Line and Tropicks in which places the Flux hath the most considerable effects From hence it comes that the Tides make but a small impression upon the Mediterranean which not being able to move the Waters causeth in them only Currents in many places as may be observ'd in the Sea of Genoa the Phare of Messina and several other Islands of the Archipelago But as the Adriatick Sea is a Gulph of the Meditarrenean and the most Northern part of it so consequently the impression it suffers being neither interrupted or stopt by such Coasts at the mouth of the Gulph that hinders its flowing in most other places so it must indubitably occasion the Waters to fall in here keeping their course along the Coasts to the very utmost end of the Gulf where being stopt they must necessarily rise until they have attained a moderate height This is exactly what is observ'd in this Sea for upon the Coasts of Calabria and the Kingdom of Naples you can only remark a setting of the Water without any manner of Elevation but in the middle of the Gulph and at Ancona the Flood begins to be visibly apparent which becomes infinitely more sensible at Rimini Ravenna upon the Lido of Venice and at Aquilea which lies directly in the very bottom of the Gulph The Flux of the Ocean is greater as it is distant from the places where it begins which is between the Two Tropicks consequently causing the Tides to be much higher upon the Northern than upon the Southern Coasts so the Tide of the Adriatick Gulph making only a small impression in the beginning by degrees appears at the lower end of the Sea a very considerable Tide and the more by reason this motion ever gains new force by its continuation So I am at present to give my reason for the Tides being much higher in the Lagunes and Canals of Venice than they are even in the Gulph it self I attribute it to the nature and disposition of the Place which I have already describ'd in the beginning of this part shewing them to be Plains that the Sea overflow'd when she made those Breaches in that Neck of Land which formerly denied her entrance For that little the Flood is in the Sea is by these natural Dikes which sustain the violencies and afterward permitting an open passage into the Lagunes mightily increas'd especially after having pass'd those Channels formerly mention'd it comes to be of so much consideration by many reasons more palpable than those I have alledg'd that what is not but little considerable in the Sea occasions of course a very considerable Flood in the Lagunes In short there is Six hours Tide of Flood which being stopt by the Coasts of Terra firma it then commonly rises to the height of Four foot in the Canals of Venice so takes its Course to the Sea through the Waters being fallen by the Ebbe of the Gulph which affords it the requisite means of returning in the same space of time and through the same places that the Flood brought it into the Lagunes One may in a Calm Season at the Mouth of the Lido observe with much pleasure the making of the Tide you see of a sudden and from time to time behold certain great Waves that mount themselves above the smooth surface of the Water which after having for some time held a murmuring and impetuous Course do at length loose themselves in the Lagunes at considerabe distance from the place where they first appear'd In this manner the Water is rais'd by the Flood and the Lagunes Swell'd like a great Sea whose Islands in the middle seem to be as many Sands and half drown'd Cities At or about half Ebbe you begln to see the Lagunes lie uncover'd of Wâ—ter which then seem to be about the City so many fine Meadows cross which the Tide hath made several Canals for the discharge of the Waters which are at all times deep enough for the greatest Barque to which purpose the most considerable of them are as hath been observed set out with Piles by which they keep on their Way when the Lagunes are cover'd without any danger of running aground It is nothing less particular than agreeable to behold the Canals of this City that seem to be so many Rivers change the Course of their Stream every Six hours which is more remarkable in the great Canals but especially in such as are long straight and whose extremities lie to the Sea they receive the Water directly without any circulation which must always diminish something of that Force attending the motions of the Ebbe and Flood of these Tides It is observable at Venice that the Canals after the Winter Solstice and espcially in February are drain'd so very low that they are frequently not able to make use of their Gondola's for several Hours between the times of Ebbe and Flood excepting the great Canal which by reason of the great Currant there both in the ebbing and flowing of the Tides does always preserve a sufficient depth without being ever cleansed which they are frequently oblig'd to do with extraordinary charges in the other Canals of Venice Upon the blowing of the Syroc which is the South-east Wind the Tide flows so high as to cover with Water all the Keys of the City the quarter from whence this Wind comes does directly answer the Situation of the Gulph and so mightily augments the strength of the Tide that the Sea did once overflow all the Streets and Places and fill'd with salt Water all the Wells of Venice End of the First Part. OF THE CITY AND Republick of Venice PART II. Of the Foundation of the Republick of Venice and their Form of Government The First Rise of Venice THE Manner of Peopling the Isles of the Lagunes and the Qualities of their first Inhabitants are variously represented Some bring them from the City of Vannes in Britany by reason they were called Veneti in Caesar's Commentaries others will have it that they were Originally only Fishers As if the best Provinces of Italy such as those are in the State of Venice could probably want Inhabitants and that the Advantagious Situation of these Islands was not likely to draw to them some considerable Persons as well as so many Poor Eugitives in that Calamitous time which furnish'd this Countrey with Inhabitants For my own part I shall not detain my self here to assert my Opinion as being contented to follow the most probable Conjectures and such which best shew us the true beginnings of the City and Republick of Venice After the Emperour Constantine the Great had remov'd the Seat of the Empire to Constantinople Italy was afflicted with a long continuance of mis-fortunes and frequently harrass'd with the Invasions of the Barbarians In the Year 407 the Goths under their King Radagaisius over-run Italy putting all to Fire and Sword The Neighbouring People to the Lagunes found their safest Protection in those Maritime Islands in the most part of which Isles were
only a few Fisher's Cottages But after the Army commanded by two Generals of the Emperour Honorius had defeated their enemy Radagaisius these Refugees return to their habitations upon Terra firma as not having made any considerable Establishment in the little time they remained in those Islands of the Lagunes In the Year 413 the Incursions of the Westgoths under Alaric and the horrible ravages they committed all over Italy made these People betake themselves to the Sanctuary that Protected them Six Years before insomuch these Islands of the Lagunes was this Second time the Ark that saved them from the Inundation of those Barbarians But Alarick remaining longer in Italy than Radagaisius these People begun to build Houses of Wood and Reed in order to Accommodate themselves with some sort of conveniencies The Paduans who were Lords of these Islands of the Lagunes had a Port at that of Rialto where their River then Terminated They resolv'd upon making this a considerable place not only as an Asylum but likewise to Protect their Commerce at Sea To which purpose in the Year 421. The Senate of Padua sent thither three Consuls and declar'd Rialto a place of Refuge to all sorts of People which occasioned it to be Peopled in a very little time as well by Persons of all conditions that retired thither from the Terra firma as by those that were dispers'd in the other several Islands of the Lagunes The third Irruption of the Barbarians under Attila King of the Huns reduced Italy to a most miserable condition This scourge of the Almighty having ravag'd Germany Italy and France return'd again hither in the Year 453. adding to the Destruction of Pavia Milan Padua and several other great Towns the Famous City of Aquileia which after a siege of three Years was at length constrain'd to fall under the mercyless hand of this cruel Enemy The miserable remainders of so many Cities compleated the inhabiting with all sorts of People not only the Islands of Rialto but likewise all those in the Lagunes and near the sides of the Sea particularly the Lido of Malamoco there being no hopes left to these People of returning to their former habitations they now begun to lay the foundations of what were to be their future abodes fetching away the stones and Marble of the Demolished Palaces upon Terra firma to build themselves others more safe in these Islands so in about Fifty Years time both the People of Quality and those of the lower Ranks were conveniently accommodated according to their Respective Conditions Padua having in the mean time Established her self and that the Senat perceiving the Rialto to become considerable through the Multitude of Inhabitants send down Tribunes to govern these People with more dignity Yet in some Histories of these beginnings it is observed that such who were most Powerful and Rich in these Islands were in process of time acknowledg'd as Protectors of the People by Reason of the occasion they had for their Assistance in this manner each Island had their particular Tribunes who continuing to increase their Authority either by Force or the Voluntary Submissions of the People they came in time to be the little Potentates of these very mutinous Bodies There are yet to be seen near the Rialto some Fragments belonging to the ancient Family of the Badouaire's which is yet in being at Venice who from those times unto the Election of the first Doge that is to say for 300 Years continued themselves Successive Tribunes at the Rialto In the Year 709 the Tribunes of the twelve Principal Islands of the Lagunes Judging it Necessary to enter into a better Method of governing these Islands that were so Extreamly Populous thought fit to compose a Republick and choose one amongst them for chief But as they perceiv'd they could not proceed in this manner without prejudicing the Rights the City of Padua had in these places to which they had resorted for safety so they sent Deputy's to the Emperour who was Sovereign Lord of the Countrey as likewise to Pope John the fifth to obtain Permission of choosing a Prince to whom they gave the Name of Duke or Doge This Circumstance is observed by their own Historians who have it that after the Tribunes had obtain'd this grant they met in Heraclea a City of the Lagunes of which there remains only some Ruines near the place where the River Piave discharges it self into the Lagunes there they Elected Paul Lucio Anafeste for their first Doge in the Year 709 being two hundred eighty eight years after the proclaiming of the Rialto by the Paduans for a City of Refuge Yet although it seems that the Republick of Venice should denie her beginning from the day of this Election The Venetians do nevertheless compute it from the Proclamation made at the Rialto the 25th of March in the Year four hundred twenty and one as we have already observed and accordingly upon that day do Solemnize the Nativity of the Republick pretending their's hath three singular advantages over all other State being founded in Freedom with the Benefit of Christianity and at the same time with that of France Until this very time there was no Mention made of Venice for as then there was no City of that Name Heraclea was the first Seat of the Republick and so continued until the Death of the third Doge whom the People murthered for his cruelty resolving to have no more Princes whose absolute powers easily degenerated into Tyranny This occasioned an Interregnum of Five Years during which the Republick was governed by the Eldest Knights annually Elected But the People growing weary of this sort of Government desire for the future a Doge who was Elected at the Lido of the old Malamoco being half a League farther into the Sea than the present Malamoco which former was totally swallowed up without leaving the least Appearances where it had been The Doges continued to reside at Malamoco until Obelerio the eleventh Prince of this Republick found himself oblig'd to abandon the Dogal Dignity retiring to Pepin then Established King of Lombardy by his Father Charles the great who had destroyed the Kingdom of the Lombards You find in the Annals of Venice that Pepin was the Sovereign of all these provinces in which quality the Republick payed him an Annual Tribute who then resolving to visit the Maritime Islands within the Jurisdiction of his Demesne but being refus'd entrance by the Doge Elected in the Room of Obelerio by reason of those suspicions he had of the Kings being Instigated by the Counsel of Obelerio to disturb the quiet of the Republick Pepin irritated upon the refusal took Arms against these People ruin'd Heraclea and went on the other side to Attack Malamoco then the Capital Island But finding it abandon'd by the Doge and all the Inhabitants who had saved themselves at the Rialto he resolv'd to go through with what he had begun which was to Attack them by Sea
of the Winds by a mighty Dike which runs from the South to the North for the space of about 35 Leagues and 5 or 600 Paces in breadth which defends the Country from being easily overflown but the Sea having forced this Neck of Land hath made it self six Passages in so many several places which overflowing all the low Grounds beyond this Bank gave occasion to this The Lagunes Name of Lagunes leaving in this great District several Islands about 5 or 6 Miles in compass which are not much above the surface of the Water The Lagunes lie from South to North against the * Continent or Terra firma main Land from the Polesin towards the Po and Adigè from the Padouan to the Brente from the Themisan and Friuli towards the Mouth of the Plavis or Anassus making a great Demi-Oval which is closed towards the Sea by the before-mentioned Remainders of the Neck of Land being so many natural Defences against the Adriatick and whereby the Sea hath here made the same number of distinct Islands as she hath opened Passages to drown the low Country and form the Lagunes The six Passages by which the Sea falls into the Lagunes are the only Ports by which one passes from the Sea to this City The first to begin at the most Southern part is the Port of Brondolo which being almost stopt up with the Sands by reason of the Adigè and the falling in here of the new Brente is now no more frequented The second is the Port of Chiosa an Episcopal City situated 24 Miles from Venice and is something like it by reason of the Situation and Canals The third is the Port of Malamoco from the Village of that Name here all the great Ships come as being deeper than any of the other Ports the Road is very good and capable of containing a great number of Ships The fourth is the Port of the Lido over-against the most Eastern Point of Venice and only a Mile from it Through this Port the Gallies and other great Vessels after having unladed at the Lazaret of Malamoco pass on to St. Mark 's Place as also to several other places of the City by the means of the great Canal which crosses it There is above the Lido the Mouth of St. Erasmus and something further that of the Three Ports so called by reason of the three Openings pretty near one the other but the Water is so low in these places that they are only frequented by the Boats of Fishermen It may be seen by what is here said that Venice is naturally defended against all the Attacks of a Naval Force being the Ships cannot come any nearer than the Port of Malamoco for those that would pass on to Venice by the Lagunes are obliged after being unladed to be towed up through certain Passages where the deepness of the Water sufficient for Ships of Burthen is marked out by great Piles or else to return to Sea taking the same course that the Gallies do and come in through the Port of the Lido For the great Currant of the Water hath preserved here by means of the Flood a deeper Channel than is found in any other part of the Lagunes Of all the Ports that of the Lido is most in their Eye being the nearest to the City and the easiest to be approached but the Republick hath taken care of it by a well fortified Castle with Water-Batteries on the right on the left is only a Wall for Musketiers whose Discharges must be of very good effect being the entrance of the Port is nothing near Musket-shot over Notwithstanding this advantagious Situation of this City Experience hath shewn that if a Naval Army should get the Possession of one of these Passages the City of Venice would be in a little time reduced to great Extremities as it happened in the year 1380 in the War between the Venetians and Genoueses who by the taking of the Port of Chiosa under their General Doria struck the City into such a Fear that it was debated in the Senate if they should abandon the Town and transport themselves to Candia This Deliberation had been followed with the Execution of it if they had not at that time received the News of the Victory they gained at Sea by a General Victor Pisani under the Doge Andre Contarini there in Person which came so opportunely as to deliver the Republick from the most terrible Fear they ever knew Wherefore as the Entrances of Malamoco and the Lido are the most important and a Descent made at the first of these Ports would easily render the Enemy Masters of the second by possessing the whole Isle between them which is not above 5 Miles long and 4 or 500 Paces broad so the Republick hath caused it to be cut near the Lido by a * A deep Ditch Fossè that crosses it fortified with Bastions their Casemats and Courtines faced with Brick towards Malamoque which is the most dangerous Part. Venice enjoys more Security towards the side of the main Land for in all that compass of Ground which borders upon the Lagunes towards the West there are only two principal Ways that lead to the City the one is a Village called Mestre where all things are brought which come out of Germany to go to Venice by the means of a Canal that goes into the Lagunes The other is called Lizza Fusina here ends the old Canal of the Breute This Water is prevented from falling into the Lagunes by a Sluce by reason of the Prejudice it might occasion Whatsoever comes from Padua and from the greatest part of the Territories of Venice is brought to Fusina if it does not go down the before mentioned Rivers The Passages that lead from these two Places to Venice as likewise some others less considerable are not direct but marked out at certain Distances by high Piles which the Republick are sure to have cut in any pressing Necessity rendering the City inaccessible to all Enemies on that side For however small their Boats may be yet it will be impossible for them to make their passage of Five Miles without running on ground besides with the help of certain Boats and Machines of Defence in the Arsenal of Venice they will according to their own Opinions easily render ineffectual all attempts of an Enemy King Lewis the XII in Confederacy with most Princes of Europe that Pope Julius the 11th had Armed against the Venetians after having beaten their Army advanced to Fusina from whence the City of Venice is plainly seen Here he intended to attempt the passage of the Lagunes in order to render himself Master of the City but the Pope having recovered Romagnia that was not only usurp'd from him but the chief occasion of the war became unwilling to see the entire ruine of the Republick and the too powerful establishment of the French in Italy withdrew himself from the Ligue which gave the address of the Venetians opportunity
near the Place of St. Mark goes winding through the Centre of the City and ends towards the West over against Fucina where the Breute as hath been formerly observ'd falls into the Lagunes from whence it must be allow'd that the great Canal was heretofore the true Course of this River as likewise that part of the City where the Bridge of Rialto now is was really the principal Port that the Paduans had in the Lagunes This Canal is near 2 Miles long and 50 or 60 paces over which turns so often about the middle of the City that to cross from one part to the other you must pass this Canal at least 3 times It is on both sides adorn'd with the noblest Palaces of Venice but beside the want of a Key that might continue it as a Terrass from one end to the other there is a great number of little Houses among them which do diminish those advantages that would be otherwise due to these magnificent Buildings In several other places of this City may be seen many noble Houses and Palaces But without detaining my self here upon this Description of them I shall only add that as the 2 Palaces of Cornaro and Grimani upon the great Canal are the most Magnificent of all so their Frontispieces may serve as Models to the Buildings of the greatest Princes Besides these one sees upon the great Canal and in all other parts of this City a great number of the more antique Artichecture whose Fronts being adorn'd with large Balconies of Marble both in the first and second Floors do evidently demonstrate the Ancient Wealth and Power of this Republick The Water of the great Canal by reason of the great depth is always clean and clear the Currant in the flux and reflux of the Tide is not much less Rapid than those of Rivers The Gallies and laden Vessels find sufficient Water in every part of it this Canal seems to be the great Vein which refreshes all the little parts of the vast Body of this City by the means of an abundance of little Branches or Veins that issue from it Of the Bridge of Rialto THE great Canal that divides Venice into almost two equal parts hath only one Bridge over it which is directly in the Centre of the City and in that quarter from which it takes the Name This Bridge was Built of Wood until the Year 1587 at which time the Republick under the Doge Pascal Cigogne caus'd it to be built with Stone The greatest Ararchitects of the Age were consulted about this magnificent Work among the several Designs that of one Arch was preferr'd to all the others which is so large that a Gally with her Mast let down can at all times go through it and her Oars rowing The foundation of this Bridge is on each side laid upon 10000 Elm Piles after having first by a prodigious Charge kept up the Water in certain deep places until they had sunk 16 Foot into the Earth to render the Work more substantial The Centre of the Bridge is but a moderate part of a great Circle they not being willing to raise it in proportion to the Diameter yet to ascend the Bridge with the most conveniency it is very broad and all built of very large stones not much inferior to Marble for hardness This Bridge hath on each side 2 rows of shops whose Timber-work being rais'd Arbour like and covered with Lead renders the appearance of it very agreeable there is in the middle between this double row of Shops a space moderately large from hence you go up several steps until you come to the uppermost part which is open on both sides like a Porch here you command on both hands the prospect of the great Canal and enter into the 2 Corrido's or Galleries which being behind the Shops continue from one end of the Bridge to the other A great Ballustrade with very handsom Cornishes is the support of these 2 Galleries the whole is so regular a Piece of Artichecture that this Bridge is of an extream advantageous effect to the beauty of the great Canal The publick Registers assure us that the Republick spent upon this Building the sum of 250000 Ducats that for 2 Years all places of the City were filled The Ducat being about 4 s. English with Materials and that a mighty number of Stone-Cutters were incessantly employ'd however this Bridge does not at first sight appear to have been an enterprize of such great Importance Of the establish'd Ferry's or Passages for the publick conveniency BEsides the excessive charges of building more Bridges upon the great Canal I am of the opinion that the hinderance they would be to the continual passage of great Vessels and the prejudice that the beauty of the prospect would receive may be allow'd to be sufficient reasons against all such attempts moreover the Policy of this Government is that they may be able in any sudden Revolution to defend one part of the City against the other which would be no difficult matter seeing there is but one Bridge to defend But as it would be an extream inconveniency to the Inhabitants if they were oblig'd to pass the Bridge upon every Li Tragetti occasion of going into the other part of the City so there are for their greater ease at least upon the great Canal 18 or 20 establish'd Passages that is several Gondoliers always ready at a convenient place to Ferry over in their Gondoliers the Passengers from one side to the other for which they pay something less than a half-peny of our Money There are many more of these Passages in those quarters of the City where for want of Bridges the circumference of going by Land would be too large All the publick Gondoliers are oblig'd to serve such as will make use of them at the rate of 15 d. their Money an hour which does not exceed 5 of ours The Ferry Gondolo's having but one Oar the Passage is not less tedious than inconvenient for these brutish Gondoliers are so unreasonable when they happen upon a Stranger that is ignorant of the Language and unacquainted with the Customs of the Town to Treat him with the utmost incivilities telling one another in such occasions that they have met with a Polander being then certain to insist upon the double price of what they ought to have pretending they must by these means reimburse themselves of those considerable Sums which they are oblig'd to pay the Republick for the Liberty of the Ferry that is for the permission of keeping a Gondole to that purpose Besides they are oblig'd to answer those extraordinary contributions which is laid upon their Company in all the urgent necessities of the Republick Of the Streets and Places LAnd is so precious at Venice that it is not to be admir'd if all the Streets are so narrow that those of the most frequented will scarcely permit two People to Walk together which is the occasion of
