Venice 261 



population where there are fewer crimes, or attempts against 

 the hfe, property, or peace of others: that he walks the streets 

 at all hours in the night, and never with any sort of arms. The 

 conclusion in favour of his countrymen is very fair ; at the same 

 time I must remark that these very circumstances, which he 

 produces to show that crimes ought to abound, might perhaps, 

 with as much truth, be quoted as reasons for their not being 

 found. From the want of punishment and police may probably 

 be drawn an important conclusion, that mankind are always best 

 when not too much governed ; that a great deal may safely be 

 left to themselves, to their own management, and to their own 

 feelings; that law and regulation, necessary as they may be in 

 some cases, are apt to be carried much too far; that frequent 

 punishments rather harden than deter offenders; and that a 

 maze of laws, for the preservation of the peace, with a swarm of 

 magistrates to protect it, hath much stronger tendency to break 

 than to secure it. It is fair to connect this circumstance of com- 

 parative freedom from crimes with seven theatres for only 

 150,000 people; and the admission so cheap, that the lowest 

 of the people frequent them; more, perhaps, in favour of theatri- 

 cal representations than all that Rousseau's brilliant genius 

 could say against them. At night to another theatre, that of 

 the tragi-comedy, where a young actress, apparently not twenty^ 

 supported the principal serious part with such justness of action, 

 without exaggeration, and spoke this charming language with 

 such a clear articulation and expression, as, for her age, was 

 amazing. 



6th. Another visit to islands and manufactures, etc. 



']th. My last day at Venice; I made, therefore, a gleaning 

 of some sights I had before neglected, and called once more on 



my friend , assuring him truly that it would give me 



pleasure to see him in England, or to be of any service to him 

 there. The Corriere di Bologna, a covered barge, the only con- 

 veyance, sets off to-night at eleven o'clock. I have taken my 

 place, paid my money, and delivered my baggage; and as the 

 quay from which the barge departs is conveniently near the 

 opera house, and II Burbero di buon Cuore acted for the first 

 night, I took my leave of Signore Petrillo's excellent inn, which 

 deserves every commendation, and went to the opera. I found 

 it equal to what the prova had indicated; it is an inimitable 

 performance ; not only abounding with many very pleasing airs, 

 but the whole piece is agreeable : and does honour to the genius 

 and taste of Signore Martini. Swift, in one of his letters to Stella, 



