succession of time and with a continual concourse of people which resorted to it out of all places round about she is not only grown very rich but hath also gotten a vast and a Potent Dominion whence it may well be called a great and a mighty Republick full of Men Armes and Riches more then any other State in Italy which upon the continent or as they call it Terra Firma hath three whole Provinces namely Istria Friuli with the Marca Trevigiana besides that which she enjoyes in Lombardy either towards the Dukedome of Milan or that of Ferrara which Lands joyning one with another may also upon occasion supply and assist each other But upon the Sea the Dominion of the Venetians goes very far from Venice it self as far as Candia which Island alone if she were in the power of an active Price could without question much oppose the ambition and pride of the Common Enemy for this Kingdome setting forth a considerable number of good Gallies well mann'd and provided they could with their constant crusing of the Archipelago make prizes of and disturb the Ships which daily pass from Morea to Constantinople whence that City is supplyed with an extraordinary quantity of Corn Oates and other Provisions necessary for that populous place of which being deprived the people in 't might soon be brought to wants and straits which might cause in it discontents tumults risings and other extremities which despair drives men to And the truth of this hath really been seen within these few years when the Venetians had stopt the mouth of the Dardanels which hath discovered to us that as the strength of the Ottoman Empire lies towards Hungary so towards the Sea 't is very weak and lies much open to the attempts of an invading Enemy And this I say to shew how much it concerns Christians not only to defend Candia which is the only City of the Island left to the Venetians but also to endeavour to drive the Turk out of the whole Island Beyond Candia the Republick hath three petty Islands considerable not for any benefit drawn out of them but only for their strength and further security being as it were the out-works of Candia And if the Venetians could drive the Turk out of this Kingdome as it is not impossible with a considerable strength they being still the Masters of the Sea and in possession of the Chief City it would clearly appear to the world how convenient this is to carb the Turks power that way But besides this the Venetians have the Islands Corfu Cefalonia and Zante with some others dispersed up and down the Gulf nigh to the Continent and are members of Dalmatia Albania and Sclavonia though to speak the truth they are places for the most part barren void of inhabitants and a nest of Rogues and wild Beasts and consequently of no great concernment So that setting aside the Islands I have named and few others the rest are of no benefit and have more of a shew then of any real advantage in a word they are more chargeable then beneficial for in themselves they produce not all things necessary for their subsistance but are forced to fetch them from other places especially their provisions of mouth wherefore they are inhabited by Seamen Fishermen Thieves and Pyrates who after they have committed many violences murthers fellonies and the like fly into the States of the Turk's or of the Arch-Duke's their Neighbours But I insist no longer upon this Discourse but come to the borders and situation of other Dominions of the Republick in Italy Eastward it borders with the Arch-Dukes of Austria and Inspruck and the Adriatick Sea now called the Gulf of Venice Westward with the Dukedome of Milan Southward with the Dukedome of Ferrara part of the States Milan and of Mantoa And towards the North it hath the Bishoprick of Trent and a part of the Grisons by the means of the Valtoline which is a passage of very great concernment to the Venetians through the which they can bring to their assistance men out of France Germany and Switzerland Within the whole State of the Republick by Land and by Sea are reckoned 30 Cities whereof every one is a Bishoprick and between 70 and 80 Castles and fortified places But I intend to speak only of those which are the most considerable especially by Land The Chief of these are within the Dominions they have in Lombardy which are inferiour to no other State of Italy in the greatness of the Cities the number of people the fruitfulness of the soyl and plenty of all things necessary to the life of man But first of all I must begin with Venice the Head and according to the way of Republicks the best the richest and the most populous of the State On every account 't is a singular place and especially by reason of her Site may be called a wonder of Art and Nature for I am sure all Europe and I believe the whole known world doth not afford the like Amsterdam comes the nighest to it but with a vast difference which nature and a great distance of time have put between those two places First of all Venice was built by a meer hazzard and necessity but afterwards the advantage of her Situation being known many resorted thither willingly upon grounds and deliberation 'T is sited upon above 70 little Islands separated one from another by several Channels the next place to it from the Continent is at least five miles distant and between two or three from a neck of land called Lito So that being compassed about with the Sea she seems to rise out of it rather then to be built upon it Out of six places chiefly as out of so many Ports or Harbours Namely Treporti il lido Maggiore di S. Erasmo delle Castella di Malamocco and di Chiogia people come to 't Amongst the many Channels which divide the City there is one called Canal grande which separates the City into two parts one looks to the South-west and the other faces the North-east and both these parts of S. Marco and Rialto are joyned by a marvellous bridge called Di Rialto upon the same Channel Now these Channels upon the which are thought to be 15000 Gondolaes or Boates whereby abundance of poor people get a livelihood are of great conveniency not only by reason of the narrowness of the streets which are so far from being able to receive Coaches of which there are none in Venice nor indeed is there any use for 't nor Sedans which in those parts of Italy are used by none but Princes that two men in front fill the whole street in some places they are also convenient for the carrying of things from one place to another which every moment is necessary to be done by reason of the great Trade and several Manufactures setled in or about the City of which their glass-houses at Murano an Island not far distant from the City are the
Chief Citizens who are appointed for that purpose by vertue of an ancient priviledge of the City of whom one half are Gown-men and the other half are Trades-men and they ever have a share in matters of justice with the Rettore and his Court and this jurisdiction is called the Consolaria whence it is that constantly they over-vote the Potesta this is the name of the Chief Magistrate in every City and his Court This is their way of absolving or chastizing the guilty for the faults which daily are committed amongst them but because the Republick took notice that in crimes of a higher nature justice was not duly administred after a debate upon the matter it was resolved to elect an extraordinary Magistrate called Avogadore who upon occasion of hainous faults should go into the City to get secret informations of the whole business which being done he brings it to Venice where sentence is pronounced Thus great mischiefs are restrained and justice is duly executed but this manner of proceeding displeases very much and causes great alterations in the minds of those high spirits who see their priviledges are thereby weakned and derogated from however the Vicentines seeing they have in their hands no strong holds nor none that can be made such think it fit to yield obedience in a thing which is just in it self Now follows the City of Verona which hath six miles in circuit she is one of the fairest within the Venetian Dominions with a very large Ditch Counterscarps and good Bulwarks in the midst of it is the Castle very strong stored with all manner of provision and ammunition the City is strongly seated in the midst of a great open and champion Country and in a place somewhat high 't is backt with some little hills upon the which is another Castle with other strong fortifications which command the Countrey about and through the middle of the City runs the River Agide very great and navigable which falling into the Gulf of Venice the City may easily receive thence supplies of men and provision She is one of the Chief Keyes of Italy towards Germany as it appeared clearly in the wars of Maximilian and Charles the fifth Emperours against the Republick That it hath been a considerable City the Amphitheatre there which is the least defaced of any in Italy doth testifie and Histories tell us that when some of the Family Seala were Lords of it she was the head of a potent State of which Padoa Vicenza Treviso Ceneda Belluno Feltre Brescia Parma and Luca were members Part of its Territory is barren of sixty miles in length but for the unfruitfulness there is never great plenty in the City which as well as Vicenza hath the Consolaria and though those of Verona be not so bad as the Vicentini nor do not so many mischiefs yet upon extraordinary cases the Avogadore is sent to them which the more it appears unjust the more 't is unsufferable for them to see this breach made to their priviledges and they are the more exasperated when they see that Governours act sometimes contrary to their Laws and Customes Within the Jurisdiction of this City are two indifferent good strong holds one is Legnago towards the Mantoan which also doth defend that part of the Padoan the other is Peschigra of a far greater concernment then the former for 't is accounted to be the Key of all other places beyond the River Mincio whence 't is easie to make incursions upon all other places thereabouts if once this were lost all the rest would be in a great danger Those of Verona are accounted to be of a proud nature of a fantastical humour To this purpose I think it not amiss to mention a Proverb usual in those parts when some great mischief hath been committed there which happens very often they use to say Such a mischief hath been committed according to the custome of Padoa Vicenza and Verona whereby is meant the number of murthers without grounds which is according to the temper of the people The truth is a great number of murthers and of like mischiefs is daily committed in those Countries and in the rest of the Republick and as far as I could observe this is chiefly caused by the example of some of the Nobles and by the favour they shew to delinquents in such cases 'T is very strange that upon a Tryal for a mans Estate no body will speak a word for him for in this matter they are just enough but upon life and death for murther or any other