THE PRESENT STATE OF GENEVA With a brief DESCRIPTION Of that CITY And several changes and alterations it hath been subject to from the first foundation thereof untill this present year 1681. LONDON Printed for William Cademan at the Popes-head in the New-Exchange in the Strand 1681. TO THE REDER Courteous Reader THis Book was at first a Manuscript composed in Italian for the use of the present Great Duke of Florence by Signior Gregorio Leti the ingenious Author of the Cardinalismo and Nepotismo from whom the Translator had it at Geneva Some necessary occasions having called the Author lately into this Country the Translator communicated to him his design of turning that Treatise into English which he not only approved of as knowing the value of the thing but hath since added with his own hand some remarkable passages which conduce not a little to the accomplishment of the work and are of so fresh a date as cannot as yet have been published by any other So that Reader you have here within the narrow compass of so little a Treatise all that indeed can be said or is necessary to be known concerning that so famed City and Republick Farewel THE PESENT STATE OF GENEVA c. GENEVA Antiquity as appears by some Chronicles of the Country of Vaux is one of the ancientest Cities of Europe being commonly supposed to have been built by Lemanus Son of Hercules the great King of the Gaules who gave the name likewise to the Lake Lemane by many called the Lake of Geneva The first foundation of it was laid in the year of the World 3994. upon a little rising Hill covered with Juniper Trees called by the French Geneuriers from whence it afterwards took the name of Geneura Lemanus having granted many Priviledges to the place and erected the same into a City incorporated with great immunities and freedomes prescrib'd them a Form of Government suitable to the Customes of those times In the time of Julius Caesar this City was of great renown and by him called the Bulwork of Helvetia Julius Caesar and frontiere Town of the Allobrogi which name at present it deserves more than ever When the eruption was made upon the Swissers in the year of God 230. by the Emperor Heliogabalus Heliogabilus Geneva was almost utterly destroyed by Fire but in the time of Aurelian the Emperour Destroyed about the year of Grace 270. it was by the command of the same Emperor rebuilt Rebuilt who having bestowed many priviledges on those that came to repair it commanded it for the future to be called Aurelia but the Inhabitants could not easily banish from their minds the ancient name of Geneva which to this day it holds tho during the Life of Aurelian they called it Aurelia The Situation of this City is one of the pleasantest in Europe being on the North side washed by the Lake and on the South adorned with a spatious Neighbouring Plain reaching to the very Walls and encompassed by two large Rivers the Rone and the Arue This plain serves the Citizens for a place of diversion and Recreation There they walk to take the Air and refresh themselves in the delightful Gardens which inviron it of which there is a great number There likewise they train and exercise their Souldiers and divert themselves at Play in a long Mall Plain Palace This Plain is commonly called the Plain Palace and in a Corner thereof where the Arue falls into the Rone there is a spatious burying place for the dead Burying-Place The Confines of Geneva are on the East and South the Dutchy of Savoy on the West the Country of Gex belonging to the King of France and on the North side the Lake Lemane and beyond that Switzerland From the Steeple of St. Peters Church which is a strong high Tower might have been seen formerly six tho at present but five Principalities the Spanish Burgundy being united to France to wit Savoy France the Spanish Burgundy Switzerland Sion and Geneva a thing so singular as cannot be parallel'd in the World This City hath of a long time been walled Fortifications and indifferently well fortified but since the year 1659. the Fortifications both within and without have been augmented with Bastions half-Moons and Bulwarks at which they are still busily imployed the Engineer of the Republick an expert and skilful Artist daily assisting and over-seeing their work In the year 1662. The States and other private Persons of the United Netherlands made a Present to the Republick of above thirty thousand Crowns Hollanders which Sum was applyed to the raising of a strong and regular Bulwork on the side of the Rone whereon by Order of the Senate this Inscription was put Oppugna oppugnantes me ex munificentiâ Celsiss Ordinum Faederatorum Belgii 1663. The City seems divided Bridges because the Rone running through it maketh two Islands that sustain four Bridges two whereof which joyn to St. Gervase have houses and shops upon them but the other two that are united with the body of the City since the fire in the year 1670. have been left open without any houses to cover them Before the Reformation there were many casual fires sometimes in one Fires and sometimes in another part of the City but since the year 1534 that the Reformation began until 1670. by the grace of God and provident care of the Magistrates the City remained free from any such accident when on Monday the 17th of January about twelve of the Clock at night a dreadful fire broke out upon one of the largest and most inhabited of the four Bridges and burnt with so much force and rage that in the space of three hours tho the night was calm without a breath of Wind stirring the whole buildings to the number of threescore and ten houses were utterly consumed in the Conflagration above an hundred and thirty Families deprived of habitation and a hundred Persons Men Women and Children destroyed in the merciless flames a dreadfull argument that if the People could not escape with their Lives they cou'd not save their Goods The loss was reputed to amount to a French Million of Mony and was the greater because many substantial Merchants lived upon that Bridge Many Collections were presently made throughout the City for the relief of those poor People that were burnt out of all and the Protestants of Switzerland Germany and other places gave seasonable instances of their Charity to the distressed upon that occasion The Bridge is now rebuilt with most excellent Workmanship New-Bâ—idge but by Decree of the Senate no houses nor Shops are for the future to be built upon it tho it be much stronger now than it was before so that the City seems at present divided The Fabrick of their houses is not very considerable Their Building the People having been alwayes more addicted to convenience than magnificence so that we need say nothing
