by repeating the whole proceſs, are reduced to twelve ſecond electors, the firſt of whom names three, and the reſt two a piece: theſe twenty-five draw again from as many balls, nine of which are gilt; this reduces them to nine third electors, each of whom chooſes five: which forty-five are reduced, by a repetition of the ballot, to eleven fourth electors, and they have the appointment of forty-one, who are the direct electors of the doge. The choice generally turns upon two or three candidates, whoſe names are put into another box, and drawn out: the firſt whoſe name is drawn retires, and proclamation is made for objections againſt him; if any are made, he comes in, and is heard in his defence: then the electors proceed to determine by ayes and noes; if there are twenty-five ayes, he is choſen, if not, another name is read, and the fame deciſion repeated, until there are twenty-five in the affirmative.
The grand council, ever anxious to limit the power of the doge, ſoon thought it improper that the public act ſhould be ſigned by chancellors appointed by him, and accordingly determined to appoint this officer themſelves.
The ſenate then began to think it too great a reſpect to the people to have the new doge preſented to them for their acclamations, and ordained that a ſyndic ſhould congratulate him in the name of the people on his election. The populace, who had weekly ſurrendered their rights, were very angry at being deprived of this ſhow, and proclaimed a doge of their own; but he was afraid of the conteſt, and retired, and the people having no man of weight to head them, gave up this point.
The new doge, who had much contempt for popular government, and ſome reſentment for the
