo profitable to the publike tolles. The officers likewiſe of the nauie and ſea matters (which are among vs of great eſtimation & credit) would induſtriate themſelues peraduenture too much thereabout, in building great numbers of gallies, in gloriouſly adorning thē with all ſorts of coſt & warlike inſtruments, ſpending therin whatſoeuer of the cō mon treaſure they could get into their fingers, through which ouer coſtly diligence, the reſt of the publike receipts wold hardly ſuffice to repair caſtels, & wals of towers, to pay garriſons, & to defray other publike charges. By which meanes the commonwealth not cohering wel together, might eaſily ſuſtain detriment, not by the faultines, but by the too much carefulnes of the citizens, whileſt euery one endeuoureth to ſet forth & diſcharge his office in the notableſt maner he may: whereby it ſeemeth exceeding neceſſary, that the care of the publike weale ſhould be committed to ſome one, who being free from any priuate office, might onely moderat & direct the endeuors of the reſt to the cōmon good & vtility of all, which authority to be cōmitted equally to many, were very inconuenient: for as Ariſtotle ſayth, that which many haue charge alike of, all do in a maner alike neglect: neither if ther be any thing amiſſe, can the blame therof be imputed more to one then to another: withall there neuer want moſt dangerous emulations among thoſe that are alike equall in authoritie. Now if one in this caſe ſhould bee preferred and aduanced aboue the reſt, in dignitie and rule with a limitation of time, and not for tear me of his life, he then would imagine that he had ſufficiently diſcharged his duety, if it went well with the commonwealth during his time of gouernment, careleſſe altogether what ſhould become thereof afterward: ſo that commonly many dangerous afterclappes enſue ſuch reckonings, which by certaine and manifeſt experience may eaſily bee proued by the example of many commonwealthes, that in theſe times of ours haue beene ruinated through ſuch manner of gouernment.

This Monarchall gouernment was therefore eſtabliſhed in this commonwealth of ours with ſingular wiſedome and iudgement, and withall the ſame ſo curbed & reſtrained with lawes, that all dangerous inconueniences, whereby the commonwealth might ſuſtain harme, are thereby remoued, and thoſe commodities joyntly embraſed that proceed from a kingly and royal gouernment: ſo that there ſeemeth nothing to remaine which we could wiſh for, hauing a commonwealth vnenthralled, enioying a true libertie and freedome, and yet neuertheleſſe as it were a king for our gouernor. A prince therefore is choſen, who is entituled with the dignitie of a Duke, retayning the gouernment of the commonwealth while the time of his life endureth, and chiefly and aboue all other thinges, hauing care of the common good and generall vtilitie, by which as I proued before (and that as I thinke with ſufficient reaſons) cities are preſerued and maintained.

This Duke of ours hath not any certaine priuate office alotted him, yet neuertheles ther is not in the whole The dignity & authority of the Duke.commonwealth any thing done, but he muſt be made acquainted therewith, and haue knowledge of the ſame. He is to containe and keep vnder in their duetie, as well euery priuate man as euery particular magiſtrate, and with ſuch moderation to direct them, that euery thing may with an excellent harmony ſeeme to tune to the common good & ciuil vnion: leſt any otherwiſe through too much diligence, or too much negligence in his office, might chaunce to hinder the common profite. This therefore is the office of the prince, that being (as it were) placed in a glaſſe, hee might behold what euery one doth, eſpecially thoſe that are in authority, of whom if he find any faulty in his office, if the matter bee light, hee calleth him before the whole colledge, and there ſharpely rebuketh him with words: if his offence be of greater qualitie, he cauſeth the ſame to be enquired of and examined before the aduocators and the preſidents of the tenne, and to be puniſhed according to the ſentence of the councell. The Duke himſelfe alſo if he will, may vſe the authority eyther of an Aduocator or Preſident, and make report to the councell of any offence, and of any amercement or puniſhment that is thereupon to be inflicted: (wherein what manner and cuſtome is wont to be obſerued, ſhall bee hereafter expreſſed, when wee ſhall come to ſpeake of criminall iudgements.) For ſo great is the princes authoritie, that he may in whatſoeuer court adioine himſelfe to the Magiſtrate therein, being preſident as his colleague or companion, and haue equall power with the other Preſidents, that he might ſo by this meanes be able to looke into all things.

Yet neuertheles ſo is this authoritie of his by lawes retracted, that alone hee may not doe any thing, neither being ioyned to the other magiſtrates hath he any farther power then euery other preſident in his office. The authoritie of the magiſtrates being ſo ſmall, that no one of them how great ſoeuer he bee can determine of any thing of waight or moment without the opinion of the Councell. But of this in his place we will ſpeake more plainely.

Beſides this the prince hath in euery councell equall authoritie with any of them for one ſuffrage or lotte. Likewiſe in the great counſell, and aſſembly of all the citizens, while the ſeſſions are held concerning magiſtrates, hee hath no power to yeelde more fauour to a competitor of his kindred or parentage, then to any other: obſeruing the ſame equall priuledge which the other citizens doe: whereby I thinke any man may eaſily vnderſtand, that the Duke of Venice is depriued of all meanes, whereby he might abuſe his authoritie, or become a tyrant▪ which ancient & long continued cuſtome from the firſt beginnings of the citie, euē to theſe times, hath now taken ſuch foundation and roote, that there is nothing whereof the citie of Venice need ſtand leſſe in feare, thē that their prince ſhould at any time be able to inuade their liberty, or trouble their common quiet. But now leaſt euery one ſhould refuſe this dignitie; requiring ſo great paines & continuall ſolicitude of mind, vnleſſe there ſhould thereunto bee adioyned ſome ſweetnes or reward: this limitation of authoritie is on the other ſide recompenſed with an exterior princely honor, dignitie, & royall appearing ſhew: for the ornamentes of his bodie are kingly, vſing alwaies purple garments or cloth of gold. On his head he weareth in ſtead of a diadem, a vaile of linnē, vpon the ſame a hood or miter of purple, garniſhed about with a fringe of golde, the part whereof that couereth the middle or hinder parte of the head riſeth vp in forme of a horne. His ſeat is ſomewhat higher then the reſt, and in eſtate kingly. All the citizens, as well thoſe that beare rule and office, as thoſe that are priuate men ſpeake vnto him bareheaded and ſtanding, which in theſe times is a ſigne of exceeding honor. The prince neuer riſeth vp to any perſon. All the letters of the commonwealth are ſealed, and go forth vnder his name. What prince, embaſſador, Magiſtrate, Captaine, or whoſoeuer els that writeth to the ſenate, directeth his letters to the prince. The proclamations of lawes, orders, & decrees, all are done vnder his name. All their money, as well gold as ſiluer is coyned and ſtamped with his name & picture. Finally to ſhorten my ſpeech, in euery thing you may ſee the ſhewe of a king, but his authority in nothing, which without doubt whoſoeuer is wiſe cannot but confeſſe to haue beene ordained by the Venetian commonwealth with exceeding prudence and wiſedome: becauſe otherwiſe without this rewarde of honour, the office of the prince would haue been reputed as burthenous & vnpleaſing, but that the reward, which is honor following, ſweetneth the ſame, according to the opiniō of great philoſophers: ſo that Ariſtotle ſaith in his Ethikes ſeeing thoſe that do rightly & holily performe their office in gouernment, haue more reſpect to the profite of other men, then their owne: there cannot by any other meanes be returned vnto them a due and equiualent recompence, but onely by making them to exceed all the reſt in honor and dignity. Moreouer the dignity of this prince cauſeth all the other citizens exceedingly to feare his reprehenſion, and performe the offices in which they are placed, with the greater fidelity & care. There are to the prince adioyned ſixe counſellors of Sixe counſellors choſen out of ſixe quarters of the citie.ſixe tribes, into which the Citie is diuided, euery tribe chuſing one. Their office continueth eight monethes, & they are continually at the princes elbow: nothing is ſaid vnto the prince but they do heare it: no letters are ſent forth but ſuch as ſhall ſeeme good and alowable to foure of thoſe counſellors, who alſo doe in the letters ſubſcribe their names; yet not in thoſe letters which are ſent forth, but in thoſe which are firſt written by the ſecretaries of the commōwealth, which are reſerued, & the coppies of them ſent forth. In which alſo it is to be noted, that thoſe letters which are ſent, not by the decree of the councell, but by the commandement of the Prince and Counſellors, as they neuer contain but matters of ſmall importance, ſo are they of ſmall authority. For as wee haue often ſaide, all authoritie and power is onely to bee attributed to the councell, no one magiſtrate hauing of himſelfe any ample authoritie. But of the counſellors we will ſpeake more hereafter: now I will returne to the prince or Duke.

The Prince therefore being honored with this kingly apparance and ſhewe, becauſe oftentimes it fell out that priuate wealth ſuffiſed not to maintayne ſo great dignity and pompe: there is allowed vnto the Duke out of the common treaſure yearely, three thouſand and fiue hundred crownes of gold: and to the end leaſt ſome one couetous of increaſing his ſubſtance, ſhould neglect the honour & dignitie of the commonwealth, & conuert that money to his priuate vſe, there are certaine charges impoſed vpon him, which at his owne coſt he muſt ſee defrayed, with an eſpeciall care of the ſeruice & dignity of the commonwealth: which if through auarice or ſparing of money he neglect, there is ſo great a fine and amercement ſet vpon the heade of his heires, that whiles by increaſing his priuate wealth, and diſpenſing with his honour and dignity, hee ſhall think to enrich them, he ſhall in a manner vtterly vndoo them: beſides the leauing of an eternall blot and ignominy to his poſteritie. He maintayneth of his owne charge many ſeruants, or as you would ſay of his guard, but yet ſuch as weare no weapons. Hee alwaies vſeth coſtly garments: he dwelleth in a pallace wonderfully adorned with goodly chambers and tapiſtry, abounding with veſſels of ſiluer and all other ſuch furniture, as is beſeeming the degree of a prince. Foure times a yeare he maketh a ſolemne and ſumptuous banket, to Foure times a yeare the Duke banketteth the citizens.aboue threeſcore citizens, the ſame being ordered and ſet forth with all the magnificency that may be. Wher. in our predeceſſors brought into our commonwealth the auncient order of the inhabitantes of Lacedemon and Crete (whoſe commonwealthes were noble and glorious) but with a much better moderation and order: for they becauſe they thought the often meeting of the citizens was a mean to combine them together in friendſhip, inſtituted certaine publike feaſtes at the charge of the common treaſure, to which the citizens aſſembling had meanes one to be acquainted with the other, and withal by ſo friendly a meeting to confirm a new friend ſhip. But ſeeing that they all went confuſedly together, thoſe aſſemblies could not be without troubles & tumultes, and beſides when thoſe that were to feaſt & banket the reſt, did deſire to do it with daintineſſe, and magnificence, there could not but enſue a great waſt of the common treaſure. Therefore with a certain amendment & moderation is that ancient manner brought in vſe among the Venetians, and the whole care and ordering thereof committed to the prince. Foure times a yeare therfore are the citizens banqueted of the prince, with fare truely honorable and daintie, and yet for the exceedingneſſe thereof not to be enuied: neyther doth euery one come vnorderly as it pleaſeth him, but thoſe whome the prince ſhall vouchſafe to call: vnleſſe it bee the Counſellors, the Aduocators, the Preſidents of the xl. men, & the Preſidents of the tennes, who in preheminence of their offices, are vſually preſent at the princes bankets: the other citizens come not but inuited.

Theſe foure feaſtings are in this ſort diuided, that the elder and worthieſt citizens being inuited, doe in the winter time vpon S. Stephens day aſſemble themſelues in the publike pallace appointed for the princes habitation, and with a ſolemne pompe waite vpon the prince from thence to the church of S. Marke, and there bee preſent with him at Maſſe, which being ended, then they waite vppon him backe to his houſe againe, and there be pertakers of his banquet. Likewiſe in the moneth of Aprill on the day of Saint Marke (whoſe memory is with exceeding honour ſolemnized of the Venetians, as entituling him their patron and defender, euer ſince the reliques of his body were brought vnto Venice, from forth of Alexandria a noble Citie of Aegypt) the cittizens of leſſe age and dignitie inuited of the prince, doe in like manner (after the ſolemnities in the church are ended) conuay him home and dine with him.

Thirdly, vppon Aſcention day, being the day of the great fayer at Venice, they are inuited and admitted to the Princes banket, that are fully arriued and entred into that age which we call Virilis or mans eſtate. Theſe alſo doe early in the morning waite vpon the Duke from his houſe, and go aborde a ſhip gorgeouſly trimmed and ſet forth, reſerued onely to that vſe, and is by the Venetians called Bucentoro: ſo ſoone as they are paſſed the mariſhes and come to behold the plaine and open ſea, by an ancient indulgence of the high Biſhops (who honoured this commonwealth of ours, in regard of many notable exploites by it atchieued againſt the The Dake of Venice marieth the ſea with a ring of gold.enemies of the Chriſtian faith) the prince throwing a ring of golde into the ſea, vſeth in a manner theſe ſpeaches, that with that ring hee doeth betroth himſelfe to the ſea, in token of a true and perpetuall Empyre. To this there are added certayne ceremonies by the Patriarch of the Cittie, which being ended, they lande at the Church dedicated to Saynt Nicholaus, a thing of great antiquitie, built vppon that ſhore or banke which diuideth the ſea from the lakes. There the holy miſteries are celebrated, which being ended, they go aborde the ſhip againe, and returne to Venice, attending on the Prince home to his houſe, where they dyne with him.

The fourth and laſt banquette pertayneth to the young cittizens, who the twelue Kalendes of Iuly, on the day dedicated to the two Martyres Vitus and Modeſtus, doe with ſolemne pompe wayte vpon the Prince to the Temple of thoſe Martirs, which is ſituate neere to the great channell that diuideth the cittie in the middeſt: which channell is for that tyme conioyned with a bridge made vpon two galleyes, leaſt otherwiſe to make that iourney, would coſt a very long and labourſome circuit and compaſſe. The church being viſited, and the ſolemnities in the church finiſhed, they attend vpon the prince home to his pallace, where they are receiued with a royall & magnificent banket. There are to theſe bankets admitted dauncers, ieſters, and excellent ſingers, to recreate & delight the gueſtes, and withal certaine ſports and playes are intermingled, which doe moue exceeding mirth and pleaſure: and this ancient cuſtome is ſtill obſerued in the commonwealth of Venice, though ſomewhat moderated. For by this means the citizens in a manner of euery degree, yea equals with equalles are entertayned at the princes table: which ſeemeth exceedingly well ordered and diſpoſed, as well for the dignity of the prince, as alſo for nouriſhing & maintayning loue and good will among the citizens. But becauſe euery citizen that is a gentleman, cannot euery yeare receiue this grace of being inuited, it is by an olde law ordained, leaſt any one ſhould ſeeme to be left out, that the prince ſhould in the winter time ſende to euery citizen that hath priuiledge of A ſtrange ceremony obſerued by the Duke of Venice, but now the ſame is altered, & the wild ducks changed into a peece of ſiluer coyne.voyce in the greater Councell fiue wild duckes, as a portion or ſhare of the publike banket, which likewiſe is a great meane to the Duke of winning the loue and goodwill of the citizens.

In theſe chargeable expences doth the Duke yearely conſume and ſpend a great part of that money which hee receiueth out of the common treaſure: ſo that though the Duke would be couetous, yet cannot hee in a manner ſtaine with any baſeneſſe the nobleneſſe & dignity of the place he holdeth.

Here becauſe the whole power and authority of the prince is in a manner already expreſſed of vs, it ſhal not be amiſſe to declare in what ſeaſon and time the beginning was of creating a Duke in Venice, and finally what is the order of the ſeſſions in his election.

The beginning of creating a Duke in Venice. Immediately from the firſt beginning of the Cittie, when the nobleſt citizens of the Venetian prouince, (their greateſt citties, as Aquileia, Altina, Concordia, Vderzo, Padoua, and many other of great opulencie and richeſſe, being ruinated by the Hunnes, vnder the conduct of Attyla their Captaine, who filled Italy with fire and blood) did aſſemble themſelues in thoſe flattes of the Adriatique ſea, where Venice ſince was builded, & euery one of them had choſen for his manſion thoſe places which were neareſt to the country which hee had abandoned: it came to paſſe that there were by them built about two and twentie townes, partly vpon that ſhore or bank which encloſeth the inner lakes, partly vppon certaine hillockes which appeared out aboue the lakes. But in the beginning when thoſe townes were neither of themſelues ſufficiently fortified and fenced, neither euery of them ſo furniſhed with ſhipping, that it was able to reſiſt the incurſions of theeues and pirates, they thought it meete (ſeeing their fortunes were all alike) to gouerne their matters by a common councell, as well for the prouiſion of corne, wine, fruites, and other neceſſaries, as alſo the ſecuritie of their perſons and families, thereby to auoide the daunger of pyrates and rouers, to which in regarde of their weake, ſcattered & vnfortified townes, they lay in a manner open. Therefore when firſteuery towne had choſen from out his other citizens a chiefe and ſufficient man, calling him by Euery towne did chuſe a Tribune.the name or title of Tribune, they generally altogether ordained, that vpon certain appointed daies theſe Tribunes ſhould meete, and conſult together the common buſineſſe: but finding in the end an inconuenience in the varietie of ſo many opinions and authorities, and ſuffring withal many incommodities, they thought nothing would doe better then to lay the whole charge of the generall and common affaires vppon ſome one particular man, whom all the reſt ſhould acknowledge as their prince and ruler. It was therefore by generall conſent of the xxij. townes concluded and agreed, that The princes ſeate aſſigned him in the towne of Heraclea.there ſhould one Duke or Prince be choſen, & his ſeate aſſigned him at the beginning, in the towne of Heraclea, ſituated on the inner ſide of the lakes, in a certaine Ilande neere to the mouth of the riuer Piaue, which in our time (by inundation of the flouds) is now ioyned to the firme lands, But afterwards this place ſeeming vnfit, becauſe it was farre off, ſo that many times afore the prince could haue aduertiſement, the Pyrates had already entred the lakes, oppreſſed at vnwares the inhabitants, & ſpoiled their ſhipping. Therefore they thought The princes ſeat tranſpoſed to Malamoco.it better that the prince leauing Heraclea ſhoulde plant his ſeat in Malamoco, a towne ſeated vpon the midſt of the banke: whence the Duke might eaſily & ſoon haue inckling of any whatſoeuer attempt of the Pyrates, and Pipin inuaded Italy.with ſmall adoo bee at hand whereſoeuer his preſence The princes ſeat laſtly reduced to Venice.ſhould be requiſit. But at length when Pipin (euen in thoſe very beginnings of the Venetian citie) threatned ſeruitude & ſlaughter, & they abandoning (in a maner) the reſt of the townes, they came altogether to Rialta, thither alſo was the ſeate of the prince tranſlated, by which meanes Venice in time encreaſed, and grew into that greatneſſe in which we now do ſee it: ſo that by a perpetuall continuing cuſtome, euen from the beginning, there alwayes was a prince and gouernour of the Venetian commonwealth. At firſt for a while their authority was greater: but afterwardes being by vſe of time and experience taught, they began with holeſome ſtatutes and lawes to abridge his power, bringing it by degrees into this temperature, in which wee now doe ſee it.

