第2章

类别:其他 作者:Giovanni Botero字数:22822更新时间:19/01/02 16:42:22
InAsiaalthoughMenam,whichintheirlanguagesignifieththeMotherofRivers,andMekong,whichisnavigableformorethantwothousandmiles,andlikewiseIndusandotherroyalriversbesufficientlyinhabited,yetforallthatOb,whichisthegreatestthereamongstthem(forwhereitfallethintotheScythianOceanitiseightymilesbroad,whichmakessomementhinktheMareCaspiumdisburdenethitselfthatwayintotheOcean),hathnotanyfamouscityinit。 Afterthisanotherquestionalsoriseth,howitcomesifthecommodiousmeansofconductdoatfullaccomplishthegreatnessofacity,how,Isay,itcomestopasswhereupontheshoreofoneselfrivertheconductiseven,easyandalikeandthatcityyetisgreaterthananother?Withoutdoubtitsufficethnotalonethatthetransportationofgoodstoandfrobeeasyandcommodious,buttheremustbeelsebesidesthat,somepeculiarvirtueattractivethatmaydrawmenandalluremenmoretooneplacethantoanother,whereofweshallinthenextbookspeakmoreatlarge。 BookTwoHithertohavewespokenofaptnessofthesite,ofthefruitfulnessofthesoilandofthecommodioustransportationofcommoditiestoandfro,forthehelpandincreaseofourcity。 Letusnowseewhatthosethingsarethatmayallurethepeople(whoareofnatureindifferenttobehereorthere)tothechoiceofoneplacebeforeanothertomaketheirhabitationsin,andwhatcausethcommerceandtraffic。AndletusfirstdeclarethepropermeanstheRomanstook,andthenafterwardthemeansthatgenerallywerecommontothemandothers。 1。ThepropermeansoftheRomansThefirstmeanstheRomansusedwastheopeningofthesanctuaryandgivinglibertyandfreedomtoallthatwouldtocomeuntothem;whichRomulusdidtotheend(hisneighboursatthattimeevilentreatedbytyrants,andthecountryswarmingfullwithdiscontentedpersons)Romemightbythatmeansbethesoonerpeopledthroughthebenefitoftheirsafetytheyweresuretofindthere;neitherwashethereindeceivedawhit,forthitherflockedwiththeirgoodsanumberofpeoplethatwereeitherthrustoutoftheirhabitations,orunsafeandunsureoftheirlivesintheircountries。Butwhentheyfoundafterwardawantofwomennecessaryforpropagation,Romulusproclaimedcertaingreatandsolemnfeastsatwhichhestoleandheldawaybyforcethegreatestpartoftheyoungestwomenthatdidresorttoseethem:sothatitisnomarvelifoutofsofierceandstoutapeoplethererosesofierceandstoutanissue。 TheverysamereasoninamatterintheseourdayshathincreasedsomuchthecityofGeneva,forasmuchasithathofferedentertainmenttoallcomersoutofFranceandItalythathaveeitherforsakenorbeenexiledtheircountriesforreligion’ssake。AndthesamecountryofGermany(theycallFrancorumVallem)bythesufferanceofCasimir,oneoftheCountsPalatineoftheRhine,latererectedbytheBelgiansthatwereforreligionthrustoutoftheircountrieshavedonethelike。 CosimotheGreatDukeofTuscany,toappopulatetheportFerraio,gaveprotectiontosuchaswouldflythither,andconfinedanumberthatfortheiroffenceshadworthydeservedpunishment,whichcoursetheGreatDukeFrancishissonobservedafterwardforthepeoplingofPisaandLivorno。Butaswehaveaforesaid,itisneitherstrengthnornecessitythathavepowertomakeacityfrequented,ortoraiseituntogreatness。Forapeopleenforcedandviolentlydriventorestinoneplaceislikeuntoseedsowninthesands,whereinitnevertakethroottogrowtoripeness。 Butletusreturnuntooursanctuary。Itcannotbedeniedbutthatamoderatelibertyandalawfulplaceofsafetyverygreatlyhelpethtodrawamultitudeofpeopletoarestingplace。Andhereofitcomesthatfreecitiesareincomparisonofotherplacesmorefamousandmorereplenishedwithpeoplethancitiessubjectuntoprincesandtomonarchies。 ThesecondmeanswherewithRomeincreasedwasthattheymadethetownsthatwelldeservedofthem(whichtheyaftercalledmunicipia)tobepartakersoftheirfranchisesandoftheiroffices。Forthesehonours,tobecitizensofRome,andtoenjoythegreatprivilegesannexedtotheirenfranchisement,drewintothecityallsuchasthroughadherency,throughfavourorthroughservicedoneuntothecommonwealthmighthaveanyhopetobearofficeorruletherein,andsuchaslookednotsohighresortedyetthithertoservetheirkinsmen’sturnsortheirfriendswiththeirvoices,toadvancethemtosomegoodoffice。AndthusRomewasfrequentedandenrichedwithconcourseofaninfinitesightofpeople,bothnobleandrich,thatinparticularorincommonwhichwerehonouredwiththeenfranchisementandfreedomofRome。 ThethirdmeanswasthecontinualentertainmenttheRomansgavetocuriosity,andthatwasthegreatnumberofadmirablethingstheydidinRome。Thetriumphsofthevictoriouscaptains,thewonderfulbuildings,thebattlesonthewater,thefightsofswordplayers,thehuntingofwildbeasts,thepublicshowsandsights,theplaysofApollo,theSecularsandothers,whichwereperformedwithunspeakablepompandpreparation,andmanyothersuchlikethingsthatdrewthecuriouspeopleuntoRome。Andforasmuchasthesealluringsightswere,asitwere,perpetual,Romewasalso,asitwere,perpetuallyfullofstrangersandforeignpeople。 2。OfcoloniesWhatshallwesayofcolonies?WeretheyagoodhelptothegreatnessofRomeornot?Thattheywereagreathelptotheincreaseofthepoweritcannotbedoubted;butthattheymultipliedalsothenumberofinhabitantsitisathingsomewhatdoubtful。Howbeit,formineownopinionIshouldthinktheywereagreathelpandmeansuntoit。Forifanymanthinkbytakingthepeopleoutandsendingthemtocolonieselsewherethatthecitytherebycomesrathertodiminishthanincrease,haplyforallthatthecontrarymayhappen。Forasplantscannotprospersowellnormultiplysofastinanurserywheretheyaresetandplantedneartogetheraswheretheyaretransplantedintoanopenground,evensomenmakenosuchfruitfulpropagationofchildrenwheretheyareenclosedandshutupwithinthewallsofthecitytheyarebredandborninastheydoabroadindiversotherpartswheretheyaresentunto。Forsometimestheplagueorothercontagioussicknessordiseaseconsumeththem,sometimesfamineenforceththemtochangetheirhabitations,sometimesforeignwarstakeoutoftheworldthestoutestmenamongstthem,sometimescivilwarsmakethequietestsortforsaketheirdwellings;andfrommanypovertyandmiserytakethawaythemind,themeansandthespirittowedorthinkonpropagation。 