Place to the Bridge of Rialto is call'd the Mercury which are 5 or 6 narrow Streets in Length where are expos'd to Sale all sorts of rich Silks Stuffs Tissue's of Gold Points de Venise Rubans Silver and Gold Lace Velvets Damasks and Brocards of an extraordinary price which being mixed with many other sorts of Merchandizes makes this one of the most agreeable parts of all Venice The little Place of St. Bartholomew that joins the Mercury to the Bridge of Rialto is intirely Inhabited by the Druggists where you find all the Commodities that come out of the Levant and Germany the Liveliness of these places with the continual concourse of People do render them altogether as agreeable as the most frequented Streets of Paris or even the Galleries of the Exchange or Palace The Quarter of the Rialto is the most ancient Part of the City for here they laid the first Foundation of it it is one entire and handsome Island being apart from the Mercery on the other side of the Bridge at the bottom whereof on the left hand is a long Gallery with Shops of Draperies and other sorts of Stuffs the Ware-houses are over head and on the right is the Place of Rialto in which the little Church of St. James being the ancientest of this City and built above 1200 Years since makes one of the Sides near the Bridge the other two is an Acrade under which the Merchants meet about their Affairs of Commerce Behind the Church of St. James on the side of the great Canal you behold a very ancient Building and for the most part of Marble under which are most dismal Prisons it was formerly the Palace or Court of Justice for the whole City they yet continue it the Assessions-house of several Magistrates for Causes both Civil and Criminal appertaining to the Jurisdiction of the Rialto There is upon the same side of the great Canal a large arched Building in which they sell all sorts of Provisions the great number of Vessels that cometh daily to these Places laden with Fruits Roots and Fish which they bring from the Isles adjacent and Continent do evidently shew the Greatness of this City Yet wherein most appears the mighty Riches of this City is the extraordinary number of Goldsmiths and Jewellers at the end of the Street over-against the Bridge where may be seen the finest and richest Stones of Europe Of the Arsenal of Venice THere is nothing so famous as the Arsenal of Venice nor any thing that does so much demonstrate the Power of this Republick it is the Object of all Strangers Admiration and the Foundation of the Strength of the State The Grand Signior values it so much as by Report to prefer it to whatever else the State possesseth It is of a large Circumference being more than 2 Miles about taking up all the Eastern Division of the City from which it is only separated by a small Canal that washes three sides of it and the Lagunes the fourth that lies towards the North it is inclosed with very high Walls and Towers at certain Distances where is kept a very exact Guard especially in the Night the Centinels can by little Bells in those Towers advertise the Corps du Guard in case of Attempts and other Accidents of Fire that may casually happen or premeditately break forth upon the Instigations of any secret Enemy It was the first thing that was to have been executed in the Conspiracy of the Spaniards in the Year 1618 whilst the other Confederates attack'd the Body of the Nobility in the Palace of St. Mark but Heaven prevented the Blow by the means of two French Men that had received some Hints of their Design and immediately took Post to inform the Senate of their Danger The Arsenal is so important to the Republick that there is not any thing which gives them so much occasion of Care and Distrust for not only the security of the City and State but likewise the greatest part of this Republick's Power depends upon it It would take up a whole Volume to describe all that is remarkable in the Arsenal therefore I shall let it suffice to observe in general That there are in the several Apartments a most surprizing quantity of Arms both for Horse and Foot as likewise for the Ships and Gallies all very neat and kept in an extraordinary order you see in one Room the necessary Arms for 10000 Men in another for 20000 even to a third and fourth for 30 or 40000 each The same Care is here observed in reference of the Naval Stores for in one Room there are the Necessaries for 20 Gallies another 30 and a fourth of 40 On one hand you see all sorts of Arms for 40 Ships on the other for 10 Galeasses In short it 's almost impossible to imagine what a prodigious quantity of Arms there is in these Magazines The Republick entertained Henry the Third in great State when he visited the Arsenal where the Pleasure they gave him in seeing a Galley fitted up and rigg'd out while he was at Dinner was not the least Satisfaction they Complimented His Majesty with during the time he stayed at Venice Under these Rooms there are several distinct Store-houses for all sorts of Furniture and Military Equipage It is reckoned there are above 800 Pieces of Cannon for the Service of Sea and Land of Bullets Bombs Granades and Mortars a proportionable Number and even the same of Collars for the Artillery-Horses The Masts Yards Oars Pulleys Sails Ropes Anchors Nails and all sort of Iron-work necessary in the building of Ships are here kept in their separate and distinct Places insomuch that whatsoever is necessary for any Expedition of either Sea or Land may be seen in the greatest abundance Without doubt they are always in a condition of fitting out a Hundred Gallies or Galeasses and as able to Arm a Hundred thousand Men which would be more than sufficient to allarm the greatest Potentates of Europe if Men and Money were equally answerable to these mighty Stores There are in the Arsenal Three very large wet Docks which are supplied with Water by the Lagunes round which are a great many Houses large enough to contain Two Vessels and keep them from the injuries of the Weather here they refit and build their Vessels Gallies and Galleasses which are not Launch'd until they design to use them These places are not only full of whatsoever is necessary for present Service but likewise of the remainders of their victorious Armies and the many Prizes they have taken from the Turks in those signal Victories they have frequently obtain'd both by Sea and Land By these mighty Stores the Republick is ever able to fit out in a very small time a Fleet of Forty Gallies and as many Galleasses of Nine or Ten that are in the Docks there is one of an extraordinary largeness but not yet finish'd This sort of Vessels are equal to the largest Ships in Length and
hence to Constantinople and Persia to maintain this important Commerce between the Venetians and the Subjects of the Grand Seignior the Republick doth upon all occasions shew the greatest regards to those of that Nation inhabiting among them They have given them an Old Palace upon the great Canal in which all the Turks live together Il Palazzo di Turchi having sufficient Warehouse-room for such Merchandizes they export as likewise for their Leathers Wax and Silk which they bring in great quantities from the Levant but if there happen any difference between them and the Subjects of the Republick in which the former think themselves injur'd they demand satisfaction in such an extraordinary manner and receive it so readily that one would almost believe they dare not venture to refuse it to them To render this Commerce more assured and easy they have invented a particular Model of a Vessel that is properly a Demi-Galeasse here call'd the Traffique-Gally which carries to Spalatro in Dalmatia at a Crown per Piece the Bales of all the Traders in this City from whence they are carried upon Camels to Constantinople and Asia This Galley is fraighted seven or eight times a year with a mighty number of Bales to the great advantage of the Republick and such particulars as are concerned in that Trade The Commerce they have with Germany is the first and the most ancient this City hath had which being not much less advantagious to the State than that of the Levant so they have omitted nothing that might contribute to the preservation of it to which purpose the Republick hath accommodated the German Merchants with a very handsom and ancient Palace near the Bridge of Rialto in which they keep their Warehouse The Traders of that Nation are very conveniently Lodg'd there and at a very easy Rate enjoying many extraordinary Privileges which do very much contribute to the improvement of this Commerce This Palace is finely Painted on the outside by Georgeon and Titien but much decayed at present yet there remaineth several noble Fragments what is most valuable in this Magazine is a Hanging of Gilt Leather with several Figures all done by Paul Veronese which is undoubtedly one of the best Pieces this Famous Painter ever did One sees continually before this Palace a great number of Bales some of which they send by Sea into Syria and others by Land Upon the Revenues of this Magazine is Assign'd those Appointments which are annually allow'd by the Republick to the Doge for the maintainance of his Houshold as likewise to defray the Charges of those publick Entertainments he is oblig'd to make Four times a year for such Ambassadors and Senators as are present at the Solemn Functions of those Days which shall be Treated of in their proper place Of the Merchants Bank or what they Il Banco del Giro call Bank del Giro THis Bank is a Depository of Money which the Merchants of this City have made into the hands of their Prince for so they commonly call the Republick who is the Guardian of it they likewise defray the Charge of the Officers and Accountants belonging to it The Sacred and inviolable Security of this Bank is a mighty advantage to the Merchants As also an extraordinary conveniency to Trade in general very great Payments are hourly made without any manner of Disbursement by only changing the Names of the Parties whereby vast sums of Money are continually circulating and changing of Masters without passing from the Coffers of the Prince who makes use of this Fund free from all charges of Interest If any of those concerned in this Fund have occasion for their Money or any part of it they are sure of finding the Bank always ready to answer Desires But as these Effects are more valued here than ready Money by reason of the great conveniency in safely negotiating without any manner of disbursements so there are always a great many People who are willing to purchase those Sums at more than Par not-notwithstanding this Fund allows of no interest for the Bank being settled at Five Millions of Ducats all others are debarr'd of the opportunity of making farther Subscriptions They commonly judge of the Merchant's Riches by the Sums he hath in the Bank Del Giro so called by reason of the continual Cirulation of those Sums such whose Families are not very well known have usually no more credit allow'd them than what they find of Effects Registred in the Bank whose Security and Administration are so inviolable and faithful that if any accidents happen by the corrupt management of the Officers The Republick is ever ready to make good such Sums with their own Money The Goodness of the Air at Venice ONe would hardly believe that the Air of Venice is so good as it really is but experience convinces such as continue there all the several Seasons of the year notwithstanding the great moistness of the place and the inconstancy of the Weather that passes from one Extremity to another both in Winter and Summer should seem at first to occasion many indispositions to the People that live in an Air of this nature The Mists that are usually here in the beginning of the Winters do often continue for several days together so thick and cold that they are not to be endur'd in any other place without very great inconveniencies In Summer the Tempests and extream heats are so very frequent and so suddenly interrupted with cold Winds Rains and Storms that it is much to be admired that in a City where they are not us'd to have three days of one continu'd weather yet they should enjoy an Air incomparably more sweet and healthful than those we find in the more agreeable and temperate Climates The pernicious Effects of the Evening Air that reigns in all other parts of Italy are altogether unknown at Venice Old and Young go bare-headed here Night and Day both Winter and Summer without the least inconveniencies and by the particular benignity of the Air Rheums and Defluxions are less frequent here than in any other place I ever knew one cannot desire a greater demonstration of this Truth than by what may be observ'd in the Churches or in any other great concourse of the People where during the seasons most liable to Coughs and Colds it is very rare to hear the least symptomes of them Besides to the goodness of the Air is due the Colour and Complexions of both Men and Women which are much better and more lively than those who live at Rome as likewise in most parts of the other Cities of Italy Their Teeth are sound and white their Heads are well covered with good full Hair which grows very fast especially among the Nobles who are very curious of it which is much the better because they do not accustom themselves to the use of Hats In short it is very surprizing that however hot the day is which occasions the Nights to seem the
Podestate and the Captain about the matter of Jurisdiction so they are oblig'd to give the Senate an account of it before they proceed further the Podestate hath the precedency in all Publick Functions where they appear together so it is he who hath the burden of the most important affairs for the Cognisance of Causes Civil and Criminal and whatsoever regards the Government the Peace and Quiet of the People belong to him The Captain of Arms hath the command of the Souldiers and all Military People within the Limits of his Jurisdiction he hath the Cognisance of Crimes committed in the night and the care of paying the Publick charges by the means of the Receivers who are accountable to him The Cities of Padua Vicenza Verona Bressia Bergamo Crema and Treviso as the head Cities of Provinces and the most considerable upon Terra Firma have each of them a Podestate and a Captain of Arms. In the other â—ess considerable Cities these two Employs are united in the Person of the Podestate they are both of them for Sixteen Months and the Salaries the Republick allows these Officers are from Ten to Forty Ducats a Month for which Reason the Nobles which she deputes into the Great Cities are usually very considerable for their Riches to the end they may live handsomly and honour the dignity the poor Nobles do sufficiently find their accounts in the small Podestary's by not being obliged to any manner of expence As most of the Great Podestaries are very burthensome so the Gentlemen Nominated to them do sometimes rather choose to pay two thousand Ducats and to be debarr'd coming into the Great Council for two years than to accept those Employs which are more Prejudicial to them than these Penalties which the Laws impose upon such as refuse them yet is is a very Surprising thing how some of these Podestats as those commonly sent to Vicenza who are scarce Thirty Years of Age and who rarely have perform'd any other study or acquir'd further experience than what they have gained in the Intrigues and Ballotations of the Great Council should Judge and decide with so Singular a Prudence the most important affairs relating to the Subjects of the Republick It is true they always call to their Assistance Doctors of Civil Law in the Cities of their residence by whose advice they Regulate the decisions of the more difficult cases The Republick always sends a Noble of the first order into the Province of Frivoli with the title of Proveditor General of Nova Palma which is the handsomest and most regular Place in all their Diminions upon Terra Firma it is a Frontier Town to the Emperor and a mighty check against those Incursions that the Turks have frequently attempted on this side At Dine which is the residence of the Patriarch of Aquilea there is a Lieutenant and some Subaltern Officers In Istria of which Capo'd Istria is the Capital there are four Episcopal Cities and five less considerable who have all Podestats The Magistracies of Frivoli and Istria are for two years as likewise those of Dalmatia and the Isles of the Levant by being too far to be oftner removed The Republick confers the titles of Proveditors Counts Governours Captains or Castellans upon such Nobles as she sends into the Cities of Dalmatia for the Administration of Justice the Magistrates of the two principal places the Counties of Zara and Spalatro being two Archbishopbricks are assisted by a Council of three Noble Venetians without whom they are not to come to any Resolution yet all these Officers obey the Proveditor of the Province who hath an absolute command in these affairs as likewise in those of the Military concern The Troupes maintain'd by the Republick in this Province which borders upon the territories of the Grand Seignior are however commanded by a foreign General who is in all occasions to follow the orders of the Proveditor General The Isles of Corfu Zante and Cafalonia are each of them Governed by a Proveditor assisted by a Council of three Noble Venetians Corfu is the most considerable not only for being an Archbishopbrick but likewise because it commands the entrance of the Gulph therefore the Venetians provide for the Security of this place with so much more Application as it is the Preservation of their Levant Trade and observed with the Greatest Jealousie by the Turks The Four Thousand Janisaries that appear'd not long since upon the Coast over against Corfu occasioned to the Senate a mighty uneasiness Notwithstanding the strength and good condition of the Fortress of this Important place There is a General of the three Islands to whom the particular Proveditors owe the same obedience which the Magistrates of the Cities of Dalmatia do to the Proveditor General of this Province These are the Officers to whom is confided the Authority of the Prince in the several States of the Republick Yet as there is no part in the Body of the strongest and Healthfullest Man that is not liable to be abus'd by ill Management so there are no Laws in the best ordered State that can prevent the Corruption of some Members that compose it The Republick therefore hath thought sit to make use of the Inquisitors to prevent and cure at the same time both these Distempers Of the Inquisitors of Terra Firma THE Republick commonly holds every five years in all the Provinces an Extrordinary Court or Session and for this purpose chooses out three of the first Senators to whom is given the Name of Inquisitors of Terra firma to distinguish them from those of the State but as this Commission is in no manner agreeable to them by reason of the Severity they are oblig'd to shew against such as are complained of so they only accept of it as not daring to refuse it they are to examine into the administration of the Podestats the behaviour of the Captains and other Publick Officers as likewise to receive the People's complaints against their behavour and to do them Justice in the wrongs received but excepting of Extortion and the ill application of the publick revenues the Noble Venetians need not much fear the Punishments that are due to an irregular Administration These severe Magistrates go attended with a Troop of Horse Officers and an Executioner that so they may seeing they have sufficient power and Authority render a quick and rigorous Justice upon the Lawful complaints of the People yet Notwithstanding the great noise of these examining Inquisitors the Tempest Lights commonly upon some Miserable Wretch or Gentleman of Terra firma their Gentry having more cause of apprehension than any others whatever as being the People that are most Liable to be made Examples This Severity keeps the Magistrates to their Duty the Country Nobility in fear and Submission and insinuates to the People the Mildness and equity of the Goverment under which they live As the Provinces of Terra firma are in a manner under the eyes of the Republick so the
