Westward allso by other parts of the Alps where the river Liquentia separats her from the Mark of Treviso and Southward runns the Adriatic Sea She is a region that hath plesant fields well waterd with rivers and fountains ther are great store of vineyards woods mineralls and quarries of stone The noble river Hydra runns there nere which ther is quicksylver diggd up the Inhabitants are ingenious enough for all humane Arts and marchandizing Friuli is commonly among the Venetians calld La Patria whence som inferr that they had their Originall thence Istria hath for her Bounds Westward the river Timavas Northward the Alps which separat Hungarie and Carniola from Italie Eastward She hath the river Arsias the rest is compassd with the Adriatic Sea She is a rough uneven Countrey yet She may be sayed to swell with hillocks rather than high hills but She hath one which surpasseth all the rest calld Montemajor She hath woods fitt for Shipps and all other uses She hath allso good store of stone quarreis whence ther is much marble diggd out for the service of Venice her Mistresse and other places of Italie The Inhabitants are poorer than in other Countreys yet they have divers Citties Townes and Villages The Countrey of Brescia is of large extent neer upon one hundred miles and fifty miles broad In this tract of Land there rise up mountaines hillocks plaines and valleys inlayed with Townes Villages and plesant Houses very thick in most places So that ther is little of the earth left idle In this territorie ther are so many Castles Townes and Villages that they can hardly be found thicker any where The Soyle abounds with wheat millet and other grains ther is plenty of wine and oile with other fruits Moreover ther is great quantity of iron and copper diggd up and down in the mines wherof the Inhabitants make very great benefitt The Countrey of Bergamo is fertile enough except towards the North where it is mountanous rough and barren Yet ther are valleys in great nombers wherof som produce wine and oile very plesant but som of them are steril and good for nothing only som iron mines are found here and there In Bergamo is spoken one of the coorsest dialects of all the Italian toung Verona and her Territories are next She is seated on a very plesant and comodious river the Athesis She is cape Cittie of the second rank through all Italie Som hold her name to be originally Brenona of Brennus the Britain who was General of an Army of Gaules for his extraordinary valour In this name of Verona is comprehended the three most renowned Citties of Italie viz. Ve-Venice Ro-Rome and Na-Naples her territories are 65. miles in length and 40. in bredth This Cittie hath yet the ruines of one of the fairest Amphitheaters that ever was and Catullus the Poet makes her somwhat more famous because he was born in her The Countrey circumjacent abounds with wheat wine oiles sheep and very good fleeces with abundance of the choicest and most delicat fruits it hath excellent quarreis of stone with rivers lakes and pools and rare fountains sources of fresh waters with most choice medicinal Simples upon the mountain Baldus where all Physicians resort Crema bordering upon Milan with her territory hath an excellent soyl fruitfull and well cultivated and extraordinarily well wooded She hath very generous wines and exquisit sorts of fruit many brooks of cleer water which are well stord with fish and abundance of Lampreys They have one kind of fish whom the Inhabitants call Marsoni whose head is neer twice as bigg as the body but of a most savoury tast Crema was a long time under the Vicountship of Milan untill the yeer 1405. at which time together with Brixia it came under the Dominion of the Signorie by conditions of peace twixt Francis Sforza them since when She is mightily improvd in wealth and civilitie Iohannes Cremensis was a Natif of this he was employd Anno 1125. by Pope Honorius the second in quality of Legat to England to disswade the Clergie from mariage wherupon a Convocation was calld wherin the Legat made a very eloquent Speech in comendation of Celibat and how advantagious it was for Churchmen to live single and sequestred from the cares of the world and encombrances of humane affaires Padua a most reverend learned old Citie in Latin calld Patavium Antenor the Trojan is recorded to be her Founder whose Tomb is there still extant She was erected an Academy Anno 1222. Her fame spreads all the earth over for a Seminary of the best Physicians having a Garden of Simples accordingly She is famous for the birth of Livie the great Roman Annalist whose picture is to be seen fresh to this day and of late yeers for Zabarell and Maginus In former times She was much cryed up for the mansuetude of the men and the pudicity of her women so that the Patavian chastity grew to be a proverb wherunto alludes the Roman Epigrammatist speaking of her in his wanton Poems Tu quoque nequitias nostri lusúsque libelli Uda puella leges sis Patavina licet Padâ—…a was in times passd girt about with a treble wall but a double contents her now which hath very deep Ditches round about for the River Brent with infinit expence and labour was brought to this Cittie which hath much advantaged her both for strength and navigation She is situated in a most delightfull and uberous plain enjoying a sweet temperat clime with a singular good soyle by reason of the neighbourhood of the Euganean mountains which are Westward of Her The Inhabitants have high witts and apt for pike or pen The circumference of the Cittie is twofold inward and outward the first hath but three miles compas the second neer upon seven miles about the Cittie the walks may be calld a perpetuall kind of gallerie Her Temples and dwelling Houses both public and privat are more magnificent than elswhere She hath six stately Gates five large Markett places She hath within the Walls 22. great Churches 23. Monasteries and 29. Religious Houses for Nunnes She hath the most renowned Hall for public Justice of any Town in Italie coverd all with lead and yet propd upon no pillars the Councell Court hath Gates and Columns of Marble She hath 28. Bridges archd over the Brent which runns through her She hath very spacious Piazzas She hath 6. Hospitalls three for the poor and three for Pilgrims She hath a place calld the Monte de pietá which was set up of purpose to root out the lucre and exorbitant feneration of the Jewes who were usd to demand twenty in the hundred for brocage She hath two Hospitalls besides for Orphans and other poor Children Ther are 38000. Crownes depositated in the hands of severall persons of quality where the poorer sort may make their addresse with their pawns and if it be under thirty shillings they pay no use for the money if it be
their charge is that the Sea be kept secure for Marchants and Navigators that they suppresse Pyrats and scowre the Gulph of Corsaries Ther is another Officer or Admirall calld Classis Legatus and he hath comand ore the whole Fleet and over the Prefects or Captains of evry Gallie Ther is seldom any Generall of a Fleet but in time of warr and then he hath absolut comand ore the whole Fleet and a kind of Dictatorian power in all the maritime Provinces yet hath he no implicit Commission but before he attempt any thing considerable he must receave directions and commands from the Senat. Of other Extern Magistrats which use to be created upon extraordinary occasions THese are calld Syndiques who are created evry five yeers and use to be employd abroad both in the Continent and maritime Provinces which are subject to the Republic They take knowledg and make Scrutinies into the cariage and actions of all Pretors or Podesta's and other Magistrats who are employed abroad upon the Service of the Signorie If they find any to have exceeded their Commissions and perpetrated any thing against the Lawes they give information accordingly which is unquestionable and taken for certain truth Ther is an Officer who in time of exigence is appointed Proveditor generall of Candy and he is chosen by the suffrages of the Senat He during the time comands the whole Iland in a supreme way of authority and hath a kind of Dictatorian power for the time If he comes to any Town or Castle they presently bring him the Keys He administers the Law himself if he please and disposeth of all public levies of moneys he superintends all kind of Magistrats and Officers both by Land and Sea and is subject to no controulment but what comes from the Senat. Ther is another great Officer calld Proveditor Generall of the Continent and he allso useth to be created upon extraordinary ocasions He comands all the firm Land in the highest way of authority He hath a transcendent power over all Prefects or Captains and all other Magistrats and Officers that are under the Empire of the Republic yet ther is nothing of moment can occurr or be putt in execution but he must receave directions and comand from the Senat. Ther are other Officers calld the Proconsulls of Syria and Egypt who are created by the suffrage of the Senat and they are trienniall Magistrats They have their residence either in Aleppo in Syria or in the Gran Cayro in Egypt where they live in a decent and splendid equipage All differences twixt any Marchants that acknowledg obedience to the