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.

CHAP. XII. A particular Discourse upon some of their Maximes.

THat which the World looks upon as their Treasure, is (really) no such thing. Their

wealth is suppos'd to consist in great heaps of money, cramm'd up in some secret and secure place, from whence upon occasion they draw forth such immense summes of gold and silver as they judge ne∣cessary for the conservation of their State. Their chiefest riches in their greatest extremities, lyes in the affections of their Nobility and Citizens, there it is they meet with their inexhaustible springs, it is they whose love to their Coun∣trey, and apprehension of forreign dominion, makes them post-pone all Considerations of particular in∣terest, and draw their swords as well as purses in defence of their State. After the death of the va∣liant Marcello, the loss of Tene∣dos, and the fatal allay to their victory in the death of M••ccinego, though the Republick was almost dazeled with those blows, and as it

were fainting with the loss of such laudable blood, yet they disdain'd to supply themselves any where but at home, and the generous Pesaro (since chosen Doge) was the first who in that general Consternation rais'd up their declining courages, by a most honourable example, offring the Senate his whole reve∣new for five years, which was no less than sixty thousand Duckats per annum. This noble Propositi∣on not only confirm'd the irreso∣lute, encouraged the timerous, and supply'd their necessities for the present, but has put them into such a posture, they are not probably to be destroy'd by any but them∣selves.

For the more effectual execution of the Orders of the Senate, they have a grand Provost in Venice who wears a long scarlet Robe, and is called by them Contestabile, he is

attended by certain Sbires, in the nature of our Archers, and his Of∣fice is to suppress the insolence of such Rascals as disturb the security of the People. Nevertheless these Sbires dare not lay hands upon a Gentleman, and if at any time it be their duty to seize upon any of them, they throw their Cloaks o∣ver their head, and muffling them up in that manner, they carry them to Prison. The Office of these Sbiri is so slavishly miserable, a Nobleman, Citizen, or Stranger, (let his condition be what it will) if he can prove him guilty of the least offence, may stab or pistol any of them, without any danger of being punish'd.

The Water and the Gondoloes are as so many Sanctuaries, no medling with any man there, no execution of Justice, a Criminal upon the Water is as secure against

the Sergants, as a man behind a Mud-wall, is against the stab of a Pen-knife. The Houses of Am∣bassadors are in like manner so sa∣cred, that if the greatest Banditi in Italy but touch the threshold of their Door, he is exempt, and se∣cure against any kind of violence: besides these they have certain pri∣viledg'd places, in which no man is to be disturb'd, and their privi∣ledges are kept inviolable, but if they catch any of them out of their Asilum, they are lyable to the Lash, and away they go to Prison. Fire-Arms are so peremptorily for∣bidden in this City, that 'tis an un∣pardonable offence to wear any there, and he that makes use of them, if he be taken, dies with∣out mercy: by which piece of se∣verity they prevent many assassina∣tions, which otherwise would be too frequent in that place, The

stab with a Stidetto (which is a kind of Dagger the Italians wear behind their Robes) is not so cri∣minal, for that sport being acted man to man, and the blows mutu∣al and alternate, the Venetian con∣cerns himself not so much where the combate is equal, and one may kill his enemy, as soon as his ene∣my him.

Thus far I have entertain'd you with the pleasantness of that City, and other Towns upon the Conti∣nent, as are happy and at peace, we have made some Observations upon them, and concluded (ac∣cording to our judgement) that notwithstanding the diversity in their age, humours, and qualities, their Unity and Concord is so great, there is no revolution to be suspected in that Common∣wealth.

But now the noise of Trumpets

and Drums, the shouts and accla∣mations of the Souldiers calling me away, I must fall down with them to the Island of Lio, where they are usually embark'd. The Galleys and Gallions trick'd up with their Banners and Penons, and as it were sunk and swallow'd up in the smoak of their great Guns, perswades me the General may be embarking himself, and all these valiant men imploy'd upon some extraordinary Enterprize. It would be a shame not to be a Souldier amongst so ma∣ny brave persons, and I that have formerly learn'd my Trade amongst them, (cannot leave them in ho∣nour in any noble Expedition: ne∣vertheless while the Souldiers and Officers are preparing for their Voyage, and the generous Cava∣lier taking) leave, of his Mistniss, I shall have time to speak a word or two of their Military Policy.