but of their publick Structures which are the Town House repaired and beautified since the Reformation the Arsenal five publick Granaries the Mint and the Towers two of which stand one on each side of the New-Bridge Ecclesiastick Buildings The Ecclesiastick Fabricks are the four Churches to wit St. Peters the Cathedral St. Gervase St. Magdalens and St. Germans besides two little Chappels where the Lectures of Theology Greek Hebrew and Philosophy are held and in the biggest of the two preaching in high Dutch There is besides a Colledge built since the Reformation containing Schools for the Youth that learn humanity and houses for the Ministers and Professors There were heretofore most magnificent Buildings both for the Regular and Secular Clergy and especially the rich Abbey of St. Victor the Abbot whereof was a Temporal Prince invested with many Jurisdictions In the great Hall of the Colledge is the Library furnished with excellent Old Books The Library Keeper is a Minister who is to take care of it and shew it to such Strangers as desire to see it Every day in the week there is preaching in two places to wit in the Preaching Churches of St. Peter and St. Gervase and thrice a week in St. Magdalens but on Sunday there are three Sermons at St. Peters and as many at St. Gervase's that is two in the forenoon and one in the afternoon besides Catechizing at Noon in each of the said Churches There is preaching twice every Sunday likewise at St. Magdalens in the Morning and Evening with Catechizing at Noon Every Sunday Morning and Wednesday in the afternoon there is a Sermon in High Dutch and every Thursday in Italian St. Peters Church was in ancient times dedicated to Apollo as is to be seen in some very old Inscriptions several Cardinals and many Prelates of great Renown were buried in this Church when the Romish Religion flourished here and since the Reformation in one of its Chappels Anâ—o 1628. was interred Emilia of Nassau and sometime after the Princess her Sister both Sisters to the Prince of Orange Emilia being Wife to Don Antonio King of Portugal who was banished by the Spaniards In another Chappel lies the Body of the Duke of Rohan buried in the year 1638 in a most magnificent Monument built by his Dutchess who was laid there also near her Husband in the year 1660. as their Son Tancred was in the Year 1661. There are two Hospitals Hospitaâ—â— the one within the City for releif of the Poor not only of the Place but likewise of all sorts of Strangers and the other without the City in the Burying-place of the Plain-Palace being a Pest-house for receiving of the infected in time of the Plague when the Catholick Religion reigned here there were seven Hospitals Master of the Hospitals The Master of the Hospital continues in place three years but he is usually confirmed by the Counsel of two hundred who have the power of Election for the next three years and this place as being very profitable is much sought after He hath for his Assistants who are the Governors of the Hospital nine Laymen with a Minister and a Syndick who is President in all Courts kept for the management of the Revenue of the Hospital Visiting of the dead When any one dies the body is instantly veiwed by a Chirurgion appointed by the Senate for that purpose and without this search it cannot be buried The Dead are buried without any ceremonious Pomp Burying being accompanied to the Grave by few or many according to the quality of the person but there is no obligation upon any to be present unless invited Burying of Strangers of Quality Persons of Quality who are strangers are interred in the Cloyster of St. Peters where Theodore Beza who departed this life in the Year 1604. lies buried Church-yard of St. Gervase In the Church yard of St. Gervase lie seventeen Citizens who dyâ—d fighting nobly in the defence of their Country the night of the Scalado to whose memory the Senate caused this following Inscription to be cut in a Wall D. O. M. S. Quorum infra nomina Scripta Corpora sita Posteri nostri dum ingressis ipsâ in pace urbem hostibus fortiter arma sua sedulo munia alia pernecessario tempore oppâ—nunt glorioso laudabilique exitu pro Repub ceciderunt ad d. XII Decemb. 1602. Many of the Inhabitants who die in that quarter of the City are usually buried in this Churchyard Marriages are here celebrated with the usual Ceremonies Marriages that is with the consent of the Parties who being agreed and having mutually past a Promise of Marriage and interchang'd a Ring if they think it fit they make a note of the Banes with the names of the Persons to be married which being signed by the cheif Syndick is given to the Minister who publishes the same from the Pulpit three Sundayes successively and afterwards no lawful impediment being objected they may marry when they please in the Parish Church of the Husband or in any other Church if they judge it more convenient The Burgesses and Citizens are not tied to give any security but the Inhabitants or Inmates as they are called if they intend to marry are obliged to pay to the Hospitals or French Box about three Pistols or to give in security for a greater Sum that is for thirty Crowns Publick dancing and musick are not allowed Dancing however for the most part they connive at it and suffer the Bridegroom and Bride to pass away their time with some Dance or Ball within doores When any impediment of Marriage is objected the matter is brought before the Consistory or Presbytery who receive the necessary informations in the case And in matters of Importance the parties must be cited and appear before the Magistrates and their cause legally tried Inhabitants Burgesses and Citizens Geneva is inhabited by three sorts of persons Inhabitants or Inmates Burgesses and Citizens The Inhabitants pay greater contributions than the other and yet they enjoy not the same priviledges Besides the Senate may send them going when they please and it is likewise permitted to them upon leave asked to be gone if they think it convenient The Burgesses are those who buy their Freedom and enjoy all sorts of priviledges but cannot be admitted to the highest Dignities and at present the price of ones Freedome is determined according to the pleasure of the Council The Sons of Burgesses born within the City are Citizens and may attain to the highest place and Dignity in the Republick A Colony of divers Nations In former times Geneva was a Colony of the Allobrogi but since the reformation it is become a mixed Colony of all the Nations of Europe especially of French Germans Italians and Spaniards who being persecuted for the truth of the Gospel repair daily thither in whole Families Hence it is that when before the reformation there were not