NowtheythatmighthavediedinRomewiththeaforesaidevils,andwithoutchildren,beingremovedtootherplacesescapetheforesaidperils,and,beingbestowedincoloniesandprovidedforbothofhouseandgroundtoit,betakethemselvestowivesandchildrenandtopropagateandbreedthemupandsoincreaseinfinitely,andoftenbecomeanhundred。 Butwhatisthistothepurpose,maysomemansay?Letussupposethattheythataresentintocolonieswouldnotincreasetheircountryiftheytarriedathomehowshouldtheythenincreaseitwhentheyaresentthenceabroadtootherplaces? Wellenough。First,becausecolonieswiththeirmotheroutofwhichtheyissuedmake,asitwere,butonebody。Thennext,becausetheloveofouroriginalcountry,whicheverymanaffecteth,andthedependencethereof(whichmanywayshelp)andthedesireandhopetoaspiretodignityandhonourwhichevermoredrawuntoittheworthiestandmostnobleminds。Bywhichmeansthecountrygrowstobemorepopulousandrich。 Whocandenybutthatthecoloniesthatissued,asitwere,outofonestock,fromAlbaLonga,andsomanybesidesasRomehathsentout,broughtnotmuchmagnificenceandgreatness,bothtotheoneandtheother?AndthatthePortugueseissuedoutofLisbon,topossessandinhabittheislandsofAzores,CapeVerde,MadeiraandothershavenotamplifiedandincreasedLisbonagreatdealmorethaniftheyhadneverremovedthencetothosesameislands? Howbeit,trueitisifcoloniesmustincreasetheirmother,itisverynecessarythattheybenearneighbours,otherwisethroughlongdistanceofplacelovewaxethcold,andallcommerceiscutoffclean。AndthereforetheRomansforthespaceofsixhundredyearssentnotacolonyoutofItaly,andthefirstwereCarthageandNarbonne;asisatlargebeforedeclaredinmysixthbookofReasonofState,inthechapterofColonies。 AndthesebethemeanswherewiththeRomans,eitherthroughtheirsingulardexterityorexcellentwits,havedrawnstrangenationsuntotheircity。Letusnowspeakofthemeansthatothernationsalsoaswellastheyhaveusedinthiscase,whereitshallnotbefromthepurposethatwebeginatreligionfirstasatthethingthatoughttobetheheadandspringofallourworksandactions。 3。OfReligionReligionandtheworshipofGodisathingsonecessaryandofsuchimportanceaswithoutalldoubtitnotonlydrawethanumberofpeoplewithitbutalsocausethmuchcommercetogether。 Andthecitiesthatinthiskindexcelandflourishinauthorityandreputationaboveallothershavealsothebettermeanstoincreasetheirpowerandglory。 Jerusalem,asPlinywriteth,wasthechiefestandmostflourishingcityofalltheEastandprincipallyforreligionwhereofhewastheMetropolitan,asalsoofthekingdom。Thehighpriests,theprelatesandtheLeviteskepttheirresidence,thereofferedtheytheirbeasts,therecelebratedtheytheirsacrificesandrendereduntoGodtheirprayersandpetitions,thitherrepairedthriceayearallthepeoplealmostofIsrael。InsomuchasJosephusreckoneththatatthetimethatTitusVespasianlaidhissiegeuntoittherewereinthecitytwomillionsandahalfofpeople,anumberintruthverystrange,thatImaynotsayincredible,inrespectthecitywasnotmuchabovefourmilesabout。Butitiswrittenbyamanthatmighthaveperfectknowledgeofit,andhadnocausetolie。 Jeroboam,whenhewaschosenkingofIsrael,advisedlyconsideringhissubjectscouldnotlivewithoutexerciseofreligionanduseofsacrifice,andthatiftheyshouldrepairtoJerusalemtocelebrateandmaketheirsacrificehispeoplewouldsoonunitethemselveswiththetribeofJudahandtheHouseofDavid,castingreligionoffhesetupstraightidolatry。Forhecausedtobemadetwocalvesofgold,andsendingthemtotheuttermostpartsofhiskingdom,turningtohispeoplehesaiduntothem:NoliteultraascendereinHierusalem;eccediituiIsraelquiteeduxeruntdeterraAegypti。 Religionisofsuchforceandmighttoamplifycities,toamplifydominions,andofsuchavirtueattractivethatJeroboam,togivenoplacetohisCompetitorinthispartofallurementandentertainmentofthecompany,impiouslybroughtinidolatryinplaceoftruereligion。AndthismanwasthefirstthatfordesiretoreigndidopenlytreaddownthelawandalldueworshipuntoGod,andthereofgavealewdexampletoposterity。Anotablenoteintruth,notsomuchoffollyasofextremeimpiety。 Somethatarrogatetoomuchwisdomtothemselvesinmattersofstateandgovernmentsparenottosayandteachthattoholdthesubjectsindueobediencetotheirprinceman’switandpolicyprevailethmorethandivineorgodlycounsel:aspeechandinventioninverytruthratherofamiscreantandcaterpillarofacommonwealthanofaloverandafavourerofthemajestyofastate。Forsucharetheruinsofkings,theplagueofkingdoms,thescandalofChristianity,theswornenemiesoftheChurch,nayratherofGod,againstwhom,totheimitationoftheancientgiants,theybuildupanewtoweruntoBabelwhichshallbreedandbringuntothemintheendconfusionandutterruin。Quihabitatincoelisirridebiteos,etDominussubsannabiteos。 Hear,yeprinces,whattheprophetIsaiahsaithofthecounsellorsofKingPharaoh:SapientesconsiliariiPharaonisdederuntconsiliuminsipiens;deceperuntAegyptumangulumpopulorumeius。Dominusmiscuitinmedioeiusspiritumvertiginis,eterrarefeceruntAegyptuminomnioperesuo,sicuterratebriusetvomens。 IfthisplacewouldsufferitIcouldeasilyshowthatthegreatestpartofthelossofstatesandruinsofChristianprinceshaveproceededofthisaccursedvarianceinreligion,throughthewhichwearedisarmedanddeprivedoftheprotectionandfavourofAlmightyGod,andhavethrustintothehandsoftheTurksandCalviniststheweaponsandthescourgesofGod’sDivinejusticeagainstus。ButitsufficethheretoadviseprincesthattreaddownthelawsofGodbythatpreposterousandwickedkindofgovernmentthattheylearnofJeroboamandfeartheissueofhimwhoseactstheyimitate,thattheymayhereafterthebetterbewarebyothermen’sharms。ForinrevengeofhisimpietyGodraisedupagainstNadabhissontheKingBaasha,whoslewhimandallhisrace。Nondimisitneunamquidemanimamdesemineeius,donecdelereteam。Butletusreturnwhereweleft。 Ofwhatstrengthandpowertomakeaplacepopulousreligionprovestobe,andtohavetheopinionofsomefamousrelicornotableargumentofGod’sdivineassistance,orsomeauthorityintheadmiration,administrationandgovernmentofecclesiasticalcauses,LoretoinItaly,St。