HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE.

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were subdued with little difficulty, and the triumphant standard of the re-public proudly waved, without a rival, along the shores of the Adriatic, andthe Archipelago.

Notwithstanding Venice had reached a summit of glory, and what was ofstill greater consequence, of power also, which appeared to elevate her beyondthe reach of foes, or of rivals, yet such is the uneasy temper of mankind, andsuch the aspiring disposition of public bodies, or what are called states, thatthough disgrace and ruin heavily impend o’er the attempt, it is frequently per-sisted in even till destruction follows. The Genoese, situated on the western,or opposite shore of Italy to Venice, had long beheld with envy the encreasedwealth and power of those who could scarcely be considered as their neigh-bours, and resolved to use every exertion possible, in order to acquire such adegree of strength as should render a public quarrel, entitled, in public opinion,to a term somewhat less harsh than an act of national frensy. Hostilities com-menced with the capture of a celebrated Genoese pirate, w ho had, for a con-siderable space of time, infested those seas, and committed various depredations,capturing the vessels of every country whatever that v r ere unfortunate enoughto fall in his way. The attack and defeat of the Genoese fleet itself quicklyfollowed. T he victory appeared an act of public justice, since it was totallyderogatory to the honour of a public state, that a ruffian should be countenancedin piratically attacking and plundering, w'ithout discrimination, whatever vesselswere unlucky enough to meet the contest. The result reflects no small degree ofhonour on the tactics and skill of the Venetians : for w'hile the whole force ofwhich their squadron consisted is related to have amounted to no more than ninegallies, these are said not only to have discomfited the Genoese fleet, W'hose forceis not mentioned, but to have captured or destroyed twelve ships out of thosewhich composed it. The possession of the island of Candia became immediatelyafter this time a constant bone of contention for a series of years between thetwo rival states. The envy of the upstart republic having been excited bv theprosperity of her elder sister, seized that kind of opportunity which fiequentlywill offer itself, particularly in conquered countries, and distant colonies, ofexciting the disaffected part of the inhabitants to revolt, under the promise ofsuch sufficient succour as would effectually enable them to throw off their alle-giance. The superior power of Venice proved, nevertheless, too great for thejoint exertions of rebellion, and its abettors, for the sovereignty of Candia re-verted over to its former possessors. The terms of submission were the pay-ment