the Bishop or people for all that even suffered the Duke to enjoy that Pontifical priviledge and concession In the year 1536 about the begining of September John Calvin of Noion in Picardy The coming of Calvin to Geneva a learned man came to Geneva and joyning with Farrel who already preached up the reformed Religion in that City they together instituted many Ecclesiastick ordinances and setled a lecture in Theology Cardinal Sadoleto a person eminent for learning and integrity of life Cardinal Sadoleto hearing of the separation of Geneva from the Roman Church wrote a most courteous and hortatory Letter to the Senate promising them in the Popes name a pardon for what was past offering himself to be their mediator for reconciling them againe to the Church but the minds of the people being disposed to the contrary that Letter had no effect The Banishment of Calvin and Farrel In the year 1528. Calvin and Farrel were banished Geneva by order of the Council of the two hundered because they had said openly that they could not Administer the Sacrament of the Lords supper to loose and dissolute people and indeed they actually refused upon an Easter day to give the Sacrament to some Scandalous and lewd persons whereupon the Council of the two hundred being next day assembled those two men were sentenced to be Banished and presently departed The Syndicks who were the contrivers of that Banishment were utterly ruined two years after one of them that told Calvin the gates were made wide enough to march out at burst in a narrow window through which he attempted to escape out of prison another was beheaded but the rest fled and so saved their lives The year 1540. Charles V. The Emperour Charles the fifth by express Letters commanded those of Geneva not to Swear Allegiance to any whosoever declaring that for the future they should continue under the obedience of the Emperour and enjoy the priviledges which other Imperial Cities and they themselves had allready in times past enjoyed Calvin returnes to Geneva The Edict of 1538 for Banishing of the Ministers was in the years 1541 in a general Council revoked and by express Letters they were recalled so that on the third of September 1541 Calvin returned to Geneva about which time by his advice the first Ecclesiastick Laws were established in that Church the Supremacy in Spirituals as well as Temporals being by a General declaration asserted to belong solely to the Senate Calvin dies Calvin lived the remaining part of his life in great esteem and tranquillity in Geneva and to the extraordinary grief of the people died the 24 of May 1564 aged fifty four years ten Months and six days his body was interred in the burying place of the plaine Pallace but since upon suspicion that the Savoyards intended to dig up and insult over his bones they were removed and buried within the Cloyster of St. Peters Church The Government of Geneva was at first wholy democratical Government of Geneva the people assembled in a general Council having the Supream power to dispose of Publick places by Election as of the Syndicks Lieutenant Auditors Treasurer Procurator general And besides of making peace and War nevertheless in the year 1607 The Council of two hundred alone concluded a peace and at present all the power the people hath is of chusing by most voices in their Councils one of two that are presented to them by the Council of two hundred and none being ever presented by them but persons of chief note in the City the Government seems now to have a great affinity with Aristocracy none but the more Noble being admitted to the publick adminstration of affairs The publick Officers are alwaies first elected in the Council of twenty five and then confirmed by that of the two hundered who have the Authority to approve or reject the Election when the Council of two hundred rejects a party proposed then the Council of twenty five returnes and makes a new Election which is to be reiterated as long as the choice is not confirmed by the Council of two hundred who at the same time that they reject any person proposed have the power to nominate another but this is seldome put in practice the manner of their Election is as followeth When a Lieutenant for instance is to be made Balloting two candidates are chosen by the Council of twenty five and presented to the Counsel of two hundred in which all the kindred and relations first of the one and then of the other Candidate successively to the utmost degree are ordered to withdraw this being done they carefully sift and examine the actions of the persons proposed and such as have any thing to object against them speak their minds freely then every member of the Council puts into a Box a B or an O B signifying bon or good and the O omitted or rejected If their be more Bs found than Os the party is approved but if more Os the Council of twenty five proposes an other and many times the Council of two hundred rejects ten in one Election Both being afterwards confirmed they are presented to the people and he who in their general Council has most voices is legally elected In the opening of any Council or assembly for Election there are alwaies two Oaths Adminstred to the Members one that they chuse a fit person and the other that they discover nothing of what shall be spoken concerning the parties proposed All Burgesses and Citizens past eighteen years of age are admitted into the General Council The General Council which is sometimes more sometimes less Numerous according as the Members are at home or willing to come The City Companies of the Militia The City is divided into seventeen companies each of which has for Captain a Lord of the Council of twenty five with a Lieutenant Ensigne and other officers who are commonly chose from among the Burgesses and Citizens yet a Burgesse tho he may be a Lieuetenent can never be an Ensigne The Companies of Trades Every Trade has a Company consisting of Members of the same profession which is Governed by a Lord of the Council of twenty five and four assistants of the same Trade The Election of Magistrates The Magistrates are alwaies chosen by secret suffrages some of whom continue in place for life and others for a certain time The Members of the Council of 25. The Members of the Council of twenty five who constitute the chief Court of the City and carry properly the names of Counselors are chosen out of the Council of two hundred that is the Council of twenty five proposes two and that of the two hundered approves or rejects them and if it happen that both are approved by the greater numbers of Bs than Os then they come to an Election by the Plurality of voices in which Election the Kindred have a voice though when