Signorie of Venice are brought before them and they have power to determine the controversie These Proconsulls do allso good offices to all other Christians whether Italians or any other Nation that resort thither either for curiosity or comerce and they are respected as if they were in qualitie of Ambassadors or Soverain Agents The Republic of Venice employeth divers Ambassadors abroad and no State more and they are either Ordinary or Extraordinary The Commission of the Ordinary Ambassadors continueth for three yeers These are employed to the Pope the Emperour the Kings of France Spain and England to the Duke of Savoy the States of Holland and they have commonly allwayes one residing in all these Courts in a magnificent maner They have allso an Ambassador in Constantinople attending the motions of the great Turk calld the Bailio residing there perpetually and the Republic allowes him a greater Salarie than to any other nor indeed hath he any sett Salarie but whatsoever he spends is allowd him upon his own accounts without examination all these are elected by the suffrage of the Senat. The Republic employs allso abroad Ambassadors Extraordinary very often who have a greater latitud of power and are soly for matter of State or som particular negotiation The ordinary scope of their Legations is either to congratulate or condole with Soverain Princes when occasion is offerd All these Ambassadors have Secretaries whom the Senat takes notice of and the Republic allowes them a Salarie and they are persons of good extraction and breeding this is don because they may afterwards be in a capacity for their knowledg and experience to be Ministers of State themselfs But touching Ambassadors Extraordinary ther are never any employd unlesse they have bin Ambassadors formerly And touching this kind of employment the Republic hath certain degrees or Scalary ascents and rules of removall which are never transgressd These kind of political and public Ministers are strictly examind by a Junta expressly for the same end at their return touching their comportment in the Legation They are to discover what Presents they receavd from the Prince or State to whom they were sent and it is of dangerous consequence for them to conceale any thing These are the Magistrats and Officers wheron the Republic of Venice hath stood firm as upon so many pillars so many centuries Now ther are few or none who are greater Patriotts than the Venetian Gentlemen their prime study is the public good and glory of their Countrey and civil prudence is their principall trade wherunto they arrive in a high mesure Yet as it may be easily observd though these Gentlemen are extraordinary wise when they are conjunct take them single they are but as other Men. Of the Dominions and Territories that belong to Venice wherof She hath absolut and Soverain Command THis Mayden Cittie hath large fardingalls and long sleeves which reach farr by Land and they stretch by Sea farther than many Kingdoms Upon the Continent of Italie She doth Signorize over three entire Provinces The Mark of Treviso as they calld it Friuli and Istria She hath allso a good part of Lombardie viz. the Territories of Brescia of Bergamo and Verona then She hath Crema Eastward She confines partly upon the Arch-Dukes of Austria partly upon the Adriatic Sea Northward She confines allso upon the Austrian territories upon Trent and Swisserland Westward She hath the Duchy of Milan for her neighbour the same Duchy is her contiguous neighbour Southward allso together with the Duchy of Mantoua and the Ecclesiastic Dominions The Mark of Treviso is a very plentifull and generous Countrey full of opulent Townes and splendid Citties the Natives are esteemed very dextrous and apt to make Statesmen of being a peeple much given to contemplation and gaining of knowledg they are allso active when necessity requires in the management of armes the Country abounds with corn wine and all sorts of fruit and they have many pleasant spacious fields ther are hott and wholsom fountaines there divers sorts of mineralls many noble rivers and lakes the air is temperat healthy and delightfull in fine She is endowed by benign Nature with so many gifts that She may well take place among the Noblest Regions of Italie The Countrey of Friuli in old times forum Iulii is terminated Eastward by the River Formio Northward by the Julian Alps and
that rule the other Preconsultors sit But the young men of the third degree use to sit lower Their office is that evry Sunday and Festivall day they meet in the Ducall Palace to hear privat complaints at such an hower and to releeve them presently or else to referr them to Delegats or make a report to the Senat according to the merit of the cause They hear all Letters read by the Secretary of State that were sent to the Senat. They are allso to hear forren Ambassadors and Agents It is to be observd that these Preconsultors continue in authority but 6. months Forren Agents affaires and privat complaints being heard they retire to another room to consult of public busines observing this Order Ther is a President chosen evry week who proposeth to the rest what is to be agitated and he asketh their opinion severally The eldest delivers his opinion and so evry one according to seniority but the young are silent unlesse it be about som naval busines The last of all having collected the opinion of the rest delivers his suffrage The matter being thus canvasd and discussd pro con with much deliberation they make an addresse to the Prince and Councellors who joyn again in the debate That opinion to which the Prince and the Councellors shall adhere unto is couchd in writing Then the whole Senat convenes before whom that which was debated by the Preconsultors is first handled with their opinions and if more then one half of the Senat give their suffrage therunto passeth for a Decree Of the public Scribes and of the great Chancelor IN evry Colledg of Senators ther be public Scribes which are of the Senats Councell and are held to be of the best rank of men and of highest integrity they are elected by the public suffrage of the Decemvirs and sitt allwayes in the Councell their duty is To be ever present at the consultations of the Colledg and Senat in passing all Decrees The registring of all transactions and the engrossing of all instruments whether for public or privat respect is committed to their care and trust to which purpose they have large Salaries allowd them Some of these are Ministers only to the Decemvirs to register all their Acts being privy to all things that are transacted in that Colledg in which honor they remain during life Of these one is chosen by the solemn suffrage of the great Councell who is chiefest of all and is calld by the title of il Gran Cancellier which Officer is held in singular esteem and honor He is dignified with the Order of Knighthood evry Patrician and Senator gives him the place except the Proctors of Saint Mark no secrecy of State must he conceald from him He hath a great revenu out of the public stock And at his Exequies ther is allwayes a funerall Oration which honor is don to no other but to the Prince Of the Great Councell THe great Councell consists of an universall meeting of all the Cittizens and the whole Republic may be sayed to depend upon it but it is composd of such Cittizens that are of the Patrician Order only wherof som being passd twenty yeers of age are admitted to sit in Councell by extraordinary favor provided that the Advocat Magistrat give testimony that they are descended of a Noble or Patrician familie Besides ther must attestation be made that they are legitimat and no bastards thre must be proof allso made by oth that they are passd twenty yeers of age but they are chosen by lotts and though peradventure fortune favour them not then yet after they are passd 25. they are capable by birth of this public honor and to sitt in Councell with the provisos pointed at before The office of the Great Councell is to ordain and ratifie all Lawes and Constitutions appertaining to the Republic they allso make choice of all Magistrats as well in Townes as Countreys and of any other Officer to whom any public trust or civill incumbency is comitted Of Officers or Magistrats in generall ALL Magistrats are either Urban or Forren viz. of Town or Countrey to them of the Townes belongs the cognizance of all causes as well criminall as civill to them belongs the administration and erogation of all public sommes that arise into the Tresury either out of public tolls and imposts or other extraordinary taxes and leavies of moneys To them it belongs to consult what may be added to the wellfare honor or bewtie of the Cittie Forren Magistrats as they call them are those that obey and put in execution all the Decrees of the Senat in the Countreys up and down as allso all comands by Sea in Fleets and Armies All these Magistrats are but temporary and have a time limited them the Urbane or Citty Magistrats some of them continue in office 6. months others 8. months others are annuall But the Forren or Countrey Officers are commonly twice so long in an office but the Maritime Officers som are bienniall som trienniall and som quinquenniall of 5. yeers continuance Of Iudges AMong the Urbane or Cittie Magistrats