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THE ADRIATIC KKIDK. 



already several times nearly effected the ruin and destruction of 

 their republic; and the dangerous custom of rising against their 

 princes on the least pretext, and requiring justification of their con- 

 duct, by the voice of sedition, was found so pernicious, that they 

 began to think of powerful means to quell such occurrences. At 

 length, the only existing power, the Guarantia, instituted a grand 

 council of 740 members, who elected from among themselves, sixty of 

 their most approved men, called Pregadi, in whose hands the busi- 

 ness of the State was placed, and out of which body was formed in 

 later times the Venetian senate. The election of the Doge was given 

 up to eleven of these. The people submitted cheerfully to this new 

 regulation, and the plurality of voices decided for Orio Malapiero ; as 

 it was principally to the activity and prudence of his measures, 

 whereby he exposed his life a thousand times to danger, that the 

 cessation of the plague was finally to be attributed. 



But Malapiero was totally free from pride or ambition ; his 

 country was more to him than glory and renown, and his penetrating 

 glance quickly perceived, that it required a greater mind than his 

 own, to hold the reins of government at this important moment. 

 With noble frankness he presented himself before the electors, and 

 modestly declined the honour done him. He convinced them by the 

 force of his eloquence, that the difficult situation of the republic 

 required a man, who should not only inspire all parties with respect 

 for his superior courage and strength of mind, but who should 

 draw the eyes of the people on him by his riches and distinguished 

 name, and concluded by intreating them to transfer the honour they 

 had intended him to his friend, Sebastiano Ziani, in whom was combined 

 all these qualities, and who alone could fulfil all these expectations. 

 The electors, struck with admiration at the noble-minded Malafiero, 

 and convinced of the truth of his reasoning, elected Sebastiano Ziani, 

 without one dissentient voice, but on the express condition that his 

 connexion with Daponte's daughter, which was now universally 

 known, should be immediately broken off; for the vacillating popu- 

 lace, which had at first called out loudly for the death of the Doge, 

 now mourned him, and execrated his assassin. It was therefore justly 

 conceived, that a Doge could never be loved and respected who 

 should unite himself to the daughter of a murderer. 



Malafiero hastened, overjoyed, to his friend. " The election is 

 over \" he cried out on seeing him, while his eyes sparkled with the 

 consciousness of having subdued himself. 



Ziani looked at him, and his countenance beamed with pleasure as 

 he took his hand : " Heaven has directed the electors !" said he ; 

 " for if I can read in your eyes, I think I may venture to welcome 

 you as Doge !" 



" Not I !" replied Malapiero ; " Heaven protect the electors and 

 my country ! You are the Doge !" 



Ziani's countenance was instantly lighted up with ardour and 

 enthusiasm: he raised his hand, as though taking an oath, and 

 said : " Since my people have placed their confidence in me, may 

 God grant me energy and wisdom in ruling them ! I swear that I 

 will never render myself unworthy of the throne !" 