but feebly repeated as likewise the whole medly of this Confusion which composes the principal part of the Feast So that by this means it sometimes happens that the Thriftiness of the good Management is visibly apparent through the whole Course of the Transaction Such a Rejoycing is not ended in one Forenoon but the Diversion is for three Days continued by Balls at the House of the New Procuratour where the great Resort of People the number of Masques the Riches of the Furniture the cooling Liquors which are not in these Occasions less abounding than at the Marriages of the Nobility during which there are not only Fire-works and Bonfires before the House of the Procuratour but likewise throughout the whole City before those of his Friends and Relations which Rejoycings being ever accompanied with the frequent Discharges of Powder-Boxes render this Feast not less Great and Magnificent than if the Republick had gain'd some notable Victory over her Enemies Of their Boxing or Fights at Cuffs Il Pugni THE City is divided as it has been observ'd into Six several Quarters three being on this side and as many on the other side of the Great Canal Yet the People are divided only into two Factions each of which has three Wards or Quarters in their Parties The Castelani are the first who have that Name from the Quarter of Castelo in which is the Patriarchal Church at one of the extremities of this City The others are the Nicoletti's so call'd from the Church of St. Nicholas at the farthest end of the Quarter which has the greatest number of Common People and Fishermen who are the bravest and those that make the best Sport in these Engagements So the Party of the Nicoletto's has commonly the Advantage over their Adversaries the Castelans The Animosity of the People seems so great in these Occasions which I am at present upon Describing That one would think a People brought up in these Partialities and in this manner so strangely divided should never be able to live in that Union and Tranquillity which is necessary to the preservation of the State There are among these sorts of People several Heads of the Factions who really believe That they cannot be esteem'd as Men of Worth if they engage into the opposite Party Insomuch that they had rather miss a good Opportunity of providing for their Daughters than to marry them to a Man of the contrary Side These Partialities are not found to affect the Common People only but even in some measure to reach the Nobility who declare themselves of the Faction of the Quarter they live in yet with this Difference That they esteem these Boxing-Matches for Diversions which the meaner People convert into an Affair of Importance and Reputation And among the rest even the Strangers are Engag'd into the Parties For such as come to Venice from Chiosa are esteem'd as Castelans and those who arrive here by Mestre or by Fucine are reputed Nicholettis There is no doubt but that the Republick can without much trouble disperse these Partialities by continually preventing the two Parties from coming to Blows as it sometimes happens But the Senate is of the Opinion That if the People should form a Conspiracy against the State or the Nobility that it would be almost impossible for two such opposite Factions to unite so far as to joyn in a Design of this nature By which means they think themselves secure of one half or at least to oppose the Designs of the other by the ready Succours they might expect from the contrary Party And the rather by reason that the Castelans esteem themselves for a more civiliz'd People than the Nicoletti's as also more engag'd to the Nobility and zealous to the Government Therefore the Republick do's not only tolerate this Division already reigning in the People but they likewise encrease it by permitting of it to be observ'd in that manner it is acted If the Presidents of the Council of Ten who are the principal Officers of the Civil Government should permit the full Liberty of these Fights to the People so great is the Animosity as likewise the desire of acquiring the Reputation of being a Man * Che fa ben i pugni that uses his Fists well so strong among the Gondoliers and Populace That these Exercises would not only happen upon every Holy-day as they frequently do upon certain Bridges of the City but they would undoubtedly become common to the Day even throughout all the Seasons of the Year The difficulty which is found in preventing these Fights when any of the Presidents of the Council of Ten are against it may be admitted as a very good Instance of what is here said For the Captain of the Sbirri's and his People are scarce able to get those Orders obey'd being the Guard that is placed upon Saint Barnaby's Bridge which is the usual Field of Battel and do's only prevent them at that Place for they are sure to seek others more remote rather than to be depriv'd of the pleasure of Fighting Such of the Gondoliers as have acquir'd the Reputation of good Boxers will not hire themselves unless they are permitted by the Agreement to signalize themselves in these Famous Occasions Even the little Children that accidentally meet in the Streets do demand of each other who they are for and if they are of contrary Factions they are certain not to part without Blows The Humour runs strangely upon this rough Exercise for the people do ever stop to behold and encourage them even to such a degree that the most general Diversion of this City is the Sight of the Pugni as they are practis'd in almost all the Seasons of the Year being sometimes seen even when the Ice is in the Canals The order that I did propose to my self has not permited me to speak of it in any other Place so I shall Conclude the Description of the Publick Recreations with that of these Fights which are of three different sorts viz. La Montre La Frotte and the Battel-Array La Montre is that sort of Fight which is perform'd Hand to Hand between two Men but with very singular Circumstances The Bridge of St. Barnaby is usually the Theater of these Tragy-Comedies for this Bridge hath an equal number of Steps on each side as likewise two Keys almost of an equal bigness which is possessed by the Parties of the two Factions so that the Advantages in all respects are equal on both sides Moreover the Canal is long and directly straight whose Houses are by this means conveniently scituated for the great number of Spectators that flock hither from all Parts of the City so soon as these Boxing-Matches are known The Houses and Windows are not only fill'd with them but likewise the tops of the Houses the Keys and Neighbouring Bridges are cover'd with 'em as also the Barques and Gondolo's in the Canal Yet the particular Matches are not begun until the
THE CITY AND REPUBLICK OF VENICE In Three Parts Originally Written in French by Monsieur De S. Desdier LONDON Printed for Char. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Paul's 1699. THE PREFACE WHat hath hitherto been said of Venice hath been either little consonant to Truth or else hath only mention'd the least part of those things which ought to be known The time I spent there which was from the beginning of the year 1672. until the end of the year 1674 during the Embassy of the Count d' Avaux first occasioned me the Thoughts of making a most lively and natural Description of this City their Government with the manner of Living and Customs of the Venetians by comprehending in the Three Parts of this Work whatsoever other Authors hath separately said of it which I can say hath been very imperfect These Affairs do seem to me so extraordinary and particular that I cannot think them less different from the other parts of Europe than the Kingdom of China is from that part of France Yet the better to succeed in this Design and to draw an exact Copy from this admirable Original I have not only applied my self to the strictest Enquiries during my abode there and to the Conversation of Persons thoroughly instructed with all the Maxims of this Repulick but I did likewise consult their Chronicles the Annal Manuscripts of Venice the Register-Book of Families and the Relations which the most experienc'd Ministers have made of them insomuch that by adding these Informations to those which I gathered from the Chief Historians of the Republick and the most exactest Remarks of all the singularities of Venice I ought to believe that I shall no ways deceive my self in the livelyness of my proposed Attempt However it hapned that the Author of the History of the Government Amelot de la Houssaie of Venice who was emploied in the preceding Embassy did likewise resolve upon a Design much like to mine His Book appearing when mine was just ready for the Press occasioned me to believe I had taken all this Labour to no purpose So I thought no farther of the pains I had taken after the Impression of a Book which had so general an Approbation As I know not the Author so I am not possess'd with any partiality to speak either well or ill of him Yet as I am able to judge of his Book with more assurance than they less conversant with the Affairs of this City so I think my self oblig'd to say he hath penetrated into all the Mysteries of the Venetian Republique upon which subject scarce any thing hath escap'd his Enquiries But I leave others to judge if he hath not shewn too much Passion as likewise what reason the Republick had to complain of him Having pass'd over Four Years without any farther Thoughts of what I had written of Venice I should without doubt have been silent all the rest of my Life if some Persons to whom I had communicated my design upon my Return from Venice had not engag'd me to go on with my first Resolution The Draught and subject-matter of the Treatise seem'd so particular and curious especially the First and Third Part that they were so much persuaded as they likewise induced me to be of the same Opinion that the several Descriptions of those Matters there mentioned were not less important to shew the Maxims of the Republick and the Genius of this People than the most refined Argument that can be made upon the Policy of their Government To give the ampler satisfaction in what may be expected from me as likewise to avoid presenting the Publick with a Work filled with the same things that other Persons may possibly already have better express'd than I can here describe I have thought fit to prune this of whatsoever I had said of the Interests and Correspondencies of this Government with the several Potentates of Europe I struck out several Observations that at present seem unnecessary and have likewise abridg'd the Chapters of the Strength and Revenue of the State neither have I spoke of the Dominions they possess because those Matters are amply Treated in another place So I have particularly applied my self to whatsoever I judg'd necessary to my Design I have left it to the Readers liberty to draw such Consequences as may be easily deduc'd from all the most Essential passages and wheresoever I have touch'd upon their Policy and Maxims of Government it hath been with the greatest Care My Description of Venice in the First Part of this Treatise will without all doubt be allowed to be very exact and what I say of this wonderful City will not be only as much to the commedation of it as whatsoever her own Historians hath written to the Glory of her but it is likewise so justly taken from the Life that it will pass free of that flattery which is ever observed in Authors writing of their own Country In the Second Part which is of the Government of the Republick I have added nothing of my own either in relation to the rise of Venice the divers Revolutions that have been in the form of her Government or as to the rigorous Conduct of the Council of Ten and the Inquisitors of State for of one side I have faithfully followed what is found in the Annals of Venice and on the other I have mentioned only such things as might be known to them who have made any stay at Venice for one can scarce be there any time without seeing or hearing of some very extraordinary things In the same Part I have render'd to the Antient Venetian Nobility all the Justice that is due to their Quality The Proofs which I have given of the Antiquity of their Extraction may possibly convince such who either out of Ignorance or Prepossession do contest with them that illustrious Advantage In the Third Part I have amply describ'd the Conduct of the young Nobility with their particular Customs and the better to shew all the singularities of them there is the manner of living of almost all the different degrees of People to which I have added an exact Description of all the publick diversions of Venice to shew the mighty difference between the relish of this People and those of other Nations I am of the Opinion that the Method herein observed will not a little contribute to the Beauty which I have particularly aim'd at in this Treatise I thought it most Expedient first to give an Idea of the City before I entred into the Rise of the Republick and the Particulars of their Government I thought it likewise necessary to have some knowledge of the Nobility before I spoke of their Councils which are the Soul of the State And as the Customs and Manner of Living of the Inhabitants do not less depend on the Laws of the Government than the publick Diversions upon the Nature of the Place so I have handled these two Heads in the
Third Part. I did not think fit to draw into one Chapter all the Laws of the Venetian Policy as judging they would be better dispersed in the several Places according to the Subject of the Discourse so they will be sure to make a greater impression upon the Mind of the Reader whose Memory being fixed and by this means assisted will more easily preserve an Idea of them However I have endeavoured to keep every thing to its proper Place and particular Chapter as well to avoid Repetitions as not to be oblig'd to seek for one and the same thing in several different Places For these Reasons and to avoid tiring the Reader with tedious Digressions and troublesome References I have so ordered it that whatsoever might seem obscure is ever explain'd by what hath been said before I could very much wish I had been able to write with more Politeness yet am in hopes that the singularity of the Subject will make amends for the faults of the Stile and as I have no other end in this Treatise than to shew a great many things of which we were very ignorant without being moved to it by any other Reason or Design so I hope it will be favourably received I only desire that the small pains I have taken to bring this into our Language and to divert the Inquisitive may make amends for what shall be found amiss in the Translation Fra. Terne THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST PART THE description of the Lagunes in the middle of which is Situated the City of Venice Page 1 Of the Islands which are in the Lagunes p. 8 Of the City of Venice p. 10 Of the Canals and Bridges p. 13 Of the great Canal p. 15 Of the Bridge of Rialto p. 17 Of the Established Ferries or Passages for the publick Conveniency p. 18 Of tbe Streets and Places p. 20 Of St. Mark 's Place p. 22 The Broglio p. 25 Of the Ducal Palace of St. Mark p. 28 Of the Church of St. Mark p. 31 Of the Treasure of Venice p. 36 Of St. Mark 's Steeple p. 41 Of the Religious Houses and Churches of Venice p. 43 Of the Mercery and Rialto p. 47 Of the Arsenal of Venice p. 48 Of the Gondola's p. 55 Of the Activity of the Gondoliers p. 60 The Conveniency of having at Venice all things necessary to a great City p. 62 Of the Trade of Venice p. 64 Of the Merchants Bank or what they call Bank Del Giro p. 67 The goodness of the Air at Venice p. 68 Of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea and Lagunes of Venice p. 72 The CONTENTS of the Second PART OF the Rise and Original of the Republick of Venice and their Form of Government p. 3 Of the several Forms of Government that were at Venice p. 10 Of the Antiquity of the Venetian Nobility p. 15 Of the first Order of the Venetian Nobility p. 18 Of the second Order of the Venetian Nobility p. 22 Of the Third Order of the Venetian Nobility p. 23 Of such as have been made Noble by their Merits p. 27 Of the Venetian Citizens p. 30 Of the Venetian Gentry on the Continent p. 32 Of the Procurator of St. Mark p. 35 Of the great Chancellor of the Republick p. 40 Of the Government of the Republick in General p. 42 Of the Ecclesiastical Government p. 44 Of the Patriarch of Venice p. 46 Of the Patriarch of Aquilea p. 48 Of the Election of the Curates or Parish Priests of Venice p. 49 Of the Dependencies in which the Ecclesiastick and Religious live in regard of the Government p. 52 Of the Inquisition of Venice 75 Of the Political Government of the Republick p. 62 Of the College p. 63 Of the Doge p. 65 How the Doge goes Attended upon Solemn Ceremonies p. 77 Of the Election of a Doge p. 83 Of the Six Councellors of the Doge the Three Presidents of the Council Criminal of Forty and of the Vice Doge p. 87 Of the Six Great Sages p. 90 Of the Five Sages of Terra Firma p. 91 Of the Five Sages of the Orders p. 93 Of the Audiences of Ambassadors p. 95 Of the Pregadi p. 102 Of the great Council p. 107 Of the Council of Ten. p. 118 Of the Inquisitors of State p. 121 Of the Two Avogadors p. 126 Of the Council Criminal of Forty p. 131 Of the Method observed in Criminal Cases p. 133 Of the Magistrates of the Pomp. p. 137 Of the Magistrates for the Inspection of the Monasteries p. 141 Of their Secret Spies and Informers p. 143 Of the Podestats Captains of Arms and other Officers that the Republick sends into the several Provinces p. 147 Of the Inquisitors of Terra Firma p. 152 Of the Forces of the Republick both by Sea and Land p. 154 Of the Revenues and Expence of the Republick p. 161 CONTENTS OF THE THIRD PART Of the Education and Manners of the Young Nobility p. 3 Of the Habits of the Noble Venetians p. 11 Of the Venetian Ladies p. 18 How the Noble Venetians wait on the Ladies p. 24 Of the Marriages of the Noble Venetians p. 30 Of the Religious Women p. 35 Of the Liberty of Venice p. 42 Of the Courtizans p. 47 Of the Publick Diversions of the Carneval p. 55 Of the Ridotti or Basset-Banques p. 58 Of the Opera's p. 60 Of the Comedy p. 65 Of the little Balls or those call'd Feasts p. 68 Of the Herculean Exercises and Bull Feasts p 69 Of the Ceremony upon Maundy Thursday p. 72 Of the Fresque p. 75 Of the Festival of the Churches p. 80 Of the Dances of the Girls p. 82 Of the Feast of the Ascension p. 84 Of the First occasion of the Ceremony that is observ'd upon Ascension-Day in Espousing of the Sea p. 87 Of the Feasts of the Doge p. 87 Of the Feasts and Ceremonies that are us'd at the Marriages of the Noble Venetians p. 96 Of the Regate or Rowing Matches of the Gondola's p. 102 Of the Entrances of the Procurators p. 106 Of their Boxing or Fights at Cuffs p. 110 THE FIRST PART OF The Advantagious Situation OF VENICE AND What is most Remarkable there The Description of the Lagunes in the middle of which is situated the City of Venice THere is scarce any one who hath not heard that the City of Venice is situated in the Sea yet it is not an easie matter to form to ones self a true Idea of the particular Disposition of this Place seeing among those who have been there and that have likewise made some stay there are many that do confound the Sea with the Lagunes without ever observing that these are absolutely distinct from the Sea as being certain great Plains which industrious Nature hath purposely overflowed designing to render the Situation of Venice not less strong than agreeable Above those Places in the bottom of the Adriatick Gulph on the West side where the Rivers Fo and Adigè fall into the Sea Nature hath opposed the Violence
middle of these overflown Plains which seems to have been the design of Nature as contributing to its Beauty Security and Conveniency not less to the great Power and long Continuation of this Republick And whatever part of the Town you arrive at either from Terra Firma or from the Sea this City shews it self equally Peculiar and Majestical Yet you have the prospect of the most Beautiful part in coming from Chiosa by the Lagunes For at Ten Miles distance you begin to have the Prospect it there seeming to float upon the Surface of the Waters environ'd with a Forest of Barques and Ships which by degrees permits you full of Admiration to behold the Magnificent Buildings of the Palace and St. Mark 's Place * The Church Della Salute and the Palace of Cornaro as likewise some others of the most sumptuous Edifices upon the Great Canal which you have on the Left Hand The draught of the Situation of Venice does much resemble the shape of the Turbot and the Eastern extremity being the Arsenal makes the Tail The City is wholly built upon Piles whose Foundations are not only laid in those places where the Earth appear'd above the Water but likewise driven into those considerably under it by which means they have in a manner brought together a great number of little Isles that encompass the principal which being join'd by Bridges forms the Body of this vast City that does not only seem to be the Queen of all the Islands in the Lagunes but likewise absolute Mistress of the Gulf to which Sovereignty she pretends In short her greatness Situation her external Majesty join'd to the great number of her Inhabitants the great concourse of Stangers and her method of Government render her admir'd by all the World Sannazar one of the most excellent Wits of the Age made formerly these six Verses which gives Venice the glorious Preference and to the Author the honour of having them engrav'd on Marble Viderat Adriacis Venetam Neptunus in undis Stare Urbem toto dicere jura Mari. I nunc Tarpeias quantum vis Jupiter arceis Objice illa tua Maenia Martis ait Si Tiberim Pelago confers Urbem aspice utramque Illam homines dices hanc posuisse Deos. There is computed to be in Venice about One Hundred and Fourscore thousand Inhabitants notwithstanding it is open on all sides without Gates or Walls having no other Ramparts than the Houses and Palaces of particulars neither Fortification nor Citadel and without Garison yet it assuredly is one of the strongest Cities of Europe Although the Island of Zueque is perfectly separated from Venice yet La Zueca it continues to be part of it It seems to be a great half Moon and a Counter-guard that covers more than half the City towards the South reaching from over against the Place of St. Mark even to the most Western extremity from which places it is separated by a large Canal of above 300 feet over This Island was formerly inhabited by the Jews which occasion'd it the name of Judaic and since by corruption that of Zueque It is of an equal breadth being about 300 paces over there is a Key on that side of it which looks towards the City nobly built with magnificent Churches as likewise abundance of noble Houses with spacious Gardens behind them that reach even to the Lagunes This Island being divided by 7 or 8 Canals that cross it there are as many Bridges which continue the Key from whence the prospect of the City is not less agreeable than that of La Zueca from the City and if the smallest gust of Wind did not continually hinder the Gondolo's from crossing the great Canal La Zueca would undoubtedly be the most charming part of this City Of the Canals and Bridges THE great number of Canals by which one may come into this City from every side and that cross it in every place divides it into an incredible number of small Islands insomuch that there are several single Houses that are on all sides wash'd by the Waves From whence it happens there is no place in Venice but to which one may come by Water as likewise on Foot by the means of about 500 Bridges that facilitate the Communication of a great number of little Streets c. that cross the City and almost as many Keys that are built along the Canals The greatest part of the Canals in the heart of the City are very narrow and have no Keys which evidently shews that the first Founders of Venice were mighty Husbands in managing the Ground that was so precious or that they had not in their thoughts the Idea of what this City hath since attain'd Some of the other Canals have but one single Key and others Il Fundamento two but so narrow that two People can hardly walk together yet there are some very spacious and convenient but without either Rails or Balusters open and made into Stairs over against each House which descend very low for the more easie use of the Gondolo's at all times of the Tide by which means those frequent descents or stairs have so La Riva straitned the Keys that all Passengers more especially in the Night are oblig'd to keep close to the sides of the Houses or otherwise at almost every step expose themselves to the dangers of the Canal The depth of these Canals are different but when the Tide is at the highest it is in most places 5 or 6 Foot excepting the great Canal of which the depth is very considerable it is nothing less than a worthy Subject of admiration but more in those parts of the Town most frequented by the poorer People to see the great numbers of little Children playing upon the very sides and edges of these Canals which in all other places would affect the Parents with the perpetual apprehension of their falling into the Water yet it no ways troubles them here neither is it scarce known that any such accidents happen in these places Most part of the Bridges of Venice are made of Stone and Brick so delicately Built that the Arch is not above 8 Inches thick but the sides and middle are of a very hard sort of free Stone the Arches are so high that the passage is no ways incommodious to the Gondolo's and other Vessels that are continually passing the Canals You ascend these Bridges on either side by 4 or 5 steps of white Stone that is much like Marble which in time become so smooth and polish'd that in a Rain or Frosty weather it is very difficult to keep from falling as these Bridges are without Rails or any other security so one ought to have a special regard to their Feet for the white Stone is one of the 3 things that the Venetian Proverb recommends to the care of all Stangers Of the great Canal NOthing contributes more to the beauty of Venice than the great Great Canal Canal which beginning
