em to obey;' and if the latter will not do, because it seems too
dreadful, then let us immediately lay hold on one of the other means.

"_How so?_ The best is, for our two cantons in concert to seize on the
bailiwicks, indeed to hold back their rights from each of the others,
who have share in the government of the Territories. Then it may be the
most advisable to divide the bailiwicks. But the division is not to be
made according to the number of the ruling powers; their method is not
to be established by a majority of votes; for, in that case, Zurich and
Bern would be shamefully cheated, since the majority has always been on
the side of the Five Cantons. No! if justice is to be done, let the
ruling powers be broken into three equal parts--Zurich and Bern to
form two, and the rest one. Indeed if real power, influence and
importance were taken into account, Zurich and Bern would be entitled
to six-sevenths. Fairness requires the division to be made according to
the proportion of two to one. And this can and will happen, if both
cities are united, if, in the prosperity of the one, the other seeks
hers also, and desires no increase for herself without the increase and
advantage of her neighbor. Each shall endeavor also to form alliances
with foreign cities lying near; yet not alone, but in common, ever
going hand in hand, pledging friendship for friendship, and neutrality
for neutrality. In all the other cantons, sensible people shall be
informed, what great injury may result to them from the continual
mismanagement of the Five Cantons at home and abroad. Hence it will
follow, that the other cantons will also let the Five drop; for their
power now, since the introduction of artillery into all wars, is so
small, that no danger need be apprehended from them. Then too, the
cities are better armed than they, and will accordingly gain, if their
power is broken or diminished. Moreover, the ignorance of the Five
Cantons, in everything that belongs to government, is a reason why we
must separate from them; for, if brothers keep house together, and one
of them does nothing and only squanders, then they must divide, or the
spendthrift will bring them all to poverty.

"But, that they cannot govern, is proved by all their proceedings in
the German and French bailiwicks. In the French cantons they have
ruined the bailiwicks by taking bribes for sentences and appeals and
doing it so scandalously, that no honest man can see or hear it w