Sir Walter Raleigh's Sceptick, or speculations and Observations of the magnificency and opulency of cities, his Seat of government, and letters to the Kings Majestie, and others of qualitie : also, his demeanor before his execution.

Sir Walter Raleigh's OBSERVATIONS Concerning the Causes of the Magnificencie and Opulencie of CITIES.

THAT the onely way to civilize and reform the savage and bar∣barous Lives, and corrupt Manners of such people, is,

• 1 To be dealt withall by gentle and loving Conversa∣tion among them, to attain

• to the knowledge of their Language, and of the multi∣tude of their special discom∣modities and inconvenien∣ces in their manner of li∣ving.
• 2 The next is to get an admired reputation amongst them, upon a solid and true foundation of Pietie, Justice, and wisdom, conjoyned with fortitude and power.
• 3 The third is, discreetly to possess them with a know∣ledge of the condition of their own estate. Thus Or∣pheus and Amphion, were said to draw after them the beasts of the field, &c.

And this must be first wrought by a visible repre∣sentation,

of the certaintie, truth, and sinceritie of these, together with the felicitie of a reformed estate.

All which is but to give foundation, bottom, and firm footing unto action, and to prepare them to receive wholesom and good advise, for the future profit and fe∣licitie of themselves and their posteritie.

For the more commodi∣ous effecting of this Refor∣mation in a rude and barba∣rous people, they are to be perswaded to withdraw and unite themselves into several Colonies; that by an inter∣changeable communication, and commerce of all things

may more commodiously be had, and that they may so live together in civilitie, for the better succour and wel∣fare of one another: And thereby they may more easi∣ly be instructed in the Chri∣stian Faith, and governed under the Magistrates and ministers of the King, or o∣ther superiour power, under whom this Reformation is sought; which course the Stoick tells, that Thesius took, after he had taken up∣on him the Government of the Athenians, whereby he united all the people into one Citie, that before lived dispersedly in many Villa∣ges. The like is put in pra∣ctice

at this day by the Por∣tugalls, and Jesuits, that they may with less difficultie and hinderance reform the rough behaviour, and savage life of the people of BraZeel, who dwell scattered & dispersed in caves and cottages made of boughs and leaves of the Palm-trees.

Alexander the Great, built more than seventie Cities; Seleucus built three Cities, called Appanice, to the ho∣nour of his wife; and five called Laodicea, in memorie of his mother; and five called Seleuciae, to the honour of himself.

Safetie for Defence of the People and their goods, in and near the Town.

* 1.1IN the Scituation of Ci∣ties, there is to be requi∣red a place of Safetie, by some natural strength, com∣modiousness for Navigation, and Conduct, for the attain∣ing of plentie of all good things, for the sustenance and comfort of mans life, and to draw trade and entercourse of other Nations, as if the same be scituate in such sort, as many people have need to repair thither for some natu∣ral commoditie, or other of

the Countrey, which by traffick and transportation of cōmodities, whereof they have more plentie than will supplie their own necessitie, or for receiving of things whereof they have scarcitie. And much better will it be, if the place afford some no∣table commoditie of it self, from whence other Nations may more readily, and at better rate attain the same. Likewise, and withall, be so fertil, pleasant, and healthfull of it self, that it may afford plentie of good things, for the delight and comfort of the inhabitants.

* 1.2In former times, great Na∣tions, Kings and Potentates

have endured sharp conflicts, and held it high Policie, by all means to increase their Cities, with multitudes of inhabitants. And to this end the Romans ever furnish∣ed themselves with strength and power, to make their neighbour-People, of neces∣sitie, willing to draw them∣selves to Rome to dwell, and overthrow their Towns and Villages of mean strength, down to the ground.

So did they for this cause utterly destroy many Cities, bringing always the van∣quished Captives to Rome, for the augmentation of that Citie.

Romulus, after a mightie

fight with the Sabynes con∣descended to Peace, upon condition, that Tacius their King should come with all their people to dwell at Rome: Tacius did accept and made choice of the Ca∣pitol, and the Mount Quiri∣nalis for his seat and Pal∣lace.

The same course held Tamberlain the Great, whereby he enlarged the great Sarmacauda, still bringing unto it, the richest and wealthiest Citizens he had subdued.