sing Mass with four Quires of Musick in much Solemnity and a mighty concourse of People The disorders and scandals that were us'd to happen at this Solemnity when perform'd at Midnight was the occasion of the permission which this Church hath to celebrate that Office at Six The Architecture of this Church is Antick Solid and Massive with Five very low Domes covered with Lead a row of small Windows ranging above the Cornish the two sides of the Church are a sort of an inclos'd Gallery and separated from the rest There is in the External Front of the Church five great Doors Adorn'd with an abundance of Porphyr Pillars and several other sorts of fine Marble Above the Moulding of the Door there is a Caridor enclosed with solid Ballusters that reach from one end of the Front to the other in which place upon the four great Pedestals above the great Door are placed four noble Horses of Brass no where to be match'd in Beauty these together with the Painting after the Mosaique manner which reaching from the Moulding of the Doors to the highest part of this Building compleats the rich Embellishments of the Gate of St. Mark The Beauty and Antiquity of these Horses have occasioned the Curious to make a strict enquiry into them and it is believed that these are the Horses which when Nero triumph'd over the Parthians were given to him to be put to the Chariot of the Sun upon the Triumphal Arch then consecrated to him at Rome as may be seen engraven upon the Reverse of some Medals of this Emperor Constantine the Great sent them to Constantinople and plac'd them in the Hippodrome or as others will have it upon the Gate of Sancta Sophia When the Venetians joined by the Naval Forces of the French Princes took the City of Constantinople Marin Zen who was the first Podestal or Governor that the Republick sent thither to Command in that part of the Conquest which belonged to them was the Person who sent these Horses to Venice where they were kept a considerable time before their Value and Beauty were discovered but afterward placed upon the Gate of St. Mark 's Church This Church is built in the form of a Cross without any ornaments of Architecture within the Walls as likewise the Great Pillars that support the Body of the Church are of a Grey Marble streak'd with Black which great pieces are so curiously inlay'd and so rarely ordered that one would imagin it to be the Work of some extraordinary Pencil From the opening of the lowest Arches even to the Vaults and Domes all is covered with Ancient and Modern Mosaick Work upon a Ground of Gold you see in many places very noble pieces of Painting by the most Famous Hands the Great Altar the inclosure of the Quire the Three Doors within the Porch are all of the finest Marble in short here is nothing that is not extraordinary Rich and Noble To avoid being tedious I will not enter into the description of particulars it will be sufficient to observe in general the Marble the Pillars the large Tables of Gold and Silver set with the richest Stones both in the Front and Tables of the Altar The Riches expos'd upon Solemn occasions the Pavement of the Church part Grotick part in divisions of Inlayed or parketted Marble of several Colours and Figures as also the great Doors of Brass wrought through and curiously Adorn'd with rais'd Work as they were when brought from Sancta Sophia hither the bare reflection upon all these things will sufficiently make it appear that the Republick could not have any thing less than the Spoils of Constantinople to acquire this mighty Collection of inestimable things Of the Treasure of Venice VVHat is commonly call'd the Treasure of Venice is but in effect the Treasure of St. Mark 's Church which is yet divided into two parts One properly belonging to the Treasure of the Church and the other to that of the Republick The Reliques compose the first part a vast quantity of Jewels as likewise of Plate Vessels and Crowns make the other all which are very carefully kept in the Church as a most sacred Depository whose Keys are committed to the Custody of a Procuratour of St. Mark a Dignity that is by the Venetian Nobility esteemed in the higest Rank as it will appear in its proper place There is to be seen among the Reliques of all that Religion esteemeth most Sacred a great number of Gold and Silver Shrines viz. of Silver Vessels for the use of the Altar But of all the Reliques which the People and the Republick most esteem and honour is the precious Blood that is kept in an Ampoule or Cruet which with most particular Ceremonies is three or four times a Year expos'd to the publick view by reason of the frequent Miracles they pretend do happen upon these Expositions by Curing many possess'd People which they bring hither from other places against these Solemnities in a prodigious concourse of People and Processions They have in the Treasure no other Reliques of St. Mark than that of his Thumb which they say he cut off because he would not enter into the holy Order of Priesthood as thinking himself unworthy of it and the Gospel which they pretend is the the true Original and of his own hand writing but they only shew the rich Shrine in which they say it is inclos'd But since the Tradition of the Country will have it that his whole Body was brought hither it is very surprizing that they should have no more of the Reliques yet the reasons given for it are too singular to be pass'd over in silence In the Year 827 under the Doge Justiniani Participate Badociarius certain Grecian Priests that serv'd a Chappel near Alexandria in which lay the Body of St. Mark were so enrag'd against the Mahometans who possess'd the Country for demolishing this holy Structure upon the account of building other places with the Materials that they yielded to the pressing intreaties of 2 Venetian Merchants and deliver'd to them this holy Relique which they convey'd to Venice The Doge and People receiv'd the Body of St. Mark with an expressible Joy and Devotion They made him the Protector of this City and Republick and rais'd in honour of him this Church which being almost quite consum'd by fire was rebuilt more Magnificently than ever and afterwards enrich'd with the Spoils of the Venetian Conquests in the Levant The devotion which the People and the Republick at first conceiv'd for their new Patron did apparently diminish for about 270 Years after the Translation of St. Mark there was no body that either knew or had heard where the Body of the holy Evangelist was placed upon which the People and the Republick made their recourse to God Almighty with their general Prayers and a Three days rigorous Fast and being assembl'd in the Church of St. Mark they besought him with Tears to signifie unto them whereabouts his Body
was and they beheld as it is said one of the Pillars of the Church to open from whence came an Arm of the Saint with a Ring upon the Finger All the Prelates and Principal Nobles then present there reiterated upon this Miracle the the fervency of their Prayers to the blessed Saint beseeching him to bestow upon them the Ring he had upon his Finger in testimony that his Body lay within that Chest which appear'd in the middle of the Pillar from whence his Arm came but as there being no likelihood of obtaining this favour the Noble Dominique Delphin out of much zeal and confidence approach'd the Arm and kissing the hand of the Saint he receiv'd this precious Relique The Arm return'd into the Chest the Pillar clos'd and the Ring was afterwards lost through a great number of various accidents as may be seen at large in the Chronicles of Venice In memory of this famous Miracle of the apparition of St. Mark they have continu'd it as a Holy-day ever since keeping it every Year with much Solemnity Yet no body knows which is the Pillar that open'd and shut again However the People are satisfi'd the knowledge of it is reserv'd to the Doge the Procuratour of the Treasure the Dean of the Chappel and some other Officers of the Church but that they are oblig'd by Oath never to reveal the Secret to any others In a place adjoining to that where the Reliques are kept they shew you the riches of their Treasure plac'd upon the shelves of a great Press cover'd over with black Velvet for the more advantageous appearing of them The Procurator with the Keys stands within a row of Balisters which is at such a distance that one cannot reach them with their Hands The most remarkable things of this Treasure are 12 golden Corslets made like small breast-Pieces set over with very large Pearls and an infinite number of rich Stones of different Seizes as likwise 12 Crowns of beaten Gold of the same workmanship with the Corslets which do not weigh less then if they were for common use of Iron and Musket proof They say that 12 Ladies of Honour of the Empress of Constantinople were us'd upon solemn Occasions to carry these rich Ornaments on their Heads but at present they are only us'd to adorn the steps to the Altar when the other riches of the Treasury are expos'd upon any great Festival There are likewise six great Rubies although they are not cut yet they make an extraordinary shew they are not set but run upon a gold Wyre that passes through them it is affirm'd that the largest weighs six Ounces The Ducal Horn or Cap being the Crown that is worn by the Doge in the Ceremony of Coronation is in my opinion the richest thing in the Treasury It is a Cap of Crimson Velvet the back part being something rais'd in a round point hath occasion'd to it that Name The lower part of the Front is enclos'd by a Plate of Gold about 2 Fingers broad which with the cross pieces that encloseth it at top are cover'd with Stones of an extraordinary value as likewise the 4 Angles within the cross'd Bars at the point or extremity of it there is set a very fine Diamond indifferently large but very high which was presented to the Republick by Henry the 3 d. of France at his return form Poland Yet all these rich Stones are mightily exceeded by a row of very large Pearls that are hung round the Front of the Crown their beauty and greatness do undisputably render this both the finest and the richest piece of all the Treasury There is a much admir'd Cup which is cut out of a Turkish Stone that exceeds in greatness an ordinary silver Porringer the outside foliage of the Stone is wrought into a foliage of Vines both large and deep There is likewise a little Paile of one single Ruby which is bigger than a common Ewer if I had not seen an expert French Jeweller examine them in his Hands assuring them to be really what they are said to be I should have had some difficulty to have believ'd them right Besides these there are in the Treasury an infinite number of rich things Crosses set with Pearls and Diamonds great pieces of Plate Scepters of great value an abundance of Agat and Cornelian Vessels of several Figures likewise several other pieces in rare transparent Stone of one price as also very large sufficient in number to make out an intire Service which evidently shews what hath been the magnificence of the Emperours of Constantinople the greatest part of these rarities being the fragments of that Court brought hither by the Venetians and others The Treasury had formerly many other things not much Inferiour in value to these as a golden Chain of such an extraordinary length and bigness that 40 Porters were employ'd to the carrying of it as likewise 12 or 15 Millions of coin'd Gold which was only kept to shew the People and Strangers their great riches upon days of Solemnity the Chain being hung along the Piazza of the Palace upon St. Mark 's place with a Cup of Gold between each 2 Pillars the Republick were us'd to add every Year some new Links to it But the War of Candy swept away this Treasure and the Chain became Sequins in the pressing necessities of the State during which several Noble Families found the means of turning the misfortunes of the Republick to their own private advantages which are to this day possess'd by their Posterity Of Saint Mark 's Steeple THE Steeple of St. Mark is not less remarkable for the inconveniency and disadvantage it occasions to the great Place than for its own extraordinary beauty Yet the Venetians esteem it as one of the chief Ornaments of their City This Steeple is built near the Angle which composes the two Wings of the new Procuratory's so the Church being advanc'd into the Place of the other side the Steeple possesses that spot of Ground which is between the two places of St. Mark and being directly over against the door of the Palace deprives it of that prospect it would otherwise have upon the great Place It is a bold piece of Work supports it self is 4 square and built of Brick being about 25 Foot square on each side and 180 Feet up to a certain Cornish of Marble from whence you have a pleasant prospect of the whole City without seeing any of the Canals by reason of the height of the Houses which are extraordinary close join'd but one beholds the whole beauty and mighty largeness of the Lagunes in which the built Islands seem to be Villages and small floating Cities It is about 160 Feet more from the Bells to the top of the Steeple which is sustain'd by Pillars that have another Cornish and a Pyramid on the top of it covered with several pieces of Copper guilt which time hath rendered like Brass as also an Angel near 8 Foot high cover'd
thick and made hollow for the more easie play of the Oar. The Gondolier behind stands on the Poop to see over the Tilt or Covering that so he may have a right Steerage He is upon a long Board that reaches above four Fingers beyond the Left side of the covered part of the Poop insomuch that he is quite out of the Gondola holding the end of a long Oar that is supported on the Right side by a piece of Wood like to the other at the head but about Two Foot high After this manner he Rows keeping stroke to the Gondolier before without which the Gondola can neither go right or even It is very agreeable to observe the Air and Grace these Men affect in the management of their Gondola's they stand most an end upon their Right Leg with the Left stretch'd out behind them their Body bending down and quite out of the Gondola whereby if it happens that they run foul of one another at the turning of any corner for want of giving timely notice or by the breaking of an Oar they are certain to fall into the Water which is no great trouble or inconveniency to them unless it chance to fall out at the course where the mighty number of Boats and the swiftness of their motion does not seldom occasion them the utmost danger As the Gondoliers have not their Oars any ways fastned to the Gondola so they make their stroaks either shorter or longer according to the breadth of the Canal or the multitude of Gondola's that are frequently seen together Nothing can be more charming than the easiness of this passage you Eat and Drink quietly Read Converse Sing Play upon all sorts of Instruments without any manner of inconvenincy or probability of Danger One cannot without admiring behold them pass so direct smooth and fast avoid in a moment such obstacles as one not us'd to them must think impossible turn the corners of the Canals with so great exactness and expedition that it is no ways capable of a description stop short in their full course turn or go back with an equal facility In short they govern those Boats with the utmost dexterity which are the effects of an Address that cannot but surprize all who see them The Gondoliers do constantly every night take away all that is loose or not fixed to their Gondola which they carry home with them they take down the whole Tilt or Covering La Caponera together which they call La Caponera afterwards whatsoever else is not safe to leave abroad in the Morning early they Equip their Gondalo with the same ease and expedition The conveniency of having at Venice all things necessary to a great City BEsides those Advantages here common to all Maritime Cities the City of Venice hath a more peculiar one which comes from her being situated in the middle of the Lagunes For she is the Center in which several Rivers do end as the Po the Adige the Brente and the Piave besides a great many Canals this Republick hath made in their Territories for the conveniency of bringing whatsoever is necessary by the Brente which the remotest Provinces of Tuscany produce The Vessel you take at Turin brings you to whatever House you please in Venice without which conveniency of passage it would be a very difficult Matter to see that mighty abundance there is at Venice of all things necessary to a great City Few particulars would be able to build the fine Houses one sees here The Wood is floated down hither Stone and Marble are brought partly upon the floated Timber and partly upon those great Pontons that cross even the Adriatick Gulph In this manner all sorts of Materials are brought hither by an admirable ease from a thousand different places into all the several Quarters and House of this City The great expence of Venice is what they are obliged unto in the foundation of their Buildings for besides the great quantity of piles and great Stones necessary to that work the Damms only they are forced to make against the Water to bring the place into a condition of being work'd upon lies them in very considerable Sums A Procurator of St. Mark offered lately Eight thousand Ducats which is about Fourteen hundred pounds Sterling to stop the Water sink and raise about 60 Foot in length to the surface of the Water La Procurator Bon. the Front of a Palace which he was at that time going to build upon the great Canal By the conveniency of Boats they cry about the City their Fruits Roots Wood Wine Provisions and all sorts of Houshold-Ware whereby a poor Man that is but able to purchase an Oar is sufficiently qualified to get an honest Livelyhood You see Old Men Women and Children managing all sorts of Boats as likewise many begging Monks who implore your Charity in the Boats they work But what is most admirable is to see little Children alone managing of great Boats laden with Merchandize that contain more than Twenty Carts would be able to draw which is of mighty conveniency to such as must remove their Families for one Man can carry at once all their Goods without the least damage Of the Trade of Venice VEnice is so advantagiously situated for Commerce that since the foundation of the Republick to the present Age there hath been scarce any City in Europe more known for it Formerly the Venetians were the only Traders into the Levant and Eastern India for their Vessels received at Aleppo and Alexandria such Commodities as were brought from Egypt Syria and the Red Sea which they afterwards Transported into all the Ports of Europe selling them at such prizes they were pleas'd to set upon them The Spaniard discovering the Riches of the West-Indies through the bold attempts of Christopher Columbus which inspiring the Portugueze and some other Nations with the courage of passing the Line and doubling the Cape of Good-Hope did the Venetians undoubtedly more damage than all the chargeable Wars they have had with the Turks But of all those who have gained by the New Discoveries none have done it with a success equal to that of the Hollanders who have found the means of making themselves the Masters of all Trade The most considerable Trade that remaineth now to the Venetians are only those of Constantinople and Germany For which reason the vending of their rich Silks and other principal Manufactures is of the last importance to them therefore they continue these Trades with the greatest application Besides these they furnish Germany Italy and Spain with Chrystal and Looking-Glasses France with Velvets and Brocades and all places with their Points excepting France where they are prohibited and Manufactures established for the making of them yet notwithstanding that perfection they have attained they continue to value most those of Venice It is hardly to be believed what great quantities of Brouards Damasks and Cloaths of Gold that the Turks and Armenians do continually send From