the charge of the publick library and three Senators of the Council of twenty five whom they call commonly the Governours of the Schools The election of Ministers When a Minister is to be chosen for the City or Country the Congregation by secret voices makes the Election and then proposes the person elected to the Council of twenty five who have the absolute power of admitting or rejecting him If the party be rejected the Ministers proceed to a new Election until they please the humor of the Council The same method is observed in choosing of Professors but for the Regents of the Schools it is sufficient that they be examined by the body of the Colledge and then with their recommendation presented to the body of the twenty five There are in Geneva many Students called Proposants as well Natives as of other Countries as French Germans Switzers Hollanders and others These Students are employed weekly to say Prayers every Evening in three Churches to wit St. Peters St. Gervase's and St. Magdalens and besides to read in the Pulpit some Chapter of the bible every Morning and Evening between the first and last ringing into Church When any of these Ministers are to be ordained Ordination of Ministers that is when they are to receive Authority to Preach and Administer the Sacraments they are examined by the Ministers in the Congregation and afterwards without any Ceremony they receive their Authority the Council of twenty five not medling in that but leaveing the whole care thereof to the Ministers The Presâ— There are many Presses in Geneva which ought weekly to be visited by the Rector but to speak truth both that and Licensing of Bookes by the Rectors and Governors of Schools without which they should not be Printed for most part are neglected The Salary of the Ministers and Professors Adulterie The Salary of the Ministers of the City exceedeth not the sum of two hundred Crowns a year About fifty or threescore years agoe the Crime of Adultery was without any respect of persons punished with death but that rigour is at present remitted the punishment being now some months Imprisonment and a pecuniary fine but the poor that have not mony are punished Corporally Simple Fornication is also punished according to the quality of the offence the delinquent being confined to prison for nine dayes to eate nothing but Bread and Water none are exempted but must present themselves before the Consistory The course that is taken in time of fire There can no where better courses be taken in time of fire than in Geneva for all the men upon the first allarme are obliged in their armes to betake themselves to the several quarters appointed them and the serving Maids with their Buckets to carry water every house keeper being bound to send his Maid Masons Carpenters and the like are obliged to goe and carry their Instruments and tooles with them to the place where the fire is and the Members of the Council of twenty five repair to the Town Hall there to give the necessary orders The Lieutenant with his Staff of Justice two Auditors and the Syndick of the Guards with his Staff and another Syndick all accompanied with a considerable number of Officers go to the place where the fire is and there give all orders necessary every one being obliged exactly to obey them and to pull down what Contiguous Houses they shall think most convenient for quenching the fire the two Auditors take into their Custody all the goods they can which they transport to prevent theft and robbery and in a late fire a Burgess was hanged for stealing some small trifle whilst the people were in confusion The Guards of the Gates are doubled with a Company of Souldiers more than ordinary and in the day time when the Gates are open so soon as they crie fire fire they are shut and not opened again until the fire be quite out the two Majors on Horse back continually surrounding the City and visiting the posts and in a word no care and diligence is omitted Tryals of prisoners dispatched The Tryals of Prisoners are no where dispatched with greater expedition then in Geneva where they are not suffred as in other places to languish in a prison The Gaoler is one of the Council of the two hundred Gaoler who discharges that office only for a year but seeing it is a place of no great profit there are not many that seek after it Prisoners are commonly brought to Tryal at the suit of the Lieutenant and Procurator General before one of the Council of twenty five Trials who meet alwaies in a Room of the Prison appointed for that purpose where they examin the Prisoner who every time that the Council go to examin him is obliged to pay them eighty Florins which is about three Crowns but such as are condemned to death and have not wherewithal are exempted from payment no man being bound to do a thing impossible Malefactors are not tortured here so much as in other places and they never give the rack oftener then twice The Tryal ended Sentence the Members of the Council of twenty five having first prayed to God on their knees give Sentence from which the Citizens and Burgesses as soon as it is intimated to them appeale to the Council of the two hundred Execution of the Sentence After that Sentence of death has past it is next day an hour before Sun-rising intimated to the prisoner by two Ministers and from that time till ten of the Clock before noon he is constantly attended by two of them who are relieved every hour and who make it their business to prepare him for Death the Prisoner all that while being in the same Roome where the Council of twenty five sits when they examine any Malefactor and where he receives the intimation of his Sentence and continues till he be carried to the place of Execution Time of Execution At ten of the Clock then in the forenoon the Council of twenty five assembles before the Gate of the Town Hall where stands a seat of Justice on which sit the four Syndicks with their staves of Justice in hand the Counsellors sitting on each side of the bench but lower than the Syndicks the Prisoner assisted still by two Ministers is brought before them by an Auditor representing the Lieutenant and the City Marshal with his Officers where kneeling alone before the bench a Clerk with an Audible Voice reads to him all the Crimes he is guilty of which being confessed by himself the Sentence then read the City Marshal holding all this while an open Bible in his hand before the Court because before the Clarke begins to read the Sentence he pronounces these words aloud haveing before our eyes God and his holy Scripture The Sentence being read the Prisoner is instantly delivered over into the hands of the Officers of the Lieutenant to whom the execution of
