mation of this; one is, that there are not only noble families in this illuſtriſſimâ republiâ Sancti Marini, but the conſtitution has limited the choice of the electors ſo far as to oblige them to chooſe one half the ſenate out of theſe nobles; the other is, that the names of the agents for the commonwealth, of the notary, and the witneſſes to two inſtruments of purchaſes made at ſeventy years diftance from one another, one in 1100, the other in 1170, are the ſame.—It is not credible that they were the ſame perſons: they were probably ſons or grandſons—which is a ſtrong proof of the attachment to ariſtocratical families in this little ſtate, and of their deſire to continue the ſame blood and the ſame names in public employments, like the Oranges, Fagels, De Lindens, &c. in Holland, and like innumerable other examples in all nations.
Another remarkable circumſtance is, the reluctance of the citizens to attend the aſſembly of the arengo, which obliged them to make a law, obliging themſelves to attend, upon a penalty. This is a defect, and a misfortune natural to every democratical conſtitution, and to the popular part of every mixed government. A general or too common diſinclination to attend, leaves room for perſons and parties more active to carry points by faction and intrigue, which the majority, if all were preſent, would not approve.
It is curious to ſee how many checks and limitations are contrived for this legiſlative aſſemblv. Half nobles, half plebeians—all upwards of five-and-twenty years old—two thirds muſt agree—no ſon can ſit with his father; never two of the ſame family.
The capitaneos have the executive, like the Roman conſuls, and the commiſſary has the judi-