colder and more dangerous all over Italy yet at Venise they undress to their Shirts so pass the Evening uncovered in their Gondola's or in walking by the Canals without perceiving the least of inconveniencies The greatest part of such who find themselves convinc'd by experience and who are loath to admit the Air to be naturally good in such a situation attribute the cause of this healthfulness to the great number of Fires that must continually be in so compact and populous a City for my own part I do not deny but that the great number of Fires may for a time resist the bad Effects of an ill Air but I am perswaded besides the accustomed moderation of their Hearths at Venice that it is scarcely to be believed that the ordinary Fires of a Town can have so much in-influence as to alter the nature of the Air and render it healthful in all times of the year It may be believed with more probability that the continual salt Vapours of the Sea with which this Air must abound preserves it in one constant quality and more easily hinders those various inonveniencies as being less subject to receive the thick exhalations of the Earth which are undoubtedly of a more suffocating nature consisting of corrosive Salts that abound in most Grounds which have a greater force and disposition to corrupt the goodness of the Air than the strongest influences of the most malevolent Planets so allowing that the nature of the place renders the Air of Venice subject to frequent alterations yet nevertheless it preserves it self without altering the quality However to speak truth the Climate is not very agreeable in Winter for as this City is every where open so it is consequently exposed to all Winds this season is so cold and troublesome here that I may say as it is hotter here than it is at Paris so one feels a more sharper cold but indeed it is not of such long continuance to which may be replied that it is not so easy to keep off the Cold here as it is in many other places for whatsoever Care one uses in closing the Curtains of the Gondola yet they can never be so close as the well fix'd Glasses of a Coach Yet the pleasure of Venice in the Summer does amply recompence the inconveniencies of the Winter for during the greatest Heats you are no sooner in your Gondola but you are sure to enjoy upon the Canals even at Noon-day a most agreeable refreshing Air but it is most commonly Two Hours before Sun set that one begins to be sensible of those delightful Breezes that are yet infinitely more pleasant in the Evening at which time you enjoy the pleasure of the Water without disturbance frequently meeting extraordinary good Voices and upon the great Canal extraordinary fine Concerts of Musick which the Gallants of the City have in Boats to Serenade the Ladies and Nuns who are much pleased with these Diversions They are so extreamly fond here of these Nigh Concerts that upon the least notice of them ' the great Canal is oftentimes not large enough for those great number of Gondola's that come to partake of the Diversion the liberty of the Night and sweetness of the Air equally inspires with desire both Sexes to pass away endeshabille the Evenings upon the Water every one endeavours to avoid being known so you find a mighty silence in the midst of this great concourse fully and quietly enjoying the pleasure of the Musick and the most agreeable Delights of the cool Breezes Of the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea and Lagunes of Venice I will finish this first part with the observations I have made upon the Ebbe and Flood which are very considerable both in the Lagunes and City of Venice The Tide does regularly Ebbe and Flow Twice in Four and twenty Hours which keeping the Water ever clean and clear in the Canals is one of the greatest conveniencies and those extraordinary advantages that Venice enjoys in her Situation as likewise one of the most particular things worthy of a Stranger 's observation There are two reasons of admiration in the Ebbe and Flood of the Lagunes at Venice The first is because we have not thorougly penetrated into the general causes of the Sea 's rising and falling the second is seeing there is scarce any appearance of either Ebbe or Flood in the whole Mediterranean and Adriatick Gulph yet that of the Lagunes at Venice is very great as likewise regulated to certain times I shall not amuse my self and the Reader by reporting the many extravagant opinions of several Authours in relation to the general causes of so extraordinary a matter Some do only entertain the curiosity of their Readers with Fables and others with such improbable and abstruse reasons as merit no consideration here Among the Philosophers of the present Age Galileas hath very ingeniously attributed it to the motion of the Earth making it appear as a necessary consequence to the reasons he alledges for it Not to detain my self upon a matter that may be difficult to render apparent I shall think it sufficient to observe here that the Ebbe and Flood does answer exactly to the motion of the Moon falling every day like her 50 Minutes later than the preceding the Tides being higher in the new and full Moons than in either of the other quarters as also the same difference between the Equinoctial and Solstice it is much to be suppos'd that the Body and motion of the Moon are the real causes of the Ebbe and Flood as likewise those many various accidents that attend them As the Opinion of Monsieur Descartes is satisfactory with all the probability that can be desir'd in reference to this Wonder that hath for so many Ages kept the World in Suspence so it is reasonable we should admit it for the best at least until Reason or Experience shall make those Discoveries that may afford our Judgments more Natural and Sensible Arguments of the contrary So allowing this to be the general Cause of the Ebbes and Floods one may in Course come to the Reason of those in the Lagunes at Venice It is impossible that the Cause which produceth the Flux and Reflux of the Ocean should have those Effects in that vast Masse of Water without making any Impression upon those of the Mediterranean but the reason why it is not so very apparent must be attributed to the manner of the Tides flowing in the Ocean which is throughout that Sea between the Tropicks and Poles from the South to the North Whereas the Mediterranean lying considerably on this side the Tropick and only a sort of a great Canal from the East to the West and very small of breadth in comparison to the Ocean so it is not to be imagin'd that the Flux and Reflux can be very sensible there as well because this Sea is very narrow in breadth from North to South as likewise by reason of the distant situation from the
The same Annals add That Pepin having embarqu'd his Forces upon Floats to transport them by Night to the Rialto there rose so great a Tempest that it broke his Floats and drown'd most part of his Soldiers which bad success so alter'd the Courage of the King that he resolv'd to leave those people in quiet but desiring to see the Rialto was receiv'd there with such Demonstrations of Joy and so many Marks of Honour that in a pure Sentiment of Affection for those People he threw his Scepter into the Sea with this Imprecation Thus may they perish who attempt the Peace of this Republick Nevertheless the following matter of these Annals and the Testimony of several Creditable Authors do plainly prove that Pepin was received at the Rialto rather as a generous Conquerour than a Prince ill treated by bad fortune to whom the Republick would not have consented after the loss of his Army what they had obstinately refused when he was in a condition of getting it by force In short the King Exercis'd all Acts of Sovereignty leaving several marks of liberality to the Doge and Publick as likewise discharging the Republick of the Tribute they annually payed him and presented them with five Miles of extent on Terra firma against the Lagunes with ample liberty of Trafficking both by Sea and by Land It is moreover said that Pepin observing the Doge to wear no External mark of dignity took off one of the Sleeves of his Vest and put it upon the Doge's Head in the form of a Bonnet from whence comes the Original of the Ducal Horn so Named from the pointed end of this Sleeve upon his head It was then that Venice received the first time this appellation for Pepin would have the Isle of Rialto with the other Neighbouring Islands to bear the Name of Venice which was then that of the whole Neighbouring province to the Lagunes and that the Rialto should be from thence forwards the residence of the Doges and Senate of the Republick These were the beginnings and first Progresses of the Republick of Venice who acknowledgeth her Principal Establishment and first Grandeur to be owing to the magnanimity and generous Conduct of a French King Of the several forms of Government that were at Venice BY what hath been said it may be observed that this Republick was subject during her Infancy to many changes and several methods of Government for if we reckon from the beginning of the Year 421 they were the Cousuls of Padua who Govern'd this State The Power of the Tribunes continued without Interruption near upon 300 Years The Doges Reign'd after them with an absolute Power for several Ages Yet before the Government arrived to that Degree of Perfection in Policy they now have there happen'd under the Doges several considerable changes which I shall observe in this Relation From the first Election made in the Year 709 at Heraclea of Paul Lucio Anafeste until that of Sebastian Ziani the Doges reign'd with an absolute Authority the People electing him by their Acclamations whom they Judg'd most worthy of the Dogal dignity who Acted as Monarch for he was Master of his own Council nor accountable to any body for his Administration in short he had a despotick Power both in Peace and War The History of Venice gives us the Examples of several Doges that made their Brothers or their Children to be elected for their Collegues and Successours But the Sovereign Authority of the Prince having oftentimes expos'd the State to many dangerous accidents and the Tumultuary Elections of the People frequently ending with the greatest Inconveniencies The Principal Citizens met together upon the Death of their Prince Vital Micheli to consult how they might prevent those disorders before they proceeded to the election of a new Doge and accordingly chose eleven Persons of Probity who retiring into the Church of Saint Mark elected Sebastian Ziani And to take for the future from the People the right they had of choosing the Doge as likewise at the same time to moderate the great Authority of the Prince they established an Independant Council from which should be drawn by Election the Electors of the Doge An alteration of this consequence that established an intire new method of Government would without dispute have caus'd a Revolution in the State but they found an expedient that pleas'd the People which was to allow them in exchange the liberty of Nominating Twelve Tribunes who should have Power of opposing the Ordinances of the Prince which should be of no validity if they were not approv'd by them resolving in this to follow the Example of the Ancient Government of Rome Their Tribunes who were two in each of the Six Wards of the City had moreover a right of choosing every Year upon the Feast of Saint Michael Forty such Persons as they judg'd proper in each Ward or Quarter to Compose the great Council they then establish'd consisting of Two Hundred and Forty Citizens impartially chosen and without distinction in all the different Estates to wit the Nobility Citizens and Tradesmen as this Council was to be renewed every Year so every one was to be of it in his turn or at least had the right of pretending to it This method of Government continued a Hundred and Seventeen Years unto the Year 1289 At which time the Doge Peter Gradenigue took upon him the intire alteration of the form of this Republick and to establish a perfect Aristocracy in fixing the great Council for ever to a certain Number and their Descendants who taking upon themselves for the future the whole Cognizance of all matters of State were to have the Sovereign Administration exclusive to all the other Families Whether this Doge was desirous to abolish Democratical government out of a good Intention to the welfare of his Country or by a more secret passion of being reveng'd on these Families that opposed his Election is uncertain but he pass'd a Decree in the Council of * A Soveraign Court of Forty Judges Forty which Ordered That all such who had compos'd the Great Council for the Four preceeding Years should be ballotted in this Chamber and those who had Twelve Favourable Balls should be with their Descendants admitted to the Great Council for ever He caused this Decree to be Registred and took his Measures so well that he excluded all such as were disaffected to him However unjust and unequal this proceeding seems to be in regard of several considerable Families yet the Republick owes to it the establishment of the perfectest Government that ever was and which happily continues to this very time It is Nevertheless to be supposed that such a change was not made without occasioning great troubles in the Republick but they were soon quash'd by punishing of the Weak and Satisfying of the more Powerful with such Privileges as exempted them from the Number of the excluded Several Noble Families that did not then foresee the
not within the State so all such as are of it may when they are at Venice take the Vest enter and ballot in the great Council The Pio's Malateste's and Bentivoglio's are the Principal private Families of Italy to which the Republick hath presented the Venetian Nohility The Martininguo's and the Colalte's both Powerful Lords one in the Country of Brescia and the other in the Marches of Trevisano are two Houses which the Republick have for their Merits jointed to the Body of the Nobility by Reason of the great Credit they have in these Provinces which are Subjects of the State but these Lords live at home without concerning themselves with the Affairs of the Republick The Bennoni and Savorniani who for their Merits were received into the order of Nobility live at Venice they wear the Vest enter into the Council and are engaged in the interests of the Republick the first gave them formerly the City of Crema of which they were Lords the latter were very Powerful in Frivoli they gave the state divers Forteresses which are at present Garrison'd Frontiers against the Emperour Of the Venetian Citizens THey mean by the word Citizen at Venice all the good Families of Venetian Citizens composing the Second State between the Nobility and People I do place here the Citizens before the Nobilty of Terra Firma because this Body hath a greater Affinity with the Government of the Republick than the Nobility of the Country and City 's of the State yet among this Gentry there is a considerable Number that would not yield in either Birth or Riches to the best Houses of Venice if they lived without the dominions of the Republick There are two distinctions in the Venetian Citizens the first are originally Citizens by Birth being descended from these Families which before the Establishment of the Great Council had the same share in the Government that the Venetian Nobility now have alone who did remain in the order of Citizens by their misfortune of being excluded the Great Council upon the new Institution of the Doge Gradenigo In another form of Government several Families of these ancient Citizens may value themselves as the better sort of Gentry for there are several of them which have the same name and bear the same Arms with the Noble Venetians of the first Order The second Order of Citizens is compos'd of such as have either by their Merits or Money obtain'd this place in the Republick both of them enjoy the same Privileges they may wear the Vest as well as the Noble enter into the charges and Employs that the Republick hath design'd to the Citizens who being upon Terra Firma are by their quality of Venetian Citizens equal to the Nobility of the Country enabling them to enter with this Nobility into the Councils of Cities These in return enjoy at Venice the same Privileges of Citizens but the greatest part of them do not esteem themselves much Inferior to the Noble Venetians Infinitely counting below their quality all the privileges of that Order in the City in which are likewise comprehended the Physicians Lawyers Merchants the Manufacturers of Gold and Silver Silks and the makers of Glass at Mouran who pretend themselves to be elevated to the degree of Nobility by Henry the third The Republick doth much honour or at least seemeth to respect the true Citizens either to render their Subjection more tolerable or because they being Modester than the Venetian Gentry are much more beloved of the People They confer upon the Citizens of Merit and such as engage themselves to the Service of the Republick the charges of Secretaries to the Senat and of all Tribunals that take Cognisance of the Affairs of State They are likewise made Secretaries of Embassies and Residents with forreign Princes in short they give them all those Employs which are thought below a Noble Venetian The aim of all the Citizens and the highest of what they can attain unto in the Service of their Several Employs and charges is the dignity of great Chancelour of the Republick the Rank and seeming greatness of him that Possesseth this place would render the execution of it worthy the most principal Senatour if the Republick Jealous of their Authority had not Confin'd this Great Employ to the bare Execution of the Office not allowing him either Voice or Credit in the Courts of Justice as shall be observ'd in the proper Pace Nevertheless this being the highest place a Citizen can pretend to so they limit their Ambition to it boasting with Justice that as the Republick does oftentimes find Taitours among the Body of the Nobility so they have always been exempt of these Reproaches for the Citizens have ever been inviolaby Attach'd to the interests of the State Of the Venetian Gentry upon the Continent ALl the Gentry out of Venice and within the dominions of the Republick are comprehended under the name of Noble's of Terra Firma excepting some Families of the third or fourth Class of Venetian Gentry However antient that the Nobility of the Gentry of Terra Firma is yet the Venetian Nobles will admit of no Comparison with them pretending there is the same difference between them as between the Sovereign and Subject This uncouth and haughty usage does intirely Alienate the Affections of the Nobility upon Terra firma and is frequently attended with dangerous disputes between them and the young Noble's of Venice who being sometimes in the Cities of the States do find themselves opposed as to point of place by the first when they are from Venice without any Publick Imploys The Gentry of Terra Firma do compose the Council of the Cities where they live They can regulate several things in regard of the Government and Publick interest which are no ways relating to the Political part of Government for such the Republick confides intirely to the Management of the Venetian Nobility Yet when ever these Gentlemen do engage themselves in the Service and Armies of the Republick they are consider'd with very good Employs and Governments of Places and Citadels in their Provinces however they are not in this matter us'd more kindly than the Forreign Officers Least this Nobility should become too considerable the Republick is never backward in taking all occasions of reducing their Power their smallest Faults are Capital Crimes for which they are proscrib'd and their Effects Confiscated if a Gentleman of Terra Firma hath the boldness to make or Sustain a Quarrel with a Noble Venetian the Severity of the Punishment does soon discover the difference which the Republick will have between a Noble Venetian who is believ'd born to command and another whose Merits lye in Obedience The Senat knows very well that the Land Nobility cannot bear without Resentments the great Elevating of that Nobility and that they are very uneasy at the thoughts of the Sovereign Power 's being lodg'd only with them to whom they esteem themselves no ways inferior for which Reasons upon the least
whatever There are some who have reported in their writings that it is Lawful to affront or kill him upon finding him out of the City and that he hath not the Liberty to go out of his Palace It is true that there hath been formerly very severe Regulations as to this matter but things are not carried to that Exiremity at present however he goes not out of the City without asking in a manner leave of his Councellors Dominico Contarini went frequently to see his Daughters and Nieces that were in several Nunneries as likewise very often every Year to his Country House to enjoy the Air of the Continent When the Doge goes out of the City he is not attended with any External Marks that may distinguish him from any other Venetian Gentleman his apparel is then a gray close Bodied Coat and his sword by his side if any Noble happens to meet him he seems not to know him to avoid rendring those respects that are due to him when he is with the Republick who are the same thing in his absence as when he is present upon any particular Visits that the Doge makes in the City he is only attended like another Noble with a Valet de Chambre and two Gondalo's neither is that discernable from another but by a Carpet and two flower'd Sattin Cushions against the Back-board which small marks of Dignity are so far from being exposed that the Gondaliers most an end cover them all with the black Curtains of the Gondalo His Dress is on these occasions like those of the Counsellors which is Purple but he wears a General 's Cap of the same Colour with his Vest it is round made of Paste-board only four Fingers high the Crown flat and the circumference of the whole double to what the Entrance of the Head is They give the Doge the Title of your Screnity and Most Screne Prince and that he may be sensible that these Titles do not belong to his Person all Embassadors take care to use the same Expressions when they speak to the College seldom saying your Screnity without adding your Excellency's being confus'd Titles among which no difference ought to be made in this Assembly where the Majesty of the Republick is dilated upon all the Members that compose the College Altho all Dispatches are made in the Name of the Prince as likewise the Answers of Embassadors are address'd to him yet he cannot open them which may be done and answer'd without him and that he may continually remember that he only lends his Name to the Senate they forbear the Examination of all Propositions made to the College by Embassadors or other Ministers until such time as he and his Councellors are withdrawn then the Business is examin'd the Opinions of the Sages are taken upon which they draw the Deliberation into Writing which is delivered at the next Assembly of the Senate in the Presence of the Doge and his Counsellors where he hath only a single Vote with the other Senators to confirm or reject what was done in his Absence The Money of Venice bears the Name of the Doge but it is not made with his Impression upon the Coin as it was formerly in the time when the Doge had the absolute Power of the Government there being now instead of his Effigies a Doge in his Ducal Habits upon his Knees to St. Mark to shew that the Prince is the Subject of the Republick of which the Picture of St. Mark is the Hieroglyphick Yet in the Mint where the Money is Coin'd all private Persons upon paying the Duties to the Prince have the Liberty of Coining what Sums they please the Doge gives the Permission and enjoys the Advantages proceeding from it The Doge is allowed by the Republick fourteen thousand Ducats per Annum to defray his Houshold Expences and the Charges of treating four times in a Year all Embassadors the Seignory and such of the Senators as are assistant at those Festivals The ordinary Retinue of the Doge consists of two Valets de Chambre four Gondaliers and some other Servants the Republick discharges all other Officers that only wait upon him at publick Ceremonies He hath the Sellings of the Offices of Commanders of the Palace who are a sort of Serjeants as also the Ecuyers or Squires of the Doge which are 25 in number from these Profits and the Gifts of all Benefices belonging to St. Mark 's arise the principal Advantages of his Dignity The Republick hath not only invested the Prince with all the apparent marks of Sovereign Dignity but they have also obtain'd for him from the Popes and Kings the real Prerogatives of Royal Majesty and the preference next to Crown'd Heads of all other Princes in general It is to be admired that they should as it seems go contrary to these Advantages of Pre-eminency by reducing of him to the degree of all other Princes in respect of the Cardinals for when a Cardinal hath Audience he sits on the Right of the Doge in his own Chair that is made larger upon these Occasions and upon any particular Visit the Doge goes to receive him at his Gondalo These particular Visits as also those of Embassadors upon extraordinary Occasions are made with the Permission of the Senate which is desired at the College for the Doge hath it not in his Power to see whom he pleases and he lives so retired that one may say Solitude and Dependance are the most Essential Qualities of his Condition neither are these Visits very agreeable to the Senate who never give their Permissions but for want of a civil Excuse to avoid it The Count D' Avaux was the first that undertook to visit the Doge Dominico Contarini in his Sickness to which the Senate consented In this Occasion the Gentleman of the Doge and some other Officers are at the Landing-place of the Palace to conduct the Ambassadour to the Doge The Senate are sure in these Junctures to be punctually informed of the most insignificant Words that pass in the Discourse Altho the Marquis de la Fuente Ambassador of Spain was vex'd for being preceded in the Visit by Monsieur D' Avaux yet he demanded leave of the Senate to see the Doge esteeming that an Advantage which few Ambassadors receive in the whole Course of their Employs The Doge can only give general Answers to Embassadors upon the Propositions they intend to exhibit to the College for if he should word it so as to bring the Senate into the least Engagement he would not only meet with the Confusion of having it disown'd but would likewise expose himself to the most sensible Mortifications However if the Propositions of an Embassador are prejudicial to the Dignity of the Republick the Doge is not only supported in such a Juncture by answering in the Name of the Republick with all the Rigour of an incens'd Prince but he is moreover oblig'd to act in that Nature if he
