The policy and government of the Venetians both in civil and military affairs / written in French by the Sieur de la Hay, and faithfully Englished.

THE POLICY AND GOVERNMENT OF THE VENETIAN, Both in Civil and Military Affairs.

The Introduction. Of the Foundation of Venice.

DUring the Wars of Attila, that Flagellum Dei, (as he was usu∣ally called) there being no refuge or sanctuary a∣••ainst the fury of his Arms, the

demolishment of Towns, the de∣solation of Countreys, the smoak∣ing and blazing of whole Provinces set on fire on all sides by the multi∣tudes of his insulting Barbarians, be∣ing but a pastime and recreation to his tyranny, he left behind him no other monuments of his victories where-ever he came, but horror and dispair.

Aquileia being a Town more than ordinarily considerable, had a greater share than ordinary of the calamities of the War, and the miserable remainder of the Inhabi∣tants which had surviv'd them, choosing rather to expose them∣selves to the infidelity of the Sea, than once more to fall into his merciless hands, having imbark'd themselves upon the Adriatick in such lamentable Vessels as their condition could supply, they sail'd up and down for some time, but at

length growing weary, and unsa∣tisfied with their wandring, they landed upon certain little Islands, and laid the foundation of the most honourable Republick in the World. Their first accommoda∣tion was Hurts, or Cabbins which they built, and setled themselves in them when they had done, though not without great difficul∣ty, for having consum'd the small stock of provisions they brought along with them, they found themselves under a necessity of ta∣king up some trade, and profession, for their subsistance. Fishing and Navigation appearing to them the most proper, they embrac't them with both arms, and trading into the neighbouring Countrey they gain'd a reputation by degrees sui∣table to their Traffick and Mer∣chandize. Their Comportment from the first was with so much

amity and concord, that their manner of living alluring all such as had conversation with them, their little Islands were grown insensibly full of People submitting to their Government, who by little and little form'd themselves into a bo∣dy that is now become conside∣rable both for its grandure, and policy.

And forasmuch as those who outliv'd the destruction of their Countrey, were of a mixt conditi∣on, consisting both of Nobility and Commons; to cement their Estate, and make it more durable they agreed to have their Govern∣ment mixt too, in which the No¦bility were to be the chief, but with such coherence and depen∣dance upon the Commons, they should do nothing without them To take away all pretence of Emu¦lation, it was concluded that th••

Citizens and Gentlemen indiffe∣rently should be habited in the same fashion, which has been ob∣serv'd through so many Ages, to this very day; it was ordain'd also they should all of them wear a certain Bonnet of black Wool, (which they call Barrett) with a fringe of the same stuff about it, to put them in mind of their former condition, and rebate the edge of their pride, to which otherwise, young and capricious People (as they were) might be too prone, and propense.

But envy and virtue being al∣wayes concomitant, their Neigh∣bours taking notice of their en∣crease, began to be jealous, and by degrees, resolv'd to oppose them. However they thought it not fit abruptly to declare them∣selves their enemies, but by a neat∣er and more cleanly piece of subtil∣ty

they concluded to interrupt them privately in their commerce, and by that means to force them at last to begin the rupture them∣selves. If our new Planters, in the posture they were in at that time, were defective in any thing, it was in their conduct and disci∣pline of War, which must be ac∣knowledged was not so exact, as their rudiments for Peace. But these great persons having but one soul (as it were) and acting by one motion, in a short time esta∣blisht such Laws and Maximes for War, that they were own'd the principal Souldiers of that Age, and have been ever since esteem'd not only the ablest Politicians, but the most potent enemies in the World.

This being the Cradle or Mould in which this great body was form∣ed, and continued till it grew

stronger and adult, it has since not only ventur'd abroad amongst its Neighbours, but acquainted it self with the most remote corners of the Universe, for what Countrey is it which has not tasted of her commerce, or what part is there of the Levant Seas that is not afraid of her Arms, in spight of the pro∣tection of the Turk. It will not be amiss if I follow their Me∣thod in my description of their Civil, and Military Policy, the first being the basis and foun∣dation of their grandure, and the last that which has advanc't them to a miraculous height, and render'd them formida∣ble all over the World. I shall begin with their Civil Affairs, and when I have made relation of what I observ'd (in my Travels) of that kind, I shall proceed to their Militia,

in which having serv'd also for some time, I made my Ob∣servations according to my Ta∣lent.