Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

The Common-wealth of GENOA.

DIrectly West of Tuscany, from which it is divided by the River Macra, lyeth the Coun∣trey antiently called Liguria, now Riviere di Genoa, the coast of Genoa, because it lieth all along the Sea of Genoa, and by some Il Genovosate, from Genoa, the Metropolis of this Countrey and Commonwealth. A Common-wealth once of a larger reputation and authority, than it is at the present; commanding heretofore the Ilands of Corsica, Sardinia, and the Baleares in the Mediterranean, Lesbos and Chio, with some others in the Greekish Seas; the Town of Capha or Theodosia in the Taurican Chersoness, and Pera, on the other side of Constantinople, and a good part of Tuscany.

It was also then so strong both in men and shipping, that they sent seven severall Armies to the wars of the Holy Land: and in the space of three days only armed once upon occasion of present service, eight and fifty Gallies, and eight Pamphyli (being vessells of one hundred and forty, or one hundred and sixty Oars apiece;) and at another time one hundred and sixty five Gallies at a sudden pinch. By the advantage of this strength they beat the Pisans out of Sardinia, Corsica, and the Baleares, compelling them to pay 135000. Crowns for their peace; they got a good share in the division of the Empire of Constantinople, when that City was taken by the Latines; and held a very strong hand over the Venetians. These last they had once in so great an exigence, having vanquished their Fleet at Sea, and taken the Iland of Chioggia, not far from Venice, that the Senate sent them a blank Charter, bidding them write down what condi∣tions they pleased, which should be readily condescended to. But Peter Doria, Admirall of the Genoan Fleet, unseasonably proud of his advantage, would have the City of Venice wholly at his own disposall. Whereupon the Venetians now made desperate, assault the secure Genoese, and took an hundred of their Boats and Gallies. After which they always had the worst, losing their Ilands in the Mediterranean to the Kings of Aragon; Capha and Pera, with their Ilands in the Greek Seas to the great Turk; most of their holds in Tuscany to the Florentines: their power at the last being so broke by the Venetians, that in the end they were not able to set out a Navy fit for any enterprize. But these misfortunes were occasioned principally by their own divisions, the City being miserably torn in pieces by continuall factions: first betwixt the Dorii and Spinoli, on the one side, the Flisci and Grimaldi on the other, An. 1174. Secondly, of the Negri, and Mollani, against the Salvatici and Embriaci, An. 1289. Thirdly, between the Spinol•• and Dorii themselves, An. 1336. And fourthly, between the Nobility and the Commons, An. 1339. Which Factions did so weaken them both at home and abroad, that having lost the greatest part of their Estate, they were fain to put themselves on the protection of their Neigh∣bours to defend the rest; having now nothing left them but Liguria, and the Isle of Corsica.

1 LIGURIA hath on the East the River Varus, rising about the edge of Provence; on the West, the River Magra, by which parted from Tuscany; on the North, the Apennine hils; and on the South, the Ligurian or Tyrrhenian Seas. It is in length a hundred and forty miles, that is to say from the Port of Luna in the East, to that of Monaco in the West, which lyeth near to Provence; but the bredth not answerable to the length: and is divided generally into two parts or Provinces, the East and the West, both centring upon Genoa the principall City.

The old Ligurians were a stout and warlike Nation, light, and swift of body, well practi∣sed in laying Ambushes, and not discouraged by any overthrow, but forthwith ready to fight a∣gain: to which the nature of their Country served them very well, being rough, mountainous, and woody, and full of streight and dangerous passages; and in this tract few open Towns, but many wel-fortified Castles, so that without much labour they could not be taken neither besieged.