And the Ottomans, to make the Citie Constantino∣ple rich and great, brought to it many thousand Fami∣lies,

especially Artificers out of the subdued Cities, as Mahomet the Great from Trabizond, Selim the First from Caïro, and Soliman from Tauris.

Authoritie and necessitie, without the consideration of the conveniencies, and com∣modiousness of Scituation above mentioned, are of small moment in the found∣ation of a Citie, thereby onely it would be unlikely, either to grow or continue in Magnificencie or Opulencie: for if Profit, Height, and Delight, go not companions therewith, no authoritie or necessitie, can retain much People or Wealth.

But if the place whereup∣on a Citie is to be founded, be cōmodious for the afore∣said conveniences, which help greatly for the felicitie of this life; then, no doubt, the same is likely to draw much abundance of people and riches unto the same, whereby it may, by the help of Arts & Industrie in time, become magnificent and glorious.

Unto the good estate, greatness, and glorie of a Citie, those things hereafter mentioned do greatly avail, and are of much importance, viz.

Religion,* 1.3 which is of such force and might, to amplifie

Cities and Dominions, and of such attractive virtue to replenish the same with peo∣ple and wealth, and to hold them in due obedience, as none can be more; for with∣out adoration of some Die∣tie, no Common-wealth can subsist.

Witness Ierusalem, Rome Constantinople, and all other cities that have been famous for the profession of Religi∣on, or Divine worship. And no marvel, for there is not any thing in this world of more efficacie and force to allure and draw to it the hearts of Men, than God, which is the summum bonum. He is carefully desired, and

continually sought for of all creatures; for all regard Him as their last end and refuge.

Light things apply them∣selves upwards, heavy things downwards; the Heavens to Revolution, the Herbs to flowers, Trees to bear fruit, Beasts to present their kind, and Man in seeking his tran∣quilitie and everlasting glo∣ry. But forasmuch as God is of so high a nature, as the sence and understanding of Man cānot conceive it, every man directly turns himself to that place where he leaves some print of his power, or declares some sign of his as∣sistance. And to such persons whom he seemeth more e∣specially

to have revealed himself.

Academies,* 1.4 and Schools of Learning, with conveni∣ent immunities and privi∣ledges for Scholars, and means for Recreation for Delight, are of great import∣ance to enlarge and enrich a citie: forasmuch as men long for honour and profit, and of Arts and liberal sci∣ences some bring certain wealth to men, and some promotions and preferments to honourable functions: for by this means, not onely young men, and those that are desirous of Learning and Virtue in the same Com∣mon-wealth, will be retained

in their own Countrey; but also strangers will be drawn home to them. And the more will this be available if occasion be given to Scho∣lars and students, to rise to degrees of Honour and pre∣ferment by their learned ex∣ercises, and that by the Poli∣cie of the same citie, good Wits be accounted of, and rewarded well: and that the same Academies & Schools be stored with plentie of Doctours and learned men, of great fame and reputa∣tion.

Courts of Justice,* 1.5 with due execution of the same in a citie, do much enable, en∣large, and enrich it; for it

fasteneth a great liking in a citie to virtuous men, and such as be wealthie, that therein they may be free, and in safetie from the violence of the oppressions of covet∣ous and wicked men: and there will be rather resort thither to inhabit, or traffick there as occasions may mi∣nister unto them. And ma∣ny others that have cause of suite will repair thither, whereas they may be sure to find Judgement and Justice duely executed, whereby the citie must needs be en∣larged and enriched: for our lives, and a〈…〉〈…〉 ever we have are in th〈…〉〈…〉ds of Ju∣stice: so that if Justice be not

administered amongst men, in vain is there any societie and commerce, or any other thing can be profitable or safe; so much is love and charitie failed, and iniquitie increased upon the face of the earth.

The excellencie and mul∣titude likewise of Artificers exercising their manual arts and trades,* 1.6 do marvellously increase and enrich a State, whereof some are necessary, some commodious for a ci∣vil life, other some are of pomp and ornament, and o∣ther some of delicacie and curiositie 〈…〉〈…〉reof doth fol∣low co〈…〉〈…〉se of people that labour and work, and

current money which doth enrich & supply of Materials for labourers, & work-men, buying & selling, transport∣ation from place to place, which doth imploy and in∣crease the artificious and cunning parts of the wit of Man; and this art and exqui∣sitness of work-manship and skill is so powerfull herein, that it far excels the simple commodities and materials that Nature produceth; and is alone sufficient of it self to make a Citie or State, both magnificent and glorious: and the daily experience we have in these our days, and in former times, doth mani∣festly approve the same, and

make evident without all contradiction.