Justice belongs but the Sentence must be immediatly executed and therefore the Executioner appears who taking the Prisoner by the hand leads him into a low room where having put the Halter about his neck and bound him an Auditor and the City Marshal on Horseback with the Officers and Executioner on foot bring him to the place of Execution and stirr not from thence till the Malefactor be dead Place of Execution Ordinarily persons are put to death in the plain Palace without the City and in the place of Molard Geneva has at several times contracted alliances Alliances both in the times of the Bishops and since and that with several Princes and Republicks particulary with the Common-wealth of Venice with which until this day they entertain a very good corespondence in so much that they willingly suffer their Captaines to levy men amongst them In the year 1518. 1518.1526 The Genevians made a League with the Canton of Fribourg which in the year 1526. Was confirmed with closer obligations of Friendship and enlarged with new Articles The Canton of Berne with that of Fribourg being therein comprehended and all three together obliged in a perpetual and individual League with one another The reformed Religion being afterwards in the year 1535. 1535. Established in Geneva the States of Fribourg moved by their Church men sent Ambassadors to Geneva declaring that if they would not returne into the bosome of the Catholick Church they would be obliged to break the League to these propositions the Genevians would not condescend but protested they would faithfully observe the alliance The year following which was 1536. 1536. The States of Berne understanding that the Fribourgers had made a League with the Genevians sent Ambassadors to Geneva where a League for twenty five years was concluded betwixt Geneva and Berne this Legue expiring in the year 1558. On the first of January of the same year a perpetual League was concluded betwixt these two States May the 8th 1559 Henry the third 1559. King of France and Poland made Alliance with Berne Solerne and Geneva in which treaty Geneva was by that King called the key of Switzerland and he alwaies esteemed it so having recommended to the Switzers the preservation of that City Lastly on the eighteenth of October 1584. 1584. Zurich made a mutual League with Geneva in memory whereof the Senate crected a Marble Monument with this inscription which is to be seen in the Hall of the Town house on the side as you go to the Arsenal Anno à vera religione divinitus cum vetere libertate Geneva restituta Inscription quasi novo Jubileo inennte plurimis vitatis domi foris insidijs supâ—ratis tempestatibus quod Helvetiorum primariâ—… Tigurini Bernarum exemplo aequo jure in societatem perpetuam nobiscum venerint prius novo vinculo adstrinxerint S. P. Q. G. quod faelix esse velit D. O. M. tanti benesicii Monumentum consecrarunt Besides the above mentioned alliances Geneva holds friendship and correspondence upon account of the Prorestant Religion with the English Hollanders and Protestant Princes of Germany all which in time of need would do them senâ—e good Offices but the truth is the Jealousie that reignes amongst neighbouring Princes has a greater influence upon the preservation of the Liberty of Geneva than any other consideration whatsoever Protestants of France This City is looked upon as the only City of refuge for the Protestants of France seeing upon occasion of any persecution they can retreat into this place and that makes them on their part so solicitous for its safety and preservation that on all occasions they would be ready to shew the effects of their good inclinations towards it as they have already done during the War with the Duke of Savoy and it is certain that no sooner would any new War begin in Geneva but that the Protestants of the best quality in France would come to its assistance knowing very well that if they be deprived of that Sanctuary they must remaine exposed to the will of their enemies As to the forces of Geneva without doubt they are but inconsiderable Forces Arsenal they have in the first place an Arsenal provided of all sorts of Armes for arming of six thousand men at least besides a great many old Armes and Colors taken from their enemies in the time of the War There is no great store of Cannon in the Arsenal because this City being a Frontier place has the Walls both day and night well furnished with great Gunns and certainly there is no frontiere place better provided with Cannon Private Arms. The private Houses are sufficiently furnished with Armes and there is no Citizen but hath Armes for two or three men there are several that can Arme twenty five or thirty and some are so well provided that they can conveniently Arme three hundred Soldiers so that every private House may be called an Arsenal hence according to computation it is commonly reckoned that in Geneva there are Armes for forty thousand men The City is alwaies well furnished with Provisions and Ammunition of all sorts conveniently distributed into Magazines and Store houses in the several quarters of the Town Provisiâ—â—â—… so that if an accident should happen in the place the City could sustaine no great prejudice thereby the other stores being sufficiently provided to supply the loss they keep constantly Ammunition as Powder Bullets Match and the like enough for a two years Siege and a sufficient quantity of Corne for three years having Mills within the Town alwaies in readiness to grind it Military exercises The Genevians are generally well trained in the exercises and discipline of Warr and though they can brag of no famous Commanders their wars having been more defensive than offensive yet they have Soldiers of long experience in the wars and take care to exercise their youth to Warlik exercises by conferring honor and reward on those especially who at some set times in the year obtaine the advantage of shooting Kings of the several kinds of Arms. They preforme those exercises chiefly in the Spring the fittest time for recreation and to raise in their youth a generous emulation for Honor they make him who hath shot best in the Cannon Musket Bow Cross-bow or Pistol King of that kind of Armes wherein he hath excelled giving him a mark of Honor and some priviledges in reward of his dexterity But the King of the Harquebuses is in greatest esteem amongst them and besides the Priviledges which are allowed him he is after his Election attended home by the Chief of the City with show and triumph The publick reaps no small benefit from those delightful exercises for the Citizens are thereby trained in the discipline of War and by the Honor and priviledges conferred upon the Kings encouraged to noble undertakings But though brave men and good Arms be the ordinary