the Republick The Name of Pregadi is given to the Senate because formerly it was assembled but upon extraordinary occasions as when any affair of importance required the advice of the Principal Citizens they were then desired to be there At present the Senate assembles every Wednesday and Saturday But the Sage for the week can Summon an extraordinary Pregadi when the affairs that are to be brought thither require the speedy deliberation of the Senate According to the first Institution the Pregadi was compos'd of Sixty Senators which was called the ordinary Pregadi But as they have been oblig'd to add several others according to the urgency of affairs so they created sixty more which is called la Guinta These Sixcore are always possess'd by Persons of an advanc'd Age and known Merits and of the first Nobility All the Members of the College those of the Council of Ten the Forty Judges of the Council Criminal and all the Procurators of Saint Mark have entrance into the Pregadi as likewise the greatest part of the Magistrates of the City whereby this assembly of the Senate may amount unto about Two Hundred and Fourscore Gentlemen part of them having deliberative voices others are only there to observe and form themselves to business The Doge the Councellors of the Seignory and the Great Sages are the only Persons whose Opinions can be Ballotted which is to avoid the confusion that would proceed from the diversity of sentiments in so great an assembly where the Opinions cannot pass if they have not one half of the voices Yet those who have not the right of voting may harangue in the defence or against the Opinions proposed As the Sixscore ordinary and extraordinary Senators are every year Ballotted in the great Council to be chang'd or continu'd as this assembly thinks necessary so the desire which every one of them have to be continued in the condition that is so very honourable and the fear of being deprived of it by the great Council that never spares any Body inviolably engages them to the Duty of their Employs and prevents them from making any ill use of their Authority No body can imagine but that there must be great Inconvenience's to be feared seeing all affairs are regulated by the plurality of Voices more especially because they are made by balls that are thrown into boxes which the Secretaries carry about the Hall some of which are mark'd with the word YES and the other NO the last are designed for the balls of such that equally reject both pro and the contra which are called the Non Suceres for as these Votes are given so as it shall not be distinguish'd what any one hath done so such a person is oftentimes of an Opinion that he durst not own if he was to declare himself publickly Amongst the multitude of Senators in the Pregadi there are some very Ignorant who are only introduc'd hither in honour of their Age and Family There are others very poor who may be liable to err from the Right way Neither is there any want of those Old fellows who have any other knowledge than that of their Ancient Customes these are the Opiniators that never acommodate their Judgments to the various Junctures of time and who regard Novelty as a Crime against the State Insomuch that the Senate must be often Subject to fall upon those Resolutions which would not be ever conformable to the real Interests of the Republick if the most able heads of this Body who are Sensible of the defects did not prevent these inconveniency's by another that some times ruines their affairs which is by temporizing that so in time and by the force of their Speeches they may prevail upon their Sentiments to give the true motion to these important affairs Secrecy is rarely to be found in a multitude that abounds with Youth and Poverty it is therefore much to be admir'd how it becomes inviolable at Venice seeing the Examples of such who have sold it to the Ministers of Great Princes are not at all considerable in Number but the Republick hath provided against it by the power she hath given the Inquisitors of State to punish the Guilty as shall be observ'd hereafter and by the oaths that are renewed so often as they enter upon any matter of the last importance as likewise by the exclusion of all such as have any relation with the Court of Rome when the affairs lyes that way however far the affinity or dependance is distant for the Senate is not Satisfied with excluding all Ecclesiasticks from the Government but they even distrust their Fathers and nearest Allied insomuch that when any thing is there agitated which may any ways concern the Court of Rome it is Publickly cried in the Pregadi Fuora Papalini that is for all such as have Children or Brothers provided with benefices or other Ecclesiastical dignities to withdraw themselves at that instant least the Secret of the State should be made known to foreign Princes Of the Great Council THE whole Authority of the Republick is divided between the Senate and the Great Council and as the first regulates without controul the affairs of State so the second disposes absolutely of all Magistracy's upon which depend the Order of Government This Council hath power to Erect new Laws choose Senators confirm the Elections of the Senate Nominate to all Employs to Create the Procurators of St. Mark the Podestats Governors and Commanders that are sent in to the several Provinces in short the Great Council hath the rectifying of all publick â—rrors as also to reform the methods of such who use not their Authority to the Satisfaction of the Nobles consequently as the Great Council is the assembly General of the Nobility so it is also the first Tribunal the basis and support of the Government All the Venetian Gentlemen of five and twenty and that have assum'd the Vest may enter into the Great Council and claim the Right of balloting that is of Voting To gratifie moreover the young Nobility of twenty thirty of them are drawn by lot who have the same priviledge with those of five and twenty This ceremony is observ'd upon the day of St. Barbara so the thirty which Fortune hath particularly favour'd from the Names of all the rest in the Urne are called Barbarini The Republick hath often times bestowed this privilege upon the Children of such Nobles as have very eminently served the State in any perticular juncture during the War dispensations of Age were sold at two hundred Ducates this Sum is no ways considerable in regard of the advantages that are acquired by the entrance into the Great Council which renders these Nobles of the Body of the Republick who by the right of Balloting are received into the same consideration with the other more ancient Members of the State The Great Council assembles all Sundays and Holidays excepting that of St. Mark and those of the Virgin This Council is not to
continue their sitting after it is dark in Summer they begin at Eight in the Morning and sit until twelve in the Winter they sit from twelve to Sun-set after which time no propositions can be made in that place insomuch that such as are begun and cannot be expedited before these Limits elapse are balloted again in the next Session as if they haâ—â— never been mentioned This Assembly is held in the Largest Hall of the Palace there is at the bottom of it a sort of a Throne like to that in the College upon which the Doge and the Councellors of the Seignory take their places The Presidents of the Council of Ten the Avogadors and the Censors sit upon rais'd benches in the Hall they being to take care that the Nobles may do nothing contrary to the order of the Statutes The greatest Assemblies of the Great Council are rarely above six hundred Gentlemen who sit upon benches plac'd in rows along the Hall but there are as many more that have right of entrance who are either employed in the Provinces or upon some other occasions of absence do not appear at the Council As the Great Sages may Summon an Extraordinary Senate so the Councellors of the Signory have power of Assembling the Great Council so often as the multitude of Employs to distribute or the urgency of business shall require it To which purpose a bell is rung which they call the Trotiere this is answered by the five principal bells in the five other Wards of the City at which Signal the Nobility never fail of appearing at the Council where the wearing of Arms is forbidden upon pain of Death and to be immediately thrown out of the Windows least the heats in Balloting might Chance to occasion some disorders For which reason they leave their Stiletto's in their Gondalo's as likewise such other Arms as they usually wear in all other places For the security of this Assembly against which the History of Venice mention several Conspiracies that were formely laid with the Intention of destroying the whole Body of Nobility at once they place guards at all the chief entrances into the Palace and the others are kept shut In which occasions they make use of the Artificers and Workmen of the Arcenal who are the faithfullest Subjects of the Republick And as this Council is only held upon Holydays to the end that all the Magistrates may be present so the Works of the Arcenal are thereby no ways retarded This Militi a is under the Command of the Procurators of St. Mark not only by Reason they are Persons of the greatest Authority but likewise because they do not go to the Great Council as being above all Magistracy's there distributed or possibly being they are exempt of the passive suffrage so they ought not to pretend to the active They never propose distribution of above nine Employs in a Session by reason of the Custom of having the Names of the Electors that Nominate the Parties to be decided by Chance leaving it to either merit or faction to dispose of it afterwards in favour of one of the four Nobles which the Electors have chosen for the Execution of each Office Yet that there may only be Six and Thirty Electors among all the Nobility then present this method is observed in the manner of drawing the Lots There is placed on each side the Throne of the Seignory over against the two last Councellors two high and deep Cups into which they may reach their hands but cannot see which to choose the Secretaries count so many balls as there are Nobles in the Assembly which number is divided into the two Cups in each whereof there are moreover thirty gilt balls the others are white At the feet of the Doge there stands a third Cup in which there is the same Number of balls as there are Gilt ones in the other two that is Sixty of which thirty six only are Gilt. After this the Nobles being call'd by a Secretary according to the Benches they sit on come two and two together to draw each of them a ball out of the Cup on the side they are of if it is white they throw it away if a gilt one the Gentleman shews it and gives it the Councellor next the Cup then advancing to the Doge draws one of the sixty balls if he Pitches upon a gilt one he is of the Number of Electors that have the distribution of the Charge but if it is white he retires to his place After there are Nine Electors made in this manner they withdraw with a Secretary into a separated Room from the Council where after they have drawn Lots for their places he that is the first Nominates a Noble for the first of the Employs that is to be given the others do the same according to the places of their Lots These Nine Electors do then ballot one after another the Nine Nobles elected he that hath not six Balls is excluded and he that is Nominated continues until there is one that hath six of the Suffrages When Nine other Electors are by Lot drawn in the Great Council they are to proceed in the same method by Nominating and Balloting Nine several Nobles for the same Nine Employs which is thus observed until the Six and Thirty Electors drawn into four several Bodys of Nine each have elected Thirty Six Gentlemen that is four to each Employ upon which they are Balloted one after another by the Great Council he of the four having most Balls stands provided with the Employ to which he was Named To accomplish these Ballotations with the less loss of time there are a great many Children of the Hospital of Foundlings who carry in a Bag little Balls of stuff about the bigness of a Hasil Nut they have likewise in their hands a Box somewhat resembling to that which collects the Suffrages of the Senate excepting in these there are only two distinct places one for the YEA's the other for the NO's there being no doubtful or indifferent voices in the distribution of the Employs as there are for the uncertain ones of the Various Opinions upon the affairs of State These Children go up and down the Hall crying alloud the Name of the Noble balloted But this way of balloting is manag'd with so much confusion by the Children that carry the boxes Tumultuously to and again as likewise with so little dignity by the Nobles who some times unheedingly drop their Balls in walking unconcernedly about the Hall in the whole this want of order is highly undecent and altogether opposite to the Gravity that ought to be inseparable to such an Illustrious Assembly There are several Senators dispers'd about the Hall to take care that no abuses may be committed in the Ballotations yet it is impossible for them to be sure that a Noble shall not take two Balls being the long entrance of the box intirely hides the hand yet it is purposely so contrived to the
they are called advocates of the Common good Avogadors del Commun but they have moreover a particular jurisdiction which is the judging in all cases of Assault and Battery stealing of Young Women as likewise upon cases of Calumny and detraction yet all important affairs are by them carried to the Tribunals which ought to have cognisance of them according to the matter in question The greatest Authority of these two Magistrates is that Power which they have of suspending for three days the sentences of all Tribunals of the Colledge Great Council the Council of Ten as likewise the Inquisitors of State when the matter of fact is not a positive crime but only the execution of the Ordinances which they can make in affairs of the State insomuch that they represent the ancient Tribunes of the Republick their Authority is the same with those of the Roman Tribunes for by interposing they suspend all manner of Execution yet they are obliged in three Days to produce their Reasons for such Interpositions which ought to be so valid as to to cause another Deliberation upon those Affairs The Senate chooses the two Avogadors who are to be afterwards approved of by the Great Council they usually give the Execution of these Offices to Persons of known Integrity and of the first Families They are not always the Richest of the Nobles but are ever such as are sufficiently able to speak in publick whieh they have commonly acquir'd by their professions of Barristers at Law which they have actualy followed as do every day many of the Nobility rather choosing to support themselves by these honourable means which is thought no derogation than by a thousand base shifts that their quality gets off unpunished The Avogadors wear the Ducal Vest of Violet with the red Star upon their usual Functions but they wear the purple Vest without the badge in the great in-be invalid if one of the two Avogadors were not assistant Upon the prohibition in the year 1672 that was made at Venice against wearing of Perukes there happened an accident which for the Singularity of it in regard of the two Avogadors ought not to pass here unmentioned One of the most Ancient and principal Senators of the Republick who was lately made Procurator by merit was at that time Inquisitor of the State who having a Lady of much merit for wife and in humour very different from the other Venetian Ladies as being mightily delighted with the Liberty's of civil conversation he observed that there came to his House some Gentlemen in great lighâ— colour'd Heads of hair which at other timâ—s seemed to be black he grew suspicious upon the matter inferring consequences from it that were not less dangerous to the Publick than inconvenient to particular persons This Inquisitor had Credit sufficient with his Two Collegues to get his Project approv'd of for which Reason from that very day all the Nobility were upon great Penalties forbidden the use of Perukes with Orders to all such who had begun to wear them to forbear the continuance It is no very difficult matter to imagine what a perplexity this Order occasion'd to all the Young Nobility who were then so very curious in their Wiggs that even such as had very fine heads of Hair preferr'd the acquired to their own sparing no Costs to get those that were best made but the indispensable necessity of obeying this Order of the Inquisitors oblig'd the greatest part of the Nobility to retire into the Country as not daring to appear in the City in the Conditions they were in The Avogador Laurence Donat being of the Number of them that wore Wigs did easily believe that they would not have less regard to the rank which his dignity gave him than to the necessity which obliged him to it he went to the Inquisitor and uncovering his Head shewed him the condition he was in representing at the same time that the duty of his Employ engag'd him without any respite to the service of the Republick which made him hope he might be permitted to wear his Peruke but seeing all the answers he could get were positively to the Negative of what he desired he then intimated to the Inquisitor that by Vertue of the Red Srar which he wore on his Shoulder he had power to Suspend the execution of the Decree this remonstrance being express'd with some heat procur'd him an answer that intirely stopp'd his proceeding any farther in that matter for the Inquisitor made him remember that by Vertue of his Office he could have him thrust into a Sack and sent that night to repose in the Sea Of the Council Criminal of Forty ALthough there are three Councils of Forty that is Three Chambers compos'd each of fourty Judges yet I shall only speak of the Criminal as being next to those that have cognisance of affairs of State the most considerable Tribunal in the Republick It is the ancientest of them all for the first use of it was unknown before the Creation of either the New or Old Forty This Chamber did Judge both in Civil and Criminal matters and before the Establishment of the Council of Ten Crimes of State and all others of the Nobility were brought hither Notwithstanding the Jurisdiction of this Tribunal hath suffer'd great Diminutions and the daily disputes between this Chamber and the Council of Ten which draws from hence all important affairs yet this does not hinder it from continuing in much reputation being the Forty Judges that compose the Court have entrance into the Great Council with right of debating and the three Chiefs who are the Presidents have session at the College in the two last Months of their Employs The Doge and his six Councellors of the Seignory did formerly preside in the Criminal of Forty but at present three only of these Councellors do preside here for the four last Months of their year which is to shew the affinity that there is between the College and the Council criminal of Forty who reciprocally know what passeth in these Tribunals by the means of their principal Members The Avogodors do often by their interposition send back to this Chamber the decisions of the College Senate and other Sovereign Courts which decisions are in regard of cases civil and criminal of private persons to be there re-examined whose Sentences are sometimes broke and made void The Doge Peter Gradenigo got this Tribunal to pass the La Parte that is the Decree which was the draught or Instrument of the Serrar del Consiglio that brought about the greatest change of Government that ever happened in this State The rich Nobility of the first Order would be glad to be Judges of the criminal of Forty by reason of the great prerogatives belonging to them but the strict attendance which they are oblig'd to give for Eight Months to the Service of the Publick is more than sufficient to make most of them forbear the thoughts of it Therefore these places
