a celebrated city of Italy, and capital of a republic of the same name, situated on the Lagunes or Small Islands, about five miles from the continent; in E. Long. 130° N. Lat. 45° 40'.

The name of Venice is evidently derived from Venetia, one of the Roman provinces of Italy; and this again from the Venetians, a people of Paphlagonia, who settled in that part of the country. The city is said to have been founded about the year 451 or 452; when Attila, having destroyed the cities of Aquileia, Verona, Mantua, Treviglio, &c. such of the inhabitants as escaped the slaughter fled to the islands on their coast, and there took up their residence. Historians are profuse in their commendations of the virtue of the Venetians during the infancy of their city; and Caffio, character of dorus informs us, that one would have taken the inhabitants of the place where he had settled them. Incensed at this, Pepin de Challemagne ordered his son Pepin to declare war against the republic. This was immediately done; but the blow was for some time diverted by Atilphus king of the Lombards, who, committing great devastations in the territories of the pope, obliged Pepin to come to the assistance of his holiness. However, after having afforded the necessary succour to the pope, Pepin prosecuted the war with Venice. The event is uncertain: all we know is, that about this time the Venetians declared themselves a free and independent state; which makes it probable that his success had not been great. But in 864 the war was renewed with the utmost fury. Pepin having quarrelled with Nicephorus the Greek emperor, and finding Obelerio the Venetian doge inclined to favour his adversary, determined to exterminate the very name of the republic. After having laid waste the province of Venetia, he led his army directly to Venice, blocking the city up at the same time by his fleet. The Venetians were not disheartened at the number of their enemies. mies, the reputation of Pepin, or the civil divisions among themselves; their animosities were laid aside, and a strict union formed against the common enemy: the chief command was given to Valentin, as Obelerio was supposed too nearly allied to Pepin to fight with that good-will and cheerfulness the service of his country required. The Venetians, notwithstanding the most obstinate defence, the most vigorous sallies, and their felling every inch of ground at an incredible expense of blood, were at length reduced to that part of the city south of the Rialto; this stream, and their own bravery, being now their only defence. While Pepin was preparing to lay a bridge over the canal, they resolved, as a last effort, to attack Pepin's fleet, and to vanquish or die in defence of their liberty. Embarking all the troops they could spare, they bore down, with the advantage of the wind and tide, upon the enemy, and began the attack with such fury, as obliged the French admiral to give way. The lightness of their ships, and the knowledge of the foundings, gave the Venetians every advantage they could wish: the enemy's fleet was run aground, and the greater part of their troops perished in attempting to escape; the ships were all, to a few, either taken or destroyed. During this action at sea, Pepin resolved to assault the city by land, not doubting but the garrison was so weakened by the number of forces they had sent on board the fleet, as to be able to make but a slight resistance. Having for this purpose thrown a bridge over the Rialto, he was marching his troops across it, when he found himself attacked on every side by the Venetians from their boats, and others who had posted themselves on the bridge. The battle was long, bloody, and doubtful, until the Venetians employed all their power to break down the bridge; which at last yielded to their obstinate endeavours, a prodigious slaughter of the French ensued: however, they fought like men in despair, seeing no hopes of safety but in victory; but all communication being cut off with the troops on shore, they were to a man either killed or drowned. The number of slain was so great, that the space between the Rialto and Malamoc was covered with dead bodies, and has ever since gone by a name expressive of the prodigious slaughter. Pepin was so struck with the intrepidity of the Venetians, that he raised the siege, abandoned the enterprise, and concluded a peace with the republic; he afterwards came to Venice to intercede for Obelerio, that he might be restored; which the Venetians granted; more out of respect to the request of so great a prince, than love to the unhappy Obelerio. The people had a notion that Obelerio had encouraged Pepin to declare war upon the republic, and that a correspondence between them was carried on during the siege; Pepin was therefore no sooner withdrawn, than the populace seizing upon Obelerio, tore his body in pieces, and scattered his limbs and bowels about the city. His wife shared the same fate; for as she was the sister of Pepin, it was not doubted but her influence was the cause of her husband's perfidy.