Guards who is for most part the fourth Syndick and of the two Majors and at the same time receive their pay The Majors are members of the Council of twenty five Majors and commonly the two youngest are chosen It is really a place of great fatigue for they are obliged by turns once a week to releive the Guards every evening and to go the rounds twice a night about the City to visit the Sentinels they are allowed indeed to discharge their Office on horse back being attended by some Soldiers and a Lantern And certainly since the Scalado and surprize that the Duke of Savoy attempted to have made on this place there is no City in the world more vigilant and that uses greater diligence to prevent the like for the future for four of the Council of the two hundred every week go the rounds nightly both before and after the Majors rounds and every hour of the night the Sentinels are visited the Guards being alwaies doubled when there is any suspition of danger Pomps and vain shows There is a Court established here a gainst Pomps and vain Shows consisting of a Syndick as President the Procurator General and four Deputies who meet commonly on Monday after dinner The time when the Councils meet Twice a year the General Council of the People meets after morning Sermon in St. Peters Church to wit on the first Sunday of November for the Election of the Lieutenant and two Auditors and the first Sunday of January for the Election of the four Syndicks Procurator General and Treasurer The Council of 25. The Council of twenty five sits every morning and on occasion in the afternoon excepting Sunday and Thursday when they never meet unless matters of State or other things of great importance require their attendance The Council of 200. The Council of the two hundred meet the first Friday morning of every month after that the Council of 25 is up for treating of matters of State and affaires of publick benefit but if other necessary matters do require acâ—â—â—ding to exigency they meet oftner and because many Civil matters are transferred from the Council of twenty five to that of the two hundred they assemble sometimes three days a weak for the decision of such actions There is no appeal to be made to the Council of the two hundred in any action under fifty Crowns the parties being obliged to deposit twenty and besides alledge that the sentence given by the twenty five is against the Edict which is the Municipal Law of Geneva The Council of threescore There is moreover a Council of sixty the Members whereof are chosen out of the body of the two hundred and are men of mature judgment and such as have born the charge of an Auditor but this Council seldome meets and only upon matters of State You must observe that the Members of the Council of twenty five sit in all other Councils whether of the General that of the 200 or of the sixty The Lieutenant assisted by his six Auditors holds a Court daily Lieutenant and tho all be not present yet it is still a Court the first Auditor in absence of the Lieutenant being President thereof In the Court which is called the Court of Appeals a Syndick is President Appeals and it is composed of five Judges or Counsellors who are Members of the two hundred and continue in place for three years They are to meet once a week according as causes happen for from the sentence of the Lieutenant they remove to this Court of Appeals and from 〈◊〉 the Council of twenty five When an action whether Civil or Criminal is to be decided in the Counâ—â—â—… twenty five all the Kindred and Relations of the Parties withdraw so that to fill up the Quorum of that Court as of the other of Appeals they take Assessors out of the number of the two hundred who sit not on the bench but on certain seats provided for them in the middle of the Hall but if the number of the Judges not excepted against exceed the half the Court is compleat and no Assessors are called The Congregation of the Ministers The Congregation of Ecclesiasticks that is of the Ministers who Preach the Gospel consists of twenty four Church-men that is of twelve Ministers of the City and as many of the Country about which belongs to the Soverainity of Geneva Every Friday Morning this Assembly meets to treat of the affaires of their Ministery and the Purity of Religion thô upon urgent occasions they meet at other times not only all the Ministers but likewise the Professors are admitted into this Congregation the truth is the professors of Theology Greek and Hebrew are commonly Ministers and tho those of Philosophy be not yet they have place in the Congregation The Consistory The Consistory which is held every Thursday is composed of all the Ministers and nine other persons of exemplary life and Mature age whom they call Elders two of which are commonly members of the Council of twenty five A Minister with the title of Moderator is President of the Consistory who is changed weekly but the twelve Country Ministers are never admitted to be Moderators The Italians and Germans have likewise their Consistories composed of their Ministers and some Elders who meet commonly after Sermon and treat of the affairs of their several Churches but they depend on the greater Consistory There is a kind of Hospital commonly called the French-Box The French Box. which takes care to releive all the poor Families of strangers for none are received into the great Hospital but onely Burgesses Citizens and poor Travellers without any respect to their Religion or Country The Italian and German Boxes The Poor Families of the Italian Nation are releived out of the Box of the Italian Consistory and the Germans out of the German-Box Administration of the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is Administred to the People four times a year to wit at Easter Whitsuntide in the beginning of September and at Christmass but alwaies on a Sunday and that twice in every Church with great concourse of Communicants The Italians likewise and Germans receive four times a year in their seververal Churches so that the Sacrament is administred twelve times a year in Geneva that is once a Month a thing most convenient for Travellers and the sick The Italian Church is much antiener than that of the Germans Heretofore the Spaniards had a Church but for want of people of that Nation it is now lost The Colledge The Colledge for Letters is constituted of a Rector who is a Minister seaven Professours to wit three of Theology one of Hebrew another of Greek and two of Philosophy There is moreover a Principal who is a Minister also set over the Regents of the Schools where the youths study humanity a libruy keeper who has