MichelinFrance,GuadalupeandCompostelainSpaindoallofthemdeclareandmanifestitplain; andmanyplacesmorebesides,thoughsolitaryanddesert,thoughsharpandrocky,untothewhichfornorespectbutfordevotion’ssakeandpietypeopledailydoresortinfinitelyinflocksfromthefarthestpartsthatare。 Andnomarvelifyoulookintoitthoroughly。ForthereisnotanythinginthisworldofmoreefficacyandforcetoallureanddrawtoittheheartsofmenthanGod,whichisthesummumbonum。Heiscarefullydesiredandsoughtforcontinuallyofallcreatureswhatsoever,withsoulorwithout,forallregardHimastheirlastend。Lightthingsseektheirsummumbonumabove,heavythingsbeneath,withinthecentreofthisearth;theheavens,intheirrevolutions,theherbsintheirflowers,thetreesintheirfruits,beastsinthepreservationoftheirkind,andman,inseekinghistranquillityofmindandeverlastingjoy。 ButforasmuchasGodisofsohighanatureasthesenseofmancannotattaintoit,soshiningbrightastheeyeofman’sunderstandingcannotconceiveit,everymandirectlyturnshimtothatplacewhereheleavessomeprintofhispower,ordeclaressomesignofhisassistance;whichordinaryhavebeenandareseenonthemountainsorthedeserts。 IsnotthenRomeindebtedmuchforhermagnificenceandgreatnesstothebloodofthemartyrs,totherelicsofsaints,totheholyconsecratedplaces,andtothesupremeauthorityinbeneficialandspiritualcauses?Wouldshenotbecomeaverywilderness,iftheopinionoftheholinessoftheplacesdrewnottheinnumerablesightofpeoplefromtheuttermostpartsoftheearth?Wouldshenotbecomeadesertiftheapostolicseatandthepowerofthekeyscausednotaninestimablemultitudeofpeopledailytorepairuntoitforsomebusinessorother? Milan,amostpopulousandfamouscity,shalleverbeawitnesswhatpraiseandglory,andhowmuchincreaseithathgottenbythesingularpietyandreligiouslifeofthatgreatCardinalBorromeo。Princesresorted,evenfromtheuttermostendsofthesouth,tovisithim;bishopsmadeaccessfromallpartstoconsultwithhimforhisopinioninanycontroversiesthatsprangamongstthem;theclergylikewiseharkeneduntohiscounsels,andthereligiouspeopleofallnationsheldMilanfortheircountryandthehouseofthatgodlymanfortheirport,hisliberalityfortheirrefugeandhisgodlylifeforamostfairandclearglassofecclesiasticaldisciplineforallmentolookintoandtotakeexampleby。 IshouldhaplybetoolongifIshoulddeclareuntoyouwithwhatsingularpraiseandcommendationhecelebratedeveryyearhissynods,andwithwhatmagnificencyhevisitedeveryyearhisprovinces,howmanychurchesheeitherbuiltnewor,beingold,setingoodorder,howmanyheadornedandbeautified,howmanymonasteriesofmenandwomenheerected,howmanywell—orderedcollegesofyoungmenandseminariesofpriestsheinstituted,howmanysortsofacademieshesetupandfoundedtotheinestimablegoodofthepeople,howmanykindsofentertainmentsandpromotionshebestoweduponartsandonartificers。AndI shouldneverendifIshouldrecountthematterandthemeanswherewithbyamplifyingGod’sserviceandadvancingofreligionheincreasedalsothecity,anddoubledtheconcourseofpeopleuntoMilan。 4。OfschoolsandstudiesThecommodityoflearnedschoolsisofnosmallmomenttodrawpeople,especiallyyoungmen,toacityofwhosegreatnessweareinspeech。Forinasmuchastherebetwomeansformenofwitandcouragetorisetosomedegreeofhonourandreputationintheworld,theonebyarms,theotherbybook,thefirstissoughtforinthefield,withthespearandthesword,andthelastintheacademy,withpenandbook。 Andforasmuchasmenlongforhonourorforprofit,andofliberalartsandsciencessomebringcertainwealthtomenandsomepromotionsandprefermentstohonourablefunctions,itisathingofnosmallimportancethatinacitytherebeprovidedanacademyorsuchaschoolasyoungmen,desiroustoattaintovirtueandlearning,maytherebyhaveoccasiontorepairratherthitherthantoanyotherplace。Andthatwillbeeffectedsoonifbesidesthecommodityoftheschoolandgoodteacherstheymayenjoyconvenientimmunitiesandprivileges。Isayconvenient,forthatIwouldnothaveimpunityaffordeduntofaults,norlicencegiventofalltoviceandwickedness,buthonestlibertyallowedtothemthattheymaythemorecommodiouslyandcheerfullyattendtotheirstudies。 Fortosaytruth,studyisamatterofgreatlabourandtravail,bothofthemindandbody。AndthereuponourforefathersintimespastcalledthegoddessofartsandsciencesMinerva,becausethetoilofspeculationweakeneththestrengthandcutsthesinews。Foranafflictedbodyafflictethmanytimesthemind,whereofgrowethmelancholyandsadness。Andthereforeitstandswithgoodreasonthatallconvenientprivilegeandlibertybegranteduntoscholarsthatmaymaintainthemincontentedandcheerfulminds;butnodissolutenessallowedinanywiseuntothem,whereoftheacademiesinItalyaregrowntoofull。Forthepenisthereturnedintoapoignard,andthedwellintoaflaskandtouch—boxforagun,thedisputationsintobloodybrawlings,theschoolsintolists,andthescholarsintocuttersandtohacksters。Honestyistherefloutedatandscorned,andbashfulnessandmodestyaccountedadiscreditandashame。Sothatayoungmanthatwerelikeenoughtoleadthemodestandsoberlifeofagoodstudentshallhavemuchtodoifhescapetobeundone。Butletusleavecomplaints;andyetImustneedssaythismuchfirst:noacademycanflourisharight,withoutquarrels,cardsanddicebebanishedquite,andcleancastout。 FrancistheFirst,KingofFrance,becausethescholarsoftheUniversityofParis(whichinhistimewerealmostaninfinitesight)shouldhavecommodityandmeanstotaketheairandtorecreatethemselveswithhonestexercises,heassignedthemagreatmeadownearthecityandtheriverwherewithoutletortroubletothemtheymightdisportandsolacethemselvesattheirwillandpleasure。Theretheyfelltowrestling,theretheyplayedatthebarriers,attheballandthefootball,theredidtheycastthesledgeandleapandrun,withsuchcheerfulnessandpastimeasitdelightedthebeholdersthereofnolessthanthemselves。Andsoceasethbythismeanstheclatterandthenoiseofweaponsandofarmour,andalsoplayatcardsanddice。 