The manner of chooſing the Duke of Venice. The manner of chuſing a ſucceſſor to the deceaſed Duke, was at the firſt altogether ſimple, and without ceremony: for our aunceſtors being men of great ſoundneſſe and integritie, & free from all ambition, did euery one in his particular, draw backe from accepting a matter of ſo great a charge: ſo that by a generall crie & acclamation of the people, he was proclaimed prince that was reputed to be the honeſteſt & wiſeſt man: But after thoſe times, the Citie and people increaſing to a greater mightineſſe & ſtate, it ſeemed a thing not conuenient to the greatnes of ſo noble a cōmonwealth, to commit to the raſh & wauering voice of the multitude, a matter of ſo great waight, honor, and dignity. It was therfore decreed, that there ſhould be choſen out 11. of the moſt ſufficient citizens, & that this authority of creating the prince ſhold be wholy vnto thē cōmitted: but afterwards as with their empire their ambitiō increaſed, there were appointed certain ſeueral parliaments or ſeſſions, & a kind of intricate way found out in this election of the Duke, which (leaſt there ſhould be any thing wanting in my vndertaken taske) I wil briefly expreſſe.

The Duke being deade, and his obſequies deuoutly and honourably ſolemnized: the Counſellors, who preſently vpon the princes death during the interregne or vacancy, betaking themſelues to the publike pallace, appointed for the princes habitation, do call & aſſemble The Dukes actions examined after his death.together the great councell. In that firſt aſſemblie after the Dukes deceaſe, there are (according to the maner of the ſeſſions before expreſſed) 5. citizens created, whoſe office is diligently to looke into & to examine the actions of the deceaſed prince, and if they found any thing done by him againſt the lawes and ſtatutes, then by opinion and authoritie of the councell to cancel and diſanull the ſame. If he haue receiued a bribe of any man, or haue been ſparing in that due and ordinary expence which belongeth to his dignitie, then vpon the report of theſe fiue cōmiſſioners, there is ſuch a fine and amercement impoſed vpō his heires, as the lawes command: the penaltie is onely money, which is leuied vpon the Princes inheritance, & caried into the treaſure houſe.

In the ſame ſeſſion are likewiſe choſen fiue other citizens, who immediatly vppon their election doe retire themſelues into an aparted roome, or conclaue adioyned to the ſeſſion houſe, out of which they doe not depart, till after many matters well debated, they doe at length determine whether there is any thing that in their opinion ought to be taken away, or added to the princes authoritie. The matter being well diſcuſſed among them, the councel is called together again, which being done, they then come forth of the conclaue (for before they may not) and euery of them declareth his opinion to the Councell concerning the authority of the prince, and then it being of the whole aſſembly together aduiſed on: it is by ſuffrages decreed which ſhal be moſt for good of the commonwealth. And that decree is preſently regiſtred among the lawes, which the following Prince is bound to obſerue. The authority and power of the prince being once ſetled and determined: the next day after is ſpent in that intricate kinde of ſeſſions, in which the Prince is accuſtomed to bee choſen.

No citizen allowed in thoſe ſeſſions which concerne the election of their prince, vnder the age of 30▪ yeares. All the citizens that are aboue thirtie yeare olde do aſſemble and meet together: for no one vnder that age is by an auncient inſtitution of the commonwealth admitted into that Councell or ſeſſions: then the citizens are all of them numbred, and ſo many as they are in number, ſo many little balles are throwen into a potte, of which thirtie are golde, and the reſt ſiluer: The pot is placed iuſt before the tribunal of the ſeſſions, where the Counſellors do ſtand: and by the ſame ſtandeth a little boy which pulleth out the lottes. The citizens are called and doe come vnto the potte euery one according vnto the ranke and order in which he ſitteth, but no one is ſuffred, (as in their other ſeſſions the cuſtome is) to put his hand into the potte, onely the boy which ſtandeth by, draweth out for each of them his ball. Thoſe that chaunce vpon a ſiluer ball, do preſently depart forth of the ſeſſions: but hee whome fortune ſhal fauor with one of thoſe that are of gold, is preſently in a high voice publiſhed and pronounced by the ſecretary: and immediately goeth his waies apart into the inner roome, and all his kindred and neere allies doe preſently ariſe out of their places, and all go together into one part or corner of the hall. There they are numbred, and ſo many as they are, ſo many ſiluer balles are 30. choſen out of the whole multitude. drawen out of the potte and giuen them, vpon which without delay, they depart out of the hall: ſo that onely thirtie, to whoſe lot the golden balles do befall, are choſen and elected out of the whole aſſembly of citizens: and that being done, the councell is diſmiſſed. Theſe 30. reduced to 9.After they are all departed, thoſe thirtie come again out of the conclaue, & trie once more their chaunce by lottery afore the Counſellors, ſo that of their number onely nine, whom this new lottery ſhall fauour, are made Electors: and the reſt being diſmiſſed, they go againe into a cloſet appointed for the purpoſe, and there are locked in alone, no one, no not a ſeruant ſuffred to The 9. chuſe 40.ſpeake with them: nor they may not thence depart till they haue choſen fortie men, of which fortie no one can of them be declared as elected and choſen, vnleſſe he haue firſt ſixe balles or ſuffrages in his fauour: ſo that if there bee foure of the nine contrary to him, hee may not be elected. So ſoone as they are once agreede in the choiſe of theſe fortie men, they ſende word thereof vnto the Counſellors by the publique guardian or Porter: preſently the Counſellors (vnleſſe the day bee very farre ſpent) doe call and aſſemble the great councell: which being altogether in the Court, there is a liſt brought out of the cloſet, wherein the names are written of the Electors: and then the chiefe Secretary aſcending the Tribunall, doth with a high voyce pronounce the names of the fortie elected cittizens: of which euery one as he heareth himſelfe named, doeth ariſe from his ſeate, and going to the Tribunall of the Counſellors, doeth there ſitte downe, and then goeth thence into an appointed cloſet or inner roome: but if any one chaunce to be away, he is preſently enquired for by the Counſellors, and the Preſidentes of the fortie, and ſought for with great diligence throughout the cittie. So ſoone as hee is founde out, hee is immediatly by thoſe Magiſtrates brought into the ſeſſions, and thence into the Conclaue to his fellowes, without ſuffring him to ſpeake or talke with any man by the way: thereby to exclude all ambition and ſubornation out of the ſeſſions, which the will of our aunceſtors was, ſhoulde be handled with all vprightneſſe and ſinceritie. By this meanes the fortie deſigned cittizens doe come together vnawares, and being come together, the Councell is preſently diſmiſſed. Then theſe fortie doe come forth agayne out of the cloſet into a large and open hall before the counſellors, and there by the ſame manner of lotterie as is The 40. reduced to 12.before expreſſed, twelue of the fortie are choſen, and the other eyght and twentie which remaine, are put backe and forſaken. Theſe twelue agayne doe chuſe The twelue chuſe 25.fiue and twentie others, of which euery one muſt haue eyght ſuffrages, for vnder none may be choſen: which being ended and done, they preſently ſende worde thereof by a meſſenger to the Counſellors. They, if the ſeaſon of the day ſerue, doe call and aſſemble the Councell, and (in a manner) as before thoſe fiue and twentie alſo vnawares are aſſembled and gathered together, The 25. reduced to nine.and then the Councell being diſmiſſed, nine of them are by the ſame ſort of lottery as before, elected, the reſt do go their wayes. Theſe nine elect fortie fiue other citizens, but no one of them, vnleſſe he haue 6. of The nine do elect 45.the nine ſuffrages, which in the councell in like manner againe aſſembled are pronounced of the Secretarie, The 45. reduced to 11. and ſo put into the cloſet. Theſe by the like manner of The 11. doe elect 41. who haue authoritie to chooſe the Duke.lottery are reduced vnto eleuen, who doe chuſe one & fortie of the chiefe and nobleſt Senators, who ſo ſoone as they are pronounced, doe preſently withdraw themſelues into a ſeuerall appointed roome: and theſe haue authoritie to elect the Duke: but ſo that there may not be by any meanes two of a kindred in the number of electors, which is among the Venetians a perpetuall cuſtome in all their offices.

Our anceſtors (being men moſt wiſe and vertuous) The cauſe of this intricate proceeding in the Dukes election.made choiſe of this ſtrange and intricate proceeding, to the ende the whole multitude might ſeeme to haue a part in this creation & election of their prince. For the electors of the firſt order are made by lotte, of which all the citizens are capable: next which they mingled election, but in ſort that election ſhould exceede the lotterie: becauſe no man may receiue any fauour by the benefite of lottes, vnleſſe the ſame bee allowed and approued of the firſt order: but in the next order they would not that chaunce or lot ſhould haue any force at all: becauſe they thought it vnfit and full of inconueniences, to commit the choice of thoſe that were to be electors of their prince, to the temerity and arbiterment of fortune: in ſort that neyther is the multitude wholly depriued of this authority, neyther yet is the ſame committed to the wauering witte of the inconſiderate people, among whom commonly a vaine opinion and vngrounded fauour may doe more, then a ſetled iudgement of thoſe that are wiſe and vertuous. Beſides, the not knowing who they are that are to be electors of the prince, but the determination of the whole depending vpon thoſe that are fortunate in their lottes: all aſpiring pretenſions and ambitions, are thereby clearely cut off and taken away: becauſe it may eaſily come to paſſe, that thoſe with whom there is any practiſe entertained, ſhall not haue any authoritie at all. But to returne to the matter: the manner of the ſeſſions being in this ſort accompliſhed, the one and fortie electors of the prince, immediately vpon their election, without ſaluting or ſpeaking to any man doe go into that Court, in which the ſenate is accuſtomed to aſſemble, where hearing diuine ſeruice, which is celebrated with great ſolemnity & deuotion, laying their handes vpon the aultar, they do promiſe with oath to God, and to the commonwealth, that they will chuſe him for their Duke, whome they ſhall eſteeme to bee worthieſt and of beſt deſert, as well in loue towards his countrey, as in piety, carefulneſſe and prudence, and then the prieſtes departing, they onely are encloſed & lockt within the Court alone, without ſo much as a ſeruant ſuffred to be among them. Then three of the eldeſt do ſit down by at a certain table fitted for that purpoſe, vpon the which there ſtandeth a pot, and euery elector writeth in a little ſcrol the name of him whom he thinketh fitte to bee created Duke, which ſcrolles being firſt all well medled together, are put into the potte, of which one is taken out, ſuch as ſhall by chance come into the hand of him that taketh it forth. The ſcroll being read, hee whoſe name is therein contayned, if he bee preſent (as for the moſt parte it happeneth) goeth preſently out of the Court. Then if any ſhall thinke him to be a man vnfit, or vncapable, or vnworthy of ſo great a dignity, or for any other cauſe ſhall not thinke his creation to bee for the good of the commonwealth, he riſeth vp, and with an honeſt modeſtie ſpeaketh his opinion, declaring the cauſe why he thinketh it vnmeet that he ſhould be choſen and created Duke: when he hath ended his ſpeech, the partie is called in againe, and the eldeſt in the company declareth the obiections made againſt him, alwaies prouided that he neuer nameth the author thereof: for they are all firſt bound by ſolemne oath to obſerue perpetuall ſilence. He on the other ſide excuſeth and confuteth (in the beſt ſort he may) the matters alleadged againſt him. After which hee auoydeth the court againe, & then if the firſt or any other will charge him a freſh with any other matter, it is in their libertie to doe it: and he againe being called in, hath libertie to aunſwere in his iuſtification, and ſo till the matter is by turne handled, till his accuſers be ſilent, and haue nothing any farther to vrge againſt him.

Then at laſt go they to their lottes: Somewhat before our time if the firſt had had 25. ſuffrages in his fauour, then was there no farther reckoning made Andrea Gritti Duke of Venice.of the reſt, but he was ſtraight proclaimed for Duke: but in our time in thoſe ſeſſions in which Andrea Gritti (a moſt honourable Senator) was proclaymed Duke, this cuſtome was altered. For although none bee elected Prince vnleſſe he haue fiue and twentie ſuffrages: yet the matter conſiſteth not as before it did, in him that firſt obtayneth that number, but proceedeth ſtill forward to the reſt, ſo that if any go beyond that number; hee then is proclaymed Duke, and not the former. After the lottery is ended concerning him whoſe name was firſt drawen, then is there an other ſcroll taken forth of the pot, and all things concerning the ſame ordered in euery point as the former: and ſo the thirde, fourth, & finally all: but if no one of the whole number haue in his fauour the complete ſumme of thoſe ſuffrages, then if the day be not too farre ſpent, the ſeſſions are once againe begun in the ſame manner as before: and to the end that the expedition ſhould be the greater, it is not lawfull for any of the electors to depart thence, neyther haue they liberty to ſpeake with any ſtranger, till fiue and twenty of them are agreed in the election of the Duke: whom ſo ſoone as they haue named and choſen, the Counſellors are preſently called into the court, who firſt doe with all reuerence and honor ſalute the new prince. The fame of which preſently flyeth through the citie: in euery parte whereof you may behold the citizens making ioy, and throwing vp The ſolemnities that follow the election of the prince.their prayers to heauen for this prince, that his gouernment may bee fortunate and happie to the commonwealth. All his parents and kinſefolkes come preſently vnto the Court, congratulating with him, of this his great honor and dignitie: in meane while the coyners are ſet a worke to ſtampe money, with the face & name of the prince, and all thinges buſily prepared that the future pompe requireth: in which ſeaſon the Duke and the Counſellors doe apparell themſelues, and being apparelled and in order, doe ſo diſcende out of the Court, and go directly vnto the Church of Saint Marke, being neere thereunto adioyning, a church of wonderfull goodlineſſe and magnificence, and reſplendiſhing in all ſortes and varietie of rich ornaments and pompous architecture. They do firſt religiouſly, & with great veneration, adore the mighty name of God, & then do all aſcend vp into a high & ſtately ſeat, made all of Porphire ſtone, whence the eldeſt of the electors maketh a ſpeech vnto the people, wherein he declareth the creation of the newe Duke, vttering withall ſome few wordes in a modeſt commendation of him. After whom the Duke alſo maketh an oration, in which after hauing ſpoken diſcreetly a few things concerning himſelfe: hee there promiſeth and voweth to obſerue all ſuch things as ſhal become a vertuous prince, with greater care of the good of the commonwealth, then of any his owne priuate commodity: chiefly that he will beare himſelfe in matter of iuſtice moſt holily and ſtrictly, with endeuour that equall right may be adminiſtred to all men, that hee will not ſpare his priuate ſubſtance, his labour, no nor his life: if by any incommodity of his the eſtate of the commonwealth might bee aſſiſted or remedied. Finally, he humbly prayeth vnto God, vnto S. Marke (vnder whoſe patronage the Citie of Venice is) and to all the Saints, that they will be all fauourable and helpefull vnto him in the well diſcharging of this great and honourable office. His wordes are receiued of the people with a great applauſe: And at the ende therof they do all diſcend from off the high ſeat or ſcaffold, and do place the Duke before the high altar, where laying his hand vpon the Goſpell, he doth binde himſelfe by ſolemne oth to God & to his commonwealth, that he will not omit the performance of any ſuch thing as the Duke of Venice is bound vnto by the lawes. This being done, the Electors (that hitherto remained with the Duke doe all depart, he mounteth vp into a pulpit of wood, taking with him one of his kinſemen, ſuch as ofall other he holdeth deereſt: which pulpit the mariners, ſuch as are beſt eſteemed, doe take vppon their ſhoulders, and with a great ſhoute and ioy doe carry the Duke ſitting therein throughout the whole place of S. Marke, who from out the pulpit throweth money coined in his owne name round about him. There is no certaine ſumme herein limited, but euen according as the ſubſtance of the Duke may beare, the ſame being wholly referred to his diſpoſition and pleaſure: but once, the people be not negligent in gathering it vppe. At length hauing gone about the place, when they come before the ſtaires of the princes pallace, they there ſtay the pulpit, and the prince deſcendeth out. The apparell which the Duke weareth, and likewiſe a ſiluer potte, in which the money ſo throwen about among the people was kept, belongeth by an auncient cuſtome vnto the mariners, that did ſo beare the Duke vpon their ſhoulders. The Duke mounting vp the degrees of the pallace, is there receiued of the Counſellors, and there by them crowned with the foreſaid Miter, which is as it were the Dyadem or ornament of the Prince. This is the order of the whole pompe. The day following the Senate is aſſembled in the Court, and the Duke maketh an oration, giuing thankes to God, & to the fathers for this aduancement and honour which he had receiued, promiſing withall, that his diligence & trauaile ſhal neuer be ſpared for the commonwealths commodity. The like oration hee maketh before the whole aſſembly of citizens in the firſt ſeſſions that is held after his creation.

Hauing now ſufficiently ſpoken of the Duke or prince of our commonwealth, it remaining that briefly wee ſpeake ſomewhat concerning the Counſellors, to the end that you may vnderſtand what their authority is, and how farre it extendeth.