the Judges are rankd and they have the cognizance of all capitall or civill causes and they are calld either Iudges of the first Instance or Iudges of appeal The Judges primae instantiae are divided into many Tribunalls On the first Tribunall sit the Iudices proprietatum Judges of Proprieties who determin all sutes touching Lands or Houses within the precincts of the Cittie to them allso belongs all Widdowes cases On the second Tribunall sitt the Iudices procuratorum These if any controversy arise touching Lands on the Continent or Minors and Pupills right have power to determin it On the third Tribunall sitt the Iudices Mercatorum the Judges or Consulls of Marchants who determin all controversies belonging to trafic and marchandizing who must be formerly well versd in the practicall part and mystery of comerce On the fourth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Advenarum the Judges of Strangers before whom all matters and differences touching forreners are brought and decided On the fifth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Petitionum Judges of Petitions who determin all controversies touching privat bargains stipulations and contracts On the sixth Tribunall sitt Iudices Mobilium the Judges of Moveables before whom causes of lesser importance are pleaded On the seventh Tribunall sitt the Judges whom in the vulgar language they call Cattaveri which is a much as to say Inquisition of truth These if any thing be found hid or lost and if any controversy arise about it have power to determin it On the eighth Tribunall sitt Iudices publici commonly calld Piovegi who if any man raise a building that may impede the common passage or the channells of the Cittie are to prevent it and punish the Offendor On the ninth Tribunall sitt certain Judges calld Sopragastaldi These sell the goods of condemnd persons under a Speare and decide all matters belonging to the Lombards as pawnings and
lendings On the tenth Tribunall sit Iudices Examinatores the Judges Examiners who determin all causes touching depositions and oaths On the eleventh Tribunall sitt Iudices praefectorum noctis the Provosts of the night that heare all brabbles or misdemenures committed in the night and punish them To them allso it belongs to adjudg all controversies twixt men and mayd servants c. The highest Councell for criminall causes except the Decemvirat is a Councell calld the Councell of forty for so many meet there upon life and death and they are very choice men In the Cittie of Venice ther are allso Officers who are Supervisers of all Manufactures and other things of moment The first are Signori di panni d'oro the Superintendents of cloth of gold these do warily looke that no fraud be usd in any cloths of tissue or other cloths of gold sylver or silk and severely punish the transgressors herin Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori della Zeccha their charge is to look to all sorts of bullions and coines that they be not embasd and adulterated and that the par of the Standard be kept even Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla farina who are to look to all sorts of grain that they be well conditiond they are allso to looke to the corn that is stord up in the public Magazins that if any grow musty they are to putt good into the place Ther be other Officers calld Signori al Sale and this is a great office for all the Salt which is brought into the Cittie out of Salt pitts round about is to be brought to them who store it up in Magazins and no privat man can sell Salt unlesse he buyes it of these Magistrats who are strictly accountable to the Senat these Salt Officers have power to decide all controversies that may arise touching this commodity Ther be other Officers calld Signori delle biaui whose care is that the Cittie be allwayes provided with a sufficient proportion of wheat and other grain Ther is no Cittie that is more carefull of her health than Venice therfore ther be Officers and they are qualified persons whose charge is to have a speciall care that the Plague creep not into the Cittie and if any infection com they are to suppresse it with their utmost endeavours they are to see that the Pesthouse be at least three miles distant from the Cittie if any hath conversd with an infected body he must for 40. dayes to the Pesthouse before he can return to his own dwelling Ther is no Shipp whatsoever that comes thither from another Countrey can have pratique or be permitted to com ashoare and sell his mar chandise unlesse he produce a Certificat that he comes from a place not infected otherwise he is to stay aboard 40. dayes Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori di comun and they are three they supervise the minor fraternities among others they looke to Printers and Stationers and sett prizes upon all new Books They have the Superintendency of Bridges Wells Conduits Wayes Cawses and such public things which they must see repaird They are allso to see that Shipps be not over laden and they have power to punish such who transgresse herin Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori all' Arsenale Provisors of the Arsenal they have care to furnish that huge Magazin of strength one of the greatest on Earth as shall be declard herafter with all things that shall be necessary as Carpenters Smiths and all other Opificers but to have speciall care that they be choice able Artists and of the most ingenuous sort unto whom they pay their wages evry eighth day Ther be other Officers of great trust calld Signori all' acque these are to have speciall care that no man whatsoever do any thing that may impaire the Banks Dikes and Stronds about the Cittie that no Carrion be thrown into the Channells running through the Streets of the Cittie that no place be choakd up with Sands to stopp Navigation These Officers have power to punish severely all such that transgresse in this kind and they may be sayed to be Conservators of the Walls of the Cittie which are the Waters These Officers are allso to appoint the Stations where Shipps shall ride at anchor and lastly that the Channels be clensed once a yeer Ther are other Officers calld Signori sopra il ben vivere which are no other than Censors but because that word is too rigid for such a free Cittie they modifie it by another title These are to take care that the Lawes and Customes of the Cittie be observd and if any one offend they have power to punish by pecuniary fines they take cognisance of the wages of Servants and punish such that have embezeld any things from their Masters Ther are other Officers calld Syndicks who supervise the acts of public Notaries that serve the Cittie and the Magistrats therof taking care that they exact no unlawfull reward and they have power so sett rates upon all commodities Ther be other Officers calld Sopra Consoli they take cognisance of Marchants and Creditors affairs and compose differences between them they preserve the Debter from Prison and allow him two months time to pay his Creditor and in the interim he hath liberty to go abroad to negotiat and compound with his Creditors but if the Creditors be so refractory and perverse that they will not hearken to any composition they may by authority compell them therunto These Officers have power to sell the goods of Bankrupts and Fugitives under the Spear as they call it They have power allso to keep moneys depositated Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla mercantia these have power to appoint wages for Mechaniques and to end all controversies twixt Man and Master they supervise the prises of all marchandises and moderat them they take care that no Mechanic use any fraud in his work and if it be found they punish him severely Ther are other Officers calld Signori della grassa they supervise all Sellers of Cheese Butter Oil Salt flesh as Bacon and Lard and sett moderat prizes upon them which if not obeyd they have power to punish by pecuniary amercement Ther be other Officers calld Ragion vecchia their charge is to register in Books the expences made upon the coming of any Prince or Ambassador into the Cittie by decree of the Senat and to take care that while a forren Prince be in the Cittie he be honorably entreated and not overreachd in the prizes of things Ther be other Officers calld Giustitia vecchia their charge is to supervise all weights and mesures and that whatsoever is sold or bought be according to the Standard they have power to impose rates upon all sorts of fruits and roots and punish such that obey them not they preside allso over Shoppkeepers and Mechaniques that none take down an old sign and set up a new without their leave If any hire a
