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. XIV. Reflexions in manner of a Recapitulation.

THese variety of Generals would make one at first sight expect more confusion than order in their Militia; but all is mana∣ged

with the same justice and ex∣actness, as they were but so many members moved and actuated by one head. Their Territories be∣ing large and remote, they are forc'd to divide their Commands, and according to the example of the first Commonwealths, they give the same authority to their Generals in Candia and Dalmatia, both in Civil and Military affairs, as the Romans in ancient times granted to the Pro-Consuls in their several Provinces.

The Generalissimo at Sea seems to entrench somewhat too much upon the Liberty of the Republick, his immense power relishing more of the Soveraign than the Subject. But if we reflect upon the people about him, (who yet behave themselves towards him with all vi∣sible submission) we shall find them so great sharers in his authori∣ty,

that should he meditate the least mischief imaginable to the pre∣judice of the State, or go about to insist upon his own force and au∣thority, he would be deserted in a moment, and not one considerable man left with him to carry on his design. Moreover, not being Master of any one Town, he must be constrained to keep the Sea per∣petually, or at length in the highest despair, to cast himself for pro∣tection into the hands of the Ene∣my, which would be a sad effect of an exorbitant ambition.

The private lives which these great persons are to lead when their Commissions are expired, and the strict account they give to the Counsel of Ten, keeps them conti∣nually in awe. They know very well that Court is inflexible, and when those great Titles and nomi∣nal Ornaments are taken away,

they shall be liable to the censure of every Mechanick. For this rea∣son every man looking upon his Neighbour as his enemy, they grow to such a habit of jealousie, they distrust all the World, and not daring to deviate for fear of being impeach'd, they regulate all their actions for the good of the Com∣monwealth.

When they admit any Stranger to their principal Commands, tis rather to participate of the peril than the honour, which they are tender of to the highest degree, and therefore they require so ready and so rigid a submission to all their Orders, that it is capital either not to execute them at all, or not to give them the glory when they have. Raillery and jesting, though innocent in it self, and the most common diversion of the Cavaliers in other parts, is so peremptorily

forbidden here, that it is look'd upon as a great want of respect, and provokes these hot-Spurs (who are puff'd up with their au∣thority) so highly, that it re∣quires a great deal of submission and address to recover their favours.