There are alwaies (as I ſaid before) ſixe Counſellors The office & authority of the 6. Counſellors.preſent by the princes ſide, out of euery quarter of the citie one: for the whole citie is diuided into ſixe quarters or tribes: three of the which are on this ſide of the great channell, which diuideth the citie, and three on the other: out of each of theſe quarters is choſen one counſellor in the ſeſſions, according to the manner before expreſſed in the choyce of other magiſtrates. Their office continueth onely eight monethes, in which iointly with the Prince they take care of all ſuch affaires as pertain to the commonwealth. But the whole maner & handling of the ſeſſions, an auncient ordinance paſſeth chiefly through their hands. Likewiſe if report is to be made vnto the great councell of any matter, and by authority therof to be confirmed, they are to make report thereof, as thoſe to whoſe authority that right only belongeth, yet ſomtimes the Preſidents of the 40. are adioyned to thē, who otherwiſe were inſufficient & without power to make report ouer to the councell. No other magiſtrate (the Duke onely alwaies excepted) hath this authority. They may likewiſe (if it pleaſe thē) make report of any thing to the Senate or the tenne men: but the charge of aſſembling the Senate, and reporting to the ſame chiefly belongeth to the Preconſultors, like as the office of the Preſidentes of the tenne is to aſſemble the tenne, & to make report vnto them: the manner of which ſhall hereafter be more largely handled. But the Councellors are endued with greater priuiledge, as thoſe that haue in the ſenate equall authority with the Preconſultors, and in the courtes of the tenne men, with the preſidentes of that Court: for the ſpace of eyght monthes they are alwaies preſent with the Duke: and do exerciſe theſe offices of which I haue made mention. But foure monthes they are preſent or rather Preſidentes of the fortie men, who haue the handling of waightie and capitall matters, which are by their iudgement decided & determined of, as ſhall hereafter more plainly be declared. Now ſeeing that which concernes the great councell, which repreſenteth in this commonwealth popular eſtate, and that likewiſe of the prince, which beareth the perſon of a king, is handled of vs, though vneloquently, yet faithfully, & with diligence, the vndertaken worke ſeemeth to require at my hands, that I ſhould likewiſe ſpeake of the other partes & branches of this gouernment, which in ſeeming doe repreſent the rule & gouernment of the nobles and beſt citizens, ſeeing that eſpecially the ſame doth in the city of Venice excell the reſt: as in the following volume I will by Gods help, make manifeſt and plaine.

EVery inſtitution and gouernment of man, the neerer it aſpireth to the praiſe of perfection and goodneſſe, the nearer ſhold it imitate nature, the beſt mother of all thinges: for ſo hath ſhe diſpoſed the order of the whole world, that thoſe things which are deuoide of ſence and vnderſtanding, ſhoulde bee ruled and gouerned by thoſe that haue ſence and knowledge: and therefore in this aſſemblie of men, (which of vs is called Citie) olde men ought to bee preferred before the younger fort, as thoſe that are leſſe ſubiect to the perturbations of the minde, and withall hauing beene of longer life, muſt needes be of greater experience in the affaires of the world. Therefore Ariſtotle in his Politiques moſt wiſely ſaith, that in euery commonwealth which wold emulate and follow the wiſedome & policie of nature, olde men ſhould be placed at the helme, and the office of the young men ſhould bee to obey and to execute thoſe thinges, which the olde men ſhould commande them. Neither can the young men, ſeeing this inſtitution is neareſt vnto Nature, by any meanes finde fault or repine at the gouernment of olde men, or ſtirre vppe therefore any ſedition in the commonwealth: ſeeing that in this difference which age onely maketh, enuie hath no place, neyther may there iuſtly bee any complaint, ſo long as the young men ſhall aſſuredly hope to receiue the like obedience in their age, of the following younger ſort: which opinion of Ariſtotle is allowed of all commonwealthes that euer were of any fame, who alwaies preferred the counſell of the elder ſort, as The name of ſenate deriued from Senes ſignifieth olde men.well in the gouernment of their Cittie, as in the adminiſtration of their other publike affaires, neither is the name of ſenate from elſe where deriued, then from old men, who in the Latine tong are called Senes. I woulde alleadge heere the commonwealth of the Romaines, of the Athenians, of the Carthaginians, of the Lacedemonians, beſides the lawes of ſundry other cities, but that the matter is of it ſelfe ſo manifeſt, that it ſtandeth not in need of any ſuch proofe.

With this reaſon therefore was the Senate ordayned and eſtabliſhed in this commonwealth of ours, & likewiſe the councell of the tenne, who in the cittie of Venice in whoſe commonwealth (as I ſaid) there is a mixture of the three gouernments royall, popular, & noble, do repreſent the ſtate of the nobilitie, & are (as it were) the meane or middle, which reconcileth and bindeth together the two extreames, that is, the popular eſtate repreſented in the great councell, & the prince bearing a ſhew of royaltie. So ſaith Plato are the extreame elementes, the earth and the fire, ioyned and bound together with the middle elementes, as in a well tuned dyapaſon the extreame voyces are concorded together by the middle tunes of the Dyateſſaron and Diapente.

The number of right and lawfull ſenators are 120. To go forward therefore with my purpoſe, the ſenate of Venice hath a hundred and twenty lawfull ſenators, beſides many other magiſtrates that do alſo obtaine the priuiledge and right of Senators, ſo that now in this time of ours there are aboue two hundred and twentie that haue the authority of vſing their ſuffrages in the ſenate. The lawfull Senators are euery yeare created by that aſſembly of citizens, which (as I haue often repeated) is tearmed the great Councell: Neyther hath this honour any vacation, as the other magiſtrates haue, but they may if their lot fall out, and that the great councell bee therewith pleaſed (which for the moſt parte happeneth) continue euery yeare in that office. The manner and meane of their election is of vs before declared, when wee expreſſed the forme of the whole ſeſſions. There are in the monthes of Auguſt and September in euery ſeſsion ſixe Senators elected: which ſeſſion being in thoſe ſeſſions tenne times remoued, make vp the number of threeſcore elected Senators, the other threeſcore are ioyned, or (as it were) aſcribed to the former, and they all are choſen together at certain particular ſeſſions. For vpon the nine & twentieth day of September, the ſenate doth aſſemble, & then euery ſenator and other that hath authority of ſuffrages, nameth a citizen in the Senate. And the next day early at three a clocke in the morning, the whole number of citizens commeth into the ſeſſion houſe, and then the names being rehearſed by the Secretary of all thoſe citizens, who the day before were named of the Senators, the names of all are put into a potte, and afterwardes taken out by chaunce. By and by they go to their lottes, of which threeſcore of thoſe that ſhall haue moſt lottes in their fauour (ſo that they exceed not the halfe) are that yeare aſcribed in the number of Senators, but yet in that ſort that there may not bee in that laſt number aboue two of a kindred: ſo that in the whole number of lawfull Senators, there cannot in all be aboue three of a kindred, which ordinance ſeemeth to haue beene eſtabliſhed with exceeding wiſedome in behalfe of the commonwealth: conſidering that there cannot happen to a commonwealth a more daungerous or peſtilent contagion, then the ouerweighing of one parte or faction aboue the other: for where the ballance of iuſtice ſtandeth not euen, it is vnpoſſible that there ſhould bee a friendly ſocietie and firme agreement among the citizens: which alwaies happeneth where many offices of the commonwealth meete together in one. For as euery mixture diſſolueth, if any one of the elementes (of which the mixed body conſiſteth) ouercome the other: and as in muſicke the tune is marred where one ſtring keepeth a greater noyſe then hee ſhoulde doe: ſo by the like reaſon, if you will haue your commonwealth perfect and enduring, let not one parte bee mightier then the other, but let them all (in as much as may bee) haue equall ſhare in the publique authoritie. With excellent wiſedome and prouidence therefore did our aunceſtors cauſe this to bee eſtabliſhed as a perpetuall law and decree in our commonwealth, that not onely in the ſenate, but alſo in all other offices there ſhoulde not bee any more of one kindred or allyance, then the preſeruation of equalitie required. Neyther ſeemeth the order of electing the Senate inuented with leſſe forecaſt and prudence, which is that threeſcore citizens ſhould bee choſen, according to the accuſtomed vſe of the ſeſſions, chaunce, election and iudgement, being therein mingled altogether, but that the choyce of the other threeſcore ſhould bee after another ſorte, ſuch as you haue heard, wherein chaunce hath no force at all: for if in them all chance ſhould haue borne ſway, it might eaſily haue happened, that the principall citizens might haue beene left out, to the great preiudice of the commonwealth. They ordayned therefore that there ſhoulde yearely be choſen threeſcore fathers, not by caſualty of The laſt 60. ſenators which are elected are called adiunctes.lottes, but by ſoundneſſe of iudgement. So you ſee that the Senate firſt conſiſteth of a hundred and twenty, of which threeſcore are by their proper tearme, called Senators, the reſt, Adiuncts: in the ſeſſion of whoſe choice, there is commonly a whole day paſſed ouer. Now beſides this hundred and twenty lawfull Senators, thoſe of the councell of tenne haue in the Senate equall authoritie with the Senators, as alſo beſide the Duke and the other councellors, the councell of the fortie haue the like, the iudges of capitall & waighty crimes, the maiſters ouer the ſalt and corne, and the procurers of S. Marke, beſides many others: ſo that in our time their number exceedeth two hundred & twenty, who in their offices haue all the power and authority of Senators. The whole manner of the commonwealths gouernment belongeth to the ſenate. That which the ſenate determineth is held for ratified and inuiolable. By The great authority & power of the ſenate.their authority and aduiſe is peace confirmed and war denounced. The whole rents and receipts of the comcomwealth are at their appointment collected and gathered in, and likewiſe laid out againe and defrayed. If there be any new taxations or ſubſidies to be laid vpon the citizens, they are impoſed, & likewiſe leuied by the Senates decree. And if at any time it ſhall ſeeme neceſſary for the good of the commonwealth, to create a new officer or magiſtrate vpon any ſodaine vrgent occaſion, he is by the ſenate elected. Beſides, the ſenate by a perpetuall prerogatiue, hath authority to chuſe ſuch Embaſſadors as are to bee ſent to forraine princes, and likewiſe to create the colledge of thoſe, whoſe office is to aſſemble the ſenate, and to report vnto them. Thoſe are of Ariſtotle tearmed Praeconſultores, but wee Preconſultors or Sages.honouring them with a prouder title, do call them Sages, which name wee muſt in this diſcourſe often vſe, leaſt otherwiſe I ſhoulde ſeeme to miſlike of our common phraſe of ſpeaking. Neuertheleſſe theſe ſeſſions of the ſenate, in which both the Ambaſſadors and the Sages are elected, ſtand nothing ſo much in the arbiterment of chaunce, as thoſe before deſcribed, that is to ſay, the great councels, wherein the whole number of the citizens is aſſembled & gathered together: for euery one of the ſenators nameth one whom hee thinketh good, and then go to their ſuffrages, of which whoſoeuer ſhall haue more then the reſt, prouided alwayes, that he haue about the halfe of the whole number on his ſide, is preſently ratified and choſen, And if at any time the ſeruice & neceſſary occaſion of the commonwealth ſeeme to require the employment of ſome one in an office, which they thinke he would be vnwilling to accept, then doth euery one of the ſenators ſecretly in a little ſcrol note the name of him whom he thinketh fit for the charge, putting the ſame into a pot prouided ready for the purpoſe, after which the Secretary taketh thoſe ſcrolles out, and readeth them all openly: & then againe they go for euery one of thoſe to their lottes, of which on whomſoeuer the greateſt part doth fal, is preſently pronounced choſen: prouided alwaies that hee haue more then halfe of the whole number. This manner of writing in ſcrolles was inuented, leaſt otherwiſe ſome might refrain from naming him whom they thought fitte for gouernment and diſcharge of that office: leaſt in regarde of his vnwillingneſſe to accept it, they might thereby incurre his diſpleaſure & euill will, whereby through a priuate regard the common good might receiue preiudice.

The manner which the Senate vſeth in their conſultations and decrees. Now it remaineth that we declare the manner that the Senate vſeth in determining, decreeing, and conſulting vpon thoſe thinges which are to bee done: and in what ſort the decrees of the Senate were wont to be executed.

Sixteene Sages elected. Our elders were not ignorant, that if euery Senator ſhould confuſedly make report vnto the Senate, & then deliuer his opinion without limitation or reſtriction of that office to ſome particulars: there muſt of neceſſity follow a great trouble and intricateneſſe in the Senate. Beſides, it is by experience approoued, that the thing which dependeth generally alike vpon the care of all, is generally alike in a manner of all neglected.

Therefore it was by our lawes ordained, that there ſhoulde bee choſen ſixteene citizens out of the ſenate, which in reſpect of their farther knowledge and ſufficiency aboue the reſt, are of the common ſort called Sages, we imitating Ariſtotle (in regarde that they are to conſult afore hand among themſelues & then to councell the ſenate in thoſe thinges that are to be handled) may well call them Preconſultors. Theſe haue authority to aſſemble the ſenate, and to make relation of each matter vnto them. This magiſtrate doeth not continue in The Sages diuided into three ſorts or orders.office any longer then ſixe monthes. But now theſe Sages are diuided into three ſortes, of great difference and diuerſity the one from the other: for in the firſt are ſixe ſenators of the moſt noble and citizens, excelling the reſt as well in dignity and eſtimation, as in prudent grauity and profoundneſſe of knowledge. Their office principally is, that in waighty and important cauſes concerning the ſtate of the commonwealth as well in matter of warres, as in thinges of peace, they are firſt among themſelues to hold a long and deliberate conſultation, and then to giue ouer their councell and opinion to the ſenate. In the ſecond ſort or order are onely fiue, who though they haue equall authoritie with the other, in making report of all thinges to the ſenate, yet are they of farre leſſe eſtimation and dignity. To them chiefly belongeth the care of the ſoldiers that are by the commonwealth entertayned in pay, and are vnder the gouernment of the Generall of the Venetian forces. Of the third order there are alſo fiue to whom the charge of all ſea matters is committed, of which onely and of nothing els they haue authority to make report vnto the ſenate. This office was held of our anceſtors in great reputation, during the while that our commonwealth did flouriſh & was famous in matters of nauigation: but when once our minds were bent to the enlarging of our limites, and to the greatneſſe of rule by lande: then beganne our ſeafaring matters to decline, and with them the reputation of this office, ſo that in this age of ours, young men and ſome in a manner beardleſſe are admitted thereunto. Theſe ſixteene citizens therefore, whoſe aſſembly among the Venetians by proper terme called, the Colledge, doe early in the morning meet together with the prince and the counſellors, & firſt they ſpend the day till it be three a clocke, in giuing audience to priuate ſutors, that haue any cauſe eyther with the commonwealth or with any particular magiſtrate, whoſe ſuits and cauſes they do there altogether determine and end, vnleſſe the matter bee of ſuch importance, that it behooueth them to make report thereof vnto the ſenate.

After three a clocke all priuate men are diſmiſſed out of the court, & preſently all ſuch letters as are ſent vnto the ſenate are read by one of the ſecretaries that belongeth to the ſtate: after which the Sages or Preconſultors do withdraw themſelues apart into a Conclaue or councell chamber, there to conſult of publike buſines, vnleſſe they be detayned by the Ambaſſadors of ſome Prince, that deſireth audience of the Duke & the Colledge, or by ſome other buſineſſe of great and waighty moment.

After that they are withdrawen & placed euery one in his ſeate: he which there preſideth (which prerogatiue each of them inioyeth ſeuen dayes together, one after the other as his turne comes about) propoundeth that cauſe or matter, which they are in councell to debate of. Then he demandeth of euery one his opinion, yet obſeruing ſuch order, that thoſe of the firſt ſort, as they are nobleſt in degree, ſo they bee firſt intreated to ſpeake their aduiſe, and after them the other fiue, whom wee placed in the ſecond ranke or order. Laſtly if the queſtion concerne any ſea matters, the five of the laſt order, who haue charge therof are asked their opinion. But if the matter propounded doe not pertaine to ſea buſineſſe, they are to holde their peace. In each ranke or order hee alwayes firſt ſpeaketh his aduiſe, that had the Preſidencie the laſt ſeuen daies, and then next vnto him the eldeſt of the company, and after him the reſt accordingly vnto their age. Laſtly of all, he which did propound the matter, & ſitteth during thoſe ſeuen daies as Preſident and chiefe, vttereth his conceipt. The matter being at length well diſputed of among them: whether they be all of one opinion or diuided into ſundry (as the diſpoſitions of men are different and diuers) they go firſt to the prince & councel, before they aſſemble the ſenate: & there do repeate the ſeuerall opinions of all, to which if the prince or any of the counſellors doe ſeeme to leane or giue his aſſent, or ſhall otherwiſe of himſelfe yeeld any other different reaſon, the matter is then once againe debated of among them, and finally euery mans opinion put in writing, which belongeth to thoſe to doe that are ſecretaries of this three ſeuerall orders. The buſineſſe then being well debated of, that is to be determined by authority of the Senate, the Senate is aſſembled.

When the ſenators are come into the Court, firſt all ſuch letters as are of moment, and were deliuered to the Duke and Sages ſince the diſmiſſing of the laſt Senate, are there recited. Then are the opinions of the Sages repeated concerning thoſe matters that were in their Colledge debated, whether they were all of one mind or of ſundry, euen in a manner in the ſame ſort, as the requeſtes of the people, of which Plato ſpeaketh, were wont to be among the Athenians. But none other beſides thoſe, who (as I told you) are of the Venetians called Sages, hath power or authority to make report vnto the ſenate, and then to confirme & eſtabliſh his opinion by authority of that order: alwaies I accept the Duke, the counſellors and the Preſidents of the forty, of whom I will at large declare, and ſpeake more hereafter.