wicked act provided it be not against the State there will be friends enough to speak on ones behalf So that in this justice often is corrupted by favour Those of Verona are further of a High and Lordly carriage because they are very rich but spend it very profusely and often they run very deep into debts Then is Brescia a very Noble City sited in a levelled ground yet at the foot of some hills it hath four miles and two hundred paces in circuit Upon the hill is a Castle of very great strength with Ravelins Bullwarks and sure places for succours infallibly to come in with such store of provision and ammunition that according to probability they may hold out for several years in their own defence There are also springs of very good water with a matter of six score pieces of Ordinance Between the City and the Castle are places under-ground and Vaults very deep through the which can come to them all manner of relief Above the City is a ditch of thirteen paces broad with Bullwarks and the Walls have good Ramparts in it are above 62000 Inhabitants who are so throug'd by reason of the great quantity of Wares especially of all manner of Armes that in it there is no place empty and as Verona is the fairest this is the richest and the most Merchant of all others There are not many fine houses for those of Brescia do not much care for the Magnificence of Palaces The Territory is 100 miles in length and 50 in breadth and about 300 in compass and is full of all things This City hath within her Jurisdiction above 240 Towns wherein are accounted to be 350000 Souls Moreover the City enjoys a very noble priviledge viz. That no man of what Nation soever he be though he were a Venetian may purchase any Lands within her Territory except he be a Brescian and herein doth consist the safety and the greatness of that people all the States thereabouts remaining incorporated to the Citizens So that for this as other Concessions which the Republick hath granted them Namely That the Citizens are chosen to be Rectors Potestá or Magistrate of all Towns and Castles within their Jurisdiction Brescia is the happiest of all other Cities within the State of the Republick They have further in their hands two Fortresses of concernment viz. Asola and Orcinvovi which last hath been of late repaired and reduced to
a perfect and Royal Fortification 't is of the bigness of a mile and a half seated in a Champion Countrey and flank'd or sided by seven Bullwarks with a large and a deep ditch in a word 't is safe enough upon all occasions Those of Brescia are very rich and consequently proud their Pomp and Ambition is to keep a great Attendance and to set forth themselves and their Women in Cloaths Coaches Liveries and fine Horses but above all they delight in great delicious and costly banquets yet they take great pleasure to stand upon their Armes as much as in any thing else and so they may well do more then any other place subject to the Venetians for the Republick is but slow and very circumspect as in Ruling so in punishing them because 't is a frontier place towards the Milane's and the Brescians are very sensible of wrongs besides that being so remote the Venetians are not so well acquainted with them and cannot reach them so well as they do other nearer Cities Nevertheless they are not free from burthens for as it is the best of their Cities so they lay upon it great Taxes Contributions and quartering of Souldiers for the Republick is in a perpetual jealousie of that place caused by her Neighbour-hood with Milan whence some attempts could be made upon it and some succours called in in case of a defection and should the Venetian lose it they would thereby be deprived of one of the Chief members of their Republick Bergamo is a pleasant City which many years ago was much fortified it being also upon the frontiers of the Dukedome of Milan She is 3 miles about strengthned with 9 Bullwarks and some Counterforts raised upon a hill of a considerable height which are as a platform to the City which is well stored with all necessaries for provision and ammunition There are above 26000 Souls in it and not many more within the Territory which is poor and barren producing Corn to serve only 6 moneths in the year this is the reason wherefore this people being not very well to live at home do disperse themselves through the would more then any of their Neighbours They are so full of wit though otherwise of a boorish conversation that where they go they Trade so as to grow very rich for the most part and in Venice particularly there are those of Bergamo whose Fathers and Relations have been Porters and such inferiour sort of people who at present have Lands Palaces and other great Riches In Bergamo they live very contentedly because by reason of their poverty and the barrenness of their Countrey they are the less burthened and being so remote they suffer not the injuries which others undergo They trade in Wools wherewith they made broad cloaths which in houses are used instead of hangings they have also some Iron mines it borders with the Valteline on the North with Milan on the West with the Cremonese on the South and with the Brescian on the East The whole length is 50 miles and the breadth 36 it hath within her Jurisdiction 236 places the people whereof minde Wool and Cattel The City of Crema is the last place the Republick hath in Lombardy sited in a level ground but built after the old Gothick way and of late hath been repaired with all possible industry they have made to it some Bulwarks Ramparts Platforms and other chargeable Fortifications besides the enlargeing of the Ditch It is two miles about in compass and contains 26000 Souls her Territory is so narrow that 't is not above 25 miles in length but it is so fruitful and hath such a plenty of all things necessary to life that not only it may compare with any but also goes beyond the most plentiful of all Lombardy supplying others which want it 't is said to produce at least 250000 horse loads of all mannet of Corn besides great quantities of Flax and Wines This City is seated in the midst of the Territories of Cremona Lodi and other places of the Milan's so that there is but one way to go to it and on all sides it is beset and compassed about as it were a prison with souldiers and is kept with an extraordinary care and watchfulness All the places which the Venetians have in Lombardy are very considerable then which better cannot be seen nor desired because those Cities are reckoned amongst the greatest in Italy and are very populous rich full of trade and which for abundance and plenty of all things may compare with any in that Country but they go beyond in stateliness of buildings in the extent of many great and rich Towns and Castles and in every thing else that proceeds from mans industry One only thing there is whereat the people are dissatisfied to wit the insolency of several of the Nobles who would every one of them be lookt upon as their Master and Superiour and be respected yea obeyed in things which are neither just nor honest because these take upon themselves the command by the connivance of other Nobles who will not oppose them whence do arise sometimes to people great dammages ruine and misery So much the best of things are subject to be abused But I will proceed and say that at present the Venetians have a State in Terra Firma or upon the Continem which is extended above 1000 miles which they made a shift to get by the improvement they made of the occasions given them by their Leagues and Confederacies with the Dukes of Savoy the Visconti or Duke of Milan with the Florentines French and other Nations for they were sure to keep better that which they got nearer at hand Thus first of all Trevigi fell into their hands then Verona afterwards Brescia and so from hand to hand all the forenamed places in Lombardy besides those of Dalmatia and Albania formerly Subjects to the Crown of Hungary because the Republick ever declaring her self the head of the Liberty of Italy she got and united to her former State one thing or other as in the Wars of Ferrara she had Il polesene di Rovigo and so it hath been of the rest of her State either by Land or by Sea And to speak the truth the Republick hath laid the foundation of her Dominions just as the Turks and others have done of theirs that is by the means of Divisions Differences and Quarrellings between Neighbours and also by reason of so many petty Lords who falling our one with another became in time an easie prey to the Republick which probably would have attempted and effected the same over the rest of Italy if they had seen grounds and favourable occasions to do it Besides the State of Lombardy the Republick hath 3 whole Provinces namely Istria Friuli and Marca Trevigiana in the first are five though small Cities with some Castles but because their air is very bad and somewhat infectious the Countrey is not peopled and so the ground is neglected and
of the Procuratori and fifteen others who are appointed for that purpose the former sits almost once every day but the latter once in eight dayes which time hath been prefixed within these two last centuries of years to settle the minds of people who were mightily stirred and affraid when this Council used to meet it being known that it is only upon businesses of the highest importance as to punish Rebels and Traytours to the Republick false Coyners and excesses of another nature as profanation of their Churches as it hapned within these very few years upon this occasion One day a young Gentleman of the Family Nani lately come from abroad having met with whether it was by accident or with a premeditated design 't is not known the wife of the Signiore Giovanni Grimani within a Church in a remote part of the City something passed between them it may be nothing but words but however the thing was mis-represented to the Prior or Superiour of the Cloyster by one of the Priors who reported he had seen something unbecoming the place this hare-brain'd Prior without any consideration of the consequences in a passionate fit went and complained to the Council of Ten that some obscene act had been committed in their Church by such persons whereupon immediately the Council sent the Gentleman a Warrant to appear before it within twenty four hours and give an account of such things but he having consulted with his friends thought fit to let this fury be over and therefore absented himself but the Council who first of all is hot upon businesses a thing indeed unbecoming the gravity they do profess proceeded against him in his absence with a great severity and declared him convinced of the fact By this Thunder-bolt two birds as we say were kil'd at once for the Lady was thereby condemned though no wayes mentioned of Adultery And as it is usual in such things that they who are the most concerned are warned last of all the Ladies Husband that walking by the Palace of St. Mark not knowing any thing of what passed some of his acquaintance turned away