Crime especially to such as may hope to get themselves off through the strength of their Purses Of the Magistrates that have the Regulation of Pomp and all things of that Nature Gli Sopra Proveditori alle Pompe AS the well Regulated and establish'd egality among the Principal Members of a Republick at least in external things is one of the strongest bands of that Union which is there absolutely requisite so it is certain that Luxury being the Inevitable ruine of many Families becomes at length in course the undoubted destruction of Liberty and the Rock which all Republicks endeavour to avoid To prevent the contagious disorders of Luxury the Republick of Venice hath establish'd in imitation of them formerly at Rome the three Sopra Proveditori alle Pompe out of the first order of Senators who by very severe Ordinances have Regulated the Tables Equipages and Habits of the Noble Venetians The Nobility are forbid to serve up both Fish and Flesh at one meal but this Prohibition of Luxury in eating can only regards some few Powerful Gentlemen that have learn'd the way of living splendidly among strangers especially such as have been in France who cannot afterwards be without their French Cooks Moreover the Venetians are not permitted to Ring a Bell at the hour of Dinner Time unless in the Houses of Embassadors in the Service of the Republick The Procurators of Saint Mark only are permitted to go attended in the Streets by one or two Valets de Chambre who wear black cloaks but no Swords All the other Nobility go without either Footmen or Pages And as to the habit the great black Vest makes them all alike being they are obliged to have it of one sort of Cloath By this means a Poor Gentleman may in some Measure be satisfied by seeing the first of the Senators walk in the Streets of the City without either Equipage or Garments different from his own Notwithstanding the Orders of the Tribunal of Pomp the Rich Young Nobility know how to distinguish themselves in the City both by Neatness of their Vests which they often change and the Magnificence of the Cloaths they wear underneath but they shew it much more in the Country by the Number of Footmen in Liveries the Dogs and Equipages that the Rich Gentry have at their Country Houses the Pleasantest of them are upon the Canal of the Brente that goes to Padua One may see there a great many Stately Palaces the most part of which are according to the Architecture of Palladio some are painted en fresco on the out sides by Paul Veronese Insomuch these Palaces their Gardens and walks which join together almost the length of the Canal are the most agreable and Magnificent sights one can see The Ordinances of these Magistrates in Relation to the Superfluous dresses of the Women are more exactly observed The wearing of Precious Stones Gold and Silver are all Prohibited upon the same penalties neither are the Venetians Ladies permitted to wear Necklaces of pearl any longer than the first two years of their Marriage which is called the Noviciate by which one may distinguish the new Married People as also by their Gondaliers who wear their Liveries during the said term of two Years The most part of these Ladies have nevertheless great store of Jewels some of them being furnish'd with three or four several sets of Diamonds Amethists and Emerauds all compleat as consisting in Roses Bodkins for the hair Pendants Crosiers Rings Bracelets and Chains Yet they are not to dress themselves with these things but at the time of some Publick rejoicing and during the last days of Carnaval A Lady of great quality was not long since accus'd before these Sumptuary Magistrates of having worn Diamonds and was immediately condemn'd in a Forfeiture of two thousand Ducats which she was oblig'd to pay without any remittance notwithstanding all the Interest she could make Yet we see at present the Buttons of Diamonds that are so much worn in the Women's dresses are Tollerated by these Magistrates of the Pomp who having suffered this Age to follow the French mode to avoid other abuses have likewise had the complaisance to let them satisfie their passions of following it according to the variety of the Fashion Although these Judges are very severe by renewing their orders from time to time and maintaining a great many Spies to inform against such as act contrary to them yet it almost ever happens that the Courtisanes are the only People that pay Forfeitures for these Magistrates have a particular Jurisdiction over them It being almost Impossible considering the desire they have of adorning themselves that they can be able to forbear wearing of Gold Silver and Prohibited things whereby the Tribunal of Pomp draws very considerable Summs Such as have High and Mighty keepers but here Protectors of Authority do mightily endeavor to distinguish themselves in their dresses who escape for some small contribution especially by shutting the Mouths and Eyes of the Spies which is easily done for a Piece of Money For these secret Sparks know how to behave themselves when they are sure to be payed for their Silence Of the Magistrates over the Monasteries THE Republick does by the means of their Principal Senators enter into an intire knowledge of the General and particular affairs of the Religious both Men and Women To which purpose there are three Magistrates established who are informed of all things in Relation to the conduct and Interests of both the one and the other Insomuch that this Tribunal is of a great importance and hath a very ample Authority maintaining order and Peace in the Convents of the Religious they are also to prevent the Religious from having too great an Intimacy with the Seculars being able to order in this matter whatsoever may be thought Necessary and to remove such Inconveniencies as might become dangerous if these Magistrates did not apply their utmost endeavours to have some sort of discipline observed in the Monasteries The Religious and other Ecclesiasticks are forbid to converse with the Nuns unless they have the particular Permission of these grave Senators One may truly give various Interpretations to the Motives of this order but it is possibly by Reason of the special Interests which the Nobles have there or may be they fear least the Ecclesiasticks who are in other things much Suspected by the Republick should possess those Women with Sentiments directly opposite to what they desire or in short because the Senate really fears that disorder which in regard of their manners is already too abundant in those Monasteries might not become more encreas'd by the great Frequentation of the Religious and Ecclesiasticks whose commerce is oftentimes more dangerous in this Country than even that of the Seculars The Authority of these Magistrates does much exceed that of the Patriarch for when this Prelate hath given Permission to a Priest to say Mass in the Church of a convent of Nuns
Men of War have likewise their distinct Generals in time of War at present the Republick hath only two Galliasses at Sea whose Station is at Corfu there are likewise some Men of War for the Convoys of Merchants who attribute their frequent losses in the Levant to the want of the Necessary Number of Men of War which the Republick ought to have at Sea for the Security of their Commerce Whether the Republick hath a Naval Army for the execution of some design or that she hath only the usual forces which she maintains in times of Peace and the Squadron of the Gulf Yet she always Creates a Proveditor General of the Sea who hath the command of the Fleet. This Employ is executed by one of first Senators he hath an absolute Power over the Officers Souldiers and Seamen being enabled to put to Death any of them as likewise to dispose of all the Offices of the Fleet. The Proveditor General of the Sea commonly resides at Corfu his Employ continues two Years at the end of which he gives the Senate an account of the administration of his Office When the Republick enters into a War by Sea she does not give the command of her forces to a foreign General as is practis'd in those a-shoar but in these important junctures upon which seems to depend the intire safety of the State the Republick constitutes some Noble Venetian General by Sea who does not only command the other before mentioned General Officers but likewise all Governours of Maritime Places to whom he sends his orders according to the various circumstances of the time and War he moreover disposes and orders without controul all Offices and Revenues appointed for the support of the Army Yet the apprehensions of an Inquiry and the indispensable necesity of giving the Senate an exact report of what he had done makes the General very assiduous in finding out plausible pretences to all the miscarriages for which he is accountable at the expiration of this almost Sovereign Authority which always ceases before he returns to Venice to appear befor the College This most eminent Dignity in the State is only while the War continues The Procurator Francis Morosini was the last that executed it who defended the City of Candia in the late Wars it is thought the Republick had not a more proper Person for the execution of this considerable post and the examination which was made into his conduct for the Surrendring of that Place and the inquiries into his Administration of the Revenues which made him twice a Prisoner and both times in danger is an evident proof how difficult it is to Serve a Republick where a General is in a manner oblig'd to satisfie the the smallest Scruples of his greatest Enimies When the Republick creates a Generalissimo by Sea She sends into the Fleet a foreign General who hath the command of all the Forces that are to be Employed in their descents on shoar yet he is not to undertake any thing upon his own bottom but this General receives his orders from the Generalissimo The Marquess de St. Andrè commanded in that quality at Candia whose acceptable Services were acknowled'd by a considerable Pension from the Senate until such time as he died Of the Revenues and Expence of the Republick IT would be very Tedious to give a long account of the Revenues of the Republick and to make a particular Calculation of what each City and Province amounts to I shall content my self with observing in General how much the usual account is that by the knowledge of the Revenues of the State one may be able to Judge of the greatness of their strength I shall at the same time endeavour to shew what ways and means the Republick hath taken to oppose all the attempts of the Turks both by Sea and Land as likewise to maintain a War for five and twenty years together against so Powerful an Empire It is a difficult matter to know the exact value of these Revenues being the Republick is always Augmenting and Diminishing of them according to the Necessities of the War and occasions in Peace However according to Computation of the Rigister of Receipts before the pressing Necessities of the last War of Candia it appeared that the established Revenue did amount to no more than Fourteen Millions of Livers French Money One half of this Revenue proceeded from the Duties at Venice upon the Importation and Exportation of goods in the excise upon Provisions and all other Merchandises sold at the tenth penny Duty and duties arising from the Islands of the Lagunes as likewise upon all goods in the Limits of the Country near Venice which is called the Dutchy or Dogate The other part of this Revenue rises from the Cities and Provinces of Terra Firma in impositions upon Goods Provisions custom of Merchandise in Tithes and the Tenth Penny as likewise from what is raised in Istria Dalmatia and the three Islands of Corfu Zant and Chefalnia To this Revenue must be added the Casual Emoluments of the Palace Sale of Offices Confiscations and several other Duties that amount to considerable Summs The Salt Works at Corfu produc'd two Millions that at Chiosa one by which it appears that the Republick received above Eighteen Millions In War the Republick Augments the old impositions and establishes new ones Taxes the easy and the Ecclesiasticks from whom by the Pope's consent she draws very considerable Summs in all her Wars against the Turks They likewise obtained the Abolition of several Orders as those of the Holy Ghost and the Croisade the Sale of whose effects amounted to very considerable Summs The Republick doubles the Contributions of all the City Companies as likewise those of the Gondaliers the Six Great Confraternities of the City who are very Rich she draws besides great Summs from the Jews who were oblig'd in the late Necessities of the State to a Loan of Three Millions at three per Cent. Besides the particular Taxes of the Richer Jews which amounted also to three Millions of Livers At the opening of the entrance into the Great Council by the Creation of new Nobles the Republick hath in a manner always acquired Inexhaustible Treasures the great Number of Supernumerary Procurators of Saint Mark who Purchase their Dignities at Thirty Thousand Ducats each have been very Powerful Supplies to the Exigencies of this State insomuch that these extraordinary ways of raising Money the most important of which are here only mentioned have been these Rich Mines from which the Republick have found the means of making that Resistance which hath been the Admiration of all Europe The established expences of the Republick do not annually exceed Ten Millions of Livers which are partly employed to defray the charges of the Doge of Ambassadors the Salaries of Officers the pay of both Horse and Foot upon Terra Firma and in the Levant as likewise to defray the charges of the Navy Arcenal and Fortifications of the State As
to the other expences which the Republick is oblig'd to in cleaning the Canals of Venice and for the maintenance of such as Lie Commodious and useful to the City there are certain Summs arising from several Impositions that are to this purpose given and particularly applied to these matters Beâ—ides the Inhabitants of the Country are all oblig'd by some Light consideration to so many Days Work each man The Summs which the Republick pays for interest of money upon the Zecque or Treasury Chamber are comprehended within the Calculation of Ten Millions but since the Peace of Candia the Republick hath discharg'd her self of the great Interest she payed for Sums lent upon the Bank of Venice by Incorporating them into the Constitution at three per cent but as they only payed the half of that Interest by Reason of the great Necessities of the State during the late War so they have turn'd the Arrears into Principal for which is allowed two per cent The Republick hath moreover reduc'd to five all other Summs that were formerly at six seven and eight per cent There being a great deal due to the Officers that had served the Republick in the late Wars they thought fit to Publish a declaration importing that no Officers should be payed but those whose accounts were admitted and even they were only to receive the half of what appeared in their accounts the Republick did not only thus avoid taking notice of the damage she did to particulars by these sorts of Retrenchments that so much Augmented her Treasure by considerably diminishing her charge but they likewise order no payment that is not ballotted in the College and Senate so they are sure to be oppress'd with charges that prosecute their debts for her custom is to pay no more than a very moderate part at a time By these means the Republick in times of Peace does every year bring several Millions into the Coffers of the Treasury Which is the more easy by reason their Treasury is not only manag'd with an exact fidelity but likewise because there can be no new Employ made without having a General consent By this it appears that it will be do difficult matter for the Republick to acquit her self in a very small time of all the debts she contracted in the late War although they were esteem'd at above fourscore Millions of Livers End of the Second Part. OF THE CITY AND REPUBLICK OF VENICE The Third Part. Of the Customs and Manner of Living of the Venetian Gentlemen and Ladies as likewise of other Secular and Regular Persons with the Description of the Publick Diversions of Venice LONDON Printed for Charles Brome at the Gun at the West-End of St. Paul 's Church-Yard 1699. OF THE CITY AND Republick of VENICE The Third Part. Of the Education and Manners of the Young Nobility IF it be true That Education does not contribute less to the Improvement of Youth than the Natural Disposition to Good one ought not to wonder at the young Noble Venetians who not being restrain'd by those Considerations that usually engage Young People to the Principles of Vertue or at least that preserves them from Vice should Live so Irregularly and shew so little Moderation in their Conduct I pretend to speak now only of the Young Nobility as not designing to engage my self here to a General Description of the Customs and Inclinations of the Venetians which will be sufficiently shewn in the course of this Account The Fathers and Mothers here are so infinitely Fond of their Children that they never lay any restraint upon them for whom they have so great a Complacency as never to deny them any thing they desire They are no sooner able to go but they begin to Cloath them with the Richest things and at Five or Six Years Old they put them into the black Habit and Cloak ruffled with Gold or Silver-Laces their fondness even reaches the Shoes for they are then rais'd with very high Heels which are to make them look Taller than they really are and doubtless this may be one reason of their Walking so very ill as they do ever afterwards It is not anly this blind Affection of the Parents that first begins to corrupt the Manners of their Young People by rendring them Haughty Imperious Lascivious and violent in all their Passions but the sordid Flattery of their Domestick Servants does strangely help to increase the Ill For those Creatures think to establish their Fortunes by getting these Young Gentlemen to be their fast Protectors for which purpose they use their utmost endeavours as being well assured that there is nothing that they may not hope for at Venice when they are under the protection of one of their Powerful Houses upon which Considerations these Children are Ador'd and Regarded as the certain hope of their rising Fortune These Gentlemen being thus early accustom'd to be Treated like Princes and finding no opposition to the Career of their Desires do insensibly possess themselves with the thoughts of being Superior to all other Persons of Quality but when they begin to perceive that they are the only Mighty in the State they then elevate the Notion to that degree as to become Insupportable to all others For which Reason it is very rare for Strangers to find much Civility from those People unless it be among those that have learn'd the Rules of good Breeding in other Countries of which number such as have seen France do much distinguish themselves from the rest One may vainly imaginy that if this Young Nobility is not engag'd to the Study of good Letters by the Natural Inclination join'd to a great disposition of Learning there cannot be many expected to penetrate very far into the knowledge of the Sciences insomuch that whatever Care is taken about the Instruction of these Gentlemen either in the School or their Houses yet they are not to be prevail'd upon to exceed what they themselves think fit In the mean time the Parents do not much trouble themselves about the matter for they are contented with the hopes of seeing them Venetian Politians at last However in this numerous Nobility there are some Gentlemen that Naturally take to Study which they follow with great Success So soon as these Young Gentlemen are Sixteen or Seventeen Years Old they begin to Associate with those of a more advanc'd Age and to pursue their Pleasures with the amplest liberty As they do not want Precedenrs in the Company they keep nor for Opportunities in this Famous City of Venice so it may easily be imagined without any farther Instances what sort of a Life they lead Such as have Money commonly spend it in Pleasure for they are not contented with one Courtisan but employ it to the Support of several Their Parents are so far from opposing the Libertinism that on the contrary they usually contribute to the Excess or at best but shut their Eyes to the Extravagancy of their Conduct The Son of a