The opinions of all being read and peruſed in the ſenate, he that is for that weeke preſident of the firſt order of Sages, ariſeth if he ſo thinke good: if not the eldeſt or els any of the other, to whom being deſirous to ſpeake, the reſt are contented to giue place, and from a ſeate or ſcaffold made of purpoſe ſomewhat higher then the reſt, hee maketh his oration to the ſenate: alleadging ſuch reaſons as hee thinketh meeteſt to confirme his opinion, and to refute that which is maintayned to the contrary, yet modeſtly, and with grauity, as it beſeemeth a ſenate of ſo honourable a degree and order. After that he hath ended, another of the Sages that differeth from his opinion, ariſeth, fortifying his owne aduiſe with the beſt reaſons hee can yeelde, and refelling the former, and likewiſe the reſt, if there bee any more that doe diſagree from his. Then the third, (if there bee ſo many diuerſities of cenſures among them) ſtandeth vp, by proofes and argumentes endeuouring to maintayne and confirme that which he thinketh meete and conuenient: and ſo by courſe ſtill is the matter pleaded and argued among them, till there remaine not any one more that will ſpeake: as for the Senators no one of them may ſpeake, till the Sages that will take the matter vpon them, haue made an ende: but when they haue with reaſons, argumentes and proofes contended and throughly debated the matter of each ſide as much as ſhall ſeeme good vnto them, then haue the other Senators alſo libertie to ſpeake: of which if any will gaineſay or confirme any of the former opinions, or alleadge any new of his owne, he may freely do it at his pleaſure: though as for the opinion of which himſelfe ſhall bee author and inuentor, he may not himſelfe make report thereof vnto the Senate: but if it ſhalbe thought good and profitable for the commonwealth, then commonly one of the Colledge, or a counſellor, or the Preſident of the forty relateth the ſame vnto the Senate. By which means the matter being at length wel & throughly ſifted and diſcuſſed: then doth the ſenate determine by the ſuffrages of thoſe that are of that order, whether of the opinions is to be allowed: yet do they not with words or ſignes confirme or refute that opinion, as we reade the auncient Romaines did, neyther do they ſpeake it publikely for euery one to heare: but their manner is to decide it with pots and ſuffrages, not much vnlike the order I told you was obſerued in the Seſſions.

The ſecretaries of the ſenate bring forth as many pottes as there are opinions concerning the matter debated of, and one beſides which is greene, into which are put the lottes of all thoſe that do diſlike that aduice and counſell: and another redde, which receiueth the balles of thoſe Senators, that remaine doubtfull to whether opinion they ſhoulde encline. The other Senators euery one putteth his ball into his pot whoſe opinion he liketh and eſteemeth aboue the reſt: if hee like none at all then he putteth it into the greene potte, and if hee bee doubtfull, into the redde. The Counſellors do tell the balles, and that opinion is held for ratification and decreed, which ſhall haue in fauour thereof the balles of halfe the ſenators, which number if none of them attaine vnto: then firſt, that opinion which is fauoured with feweſt balles, is quite reiected, & for the reſt they go to their lots againe: and ſo in that maner ſtil reiecting that which hath feweſt bals, the controuerſie is at length brought onely betweene two, of which the one muſt of neceſſity haue aboue halfe the ſuffrages, and then the ſame is by the decree of the ſenate authorized and allowed. One matter being diſpatched, they beginne with another (vnleſſe it bee too late in the day) alwaies obſeruing the ſame manner as is aforeſaid.

The manner of giuing audience & diſpatching Ambaſſadors. If there come an Ambaſſador from any prince to the commonwealth of Venice, he is receyued of the Duke, the counſellors and the whole colledge, and doth before them expreſſe his ambaſſage: which being hearde, they do for that time diſmiſſe him, demanding ſpace to conſult vpon the matter, which hauing done in ſort & forme as you haue heard, they then demand the opinion of the Senate. To which the Duke firſt declareth the effect of the Ambaſſadors demande, and then the opinions are read of all thoſe that haue authoritie to make report to the ſenate, & finally in manner as before. The ſenate determineth what aunſwere ſhall bee made vnto the Ambaſſadors demand: who being called in, a Secretary readeth vnto him the decree of the Senate, vpon which hee is diſmiſſed. This is in effect the whole ſumme, manner, and forme that the Senate vſeth in The councel or colledge of the tenne.their conſultations, decrees and councels: and therefore now I thinke it requiſite in this place to ſay ſomewhat of the councell of the tenne, of which you haue often heard me make mention. This councell or Colledge of the tenne is among the Venetians of great and eminent authority, and of which any man may boldly ſay, that the whole ſafetie of the commonwealth dependeth. I will therefore touch the beginning and originall thereof, to the ende that the whole manner and courſe of the ſame may be the eaſilyer conceyued. Our elders did with a maruellous & in manner diuine prouidence foreſee, that as in mans bodie, through the corruption and putrefaction of one humor, many & moſt daungerous diſeaſes doe commonly happen, which growe in time to bee the cauſes of death: ſo alſo in a commonwealth there are ſometime wicked and diſloiall citizens, that are cauſes thereunto of great troubles and calamities, whiles they aſpire rather to the pride of a wicked and vniuſt commandement, then to the praiſe of an honeſt and quiet obedience: carried away in thoſe damnable endeuors eyther with ambition, and deſire of rule, or oppreſſed with intollerable debt, or otherwiſe hauing committed ſome haynous wickednes or crime, for which they ſtand in doubt of puniſhment: ſuch as we reade was in Rome, Cateline, Silla, Marius, and finally Iulius Caeſar, who hauing by tyranny gotten the commonwealth, did (in a manner) bring it to vtter deſolation and ruine. The like we reade of ſundry commonwealthes Sundry great and famous commonwealths ouerthrowen by the infidelity & ambition of ſome their priuate citizens.of the Greekes, yea and thoſe ſometimes famous and of great glory, which by the vndermining ambition and treachery of ſome their wicked and vnfaithfull citizens, were brought into ſeruitude and bondage. But in theſe times of ours Italy it ſelfe hath yeelded vs ſufficient examples, all the cities whereof (in a manner) that were eyther gouerned by the people, or by the nobility, being brought vnder the yoke or tirany of ſomeone of their citizens. For which cauſe our prudent elders laboured to eſtabliſh this commonwealth of ours in all perfection and beauty, and to ſtrengthen the ſame with ſuch & ſo holeſome lawes, that it might as much as in mans wiſedome lyeth, preuent the inconuenience of ſo monſtrous and miſerable a fall: for they Nothing more to be feared then inteſtine broiles and cauil diſſentiō.imagined that there was not any thing ſo much to bee doubted and feared, as an inteſtine enemy, or ciuill ſtrife & ſedition among the citizens. Calling therefore to minde, that among the Lacedemonians the Ephores were mighty and of great authority, and among the Athenians the Areopagites, and ſo likewiſe among the Romaines the Decemuiri or tenne men, inſomuch The cauſe of the creation of ten in the city of Venice.that they made lawes: they thought it not amiſſe by imitation of their example, though in an vnlike cauſe, to create in this our citie ſome magiſtrate of authority and power, whoſe office aboue all other things ſhould be, to haue eſpeciall care to ſee that among the citizens ſhould not ariſe any ſtrife or diſſention, whereby there might enſue any ſcandall or vprore: and to preuent factions, or the attemptes of any wicked citizen that ſhoulde conſpire againſt the liberty of the commonwealth: of which ſort of miſchiefe if there ſhould by euill deſtiny, any creepe into the commonwealth, they then to haue abſolute authority to puniſh and chaſten the ſame, leaſt otherwiſe the commonwealth might thereby receiue harme.

But ſo great an authority and puiſſance coulde not haue beene committed to few without danger, neither if to many, woulde it then haue been formidable: therefore to auoide the one and the other inconuenience, they ordayned and eſtabliſhed this Colledge of tenne. They continue in this office a yeare, and haue adioyned vnto them the Duke and the ſixe Counſellors, ſo that the whole Colledge commeth to make vp the iuſt number of ſeuenteene citizens, to whome this great power and authoritie is giuen. Of theſe tenne there are three euery month choſen and elected by lotte, who are Preſidentes of the Colledge, and The heads of the Tenne.by common phraſe of ſpeech called the heades of the tenne, and they haue authority to aſſemble the whole Colledge of the tenne, and to make report vnto them. They haue aparte by themſelues a chamber, wherein they aſſemble when they ſitte in councell. They haue alſo vnder them priuate and particular officers, as Porters, Vſhers, and certayne that are allowed for their garde. So that there is not any other Tribunall of magiſtrates gone vnto with greater obſeruaunce and ceremonie. Thither reſort allthoſe that haue any thing to do in their Colledge. They likewiſe reade all letters written to the Colledge, and make report of them to the ſame, for doing of the which with the greater ſufficiency, one of thoſe Preſidents alone by himſelfe hath not authority to make report, but they muſt bee eyther two to make reporte of the ſame matter, or els foure Councellors. For the ſame cauſe alſo and to auoide the raſhneſſe and temeritie that ſome fewe of them might otherwiſe vſe in alteration of any thing, it is ordayned, that if they will cancell or vndoe any thing that is already eſtabliſhed and fully confirmed, they muſt at leaſt haue the Suffrages of two partes of the Colledge, for confirmation of that which they ſhall doe, which otherwiſe is helde to bee voide and of no effect. They haue alſo an order that the offendor is The offender neuer ſuffred to come into the Colledge, not any friend or Lawyer to plead for him.neuer ſuffred to come into the colledge, when they are to giue iudgement of him, nor any friend, kinſeman, or Lawyer for him to pleade his cauſe: which priuiledge is granted to offendors in any other court whatſoeuer, where their cauſe is handled. The manner vſed in their iudgements is in this ſort: The offendor is examined of the Preſidents of the colledge, and his confeſſion written, & then the matter is reported to the Colledge, the preſidents of which & the other Iudges that are preſent do plead as well in the behalf of the accuſer as of the offendor neuer determining of any great matter, but with an exceeding moderation of iudgement. In the beginning the charge onely of preuenting and remedying all ſuch things as any way ſhould offend the ciuil agreement of the commonwealth, was committed to the care of the tenne. But afterwardes certaine other grieuous & enormous offences, as making of falſe money, ſodomie, and ſuch like were alſo brought vnder the ſeuerity and cenſure of this ſharpe and ſtricte manner of iudgement. And in theſe times of ours this authority of the tenne hath yet much more enlarged his bounds: for they haue power giuen them to ſet amercements vpon ſundry offences, and to puniſh thoſe that ſhall blaſpheme the name of God, or of the bleſſed Virgine: and it is likewiſe or dayned, that whatſoeuer ſecrete matters that ſhould concerne the ſtate of the commonwealth any way: that ſuch (I ſay) ſhould bee brought and diſcloſed vnto them: who neuertheleſſe do not determine any thing of great moment without the opinion of the Senate. To the end therefore that a few citizens ſhould not alone haue ſuch ſucceſſiue authority in ſo waighty affaires, there are called and admitted into this colledge the Sages of the firſt and ſeconde order: likewiſe the Fifteen ſenators aſcribed to the colledge of the ten, who are called Adiunctes.Aduocators and procurers of S. Marke, whoſe office is held in great eſtimation and reuerence. There are beſides fifteene Senators aſcribed to this Colledge, who are called Adiunctes, but all theſe here rehearſed haue not the priuiledge of ſuffrage, but onely the ſeuenteen firſt, and theſe fifteene Adiunctes: ſo that the whole number of thoſe that haue authority of ſuffrage are two & thirty. The reſt are depriued of this power and priuiledge, though otherwiſe they be preſent at all their buſineſſe. The fifteene Adiunctes were not accuſtomed to be elected neyther of the Senate, neyther of the ſeſſions of the great Councell, but the tenne men did of themſelues make choyce of fifteene ſuch Senators as they beſt liked for their aſſiſtantes and companions: though now the ſame is altered, and the fifteene are choſen by the ſeſſions of the great Councell, as the other magiſtrates are. That there hath great vtilitie redounded to the commonwealth of Venice through this councell & Colledge of tenne: experience it ſelfe hath made moſt manifeſt & plaine. For two hundred & ten yeares ſince Marino Phalerio that then was Duke, hauing turned all his thoughtes to tiranny and vſurpation, was likely to haue giuen a great & deadly blow to the liberty Marino Phalerio Duke of Venice, publikely beheaded.of our commonwealth, if by the graue authority & wiſedome of the tenne, he had not beene oppreſſed & put downe, and receiued the rewarde of his impiety & wickedneſſe: for by their iudgement and ſentence, hee had his head publiquely ſtricken off, and with him ſundry other citizens of great nobility, that together with him had conſpired the ruine of their countries libertie, and beſides his memory was deliuered to poſterity with an eternall blot of diſhonour and infamy: For in thoſe places where the pictures of our princes are curiouſly ſet forth and painted, with Epitaphes and remembraunces of thoſe vertuous deedes, which they haue done in the behalfe and ſeruice of their countrey, the ſeate of Marino Phalerio is left bare without any picture at all, ſaue onely a few verſes, ſignifying vnto the reader, that this Duke was for his offences (becauſe I will not vary the wordes as they ſtand written) ſtricken with the axe: a conſpiracie without doubt of paſſing wickedneſſe, and exceeding daunger, in apparance not vnlikely to haue wrought the vtter ouerthrow of the commonwealth, if by the authority of the colledge of ten, the ſame had not beene preſently extinguiſhed. Likewiſe ſundry other citizens, that being tickled with this rumor of ambition, had publiſhed certaine plauſible lawes, to draw vnto them the good willes of the people, were ouertaken by the authority of this colledge, & preſently cut off: whereby it is come to paſſe, that through the power of this Colledge alwaies aſſiſted by the goodneſſe of God, no ſuch pernicious infection hath as yet beene able to eate into our commonwealth. Thus the principal partes of our commonwealthes are by vs already expreſſed, but now to the end that our vndertaken work may be in euery part perfect and accompliſhed, we will ſpeake ſomewhat of the remaining magiſtrates, as well thoſe, to whoſe handes is committed the adminiſtration of iuſtice, as thoſe that haue the handling & ordering of the publike rents, and withall of the manner of gouerning thoſe cities that are vnder the Venetian commonwealth, as alſo of their captaines, nauies & armies, both by ſea and by land. Laſtly I will make mention of certaine ſtatutes & ordinances, by which the danger of the common peoples miſlike, in that they alſo haue not part in gouerning the commonwealth is cleerly auoided, with their great ſatisfaction and contentment: I will likewiſe ſhew, that the training and exerciſing the youthes to the exerciſes of warre is not in the Citie neglected, as ſome ſuppoſe. But before I proceed farther to theſe particular demonſtrations, I thinke it not beſide the purpoſe to aduertiſe the reader, that in this manner of the Senates conſultation, of which I haue ſpoken, and likewiſe in that of the Colledge of Tenne, there doth plainely appeare a certain mixture of the lawes of a popular ſtate, with the gouernment of a nobilitie. For whereas the ſenate cannot deliberate of any thing if firſt report therof be not made vnto them of the Sages, therein appeareth a ſtate of nobilitie: but that the Sages haue not any power, vnleſſe they conſult with the Senate, and haue by authority thereof, their opinions confirmed, taſteth altogether of a popular gouernment, ſo that this iuſt mixture & temperature, which maketh the perfect meaſures and meanes of gouernment to be vnited in the true forme and ſhape of a commonwealth, is founde not onely in the whole body together, but alſo in euery parte and particular member of this our commonwealth. But returning whence I digreſſed: I will firſt of all handle that part which pertayneth and belongeth vnto Iuſtice.

All right & iuſtice therfore which is wont to be adminiſtred of magiſtrates, is diuided into two parts, for eyther it conſiſteth in the puniſhmentes of lewde & wicked men, that ſhall in any notable ſorte treſpaſſe impiouſly againſt God, and traiterouſly againſt their countrey, or wickedly againſt any citizen, or member thereof in particular: or els it concerneth the iudgement and determination of litigious controuerſies and ciuill cauſes. Criminall and ciuill iudges.Therefore are there alſo in Venice two kindes of Iudges, the one ſeruing for the deciſion of ciuill cauſes, the other for the iudgement of capital crimes, of whom we will firſt ſpeake, and then of the other.

Some offences are eſteemed to be ſmall and light, in regard of the proper nature of the offence, or els of the condition of him that offended: others are accounted to be more grieuous and of greater importance, eyther through the qualitie of the miſdeede it ſelfe, or els through the nobility and degree of him that doth it: whence it commeth that theſe capitall iudges are alſo diuided into two: the one for matters of great moment and grieuous enormity: the other for crimes leſſe haynous and of ſmaller waight: which diuiſion of iudgements as it was firſt ordained with an exceeding reaſon and founde foundation, ſo hath experience approued it for allowable & of high commendation: we will firſt ſpeake of the chiefeſt, and then of the reſt.

Beſides thoſe offences, which we told you were committed to the cenſure of the tenne: all other great and waightie crimes, being by the Aduocators reported of, and by the Colledge of fortie well pondered and debated, are wont all to be determined, and punniſhment according to the qualitie of the crime to bee inflicted vpon thoſe that ſhalbe found faulty therein. Theſe forty that haue the examination & handling of waighty criminall cauſes, are commonly called the xl. criminall Iudges: we will ſpeake of eyther, but we will firſt begin with the Aduocators.

The office of the Aduocators.The office of the Aduocators was in times paſſed in great authoritie and maruelous eſtimation: the duety and function therereof being to defend the lawes pure and inuiolate, without ſuffring them in any one point The Aduocators in Venice reſemble the auncient Tribunes of the Romaine people.ro be blemiſhed, ſo that their authority and power is much like vnto that of the Tribunes of the Romaine people, but that they were to defend the liberty of the people, and ours onely the force of the lawes: ſo that in my iudgement they may, and not vnfitly be tearmed the Tribunes of the lawes. But we to auoide all ambiguities, will ſtill retaine the common and accuſtomed worde: they onely pleaded and made report vnto the people, but ours to the xl. men for ſmall cauſes, for greater to the Senate, for greateſt of all to the greater Councell, if ſo they ſhall thinke good: ſo that in auncient time the anthority of this office was paſſing honorable. But now ſince the mightineſſe and encreaſed greatneſſe of the Tenne, this office is growen to bee of leſſe account, and the eſtimation thereof much obſcured. Neuertheleſſe ſeeing there belongeth to this office ſo ample an authority of reporting in all cauſes, but eſpecially the guarding and defending of the lawes: & ſeeing that thoſe which haue committed any exceſſe or crime, ſeeme to haue broken and tranſgreſſed the lawes, it ſeemed good that thoſe offences ſhould in a certaine peculiar ſort bee corrected by the cenſure of the Aduocators, though of themſelues they haue not any authority of determining any thing abſolutely againſt the offendors, vnleſſe it be in ſome ſmall cauſes: the reſt are all ordered by the ſentence of the Councell.