the price of a single Letter from Lions to Geneva paying three Solzs Twice a week the Messenger or Carrier arrives also his business is to convey to and fro between Lions and Geneva all sorts of goods and to conduct Strangers that are pleased to Travel with him a single person pays him for passage and entertainment upon the rode about a Pistol and for every pound of goods at sixteen ounces the pound tow Solzs The German Post comes in on Monday towards Evening and goes out on Tuesday at the same time The Letters pay more or less according to the distance of the place from whence they come The Post of Turin which brings all the Letters of Italy comes in on Wednesday and sets out on Thursday but all Letters that are sent by that Post must be paid for to Cambray Hackney Horses and Coaches There is no want of Hackney Horses nor of Messengers or Vittorins as they are called in Geneva the usual hire of a Horse is twenty Solz a day such as Travel with the Vittorin pay for all charges at most half a Pistol a day a peace and if the Company be greater the rates will be less you may likewise have Hackney Litters at the rate of a Pistol a day less or more according to the season of the year or circumstances of the Master Here are to be had no Hackny Coaches and there are not above seven or eight persons who keep Coaches in this Town Three Faires a year are kept here Faires to wit on the twenty ninth of June the first of August and the twenty second of February but they are but ordinary Faires the Trade running chiefly in beasts especially Horses and Cattel there is a Magistrate appointed over the first to decide the controversies that may happen each Fair lasts three dayes and on the second all the Inhabitants are obliged to wear Swords the Guards of the City and Gates being for Greater security reinforced that day They have two weekly Markets also on Wednesday and Saturday Mornings which are frequented by vast numbers of Savoyards and French from the County of Gez who supply the City with all manner of provisions and buy from thence what they need in the Countrey This is all that can be said concerning the State and Government of Geneva but before we bring this little Treatise to a conclusion It will not be amiss to take some notice of the French Kings late resolution of setling a Resident in that City Whereby as he had a probable opportunity of introducing the Mass into that place so had he a particular design by making appear that the protection of that Republick belonged to him to put a stop to the pretention of the Switzers who especially those of the Canton of Bearn endeavoured in effect under pretence of Friendship and alliance to skrew themselves into a kind of Authority there insomuch that upon the least occasion they wrote Letters to the Magistrates of Geneva in so imperious a style that they seemed rather to command than entreat But the French who of late are seldome asleep when their interest lies at stake and who pretend to sway or give laws to all Europe having the matter in the wind thought it convenient to send a Resident to Geneva to the end that by exercising there some litte Jurisdiction by which the Law of Nations is allowed to publick Ministers they might baulk the Switzers in their pretensions and confirm their King sole Protector of that City and Republick About the end therefore of the year 1679 Mounsieur Chanvigny was sent Resident to Geneva a man of a low Stature but hotter temper than well suited with his Age of threescore years This man having a Son in orders and in expectation of Preferment that he might curry favour with the Church-men and especially the Court of Rome began to exercise his charge with extreme violence insomuch that not satisfied with the allowance of a Chappel in his own House for his private devotion he wrote Letters all about inviting the Catholicks in the Neighbourhood at Geneva to come publickly to Mass at his House Nor did he stop here but sollicited all the Curats and Monks in those parts to come and say Mass in Geneva and often employed several of the Jesuits of Horne to Preach inviting all the Neighbouring Catholicks to the exercise This was so ill relished by the People that some of the rabble cast of all respect due to a Person of his Character so that two of them were committed to Prison being accused for having fired some Pistol-shot within the Court of the said Resident The noise of this reaching as far as Paris moved the most Christian King to take information of the matter of Fact who thereupon ordered the releasing of the Poisoners and recalled Chanvigny to Paris sending in his place Monsieur du Pré a person of very great experience as the offices which he hath discharged hath sufficiently made appear And the truth is this Gentleman lives in very good correspondence both with the Senate and people and tho he have Mass said in his House yet it is with such moderation as in appearance removes all â—â—â—…nsie from the minds of the People who now begin to be acquainted with the freakishness and in constancy of Fortune FINIS A Catalogue of Books Printed for William Cademan Bookseller at the Popes-head in the New-Exchange in the Strand Folio AN Institution of General History or the History of the World by William Howel L. L. D. in two Vol Historical Collections or an exact account of the proceeding of the four last Parliaments of Queen Elizabeth of famous Memory Pharamond Compleat English Clelia a Romance English Parthenissa Compleat English An Historical Heroick Poem on the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Ossory Written by Elkanah Settle Quarto An Historical relation of the first discovery of the Isle of Madera The Protestant Religion is a sure foundation c. by the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Derby The Jesuits Policy to suppress Monarchy by a Person of Honour A warning Peace for the unready in two Visitation Sermons at Preston by Seth Bushel D. D. The great Efficacy and necessity of good Examples especially in the Clergy in a Visitation Sermon at Guilford by Thomas Duncomb D. D. A Sermon Preached before the King by Miles Barne Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty A Sermon Preached at the Assises at Lancaster by Henery Pigot B. D. Gods Revenge against Murther demonstrated in the Persecution of Henry Symbal and William Jones Executed for the Murthering Sir Richard Sandford Plays in Quarto The Rivalls a Comedy Catalines Conspiracy Island Princess Flora's Vagaries Town Shifts Citizen turned Gentleman Morning Ramble Macbeth Cambyses Empress of Morocco Conquest of China Herod and Mariamne Notes on Morocco Ibrahim Love and Revenge Pastor Fido. Pope Joan. Fatal Love or forc't inconstancy Careless Lovers English Princess Reformation Spanish Rogue Marcelia The Mall Rehearsal Mock Tempest Dumb Lady Gentleman Dancing Master Alcibiades Dutch Lovers Pysoes Conspiracy Siege of Memphis Rival Kings Constant Nimph. Wrangling Lover Tom Essence French Conjurer Wits Led by the Nose Counterfeit Bridgroom Tunbridge Wells Conspiracy or Change of Government Revenge or a Match in Newgate Octavo and Twelves The Spanish History or the differences that hapned in the Court of Spain between Don John of Austria and Cardinal Nitard with all the Letters and the Politick Discourses relating to those Affairs Reflections upon Ancient and modern Philosophy The English Princess or the Duchess Queen A pleasant Novel Court-songs and Poems being an exact Collection The Temple of Death with other Poems by a person of honour Hogan Moganides or the Dutch Hudibras Liquor Alcahest or the Immotal Dissolvert of Paracelsus and Helmont Philosophical Essay or the history of Putrifaction by Dr. Sherly FINIS
