the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa.

The word properly signifies duke, being formed from the Latin dux; as dogate, and dogado, from ducatus, "duchy."

The dogate, or office and dignity of doge, is elective; at Venice, the doge is elected for life; at Genoa, only for two years; he is addressed under the title of Serenity, which among the Venetians is superior to that of highness.

The doge is the chief of the council, and the mouth of the republic; yet the Venetians do not go into mourning at his death, as not being their sovereign, but only their first minister. In effect, the doge of Venice is no more than the phantom or shadow of the majesty of a prince; all the authority being reserved to the republic. He only lends his name to the senate; the power is diffused throughout the whole body, though the answers be all made in the name of the doge. If he gives any answers on his own account, they must be very cautiously expressed, and in general terms, otherwise he is sure to meet with a reprimand. So that it is absolutely necessary he be of an easy and pliable disposition.

Anciently the doges were sovereigns; but things are much altered; and at present, all the prerogatives referred to the quality of doge, are these which follow: he gives audience to ambassadors; but does not give them any answer from himself, in matters of any importance; only he is allowed to answer according to his own pleasure, to the compliments they make to the signory; such answers being of no consequence. The doge, as being first magistrate, is head of all the councils; and the credentials which the senate furnishes its ministers in foreign courts, are written in his name; name; and yet he does not sign them; but a secretary of state signs them, and seals them with the arms of the republic. The ambassadors direct their dispatches to the doge; and yet he may not open them but in presence of the counsellors. The money is struck in the doge's name, but not with his stamp or arms. All the magistrates rise, and salute the doge when he comes into council; and the doge rises to none but foreign ambassadors.

The doge nominates to all the benefices in the church of St Mark; he is protector of the monastery delle Virgine; and beftows certain petty offices of ushers of the household, called Commanders of the Palace. His family is not under the jurisdiction of the matter of the ceremonies; and his children may have staff-officers, and gondoliers in livery.

His grandeur, at the same time, is tempered with a variety of circumstances, which render it burdensome. He may not go out of Venice without leave of the council; and if he does go out, he is liable to receive affronts, without being intitled to demand satisfaction; and, if any disorder should happen where he was, it belongs not to him, but to the podesta, as being invested with the public authority, to compose it.

The children and brothers of the doge are excluded from all the chief offices of state. They may not receive any benefice from the court of Rome; but are allowed to accept of the cardinalate, as being no benefice, nor including any jurisdiction. The doge may not divest himself of his dignity, for his ease; and after his death, his conduct is examined by three inquisitors and five correctors, who sift it with great severity.