In this place, I thinke it not from the purpoſe to explane The manner of capitall iudgements.the manner and meane of capitall iudgements, which are giuen vpon the reporte of the Aduocators, ſeeing that (vnleſſe I be deceyued) the like cuſtome is not any where obſerued, withall I ſhall thereby the better and plainlier make you vnderſtand what the authority is of this office of Aduocators.

When any crime or offence is brought before the Aduocators (if the ſame be thought worthy of their cenſure) then preſently is he, whoſe name is brought by ſome one of them (the charge thereof belonging chiefly to three) declared and argued to be guiltie, and then report is thereof made ouer by him that argued him, to what councell himſelfe ſhall beſt like, though vſually ſuch matters are referred to the colledge of the xl which haue preſidence, and authority ouer capitall crimes & iudgements. And there the matter beeing well debated of, the councel determineth, whether the offender ſhal be put in priſon or tortured, or otherwiſe allowed to defend his cauſe at libertie, who is either by the decree of the councell preſently ſent for, or els ſecretly apprehended by the Officers and Sergeantes that attende vpon the Aduocators: and then hee is eyther at libertie, or as a priſoner examined vpon the matter: he maketh his aunſwere, and witneſſes and proofes are produced on each ſide, and each particular regiſtred in writing, as well in the behalfe of the offendor, as againſt him, and a coppie thereof giuen him, and a time of reſpite appointed him to inſtruct his Aduocators, & ſuch as hee ſhall chuſe to pleade for him: and they likewiſe prouide themſelues of ſuch proofes and argumentes, as may beſt ſerue for his defence, and for the diſproofe and confutation of ſuch reaſons and teſtimonies, as ſhall be vrged againſt him, and then the matter commeth to the pleading.

I cannot here ouerſlip an ancient cuſtome obſerued of our forepaſſed elders euen vnto this age of ours, which is, that if any doe want meanes and abilitie to entertayne an Aduocate or Lawyer to pleade and defende his cauſe: then are there two Aduocates appointed him at the charge of the commonwealth, to ſpeake and argue in the defence and maintenance of his right. For thereof the lawes haue a ſpeciall regarde, Two aduocates appointed by the commonwealth to defend the cauſe of thoſe that want meanes & abilitie to entertaine them.that no one doe receiue puniſhment without being firſt admitted to ſay what hee can in iuſtification of himſelfe. But after that due ceremonies are obſerued with the offendor, and all reſpectes and liberties afforded him, that the defence of his cauſe requireth, the aduocators doe warne the councell, and a day is appointed for the tryall of his cauſe.

The Councell being aſſembled, the accuſation of the parties that ſtande vpon their tryall, belongeth to the Aduocators, who are in that behalfe to behaue themſelues with great ſharpeneſſe, vehemence and ſeuerity, euen in as inuectiue a manner (if poſſible they could attaine and reach thereunto) as that which Cicero vſed againſt Verres or Antonius, yet ſo that they refrayne from vnſeemely rayling, and do not digreſſe or wander out of the matter with extremitie of ſpitefull words. For whoſoeuer maliciouſly raileth, ſeemeth rather to bewray a mind intemperate and hatefull, then any way to aduaunce the commonwealthes cauſe. For in this point the matter is farre otherwiſe among the Venetians, then it was in times paſſed among the Romaines. Aunciently in Rome any citizen whatſoeuer might impleade another, and with all bitterneſſe accuſe him before the Iudges: but in Venice no priuate man may performe ſuch office, the ſame by the lawes of the commonwealth belonging to the dignity & magiſtracie of the Aduocators. In which point mee thinketh our anceſtors did rightlier imitate the nature of things, and had therein a more regardfull foreſight to maintain the citizens in agreement, then had the Romaines. For ſeeing that an offence committed is a breach of the lawes, & a ſcandall to the commenwealth, & the lawes and the commommonwealth are to exact puniſhment thereof: who can be fitter to require the puniſhment of him that offendeth, or who ought thereunto to bend greater indeuour, then that Magiſtrate whoſe authority, rule & dignity is wholly giuen him to defend the laws? Neyther can any priuate citizen play the part of an accuſer, without exceeding enuie and hatred of him whom he ſhall proſecute, whence eaſily there might ſedition & trouble ariſe among the citizens, which inconuenience is by vs notably auoyded, by laying this whole charge of accuſations vpon a Magiſtrate, who is not to handle the ſame according to any priuate or particular diſſentious conceipt, but according to the preſcript rule and forme of the lawes: ſo that it hath neuer lightly beene hearde of, that euer any blame was imputed to an Aduocator for vſing vehement inuectiues, or being a ſharpe accuſer, but rather the greater applauſe and praiſe thereby to ariſe vnto him among all the citizens. But let vs now returne to our before mentioned manner of iudgements.

The Councell being aſſembled, the Aduocator plaieth the parte of a bitter accuſer, ſtrayning the vttermoſt inuention of his wittes with all vehemence againſt the offendor, firſt obiecting vnto him the offence, confirming the ſame with witneſſes, and then ſtrengthening his obiection with probabilities and likelihoodes of coniecture: hauing ended his ſpeech, the aduocate of the offender pleadeth in the Clyentes behalfe: After which if any of the Aduocators will ſpeake afreſh, before the Iudges giue ſentence, he hath libertie ſo to do: likewiſe the Lawyers of the defendant haue leaue to aunſwere and to confute, if they can, the oppoſed arguments. And ſo of eyther ſide the cauſe is debated and toſſed to and fro, till eyther the offender or the Aduocator whoſe turne it is to ſpeake, doth declare that he hath no more to ſay, which done, the offender and his aduocates are commanded out of the Court, and the Aduocators are ſhutte into a roome apart with the Iudges and their Secretaries, not any one elſe being ſuffred to be there. The Aduocators firſt doe make a motion vnto the Iudges of puniſhing the offender, demaunding their opinions whether they thinke him worthy of puniſhment or no, not naming or appointing any one certayne kinde of puniſhment, which Two manner of iudgements.cuſtome was (in a manner) obſerued by the Athenians: for in Athens the Iudges gaue two ſentences, in the firſt eyther condemning or abſoluing the priſoner. If in the firſt hee were condemned, then was the manner of his puniſhment determined of in the ſecond, as out of Platoes Apologie of Socrates may plainly bee perceiued, the very like order of iudgement is that in manner which we do vſe: firſt (as I ſay) the aduocators make a motion vnto the Iudges of puniſhing the offender. Then the Iudges go vnto their ſuffrages, for by ſuffrages among the Venetians all things are determined. Three pots are brought forth, by the one of which the offender is condemned: by the other hee is abſolued in maner without any correctiō, & by the third are known the opinion of thoſe, which doe ſeeme yet to doubt whether courſe is to be taken: the firſt of condemnation is white, the ſecond of abſolution greene, the third of doubtfulnes redde. Euery of the Iudges, whether the cauſe be diſputed of by the forty (as vſually it is) or els that the ſenate be conſulted with (which ſeldome happeneth) & that only in great & waighty cauſes, or whether it be by the aduocators reported ouer to the great councell, which is moſt ſeldome, & neuer but in matters exceedingly enormous, to the ende to haue his ſuffrage vndiſcerned, letteth fall into whether of theſe The manner of the priſoners tryall.three pots he pleaſeth a little linnen ball: which being done, the preſidents of the councell doe number the balles, and if more then the half be in ſauor of the priſoners liberty, he is preſently pronounced free, & the requeſt of the aduocators reiected. But if more then the half of thoſe bals, be found in the pot of condemnation, he is preſently condemned: if neither of both exceede the half, but that the greater part of the Iudges put their ſuffrages into the pot of doubtfulnes: then his cauſe is deferred ouer til another day, & to the better diſcuſſion of the Iudges: if he be abſolued, he hath no more to do but is preſently ſet at liberty: if his terme be prolonged, then there is a new day appointed both to him and the Iudges for the handling of his cauſe: the Aduocators accuſing him and his Lawyers, as wel as they can, refuting the obiected crimes. After that the matter is debated & pleaded on both ſides, the Iudges go to their bals againe, and if then neyther there bee any thing concluded in regard that the greater part of the lots be found in the pot, that agreeth the doubtfulneſſe & irreſolution of the Iudges, then once againe is the cauſe put ouer, and a new day appointed both to the priſoner and the Iudges: which being come, and the Iudges caſting their lots as before, there is no farther regard helde of thoſe that are doubtfull, inſomuch that if the lottes bee not in eyther parte iuſtly equall, of neceſſitie the priſoner muſt bee eyther acquitted or condemned: if hee bee acquitted, hee hath (as I ſaid before) no more to doe: but if he bee condemned, then they are to determine of the manner of his puniſhment: concerning the which both the Aduocators and the preſidents of the Colledges of Iudges doe make motions. Alwaies The office of the Aduocators enclyning more to ſeuerity thē mercy. The heades of the forty and the counſellors propound lighter penalties.the Aduocators doe propounde that puniſhment, which to that ſorte of offence doth ſeeme moſt ſharp and grieuous, their office and dutie being more to incline to ſeuerity then to mercie. The other doe accuſtome to propounde lighter penalties, vnleſſe the fault be ſo hainous, that there remain no place for pitty, or els that the Aduocators haue vſed greater lenitie then becommeth their place and office. The opinions of all being propoſed, the puniſhment that the priſoner muſt ſuffer, is in the very ſame manner and faſhion concluded & determined on (as I told you aboue) that the decrees of the ſenate are wont to be ratified, when the Sages are of ſundry & diuers opinions. The manner of which if I ſhould repeat againe, I ſhould trouble the reader with a needleſſe iteration, and perchance be accounted tedious for my labor: Let this ſuffiſe, that that opinion of the Iudges is pronounced and executed, which (the other being reiected) hath in fauour thereof more then halfe the ſuffrages.

No one citizē nor magiſtrate allowed for an abſolute iudge or arbitrator in any thing. Here me thinketh I ſhall not doe amiſſe to acquaint you with two ſtatutes wiſely enacted by our anceſtors.

The firſt is, that they would not by any meanes, that any citizen, no nor magiſtrate, ſhould bee an arbitrator without appeale in any thing, but that the ſupreme right & iudgement of all things ſhoulde belong to the councels or colledges. And the other no leſſe profitable then the former is, that the Iudges ſhould not openly with their tongue pronounce their opinions: but ſecretly by ſuffrages, the maner of which you haue heard: either of which in my opinion, grounded vpon exceeding reaſon: Firſt for ſo great an authority in determining matters, to haue been cōmitted to one magiſtrate as it had beene dangerous: ſo if now the matter fall by chaunce otherwiſe then well out, the Citie cannot find fault with any particular citizens. And with as great wiſedome was it ordained, that iudgementes and decrees ſhould not bee openly with ſpeech pronounced: for the Iudges by this inuention of ſecret ſuffrages doe iudge much more freely then they woulde haue done, if they had beene to deliuer their iudgementes with their tongue, in which caſe ſometimes eyther through ambition they wold haue been ſeduced from iuſtice, or els feared the offence of their well deſeruing friendes, or els doubted the indignation and miſlike of ſome greater perſon: withal this commodity ther is, that euery Iudge followeth his own iudgemēt, without depending vpon the authority of any other Iudge: which might eaſily happen, that hee that had before ſpoken, were, reputed to be graue and wiſe, which point hath not been omitted of excellent Philoſophers: but now ſeeing the whole manner of iudgementes is of vs expreſſed: wee will returne to the forty iudges of Capitall cauſes, of which I had begunne to ſpeake. Their Colledge was inſtituted of our City, to the ende that the Aduocators making report vnto them of Capitall cauſes; by their deliberation, wicked men and malefactors might receiue condigne correction & puniſhment: for vnleſſe it be in great and waightie matters, and ſuch as the commonwealthes may bee intereſſed by the deciſion of them, the Aduocators doe neuer conſult with the Senate, and verie rarely with the great Councell: but all Capitall cauſes are brought to this Colledge of the forty, whoſe ſentence is helde for ratifyed and firme without admitting any appeale. Their office laſteth eight moneths, after that they haue before ſpent ſixteen moneths in determining of ciuill cauſes. For there are in the common wealthes of Venice three The office of the forty criminall IudgesCourtes or Colledges, euery one conſiſting of Forty iudges, two of them are for the iudging and determining of ciuile cauſes, and the thirde of which wee ſpeake for Capitall: but they are in this ſort diſtributed, that theſe forty Capitall Iudges, ſo ſoone as they haue finiſhed their lymited time of office, do returne priuately into order, and forthwith other forty are choſen into their places by the ſeſſion of the great Councell, and yet the forty new choſen, doe not preſently come to the iudging of Capitall cauſes, but in place of theſe former Capitall Iudges, doth the other Colledge of Forty ſucceede, that did in the meane ſpace of theſe eight moneths, exerciſe the iudgemēt of ciuile cauſes within the City. And againe in their place doth ſucceede the other Colledge of forty, which alſo in this eight moneths ſpace, had the handling of ciuil-foreyne cauſes, and in their place do ſucceed theſe laſt forty newly created, and ſo by turne they paſſe from foreyn cauſes to cauſes of the city, and laſtly to thoſe which are capital, in which iudgements, from one as I ſay to another they continue two years. Theſe three courts of iudges haue their three peculiar appellations. The firſt of forreyne cauſes is called the new Colledge, the ſecond of homeciuil cauſes, the old, and the third that iudgeth vpon life and death, the criminal Colledge: theſe laſt forty, beſide the high power of their iudgement in capital offences and crimes are alſo admitted into the Senate, and haue in that honorable Councell alſo their authority of ſufrages. They haue beſides three heads or preſidentes of their company, which are euery two monethes choſen new by Lot, and in their turnes they ſit with the Duke and Councellers, and haue with them equal authority of making report ouer of whatſoeuer they ſhal pleaſe, eyther to the Senate or to the great Councell, the ſame neuertheleſſe in ſuch manner as I tolde you before: neyther without reaſon are theſe forty yonger men mingled with the Senators, which are for the moſt part olde men in regarde that the heate of their nature maketh a temperature with the others coldneſſe, yet are not theſe young men equall in number to the olde men, but much fewer, onely inough to put ſome heat into the cold deliberatiōs of the Senate; which ſomtimes exceeding & in matters of ſome nature is neceſſarie. Beſides by this grant of Senator like authority to the forty, there may ſeeme to bee in ſome forte a communication of the commonwealths gouernmēt, with the lower and meaner ſort of citizens, ſuch as for the moſt part they are that do exerciſe this office of the forty▪ wherein our aunceſters haue ſeemed to vſe & obſerue a certaine kinde of popular lawe: for to euery of theſe three Colledges of forty men there is a certain rated allowance of mony appointed and giuen for euery day that they ſhall aſſemble and meete, and therefore very ſeldome do thoſe that are rich, require this office, and if they ſhould, they would as eaſily be repulſed. The honor thereof being without difficulty granted to the needier ſort, prouided alwaies, that their life beare with it the fame of an honeſt conuerſation: by which meanes the pouerty of meane gentlemen is not only in ſome ſort prouided for, but alſoo the gouernment and adminiſtration of the common wealth, is aſwell in ſome ſort communicated with the meaner and poorer ſorte of Citizens, as with thoſe that are highlieſt remarkable eyther for riches or nobilitie, which cuſtome hath a reference to the popular eſtate. By theſe thinges you may perceiue that there appeareth in eueriy parte of the Venetian common wealth, that moderation, and temperature, which in the beginning of this worke, I tolde you our aunceſters did ſo highly indeuour to eſtabliſh, which is, that the popular eſtate ſhould haue an intelligence and mixture with that of the nobilitie, yet the ſame in that order ſeaſoned, that the parts of the Nobilitie ſhould bee both more in number and mightier in ſway.

We haue now in my opinion ſufficiently diſcourſed both of the Aduocators, as alſo of the forty criminall Iudges▪ who are to that ende inſtituted, that they ſhould carefully looke into all ſuch offences as are any way notorious, eyther through the qualitie of the offence, or the condition of the offendor: Now the time Two ſorts of inferior magiſtrates.requireth, that we ſhould briefly ſpeake of ſome inferior magiſtrates, that haue authority to puniſh offences of leſſe qualitie, and moment, eyther in regarde of the meanes of the faulte it ſelfe, or the ſlender regard & quality of the perſon that commiteth the ſame. Theſe alſo are of two ſortes, the one hath power of life and death, the other not, their authority ſtretching no farther then to the puniſhment of Rogues and Harlots, whome they cauſe to bee impriſoned or whipt with rods, euery of them according to the proportion of their committed lewdnes. The firſt magiſtrate alſo that hath power to giue ſentence of life and death, is likewiſe deuided into two ſortes. For the ſelfe ſame Iudges doe not ſearch out and examine and call to tryall the offendor, but the firſt being the heades of the officers by night doe throughly examine the cauſe of Officers of night.the offender, and regiſter vp in writing the depoſition of the witneſſes, & whatſoeuer elſe the party hath confeſſed, eyther of his owne accord, or els by the conſtraint of torture: and then finally repreſent the whole to the iudges of the Properties. This Magiſtrate differeth Iudges of the properties.much from the former, and giueth ſentence of death, when the cauſe in handling is capitall. But if it be a lighter offence to bee puniſhed onely with whipping or impriſonment, the captaines of the officers by night, do of themſelues diſpatch the matter without aſking the aduiſe of the Colledge, eyther for the impriſoning or torturing the offendor, which authority neuer theleſſe the office of the Aduocators hath not, but muſt firſt acquaint the Colledge and proceede according to the decrees thereof, neither is the ſame ſo ordayned without exceeding reaſon and foundation, for that for euery ſmall matter, and the offence of euery baggage fellow, the Councell ſhould haue been mooued, both the common wealthes ſhould haue beene ouermuch troubled with many impertenent brablers, and alſo lewd fellowes ſhould haue had a greater ſcope of liuing licentiouſly, through the hope of eſcaping puniſhmēt. For greater expedition thereof, of theſe kinds of iudgements, the heads or chieftaines of the officers by night do obtaine that authority, of which the Aduocators are depriued. Theſe officers of the night are ſix, and ſix likewiſe are thoſe meane officers, that haue onely power to correct baſe vagabonds and tryfeling offences.