from him others hang'd down their heads at the sight of him but at last some of his friends not daring to speak themselves did write a note to him about what was past the grief which he received upon so surprizing and unwelcome news is not to be conceived but home he went and in a Council between him and his two Brothers the Abbot and Petro Grimani it was resolved to send several after young Nani to make him away if they could find him for though he were innocent yet his flight had laid a note of infamy upon the Lady and consequently upon the Family On the other side the Lady must be made away with poyson the first failed but the second did not although the Husband was much against it yet the Abbot as they say undertook to cure her of all diseases and with a Pill to send her into another world which was effected in a fortnights time In the mean while Nani and his friends were not asleep for the Ladies Husband was quickly sent by poyson as it is thought packing after his wife and a while after when the brunt was over Nani appeared before the Consiglio who having heard of his justification absolved him too late indeed as we use to say After death comes the Physician This Consiglio manages also certain sums of mouies as they are assigned to it hath an absolute power over the Artillery and all Officers belonging to it It hath also in the Arsenal certain Gallies at his command which are marked with these two letters C. X. signifies the Capi or Consiglio and the second letter X. maketh Ten or di dieci When Princes have a mind to treat secretly with the Republick they direct their Letters thus To the Serenissime Prince N. N. as now Contareni Duke of Venice with his Council of Ten which method is observed in the answers given to these Letters When a guilty man is brought before this Consiglio he is allowed no Council nor any one to plead for him but one of the Consiglio must do it for him or else it will not be done at all There is no appeal from their Sentence which may be reversed by none but by themseves or their successours for they are changed every year the Duke excepted this severity and great authority makes it formidable to the City Upon the subject of this Consiglio di dieci it is to be observed that the three Capi di 40 are otherwise called Consiglieri dà basso and that the six Consiglieri Grandi are in charge but eight months that is in their assisting with the Duke and the four months following by three and three they are Consiglieri dà basso that is in the Quarantia so that thus they end the year of their Consiglierato or Council-ship And the three Capi are not taken out of the old Quarantia nor out of the new but out of the Criminal which all are called Quarantie because in every one of them are forty Noblemen All these things are necessary for forrain Ministers to that Republick to be known by them that they may accordingly make their applications and this at all times hath been a great help to the dispatch of very difficult and important affairs But I must come to another head The Administration of Justice is wholly committed to the Noble Venetians who are sent into all Cities Towns and Burroughs to govern them under the title of Podestá these have a Supream Authority both in Civils and Criminals their Courts consisting of one Vicar of one judge all' maleficio against Crimes and Delinquents another Judge alle vettoa aglie about Victuals and Provisions and another all' Aouija who are Doctors at Law of the State To the Rectors of Cities are subject all other Governours of Towns Castles and Villages who have Authority in the Civil but over the criminal it is extended only to the rope they call Strapado Banishment Prison to the Galley and to some pecuniary fine but not to death which is belonging to the Governours of Cities So that the chief charges of the Government of that Republick are within all her Dominions bestowed upon the Nobility excepting Brescia which hath it otherwise by a special priviledge and the Subjects may rise no higher then to be made Governours of some Lands or some strong places because the Republicks custome is to employ strangers rather then their own Subjects and in the choice made of those Nobles there is a great deal of corruption for capacity age experience integrity of life merits and vertue are not so much look't upon as the riches interest and dependancies of the Family and whether the person be able to render some service to those who favoured him in his Election And this is an universal practice all the world over to carry out things by way of favour parties bribes and interest As for
most Famous this admirable secret they have been so willing to keep to themselves that under pain of death every workman is forbidden to go out of the State but what will not men dare out of hopes of gain and profit Therefore not long since the French found out a way to perswade several of them to the number of 8 or 10 to go into France where they are setled and succeed well by the encouragement they receive from that King But as this people were married they had not been long away from their Wives when they expressed they would have them or else not stay and such an effectual course was taken to satisfie them in 't that one undertook to carry Letters to their Wives and to bring them into France wch he effected though they narrowly escaped those who pursued them Now Venice is 7 miles in circuit within which compass are a great number of stately Palaces built after the Gothick way besides 6 Scnole grandi adorned especially that of S. Rocco with a number of extraordinary pictures as are great many of their fine Churches Within it are accounted to be above 300000 souls and as it is a delicious place specially for sensual pleasures so 't is an invitation to many strangers to come to it who are thought to be comparing one day with another no less then 30000 and hereby one must conceive the excellent good order setled to bring all manner of necessaries into a place where nothing grows and where if they will have so much as good fresh water except they have it from the rain they must bring it from shore especially from the River Brenta One would think that a place seated in the midst of and compassed about with waters should be very unhealthfull and have an unwholesome air there being much filth and corruption cast into the Channels some of which stink very much specially in summer yet for all this the air is very good by reason of certain winds which usually blow gently there and so do purifie it dissipating the bad vapours Also the Tide which comes in constantly carries away the excrements of the City salt water being no friend to corruption besides the care which is taken now then to cleanse these Channels But a City sited as this is must be very strong indeed this situation is so advantagious that she may disturb others and not be disturbed but with extraordinary and almost unconquerable difficulties for great ships cannot come nigh to it the water not being deep enough to receive them especially when the Tide is gone and yet it is too deep for any Land Forces either Horse or Foot to come night to it These waters do also much contribute to her safety within for certainly 't is very advantagious to the peace and quietness of a State when Subjects are so distant in places as not to have an easie communication one with another Now by the means of the Channels in Venice people cannot without a long time and great difficulties besides the danger of being discovered meet to plot and especially to execute any Design against the State for the Channels are so narrow their Traghetti staires or landing places on both sides of the Channels so few and their bridges so strait as are their streets that there is no coming to a Body Furthermore the people having reason to be content in many things could hardly be brought to entertain any such thoughts for the State hath wisely considered how necessary it is for Rulers to gratifie people in slight things and of no moment though they must oppose them in those of a great and weighty concernment for he who is severe and rigid in every thing who never yields nor dissembles but shews himself wilfull moross and unplacable doth nothing else but dispose provoke and use people to debates and quarrels I must come to Padoa a very Noble and ancient City greater then any of the rest under that Republick for she is above seven miles about very strong with Bulworks and a very deep and broad ditch counterscarp and other necessary fortification for the defence of a place of such an importance seeing the possession of this was the foundation and the ground of the Venetians inlarging their Dominion towards Lombardy by which means afterwards by degrees and under several pretences they got further and further In this City is the most Famous University of all Italy by reason of the eminent learning of its Doctors in all Professions and of the great number of Schollars The Country about it doth abound in all manner of Pulse Oates Gattel Wool Linnen Cloath and Fish but two things cause a great prejudice to it The first is That she is too nigh Venice which with the conveniency of a Navigable River conveys from thence in vaste quantities the things I expressed insomuch that sometimes it hath been necessary to get back from Venice things necessary for the subsistance of that City A Second thing which prejudices that place is because many years ago particular men in Venice having neglected their Sea affairs have given themselves to purchase in the Padovano Trevisano and Polesene Territories in such aquantity that at present the Nobles of Venice have three parts of four in that of Padova to the great impoverishment of the inhabitants who formerly had competent means to live well upon but are now poor there being not above five or six families worth above 2000 Crowns a year and none of the rest hath 1000 And were it not for the great concourse of Schollers especially out-landish they would be in a worse condition On the other side some of the Venetian Nobility make use of their prerogative with so much liberty and authority that the Padoans look upon themselves to be in a miserable condition as indeed this City is the hardest dealt withall of all others within that State of the Republick the reason is that those of Padoa being of a proud and revengefull nature upon the least occasion they fall out commit extravigancies and kill one another after which immediately their goods are confiscated and presently bought by some Venetian Furthermore this people is so given to do mischief that they are almost undone before they can come off the troubles they brought thereby upon themselves After Padoa comes Vicenza which though she be no great City is at least as well peopled as the former there being in it above 30000 persons 't is afair City pleasant plentiful and very rich but the people are dangerous offensive and cruel In all the State of Venice there are no Subjects so bloody and revengeful as the Vicentines are accounted to be whom 't is no prudence to trust The reason of it is because their faults and wickednesses are but lightly punished except it be in very horrid crimes wherof the cause is That in point of criminal justice the Venetian Magistrates in Vicenza may give no sentence without the advice of some of the