In 839 we find the Venetians engaged in an alliance offensive and defensive against the Saracens with Michael the Greek emperor. A fleet of 60 galleys was immediately equipped, who joined the Grecian fleet and engaged the enemy; but during the heat of the engagement, the Greeks having hastily deserted their allies, the Venetians were so completely defeated, that scarce a single vessel remained to carry the news of their misfortune to Venice. This defeat threw the city into the utmost consternation, as it was not doubted that the Saracens would immediately lay siege to the capital; but from these fears they were soon relieved, by certain intelligence that the Saracens had gone to Ancona, which they had pillaged and destroyed. The Narentines, however, a piratical people, no sooner heard of the defeat of the Venetians, than they laid waste the coasts of Dalmatia, and ravaged the country for a considerable way; at the same time that the city was distracted by internal dissensions and tumults, in one of which the doge was murdered.

It was not till the year 881 that the Venetian affairs were thoroughly re-established. By the prudent and vigorous administration of Orlo Participato the power of the Saracens was checked, the Narentines utterly defeated, and peace and domestic tranquility restored. From this time the republic continued to flourish; and in 903 her reputation for arms became famous all over the world by a great victory gained over the Huns, who had invaded Italy, defeated Berengarius, and threatened the country with total destruction. For a long time after, we meet with no remarkable transactions in the Venetian history; but in general the republic increased in wealth and power by its indefatigable application to maritime affairs and to commerce. About the year 1040 it was ordained that no prince should associate a colleague with him in the supreme power, a statute which has ever since continued unaltered.

Towards the close of the 11th century, Venice began to make a very considerable figure among the Italian states, and to carry on wars with several of them. In 1084 the powerful republic was by the emperor of Constantinople invested with the sovereignty of Dalmatia and Croatia, which, however, had been held long before by right of conquest. As soon as the Crusade was preached up, the Venetians fitted out a principal fleet of 200 sail against the infidels; but before this armament was in a condition to put to sea, war broke out with Pisa. The doge Vitalis Michael took upon him the command of the fleet; when, after having defeated the Pisans in a bloody action at sea, he set sail for Smyrna, and from thence to Acalon, at that time beleaguered by the Christians. To his exploits of valour was owing the conquest of this city, as well as those of Caipha and Tiberias; but before he had time to push his good fortune further, he was recalled on account of an invasion of the Normans of Dalmatia. Here he was equally successful; the Normans were everywhere defeated; and Michael returned home loaded with booty; but died soon after, to the great grief of all his subjects. He was succeeded by Ordelapho Faliero, under whom the Venetians assisted Baldwin in the siege of Ptolemais, and are said to have been the chief instruments of its conquest; and Baldwin, in recompense for the services of the republic, invested her with the sovereignty of that city, which he endowed with many extraordinary privileges; in order to render his present more valuable. This good fortune, however, was overbalanced by a rebellion in Dalmatia and Croatia. The former was reduced; but, in a battle with the Croatians, the doge was killed, and his army entirely defeated: by the Venetians which differed the Venetians were so much dispirited, that they clapped up a peace on the best terms they could, giving up all thoughts of Croatia for the present.

Under the government of Domenico Micheli, who succeeded Ordelapho, the pope's nuncio arrived at Venice, and excited such a spirit of enthusiasm among all ranks and degrees of men, that they strove whose names should be first enrolled for the holy war. The doge, having fitted out a fleet of 60 galleys, sailed with it to Joppa, which place the Saracens were at that time besieging. The garrison was reduced to the last extremity when the Venetian fleet arrived, surprized, and defeated that of the enemy with great slaughter; soon after which the Saracens raised the siege with precipitation. Tyre was next besieged, and soon was obliged to capitulate; on which occasion, as well as on the taking of Acalon, the Venetians shared two-thirds of the spoils. But in the mean time the emperor of Constantinople, jealous of the increasing power and wealth of the republic, republic, resolved to make an attack upon Venice, now weakened by the absence of the doge and such a powerful fleet. But the senate, having timely notice of the emperor's intentions, recalled the doge, who instantly obeyed the summons. Stopping at Rhodes, in his way home to refresh and water the fleet, the inhabitants refused to furnish him with the necessaries he demanded. Incensed at this denial, he levelled their city with the ground; and from thence sailing to Chios, he laid waste and destroyed the country, carrying off the body of St Isidore, in those days accounted an ineffable treasure. After this he seized on the islands of Samos, Lesbos, Andros, and all those in the Archipelago belonging to the emperor; and having reduced Zara, Spalatra, and Trahu, places in Dalmatia which had revolted during his absence, he returned in triumph to Venice, where he was received with great joy.