Boy or Servant he must make his addresse to these Officers and acquaint them with the conditions otherwise ther is no bargain in that kind of any validity nor is either party bound to stand to it Ther be other Officers calld Giustitia nuova these Officers supervise Taverns taphouses of all sorts with all victualing houses and hostries they overlook that they pay all duties they take care that no musty or ill conditiond wine be sold they have power to punish and decide controversies Ther be other Officers calld Signori sopra le pompe and they are a triumvirat they supervise that no extraordinary exces or luxury be usd in food in apparrell or housholdstuffe and in other things which appertain to food and rayment they have power to restrain all immoderat expences lest the wealth of the Cittizens be exhausted by too much profusenes and riot having authority to punish the Transgressors of their Orders by pecuniary mulcts and to determin themselfs all controversies in that kind and these Officers are of high respect and authority Of the Procurators of Saint Mark. THese high Officers and they are the highest of all next the Prince enjoy perpetually during life the privileges and dignity of Senators and have right of suffrage in evry Councel Their authority is coetaneous with the Duke himself and expires not till death the office of the Great Chancelor hath the like prerogative And those Cittizens soly are delegated to this Magistracy who having passd all other offices of honor are reputed to be men of most eminent and singular probity and ability so that they becom the principall pillars of the Republic ever after All degrees of peeple do shew them a speciall reverence and whersoever they chance to com they have priority of place given them They have the tutele of Pupills and Orphans when ther is no Gardian nominated in the Will of the Testator They are divided into three classes which they term Procuratorias and in evry one ther are three which preside The Procurators of the first classis are the chiefest and of most ample authority and trust They supervise the Temple of Saint Mark and together with the Duke they have the goverment therof They have the administration of all the revenues that appertain to that Church which are very great and once evry month they assemble after their solemn devotions to receave the rents therof and they are carefull to provide all things that are necessary to continue the splendor of that Sanctuary and keep it in repaire The Procurators of the second classis who obtain their name from the first allthough they be not civill incumbents of the Church are Administrators of the old procuracie as they call it and to their charge is committed the care of all the Pupills on this side the Rialto which is about half the Cittie The Procurators of the third classis are allso calld by the same title Procurators of Saint Mark these preside in the new procuracie as they term it and to their office belongs to have care of all the Pupills the other side of the Rialto Evry one of these three classes have in his charge to provide for the poor and indigent and having mighty proportions of money with other wealth comitted unto their trust they rayse great sommes to that use as allso for the relief and enlargement of Prisoners and for the redemption of Captives wherof ther are multitudes that live in miserable servitud among the Turks Of Extern Officers and Magistrats which are employd abroad out of the Cittie of Venice IN the greatest Citties which are under the Dominion of the Republic ther are commonly sower Magistrats a Pretor or Podestá a Prefect a Questor and the Governor of the Castle wherof in som places ther are two or three In the lesser Townes ther is commonly but one Magistrat who is the Pretor or Podestá The Pretor administers the Law to all the Inhabitants of the place wherof he is Magistrat and determines all sutes and punisheth Delinquents He hath the most knowing Civil Lawyers for his Assessors provided they be not born in the place but som where els under the Signorie to avoyd partiality towards Kinred The Prefect or Captain hath the care of the Militia and governs the Soldiery that are within that Precinct he decides all sutes between them and punisheth Offendors He hath the care of the Castle or Forts of the Walls and Ramparts together with the Gates of the Cittie and of all the Tributs Gabells and Demeanes which belong to the Republic both in Town and the circumjacent Countrey but ther is an appeal permitted from Pretor and Prefect to the Senat in som cases according to clauses of reservation The Questor is but one or two at most these have the administration of public receits and erogations of money who have power to exact it and employ it and they keep the Books of public accounts yet they seldom do any thing without the command of the Prefect and somtimes without the concurrence and order of Pretor and Prefect they cannot expend any somme In the Ilands they have the title of Councellors and they are assistant to the Prefect in matters of Law but they have no suffrage at all The Governors of Castles are somtimes one somtimes many these have the authority over the Soldiers and care of the Armes and Ammunition and all things conducing therunto yet ther is none chosen to be Governor of any Castle but is subject to the Prefect or Podestá having no jurisdiction of himself But in the lesser Towns the Pretor executs the office both of Prefect and Questor and administers the Law to the Inhabitants He chastiseth Offendors and hath the management of the public receits but matters are appealable from him to the Senat and most commonly to the Councell of forty Of Extern Magistrats in Fleets and Armies THese Magistrats are of two kinds the Generall in warr upon the Continent is commonly som forren Prince He is not chosen either of the Senatorian or Patrician order he hath an ample Salarie viz. ten Captaines pay and 4000. crownes a yeer ther goes along with him two Legats or Proveditors who are Gentlemen of Venice and of the Senatorian order and without the concurrence of their advice he neither acts nor decrees any thing nor can he attempt any thing himselfe without their intervention These Proveditors are perpetually Assistants to the Generall they pay the Soldiers Salaries and their main care is that nothing be don rashly to the detriment or dishonor of the Republic In Sea service every Gallie hath a Prefect or Captain who comands both men and Vessell he may inflict punishments but he hath no power of life and death he hath absolut comand ore the Mariners and Rowers and of all things within the Gallie Ther are allso Officers calld Presidents of Gallies and they comand fower or five Gallies In time of peace ther are commonly fower of them
above they pay five in the hundred for maintaining certain Officers and releeving of the poor The Bishoprick of Padua is rankd among the best of Italie The Cittizens are great Artists now as in former times and make much marchandize of Wool But to give a short description of Padua and her territories this of Leander is the best Southward of her runns the river Athesis Northward the Peuso a little river Eastward the Venetian lakes and Westward the Enganean hills and the Countrey of Vicenza all this circuit about 180. miles wherin ther are in nomber 647. Villages and Hamletts with a world of Countrey Houses whither the Italian Gentlemen and Cittizens use to retire with their families in the Sommer time The Cittie of Padua remaind under the Roman Empire untill She was taken and burnt by Attila then was She repaird by Narsetes and afterwards She was burnt by the Longobards but under Charles the Great and other Kings of Italie She did not only revive but florish again Under Otho as the rest of the Citties of Italie She began to govern by her own Lawes and She remaind in form of a Republic till Frederic the second then by the perswasion of Actiolinus She yeelded her self again to the protection of the Empire and receavd a German garrison with Actiolinus yoak Anno 1237. He presently turnd lawfull power into tyranny therfore they shook him of A little after Marsilius Carrariensis under the name of Governor drew the Town unto him but the Scaligers thrust him out who ruld there som Successions yet afterward Marsilius re-enjoyed it and left Ubertinus heir who was thrust out by Mactinus Scaliger but was restord again Then Marsilius the second succeeded who was slain fower dayes after by Iacobinus his Oncle and that Iacobinus was slain afterwards of Gulielmus the Bastard the fourth yeer of his Principality Him succeeded Franciscus who very fortunately governd but attempting to free Vicount Barnabas his Son in law he allso was cast into Prison by Iohannes Galeacius but a little after Franciscus secundus receavd the comand of the Cittie from Galeacius and livd in the principality 15. yeers but with continuall apprehensions of fear till the death of Galeacius at which time the Scaligers being nefariously assassinated he came to be Master allso of Verona and lost it a little after with his life His Sonnes Ubertinus and Marsilius went into the fields of Florence where they made a Head and there the noble familie of the Carrarienses utterly expird then the Cittie remaind under the Venetians Dominion a few yeers when Maximilian the Emperour gott it but the Republic recoverd it Anno 1409. which they have fortified to good purpose that being since often assalted and beseigd by the Confederat Princes in that mighty League of Cambray She was able to resist them all Vicenza is a Cittie excellently built and beutified with faire Structures among which the Praetorium is most magnificent She is situated at the foot of a Hill and divided by two navigable rivers Bacchillione and Rerone which tumbling down from the neighbouring Mountains meets with Bacchillione in the very Cittie which Aelianus reports to have