p. 37. On p. 29 he describes the
population of Venice as divided into 'Popolari,' or plebeians,
exercising small industries, and so forth: 'Cittadini,' or the
middle class, born in the state, and of more importance than the
plebeians; 'Gentiluomini,' or masters of Venice by sea and land,
about 3,000 in number, corresponding to the burghers of Florence.
What he says about the Constitution refers solely to this upper
class. The elaborate work of M. Yriarte, _La Vie d'un Patricien de
Venise an Seizieme Siecle_, Paris, 1874, contains a complete
analysis of the Venetian state-machine. See in particular what he
says about the helplessness of the Doges, ch. xiii. 'Rex in foro,
senator in curia, captivus in aula,' was a current phrase which
expressed the contrast between their dignity of parade and real
servitude. They had no personal freedom, and were always ruined by
office. It was necessary to pass a law compelling the Doge elect to
accept the onerous distinction thrust upon him. The Venetian
oligarchs argued that it was good that one man should die for the
people.

[2] See Giannotti, vol. ii. p. 55, for the mention of fifteen,
admitted on the occasion of Baiamonte Tiepolo's conspiracy, and of
thirty ennobled during the Genoese war.

[3] The actual number of this Council was seventeen, for the Ten
associated with the Signoria, which consisted of the Doge and six
Counselors.

[4] Giannotti, vol. ii. p. 123.

[5] The diplomatic difficulties of a popular government, a 'governo
largo,' as opposed to a 'governo stretto,' are set forth with great
acumen by Guicciardini, _Op. Ined._ vol. ii. p. 84. Cf. vol. iii. p.
272.

[6] 'e la sua autorita pari a quella del Consiglio de' Pregati e di
utta la citta,' says Giannotti, vol. ii. p. 120.

No state has ever exercised a greater spell of fascination over its
citizens than Venice. Of treason against the Republic there was little.
Against the decrees of the Council, arbitrary though they might be, no
one sought to rebel. The Venetian bowed in silence and obeyed, knowing
that all his actions were watched, that his government had long arms in
foreign lands, and that to arouse revolt in a body of burghers so
thoroughly controlled by common interests, would be impossible. Further
security the Venetians gained by their mild and beneficent
administration of subject cit