Thoſe that do execute this office are called heades of the tribes of the city, becauſe out of euery tribe (for the city is deuided into ſix tribes) there is elected an officer of the night, and a head of the tribe, which cuſtome alſo we obſerue in the election of our Councellers, as here before I haue expreſſed.

The duty of eyther of theſe officers is, to keepe a watch euery other night by turn, within their tribes and now the one and then the other, to make rounds about his quarter, till the dawning of the day, being alwayes guarded and attended on with weaponed officers▪ and ſerieants, and to ſee that there be not any diſorder done in the darkenes of the night, which alwaies imboldneth men ill diſpoſed to naughtineſſe, and that there be not any houſes broken vp, nor theeues, nor rogueslurking in corners with intent to do violence.

At the firſt beginning of the city, eyther of theſe offices was of great eſtimation: but ſince, new Magiſtrates being added, according to the chaunge of the times, and the occaſion of the common wealth: the ſame is much diminiſhed and of leſſer reſpect, for the chiefe authority being tranſferred ouer to the new officers, there remaineth onely in their courtes the deciſion of baſe and baggage matters, as the ſuddes or lees of the reſt.

Hetherto there is inough ſaide of thoſe Magiſtrates that do determine Capitall cauſes: In the next volume we will ſpeake of ciuile Iudgementes.

IT hath beene alwaies a perpetuall continuing cuſtome in the commō The whole high and chief authority of all thinges belonging to the Councels and not to any particular magiſtrates.wealth of Venice, that no magiſtrate whatſoeuer ſhould haue in matters of waight and importance, high & chief authority: but that the ſame ſhoulde wholy belong to the colledge, or rather vſing the common manner of ſpeech to the Councels, inſomuch that in ciuile cauſes ſuch as In ciuile cauſes the party preiudiced may after iudgement giuen appeale to the Auditors and to the Colledge of the Forty.ſhall exceede the ſumme of fiue and forty crownes, there is not any magiſtrate from whoſe iudgement, the party may not appeale to the Auditors of the ciuile cauſes, and to the colledge of forty, of whome we haue heere aboue made mention.

But to the end that the whole manner of theſe ciuile iudgements may be made manifeſt and plaine, wee Two ſorts of Auditors the olde and the new.will begin with the Auditors, which are of two ſortes, that is to ſay, the olde and the new, the olde doe deriue their name from the antiquitie of their office, The old Auditors more ancient then the new.and being much more ancient then that of the new, which was altogether vnknowne in this commonwealth, till the ſame beganne to haue Dominion ouer the maine Lande, many ages after the building of the City. Theſe olde Auditors haue in manner the ſame authority in determination of ciuile cauſes, after they are debated of & iudged by the ciuile iudges, as the aduocators haue in all ſuch matters, as any way they ſhall thinke to be offenſiue to the lawes, I meane in receauing of appeales, or making of report ouer.

When therefore by the ciuile Iudges, there is any ſentence giuen againſt any man: it is lawfull for him who receiueth preiudice thereby, to appeale from their indgement to the Auditors, the cauſe then being brought into their court, and of eyther ſide pleaded & debated of thoſe betweene whome the controuerſie dependeth, if the ſame exceed not the ſumme of fiftie crowns, they may of their own authority, ſo they agree all in one end and determine the ſame, without the Colledge of the forty: or if they diſagree in opinion, then one of them hath authority to make report ouer Three Iudges that haue authoritie to iudge and determine on thinges that are found,to a very ſmall Colledge, where the company of eyther Auditors do note, and likewiſe three other Iudges, that vſually do ſit vpon thinges that are founde: and there theſe leſſer affaires are abſolutely determined.

But if the whole cauſe did amount aboue the rate of the foreſaid ſumme, before our time the matter coulde not haue beene brought into the Colledge of the Forty, vnleſſe ſomeone of the Auditors had interpoſed himſelfe, and made reporte of the ſentence ſo giuen by the Iudges, vnto the forty. But in this time of ours there is a Law made, whereby liberty is graunted vnto him againſt whome the former Iudges haue pronounced ſentence, that he may after three monthes (though none of the Auditors intermeddle) call his aduerſary a freſh into A law lately made, by which the authority of the Auditors is greatly diminiſhed.queſtion by appeale vnto the Colledge, by whoſe lawe the authoritie of the Auditors is greatly diminiſhed: yet neuertheleſſe is their report of great auaile to the furtherance of the cauſe, and beſides the cutting of the delay of three monthes, ſeemeth to be as a prerogatiue to the Iudges. Preſently vpon the Auditors report the former iudges were before our time ſummoned into the Colledge of the fortie, and there eyther magiſtrate admitted to the maintenance of his cauſe by plea: but now I know not by what negligence by little and little it is brought to paſſe, that the former Iudges, from whoſe ſentences the appeale is brought, doe neyther pleade, nor bee ſo much as preſent at the handling of their cauſe in the Colledge of the forty: onely being cited by an officer, their anſwere is, that, that which lawe and iuſtice is, may go forward.

But this cuſtome that the auditors ſhould firſt make report vnto the colledge of ſuch cauſes as were by appeale brought vnto them, and plead in maintenance of them, hauing continued till our time, is now wholly abrogated: and onely the Aduocates of thoſe between whom the controuerſie reſteth, doe vſe that office, in defending the cauſe of their clientes: whereby it is come to paſſe, that this office which was before time ſo honourable, is now become to bee greatly obſcured and eclipſed. The iudges of ciuile cauſes obſerue the ſame order in their iudgements as the criminal iudges.

Theſe fortie Iudges of ciuill cauſes doe in a manner obſerue that order and cuſtome in their iudgementes, as you heard me ſay before is vſually wont to bee obſerued of the forty Iudges of capitall cauſes: onely this difference there is that in cauſes wherein the life and eſtate of any man is called in queſtion, there is no certayne time of ſpeech limited or impoſed, whereas in A certaine time of ſpeech limited.ciuile controuerſies there is a certaine time appointed, beyond which they may not by any meanes lengthen or extend their plea: that is to ſay, an houre and a halfe onely to each of them that pleadeth: neyther are there in the deciſion of theſe ciuile iudgements many opinions alleadged, out of which the Colledge may concluſiuely chuſe one that ſhalbe beſt to their liking, as in conſultation vpon the puniſhment of malefactors, (I told you aboue is vſually the cuſtome) but it is onely here debated, whether the ſentence giuen by the former Iudges ſhall be confirmed or abrogated: if any of the Auditors make interceſſion to that ende, then ſhall the queſtion be of abrogating and cancelling the ſame: but otherwiſe if the matter come vnto the Colledge without the interceſſion or addreſſe of any Auditor, then the Preſidentes of the Colledge, after the matter is of each ſide throughly pleaded, doe rather propoſe the ſtrengthening and confirming of the former iudgement then the diſalowance or cancelling thereof. Preſently all the ſworne Iudges doe prepare Three ſeuerall pots brought forth, a white, a greene▪ and a redde.themſelues and go vnto their ſuffrages, and three pots likewiſe are brought forth: in the greene the former iudgement is cancelled: in the white it is approued, and in the thirde which is redde, are the balles of thoſe that doe yet remaine doubtfull, and would haue the matter to bee adiourned and deferred. Nothing is helde for abſolute and decreede, vnleſſe more then the halfe doe conclude and agree together in one opinion, eyther for the ratifying, or diſanulling thereof: of which if the iudges bee not throughly perſwaded, ſo that neyther of both bee decided, the ſame is then deferred ouer till the next day, and the ſame ceremonies againe renewed: and if neyther then it bee determined, the Colledge is called agayne the thirde day, and the ſelfe ſame proceedinges vſed as before, ſaue onely that after eyther ſide hath ſufficiently pleaded, and that they go againe to their ſuffrages, there is no farther reckoning made of thoſe that remayne doubtfull and vnperſwaded, ſo that vnleſſe the ſuffrages bee altogether equall, it is determined, and fully ended one way or other, and the former iudgement Vpon abrogation of the former iudgement the plaintife hath libertie to renue his action.eyther fully confirmed or vtterly abrogated. Neuertheleſſe vppon abrogation of the former iudgement the playntife is not ſo put off and debarred, but that hee hath libertie to renewe his action agayne: for this newe cancelling ſerueth to no other ende, but onely to fruſtrate and make voide and inualide But vpon the confirmation of the former ſentence the party intereſſed is vtterly debarred.the force of the former iudgement: whereas the approbation and allowance confirmeth and ratifieth for euer the iudgement that was giuen and pronounced, neyther is there left to the defendant, any place eyther of prouocation or appeale, or meane to call the matter in queſtion, vnleſſe there fall out ſome new matter or occaſion.

This ſhall bee ſufficient as concerning the olde Auditors: now wee will briefly ſay ſomewhat of the newe. This Magiſtrate was vnknowen and not created in our commonwealth, till ſuch time as the Venetian Empire beganne to imbrace the mayne lande that bordered vppon our Lakes. To theſe may appeales be brought from the iudgements & ſentences of The New auditors meddle onely with forraigne matters. ſuch gouernors & magiſtrates as without the precinctes of our Citie doe adminiſter iuſtice to people that doe liue vnder our ſubiection: for the olde Auditors were not of themſelues able and ſufficient to vnderſtand and diſpatch both the cauſes of the citie, and thoſe alſo of forrayne places: for which cauſe this Magiſtrate was called by the name of New, in regarde that after the commonwealth was once ſetled and eſtabliſhed, the citie began to ſtretch and enlarge her dominion ouer the maine land of the prouince of Venetia, which as though it had neuer beene ſeperated from the ſame, returned willingly with a franke and liberall good will. For as I ſhewed you in the beginning of this worke, the nobleſt ſorte of people that inhabited the countrey of Venetia, flying the barbarous crueltie of forraine nations, & the generall deuaſtation of all Italie, did get themſelues into theſe lakes of ours, and then did lay the firſt foundation Why the City was firſt called Venetia.of this moſt opulent and flouriſhing citie, calling it by the name of Venetia, to leaue thereby a remembrance vnto their poſteritie, that there in the ſame were ioyntly together aſſembled the chiefe prime and flower of the nobilitie of all the cities of the territories of Venetia: ſo that in ſhort ſpace, when the rule and empire therof began infinitly to increaſe, one Magiſtrate could not ſerue for the diſpatch both of forraine and domeſticall cauſes: and therefore this New Magiſtrate was The New col ledge of the forty ciuile iudges.ordayned, and likewiſe the New Colledge of the forty: into whoſe courtes are brought the appeales from the indgementes of ſuch forrayne magiſtrates as haue gouernment abroade: where being throughly handled and diſcuſſed, they are finally ended and concluded. The manner and forme of proceeding in this colledge, is ſuch in all points (as before I told you) is obſerued of the olde Auditors, and the councell of the forty ciuill The councel of fortie for cauſes onely within the citie.Iudges, concerning cauſes within the cittie: onely this is added to the authoritie of the new Auditors, that in any matter brought vnto them by appeale, ſo the ſame exceed not the ſumme of fortie crownes, they may ouerrule the former iudgement, or abrogate it, or allow it eyther in whole or in part, as ſhal ſeeme beſt vnto them, prouided, that they do all agree in one opinion: which The cauſes of ſtrangers ſooner diſpatched then thoſe of the citizens.courſe was thought fit to be ordayned, to the end that forrayners and ſtrangers (of whome according to the preceptes of many great Philoſophers there is eſpeciall regarde to bee had) ſhould not be moleſted and lingred off with long delayes, but quickly come to an ende of their ſuites. This priuiledge the olde Auditors haue not: for they of neceſſity muſt eyther wholly allow the iudgement, or els vtterly cancell and make voide the ſame, and whereas the new (as I ſaid) may, leauing the reſt, meddle onely with parte of the cauſe, they muſt either embrace the whole entire cauſe, or els vtterly leaue it vnmedled withall. So that by this means theſuites of ſtrangers are ſooner ended & determined, then the cauſes of the citizens, though through the ſuttelty of Aduocates and Lawyers (who leaue nothing vnattempted, how farre ſoeuer the ſame be from right) proceſſes and ſuites are ſundry times drawen out to an infinite length: as in all places it is vſuall, where iudgementes are not raſhly pronounced, but leaſurely and conſiderately at appointed times.

Now (in a manner) haue we expreſſed the whole form which is vſually obſerued in iudgements, it remaineth that we briefly ſpeak ſomwhat of thoſe magiſtrates who firſt of all do giue ſentence in cauſes of the Citie, & Sixe ſeuerall kindes of Iudges.from whom the appeales & prouocations are brought to the old Auditors, and to the councell of the fortie: of theſe Iudges there are ſix ſeueral courts, diuided according to the qualitie of the cauſes and of the perſons. For eyther the ſuites are about marchandiſe, or matters pertayning thereunto, or about houſes or groundes that are within the Lakes, or about poſſeſſions and landes that are on the Continent, or els about other contractes, or bargaines: as for the perſons that contend, they are eyther citizens or ſtrangers, or one with another ſtrangers and citizens together: or the controuerſie is betweene orphelins, or els moued at the ſuit of the widdowes, for the recouery of their dower after the death of their husbands. Leſt therefore there might fall out a confuſion among iudgements of ſo different kindes, to the end that the one ſhould not bee a diſturbance or hinderance to the other, there were appointed ſeuerall Courtes of iudgement, in ſo much that as farre forth as poſſible it might bee, euery one according to the quality of his buſineſſe might know the proper and peculiar Iudge of his controuerſie: for Iudges of the properties.whatſoeuer differences ariſe about houſes, groundes, or leaſes, ſituated or lying within the boundes of Venice (that is, being within the lakes) are all determined by thoſe that are called Iudges of the properties, to whoſe Courtes alſo widdowes haue recourſe in demandes of their dower, after the death of their huſbandes. This name and appellation of properties was firſt giuen them, becauſe our aunceſtors did take thoſe thinges to be properly their owne, which were ſeated within the Lakes, as not being eaſie to bee transferred to the dominion of other mayſters: as for ſuch goods as they had vpon the Continent, whether they were landes or houſes, in regarde that they lay open to violence, and might in diſpight of their mayſters ſuffer rapine and ſpoyle, they called by the name of moueables: if then the controuerſie ariſe concerning any poſſeſſion vpon the maine landes, for redreſſe thereof recourſe is to be had to the Iudges of the Procurators: Iudges of the procurators.vnder whome the matters of Orphelins that are yet vnder gardians are handled, for among the Venetians both gardians and tutors were wont to be called Procurators. If the contention and ſtrife do any way concerne Merchantes or matter of merchandiſe, then for the deciſion of thoſe cauſes are there certaine peculiar Iudges or Conſuls of the merchants.Iudges, called properly Iudges or Conſuls of the marchantes. Theſe doe in their Iudgements vſe a ſpeedier diſpatch then any other of the ciuill magiſtrates: which was ſo ordayned, to the ende that marchantes, whoſe affaires might otherwiſe receyue great detriment and hinderance, with lingering and delayes might not bee deluded or entertayned with long expectation of their Iudges of ſtrangers.right. But if the queſtion bee betweene ſtraungers, or that if any citizen will ſue a ſtranger that commeth to lodge in Venice for ſome fewe dayes, thoſe Iudges muſt then bee repayred vnto that are appoynted to heare the cauſes of ſtraungers, and haue thereof their proper nomination and tytle. But all other cauſes of ſales, bargaines, or contractes, by which any citizen pretendeth eyther breach of couenant or dueneſſe Iudges of requeſtes.of debt, are referred to the Iudges of requeſtes, who ſerue in ſteade of the Mayor or Pretor of the Citie. There are beſides certaine ſmall thinges, whoſe iudgement Iudges of the moueables.and determination is committed to certaine officers, that are called Iudges of the moueables. Likewiſe there is another kinde of magiſtrate, whoſe office is, if any thing happen to bee founde, that had layne long hidden, or els beene lately loſt, to iudge and determine Iudges of things that are found.whether the ſame ought to belong to the commō treaſure, or to any priuate man, or els to him whoſe chaunce it is to find it, all things of the like kind and nature being vnder the compaſſe of his authoritie and iudgement.

Hauing expreſſed the ſeuerall kinds and manners of Magiſtrates that haue charge of common treaſure.iudgements, we wil now paſſe ouer to thoſe magiſtrates that haue charge ouer the common chamber or treaſurie, and the receipt & employment of the publike reuenew. Theſe perchance may ſeeme to ſome body more in number then is conuenient, and that a few might as ſufficiently diſcharge the whole buſineſſe pertaining to the treaſure: but here they muſt marke, that our fathers omitted no kinde of heedfulneſſe to preuent all fraude & deceipt in the adminiſtration of their publike treaſure, ſuppoſing the ſame to bee the very fountayne whence the other parts of the commonwealth receiue their nouriture and ſuſtenance, and likewiſe grow to an exceeding weakeneſſe and empoueriſhment by the drying vp and decay therof, in ſo much that they made a ſolemn decree, that what citizen ſoeuer ſhould be cō uicted of hauing abuſed or defrauded the commō treaſure, ſhold be to al poſterity defamed with a perpetuall note of diſhonor: and the ſame perpetualy euery yeare ſhould to his eternal ſhame be renued. For vpō a certain appointed day the great councel is ſolemnly aſſembled, and there in a publike oration made by one of the Aduocators, all ſuch as haue beene conuicted of this crime as named with titles of reproach, to the end that the ſhame and infamie of ſo foule a fact may neuer growe out of date or be forgotten.

