OP THE REPUBLIC OP GENOA. 417 



The revenues of the republic are but fmall. But fo 

 much the wealthier are the inhabitants. In the exi- 

 gencies of war, the expences are advanced by them. 

 To this end, it is always the cuftom with the rich to 

 confurne no more than the half of their income, and 

 to lay up the reft. By a treaty with France, Genoa is 

 allowed to keep no more than four gallies, and a few 

 other armed vefTels againft the african corfairs. On 

 the other hand, 30,000 men can be completely armed 

 at any hour, from the arfenal of this place, though no 

 more than 2500 regular troops are maintained. 



The government is very lenient towards the people. 

 Only the great crimes which difturb the public peace 

 and fecurity, are punifhed with extreme feverity. The 

 cicifbeature is only cuftomary among the noblefTe. The 

 common citizen is much difpofed to jealoufy. Who- 

 ever mould attempt to play the part of a cicifbeo with 

 the wife of a burgher, would not do it without the ha- 

 zard of his life ; and the laws are favourable to the re- 

 fentments of jealoufy. The nuptial tie is eafiiy dif- 

 folved under the pretext of natural fterility on one fide 

 or the other ; and a feparation from bed and board is 

 granted on every flight pretence. It is a lingular cir- 

 cumftance, that in this republic the office of judge is 

 entrufted only to foreign lawyers. In civil caufes there 

 are three of thefe judges, and in criminal caufes four. 

 Appeals however are made to three advocates that are 

 born in the country. With the court of inquintion 

 it has not much to do ; as that confifts of a domi-nican 

 friar, and two fenators, without whofe approbation, 

 the former can undertake nothing, 



vol. 1. e e The 