the best Yeeles of all Italie This Cittie abounds with all things conducing to necessity or plesure in regard of the unusuall fertility of the circumjacent soyl which affoords plenty of grain wine and oil with all maner of fruit Ther is such a nomber of Mulberry trees both in Town and Countrey up and down wheron Silkwormes do feed that it is admirable but they bear white fruit therfore the silk is not so well conditiond as is woven by those wormes that feed upon black Mulberry trees yet the Inhabitants make mighty benefitt herby The Vicentins are a spiritfull peeple much given to Letters as allso Armes and Marchandizing and they are of extraordinary trust She hath an Episcopall See annexed to Her as her neighbour Verona She continued under the Dominion of Rome untill Attila's incursions and being destroyd by him She came afterwards under the yoke of the Goths then of the Longobards and afterwards under the Kings of Italie upon their banishment She enjoyd her Liberty under the Empire till Frederic the second by whom She was ravagd and burnt In this vicissitude of things She had divers Masters the Carrarienses the Patavins the Scaligers of Verona the Galeacii of Milan and the Venetian Then being infested by the armes of Maximilian the first and reducd to his obedience She yeelded her self at last to the Republic of Venice under whom She hath livd in prosperity and security ever since Not farr from the Cittie ther are two noble Stone-quarreis in the Mountain Cornolius vulgarly calld Covelo Brixia is a Cittie seated at the foot of a Hill among the Cenomans and was in times passd the head of that peeple She hath rich Peasans up and downe and more gentile than ordinary She was under the Roman Emperours as long as the Majesty of them continued which declining and the Goths comitting such devastations in Italie She came under Radagaso who as he made his way to Rome did spoyl and burn her 412. She was afterwards re-edified by Martianus then came She under the dition of Alboinus King of the Longobards and She remaind under their yoke till Desiderius was taken Prisoner by Charlemain The Kingdom of the Longobards expiring She came under the Dominion of the French who had then the Empire wherfore ther are som fields about her to this day calld Francia corta Under Charlemain Nacmon Duke of Bavaria governd her by whom She receavd much instauration and benefitt After Charlemains death She had divers Masters at last under Othâ—… She petitiond to govern her self promising to be feudetarie and faithfull to the Empire which granted her Afterwards She livd free as sundry other Towns in Italie but She was dismantled deprivd of many immunities by the Emperour Henry the fourth but recovering her self a little after She gave ocasion to Mactinus Scaliger to invade her in that most pernicious fewd twixt the Gibelins and Guelphins under whom She passd all kinds of calamities Scaliger being at last thrust out Azo Vicount of Milan occupied her This Azo had Luchinus for his Successor and he had Iohn Archbishop of Milan whom Barnabas and Galeacius succeeded who were afterwards thrown into Prison by Galeacius who assumd to himself the whole Government and was created Duke of Milan 1402. who left for his Successor Iohn Maria Afterwards Pandulphus Malatesta gott to himself the dominion of the Town but he quickly made a cession of her to Philip Maria Duke of Milan five yeers after when Iohn Maria had kept the Brixians under a hard servitud nor could not by any petition make him slacken the reins of his rigid goverment the Cittie being heated with indignation by the persuasions of som Guelphian Agents She had recours to Venice who shelterd her freed her from that tyranny and afterwards She florishd a good while
under the Dominion of the Republic till the yeer 1509. at which time She made a dedition of her self to Lewis the 12. of France who passd her over to the Emperour Maximilian and he to Charles his Nephew King of Spain Then She was tumbled to Francis the first King of France till at last She returnd under the Venetian 1517. Ther is a gentle river runns through the Cittie She hath many Townes and Villages wherof She is Mistresse but the worst is that the Mountaines are too neer them which causeth that they cannot be so fruitfull Besides these places upon the Continent of Italie the Republic hath Dominions over all the maritim Coasts of Dalmatia and the Ilands therunto belonging Among others ther be two celebrous Citties Zara and Cathara Zara is a place wonderfully well fortified and hath a very convenient Port but Cathara lieth in the bosom of a nook of the Adriatic Sea towards the East All the Countrey swells up and down with delightfull hills and hillocks which are all manurable but in regard of the circumambient Mountaines is so oreshadowed that they have not that proportion of light which their Neighbours have Of the Ilands which the Republic of Venice comands in the Ionian Sea THe first is Corcyra now calld Corfú scarce a mile distant from Albania's Continent She is threescore miles long 24. in breadth and in compasse 120. She hath the shape of a Bow bent towards the East She is mountanous towards the South and flat towards the North Her soyl is craggy and destitut of water so that a South wind oftentimes spoyles their Harvest therfore do they employ the Earth in planting Vineyards and Olives with other fruit trees and what they produce is extraordinarily good in evry kind In so much that She abounds with Wine Wax Honey Oile Pomcitrons and divers other fruits On the North side ther is the Castle of Saint Angelo which is notably fortified so that it hath frustrated the hopes of the Turk in sundry expeditions Towards the East ther are divers Creeks and Ports with two Peninsulas where upon one of them stands Pagiopolis the other by a little streight is cutt off from the Great Iland Opposit to these stands Corfú at the foot of a hill with two Castles strongly built by rules of Enginry which in a manner hang over her wherunto ther is another lately built of very great consequence Upon the right side of the Cittie ther lieth a Promontorie where the famous Fountain Cardâ—…cchio is The Port of this Town is a very safe Harbor and hath shelter sufficient against the fury of any tempest lett the wind blow which way it will The Captains of these Castles upon pain of death without mercy are neither to meet or converse one with another or send any Letters Tickets or any Messages but the Governor of the Town must be present and these cautions are usd because those Castles being as it were the Keyes of Venice and the Gulph and consequently of infinit consequence and trust the Senat wold prevent all ocasions that may be imagind to betray them In this Iland of old the Poets do sing that King Alcinous raignd whose plentifull Orchards were so memorizd by them insomuch that ever since they are grown to be a proverb for their fertilitie this Alcinous preservd Ulysses from Shipwrack so that the Poets make often mention of him one instance shall be Quid bifera Alcinoi referam Pomaria Vósque Qui nunquà m vacui prodistis in aethera rami Of Cephalonia CEphalonia is of a triangular form and hath in circumference 160. miles She hath many Stations for Shipps among whom Argostolica is the chiefest and capable to hold any Fleet within her Bosom Ther is another that lieth behind a Promontory calld Guiscardo wher ther yet remain many ruines of Castles Palaces and other Edifices and ther are daylie diggd out of the Earth many old Coines with other Monuments of Antiquity This Iland produceth a good proportion of Wheat and Oil and She is well stord with Sheep She hath allso plenty of Hony of Manna and Raysins of the Sun but She wants a sufficient competency of Water Ther is a white Muscadel Grape that growes which perfumes the breath after it is eaten and that Wine which is made therof is accounted the delicatst sort of Greek Wines though it make the brain clowdy if one drinks above two cupps but by reason of the over delicatnes therof it cannot brook the Sea any long time but it will prick and lose both tast and colour This Iland may have about 20000. Soules men and women in her This Iland is computed to have 200. Townes of all sorts besides those two before mentiond Nollo is the chiefest She was first calld Melena then Telebous whose King Prerelaus was killd in battail by Amphytrion a Theban Captain wherby the Ile came to be subject to Thebes During the stay of Amphytrion two accidents happend in Greece the first was that Iupiter gott his Wife Alcmena with child of Hercules the second was that Cephalonia a Nobleman of Athens being a hunting killd his Wife Procris with an Arrow insteed of his prey wherupon he fledd to Amphytrion who was newly victorious ore the Teleboans who resenting his case made him Governor of this Iland calld ever since Cephalonia after his name Of Zucinthus or the I le of Zant. ZAnt comes next to be surveyd which hath about 60. miles in circumgyration towards the East She is mountanous and rough but smooth and even towards the North She is more subject to Earthquakes than other places Her wealth consists in Oil Wine and Raysins wherby the Inhabitants subsist but She wants Corn because all the Earth is turnd to Vineyards She hath a Town which beares the same name with the Iland with a strong Castle and about 47. Villages The English Nation hath much improvd the wealth of this Iland since they traded for Currans thither wherof the English spend more than all other peeple At first the peeple of the I le seeing the English buy so much Currans askd them Whether they usd to dye Clothes or fatten Hoggs with them for those two uses they only make there of them Of Crete or Candie CRete now calld Candie is one of the most noble Ilands of the Mediterranean Sea She hath 270. in length and 50. in latitud Her situation is so oportune that Aristotle affirmed She was so situated that Natur her self intended her to be Mistresse of the Sea She is but a few dayes sayl not 100. distant both from Syria and Egypt being equally remote from both from Caramania Cyprus and Albania She is 300. miles distant Her Coasts are fretted out into divers Creeks and Promontories the principall wherof are Capo Spada and Capo Salmone wherof the one looks Westward the other Eastward but in the midst betwixt both Drepano rayseth up himself which is now calld Capo Melecca and the Promontory Zephyrium which is now calld