Forthesamereasonsitisnecessarythatthecitywhereinyouwillfoundanacademybeofanwholesomeair,andofapleasantanddelightfulsituation,wheretheremaybebothrivers,fountains,springsandwoods。Forthesethingsofthemselves,withoutanyotherhelp,areapttodelightandcheerupthespiritsandmindsofstudents。SuchwereintimespastAthensandRhodes,whereallgoodartsandlearningflourishedmostaboveallother。 GaleazzoVisconti(besidestheseinvitingsandallurements) beingearnestlydesiroustoillustrateandappopulatePavia,wasthefirstthatforbadhissubjects,underagreatpain,togoanywhereelsetostudy,whichcoursesomeprinceselseofItalyhathsincehistimefollowed。 Butthesearemeansfullofdistrustandtrouble。Thehonourableandnotablemeanstoretainsubjectsintheircountry,andtodrawstrangersalsohometoit,istoprocurethemmeansofhonestrecreation,toprovidethemplentyofvictual,tomaintaintothemtheirprivileges,togivethemoccasiontorisetodegreesofhonourbytheirlearnedexercises,tomakeaccountofgoodwits,andtorewardthemwell,butabovealltostorethemwithplentyofdoctorsandlearnedmenofgreatfameandreputation。 ThegreatPompeywasnotashamedtoenterintotheschools; foraftertheyhadconqueredalltheEasthewenttotheschoolsatRhodestoheartheprofessorstheredispute。 ButforafargreaterreasonSigismundKingofPolandgaveastraitcommandmentthatnoneofhissubjectsshouldwanderoutofhiskingdomtostudyanywhereelse(andtheCatholicKingcommandedthelikenotmanyyearssince)。Anditwastothisend,thathissubjectsshouldnotbeinfectedwiththeheresiesthatbeganinthetimeofKingSigismundandareattheheightintheseourdaysthroughoutalltheprovincesofthenorth。 5。OftheplaceofjusticeOurlives,ourhonourandoursubstanceareallinthehandsofthejudge。Forloveandcharityfailinginallplaces,theviolenceandcovetousnessofwickedmendothdailythemoreincrease,fromwhom,ifthejudgesdonotdefendus,ourbusinesswhatsoeverwedowillillgoforward。Forthiscausecitiesthathaveroyalaudience,senators,parliamentsorothersortsandkindsofcourtsofjusticemustneedsbemuchfrequented,aswellforconcourseofpeoplethathavecauseofsuituntoit,asalsofortheexecutionofjustice。Foritcannotbeministeredwithoutthehelpofmanypresidents,Imeansenators,advocates,proctors,solicitors,notariesandsuchlike。Nay,morethanthat(whichitgrievesmetothinkon)expeditionofjusticecannotbehadintheseourdayswithoutreadymoney。Fornothingintheworlddothmakemenrunsofastascurrentmoney。Fortheadamantisnotofsuchforcetodrawironuntoit,asgoldistoturntheeyesandthemindsofmenthiswayandthatwayandwhichwaytheylist。Andthereasonisplain,becausegold,eventhroughtheveryvirtuethereof,containethinitallgreatness,allcommoditiesandallearthlygoodwhatsoever。Tobeshort,hethathathmoneyhath,youmaysay,allworldlythingsthataretobehad。 Inthesedays,throughtheplentyofmoneywhichtheadministrationofjusticedothcarrywithit,themetropolitancities,iftheymaynothavethewholeadministrationofcivilandcriminalcauses,theywillyetreserveatleastuntothemthechiefestcausesandallappeals;whichiswelldoneformatterofstate(whereofthejudicialauthorityisaprincipalmemberbythemeanswhereoftheyarethepatronsandprotectorsofthelifeandgoodsofthesubject)。Buttheremustbearegardtotheprofitthatwehavepointedat。 Thisgoescurrentinallplaces,especiallywhereinjudicialcausestheydoproceedaccordingtothecommonuseandcourseofthelawsoftheRomans,forthatcourseandformislongerandrequirethmoreministersthantheother。 InEnglandandScotland,butespeciallyinTurkey,whereashortcourseistakenintrialofallcauseseven,asitwere,atthefirstsittingofthejudge,itprofitethlittletoincreasethegreatnessofacitytoholdpleasthere。Forasmuchasdifficultandhardcausesareinanafternoon,asitwere,decidedthereandended,ifsufficientwitnessbeproducedatthehearingofthecause。Theseadjournmentsandmanytermsaretherecutoff,andinstruments,process,officersandmediatorshavetherenoplace。Withafewblowsgiventheycometothehalfsword;sothatthetime,theexpense,andthenumberofpersonsarefarlessandmuchfewerthanthecivillawsdorequire。 IspeaknotthesethingstotheendIwouldhavecausesprolongedandsuitsmadeeternal。Fortheyaretoolongalready,withoutmoreado,and,indoingjustice,delay(whichreceivethnoexcusebycolourorpretenceofwarinessandcaretocommitnoerror)isveryplaininjustice。Andtherefore,inourcitywespeakofhere,itshallbeverynecessaryandexpedienttohaveinitaprincipalseatofjusticeandcourseofsuitsandpleasdependingonit。 6。OfindustryForasmuchasIhavealreadysufficientlysaidmymindconcerningindustryandartinmineeighthbookoftheReasonofState,whereinIhaveatlargediscoursedconcerningthepropagationofstates,Iwillthereforeforbrevity’ssakereferthegentlereaderuntothatsamechapter。 7。OfprivilegesThepeopleareintheseourdayssogrievouslyoppressedandtaxedbytheirprinces,whoaredriventoitpartlyofcovetousnessandpartlyofnecessity,thattheygreedyembracetheleasthopethatmaybeofprivilegeandfreedomwhensoeveritisoffered。thereofthemarts,fairsandmarketsbeargoodwitness,whicharefrequentedwithamightyconcourseoftradesmen,merchantsandpeopleofallsorts,notforanyrespectelsebutthattheyaretherefreeandfrankfromcustomsandexactions。 InourdaystheprincelycityofNaples,throughtheexemptionsandfreedomsgrantedtotheinhabitants,ismostnoblyincreased,bothinbuildingsandinpeople;anditwouldhaveincreasedagreatdealmoreifthroughthegriefsandsuitsofthebaronstherewhoselandswereunfurnishedofpeople,orforsomeotherpeculiarreason,theKingofSpainhadnotseverelyforbiddentoenlargeitwithfurtherbuildings。 ThecitiesinFlandersarethemostmerchantableandthemostfrequentedcitiesforcommerceandtrafficthatareinallEurope。Ifyourequirethecause,surelytheexemptionsfromcustomisthechiefestcauseofit。Forthemerchandisethatisbroughtinandcarriedout(anditisinfinitethatisbroughtinandcarriedout)paidbutaverysmallcustom。 Allsuchashaveerectednewcitiesintimespast,todrawconcourseofpeopletoithavegrantedofnecessitylargeimmunitiesandprivileges,atleasttothefirstinhabitantsthereof。