And if at any time they were vanquished in the open field,* 1.1 they had recourse unto these Castles, and other Fastnesses hemmed round about with Woods and Mountains, in which they plaid their after-game, and tired out their Enemies and Invaders. The principall of their Tribes were the Decentis, Oxilii, Eubariades and Inganni; all at last vanquished by the Romans, after the se∣cond Punick war; but not without much labour and pains, by reason of the Woods, Marishes, and Mountains within and behind which they retired and saved themselves: Insomuch that it was held a matter of more difficulty to find than to conquer them; Aliquanto major erat labor invenire quam vincere, are the words of my Author. They did divers times after this, much molest the Romans, till at last Posthumius so disweaponed them, that he scarce left them instru∣ments to plough the Earth. So in the end they grew obedient to their Masters. In the division of whose large Territories by Augustus Caesar, Liguria was made one of the eleven Regions of Italie; as it was also one of the seventeen Provinces into which Italie was divided by the Em∣peror Constantine: Millaine at that time the Metropolis or Head-City of it. What kind of men they were in the breaking of the Western Empire, may be known by their actions both by Sea and Land, spoken of before: now more addicted to Merchandize than war, but most of all to usury. A vice which the Christians learned of the Jews, and are now thought to equall, if not exceed their Teachers. It was the saying of a merry fellow, that in Christendom there were neither Scholars enough, Gentlemen enough, nor Jews enough: And when answer was made, that of all these there was rather too great a plenty, than any scarcity; he replyed, that if there were Scholars enough, so many would not be double or treble beneficed; it Gentle∣men enough, so many Peasants would not be ranked among the Gentry; and if Jews enough, so many Christians would not profess Usurie. The women are very fair and comely, wearing for the most part their hair in tresses, which they cast over their backs: they wear no upper garments but of cloth, as being only allowed by the Laws; but their under-garments of the purest stuf. The women here are privileged above all in Italie, having free leave to talk with whom they will, and be courted by any that will, both privately and publickly. Which liberty it is likely they gained at such time as the French were Masters of this Estate, who do allow their wives such excess of liberty, as no Italian would allow of in a common Curtezan. And though it cannot be affirmed that the women of the Countrey or the City it self do abuse this Liberty; yet the Italians being generally of a different humor, reckon them to be past all shame; as they esteem the German Merchants, (who make little reckoning of their promises, if not bound by writing) to be men without faith. Of which, and other things concerning this Estate, they have made this Proverb, Montagne senza legni, &c. that is to say Mountains without wood, Seas without fish, men without faith, and women without shame.

The Country, as before is said, is very mountainous in the in-lands, and ful of craggy rocks to∣wards the Sea: so that by Sea and Land it is very ill travelling. But amidst those hils are vallies of as rich a vein as most others in Italie, abounding in Citrons, Limons, Olives, Oranges, and the like fruits; with such variety of Flowers at all times of the yeer, that the Markets are sel∣dom unfurnished of them in the moneth of December. It yeeldeth also great plenty of most pleasant wines, which the Inhabitants call La Vermozza, and another which they call Le lagri∣me di Christo, or Lacrymae Christi: this last so pleasing to the tast, that it is said, a Dutchman tasting of it as he travelled in these parts, fetch't a great sigh, and brake out into this expres∣sion, How happy had it been with us, si Christus lachrymatus esset in nostris Regionibus, if CHRIST had shed some of his tears in their Country of Germany. Their greatest want is that of Corn, and therewith do supply themselves out of other places.

The principall Towns and Cities of it in the Eastern part, are 1. Sarezana, a strong For∣tress against the Florentines, and one of the best pieces of this Republick. 2. Pontremuli (Pons Remuli, as the Latines call it) of as great consequence as that, but possessed by the Spaniard. 3. Lerigi, an Haven in the Tuscan or Tyrrhenian Sea. 4. Sestri, a reasonable good place, remarka∣ble for as white bread, and as pleasant wine, as any in Italie. 5. Fin••, an Haven or Port Town, not far from Genoa, antiently called Portus Delfinus. Few of the Towns in this part are of a∣ny greatness; but they are set so thick, and intermingled with so many goodly houses both on the hills and the vallies, that for the space of twenty miles, the whole Countrey seems to be one continuall building.