The Venetians now became very formidable throughout all Europe. The Sicilians, Pisans, with the states of Verona and Ferrara, felt the weight of their power; and in 1173 they ventured to oppose Frederic Barbarossa emperor of Germany. The occasion of this quarrel was, that pope Alexander had taken shelter in Venice in order to avoid the resentment of Barbarossa, who had conceived an implacable aversion against him. The Venetians dispatched ambassadors to him; but he answered them in a rage, "Go tell your prince and people, that Frederic the Roman emperor demands his enemy, who is protected by them. If they send him not instantly bound hand and foot, he will overturn every law, human and divine, to accomplish his revenge; he will bring his army before their city, and fix his victorious standards in the market-place, which shall float in the blood of its citizens." On the return of the ambassadors with this terrible menace, it was agreed to equip a fleet with all expedition, and prepare for repelling the attacks of such a formidable and haughty enemy. But before the armament could be prepared, Otho, the emperor's son, arrived before the city with a fleet of 75 galleys. The doge Sebastiano Ziani sailed out with the few vessels he had got equipped, to give the enemy battle. The fleets met off the coast of Istria, and a terrible engagement ensued, in which the imperial fleet was totally defeated, Otho himself taken prisoner, and 48 of his ships destroyed. On the doge's return, the pope went out to meet him, and presented him with a ring, saying, "Take this, Ziani, and give it to the sea, as a testimony of your dominion over it. Let your successors annually perform the same ceremony, that posterity may know that your valour has purchased this prerogative, and subjected this element to you, even as a husband subjecteth his wife." Otho was treated with the respect due to his rank; and soon conceived a great friendship for Ziani. At last, being permitted to visit the imperial court on his parole, he not only prevailed on his father to make peace with the Venetians, but even to visit their city, to famed for its commerce and naval power. He was received with all possible respect, and on his departure attended to Ancona by the doge, the senate, and the whole body of the nobility. During this journey he was reconciled to the pope; and both agreed to pay the highest honours to the doge and republic.

In the beginning of the 13th century, the Venetians, now become exceedingly powerful and opulent, by reason of the commerce which they carried on with the richest countries of the world, were invited by young Alexis, son to the emperor of Constantinople, to his father's affiance, who had been deposed by a rebellious faction. In conjunction with the French, they undertook to restore him; and easily succeeded. But the old emperor dying soon after, his son was elected in his room, and a few days after murdered by his own subjects; on which the empire was seized by Myrrillus, a man of mean birth, who had been raised by the favour of old Alexis. As the allied army of French and Venetians was encamped without the city, Myrrillus resolved immediately to drive them out of his dominions, and for this purpose attempted to surprise their camp; but being repulsed, he shut himself up in the city, with a resolution to stand a siege. The allies assaulted it with so much vigour, that the usurper was obliged to fly; and though the citizens taken by held out after his departure, they were obliged in less than three months to capitulate. This proved a source of greater acquisition to Venice than all that had yet happened. All the chief offices of the city were filled up with Venetians, in recompense for their services: the allies entered Thrace, and subdued it; Candia, and all the Greek islands, also fell under the dominion of the republic.

In the mean time the Genoese, by their successful application to commerce, having raised themselves in such a manner as to be capable of rivalling the Venetians, a long series of wars took place between the republics; in which the Venetians generally had the advantage, though sometimes they met with terrible overthrow. These expensive and bloody quarrels undoubtedly weakened the republic in the main, notwithstanding its successes. In the year 1248, however, the Genoese were obliged to implore the protection of Vicoconti duke of Milan, in order to support them against their implacable enemies the Venetians. Soon after this, in the year 1352, the latter were utterly defeated, with such loss, that it was thought the city itself must have fallen into the hands of the Genoese, had they known how to improve their victory. This was in a short time followed by a peace; but from this time the power of the republic began to decline. Continual wars with the states of Italy, Caufes of the Hungarians, and their own rebellious subjects, the decline kept the Venetians employed so that they had no leisure to oppose the Turks, whose rapid advances ought to have alarmed all Europe. After the destruction of the eastern empire, the Turks came more immediately to interfere with the republic. The consequences are related under the article Turkey. Whatever valour might be shown by the Venetians, or whatever success they might boast of, it is certain that the Turks ultimately prevailed; so that for some time it seemed scarce possible to resist them. What contributed also greatly to the decline of the republic, was the discovery of a passage to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope in 1497. To this time the greatest part of the East India goods imported into Europe passed through the hands of the Venetians; but as soon as the above-mentioned discovery took place, the carriage by the way of Alexandria almost entirely ceased. Still, however, the Venetian power was strong; and in the beginning of the 16th century they maintained a war against almost the whole power of France, Germany, and Italy; but soon after we find them entering into an alliance with some Italian states and the king of France against the emperor. These wars, however, produced no consequences of any great moment; and in 1573 tranquillity was restored by the conclusion of a peace with the Turks. Nothing of consequence happened in the affairs of the Venetian republic till the year 1645, when the Turks made a sudden and unexpected descent on the island of Candia. The senate of Venice did not display their usual vigilance on this occasion. They had been aware of the immense warlike preparations going forward, and yet the Turks allowed themselves to be amused by the grand feigning of declaring war against Malta, and pretending that the armament was intended against that island. The troops landed without opposition; and the town of Canca was taken, a ter This news being brought to Venice, excited an universal indignation against the Turks; and the senate resolved to defend to the utmost this valuable part of the empire. Extraordinary ways and means of raising money were fallen upon; among others, it was proposed to sell the rank of nobility. Four citizens offered 100,000 ducats each for this honour; and, notwithstanding some opposition, this measure was at last carried. Eighty families were admitted into the grand council, and to the honour and privileges of the nobility. What an idea does this give of the wealth of the inhabitants of Venice?