Thelikehavetheydonethathaverestoredcitiesemptiedwiththeplague,consumedwiththewars,orafflictedotherwisewithsomeotherscourgeofGod。 TheplaguementionedbyBoccaccio,thatlanguishedallItalynearthreeyearstogether,wassofiercethatfromMarchtoJulyittookoutoftheworldaboutanhundredthousandsoulswithinFlorence。ItslewalsosuchanumberwithinVeniceasinamanneritbecameadesert,sothattheSenate,tohaveitreinhabited,causedproclamationtobemadethatallsuchaswouldcomethitherwiththeirfamiliesanddwelltheretwoyearstogethershouldhavethefreedomofthecity。ThesamecommonwealthofVenicehathbeenalsomorethanoncedeliveredoutofextremenecessityofvictualsbypromisingprivilegeandfreedomtosuchasbroughtthemcorn。 8。OfhavinginherpossessionsomemerchandiseofmomentItwillalsogreatlyhelptodrawpeopletoourcityifshehavesomegoodstoreofvendiblemerchandisealwaysinherpossession,whichhaplymaybewhere,throughthegoodnessofthesoil,eitherallofitdothgrow,oragreatpart,orthatatleastwhichismoreexcellentthanother:all,astheclovesintheMoluccas,thefrankincenseandsweet—smellinggumsinSabaea,thebalsaminPalestine;orwhereagoodpartofitdothgrow,aspepperdothinCalicutandcinnamoninCeylon;orwhereitismostexcellent,assaltisinCyprus,sugarsatMadeiraandwoolinsomecitiesofSpainandEngland。Thereisalsotobeaddeduntothistheexcellencyofartandworkmanshipwhich,throughthequalityofthewaterortheskillandcunningoftheinhabitants,orsomehiddenmysteryoftheirs,orothersuchlikecause,chancethtobeinoneplacemoreexcellentthananother,asthearmourinDamascusandinShiraz,tapestryinArras,rashinFlorence,velvetsinGenoa,clothofgoldandsilverinMilan,andscarletinVenice。 Andtothispurpose,IcannotpassitoverbutImustdeclareuntoyouthatinChinaallartsinamatterflourishinthehighestdegreeofexcellencythatmaybe,formanyreasonsbutamongsttherestchieflyforthis,becausethechildrenareboundtofollowtheirfather’smysteryandtrade。Sothatforasmuchastheyareborn,asitwere,witharesolutemindtofollowtheirfather’sart,andthefathershidenotfromthemanything,butteachthemandinstructthemwithallaffection,assiduity,diligenceandcare,workmanshipisbythismeanstheregrowntothatfullnessofexcellencyandperfectionthatmaybepossiblydesired;asmaybeseeninthesefewworksthatarebroughtoutofChinatothePhilippines,fromthePhilippinestoMexico,andfromMexicotoSeville。Butletusreturntoourpurpose。 Therearealsosomeothercitiesmastersofsomecommodities,notbecausethegoodsdogrowintheircountryorbewroughtbytheirinhabitants,butbecausetheyhavecommandeitherofthecountryoroftheseathatisnearthem:thecommandofthecountry,asSeville,untowhichinfinitewealthandrichesarebroughtfromNovaHispaniaandPeru;thecommandofthesea,asLisbon,whichbythismeansdrawethtoitthepepperofCochinandthecinnamonofCeylonandotherrichesoftheIndies,whichcannotbebroughtbyseabutbythem,orundertheirleaveandlicence。 AfterthesamesortinamatterVenice,aboutfour—scoreandtenyearsagone,wasLadyoftheSpiceries,forbeforethePortuguesepossessedtheIndiesthesethingsbeingbroughtbytheRedSeatoSuez,andfromthenceuponcamels’backstoCairo,andafterthatbyNileintoAlexandria,thereweretheyboughtupbytheVenetianswhosentthithertheirgreatargosies,andwithincredibleprofittothemcarriedtheminamatterintoallthepartsofEurope。 ButallthiscommerceandtradeisnowquiteturnedtoLisbon,untowhichplace,byanewway,thespiceries(takenasitwereoutofthehandsoftheMoorsandTurks)beyearlybroughtbythePortuguese,andthensoldtotheSpaniards,Frenchmen,Englishmenandtoallthenorthernparts。ThiscommerceandtradeisofsuchimportanceasitaloneisenoughtoenrichallPortugalandtomakeitplentifulofallthings。 Therearesomeothercitiesalsolords,asitwere,ofmuchmerchandiseandtraffic,bymeansoftheircommodioussituationtomanynations,towhomtheyserveofwarehouseroomandstorehouses:suchareMalaccaandOrmuzintheEast,Alexandria,Constantinople,MessinaandGenoaintheMediterraneanSea,Antwerp,Amsterdam,DanzigandNarvaintheNorthernSeas,andFrankfurtandNuremberginGermany。Inwhichcitiesmanygreatmerchantsexercisetheirtrafficandmaketheirwarehouses,untothewhichthenationsthereuntoadjoiningusetoresorttomaketheirprovisionsofsuchthingsastheyneedbecausetheyhavecommodiousmeansfortransportationofit。Andthisconsistethinthelargenessandthesafenessoftheports,intheopportunityandfitnessofthegulfsandcreeksoftheseas,inthenavigableriversthatcomeintothecities,orrunbyornearthem,inthelakesandchattels;asalsowherethewaysbeplainandsafe。 Andheretothepurpose,becauseIspeakofways,IcannotpassoverthosetwowayswhichthekingsofCuzco(calledintheirlanguageIncas)inthelongprocessoftimecutoutthroughouttheirdominion,abouttwothousandmilesinlength,sopleasant,socommodious,soplainandsolevelastheygivenoplacetothemagnificentworksoftheRomans。Forthereshallyouseesteepandhighhillslaidevenwiththeplain,anddeepvalleysfilledup,andhorriblehugestonescutinpieces;thereshallyouseethetreesthatareplantedhereandthere,inexcellentgoodorderevenbyaline,yieldbothwiththeirshadeacomfortandwiththecharmofthebirdsthatthereaboundingreatplenty,amarvellousdelightandpleasuretothetravellersthatpassthoseways。Neitheraretherewantingonthosewaysmanygoodinnsforlodgingandforentertainment,plentifulofallnecessarythings,norpalacesandgoodlybuildingsthatineminentandopenplaces,asitwere,tomeetyou,presentyouwithapleasantandbeautifulshowoftheirexcellencyandrareness;norpleasanttowns,norsweetcountries,norathousandotherdelightsandpleasurestofeedboththeeyewithvarietyandthemindwithadmirationattheinfiniteeffects,partlywroughtbynatureandpartlybythehandiworkofman。Buttoreturntoourpurpose。 Itisagoodmatterandagreathelptoaprincetoknowthenaturalsiteofhiscountry,andwithjudgmenttohaveanunderstandinghowtoamenditbyartandindustry。As,forexample,todefendhisportswithrampiersandwithbulwarks,tomaketheladingandunladingofmerchandisebothquickandeasy,toscourtheseasofpiratesandofrovers,tomaketheriversnavigable,tobuildstorehousesaptandlargeenoughtocontaingreatquantityofwares,andtodefendandmaintainthewaysaswellontheplainsasonthemountainsandhillyplaces。 