In the West part the Towns of most importance are, 1. Monaco, of old called Monoecus, and Portus Herculis, beautified with a commodious Haven: belonging not long since to the Spani∣ard, who bought it for 100000. Crowns of its proper Owner; but of late gotten by the French under colour of a later Contract. 2. Ventamiglio, a good Town, and sweetly seated. 3. Sav••∣na, taken by the Genoese, An. 1250. before which time it had a Prince of its own. Remarka∣ble for the Interview betwixt Ferdinand the Catholick, and Lewis the 12^th. of France, An. 1507. Who having been deadly enemies, upon the taking of the Realm of Naples from the French by the Spaniard, met at this town, and here most strangely relied upon one another. Lewis first boording Ferdinands Gally; and Ferdinand for divers days feasting with Lewis in this Town then in his possession, as Protector of the Estate of Genoa. Which kind of Interviews (I note this only by the way) as they chance but seldom; so when they do, they prove for the most part dangerous unto one of the parties: great enmities not being easily forgot by persons of a pub∣lick Interess. Nay, that notable Statesman Philip de Comines utterly disliketh all such meet∣tings

of Princes, though in Amity and good correspondence with one another;* 1.2 as many times producing effects quite contrary to their expectations. And this he proveth by the example of Lewis the 11. of France, and Henry of Castile; who meeting purposely An^o 1463, to change some friendly words together, took such dislike at each others person and behaviour, that they never loved one another after it. The like example he bringeth of an interview betwixt Edward the fourth of England, and the same King Lewis; and betwixt Frederick the Emperor, and Charles Duke of Burgundy; with divers others. His reasons I purposely omit, as not pertinent to my present undertaking, and make hast again unto the Town, which is about a mile and an half in circuit, and hath many stately buildings in it. It was called antiently Sabate or Sabatia, and hath been under the command of divers Lords, being taken from the Ge∣noese by the Visconti, and the Sforzas, Dukes of Millain, from them by the French, and at last re∣covered again by those of Genoa. Further note, that this one Town hath yeelded to the Church of Rome three Popes, viz. Gregory the 7^th, Julio the 2^d. and Sixtus the 4^th, which is as much as Genoa it self can brag of. 4 Nola, upon the Seaside, a commodius Haven. 5 Finali, a goodly Port-Town also, and very well fortified, honoured of a long time with the title of a Marqui∣sate, one of the seven founded by the Emperor Otho (of which more hereafter) but taken from the last Marquess by the Count of Fuentes, then Governour of Millain for the King of Spain, and garrisoued immediately with 200 Spaniards; the poor Marquess being put off with an An∣nual pe••sion, An^o 1602. 6 Milesimo, a small Town adjoyning, possessed upon the same right by the Spaniard also; who by these peeces hath a strong command on the Trade of Genoa. 7 But the great Ornament of those parts of Italie is the City of Genoa, first built, say some, by Janus the sonne of Saturn; as others say, by Janus, Genius Priscus, an Italian or Tuscan King. But by whomsoever it was built, certain it is, that it was miserably destroyed by Mago the Brother of Annibal, repaired by Lucretius Surius at the command of the Senate of Rome, for whose cause and quarrel it was ruined: once again spoyled and wasted by Rotaris a great Prince of the Lombards, An^o 660 or thereabouts, but built more beautifull than before by Charles the Great. On his foundation it now stands, situate on the shore of the Ligustick or Ligurian Seas, to which, being