their Application from Publick Affairs in which they place their greatest Honour and most important Advantages or that they find sufficient Pleasures in those unrestrain'd Lives they lead which they esteem amply equal to the Pleasures of Matrimony is not to be determin'd by me But most certain it is that they are very willing to charge the Care of the Family upon him they judge most proper to perpetuate the Name of the House This Custom has been the occasion of that Scandal which is so ready to every Body's Tongue as believing That the method of Venice is for one Brother to Marry for the convenience of all the others I can affirm this is not said without some Reason Yet it would be of very little purpose to search out any instances of this matter For all such as know the Disposition of the Venetian Nobility will easily agree That those Persons who make the Debauchees to pass for acts of Gallantry are not to be credited in their Opinions unless their Sentiments seem sufficiently strenuous to make us submit our Faith in favour of what can at most be but barely believed A Gentleman said one Day to a Woman of Intrigue upon the account of a Gentledonna famous at Venice for her extraordinary Beauty That it must be a great satisfaction to serve a Lady of so much Merit She replied without Hesitation There was nothing to be done Perra la gha quatro cognai in case for that there were Four Brothers in Law at home with her The Nobility is permitted by the Laws of the Republick to Ally themselves to the Families of Citizens to Marry the Daughters of the Glass-makers of Murano as likewise of those who Work in Rich Silks of Gold and Silver-Tissue by reason they do enjoy as has been already observ'd the Privilege of Citizens In this manner the Repuhick gives the Decaying Families frequent opportunities of Re-establishing their Fortunes by Marrying those Women where want of Quality is recompens'd in the great Summs they bring to their Husbands Besides they do not only render the Citizens more Affectionate by these Alliances which unite them in Blood and common Interest to the Nobility but likewise in Honouring these Professions they make their Commerce Flourish and the City Famous in Foreign Countries so the Repullick does hereby continue to preserve the greatest Advantage emaining to them which is their Reputation If a Gentleman Marries any other Person the Issue is deem'd Ignoble the Order they observe is so exact and rigorous in avoiding of all Abuses of this Nature That a Noble of the First Order would not be excus'd if he does not within the time limited by the Law which is only a few Days to those Residing at Venice appear before one of the Avogadors with two Witnesses to affirm That this Gentleman has had by such a Person his Wife according to common Fame a Child call'd by such a Name After this Formality the Avogador Records it upon the Golden Book Without which however Legitimate the Child of a Noble may be having all other requisite Marks of Lawful Extraction yet it will not be esteem'd for Noble Venetian He will be debarr'd from entring into the Great Council until he is Re-invested with the necessary Qualities which is not be done without so much Difficulty Trouble and Expence that there are even at this Day several Branches of the Nobility of the First Order who are reduc'd to the Order of Citizens by their Childrens being ommitted to be inserted into the Golden Book within the Terms limited Of Religious Women AS I have engag'd my self to say something of the way of Living of all sorts of People so I must not pass by the Nuns unmention'd I acknowledge this matter to be not less Ample than Curious yet I am perswaded that all is not to be Credited which is commonly said upon this Subject neither would it be handsome for any one to Write all he knows after having attain'd a particular famialiarity with the Transactions of some Monasteries Of Four and thirty Convents of Nuns at Venice above half of them Live according to the Rules of other Places Of those Monasteries whose Rules do not oblige them to a Life so much retir'd from the World there are Seven or Eight particularly which admit only the Venetian Gentledonna's the others are fill'd with Persons of different Qualities As the Convents in which the Nuns are Gentledonna's do esteem themselves infinitely above the others so there are likewise a much greater number of brisk Ladies handsome and very agreable withal extremely delighted in the familiarity they maintain with the Town The other Monasteries not being in that Consideration which a Nobility without mixture acquires to the first nevertheless are never without having some profess'd Gentledonna's and Citadine's who are no ways inferior to the former It is a difficult matter to meet with any of the Young Religious in either of these Convents who will not as to her own particular ingeniously own That she is purely become engag'd to that Life through the Obedience she had to her Parents desire or from being plac'd there from her very Childhood insomuch that if one entertains them with the Thoughts of coming out they commonly make their Answer Magari that is very willingly if it were possible Upon telling these Religious they are under Vows which oblige to a quite different Life from that of the World many of them will say They know not what the Nature of a Vow is And ask you If their Hearts could be capable of forming such real Intentions at the time they were forc'd to shew their Compliance Some endeavours being us'd to perswade one of these Nuns That by Virtue of the Habit she wore she was engag'd to a Course of Life directly opposite to what she observ'd Very well says she I wear this Habit here because my Friends will give me no others but if I could have those that are made after the variety of the fashion I would more readily wear them than these I have on When one considers according to the true sentiments of Religion the Irregular Lives of most of these Nuns I must confefs the Disorder seems strangely deplorable but on the other Hand by regarding these Persons as Ladies of Quality who never had a Vocation to the Condition they are in and that do not prefer the Convent to the Houses of their Friends out of any other reason than for the Liberty they enjoy there as being permitted to see whomsoever they please it may be alledg'd That they are not to be so severely Censur'd as other Women in Religion that might chance to lead the same Course of Life Moreover such as establish any Commerce with them esteem them for a sort of Young Women whose Parents do rather choose to throw into these Places than to be their Guardians in the World for here they are sure to spend their Lives with much more Discretion than possibly they might in
their Expectations for the Beauties of the Carnaval doe not as they imagine consist in the Magnificence of the many Publick Shows or in the Pompous Masquerades that are oftentimes seen in several other Parts of Italy Therefore it is something difficult to say precisely from whence proceeds that esteem which is so generally conceiv'd of the Carnaval yet I am perswaded that an infinity of things concur to the rendering of it Famous particularly the Custom of assuming any sort of Disguise the great Liberty which all Masques every where enjoy the inviolable Respect that is shewn them and the great number of Diversions which are then at Venice Nothing can be more singular than to see in a manner all the City in Masquerade the Mothers carrying in their Arms their little Children in Disguise Such of both Sexes as go to the Market or to the Haberdashers for Six Penny-worth of Tape are sure to be in Masque The Place of Saint Mark is the great Theater upon which is to be seen the chief Appearance of the Carnaval for there is scarce a Masque in Venice that does not come here about an Hour before Sun-set insomuch that the great Capaciousness of the Place is barely sufficient to receive them and others that come to see them The Gentledonna's do not only Disguise themselves to partake of the Diversions in the last Days of the Carnaval but such as have Intrigues do at this time by a Thousand different ways deceive both Husband and Guards For there is hardly any or House which is not in a manner open to the Masques whereby this time of Carnaval seems to be the Season in which the Gallants get in the Harvest of their Amours for in this juncture are gather'd all the Fruits of those Intrigues that have been in suspence during the other less favourable Seasons New Correspondences are settled even with the Ladies most narrowly watch'd by taking the exactest and most probable means for the long Continuance of them The length of the Carnaval which begins after Christ-mass Holy-Days is one of the things that contribute most to render it agreeable 'T is likewise impossible to express what a Consternation there is throughout the whole City especially of such Persons that wait with impatience the various Advantages of this Season when One of the Presidents of the Council of Ten either through Capriciousness or possibly some other Motives forbids the use of Masquerade or at least restrains the appearance of them to the last Days of Carnaval only As this Order takes away the greatest part of the Pleasures of the Season so it may be said That it is very rare notwithstanding the frequent threatnings to accomplish the Execution of it especially if some Reason of State do not particularly oblige the Council to it However they are always permitted to go in Masques to the Banque's the Opera and Comedy The Carnaval is likewise the principal Season of the Courtisans They Dress themselves very Neatly in their Disguises in which they appear upon the Place of Saint Mark where they endeavour to Contract new Familiarities Yet a great part of them are Hired or retain'd for the whole time of the Carnaval seeing he cannot expect to pass for a Man of Gallantry that has not such a Companion in this time of Diversion in which it is accounted Honourable to appear with a Lady at the Opera Play-House Ball and all other Places of Diversion Of the Ridotti or Basset-Banque's WHen the Evening puts an end to the Diversions of the Place of Saint Mark those of the Ridotti begin these Places being so call'd where the Venetian Nobility keep an open Bank against all such as are desirous to try their Fortunes at Play There are several of these Banks at Venice which the Nobility frequent all the Year round but the Great Ridotti of the Carnaval is in a House near the Place of Saint Mark to which resorts a great deal of Company when the Diversions of the aforesaid Place are over They scruple at letting any enter that are not in Masquerade for that Privilege is reserv'd to the Venetian Nobility However a counterfeit Beard Nose or any other thing that causes an alteration in the Face is sufficient and such as are not desirous to Play may take it off if they please when they are in There are a great many Sconces c. in a Hall and several other Rooms of the same Floor round which are plac'd a great many Tables to each of which there is a Noble who sits on that side next the Wall to keep the Banque Before each of them there are Two Candles several Packs of Cards a Cup full of Gold-Pieces and another of Silver-Ducats In this manner they sit ready to receive all such as are willing to Play either Masques or Venetian Gentlemen The Crowd is so great that very often one can hardly pass from out of one Room into another nevertheless the Silence here observ'd is much greater than that in the Churches Strangers are much surpriz'd at this Spectacle which is infinitely more admirable for the Singularity then diverting in its Pleasures The Game play'd here is Basset only which was unknown in France until Signior Justiniani now Ambassador for that Republick very lately brought it into fashion at Paris Since which it is become so common as to need no Description here it being only used with this difference at Venice that neither the Noble who deals or the Masques that Play do ever exchange any Words with each other The Young Venetian Gentlemen commonly choose rather to Play than to keep the Banque but to see in how much Tranquillity and Gravity very Considerable Summs are lost is really so very Extraordinary that one would almost think this is a School to learn the Art of behaving one's self with Moderation in the Alternatives of Fortune rather than a Place of Diversion and Gaming A Noble Man very rarely continues to keep the Banque for a whole Carnaval so the Tables are successively undertaken by different Gentlemen who are not all equally good Gamesters for some lose and others get Considerably but those that love Play and are well acquainted with Venice do generally know which are the Nobles that have the Reputation of being the fairest Gamesters For however equal this Game seems to be yet there are several Gentlemen so very dextrous in cutting and drawing the Cards that the most intelligent and quick-sighted Player may be sometimes deceiv'd As the Person who Plays may heap what Summ he pleases without any exception by the Noble that Deals so he may leave off after he has acquir'd a considerable Summ at once or by length of Play to which the Noble has no other remedy than biting his Fingers and saying to himself La maledetta Maschara The Gentledonna's frequently Play at the Ridotti without any other Disguise than that of a Velvet-Visard whereby such as know them Unmask'd have not much trouble to do it here
old Halbards others with great Scymiters some with Pikes and others with old fashion'd Spadons which they carry naked between both their Hands When the Seignory comes down into a great Room that is even with the Galleries of the first Floor of the Palace this pleasant Militia passes in a Re-view before the Doge and the Ambassadors The variety of their Arms and Habits join'd to the Irregularity of their March occasions a Sight the most extraordinary in its nature that I ever yet beheld For some run others march gravely some make their most profound Reverences to the Seignory and others strutting by without taking notice of them All this is perform'd with the Sounding of Trumpets that run a Foot at the Head of each Company in short this whole Ceremony resembles more some Popular Emotion than any Publick Rejoicing From hence they pass to the Piazza that go's out upon the Place where they are no sooner arriv'd but he of the Butchers to whom the Honour of the Execution is design'd with one flourish of his Sword strikes off the Head of the Bull in presence of almost the whole City the Place the Palace the Procuratories and several Scaffolds erected on this occasion being all full with an infinite number of People that come hither to see the Ceremony as likewise to partake of the Diversions that attend it of which the Fire-works at two in the Afternoon seem the most singular To all these is usually added that most agreeable Spectacle to the People of seeing a Man fly down a Cord which is fastned to the Steeple of St. Mark at one end and the other to the Galley that lyes between the two Columns At this time all the City seems to be in a terrible Confusion which continues the rest of the Week every one being Jours gras permitted to wear in his own Defence excepting some Arms what sort of Weapons he pleases which is by reason of the great many Bulls that are Baited in several Places and afterwards run through the City One sees the Populace glittering with Axes Sabres naked Swords great Forks and Iron-headed Clubs insomuch that one can hardly believe but that all the City of which the Shops are shut must be in some dreadful Sedition so all such as are any ways apprehensive of Enemies are sure to be upon their Guards these last tumultuous Days of the Carnaval Of the Fresque THE Diversion of the Fresque is not only the first of all those which the pleasant Weather brings in but it is likewise the most agreeable to the Ladies and Gentlemen as it is also the most singular and the most surprizing thing that a Stranger can see at Venice for so they call the Cours and the Evening-Diversions upon the Waters It is certain one cannot give it a more proper Name than that of the Fresque for in the greatest heats of Summer one is sure to be free from those sultry Heats and clouds of Dust that are so troublesom in other Places on the contrary you are during those Heats here sensible of a charming Coolness for it would be even impossible to take this Diversion in any other Seasons than that of the Spring and Summer They regularly begin the Fresque upon the second Holy-day of Easter which continues unto Saint Jerom's Day being one of the last in September But as the Ladies do not dress themselves every Day by reason most of them live very retir'd so it comes to pass that the Fresque is only us'd upon Sundays and Holy-days and some particular solemn Days of Churches which the Gentledonna's frequent or upon the occasion of any Publick Rejoycings to which the Ladies are Invited For during the good Season all these Diversions are ended with the Fresque which is taken towards the end of the Great Canal over against the Church of Saint Jerom being this Place is less frequented with Barques and other Vessels Besides such as are desirous to see this agreeable Diversion may conveniently see it upon one of the two Keys which are at this Place of an indifferent length upon each side of the Great Canal They begin to appear at the Fresque about the three and twentieth hour that is a good half hour before Sun-set The Company comes by degrees and the Gondoliers shew not their vigour in the beginning but make an easy way by turning backwards and forwards in the length of eight hundred Paces but these Men by insensibly putting on or the emulation that always reigns amongst them animates them to excite each the other it so happens at length they pass with so much force and swiftness that it is hardly to be credited and the Sweat that comes through their Sattin-Doublets which they who are in Liveries do generally wear shew plainly they are not less wet than if they had been dipt in the Canal It is not long since this Diversion of the Fresque was introduc'd or at least brought to what it is at present For the Gentleman that first establish'd it do's yet enjoy the satisfaction of his Invention who for having been the Author of this agreeable and singular Diversion do's certainly deserve to have his Statue erected in the middle of the Great Canal Such as are not accustomed to the Gondalos do not at first relish the Pleasures of this Recreation for when they see this part of the Great Canal covered with three or four hundred Gondolos that continually pass by each other with an inconceivable dexterity and swiftness their Heads run round and they imagine they are just upon the point of being crush't in pieces and inevitably lost In reality the Sight of a great many Gondolos that are working one way and just ready to run upon others that steer an opposite course both of them making such good use of their Oars that the Water is all in a froth from the swifness of their motions is enough to make one imagine that either the one or the other must be broke into a thousand Pieces Yet by the Agility and Experience of these Gondoliers upon which the most timerous repose themselves without fear of Danger these thin and nimble Boats do pass like Lightning without hurting each other The worst of it is one is sometimes a little wet for the Water being so violently agitated and press'd between two Gondolos holding a different Course do's frequently fly over so unexpectedly that it is almost impossible in those occasions to avoid the small inconveniency of it As the Salt-Water is apt to spot any coloured Silks so the Ladies provide against those Accidents by turning up their uppermost Petticoat They are generally alone and attended only by one or two Waiting-Women at most But those that are particular Friends do oftentimes take this Diversion together and leave their Women behind them When there are four of 'em they place themselves at the Corners of the Gondolo regarding each other like speechless Statues for their principal Employ is to observe the
the Nobles that present themselves to the Ladies are not to take the Refusal amiss for which reason they do not Address themselves to a Lady unless she be without her Glove which is an assured Sign that the Lady will not decline the Offer since according to the Custom of Venice it would be a high piece of ill Breeding for a Lady to give a Gentleman her Hand with the Glove on The Pleasures of these Balls are only to the Venetian Nobility for Strangers and the Nobles in Masques are not admitted to the liberty of Dancing However both the one and the other endeavour to Entertain the Ladies they like at least they have the satisfaction of taking a full View of them and if they are in Intrigue with them they endeavour to make use of the favourable Juncture which is very rare by reason they are too narrowly observ'd in these Places Yet during the last hour of the Ball the Masques are usually permitted to Dance It is then that our Secret Lovers make the best of the Opportunity and that they may Entertain their Mistersses with more freedom and less suspicion they frequently find the means of expeditiously changing their Habits As there are very few Husbands who are not inquisitive to know with whom their Wives have Danc'd so there are likewise but few of the Ladies that are not able to answer the Impertinencies of such frivolous Questions However no Body but the Brothers and the nearest of Kin to the Gentledonnas do assume the liberty of talking familiarly with them who sit fix'd in their Chairs like so many Statues all the Gentlemen standing at some little distance from them while the Masques and the Strangers go through the Rows considering with much ease the Beauties of the Ladies as they slowly pass by them In the mean time they are continually ply'd with cover'd Crystal-Cups of Sherbet and all sorts of ic'd Waters The Venetian Gentry and the Strangers have their Shares of these Liquors but for the Entertainment of the others there is a separate Chamber In this manner these Marriage-Feasts continue for the space of two Days that is from two in the Afternoon until the Hour of the Fresque in the Evening and in Winter they Dance by Candle-Light until it is Supper-time Of the Regate or Rowing-Matches of the Gondolo ' s. WHEN the Republick thinks fit to Entertain a Prince or any Foreigner of Quality with a Publick Sight it is usually with the Diversion of the Regate that is a Tryal of Skill is appointed between several sorts of Boats These are the beloved Holy-days and the Darling-Diversion of Venice for the Use of the Oar is so much the Genius of the People that every one in a manner applies himself to it as likewise the greatest part of the young Nobility not only through the design of shewing their great Strength and Address but that they may upon certain Occasions be able to dispense with the Service of their Gondoliers especially in those Transactions that are perform'd best without Witnesses When a considerable Regate is design'd there is order'd a certain number of middle and lesser siz'd Gondolo's with as many Fisolero's which are so very small and light that they may be easily carried upon a Man's Shoulders These Matches are commonly for three of each sort of these Boats one with four Oars the other of two and the the third but one The diversity renders the Shew very pleasant which is yet more for the greater number of Matches They who strive for the Regate or Prize of the Gondolo's endeavour to chuse them that are the lightest and best Built from whence they take all the Furniture even so much as the two Irons at the ends They Scrape and Tallow her and sometimes use Soap to render her way thro' the Water more easy Yet least these disfurnish'd Boats might chance to open through the great stress of the Action they fasten a Rope very strongly from the Head to her Stern nailing cross her several light Triangular Plates which mightily preserves her from the Violence of the Agitation They that have the Management of the other sort of Boats do use the like necessary Precautions as likewise to prepare themselves for it with Exercising their Bodies and trying their Boats Nothing can be finer than the Great Canal upon which they Row these Matches The Balconies and Windows of all the Houses and Palaces are Adorn'd with rich Carpets and Cushions and fill'd with mighty numbers of People The Roofs of the Houses the Bridge of Rialto and a prodigious number of Gondolos and Barques on both sides are cover'd with People In this manner appear'd that Regate which Cardinal Delfino made not long since for the Cardinal Chigi notwithstanding he was then at Venice Incognito To render this Diversion the finer several of the Young Nobility set out certain Peotes These are long Barques that have a Deck of Planks upon which are spread Carpets of Damask or Turkey-Work that reach even down to the Water Ten Gondoliers all clad in the same Livery have the working of these Vessels which they ever do standing upright and the two or three Nobles that are at the Expence of the Boat lye in Masques upon the Cushions that are at the Head attended by several Trumpets in the Stern The great Number and the variety of the Peotes are the principal Ornaments of these Sights which are always made in fair Weather The Boats that are to Row for the Prizes do meet at that end of the City nearest the Lido where those that are Equipp'd for the same Match lye rang'd in a Line from whence they give way upon the Signal that is made them by the Trumpets It would be no great Diversion to see the Boats that contend for the Prizes pass alone with much swiftness but the Peotes which in a manner fly through the Water do preceed the rest to obviate all Embarassments that would be otherwise continually happening The great number of Four-Oar Gondolos the multitudes of Boats following them the perpetual Acclamations of the People to animate the Contenders in Emulation of each other and to shew their utmost Strength and Address All these added together do certainly make one of the most extraordinary Sights that can possibly be seen The length of this Course is from the place before-mention'd to the end of the Great Canal where in the midst of the Water there is a great Pile Erected round which they are oblig'd to pass returning with all imaginable Expedition to the Palace for here the Prizes are distributed to them who first leap into a Boat that is adorn'd and assign'd for this purpose Three Prizes are allow'd to each Regate the first and second are in Money or Plate but the third is a Pig of two or three Months old from whence comes the Revilings of the Gondoliers Terzo di Regate When the first Match is over the Peotes return to the Starting-Place to set off another