InthispointthekingsofChinahavedeservedallpraisethatmaybe。Fortheyhavewithanincredibleexpenseandchargepavedwithstoneallthehighwaysofthatmostfamouskingdom,andhavemadestonebridgesovermightygreatrivers,andcutinsunderhillsandmountainsofinestimableheightandcraggedness。 Theyhavealsostrewedtheplainsandbottomswithveryfairstone,sothatamanmaytherepasseitheronhorseorafootaswellinthewinterasinthesummertime,andmerchandisemaybeeasilycarriedtoandfrotherebyload,eitheroncartsoronhorse,mulesorcamels。 Andinthispoint,nodoubt,someprincesinItalyaremuchtoblame,inwhosecountriesinthewinter—timehorsesarebemiredinsloughsuptothebelly,andcartsarestabledandsetfastinthetoughdirtandmire。Sothatcarriagesbycartorhorsearetherebyverycumbersome,andajourneythatmightbewelldispatchedinadaycanhardlybeperformedinthreeorfour。AndthewaysareasbadinmanypartsofFrance,asinthecountryofPoitiers,Saintonge,BeauceandinBurgundy。Butthisisnoplacetocensuresofamousprovinces,andthereforeletusproceed。 9。OfdominionandpowerThegreatestmeanstomakeacitypopulousandgreatistohavesupremeauthorityandpower;forthatdrawethdependencywithit,anddependencyconcourse,andconcoursegreatness。Inthecitiesthathavejurisdictionandpoweroverothers,aswellthepublicwealthasthewealthofprivatemenisdrawnbydiversartsandmeansuntothem。Thitherdorepairtheambassadorsofprinces,andtheagentsofdukesandcommonwealths,therearethegreatestcausesheard,aswellcriminalascivil,andallappealsarebroughttotrialthere。Therearethesuitsandcauses,aswellofmenofqualityasofthecommonwealandcommonpersonsdebatedanddecided,therevenuesofthestatearetherelaidup,andtherespentoutagainwhenthereisneed。Therichestcitizensofothercountriesseektoallythemselvesandtogetanhabitationthere。 Outofallwhichcauseshererecitedtheremustneedsfollowanabundanceofwealthandriches,amoststrongandforciblebaittoallureanddrawforththemerchants,theartificersandthepeopleofallsortsthatliveupontheirlabourandtheirservice,torunamainfromthefurthestcoastsuntoit。Afterthissortacitysoonincreasethbothinmagnificencyofbuilding,inmultitudeofpeopleandabundanceofwealth,andalsogrowethtotheproportionofaprincipality。 Thetruthwhereofthesecitiesallofthemdeclareitplain,thateitherhavehadorhaveanynotablejurisdictioninthem; Pisa,Siena,Genoa,Lucca,FlorenceandBrescia,whosecountriesdoextendanhundredmilesinlengthandfortyinbreadth,andnotonlycontainthemostfruitfulandfertileplainsbutalsomanyrichandgoodlyvalleys,manytownsandcastlesthathaveaboveathousandhousesinthemanddofeedverynearthreehundredandfortythousandpersons。ManyfreeandimperialcitiesinGermanyareliketothese:Nuremberg,LubeckandAachen,andsuchwasGhentinFlanders,thatwhenthestandardwasadvancedandspreadsentoutatonceanhundredthousandmenofwar。 IspeaknothereofSparta,Carthage,Athens,RomenorVenice,whosegreatnessgrewasfastastheirpower,evensofarthat,topasstherest,Carthage,intheheightofherprideandglory,wastwenty—fourmilesabout,andRomewasfiftybesidesthesuburbs,whichwereinamattersoinfiniteandgreatasontheonesidetheyextendedeventoOstiaandontheotherside,inamatter,toUtricoli,androundabouttheyoccupiedandpossessedamightydealofthecountry。Butletusproceed,fortothischapterbelongethallthatshallbesaidhereafteroftheresidenceofprinces。 10。OftheresidencyofthenobilityAmongstothercauseswhythecitiesofItalyareordinarilygreaterthanthecitiesofFranceorotherpartsofEurope,itisnotofsmallimportancethis,thatthegentlemeninItalydodwellincities,andinFranceintheircastles,whichareforthemostpartpalacescompassedandsurroundedwithmoatsfullofwater,andfencedwithwallsandtowerssufficienttosustainasuddenassault。 AndalthoughthenoblemenofItalydoalsothemselvesmagnificentlydwellinthevillages,asyoumayseeaboutthecountriesofFlorence,VeniceandGenoa,whicharefullofbuildingsbothfortheworthinessofthematterandtheexcellencyoftheworkmanshipfittobeanornamentandanhonourrathertoakingdomthantoacity,yetnotwithstanding,thesebuildingsgenerallyaremoresumptuousandmorecommoninFrancethantheyareinItaly。FortheItaliandividethhisexpenseandendeavourspartinthecity,partinthecountry,butthegreaterparthebestowsinthecity。ButtheFrenchmanemploysallthathemaywhollyinthecountry,regardingthecitylittleornothingatall;foraninnserveshisturnwhenheneeds。 Howbeit,experienceteacheththeresidenceofnoblemenincitiesmakesthemtobemoregloriousandmostpopulousnotonlybecausetheybringtheirpeopleandtheirfamiliesuntoit,butalsomorebecauseanoblemandispendethmuchmorelargely,throughtheaccessoffriendsuntohimandthroughtheemulationofothers,inacitywhereheisabidingandvisitedcontinuallybyhonourablepersonages,thanhespendethinthecountry,wherehelivethamongstthebrutebeastsofthefieldandconversethwithplaincountrypeopleandgoesapparelledamongsttheminplainandsimplegarments。Gorgeousandgallantbuildingsnecessitymustalsofollow,andsundryartsofallsortsandkindsmustneedsincreasetoexcellencyandfullperfectionincitieswherenoblemendomaketheirresidence。 ForthiscausetheIncaofPeru,thatis,thekingofPeru,meaningtoennobleandmakegreathisroyalcityofCuzcowouldnotonlythathiscaciquesandhisbaronsshouldinhabitthere,buthedidalsocommandthateveryoneofthemshoulderectandbuildapalacethereinfortheirdwelling;whichwhentheyhadperformed,eachstrivingwiththeotherwhoshoulderectthefairest,thatcityinshorttimegrewwithmostprincelybuildingstobemagnificentandgreat。SomedukesofLombardyhaveinourdaysattemptedsuchathing。 TigranesKingofArmenia,whenhesetupthegreatTigranocertaenforcedagreatnumberofgentlemenandhonourablepersons,withothersofgreatwealthandsubstance,toremovethemselvesthitherwithalltheirgoodswhatsoever,sendingforthasolemnproclamationwithalthatwhatgoodssoeverwerenotbroughtthithershouldbeconfiscateclean。 