The magiſtrates who haue charge ouer the treaſure are of two ſortes. But returning to the purpoſe: The magiſtrates who haue charge ouer the Treaſure are of two ſortes, as likewiſe is the treaſure it ſelfe, for eyther it conſiſteth of the publike rentes, reuenewes, and tributes, or elſe when great and important occaſions ſhal ſo require the ſame, is raiſed of taxes and ſubſidies that are leuied according to the abilitie of the citizens: which oftentimes hapneth, when warres with which our city hath been much afflicted, do grow vppon vs eyther by ſea or land, as when the Turke incrochingly aſſaileth our dominions, whoſe mighty puiſſance and formidable attempts aſwell againſt vs, as againſt the whole commonwealth of Chriſtendome, wee alone not without exceeding charge and detriment haue reſiſted and kept at a baye many yeares, or elſe when chriſtian princes not brooking the greatnes of the Venetian empire, haue conſpired againſt the ſame, as in the fifteenth yeare before this, in manner all the greateſt princes of chriſtendome were ſtrongly linked, leagued and confederated againſt vs: but God be thanked: their endeuours were withſtoode, and our affaires though for a while declining, were yet at length reſtored into their former eſtate & flouriſhing erected grearneſſe.

Seeing then that this common treaſure conſiſteth of two kindes, two likewiſe are the kinds of magiſtrates to whoſe charge they are committed. The one for the ſubſidies leuied of the people: and the other for the common rents and tributes: Theſe tributes are leuied eyther of goods tranſported out of the City, or els of ſuch as are brought into the ſame: others the like alſo are collected and gathered out of thoſe other citties that are vnder the Venetian dominion. The tributes Tolles, and cuſtomes of the citie, aſwell through the great aboundance of marchandize, and infinite aſſembly of marchants, as alſo the innumerable multitude of people that dwell within the ſame, are farre greater then a man would imagine, and as the kinds of theſe matters & marchandize are diuers, ſo likewiſe are the officers ouer them inſtituted & ordained, as it beſt ſeemed vnto thē, to whoſe ſupremecharge & ſuperintendance they belong to acquaint you with the particularities & peculiar offices of euery one of which would rather breed a vaine and weriſome tediouſnes, then any neceſſarie or pleaſing delight, for which cauſe I thought it not amiſſe to ouerſlippe thoſe magiſtrates, whoſe offices are not of continuance, but are onely inſtituted vppon occaſions. In ſumme the chiefeſt point belonging to all theſe officers is to be heedefull that no parte of this commō treaſure be embezeled, miſemployed or careleſly regarded, all controuerſies likewiſe ariſing about this money, are by them iudged and determined, ſo ſoo e as they haue gathered in their mony, they carie The Gouernour • of the publike rents.the ſame to the gouernours of the publike Rents: for ſo is this magiſtrate called, to whoſe preſidence this matter is committed: which becauſe it is a very great and a very honorable charge, the ſame is not wont to be giuen, but vnto the nobleſt citizens, which to the end they ſhould the more willingly of themſelues deſire, or at leaſt not refuſe the ſame, being profered, as the burthen and care there of, is great and weightie: ſo are there thereunto many both profitable and honorable The creation of the vnder Officers belongeth to the gouernours the common Treaſure.authorities annexed for the creatiō of all ſuch vnder officers, as are paid out of the common treaſure, as Serieants, Somners, Purſeuants, Ordinarie gardes, and thereſt of that kinde, lyeth wholy in their power, whome hauing ſatiſfyed and payd, they bring the reſt The Treaſurers of the Chamber of the City▪ that remaineth to the Treaſurer, at the Chamber of the City: to which magiſtrate finally is brought the whole ſumme of the common money collected eyther within or without the towne, by whatſoeuer officer or treaſurer, and they do againe imploy the ſame vpon publike vſes, according to the order and direction of the Senate: keeping a Regiſter both of their receipts and paymentes, which office becauſe it requireth a painefull trauell and continuall diligence, the ſame is wont to be giuen to the yonger ſort of the nobilitie, prouided alwayes that they be ſuch, whoſe ſincereneſſe and integrity of life do no way degenerate from the nobleneſſe of their ſtocke, to the ende that the publike mony bee not priuately miſemployed, and theſe treaſurers of the City haue in manner as greate authority in the Senate as the other lawfull Senators: Peculiar Officers appointed ouer ſuch mony as is leuied by taxation.but as for the money which in the neceſſities and diſtreſſes of the commonwealth is leauied of the citizens by way of taxation: though at length the ſame come as to the treaſurer of the town Chamber, yet are there peculiar and proper officers thereunto aſſigned ſometimes vpon an occaſion of collecting a ſumme of money, the Senate maketh a decree for the raiſing thereof without any clauſe of reſtirution, intereſt, or vtilitie to returne backe to thoſe of, whome it is leuied, which happeneth neuertheleſſe very ſeldome, for commonly, or rather alwaies, vnleſſe extreame occaſion require the contrarie, the Senate (as their chiefeſt care is directed to the generall good of the commonwealth:) ſo alſo haue they a moſt eſpeciall and ſingular regarde of the particular eſtate of the citizens.

The ſumme that is to be leuied being determined, & time appointed for the payment thereof; euery one bringeth in as much thereof, as he was rated at, which is exacted and gathered in, by the gouernors of the rentes, and by them brought to the Treaſurers of the Chamber. But oftentimes vpon theſe taxations of money the Senate limites and appointes a time for reſtitution thereof vnto the Citizens, with ſome allowance Intereſt allowed vnto the citizens for ſuch money as is leuied of them.alſo of profite, and intereſt for the ſame, and to that ende are there certaine rentes and determinate tributes aſſigned and made ouer, but afore our time the Senate ſundrie times were wont to make a decree concerning this exacted ſumme of money that there ſhould not be made any mention of reſtitution, nor any time thereunto appointed, vnleſſe the ſame ſhould be for the generall good and benefite of the common wealth, onely the magiſtrate, which was called preſident of the lones, and as yet retayneth that name, recorded Preſident of the Lones.in a booke, the ſeuerall ſumme contributed by euery particularr cittizen, and in the meane time till the ſame were repayed, there were allowed fiue crownes in the hundred, to euery one of thoſe that had beene taxed, and thereunto were ſundrie rentes appointed, ſo that in thoſe ancient warres it was an eaſie matter to leuie mony by this manner of taxation, and ſurely in my opinion it was a thing very iuſt and reaſonable, that ſomewhat ſhould bee againe reſtored vnto them out of the common reuenew, that had in the neceſſarie times of the common wealth, ſpent and empayred their ſubſtance: for as the partes ought to haue regarde to the ſafety of the whole, ſo in naturall reaſon alſo ought the whole to defend and preſerue the partes, in aſmuch as may bee from all inconuenience and wrong, and to participate with them ſome part of the common nouriture, thereby to reſtore & enharten them, but in our time this debt of leuied mony was ſo exceſſiue and great, that the very intereſt thereof, after the rate I ſpake of, amounted to three hundred thouſande Crownes by the yeare, which payment being of late, by reaſon of the extreame neceſſities and dangerous warres, wherewith the commonwealth was enuironed, withholden, and kept backe, now finally, ſome foure yeare ſince, there was a ſtatute and decree enacted by the Senate, (the motioners and perſwaders thereof being Dominico Treuiſano, Andrea Gritti Duke Venice.a graue and honorable Councelor, and Andrea Gritti, a Senator of ſingular prudence and integrity, who now to the generall contentment and exceeding happines of our commonwealth, wee acknowledge for our Duke and Prince) that there ſhould not thence forwarde be any mention made of paying any yearely intereſt, neither that any ſuits, kinde of ſubſidy, or contribution ſhoulde thereafter be regiſtred or enrolled in the common bookes, and yet leaſt the citizens ſhould thinke themſelues defrauded: it was prouided that they ſhould be paide their principall, and likewiſe the intereſt, due vntill the day of the decree, for ſatisfaction of which they appointed out, not onely An Officer appointed for the payment of the rownes debtes.a great part of their tributes, but alſo the whole poſſeſſions belonging to the common wealth in the teritorie of Rouigo. The medling in which buſines happened partly to my lot in regarde of an office that I then bare, inſtituted of purpoſe before our times to diminiſh and leſſen the debts of the common wealth, or if it were poſſible, vtterly to extinguiſh them, of which I wil ſpeak ſomewhat hereafter, and ſo a great part was diſcharged of thoſe heauie and vnmeaſurable debtes, with which the commonwealth was burthened, and likewiſe the eſtate of the priuate citizens, not left vnconuenientlie regarded, yet alwaies ſo that the generall good was firſt prouided for, and then the priuate, which order is diſcended euen to our times from our aunceſters, from hand to hand.

Now then to turne our ſpeech thether againe wherein we digreſſed. The Preſidentes of the lones are thoſe that do gather together the money wherein the Cittizens are taxed at ſuch times as the commonwelth needeth their helpe, of which when in their bookes they haue taken a particular note and reckoning, then finally they deliuer the ſame ouer to the Treaſurer of the Chamber of the Citty, from whome it belongeth to their charge to exact ſuch ſummes of money, as were yearely accuſtomed to be yeelded in ſteade of rent to the priuate Cittizens: and likewiſe to regiſter vp in their bookes both the receipt and expence thereof. But this money which by the Senates decree is leuied of the Cittizens, and is after a certaine time to bee reſtored vnto them againe, was wont both to bee collected and repayed by a certaine peculiar Magiſtrate thereunto appointed: Now this office Officers that do ſeaze and ſell the goods of thoſe that do not at the time appointed pay the mony in which they are taxed.belongeth wholy to the Gouernours of the Rentes. There is alſo an other money-Magiſtrate not to bee omitted, to whoſe office it appertaineth to ſearch, ſeaze, and to ſell openly the goodes of ſuch as do not at the time appointed pay the ſumme of mony at which they are taxed. There are alſo other money-Magiſtrates, that do ſeeke out the endebted Cittizens, and do aſwell peruſe the bookes of account of priuate men, as alſo thoſe of the common welth, to the end that the treaſurie and common welth may not any way bee defrauded, which for auoiding tediouſneſſe I will ouerpaſſe, becauſe they are not of any moment, to that order and gouernement of our common wealth which I haue taken vpon mee to deſcribe.

Preſidents ouer the coyne or mintmaiſters. Beſides theſe heretofore mentioned, there are alſo certain other magiſtrates, whoſe offices are of greate auaile, to the commoditie, quietneſſe, honour, health, and happineſſe of our Countrie, and therefore not to be ouerſlipped in ſilence. Firſt are the maiſters of the coyne aſwell golde, as ſiluer, the currant goodneſſe of which as yet entertaineth the willing trafique of ſtraungers: ſo is it comfortable and commodious to the Citizens within themſelues: then the cornmaiſters, and health maiſters of Venice, both being Corn maſters. Helth maſters. Preſidentes of the Arſenall.of great and exceeding conſequence, as likewiſe are the worſhipfull Preſidentes of the Arſenall. Then are there certaine officers, ſuch as among the Romains Aediles.were called Aediles, to whoſe care belongeth the mending and repayring of the ſtreetes and Bridges, and other the like matters of that kinde and office, exceedinglie requiſite and neceſſarie in this common wealth of ours, and laſtly the office of thoſe whome Procurators.the Venetians call procurators, being of great dignity and ſingularly auailable to the City.

Of the Preſidents of the money or Mintmaiſters I knowe not what I ſhould ſay more, then that their chiefe charge and care is, that the gold and ſiluer be not coyned in any baſer allay, then that which by the law is appointed, neither that the ſame beare any whit leſſe weight then it ſhould doe: which hath beene of vs all moſt religiouſly obſerued, inſomuch that the money of Venice is of great account, and runneth currant aſwell among the barbarous Nations, as it doth in Chriſtendome. For whereas all other Chriſtian Princes in a manner, cauſe their mony to be ſtamped in a baſer allay, to the end to make it ſtretch the farther: ours haue alwayes herein moſt conſtantlie retayned that dignitie which they receyued of their aunceſters.

The magiſtrate that hath the charge for the prouiſion of corne is exceedingly neceſſarie to this city of Venice, becauſe there being but a ſmall quantitie of corne to be gathered out of the territorie of Venice, and the cittie being moſt populous, and round about encompaſſed with lakes, of neceſſitie there is greate care to bee had of theſe prouiſions: leaſt the people whoſe benefit and commoditie was ſo exceedingly of our anceſters reſpected through dearth and ſcarſity of corne, might fall into the extremitie of Famine. There are therefore appointed three mayſters or ouerſeers of this matter of corne, whoſe Magiſtracie endureth ſixteene monthes: their office & charge is carefully to prouide that the Citie bee neuer at any time afflicted with the ſcarcitie of corne, of which if at any time they ſtand in doubt, they preſently repaire vnto the Duke, and to the Colledge of the Sages, and there the matter being well debated, doe at length determine what courſe is therein beſt to be taken. Sometimes there is a certaine rewarde and recompence out of the common treaſure appointed to thoſe that ſhall from farre countries tranſport any corne to Venice. Sometimes they bargayne with merchantes for the vndertaking to bring by a certayne time ſuch quantity of corne as they ſhall agree vpon to Venice, from out of forraigne regions, and for the ſame to be payed out of the publike treaſure, which promiſe vnleſſe the marchantes faithfully performe, they are by the ſenate amerced in a great ſumme of money. And whereas the commonwealth buyeth this corne deerely and at a great rate: it ſelleth the ſame againe to the common people very good cheape, and at a ſmall price, ſuffring ſometimes therein a great and exceeding loſſe.

There are beſides this many other excellent lawes and decrees concerning this matter of corne, which if I ſhould perticularly rehearſe, I ſhould digreſſe farther from my purpoſe then were fit.

Now followeth that Magiſtrate to whoſe prouidence and care all ſuch thinges as tend to the health and holeſomeneſſe of the citie do appertain. His chiefeſt office is to foreſee, that there come not into the citie any contagious infection, which if at any time it happen to creepe in (as ſometimes it chanceth) then to take ſuch diligent and carefull order, that in as much as may bee the ſame come not to ſpreade any further. To which ende there are certaine goodly commodious houſes built in the lakes three miles off from the citie, and adioyning neer vnto them there are gardens of great pleaſure, into which houſes if any of the people fall ſicke, he is preſently conueyed with his whole familie: and thoſe that haue had any cōuerſation with him that is ſo fallen ſicke, to the end they infect not others, muſt alſo (leauing their owne manſions) be remoued to other publique houſes built to the ſame vſe, but in a part without the citie quite contrarie to the other, where they are conſtrained to remaine the ſpace of fortie daies: if during which time they continue ſound and well, then they are ſuffred to returne to the citie and to their dwelling places. There is alſo a great care had of their houſholde ſtuffe, leaſt by the contagion thereof, any one ſhould get infection. This Magiſtrate likewiſe hath a care that there bee not any ſtinking or rotten meate, or any other vnholeſome thing ſolde, that might any way offend or bee noyſome to the health of the Citie. Finally his onely care is to preuent infection and ſickneſſe, and to preſerue pureneſſe and health within the citie: This office was inſtituted not long before our time; whereas before the cittie was ſundry times ſo mortally afflicted with the plague, that whole families flying the infection thereof, leauing their proper habitations, forſooke the towne, & went to the next countries vpon firme lande. But ſince the creation of this new magiſtrate (Gods goodneſſe be thanked) there hath not beene (in a manner) any peſtilence at all: though ſometimes (as in ſuch a maruellous concourſe of people out of all partes can hardly bee auoided) ſome houſes haue beene infected: but by the diligence of this magiſtrate, and eſpecially Gods fauour aſſiſting him therein: the diſeaſe hath not taken roote, nor been ſuffred to ſpread it ſelfe abroade.

The gouernment and manner of the Arſenall. Now we come to ſpeake of the honourable gouernment of our Arſenall: the ſame being a ſingular ornament not onely to Venice it ſelfe, but generally (ſuch is the ſtatelineſſe and glorie thereof) an honour and dignitie to all Italy, becauſe it is a matter of infinite magnificence and maieſtie, and worthy of all admiration.

The Arſenall is built on that ſide of the citie, which of all others is neereſt to the maine ſea, hollowed out into three boſomes, or to ſpeake more properly, into three diuided entries, into euerie of which the ſea entreth by one onely gate, the ſame being ſo large, that it is capable of the greateſt Gallies▪ This gate is fortified on each ſide with two ſtrong Towers, which are ioyned together with a mightie drawbridge, and a huge perculliſſe, which are neuer opened but vpon the occaſion of letting Gallies out or in. There is no other paſſage to go into the inner partes of the Arſenall, but onely by this gate. The firſt boſome or entrie within the ſame, though it be the leaſt of the three, yet notwithſtanding it is very great and ſpacious: being roofed, couered and tyled round about on euery ſide in manner of certain vaults, vnder which the gallies that are come from ſea do repoſe til new ocaſion fall out of employing them ſafe & free from the annoyance eyther of wind or weather, ſo that they continue many yeares ſound and good: likewiſe vnder theſe vaultes doe they build their new Gallies, and mende and make vp their old: a worke ſurely of great goodlineſſe and glory, and moſt fitte and commodious for the maintenance of a nauie. Next this boſome or gully there is an inwarder maruellouſly great and large, ordered round of euery ſide with ſuch vaultes as I ſpake of: of which vaultes you ſhall not ſee any one emptie: but in thoſe that are wide two Gallies, and in the narrower one at leaſt.

The third, being not much inferior to the ſecond in largeneſſe, was but a little before our time added to the two former, and is compaſſed about with goodly wals, and builded with many vaults, which though they bee not all as yet finiſhed: yet dayly they are diligently in hande, about the ending and accompliſhing thereof. There is onely one way by which men go from one to the other: and on the outſide they are compaſſed all about with one wall, diſtinguiſhed here and there with certaine towers, in the which there are nightly watches kept to preuent the daunger of fire, the treachery of any ill diſpoſed perſon, or any other caſualtie, whereby ſo goodly and excellent a worke might come to be ſpoyled or defaced. Within the walles are certaine roomes, repleniſhed with all manner of Nauale inſtruments, & all kindes of artificers thereunto belonging, haue there their workehouſes and ſhops. There great quantities of braſſe are melted for the making of their artillerie: & likewiſe there are alſo made infinite prouiſions of gunpowder: ſo that within the Arſenall there wanteth not any thing which appertayneth to the affaires of the ſea: There you may beholde an infinite number of workemen, euery one exerciſing his owne particular trade & office.