likewise in other Bishopricks of Suitzerland but he was alwaies confirmed by the Pope who afterward deprived them of that Priviledge conferring the power of Election on the Chanons who by plurality of voices chose two of whom the Pope according to his pleasure confirmed the one There were moreover four Annual Syndicks as there are at present who governed as Temporal Princes Election of the Syndicks before the Reformation being Judges in Criminal causes Lords of the City Masters of the Gates and of all that belonged to the Militia which the Bishop never challenged or medled with The General Council consisted of Citizens and Burgesses and to it belonged the Election of the four Syndicks which was on Saint Martins day Every Syndick afterwards chose five Councellors and all together Elected a Treasurer From sun setting until break of day the foâ—â— Syndicks alone had absolute Jurisdiction within the City and acted what they judged convenient for the Publick by their own Supreame Authority When the Bishops Lieutenant or Vidone as they called him in that time aphrehended a Malefactor he remitted him to the Syndicks Administration of Justice before the Reformation who were obliged within the space of twenty four houres to do Justice upon him from which Sentence there was no appeal it is true the Bishop had the power of pardoning and shewing mercy if he pleased the Sentence being given by the Syndicks it was intimated to the Prisoner who was then again turned over into the hands of the Bishops Lieutenant with orders from them to cause the Sentence to be put in Execution and if the Bishop gave no pardon the Lieutenant delivered up the same Prisoner to another Lieutenant belonging to the Counts of Geneva who were feudatories of the Bishop and he it was that put the Sentence in Execution this was all the power and Authority that the Counts of Geneva had Counts of Geneva and it is also to be observed that Executions were alwayes performed without the City in a place called Champel where one of the Gibbets is to be seen to this day The Duke of Savoy as Successour to these Counts Pretentions of the Duke of Savoy pretends the Soveranity over Geneva though there be nothing more certain than that the said Counts never had any Jurisdiction of Command nor right of Dominion in that City His Highness indeed makes great pretentions and is very well satisfied with the reasonableness of the same though they be backt with very weak and frivolous evidences seeing the proofs that are alleadged to make good those pretentions come far short of what they are intended to assert one argument is that though the Bishop of Geneva was chief in Spirituals and Temporals and was honoured with the Title of Prince of the Empire nevertheless His Royal Highness would have it it behoved him to do homage to the Duke regent as to his Superiour and to Swear fealty to him the day of his Inauguration but there is not one Authentick act to be found of this and the only Oath the Bishop took was to the Syndicks to whom he swore to maintain and preserve the priviledges and liberties of the City It is further alledged that Duke Charles of Savoy went frequently to Geneva with his Dutchess Beatrix where all Imaginable honor and respect was shewed him This I am apt to beleive but the consequence is not good for the Genevians are civil and obliging to all strangers but especially to persons of high merit and quality It is certain that Geneva was alwaies a free City and that long before the House of Savoy was spoken of or came in play they were Governed by their own Laws and Statutes Imperial and municipal edicts the Bishops indeed of Geneva who in the fall of the Roman Empire raised themselves to Supremacy in temporals in that City as well as other Bishops had done in other places were commonly in contest with the Counts of Geneva for the dominion and Governmenr of the City a short account of which I shall hear give you After that one Humbert Bishop of Geneva had exchanged this for another life Andutius his Successor applied himself to the Emperor Frederick the first and obtained of him to be declared absolute Prince of the City of Geneva that in Temporals he should be subject to none but the Emperour alone and that he should be free and Exempt from all taxes and tribute but the Bishop being returned with design to enjoy the prerogative granted him by the Emperour the Counts raised greater trouble against him than before not suffering him to exercise any such priviledges though this storme was afterwards calmed by the Golden-bull of the same Emperour in favour of the Bishop and published in the year 1162. For some time after matters went on quietly to the satisfaction of the Bishop until that one William Count of the Geneveses who took upon himself the Title of Count of Geneva being for Rebellion and other heinous Crimes outlawed by the Emperour and deprived of the fief which he held of the Bishop betook himself to his friends for help and Assistance This having occasioned a long warr whereby the forces of this Bishop and the City were much impaired the Genevians call'd to their Assistance a Count of Maurianna who was afterwards Count of Savoy but this put no end to the War on the contrary it encreased dayly in so much that the Count of Maurianna being powerful he seized several places and Castles which belonged to those of Geneva encroching dayly more and more upon the City and not contented with what he he had Usurped under the Title of Homage he demanded to be reinbursed of the expences he had been at in the Wars Hence many new quarrels arose which lasted until the Counts of the Genevese were extinct of whom the last was the Antipope Clement the seventh To them the Dukes of Savoy with consent of the Bishop succeeded as Heires but Amadeus Prince of Savoy disdaining to be under the Jurisdiction of a Bishop procured of the Emporour the Vicarship of the Empire within all his own Territories thereby pretending that as Vicar of the Empire the Bishop in all his Jurisdictions ought to be subject to him but the Bishop protected by the Pope made vigorus resistance and threatned to Excommunicate the Duke as often as he should pretend to revive any such pretentions wherefore the Duke that he might not Embroil him self with the Court of Rome let fall his great pretentions expecting a more favourable time to raise them again and so the Bishop remained in peaceable possession of his Authority and the people of their antient liberty Afterwards in the year 1418. Pope Martin the fifth passing through Savoy was in all places entertained by the Duke regnant at great expences and with the highest Demonstrations of honour the Pope to gratifie him of his own free motion conferred on him the Temporal Jurisdiction over the City of Geneva but neither