I do not for my own part think well of all that violence, that strong light and shadow in matters of religion; which requires rather an even tenour of good works, proceeding from sound faith, than any of these staring testimonials of repentance, as if it were a work to be done once a year only.  But neither do I think any Christian has a right to condemn another for his opinions or practice; when St. Paul expressly says, that “One man esteemeth one day above another, another man esteemeth every day alike; let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  But who art thou, that judgest another man’s servant[Footnote:  Romans, chap. xiv.]?”

The Venetians, to confess the truth, are not quite so strenuously bent on the unattainable felicity of finding every man in the same mind, as others of the Italians are; and one great reason why they are more gay and less malignant, have fewer strong prejudices than others of their countrymen, is merely because they are happier.  Most of the second rank, and I believe all of the first rank among them, have some share in governing the rest; it is therefore necessary to exclude ignorance, and natural to encourage social pleasures.  Each individual feels his own importance, and scorns to contribute to the degradation of the whole, by indulging a gross depravity of manners, or at least of principles.  Every person listed one degree from the lowest, finds it his interest as well as duty to love his country, and lend his little support to the general fabric of a state they all know how to respect; while the very vulgar willingly perform the condition exacted, and punctually pay obedience for protection.  They have an unlimited confidence in their rulers, who live amongst them; and can desire only their utmost good. How they are governed, comes seldom into their heads to enquire; “Che ne pensa lu[Footnote:  Let him look to that.],” says a low Venetian, if you ask him, and humourously points at a Clarissimo passing by while you talk.  They have indeed all the reason to be certain, that where the power is divided among such numbers, one will be sure to counteract another if mischief towards the whole be intended.

Of all aristocracies surely this is the most rationally and happily, as well as most respectably founded; for though one’s heart revolts against the names of Baron and Vassal, while the petty tyrants live scattered far from each other, as in Poland, Russia, and many parts of Germany, like lions in the desert, or eagles in the rock, secure in their distance from equals or superiors; yet here at Venice, where every nobleman is a baron, and all together inhabit one city, no subject can suffer from the tyranny of the rest, though all may benefit from the general protection:  as each is separately in awe of his neighbour, and desires to secure his client’s tenderness by indulgence, instead of wishing to disgust him by oppression:  unlike the state so powerfully delineated by our incomparable poet in his Paulina,