AndthisisthecausethatVeniceinshorttimeincreasedsonotablyinherbeginning。FortheythatfledoutofthecountriesthereadjoiningintotheislandswhereVeniceismiraculouslyseated,asitwere,werenoblepersonagesandrich,andthitherdidtheycarrywiththemalltheirwealthandsubstance,withthewhich,givingthemselvesthroughtheopportunityofthatgulftonavigationandtotraffic,theybecamewithinawhileownersandmastersofthecityandoftheislandsthereuntoadjoining;andwiththeirwealthandrichestheyeasilyennobledthecountrywithmagnificentandgorgeousbuildings,andwithinestimabletreasure,andintheendbroughtittothatgreatnessandpowerinwhichwedobothseeitandadmireitatthispresent。 11。OftheresidencyoftheprinceFortheveryselfsamecauseswehavealittlebeforedeclaredinthechapterofdominionandpower,itdothinfinitelyavailtothemagandmakingcitiesgreatandpopuloustheresidencyoftheprincetherein,accordingtothegreatnessofwhoseempireshedothincrease。Forwheretheprinceisresidenttherealsotheparliamentsareheld,andthesupremeplaceofjusticeistherekept。Allmattersofimportancehaverecoursetothatplace,allprincesandallpersonsofaccount,ambassadorsofprincesandofcommonwealths,andallagentsofcitiesthataresubjectmaketheirrepairthither;allsuchasaspireandthirstafterofficesandhonoursrunthitheramainwithemulationanddisdainatothers。Thitheraretherevenuesbroughtthatpertainuntothestate,andtherearetheydisposedoutagain。Byallwhichmeanscitiesmustneedsincreaseapaceitmayeasilybeconceivedbytheexamples,inamatter,ofallthecitiesofimportanceandofname。 TheancientestkingdomwasthatofEgypt,whoseprinceskepttheircourtpartlyinThebesandpartlyinMemphis,bymeanswhereofthosetwocitiesgrewtomightygreatnessandtobeautifulandsumptuousbuildings。ForasmuchasThebes(whichHomercallspoeticallytheCityofaHundredGates)wasincircuit(asDiodoruswriteth)seventeenmilesabout,andwasbeautifulwithproudandstatelybuildingsbothpublicandprivate,andalsofullofpeople。AndMemphiswasbutlittleless。 Inafterages,otherkingssucceeding(whichwerecalledPtolemies)theykepttheircourtinAlexandria,whichdidbythatmeansmightilyincreaseinbuildings,inpeople,inreverentreputationtakenofit,andininestimablewealthandriches;andtheothertwocitiesaforesaid,thatbytheruinofthatkingdomfallingfirstundertheChaldeansandafterwardunderthePersianswereexceedinglydecayed,arenowutterlydefaced。 TheSultansafterthatforsakingAlexandriadrewthemselvestoCairowhich,evenforthisverycausebecame(withinalittletimetospeakof)acitysopopulousasithathgotten,notwithoutgoodcause,thenameoftheGreatCairo。ButtheSultans,becausetheythoughtthemselvesnottobesecureinrespectoftheinnumerablemultitude,ifsogreatapeopleshouldperchanceriseupinarmsagainstthem,divideditwithlargeandmanyditchesfilledfullofwater,sothatitmightappearnotonecityalonebutmanylittletownsunitedandjoinedtogether。Atthisdayitisdividedintothreetownsalittlemiledistantonefromanother,whosenamesarethese:Bulak,oldCairoandnewCairo。Itissaidtherearesixteenthousandor(asAriostowriteth)eighteenthousandgreatstreetsinit,thatareeverynightshutupwithirongates。Itmaybeeightmilesabout,withinwhichcompass,forthatthesepeopledwellnotsoatlargenorsocommodiouslyforeaseaswedo,butforthemostpartwithintheground,stowedupasitwere,andcrowdedandthrusttogether,thereissuchaninfinitemultitudeofthemastheycannotbenumbered。 Theplague,inamatter,neverleaveththem,buteveryseventhyeartheyfeelitmostexceedingly。Andifitdispatchnotoutofthewayabovethreehundredthousand,theycountitbutaflea—bite。InthetimeoftheSultansthatcitywasaccountedtostandtohealthwhenastherediednotinitaboveathousandpersonsinaday。AndletthissufficethatIhavesaidofCairo,whichisofsogreatafameintheworldatthisday。 InAssyria,thekingsmadetheirresidenceinNineveh,whosecircuitwasfourhundredandeightyfurlongsabout,whichcomestothreescoremiles。Andinlengthitwas(asDiodoruswriteth) onehundredandfiftyfurlongs。Thesuburbsthereofnodoubtmustneedsbesidesthatbeverylarge。FortheScriptureaffirmeththatNinevehwasgreat,threedaysjourneytopassitover。 Diodoruswriteth,therewasneveranycityafterthatsetupofsogreatacircuitandofsohugeagreatness。Fortheheightofthewallswasanhundredfoot,thebreadthabletocontainthreecartsabreasttogether,towersinthewallsathousandandfivehundred,inheightanhundredfoot,asVivessaith。 TheresidenceofthekingsofChaldeawasinBabylon。Thiscitywasincompassfourhundredandfourscorefurlongs,sowritesHerodotus。Herwallswerewidefiftycubits,hightwohundredandmore。Aristotlemakethitmuchgreater,forhewritesthatitwassaidinhistimethatwhenBabylonwastakenitwasthreedaysereoneparttookknowledgeoftheconquest。ThepeoplethereofweresuchanumberastheydurstofferbattleuntoCyrus,thegreatestandthemightiestkingforpowerthateverwasofPersia。Semiramisdidbuildit,butNebuchadnezzardidmightilyincreaseit。WhenitwasruinatedafterwardatthecominginoftheScythiansandotherpeopleinthosecountries,itwasre—edifiedbyoneBugiasarEmperoroftheSaracenswhospentuponiteighteenmillionsofgold。JoviuswriteththatevenatthisdayitisgreaterthanRome,ifyourespectthecompassoftheancientwalls;buttherearenotonlywoodstohuntinandfieldsfortillage,butalsoorchardsandlargegardensinit。 ThekingsofMediamadetheirresidenceinEcbatana,thekingsofPersiainPersepolis,ofwhosegreatnessthereisnootherargumentthanconjecture。InourtimethekingsofPersiahavemadetheirresidenceinTauris,andastheirempireisnotsogreatasithathbeen,soalsoneitheristheircityofthegreatest。Itisincompass,forallthat,aboutsixteenmiles,yea,somesaymore。Itisalsoverylong,andhathmanygardensinit,butitiswithoutanywall,athingcommon,inamatter,toallthecitiesinPersia。 InTartaryandintheOrientalAsia,throughthepowerofthosegreatprinces,arefargreatercitiesthaninanypartselseintheworld。TheTartarshaveatthisdaytwogreatempires,whereoftheoneisoftheMongolianTartars,theotheroftheCathayans。