[1] Vol. ii. of his works, 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 cities, and by the prosperity in which their population flourished.  When, during the war of the League of Cambray, Venice gave liberty to her towns upon the mainland, they voluntarily returned to her allegiance.  At home, the inhabitants of the lagoons, who had never seen a hostile army at their gates, and whose taxes were light in comparison with those of the rest of Italy, regarded the nobles as the authors of their unexampled happiness.  Meanwhile, these nobles