limitts the Dowries of Women for lest the Patricians or Gentlemen shold exhaust their estate and not be able to live like themselfs they restrain the Dowry to 16000. Crownes so that no Senator or Nobleman may give more with his Daughter but a Plebean marrying his Daughter to a Gentleman may give 20000. Crownes The Trade of the Cittie of Venice hath bin somwhat declining since the Portuguais found out the carreer to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope for this Cittie was usd to fetch all those Spices and other Indian Commodities from the Gran Cayro in Egypt whither they usd to be carried upon Camells backs and convoyes of Dromedaries threescore dayes journey And so Venice usd to dispence all kind of Indian Marchandises through the Countreys of Christendom which not only the Portuguais but the English and Hollander use now to transport and may be sayd to be the chief Masters of the trade yet ther is no outward appearance of poverty or any kind of decay in this soft effeminat City but she is still fresh and florishing abounding with all kind of comerce and flowing with all bravery and delight all which may be had at cheap rates which made those that could not tell how to use the plesures of Venice aright to give out this saying of Her Venetia Venetia chi non te vede non Te pregia Mà chi ' t' ha troppo veduto te despregia In English thus rendred Venice Venice none Thee unseen can prize Who hath seen thee too much will Thee despise They speak of an old prophecie That Venice shall continue a Virgin untill her Husband forsakes her meaning the Sea to whom Pope Alexander married her long since and the Nuptialls are confirmd and solemnly revivd evry yeer Now som observe that the Sea in som places doth not love her so deeply as he did for he beginns to shrink and grow shallower in som places about her nor are her tides so high Nor doth the Pope who was the Father that gave her to the Sea affect her as much as formerly he did specially since the expulsion of the Jesuitts and that She fell a clipping the Temporall possessions of the Clergie as shall be shown which make som of her Emulators bode her downfall since that Father and Husband begin to abandon Her In that notable League of Cambray Pope Iulius incited all Christendom against her so that her Maydenhead was never more likely to be taken than at that time but by her extraordinary submission She charmd the Pope by her 6. Senators whom She sent disguisd to Rome and allso by that humble Embassie She sent to Maximilian the Emperour by Antonio Iustiniano whose notable Oration was this that followeth though it be not to be found among her Records VEteres Philosophos atque summos illis temporibus Viros Invictissime Caesar â—…um eam gloriam quae ex sui ipsius victoria comparatur veram firmam aeternam immortalémque esse affirmârunt eámque supra omnia regna trophaea atque triumphos extulerunt minimè errasse manifestum certúmque est Haec Scipioni Majori tot victoriis claro majorem splendorem quà m Africa devicta Carthago domita dedit Nonne haec eadem res magnum illum Macedonem immortalitate donavit cum Darius maximo praelio ab eo victus Deos immortales ut regnum suum stabilirem precatus est quod si secus statuissent se non alium Successorem quà m tam benignum hostem tam mansuetum ab illis petere Caesar ille Dictator à quo Caesaris cognomentum habes ejus fortunam libertatem magnificentiam aliásque virtutes obtines nonne concedendo remittendo condonando qui in Deorum numerum referretur dignus est judicatus Denique Senatus populusque Romanus ille mundi domitor cujus imperium in Te solo est cujusque amplitudo Majestas in Te conspicitur nonne plures populos ac provincias clementia aequitate mansuetudine quà m bello armisque imperio suo subjecit Quae cum ita sint minimè inter postremas laudes id tibi ascribetur Caesar si cùm victoriam adversus Venetos in potestate tua habeas quà m humanae res Caducae sint memor ea moderatè uti noveris magis ad pacis studia quà m incertos belli eventus propensus Quanta enim rerum humanarum inconstantia sit quà m incerti casus quà m dubius fallax varius periculisque obnoxius sit mortalium status externus priscisque exemplis ostendere non est opus satis supérque Respublica Veneta docet quae paulò ante florens splendens clara atque ita potens erat ut ejus nomen fama non Europae finibus terminaretur sed egregia pompa Africam Asiámque percurreret atque in extremis Orbis terrarum finibus magno cum plausu resonaret Haec eadem nunc unico eoque levi adverso praelio rerum gestarum gloria orbata opibus spoliata lacerata conculcata atque eversa omnium rerum ac praesertim Consilii egens ita corruit ut omnis pristinae virtutis imago consenuerit omnisque armorum ardor defferbuerit Sed falluntur falluntur proculdubio Galli si haec propriae virtuti tribuunt Antehac enim Veneti gravioribus incommodis agitati maximis detrimentis cladibúsque perculsi atque attriti nunquam animum abjecerunt ne tum quidem cum ingenti periculo cum saevissimo Turcarum Tyranno multos annos bella gesserunt imo semper ex victis Victores facti sunt Idem nunc sperassent nisi Majestatis tuae tremendo nomine copiarúmque tuarum vivida invictáque virtute audita ita omnium animi concidissent ut nulla non modò vincendi sed ne obsistendi quidem spes relicta sit Quocirca armis abjectis in Majestatis tuae incredibili clementia vel potiùs divina pietate spem omnem locavimus quam nos nostris rebus perditis inventuros minimè diffidimus Itaque Principis Senatus Populusque Veneti nomine humili devotione supplices oramus obtestamur atque obsecramus ut clementiae tuae oculis res nostras afflictas aspicere digneris iisque salutarem medicinam afferre omnes pacis leges quas tu nobis imposueris amplectemur omnes justas honestas ab aequitate rationeque minimè alienas ducemus Sed forsan qui nobis ipsis mulctam imponamus digni sumus Ad te verum legitimum Principem omnia quaecunque Majores nostri Sacro Imperio Austriae Ducatui ademerunt redeâ—…nt quibus ut decentiùs veniant omnia quaecunque in Continente possidemus adjungimus quarum rerum juribus quocunque modo partis cedimus Praeterea quotannis tuae Majestati legitimis Imperii Sucessoribus in perpetuum quingenta auri pondo tributi nomine pendemus imperiis decretis legibus praeceptisque tuis libenter obtemperabimus Defende nos quaeso ab illorum cum quibus paulo ante arma nostra conjunximus insolentia quos nunc
voluntarily depose himself and retire to his own house having escap'd a dangerous disease PIETRO CANDIANO succeeded him who fighting with great courage against the Narentines the ancient enemies of Venice was slain having govern'd but six moneths PIETRO TRIBUNO was chosen next who was also declar'd Protospater of the Graecian Empire he added many fortifications for the securing of the City in this Dukes Reign the Hunnes broke into Italy and made cruell havock up and down and at last resolv'd to besiege the Rialto hereupon a Noble Venetian made this hortatory speech unto the City That it was now time by their actions to shew themselves valiant men that a mighty danger did not only threaten their Countrey but their lives that they had to do with a people vvho as little us'd to spare the bodies of the dead as their lives in battail yet nerethelesse they were not made of iron but their bodies might easily be pierced that they shold call to memory how the ancient Venetians vvith a fevv Inhabitants of the Latines made no difficulty in their Countreys behalf to expose their lives before the vvals of Aquileia against 300000. men for Attila had so many in his Army that the event of that battail did manifest how vertue and courage is much better in warre then multitudes that their Ancestors had in the same places where they were now to fight vanquish'd in times past King Pepin follow'd vvith his ovvn Forces and those of the Emperour his Father and that then they only fought for their Liberty but novv they vvere to fight for their Faith and Bloud hereupon the Venetian gain'd a most signall Victory over the Hunnes which much encreas'd the glory of the City and was of such consequence that they left Italy a while after URSO BADOAIRIO succeeded TRIBUNO he sent his Son Pietro