There are beſides theſe certaine great and ample roomes, wherein there is alwaies readie an vnmeaſurable abundance of armour, weapons, and artillerie of all ſorts: likewiſe of ſailes, cables, tacklings, ankers, oares, and ſuch like, euery kinde laide vp ſeperately by it ſelfe. In ſo much that when the ſenate ſhall determine to ſet forth a nauie, all thinges thereunto belonging are readie in a moment. All theſe thinges and ſeuerall workes are vnder the authoritie of this Magiſtrate, of which I determined to ſpeake: hee maketh choyce as well of the Carpenters, as of the ſmithes and tryers of mettall and all other kindes of workemen belonging to the buſineſſe of the ſea, hauing care that each of them performe his buſineſſe with diligence: for the payment of all which Nauale workes and other charges thereunto belonging, there is mony deliuered vnto him out of the common treaſure. The Colledges allowance being therein firſt demanded, and they made acquainted with his reckonings. This magiſtrate, in the time of our aunceſtors was of ſingular reputation and honour: but in theſe times of ours the ſame is much diminiſhed and of leſſe eſtimation. In ſo much that when any great occaſion happeneth, requiring extraordinary diligence and care, the ſenate electing certaine counſellors of the graueſt and beſt experimented ſort, doth appoint the managing of thoſe waighty ſea buſineſſe vnto them, appointing the others to be by them wholly directed.

Now laſt of all wee are to ſpeake of the Procurators The procurators of Saint Marke.of Saint Marke, being of all the other magiſtrates the greateſt and moſt honourable next vnto the Duke. For their time of authoritie is not limited, but continueth during life. To this honour is alſo adioyned the perpetuall dignitie and place of a Senator: and equall power of ſuffrages with the lawful Senators: and this they haue beſides aboue all other magiſtrates, that whereas the elder citizens doe not giue any preheminence of place to the other, but onely in certaine courtes the honour thereof is alwayes and in euerie place yeelded to the Procurators: for in what Court or place ſoeuer they ſitte, they are euer alike honoured with the higheſt place, as though they did in euerie place performe the office of the magiſtrate there preſiding. Their office is to take vpon them the defence & tutorſhippe of Orphelins, who being vnder age, and their fathers deade without making any will, haue not any tutor or ouerſeer appointed them: for which cauſe this charge and office is neuer giuen to any, but to ſuch as are throughly knowne to be of ſingular good conſcience and integritie of life, and haue paſſed (in a manner) through all the other offices of the citie, without any touch of diſhonour, and a generall approbation of an vncorrupted vertue: and ſo at length after their long ſeruice to the commonwealth, doe obtayne therein this great and principall dignity, which continueth with them during their liues.

In times paſſed this office was of paſſing great and honourable eſtimation, not onely within Venice, but alſo in forrayne regions, in ſo much that not onely the ſubiectes and neere borderers, but alſo forreners and ſtrangers, made them by teſtament their executors, and put wholly into their hands the adminiſtration of their goodes, during the minority of their children. Likewiſe great ſummes of money are committed to them, to bee by their diſcretion diſpenſed and beſtowed among the poore, ſo that in theſe times of ours great and mighty ſummes of money are committed to their fidelity, as well to the vſe of Orphelins, and the poore, as otherwiſe. This office was at the firſt inſtituted, to the ende that the heritages and ſubſtances of thoſe citizens that ſhould eyther die in ſeruice of their countrey, or in traficke of marchandiſe among forraine nations, ſhoulde not bee by fraude miſemployed or diuerted from their heires. This charge & confidence therefore is eſpecially giuen to thoſe, whoſe conſcience, behauiour, and conuerſation, a long approouedexperience hath allowed for excellent, & without exception.

The addition of new procurators from time to time. At the firſt beginning they were onely three that did exerciſe this office. Afterwarde vpon the increaſe of the citties greatneſſe, three more were added vnto them, but their authoritie ſo diuided, that the old ſhoulde ſtill retayne the charge of thoſe pupilles and Orphelins which are on the farther ſide of the channel that runneth through the middle of the Citie, and the new to haue the gouernment & looking to of thoſe that are on this ſide, halfe of the city belonging to the charge of the former three, and halfe to that of the later three. Beſides theſe there are other three that are (as it were) patrons of the royal, ſumptuous, and magnificent Temple of Saint Marke, vnder the protection of which bleſſed & holy Euangeliſt the commonwealth of Venice being directed with excellent lawes, hath at length increaſed into this greatneſſe of empire, and of theſe laſt as of the nobleſt they all do take their name, and are called Procurers of Saint Marke. I will not at this preſent ſay any thing of the gorgeous architecture of this Temple, nor of the abundance of beautifull marbles, nor of the multitude of goodly pillers, nor of the glorious workes as well guilded & carued, as richly wrought in Porphire and Iaſper ſtone, of which the whole roofe and pillers are made, yea and the very pauementes: becauſe I thinke there are very fewe but haue ſeene the ſame, or at leaſt hearde the fame of the magnificence thereof. Theſe three Procurators haue charge continually to looke to the maintayning of this goodly Temple, and amending the decayes thereof, as alſo to the prieſts, to the end that diuine ſeruice may therein be ſaid, according to the dignitie of our city, & the worthines of our bleſſed patrone & aduocate S. Marke. Theſe therfore in my iudgement, beyond al other magiſtrates are moſt neceſſary and expedient in this proſperity and happineſſe of our citie. The carefull vſage of the mint is a matter not lightly to bee eſteemed, becauſe nothing ſtrengtheneth more the trafick & trading of a citie, then the purity & goodnes of the mony: neyther is the carefull prouiſion of corne a matter of light regard: likewiſe the prouiding for the health of the citizens, & the repairing of wayes, bridges and common buildinges are offices of ſingular auaile, fitneſſe and neceſſitie. All theſe thinges are (in a manner) common to euery other citie. But this other chiefly and aboue all the reſt pertayneth vnto Venice, that is to ſay, the carefull prouiſion and ſuperintendance of ſea matters & the defence of Orphlins, becauſe many of the Cittizens, aduenturing their liues abroad, eyther about the publike buſines, or els in traficke of marchandize come to ende their dayes, and therefore theſe magiſtrates are ordained to the ende to defend their children from wrong, wherby it may appeare to thoſe that ſhall conſideratelie, and with an indifferent eye looke into the order, and gouernment of this common wealth, that our anceſters did not omit anything that might tend to the common benefite and good of their Countrie.

AMong ſundrie others that haue writtē of Venice; Franceſco Sanſouini is one of the lateſt, who very particularly, but in my opinion ſomewhat ſuperfluouſly hath touched not onely the cuſtomes of the Citie, and the liues of the princes, but alſo the antiquities, ceremonies, foundations, monumentes, and epitaphes of euery ſeuerall church, out of whoſe great volume I haue onely extracted thoſe fewe notes, ſeruing to my purpoſe, the reſt I haue omitted as tedious, and not greatly needfull to be knowne.

Venice encompaſſeth in circuite eight miles, being diuided into 70 rapes or diuiſions, which 70▪ churches commonly called pariſhes, euery one of the which is the head of that rape or diuiſion wherein it ſtandeth.

It contayneth likewiſe 59▪ monaſteries, 31. of Eryers, and 28. of Nunnes, beſides a great number of goodlie ſchooles, and moſt ample and ſtatelie Hoſpitals.

The chanels runne through the cittie, as the veines of bloud do through a mans body, making in their courſe here and there innumerable little Hands▪ ſome naturally▪ and ſome by art, which are conioyned together by ſundry bridges, at leaſt 450 in number, all of free ſtone, adorned euery where with moſt princely buildinges, and beautifull pallaces, to which there is moſt commodious paſſage both by land and water, there are belonging to theſe chanels betweene eight and nine thouſand little boats, called Gondalas, ready both by day and night, to doe ſeruice to ſuch as ſhall ſet them a worke.

The ayre of Venice is exceedingly good, becauſe it The ayre of Venice pure and good. The reaſons of the purenes thereof.is continuallie purged with the ebbing and flowing of the tydes, carrying euery ſix howres away with it whatſoeuer is corrupt or vncleane, beſides the multitude of fiers diſſolueth al noyſome vapours, and the free ſcope of the windes blowing euery where vnhindered, maketh the ayre moſt ſounde and holeſome: beſides much is attributed to the ſaltnes, which being by nature more hot, & leſſe colde, engendreth a moſt equall and ſweete temperature, ſo that ſtraungers with great amazement do not any where beholde men more venerable and of greater age, full of fleſh, ſtraight bodyed, of goodly preſence, and more vigorous conſtitution. But aboue all other thinges this is moſt ſtraunge, that this aire by a ſpeciall priueledge of nature doth agree with the cō plections of all ſuch ſtraungers, as reſorte thither, of what nation, or vnder what climate ſoeuer they bee borne, whether the ſame be ſubtile and perſing, or thick and foggy.

Round about them there is taken ſuch innumerable Fiſh.quantities of all excellent ſortes of fiſh, that not onely the inhabitantes haue plenty of fiſh taken twiſe euery day, but they alſo furniſh the adioyning citties vpon the continent, aſwell thoſe that are vnder their dominions, as others.

Wildfoule. The like maruelous abundance they haue of wildfoul, ſo different in kind, and ſo diuers in colour, that it is ſtraunge to ſee their ſeuerall ſortes, their variety being ſuch, that wee haue ſeene aboue 200. ſeuerall kindes of them painted moſt exactly in their liuely and naturall colours by Marino Malipero the moſt exquiſite and ingenious man of his time in that arte.

This city aboue all other is moſt worthy to bee admired, as being ſingular by her ſelfe, and brooking no compariſon with any other: for what other citty ſoeuer that hath beene eyther pleaſant by ſituation, or glorious in goodlines of buildinges, yet it had ſome reſemblance or likeneſſe with others. But onely this being ſeated in the middle of waters, hath not any thing vppō the earth, to which it may be reſembled, the rare ſituation thereof being ſuch, that it inioyeth both the commodities of the water, and the pleaſures of the land, ſecure by being not ſeated vpon land, frō land aſſaults, and free by not being founded in the depthes of the ſea, from maritime violence, ſo that whereas other citties do keepe and defend their cittizens, with walles, towers and gates, this being naked and without ramparts, is not only (as I ſaid) ſecure it ſelf, but rendreth alſo with admirable prouidence ſuch citties, ſecure, as do ſleepe vnder the watch of her winges.

Steeple of S. Marke. Among many other rare edifices, ſumptuous aſwell in the richnes of the matter, as maruelous for the moſt ſingular curioſitie of workemanſhippe, he doth infinitly extoll the ſteeple of S. Marke, the ſame being ſo huge high & ſtately, that in fayre weather it is ſeen & diſcerned of thoſe that do ſayle from Iſtria, being a hundred miles off in diſtance. The ſpeciall care and ouerſight therof is committed alwayes to a man of eſpeciall good quality and reckoning, who hath for his allowance a Marriages.yearely ſtipend of 150. Crownes. The marriages among the nobility, are for the moſt part alwaies treated of by a third perſon, the bride being neuer ſuffered ſo much as to behold her future husband, nor he her, till their marriage dower, and all thinges thereunto appertaining, bee fully agreede vpon and concluded, which being done the next morning the Bridegrome goeth to the court of the pallace, & there the match being publiſhed, receiueth well wiſhing ſpeeches and ſalutations from ſuch of the nobility as doe enter into the pallace, and withall inuiteth his frendes to the houſe of the brides father, to be there at a certain time appointed in the afternoon, at the entry of the dore they are attended by the bridegroom & his kinſemē, & brought vp into a hall, where are none, but only men, & there the bride is brought forth apparelled by an ancient cuſtome all in white, and her haire hanging at her ſhoulders, wouen in & out with fillets of gold, where being betrothed with many ſolemne ceremonies, ſhee is led round about the hall with the ſound of flutes and drums, and other inſtruments, and ſo ſtill dauncing in a ſoft meaſure, ſhee boweth down to thoſe that ſalute her, hauing ſo ſhewed her ſelfe to them all, ſhee goeth in, and rerurneth out again, if any men frends that had not ſeen her before do chance to come, which being ended, ſhee deſcendeth down, and in company of diuers gentlemen, that did all the while attend in ſeuerall chambers, ſhe entreth into a Gondola, & ſo being waited on with a great number of other Gondals▪ ſhee goeth vp and downe to the Nunries, eſpecially to thoſe wherein any of her kinſwomen is profeſſed, and all this ſhewing of her ſelfe abroad is to no other end, but that in regarde of her children, and fundrie other thinges, it may after happen, ſhe may make her marriage apparant and manifeſt to all men, at euery marriage there is a gentleman or two choſen, whome they call Compari, that are as it were maiſters of the Reuels, becauſe their charge is to ſee vnto the muſicke, and whatſoeuer ſhewes or paſtimes pertaining to the feaſt, the next morning the friendes and kindred do vſe to preſent the new married couple with ſundrie reſtoratiues and ſweet meates.

Chriſtninges. Their Chriſtninges are ſomewhat different from that cuſtome of other places, for the father inuiteth not two godfathers and a godmother, or two godmothers, and a godfather, but as many in māner as they liſt, inſomuch that ſomtimes there haue been 150 at the chriſtning of the child together in the church, but to the end that this goſhipſhip ſhold no way be a bar or impedimēt among the Gentlemen, in matter of marriage, it was by a law ordayned, that one gentleman ſhold not take another gentleman for his goſhip, whence it commeth that whē the prieſt powreth the water on the childs head, he firſt maketh mention of the law, and thē demandeth if there be among the goſhips any one of the Venetian nobility, there are not admitted to the ceremony of the chriſtning any womē but only the nurſe that hath the charge of the child; the next day the father ſēdeth to euery goſſip a marchpane & euery of thē returneth backe ſome preſēt or other to the child, according to the cuſtom of the city: their greateſt magnificēce & charge is at the natiuity of the childe, for then they doe wonderfully exceede Birth of their childrent.not onely in ſumptuouſnes of their banquets, but alſo in rich furniture and decking of their houſe, and great ſhewes of riches, and ſtately plate and ſiluer veſſell.

Likewiſe there is no part of the world, where the funerals euen of the meaneſt citizens are ſolemnized with greater ceremony and expence, neither is there any country or nation to bee found, where ſtraungers find better entertainement, and liue with greater ſecurity.

Paſtimes of the nobiltie. The plaeſures, recreations, & paſtimes of the gentlemen are of ſundry and diuerſe ſortes, among the reſt, they take great pleaſure in fouling, making great matches, who can kill moſt foule in a day, turning the ende therof ſtill to banketting and pleaſures. They haue boates for the purpoſe, which they call Fiſolares, in regarde that the foule in whoſe purſuit they take greateſt pleaſure, is called Fiſolo, in euery of theſe boates they haue ſix or eight ſeruantes apparrelled in blewiſh and greeniſh garmentes, ſuted as neare as they can to the colour of the water, who row the boate vp and downe, and turne her ſuddenly to euery ſide as they are commaunded by their Maiſter, who ſitteth cloſe with his peece or bow, wholy intentiue vppon his ſporte, if hee chaunce to miſſe when hee ſhooteth, the Fiſolo preſentlie dyueth vnder the water, and where he riſeth againe, thither they turne their boate, ſodenly with paſſing nymblenes, many boates go to this paſtime, together with exceeding charge to the gentlemen that owe them, vpon their return they hang the foule which they haue killed out of the windowes, as hunters do vppon their dores, the heads of beares, harts, or bores, taking it as a great reputation, to kill more of theſe in a day then their fellowes.

Likewiſe they haue many wayes, kinds, and inſtruments to take fiſh withall, which the gentlemē for their recreation, do take ſundry times great delight in.

There are alſo vpon the maine land in the territories of Padoua and Vincentia, but chiefly in Iſtria, goodly champaignes, faire couertes, and delightfull woodes, full of all manner of chaſe, whither in few houres they ſaile from Venice, and apply themſelues to hunting and hauking ſundry dayes together.

Matches of their Dukes. The Duke of Venice hath by auncient priuiledges confirmed from ſundry Emperours authority to create Earles & knights, and likewiſe poets Laureat, with eyther of which dignities their Dukes haue at ſundry ſeaſons honoured and rewarded the vertue of ſuch as deſerued well.

The Dukes haue oftentimes matched in the greateſt and royalleſt houſes of Chriſtendome, as in their following liues partly ſhall bee ſhewed: which allyance with forraine princes of great mightineſſe and power, growing ſuſpected and formidable to the commonwealth, there was a law made in the yeare 1327. that the Duke might not take the daughter of any ſtraunger to his wife, no though by priuiledge and adoption he had obtained the right and tytle of a Venetian gentleman: and in the yeare 1383. it was ordayned, that he ſhoulde not marry the daughter, ſiſter, or kinſewoman of any forraine prince, without licence and conſent from the great councell: and in the yeare 1385. that he ſhould neyther giue nor receyue any fee, of what ſort ſoeuer: which lawes and ordinances were ſtill from time to time corroborated and kept in vigor. His wife is honored with the tytle of a princeſſe, & ſpoken vnto with all reuerence and in ſtile fitting ſo great a dignitie.

The Dukes in times paſt were wont in their writing to honour themſelues with high and princely ſtyles, as calling themſelues Dukes of Venice, Dalmatia, and Croatia, and Lords of a halfe part, & a quarter of the whole Romain Empire, which vanity of titles was in the yeare 1360. abſolutely forbidden and taken away, and this manner eſtabliſhed, which as yet they do ſtill retaine: viz. I. D. by the grace of God Duke of Venice, &c.

Their money is ſtamped with the inſcription of their name, but it is not lawfull for them to ingraue, emborder or paint their peculiar armes in any enſignes, Banners, Gallies, or places of honour but onely in the frame of the Pallace.