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For twenty years paft, there has been in the republic little more than a multiplicationof abufes, fo that almoft every circumftance which has been condemned in the arbitrarygovernments of Europe , is now to be found in that of Venice. And as an inftance ofthe principles on which they govern their provinces, that of litria was quoted, i. Topreferve the woods (which belong to the Prince), they prevent the people from turningany cattle into them; and if any man cut a tree, he is infallibly fent to the gallies, whichhas driven numbers out of that part of the country where the woods are fituated.—
2. There are great opportunities of making fait, and the pans might be numerous, but it isa monopoly held by the State; they purchafe a certain quantity, at x of. French , perquintal, and if more than the fpecified quantity be made, it is lodged in their magazineson credit, and it may be two, three, or four years before the maker of it be paid.—
3. Oil is a monopoly of the city of Venice ; none can be fold but through that city, by
which tranfit, an opportunity is taken to levy two ducats (each 4 livres of France ) perbarrel of one hundred pounds, and five more entree into Venice.—4. The coaft aboundsremarkably with fith, which are taken in aim off any quantity ; lalt is on thefpot, yet noufe can be made of it but by contraband, except for Venice fmgly. Thus a great trade inbarrelled fifh is foregone, in order to make a whole province beaffs of burthen to a finglecity.—5. The heavy tax of a Jiajo of wheat, one hundred and thirty pounds, is laid oneach head of a family, payable to the Venetian bailiff. x
The practical refult of fuch principles of government, confirms whatever condemna-tion theory could pronounce. Every part of the province, except a diftrift that is morefavoured than the reft in foil and climate, is depopulated ; and fo much are the woodspreferred to the people, that parts which once abounded with men, are become deferts ;and the fmall population remaining in other parts, is every day diminifhing. Dalmatia is in a yet worfe ftate ; for the greater part is a real defert: in 1781 and 1782, no lefsthan twelve thoufand families emigrated from the province. As 1 have not travelled inthefe provinces, I do no more than report the account given by well-informed Italians ,though not refiding in the territories of the republic. Before the government of this fternariftocracy is made the fubject of exaggerated praife, let fafts counter to thefe be madethe foundation.-But farther,
In the immediate operations of their government at home, the fame weaknefs is found.Their poverty has increafed with their revenue; they have railed the leafes of the farmersgeneral (for that odious colleftion is the mode they purfue) confiderably; and neartwenty years ago they feized many of the poffefiions of the monks—that aft for wdiichthe National Aflembly of France has been condemned; but which, in the hands of nu-merous other governments, has either pafled without animadverfion, or has been com-mended. They did the fame with the eftates of fome of the hofpitals, but though fuchexertions have railed their revenue to 6,100,000 ducats, (1,054,000k) yet they havefound their affairs in fuch a fituation, from bad management, that they have been obligedto fell the offices, which were in better times granted to merit; and committed a fort ofbankruptcy, by reducing the intereft of their old debts from 5 to 3 per cent. Theircredit is at fo low an ebb, that no longer ago than laft June, they opened a fubferiptionto fund 700,000 ducats, and notwithHanding evefy art, could procure no more thanabout 300,000. Inftead of their famous chain, which marked the wifdomof their oeco-• nomy, their treafury is without a fol: and to fhew the apprehenfions they have of pro-vinces under their dominion throwing off their yoke, if they are at a fmall diftance fromthe feat of government, the State makes a diftinftion in the political treatment of theBergamafque and Brefcian territories, from thofe nearer to Venice, in refpeft to privi-leges, punifhments, taxes, &c. No' favourable feature of their government; and w'hichfhews that they think the people made for their city. p .