hot in Candia after the death of their late Minister at that Court they have sent Molino to supply his place and they will ever embrace Peace upon any tollerable conditions To this may be added the iustitution and form of Government of the Republick which is ayming at peace having found out by her own experience how much she is concerned to preserve it But to return again to the present Subject I will say that the riches of that State in a peaceable condition and before the late War were raised to above three Millions and a half of Gold by the year which is a very considerable sum since we find that several years ago though the Republick were in actual possession of the Kingdome of Cyprus and Candia and of some other places both by Land and by Sea their yearly Revenue did not exceed two Millions and an half But the Farmes have been so raised Customes Taxes and other burthens so increased though to the great prejudice of Subjects that it cannot be otherwise The City of Venice one year with another yields above one Million and an half of Duckets pieces of gold worth nine shillings and six-pence of English money raised upon Wines for every Pipe brought in five Duckets are paid and so of the Malmsie or Candy Wines Salt of which there is abundance and very dear and of all imported or exported Commodities the Republick furnishing several parts of Italy and Germany with Drugs Wax Glasses and Crystals Sope Silk Silver and Gold Manufactures Iron-works and several other things they also make a great benefit of Fish Flesh Oyls and of the Ware-houses which Germany have in the City of Taxes upon Lands Houses and other Goods not moveable so that in the City of Venice alone out of all the forenamed things they raise one Million six hundred ninety seven thousand seven hundred twenty two Duckets From Padoa they have one hundred thirty six thousand and seventy eight Duckets From Vicenza One hundred thirty four thousand seven hundred and forty two Duckets From Verona Two hundred and thirteen thousand and eighty four Duckets From Brescia Three hundred thirty seven thousand six hundred ninety three Duckets From Bergamo One hundred four thousand seven hundred thirty Duckets From Crema Thirty seven thousand five hundred and twenty six Duckets From the whole Potesene Forty thousand ninety seven Duckets From the Province called Marca Trevigiana in all One hundred eighty four thousand four hundred eighty five Duckets From the Province of Friuli Fifty two thousand seven hundred sixty six Duckets From Istria Six thousand two hundred thirty four Duckets From all the States of the Sea Eight hundred seven and thirty thousand nine hundred sixty six Duckets Which all sum'd up together makes Three Millions seven hundred nine and fifty thousand one hundred twenty one Duckets These are their ordinary Incomes but upon extraordinary occasions they also have several other wayes of raising monies namely by raising of Taxes or calling twice a year for that which should be paid but once So they do of Farmes and Customes upon imported or exported Commodities they also lessen the pay of their great Officers and reduce it to half of what it was before and if this be not enough they admit into the Order of the Nobility whom they think fit every one paying 100000 Crowns for it Further they sell some places which at other times are freely given Thus they have so much increased the number of the Procuratori or Proctors of S. Mark And last of all they borrow monies from particular persons and upon urgent necessity several of the Nobles make sometimes liberal and free Contributions as indeed many who are mighty rich are very able to do it On the other side their expences are very great and necessary because as I said before all their Dominions at Sea and Land being compassed about or bordered by the Turks Territories and other Princes the Republick is forced besides the charges of buildings repairings fortifications and ammunitions to keep in every place good and strong Garrisons both of Horse and Foot which are very chargeable the number of their ordinary Guards and Garrisons by Land and by Sea in time of peace comes to 10000 Foot and 700 Horse but every year there is occasion of some extraordinary expences both at Sea and Land But how great must they be now by reason of the War with the Turk which hath lasted these several years But because the expences of the Republick with admirable order and exact rule are assigned to several Offices I think it will be profitable and necessary to know the particulars of it as I received them from knowing and credible persons About the charges and expences of the Republick there are several Offices and under several names called by them Casse Chests or places where they lay up things which signifies nothing else but a distribution or assignment of all the monies raised out of the Revenue and to be disposed of by such a Chest in Venice So that every one of these Casse hath its particular incomes assigned to it out of such Customes Taxes or the like Wherefore the Chamberlains Camerlengh as they call them or rather Treasurers of the City are ordered to pay unto every one of these Chests or Offices in Venice the revenues assigned to them which afterwards they lay out according to order peculiar to every Office and this in a good and due order without any confusion First There are the expences made by the three Treasurers or Directors who have the management of the Revenue of the Republick who have under them Notaries Writers casters of Accounts Overseers and several others in pay to keep the particulars of every thing that brings in monies This Office one year with another doth spend above One thousand four hundred Duckets There are also the expences of the Chamberlains di Commune who pay the allowance of the Doge their own of the Censori delle Quarantie of the Colledges and of other Magistrates who are under pay their expences one year with another do amount to one hundred seventy two thousand four hundred and fifty Duckets Then there are the charges of the Proveditori di Commune whose Office is to build and to repair Bridges Harbours lay foundations and do other publick buildings for the which are laid out one year with another about forty eight thousand three hundred seventy seven Duckets The Office Delle Blade or of all manner of Corn for the Salary of the Officers thereof spends above two thousand seven hundred and ten Duckets The Office of the Soprastanti alle camere overseers or presidents of the Chambers whose care is to pay the general Officers of War Colonels Governours of Cities the forces of Terra Firma Dalmatia and Albania and those who belong to the Office doth one year with another spend about eight hundred seventy seven thousand on hundred and forty Duckets but this is to be understood in time of
second about differnces arising between Brethren when they divide any State the third is concerning successions ab intestato when a man hath made no Will The fourth is matter of bounds and limits of buildings that one doth not encroach upon anothers ground and the like Further this Court judges of all Causes between nigh and strict relations The Court dell ' Essaminatore examines witnesses ad perpetuam rei memoriam takes cognizance whether sales were well or ill made and intervenes to sales made by the Commissary doth sign the instruments of Donation and keeps a register of all conditional Legacies There are also li Cattaveri who take care to recover those goods which fall to the State from them who dye without making any Will and leave no Successours they revoke and take away penalties laid by other Judges if they think it fit they sell all Incanto by the publick Cryers invitation in the name of the State those Lands which belong to it to those who offer the most at port-sale They are judges of things found at Sea and of treasures discovered under ground They hear differences between those who go in pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Masters of ships who carry them wherefore in this Office is written the name of every Pilgrim bound for that place they also decide matters of prices The Piovego doth judge about contracts of Usury Of Causes about high wayes and takes care that no particular man doth build or otherwise trespass upon the Channels or upon the Streets The Office of the Sindici is to oversee unreasonable and excessive charges made in the acts of Justice they take the place of ordinary Judges when they are chosen by the parties The Sopragastaldi are ordinary Judges of the Execution of Sentences they sell goods by an intermitted Sentence and hear differences about Intermissions Executions and Contradictions The Superiori are to censure and mend the acts of the Supragastaldi in those errours which may happen to arise from their Sentences The Auditori Vecchi are to hear the Appeals of the City Causes of the Courts of St. Mark and of Rialto they either do refer Causes or else bring them into the Quarantia civil Vecchia They judge whether the testimony of Witnesses ought to be received or not and generally the causes of Compromessi or references to Arbitraters are brought into this Office The Auditori Nuovi hear of Causes from abroad by way of Appeal they interpose arbitrary sentences where judges have judged amiss they order suspention of tryals for two months In a word this Office decides all broils made by Rectors of places receiving all Appeals except from two like sentences After these Rectors are gone from their Government the Auditori do receive Appeals one month after within the State called Trevigian and of other Cities and Castles two months after But about Sea-affairs they receive it at all times receiving priviledged persons and things as Orphans Widows the poorest sort of people to whom no time is limited to Appeal and Churches Universities and pious places Their letters of Appeal do usually suspend definitive Execution except within the Trevician State the Sebenico and places of the Levant Within the Frinli Appeals are decided within four months otherwise they are executed by Sureties The Auditori Nuovissimi judge of Causes to the value of fifty Duckets and less for those of more they come before the Auditori Nuovi The Lords di notte in Civile or Civil Causes take cognizance of Leases of Houses matters of cheat see that bonds made about charges at Law be executed and are likewise Executors of Sentences passed without the City The Lords di notte in Criminale in Criminal Causes are appointed to prevent and stop fires within the City to keep goods orders at nigh and hinder all manner of violences even by drawing of blood and wounding if it cannot be done otherwise These being joyned with the Quarantia do order the