The siege of Candia, the capital of the island of that name, is, in some respects, more memorable than that of any town which history, or even which poetry, has recorded. It lasted 24 years. The amazing efforts made by the republic of Venice astonished all Europe; their courage intercited the gallant spirits of every nation; volunteers from every country came to Candia to exercise their valour, to acquire knowledge in the military art, and assist a brave people whom they admired.

During this famous siege, the Venetians gained many important victories over the Turkish fleet. Sometimes they were driven from the walls of Candia, and the Turkish garrison of Canée was even besieged by the Venetian fleets. Great slaughter was made of the Turkish armies; but new armies were soon found to supply their place, by a government which boasts such populous dominions, and which has despotic authority over its subjects.

Mahomet the fourth, impatient at the length of this siege, came to Negropont, that he might have more frequent opportunities of hearing from the vizir, who carried on the siege. An officer, sent with dispatches, was directed by the vizir to explain to Mahomet the manner in which he made his approaches, and to assure him that he would take all possible care to save the lives of the soldiers. The humane emperor answered, That he had sent the vizir to take the place, and not to spare the lives of the soldiers; and he was on the point of ordering the head of the officer who brought this message to be cut off, merely to quicken the vizir in his operations, and to show him how little he valued the lives of men.

In spite of the vizir's boasted parsimony, this war is said to have cost the lives of 200,000 Turks. Candia capitulated in the year 1668. The conditions on this occasion were honourably fulfilled. Morfini, the Venetian general, marched out of the rubbish of this well-disputed city with the honours of war.—The expense of such a tedious war greatly exhausted the resources of Venice, which could not now repair them so quickly as formerly, when she enjoyed the rich monopoly of the Asiatic trade.

This republic remained in a state of tranquillity, endeavouring by the arts of peace and cultivation of that share of commerce which she still retained, to fill her empty exchequer, till she was drawn into a new war, in the year 1683, by the influence of the Ottoman court. The Venetians had for some time endeavoured, by negociation and many conciliatory representations, to accommodate matters with the Turks; and though the hasty conduct of their enemies afforded small hopes of success, yet such was their aversion to war on the present occasion, that they still balanced, whether to bear those insults or repel them by arms; when they were brought to decision by an event which gave the greatest joy to Venice, and astonished all Europe. This was the great victory gained over the Turkish army before the walls of Vienna by Sobieski king of Poland.

In this new war, their late General Morfini again had the command of the fleets and armies of the republic, and sustained the great reputation he had acquired in Candia. He conquered the Morea, which was ceded formally to Venice, with some other acquisition, at the peace of Carlowitz, in the last year of the last century.