partly built on the declivity of an hill full of stately Palaces, it giveth a most pleasant and magnificent prospect. It is in compass six miles, of an Orbicular form, fortified towards the Sea by Art, towards the Land by Art and Nature, there being but one way to come to it by land, and that over steep and craggy Rocks. The streets are narrow, paved with Flint, and most of them on the sides of the hill; which is the reason that they use Horse-litters here insteed of Coaches, and most of the better sort are carried on mens shoulders in Sedans or Chairs; which from hence came hither into England. But that which they call La Strada Nueva, or the New street, reaching from the West to North-East, is of a very fair bredth: each house thereof is built with such Kingly magnificence, that it is thought to be the fairest street in the World. In all the rest, the buildings for the height of two stories are made of Marble, curiously wrought; but the Laws forbid Marble to be used any higher. The Ha∣ven of it is very fair and capacious, safe from the violence of Tempests, and well fortified: so that the Spaniards use to say, that were the Catholique King absolute Lord of Marseilles in Provence, and Genoa in Italie, he might command the whole World. After the reedifying of it by Charles the Great, the people here continued subject to his successors, till the Berengarii, as Kings of Italic, made them free, An. 899. in which condition they remained till the year 1318, when being shrewdly weakned in their Estate they were fain to give themselves to Pope John the 22; after the Robert King of Naples. But being soon weary of a forein Government, the people in a popular tumult made choice of one Simon Boccanegra, to be their Duke, An. 1339. which Government continued till the French were called in by the Guelfian Faction, in the reign of Charles the 7••; under whom they continued thirteen years; and then expelling thence the French for their many insolencies, they put themselves under the protection of the Dukes of Millain, An. 1403. Long time they li••ed under the protection of those Princes in great tranquillity, who never carryed towards them any rigorous hand, save that once. D. Lodowick Sforzae exacted of them a great mass of money. But, as the tale goeth, his Agent being invited to the house of a Genoesa, and walking in a Garden with him, was shewed an herb growing there, called Basil; which stroaking gently, he smelt thence a most pleasing savour, but asunsavory a smel when he strained it hard. The Genoese hereupon inferred, Sir, if our Lord Duke Lodowick will gentle stroak the hand of his puissance over this City, it will prove pliant to him by o∣bedience; but may chance to prove rebellious if he do oppress it. But Lodowick being taken prisoner by King Lewis the 12, they first came under the command of the French, and then of the Spaniard, according as those Nations had possession of the State of Millain: and after many changes and alterations, obtained again their freedom of King Francis the first; which being not able to preserve by their proper strength, they finally put themselves under the shelter of the Spa••••ard, who is now their Protector, and that not for nought; he being indebted to them, An. 1600, a Million and a half of Gold; that being the remainder of 18 Millions, cut off by the Popes authority; that so the King might be indebted to that See: for most of his Lands were formerly engaged to the Mony-masters of this City. The same course of non-payment, the King took with the rest of his Creditors in Florence, Ausburg, and the rest; insomuch that it was commonly sayd in Italie, that the King of Spain had made more ill faces upon the Ex∣change

