ose four benches H, H-H, H, which being
next the floor, are equal in height to the two nethermost steps of
the throne. So the whole house is distributed into two seats, each
consisting of four benches.

This distribution causes not only the greater conveniency; as will be
shown, to the senators in the exercise of their function at the ballot,
but a greater grace to the aspect of the Senate. In the middle of the
outward benches stand I, 12 the chairs of the censors, those being their
ordinary places, though upon occasion of the ballot they descend, and
sit where they are shown by K, K at each of the outward urns L, L. Those
M, M that sit with their tables, and the bowls N, N before them, upon
the halfspace or second step of the tribunal from the floor, are the
clerks or secretaries of the house. Upon the short seats O, O on the
floor (which should have been represented by woolsacks) sit: P, the two
tribunes of the horse. Q, the two tribunes of the foot; and R, R-R, R
the judges, all which magistrates are assistants, but have no suffrage.
This posture of the Senate considered, the ballot is performed as
follows:

First, whereas the gold balls are of several suits, and accordingly
marked with several letters of the alphabet, a secretary presents a
little urn (wherein there is one ball of every suit or mark) to the
strategus and the orator; and look what letter the strategus draws, the
same and no other is to be used for that time in the middle urn F; the
like for the letter drawn by the orator is to be observed for the side
urns L, L, that is to say if the strategus drew a ball with an A, all
the gold balls in the middle urn for that day are marked with the letter
A; and if the orator drew a B, all the gold balls in the side urn for
that day are marked with the letter B, which done immediately before
the ballot, and so the letter unknown to the ballotants, they can use no
fraud or juggling; otherwise a man might carry a gold ball in his hand,
and seem to have drawn it out of an urn. He that draws a gold ball at
any urn, delivers it to the censor or assessor of that urn, who views
the character, and allows accordingly of his lot.

The strategus and the orator having drawn for the letters, the urns are
prepared accordingly by one of the commissioners and the two censors.
The preparation of the urns is After this manner. If the Senate be to
elect, for example, the list called the tropic of magistrates, which is
this:

1.