During the war of the succession, the state of Venice observed a strict neutrality. They considered that dispute as unconnected with their interests, taking care, however, to keep on foot an army on their frontiers in Italy, or sufficient force to make them respected by the contending powers. But, soon after the peace of Utrecht, the Venetians were again attacked by their old enemies the Turks; who, beholding the great European powers exhausted by their late efforts, and unable to assist the republic, thought this the favourable moment for recovering the Morea, which had been so lately ravished from them. The Turks obtained their object; and at the peace of Paffarowitz, which terminated this unsuccessful war, the Venetian state yielded up the Morea; the grand seignior, on his part, retorting to them the small islands of Cerigo and Cerigotto, with some places which obliged his troops had taken during the course of the war in Dalmatia. Thole, with the islands of Corfou, Santa Maura, Zante, and Cephallonia, the remains of their dominions in the Levant, they have since fortified at a great expense, as their only barriers against the Turks.

Since this period no essential alteration has taken place in the Venetian government, nor has there been any essential increase or diminution in the extent of their dominions. They have little to fear at present from the Turks, whose attention is sufficiently occupied by a more formidable enemy than the republic and the House of Austria united. Besides, if the Turks were more disengaged, as they have now stripped the republic of Cyprus, Candia, and their possessions in Greece, what remains in the Levant is hardly worth their attention.

The declension of Venice did not, like that of Rome, proceed from the increase of luxury, or the revolt of their own armies in the distant colonies, or from civil wars of any kind. Venice has dwindled in power and importance from causes which could not be foreseen, or guarded against by human prudence although they had been foreseen. In their present situation, there is little probability of their attempting new conquests; happy if they are allowed to remain in the quiet possession of what they have.

We have already mentioned the situation of Venice, the capital of this republic. Its appearance as a distance is very striking, looking like a great town half floated by a deluge. Betwixt the city and the Terra Firma are a great many shallows, on which at low water you may almost everywhere touch the bottom with a pole; but all possible care is taken to prevent their becoming dry land. On the south side of the city are also shallows; but on these there is a greater depth of water. The channels betwixt them are marked out by stakes or poles, which on the approach of an enemy would certainly be taken away. The city is divided by a vast number of canals, on which ply the gondoliers, or watermen, in their black gondolas or boats. The streets are very clean and neat, but narrow and crooked. There are no carriages, not so much as a chair, to be seen in them. Though the city, by its situation and the great number of steeples towering above the water, strikes one with admiration at a distance, yet when he is got into it, it does not answer his expectations; for excepting the square of St Mark and a few other places, there is nothing grand or beautiful in it, at least in comparison of many other cities of Italy. Of the canals, that called Il Canal Maggiore, or the "great canal," is by far the largest and longest, and consequently the most beautiful. Here races are sometimes run for prizes in the gondolas. On its banks are also several stately houses. Over these canals are a great number of handsome bridges of... of one arch, but without any fence on either side: they are also built of white stone, with which the streets are all paved, except the Rialto over the great canal, which is all of marble, and cost the republic 250,000 ducats. The arch being 9 feet wide. The canals in summer emit a bad smell, from the great quantities of filth continually running into them. The finest gondolas are those in which the foreign ministers make their public entries, being richly decorated with gilding, painting, and sculpture. The number of islands on which the city stands, according to some, is 63; according to others, 72. The circumference is about six Italian miles; and it takes up about two hours to make the circuit of it in a gondola. The inhabitants are supposed to be about 150,000 including those of the islands Murano, La Giudeca, and those who live on board the barges. There are near 200 springs of fresh water in the city; but the water of many of them is so indifferent, that the principal families prefer rain-water in cisterns, or are supplied with water from the Brenta. The most remarkable places in the city are the ducal palace, the square and church of St Mark, who is the tutelar saint of Venice; the mint, public library, grand arsenal, several of the palaces of the nobles, churches, convents, and hospitals. In these last is a prodigious collection of the finest paintings; Venice, in this respect, even surpassing Rome itself. The diversions of the Venetians are chiefly masquerading, especially during the carnival and other festivals; riddles, operas, plays, which are generally wretched performances, and concerts of vocal and instrumental music. During their festivals, debauchery, riot, and licentiousness, are carried to the greatest height. The courtesans here, we are told, are absolutely loath to all sense of modesty and common decency. The grand scene of all, the shows and follies of the festivals, is the square of St Mark, in which bulls are sometimes baited. In the doge's palace all the high colleges hold their assemblies; but we are told by several travellers, which seems very strange, that the stairs are no better than a privy. In this palace is a small arsenal, furnished with arms against any sudden insurrection of the people; together with a state-prison, a great many exquisite paintings, and several curiosities, among which are some of the best in Italy. One side of it is towards St Mark's square, and the lower gallery on that side, with the hall under the new procurator facing it, are called the Broglia, where the nobility and none else, at least while they are present, are allowed to walk. The square of St Mark is the greatest ornament of the city, and hath the form of a parallelogram. In this square, besides the church and palace of St Mark, are two towers, on one side of which is a curious clock; and the other has stairs so constructed that one may ride up on horseback. Opposite to the ducal palace is the public library of the commonwealth; containing a large collection of books and manuscripts, with some fine paintings, statues, and curiosities. Hard by St Mark's square is the zecca, or mint: from zecca the gold coin called zecchino takes its name. One of the smallest pieces of money at Venice is called gazetta; and the first newspapers published there, on a single leaf, having been sold for that a-piece, all kinds of newspapers were from thence styled gazettes. The grand arsenal is two and a half Italian miles in circuit, and contains vast quantities of naval and other warlike stores: some pretend that it could furnish arms for 10,000 horse and 10,000 foot: here are the trophies of Scanderbeg and others, with the helmet of Attila, &c. The rope walk is 444 common paces in length, and the ropes and cables are valued at 2,000,000 of silver ducats. In the foundry none but brass cannon are cast; and 100 men are generally at work in the forges. The salt-petre works here deserve a traveller's notice: there is a vessel filled with wine and water four times a-day, where the workmen, though 1000 or more, may drink as much and as often as they please. Close to the Rialto is the bank. The trade of the city at present is far short of what it was formerly. Their chief manufactures are cloth; especially fustian, silks, gold and silver stuffs, brocades, velvets, and paper, of which, and wine, oil, fruit, sweetmeats, anchovies, and several sorts of drugs used in physic and painting, the exports are still considerable. Venice has neither walls, gates, nor citadel, to defend it; its situation supplying the want of all these. In the treasury of relics is the protocoll, or original manuscript, as they pretend, of St Mark's gospel: it is rarely shown; and the writing, by length of time, is so defaced, that the greatest connoisseurs in manuscripts cannot determine whether it was wrote in Greek or Latin. Besides what is properly called the city, there is a multitude of little islands lying round, which are covered with buildings, and make each of them a kind of separate town; the most considerable of which is that called Giudeca, or the "Jews Quarter," which is large and populous; with St Erasmus, St Helen, St Georgio, Chioia, Il Lido de Palestrina, Il Lido de Malamocco, and Murano: these islands are a sort of fence to the city, breaking the violence of the waves. To distinguish them from others, the Jews here must wear a bit of red cloth in their hats. The gardens in this city are few and inconsiderable. In the island of Murano are made those beautiful looking-glasses, and other glass-works, for which Venice is so noted: here the family of Cornaro hath a palace, with a gallery of paintings, little short of an Italian mile in length. The glass-works in the island of Chioia are of great benefit to the Venetians, and yield a very considerable revenue. There are several other small islands about Venice besides those we have mentioned; but they are inconsiderable.