Some natural benefits that a Citie also may have for the excellencie of Art, or work-manship of some spe∣cial commodities above any other place, either through the qualitie of the Water, or other matter whatsoever, or some hidden mysterie of the inhabitants in working there∣of, may be a great help for the enlargement and enrich∣ing of a citie.

The command of a Coun∣trie that affordeth some pro∣per commoditie, is of it self sufficient mightily to bring a Citie to great wealth, and to advance it to great power,

and draweth thereby de∣pendencie and concourse, much advantagious also, as well for the publick weal, as the private person.

A Citie also may be Lord of much Merchandize and traffick, by means of the commodious scituation to many Nations, to whom it serveth and hath relation to, as Ware-houses, Roomth and Store-houses, by reason whereof, the nations adjoyn∣ing do use to resort thereun∣to to make their provisions of such things. And this consisteth in the largeness of the Ports, the fitness of the gulphs and creeks of the seas, in the Navigable rivers

and channels, and the plain and safe ways that leadeth to the Citie, or that come, or turn by or near it.

Priviledge and freedom from Customs and exacti∣ons,* 1.7 doth greatly increase the Trade, and draw inhabi∣tants to a citie, whereby the same may become both rich and powerfull; whereof the Marts and Fairs, and Mar∣kets bear good witness, which are frequented with great concourse of people, Tradesmen and Merchants, for no other respect, but that they are there free and frank from Customs and exacti∣ons. And the cities in Flan∣ders are lively testimonies

hereof, where the Customs are very small.

By reason whereof, all such as have erected new Cities in times past to draw concourse of people unto it, have granted large immuni∣ties, and priviledges at the least, to the first inhabitants thereof.

The like have they done that have restored Cities emptied with Plague, con∣sumed with Wars, or afflict∣ed with Famin or some other scourge of God. In respect whereof, Freedom of Cities hath been often granted to such as would, with their fa∣milies, inhabit there, or would bring Corn and other

necessaries for provision of victual.

The Romans, to increase their Cities, made the Towns that well deserved of them (which they after called Mu∣nicipia) to be partakers of their franchises and privi∣ledges.

The first means the Ro∣mans used to allure people to make their habitations ra∣ther in Rome than else where,* 1.8 was the opening the Sanctu∣arie, and giving libertie and freedom to all that would come unto them. In respect whereof, there flocked thi∣ther, with their goods, num∣bers of people that were ei∣ther racked with exactions,

thrust out of their habitati∣ons, or unsafe, or unsure for their lives in their own Countreys for Religion sake.

The very same reason in a manner hath increased so much the citie of Geneva: forasmuch as it hath offered entertainment to all com∣mers out of France and Ita∣lie, that have either forsaken, or been exiled their Coun∣treys for Religious sake.

Likewise, triumphs,* 1.9 good∣ly buildings, battels on the water, fights of sword-play∣ers, hunting of wild beasts, publick shows and sights, plays solemnized with great pomp and preparation, and

many other such things do draw the curious people to a citie inspeakably, which leaves behind them much treasure, and for such cause will rather settle themselves to inhabit there, than in o∣ther places. This was also the devise of Rome in her in∣fancie to enlarge her self.

The Causes that Concern the Magnificencie of a CITIE.

TO confirm a Citie in her Greatness, Iustice, Peace, and Plentie are the un∣doubted means: for Iustice assureth every man his own. Peace causeth all Arts and

negotiations whatsoever to flourish: and Plentie of food and victual, that sustaineth the life of Man with ease and much contentment. To con∣clude, All those things that cause the Greatness of a Ci∣tie, are also fit to conserve the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scituation for Safety, and Plenty.
• * 1.2

  Multi∣tude of Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.3

  Religi∣on.
• * 1.4

  Acade∣mies.
• * 1.5

  Courts of Jus∣tice.
• * 1.6

  Artifi∣cers.
• * 1.7

  Pri¦ledg
• * 1.8

  The first 〈…〉〈…〉 of Rome to al∣lure stran∣ges, was Sanctu¦arie.
• * 1.9

  Tri∣umps.