to visit the Greek Emperour at Constantinople where being confiâ—…m'd Protospater he receav'd many rich presents BADOAIRIO in in the eleventh year of his Government did voluntarily depose himself and became a Monk PIETRO CANDIANO or SANUTO succeeded this Voluntary Resignation in whose time Iustinopoli came under the Venetian dition PIETRO BADOAIRIO follow'd next who as he return'd from Greece was taken prisoner in Slavonia but ransom'd PIETRO CANDIANO next succeeded whose Government was somewhat unquiet yet he debell'd the Narentines who infested the gulp with pyraticall depredations CANDIANO the fourth Son to PIETRO succeeded who for som misdemeanours had bin banished but waxing more wise by years he was recall'd and created Duke but herein the City of Venice receav'd no small reproach abroad in regard she had formerly made a solemn Vow never to advance this CANDIANO to the Government and a Judgement fell upon her presently upon 't for a fire happen'd which besides the Dukes Palace burnt down the magnificent Cathedrall Church of the City and those of St. Theodore and Maria Iubenica with above 300. privat houses more This CANDIANO died most tragically for the peeple fell upon him as upon a Tyrant and he flying into that part of St. Marks Church which was left unburnt with his Son in his Arms they knock'd him down and cut both in peeces PIETRO URSEOLA with much entreaty of the peâ—…ple was chosen next who wold not undergo the charge unlesse the peâ—…ple wold bind themselfs by solemn Oath unto him which was done in his time St. Marks Church vvas repair'd with the Ducall Palace he overcame the Saracens at Barri he had but one Son and as soon as he vvas born both he and his wife Foelicia vovv'd perpetuall chastity In his time Istria became Tributary to Venice but at last he voluntarily quitted the Government and went disguis'd in a Pilgrims habit to Aquitain by the persvvasion of a great holy man call'd Guerin VITALIS CANDIANO succeeded vvho also deposed himself and cloister'd himself in St. Hiâ—…arie Monastery TRIBUNO MEMIO a great vvise man but of fevv vvords vvas chosen in his steed in vvhose time som civill discords happen'd and a great feud fell out ' tvvixt the Republic and Oâ—…ho the Emperour vvho forebad all the Cities of the Empire any trade vvith the Venetians but he died not long after and this Duke also deposed himself voluntarily and died a Monk PIETRO URSEOLO the second succeeded in vvhose time the Republic did vvonderfully encrease for she obtain'd of Basilius and Alexis vvho at that time did jointly command the Grecian Empire to be free from all customes and taxes throughout all their Dominions Moreover he suppress'd the Narentines and reduc'd Nola and divers other Cities in Istria and Dalmatia under the Empire of the Republic Lesina also which vvas the chief rendevous of the Narentine pyrats was taken by her and reducâ—…d to St. Mark as Spalatro also vvith divers other places In this Dukes time sundry priviledges vvere granted by the Emperour Otho to the Venetians and the Emperour himself came disguis'd and in nature of a Pilgrime to St. Marks Church to Venice where he sojournd divers daies vvith the Duke privately and departed before he vvent he remitted for ever the cloak of cloth of gold vvhich the Republic was bound by solemn accord to give yearly to the Emperour so being presented with divers rich gifts he went back to Ravenna OTHO URSEOLO succeeded PISTRO'S son a young man of great hope insomuch that the King of Hungarie married his daughter unto him He defeated the Hadrians in a furious conflict betwixt the river Po and Adice yet was he dismiss'd of his dignity and banish'd to Greece PIETRO CENTRANICO succeeded who being depos'd by the peeple was shorn and turn'd to a Monastery DOMENICO FLABENICO was then chosen who prevail'd so far with the people that he got the Family of the Urseoli to be made ever after incapable of the Soveraign Dignity or of any office in the Republic and so made the peeple to be Ministers of his hatred to that house he abolish'd also the custom of associating for the future any Colleague in the principality which is carefully observ'd to this day Anno Dom. 1030. DOMINICO CONTARENO was made the thirtieth Duke of Venice he reduc'd Zara to obedience Pope Leo came in his time to Venice upon a kind of Pilgrimage to St. Mark which he endow'd with many new priviledges DOMINICO SILVIO came after him who was cryed up Duke as he accompanied Contaveno to his grave the Normans did about this time much infest the Levant parts and the Greek Emperor Nicephorus whom the Venetian assists and grows victorious but afterwards both the Greeks and Venetians receav'd a notable overthrow at Durazzo by the Normans VITALIS PHALERIO succeeded as soon as he was chosen he propounded to the people to send Ambassadors to Constantinople to the Emperour Alexis to obtain that Dalmatia and Croatia which they had taken from the Usurpers with so much expence of bloud and tresure might by right of war for ever remain to
lost then above sixty Gallies yet she appear'd again shortly after and about the streight of Gallipoli she lost again sixteen Gallies and the Genoway a little after took Canea in Candy but a peace was at last mediated ' twizt Venice and Genoa Upon these ill successes abroad ther were some treasons detected in Venice but quickly suppress'd Padoa also stir'd but to little purpose The next yeer notwithstanding all the late losses the Republic sends a considerable Fleet against Paleologus the Greek Emperour whereof Iustiniano was Generall because he refus'd to pay the Republic a great sum of money which he ow'd her this Fleet sailing into the Pontik Sea quickly brought Paleologus to reason to repay the mony This victroy did much heighten the spirits of Venice which had somwhat languish'd for her great losses in the Ligustic war with Genoa she also made her self Mistress of Ferrara a little after which being a City fewdetary to the Church of Rome the Pope excomunicated Venice interdicting her from the use of the Sacraments which drew a great deal of odium upon her so that she thought it high time to restore Ferrara to the Popes Legat yet she wold pause a little further upon 't About this time the famous conspiracy of Baâ—…amonti Tepulo was suppress'd who was kill'd by a Venetian woman out of a zeal to her Countrey who had an honorable Pension ever after during life MARINI GEORGO was now created the fiftieth Duke of Venice in his time Zara revolted the sixth time from the Republic but was reduc'd GIOVANNI SOVRANZA succeeded GEORGIO who had govern'd but ten moneths the City which had bin a good while anathematiz'd sent Francisco Dandulo to the Pope this Nobleman being admitted to the presence of Clement who perfectly hated Venice because of Ferrara by a wonderfull example of piety to his Countrey and love to Religion continued a long time on the ground before the Popes Table with an iron chain about his head like a dog untill the Excommunication was taken off which was don upon those acts of penitence Hereupon a little after Venice had a notable successe against Genoa in the Pontik Sea where above thirty bottomes were sunk and taken by JUSTINIANO the Generall FRANCISCO DANDULO who had bin Ambassador with the Pope and by that penance formerly spoken of had got the Excommunication taken off was elected the next Duke the Polani and the Valesians who had bin a long time subject to the Patriark of Aquileia did voluntarily yeeld themselfs under the protection of Venice About this time the Republic did divers exploits upon the Coasts of Syria against the Turks for securing of Navigation upon those Coasts she likewise did many feats in Lombardy her Army took Padoua and Bergamo Brescia also fell under her protection BARTILMEO GRADONICO was chosen next and a little after ther arose one night a most furious Tempest which caus'd such an inundation three foot deep above the streets of the City In this Dukes time ther came Ambassadors from England craving aid against Philip the French King whom the Genoways who were mortall enemies to Venice did favour but nothing could be obtain'd and this was the first time that ther was any acquaintance 'twixt England and Venice which was in the yeer 1332 ther was another revolt in Candie suppress'd ANDREA DANDULO came next to the principality a man of extraordinary parts of learning as well as valour for he compil'd the Venetian story in two styles The Republic sent a Fleet against the Turk which took Smyrna again There was an Ambassadour sent by the Senat to the King of Babylon concerning the Venetians free Trade into Egypt which though stood upon by the Pope in regard they were Infidells was setled Zara had rebell'd now the seventh time but was reduced and Lewis King of Hungarie repuls'd There happen'd a fearfull earthquake in Venice about this time which overturn'd divers steeples and palaces This Earthquake usher'd in a fearfull contagion which brought the City to a pitifull desolation for the time the said earthquake lasting fifteen dayes by intermissions This terible earthquake gives me occasion to desire leave of the Reader to step a little aside out of the great Road of this History and make a short excursion to give a touch of the causes of these dreadfull effects of nature of these