change in one day,* 1.3 than Michael Angelo the famous Painter, had ever made good in all his life. And thus you see this great City which commanded the Ocean, the Lady of so many Ilands, and a great Moderator of the Affairs of Italie, fain to put her self into the protection of a forein Prince; and that too at the charge of a great deal of Treasure; which he continually raiseth from them in the way of Loan, of which he often proves but a sorry Pay-master. And if the Wars he had with England did so drain their Purses (for it was that War, and the War which he had in the Netherlands, that made him so indebted to the Banks of Genoa) no question but the revolt of Catalogne, and the lasting Wars made against him by the French, in so many places, have plunged him in as deep as ever. Which notwithstanding, this people do so thrive under his protection, and draw so great commodity from their Trade with Spain, that it is thought their private men were never richer, the publick Treasurie never fuller, than it is at the present.

CORSICA is an Iland in the Ligustick or Ligurian Sea, opposite to the City of Genoa, from whence it is distant about sixty miles, and lying just North of the Isle of Sardinia, from which it is distant seven miles. It comprehends in length an hundred and twenty miles, seventy in bredth, and three hundred twenty five in circuit; and lyeth under the fift Climate, the longest day being almost fifteen hours.

The people are stubborn, poor, unlearned; supposed to be more cruell than other Nations, and so affirmed to be by Caesar in his Book of Commentaries; the Progeny, as some say, of the 52 daughters of Thespius, who being all got with child in one night by Hercules, were by their Father put to the mercy of the Sea, by which they were brought unto this Iland, after peopled by them. From one of these sonnes named Cyrnus, the Iland had the name of Cyrnos, by which it oftentimes occurreth in some old Greek Writers. This is the conceit of Fabius Pictor, one of Annius his Authors. And that of Eustathius, a far more credible Writer is not much unlike, who will have it called Corsica from a woman so named dwelling in the coast of Liguria, who following her Bull hither was the first that discovered it. But these Orignalls I look on, the first especially, as the worst kind of Romances: the name of Cyrnos being more like to be derived from the Punick Keranoth, which signifies a horn or corner, by reason of the many Promonto∣ries with which it shoots into the Sea. Corsica insula multis Promontoriis angulosa est, as it is in Isidore, Lib. 14. cap. 6. And for the name of Corsica, I should derive it rather from the Corsi (by which name the inhabitants hereof are called in most Latin Writers) one of the two Nations of most note in the neighbouring Iland of Sardinia. Celeberrimi in ea populorum Balari & Corsi, as we find in Pline. Which Corsi, or some of them, being overborn by some new Invaders (which the Iland of Sardinia was seldom free of) were fain to shift their seat, aud came over hither.

This Countrey yeeldeth excellent Dogs for game, good Horses, fierce Mastifs; and a beast called Mufoli, not found in Europe, excepting in this Iland, and Sardinia only, but there call∣ed Mufrones, or Musriones (for I conceive they are the same under divers names) sayd to be horn∣ed like Rams, and skinned like Stags; which skin is of such an incredible hardness, that the Beast being cast headlong against a Rock receives no hurt, but nimbly flyes from his Enemy to his den.

The soyl by reason of the mountains (which every where are too thick and barren in it) is not very fruitfull, producing Corn in less plenty, but the best Wines, and such as the old Romans well relished in good measure. It produceth also Oyl, Figs, Raisons, and Honey: the first three in a mediocrity of goodness, the last somewhat bitter, and by many deemed unwholsome. It aboundeth also with Allom, Box-tree, Iron-mines; and the tree called Taxus, whose poyso∣nous Berries though in tast pleasing, are much fed on by Bees; and therfore thought to be the cause of the bitterness of the Honey. In some few places where the Rivers have their currents, especially towards Liguria, it recompenseth, by its fertility in bearing all manner of grain, the barrenness of the mountains. Which mountains cutting thorough the midst of it, divide the whole Iland into Cismontanum, being that towards Genoa; and Transmontanam, lying towards Sardinia; yet so that the people on each side call themselves the Cismontanes, and the other the Tramontane••. Both of them speak a corrupt Italian, in which there is not a little mixture of French and Spanish.

For Rivers there are none of note, the principall of those which the Iland yeelds, being call∣ed Gelo and Travignano. And as for Cityes, some of the Antients reckoned 33, which Strabo doth conceive to be Castles only; there being but four Towns or Cities in it in his time: of which four, two were Roman Colonies, the one planted by Marius, called Mariana; the other by L. Sylla, in the Town called Alleria; a place of some Antiquity before that time, and at this day a Bishops See. But now the place of most importance, is the Town of Bastia, seated in the North-East part of the Iland, opposite almost unto Aleria, with a commodious Haven to it, and a strong Garrison to defend it, as being the ordinary seat of the Governour sent hither from Genoa, and of the Bishop of Aleria, who makes there his residence. 2 Aiazze, a reasonable strong Town, and a Bishops See; and so is also. 3 Nebbio, called Chersunum by Ptolomie. Then there is. 4 Por∣to Urechio, built not long since in the place of an old decayed Haven, and peopled by a Colony sent from Genoa. 5 S. Florence, a Port-town in the Northern part, in the middest betwixt Neb∣bio and Mariana; and 6 S. Boniface, called by Ptolomie Portus Syracusanus, just opposite unto it

in the South corner of the Isle; both of them places of good safety,* 1.4 and capable of the greatest vessels that frequent those Seas.