punishment inflicted upon thieves and against Husbands who have more then one Wife and against Wives who have many Husbands they chastise those who have defloured Maids killed Thieves or bought stollen goods They have authority over the Jewes who kept communication with Christians and also they punish Physitians Apothecaries and Chyrurgeons who do not declare who are those who lay under their hands to be cured of wounds The Quarantia vecchin Civile doth judge of Causes of the Auditori vecchi which themselves have brought into this Court where also is debated about pardons graces and amnesties granted to Malefactors they judge of Baloting between equal numbers or when there is no casting Vote or Ball and they see that in baloting the oath taken be observed They also receive Appeals from Judges within the City and wo be to them who have any thing to do here upon that account for nothing in the world is so tedious as are their proceedings The Quarantia Nuova hears Causes brought in by the Auditori Nuovi once a month gives in a Cause to those about the Kingdome of Candia with some other dispatches and provisions and also receives some Appeals from Judges in the Country One must be past 30 years old to be admitted into these Quarantia's The Collegio of the 25 passes definitive sentences upon Causes of 300 Duckets and less For the space of two months hears the Causes of the City and for two other months those of the Country The Quarantia Criminale doth decide Criminal Causes as well Originatively as brought before them by way of Appeal The Avogadori do bring them in as into their right and proper Council where they are debated Pro and Con the States Council speaking against the guilty whom answers are returned to by the Advocate of the prisoner or by the Straordinarii Likewise the Sindici or the Overseers of Governments at Sea do speak against the guilty as do the Avogadori They also supervise the acts of publick Notaries The Lords All Acque about waters are the Overseers of Lakes Ponds and other fresh waters They take care that the Channels be kept clean The Lords or Signiore all' Biade take care that the City be plentifully supplyed with all manner of provisions So for the Sea places and the like Those All' Sanità for health look to every thing that might bring an infection into the City as Diseases or any filthy and corrupt thing that is brought to be sold Physicians who are willing to practice must take a License in this Office as Mountebanks and others who appear so upon Stages must also do so Herein are entred the names of Cortagiane or prostitute women at present as it is guessed to the number of twenty five thousand or there abouts besides the number of those who are private and of married women which must needs be vast in so populous a City The causes of which I think to be in part the nature of the Climate of the Dyet the temper of the people and in part that
barren yet for all this the Republick draws out of it a great profit from the Salt which is made there in great abundance besides other necessary provisions as Flesh Fish Wood Timber Fewel Oyl and excellent Free-Stone with other things from thence carried to Venice The Province of Friuli hath three Cities one is Aquileja that ancient City which upon good reason may be called the Mother of Venice for this last was peopled in part by the inhabitants of the former It is a Patriarchate of which Cardinal Delphini is the present Patriarch The Romans built it to stop the Incursions into Friuli of the Enemies of the Empire this being the passage through the Carnichian Alpes which yet could not be secured by the places of Gradisca and Goritia for in the dayes of Bajazet the Turks came that way between the two Towns almost to the Gates of Trevigi therefore the Venetians have built there Palma But besides Aquileja there are two other Cities the one is Vdine and the other Cividal the first is sited in a Champion Countrey and the last between the Mountains scant of Corn but rich in Cattel and Wines as is the whole Countrey which wines are carried into several parts of Italy it hath also some Iron and Steele in Cadore a Fortress strongly sited upon a hill In this Province is also that extraordinary strong place Palma Nuova which is a wonder to beholders having been built with all the Art and Industry which the spirit of men could devise according to the best rules of Fortification De Marca Trevigiana hath 3 small Cities whereof the Chief is Treviso very strong by reason of the situation and that it cannot be undermined This Country abounds with Corn Fish Wines all manner of Pulse Beasts Cattel and Fruits but above all with Timber for the Arsenal amongst several Woods there being one of 15 miles in length In that Province are also very Noble and fair Castle-Towns pretty rich Merchant and Populous Lastly the Republick hath Il Polesene di Rovigo which like another Puglia doth wonderfully abound with all manner of Corn Cattel and Fish But I will not insist upon this nor upon what they have in other places but come to some of their strong Holds The Fortifications and strong Holds of all the States of Venice do lye in two places namely in Lombardy upon the Frontiers of the Dukedome of Milan and toward the Sea side the one because of the Neighbourhood of the Spaniard and the other by reason of their being exposed to the attempts of the Turks To this effect all their places in Lombardy have Garrisons in them more or less Oreinvovi is good to help Crema Brescia and Bergamo Pontevico is for Brescia and Bergamo Legnago for Verona Vicenza and Padoa so is the Fort of Peschiero there are also Garrisons in their places along the Sea in Friuli is the most important Fortress Marano seated between Ponds and Moorish grounds then Palma Monfalcone with Osofo and Cadore little Holds and able to receive only a small Garrison but of a very strong Situation being on the top of Mountains and Rocks In Slavonia are Zaea strongly built Cataro of a strong situation and Clista a most important place within these few years conquered by the Republick Trau also and Sebenico are very good places and the Castle of S. Nocolo de Sebenico is very strong I shall hardly mention the Islands Corfú Cefalonia and Zante which being Out-works against the Turk have been fortified very much and seeing the City of Candia hath holden out so long against the Turk I think I am dispensed to speak of her strength only I 'le add that in those things which concern the Defence of their States they have spared neither charges nor pains and they keep their places constantly provided with ammunition and necessary provisions for many years whereby they are secured from all invasions especially their Cities in Lombardy which are able not only to receive but also to destroy any considerable Army And let this be enough concerning the Land and Sea States of that Republick The Revenues and yearly Incomes are at present very great not so much by reason of their Trade by Sea which first the Portuguezes spoiled when they found out a way to bring Spices and Jewels from the Indies and now the present War with the Turk as by Land where as 't is already said they are in possession of some of the greatest Cities of Italy with very large and most plentifull Territories seeing Bergamo is 50 miles in length and of a great breadth that of Brescia 100 Verona 60 which Dominions are full of Towns and of vaste numbers of people which in all is accounted to come to above three millions of Souls all very industrious and much given to Trade Where are also Bishopricks Abbies and Monastries of all sorts of the richest of Italy and Families illustrious for their Nobleness of extraction and quality and very considerable by the greatness of their riches which to speak of especially those of Venice are vaste and exceeding great So we might mention those of great Cities chiefly in Lombardy which upon occasion can assist as they have done it of late years and relieve the necessities of the Republick in other places Insomuch that the State yields to no other Countrey for plenty of all things wherein Venice being the Head of all may be accounted a happy City if that may be called a true happiness which depends upon the will of others for Venice wants within her self every thing necessary to life wherewith she is supplyed part from her own States from the Popes from the Spanish in Italy from the Turks and in some things out of England and other places which supplies if she were deprived of she could soon fall into great wants So it is not to be wondered at if that Republick uses all possible means and is at great charges and even now with great danger by reason of the present War to be at peace and hold good correspondency with the Ottamons because her Islands Rivers and the rest of her States nigh the Sea are much exposed to danger and invasions from thence even to their utter ruine and destruction besides that Venice as I have said hath no Territory sufficient to subsist by and her Islands Rivers and Sea-Towns do not produce provisions sufficient for the third part of the year so that they are continually depending for supplies upon other places and no Prince can do it so plentifully with so much ease and less charges then the Turk who withdrawing these supplies can put them to inconveniencies as they find it by experience in the present War which now doth almost wholly interrupt the Sea trade and in part that by Land And as Venice is a Merchant City those riches which are drawn from the Levant must needs receive some prejudice by it which being very well known to that Republick although the War be very