tremblings and shiverings of the earth or rather Aguish shaking fits wherunto we find her body is as subject as the body of men or lions who are observed to have their monthly paroxismes The Babylonian Philosophers think the cause of these impetuous motions hapneth by the force of som Planet meeting with the Sun in the region of the earth others hold it to be a vapour a long time engendring in som concavities of the earth and restrain'd from salâ—…ying forth into the air others affirme that 't is a wind peâ—…'d up in the entrails of the earth Pliny sayeth that the earth never quaketh but when the Sea is very calm and the air so still and clear as the birds can hardly bear themselves up and that the winds are then shut up in the bowells of the earth their improper station He addeth further that an earthquake is nothing else but as thunder in the air or an overture and crevice in the earth or as lightning breaking forth violently and making irruptions from the midst of the clouds the wind inclos'd therin and strugling to comforth by force The Stoicks speak of divers sorts of Earthquakes that cause the gapings of the earth the swellings of the water and boiling of the same a horrid confus'd sound commonly precedeth and accompanieth this quaking somtimes like to the roaring of a Bull somtimes to the lamentable cry of som humane creature or like the clattring of armor according to the quality of the matter which is inclos'd or according to the form of the cave and hole or Spelunca through which it passeth which resounds in vaulty and hollow places It waxeth hot in sharp and dry places and causeth defluxions in those that are moâ—…st and humid Now amongst all Earthquakes the agitation of the waters is most dangerous for lightning is not so hurtfull nor the shaking of buildings or when the earth is puff'd up or falleth down by an interchangeable motion because the one keeps back the other The safest buildings are those upon vaults the corners of walls and on bridges leaning one against another beside brick buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents your skilfull Navigators can foretell these earthquakes at such time as they perceive the waves to swell on a sudden without a wind and likewise those on land may likewise foretell them when they behold birds in a maze to stay their flight or when waters in wells are troubled more than ordinary having a bad unsavoury smell all these are presages of such hideous motions Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a well foretold an Earthquake
by an extraordinary way of balloting or lottery wherin choice and chance have a hand Her formes of justice with the cautious authority and moderation of Her Judges The prudence and maturity of Her Senat in all deliberations Her matchles Forces by Sea Her vast provisions and preparatifs for all kinds of Warr wherin that Signorie surpasseth all other Potentats of Christendom That no Navall Warr can be made against the Ottomans the common Enemy without conjunction with Her That this Republic is calld the Shield and principall safegard and as Paul the 3. sayd the Bullwark of Europe The mighty Forces She employed against Cyprus against Selym for Her defence The generosity She hath shewed not to refuse the Warr The deliberations She holds before She engageth in any fight and Her most celebrous exploits in the great battail of Lepanto in the yeer 1571. And not to extend my self further I say you will extremely plese the Venetians in elevating the achievments ancient and modern of the Signorie Moreover t will be very gustfull unto Her if you speak of Her piety and munificence to the Church and to have oftentimes bin the Protectresse of Saint Peters Chaire renewing the memory of what passd twixt Frederic the second and Her with the Negotiations and Protestations made by Her before the Duke of Alva in the Warr against his Holines and all things els that you can alledg conducible to this purpose Lastly remember well to extoll the royal and sincere proceedings of the Republic upon all occurrences in public treaties commending Her that She useth to negotiat frankly without any artifice or disguise but really and without palliations I will not name heer the Princes that are belov'd or hated by the Signorie for it will tend to little purpose The Republic of Ragusa and Genoa are no great friends to this Signorie yet They hate Her not but use to be sensible of her dangers and troubles because that whosoever growes to be master of any of these Republiques will have the greater strength which is just contrary to the aymes of the Republic of Venice whose policy tends that the state of Italy receaves no alteration but be allwayes at a constant stand And for this cause She wold be contented that the Dominions which the Spaniard hath in that Countrey were equally divided twixt Spain and France that the power of those two great Kings might be counterpoisd and that neither of them were so powerfull in Italie Wherupon the Signorie of Venice extremely desireth that Rome with the State Ecclesiastic and the Apostolic Seat might be preservd in regard that beside the affair of Religion She observes the excellent Regiment of the Church wherin all the vigor and reputation of Italie consists And touching the holy Father were he reducd to any extremity or danger this pious Republic would employ all Her power to protect Him being wisely perswaded that all the domage which wold fall upon his Sanctity wold rebound upon Her I have forborn to observe hitherunto that the principall object of the consultations of this noble Signory is the repose of Italy and to preserve her from revolutions of intestin broyles You must allso take it among your instructions that in the Discourses you shall hold with the Venetians or others you must not shew your self inclinable to make a new league against the Turk but rather when you fall upon this subject you shall appeer rather for peace and approve of the prudence of the Signorie in her cariage towards this huge Potentat to have no actuall hostility with him In which Discours you must be mindfull of the three reasons which the Venetians use to alledg that it is necessary for that state to have peace with the Turk The first is in regard that all the Iles Coasts and Maritime places which the Signorie possesseth do confine with som part of the Ottoman Empire therupon She may be easily surpriz'd and invaded that way The second is in regard that the Citty of Venice being the best peepled of all Italy She hath not territory enough to maintain and support Her-self or afford her all sorts of necessaries therfore She must be oblig'd to other Countries for Her sustentation now ther is no Prince upon Earth that lieth so oportunely to furnish Her as the Turk Thirdly if a War be declar'd in the Levant all traffick will cease by Sea as also commerce by Land therfore the Citty of Venice being one of the greatest Mercantile Towns in the World her Cittizens will grow poor and want employment You must add to these considerations the form and institution of the Republic being from the first time of her foundation ordained and born as it were for peace and plenty as She hath found by experience Therfore the Venetian Senators are alwayes pleas'd when any motion is made of Peace and when any mention is made of the Turk they will not be discontented to heer him extoll'd for a mighty great Prince implying thereby that the Signorie is the wiser to be at good termes with him The Reasons whereby the Venetians did justify their proceedings when against the capitulations of the league they did accommode themself with the Turk are so known to the World that it were a peece of impertinency to insist upon them here but in your Discours among the Venetians you may make use of them as ocasion shall invite you I finish these Instructions with this necessary Rule that evry Ambassador or public Minister of state ought to render himself agreeable to the Prince with whom he negotiates which may tend much to the happy conduct and advancement of all his Negotiations A Review of the Navall strength of Venice IN regard the main strength and incolumity together with the principall defence and glory of this Neptunian Damsell is derived from the Sea it will not be amisse to make inspection once more into her waters and fadom the depth of her navall power Now to treat of her strength this way it will not be amisse to give a little touch once more at Her Arsenall which strikes an admiration into all men that are curious to survey it and may be rank'd one of the wonders of the World in that kind It is sited and encompass'd with a great chanell of the Sea It is girt about with strong walls three miles in circuit Ther have been counted there at one time 300 Gallies besides those that were in cours to secure the gulf whereof ther were above 22 Galeasses which in comparison of the other Gallies may be call'd men in compleat Armes or Cuirasses because they' are not so nimble in their motion neither for Sayle or Oar as others but they give a far greater shock and if they have a rowsing gale of wind and favorable 20 of these are able to encounter 100. of other Gallies besides they have the advantage of Galeons because they have Feet as well as Wings For Timber to build all sorts of sayling Vessells