As to the government of this state, it was, as above related, at first veiled in confuls, afterwards in tribunals. About the beginning of the 8th century, a doge or duke was elected, and vested with unlimited power; but in 1171, the power of the doge was much abridged, and a council of 240 persons, composed of commons as well as nobles, was appointed. Soon after, under duke Marino Morolfini, the present form of electing the doge was introduced. In 1295, the government became aristocratical; the privilege of sitting in the great council being then confined to the nobility, in whom alone the supreme authority at present is vested. The number of nobles amounts to about 200. All those are members of the senate; but, according to their antiquity, some are accounted more honourable than others. One class, and that the lowest, consists of the posterity of those who, in the necessities times of the commonwealth, purchased their nobility for 10,000 ducats. The nobles have the title of Excellency; and wear, at least when in the city, a black turred gown reaching to their heels, with long caps and periwigs. Some of them are so poor, that they are fain to beg of the rich. At the head of the government is the doge, whose office was once hereditary and power absolute; but the former is now elective, and the latter very much circumscribed; indeed he is no more than a gaudy slave, loaded with fetters, which one would think could not be much the lighter for being gilt; yet so much is the human heart captivated with external pomp and pageantry, that the office, for the most part, is eagerly sought after: but should one otherwise inclined be chosen, he cannot decline it, without exposing himself to banishment and confiscation of his effects. Though the power of the doge is very small, his estate and revenue are very splendid: his title is that of Serenity, and his office for life: he is said to be a king with regard to his robes, a senator in the council-house, a prisoner in the city, and a private man out of it. The yearly revenue of his office is about 4000 l.; and though he may be deposed, he cannot resign his dignity. All the nobility have a seat in the great council, unless they are under 25 years of age. In this council the supreme authority and legislative power is vested. Next to it is the senate or pregradi, which consists of about 250 members, who have the power of making peace or war, and foreign alliances; of appointing ambassadors; fixing the standard of the coins; imposing duties and taxes; and all offices by sea and land are in their gift. The third council consists of the doge and his six counsellors, in which all letters and instruments relating to the state are read, ambassadors admitted to audience, and other important affairs transacted. The other colleges are the council of ten; which decides all criminal cases without appeal, and to which even the doge himself is subject; the procurators of St Mark, whose office is very lucrative, and who decide with respect to wills, guardianships, and the making a proper provision for the poor; and the state-inquisition, whose business it is to provide for the public tranquillity. In the wall of the ducal palace are heads of lions and leopards, with open mouths, to receive informations of any plot or treason against the state. Here is also a particular college for the regulation of drets, but their jurisdiction does not extend to strangers. The method of electing the doge is no less singular than complicated, and effectually calculated to prevent all kinds of bribery or corruption. All the members of the grand council who are past 30 years of age, being assembled in the hall of the palace, as many-balls are put into an urn as there are members present; 30 of these balls are gilt, and the rest white. Each counsellor draws one; and those who get the gilt balls go into another room, where there is an urn containing 30 balls, nine of which are gilt. The 30 members draw again; and those who by a second piece of good fortune get the gilt balls are the first electors, and have a right to choose 40, among whom they comprehend themselves.

