432 OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. 



spending half a million, he layeth up yearly one 

 million. But certainly he is the richest prince in 

 all Europe of coin. The form of his government is 

 absolute, depending only of his will and pleasure, 

 though retaining in many things the ancient officers 

 and shew. But those magistrates resolve nothing 

 without his express directions and pleasure. Privy 

 council he useth none, but reposeth much his trust 

 on sound secretaries, and conferreth chiefly with his 

 wife, as his father did with one of his secretaries. 

 For matter of examinations, one Corbolo hath the 

 especial trust ; he doth favour the people more than 

 the nobility, because they do bear an old grudge to 

 the gentlemen, and the people are the more in 

 number, without whom the nobility can do nothing. 

 One thing in him giveth great contentment to the 

 subjects, that he vouchsafeth to receive and hear all 

 their petitions himself. And in his absence from 

 Florence, those that have suit do resort to the office, 

 and there exhibit their bill endorsed ; whereof 

 within three days absolute answer is returned them, 

 unless the matter be of great importance, then have 

 they direction how to proceed. He is a great jus- 

 ticer ; and for the ease of the people, and to have 

 the better eye over justice, hath built hard by his 

 palace a fair row of houses for all offices together in 

 one place. 



Two years si thence he married la Signora 

 Bianca his concubine, a Venetian of Casa Capelli, 

 whereby he entered straiter amity with the Vene 

 tians : with the pope he had good intelligence, and 