Who were the first Inhabitants is not easily known. That the Phoenicians or Tyrians had some footing here, is manifest by that of Calimachus an old Greek Poet, who calleth it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Phoenician Cyrnus; and by that of Diodorus Siculus, affirming that the Carthaginians and Tyr∣rheni (which questionless he mistook for Tyrii) cast the Phocenses out of this Iland. But whether these Phocenses did first inhabit it, or onely had a Colony in some part thereof, is not demon∣strable from those Authors. The Carthaginians after this made a conquest of it, and held it till the time of the first Punick War, when they were driven thence by the valour of Cornelius Scipio. Yet was it not totally subdued, nor brought into the form of a Roman Pro∣vince till some time after, when it was fully conquered by C. Papyrius, A. V. C. 541. This Iland and Sardinia at the first being joyned together, and governed by one Praetor onely, but after∣wards made two distinct Provinces, immediately subject to the Praefect of the City of Rome, and consequently members of the Roman Patriarchate. In the falling of the Roman Empire it became a prey unto the Vandals, who used to send their condemned persons out of Africk hi∣ther, to fell Timber for shipping; the Countrey even till then being very much over-grown with Woods. Afterwards with the rest of the Ilands of the Mediterranean, it was under the power of the Saracens, against whom Ademar the Count or Governour of Genoa armed a Fleet of Gallies, and vanquished them in a fight at Sea, but lost his life in the action; which notwithstanding the Genoese followed their good fortune, seised on the Iland, and carried thence 13 of the Ene∣mies Ships. The Pisans after this got possession of it, but being vanquished by the Genoese in the fight near Giglio (before mentioned) they were fain to leave it to the Conquerors. Since that it hath alwaies followed the fortune of Genoa, save that it remained somewhat longer than that City did in the hand of the French, who in the year 1554, seized on it by the ayd of the Turk••, whom (to the great dishonour of Christianity) they entertained in their Wars against Charles the fift, but in the end restored it to the Commonwealth, upon the peace made betwixt France and Spain, An^o 1559. And for securing of this Iland to the State of Genoa, they fell upon this handsome project; imploying none but naturall Genoese to serve in the Garrisons of the Iland, the better to keep under this untractable people; and filling all their Garrisons upon the Continent with naturall Corsicans, whereby the Iland is unfurnished of its ablest men, who also serve for hostages of the publick Faith.

Having thus took a brief view of the severall parts and members of this Common-wealth, let us next look upon the whole, as to the Government, Forces, and Revenue of it. First for the Government, the principall of their Magistrates hath the name of Duke; as titular as the Duke of Venice, but of less esteem: that Duke continuing in his Office for term of life, but this being alter∣able and removed at the two years end. So that he may be called most properly the Mayore of Genoa. For those two years he dwels in the publick Palace, an hath 500 Germans for the guard of his person; in nothing like a Prince but that: and for that time, he alone hath the power of propounding any thing to the Senate, which carrieth some resemblance of a Negative voice. His time expired, he returns unto his house as a private person, but so that during life he hath the office of a Procurator in the Commonwealth. To him there are assistant eight princi∣pall Officers, who sit upon the same form with him, and continue in their office for two years also; which eight, together with the Duke, are called the Signeurie: but he and they, in matters of most weight and moment subordinate to the Generall Counsell, consisting of 400 persons, all of them Gentlemen of the Citie, who with the nine before remembered do constitute the body of the Commonwealth. Under this form they have continued, ever since by the power and goodness of Andreas Doria (who might have made himself their Prince) they were discharged of their subjection to the French, An. 1528, never in danger of relapsing to their former ser∣vitude, but in the treasonable practice of the Flischi, a remarkable Family of the City, who ho∣ping to possess themselves of the Principalitie under protection of the French, had so laid their plot, that Augustine di Flischi, who was designed to be their Duke, had in the night time seised on the Navy, and slain John Doria who had the command thereof: but leaping from one Gallie to another to make sure of all, stumbled and fell into the sea; where he and his ambitious trea∣sons were both drowned together.