These 40, by balloting in the same manner as in the former instances, are reduced to 12 second electors, who choose 2; the first of the 12 naming three, and the remaining 11 two a-piece. All those being assembled in a chamber apart, each of them draws a ball from an urn containing 25 balls, among which are 9 gilt. This reduces them to 9 third electors, each of whom chooses five, making in all 45; who, as in the preceding instances, are reduced by ballot to 11 fourth electors, and they have the nomination of 41, who are the direct electors of the doge. Being shut up by themselves, they begin by choosing three chiefs and two secretaries; each elector being then called, throws a little billet into an urn which stands on a table before the chiefs. On this billet is inscribed the person's name whom the elector wishes to be doge.

The secretaries then, in the presence of the chiefs and of the whole assembly, open the billets. Among all the 41 there are generally but a very few different names; as the election for the most part balances between two or three candidates. Their names, whatever is the number, are put into another urn, and drawn out one after another. As soon as a name is extracted the secretary reads it, and if the person to whom it belongs is present, he immediately retires. One of the chiefs then demands with a loud voice, whether any crime can be laid to this person's charge, or any objection made to his being raised to the sovereign dignity? If any objection is made, the accused is called in and heard in his own defence; after which the electors proceed to give their decision, by throwing a ball into one of the two boxes, one of which is for the Ayes, the other for the Noes. The secretaries then count the balls; and if there are 25 in the first, the election is finished; if not, another name is read, and the same inquisition made as before, till there are 25 appearing balls.

The principal Venetian order of knighthood is that of St Mark; the badge of which is a large gold medal dependent on the breast. The order of Constantine knights wear a cross hanging from a gold chain.

With respect to religion, that of the Venetians is the Roman Catholic; but they are no bigots. The court of inquisition is here under very great restrictions; and the pope is considered as little more than a temporal prince, his supremacy being rejected.

The Venetians are still the greatest naval power in Italy. They pretend they could fit out, in case of necessity, 60 men of war, 100 galleys, and 10 galleyes; though one can hardly force and imagine how they could man half that number. The army revenue is said to consist of between 20,000 and 30,000 men; the greatest part of which are Dalmatians and Switzers. The commander in chief, styled Capitano, is always a foreigner of distinction. General Graeme, a Scotchman, lately enjoyed that honourable post. The ordinary revenues of the state are computed at about 1,200,000 l. sterling; but in time of war they can raise them greatly. A considerable part of the revenue arises from the customs, and the duty on salt made at Corfu and Chios.

The Venetians are in general tall and well-made. They are a lively ingenious people, extravagantly fond of public amusements, with an uncommon relish for humour, and yet more attached to the real enjoyments of life than to those which depend on ostentation and proceed from vanity. The women are of an easy address, and have no aversion to cultivating an acquaintance with those strangers who are presented to them by their relations, or have been properly recommended.