the Lawes every City is Governed according to her own Statutes and Customes so that except by Publick Readers in the Schools there is no mention made of the Civil Roman or Imperial Lawes and what is read in these Schools at Padoa especially is more for shew and ostentation and to bear up the credit of the place then for any use and observation of them For the Republick within this century of years hath taken away not onely the Authority but also the very name of Imperial or any other name relating to Monarchy out of her State and hath deprived the people of their priviledges of creating Notaries of Knighting Legitimating Naturalizing and the like It is also forbidden to Notaries to use the name as Imperial or Royal So that all things are done by the Name and Authority of Venice it being their pleasure that upon all occasions of High Justice Degrees and Honours the Lawes of the Cities and places and sometimes of Venice her self be observed in all places As to the manner of their judiciary proceedings things are judged and decided according to a long custome and experience of many years more then out of any learning gotten by studies seeing the Nobility of Venice not only doth not follow the study of the Law but also they think it were a shame for them to do it so that instead of it they learn a little of Phylosophy and something of Rhetorick whereby they are enabled to make discourses upon occasion and this I say as to the generality there being amongst them persons of a deep and Universal learning However they have certain forms of cases decided before which are registred and kept upon record and from this as from the advices they receive from some Lawyers they carry along with them they are enabled to give sentences and pass judgments which as in other places are sometimes unjust and very prejudical to the parties The thing they mind most of all is to instruct themselves of the Lawes and Customes of their Republick wherein they succeed well But those who are employed to be Ambassadours in forrain Courts and those who are Lawyers and plead causes study both Law and Learning though the Art of relating Histories well and the belle lettere or curious humane learning be that which they affect most of all As to the rest practise more then theorie is their guide but as this experience is of two sorts the one from the long standing of the world which doth afford general rules and the other is that which men acquire in particular through the course of their life which if it be without great parts and learning is so confuse and cloudy that hardly it ever comes to that degree of excellency which is found in some actions and the judiciousness of some men Hence it is that this bare experience and without method proves very often prejudicial to particular men and dangerous to the Republick because it learns to undo more then to do and never knows order but by the sight of disorders So it happens sometimes to this Republick for sending often young unlearned and unexperienced men to be Governours of Cities and places who thereby commit many errours and disorders whereof the worst falls upon the Subjects who are thereby involved in many troubles and charges However the Republick is very severe in punishing those faults which these do commit of a set purpose especially if they suffer themselves to be bribed to do some unjustice Upon this account a Nobleman who had been possessed in Crema was beheaded some years ago because he had received as it was proved fifty pieces in Gold with promise to favour the giver And as the very report of a bad administration of Justice and Government is sufficient not onely to have the Nobles hereafter excluded from further preferments but also to cause them to be punished for the present and to make them forfeit their reputation which also reflects somewhat upon their families So when they come to the discharge of their employments they are very careful of doing justice and of promoting the publick good and what abuses they commit are acted with great dexterity So that for all the particular failings I have mentioned which are altogether unavoidable in humane things that Republick for the right and just administration of her Government must receive her due praises and although in point of life and death amongst them one friend be very earnest to solicite for another yet as to civil matters to speak in a mans behalf it would do him more harme then good It is true as to their seats of Justice that there is nothing so tedious and so chargeable as the suits that are before them neither is there any place where are so many Courts of Justice as in Venice and in the Cities of her Jurisdiction for the poor people who are at Law being forced to follow appeals to Venice are put to tedious and extraordinary charges and see no end of their causes especially if they are to deal with some of the Nobles or other rich persons for in all places where Appeals are admitted the richest will tire out the poor So that this is one of the greatest faults of that Republick but it is committed upon a politick account as we said elsewhere to keep people in exercises and the Courts of Justice in credit Now in Venice are all the Courts and Tribunals following First the Court of the Procuratore which judgeth of things relating to the Proctors Before this Court are brought matters of Legacies differences arising between men of different profession concerning the same and Controversies between Husbands and Wives The Court della Petitione of Requests hears Causes of above an hundred Venetian lire or pounds that is four pound in English or thereabouts concerning those whom guilt made fly away orders the pawning and surveying of goods in the Custom house obliges men to stand to their bargains and agreements made by word of mouth or in writing doth Tax and Regulate charges upon the desire of the Commissioners or rather Executors settles and confines expence of those who are under age decides differences about Wills and Confirmes Arbitrary Sentences from fifty Duckets downwards The Office dell ' Fuarastiero of forrainers judgeth Cases between Venetians and strangers and about house-hold stuffs Boates hire and of accidents depending thereupon as when wares are cast into the Sea out of Ships it doth not relieve Causes about less then ten Duckets but it proceeds summarily The Tribunal dell ' Mobile of moveables judgeth of things of fifty Duckets and less 't is of its jurisdiction to decide controversies about moveables disposed of by Wills and Testaments and of other things which a dead man hath done in his life time if it be his own hand-writing signed by two witnesses The Tribunale dell ' proprio judgeth of four things of concernment the first is the matter of portions after a divorce and of joyntures the
his own house but it being considered by the others that in this he was the aggressour and that since for all the late agreement he had shewed himself to be unreconcileable was the surest for them to make him away and so it was done neither could it be heard of since what was become of his body The Senate upon complaint ordered Grimani to appear which they refused whereupon sentence was past against them for contempt of the Court and declared convinced of the fact by reason of their flight and the house to be pulled down which was effected the other two lay private but the Abbot got together a considerable number of people and plundered several houses of the Noblemen and burnt others doing a great deal of mischief up and down and after retiring himself sometimes into the Arch Dukes Countries and other times into the Mantoan both these Princes being his intimate friends at whose earnest sollicitations the Republick weary of the troubles he made several parts of the Country to suffer gave him and all leave to come in since which time Giovanni died as I said before the Abbot also is dead not long since whom two of his Sisters married to Noblemen would not suffer a Jesuite to come nigh to confess him as I heard from him that was kept out a sign that several of the Nobility have no kindness for that Order So that of the three Brothers Petro is left alone all these troubles have brought low that Family And let this be said by the by to shew how far animosities can go between the Noble Venetians Now I must speak of the dependency and good or bad intelligencies of that Republick with other Princes This is the most difficult and most important part which a Minister can treat of seeing it is no question to treat of clear evident and visible things but of those affections which are hidden in the heart of men hard to be discovered in Princes but hardest of all in a Republick which hath a mixture of so many tempers and heads in whom is to be seen a palpable difference of judgement and affection however some observations may be made of it about the common interest which do set forth the minds of men for by the effects we judge of the affection as this in Princes is over-ruled by their interest First With the Pope the Republick is glad to keep a good correspondency and upon certain occasions she would perswade him of her good intentions not so much to take away the bad opinion which several Popes had of the Republick as not to be crossed by them in the Tithes or Tenth parts which they receive from the Clergy and other benefits of the same nature besides that part of the State of Venice lyes open to the attempts of the Pope by the way of the Potesine which is an open Country exposed to any incursions and wherein is no strong holds only some Valleys which being once passed by an Army they could find all manner of necessary provisions to make it subsist and could without any hinderance except there were an Army in the field run to the very Gates of Verona and Padoa which Hostilities would go nigh to work some Revolutions in the State at least an alteration in the affections of subjects whom discontents and oppressions make very often desirous of changes and novelties especially if they did not suddenly receive that protection which they expect from their Superiours besides that the very name of the Pope and the interest he hath with the Subjects of those States which own his Religion by the means of Monks Fryars and Emissaries who would work scruples in their minds and so weaken their hearts and their hands beside that some other neighbour Prince might be induced out of some aversion to the Venetians or their own interest as we have seen the Spaniard to be to share in the spoyl or out of a perswasion of the justice of the Popes Armes All this the Republick is well informed of as also of the pretensions of the Church upon the Potesine which hath been dismembred from the Dukedome of Ferrara besides several other claims upon the Patriarchal of Aquileia and the liberty of the City of Zeneda and upon some other sea-Sea-places Out of these considerations the Republick endeavours as handsomly as she can to keep a fair correspondency though 't were but in shew with the Pope with some easie demonstrations of it as to make the Relations of Popes Noblemen of Venice And although she doth not sue for the friendship of many Cardinals as it was done before yet she hath some there born within the State who do the Republick all the Services they can neither doth the Republick altogether neglect their friendship though 't were for nothing else but to have an account what passes in the Colledge of Cardinals and elswhere yet Popes have much complained of the Republick by reason of the losses which the Ships of the Subjects of the Church have suffered from Pyrates for want of keeping a Squadra of Ships or Gallyes for the security of the Yolfe as Venetians are obliged to do and because of that alliance and friendship which the Republick hath formerly contracted with Protestants and reformed States so by reason of the authority which she assumes over Ecclesiastical persons for they give those Noblemen whom they send Governours into places power to be Keepers Interpreters Lawgivers and Judges over the Clergy within their Jurisdiction and things belonging to them however the breaches which upon these accounts have been between them were ever made up one way or other and the Venetian Subjects by the extraordinary care of the Senate kept in obedience as before And at present the Pope and the Republick do well agree having very lately obtained not only his Gallies and several sums of money and number of men but also the suppression of some Monasteries whose Revenues fell into the hands of the Republick With the Emperour the Republick hath no great friendship there being old grudges upon the account of the Vscocchi and the great troubles she received from Maximilian and Charls the V. of the House of Austria neither doth she esteem him much knowing that his forces alone are not able to hurt her as we have seen when the last war was carried on between them for the Venetians fell lustily upon the Sea-places of the Emperour so that upon occasion the Republick hath not only rejoyced at his troubles but also hath given Counsels and some think Moneys to his enemies as 't was done in the Wars of Bohemia if we will believe what the Austrians say who adde that when the late Prince Palatine was crowned King of Bohemia there passed a good correspondency between him and the Republick and that some Letters from Venice to that King were intercepted full of kind and affectionate expressions whereby the intercepters made a discovery of the supplies he received from thence Now upon this and