As for their Forces, there are within the Signeuri•• 10000 men ready to arm at any time, as they see occasion; 25 Gallies alwayes ready in the publick Arsenall, and four continually at Sea for defence of their Trading. Sufficient strength to save them from a petit force, though not to guard them from the power of a strong Invader. But the chief strength which they rely on is the King of Spain; whose protection though it costs them dear, is worth their money; and they have prospered so well by it, that notwithstanding all the losses which they have sustained, it is supposed that the Revenue of the Common-wealth (besides the Treasury of S. George, which is very rich, and managed as a distinct body from the publick, by its own Officers) a∣mounteth to no less than 430000 Crowns per An.

As for the Treasurie of S. George, though it contain no part of the publick Patrimony, but be governed by its own Officers, as a State distinct: yet is it of such ready use, so able at all times to furnish the Republick with vast sums of money, that the security and preservation of this Commonwealth depends much upon it. The Institution and Administration whereof, together

with the benefit which from hence redoundeth unto this Estate,* 1.5 I cannot better represent to the Readers view, than in the words of Machiavel the greatest Politick of his times; who in his History of Florence hath expressed it thus.

Post diuturnum illud bellum quod Genoenses mul∣tis ab hinc annis cum Venetis gessere, &c. After that tedious war between the Genoese and Vene∣tians was ended in the yeer 1381. and that the Genoese found themselves unable to repay those moneys which they had taken up of their private Citizens in pursuit thereof, they thought it best to assign their ordinary Taxes over to them, that so in tract of time the whole debt might be satisfied; and for that end allotted them a Common-hall, there to deliberate and determine of their affairs. These men thus made the Masters of the publick Taxes, elect among themselves a Common-Counsell of an Hundred; and over them eight Officers of especiall power to order and direct the rest, and to dispose of the Intrado: which Corporati∣on so established, they entituled S. Georges Bank. It happened afterwards, that the Republick wanting more moneys was glad to have recourse unto S. George; who growing wealthy by the orderly managing of his stock, was best able to relieve them in their necessities: and as before they assigned their Taxes over to him, so now, ditionem suam oppignorabant, they Mort∣gaged also their Demain. So that S. George continually waxing richer, and the State poorer, this Corporation became possessed at last of almost all the Towns and Territories of the Com∣mon-wealth: all which they govern by their own Magistrates, chosen by common suffrage from among themselves. It followed hereupon, that the common people bearing less respect unto the publick applyed themselves unto S. George: this being always orderly and prudent∣ly governed, that many times inclining to Tyranny; this never changing Officers, or form of Government, that subject to the proud and ambitious lusts of each Usurper, whether Domesticall or Forein. Insomuch that when the two potent Families of the Fregosi and Ador∣ni, contended for the Soveraignty in this Estate, most of the People look upon it as a Quarrell which concerned them not: S. George not medling more in it than to take an Oath of the prevailing Faction to preserve his Liberties. Rarissim•• sane exemplo, &c. A most excellent and rare thing (saith he) never found out by any of the old Philosophers in their Imaginarie Forms of a Common-wealth: that in the same State, and the same People, one may see at the same time, both Tyranny and Liberty, Justice and Oppression, Civilitie and Misgovern∣ments: This only Corporation preserving in the Common-wealth its antient lustre. So that in case S. George should in the end become possessed of the remainder of the Patrimony and Estate thereof, as it is possible it may, the State of Genoa might not alone be equalled with that of Venice, but preferred before it.

So far, and to this purpose, that great Master of State-craft; a man of less impiety, and more regular life, than some of those who have tra∣duced him for an Atheist.

Here are within this Common-wealth, Arch-bishops 1. Bishops 14.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Liguria.
• * 1.2

  Genoa.
• * 1.3

  Corsica.
• * 1.4

  Genoa.
• * 1.5

  Lombar∣dy.