Kings & rulers > History of the reign of the Emperor Charles V. > Volume 1

A VIEW OF THE
144 A VIEW OF THE § 3.
turies, made a trade of war, and raifed and hired
hut foldiers to different dates. But the fame
fufpicious policy, which induced the Venetians
to employ thefe adventurers, prevented their
placing entire confidence in them. Two noble¬
men, appointed by the fenate, accompanied their
army, when it took the field, with the appellation
of Proveditori, and, like the field-deputies of the
Dutch republic in latter times, obferved all the
motions of the general, and checked and con-
trouled him in all his operations.
A commonwealth with fuch civil and military
inftitutions, was not formed to make conquefls.
While its fubjedts were difarmed, and its nobles
excluded from military command, it carried on its
warlike enterprizes with great difadvantage. This
ought to have taught the Venetians to reft fatif-
fied with making fclf-prefervation, and the enjoy¬
ment of domeftic fecurity, the objects of their
policy. But republics are apt to be feduced by
the fpirit of ambition, as well as kings. When
the Venetians fo far forgot the interior defects in
their government as to aim at extenfive conquefls,
the fatal blow, which they received in the war
excited by the league of Cambray, convinced
them of the imprudence and danger of making
violent efforts, in oppofition to the genius and
tendency of their conftitution.
It is not, however, by its military, but by its
naval and commercial powrer, that the importance
of the Venetian commonwealth muft be eftimated.
The latter conftituted the real force and nerves
of the date. The jealoufy of government did
not extend to this department. Nothing was
ap] rehended from this quarter, that could prove
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