Emperour who thereby deprived himself of the fruits of so notable a Victory and of the advantage he might have received from the auxiliary Forces he had out of Germany and other Countries and who thereby gave his Enemies Army time to breath after so great a blow and to settle in his new Conquests he turned his thoughts towards Candia knowing full well the importance of that Island for his designs against those parts of Christendome therefore to alter the Scene and make the Venetians look to themselves who though they seemed at that time to be at a stand had blocked up Canea by Sea and hindered supplies of men and provision from going into 't thereby to bring so troublesom a Neighbour to some straits he resolv'd to attempt the City of Candia and to reduce the Republick only to the defensive And because the Gran Visier had been more fortunate in taking of places then in the Field he would try whether Candia would run the Fate of Newhausel To this effect he is sent over with an Army of about fourscore thousand men with all necessary preparations for their design At first he endeavoured to carry it by several desperate assaults he made against it being put upon it in part to draw some benefit from the courage and strength of his Souldiers who then were fresh and also out of hopes that the Venetians might happen not to be prepared against that sudden storm but they who were surprized the first time that this Island was attempted had learned at their own cost to be ready against a second assault and therefore with much courage and resolution they repulsed and beat off the Ottoman Forces Whereupon the Gran Visier betook himself to new Counsels and resolved upon a formal Siege seeing his other way had not proved successful and thereupon writ to his Master for new supplies giving him hopes of a good success and that in time he would be able to give him a good account of the place so that there he sits down before it and so is engaged to conquer or to dye his head being to answer for the success of his undertaking The Republick being more then awaked at this yet glad to see the first brunt over according to her usual care and diligence prepares at home to oppose that numerous enemy and sends continual supplies of men moneys ammunition and provision to the besieged with promises of more timely to be sent to them which to effect the more easily they make themselves strong by Sea and resolved to keep the Mastery of it On the other side they sent to most Princes of Europe to represent the common danger and the urgent necessities of the Republick In consideration of which they desired some assistance as they had asked before and obtained it viz. 5000 men from the French commanded by one Prince of the Family of Modena and from some other Princes even particular men having contributed to it as Mazarini 100000 Crowns Cardinal Francesco Barbarini set out a Galley at his own charges and some others had done the like which had been discontinued because the War in Hungary against the Emperour had taken the edge off from that of Candia but the Turks as I said falling to it again the Republick desires new supplies almost every where which she obtained from severall Parts But because she knew the importance of a brave and experienced Commander to make him General in the besieged City she sent to ask of the Duke of Savoy the General of his Forces the Marquis Villa who was granted with a considerable supply of men he went to Venice and thence with all convenient speed he shipt away for Candia where he puts every thing in a good order and posture of defence and upon all occasions repulses the enemy with loss from the places he attempted On the other side the Turk finds it a great difficulty to send any recruits to the Visier for not only many of the Janizaries and other Souldiers either run away from their Colours or else fall into a mutiny refusing to be shipt for Candia which they look upon as their grave suspecting still that the Divan continued in the former design to destroy them and those others who were shipt either by force or by the means of fair promises were several times intercepted by the Venetians who were crusing up and down the coasts of Morea and those of Candia and so towards those Islands of the Arcipelago whence the Visier might probably expect any relief So that by these means the Turks Army was brought to great straits and at the same time God did fight against them from Heaven sending his arrows of the Plague and diseases amongst them so that thereby the Army being much lessened aad disheartened many went from their Colours and did much complain if not mutiny and the Rains falling thereupon forced the Visier to withdraw further off from the City giving thereby time of refreshment to his Army and to the besieged also who immediately after fell a repairing of those Fortifications which had been endammaged by the Turks in this Campagna The Turks lost abundance of men their Army being reduced as was thought to 20000 at the most The Venetians also lost several Souldiers and some few men of note and gallant Officers In the VVinter the Sultan was solicitous to assist the Visier against Spring so were the Venetians of sending new supplies to the besieged Some thousands passed from Morea to the Camp Candia also received some but withall those which the Venetians received from the Emperour and from the Crown of Spain by the way of Naples and Sicily were stopt by reason of the war which broke forth in Flanders And several other Princes and States began somwhat to give over the thoughts of Candia to look another way but the Venetians went on vigorously for though the enemies were come again before the City yet still keeping Masters of the Sea they put into the City all manner of necessary supplies whereby the besieged were enabled to hold out and resist the furious assaults of the Turks now ' gainst one place and then against another it being known that no Nation falls on with more fury then the Turks being over-perswaded by the opinion they have of predestination I mean as to their life which is mixt with a great errour to wit of separating the means from the end But this matter I must speak no more of to say that the Duke of Savoy by reason of a design he seemed to have against Geneva and them concerning himself in the War between Prance and Spain though the time was not come for him openly to declare it he called home the Marquis Villa from the Venetian Service to give him again the General Command of his Forces The Republick desired he might have leave to stay longer the Pope himself joyned his sollicitations to theirs but the Duke would not revoke his Order only allowed him time to leave
themselves very valiantly it being observed that one of them in an assault of the Turks killed fourty with his own hand yet for all this it had gone hard with them for they had been overpowered but it was Gods pleasure to bring them very seasonably fresh men and other necessary supplyes sent from Venice and others out of Naples and Monsieur de St. Andre Monbrun with the former which raised their spirits very much so that since from time to time having received new supplies of Germans and Italians they made Sallyes and did execution upon the Enemy venturing very far the General himself in one of them receiving a Musquet shot in one of his Shoulders though not dangerous A thing which indeed kept up very much the hearts of the besieged was the hopes of succours preparing for them in France which to them was given out to be more forward then indeed it was I must say somthing as to the nature of it This was not sent by the French Kings Order but only by his permission upon this account A French man of great courage and experience named Count de la Fueillade brought up in the French Armies and who was in this late War in Hungary having taken it ill as the report goes that in the late promotion he was not made a Marshal of France instead of which the King his Master had a while before made him Duke of Roannes and Peer of France or rather as I am apt to beleeve out of a Martial desire seeing peace concluded at home resolved upon this service with the Kings leave and levied three thousand brave fighting men of which above eight hundred are old Officers and having Shipt them at Marseilles he sailed towards Maltha to take in 40 Knights of his Nation men willing to venture their lives in the defence of Candia to whose succour also the Grand Maltez hath sent three hundred men from whence they sailed all together towards Candia where they are now arrived according to their desire and to the great satisfaction of the besieged and very likely they will fall upon action whilst they are fresh and before the Climate and perhaps a dissolute manner of life do work distempers amongst them But to return to the Siege the Vifier hearing of great succours expected in Candia would hasten to do somthing before their arrival but for two dayes together being repulsed with the loss as 't is thought of about ten thousand men he was disheartned as well as his Army which having wrought a contrary effect upon the besieged they made some Sallyes which joyned to the Rains which towards the end of Autumn fell there abundantly have made the Grand Visier to retire with a design as 't is very probable of coming on again in the mean while the Venetians are very much refreshed by the arrival of their expected succours of French Germans and Italians the number of which comes to about ten thousand men who likely will send out some parties to look abroad if there be occasion for 't On the other side having received Pioneers and other workmen with some materials they are about repairing their Fortifications which must needs have received great dammages by the springing up of so many Mines about them but especially by the Turks Artillery of which they ever have great quantity and of the greater sort it being their custom