TheMongolianTartarshaveinourtimeincrediblyenlargedtheirdominion,forMahommedtheirprince,notcontentedwithhisancientconfines,subduednotmanyyearssince,inamatter,allthateverliethbetweenGangesandIndus。 ThechiefcityofMogoraisSamarkand,whichwasincrediblyenrichedbythegreatTamburlanewiththespoilsofallAsia,wherelikeanhorribletempestordeadlyragingfloodhethrewdowntothegroundthemostancientandworthiestcities,andcarriedfromthencetheirwealthandriches。Andtospeakofnoneother,heonlytookfromDamascuseightthousandcamelsladenwithrichspoilsandchoicestmovablegoods。Thiscityhathbeenofsuchgreatnessandpowerthatinsomeancientreportswereaditmadeoutfortythousandhorse。Butatthisdayitisnotofsuchmagnificencyandgreatness,throughthedominionoftheempire。ForasafterthedeathofthegreatTamburlaneitwassuddenlydividedintomanypartsbyhisfoursons,soisitlikewiseinourtimedividedamongstthesonsofMahommed,whohathlastofallsubduedCambay。 AndforasmuchasIhavemadementionofCambayImusttellyouthereareinthatkingdomtwomemorablecities:theoneisCambayandtheotheriscalledChitor。Cambayisofsuchgreatnessthatithathgottenthenameofaprovince。Somewritethatitdothcontainonehundredandfiftythousandhouses;tothewhichallow,ascommonlythematteris,toeveryhousefivepersonsanditwillthencometolittlelessthaneighthundredthousandinhabitants。Butsomemakeittobemuchless。Howbeit,inanysorthowsoeveritisamostfamouscity,thechiefestofamostrichkingdom,andtheseatofamostmightyking,thatbroughttotheenterpriseagainstMahommedKingoftheMongolsfivehundredthousandfootmenandahundredandfiftythousandhorsemen,whereofthirtythousandwerearmedafterthematterofourmen—at—arms。Chitoristwelvemilesabout,andisacitysomagnificentofbuildings,sobeautifulforgoodlystreetsandsofullofdelightsandpleasuresthatfewothercitiesdocomenearit,anditisforthatcausecalledbythepeoplethatinhabitthere,theShadowoftheHeavens。IthathbeeninourtimethecityofresidencyoftheQueenCrementina,who,becausesherebelledfromthesaidkingofCambay,waswithmainforcedeprivedthereofintheyear1536。 TheemperoroftheCathayanTartars(commonlycalledtheGreatCham)derivethhimselffromthegreatGenghis,whowasthefirstthatthreeyearsagonecameoutofScythiaAsiaticawithavaliantexpeditionandpowerofarms,andmadethenameoftheTartarsfamous。ForhesubduedChinaandmadeagreatpartofIndiatributaryuntohim;hewastedPersia,andmadeAsiatotremble。ThesuccessorsofthisgreatprincemadetheirresidenceinthecityofCambaluc,acitynolessmagnificentthangreat,foritissaiditisincompasstwenty—eightmiles,besidesthesuburbs,andthatitisofsuchtrafficandcommerceasbesidesothersortsofmerchandisethereareeveryyearbroughtintoitverynearathousandcarts,allloadenwithsilkthatcomefromChina。Whereuponamanmayguessboththegreatnessofthetrades,thewealthofthemerchandise,thevarietyoftheartificersandarts,themultitudeofpeople,thepomp,themagnificence,thepleasureandthebraveryoftheinhabitantsthereof。 ButletusnowcometoChina。Thereisnotinalltheworldakingdom(Ispeakofunitedandentirekingdoms)thatiseithergreater,ormorepopulous,ormorerich,ormoreaboundinginallgoodthings,orthathathmoreageslastedandenduredthanthatfamousandrenownedkingdomofChina。Hereofitgrowsthatthecitieswhereintheirkingshavemadetheirresidencehaveeverbeenthegreatestthathavebeenintheworld。AndthoseareSuntien,AnchinandPanchin。Suntien(bysomuchasIcanlearnoutoftheundoubtedtestimoniesofothermen)isthemostancientandthechiefestandtheprincipallestofacertainprovincewhichiscalledKinsay,bywhichnametheycommonlycallthesamecity。*Itisseatedasitwereintheextremestpartsalmostoftheeast,inamightygreatlakethatisdrawnoutofthefourprincelyriversthatfallthereintoit,whereofthegreatestiscalledPulisanghin。Thelakeisfulloflittleislandswhich,forthegallantnessofthesite,thefreshnessoftheairandsweetnessofthegardensareverydelightfulwithoutmeasure。Hisbanksaretapestriedwithverdure,mantledwithtrees,wateredwithclearrunningbrooksandmanysprings,andadornedwithmagnificentandstatelypalaces。Thislakeinhisgreatestbreadthisfourleagueswideatthemouthoftherivertwenty—eightmiles,orthereabout。Incircuititisanhundredmilesabout,withlargepassagesbothbywaterandbyland。Thestreetsthereofareallofthempavedgallantlywithstone,andbeautifiedwithveryfairbenchesorseatstositupon。Thechattelsofmostaccountarehaplyfifteen,withbridgesoverthemsostatelytobeholdthatshipsunderalltheirsailspassunderthem。Thegreatestofthesechannelscutteththroughthemidst,asitwere,ofthecityandisamilewide,alittlemoreorless,withfourscorebridgesuponit;asight,noquestion,thatdothexceedallother。 IshouldbetoolongifIshouldheredeclareallthatmightbesaidofthegreatnessofthewalksandgalleries,ofthemagnificentandstatelybuildings,ofthebeautyofthestreets,oftheinnumerablemultitudeofinhabitants,oftheinfiniteconcourseofmerchandise,oftheinestimablenumberofshipsandvessels,someinlaidwithebonyandsomewithivory,andchequeredsomewithgoldandsomewithsilver,oftheincomparablerichesthatcomeinthitherandarecarriedoutcontinually;tobeshort,ofthedelightsandpleasureswhereofthiscitydothsoexceedinglyaboundasitdeservestobecalledproudSuntien。AndyettheothertwocitesPanchinandAnchinareneverawhitlessthanthisis。 ButforasmuchaswehavemadementionofChina,Ithinkitnotamissinthisplacetorememberthegreatnessofsomeotherofhercities,accordingtotherelationswereceiveinthesedays。Canton,then(whichisthemostknown,thoughnotthegreatest)thePortuguesethathavehadmuchcommercethitherthesemanyyearsconfessitisgreaterthanLisbon,whichyetisthegreatestcitythatisinEuropeexceptConstantinopleandParis。SanchieoissaidtobethreetimesgreaterthanSeville,sothatsinceSevilleissixmilesincompassSanchieomustneedsbeeighteenmilesabout。TheyalsosayHuchouexceedsthembothingreatness。Chinchew,althoughitbeofthemeanersort,theFathersoftheOrderofSt。Augustinewhosawitdojudgethatcitytocontainthreescoreandtenthousandhouses。