not to draw them to Sieges as other Nations use but they cast them in their Camp and when they are to march off they break them to pieces which they carry away By these means they are freed of the trouble and the charges which do attend trains of Artillery and so they cast them as big as they will and to carry bullets of what weight they please and then the continual shooting of this Artillery must needs shake any Works and and Fortifications how strong soever they be Yet against this the besieged have secured themselves the best they could for Candia which formerly was a sweet and a pleasant place is now wholly made a City of War and as I am informed by some lately come from thence their Souldiers for the most part are lodged under Vaults Caves and other places under ground where they are secure enough from the bullets till they be called to the defence of the breach when any is made This is the present posture of Candia which hath now time to breath till the Enemy falls on again which when it comes God knows what will be the success of it for oftentimes valour being over-powered must at last yield to number wherefore the Republick is at present solliciting for help almost every where by the means of the Ambassadours she hath sent to most Courts and as according to all probability Candia is secured enough for this Winter so sufficient preparations are to be made to resist the attempts which on the next Spring shall be made against it there being a timely warning given of it I say further that if the Republick was somewhat Assisted she could be able not only to secure the City of Candia but if she could form any indifferent body of Army about it to get ground of the Turk from keeping the Mastery of the Sea they could receive constant supplies of all manner of things when the Enemy should want it for stopping those which he receives from Morea and few other places his Army could not subsist because though the Island of Candia be of a good and fruitfull soyle yet at present it is barren and desolate the ground being neither tilled nor manured it being the Turks custome to destroy the places of their Conquests to make them void of Inhabitants and so unfruitful Now in this case the Visier and his Army should be as birds in a Cage and could wish themselves farther off or that they had never come there so that it may be said of him he is fallen into the snare he had prepared for others and truly should he and his Army perish in this it would prove a sore and a fatall blow to the Ottoman Empire And I pray to God who hath the hearts of all men in his hand even those of Kings which he turns like Rivers of waters to make Christian Princes so sensible of it as to work upon them a desire and a taking such an effectual course as might promote the great Interest of Christendom against the Common Enemy for if ever it be done I am fully perswaded it must be the effect of a strong influence and providence of God over-ruling the hearts and interests of men without their designs and even against it for he is able to move bow and incline the wills of men as it seems good unto him FINIS There is lately Printed these four Books to be sold by John Starkey Book-seller at the Miter in Fleetstreet near Temple Bar. IL Nipotismo di Roma or the History of the Popes Nephews wherein is related the reasons which move the Popes to make their Nephews great Together with all the good and mischief they have done to the Catholick Church from the Year 1471 to 1667. Also the difficulties which Publick Ministers find in treating with them and how to free themselves from those difficulties and the reasons why none of the Families of the Popes have remained long in any Grandeur Written in Italian by the Author of Donna Olympia and Englished by W. A. in Octavo price bound 3 shil The Art of Chymistry as it is now practised so plain and easie that it is fitted to the meanest Capacity Written in French by P. Thibault Chymist to the French King and Englished by W. A. Fellow of the Royal Society in Octavo price bound 3 shil A Relation of the French Kings late Expedition into the Spanish-Netherlands in the Year 1667 and 1668. with an Introduction discoursing His Title thereunto and an account of the peace between the two Crowns made in May 1668. Englished by G. H. in 120 price bound 1 shil The present state of the Princes and Republicks of ITALY with Observations on them By J. Gallhard Gent. in 12º price bound 1 shil
ASIA that the best Writers have had matter enough afforded them to satisfie the curiosity of those that were nigh and far off about it yet all have used different wayes and those who have written after were never the lesse acceptable for it because there is ever one thing or other to be added omitted or altered for no man saith all that can be said upon a Subject and if just when things are upon the Stage men do not agree about their true state what shall it be when they are related a long time after So that People judge of them not onely according to their inclination but also conjunctures and emergencies do in time very much alter the face of things though in some Republicks they are not so subject to alteration as in most Monarchies for let persons be what they please the Lawes still remain the same and they are the Soveraign but in the Government of single Persons they alter according to the inclination of the Prince and the mind of his Ministers as they are over-ruled by the necessity of Affairs which I speak of not that I should think it to be an inconveniency attending Monarchies so far from it that I look upon it as one of the greatest advantages of this Government over Republicks for a liberty is allowed to find remedies fit and proper for new distempers felt or feared when others are doting upon the idol of their old wayes there wanting in Republicks a person by whose Authority all the rest may be over-swayed and be brought to that which the present reason of State differing from the former doth require The present Wars of Candia which is the chief and one place besides excepted the only stage of action in these parts of the world and some kind of superficial knowledge I have of the Affairs of Italy made me chuse the State of Venice as the most important that could be spoken of in the present Conjuncture the more because I thought men would have the curiosity to know the condition of that Common-Wealth which at present makes so much noise in the World by reason of her stout and vigorous opposition to so dreadful an Enemy as the Turk is And also I am obliged to answer a Challenge I received from some persons of Note to perform a conditional kind of promise I made in my book of The present State of Italy in the place where I treat of this Republick to give a Relation of it Besides that the subject is so worthy in it self that I could not treat of any Outlandish State better regulated then this is though of late through the private ends of particular men some corruptions are crept into it as at one time or other it hath ever fallen out with the best Common-Wealths in the World wherefore in this case I speak the good and the bad I neither flatter nor slander but I commend and condemn as I see occasion for it though I do not undertake to pass any judgment upon things only I lay them down in their own natural colours In pursuance of my Design I could not omit some things spoken by others because they are obvious and necessary which is unavoidable in things that have the nature of a Common-Place But I desire the Reader would take the pains to compare then he will easily observe the difference of methods and how much I endeavour to use a clear and a substantial Discourse And because I know that now men care not for long and dear Books some having not much time and others no money to spare that way therefore I have studied brevity for fear of being tedious and have compiled a Book if I may so name these few leaves which shall be cheap and little enough to be easily carried in a mans pocket and it will be a great satisfaction to me if ever I do any thing which may prove acceptable and useful to the Nation And as Books as well as Cloathes must be modish and fashionable as now in France their Memoires and in England Relations and because a Lustre is to be given to things and to please Book-sellers a considerable name to Relations In this I have conformed my self to that method THE Present State OF VENICE TO write well of so worthy a Subject would require the pen of a publick Minister endued with a transcendent capacity who for many years had resided on the place and managed many publick important affairs and in a Conjuncture which had produced many Changes and Revolutions and several events increased and multiplyed by reason of the violence of the minds of men of inveterate enmity inward passions and of nigh and remote interests and who being taught by age times and experience which are the right guides the safe and faithful companions of the actions of men had thereby had fair occasions of framing a perfect and true Relation of the State of this Republick But this being not the usual practise of publick persons is more to be wished then hoped for and therefore liberty for that is left to particular persons who being not taken up with publick affairs may spare some of their time about it Out of the consideration of this I am now desirous to give the Publick this token of my zeal and affection wherein I walk upon good real and sure grounds But because I intend to avoid speaking of superfluous and unnecessary things I will mention those only which may be beneficial and necessary to be known which I reduce to six heads The first will be about the whole State of which that Republick is at present possessed either by Land or by Sea and withall something shall be said of the quality of their more considerable in-Land Cities their Riches Customes and Carriage of their Subjects In the Second I will treat of their yearly incomes and expences In the Third Of their Land and Sea Forces whether they be ordinary or extraordinary and wherein they consist The Fourth shall be concerning their manner of Government and the administration of their Lawes and Justice In the Fifth I intend to speak of the nature and manners of the Venetians And Lastly I will shew how they stand affected to their Neighbours and other Princes of Europe To begin with the first I 'le say that this Republick is by common consent of all men esteemed to be the first and the greatest in Power and Authority of all other States in Italy because she owes to none but to her self the ground and beginning of her dignity she ever enjoyed her liberty and never depended on nor ever owned any Prince as Superiour besides that it is the most ancient of any State in Italy for she had her birth in the Year 421 the 25. of March about noon above 1246 years ago and all this while she made the Lawes whereby she Governed her self 'T is true she had but a weak and inconsiderable beginning out of the ruines of some Cities of Italy but in